I am a little late posting today.

My bad. I was busy, what i can i say?

I had to see my accountant.

I know, shudder… taxes.

One of the scariest things about working for yourself, is working out the taxes. My first accountant was old, condescending and had the letter P as his middle initial which was prominent everywhere from his business cards to his letterhead…so naturally, me and my girlfriend start calling him ‘The Penis’ whenever we referred to him while sorting through heaps of paperwork.

It was an unpleasant experience which i think left me scarred for life.

Now i hate taxes AND penises…

I’m sorry i had to share that with all of you.

This will make the pain go away….

PEANUT BUTTER BARS

1 cup butter melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons peanut butter

Mix together the butter, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended.

Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch pan.

Melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter in the microwave, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Spread over the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

*Note to Self

If i don’t open a brown envelop that means is doesn’t exist right?…

Bookclub day!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello – first bookclub gathering!  I hope we get some good conversation flowing… now, later, over the course of the weekend, whenever…

I’ll start…

Was it just me or were the first 100 pages really hard to get into?

To be honest I got to a point when I was looking at the book, annoyed that this was the first book club pick, remembering all the great reviews I had read, and decided I needed to do something before I chucked it across it the room.

So…

I cheated.

Well, not so much as cheated like I read the cliff notes, but I did go down to the library and pick up the audio version.  I feel so guilty…

No I don’t.

IT WAS THE BEST IDEA EVER!!!

I have never listened to an audio book before and in retrospect, had I tried it out while at university, I probably would have passed that Classical Purists 341 class…

Have you ever tried to read Ulysses? I didn’t think so.

So, the audio book – it was great. It brought an entirely new dimension to the novel, which in turn made me go back to the actual book, pick it up and carry on.

In general, I really liked the novel. It felt like a smart persons Di Vince Code. But by no means was it traditionally suspenseful; however I was always curious to see how the story would continue play out.

I have a few thoughts about some of the related themes throughout the novel, and the odd observation. My first is about this notion of curiosity, probably one of the leading motivators of the novel.   Reading about that moment when the narrator found the strange Gothic text full of random personal letters, on her father’s quiet shelf, how can you not help yourself from nosily read through it?

Impossible! I would have been all over that like a dirty shirt.

Or those moments when the strange Gothic texts start to find you! How can you not be intrigued by its sudden appearance, and desperately want to learn more?

I started to wonder if this book was a lesson in curiosity, like the familiar proverb “curiosity killed the cat,” the more intent the characters were on discovering truth,  the more harm would seem to come to them – or at least lurk behind a bookcase.  It made me wonder, if none of them fell into this curious temptation what would have happened to them. We did met one character that plainly ignored his dragon book, although he did wind up with a catatonic fiancé….

Layering is the second theme that runs throughout the text. The layers of relationships shape the text.   The Rossi/Getzi relationship needs to happen to have the Paul/ Helen relationship which would then facilitate the narrator’s story. Had Rossi simply ignored the dragon text, nothing would have happened.

But by layering the progression of these relationships and creating a dialogue in which all characters are roughly moving forward with the exact same motivation, one cannot ignore that idea, the layers are representing the idea that history does indeed repeat itself. Whether through people or circumstances, I believe this is Kostova’s strongest lesson of the novel. History will be doomed to repeat itself if we do not change the pattern.

The third theme is the title, The Historian and what its true definition is. The title specifically refers to Dracula; however, I think it is much more than that. Everyone, throughout the novel, is looking for a connection with the past, thus, each character is a Historian. Whether digging through their personal histories, in the case of Helen and the narrator, or society’s past, in the case of Paul and Rossi’s more scholarly approach, they all are represented in the title.

Dracula, identified initially as the Historian because he amasses great texts from the ages, is more or less just a symbol. He is the ‘living’ representation that history never dies; he represents all the terrible and shameful actions that society chooses to ignore or repress and as result, is doomed to repeat.

Perhaps that is why Dracula does not die at the end of the book, and the narrator is given her own copy of the dragon book, (I never thought Helen killed him, it was a too easy way for him to go) because we need to perpetuate this idea, again, of history repeating itself and Dracula is once again resurrected.

Interesting note – was it me or did all the relationships in the novel develop really quickly? Rossi and Helens mother, Paul and Helen, the narrator and Barley they felt like they took three days to develop into “love”.

Paul and Helens relationship felt a tad unrealistic, and my eyes rolled when he proposed. Granted, inevitably they needed to get together to include the presence of the narrator. Similarly, the narrator’s own romance with Barley was a bit rushed and was included in the novel only as a means of transitioning the narrator to womanhood, and to fulfill the role as protector in getting her to her father, and Rossi fell for his Romanian farm girl once he made the Dracula connection.

I also noted that – upon re-reading the preface, in the narrators list of thank-yous Barleys name is omitted – this is no surprise, as I never believed that this relationship was more than a romance that ended in the hotel room. There was that moment when he moved away from her and said, “Ah, you’re just a kid,” and instantly he emotionally removed himself from the narrator. On one hand I thought this was the most realistic relationship in the novel.  However, once they “separated” Barley from the narrator, at least from my perspective he just became a tag along. As a result, I think this added to my skepticism of the confronting Dracula scene.

The odd climax of the story seemed very convenient and rushed. One minute Dracula was throwing a man across the room with super human strength and the next he’s been shot dead with a single silver bullet.

Pa-lease.

You’re telling me Dracula has outlived man, in a cave for over the past 509 years, to be killed in 2 seconds. It just didn’t feel plausible – yes, I know, silver bullet…  I just would have thought he should have had some minions around to engage in more of a dramatic scuffle…

The conclusion of the text was wonderful.  I believe, Kostova did an excellent job tying all her loose ends with a little hint of intrigue in the mix.  Did the narrator get her dragon book from Dracula? Will we ever really know? It was a strong way to end a curiously suspenseful novel.

In retrospect this novel was more about the ride then the conclusion, on occasion Kostrova spent a little too much time showing off her own research then focusing on the progression of the story. However, it was well written, entertaining, hardly scary as some reviews made it out to be  and I give it a strong 3.5 out of 5

Your thoughts?

I’m sitting here trying to decide if I really want to sort through 4 baskets of laundry.

Somehow it just isn’t that appealing.

I know, I know, the longer I leave it, the more clothes will fall on the floor into the dog hair…

Did I mention I wasn’t up to vacuuming either?

Actually…

I am mad at my vacuum.  You see, I have a…

DYSON.

Yes, the vacuum to end all vacuums, the gold standard of mechanical suckage. If Angelina Jolie has a nanny, there is no doubt she is using a Dyson.

And my Dyson is not just ANY Dyson… it’s the one with the rolley ball in the center so it turns really nicely.

Unfortunately, nobody told me that my $500 vacuum –

Yes, I spent $500 on a vacuum…

…does not like dog hair. So much so, that it causes a breakdown of the clutch. (Thank you google) In fact I would go so far as to say the clutch is faulty – and a total piece of crap.

Not cool.

How can dog hair be too much for the Dysons wonderful cyclonic suction? Doesn’t it know I have spend the last 22 months raving its awesomeness to anyone, ANYONE, who would listen.

For a time, I even refused to let the hubby touch it in fear he would break it – which he did, the first time he used it – he clogged it – yes – the DYSON clogged…who knew you can’t vacuum crumpled paper – even a vacuum has its limitations.

JUST NOT DOG HAIR!!

Why, Dyson? Why?

I loved you.

We sucked up spiders together, and Barbie shoes, and dirt and little weird things I refused to pick up with my own hands.

And now, I had to admit it…

Even to the hubby…

The vacuum sucks…literally.

He.

Was.

Right.

I may never hear the end of this…

*Note to Self

Perhaps I will go sort laundry.

Every Tuesday and Thursday when I walk up to drop Ms. O off at preschool, the baby and I spend two hours in a cute little coffee shop, I with my book and she with whatever I can find to keep her occupied.

Last Tuesday when I went up to the counter to order my usual chicken pesto panini and hazelnut latte, I had noticed a new feature soup on the menu.

Chicken Gumbo.

Now, I love gumbo. And since it is so hard to find anything remotely Cajun out here, I will try just about anything to get that spicy fix.  To my surprise the soup, which probably come from a package, was actually quite tasty.  And as a result, I also ordered it on Thursday.

By the following Tuesday I was jonesing for chicken gumbo soup.

I had spent the entire weekend looking forward to my Tuesday ‘me’ time with my new book, my panini, my latte and MY CHICKEN GUMBO SOUP!

But, it was gone.

You could literally hear the sound of my heart breaking and the disappointment on my poor tummy’s face.

I take good food very seriously.

I’m also one of those people that will refuse to go to a restaurant if they take my favorite dish off the menu. It’s not that I fear change. I just fear bad food.

Take for example White Spot’s Monty Mushroom Eggs Benny which no longer appears on the menu.

Devastated one morning over breakfast, I demanded, nicely -but with one of those ‘looks’, for my usual. The waitress replied that, although it was no longer on the menu, I, being a very important person, can still order it.

Hence, I will still eat at White Spot… for breakfast.

I digress…

The coffee shop had no Chicken gumbo Soup and no secret ninja menu.

I frowned, there was to be no Chicken Gumbo Soup that day.

“That’s fine” I said with a sneer and raised eyebrow. “I will show you” I thought.

And now I am…

I created my own Chicken Gumbo Soup, and its WAY better then theirs – Ha!

I will bring it in a thermos to have with my Panini and latte on Thursday…  gloating.

AWESOME CHICKEN GUMBO SOUP

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup minced onion

1/2 cup minced celery

3 cloves of garlic minced

20 Okra pods sliced, tops cut off

2 cups cubed cooked chicken

2 tbs flour

1 (28oz) can stewed tomatoes with juice

1 tbs Cajun spice (more to taste, I like the Club House brand)

6 cups strong chicken stock

2 tsp salt (more to taste)

1 tsp of sugar

2 tbs fresh parsley

In a large pot bring heat oil and add onion, celery and garlic. Sweat until soft.

Add flour and mix until combined.

Add stewed tomatoes, hand crushed with liquid, and Cajun spice.

Add stock, salt, sugar, okra, chicken and parsley.

Bring to slow boil, reduce and simmer 20 mins.

Gloat at your local coffee shop.

*Note to Self

I am making a pesto chicken panini as you read this…

Another month, another book…

I’m actually really excited about this particular read.  It was at the top of all the bestseller lists of 2009, including Goodreads best of 2009…granted Twilight was also on that list…

Now, if you are a book nerd and never heard of Goodreads – then you better check it out. Their goal is essentially to help you find “good reads” based on your interests – it never lets me down! Plus, if you are also, like me, extremely attractive AND can spend hours on amazons’ website, then this Is the place for you –their newsletter is also enjoyable.

I think for this particularly rainy Monday, I will chuck in a princess movie, pump my kids full of cookies and popcorn, and grab my snuggie…

Hell.

No.

Rather… stay in my housecoat, brew a pot of tea and open this month’s book.

Work can wait.

Okay it can’t.

But a girl can dream can’t she?

(Remember to meet here on January 30th to chat about The Historian)

And now to announce our second book…

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

From Publisher’s Weekly

Set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing “about what disturbs you.” The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies–and mistrusts–enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who’s raised 17 children, and Aibileen’s best friend Minny, who’s found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it.

*Note to Self

Maybe work can wait…an hour…or six?

I noticed something very peculiar going on in my backyard yesterday; new green leaves are poking through the old shoots.

I felt a pang in my stomach, wondering if these poor little buds are all sprouting too early and if an evil February frost will sweep in and kill them.

But it does, however, give me a little inspiration to get my hands dirty. I decided to rake a small section of leaves left behind from the walnut tree in attempts to put some order to the back yard.

I swear I could hear a squirrel snickering off in a tree somewhere.

It is amazing how that one simple act of tidiness not only uplifted my spirits but, I think, uplifted my backyards spirits as well.

It looks much happier.

I wanted to immediately run out and start planning my garden.  Why, why must March be in… March? And the last week of March no less. My impatience is insisting today is soon enough.

Ironically, as I just finished typing that last sentence, I went to check on my two sweeties who have been unusually quiet in the other room. I followed a trail of toys to the bathroom, where an entire bottle of toothpaste has been smeared all over the floor, and the baby, innocently enough, is sucking the bottle of hand soap.

Excellent.

Perhaps gardening can wait until…

Tomorrow?

*Note to Self

At least the bathroom is now minty fresh.

Computers are like children in a lot of ways.

Both can be wonderful little communicators, teaching you all kinds of curious things that you never thought you knew.

They have the ability to complete a variety of tasks, some better than others, and require only a little bit of real maintenance.

They can easily find things you have misplaced.

They teach you patience…

And both, at any given point – no matter how nice YOU are being, can have major meltdowns.

I wonder if the toaster is as temperamental…

ORANGE CHICKEN 

Sauce:

1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup cider vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water

Chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

1 red pepper chopped

Pour 1 1/2 cups water, orange juice, lemon juice, cider vinegar, and soy sauce into a saucepan and set over medium-high heat.

Add in the orange zest, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, chopped onion, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, and set aside.

Place the chicken into a bowl, and over with about 1 cup of COOLED sauce. Let marinate about 2 hrs in the fridge.

Once marinade, mix together flour, salt and pepper and place in resealable bag, add chicken and shake chicken to coat

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken into the skillet, and brown on both sides.

Add red pepper and continue to cook 2 mins.

Mix together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water; stir into the sauce. Add sauce to chicken, stir until thick.

*Note to Self
I have decided that this week has proven to be a pain in the ass. I would appreciate it if next week would behave itself.

Sizzling bacon.

That is what children turn into when they:

A: Want something and are told “no” before bed

or

B: Want something and are told “no” in public

Ms. O has it down perfectly, with her full body convulsions, leg thrusting, snot dripping, arm swinging and incoherent wailing. It is easy to picture her frying on a pan in pig fat.

Last Thursday, I witness a raging case of sizzling bacon at 12:30pm.  It included full body heaving, crying, fist pounding, foot stomping, and a mixture of incoherent sentences and swearing.

The reason for this outburst was ironically neither A or B.

My program had crashed.

Yes.

I was sizzling bacon.  I had a full grown 3 year old temper tantrum.

It was very mature.

*Note to Self

I fixed the problem… it took 30 seconds….

Just as exciting as brown paper packages tied up with strings (with books inside) these are also one of my favorite things…

And yummy too!…

BANANA CRUMB MUFFINS

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup oil

Topping
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

Preheat oven to 375 F and grease a 12 cup muffin tin.

Mix flour, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in one bowl. In another mix together bananas, sugar, vanilla, egg and oil.

Mix banana batter into flour mixture – do not over mix! Just until the mixture is moist. Spoon into muffin tin.

Mix sugars, 2tbs flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter – sprinkle over muffin batter

Bake until done about 18-20 minutes.

*Note to Self
When I was 9, I was watching cartoons on my parents living room floor. They were ’so funny’ I attempted to roll on the floor laughing… my ass rolled on a bee. I was in NO mood to remember any of my favorite things.

I had one of those ‘dork’ moments in the car the other day.

You know the kind, when suddenly your brain realizes something completely obvious that it never thought about before. Like the time I realized Billy Jean was not his brother after all…

She was just a girl.

That song makes WAY more sense now…

I digress…

So, I was sitting there, in the passenger side of my car, thinking (as i do on occasion)  and it suddenly came to me that maybe they call it a ‘mock’ turtleneck, not because of the turtle, but because its not really a turtleneck at all.

It’s a fake turtle neck.  Mock – like fake… not like turtle – crazy… and yet… so obvious.

Perhaps it was because I was in my post run glow and all my senses were heightened… But for my entire life up until yesterday, i never EVER thought about like that, and then all of a sudden, random brainwave of enlightenment.

*Note to Self

Yes, these are the things that go in my brain, i know… scary.