Saturday, June 23, 2012
#28: Read 100 Books
This time I read The Lion, the lamb, the hunted.
A journalist investigates the 30-year-old kidnapping and murder of a kid. And of course there are twists and turns along the way. I liked this book, but I thought the end was predictable. Usually when I think I have figured out how a book will end there is a curve ball in there that I was not expecting. But that did not happen here, which was a little disappointing. It was still a good read, but I think it could have been better.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
#27 and #28: Books
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
#27: Read 50 Non-Crime Books
This book was recommended several times by several different people. And sorry, now I can remember none of those people specifically. But I am definitely one to try a book that has several recommendations. Even if it is not in the genre I normally read. And again, I am glad I did. Shantaram is the story of an escaped convict from Australia that flees to India in an attempt to recreate his life. I read this book on my Kindle and just recently found out this book is over 900 pages. I was wondering what was taking me so long to finish it. If you read the reviews on this book they are all over the place. Some people, like the ones that recommended it to me, say its the best book they have ever read or at least the best book they read last year. Others hated it. I loved the descriptions of India and Mumbai and other travelled places. It definitely makes me want to travel there. But I could have done without about 300 pages of this book...and it would still have been a long book. This is a memoir written like a novel. I definitely was wrapped up in all the characters and their lives as I read this one.
I don't really think I need to give this book any explanation. If you have not heard of this book I think you have been living under a rock. But much to my surprise this book was a surprise. I actually read it in a day. Yes, one day. I was home on a weekend doing nothing and decided to start reading it. And I could not put it down. It was so good that as soon as I finished I instantly downloaded Book 2, Catching Fire, on my Kindle and started reading that. And then after reading that, I went straight to Book 3, The Mockingjay. I read the entire series in 5 days. I don't think I have ever done that before. If you have not read these books, I strongly recommend. I even got the Hubs to go see the movie and even without reading the books he really enjoyed it and wanted to know what happened in the rest of the series.
Friday, December 2, 2011
#27 and #28: Read Books
The story was written from the perspective of people inside the towers. This account was taken from survivors, 911 calls, cell phone calls to loved ones. While this was not the best book ever written, I am really glad I read it. It was definitely hard to get through and very sad, but well worth it.
After reading this I needed something light. Well, light for me anyway. So I read the latest from one of my go to authors Kathy Reichs, Temperance Brennan novels. Flash and Bones is the 14th book in the series. It was not my favorite, but was an easy read. It was also sans the love interest that I like so that was a bit of a let down. However, I know I will read the next book when it comes out.
Then I went on to another favorite, the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben. Live Wire is book #10. I know I have mentioned before that I love a series. A lot from past books is tied together here. I think there is going to be a spin-off or there may already be one. It was ok, but I think sometimes people lose their edge in a book series.
Still Alice is the story of a Harvard professor who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. This story was so engulfing. I could not put it down. I was reading this book long after I should have gone to bed for the night. There were some touching moments in this book. You couldn't help but relate it to your own life.
Next I read Empress Orchid. I loved this book. This is the historical fiction I mentioned before and as much as I am not a history fan, I loved this. It is a wonderful story of one of the minor concubines of the Emperor of China. If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, you will like this as well. I cannot wait to read another book in this genre.Monday, August 29, 2011
#27: Read 50 Non-Crime Books
Friday, June 17, 2011
#27: Read 50 Non-crime books

Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mom by Amy Chua
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
#23: Take an activity class not related to Grad School
Monday, May 23, 2011
Vegetarian Chili in the Crockpot
- ~ 1.5 cups pinto beans (dried)
- ~ 1 cup kidney beans (dried)
- ~ 1/2 - 1 cup kidney beans (dried)
- 32. oz vegetable broth
- water
- 28 oz. crushed or diced tomatoes
- 7 oz. can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- red/yellow/orange pepper (diced)
- 1/2 - 1 onion
- 2 - 3 carrots
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 16 oz. frozen sweet corn
- salt (as desired)
- shredded cheese, sour cream, chives to garnish (if desired)
- Rinse dried beans thoroughly.
- Place beans in a container. Completely cover with water and soak beans overnight (at least 8 hours).
- Rinse beans until water runs clear.
- Place beans in crock pot.
- Put 32 oz. of vegetable broth on beans. If beans are not completely covered with liquid, add water until they are. Add salt if desired.
- Cook on high for 3 hours.
- Meanwhile, chop onions, carrots, and peppers and set aside.
- After 3 hours, add diced tomatoes and all diced veggies.
- Add liquid from can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Depending on desired hotness and chipotle peppers. (I like mine rather mild so I only add 1 pepper. If you like yours really hot, I recommend blending the entire can into a puree and then adding to crock pot.)
- Add salt if desired.
- Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. Until beans are soft.
- When almost done (last hour), add frozen carrots.
- Season to taste with salt.
Friday, May 13, 2011
28: Read 100 Books

The day I finished this book I jumped right in to Patricia Conwell's Port Mortuary. It is the 18th book in the Kay Scarpetta series. I absolutely love a series. I think I have mentioned that before.

Oh. And can I say I am really loving the library. While I love my Kindle I am trying to be more money conscious. I can request the book at the library and go pick it up. Free and easy.
I love reading.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
#28: Read 100 Books

Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Helllooooo World
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
#22: Make 10 New Recipes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I used EVOO)
- 1 1/2 pounds of shrimp (21/25 count), peeled and deveined
- 1/4 teaspoon table salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons water
- 2 scallions, sliced thin
- Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. (Double if pairing with noodles)
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over high heat until smoking. Meanwhile, toss shrimp, salt, red pepper, and sugar together in a bowl. Add half the shrimp to pan in single layer and cook until spotty brown and edges turn pink, about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat; Using tongs, flip shrimp and toss until all but very center of shrimp is opaque, about 30 seconds. Transfer shrimp to large plate. Repeat with remaining oil and shrimp. After second batch has stood off heat, return first batch to skillet along with sauce mixture and toss to combine. Cover skillet and let stand until shrimp are cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add cooked soba noodles and broccoli along with remaining sauce. Toss to combine, then serve.
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 5 small dried chillies or 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (I only used 1/2 tsp., but I don't like it too hot)
- 6 scallions chopped, save the greens for garnish
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 large red pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 pound medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts. plus more chopped for garnish
- Combine soy sauce, orange juice, vinegar, cornstarch, and sugar in bowl. Set aside.
- Place a wok or large pan over high heat and add oil. When oil is lightly smoking, toss in chillies, scallion whites, garlic, and ginger.
- Stir-fry for 30 seconds, until fragrant, but not browned or burnt. Add bell peppers and cook for another minute, stirring constantly with spatula. Then add shrimp and peanuts, and cook until shrimp turns pink, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the sauce and cook just long enough for it to thicken and form a light sheen around shrimp and vegetables, about 30 seconds.
- Serve over a scoop of brown rice, sprinkled with chopped scallion tops and peanuts.
Monday, December 27, 2010
#27: Read 50 Non-Crime Books

Room by Emma Donoghue
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tons of 101 in 1001 Updates
Saturday, October 9, 2010
#22: Make 10 New Recipes
Taco Pasta Salad (serves 8-10)
source The Way the Cookie Crumbles
Ingredients:
- 1 pound wagon wheel pasta (I used whole wheat bowtie pasta)
- salt
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen corn (organic)
- 1½ cups salsa (organic)
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed (organic)
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 8 ounces (2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese
- 3-4 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 large (or 2 small) avocado, peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup olive oil
Directions:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta. Cook according to the package directions. Drain; stir the frozen corn into the pasta to cool the pasta and defrost the corn. Stir the salsa into the pasta and corn, then add the beans, tomatoes, cilantro, and cheese.
Squeeze the lime juice into a small bowl and add the avocado; stir to coat the avocado. Remove the avocado from the lime juice and stir it into the pasta mixture. Add the spices, garlic, and ½ teaspoon salt to the lime juice, then slowly whisk in the oil. Stir the dressing into the salad. Serve immediately or chill for up to 1 day (longer if you don’t add the avocado).
Verdict:
OMG. This was so good. I am really thankful to because I did not pay attention to how much this made. If the Hubs didn't like it, there was no way I would have been able to eat it all by myself. But that did not happen. He loved it and I did too. It was so much I was going to take some to my mom so it would not go bad. But I never got a chance. The Hubs was eating the leftovers everyday. That never happens. It was so good I have already given the recipe to 6 other people (I did not take credit for this recipe). One person already tried it and they loved it as well. You will not regret making this wonderful meal.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Bad Blogger
Saturday, August 21, 2010
#28: Read 100 Books
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Making Changes

I have got to make some serious changes for my health. I too few months I will be thirty. I am not looking forward to this day at all. In fact, I am a little depressed about it, but I am trying not to think about it. I have decided that I will be even more depressed about this day if I do not start making changes to my diet and start consistently exercising. I tried the Insanity. Honestly, I am not there yet, but I will be. I want to lose 29 pounds. Really, more but I would be happy with 20. Way at the bottom of my blog is a ticker of my progress.
Friday, August 6, 2010
#89: Legg Mason Tennis Classic
This week the Hubs and I went to the Legg Mason Tennis Classic (LMTC). For those of you that don't know I am a HUGE tennis fan. Let's say that again, HUGE. And this was my first time ever seeing tennis live. We got tickets for Monday night not knowing who was going to play that day. We got to see James Blake practice and play, unfortunately he lost. And we got to see Fernando Verdasco. Ok, can I say damn good looking by the way. That was the highlight of Monday though. The other single's players we saw I was not familiar with. We did get to see a doubles match with Baghdatis and Wawrinka, but I am not a doubles tennis follower. 

Tuesday, August 3, 2010
#22: Make 10 New Recipes
- 1/4 cup tamari soy sauce
- 1/4 cup sweet chile sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons minced chives
- 2 salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons canola oil (I used extra virgin olive oil)










