Reading Again

I started to check out library books. Michael said it is a good sign that things are getting back to normal for me. I agree somewhat. I have my moments but I am reading again. Last year I read close to 150 books. And this year so far I have read only 17 books.

I am reading....
Into the Wilderness (Wilderness #1)by Sara Donati

It is a historical fiction using some characters from the Last of the Mohicans - very loosely using them. But it also have cameos from 2 characters from Outlander series which is one of my favorites so that is why I am reading it.

And then I have a couple other books - a decorating book, cookbook and just a few others like that.

Bringing Back the Pack

When I moved to Omaha, I was starting 5th grade so the Richman-Gordman Zooland animals weren't for me as I was a big girl. But I remember them. And remember my sisters playing on them. I think it is great that the Omaha Children’s Museum has brought them back together.



Video Promo: http://www.youtube.com/user/OmahaChildrensMuseum

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. Michael coming home tomorrow
2. getting a bunch of filing done
3. getting a little relief from a long cycle of my migraine
4. ice packs
5. poached eggs and toast

Peppery Beef Strips

I have a few of those recipe cards that you get in the mail. They send them in hopes that you will agree to a monthly subscription of them. I will at times save some of them. This recipe is one I saved and made this week.

Ingredients
1 lb lean beef steak
1/2 Tbsp dried oregano
1/2 Tbsp dried basil
2 Tbsp coarsely ground pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch*
8 oz linguine
1 cup julienned carrots

Directions
Slice steak into 1 4-inch-thick slices. Mix oregano, basil, pepper, olive oil, garlic and green onions in a shallow dish. Add steak; toss to coat. Heat water for pasta. Dissolve cornstarch in broth. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak; stir-fry for about 3 minutes. Remove steak. Stir broth mixture into skillet. Boil, stirring continually, for about 1 minute. Return steak to skillet. Add carrots; cook for 5 minutes. Drain pasta and add to skillet; toss with steak and vegetables. Serve immediately. Servings: 6

* The recipe card left off cornstarch on the ingredients list but not in the directions so I just did a guess on the amount. And it seemed to work good.

NOTES:
- I was out of green onions so I just used some finely grated onion
- I used Top Round Steak - thinly cut
- Added some left over red and orange bell peppers maybe 1/2 of one all together
- Added some red pepper flakes to give it some heat

We liked it and it is something that we would like to have again but I think I would add a little more broth and cornstarch. It soaked in to the pasta quickly. But otherwise it was good. It was a nice change of flavors from traditional stir fry.

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Chores

A Note from the Universe:

You know, almost anything you feel you "have to" do, like cleaning and washing, can become a chore, even a drudgery; while those things that remain optional, like Disney World and Twister, can seem far more inviting, even fun.

So, Darby, as you go down the path of life, particularly when it seems you must force yourself through the motions, it just may help if you pause and give thought to the countless souls who'd give most anything for the option of even your "chores."

Life... it can sometimes be like one of those really, really "good problems," huh?
Tallyho,
The Universe

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. Notes from the Universe
2. And Daily OM as they always seem to give me the words I need
3. sharpies
4. balsamic vinegar salad dressing on fresh greens with tomatoes
5. Mad Men

Plumbing Problems

It feels like we might get ahead and then something happens that causes a set back. A very big plumbing bill was the thing that set us back today. It is amazing that a very tiny split in the pipe can flood the yard.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. decorating inspiration all over the web
2. eye drops for my allergies
3. the pretty calendar my sister's sent me for Christmas - every month I am delighted by the images that appear
4. all sorts of music
5. autumn coming!

Enchilada Sauce

I have always used enchilada sauce from a can. But I realized I didn't have a can in the pantry the other night when I was going to make enchiladas so found a recipe that looked pretty easy. It ended up being very easy and good. It is a keeper as the saying goes.

Easy Enchilada Sauce
Adapted from Emeril Lagasse
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoons chili powder (original recipe calls for 1/4 cup)
2 cups chicken stock
10 ounces tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt --- left this out as tomato paste often has so much salt

In a medium saucepan over medium heat oil, add flour, smoothing and stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook for 1 minute. Add chili powder and cook for 30 seconds. Add stock, tomato paste, oregano, and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. The sauce will thicken and smooth out. Adjust the seasonings - such as adding more chili powder if you want it more spicy. Serve on top your favorite enchiladas recipe.

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Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. Phone calls with 2 girlfriends this week - I really need to have the time to catch up with them
2. Michael installing new memory into my computer so that isn't so slow
3. Grapes - they were on sale and so good
4. Waterproof mascara
5. My therapist

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for....

1. Seeing the beautiful moon behind the clouds - making the clouds light up

2. Time with Michael

3. Brightly colored post-it notes

4. Time to find some balance again

5. Jellybean Lip Balm

Go-To Summer Grilling Recipe

This was a recipe I found on Tasty Kitchen. I made this recipe several time this summer as it was just so easy but full of great flavors. And very juicy chicken. Since I am just cooking for 2 (but liked leftover for salads the next day), I cut this recipe down slightly. And so this is my altered directions slightly.

4 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 whole Lemon
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper

Rinse your chicken and place it in a gallon-sized ziplock bag. Zest the lemon into the bag. Then juice the lemon and add it to the bag. Next add in the red wine vinegar and the herbs. Seal the bag very well, then shake and roll around the bag until all of the ingredients are combined and the chicken is coated. Lay chicken flat in the bag and place it in your fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to several hours. Grill chicken for 5-8 minutes per side or until fully cooked and juice run clear.

NOTES:
* I used dried herbs, but if you use fresh herbs and garlic it would be even better I am sure.
* A teaspoon of black pepper is just a guideline. I use probably a little more then a teaspoon but we like pepper.
* I added the red wine vinegar because I felt it needed a little more liquid. But if you don't have it and need more liquid add more lemon juice.
* You want the herbs to really soak into that liquid so make sure you have enough liquid. So again up the lemon juice or red wine vinegar to get those dried herbs hydrated again. And to make sure the herbs really coat the chicken

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100 Things | Skirts and Barefoot

27. I like to wear skirts.

I have always been a girly girl. Even as a little girl I liked to dress up. When I lived in Cleveland, I dressed up quite a lot. I had girls nights out, dates and just time out with friends. So I got in the habit of wearing skirts and dresses. And I liked it. It just makes me feel good to wear them. I feel more feminine and pretty. And now to this point in my life, I don't even own very many pairs of pants. Just a couple of pairs and then few pairs of lounge pants.

28. I like to be barefoot.

I like socks as I said in another post. And I love shoes (have more then my closet can handle). But ultimately I come in the door and I kick off my shoes. I like to be at home barefoot. When fall arrives, I love the cool crispness that allows for sweaters and warm socks. But I also get sad because I can't just be barefoot as much.

Creating Art

An old Notes from the Universe: The shortest distance between you and your time for creating art, Darby, is thinking that you already have it and acting the part.

It is one that I should read daily!

Eat Pray Love

The night before I left Minnesota 2 of my Aunts, a cousin, my Mom and my sister had a girls night out. We went to see Eat Pray Love. There is this fancy movie theater there with a VIP lounge and exclusive seating. We arrived and had drinks before in the lounge and then ordered food and drinks that they deliver to us in the theater. It had seating with skinny tables between each seat for the food. All the food came with cloth napkins and nice plates. Not paper.

I am one of these people that can take the movie for a movie that stands alone without the book. And vice versa a book doesn't need to match the movie. So I went in with an open mind and new that they would never be able to capture the intensity of the book. I wanted to enjoy the movie just for itself and I did!

If you are wanting to see it and want it to be exactly like the book - don't see it. It will probably disappoint you. If you understand that they can't capture the intensity of the emotions book due to some of it is just not possible to me on screen but also because of length of the movie - then go see it. I think Julia Roberts was really good person to play Liz Gilbert. And I think they captures many wonderful moments of the book. Many of my favorites parts or quotes got in the movie.

Such as this one...this quote is from the section on Italy - Chapter 25 (Bead 25) page 75. Liz is talking about all the changes the Augusteum has went through. But I like what the message of the quote....

"It is merely this world that is chaotic, bringing changes to us all that nobody could have anticipated. The Augusteum warns me not get attached to any obsolete ideas about who I am, what I represent, whom I belong to, or what function I may once have intended to serve. Yesterday I might have been a glorious monument to somebody, true enough -- but tomorrow I could be a fireworks depository. Even in the Eternal City, says the silent Augusteum, one must always prepared for riotous and endless waves of transformation."

Entertainment Weekly had an article on Eat Pray Love the week it came out. And one thing I found out was Richard Jenkins who plays Richard at the Ashram talked to the real Richard before going to film and said it was the best 45 minute phone call he ever had. But he went on to say that he was sorry that Richard died before being able to see the movie. That made me sad to think that Richard is gone. He died of a heart attack.

And last but not least...OH MY Javiar Bardem....SO SEXY. He definitely made the movie better.

So I liked the movie. I would see it again. And I will want to have it when it comes out on DVD.

So we are home now and busy with work. I have been suffering with a migraine that I have had for a week. And I know it is just because I am crashing hard.

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. time with my family during this important time
2. being here for myself - to get some things I needed for my grieving process
3. shrimp burgers - which probably don't sound appetizing but it is a childhood favorite that I can only associate with the last place on earth you would think to find them - North Dakota
4. summer rain storms
5. really getting some good things from the book Women Food and God

Of Bees and Mist

Of Bees and Mist by Erick Setiawan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This review is long overdue. I was thrilled when I got the offer to read this book - as I love to read. And particularity like fantasy books. But I will admit I was a little hesitant on IF I would like this book based on reading the synopsis of it. I was wrong as it ended up being a page turner for me. I stayed up until 4am to read because I just couldn't put it down. It surprised and delighted me.

I would call it a mixture of fable and fantasy. Erick Setiawan has a wonderful imagination to create such a fantastical novel. The characters are throughly developed and the setting is magical and intriguing.

This story follows Meridia, who grows up in a cold, unfeeling home. Her mother acts as though she often isn't there. And her father despises her. Her parents aren't a loving husband and wife. Instead they barely interact with each other. So essentially Meridia is invisible in her home. One day meets Danial at the town fair. She falls in love with him and they marry. They move in with his family and at first his family seems nice and happy - totally opposite of her cold harsh childhood home. But things change and she finds out they aren't what they first appeared to be and she might have escaped one unhappy house and to end up in one that is more disturbing to her.

I was really engrossed in the story of Meridia. I rooted for her and felt like she was a friend. I was sorry to see the book come to end and knew I would miss her.

All those details might sound like an everyday domestic drama story but there is much more to this book. Again it is a magical and captivating place with deeply developed characters. It is a book that is hard to explain and hoped to be picked up to experience bees and the mist.


View all my reviews

Art

Just a few of the artist I liked from the art festival we attended yesterday....

Sarah Kaufman

Laurie Pollpeter Eskenazi

John Gutoskey

Dolan Geiman

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. the opportunity to read/review another book...IN THIS WAY I WAS SAVED by Brian DeLeeuw. I still need to do a review of OF BEES AND MIST by Erick Setiawan. I really enjoyed it to the point of wanting to just turn around and read it again.
2. the seafood boil we are going to have this weekend - I love seafood. It isn't something Michael enjoys so I don't make it that often.
3. Owl stickers
4. going to Minneapolis' Uptown Art Festival today - seeing some great art that inspires me
5. time spent with family

Alright

I get these emails called Notes from the Universe. They are notes with positive outlooks.messages of life. This is one I opened up recently that I needed to hear....

It is OK. You are alright. You needn't second guess anymore, Darby.

Everyone is safe. Nothing "bad" is going to happen. All of the promises have been kept.

And you could not possibly be more adored.


Sometimes I just like to hear things are going to be alright.