Books, Reviewed

I recently finished reading Watership Down by Richard Adams. It was selected from a stack of books I was interested in but no one jumped out to me. Process of elimination and spousal input eventually narrowed the field to this novel. And I am quite happy that it did. For those, like me, who do not know what Watership Down is about, it followed a group of rabbits who decide to leave their warren (home) to find a new place to live that one of the rabbits saw in a vision. I know, it sounds strange, but it is really good! I explained it to Aaron as something of The Once and Future King, where Merlins turns Wart into various animals so he can learn about different societies. There is something of this in Watership Down, as the rabbits encounter different warrens along the way, each of which take something important to rabbits, like safety from predators, and skew it just enough so they lose something of their rabbit-ness. Another book I used to compare it to with Aaron was The Lord of the Rings, only in that it is an adventure story with dangers and strange lands. This is a book someone could read to their child, read as a teen, and again as an adult, and enjoy it at each stage. 

The other recent read that was a true surprise was one I picked from my Penguin Classics, which I now have the complete collection of - yay! The book was one of only a couple I had not heard of before, so it was high time I figured out what it was about. The book is Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell and, my goodness, is it a riot. This book is not a novel so much as a series of vignettes revolving around the lives of a group of older ladies in Cranford, a town with no men, as Gaskell writes. These women, widows or unmarried daughters of the town's "aristocracy" have, over their 60+ years, created an unwritten rule book of how long a  neighborly visit should last (15 minutes); that a dress in a fashion 30 years ago is acceptable, but the latest fashion in hat must be worn (at least they are led to believe they wear the latest hat trend); and that it may not be reasonable, but must not be spoken of, if one of the ladies decides to make a flannel jacket for her cow after it loses its hair. These ladies, in other words, are simply ridiculous, but they do it with the sweetest of intentions...mostly. It may take reading a sentence twice to understand the humor, but Gaskell ensures the pages are rife with subtle, and not so subtle, moments of delight. Aaron must have thought me mad with my random laughter throughout this book. If a gal wants to read something around Charles Dickens' time, with something like Jane Austen's more hilarious characters living next door to one another, this is an excellent book.

On the Road Again

In order to keep up my family's recently added tradition of constant relocation, Aaron and I are moving...again. It feels like we just moved into our apartment, but we are pulling up our stakes, loading up our wagons, and heading south. Watch out world, we are going to Atlanta! 

Aaron has completed his dissertation, been approved to graduate, and I can now boast that I married a doctor.  Woohoo!  Unfortunately, graduation and a PhD mean a new job, which for us means a move. Aaron has accepted a position at Georgia Tech to be a postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Interactive Computing (I think I got all those words correct). We are excited to mess around in a new city, but a little nervous about the upcoming change. However, this does keep up our tradition of living in state capitals. Three down, 47 to go!  

We have found an apartment that we hope will work out well for us in the couple years we know we will be in Atlanta, but we still are looking for many of the other basics in a new town. Church, grocery store, Target, Trader Joe's, gas station, book store... In our visit there a few weeks ago for home hunting, we did stumble upon what could prove to be our local restaurant (Shorty's!) and our local library, so those are two things we can check off our list. And our apartment is right next to a park, so walking trails and green places are taken care of, too. 

I am excited to take advantage of all Atlanta has to offer in the way of museums, theater, food, sports, and historical sites. Stay tuned for our adventures as we try to be visitors in our new home.

Update pre-post: We are here, along with what we hope are all our worldly possessions. Boxes are still lurking waiting to be unpacked, but all in all life is settling into a nice rhythm. I have found the grocery stores, Target, Ikea (swoon!), Trader Joe's, ice cream, and a local book shop. I still have no idea where the closest/cheapest gas station is, church searching begins in earnest this weekend, and I think, if my not-so-subtle hints worked, that we will have our first outing as visitors in our new town. Which I am too excited for words about - I feel like a kid going to Disney with what I hope is planned for this weekend.  

You're My Obsession

I need to begin tracking where I first hear about things, if for no other reason than my own historical timeline bent. Like books; I can rarely recall where or how I first hear about a book. In any case, not exactly the point of this post here. I would like to take out my traveling salesman suitcase and convince you why you need what I have to show you.

First up, and in use right now - glasses!  I needed new glasses, badly. Not only because street signs were taking longer to read, but also because my frames were warped beyond repair.  Or, to be more real with you, every time I tried to have the frames adjusted, they became more crooked. Pretty sure my ears are at different heights or my nose is crooked  or my eyes are not where they are supposed to be. Whatever the reason, things were not sitting well, literally. So, I did what any American today would do, I Googled. Not sure what perfect phrase I entered to yield the results I had, but nevertheless, there it was.  The answer, the beautiful, elegant, inexpensive answer to all my problems. Warby Parker.  Sigh...

Warby Parker is a company that makes glasses (and sunglasses). For $95. With the prescription. Yes, take a moment and reread that little burst of amazingness. $95 will get you your very own pair of gorgeous, handsome, put all other frames to shame glasses and lenses. What, is that not enough for you?  Fine. They have a virtual try on studio where you can upload your mug and try on glasses. For every pair of glasses purchased, a pair is donated to someone in need. They also train low income entrepreneurs in developing countries to fit and sell glasses.  Has what I told you still not won you over?  You get to try on frames, in your home, for free for five days. Yep, you pick five frames you like, they ship them to you, and you can show any and everyone you like, take votes, ask strangers what they think. You can even ask the people at Warby Parker what they think of your glasses. Five days later, ship the frames back for free, and buy a pair if you like. And I liked.  Say hello to the divine Leigh...

My specs were a little more expensive because I am more blind than most people, but even with the added oomph, it still came in under $130. Easy on the eyes and the pocket?  Yes, please.  I even have my eyes on my next pair. I am looking at you Reese. (Oh, the puns!)

For my second trick, I mean, product, I present bkr bottle. Worried that plastic was going to rot my brain out (or whatever drinking water from a sun-soaked plastic bottle does), I spied these little beauties...somewhere.  Really wish I could remember how I heard about them, because I think these are awesome.  Essentially, it is a glass bottle with a silicone suit and a lovely top hat/fascinator. I purchase my first one at a local Raleigh shop, Nofo at the Pig. I was so desperate for one, I did not care too much about the sleeve color. Which was good since the only color that appealed to me was Space. 

Ah, but second chances came when I showed my new acquisition to Aaron, a notorious water loather. Here is what is different about bkr: since the bottle is glass, it does not absorb any smells from liquids like OJ, Gatorade, or Dr. Pepper. The water, or whatever you drink, tastes just like it is supposed to. Not orange water or lemonade milk. We searched once more for bkr and found them at Whole Foods. I passed along my Space one to Aaron, and picked up a happy Julep for myself.  Since then, Aaron has professed how great the bottle is. With the aid of a little drink mix-in, he drank a whole 16 oz glass in one day. This is a big accomplishment and I am proud that bkr and I helped make it possible.

So there you are, two of the latest finds that have become the things I will tell just about any and everyone about. It is incredible how relatively simple things can impact our day-to-day lives. Glasses and a glass, who knew?

Memorial Day Vacation

(Sorry for the great delay in posting this, summer here has been a little crazy.  More details on that as soon as I am at liberty to post said details.)

Aaron and I celebrated the completion of his dissertation and official start in life as a (not a real) doctor with a trip to the mountains and the lake.  First stop was Asheville to return to where we spent a bit of our honeymoon. We chose this time to see more of the city and had a great time casually meandering around this unique and odd town. Austin may ask for people to keep it weird, but Asheville more or less abides in weirdness.  

Day 1:
After church we hit the road and happily drove away from the beaches and up to the mountains for Memorial Day. After some food suggestions from the hotel concierge, we settled on going to Mayfel's, a Louisiana-inspired restaurant that did not come up in my pre-trip research. Situated next door to the better known Tupelo Honey Cafe (more on that later), Mayfel's both suffers and benefits from Tupelo's higher profile. Hungry diners unwilling to wait at Tupelo often find their way to Mayfel's. Not a bad runner-up, I would have to say. 
After handily winning in the food ordering category last time we were in Asheville, I was looking to retain my crown while Aaron sought redemption. I quickly chose my dish - Fried Catfish Po'boy - thus taking Aaron's first choice away, leaving him to settle with the jambalaya. It was clear who the winner was the moment they arrived - me!  While Aaron's dish suffered from rice issues, my catfish was piping hot, with the perfect amount of remoulade and coleslaw on bread that was soft but stood up to the juices. So comfortingly good.  I want it again just thinking about it, mmm...

However, to his credit, Aaron won the dessert category. We visited French Broad Chocolates to pick up some truffles to bring home (we had some on the honeymoon, and I bought some for Aaron's Christmas stocking) and Aaron laid his little eyes upon a chocolate creme brulee.  He was nice enough to split it with me, though I have no idea how someone could finish it on their own.  It is not the amount that will get you; it is the deep, velvet richness of the chocolate that would have made me throw in the spoon halfway through if I were eating it alone. We have not partaken of any of the truffles yet, but we have not had one we did not like before and am pretty sure the record will stay the same.

Side note on French Broad Chocolates: When we were there on our honeymoon, there was a lady sketching people in the store unobserved (at least by the people she was sketching). When we came this time, she was there again, sketching another patron of the chocolate company. Aaron quipped that next time we come (and there will be a next time), if she is there we should ask her to sketch us. So, I am putting it out there - lady at French Broad Chocolates who sketches with charcoal, we would like you to draw us, please!

Day 2:
Free breakfast at the hotel to save our taste buds for the plans we have today.

Our goal on our one full day in Asheville was to take a walking tour of downtown. However, it being Memorial Day, the place to get the walking tour maps was closed.  Wop-wop.  Undeterred, we spent some time at Mast General Store where we bought some clothes and candy. We then ventured to one of the more unique coffee shops you will encounter - Double Decker Coffee Company situated in a British double decker bus (pictured). Not only was the novelty amusing, our Creme Brulee Latte and Peppermint Bark Mocha were quite good. Aaron's latte tasted like toasted marshmallows and warm goodness. 

We meandered around downtown a little more, checking out a couple of art stores/galleries, making our way to Grove Arcade, an older building that has been converted to commercial and residential space. The highlight for us was Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar. A beautiful multi-story used bookstore melds elegantly with a wine bar. While I enjoyed a chair and air conditioning, Aaron found a couple books to add to the bookcase at home. I think we could have spent a day or two looking at all the books. However, linner was calling...

We staved off hunger as long as possible in hopes our beloved Tupelo Honey Cafe would not be busy around 3 pm, a perfect time for linner (lunch+dinner). We were wrong; they were busy, but the wait was only 25 minutes or so. For drinks, Aaron ordered a beer flight with (memory, don't fail me now!) Carolina Brewery Firecracker, Pisgah Brewing Blueberry Wheat...and two others that, as you can surmise, paled in comparison.  I opted for the Ginger Muddled Mojito, which is a great summer drink, if a teensy bit heavy on the ginger for my taste.

There was some debate regarding what to order.  Should one of us order the Fried Chicken Saltimbocca that I enjoyed so much on the honeymoon and recreating at home? Go for a more recently created at home pork tenderloin to compare? In the end, Aaron went for the Mountain Trout with Spinach Beurre Blanc and I chose Not Your Mama's Meatloaf (pictured). Aaron's was like three meals in one with the trout, goat cheese grits, and roasted red peppers - all of which was fantastic.  I am not a big fan of meatloaf, with many I have tried being dry and garnished with ketchup, something I have not understood.  Meatloaf is not a hamburger, thus ketchup should not be present. Tupelo's meatloaf not only has bacon in it, but is topped with a rosemary tomato shallot gravy.  The smoke from the bacon melds with the gravy to make an almost barbecue sauce taste. Although, I think my version of macaroni and cheese is better than what was on my plate here. 

The only question left was what we should eat next time. Maybe dabble in the sandwich and burger portion of the menu, or eat breakfast there?  Hmm...

Days 3-5:
Before we traveled to our next destination, a friend's lake house, we of course had to eat breakfast. Aaron picked Early Girl Eatery, and we are both happy we went there. Like much of Asheville, Early Girl is focused on local, sustainable food, and breakfast is a great place to get a little of all that.  I went for one of their daily specials, a Quiche with green tomatoes, local cheese curd, and prosciutto.  The crust was sturdy enough to hold the egg mixture without flopping over, but still flaky and light.  The green tomato was a little bland and one note, but the salty prosciutto was incredible and the cheese melded seamlessly with the eggs. 

Aaron ordered what I coined Thanksgiving for Breakfast, better known at Early Girl as Sausage and Sweet Potato Scramble. It has mushrooms, bacon, green onion, pork and sweet potatoes with a biscuit on the side. After tasting one another's breakfasts, we decided we liked what we ordered best, which seemed in theme with our food orders throughout the trip. Yum, yum, yum!

We then hit the road and headed to the lake, which was the "do little to nothing" part of the trip.  Over the two days we were there, we floated in the lake, watched movies, I beat Aaron twice at Trivial Pursuit (this is HUGE, people, huge!), shot some basketball, and watched a lot of geese and goslings waddle about. For food, we went with our old standby Mini Man Burgers, some brats, and brownies ala mode (with Salted Caramel Sauce from Trader Joe's - I wanted to bathe in it!). 

After returning home, we both agreed this was one of our best vacations ever, together or apart. A perfect balance of doing and not doing anything. Asheville is our city to escape to, build a mountain home near, visit as much as possible, retire in...you get the idea. We love it. And the lake house, oh the lake house. We asked our friends after returning if we could be unofficially adopted into their family so we can go there every weekend without feeling (as) guilty. Overall, it was the perfect re-balance to life that we needed, and a time we will remember well, and one we will seek to recreate throughout our life together.

On the Like List

While I attempt to remember what I need to blog about, here is a list of some things that make me feel that kind of happiness that you feel all the way from your middle. 

Cookie Butter.  I have read about it, I have stalked it at Trader Joe's, for Cookie Butter is quite elusive. At last, I found it...and it was nothing like I thought it would be.  I assumed cookie butter would be like sugar cookie dough - sweet, granular, and buttery. Nope, nada, zilch.  It's better!  As I described it to Aaron, it is like they melted gingersnaps and molasses cookies and put it in a jar. It is spicy, smooth, and comforting. Uses I have found for it so far: on toast, on a pretzel stick, on pancakes, from a spoon.  Would be good on: celery, apples, a bigger spoon, English muffin, bagel...

Tupelo Honey Cafe Cookbook. I have a post or two in the delayed works referencing this book, but allow me to introduce you to my new favoritest cookbook not written by Alton Brown. Aaron and I ate here on our honeymoon, I drooled over their book at Barnes and Noble, and eventually got my paws on it for Christmas...or Valentine's Day...from Aaron?  In all honesty, everything kind of faded into the background upon me opening the gift. Since reading through every last recipe, I have made sandwiches (Fried Green Tomato with Grilled Portobello), chicken of the gods (to be written about soon I hope), and mac and cheese (yowza!). Julie may have cooked through Julia Child's book, but I this just may be the first cookbook I own from which every recipe gets its chance to impress me.

Little dish from Ginny. I love this dish; it is one of my favorite decorations in the home.  My Aunt Ginny went to Japan to help my cousin-in-law take care of her newest born for a bit and she brought this back with her for me. Not only is great for holding part of my button collection, but it has some history behind it.  It was made in Allied occupied Japan; it says so on the bottom.  How cool is that?! 

Bacon Salt. (Aaron is probably reading this with a shocked face.) Here is the story: Aaron likes adding random things to our grocery list.  A month or so ago, Aaron included on the grocery list things like hamdog pattycakes (imaginary) and bacon salt (real). Life was rough, so I thought I would look for bacon salt to bring home a little spot of happiness. No luck.  At a later shopping trip I mentioned to Aaron I looked for the salt but could not find it. Somewhere in aisle 7 communications were crossed and he thought I really wanted this bacon salt, not remembering he put it on the list. So, he did a very nice husband-y thing and bought it for me. It came, he teased, I saw...and reminded him it was he who wished for such a thing. Cue crestfallen Aaron-man. Using my awesome kitchen skills, I decided to use the bacon salt...on popcorn. Um...I may never eat popcorn any other way ever again. Smoky, not too overpowering, and also good on buttered toast, Aaron's invent-a-dinner (tortilla, pizza cheese, salsa, pepperoni, and bacon salt...yes, he lived to tell about it), and hopefully our baked potatoes tonight. 

On the not-like list:

Olives. Ick, yuck, grody! This was once again confirmed when Aaron bought olives at the store and their smell alone sent me running from the kitchen. Maybe it gives me flashbacks of working at Schlotzsky's and smelling the vinegar olive juice when the big cans of crushed olives were drained. Whatever the reason - disgusting!

Giving up on books.  Maybe this is a good thing; maybe I am maturing as a reader and discerning what I like. But I have thrown in the towel on a couple books lately, and it makes me sad...especially when I read some of the glowing reviews. Not finishing a book is hard, so hard in fact I usually read about 100 pages pages my interest expiration page. There are some books I am willing to slog through because I know it is good for me to read it (classics mainly), but I need to learn that books do not have feelings, and me not reading every book I begin is okay. I may need a recovery group, though.

Dinner Aflame

Monday night I made perhaps one of the best meals ever. And I am not just saying that because fire was involved. Care to venture a guess? No, not s'mores, not Baked Alaska, not Banana's Foster (yuck!). Care to make some Flaming Shrimp and Grits?


First of all, do not be intimidated by the fire. This recipe is easy, showy, and does not take too long. Aaron loves grits, loves them, and I have yet to understand the appeal. But, I am learning to like polenta. They are close cousins, grits being in my mind white, bland, and blobular while polenta is yellow, savory, and smooth. The grits (really polenta) has a whole load of goodness - whole milk, butter, and cheddar cheese. The key here is not keeping the pot too hot. Not only do the grits dry out, it also creates its very own volcanic eruption of cornmeal magma. Low heat, whisking occasionally will keep it smooth and happy. Your unburnt forearms will thank you.


Now, to the fun part! After peeling and deveining the shrimp, throw them in a non-stick skillet for a minute or two. Turn off the heat, add two ounces of bourbon whiskey, and light those shrimp...with a long match or stick lighter.  Turn the heat back on and keep tossing until the fire extinguishes itself.  Add a little salt, pepper, and hot sauce, and place over the grits. 
The whiskey does not create a sauce, but it cooks the shrimp through while retaining the moisture so you are not faced with rubber shrimp. Extremely flavorful and gosh darn fun!


Happy sixth lunaversary, Aaron!

2011, in review

So, all my previous attempts at writing a year 2011 wrap-up stalled out.  Instead of a couple posts on my year, behold - the year in list! (In no particular order)


- I got married to Mr. Aaron-man, who constantly amazes me with how creatively loving a person can be.  And where one's love is located.  The metatarsal was the latest location of his love for me.    


- I surpassed my goal of reading 26 books in a year by two books.


- Some dear friends and family passed away.  Tim, Amy, and Nanny are dearly missed.


- Favorite dessert I did not make: Honey and Sea Salt Pie at Piebird


- Favorite dessert I made and can remember: Cookies and Cream Ice Cream.  It is AB's vanilla ice cream with a box (yes, a box) of crunched Oreos


- Favorite meal out: Tie between the Fried Shrimp Gnocchi at Top of the Hill and Chicken Saltimobocca at Tupelo Honey Cafe.  I totally won in ordering food while on the honeymoon.


- Favorite meal I made: Corn and Cheese Chowder...ooh, and Panko-crusted Salmon


- Least favorite meal I made: Any time I made chicken noodle soup.  I am beginning to think I just do not like chicken noodle soup. 


- Favorite book I read: Matterhorn, without a doubt. Even now when I am looking at the shelves for the next book to read, I pause on this one, tempting myself to read it again.


- Least favorite book I read: Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer.  This book, by an author whose work I love, made me so angry.  Krakauer let his personal opinions and beliefs cloud the story and Pat Tillman kind of seemed like a jerk.


- Favorite food find: Gyoza sauce from Trader Joe's


- Product obsessions: Aveeno lotion and Mighty Leaf Tropical Green Tea


- Kitchen tool addition of the year: My blender...and my mandolin...and my salad spinner...wedding presents are the best!


- Household addition: Aaron (duh!)...and our awesome bed of awesomeness, the Tempurpedic. 


- I have too many... Dish towels, wooden spoons, and blankets


- I do not have enough... Things to wear, comfy reading places


- Favorite spot: Caribou Coffee with Aaron after geocaching


- Cutest moment: Haydie-bug flirting with Aaron over Thanksgiving.  (It may have been my BIL being the flower girl at the wedding when Haydie-bug got stage fright, but I was waiting in the wings, and thus unable to see.)


- Least favorite place: Schmacy's housewares department - over and over again


There are probably large chunks of my 2011 year I am missing here, but I think I hit most of the high notes.  2012 is going to be another big year of big changes - graduations, new jobs, maybe new cities, and a whole lot of "who knows" thrown in!