Goin' In Circles

Good morning!

I have been waiting for my laptop to figure itself out. What do I mean by that? Well, for almost a week now, I have tried to sign on to blog and read other blogs, but my friend just kept going in circles trying to connect itself...this morning it decided to join the party, so I am going to write as much as I can while it is in a good mood.

I went for a run this morning to help clear my head and for some reason it just didn't work. Too much going on upstairs, which is making things cloudy. In fact, while striding up a hill on mile 3, I couldn't even focus on a 'To-Do" list. All I could think about was why is it so freaking hot at 6:30 in the morning?

Hopefully, after my second cup of coffee (which I am savoring as I type), things will be a little less muddled and I can get some things done today.

Enjoy your July 4th...we have a hot one in my neck of the woods....

For the Love of Books......

Another post? I know! I'm on a roll....oh, writing, how I have missed you.

As I was driving nervous final exam takers to school last week, I remembered a movie trailer that made all the ladies sharing a girls' night out with me sit up and take notice. At the end of the clip we said in unison "oooh, that should be our next movie-and we should read the book first!" I wished my student passengers a big "good luck" and as they made their way into school, I headed to the nearest Borders.

When walking through the front door, the cookbooks lining the shelf caught my eye and I made a bee-line straight to the French cooking section. If you recall, "Julie & Julia" has just stirred up the writing juices again, so I wanted to see what was so great about this cookbook. I found a nice comfy chair and began leafing through the pages of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. After an hour, I returned it to the shelf. How on earth did Julie Powell cook every single recipe?? It would take me a year to finish reading through all the recipes, let alone create a masterpiece every single night AND blog about it! I was very impressed with this cooking hero. When the time comes for me to conquer French cooking, this will be the only book I will turn to. Thanks Julie.

So, back to the reason I was in Borders to begin with. Julia (Another J!) Roberts will be starring in a movie that is based on the book Eat Pray Love written by Elizabeth Gilbert. The introduction mentions that the number 3 is significant (you will have to read her book to find out!)-is this where the term "Things Happen in Three's" comes from? I wonder.....

Back to school I drove and waited for the school doors to spit out students after keeping them corralled for two hours. I picked up the book sitting on the passenger seat. I love the feeling of opening a new book; the smoothness of the cover and crispness of the pages. A new story for my eyes to scan and brain to digest. I only made it through the introduction before it was time to bring the kids home.

Once home, I grabbed a corner and read. This is going to be quite the journey with Ms. Gilbert.  Her story is actually broken out into 3 stories of her year-long quest in Italy (Eat), India (Pray) and Indonesia (Love). I have made it through Italy and have just arrived in India. 

I will keep you posted, but I have a feeling that I will end up telling you that this is a must read!

Wordless Wednesday

Girls' Night Out

 

I recently shared a much needed "Girls' Night Out" with friends. We went to a local place to grab a bite to eat and let me tell you- the food was F-A-B! We hit The Standard, a very swanky, retro restaraunt with Sinatra and the boys crooning for background music. The vibe just screamed "order a martini!", so I did. I don't drink martinis, but I decided to try one called the Stardust. (Maybe this will knock the cold out of me.) The waitress returned with a green concoction and surprisingly, it was pretty tasty! Food soon arrived, which was out-of-this-world good. After a lovely dinner and raves around the table that "we HAVE to come back here!" the girls and I departed to make our way to the movie theater to see "Sex In The City 2".

I was a fan of the HBO series and it was nice to be back in the "Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda and Carrie" over-the-top-lifestyle, ready to go through the emotional gamut these gals dish out with each story. I will never be a fashionista, but I can defintely appreciate their antics, outrageous outfits and Manolo Blahnik's.  As the opening panned across the Empire State Building with Alicia Keyes belting out "New York", I felt good things were in store. Despite the lukewarm reviews, I was pleasantly surprised that the girls were still as I remembered. I was thoroughly entertained for two hours; even laughed out loud on quite a few occasions.

We started out the evening with the "Rat Pack" and ended with the "Fabulous Four." Either way, I was with my friends and wherever we go, I can count on it being fun!

Can't wait for next time...

Wordless Wednesday:: Julie & Julia

Ok, I know that WW should have no words, but I would like to add some anyway...

I have been inspired to write again. I came home yesterday from work early in the afternoon because I was sicker than a dog. My throat was on fire, I had a fever of 101 and I ached all over. After taking a quick nap, I trudged into the kitchen to make homemade turkey soup. My daughter put in this movie for me as I made my way back to the couch and as I watched, I realized why I liked this film so much. Now, in all fairness, I read the book and LOVED it (more than the movie) but something about Meryl Streep made me enjoy the story in a different way.

I love food. I love to cook it and I love to eat it. There is something that gives you that warm fuzzy feeling when you create a dish that brings joy to others, which in turn brings joy to you.

The character Julie said that "Julia saved her" by giving her a goal, which at times, tested her patience, sanity and waistline. But, Julie perservered and made all 500+ recipes in 365 days, blogging each day of her adventure.

So, after watching a movie on cooking, blogging/writing and perserverance, I am ready to start striking these keys on a more regular basis!

Thanks Julie and Julia for "saving me".

Oh, and by the way, the soup was fabulous.