tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120213562024-03-12T22:11:35.799-05:00fluctuating certainty...Climbing out of this boat I'm in, onto the crashing wavesgerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.comBlogger664125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-59488920146379656072017-09-09T10:52:00.000-05:002017-09-09T10:53:24.792-05:00The Essential Instant Pot Cookbook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Quite honestly, this is the best book I have found for the Instant Pot. I have tried several others, but this one has recipes I will actually use! The soup section was excellent, and I appreciated a good bone broth recipe! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> The chapters are as follows: Breakfast, Beans and Grains, Soups and Chilis, Poultry, Beef and Pork, Vegetables and Side Dishes, Desserts, and Pantry.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> The book has loads of useful information for using the Instant Pot, stuff I had to always look up online. It has cooking times as well, and a question and answer section. How to use the pot is included, must have tools, and how to convert recipes for the Instant Pot. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Usually I shy away from books that are official or authorized by a product, but this time I am glad I tried this book!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I recommend this book!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/562536/the-essential-instant-pot-cookbook-by-coco-morante/">For More Information</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "brandon_regular" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"I received this book from </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.BloggingForBooks.org&source=gmail&ust=1505057673093000&usg=AFQjCNE3fKuujf59IUS3lSn_JJa63Lu5pA" href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: brandon_regular, Arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Blogging for Books</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "brandon_regular" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> for this review."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-76526727716270170332017-08-23T14:44:00.000-05:002017-08-23T14:47:32.904-05:00The Lauras by Sara Tylor<div class="p1">
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The Lauras was an interesting take on the coming of age of Alex. Taken away from her father by her mother she experiences the world through her mothers eyes and experiences. Traveling across the U.S. her mother reveals her past bit by bit as they arrive in various locations associated with those revelations. And of course stories of the Lauras also play into this. Very interesting read, especially as Alex is dealing with gender issues and a view of life through those eyes.</div>
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Fairly quick read and it held my attention well.<br />
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<a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/545210/the-lauras-by-sara-taylor/">For more information, click here</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/221050/sara-taylor/">For more about the author, click here</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "brandon_regular" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> "I received this book from </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.BloggingForBooks.org&source=gmail&ust=1503603458458000&usg=AFQjCNEGNW7_s460ZMiDAD2pstTNP5137g" href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: brandon_regular, Arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Blogging for Books</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "brandon_regular" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> for this review."</span></span></div>
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gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-55929691471685908492017-08-08T19:40:00.000-05:002017-08-08T19:41:36.981-05:00The Roanoke Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9781101906668?width=125&alt=no_cover_b4b.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="125" height="200" src="https://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9781101906668?width=125&alt=no_cover_b4b.gif" width="132" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lane was one of the rich and beautiful Roanoke girls. But was it worth it? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This book was different than I expected. I guess I liked it ok, but it dealt with a topic not usually written about as a plot point for a novel.The characters made me mad at them for their ignorance, but I guess that goes back to the way they were raised, as victims of circumstance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The book moved along a bit slower than anticipated, but did deal with all characters in flashbacks. I thought as I read that the ending was obvious. I will say one aspect was and the other wasn't. I was a bit surprised by the final twist. Although it wasn't much of one. Just not where I expected it to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Let's just say I'm thankful to not be a Roanoke girl!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/536650/the-roanoke-girls-by-amy-engel/9781101906668/">More Information</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "brandon_regular" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I received this book from </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.BloggingForBooks.org&source=gmail&ust=1502324381573000&usg=AFQjCNH_BYvzTLxQuDFJm5XH70z0ZODTHQ" href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: brandon_regular, Arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Blogging for Books</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "brandon_regular" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> for this review.</span></span>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-6342549596766682952017-02-21T21:49:00.000-06:002017-02-21T21:54:02.130-06:00The Clancys of Queens<span style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif;">I'm so sorry! In December I had surgery and have been dealing with the long recovery and physical therapy since then. In the shuffle I totally forgot to review the book! Forgive the briefness, it's been a long couple months....</span></span><br />
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I enjoyed this book...well, I think I did. December was foggy. I loved reading about the authors time as a girl in New York. She had an interesting childhood, living in three different homes. Her mom's - with grandma, her dad's, and her stepdads. Each was so different - city dwelling and all that went with it back then, a single man's small rural type home, and her rich stepdads estate. It was touching, funny, and fun to read. I was amazed how the city, more lower class clan was welcomed to the stepdad's home for a grand picnic/party every year. That doesn't seem very normal to me! But the author was blessed to have all these different experiences, travels, and homes.</div>
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Over all, a very enjoyable read!<br />
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I'm sorry the picture and links aren't working. Maybe it's the iPad? I'll post as is and hope I can fix it later.<br />
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<a href="http://www.taraclancy.com/">Tara Clancy's Website</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1101903112?tag=randohouseinc13681-20">The Book</a></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: brandon text, sans-serif;">* I</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> received this book from </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.BloggingForBooks.org&source=gmail&ust=1472844340076000&usg=AFQjCNF27aEQ-z3rjwRjMJAq3sQr_iXdGg" href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Blogging for Books</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> for this review.</span></div>
gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-72598797394477716022016-09-20T16:37:00.000-05:002016-09-20T16:37:12.811-05:00The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I loved this book! Maybe not the most riveting story, but I am a sucker for historical fiction, especially in this part of the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What could be better than a tea plantation in Ceylon? Or what we now call Sri Lanka? The story centers around an English girl who marries and moves to Ceylon to her husbands tea plantation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Without getting overly involved it conveys the troubles between the owners, the workers, the natives, and the overseers. Add to that a small "mystery" and a bit of romance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It did my heart good to lose myself in this book for a couple days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recommend this book if you are a lover of historical fiction!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ABOUT <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; text-shadow: none;">THE TEA PLANTER’S WIFE</span></span></h4>
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<b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; text-shadow: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"#1 International bestselling novel set in 1920s Ceylon, about a young Englishwoman who marries a charming tea plantation owner and widower, only to discover he’s keeping terrible secrets about his past, including what happened to his first wife, that lead to devastating consequences."</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; text-shadow: none;">Dinah Jefferies</b> was born in Malaysia and moved to England at the age of nine. <i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; text-shadow: none;">The Tea Planter’s Wife</i> is her US debut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> "I received this book from <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.BloggingForBooks.org&source=gmail&ust=1474493080147000&usg=AFQjCNFHdlEMYFRli1ebMLO1TAgya7U3-Q" href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Blogging for Books</a> for this review."</span></div>
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<br />gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-72697138099035468092016-08-31T16:25:00.000-05:002016-09-01T14:35:57.318-05:00Food52 Genius Recipes<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This book was not what I hoped for....</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I was kind of disappointed in this book. I thought it would be smarter, more innovative, and it didn't seem to come close to that at all. Not that the recipes weren't ok, just not what I had hoped for! When I weed out my collection it will probably be among the first to go.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "brandon text" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">"I received this book from </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.BloggingForBooks.org&source=gmail&ust=1472844340076000&usg=AFQjCNF27aEQ-z3rjwRjMJAq3sQr_iXdGg" href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Blogging for Books</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> for this review."</span></span><br />
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gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-89191024022107539202015-04-23T14:42:00.000-05:002015-04-23T14:42:22.055-05:00The Great Big Pressure Cooker Book!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This looks like a wonderful book, and I have enjoyed reading the recipes. Unfortunately I haven't been able to try any yet as I haven't received my Electric Pressure Cooker, and my old stovetop version is missing a part.<br />
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The book has a wonderful introduction, and a lot of practical information and tips for cooks from novice to more advanced.<br />
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Breakfast<br />
Soup<br />
Meat<br />
Poultry<br />
Fish and shellfish, vegetables, beans, and grain<br />
Desserts<br />
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I'm most excited to try some of the soup recipes. They all sound wonderful! Both main course and vegetable and grain soups are included.<br />
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And of course, meats.... Short ribs!<br />
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The book has around 500 recipes, something for everyone. I can't wait to get my cooker so I can try these recipes out!<br />
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If you have a pressure cooker, or have toyed with getting one; if you want to eat healthy food in a shorter amount of time, or if you want great food without heating your kitchen this summer, this may be the book for you!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: brandon_regular, Arial, sans-serif;">I received this book from </span><a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #00a8ba; font-family: brandon_regular, Arial, sans-serif;">Blogging for Books</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: brandon_regular, Arial, sans-serif;"> for this review.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/235617/the-great-big-pressure-cooker-book-by-bruce-weinstein-and-mark-scarbrough-authors-of-the-great-american-slow-cooker-book/">More info</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/32719/bruce-weinstein/">Author bio</a><br />
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<br />gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-32326573220344937342015-04-10T16:57:00.002-05:002015-04-10T17:01:52.097-05:00Reviewing Bowl + Spoon by Sara Forte<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I just browsed through Bowl + Spoon. Interesting concept; one I thought I like better than I did. The author's premise is that people are busy, yet still want to eat good, healthy food. Her choice is food in bowls. Simplicity. Practical. Carry to the couch in your sweats and curl up with a good book easy.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The book itself is lovely, wonderful full color, full page photos. The recipes are creative, and broken into five categories: Morning Bowls, Side Bowls, Big Bowls, Sweet Bowls and Dressing and Sauces. The ingredients are pretty simple, often seasonal, with an emphasis on vegetables and greens.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Sara Forte also includes tools and ingredients to stock in the kitchen to make food prep easy.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Recipies I would like to try are Homemade Ricotta, Tropical Smoothie Bowl, Kale Caesar with Cornbread Bits, Herbed Falafel Bowl, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> Smoky Black Bean Chili. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I wish there here had been a few more recipes that incorporated noodles and rice, and maybe some beef or chicken. but considering that this is a Sprouted Kitchen book, I understand why there is not.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">If you are into tofu and quinoa, tons of greens and salads, then this would be a wonderful book for you!</span><br />
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For more information, here is the link. http://www.randomhouse.com/book/235998/the-sprouted-kitchen-bowl-and-spoon-by-sara-forte-and-hugh-forte</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: brandon_regular, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">I received this book from </span><a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #00a8ba; font-family: brandon_regular, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Blogging for Books</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: brandon_regular, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> for this review.</span></span></div>
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gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-34501991969730746382015-03-13T15:54:00.000-05:002015-03-15T17:03:29.945-05:00Lighten Up, Y'All<br />
Yep, another cookbook review. I just love cookbooks! I read them, use them, collect them, love them.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jnplpyycwJ4/VQNNe-NHGDI/AAAAAAAADNM/mHjnjct74Y0/s1600/9781607745730.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jnplpyycwJ4/VQNNe-NHGDI/AAAAAAAADNM/mHjnjct74Y0/s1600/9781607745730.jpeg" height="200" width="158" /></a>However, I'm just not sure about this book, Lighten Up, Y'all.<br />
I haven't found too much I actually want to try. :( Which is disappointing.<br />
The premise is that the Southern author, realizing southern food is often not very good for you, has remade those famous southern dishes. Unfortunately, I haven't found many I'm itching to try. I think, if I'm honest, I'd rather eat healthy consistently and then splurge on occasion with REAL southern food.<br />
I know some people choose cauliflower as fake rice. Too much work. I'll eat rice. And hiding broccoli in guacamole? Um, no.<br />
And some of the recipes, didn't sound especially southern, and actually didn't sound all that good. I realize many people will probably love this book. But I am not one of them. Thanks for trying, Virginia Willis. I might find a few recipes to try, but I lost interest about halfway through and I'm moving on.<br />
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Here is the official blurb:<br />
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<b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A collection of classic Southern comfort food recipes--including seven-layer dip, chicken and gravy, and strawberry shortcake--made lighter, healthier, and completely guilt-free. $24.99<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /> </b><br />
Virginia Willis is not only an authority on Southern cooking, a French-trained chef, and a veteran cookbook author; she is also a proud Southerner who adores eating and cooking for family and friends. So when she needed to drop a few pounds and generally lighten up her diet, the most important criterion for her new lifestyle was that all the food had to taste delicious.<br />
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The result is <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lighten Up, Y’all</i>, a soul-satisfying and deeply personal collection of Virginia’s new favorite recipes. All the classics are covered—from a comforting Southern Style Shepherd’s Pie with Grits to warm, melting Broccoli Mac and Cheese to Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pie. Each dish is packed with real Southern flavor, but made with healthier, more wholesome ingredients and techniques. Wherever you are on your health and wellness journey, <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lighten Up, Y’all </i>has the recipes, tools, and inspiration you need to make the nourishing, down-home Southern food you love.<br />
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gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-50181756434143443882015-02-22T14:11:00.003-06:002015-02-22T14:13:07.155-06:0087th Annual Academy Awards!I'm not trying to guess what will win. No. I'm choosing who/what I want to win. Hence the reason I don't enter pools or contests. This is just MY opinion, what I think, and it will definitely show how differently I think from the voting members. Sigh.<br />
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Best Picture: Boyhood</div>
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Actress: Julianne Moore</div>
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Actor: Eddie Redmayne</div>
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Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette</div>
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Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons</div>
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Animated Feature:....</div>
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Cinematography: Yeoman/Grand Budapest Hotel</div>
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Costume Design: Atwood/Into the Woods</div>
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Director: Linklater/Boyhood</div>
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Documentary Feature:....</div>
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Documentary Short:....</div>
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Film Editing: Whiplash</div>
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Foreign Language:....</div>
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Makeup: Grand Budapest</div>
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Original Score: Grand Budapest Hotel</div>
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Original Song: Glory/Selma</div>
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Production Design: Into the Woods</div>
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Animated Short:....</div>
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Live Action Short:....</div>
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Sound Editing: Birdman</div>
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Sound Mixing: Whiplash</div>
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Visual Effects: Guardians of the Galaxy</div>
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Adapted Screenplay: Imitation Game</div>
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Original Screenplay: Grand Budapest Hotel</div>
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gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-40504589994474549282015-01-29T20:43:00.002-06:002015-03-13T16:34:36.191-05:00Inside the Test Kitchen by Tyler Florence.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn’t sure about this book, but I thought I’d give it a chance. To my delight, I really enjoyed it and have marked several recipes to try.<br /><br />The food is all familiar. And food you want to eat. Tyler has taken it, and tested different ways of making it better. His basic premise is, why are we using the techniques our grandmothers used…aren’t there better ways to cook these foods, yielding an even better result? And so he decided to set up the test kitchen to try out his theory. He says, “We can’t be afraid to take chances and to try again if the first attempts don’t work.” And a strict no-bad-ideas rule was put into place.<br /><br />When he asked people what recipes they would like to see in a new cookbook he found that people were asking for new recipes for recipes that already existed. And this book followed. A book where his recipes are the best possible, and which can be made in the most efficient way. As Florence says, “changing conventions.”<br /><br />Thirteen chapters follow, chapters that give you a plan for an entire meal, as well as recipes that sound wonderful… from barbecue and its accompaniments to chicken, to burgers, to eggs and yummy sides.<br /><br />Not only do the recipes sound great, the book is a fun read, and Florence explains his thought process as well as testing results.<br /><br />I’m glad I gave the book a try!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."</span></div>
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gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-21189067592459894302015-01-15T21:16:00.002-06:002015-01-15T21:16:30.609-06:00A Kitchen in France<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, we just returned from Hawaii. It was lovely, and warm, and I wish I was still there! It did help to come home to a wonderful new Cookbook! The book, A Kitchen in France, by Mimi Thorisson, is absolutely gorgeous! I love the personal stories shared by the author, and the family memories. each recipe has another memory or anecdote. The food truly looks scrumptious. It is divided by season, which is helpful. It is not crammed with an over abundance of recipes, but rather they are chosen carefully and thoughtfully. The photos accompanying the recipes are beautiful, and not just pictures of the dish, but the family, the vegetables, the pets, the country. I feel like I am on a vacation to France! I can't wait to try a few of these.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333;">MIMI THORISSON is the author of </span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Manger,</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333;"> a blog devoted to French cooking that was named </span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Saveur</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333;">’s</span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333;">Best Regional Food Blog in April 2013. After a career in television and having lived in Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Reykjavik, and Paris, she settled with her photographer husband, their five young children, her two older stepchildren, and the family’s fourteen dogs in a farmhouse in Médoc. She is the star of the cooking shows </span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">La Table de Mimi</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333;"> and the upcoming </span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Les Desserts de Mimi,</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #333333;"> both on Canal+ in France.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I received this book from <a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/" style="color: #00a8ba;">Blogging for Books</a> for this review."</span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=12021356" name="read_more_close" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; color: #0066cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="29" id="read_more_close_btn" src="http://www.randomhouse.com/book/search/images/close_button.png" style="border: 0px; float: right; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: -10px; top: -10px; vertical-align: top;" width="27" /></span></a>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-37484543815662780102014-12-21T19:40:00.002-06:002014-12-21T19:49:16.367-06:00Another great cookbook!<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I received The Skinny Taste Cookbook in the mail to review. The book is written by Gina Homolka, a mom who wanted to lose weight. Her conundrum was making meals that would help her lose weight, while still being something her family wanted to eat. Her first stop was Weight Watchers, but she was not happy with the recipes. She instead decided to take her recipes and rework them so they were calorie friendly. The result is this cookbook. The recipes look yummy..(haven't tried any yet), the pictures are gorgeous, and best of all she includes nutritional information. This is very important to me as I have to watch my sodium.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The recipes are geared to the home cook, and she includes vegetarian, gluten-free, slow cooker and freezer friendly meals, all healthy versions of your favorites. The beginning of the book does a good job of explaining her philosophy, what good fats are, what healthy is, how to make over your kitchen, and good choices for your pantry.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Brandon Text', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> With chapters on breakfast, soups, sandwiches,main dish salads, poultry, lean meat fish, meatless mains,sides and deserts, there is something for everybody.</span><br />
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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.<br />
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<a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/book/225708/the-skinnytaste-cookbook-by-gina-homolka#.VJd0hX0X550.blogger">More Information</a><br />
<a name='more'></a>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-576489907842512162014-12-09T20:22:00.000-06:002014-12-09T20:22:53.042-06:00Novel InteriorsSo, today I received another beautiful book to review. The book, Novel Interiors: Living in Enchanted Rooms Inspired by Literature by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti, is a book lovers guide to decorating. The photography is gorgeous, and there are a lot of great ideas to be found. There are six "chapters" or six different styles found in the authors favorite novels. Each chapter encompasses one style, like Living Au Natural, and the author uses quotes and ideas from several author's books that fit the category. At the end of each section is a wonderful list of finishing touch ideas to make your room come alive. At the end of the book you will also find a list of sources. I plan to give this book to my daughter who loves both books and great literature. Wonderful book!<br />
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<a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/book/226275/novel-interiors-by-lisa-borgnes-giramonti">More information</a><br />
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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-50948423171054027512014-11-22T11:05:00.001-06:002014-11-22T11:12:08.214-06:00Book Review! In Her KitchenI recently added this book to my cookbook collection. It is a WONDERFUL BOOK! The pictures are gorgeous, the food is mouthwatering and the stories make it that much more special! Sixty grandmothers, sharing sixty recipes and a story about their life! In all fairness, I received the book free to review, but it was already on my list of must haves. I have not cooked from it yet, I had unexpected gallbladder surgery and I'm in recovery mode. Grandma food, what could be better?<br />
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<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Her-Kitchen-Stories-Recipes-Grandmas-ebook/dp/B00KEPLBRC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416675241&sr=8-1&keywords=In+her+kitchen">In Her Kitchen</a><br />
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<img src="webkit-fake-url://5ca7c6f3-30af-41a4-b651-ebcd777cb6e9/imagejpeg" />gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-52663463040612784122014-11-04T13:46:00.002-06:002014-11-04T13:46:54.097-06:00Let's Try AgainForget the move. I think I'll just stay here for now. It's served me well. The last couple years have been interesting. Maybe I'll catch you up some day. Until then I'll be here, and on Twitter (@gerbmom)<br />
Hoping to be able to write about travels, family, cooking.....life!<br />
Check back soon. :)gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-39605709831599127592012-09-08T12:06:00.003-05:002015-03-13T17:11:11.278-05:00Cats in the Cradle<strike><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wow.</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been forever since I've posted. Time marches on.</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This entire blog is so out of date. But I still like it. Do I want to start over, or just update this one? I'm guessing much has changed here at blogger! Maybe it's time to upgrade a bit. I dunno. I do like that this is linked to Google and Flickr and makes life so easy for me. Hmmmmm.</span></strike><br />
<strike><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHzKkMViktU/UEt6zZSbnWI/AAAAAAAACco/NvqApsNUqrc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-09-08+at+12.04.53+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHzKkMViktU/UEt6zZSbnWI/AAAAAAAACco/NvqApsNUqrc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-09-08+at+12.04.53+PM.png" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And things have changed dramatically in my life too....so I suppose I should update that as well.</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Time goes by so fast, and if we aren't careful, well, we miss opportunities, we lose track of those we love and we sadly entertain "if I had only...'s."</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">OK - I'm gonna go think this through, and try and decide about a format and where I want to blog.</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Later!</span></strike><br />
<strike><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;">"I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;">He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time"</span></span></span></strike><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;">Changed </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;">my mind. Stayed here. Maybe someday I'll get inspired and redo this.....</span></span></span><strike><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></span></strike><br />
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<br />gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-90251341229960683942011-03-26T10:52:00.002-05:002011-03-26T10:53:16.090-05:00O.C.E.A.N<a href="http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/results/?oR=0.85&cR=0.583&eR=0.375&aR=0.583&nR=0.844">I'm a O80-C46-E18-A32-N93 Big Five!!</a>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-70412358483064467572010-11-12T17:05:00.002-06:002010-11-12T17:07:59.875-06:00Food for Thought!!!<span style="font-family: arial;">I have received a new book to review written (edited) by a college friend, Leslie Leyland Fields. The book, entitled </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">The Spirit of Food: 34 Writers on Feasting and Fasting Toward God</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> came just the other day. Excitedly I tore open the envelope and held it happily in my hands, wanting to dive in right away. I honestly couldn’t wait. Self-control prevailed. I was already reading another book I was enjoying and wanted and needed to finish it first. So reluctantly I set the book aside.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Today, after finishing up the prior book, I grabbed a highlighter (because how can I read without one?) and Leslie’s book and curled up on the couch to read. The introduction resonated with me and I sighed in anticipation of the essays to come. Many of them written by some of my favorite writers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Eagerly I began the first chapter written by Patty Kirk, entitled </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Wild Fruit</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. Excellent. I loved the way she worshipped God in the small things, like picking fruit! And how she likened us to little creators, formed in God’s image. How much joy there is in creating a new dish, a scrumptious meal; how worshipful our imitation of our God! He must find joy in our meager attempt to create just has He has done!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Bliss. On to the second chapter written by Brian Volck, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Late October Tomatoes</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. He writes about the joys of gardening, planting and nurturing seeds and seedlings and growing them to harvest. Of the joys of the earth and the hard work rewarding us with food. Tomatoes. I could just feel the warm skins and taste the juicy sweetness of a fresh picked tomato. He shared in his writing the connections and memories a simple food can trigger.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Sigh. I love this book. Chapter three. No. Wait. I am torn between wanting to read this book in great big bites. Gulping it in until I am satisfied. Torn between that and wanting to savor the intricacies, wanting to roll the words around in my head until the taste fills my soul.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Reluctantly I have set the book aside. Until tomorrow, or maybe later tonight if I can’t stand it anymore! I know it’s only a matter of time before I’m hungry again for the thoughts and wisdom of these authors…. </span>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-34680477897158365212010-06-07T15:43:00.005-05:002010-06-07T15:56:58.514-05:00Why?Why do I always ask why? (Oh the irony!) Why do questions and puzzles and words effect me so much? Why do I want all the answers? Why do I have a two year old mentality?<br /><br />And why do I ask why knowing fully that I won't get answers....why do I become petulant in my questioning? I have a friend who is quite content and rarely even thinks to ask why. That is just so foreign to me. I'm always questioning. I always want to know. I want to learn. I want to understand. Why do people do what they do? Why am I who I am? Why do I, and others, respond the way we do? Why is God doing this or that?<br /><br />Why's about unanswerable questions, but I still want to know. Why did the oil leak; why did a tsunami happen; why did a bridge collapse; why did Haiti get rocked to its core; why did Columbine happen; why did the towers fall?<br /><br />Curious why's, demanding why's, wounded why's, childish why's, accusatory why's....<br /><br />Why do we believe the way we do? Why were certain rules made and why did they become more import than anything else? Why can't we all get along? Why is social justice a bad word? Why do our differences matter more than our similarities? Why is it raining, why do I struggle with depression, why did certain things happen the way they did? Why did my church have to disband? Why do people I love move? Why do I have such a hard time trusting others? Why do I build walls? Why is it so hard for me to be authentic, to let people see the real me, to feel safe in a friendship? Why do I let thoughts and ideas get to me...why do they affect me so much? Why are some people content with the way things are, and I can't rest until I see change? Why can others see that God doesn't need a back seat driver? Why can others let go, trusting God to right things? Why do they not question His plans, His methods, His goodness? Why are they so Implicit in their trust? Why are they satisfied and why am I not? Why am I restless, seeking, challenging? Why do they rest in God while I wrestle with God? Why do they seem to have life figured out when I am still searching for answers? Why do I need answers?<br /><br />Why, why, why?<br /><br /><br />And why, oh why am I even awake at 6 a.m. thinking about this?gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-6888478555491167622010-06-05T13:26:00.002-05:002010-06-05T13:29:54.865-05:00What She Said....<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><blockquote style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I have a need</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">For solitude</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I'll never be</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Safe in crowded rooms</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I like the sound</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Of silence coming on</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I come around</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">When everyone has gone</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I have a need</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">For cool, verdant spaces</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Beneath the trees</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Secret empty places</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Nobody knows</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">So no one will intrude</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I have a need</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">For solitude</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">But you can find me, when the light is changing</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">At that time of day when there's</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Little day remaining</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">You can find me where I've been waiting</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Waiting here for you</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I never was</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">The pretty girl in school</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I never was</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Fast, tough and cool</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">All I was</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">All my life it seems</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Was hard to love</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Harder now to keep</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">But you can find me, when the light is changing</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">At that time of day when there's</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Little day remaining</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I have a need</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">For solitude</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I'll never be</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Safe in crowded rooms</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I like the sound</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Of silence coming on</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I come around when all the rest have gone...</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);font-size:85%;" > Mary Chapin Carpenter</span><br /></div></blockquote>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-16139946286782837012010-05-30T19:32:00.001-05:002010-05-30T19:34:20.372-05:00Food for thought on a hot Sunday....<span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Wow. Two things to think about today. Huh. I went to church and I watched a movie, and both prompted thoughts.<br /><br />First, church. The passage was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Colossians</span> 2 and the speaker was talking about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"></span>the infomercial pitchman of the day in Colossee, and how Paul countered the gimmicks. It held together well at points, but others were definitely a stretch. However, near the end it was interesting that we were told that Paul was telling them to weigh everything by the Scripture and not fall for all they are hearing from the religious leaders. I agree with that. But the interesting part was we were told that Scripture trumps tradition, and experience, and rules. I find it ironic that we can see this to teach it, but our evangelical churches don't see the fact that they are guilty of this very thing! So much of the teaching we have grown up with is often taught and retaught and not weighed by the Scripture. And not necessarily because it contradicts Scripture, but because it isn't even part of Scripture. We have made it so by interpretation. We take the teachings of early leaders of the evangelical movement as our Gospel. Why? Because somewhere along the line someone decided that was the truth. Yes, to be fair, the interpretation was likely based on Scripture in that persons mind. Their interpretation. And perhaps it wasn't far off base. But it grew and morphed like a cosmic game of telephone and we often don't really know why we do what we do and why we believe what we believe. It's the lazy way out. We do so because we've been taught to. Because it's always been accepted as "gospel." And so as I listened I saw the irony, and also grasped the fact that the majority of Christians will never ever question anything or think about anything any differently then has been spoon fed to them. And in the very preaching of the sermon the tradition taught as truth has been perpetuated.<br /><br />This afternoon we watched <i>The Invention of Lying</i>. The premise is that no one lied - ever. Everything said was truth. No lies, no self censorship or tact when speaking. Everything was out there. Until one day the main character told a lie and because lies had never been told before everyone believed and trusted him. Ergo - his word was truth. He learned how to use it for his gain, and how to spin a story. And for awhile it was good. Until one day he was sitting at the bedside of his dying mother. She was afraid to die. And so he lied. He told her not to be afraid that she would go to a better place when she died. Where she would be happy and have a mansion. People marveled that the man had this knowledge. And they sought him out to find out what else he knew. He embellished heaven - much as we think of it today. And then people wanted to know about "the man in the sky" and he made up more stories. And made a persona for this good man who ran everything from the sky. He caused and cured illness. He caused tsunamis. He caused financial windfalls. The good and the bad. He was the puppet master. And the myth kept growing. And then the people wanted to know the rules. The main character writes down all he "knows" of the rules on pizza boxes and addresses the crowd with these "tablets." He talks about good and bad, sin and lack there of. How many bad things one is forgiven of (three) before they go to the horrible bad place instead of heaven. And then people want the rules interpreted down the very last jot and tittle. They want everything spelled out for them so they don't do it wrong. Is it intent that makes the act a sin? And on it went.<br /><br />I saw this as an interesting social commentary, first as the way men see God and religion. Stories made up and passed down. Panaceas to soothe the soul. Smart men should realize this is a bunch of hooey; that a much smarter man capitalized on this when he realized he could and that he was able to greatly benefit from it. And secondly, it speaks to the way some things have been addressed in evangelical circles regarding all aspects of Christianity. The rules, the traditions, the stories - which is which? Which are the stories and which are the truth. And that brought me back to the message of the morning.<br /><br />I'm still processing it all - there is much food for thought here.<br /><br />Spinning merrily.</span></span>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-22817619585512482482010-05-28T12:53:00.002-05:002010-05-28T12:59:29.661-05:00<div align="center">I Like Giants<br />Kimya Dawson<br /><br />When I go for a drive I like to pull off to the side<br />Of the road, turn out the lights, get out and look up at the sky<br />And I do this to remind me that I'm really, really tiny<br />In the grand scheme of things and sometimes this terrifies me<br /><br />But it's only really scary cause it makes me feel serene<br />In a way I never thought I'd be because I've never been<br />So grounded, and so humbled, and so one with everything<br />I am grounded, I am humbled, I am one with everything<br /><br />Rock and roll is fun but if you ever hear someone<br />Say you are huge, look at the moon, look at the stars, look at the sun<br />Look at the ocean and the desert and the mountains and the sky<br />Say I am just a speck of dust inside a giant's eye<br />I am just a speck of dust inside a giant's eye<br /><br />When I saw Geneviève I really liked it when she said<br />What she said about the giant and the lemmings on the cliff<br />She said 'I like giants<br />Especially girl giants<br />Cause all girls feel too big sometimes<br />Regardless of their size'<br /><br />When I go for a drive I like to pull off to the side<br />Of the road and run and jump into the ocean in my clothes<br />And I'm smaller than a poppyseed inside a great big bowl<br />And the ocean is a giant that can swallow me whole<br /><br />So I swim for all salvation and I swim to save my soul<br />But my soul is just a whisper trapped inside a tornado<br />So I flip to my back and I float and I sing<br />I am grounded, I am humbled, I am one with everything<br />I am grounded, I am humbled, I am one with everything<br /><br />So I talked to Geneviève and almost cried when she said<br />That the giant on the cliff wished that she was dead<br />And the lemmings on the cliff wished that they were dead<br />So the giant told the lemmings why they ought to live instead<br /><br />When she thought up all those reasons that they ought to live instead<br />It made her reconsider all the sad thoughts in her head<br />So thank you Geneviève, cause you take what is in your head<br />And you make things that are so beautiful and share them with your friends<br /><br />We all become important when we realize our goal<br />Should be to figure out our role within the context of the whole<br />And yeah, rock and roll is fun, but if you ever hear someone<br />Say you are huge, look at the moon, look at the stars, look at the sun<br />Look at the ocean and the desert and the mountains and the sky<br /><br />Say I am just a speck of dust inside a giant's eye<br />I am just a speck of dust inside a giant's eye<br />I am just a speck of dust inside a giant's eye<br />And I don't wanna make her cry<br />Cause I like giants </div>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-49043087619781810022010-05-13T07:54:00.005-05:002010-05-13T08:07:50.101-05:00For want of a Nail....One drop in a pond, one flutter of a butterfly's wings, call it what you will, but just know, <em>it changes everything</em>. No matter what you do, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, it effects others and things in ever widening circles. It's not a new concept, but I was reminded of it today watching rain drops fall from a tree branch into a pool of water. Making contact, it spreads concentrically, and quickly, until it hits dry earth. The effect on each thing, whether in the pond, or on the dry ground, is different. But make no mistake; they all feel the current, the push of the water, the final result. And it changes their course. Their response is in reaction to the original drop. What we say, and what we do matters. This thing is bigger than us. And we are responsible to live the best way we can, honoring God, loving our fellow man, and respecting the earth.<br /><br />I know I'm mixing metaphors, but I was reminded of this rhyme I was taught as a child:<br /><br /><div align="center">For want of a nail the shoe was lost.<br />For want of a shoe the horse was lost.<br />For want of a horse the rider was lost.<br />For want of a rider the battle was lost.<br />For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.<br />And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div><br> Small decisions today can change the world tomorrow.</div><div align="left">We don't know who's life we'll effect.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">All for the want of a horseshoe nail.</div><div align="left"></div>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12021356.post-79085895783344913442010-05-12T12:44:00.005-05:002010-05-12T14:26:33.180-05:00Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom<div align="left">Maybe not so politically correct, but it sure was fun, and obviously memorable! 40 some years later and I can still sing the song....<br /><br /><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/zjHrmmFIErY/hqdefault.jpg)" height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zjHrmmFIErY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zjHrmmFIErY&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br /><br />Then, this got me to thinking about another grade school classic, although this was a record: <em><strong>Go You Chicken Fat Go!</strong></em> (Thank you President Kennedy!)<br /><br /><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/af2j59zzX3Q/hqdefault.jpg)" height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/af2j59zzX3Q&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/af2j59zzX3Q&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><strong><em><blockquote><strong><em>"alright girls....you're in this too! Arms overhead, flop. COME ON girls!"</em></strong> </blockquote></em></strong></div><div align="left">Wow.<br /><br />A little history about this song and the President's Council on Youth Fitness.<br /><br />On July 16, 1956, President Eisenhower established the President’s Council on Youth Fitness.<br /><br /><strong><em>One million schoolchildren</em></strong> took part in Council sponsored pilot projects to test children's fitness levels.<br /><br /><strong><em>Go You Chicken Fat Go</em></strong> was commissioned by John F. Kennedy for his new Youth Fitness Program. In 1961 <strong><em>a copy of this record was sent to every school in the U.S.</em></strong> with the idea that it would be played over the P.A. every morning while students did calisthenics. I remember doing this in gym class.<br /><br /><blockquote><p align="left">In 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson established the <em>Presidential Physical Fitness Award for exceptional achievement</em>. It was originally adminis­tered by the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The award recognized children in good academic standing who scored in the upper 15th percentile on activities such as a softball throw, a broad jump, a 50-yard dash, and a 600-yard walk/run.</p></blockquote>I remember going outside in the spring to participate/compete in these activities.<br /><br />And to think I started thinking about/remembering this stuff because the <em>Go You Chicken Fat Go</em> song started running through my head!<br /><br />There is still a President’s Council on Youth Fitness active today - we just don't hear much about it. It has also grown to encompass adults as well.<br /><br /><blockquote><p align="left">In July of 2003 President Bush and launched www.presidentschallenge.org, the Council’s interactive physical activity and fitness online program. The new President’s Challenge offered an award for active lifestyles (PALA) and for points logged toward earning medals (Presidential Champions award). The more than 100 activities included in the program range from traditional sports and activities, such as walking, running, swimming, baseball and soccer, to yoga, tai chi, dancing, housework, and gardening. </p></blockquote><br />But nothing will EVER measure up to <em>Go You Chicken Fat Go</em>!! :-)<br />Now you know.... </div>gerbmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08334242165831708434noreply@blogger.com0