Carla's Posterous

1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (I'm not grown up yet, am I?)

I'm not sure how I found out about this book, but most likely it was from my library website. Almost every week, I look for new books to read by perusing the "Most Requested Titles" lists. These are the books, dvds, and cds that have had the most holds placed on them. The library used to only post the traditional newspaper best sellers lists, but I have found the most requested lists to be better for finding new and interesting things to read.

So, I had put a hold on 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up and went to pick it up today. It was HUGE and weighed...a lot. Ok, just out of curiousity, I am going to go weight it!  Ok, just weighed it on my scale...4.6 lbs.

I didn't really know what the book was about when I put the hold on it, I'm sure I just read "Read Before You Grow Up" and thought...I'm not grown up yet, am I? And placed the hold.

What is this book? It is INCREDIBLE!

It lists 1001 Children's Books. (Bet you didn't get that from the title, did you?)

But, it is so much more! The book is broken down into 5 chapters:

1. Ages 0-3
2. Ages 3+
3. Ages 5+
4. Ages 8+
5. Ages 12+

Each book is listed by title and date. It also gives you information about who wrote, illustrated, and published the book. Also, there is a summary of the book and lists any other books in the series.

If I had kids, I would definitely buy this book and use it to choose books to read to them and later for them to read.

But....I don't have kids. And....I'm not grown up, right?

So, I am going to start reading these books. I think I am going to try and read at least 1 book from each chapter a week. The books for the younger ages will be quick reads, while some of the books for the older ages are rather long or more difficult reads.

Should I blog about what I read? Are you interested?

I'm not sure why I am so excited to read these books, but perhaps it is because I have the idea that reading children's books will help me escape from negative elements of our world.

Arrested for Wearing Orange? (I thought that was after you got arrested!)

I just can't believe it....So excited!!!

Bologna or Boloney- How do you eat it?

A couple times a year, I will buy Bologna to eat. Usually, when I see that it is on sale for pretty cheap! I only eat Oscar Mayer Bologna. The last few times, I think I have bought the "light" version, because..you know...it is healthier. 'Cause Bologna is so healthy and all.

Growing up I ate it quite a bit for lunch, I think. Mostly with Ketchup. And, I had never had it fried. Which I am told is odd, because I am from the Midwest.

So, a few years ago I tried it fried and it was really good. Haven't done it since and I'm not sure why. Perhaps, because I don't buy it much and I usually eat it in my favorite way...with potato chips. Yes, on the sandwich!

Anyways, it was on sale this week so I bought some. I didn't buy potato chips though, so it has been a little disappointing.

I am looking for some help!

How do you eat your BOLONEY? Please share your favorite way, even if you haven't had it in years! I have more some left and want to try it a few different ways.

SO>>>>>>>> How will I eat my Boloney! Or, Bologna?

Make a Difference! Move Your Money!

Twilight Saga- Yep, I'm a fan and it's because of love!

So, first screenings of New Moon started at midnight. '

Did I go? No.

Did I think about it? A little.

Am I disappointed I didn't go? Sorta, but not really.

There are a lot of Twilight "haters" out there. Unfortunately, 99% (not statistically valid) of those haters never read a single word of  any of the books. A few of those saw the Twilight movie. And, that just doesn't count AT ALL. The movie was done on an extremely low budget and it is reflected in the quality of the movie. It was planned before the books became extremely popular. So, why do the "haters" hate? They just don't get it. And, if they hate and try to read the books, they won't like them anyway. I know highly educated women AND men, who love the books. So, they shouldn't just dismiss them as trash books.

I found out about the books after the first three were already published. I loved a tv show on CBS, Moonlight, that was about vampires and there was an element of romance. I never watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer or any other vampire shows. I also hadn't read any vampire books, except The Historian. On a message board, someone said if you wanted something to get you over the cancellation of Moonlight read the Twilight books. I looked at them on Amazon and ordered all three.

I have to say, I am glad I got all three at one time, because I read them straight through!

So, the questions is why are the books such a hit? And, why do so many adult women love the books. I will tell you why...

The books take you back to when you were a teenager and your first love. The innocent love that doesn't know the complication of paying a mortgage or taking care of kids. The innocent pure love that you think will never end, that is just perfect and bigger than life itself. It is an all encompassing emotion that overwhelms you. To me, it isn't really a vampire story, it is a love story that takes place in a world where there are vampires and werewolves.

As an adult, you lose that. Life gets in the way. But, while ready Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga you can for just a little bit get that feeling back and live within the world of Bella, Edward and even Jacob. You see them fall in love.

There was much made out of the lack of sex in the books. But amazingly, the books are extremely sexual and sensual without the characters actually having sex. That, I think is one of the reasons the books work so well. And, because of the course the relationships ultimately take.

I have read the first three books a couple times and they were just as engaging, if not more, the second time. I was going to read New Moon again before seeing the movie, but decided against it. Movies are never as good as the book and it has been over a year since I read it. I think I will enjoy the movie more if I don't constantly compare it to the book. I am looking forward to the movie and expect it will be much better than Twilight given the increased budget.

So, in a few hours I will be sitting in a movie theater watching New Moon and the 16-year old romantic in me will come out and I am sure I will be engulfed in the love that is the story of Bella, Edward and even Jacob.

So, was Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, Europe's version of Sheldon's chocolates? #BBT

A few people asked me what the heck I was referring to in this post. Here is a link to watch one of the clips from Big Bang Theory.

Embedding has been turned off, so you will have to click the link:  BBT Chocolates?

CJ's Cooking Adventure- no. 1- Cheesesteak

Last month, I was on one of my favorite websites, CliqueClack, and read a post Jeff Love wrote about Steak’umm Jerky. It reminded me of years ago when my aunt mentioned that she loved using Steak'ums for sandwiches. I decided to try them. If you aren’t familiar with Steak’ums they are a frozen all-beef product, no fillers or chemicals. They come in individual portions, which is handy for making a single sandwich.

I was very excited to make a cheesesteak sandwich and mentioned it to Jeff. During our tweets, he brought up peppers and onions. Duh…how could I forget that a cheesesteak sandwich needed peppers and onions. But, no worries I had both!! Frozen! Again, cooking for one has the downside of fresh produce going to waste. Trader Joe's has these great Tri-color pepper strips that I love to use when cooking. Diced onions are a little more difficult to find, but my grocery store has a store brand that works well. I decided to use Kraft's Mexican Style Four cheese in my sandwich, but just about any shredded or sliced cheese would work.

Since this is my first time sharing a "recipe", I should let you know that I don't usually measure when I cook. I tend to just throw stuff together and I take as many shortcuts as possible. This is obvious for my cheesesteak "recipe", I cooked everything together (except the cheese) and didn't measure portions at all. I will include a * at the end of a sentence when I have included a picture.

CJ’s Cheesesteak Delight

1 portion Steak’ums
Frozen Trader Joe’s Tri-color Pepper Strips
Frozen store brand Diced Onions
Kraft Natural Shredded Mexican Style Four Cheese
Trader Joe’s Wheat Pita Pockets

I started by taking one portion of the Steak’ums out of the freezer and breaking it into pieces in my small frying pan. I did not use any oil or water*.  Then, I took some of the frozen pepper strips and diced onions and put them in the pan*. As I was cooking, I was afraid I used too many peppers, but they ended up being the perfect amount*. Then I took some shredded cheese from the bag and melted that on top*. Last, I opened the pita up and filled it with the cheesesteak*.

It took under 10 minutes from start to finish to make this cheesesteak and it was very delicious! I decided not to toast the pita, but I do that often when I make sandwiches. It makes the pita a little easier to eat and has a great taste.

Hope you enjoyed my first CJ Cooking Adventure! And, thanks to Jeff Love for his great suggestions!

CJ's Cooking Adventures- Intro

I was about to post my first cooking adventure when I decided I should probably do a post about my background in cooking. I don't want there to be any misconception that I have any clue what I am doing!

I used to cook quite a bit and I enjoyed it. But, at some point, I stopped cooking. Probably because it just became easier to microwave something. I am single and cooking for one person can be a real pain. Though, it is nice that I don't mind eating the same thing all week long. A pound of cooked ground turkey will last awhile, same with a package of chicken breasts. Anyways, I got used to microwaving most of my meals. That doesn't mean I was just eating frozen dinners though. There are many meats you can microwave, pastas, potatoes, veggies, soups, chili, and of course frozen meals. And, there are sandwiches and salads too. In addition to my microwave, I often used my toaster oven. But, in general, the foods were processed in some way.

In order to eat healthier, I realized and decided to go back to cooking meals. That doesn't mean I won't be eating beef or using cheese, it just means I will make some adjustments to try to make the meal a little bit healthier. Also, I plan on trying to use more natural foods instead of processed ones. I started cooking some during the summer, but in the last month I got back into my old habits.

I am going to post my adventures in cooking. Perhaps, you will find something you can try and make for yourself. Or, maybe you will just find my adventures funny. Regardless, I hope you will enjoy them!

My first adventure in cooking will be posted soon: Cheesesteak pita

They made it to October....and the Cubs season is over!

The above picture was taken on opening day. It was a cold and rainy day, but one where the season was full of hope and anticipation. A little disappointed that Kerry Wood and Mark DeRosa were no longer Cubs, but I guess as a die-hard fan you just have to accept and move on.

So, today is the last game of the season. I will be there and hopefully not need quite as many clothes. It is ANOTHER sad end to a season.

But, as I have learned over the last 36 years...there is always next season :)