Gobble Gobble

Since Adei & Dani's parents are from different, countries, Ghana & Jamaica respectively, they're both freaking out about their families' non-traditional approaches to Thanksgiving.  It's hilarious!  I know they didn't mean it that way but it's cute!  For me, Thanksgiving has always been about the house hopping!  It's not fun unless you're going to multiple different houses to taste multiple different takes on everything!  Oh yeah!  One year my mom, after years of not making a turkey because we had so many leftovers from the 3+ places we went to eat (I think 5 was our record one year), my mom asked my sister and me if we wanted a turkey for home and there was a resounding NO!  For what?  I don't even like turkey that much.  Dries out too easily.  Yes, I know fried turkey isn't dry or greasy.  I'm from the south.  We've been eating fried turkey for at least 10 years.  I'll eat turkey, but I'm just not too crazy about the texture.

When I was in college, I brought my friend Christina home with me one year.  So fun!  When I lived in Pittsburgh, I went to Norfolk to spend Thanksgiving with my friend Wynel's now-husband's family.  We did a mini house hop (score!) and went to her family's house where I had she-crab soup for the first time.  DELICIOUS!!  My mom just left and before she did she baked a chicken, made cabbage, cornbread dressing & potato salad.  YUMMY!!  I have lots of leftovers in my fridge I'm sure Rashan is licking his chops waiting to get his hands on.

 (From top left the pics are homemade chicken stock, cabbage, potato salad & baked chicken.)

Tonight I'm going to a pre-Thanksgiving dinner with the black grad students on campus.  I made my famous lemonade.  I blend fruit into lemonade with sugar.  I've done peach, raspberry & tonight strawberry lemonade.  People LOVE this drink!  I'm so awesome! Lol.

This year Rashan and I are driving up to Savannah to spend Thanksgiving with his family.  I'll get to meet his grandma for the first time which both of us are excited about.  He has requested that his mom fry oysters since he knows I LOVE OYSTERS!!  We're going to the beach since his mom's house is only 10 minutes away.  AND.... WE'RE GOING TO PAULA DEEN'S RESTAURANT!!! SCORE!!!  You know I couldn't go to Savannah without going there, right?  RIGHT! 

And even before Thanksgiving is what???  RASHAN'S BIRTHDAY ON WEDNESDAY!!!!  35 YEARS OLD!  My old old man.  Since he's more than underwhelmed about his birthday, I have a couple of surprises in store for him that I hope will make his day even happier than just being with me!  :)

Do Me A Favor: DON'T Relate

I KNOW this is old but seriously.  Can single people stop giving relationship advice?  It'd be one thing if they gave good advice, but horrible, HORRIBLE relationship advice!  Stop doing this!  If you're not happily married, and really sometimes even if you are, stop giving people your advice!  Your hot mess of advice!!  Solicited or not.  If you don't know, keep your mouth shut.

No one's given advice to me but I've been reading blogs and facebook statuses and responses... and TheConversation.... sorry Hill.  You're cute but you're 43 & single & trying to figure it out.  Good for you but I can't take you seriously.  Am I supposed to be having a conversation based on your mistakes?  I know plenty of people blundering their way through love without adding yours to the mix.  Yes, I know there are stories from people in successful relationships.  Yes, I know I'm only on chapter 2 but already I can't stop rolling my eyes and sighing.  I'm going to finish the book since my online/HU/DC HUers book club is all reading it but somebody better pick a better book if/when there's a next time. 

Even outside the book... like say on a blog... sometimes it's just you talking about relationships like you lived it sooo much and sooo well & you're 27... just like me.  Womp womp.  It's altogether possible you've had more relationships than me.  *shrug*  And?  I guess you have to talk about your experiences but sometimes you just sound stupid.  And like you'll be one of those people who lives off of the people going nuts over your writing, look up at 43 and ask as you write TheNextConversation, how did I end up 43 and singlenevermarriedwithnokids?  You SAY you want to get married, but what are you doing to make that happen?  Preparing yourself for that responsibility some way you're NOT sharing with us?  You don't even seem to take relationships seriously.

Rashan has said many times how easy black male bloggers have it.  If you're a black male blogger, you say 5 words and women fawn all over you like it's the gospel and send you n.aked pics and talk about the connection between the two of you (who have never exchanged so much as an email) because you're just. so. deep.  He got none of those from me for the record.  I don't play that.  Lol.  Why am I gonna sit here and big up you when you aren't saying anything anyone else hasn't said?  Or even if you are, can we have mutual appreciation instead of me blowing your head out of proportion?  People are such sheep.  Lol.  That sounds just as bad and elitist as those people who don't watch tv but whatever.  My point is, if black male bloggers have it this easy, imagine how easy an attractive black male non-fiction NON-HISTORICAL writer has it...  You know KNOW women are like, "He's so open! So sensitive!"  He almost got me!  (Sorry Rashan)  It's like a forehead kiss.  "It's endearing... it's damn near e.rotic!"  Hill lost that with an anecdote before the end of the first chapter.  I won't be led to the slaughter!

And don't even get me started on these "rhetorical" facebook statuses about your prince being out there or whatever you say to get attention.  And so someone will tell you how beautiful you are and what a catch you are.  Womp womp.  Cry me a river.  Some things you should keep to yourself.  Or at least off of the internet.  (Says the girl who is dating a blogger & talks about him all the time...)

Week 3, Recipe 1: Peach Pie Smoothie

• 1/2 cup nonfat or 1 percent lowfat milk
• 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
• 1 cup unsweetened frozen peaches
• 1 tablespoon honey, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch ground nutmeg
• Pinch ground ginger

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Recipe courtesy of Elie Krieger

Results: I love the smell of nutmeg!  I used I'm sure more than a cup of peaches.  I had amaretto honey so I used about 1.5 tbsp. that and might use more next time.  This probably could've benefited from straight up sugar but since she's the healthy chick I decided to follow her recipe as is this time.  I also added a bit more vanilla extract and cinnamon.  I'll probably use more nutmeg next time, too.  With all the peaches I used the spices are a bit more subtle than I'd like.  Still pretty yummy but needs to be tweaked.

Nitpicking the News Vol. IV: Bridging the Racial Divide

****UPDATED WITH HER RESPONSE*****

In today's New York Times there is an article called "A Racial Divide is Bridged by Hard Times" about the effect of the economy on Henry County, Ga.  When I read the title, I prepared myself for an interesting and insightful look into the ways the community was coming together and ignoring race.  What I received instead was what appeared to be a rushed, one-sided article which supported previously held conclusions despite evidence to the contrary.

It starts off nicely:

During the housing boom, Henry County, a suburb of Atlanta, had its share of racial tension as more and more blacks joined the tens of thousands of others pouring in, creating a standoffish gap between the newcomers and the county’s oldtimers.
But the recession has begun to erase those differences.
Blacks and whites have encountered one another in increasing numbers recently in the crowded waiting rooms of the welfare office and at the food pantry, where many of both races have ventured for the first time. Struggling black-owned businesses are attracting the attention of white patrons. Neighbors are commiserating across racial lines.

 But then the article goes off course as it proceeds to use infuriating interview excerpts.  The article included this graphic which was perhaps the most telling and propelled my frustration.

I wrote to this email to the writer:
After reading your article about Henry County's closing racial divide as a result of the economy, I'm not only appalled, I'm concerned about your impartiality.  How is it that you have a statement like, “We’re already used to poverty; they’re really not” next to a graphic showing the median black household income at more than $56,000 which as I'm sure you know is more than double what the government considers the poverty line for a family of 4.  Further in your article you have a quote from a man who says, “Where I’m from every friend that I had is a drug dealer, locked up, on drugs or dead.”  How is that relevant?  And furthermore, how did you managed to find these two "stereotypical" blacks in a place where more blacks than whites have college educations?  The most degrading comments are all made by blacks while whites are painted in a more sympathetic swath (which you even allow Taylor to note in the final lines of your piece) -- government workers or patrons of a black-owned business.  These inflammatory comments from African-Americans add nothing to the story and cheapen what you were trying to achieve.  Sure there is one white couple buried in your article facing foreclosure, but by that point the damage has been done.  If you're really trying to show the bridging of a racial divide, this article missed the mark.  Instead it reinforced offensive cultural stereotypes where I would and do expect more from any and every reporter, not least of all one employed by the New York Times.

I'm going to bed as I await her response.

 ***UPDATE****
Her response: What about the black business owner at the top of the article?

My response: That business owner said nothing.  She was just there.  That was the perfect opportunity and where your article looked like it would deliver on the promise implied by the title and the opening lines.

What I was really thinking: Are you kidding me?  Here is where you had the opportunity to open a discourse with (an admittedly critical) reader about where you could have removed stereotypes and bias from your article and all you have to offer is a poor facsimile of an excuse.  WHY DID I EVEN BOTHER?!  The woman she speaks of was mentioned in the article and in the photograph at the top but never said a word.

Monday Mindspacing Vol. 24

**Daily blogging is making it infinitely more difficult to produce these things!
1) My spelling is getting worse the more I read blogs and facebook statuses and tweets where spelling and grammar aren't much more than a passing irritation.

2) Reading an article about models & Miss J.
Me: This article makes me want to be tall.
Rashan: Don't be tall.
Me: (pouting & slightly indignant... who is he to tell me what to be?) Why not?
Rashan: Because I like you short.
Me: (mentally scoffing) Why?
Rashan: Because you fit perfectly under my arm.

Oh ye squelcher of desires.  Why do you have to make it sound so pleasant? :P

3) I'm appalled to just learn the NYTimes has a 'Chic in Review' fashion of the week redux on its The Moment blog I knew nothing about.  Though I had to get rid of InStyle because of its unrelenting turn toward celebrity drivel, I still miss the actual fashion.  :(  Where is my fashion magazine?

4) After my mother, uncle & aunt irritated me on facebook in one week, I put everyone over 40 (except 1-2 bloggers and 1-2 former coworkers) on the restricted list.  A few people who weren't over 40 also got lucky and made it on the list.  I started to make it anyone over 35 before I realized my boyfriend will be 35 next week...  I cannot believe I date someone that old...  Yes, almost 16 months later I still can't believe it.

5) I met 2 of my monthly goals: work out 3xs a week (yes!!!) & try a new ingredient or dish (yes on both of those!).  Score!!!  I ate out 4xs.  The end of the week ruined it when I needed badly to make a trip to the grocery store but couldn't seem to get myself to do it until Saturday even though I only had obligations twice last week!  Today is my first day having to do something since Tuesday.  Pitiful.

6) If I ever die while in production on a film, don't make me the director of that.  I don't want my name on a film I didn't have editorial control over.  Make me an assistant director or something.  How about "with assistance from..." or "special thanks to..."  But don't call yourself doing me a favor.  Because you're not.  It may shock you to know that I'm a perfectionist.  Yes that was sarcasm.  Don't sully my name.  Especially when I'm dead & can't defend myself.

7) Guess who bought egg nog? MEEEEEEEEEE!!!  I LOVE EGG NOG & EGG NOG SEASON!!!!  Let's do a throwback to a convo I had with Stace 2 years ago.... ACTION!


Me: Do you drink egg nog?
Stace: "Ew. I'm about to throw up. That is disgusting. What is egg nog anyway? Egg and what?"
Me: "Well, its egg..."
Stace: "Yeah..."
Me: "And nog."
Stace: "Ok. But what is nog..."
Me: *snickering gives way to raucous laughter. You should see me right now nearly convulsing with laughter, rocking in my seat. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!"*
Stace: "What? Oh.. *sucks teeth* Nog is not an ingredient."
HAHAHAHAHAHA!! I LOVE HER!! BTW who cares what's in it?! (Egg yolks, sugar, nutmeg, milk and cream since I know someone will be a stickler) It's just delightful!

And scene!

8) I would like to know how a piece of glitter managed to transmogrify itself into lock ornament on hair in the middle of my head.  I look up and there it is winking at me.  That part of my hair isn't long enough to touch any makeup once on my face.  Pest.

9) There are these awesome match-lighters in the movie "The Maltese Falcon" that I want even though I have no need for anything like that seeing as I don't smoke, or like incense and am just starting to tolerate candles-- and then only certain ones.

10) There are times I want to query you guys but can't because the people I want to talk about read my blog.  Those are the times this blog is more of a nuisance than anything else.

11) I'm funny about my nose.  Because I was such a snotty child and young adult (allergies), as "cute" as it may look to kiss someone on the nose, I react pretty (I realize somewhat unnecessarily) violently to it.  I think of noses as extremely dirty.  If you want to kiss me, kindly keep your lips off of my nose.  Thanks.

Crazy Movie Lady 42

Since I saw a lot of movies this week (21, ow!), there were multiple I enjoyed a lot, close to 5 stars for 2 of them.  AND I am now only 3 movies behind!!!  When I catch up I finally get to watch Malcolm X for the first time.  I can't wait!!  Since it's so long & Malcolm X is my favorite dead guy, (which makes it a tragedy I haven't seen this film yet), I've been saving it for when I catch up.  Nice reward!  My review of it will likely be among the next week's films!

November 8-14, 2009
625. Vacancy.  Horror movie starring Luke Wilson & Kate Beckinsale about a couple who finds an old hotel with a vacancy then find some unpleasant information about the hotel.   Beckinsale played an irritating, whiny character.  Mildly interesting at first but lots of horror movie don'ts kept happening which made it ridiculous and frustrating. I can grudgingly give you a few but after the 3rd I want you to stop being so stupid.  I also want to be shocked by what's happening but still feel like it could happen to me.  And the end?  Sigh.  Didn't like the end AT ALL.  2 stars
626. Magdalene Sisters.  Irish film about "fallen women" sent to a convent to atone for their "sins."  Relentlessly infuriating, then depressing.  You wanted SOMETHING good to happen to someone, ANYONE!!  The dourness made it feel incredibly long because it was so sad.  I enjoyed that I didn't recognize any of the actors.  4.2 stars
627. Father of the Bride.  Spencer Tracy & Elizabeth Taylor in the classic version of this film.  Oh yeah!  This made me not want to plan a wedding because of how crazy everyone got.  Tracy laid it on a bit thick in some areas but the father-daughter relationship was so cute!  4.2 stars
628. Shakespeare in Love.  Captivating.  Romeo & Juliet came alive for me in the dramatized writing of the play in a way it never has before.  Gwyneth Paltrow plays Shakespeare's muse.  For me she at times leaves something to be desired, but Joseph Fienne's Shakespeare is divine.  Some great costuming as well.  Dame Judi Dench was stately!  Ben Affleck was mostly non-existent.  I thoroughly enjoyed this movie!  5 stars
629. Lessons of Darkness.  Werner Herzog documentary about the devastation in Kuwait after the first Gulf War.  Opening quote in German and the descriptions of each part were strangely not translated on the Netflix online version though all of Herzog's voiceovers were in English.  The lack of translation was mildly irritating at first, then because it happened with such frequency, became maddening.  Some really cool aerial shots in the opening minutes and continued throughout.  Typical Herzog use of sweeping, swelling, dramatic music with aerials and landscape shots.  The lack of a narrative becomes even more strange when the wordless scenes are peppered with sporadic short first-person stories of war.  I try to take films for what they are but I don't know what this is.  2 stars
630. The Lost Weekend.  An alcoholic is left alone by his brother and girlfriend on a long weekend.  Wassup to some of the world's most irritating music!  Wow!!  Crazy frenetic-sounding music became horrifying!  It raised the drama level, but could have certainly done so with less irritation. Great story line of a drunk on a bender.  The director and editor did a great job of pacing and tension-building.  The ending was a let down.  3.3 stars
631. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.  Film set in Nazi Poland (with British accents) about the young son of a Nazi officer who makes friends with a boy in a concentration camp.  You'll "enjoy" it much more if you look at the film as a historically-based fantasy film rather than nitpicking the unrealistic or historically inaccurate occurrences. 4 stars
632. Berga: Soldier's of Another War.  Documentary about Americans captured and forced to work in concentration camps during WWII.  Very slow-moving in the first half of the film.  Though the stories were interesting, there wasn't enough visual material to support 85 minutes worth of film.  Repetitive in that let those who remembered tell the same story multiple times which made for a dragging pace.  The film was very stylistic which I appreciated-- stark black and white through the archival, interviews & recreations.  The laborious pacing couldn't make up for that.  2.4 stars
633. Make the Yuletide Gay.  Indie film about a guy whose well-meaning Midwestern parents don't know he's gay when he goes home for Christmas.  Predictable with some stilted acting.  The boyfriend in Adamo Ruggiero was the most well-acted role.  Entertaining enough.  3.3 stars.
634. Familiar Strangers.  Indie film about a long lost son who goes home for Thanksgiving for the first time in 3 years.  He joins the family for their annual tradition of playing donkey ball (basketball on donkeys).  None of the characters were particularly likable.  I didn't care who won or what happened to anyone.  The movie felt like it ended and there were still 30 minutes left.  Characters were introduced but not developed.  The plot holes made the story line confusing.  It needed focus.  It really felt like this movie would never end.  1.9 stars
635. Annie Oakley.  Classic film starring Barbara Stanwyck as a sharp-shooting woman who goes on the road with her amazing ability in a time where women weren't allowed or expected to do much.  Cute movie with an unforced love story.  Unusual in most movies, even more so in classics.  3.5 stars
636. Everything's Cool.  Propagandistic environmental documentary about global warming where the filmmakers try to convince you global warming exists and we have to fix it.  I don't care what the issue is, I don't like to be propagandized.  I'm also in general not a fan of films where the filmmakers insert themselves, though I sometimes give leeway for personal stories.  In this case, it's so unnecessary and intrusive.  The film even goes back in time to the start of the conversation on global warming.  There were so many characters it felt like an endless stream.  I'm not even sure what this film is thematically focused on as far as structure. Obviously the point is to convince people about global warming but what are the organizing principles, the main points?  Too much information from different factions was crammed into this film without being clear enough and some of it was presented in incredibly boring ways.  Then it became repetitive.  Censorship, people and locations believed to be effected, the impact of lobbyists.  Far too long.  And because of the methodology I was more skeptical at the end than at the beginning.  2 stars
637. The Goebbels Experiement.  German documentary film about the Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels made with archival footage coupled with acted voice overs from Goebbels' diary.  Some great footage presented in an unusual style.  It seemed almost like a fiction film.  Though it was interesting hearing some insight into how the Nazis came to power, in a stream of diary entries, it became boring.  After 17 minutes of voice overs with no on-cam speech, the film began to lose some of its appeal.  At that point it began showing Goebbels on cam which helped break up some of the monotony.  If you're a WWII history fan, you should watch this film.  I can't say that I would necessarily want to watch it again, though.  3.4 stars
638. New in Town.  Boring film with Renee Zellweger (who never doesn't look pinched) as the company person who moves to Minnesota from Miami to institute changes at a plant but everyone hates her including the other main character played by Harry Connick, Jr.  As predictable as you thought it would be.  Of course the only minorities are caricatures.  I couldn't stop rolling my eyes at all the "heart-felt" speeches.  I'm going to say I never ever want to see this movie again. 1 star
639. Valentin.  Argentinean film about a little boy who lives with his grandmother and believes his family has problems only he can solve.  The narration from his perspective was cute at first but sometimes became a crutch used in lieu of dialogue.  The film was alternately cute and sad.  This kid had a lot of personality.  So cute.  A bit of a shark-jumping ending but still worth watching.  3.9 stars
640. Bolt. Oscar-nominated animated kids Disney movie about a dog engineered to keep a girl safe... or so he thinks.  When he goes on a mission it is HILARITY!  It's like Finding Nemo with a dog.  Cute.  4 stars
641. D.esecration Nation.  Documentary short with hokey, overly dramatic music.  Some great images on all sides of the flag b.urning issue.  The artist story line felt oddly incomplete.  The interviews in the park were particularly strange.  2.9 stars
642. Emma.  Dear God let Gwyneth Paltrow never again sing.  Wow... She was amusing as the title character in this film based on Jane Austen's book.  I'm not sure how I'm supposed to believe she's 21, though.  Toni Colette is incredibly dull but in an amusing way.  The longer this movie lasted the more I liked it.  I really want to read the book now.  I know!  It's ridiculous that I haven't read it.  The narration was the primary distraction but that wasn't enough to make this film unworthy of repeated re-watching.  4.5 stars
643. Time Indefinite.  Personal documentary which is more than a little indulgent in the length of time it stays with some of the images.  His "compulsion to film everyday" (mundane) life becomes wearying.  The narration is irritating.  My original thought was couldn't this movie have stayed in the family?  After 45 minutes it became less annoying and more interesting like the study of another person's life.  Even the director as narrator managed to tell the story from a semi-detached perspective.  But the length was ridiculous.  3 stars
644. The Strange Love of Martha Ivers.  Classic film starring Barbara Stanwyck about a man who comes back in town after a long absence and shakes up the life of a married couple.  Kirk Douglas also stars.  Extreme melodrama.  The end was pretty awesome but the film was too long for the lack of plot.  3 stars
645. Murder by Death.  Truman Capote, Peter Sellers & Peter Falk star in a film about a millionaire who invites 5 top private investigators to his home so solve a murder for a one million dollar prize.  Silly caper movie with a bizarre ending.  3.9 stars
646. Elling.  Norwegian comedy (my first I believe) nominated for an Academy Award about two mentally handicapped men coping with their release into the world.  I know what you're thinking, not possible.  But it is!  Very cute.  It started to get a little long, though.  At some point it began to feel like there was no natural conclusion but there was.  Fun.  4.5 stars

I Want You To Myself I Can't Help It

I'm not good at sharing.  There truly is a reason I told my mother for years I would've been much happier as an only child.  Certainly a large part of that is my desire to have all of the attention all of the time... unless I don't want it.  And then I need you to leave me alone.  My mom is coming on Sunday.  It's her first time in Gainesville.  She was originally coming on Saturday but asked me a few days ago if I would be upset if she came on Sunday.  I was like, "You're already doing it so what good would it do me to get upset?"  Last night at 11:30... yeah like less than an hour ago, she asked me if I minded if my aunt came along.  I just sat there in silence.  Know why?  Because it's infinitely better than exploding at my mother less than 48 hours before I see her.  I really try to put my brattiness on pause.  But what I was thinking was....

MOM!!!!  That's so not cool!!!  How are you going to try to spring that on me at the last minute?!  My aunt is my father's sister.  Yes, you read that right.  My parents are divorced but my family on his side still treat her like a member of the family and since she's in Charlotte where they are actually see her way more than they see him.  My mom goes on trips with my aunt and cousin.  They still call her their sister-in-law.  I love that.  Most of the time.  How did this even come up?  She said she was going to Florida and asked my aunt to come?  Or my aunt said, "Do you want some company?"  I know you guys are travel partners and my aunt is very cool and fun but maybe I wanted some low key alone time with my mom.  You know seeing as I haven't seen her in 3 months and won't see her again until Christmas.

To help this irritation along, because you know I really need help getting riled up, she then tells me she's leaving on Thursday instead of Friday.  Awesome.  Instead of shouting, "WHY BOTHER TO COME AT ALL!??!"  I just sat there in silence as she got defensive because of my silence and eventually got off the phone.  Yeah good night to you, too.  Ugh.  And I still have more cleaning to do before she comes.  Awesome.  She better make some delicious food for me and only me OR ELSE!!!

Daytona

Did I mention how horrendous that city is? It's one bad beach cliche after another and the actual beach-- you know, the sand-- is literally 10 feet wide. But we got some great pics out of it!

First up: Me and Rashan at the game.  That's his "me so sexy" face.

Me and Stace at the restaurant and my lovely dish, seafood al golpo.  Beautiful, isn't it??Shrimp, scallops, mussels, squid, white fish. I don't particularly like scallops but had wanted to give them another try. This confirmed it. The broth was very scallopy. Yuck. Won't be eating those again.  This is the view from our oceanfront room.  I heart the ocean!  HEART IT!!  The next pic I love because he looks so into the ocean and peaceful.  So cute.

 

Week 2, Recipe 1: Mushroom Risotto

Before you get all funky about the ingredient list just read my modifications below.

• one large spanish or vidalia onion
• two portobello mushrooms
• 1/2 cup dried shitake mushrooms, soaked for 1/2 hour in mixture of hot water and wine
• chicken or vegetable stock(or Knorr cubes)
• 2 or 3 cloves garlic
• olive oil
• butter
• 2 cups risotto, rinsed
• 1/4 cup mixed fresh basil, tarragon and thyme or 1 tsp. dried basil, 1/2 tsp. tarragon and 1/2 tsp. thyme
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• white cooking wine
• salt and pepper to taste

Chop onions. Sautee in a heavy, preferably non-stick pan with olive oil (a couple of tablespoons will do). Sautee about ten minutes and then add a pat of butter and sautee for another five minutes, until transluscent. Chop off the heads of the portobellos and dice. Slice and dice the stems. Add to pan and continue to sautee. Chop shitake mushrooms and add to pan. Then add risotto and a little more olive oil, and sautee for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Have your stock ready and ladle a bit into the pan; whenever the pan gets dry, just add another 1/4 cup. You must stir often or the risotto will stick. Never let the pan get dry. Continue this process, adding increments of stock, and about 1/2 cup wine as well, for about 25 minutes. Then add fresh herbs and cook

for another couple minutes. At the very end add the parmesan cheese and the salt and pepper to taste, and voila!
Recipe courtesy of Epicurean.com

Result:  I'd never cooked with risotto or portobellos before.  I picked this recipe because I had portobello mushrooms (on sale for cheaper than button mushrooms), fresh basil, & a box (GASP! DID SHE SAY BOX!!) of red pepper risotto I'd been wanting to try.  I skipped the wine and shitakes. I had no garlic or onion (I should shoot myself now, I KNOW!!) but noticed both were dehydrated in the spice pack for the risotto.  Semi-score.  I followed the recipe on the box except I used chicken stock instead of water.

I was a bit too heavy on the tarragon, which can have an overpowering flavor, the basil I added at the last minute as you should do with all fresh herbs and it was amazing.  The salt level was a tad higher than I normally like as well.  I've been wanting to try more meatless meals since I grew up with never a meatless meal, a super Southern way to go!  Though it was pretty good, I think I'll use real risotto in the future if I ever cook it again (not really a fan of high-maintenance food since Rashan usually loves whatever I cook) and this will likely be a side dish rather than the entree.

**On a random, unrelated food note, do you remember how canteloupe crazy Rashan is?  READ THIS AGAIN!!  STILL hilarious!!! LOLOLOL.

Resolutions Update

It's past time for a resolution update.  Next year I'll have to keep a better eye on the resolutions.  I should try at least quarterly updates.  I ignored them all this year until this month!  Problem.  Know why?  Because my progress is a hot mess!!  Here are the goals and my progress thus far.

1) Run a 5k.  Yeah... that didn't happen.  I DID have a dream that I started training for one AND in life, actually downloaded some interval training podcasts for my ipod.

2) Get an internship.  Didn't do that either.  But I'm working on one for the summer.  I guess if I can get that lined up before the end of the year that could count huh?

3) Work on my film... a LOT.  I could've done more.  There's still time.

4) Try new restaurants.  DEFINITELY!!  This was a gimme, really.  But I did it!

5) Give the ultimate gift.  Totally!  I loved it!  I gave Rashan an ipod after he lost his.  I surprised Stace at her house & gave her some FAMU stuff she loved.  My line sister loves orchids so I gave her two for her birthday and she loved them, too!  I'm awesome!  Oh yeah!

6) Grow locks.  Another gimme!  Lol.  What a lazy resolution!! Wait.  Maybe not because it was so dramatic for a minute!  Like ummm.... THIS IS HARD!!  My hair was irritating me badly!  I'm past that now.

7) Watch more movies.  Yep!  More than 630 this year!!  That's at least 4xs as many as I watched last year and almost more than I've watched in my lifetime combined prior to that!  I'm going to post the things I've learned thus far from watching so many films in the coming weeks.  I already have more than 30 things on the list!  Still learning!

8) Workout more.  I don't even think the side-by-side comparison would be worth the effort my working out has been in the last 2 years.  Pretty bad.  I'm going to kick it into gear for the rest of the year!!  I can do it!!

9) Procrastinate less.  I have actually done this and it's really cool!  There are things I still procrastinate on so it's not eliminated.  But the goal was definitely procrastinate less and I absolutely did that!  #score!

10) Leave the country and/or go further west.  Nope.  Boooo!!!  But there's still a possibility.