yes, please

This movie looks right up my alley. Who would like to spend the morning of August 7th baking muffins and cupcakes, and the afternoon eating popcorn and drinking tea while watching this in the cool and comfortable darkness of our local movie theater?



(I've never read the blog or the book, but remember thumbing through it with curiosity when I worked at the bookstore. If I ever finish On Beauty, this may jump to next on my list of things to read.)

we got the beet(s)

The spring season for our CSA is in full swing, which means I've been forced to get creative with a lot of produce that I would probably never buy in the grocery store under normal circumstances. Since this is our second year with the CSA, I've had plenty of practice with greens, turnips and dill. I've even come to love collards! But the one vegetable that was piling up in my crisper, causing me to scratch my head week after week, was none other than... the beet.

Allow me to explain. My parents were not exactly epicureans when it came to mealtime. Most of our dinners were variations of hamburgers, boiled hot dogs, and spaghetti and meatballs. While my mom did feed us vegetables, they mostly came from cans and were served doused in butter. Needless to say, beets were not something I ever ate, let alone something that I knew how to cook.

A few weeks ago, on the advice of many beet-loving friends, I roasted one in the oven with some olive oil, salt and pepper. It was not bad, and I liked the red stain that the peeling and chopping left on my hands. But I knew there was more to the beet than meets the eye. I knew there was a possibility for a delicacy that was evading me. And that's when I stumbled across Mango Power Girl's recipe for Sweet Beet Muffins.

Just look at those gorgeous photos! So artistic! So delicious! And that recipe list - roasted beets, almonds and raisins, ginger and cinnamon! How could I resist? And why would I want to?

I did, of course, make a few changes. I substituted soymilk for regular milk in order to make the recipe vegan. I also made Sweet Beet Bread instead of muffins. My muffin tin only makes six muffins at a time and I didn't want to have to cook in batches. Laziness wins again! Also, I skipped the pink whipped cream, even though it was the prettiest part of MPG's photos. In the end, my beet bread is not quite as lovely as the original, but I'm fairly certain that (had I not accidentally dumped three times the amount of baking soda required into the mix) it's just as tasty.

Oh, and speaking of beats...

weekend in pictures

On Friday we met some friends for our yearly pilgrimage to the local bowling alley. I am a terrible bowler, but couldn't pass up the chance to drink cheap beer and rock stinky bowling shoes. My best score was a 64. If we were golfing, I would have been in first place!

Saturday was the Multicultural Festival, which takes over the downtown area one spring weekend a year. Most of the cultures represented are variations of Texan and Mexican, with lots of BBQ and tamales. There is, however, a booth that always serves pretty decent Indian food. Since we have no Indian food restaurants in Nacogdoches, we made a beeline for a spicy lunch of curry, chickpeas and rice, which we ate while watching ladies in pink clog to country music.

After a trip to Lufkin for new shoes (running and otherwise) we took two beers, the dog, and our books to the park, and spent a glorious hour reading in the grass.

While we were enjoying the sunshine, Nathan's friend Andrew called us. He wanted to show Nathan his garden, which was in full bloom. We headed over there to check out the flowers and vegetables that he had coaxed from the dirt, and spent the rest of the evening talking about what we would plant in our future garden.


Sunday is picture-less, as I was too exhausted to even think about getting out my camera. On Sunday, we woke at 6am and spent five hours weeding and planting tomatoes on the CSA farm. The afternoon was devoured by homework and papers, and in the early evening we went for a run. I ran my longest distance yet - seven and a half miles! Very exciting, and totally worth the blisters on my feet and the soreness in my legs.

Things I did not accomplish: baking sweet beet muffins (though I did roast the beets!); making granola (I forgot to buy rolled oats); writing (1000 word story due next week); and putting together birthday packages (better late than never, right?). That's okay. I know I'll get everything done in an eventual kind of way, and in the meantime I'm happy to be able to look back on a full and busy weekend as I sit at my desk, drink my coffee, and slowly recover. Hope you had a fine weekend, and are looking forward to an even finer week.

reading!

I am happy to report that the Night of Student Reading was awesome! First of all, the other four women who were reading were amazing. The first piece was a heartbreaking work of creative nonfiction, which made me fear for my own foray into the genre this upcoming fall semester. The second reader was named Carla, and she had a collection of poetry that made me realize the difference between good poetry and bad poetry, and made me realize the need to leave poetry to people who can actually write it (like Carla!). The third reader gave us a chapter of her novel, which fit neatly into the Christian fiction genre. Well written, but not really my cup of tea as far as subject matter goes. The four reader had a funny short story about a boy in junior high, with an ending that came out of nowhere and knocked my socks off. And the last reader was me! My story was more wistful than funny and, according to Nathan, I didn't read too quickly or too quietly. Sure, a smile wouldn't have killed me, and looking at the audience once or twice might have been nice, but at least my voice didn't waver and crack. Overall, I was very happy with the evening and very honored to be included as a reader.

I also nabbed a half price subscription to REAL, the literary journal of Stephen F. Austin State University, as well as the current issue. I flipped through it last night and it looks like it's going to be a good read. I'm so impressed with the English department at SFA and all the writers and professors that I've met through my class. I had no idea such a passionate group of people - people who work hard at making words and work even harder at supporting their fellow writers - existed in this little town. This semester was exactly what I needed, and I'm so grateful for the chance to take my class, to meet so many great new friends, to hear so many talented voices, and to be accepted into the cozy fold of this English department.

These are amazing times.

a month is a long time

I broke my alcohol fast yesterday. After going for an ill-fated run following work (planned on five miles, only made it through three) we picked up two Double Chocolate Stouts and took the dog to the park. Seamus rolled in the grass and chewed on a tennis ball, and I relished one of my favorite beers while forcing Nathan to take a series of action photos.

The beer was just as good as I had remembered and no, I did not get super drunk at the first sip. It takes more than four little weeks to decimate this Irish-and-Purchase-bred tolerance. So, now that I am no longer abstaining from alcohol what, if anything, did I learn from my month of sobriety?

I learned that it's perfectly possible to have a good time without drinking. This includes going to the bar with old friends as well as going to the bar with new friends, which is trickier than going to the bar with old friends. I learned that a mug of peppermint tea is just as relaxing as a glass of wine. I learned that waking up is easier when you don't have a headache, but that sleeping is sometimes harder. I also learned that when it comes to intimacy, it helps for both partners to be equally buzzed or sober (sorry if that's too much information, but it's the truth!). And finally, I learned that I can do anything I want if I put my mind to it. (Except, perhaps, write a poem every day for one month. That project is still up in the air.)

While I never intended to give up drinking permanently, I do think this month long experiment has taught me the value in cutting back. Moderation is an old lesson, but one which is always worth a reminder. I'm not going to make any hard and fast rules for myself, but I am going to be more conscious of when I drink, why, and whether that moment would be better served with a cup of tea. Basically, I'm going to treat drinking the same way I treat breakfast, lunch and dinner - by slowing down, considering my choices, and balancing indulgence with health.

Most of the time, anyway. :)

life list: go one month without drinking any alcohol

This month of sobriety began on March 22, and ends today, on April 22. I thought this would be one of the hardest goals that I set for myself, and while there were moments when I really wanted a cold beer or a glass of wine, I found that I didn't really miss drinking all that month. Don't get me wrong - I'm still a huge fan of expensive beers, microbreweries and Pinot Noir. But I also like the way I feel when I wake up early for a run, headache free; the knowledge that I can hang with a group of people at the bar and happily sip glasses of water; the fact that I can trade in hundreds of empty calories for extra healthy snacks. While I don't really see myself ever voluntarily going a whole month without a drink again, I can see myself cutting back a whole lot. One glass of wine with dinner, two beers on a Saturday night. Everything in moderation, even - especially - the things I love most.

I feel accomplished. Now who wants to go to the bar tonight?

happy earth day!

weekend, wrapped up

In the midst of polenta-infused excitement, I forgot to tell y'all about the rest of my weekend. Don't worry - it was a relaxing weekend, so this shouldn't take long.

Friday: went to Writers' Group, where I ate cheese-less pizza and read a short story - an unpolished attempt at humor. We were going to see some musicians from Costa Rica perform, but were running late and Nathan, pulling the theater snob card, refused to walk in to the performance after it had already started. That was a bummer.

Saturday: the monsoon that was raging over Nacogdoches paused just long enough for us to race in the Run for Life 5K that wound through campus. My goal time was 25:30, which would come out to just under 8:30 minute miles. I ended up finishing the race in 25:22, so I was really happy. My calves, on the other hand, were not quite as thrilled. For the rest of the weekend they were tight and achy, and only now - Monday afternoon - are they beginning to feel normal. Sorry, calves.

After the run, I went to a yoga class at the Rec Center (for Earth Day!) then ran to my car in the monsoon (which had resurfaced). The rest of Saturday was spent watching Jericho on the Internet (so bad, but so good). That night we saw a modern dance performance - Light the Lamp at the Lamplite Theater - which was a lot of fun. (We arrived early.)

Sunday: played disc golf first thing in the morning, so the dog could get some quality time with Pecan Park. Went food shopping, did laundry, baked a cake and made polenta. Revised a short story that I wrote in the beginning of the semester, critiqued stories for class, played Scrabble, took the dog (and the calves) for a leisurely after dinner walked. Wished for longer weekends, and went to bed pleased with life.

Hope you had a lovely weekend as well!

recipe: beans and greens with herbed polenta

I was craving polenta, and had received a bunch of gorgeous swiss chard in my CSA basket this weekend. After a little bit of Googling, I found the perfect recipe for all my culinary needs.


I'd never made polenta from scratch. It's not that hard, but requires a solid 30 minutes of frequent stirring. The green bits you see are parsley and rosemary. I love fresh herbs.


Spring onions and swiss chard from the CSA. Spring onions are my new favorite vegetable.


Onions and chard, sauteed with garlic and olive oil.


After the chard wilts, add beans, a can of tomatoes, fresh basil, salt and pepper.


Cut the polenta (which has spent another 30 minutes setting in a pan) into triangles and broil in the oven for five minutes on either side, until golden and slightly crispy.


Serve beans and greens mixture over polenta. Delicious!


This meal is best served with a side of Scrabble. Scrabble is extra tasty if you beat your boyfriend by 70 points. (Equally tasty is the letter B, which Seamus chewed up when he was just a pup. Ah, memories!)

Bon appetite!

good

+ I got invited to read a short story that I wrote for my class at a student reading next week. There are only five of us reading and I am the only graduate student. (I feel weird calling myself a graduate student, since I'm only taking one class a semester and don't plan on getting a degree, but I have to admit that "graduate student" sounds better than "writer-disguised-as-librarian-posing-as-student.") I have not read anything out loud at any sort of reading in years, and I'm pretty nervous. But if you're going to be in Nacogdoches next Thursday and are interested in hearing my voice waver and crack, you should check it out.

+ Speaking of Facebook, I've been working hard to uphold my end of trading words for yoga. In addition to the monthly newsletter, I've taken it upon myself to create a fan page for Morning Glory Yoga Studios, as well as revamping and updating the blog. I like doing this sort of thing - using my Internet Powers for good, promoting my friend's business, spreading the word that yoga is awesome. At the very least, my karma points are surely going through the roof.

+ Last night for our weekly Lost + dinner date, I made two recipes from VeganYumYum - Sweet Chili Lime Tofu and Apple Pie Coffee Cake. Both were a huge hit, through only the cake was pretty enough to be photographed. I was too busy eating cake to get the pictures off my camera - maybe later, unless I get distracted by leftovers.

+ So far, 17 of you (!) have voted in my poll and a clear winner has emerged - I shall not have a beer until next Wednesday. Which will be hard, yes, but knowing how many of you actually care about my self-imposed challenge will make it that much easier.

+ Today is Friday. Tomorrow is lots of things - a 5K race at 8:00am, a free yoga class at 11, a plant sale in between. Tomorrow is also supposed to be stormy, with lots of rain. Which would put a damper on all my outdoor activities (ha!) but I can never begrudge a good rainstorm.

+ I am thinking of getting this haircut - what do you think?

to drink or not to drink

(Funny how I never run out of photos of bottles of beer.)

My experiment in sobriety is drawing to a close. But before I can kick back with a cold drink and look back on the last few weeks with a sense of sober accomplishment, I need help figuring something out - what, exactly, makes a month?

I started this challenge on Sunday, March 22nd, which means the last beer I had (a home-brewed beauty!) was on Saturday, the 21st, at Neil's after-wedding party. (Whoa - has it really been that long?) I am inclined to say that four full weeks equals one month, which means I could celebrate my accomplishment with a bottle of wine on Sunday, April 19th. However, a month can also be defined as more than four weeks - that is, the 22nd of March to the 21st of April. Yes, it's only a matter of three days we're talking about here, but I want to do this right. (Mostly so I won't have to do it again.)

And so I come to you, dear Readers. I have created poll in the sidebar of this blog where you can vote on this very important issue. Thanks in advance for your help and support!

dream team

Last night I couldn't fall asleep and kept looking at the clock, tossing and turning, willing myself to close my eyes. When I awoke at 5:15, surprisingly chipper and energetic, it occurred to me that the not being able to sleep, the tossing and turning, the ticking of the clock and the gnashing of teeth, was all a dream I had while soundly sleeping.

Nice try, brain. Nice try.

long weekend

Last Thursday, I made an informal list of how I'd like to spend my three day weekend. Below are Monday's results.

1. Finish projects around the house.


Friday was spent at the MRTs, thanks to an impromptu crafternoon. I made a bit of progress on a chair which I am recovering, so that was good. I also folded about 300 loads of laundry on Sunday, which may not fit the strictest definition of "project" but trust me - it was hard work.

2. Go to lunch with a friend. Had a yummy vegetarian sandwich at Java Jacks with E, from my writing class. She is a very smart woman with a lot of big ideas, and we had a great conversation. I love making new friends.

3. Bake apple pie coffee cake. Bought the ingredients, but baked banana bread for a coworker's birthday instead. The cake will be baked later this week, probably on Thursday for dinner and Lost. In the meantime, check out this pasta dish I made last week. Easy and delicious!


4. Go for a long run. On Friday, I ran five miles, mostly hills. Hills are great for my legs, bad for my knees. I need to learn how to run down a hill properly, while I still have knees left. Sunday was host to many thunderstorms and heavy rain, which was the perfect excuse to spend a cozy morning inside. The weather cleared by the afternoon, and I dragged Nathan on a slippery six miler down Lanana Creek Trail. It was muddy, wet and fun.

5. Have a picnic in the park; pretend that I'm a tourist in my own town. No picnic. We did, however, do very Nacogdoches things. For example, if you were a tourist visiting Nac, I would suggest you visit the farmers' market, play disc golf at Pecan Park, and see some free, live music at the Fredonia hotel. All of which we did!



(Photo one is a collage of Country Willie and Russ, who played a rocking set. Photo two is my glass of water, because I wasn't willing to throw away three weeks of sobriety on an admittedly temping pitcher of Fat Tire. I am strong!)

6. Read and write as much as I can. I spent all of Sunday reading and critiquing stories for class and for friends. I made some headway in On Beauty. I wrote a poem every day and I organized all the various writing-related folders on my laptop. As for actually working on any of my own fiction - nothing substantial on that front, but I plan to make up for lost time this week. In fact, I have a number of writerly goals and ideas for the coming weeks, which may warrant a post all on their own. We'll see.

Until then, happy Monday and I hope your week is off to a lovely start.
<3

every friday is good friday

Yesterday I went for a long bicycle ride with Nathan and another friend. One of the things I love about Nacogdoches is the fact that I can hop on my bicycle in the center of town, ride a few miles, and end up on quiet, bucolic back roads that I didn't even know existed. We ended up doing a 15 mile loop, and in that time we passed a large number of farms containing horses, cows, and bleating sheep, saw two friends walking their greyhound, got chased by a small dog, and rode over two wooden bridges. There were a number of hills that left me exhausted and when the air didn't reek of manure, it was clean and clear and fresh. All in all, a very nice afternoon. A girl could get used to this countrified life.

Tomorrow will also be very nice. The president of the college emailed us bright and early this morning to say that all employees (with a few exceptions) could have the day off for Good Friday. Luckily, I am not one of those exceptions! I'm not sure what we'll do with this surprise three day weekend - naturally, Nathan wants to go camping (again...) but I'd rather finish projects around the house, go to lunch with a friend, bake apple pie coffee cake, go for a long run, have a picnic in the park, pretend that I'm a tourist in my own town, and read and write as much as I can. Basically, all the things I always want to do and for which I never have quite enough time. No matter what we decide to do, rest assured that I will faithfully report back here. Until then! <3

shhh...

Now that I'm warmed up, I'm willing to share the secret place where I'm posting my poems for NaPoWriMo. It is here. The first few days I tried to be all artsy and turn my poems into stories, but I think I've settled on a direction. I am writing daily poems about something I thought, or did, or saw that day. Kind of a poetic journal, immediate and mundane, and I like this approach more than anything else. I imagine it is a way to examine, with fresh eyes, the average and boring parts of my life and find beauty in even the most common moments. That's the plan, anyway. You can see for yourself if I have achieved this lofty goal.

PS - There is nowhere to leave comments on individual poems, which is one of the reasons I chose to use a tumblr account for this little project. I don't mind y'all telling me when you like a poem, but since I lack confidence in my ability as a poet, I prefer to avoid the pressure of feedback at this time. You understand.

a better weekend

In no particular order: * Baking and eating Veganomicon's Coconut Lemon Bundt Cake * Running 6 miles and managing to trip over a root and fall down right around mile 4. Picking myself up, brushing myself off, and finishing the run anyway. * Craft night at Ruby's awesome little studio and chit-chatting with lady friends. * Nathan's scholarship award banquet, during which we sat at a table with three people, one of whom was also a vegetarian, marking the first time the other two guys had ever been outnumbered by non-meat eaters. * Texas National. Nathan's favorite piece won first place, my favorite came in second. We have good taste! * Paying all the bills, freaking out about money, and realizing that the things I love most in life (writing, running, friends and family) are free. Feeling better. * Seeing The Diary of Anne Frank at the Lamp Lite theater. * Procrastinating the filing of taxes for the 13th week in a row. * Gorgeous, breezy spring time weather and not a drop of rain. *

I like weekends, and weekends like me. Why can't every day be Sunday?

life list: get my ears re-pierced

While in Houston for a conference and killing time before our meeting, I was walking around town with my co-workers. When I mentioned all the earrings I had at home but could not wear due to my closed-up holes, Rachel said I should walk into the adjacent Claire's and get them done now.

"Well, it is on my 101 list..." I said.
" Do it!"
"I don't know."
"Do it!"
"But I'm not prepared. I can't just do it. I need to think about it, plan for it, write it down and look forward to it, be emotionally ready to receive it. Spontaneity is not my strong suit."
"Do it!"
"Okay."

And I did. No photos right now, but after 8 weeks, when I can take out the pair of earrings they pierced me with, you can be sure I'll be rocking my awesome earring collection in all future photos. (Also: thanks Rachel!)

these things

+ Travel got approved for ALA in Chicago this July! While paging through the preliminary program and geeking out, saw that Junot Diaz is listed as a speaker. Very excited to meet him and convince him to take me under his wing and teach me all his secrets. Or just sign my copies of his books. Whatever.

+ Houston was fun. Traveled with three of my coworkers and there was much girly gossip, shopping and Thai food. Also, work related stuff. But mostly shopping.

+ On day 13 of not-drinking and so far, it is not at all a big deal.

+ Have written three poems so far for NaPoWriMo and none of them are very good, which is not surprising. Might link to the super secret place where poems are posted - catch it if you can!

- To-do list for this weekend is downright daunting. Sigh.

- Over drafted bank account twice. The most expensive bagel and movie rental ever consumed.

- Only ran once this week, and slept in every other day.

- General feeling of despair, disappointment and downheartedness, and for no apparent reason. Solution: finish this day and tomorrow, bake a cake. Full recovery is expected.