Snow Day!

What I read over Christmas

I remember in college as it neared the winter break and all I could think was, "I am not going to read a single book. I have been reading all semester and could care less about books." Cut to a day after coming home after finals and I am well into book number two of the Christmas holiday book glut. And this holiday season was no different. So, instead of forgetting to write about any of the books, here is my quick recap of all of them.

Dexter in the Dark - I began reading this series before the television show Dexter started on Showtime. The books are a dark comedy following a serial killer (Dexter) who only kills those who meet a strict code of also being killers or other extreme criminals. Thing is - Dexter works at the policy department as a blood spatter specialist. So, the books are his journey to figure out who he is as a killer, evade getting arrested and finding people to kill. Amazingly enough, I think the TV show is better than the books - it has a great black comedic take to the story. However, both the book and the show have a bit to a lot of language. If you want to read a good crime novel, I would say stick with Grisham.

Under the Banner of Heaven - I wanted to get a different book (Into Thin Air) by Jon Krakauer, but it was checked out of the library. However, I am perfectly content that I got this one instead. This exploration of the history, beliefs and sects of the Mormon Church is framed around the 1984 murder by Dan and Ron Lafferty of the wife and infant daughter of their brother Allen. Learning about the beginnings of the Mormon church was fascinating and admittedly a little odd. Krakauer interviews Dan Lafferty as well as a number of people who are or were a part of polygamist, fundamentalist Mormon sects. Not only does the book explore what these people believe, but also why they believe and how they directly impact the governments, schools and law enforcement. Perhaps one of the parts I found most shocking was the amount of federal government money fundamentalist Mormons receive. Since they are polygamous, the additional wives qualify for government money, schools get additional funds, airports are built in the middle of nowhere due to strong influence, money they take willingly even though they largely refuse to pay taxes to what they believe is a corrupt and evil government. A book that is part history, part In Cold Blood -intriguing from first page to last.

The Golden Compass - I wanted to read this book more because of all the hoopla it had when the movie was released than because I heard it was a good book. While there was more mention toward of the close of the book about religion and such that must have caused said hoopla, I cannot recall anything that shocked and aghast. Or I just did not understand well enough what "dust" is in order to see how blasphemous this book has been claimed to be. Or the blasphemy comes in the final two books of the trilogy - stay tuned! (What attacks the book does lob at religion seems to be more focused on those such as Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox - ones centering around an ingrained tradition and ritual.) Overall, The Golden Compass was a decent fantasy novel - not even close to The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings, but decent. It follows a orphan named Lyla and her daemon/animal companion thing Pan as they help to save children captured to get "dust." The thing that bothered me most about this book is the daemons. There are several different "species" of daemon - cat, dog, rodent, bird, monkey, fish, bug, etc - but it never flushed out what each daemon represents/echoes from their owner. The one flushed out the most, dogs, was only mentioned once when it was stated that all the servants had dogs. Each daemon is supposed to be a reflection on the personality of their human counterpart, and I wanted to know, in general, what each type of daemon meant. Alas, none such list or explanation was given.

A Thousand Acres - This was a rich book. Set in Iowa in the late '70s, this novel follows a family whose father wills his land to his three daughters. One of the daughters is taken out of the deal because she is less than thrilled at getting the land. After the apportioning, the remaining two daughters and their husbands try to figure out how to farm this land best all while dealing with the father who gave up the land before he was done controlling it, a man with a harsh personality made harsher with alcohol and the relative ease his daughters "move on" without him. The larger theme of the book is taken from King Lear and it is both heartbreaking and indulgent to read. Through the summer after the father gives his land, the families must face infidelity, visions of different lives, faithfulness to one another and the land, and resurfacing of painful memories. The only thing I did not like about this book was when I read it. It is so descriptive that I expected to walk out my front door and feel the squelching heat on my face.

I think those are all of them. I started another on my flight back east, but am not far enough into it to give any meaningful report. What did you read over the holiday?

Two "Art" Books

Two weeks ago (give or take) I ventured to my recently discovered local library to stock up on three weeks worth of reads. I had a list, but all the book on my list were checked out. So what is a person to do when their post-it list of books is not at the library? Stand with glassed-over eyes in the middle of fiction row C-H and try and remember what other books were on the backup list, that's what. When memory failed me on that front, I wandered.

On this particular wandering, I came away with two books - one I looked for, one that looked good and was close by. One that I do not even care to finish, the other a sumptuous read. Let's get the no-so-good one out of the way - The Art Thief. It was mysterious and not the usual crime story. Had I looked at the Amazon reviews, though, I would have found a different book. I am about 200 pages in and could not tell you one of the characters' name, much less why they are in the story. The dialog is painful, the flow staccato. It is a book that I hoped would begin to flow and make sense, but it has stayed monotone and dull throughout. I shall return it today short of reading the final 120+ pages - a rarity for me, even with the most abysmal book.

Ah, but not everything is wasted time and words. Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of the most elegantly written novels I have read this year. The book is wrought from the author's imagining of the scenario surrounding Vermeer's creation of the work of art by the same name. The story follows, Griet, a young woman from low means who becomes a maid in the household of Vermeer. Through a series of circumstances, Griet is asked to pose for a painting, something that has far-reaching repercussions. The author, Tracy Chevalier, writes so beautifully, as evidenced in the opening paragraphs:

"I (Griet) was chopping vegetables in the kitchen when I heard voices outside our front door - a woman's, bright as polished brass, and a man's, low and dark like the wood of the table I was working on...I could hear rich carpets in their voices, books and pearls and fur...My mother's voice - a cooking pot, a flagon..."

Each character is fleshed out, but maintains an air of mystery, whether it be a quiet hope for revenge or a glimpse of generosity from an unlikely source. I am beginning to think I should have reread this book instead of slogging through The Art Thief. Excellently written, beautifully constructed novel of a unique and priceless painting.

Southern Flyer Diner

Through a series of events (some of them called flying), I ended up in Texas for Thanksgiving. Now before some of you post your "But why did you not call me to hang out?" let me explain that it was short trip to Texas and I will return to said state in about two weeks for a longer period of time so, you know, let me know if you want to grab coffee or something. Wait, scratch that, grab Chuy's or Rudy's or something.

Anyway, while in Texas, my parents took me on a tour of their new town which boasts numerous Victorian style homes. And I think we managed to see just about all of them. Naturally, looking at old houses creates quite an appetite and my dad suggested we eat at the local airport. Yes, I had my doubts, too. But it sounded intriguing and fairly safe as far as airport food goes. A little 50's-style diner called the Southern Flyer Diner.
When approaching a new dining experience, I find it best to go with what the place is known for. That way, if it really is below whatever standards I have for food, I know that a return trip is not necessary. And to me, 50's diner equal burger. Which is what I had. A hamburger, no cheese with fries and a Dr. Pepper. Oh, before I get into the details of the burger-eating experience, let me set the scene for you. All the waitresses where poodle skirts and saddle shoes; there is a jukebox and a shake/malt counter; the floor is black and white checkerboard; and you can see into the kitchen through the pass-through.
The burger came with the meat on the bottom bun and the top bun opened with pickle slices, onions, lettuce and tomato, I am guessing so that you can pick off what you do not want. The bun was freshly toasted and had that slight crisp that married well with the fresh-beef patty. Every flavor and texture complimented each other perfectly and stood out to just the right degree. The onion did not overpower the tomato, nor the pickle the meat. Tasty yummy burger.

But, the true shining star of the plate were the fries. Best fries I have ever eaten. They must batter them before they fry them because the had just that extra crunch that made them stand out. Perfectly salted and stayed crisp from first fry to last. All in all an A+ meal. Unfortunately, no room was left for a shake or malt, but I am sure the quality is similarly matched to the burger and fries.

So, if you are ever flying into Brenham Airport, or just stopping by to see Blue Bell Creamery, go down the meandering road to Southern Flyer Diner and let a girl in a poodle skirt get you a great burger and fries.

Uh-oh, she's gone granola!

At work, I take my lunch around 2 pm. Why? Because it makes the afternoon feel like it whizzes by. And that is a time I know everyone else will be in the office so I do not have to answer phones with food in my mouth - neither ladylike nor professional. However, I begin to feel the rumble of hunger around 11 am. For quite some time, I had been eating Kashi granola bars but eventually realized that, at almost a box a week, I was paying a pretty penny month-to-month for my late morning munch. But what was a girl to do?

Make granola bars, that's what. And who better to help me than everyone's favorite TV chef, Alton Brown! (What? He is not your favorite? Well, he should be.) In the particular episode the granola bar recipe is from, Alton decides that he can make his own cheaper and healthier versions of the granola bar, power bar, and Rice Krispie treat. Curious as to just how easy granola bar making could be, I tried it out. And, I must say, pretty easy.


The directions are simple, the most complicated thing being toasting the oats, nuts and wheat germ (which really is not that complicated - if you can turn an oven on and stir every 5 minutes or so, you'll be fine). The step in the process that I learned was most hazardous to my health is smooshing the granola mixture into the pan. Toasty warm, honey infused granola mixture adhering to hands is not a pleasant experience. My solution is putting a bit of wax paper on top of the granola after it has been dumped in the pan to compact it all together. It is still warm on my hands, but it opts to stick to the nerve-free paper rather than my skin.

Since making this a few times, I have begun to experiment with it a little. Different fruits mainly. If you go for dried apricots, make sure to cut them pretty small. Dried cherries and cranberries have been my staples, with some random raisins thrown in. I don't think I adhere to the dried fruit quantities listed in the recipe - I just toss a bunch of dried fruit in until I think it has enough. This last go round I added a tablespoon or so of peanut butter to the honey mixture which gave the granola a great honey and peanut butter sandwich taste and smell. The peanut butter also made the granola chewier, which I prefer. My next experiments will be with chocolate can it go in the granola bar without melting all over) and using different nuts instead of almonds.

Psst...Did you know?

It's autumn! I know, I know, you'd think with my post earlier today it was winter, but it's not...yet. And, having lived in an autumn-deprived state for so long, I am soaking it all up. The crisp air, the honking geese, the colors - it all makes for a wonderful fall. And I thought I would share some of my autumnal bliss with you.

The pictures are from various places around Raleigh, ranging from the parking lot outside my apartment to my office's parking lot to the school my church is at to the lake near Aaron's apartment.

Oh my goodness!

It is snowing! Outside my office window. Snow...falling to the ground. Like little flakes of heaven. I feel like I am in a snow globe. It's snowing!!