It’s time for yet another book of David Sedaris’ essays, which I have to admit–I absolutely adore. I remember when I was in high school and a friend gave me Me Talk Pretty One Day, which I read in exactly one night. I was immediately enamored with the way that David Sedaris tells stories; he’s so approachable and honest in the way that he remembers things and shares them. When I went to college and began my obsession with This American Life, I discovered that David Sedaris is a regular guest, and I listened every week. There’s this one episode where David Sedaris discusses his father’s interest in having musicians for children, and David impersonates Billie Holiday singing local shopping mall jingles, and I’ve probably heard it 50 times since. It never fails to leave me doubled over with laughter. Continue reading
Kale & Brussels Sprout Soba Noodle Salad
Are y’all ready for some real talk? If not, just skip on down to the recipe. Are you still here? The real truth is this: I have no idea what I’m doing at all almost all of the time. At work, in the kitchen, on this blog, behind a camera, in my friendships and relationships. All the time. Mostly, I just make it up as I go along. But then sometimes, there are days that make me forget how to keep pretending. I’ll see another blog (or ten) that are better than anything I’m ever going to come up with. Or maybe I totally flub something at work and I worry that everyone can tell that I’m just guessing. I’ll read something that is so honest and good that I just know I’ll never be able to write anything like it. And after a while, that kind of down-on-myself stuff can really get to me. And before I know it, I’ve become afraid to press the “Publish” button on my blog. And then one thing after another just piles on top: I lost my camera cord, I can’t remember to buy new shampoo, and I keep oversleeping accidentally. Next thing I know, I have missed three weeks of blog posts, and then that feels too hard to overcome. I’ll get into a fight with Jason about exactly nothing and then miss my favorite yoga class, and then suddenly I feel like I’m drowning. Like everything is too much and all the things that I dream for myself are impossible. Continue reading
Book #28: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Do you ever start reading a book just because you’ve heard of it? You know, you’re looking at the racks of books at the bookstore, and suddenly you recognize one–maybe you’ve seen it at someone else’s house–and you pick it up, immediately feeling some kinship toward the book, simply because you recognize it. Maybe it’s the same with people, too? Some people are just approachable, and maybe that’s because they’re sort of familiar. That’s how I ran into this book: my mom read it, and then I saw it at the library, and thought, “I know that book!” So, I picked it up and read it. In one night. Continue reading
Coffee Vanilla Cardamom Crème Brûlée
I have a question for the world: Is there any use for a brûlée torch other than brûlée-ing? I hear that you can use the broiler and get the same effect, but that’s just not true. I did use the broiler this time, and it’s pretty close, but I’ll admit that the crust didn’t get evenly crisp like I wanted it to. Armed with a brûlée torch, this dessert might change your life. It’s like a sugar cookie dipped in a cup of creamy coffee. Crème brûlée might be the easiest dessert to make that will definitely impress whoever you’re serving. It’s delicious in its simplicity, and I will be the first to tell you that a plain crème brûlée made with fresh ingredients is very hard to beat. But this coffee vanilla cardamom version is something else entirely–it’s like the exotic cousin of plain crème brûlée. It’s different, but absolutely worth a try. Continue reading
project 365: weeks fifteen and sixteen
Catching up from last week. Enjoy!
Last week was my mom’s birthday. We made a cake and went out for brunch. Continue reading
Book #27 Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
This is one of those rare times when I read a book after I see the movie it’s based on. I wish I had read the book first, but I did still enjoy it, even if I couldn’t stop imagining Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert DeNiro as the main characters.
I feel like I should start by saying that I LOVED THE MOVIE based on this book. Jennifer Lawrence earned every bit of the Oscar she won for her performance, and I never thought I would appreciate Bradley Cooper as an actor after seeing him in The Hangover. He outdid himself. It was definitely the best movie I’ve seen all year. Continue reading
project 365: week fourteen
Straight to the point: SPRING HAS ARRIVED! Continue reading
Book #26: The Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
I have to confess something. In celebration of reaching the halfway mark in my 50 books goal, I bought myself a Kindle. I know, I know. Trust me, I KNOW. My mom has a photo of me with my arms crossed, just after I proclaimed that I would absolutely NEVER read a book on a screen of any kind. I officially retract that statement. My head is hung in shame as I admit that I was wrong; I read a book on a screen. It happened. And the worst part? I LOVED IT. Continue reading
project 365: weeks twelve and thirteen
Oh my goodness. This month is making me a little loopy, just generally. It’s been one long string of really long, really full days, and sometimes, I can’t remember what I’m even spending all my time doing. I washed my hair twice the other day because I couldn’t remember if I had done it yet. I discovered a bag of lettuce in the refrigerator that I swore up and down I had never seen–turns out, I bought it? I don’t even know. Here are the last two weeks!
Jason reading the paper Continue reading
Blue Corn Muffins with Honey Butter
Growing up, my mom made corn muffins and my dad made cornbread. There is so totally absolutely a difference–cornbread is not sweet, it pretty dry, and you make it in a cast iron skillet. Corn muffins, however, are a little sweet, more moist, and can have actual corn kernels in them. I love both cornbread and corn muffins. They both serve their own purposes, and I appreciate both for their own qualities. These corn muffins, made with blue cornmeal, are soft on one hand, crunchy on the other. They have a little bit of sweetness from the corn and a tiny bit of sugar. They’re breakfast or dinner. And the honey butter, oh my God. Honey and butter belong together. It’s a match made in heaven. Continue reading
