November 29, 2009
I should probably apologize for this post, but I won’t. Instead, I’ll just share it with you. When I was in college, I had this exact idea for a restaurant, and I was going to name it “Splurge and Purge”, geareed toward the growing number of Bulemics out there. Guess Taiwan beat me to the punch!
November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
This Thanksgiving I have so much to give thanks for. Fabulous family, friends, facebook (yeah, you know…) and fifty. (Lots of F’s there, but it’s all good).
It is between cooking tasks that I can take a minute to sit and write this post. Believe it or not, this is the first major holiday that HK and I have spent at home, with each other, alone–in the 19 years that we’ve been together! We have always packed up the car, the dogs, our stuff, and travelled to one or the other parent’s house for the holidays. This year is the exception, since his family is away on vacation and we will drive to florida to visit my parents over Christmas.
I’m cooking a turkey breast (crockpot), candied yams (crockpot), stuffng, asparagus mousse, cranberry-pineapple gelatin salad, topped off with a pumpkin chiffon pie! All that for the 2 of us! I’ve started coooking today, and am thoroughly enjoying myself. I’ve got the stereo cranked, apron tied on, every small appliance i own on the counter, the kitchen looks like a tasmanian devil just whirled through, and I LOVE IT!!!!
Anyway, I just wanted to wish all my readers a wonderful Thanksgiving, and even if you live in a country that does not share this particular holiday, thank you for hanging with me on this blog. I hope that everyone enjoys the warmth and love that this season brings.
November 21, 2009
Greetings, peeps! I’m just back from that 5 day trip to Sedona, Arizona, where I reunited with 2 old friends and one new friend. I’m sure you’ve been on pins and needles waiting to find out how THAT went, right? OK, then, I’ll dish the details, leaving out a couple of the more “special, private” times that will stay saftely sealed in the “Sedona Vault”.
At the airport in Phoenix, I was the last to arrive, and immediately knew that this trip was going to be a good one. I admit, I was initially shaking like the girl who is about to meet a blind date for the first time, but aside from sporting a few more wrinkles and a little more weight, we really hadn’t changed that much. I would’ve recognized Bertha’s beautiful smile anywhere, and Debbie? The minute she opened her mouth to holler to me, tons of old memories came rushing back. More buried memories were uncovered when, after arriving at the condo we were to share, Deb pulled out her old scrapbook and yearbooks. OMG, we hooted until the wee hours!
Quite a bit of time over those 5 days together was spent in deep discussion of who we had been “back when” and where we’d gone since. And I’m not talking about geographical moves here, I’m talking deep shit. From insecure teenagers with a lot to prove to the world to 50-somethings who are maybe still trying to prove ourselves, to ourselves, we had each taken vastly different journeys to ge to where we are today.
During the day, we would head off in seperate directions to do whatever we wanted to do, with no expectations or prescribed itineraries. As Bertha so eloquently put it, “we have options!” Some of us hiked, some shopped, some hung out and relaxed surrounded by the magical red rock formations that make Sedona such a magical place . Come afternoon, we all came back together over a glass (or several glasses) of wine, sharing tales of our adventures of the day.
The comfort that comes with being old friends (and Sharon, the new friend who we dubbed our “Lil’ Sistah”) brings with it saftey and an acceptance that I find very hard to describe. From foot rubs to late nite pajama parties, singing at the tops of our lungs (and video taping it!) to crying on shoulders then laughing so hard we nearly peed on ourselves, it all came naturally. It is very liberating not to have to censor yourself for fear of rejection. (Shit, if we were gonna reject each other, I figure it would’ve happened 30-some odd years ago, right?)
How many people actually get the chance to reconnect with old friends in such a way that lifts your spirits and warms your heart? I think a LOT of people have that chance. We just, for one reason or another, don’t take that chance. We allow life to get in the way. And what a shame. Because for me at least, I have a newly gained sense of acceptance and a warm feeling of being loved not just for who I am, but for who I was, way back when I considered myself pretty unlovable.
Thanks, girls, for giving me that gift. I love you, and I look forward to paying it forward.
Taking Chances
SBW
Chapel in the Rocks
November 13, 2009
Ohmygod—I may have really done it this time! I may have just set myself up big time! Or not. I don’t know. I just know that as the date gets closer, my anxiety/anticipation/ self-doubt is keeping me up at night, and when I do sleep, it is fitful and full of bizzaro dream-scenes. What in the hell is she talking about this time, you ask. OK, here’s the deal….
Remember last spring, when I totally went outside my comfort zone of the whole if you’re on the other side of the screen. you’re safe? You know, when I drove to Tennessee to meet an old high school bud and spent the night??? I kept wondering if she might be the psycho-bitch from hell?
Well, since then, I have had several more visits with friends that I’ve reconnected with on facebook, (none overnight, I admit), and they have all gone really, really well. Granted, most have been kept to within a reasonably short amount of time (no more than a few hours), and most have been with people I’ve seen in the last, say 15-20 years.
But now–again, ohmygod, now I may have really stretched myself a bit beyond the rational. I have agreed to a Girlfriends Retreat in Sedona, Arizona!!!! And wait–there’s more–I haven’t seen Debbie, the girl who invited me, since 8th grade!!!! And Bertha? Not since I got sent off to boarding school my junior year. And Sharon??? (I think that’s her name)—I’ve never met her in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yyyyyyiiiiiiikkkkeeesss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How did this happen? Am I nuts?? Well, blame it on facebook. After these other successful mini-reunions, I got all warm and fuzzy, declairing that now that I’ve turned 50 I’m gonna put myself out there and reconnect. So when Debbie-who was a really good, maybe my best, friend in 7th and 8th grades “friended” me this spring, I of course accepted her into my “facebook life”. Again, there is a HUGE saftey net there. After chatting back and forth, we realized that we both shared the love of travel, animals, and nature. More chatting, more clicks on the Like button, and another old friend in common. Pretty much the same with Bertha, this summer.
When I received a message that Debbie was inviting us to Sedona, i was intrigued. Admittedly, I did not immediately accept her generous offer (she has a time share), but out of curiosity I looked at airfare. Hmmmm…not bad. I’ve always wanted to go to Sedona. I’ve thought a lot about how both Debbie and Bertha were, after reconnecting on fb…WTF??? I did it. I committed.
To 5 days, sharing a bedroom, in a condo with not one, not 2, but 3 other girls!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m nervous, I’m curious, I’m excited! And I leave this weekend! Color me crazy or color me brave, just check back next week for an update.
November 10, 2009
Precious
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, is a film by Lee Daniels that draws its audience in deeper than most people may be comfortable with.
Precious is a morbidly obese, abused black teenager who is pregnant (for the second time) by her father. Living in the projects of Harlem with her abusive monster of a mother, Precious doesn’t seem to get any breaks in life. She escapes her nightmarish real-life world in fantasies that are both humorous and pathetic. She is either ignored or humiliated by everyone around her until she is (mercifully) sent to an alternative school, where she actually becomes real. Asked by her beautiful and caring teacher how it feels to have spoken in class for the first time in her life, Precious simply replies, “here. It makes me feel here.”
This is maybe the first glimpse we have that there just may be some promise for Precious. Despite many setbacks and some very disturbing scenes, we never seem to completely give up hope for her.
Mo’nique’s performance as precious’ mother is spot-on, and Mariah Carey gets real as the homely, caring social worker. But the real star of this important film is Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, a college student who, with the exception of a few smaller plays under her belt, had no previous big acting roles or plans to pursue a film career. She nailed this role, and I hope to see more of her on the big screen.
Precious it ain’t, but I highly recommend this gut-wrenching film anyone who wants to see stellar performances in an all-too-real drama about human nature, despair, and hope.
November 6, 2009
Cooks Warehouse Midtown
Ok, so last night was a really fun girl’s night out at the brand-spanking new Cooks Warehouse in Ansley Mall. After seeing the movie Julie and Julia this summer, I organized a group of fellow foodies to partake in a cooking class featuring a few of Julia Child’s well-known recipes. Mmmmmmm…it was good. And fun. We all brought our own wine, donned our aprons and set to work in teams in the new, huge, 5-station kitchen. There were several assistants on hand to help out with technical details such as how to turn on the newfangled stovetops, where to find the correct pots and pans, how to remove the covers off the knives, and proper band-aid placement. (true to form, i was the first (only) one to cut myself–a PAPER CUT-how humiliating).
After an hour or so in the kitchen, we were seated and served the fruits of our labors, starting with a Frisee Salad w/ bacon and croutons. The main course was (more…)
October 30, 2009
Yo Mama Bin Laden, Osama and George
This is preview only! Please click on http://julesfredrick.wordpress.com/2008/10/26/gimmee-some-ing-candy/ for an updated Halloween Blog!
Thanks, and Happy Halloween!!!!!!
October 29, 2009
This is IT!
My friend Karin and I went to a matinee today to see This Is It, the movie that was made from over 100 hours of footage taped during the rehersals of his 5 sold-out London shows. ***Go see the movie soon, it’s only playing in the USA for 2 weeks!!!
The movie is all behind-the-scenes action, interviews with his musicians, dancers, choreographers. Each and every one of the people involved in this concert- that- never- happened had such love, respect and admiration for Michael, and it came across very obviously that he returned the love.
Watching the dancers move in unison was mesmerizing, watching his backup singers belt it out had me imagining I was on that stage. Each one gave 110%, not because that’s what they had to do, but because they truly believed in the man in charge. Painstakingly detail-oriented, Michael went through each rehersal with every bit of gusto he demonstrated in past performances. If the media and skeptics doubted him, this series of concerts, the showmanship of the crew, the attention to detail, the videography, all of this would have proved them dead wrong.
The music included old favorites from the Jackson 5, Thriller, Billie Jean and Man in the Mirror. It also included some new songs, and a poem that is an Ode to Mother Earth. Not only was MJ a humanitarian, he was a strong advocate for our planet.
Michael Jackson was truly an artistic genious that in one way or another, touched us all. Michael appeared so happy on the footage that we watched, and was such a positive force. That is the way I will choose to remember him.
October 28, 2009
yummers!
Brrrr….today has been a cold, nasty, rainy day here in Atlanta. This is exactly the kind of day that i want to curl up on the couch with the puppies and stare at a blazing fire. It is also the perfect kind of day to make a big batch of home made soup. Something warming and thick, hearty enough to be the main course.
Pulling out my recipes this morning, i decided on the Creamy Spiced Bean and Pumpkin Soup that HK and I both love. It’s perfect for a late October day, the colors in the soup combine the golds and reds and browns and greens that stare at me through the windows. I’d like to share my recipe as part of my “Sharing the love of Food” recipe entry. I’d love for you to share a favorite soup recipe with me.
Creamy Spiced Bean and Pumpkin Soup
1 med. pie pumpkin OR 2 C. canned pumpkin
1 med. onion, 1 red bell pepper, 2-3 chili peppers, 2 garlic cloves, all finely chopped
2 tsp. curry pwd.
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. allspice
2 C. chix stock
couple grinds salt and pepper,
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
2-3 C. kidney or pinto beans, drained
2 T. cream sherry, (or more)
roasted pumpkin seeds (for garnish)
Cook pumpkin at 400 30-40 min., or open can. ; D
Sautee onion, peppers, garlic in veg iol til soft. Stir in spices. Remove from heat. put vegs in food processor w/ some of the stock and pumpkin. Puree until creamy. Continue to puree vegs and pumpkin. Turn soup into large saucepan. Add beans and sherry. Heat for at least 30 min. Add pumpkin seeds and a little plain yogurt before serving.
October 26, 2009
Cutbait Cottage Lake Burton
This past weekend, HK and I spent 3 days with friends in the beautiful North Georgia mountains, Lake Burton to be exact. Our friends Ken and Terry own a home on the lake, and it has provided us with many great times over the years.
The leaves were at their peak, the air was crisp, not cold, the skies that saturated turquoise color that comes with fall. Basically, a perfect weekend. You didn’t have to remind yourelf to look around to see the beauty, it was, literally, everywhere.
Jake on the lake
On Sunday, HK and I took Kismet and Roxie for a hike up to Raven Cliff Falls, a fairly easy 5-mile trail that follows Dodd creek to a massive granite outcropping. There, the double waterfall tumbles off the rocks with the fury of a woman scorned (not that i’d know anythiing about that…)
Raven Cliffs
Roxie and Kismet hiking
