Monthly Archives: March 2009

Children's books

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fog1

I love the Internet. For a lot of reasons. But one of the most recent reasons is because I can search for books that I can hardly remember anything about and find them.

For example, I have been haunted for years by this book I read in fourth grade about this girl who travels back in time through fog. One quick google search leads me to the answer: Fog Magic.

Another book I often think of is a book about a brother and sister who are orphans who have to pick parsnips for their foster parents, and then stumble upon an alternate universal. Google tells me: The Owlstone Crown.

10 other books I recently rediscovered from my childhood include:

1. Jacob Have I Loved
2. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
3. The Egypt Game
4. The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm
5. The BFG
6. A Wrinkle in Time
7. Heckedy Peg
8. Walk Two Moons
9. Tangerine
10. My Name is Brain

5 Good Things.

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It’s Thursday, and the weekend is on it’s way.

5 Good Things:

1. The sun is shining

2. I get to go to a bead shop after work today

3. This weekend holds HSM 1, 2, 3, a soccer game, and some shopping

4. I got stamps yesterday. I love sending mail.

5. This photograph. In the middle, there is a man with a wicked mohawk. But I couldn’t get the camera out in time.

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Goodbye To You.

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sadbeach

“I learned that unbelievably awful things can and do happen. In truth, they are not so rare, isolated events. Each of us has a story that would break someone’s heart. Despite the grief and unfairness of it all, we keep going. There are chores to be done. There are people who need our care. There is a life to be led. The real lesson was found…I realized that, regardless of the heartache, we may choose the moments in which we live. On that day, I learned that love creates a tremendous capacity for grace. And perhaps it is that grace that keeps us moving forward.”

So my friend, J, she had a heartbreak recently. She is so sad, and we are all sad for her, and we are doing lots of cuddling, loving, and snuggling in an attempt to forget sadness and focus on the purple and love.

I made her a mixed tape, or CD I guess, for those moments when she hurts so bad she thinks her chest might bust. That way, she can get it out on her own time.

If you’re looking for a good cry, or if you just like melancholy tunes, here’s a mix for you:

  1. In Your Atmosphere – John Mayer
  2. Gravity – Sara Barielles
  3. Good, Better Than Ezra
  4. Walking Off The Buzz- Blessed Union of Souls
  5. San Francisco – Brett Dennen
  6. Let Your Troubles Roll By – Carbon Leaf
  7. As I’m Leaving – David Gray
  8. Bitter End – Dixie Chicks
  9. Almost Lover – A Fine Frenzy
  10. Real Life – Fortune’s Fool
  11. Cigarette – Graham Colton Band
  12. The Guy Who Says Goodbye to You – Griffin House
  13. I’ve Been Down Live Acoustic – Hanson
  14. Get Out of My Mind – Hootie and the Blowfish
  15. Sunday Morning Song – Howie Day
  16. Never Die Young – James Taylor
  17. Doublin’ Back – Jason Mraz (non live) OR “You and I”
  18. You Are a Part of Everything – Josh Kelley
  19. Walking Away – Lifehouse
  20. Let Me Leave – Marc Broussard
  21. Where We Going to Go From Here – Mat Kearney
  22. Gone – Matt Nathanson
  23. Where I Stood – Missy Higgins
  24. If I Am – Nine Days
  25. Last Request – Paolo Nutini
  26. Maybe Its Time – Pat McGee
  27. Wounded – Third Eye Blind
  28. New Soul – Yael Naim

Update: writing, and soccer.

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In addition, before I forget, I wanted to share some exciting news with you!

1. I am going to start practicing with a soccer team, and hopefully will be able to join them for games this coming summer. During the Spring the games collide with my soccer program, but hopefully I can work it out in the summer!!

2. I have started a free lance writing job for a magazine in the Valley, and I am writing my first article this week. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Things are looking up, kids. How are your summer plans going?

SPICY Chili.

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So I made some chili last night.

I don’t know what I was thinking. I don’t really like chili. But I thought, “Let’s try a new recipe.” So I did.

This was the recipe:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 poblano or bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • kosher salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels (from 1 ear, or frozen and thawed)
  • 1/2 cup grated Cheddar (2 ounces)
  • 2 scallions, sliced

This is what I ended up using:

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 5 skinny carrots, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 poblano or bell pepper, chopped
  • 1.35 lb ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste 5 tablespoons leftover sauce from the other night
  • 2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder (TOO MUCH TOO MUCH TOO MUCH!)
  • kosher salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels (from 1 ear, or frozen and thawed) 1/2 bag frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup grated Cheddar (2 ounces)
  • 2 scallions, sliced

I tried to eyeball the veg, and see what I needed. Carrots are yum in chili (but not in salad, grated. I hate stringy carrots, they are sneaky) and the pepper was good. The onion was delicious, and sauce works great as a replacement for paste.

All I can tell you is even though I kind of doubled some things and didn’t double others, one thing is for sure: I used too much chili powder. I thought since I was doubling the meat, some of the veg, and adding a little extra water, it would not be as spicy.

Man, I was wrong. Jeff ate a bowl, but told me he might not be able to do it again. Which means I am stuck with a pot of chili I’m not in love with in the first place + it is too spicy.

I must say, though, it is pretty tasty as far as chili goes. Maybe I do like chili, after all. I just have to have a bottle of water next to me… (picture to come.)