East Coast Girls are Hip

Heather left for Brooklyn, New York today. She found a job as a nanny making fairly decent money. She came over for dinner on Saturday, and though she didn't stay long, I was impressed by the amount she has matured these last few months. She has taken a step forward, no longer stagnant. And though it is not college, it is a step in the right direction. I am in awe of her bravery; taking on New York and a whole new life. I hope it will all work out for her. We miss her already.

Nook vs. Book

I like to hold a book in my hand; I like the feel of the pages, the weight of a novel in my grip. Dave and I like to display books (anyone who has been to my house can atest to this). We like to read them again, group them, converse about them as visitors check all the titles on our shelves. They hold memories, connections.

I love browsing used book stores, finding that great book. I love the smell of them, the colorfull covers. I can spend a whole Saturday at Barnes and Noble, browsing and sipping great coffee. Dave and I have had many book store dates. (it is fun to give Dave $20 and watch him try to decide what he wants--he will narrow it down to 5 0r six things and change his mind 10 times about which 2 or 3 he wants the most) If you ask him, he will tell you that this is torture.

I think I want a Nook or Kindle, but I don't know how it will fit in to my love of actual books. I see all the advantages, but I can not ignore the disadvantages. I am conflicted. Thousands of books in one device, portable, instant. Will theymake actual books obsolete? Can books actually become relics of the past? I am sorry, but electronic words on a screen just are not the same thing. Maybe I only say that because I don't have a nook.

What are your thoughts?

Sam Sheepdog & Ralph Wolf - Woolen Under Where (1963)

So you can see the resemblance

Cool tat!

Dave got a tat of Sam the sheepdog. When I read the sheep dog article (from an earlier blog post http://mwkworks.com/onsheepwolvesandsheepdogs.html) I told him that he reminded me of the sheepdog from the Looney Toones cartons. One of his friends does tatoos, and the idea was in the right place at the right time. The sentence under the image states (in latin) "let them hate, as long as they fear". You will have to ask him to explain that statement.

Lemon Chicken Sandwhiches

This is one of Dave's signature dishes, a Family Fave

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts

juice from 3 lemons ( the fresh stuff is much better than the bottled stuff)

3 Tblsp lemon pepper

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 tomato, sliced

1 package alfalfa sprouts

1/2 red onion, sliced

1 peeled cucumber, thinly sliced

6-8 hamburger buns or whole grain bread

Pound chicken flat (less mess if you put them in large zip lock bag) and coat chicken breasts in lemon pepper. Brown chicken in skillet with a few tblsp. of olive oil and set aside. Mix fresh lemon juice with cornstarch and add to the chicken pan, stirring in with the coating the chicken left in the pan while it cooked. ( This is called deglazing the pan, as Dave taught me) The lemon juice, yummy pan glaze and cornstarch will combine and thicken to make a sauce. Add cooked chicken breasts back to the pan and coat in the sauce.

Serve chicken/sauce on bread as a sandwhich with the veggies and some mayo. Sometimes we add avocado, too. Enjoy!

This is also good as a salad: slice the chicken into strips and serve on bed of lettuce with all the veggies. This way, we can get 2 meals out of it, if there are any leftovers.

Can't wait!

Harry Potter

07/15/2011

Even Vader is excited!