Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

So, there are destination points where I do not feel the need to turn on the GPS because I am confident about how to get home from Caraluzzi’s in Georgetown. Except I didn’t expect to be zoning out while driving. I subconsciously knew I was going to make a left turn soon onto Godfrey Road West from Rte 57, but when I “woke up” I realized I had driven past it. I didn’t panic, though. I just kept going and actually slowed down when I saw flashing lights ahead and a truck that stopped on my left. Ok, so I took the scenic route, but that was weird. Perhaps I need the GPS to bring me back to the present. Sheesh! Seriously, this happened one other time while I was driving a stroller to Mads’ summer camp. I was thinking about something and before I knew it I heard the nanny call my name. I was annoyed, “What?” “Oh, I said sheepishly as I turned around and walked back to the church.

Another pearl I have is that instead of pushing a stroller along the narrow roads (we don’t have sidewalks in this town), put the baby on your back with a carrier and walk. If I can carry 33 pounds on my back and walk uphill without panting, so can you! It’s safer, since you can continue your trek on the grass without the resistance you would meet with a stroller if a driver insists on driving you off the road. Actually, someone actually stopped his car and said with a smile that I looked “so cute with my baby on my back.” Ok, so my shoulders don’t really think this is cool, but it just takes some time.

On Amazon Prime, well, I kept bugging my husband about ending the account when the trial period was over, but actually, I’m glad he kept it. Two-day shipping, regardless of the number of qualified items, is pretty awesome. I just discovered that when buying books, some of the marketplace folks actually have their stock maintained at the Amazon warehouse so they qualify for Prime shipping. Instead of paying $3.99 shipping for a book, I got my next mommy book club book for 3 dollars less than the listed price on the general Amazon site and got it shipped for free. So, even if a book is selling for $2.97, if you have to pay $3.99 for shipping (it can take up to 21 business days for your book to arrive and the seller has 2 days to send it out), you might as well buy it for $7.97 and get free 2-day shipping. Loving that Prime thing. It’s almost as good as walking past the long line of nonmembers at the zoo or museum as a member.

What words of wisdom do you have to share?

Um, that’s not Chinese!

Ok, so there are many fusion places and restaurants that combine all the various Asian cuisines (I actually like that I can order sushi or pho from a Chinese restaurant), but HELLO! Thai noodles is not a Chinese cuisine. I received a daily recipe from a magazine and it boasted of

Fast & Fun Chinese Meals Inspiring ideas for quick and easy meals you’ll love. · Thai Noodles Sorry, not quite! I got excited for nothing.

Recipe: Garlicky Olive Oil Bread Dip

Although it does not take much effort to devour a loaf of Wave Hill Bread, I wanted to  make some olive oil dip. Like all Asians, I like my food moist. Since I needed something quick, I googled it and came across this woman’s recipe on her blog. It was really good, except it was too salty. I would cut down to maybe just a dash. Otherwise, it’s tasty and bold with all the garlic I added.

Garlic-Olive Oil Bread Dip

1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. course grind black pepper (or freshly ground)
3 cloves garlic, smashed and coarsely chopped
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/8 – 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

Combine all ingredients and mix well. the longer this is allowed to set the more intense the flavor. It can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, but let it come to room temperature before serving. Serve with nice crusty bread or any Italian type bread. It is also wonderful drizzled over pizza or spaghetti.

Once a city girl, always one

I opened the garage door. Started to walk around the car to strap Mads in and to get into the driver’s seat. I saw that squirmy, long thing and I let out a yelp. I know, it’s only an earthworm, but that is one BIG, LONG worm. Not one that I would ever want to touch. I showed it off to Mads, who was impressed and told me matter-of-factly that it is not a snake. Yuck either way. I gently hustled it along with a piece of cardboard and it went unwillingly to the crevice between my driveway and the garage. Hey, I was only trying to avoid a mess. Should I squish it with my tires, I would have to clean it up. Surely it would not be able to regenerate itself if it became part of my tire.

Book Talk: Lifelines by CJ Lyons

LIFELINES is a medical thriller that should be made into a show on Lifetime TV. It’s about the lives of 4 women (charge nurse, subintern or 4th year medical student, an ER attending physician, and a third year ER resident), each with an interesting history and a complicated current life. The show would be like LIPSTICK JUNGLE or CASHMERE MAFIA, but with a medical twist and four women instead of three. I enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading her other two books. I give it a 3.5/5).

Apple-y Kind of Day

Today’s secret rainy day ingredient was apple. We made colorful apple prints, had rosemary apple pork chops with mashed potatoes and squash for dinner along with apple cider. Then we had strawberry ice cream with the warm apple crisp that I baked for the first time. Everything came out as expected; even the kids cleaned up their plates.

Recipe: Strawberry Pancakes

I made waffles this morning. Yesterday, I tried a new pancake recipe: Rachel Ray’s Strawberry Pancakes. They were delicious!

• 4 Servings
• Prep 15 min
• Cook 10 min

Ingredients:

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus more for serving
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• Pure maple syrup, for serving

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla. Preheat a nonstick griddle over medium heat.
2. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir in the melted butter. The batter should be thick and smooth. Fold in the strawberries.
3. Spoon the batter onto the griddle 1/4 cup at a time. Cook the pancakes until set and thoroughly bubbly, about 3 minutes. Flip them with a spatula and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes more. Serve with butter and maple syrup.

Evolution of My Budding Face Painter

Need I say more? All you need is a set of face paints, water, and a mirror. Wow, at least 15 – 30 minutes of quiet time for me!

Book Talk: Peony in Love by Lisa See

I finished Peony in Love by Lisa See in the wee hours of the morning so that we could discuss it during the Mommy Book Club. It was beautifully written and the plot was very intricate. Admittedly, I had trouble getting into the book, but once I did, it  I actually felt elated when I got to the last page because of how the story ends, not because I was finally done. The way the characters were developed made me hate Peony’s mother at first because of her sternness and unwillingness to accept Peony’s love for books and writing. However, in the end, Peony’s mother became my favorite character. She exemplified strength, endurance, and love for her daughter. The author also made me feel differently about Peony’s father and grandmother throughout the book as secrets are revealed. So many secrets! Keeping secrets is another theme, besides, love and the rights of women in ancient China. The author also wrote a lot about foot binding, as in one of her previous novels, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (read this if you enjoyed Peony in Love). Our book club members would recommend Peony in Love to others. I give this a 4/5. I can’t wait to read her latest, Shanghai Girls.

Book Talk: The Idiot Girls’ Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro

The full title of this NYT Bestseller is The Idiot Girls’ Action-Adventure Club: True Tales from a Magnificent and Clumsy Life. I honestly thought it was fiction the whole time I was reading it, until halfway through I flipped to the back cover to read the synopsis (I was trying to see if I could figure out where this book was going). Then I saw “MEMOIR/ESSAYS” and I started thinking – interesting. I could see how some of the clumsiness could be real, because, well, I am very clumsy. Poor Mads has my clumsy gene. You know, maybe I should write a memoir. It seems anyone can write a memoir and get it published. Actually, I’m happy with blogging. Oh, back to the book. I thought it was a 3/5. The writing is good; I laughed because the author is a good humorist. I’d love to read her columns. However, I cringed remembering that these things really happened – all the drinking and spending. My favorite was her trip to the OB/GYN. Anyway, if you want a good laugh and a quick read, this works. You can find it on Amazon used for 0.01. Yes, the cost of shipping is MUCH greater than the cost of the book. Sad.