I've been doing a lot of reading during the last few days. I've read blog posts, eBooks, hard copy books, cookbooks, online newspapers and magazines, social media posts, and all manner of things. When one is snowed in, reading is one of the very best things in the world to do in my opinion. Plus, I can get away from the television a little bit. Away from westerns playing end on end. Away from programs that I really, really dislike and didn't even like when they were fresh offerings each week. Away from horrible commercials about life insurance, AARP, and other old people needs. Away from the horrible newscasts that show senseless murders and political messes.
When I've talked to folks in phone conversations, we've talked about reading and books. I talked to a friend whose third grade son finished up a book and had to do a book report and we talked about how his teacher seems to be doing her best to kill her students' love of reading. Requiring them to all read a mystery. Requiring them to write a written book report. Requiring them to create a cereal box something-or-other related to their book. Requiring them to take an AR test about the book. Why wouldn't she just let them read and have a conversation about it or write a short review for their friends? Why can't she request that they keep a list of books they've read and ask them to read a different genre from the last book they read and let them choose the genre? I'm so glad I don't have a student in her class!
Another conversation was with my son regarding the books the granddaughter is reading. She's a second grader and has read about all of the Dogman books. He said, "It is so bad that we can hardly find one she hasn't already read." I just chuckled and told him I'm just glad she's reading. He said that she's also gotten on a kick for reading the I Survived... series. She's not your typical second grade girl, I guess.
Then, I had a cousin who listens to audiobooks and asked me to give her a summary or preview of Wuthering Heights. I did and guided her to something that is a more contemporary and interesting read in my opinion. See, that's what real readers do. We don't make cereal box projects or write reports. We summarize, preview, suggest, discuss, share our favorite parts, and recommend or critique. So, today I decided I'd start this post with what I've been reading. Cereal box project might come later. We shall see...
- What I've Been Reading -
I'm finishing up another Mary Kay Andrews book, Savannah Blues. It is that southern voice that makes me keep coming back to read something that is sort of light-hearted by Andrews. The names of the characters are such southern names and her descriptions of them are so spot-on that one can just see these folks standing right in front of us when we are reading.
I chuckled the entire time I read the selection about the main character, Eloise (Weezie), meeting up with an old friend, Merijoy, in the grocery store:
Merijoy had a big bag of red bell peppers in her hand. She dropped them into a shopping cart loaded with children, and enveloped me in a bony, Dior-scented hug.
"Sugar," she gushed. "How awful for you. I have been beside myself with worry. Are you all right?"
Before I could answer, she turned to her shopping cart full of kids. All of them had white-blond hair and huge brown eyes."
"Renee," she cooed. "Sweetheart. Don't give Rodney jalapeno peppers, darlin'. They'll burn his little mouth."
Renee looked to be preschool age, maybe five. Her long, tanned legs were jammed intot he compartment of the cart where I usually set my purse. Her face was smeared with what appeared to be either blood or the filling of the raspberry doughnut she was waving with one hand.
The lower section of the cart housed a slightly younger, boy-type version of Renee, who looked to be about four. Rodney, I assumed, since he was holding a partially chewed jalapeno pepper in his hand and howling loud enough to wake the dead.
There were two more children in the cart, too, a pair of twin toddlers, a boy and girl, clad in look-alike yellow sunsuits. "Mommy we're hungry," they chirped.
In one smooth motion, Merijoy snatched the pepper out of the screaming child's hand and flung it to the ground. She reached down into the cart and twisted the top off a plastic jug of Hawaiian Punch and held it to the child's lips. He stopped screaming and gurgled it down. In the next second, she'd opened a box of animal crackers and handed them to all the children.
"All set?" she asked. The children, who strongly resembled a nestful of baby starlings, sucked contentedly on their cookies.
I mean, I sort of felt like I was standing right in the local grocery store witnessing the experience and smiling! Andrews just seems to write like a southern woman thinks and it is so relatable to us fellow southerners.
- What I've Been Loving -
One thing is for sure. When we are snowed in, we tend to eat well. There are fewer distractions and one or the other of us has plenty of time for cooking. With our last grocery delivery I had ordered some chicken thighs. I cooked those Sunday and stirred up some white bean chicken chili and chicken and dressing. I just opened canned beans and used a package of pre-mixed seasoning to add to the chicken and chicken broth. The seasoning was a wee bit spicy for us but I added a bit of sugar and some sour cream and I really liked it.
I used this recipe for the chicken and dressing. Since it made a 9x13" casserole size, I divided that into two 8x8" dishes and froze half. I made cream-style corn and cooked some green beans and on Monday night we had one of those southern comfort food meals that the Mister really likes.
Tuesday night was Taco Tuesday. I had sort of gotten in the habit of running errands on Tuesday and picking up tacos or some sort of Mexican food for lunch or dinner. Since we were snowed in, I browned ground beef and added taco seasoning. I had noticed some beef and bean burritos while assembling the grocery order and added those to the list. So, we had a gourmet Taco Tuesday. I shredded lettuce. We added shredded cheese and sour cream and some queso blanco to some taco shells and it was delicious.
Wednesday I made some cheese potato soup and a tossed salad. I warmed and cubed up some left-over chicken tenders to add to the top of the salad. That was another comfort food meal.
Thursday's menu plan was steak and biscuits and fries. I still miss that menu item that was taken off Cracker Barrel's menu years ago. A local restaurant in Nashville also served great steak and biscuits and fries when I was a young girl. So, it has been a favorite menu item for me for a long time. However, we are low on frozen biscuits and I didn't want to make some from scratch. So, the menu was modified and we had chili dogs and cheese tots. Easy and greasy. Mike thought this was the best meal for the week, I think. (See me rolling my eyes?)
The Mister has been frying sausage or bacon and eggs and cooking biscuits for breakfast. I have been eating yogurt to offset the side effects of taking the antibiotics last week and add some probiotics back into my system. I did bake some muffins and have eating a small muffin or two each morning with my fruit and yogurt. I had made cranberry orange muffins last week and baked chocolate chip muffins this week.
Since I am coughing less and feeling better, I have started back on my stretching and exercising routine. I'm not walking on the walk pad or riding the stationary bicycle, yet. If I keep cooking and eating like this, though, I will have to add that to my morning routine and may need to add an evening session as well just so I can continue to fit into even my soft pants!
- What I've Been Watching -
We accidentally clicked on a series on Amazon Prime and just stayed with it and it has really been one of those series that has us sitting on the edge of our seats. Shades of Blue with Jennifer Lopez. I would not classify it as family watching at all but it has been an interesting watch. Several times the Mister and I have looked at one another and said, "I didn't see that coming!"
The reviews are high and I can see that others mentioned the suspense and surprise at the plot lines. The description on Amazon Prime says, "In a steamy new drama, the iconic Jennifer Lopez stars as sexy New York detective (and single mother) Harlee Santos, who fell in with a tight-knit group of dirty cops, taking bribes and protection money that she uses to provide the best life for her honest and talented daughter." It also says, "Complex moral choices captivate viewers," and that is quite truthful. I must admit, there are times when I have turned my head away due to the graphic nature but it has been an interesting watch. We are amidst Season 2 at this point. The Mister asked me last night if I thought there were people out there who are that violent and crooked. I gave him the look and asked him if he had read any news headlines besides weather-related ones lately.
Well, that just about wraps up this wintery week. It has been a good one even though we have sort of been snowed in. (I didn't mind staying in but the Mister had to get out and putter around.) I also got a message from my daughter-in-law late yesterday afternoon that their power has been restored. So, after five days, all seems right with the world again. We hope the same is happening in your world. Get ready, though. If you live near us, we have been informed of a weather advisory for the next three days and the possibility of more precipitation midweek next week.
We are ever grateful for those first responders, those who have been supporting the power line and clean-up crews, and those who have continued on through the slippery and cold weather. We are thankful for their hard work and dedication.
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