Book Review (Half Broke Horses)

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

I absolutely love Jeannette Walls as an author.   Her writing style keeps you on the edge of your seat as she takes you on an adventure with a wide array of characters.  Half Broke Horses was such an enjoyable read as you find yourself laughing out loud, gasping in astonishment, and wiping tears away.  For those of you that have not read The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls childhood story, I strongly recommend reading it first. I guarantee you will LOVE both of  these books!


Source:  Publisher Weekly on Amazon

For the first 10 years of her life, Lily Casey Smith, the narrator of this true-life novel by her granddaughter, Walls, lived in a dirt dugout in west Texas. Walls, whose mega-selling memoir, The Glass Castle, recalled her own upbringing, writes in what she recalls as Lily's plainspoken voice, whose recital provides plenty of drama and suspense as she ricochets from one challenge to another. Having been educated in fits and starts because of her parents' penury, Lily becomes a teacher at age 15 in a remote frontier town she reaches after a solo 28-day ride. Marriage to a bigamist almost saps her spirit, but later she weds a rancher with whom she shares two children and a strain of plucky resilience. (They sell bootleg liquor during Prohibition, hiding the bottles under a baby's crib.) Lily is a spirited heroine, fiercely outspoken against hypocrisy and prejudice, a rodeo rider and fearless breaker of horses, and a ruthless poker player. Assailed by flash floods, tornados and droughts, Lily never gets far from hardscrabble drudgery in several states—New Mexico, Arizona, Illinois—but hers is one of those heartwarming stories about indomitable women that will always find an audience.(Oct.)


Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Review (One and the Same)

One and the Same by Abigail Pogrebin

This book was a gift from my husband's twin brother and his wife last Christmas.  It was ironic they had given this to us as I heard the book review on NPR (the same book review my sister-in-law had heard) and had added it to my running list of books to read.  The author tells the story of experiences of numerous different twins and how their relationship changed throughout their lives.  For me, this book helped me understand the unspoken bond that Moe has with his brother.  A bond that is so strong and true that it can't be compared to any other relationship that I've encountered.  The book also addressed what it is like to be in a relationship with an identical twin.  My response would be wonderful, 99% of the time.  Just like anything else in this world, it comes with its fair share of challenges.  It was interesting to read what challenges others have experienced.  Even if you aren't a twin, married to a twin, or know a twin, I would recommend this book.  It is a series of short stories tied together by the authors comments.  It is a wonderful and thought provoking read. 

Note:  Please take a look at the cover of the book.  Moe and his brother used to be dressed everyday in blue and red so that everyone could tell them apart.  As I was writing this blog, I looked up and saw this picture that we framed in our kitchen.  It cracked me up.  They were happy chubby kids :) Can you guess which one is Moe?!

Source:  Jan Isay Book Review on Amazon

Abigail Pogrebin’s One and the Same: My Life As an Identical Twin and What I’ve Learned about Everyone’s Struggle to be Singular is a terrific travelogue through the world of identical--and fraternal--twins. She tells the story of the twin experience from the inside out, and shines a smart and loving light on this special relationship. Pogrebin brings heart and brains to her own experiences with her twin sister Robin, from infancy to a ripe maturity. And she has done prodigious amount of research, speaking with scores of twins--together and apart--and interviewing dozens of experts on all aspects of the twin experience.


Modern medicine has given us more multiple births every year, and so more and more people are parents of twins. When we see so many pairs of kids riding in their double strollers, we ask ourselves so many questions.


What’s going on in their little minds as they grow up together? Do they feel like they’re one person, or two? How do they relate to other kids in school? Do they feel that it’s a privilege to be a twin, or do they find it a burden? What about the social expectations that they should love each other best and should be ever so close? How do they separate enough to get married and form their own families? What is the mistake parents most often make in rearing their twins?

Abigail Pogrebin has answers to these questions and many more. In each chapter she writes a bit about her and her sister, and then brings in testimony from other twins and the experts. In addition, this book is valuable because of the light it sheds on all sibling relationships by describing the closest pairs we know. Even people without a twin in their lives--and most of us are fascinated by twins--will benefit from reading One and the Same.


If you’re considering IVF, if you are a twin or have a twin, or are married to a twin, or dating one, this book is a necessity. In addition, Abigail Pogrebin’s family is one of those singularly successful and loving ones, and basking in the warmth of her life is a pleasure.--Jane Isay

Book Review (Damaged)

Damaged by Cathy Glass

Although this book was a disturbing story, it was eye-opening.  It was fascinating to be in eyes of the care-taker especial one as brave, gentle, and loving as Cathy Glass.  This is a remarkable, yet heartbreaking story of a child that slipped through the cracks of Social Services.  From the moment Jodie arrives on the step's of Cathy's house, you are roped in. Although this is an addicting read, the story is so truly disturbing.  I found tears streaming down my checks as I continued to read on to find out what happens.  I can't imagine a child going through such pain and even worse a child going through this while others sat on the side lines and did nothing.  I have mentioned to Moe on multiple occasions that I would love to foster at some point in my life.  Although you would think this book would turn me off of the idea, it in fact did the opposite.  It made me feel like you can make a difference in a child's life even if the task seems too difficult to bear.

- Miss J

Source:  Book Summary on Amazon

Although Jodie is only eight years old, she is violent, aggressive, and has already been through numerous foster families. Her last hope is Cathy Glass. At the Social Services office, Cathy (an experienced foster carer) is pressured into taking Jodie as a new placement. Jodie's challenging behavior has seen off five carers in four months. Despite her reservations, Cathy decides to take on Jodie to protect her from being placed in an institution. Jodie arrives, and her first act is to soil herself, and then wipe it on her face, grinning wickedly. Jodie meets Cathy's teenage children, and greets them with a sharp kick to the shins. That night, Cathy finds Jodie covered in blood, having cut her own wrist, and smeared the blood over her face. As Jodie begins to trust Cathy her behavior improves. Over time, with childish honesty, she reveals details of her abuse at the hands of her parents and others. It becomes clear that Jodie's parents were involved in a sickening pedophile ring, with neighbors and Social Services not seeing what should have been obvious signs. Unfortunately Jodie becomes increasingly withdrawn, and it's clear she needs psychiatric therapy. Cathy urges the Social Services to provide funding, but instead they decide to take Jodie away from her, and place her in a residential unit. Although the pedophile ring is investigated and brought to justice, Jodie's future is still up in the air. Cathy promises that she will stand by her no matter what—er love for the abandoned Jodie is unbreakable.

Book Week!

I realized I haven't shared any of my most recent reads in a LONG time.  This week I am going to post a different book each day.  Hopefully one of them catches your eye if you haven't already read them!

- Miss J

Fish Tacos

The lesson of the week is complexity does not always constitute good cooking.  Last night I threw this meal together in less than 25 minutes and Moe rated it a 9.5!  I know I should be pleased that he enjoyed it, but sometimes it is frustrating when I spend hours on a sophisticated meal that Moe just thinks is so-so.  I called him out on this very fact last night. His response was "I am a simple man that likes simple things"! Well enough said I guess. For those of you that want something "simple", try this recipe out! 

Fish Tacos
Source:  Miss J Original
Serves: 2 (2 tacos per person)

4 organic tortilla soft shells (World Market's 365 Red Chili Flavor)
1/2 - 3/4 lb of white fish (cod, sol, or tilapia)
1 bell pepper (any color)
1/4 onion, sliced
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp taco mix seasoning
1/2 cup panko
shredded lettuce
shredded cheddar cheese
1 tomato
Olive oil
salt and pepper

Mix sour cream and taco seasoning in a small dish and place in refrigerator to keep chilled until serving time.  Dice peppers and onions on a cutting board. 

Heat up olive oil in skillet.  Add onions and saute for two minutes.  Add peppers and continue to saute for approximately 4-5 minutes. 

While onions and peppers are cooking, slice the tomato.  On a large platter, arrange shredded lettuce, cheese, and tomato and set aside. 

Once the onions are translucent, remove from pan and set aside.  

Cover with foil so that peppers and onions remain warm. Do not clean skillet as will use the same pan for the fish.

Slice fish into long strips and toss in panko. 

Turn heat to medium low on skillet.  Once heated, add fish to the skillet.  Using tongs, arrange fish evenly across the pan.  The white fish is delicate so be careful not to move around too much or will flake apart.  Cook approximately 2-3 minutes on each side until cooked through (time will depend on thickness of the slices). 

While fish is cooking, heat up another small skillet.  Place tortilla shells one at a time, tossing over once to heat and soften.  Stack them on a plate until fish is done.

Once fish is done, transfer to a serving bowl or place skillet on a trivet on the table and serve directly out of the skillet.  Serve with peppers and onion medley, sour cream mixture, and lettuce, tomato, and cheese.  Enjoy!

- Miss J

Ratings:
Moe, 9.5 out of 10
Miss J, 9 out of 10

Peppercorn Lasagna with Chicken, Spinach, and Mushrooms

This past weekend I went to the Soulard Farmers Market.  It was amazing!  It had endless rows of stands with anything from fruits & vegetables to fresh pasta to live geese.  The prices were also very affordable and significantly less expensive than the Tower Grove Farmers Market.  However, I later found out that unless that stand is labeled "organic", it is the leftover vegetables from the local grocery stores that didn't sell that week.  Although this seems terrible, there were wonderful organic stands spread through the market.  My favorite find was a pasta stand that sold a wide assortment of unique flavors... anything from chocolate to lemon garlic to spicy Thai.  The best part was you get a recipe with each 1/2 lb or 1 lb of dried pasta you buy. As part of this blog, I am going to try out a couple different kinds of pasta a month (and yes, this includes the chocolate one that I was a bit scared of)!  The first recipe will be cooking with the Peppercorn Trio Lasagna pasta. 

 

Peppercorn Lasagna with Chicken, Spinach, and Mushrooms
Source:  Pappardelle's, The Fine Art of Pasta , http://www.pappardellesonline.com
Serves: 8 (unless you are feeding Moe then you are only going to get six out of this dish)

1 bag of Pappardella's Peppercorn Tri Lasagna Noodles
1 10 oz block of frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon of butter
2 small chicken breasts (approximately 1/2 lb total), diced into small cubes
8 oz portabella mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup of onion, finely chopped1 8 oz container of low fat sour cream
1/4 block of sour cream1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (split into 1/ and 3/4 increments)
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Add lasagna noodles and cook for 6 minutes.  Drain spinach with a strainer and press out excess water.  Chop the mushrooms and onions.

In a large skillet, heat up butter.  Add chicken and saute for three minutes*.  Add mushrooms and onions to skillet.  Saute for 8 minutes.  Turn off heat and stir in mushroom soup, cream cheese, spinach, salt and pepper.  Once mixed, toss in 3/4 a cup of cheddar cheese. 

Spray lasagna pan with olive oil spray or pam.  Spoon 1/4 of chicken mixture in the bottom of the dish and spread evenly.  Arrange a layer of noodles on top of mixture.  Repeat this process for two more layers.  Add remaining 1/4 of chicken mixture to the top.  Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on the top.  Cover with foil and cook for 45 minutes.  Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top of lasagna.  Bake uncovered for 15 minutes more or until heated through. 

Ratings:
Moe, 8 out of 10 (Moe is a traditional lasagna guy.  He loved this dish but refuses to give it higher than an 8
because it was a "white" lasagna and not a "red" lasagna.
Miss J, 10 out of 10 (I loved it!)

*Note: I am always pressed for time on a work night so I decided to prepare this meal a couple nights before.  I baked the chicken at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  I then allowed it to cool and diced it into small cubes.  I also drained the spinach and mixed it in with the soup, cream cheese, and sour cream.  That way all I had to do was add that mixture to the mushrooms and onion and toss in the chicken and I was ready to go once the noddles were cooked.  I also added a tiny bit of half and half to the lasagna pan while it was cooking to avoid the noodles on the edges from drying out.
- Miss J

Restaurant Review: Aya Sofia

Tonight Moe and I went our for dinner and drinks with another couple from our apartment complex.  We always hangout with them at the dog park, but it was nice to get out of the building and have a chance to talk while our dogs were not off chasing squirrels or making a scene - mostly my dog :)  In attempt to try new things, we went to Aya Sofia, a Turkish Mediterranean restaurant in South Hill.  We were worried it was going to be packed but with it being the day after a long weekend, we were one of few hitting up the restaurant scene on a Tuesday night.  It was amazingly too cold to sit on their amazing patio so we sat in a comfortable booth inside.  Ciara and I had a glass of the house red which was a wonderfully mild Malbec.  Moe of course hit up a Schlaflys, and Samir had a glass of Riesling. 

We started off with the Ezme Meze Platter which was a combination of humus, biber ezme, and babaganus.  Biber Ezme is a pureed roasted red pepper with garlic, breadcrumbs, olives, and cheese.  Babaganus is of course pureed grilled eggplant is one of my all time favorite snacks.  All were great but my favorite would have to be the humus and the unlimited amount of warm pita that the restaurant provides! 

Since Moe and I decided to split a meal, he ordered a small Turk Salatasi which had lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions, and feta cheese tossed in a lemon vinaigrette. I had the soup of the day which was a pinto bean vegetable soup.  It was loaded with flavor and even Moe who hates beans said it was enjoyable.  Minus being served too hot (temperature not spice), this was my favorite food of the meal. 

Moe and I split the Akdeniz Usulu Tavuk which was a pan-seared chicken breast with basil, sun dried tomatoes and sauteed potatoes with a lemon, garlic, butter sauce.  Please note that we didn't even attempt to pronounce this one.  We did the point and nod when we ordered to avoid embarrassment at butchering the name despite the menu having the pronunciation spelled out next to each word.  The server also offered to split the meal and add extra vegetables (a $2 surcharge which was worth it).  Our meal was awesome.  The chicken was very tender and the sauce was flavorful.  I always fear that when I see lemon as a primary ingredient that it will be too overbearing; however, the flavors complimented each other well. 

Overall the meal was great and we will definitely be making it back to try out some of the other menu items.  I must say though, it is hard to go wrong with good company, wine, and humus in my book! 

For those of you that live in the area, you should check this restaurant out!

Aya Sofia's Homepage

Ratings
Moe, 8 out of 10
Miss J, 8.5 out of 10

- Miss J