Julia London's Blog, page 21
November 9, 2012
Weekend Reading: Alice in Zombieland
On a recent weekend trip, I had the rare, wonderful opportunity to read a book un-interrupted. (I had to leave my laptop and work-in-progress at home. My husband made me promise. And cross my fingers. And submit to a pat-down before I got in the car, which I suspect for his own amusement. ) And because I love Gena Showalter and was interested in seeing her take on YA zombies, I picked up “Alice in Zombieland.”
Alice did not disappoint. I was pulled in front from the very first chapter, by Alice’s resentment toward her seemingly paranoid father and yearning for a normal family life; by the foreshadowing of her parents’ warnings about the monsters lurking in the dark; and her guilt when those same monsters murder her entire family*. Beyond her intelligent, wary delivery, Showalter’s approach to zombies as a spiritual infection rather than brain-eating ghouls was fresh and interesting. And it allowed a squeamish gal like me to really enjoy a zombie story for the first time. (The Walking Dead commercials make me cry.) Alice kicks major zombie butt and it’s nice to see a strong, sensible female characters for young readers to enjoy.
I can’t wait to follow Alice and her new-found friends, a band of zombie-fighting teenagers that train like a squadron out of the Buffyverse, in this new series. The next installment, Through the Zombie Glass, will be released in October 2013.
*It’s not a spoiler. It’s in the cover summary.
My question: Are zombie books scarier than zombie movies? I’ve found that I have nightmares after reading zombie books because the violence is “in my head” rather than on a screen. Thoughts?
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November 8, 2012
My Latest Toys
My latest toys all revolve around…pasta! One of our favorite days spent in Italy in June was the cooking lesson we took in Rome where we learned to make homemade pasta.
Italian photo op! The Spanish Steps in Rome
Since then, we’ve made cavatelli numerous times–it’s an easy pasta to make because you don’t need a pasta machine. But of course we wanted to expand our pasta repertoire, so a pasta maker we did buy.
Toy #1--pasta machine
Then, while looking through a fabulous magazine called Cucina Italia (Italian Kitchen), I discovered two types of pasta I’d never heard of. HOW was such a thing possible?? The first one is called garganelli. Ever hear of it? Yeah, neither had I. It’s sort of like a ziti noodle, but rolled on the diagonal so it has pointy ends. In order to make garganelli, you need a wooden garganelli board and dowel. Which I promptly bought (you can buy one on Amazon).
Toy #2--garganetti board
The board has tiny ridges that get impressed into the dough when you roll it on the dowel. Those tiny ridges hold the sauce and wow, it is molto bene! We served the garganelli with homemade pesto and it was to die for.
The other pasta that caught my attention is called corzetti. Ever hear of that one? Yeah, neither had I. Corzetti is a flat, round pasta that’s about the size of a half dollar. In order to make it, you need a corzetti stamp– a two piece wooden tool with which you first cut out the round shape, then press that round dough between the bottom and top of the tool to stamp a design on it (this makes the sauce cling to the noodle). Let me tell you, it’s not easy to find a corzetti stamp, but thanks to my brilliant Cucina Italia magazine, I am now the proud owner of one. We served the corzetti with a pomodoro sauce–fabulous!
Toy #3--corzetti stamp
Next up we’re going to make ravioli. I’ve already ordered my ravioli cutter from Amazon and we’re planning to try it out this weekend. I’ll report the results in my next blog. Until then, mangia!
Our pasta (uncooked)
Have you ever tried to make homemade pasta? If not–what are you waiting for?! Bought any new toys lately? If not, what toys would you like to buy?
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November 7, 2012
A Dramatic Entrance. . .
Well, not really dramatic, but I think I’m the last NEW Whine Sister to make her debut here and I’m thrilled to be here. I put on my lovely white debut gown and am wearing the appropriate tiara in my upswept hair and the good jewels, of course — one must hold up the honor and prestige of the Whine Sisters, right?
I think I’m going to crack under the pressure of that lie!
Most times I blog or post stuff to FB, I usually in my fuzzy slipper socks and favorite pajamas which happen to be the pink ones I found in Hawaii when I forgot to pack mine for our trip. Wearing a tiara and jewels? Hardly! I usually find at least two pairs of glasses on my head – one in place on the bridge of my nose being used and the other perched on my head, in case I forget the other pair. . . sad, but true. And, the final piece of my wardrobe is my purple fleece, ankle-length hoodie for warmth and comfort. And one more item. . . or accessory. . .
And, in spite of the name and the logo of this group, I am not fond of wine. . .Whining? Oh yes! But not the beverage that seems to be a favorite around here.
It’s not been a lack of trying on my part — I’ve gone to wine tastings and vineyard tours and tried all sorts of the fruit of the vine, to no avail. I’ve never met a wine I liked. But if you want to discuss a beverage I do like – and am quite the connoisseur about — it’s. . . . TEA!
Oh gosh, I love tea! Hot tea. Cold tea. Inbetween tea. I love tea. Though I will occasionally put up with those fraudulent brews masquerading as tea – you know the ones I mean, right? Froo-froo blends and concoctions like chamomile or hibiscus or pomegranate that are about as related to REAL tea as I am to the Queen of England! Tea is only tea if it comes from the Camellia sinensis plant from China. I am a tea purist in that regard….though I may drink variations like oolong, or suffer through green tea, I prefer my tea to be the real stuff – black!
I even managed to combine my love of tea and my love of WDW during the Epcot Home and Garden Festival when the Twinings Tea Shop gives tea garden tours. And samples. When I travel, I like nothing better than finding a tea room or tea shop. In Honolulu, was it just a coincidence that the Aloha Harmony Tea House was just across the street from our hotel? I think not! Or that Teavana opened up two locations near me? I’ve even been known to pack up my Sunbeam Tea Drop or Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker and take it with me on trips!
I have a number of teapots, tea cups, tea strainers, canisters of loose tea leaves, all necessary accoutrements for the serious tea drinker.
I have about a dozen tea-related apps on my iPhone to guide me to tea rooms all over the country. Or to tea sites all over the internet.
I am serious about my tea.
I’ll leave the wine to the others, just give me tea and everything will work out. Deadline writing binges have succeeded on pots of tea which must be hot, black tea with milk and splenda. A biscotti or scone is optional and welcome but not necessary. Home-brewed iced tea, according to my own recipe (8 decaf bags + 3 regular bags + 1 cup of Splenda + lemon slices made in my Mr. Coffee Iced Tea maker) has saved lives in my family. Oolong tea, the favorite tea of Queen Elizabeth I (brewed 3-5 minutes from fresh leaves, served with just a touch of Splenda) is another favorite.
So, others may drink wine, just make sure there’s tea for me and all will be well!
How about you? What’s your beverage of choice in the non-alcoholic world? (Alcoholic ones will be for another topic!) Coffee? Those frou-frou mixed concoctions involving coffee, milk, flavors, shots? Or tea, the beverage of the goddesses? What’s your favorite kind? I did bring home a sample of one of my favorites from that shop in Hawaii and I’ll give it, along with a copy of one of my books, to someone who shares their preferences with me!
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November 6, 2012
The gremlins ate my salad bowl
As Obi-Wan Kenobi would say: This is not the salad bowl your'e looking for (although it is a nice bowl!)
Once upon a time, my mom had some really cool dishes and stuff. Coconut-like cups from Trader Vics. Jewel Tea stem ware. Some really amazing stoneware. And some fabulous wooden salad bowls.
When she moved into a nursing home, all that stuff became mine, and one thing that I used regularly was a huge wooden salad bowl (teak) with matching smaller bowls. (It’s not the one in the picture; it’s much bigger, and more triangular shaped than round.) Can you love a salad bowl? I don’t know, but I think I did. It held the perfect amount of salad. It was easy to toss because of the shape. It was pretty b/c it was wood. It was classy b/c of the perfect little matching bowls.
And it’s gone.
I had it. I’ve lost it.
Which begs the question of how one loses a salad bowl. Honestly, I don’t know. I rearranged my kitchen recently, and I put some things (like china and fancy serving trays) in some trunks around the house. But why would I have moved the bowl? I wouldn’t have. And yet it’s not in the pantry, not under the island, not in a cabinet.
It’s not in the trunks, either.
My youngest daughter says I gave it to Goodwill (I’ve been de-cluttering). But there’s no way I’d give it to Goodwill. I love my salad bowl. My poor, lost salad bowl.
Clearly, the gremlins took it. I hope they made a nice salad 
Have you misplaced anything that you really liked? Did you find it again? Where?
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November 5, 2012
My Crazy Dog
My Little Monster
Completely obvious by the picture to the left, my 7-year-old Shih Tzu is cute as hell. And, boy, does he know how to work it. This keeps him in treats, gourmet dog food and sleeping on a cushy pillow in front of the fireplace whenever his furry little backside gets the chills.
My daughter calls him her “little nugget”. I refer to him as the “little monster”.
Why, you ask? Well, most of my frustration with His Royal Cuteness comes at mealtimes.
#1–I’m apparently the only member of my family who can figure out how, when and what to feed him. #2–he’s pickier than a food critic in McDonald’s.
I’ve been known to boil chicken and rice, hiding it from human family members so he won’t turn his nose up at my offering. I’ve seen the nutty dog actually turn down leftover filet mignon! (Maybe he’s watching his weight, which at a svelte 8 pounds, I can hardly argue the results.) Currently, I’m actually feeding him dog food. Course he only wants the super expensive kind (thank heaven for Sam’s and bulk buying), and I have to heat it up in the microwave before serving, but, for the moment at least, he’s eating what I serve (though his 5:00 dinner feeding has now been moved up to 4:00). Apparently I’m a sucker for a cute face.
Do you have nutty pets or know somebody who does?
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My Crazy Dog
Completely obvious by the picture to the left, my 7-year-old Shih Tzu is cute as hell. And, boy, does he know how to work it. This keeps him in treats, gourmet dog food and sleeping on a cushy pillow in front of the fireplace whenever his furry little backside gets the chills.
My daughter calls him her “little nugget”. I refer to him as the “little monster”.
Why, you ask? Well, most of my frustration with His Royal Cuteness comes at mealtimes.
#1–I’m apparently the only member of my family who can figure out how, when and what to feed him. #2–he’s pickier than a food critic in McDonald’s.
I’ve been known to boil chicken and rice, hiding it from human family members so he won’t turn his nose up at my offering. I’ve seen the nutty dog actually turn down leftover filet mignon! (Maybe he’s watching his weight, which at a svelte 8 pounds, I can hardly argue the results.) Currently, I’m actually feeding him dog food. Course he only wants the super expensive kind (thank heaven for Sam’s and bulk buying), and I have to heat it up in the microwave before serving, but, for the moment at least, he’s eating what I serve (though his 5:00 dinner feeding has now been moved up to 4:00). Apparently I’m a sucker for a cute face.
Do you have nutty pets or know somebody who does?
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November 2, 2012
My Crazy Dog
My Little Monster
Completely obvious by the picture to the left, my 7-year-old Shih Tzu is cute as hell. And, boy, does he know how to work it. This keeps him in treats, gourmet dog food and sleeping on a cushy pillow in front of the fireplace whenever his furry little backside gets the chills.
My daughter calls him her “little nugget”. I refer to him as the “little monster”.
Why, you ask? Well, most of my frustration with His Royal Cuteness comes at mealtimes.
#1–I’m apparently the only member of my family who can figure out how, when and what to feed him. #2–he’s pickier than a food critic in McDonald’s.
I’ve been known to boil chicken and rice, hiding it from human family members so he won’t turn his nose up at my offering. I’ve seen the nutty dog actually turn down leftover filet mignon! (Maybe he’s watching his weight, which at a svelte 8 pounds, I can hardly argue the results.) Currently, I’m actually feeding him dog food. Course he only wants the super expensive kind (thank heaven for Sam’s and bulk buying), and I have to heat it up in the microwave before serving, but, for the moment at least, he’s eating what I serve (though his 5:00 dinner feeding has now been moved up to 4:00). Apparently I’m a sucker for a cute face.
Do you have nutty pets or know somebody who does?
Share this:
My Crazy Dog
Completely obvious by the picture to the left, my 7-year-old Shih Tzu is cute as hell. And, boy, does he know how to work it. This keeps him in treats, gourmet dog food and sleeping on a cushy pillow in front of the fireplace whenever his furry little backside gets the chills.
My daughter calls him her “little nugget”. I refer to him as the “little monster”.
Why, you ask? Well, most of my frustration with His Royal Cuteness comes at mealtimes.
#1–I’m apparently the only member of my family who can figure out how, when and what to feed him. #2–he’s pickier than a food critic in McDonald’s.
I’ve been known to boil chicken and rice, hiding it from human family members so he won’t turn his nose up at my offering. I’ve seen the nutty dog actually turn down leftover filet mignon! (Maybe he’s watching his weight, which at a svelte 8 pounds, I can hardly argue the results.) Currently, I’m actually feeding him dog food. Course he only wants the super expensive kind (thank heaven for Sam’s and bulk buying), and I have to heat it up in the microwave before serving, but, for the moment at least, he’s eating what I serve (though his 5:00 dinner feeding has now been moved up to 4:00). Apparently I’m a sucker for a cute face.
Do you have nutty pets or know somebody who does?
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Weekend Reading: Casual Vacancy
Short and sweet today because I should be home by now, but probably without internet. We lost internet during Sandy and probably won’t have it back for a week or so.
J.K. Rowling’s first adult novel has come out, made news, and gathered hundreds of mixed reviews. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m planning to when I finally have some time (maybe I’ll find it at the airport on my way home- I’m writing this on Tuesday in a hotel where I still have internet).
Have you read The Casual Vacancy? Do you plan to read it?
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