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favorite childhood book

July 13, 2012

friday field trip

What is the first book you remember from your childhood?  When I posed this question to people I know, some common responses were Pat the Bunny and Good Night Moon…I remember reading these titles to my children, but have no recollection of them from my own childhood.  The first, and only picture book I remember was Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel  by Virginia Lee Burton…What does that say about me, I wonder?   It is a great book, mind you, but not exactly the kind of ‘warm and fuzzy’ titles mentioned by my friends.

With that in mind, I fast forward to a day recently when a friend gave me some of those trendy topic cards…you know the ones…they  suggest topics to  start dinner conversation?  Well, the ones I received suggest activities, and this was the first card I pulled out of the pack:


So, I guess I could have chosen to read Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.   I didn’t.   I decided  to go with the first book I remember really enjoying reading by myself…the flashlight under the covers, I will risk getting in trouble, it’s so good, I like this whole reading thing book.  For me, that book was, without question The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary.

Interesting revelation that the two ‘milestone books’  from my childhood were both considered  ‘boy books’…particularly back at the time I was enjoying reading them.  Interesting.  My Friday field trip was to the local Barnes and Noble rather than the library.  I thought I might want to buy a copy of the book to keep for my bookshelf.   But, when I saw the cover illustration had been changed – modernized and looking very different from the original book  – I decided against it…it just didn’t look like the same book.

I planted myself in one of the comfy chairs in the corner of the bookstore and went about reading my book…to the left of me a girl was reading Psychology Today and to the right, a young man was reading Help Cure Cancer Through Nutrition.  There I sit, in the little reading circle, with a book from the children’s section written for an eight-year-old reading level…I wonder what the two neighboring readers thought about my selection?

I’m surprised how much of the story I did not remember, considering the book had such a profound effect on me.  Mrs. Cleary, now over 90 years old, was considered a trendsetter back in the 1960’s. She was a librarian that decided to write books for children when she discovered that school age children, particularly boys,  couldn’t find books that were written for people ‘like them.’

So, I wonder how I ended up with The Mouse and the Motorcycle…it was definitely taken out of my grade-school library, but I wonder how I chose it…Did the title or cover appeal to me?  Did the librarian recommend it to me?   I will never know.   I just know that last year,  when I was asked to name the top six books – of all the books read in my lifetime – that have had the biggest impact on me, The Mouse and the Motorcycle made the list.

Thanks Ms. Cleary, for instilling a life-long love for reading into my life.

To read more about Beverly Cleary, visit her website:  www.beverlycleary.com

11 comments

change your perspective challenge

July 10, 2012

living in the moment

Have you heard of life coaches?  I was talking to friend recently who told me a life coach had totally changed the lives of two people she knew.  How?  Simply by helping these two people change their perspective.  Can a change in perspective have that profound an effect?

Living in the moment is something I am really working  on.  I am trying not to have regrets about the past or get too crazy about planning for the future.  How many times have I thought if I could just manage to get everything ‘just so’,  I could relax…it is an easy way to miss the moment.   Sometimes it is hard not to think about how different things could be with one little change.

I remember after seeing the movie A Bronx Tale years ago – a great movie about the Bronx during the 1960’s that was Robert DeNiro’s directorial debut (wonderful music – get the soundtrack!) –  I wondered how the young boy’s whole life would have changed if he just didn’t live near the Sonny character! Contemplating the answer to that question was a big motivator for me on whom and what I would surround my kids with as they grew up.  Our environment obviously has a huge effect on who we are and how we perceive life.

How can one moment  change your life?  Are you up for a challenge to participate in an exercise to change your perspective?  If so, I have two pieces of ‘homework’ you might want to consider completing:

1.  Read the book Q:  A Novel  by Evan J. Mandery.  It is a very thought-provoking book that will help you appreciate your own life and consider the consequences of actions carefully.  The author has a cool way of using pop culture references to illustrate his points.

2. Watch the 1998 movie Sliding Doors starring Gwyneth Paltrow.  Here is a little preview:

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/screenplay/vi1557175833/

A great illustration on how the change of a single action can change everything!

For me, I want to live in the moment, but be aware that all I do does have consequences… so I need to do the best I can do, in all I do…without getting too crazy – since some things are just simply out of my control.  And, changing perspective is always a good thing…what did you see in the cloud photo in the beginning of this post…from my perspective it was a mermaid :)

Let me know your thoughts :)

 

2 comments

in search of a ‘beachy’ wine

July 6, 2012

friday field trip

This week’s Friday field trip is to a liquor store…not very characteristic of me, since I am not a big drinker and I am not usually the one in the family to make the trip to the liquor store… but, I am on a mission…I am looking for a ‘beachy’ bottle of wine!  I am one of those people that has to love the packaging as much (or more) than the product I am purchasing.

At this time of year, there should be plenty of beautiful  summer labels to choose from…my only criteria is that it can’t be a red and it can’t be expensive.  (Although I am pretty sure for the right awesomely beautiful label/bottle, the criteria may just fly out the window.)

Instead of showing you photos of a liquor store or some of the contenders, I will cut right to the chase and show you photos of the winning bottle!  It is a wine called SeaGlass.  Love it!  This bottle happens to be a sauvignon blanc.

 

Now, this selection is merely by aesthetics.  I won’t know if the the taste measures up until the tasting,  over the weekend.  The label indicates it is a perfect choice for light summer fare, so it sounds perfect!   I will give you a full critique of the tasting on my facebook page, if you want to check it out at the end of the weekend.  https://www.facebook.com/insimplethings

 

Great, isn’t it?  Growing up, I always called the glass I collected along the shore, ‘beach glass,’ but it seems most people use the term ‘sea glass.’  Either way, it is beautiful.  The website for the manufacturer, SeaGlass Wines, is just as beautiful…if you want to check out their other varieties of wine, or just admire their website: www.seaglasswines.com

With temperatures in Connecticut in the 90’s, I think I will put my bottle of SeaGlass right in the fridge to cool down until the testing!

Does anyone have a ‘beachy’ bottle photo they would like to share on facebook or twitter?  I would love to see them!

 

6 comments

happy 4th!

July 3, 2012

1 comment

book giveaway winner for june!

July 2, 2012

22 britannia road by amanda hodgkinson

Congratulations to Liza Hawkins, blogger at (a)Musing Foodie for winning the author autographed copy of 22 Britannia Road!  See details for how to win July’s giveaway selection:  https://pleasureinsimplethings.com/book-giveaway/

Amanda Hodgkinson’s first novel did not have a common beginning.  It was accepted by the first agent she contacted and taken on by a publisher almost as quickly.  Not a common story; but not a common book.  Many critics are comparing Ms. Hodgkinson’s work to that of Tatiana De Rosnay in Sarah’s Key and, I must admit, I enjoyed it with the same enthusiasm.

The British author, now residing in France, made two Connecticut stops while in the United States.  One of these was at Fairfield University.  It was at this visit, sponsored by the University’s MFA in Creative Writing program, that I had the opportunity to hear Ms. Hodgkinson speak about herself and her New York Times bestselling debut novel.

A photo of Amanda Hodgkinson, author of “22 Britannia Road.”

Ms. Hodgkinson’s sparkling personality lit the room as she spoke to a crowd comprised of, largely, writing students.  Her own experience attending an MFA program was while her children were small. She credits the formal training for giving her validation and the confidence to continue pursuing her profession.  One particular professor she had announced to her “you will be a writer.”  For Ms. Hodgkinson, hearing she had what it took to be a writer gave her the confidence to go forward.  The formal writing program she attended was very unstructured, and she credits her experience as a journalist with helping her to condense her ‘ramblings.’

Ms. Hodgkinson has been writing a weekly column for a paper in France, where she has resided for the last six years.   Her husband lured her to France with the promise of a place to write ‘among the sunflower fields.’  This first novel, 22 Britannia Road, tells the effects of war on a family during peace time; a family desperately trying to put itself back together after the Second World War.  Silvana and Janusz are young newlyweds when they are separated…Silvana and her infant son, Aurek learn to survive by disappearing into the forests of Eastern Europe, while Janusz serves in the war and flees to France.  At the war’s end, Janusz decides to search for his wife and son.  When the family is reunited, they travel to England together for a fresh start, struggling to create a home.  But, as time goes on, many secrets are revealed to strain what little holds the family together.

Written in present tense, the novel slowly reveals the past with the back-story within the novel…alternating between the past and present, showing how the past influences the present.   The novel smoothly switches between the three character’s (mother, father, and son) points of view, taking the reader into war time and what happens as its result.

Though she did not experience the effects of war time herself, the aspects of relocating to a new country were very real to Ms. Hodgkinson.  She relocated to a new country at the same time she was working on the novel…moving to France with her husband and daughters – where she did not know the language or country – much like the family she portrays in this post war novel.

I was thrilled to get the chance to meet Amanda Hodgkinson during her visit to the U.S. and I look forward to her next piece of work.

22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson is a wonderful debut novel.  I would love to hear your reactions to the book after you read it!

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yes, chef by marcus samuelsson

June 29, 2012

field trip friday

I couldn’t wait to read Marcus Samuelsson’s new memoir.  And, guess what?  He was appearing at Barnes & Noble in New York City on the day of the book’s launch.  Perfect!  I was attending!

As a fan and a follower of Chef Samuelsson’s career, I couldn’t wait to listen to his casual conversation about his life and career with restaurant critic, Ruth Reichl.  Most of my friends know Chef Samuelsson as the winner of  Bravo’s Top Chef Masters in 2010.  No small feat, mind you…but, his career thus far has been far more impressive than one huge victory on Top Chef. 

He was the youngest chef to receive a three-star rating from The New York Times, and was also named Best Chef in New York City (in 2003) by the James Beard Foundation.  His restaurant in Harlem, The Red Rooster (a culmination of food influences from many countries), has received national acclaim. He also can take credit for creating the Obamas’ first official state dinner.

I arrive at Barnes & Noble early and score a front row seat.  Appearing much younger than his 42 years, Chef Samuelsson has a very humble and calming demeanor that immediately puts everyone at ease.  When Ms. Reichl opens his new book Yes, Chef (written with Veronica Chambers) and reads the first sentence, everyone is intrigued:  “I have never seen a picture of my mother”…

“fantastic food needs a lot of loving hands” – Chef Marcus Samuelsson

Born Kassahum Tsegie in Ethiopia, Chef Samuelsson was adopted by a white, middle-class family in Sweden.  Family was responsible for his early culinary aspirations. He credits his Swedish grandmother for his first cooking lessons and says “learning to smoke salmon with my uncle was good times.”  Listening to him talk about his love for food, it seems evident Chef Samuelsson was a natural in the kitchen.   He confirms my suspicions with comments like: “I think I was born to do this” and “food and flavors have become my first language.”

He talks openly about the life of a struggling chef…not all glamour like food television, but hard work..and he discusses the physical toll it has taken on his body.  When he was a young chef, he would vomit from stress before each shift –perfecting it to a timed nine minutes before returning, unflustered, back to work at his cooking station.

When asked for his restaurant recommendations, Samuelsson started to name some, by cuisine, then hesitated and thoughtfully told the crowd that “you are not gonna ‘get it’ as an experience in a restaurant.  You need to eat in someone’s home.”

A photo of Chef Marcus Samuelsson at the launch of his memoir “Yes, Chef.” He says he will always have a love/hate relationship with France.

Marcus talks about the circumstances of his life without shock value, but with a global perspective that is both admirable and  enlightening.  He tells us “the way we do things here (U.S.) is one way, but not the only way.” And, he speaks of the role of the chef in the global society, inspiring change in the global climate. (see his website for more on this: http://www.marcussamuelsson.com/ ).

He has lived a life of multicultural influences that are reflected in his cooking and his global perspective.  After hearing him speak, I am so much more interested in his cooking story for the fact that it helps explain the influence it has had on his life perspective.

Chef Samuelsson on his experience with the television show “Chopped”: “the person that is ‘one’ with the food comes out on top.”

I can’t wait to start reading…I suspect I will devour his book in one sitting…bon appetit!

A copy of Yes, Chef signed by Marcus Samuelsson is the giveaway book selection for August.  To be eligible,  simply ‘like’ my facebook, follow my twitter, or leave a comment on a post during the month of August.

Full details:  https://pleasureinsimplethings.com/book-giveaway/

 

9 comments

diy color-dipped wooden spoons

June 25, 2012

color fun in the kitchen

Would you like to create some fun, color-dipped, wooden spoons for your kitchen?  Here is an easy how-to guide.  I decided to make mine in black.  Now,  I realize black is technically not a color…’way back when’  in color and design class with Ms. Burns,  I learned that black is the absence of color, but…I still call it my favorite ‘color’ and my kitchen happens to be black and white.  Not only will black coordinate with the kitchen, but I love the contrast of it against the wood of the spoon.

A big part of creativity is always just knowing what products or services are available…hard to use a product if you don’t  know it exists!  Once you find a product that is new to you, finding uses for it is the fun part!  With an open mind, you are sure to come up with some interesting results.   That is the case with a product called Plasti Dip.  It is a product that is available in the hardware store and is most often purchased to use on tools.  It provides a rubber coating – usually used to put a grip onto a tool.  I have made quite a few great discoveries walking the aisles of my local Home Depot.  When I found Plasti Dip, all I could think about was jazzing up some wooden spoons!

A photo of black color-dipped wooden spoons created with Plastidip.

Okay, first I needed the wooden spoons.  As I started looking for some in kitchen stores, I found that some individual wooden spoons cost as much as $5 or more.  So, I headed out to HomeGoods and found  a package of eight for $3.99.  I purchased the Plasti Dip at Home Depot, but according to the Plasti Dip website, their products can be purchased at any Ace Hardware store. 

Following the directions on the can was very simple…just dip the spoon into the product as instructed, and let dry.  I used packaging tape to attach twine to the spoons and hung them up on the clothesline.  Aren’t they great?I think pink would look awesome … particularly if you have a pink Cuisinart…or, how about a pale aqua for that beach house?  The pre-made colors available are:   yellow, white, red, clear, blue, and black.   If you prefer to  mix your own (orange, anyone?)  color, this is easy by purchasing the ‘Create Your Own Color Kit.’

Have some fun with this product!  I have plenty more to use to experiment and already have some ideas on how I will use the rest of my Plasti Dip!

To find a store to purchase Plasti Dip, or for more information on the product, visit their website:  www.plastidip.com

8 comments

making pesto

June 22, 2012

friday field trip

This week, Friday field trip is to a cooking class at Terrain.  And, I have included one of the recipes in this post!

You know how much I love (the newly opened in CT) Terrain…well, I recently noticed a pesto class on their calendar… I was determined to attend!  With a little creative scheduling, I was able to make it happen.

Kelly, one of the Terrain chefs, led the class.  She is a Culinary Institute of America (CIA) graduate and just a lot of fun to be around.  I guess I didn’t really capture any great photos of her… it didn’t help that her Sicilian heritage was kicking in…plenty of hand motions and enthusiasm didn’t bode well for a clear photo!  Believe me, she was adorable…a  huge smile and dressed in her ‘farmer chic’ (Terrain’s dress code) attire.

The ‘students’ soon discovered that pesto is not just about basil, oil, garlic, and pine nuts.  Kelly really opened our eyes to experimenting with different greens and nuts.  It was a lightbulb moment for me to consider using new and different combinations of greens and nuts in pesto rather than relying on the traditional basil and pine nuts.  We were able to taste test all the creations Kelly demonstrated.  I eagerly tried the arugula and sunflower seeds, and LOVED the basil and kale and almonds.

The taste tests were accomplished by spreading the pestos on warm bread…yum!   This is something I never do with pesto.  I use it on pasta, but haven’t ever used it as an appetizer ingredient or as a condiment…where have I been?!

Terrain only uses the freshest of ingredients in their cafe, restaurant, and cooking classes.

 

A photo of pesto made in a Terrain cooking class.

Kale Toasted Walnut Pesto (makes about 1 cup)

You can make this pesto with plain (raw) walnuts, but toasting them gives them a little extra flavor that can hang with the slightly more intense (and bitter) taste of kale.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup plain/raw walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, smashed
  • About 3 cups chopped kale
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ – 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

Heat a frying pan over medium heat.  Add walnuts and stir constantly (or gently shake pan) until toasted, about 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and let the walnuts cool.

Pulse garlic clove in food processor until it is chopped finely, about 30 seconds.  Add kale, toasted walnuts and Parmesan cheese and pulse until chopped.  You may have to stop the food processor, open the top, and push the kale down toward the blades.

With the food processor running on low, add olive oil in a steady stream until you get the consistency you want, I went with almost ¾ cup of olive oil.

Season to taste with salt and pepper (we used about 1 ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper).

Kelly also suggested trying the combination of pistachios with spinach.  I can’t wait to try this combo!  Other ingredients  suggested included cilantro, mixed herbs, watercress, parsley, hazelnuts, and pecans.

I left there with a jar of freshly made pesto and feeling much more adventurous about trying new ingredients to add variety to the pesto I make at home.  If  you want to attend a class or other event, check out the Terrain website for the event schedule:  www.shopterrain.com

By the way, I stopped and bought a loaf of good bread on the way home ;)

6 comments

five tips for surviving summer with your college student home

June 21, 2012

Okay, it’s official.  Summer is here.  Many of us empty nesters find the nest is not that empty now that summer has arrived.  Yes, it is a big adjustment.  But, I have some basic survival tips for you to help summer sail along smoothly with your college students back at home.  Here are my top five:

1.  Act blind

You know the bedroom inhabited by your college student?  It does not exist.  You really have to take the ‘see no evil’ route when it comes to the vacationing student’s bedroom…there is no way to survive the summer if you actually open the door and look in.  You can occasionally plead that food and/or dirty clothes are routinely removed, but basically you need to just accept the fact that it will be total chaos in that room.  You can venture in, wearing a hazmat suit, come August; hoping for the best.

2.  Use the urban dictionary

What is a mandime?  This word came up when I was watching an episode of Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory with my kids.  I had no idea what it meant.  There will be plenty you may not understand…with texting, song lyrics, and everyday expressions used by your returning student…the best way to handle it?  Use the urban dictionary.  By going to the website www.urbandictionary.com, you will get a good idea of what a specific text or slang expression means without actually having to ask.  Aahh, the beauty of the internet.  Now you don’t have to hear your child exclaim “ooooohh moooom” when you don’t understand something they consider a commonplace term.

#2 tip for surviving summer with your college student: use the urban dictionary

3.  Know your college website

I think most parents are amazed at the lack of information they are able to attain from their college student.  Heck, we only help pay for their education, we don’t need to know about minor things… like,  move-in dates, awards ceremonies, or graduation!  In my experience, this is especially true with sons. Unbelievable amounts of research are performed by the student to find out which spring break location has the largest outdoor bar, but apparently the date of parents’ weekend is a mystery.  If you are a planner (like I am) and really need some information, the fastest and easiest way to get it is to go onto your student’s school website.  If you search ‘academic calendar’ you will be able to get most of the information you will need.  And, if it is graduation year for your child,  most schools even have a special link for graduation information.  You can book your hotel for graduation at the beginning of the year without ever having to rely on your student to provide you with the appropriate date.  Bookmark the school’s website and you will know more of what happens on campus than your student.

4.  Be a texter

If you have a college-aged child, you certainly must know by now that texting is the preferred method of communication.  If you want to be relieved of a lot of worrying…you have to know how to text…even if the only reply you may get to your message is ‘k’, it is often worth the piece of mind to know your child is alive and breathing.

5.  Get some white noise

The fifth, but probably the most important survival tip, is to get yourself some white noise for bedtime…this can be a fan, a tape of ocean sounds, or whatever your preference may be.  The idea is not to hear the comings and goings of the kids.  I am sure you know that the time schedule of the college student really defies nature.  The only way to stay sane and to also get a good night’s sleep is to have some type of noise distraction.  This way, you won’t hear 3am meal preparation or notice the ungodly hour everyone arrives home.  This prevents a ton of unnecessary worry and sleep interruption.

Good luck & happy summer :)

10 comments

strawberry fields & recipe

June 15, 2012

friday field trip

It’s prime strawberry picking…that’s what the recording said when I called Jones farm to find out if strawberries were still in season.   That’s it then, I decided…I will pick strawberries for my Friday field trip.  Gee, I  can’t even remember the last time I was in a strawberry field.  I took my kids to pick strawberries (more like ‘eating’ strawberries) when they were small…those trips were all about the children having a good time and about providing them with a learning experience.

This time, my trip would be a solitary one.  I headed out to Jones Farm in Shelton, CT, a 400 acre farm run by the fifth and sixth generation members of the Jones family.

Under no pressure to pick any certain quota of strawberries (heck, we have a fridge full),  I spent my time at the farm really enjoying my surroundings…

 

 

 

And, I found a new ‘go to’ recipe for strawberries that is certain to replace the standard shortcake recipe for me – different and delicious.  I have included it here for you…complements of Jones Farm. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

A photo of recipe for Mystere Strawberries

 

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