I made this for dinner last night. It was very yummy and easy too! The only problem was that the amount of aroma it provided while simmering all day proved to be too much for my little 1950's bungalow.* I woke up about 5 times during the night because the heating vent was blowing essence of barbecue directly in my face.** The smell was so overwhelming it woke me from slumber.
Also today at work I reached over to get my phone out of my purse. As I unzipped the front pouch I was greeted by yet another strong whiff of barbecue. To be fair, I usually keep my purse on a chair near the stove but still!
* I'm pretty sure my house doesn't actually qualify as a true bungalow. But it sounds better :)
** The meat had finished cooking about 7 hours earlier. Crockpot was washed and put away.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Happiness
If you haven't seen Mad Men on AMC, I highly recommend giving it a try. The show had been recommended to us by several trusted sources, so we decided to start with season 1 on DVD. Last night we popped in disc 1 and were so engrossed that we watched all 3 episodes on the disc in one sitting.
There is a moment in the first episode that really struck a chord with me though - it's when the main character is making an ad pitch to a tobacco company telling them how to overcome the latest stigma that cigarettes are deadly (the show is set in the early 60's). He says this to the tobacco execs:
"Advertising is about one thing: happiness."
That is a profound truth. And I am so susceptible to trying to buy my happiness based on slick advertising and pretty pictures. I pour over magazines and websites trying to find that perfect item, food, clothing, beauty remedy. Once I think I've found it I set all my hopes upon it, salivating for the moment when it will be mine and bring me that happiness I so desire. It NEVER does. But instead of allowing that fact to sink in, I search for something else to distract myself in pursuit of.
The character in Mad Men goes on to describe happiness as "the smell of a new car, freedom from fear, a Billboard on the side of the road that screams with the reassurance that whatever you're doing is ok. You are ok."
Am I alone in feeling like I've been duped by the advertising machine of our consumer culture? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
There is a moment in the first episode that really struck a chord with me though - it's when the main character is making an ad pitch to a tobacco company telling them how to overcome the latest stigma that cigarettes are deadly (the show is set in the early 60's). He says this to the tobacco execs:
"Advertising is about one thing: happiness."
That is a profound truth. And I am so susceptible to trying to buy my happiness based on slick advertising and pretty pictures. I pour over magazines and websites trying to find that perfect item, food, clothing, beauty remedy. Once I think I've found it I set all my hopes upon it, salivating for the moment when it will be mine and bring me that happiness I so desire. It NEVER does. But instead of allowing that fact to sink in, I search for something else to distract myself in pursuit of.
The character in Mad Men goes on to describe happiness as "the smell of a new car, freedom from fear, a Billboard on the side of the road that screams with the reassurance that whatever you're doing is ok. You are ok."
Am I alone in feeling like I've been duped by the advertising machine of our consumer culture? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Friday, November 7, 2008
An exciting discovery
If you, like me are a nut for all things fall themed and you drink "fake" creamer in your coffee (international delight, coffee mate etc.), then you probably have tried the Pumpkin Spice flavored creamer. I am a fan.
HOWEVER I can't seem to find it in my local stores. All they have is boring stuff like hazelnut and french vanilla. yawn.
This morning I was craving a pumpkiny spicy cup of coffee but all I had in the fridge was 2% milk and personally, if I'm not using "fake" creamer than I'm at least using half&half....
Anyway, I discovered a great replacement for the pumpkin spice creamer and I know you're ready for me to stop rambling so here it is:
1. grate about 1/4 teaspoon of whole nutmeg into your freshly ground coffee before you brew it
2. Pour coffee, add milk, then top with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon
3. Add splenda or sugar to taste....but you probably want to get it moderately sweet to counteract the nutmeg and cinnamon.
It's really good! Even with 2% milk. I think I may even prefer it to the fake stuff.
HOWEVER I can't seem to find it in my local stores. All they have is boring stuff like hazelnut and french vanilla. yawn.
This morning I was craving a pumpkiny spicy cup of coffee but all I had in the fridge was 2% milk and personally, if I'm not using "fake" creamer than I'm at least using half&half....
Anyway, I discovered a great replacement for the pumpkin spice creamer and I know you're ready for me to stop rambling so here it is:
1. grate about 1/4 teaspoon of whole nutmeg into your freshly ground coffee before you brew it
2. Pour coffee, add milk, then top with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon
3. Add splenda or sugar to taste....but you probably want to get it moderately sweet to counteract the nutmeg and cinnamon.
It's really good! Even with 2% milk. I think I may even prefer it to the fake stuff.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Joining the fun...
I too would like to join the crowd of conservative bloggers noting (admirably) some positive aspects of the latest president elect. While we may not have voted for him or love some of his policies, we can still hope for the best from his presidency because after all, success for him is success for our country and I can't think of many things less patriotic than wanting him to fail.
But the point I want to ruminate on is seeing all of this through the eyes of my students. The school I teach at on Wednesday is mostly black. I absolutely adore my students at this particular school. They are bright, creative, sweet-natured, kind to each other...just charming 10 and 11 year old girls whom I care for and want to see them succeed in life. (Granted, I am only their after school drama teacher and will probably never see many of them again after this school year, but for now I am enjoying being able to be a part of their lives). The hope and encouragement I saw in the eyes of my girls on Wednesday as they proudly showed me their "Obama is the 44th president" buttons and T-shirts was something I wasn't prepared for. For the first time I saw this election through the eyes of young african-american kids who NEED to know they have just as much potential as all the other (any given nationality) kids. They were so inspired. They now know that whatever they decide they want to do in this world, if they work hard, study, apply themselves, etc. they CAN do it. That is what I grew up believeing and I'm glad that now my sweet drama students can whole-heartedly believe the same thing.
So there's a plus ;).
But the point I want to ruminate on is seeing all of this through the eyes of my students. The school I teach at on Wednesday is mostly black. I absolutely adore my students at this particular school. They are bright, creative, sweet-natured, kind to each other...just charming 10 and 11 year old girls whom I care for and want to see them succeed in life. (Granted, I am only their after school drama teacher and will probably never see many of them again after this school year, but for now I am enjoying being able to be a part of their lives). The hope and encouragement I saw in the eyes of my girls on Wednesday as they proudly showed me their "Obama is the 44th president" buttons and T-shirts was something I wasn't prepared for. For the first time I saw this election through the eyes of young african-american kids who NEED to know they have just as much potential as all the other (any given nationality) kids. They were so inspired. They now know that whatever they decide they want to do in this world, if they work hard, study, apply themselves, etc. they CAN do it. That is what I grew up believeing and I'm glad that now my sweet drama students can whole-heartedly believe the same thing.
So there's a plus ;).
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Voted!
Today was one of those days that was a challenge from the moment I opened my eyes. At 5:20 when the alarm went off I wished I could just turn over and ignore the day. I've been in the habit of going to the gym with Dustin so we were up bright and early. The first moment of joy was when we pulled into the gym at 6 and nobody was there to open up. We waited in the car with all the other early risers in their respective cars and waited...waited...
At about 6:20 we decided to give up and I was going to drop D off at his office and head home to shower, but the second moment of joy happened and the car wouldn't start. Making a long story short, I was able to borrow the car of Dustin's boss (thank you Blake!!) so I could actually show up for work at the job I despise. D was left with the car to figure out what the heck was wrong and hopefully get it fixed. Making ANOTHER long story short, my battery was dead (car is only 1.5 years old) and we did manage to get the car back by 4 pm.
Bringing me to my point...VOTING! I was so afraid that all these car mishaps would keep us from getting to the polls by 4 we could wait in the 3 hour line and then make it home by a somewhat reasonable hour.
The good news is, despite reports I heard from co-workers about people waiting for over 4 hours in some parts of Atlanta, our poll was line free! We walked right in, voted, and were out all in about ten minutes! It made me aware of how important it is to me to exercise my right to support the candidate I believe in. I am thankful that I was able to cast a vote for him (and her ;)) because despite all the hype surrounding this election, I think it is important to give support to what you believe in, even if you know your vote may not make a big difference.
I'm watching the results now, and it's still to early to call anything. But I think it's really cool that the experience of supporting a candidate and voting for them is a privilege that all Americans share. I'm glad I got to vote, and I'm glad I live in America. No matter who wins...
At about 6:20 we decided to give up and I was going to drop D off at his office and head home to shower, but the second moment of joy happened and the car wouldn't start. Making a long story short, I was able to borrow the car of Dustin's boss (thank you Blake!!) so I could actually show up for work at the job I despise. D was left with the car to figure out what the heck was wrong and hopefully get it fixed. Making ANOTHER long story short, my battery was dead (car is only 1.5 years old) and we did manage to get the car back by 4 pm.
Bringing me to my point...VOTING! I was so afraid that all these car mishaps would keep us from getting to the polls by 4 we could wait in the 3 hour line and then make it home by a somewhat reasonable hour.
The good news is, despite reports I heard from co-workers about people waiting for over 4 hours in some parts of Atlanta, our poll was line free! We walked right in, voted, and were out all in about ten minutes! It made me aware of how important it is to me to exercise my right to support the candidate I believe in. I am thankful that I was able to cast a vote for him (and her ;)) because despite all the hype surrounding this election, I think it is important to give support to what you believe in, even if you know your vote may not make a big difference.
I'm watching the results now, and it's still to early to call anything. But I think it's really cool that the experience of supporting a candidate and voting for them is a privilege that all Americans share. I'm glad I got to vote, and I'm glad I live in America. No matter who wins...
Monday, November 3, 2008
Back from the dead
Last night I went to blogspot to cancel this blog. It has been almost a year since my last post and I've been very reluctant to write anything for fear it would be misunderstood, or read by someone I don't know who would judge me. Why do I care so much what random strangers think of me?
In the end, I just couldn't cancel and instead decided to spruce up my template, and get back on (in?) the blogosphere! I want to have this connection with my blogging friends, some of whom are linked here and others who aren't. I also love having an outlet for expression. This time around however, I am gonna try my hardest to just be "me" in written form. No constant editing to make sure my words sound eloquent, re-typing stories 6 times to acheive the desired dramatic effect, spending hours agonizing about which photo to add to the post so people I don't even know can see me from the most flattering angle.
Nope, just my stream of consciousness, read by probably only 1 or 2 people, with maybe a few pictures thrown in every now and then to make it slightly more interesting. Hopefully it will include good recipes, good stories, and good communication with my loved ones in the form of commentary and linkage.
I'm going to leave the old stuff up just because I don't feel like messing with it right now, but if you do go back and read it, just know to expect more authenticity in future posts :-)
Here's to a new day!
In the end, I just couldn't cancel and instead decided to spruce up my template, and get back on (in?) the blogosphere! I want to have this connection with my blogging friends, some of whom are linked here and others who aren't. I also love having an outlet for expression. This time around however, I am gonna try my hardest to just be "me" in written form. No constant editing to make sure my words sound eloquent, re-typing stories 6 times to acheive the desired dramatic effect, spending hours agonizing about which photo to add to the post so people I don't even know can see me from the most flattering angle.
Nope, just my stream of consciousness, read by probably only 1 or 2 people, with maybe a few pictures thrown in every now and then to make it slightly more interesting. Hopefully it will include good recipes, good stories, and good communication with my loved ones in the form of commentary and linkage.
I'm going to leave the old stuff up just because I don't feel like messing with it right now, but if you do go back and read it, just know to expect more authenticity in future posts :-)
Here's to a new day!
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