So it seems that I have seen one too many inappropriate films at way toooooo young of an age. I was little when horror was at quite the peak and the video tape and video store were just being born. This meant many scary times for a little girl with an already large imagination and a thirst for the bizarre. But somewhere in there a mother might have just prevented certain films from being seen....you know, like Amityville Horror IN the theater. Or Halloween. Let's do some math. These movies came out in '78 and '79 and I was born in '72. See what I mean?
My mother (unlike many parents of today) did what she wanted more often than what her child needed. I could list the movies to make you raise your eyebrows...and maybe they explain why I am the way I am today...but I'll stick to the topic.
The Exorcist was first seen while sitting at the foot of the bed while my parents were comfy under safe blankets. My mother found it funny to do the scary demon voice and my response was a slap to her mouth in pure terrified fashion. I was a child who attended Catholic school with nuns and priests and statues and fear of the red guy. This movie scared the hell out of me. For years. I mean....like until I JUST saw it again. My pals from work mentioned that they were going and I am trying to reconnect with my love for the frightening especially this time of year...so I went for it. This time I realized how long and drawn out the intro is, I analyzed the special effects and make up and didn't feel scared at any point. The gentleman who introduced the Revival Series movie reminded us that at the time it was new and groundbreaking and if you had a religious background it definitely would bother you more than if you had not.
I am a grown up now with a spirituality that doesn't allow the gloom and doom of the red hot basement. Not to say that there isn't evil in the world because I do believe there is...but it doesn't have the hold on my fears as it used to as a child. There is a part during the exorcism when the priest is reminding the other not to listen to the demon. The demon will go for the hot button items and pull at the very things that can rattle the man trying to expel this force. He grew weak at times and fed into it. It gave me a huge lesson in the way people sometimes communicate. Some go for those buttons because they are easy. Others get sucked into the triggers. We need to remind ourselves that the darkness will sometimes take the back door and sneak up on us...but really we need to just be clear. We need to be the light. So this little girl got a beautiful message out of a scary, scary movie and had a fun October night with her friends while hiding behind our scarves. Thanks, Marq, Hannah, Leigh Ann and John for making a life long fear...a fun night at the movies.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Chofan
I'm coming to a point now where on certain days I am doing more than one new thing. I worried about this at first...fearing the need to stretch things not to come up short somewhere else. I realized this went against everything I was trying to perpetuate. So now I bang out multiple new things some days and I pick and choose or make a wacky little theme. On this adventure I hit a little local town that I've been to before...but in a whole new way. We took a different road to get there and approached it from the other side. Jim Thorpe (previously known as Mauch Chunk) was celebrating their Fall Festival (another new thing) as seen by the absolutely packed streets. Tourists from all over the world were there snapping photos of the picturesque town. The foliage was stunning and served as a gorgeous backdrop to a town that is unique and charming. Hunger struck and we returned to a restaurant that we have eaten in before but this time I went for a brand new dish to split with my little guy. I had no idea that a culinary lesson would sprout from a dish of rice. I researched it when I came home and found this:
"An estimated 30,000 people of Chinese origin live in the Dominican Republic. Migration from China began in the second half of the 19th century and continues to this day. Chinese immigrants opened popular eateries known as Pica Pollo all over the country selling a combination of Dominican and Chinese food. They also opened more upscale Chinese restaurants in the main cities, and these became popular with the locals. In this way the Dominicans of all socio-economic levels got to know and love Chinese food, going as far as to make some dishes of their own, including chofan (chow fan)."
Imagine all you love about fried rice but better because it is layered with way more flavors.
Well, let me tell you that I have thought about that plate of goodness since that very day and need to return to the quaint little "Switzerland of America" to get me some....and soon!
"An estimated 30,000 people of Chinese origin live in the Dominican Republic. Migration from China began in the second half of the 19th century and continues to this day. Chinese immigrants opened popular eateries known as Pica Pollo all over the country selling a combination of Dominican and Chinese food. They also opened more upscale Chinese restaurants in the main cities, and these became popular with the locals. In this way the Dominicans of all socio-economic levels got to know and love Chinese food, going as far as to make some dishes of their own, including chofan (chow fan)."
Imagine all you love about fried rice but better because it is layered with way more flavors.
Well, let me tell you that I have thought about that plate of goodness since that very day and need to return to the quaint little "Switzerland of America" to get me some....and soon!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Looper
I saw this movie days ago but the post was put off. Now, I am thrilled that it waited until now. I say "it" because sometimes I am guided.
First off....GREAT movie. It gives you tons to ponder, keeps you on your toes and c'mon the whole young/old Bruce is mind blowing. It has also created plenty of conversations. It is full of action, yes...but I got a big old theme out of this film. We live in loops. Not just sci-fi futuristic loops that involve gangsters but our own terrible loops. We learn them. We practice them. They become what we do. And just like the movie once you become a looper the only way out is escape or sure death. Yet we live like we have thirty years and bundles of silver to spend should we find our way to "freedom".
Are you in loops? Honestly, are you stuck? Are you pushing yourself to be better...do better? Were you taught these loops as a child and don't even realize how much they are a part of you? Awareness is the first step. It is crucial. After it comes practice, education, hard work and healing. But the first step out of the loop is about as scary as showing up on a tarp with a bag over your head and a time travel stop thirty years away with a gun pointed at you. Be honest with yourself...and others...and break the cycles. We can break them so that we are a little bit better than the ones who broke the cycle before us and not even as good as the ones who will come after. It is our duty to ourselves, our families and loved ones and the future generations of this world.
First off....GREAT movie. It gives you tons to ponder, keeps you on your toes and c'mon the whole young/old Bruce is mind blowing. It has also created plenty of conversations. It is full of action, yes...but I got a big old theme out of this film. We live in loops. Not just sci-fi futuristic loops that involve gangsters but our own terrible loops. We learn them. We practice them. They become what we do. And just like the movie once you become a looper the only way out is escape or sure death. Yet we live like we have thirty years and bundles of silver to spend should we find our way to "freedom".
Are you in loops? Honestly, are you stuck? Are you pushing yourself to be better...do better? Were you taught these loops as a child and don't even realize how much they are a part of you? Awareness is the first step. It is crucial. After it comes practice, education, hard work and healing. But the first step out of the loop is about as scary as showing up on a tarp with a bag over your head and a time travel stop thirty years away with a gun pointed at you. Be honest with yourself...and others...and break the cycles. We can break them so that we are a little bit better than the ones who broke the cycle before us and not even as good as the ones who will come after. It is our duty to ourselves, our families and loved ones and the future generations of this world.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Autumnal Feast for Work Lunch
Fridays are a little extra special at work. People cook a whole meal or different people chip in a little something and make a hodge podge of crazy that always seems to work out just fine. This week was my turn. I felt inspired and challenged because I watch entirely too much Top Chef. I thought about my meal while driving home one day took my inspiration from the foliage. "Autumn"was what I would strive for. I hit the local farm stand for the sweetest apples and big bright butternut squash and found the perfect combo of some of my favorites and in "Do the New" style...something brand spankin' new. My menu was the following:
Butternut Squash Soup with Thyme
Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese and Pistachios
(lovely little dressing of orange juice, maple syrup, ginger and oil)
Curry Chicken Salad with Celery, Red Grapes and Scallions on a Wrap
Upside Down Apple Muffins
It took me a few days to prep different parts of it and a night of cooking that lasted until 11pm. I am still working on the dishes...
But it was worth every bit of work. We had a lovely lunch together. I was very happy to be able to give back to my crew. I have worked there for almost two years but it has been so much more than a job. It has been support, therapy, a new skill set, an exercise of old skills, friendship, tons of laughter, inspiration, an occasional kick in the pants and many other things that a girl needed in a rough patch of life. I am grateful and today I fed them as a thanks for all that they have fed to me.
I am already thinking of future meals...
Butternut Squash Soup with Thyme
Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese and Pistachios
(lovely little dressing of orange juice, maple syrup, ginger and oil)
Curry Chicken Salad with Celery, Red Grapes and Scallions on a Wrap
Upside Down Apple Muffins
It took me a few days to prep different parts of it and a night of cooking that lasted until 11pm. I am still working on the dishes...
But it was worth every bit of work. We had a lovely lunch together. I was very happy to be able to give back to my crew. I have worked there for almost two years but it has been so much more than a job. It has been support, therapy, a new skill set, an exercise of old skills, friendship, tons of laughter, inspiration, an occasional kick in the pants and many other things that a girl needed in a rough patch of life. I am grateful and today I fed them as a thanks for all that they have fed to me.
I am already thinking of future meals...
Panorama
My fancy little friend has a panorama feature for extra special and extra wide shots. I grabbed the kids in a spontaneous moment and headed to the lake by the Appalachian Trail not far from home. As they perused the water's edge for skimmers I tried the new feature. It is pretty cool and I can't wait to find some new things to capture on a big scale. Yep, I love my Iphone 5.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Christy's New Blog...errrrr, Ranch!
My cousin, Christy, is one of my heroes. She knows this. I tell her often. It's funny because growing up with some years and the entire country between us we weren't necessarily close. We would meet up at the occasional wedding/funeral/party and have wonderful visits but nothing more. The last few years and some social media have changed it all for the better. Why is she one of my heroes? Well, she is a strong positive role model for women everywhere. She went to school forever, traveled like mad, did the fancy corporate thang and then turned around and started to live out her real passions with a partner that rivals all mates. They are a force to be reckoned with. She teaches, blogs, cooks up a storm and takes us along on the journey with her. I keep waiting for a cooking show with her as the star but it seems she had even bigger plans. She bought a ranch. Yep, the real deal complete with yaks and everything. I often joke about finding a little piece of land in the middle of the country where I can raise my own chickens, pick fresh veggies and take things back to a simpler time...so I am pretty excited about the BIG plans that she has. Eventually, there will be a barn and breakfast, classes on cheese making, archery classes and all sorts of events. Now, I see a whole reality show based on this couple and their new adventures as they leave their condo and head for the ranch. I am working on my application to be an intern. I will include my expertise with training a puppy (their new pooch, Scout, is adorable), sales (especially if food is involved) and management. I will also offer my services as a server (fast food to fine dining experience), decorator and photographer (I'm no Adams but I can walk and click all of that land). I have a great love for animals so when the yaks need a-talkin-to...I'm the girl for the job! AND if she needs someone to sample the latest goat cheese I find my palate to be quite sensitive. ;)
Congratulations to Christy and Mike on their awesome new home!!! I loved what I have read and seen so far and can't wait to keep up with the adventure.
Congratulations to Christy and Mike on their awesome new home!!! I loved what I have read and seen so far and can't wait to keep up with the adventure.
Top Chef Kiddies
We had a day off together yesterday. We snuggled and caught up on some Runway and some new cereals and then the day unfolded...in the kitchen. Ethan has been showing some true signs of being interested in the culinary arts and I nurture anywhere that I can. (When Emily expressed an interest in being a heart surgeon I left that one to the Franklin Institute and its giant heart).
One thing led to another and we ended up spending quite a bit of time cooking. We made a brand new thing...Cream of Celery soup. Delicious. We used the immersion blender and sieve to make the texture just right. We made cremini mushroom quinoa which turned into a whole lesson in grains with Pop Pop. I made a very simple sauteed zucchini and onions dish that enabled both kids to learn some knife skills and safety measures. Egg salad was much easier with two assistants to crack and peel shells and cut eggs. There was even a lesson in never wasting food as Ethan was handed a rubber spatula to make the mayo jar nice and empty. We made a brand new unsweetened iced tea with blueberry. I even created a whole new baked fish recipe that the kids assembled themselves. We talked about ingredients and nutrition, too. He is truly interested and gets excited just as I do. I figure if he can start at six...we have plenty of time to get him ready for Top Chef 30. In the meantime, we'll have some pretty good meals to eat along the way!
One thing led to another and we ended up spending quite a bit of time cooking. We made a brand new thing...Cream of Celery soup. Delicious. We used the immersion blender and sieve to make the texture just right. We made cremini mushroom quinoa which turned into a whole lesson in grains with Pop Pop. I made a very simple sauteed zucchini and onions dish that enabled both kids to learn some knife skills and safety measures. Egg salad was much easier with two assistants to crack and peel shells and cut eggs. There was even a lesson in never wasting food as Ethan was handed a rubber spatula to make the mayo jar nice and empty. We made a brand new unsweetened iced tea with blueberry. I even created a whole new baked fish recipe that the kids assembled themselves. We talked about ingredients and nutrition, too. He is truly interested and gets excited just as I do. I figure if he can start at six...we have plenty of time to get him ready for Top Chef 30. In the meantime, we'll have some pretty good meals to eat along the way!
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