Community S4 Finale: Why I Loved It

Television Thoughts 4 Comments
I honestly loved every second of this episode.  For me, it was perfect. What I appreciated the most about this season 4 finale was how it functioned as a mirror to how the show started.  In the beginning, Jeff was anxiously trying to run back to his sleazy lawyer job and, as a natural reflection to being that guy, doing and saying whatever he could to get what he wanted.  He formed the study group, after all, to go after "Hot Blonde Spanish Class".  But the study group became more than Read more [...]

Marathons

Life Stories Thoughts 3 Comments
Marathons are beautiful things.  There's the time it takes to be able to run them, the people encouraging you on that journey.  There's the race itself: the glorious 26.2 mile stretch of more than just singular achievement, but also the support of the community where that race happens, the chorus of cheers from strangers and friends alike who celebrate you and with you. I don't think today's events make us forget the beauty and achievement of the marathon.  I think today's events magnify Read more [...]

Stir-Fried Asian Culture: Panda Express & Samurai Pandas

Foodie Life Stories Thoughts 2 Comments
Today my friend Scott shared a photo on Facebook featuring a Panda Express billboard ad and its new limited time only dish - Samurai Surf & Turf.   I went to the website home page to get the image for this page, which shares simliar characteristics with the billboard ad: There are pandas dressed as samurai, weilding samurai swords with shrimp and beef.  The dish is called Samurai Surf & Turf. The dish is being showcased in a wok. Let's break a few things down here: Panda Read more [...]
Cooking Adventures Foodie Vegetarian No Comments
I love artichoke hearts, but I've never had whole artichokes.  My CSA box this week arrived with three of them.  After looking around at recipes (dominated by "spinach and artichoke" dip), I decided that I would try to roast them.  I used this recipe from About.com - Simple Roasted Artichokes Recipe, adding in some steak seasoning (comprised of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, coriander) based on the user review.  -cct   Read more [...]

A Very Bookish Christmas

Arts & Crafts Thoughts Writing & Reading 1 Comment
This year I decided to make a Book Christmas Tree - something a little bit more detailed than my beloved Charlie Brown Christmas tree, but still room for creativity.  I actually have a whole "to-read" book table.  Yes - table. So it was the perfect place to just do some...rearranging!  I had to be a little bit more creative with the top of the tree.  Luckily I had small volumes of love poems that were just right! The books in the tree (from top-to-bottom): Random House Treasury of Favorite Read more [...]