... Hello readers of my blog. I'm writing specifically to you today, for I have a question that I need your help with.
Do you think it is the same to read a book with lots of swearing and to watch a movie with lots of swearing?
See, I'm in this book club. Our current book has some swearing, specifically the F-word. It's not on every page, but it does show up a couple times in every chapter. Definitely more than any PG-13 movie would swear.
I've never stopped reading a book because of language, but I won't watch most rated-R movies because of the language in them. I just hate hearing those words over and over again. But it has never bothered me as much to read those words.
It has occurred to me that my position might be slightly hypocritical. What do you think? Is the damage the same, regardless of whether you hear or read the word?
And if it is, does that mean we should avoid reading books with a lot of swearing in them? That rules out quite a few great works of literature. Hemingway, Steinbeck, Salinger, and O'Connor to name a few.
What is your opinion? How do you handle books/movies with a lot of swearing?
A is for Alexis & Alma ...
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
G is for Grumpy...
... Don't mess with me today. I am in a bad mood. And since, as Bill Watterson* once said, "Nothing helps a bad mood like spreading it around," I'm going to tell you all about it.
I woke up late. Usually, I just don't shower when that happens, but after a night of tossing and turning and dreaming about spiders*, my hair was out of control and could only be tamed by a shower - thus making me even later.
The clothes I planned on wearing looked terrible and made me look lumpy, so I was forced to change several times, setting the clock back even more.
I had no time to do my make-up, so I've been at work all day looking like death warmed over.
I yelled at my laptop and at my husband. The laptop took it lying down, the husband didn't.
I yelled at the car in front of me on my way to work, and then yelled at a lady at work. She'd made the same mistake three times, but she probably didn't deserve to be yelled at.
Then I yelled at my favorite co-worker Rebecca for telling me my reasons for being in a bad mood were lame.
All this yelling at people makes me feel guilty, which makes me in an even worse mood.
I didn't get my homework done in time (I know, I know, that one's my own fault), so I was completely unprepared for class, which made me even crankier.
It's snowing, again.
The only good thing that has happened today is my co-worker Michael gave me a sandwich from Carl's Jr. in exchange for all the candy he eats from off my desk. Thanks Michael. You're like the one bright ray of sun on a miserably cold and cloudy day like today.
So like I said, don't mess with me today. Chances are, I'll probably yell at you too.
*Bill Watterson is the author of Calvin & Hobbes
*I saw a spider on my bed Monday night. It ran off before I could kill it, so I've been having nightmares of spiders biting me for the past two nights. It's keeping both me and Alma from getting any kind of good sleep.
I woke up late. Usually, I just don't shower when that happens, but after a night of tossing and turning and dreaming about spiders*, my hair was out of control and could only be tamed by a shower - thus making me even later.
The clothes I planned on wearing looked terrible and made me look lumpy, so I was forced to change several times, setting the clock back even more.
I had no time to do my make-up, so I've been at work all day looking like death warmed over.
I yelled at my laptop and at my husband. The laptop took it lying down, the husband didn't.
I yelled at the car in front of me on my way to work, and then yelled at a lady at work. She'd made the same mistake three times, but she probably didn't deserve to be yelled at.
Then I yelled at my favorite co-worker Rebecca for telling me my reasons for being in a bad mood were lame.
All this yelling at people makes me feel guilty, which makes me in an even worse mood.
I didn't get my homework done in time (I know, I know, that one's my own fault), so I was completely unprepared for class, which made me even crankier.
It's snowing, again.
The only good thing that has happened today is my co-worker Michael gave me a sandwich from Carl's Jr. in exchange for all the candy he eats from off my desk. Thanks Michael. You're like the one bright ray of sun on a miserably cold and cloudy day like today.
So like I said, don't mess with me today. Chances are, I'll probably yell at you too.
*Bill Watterson is the author of Calvin & Hobbes
*I saw a spider on my bed Monday night. It ran off before I could kill it, so I've been having nightmares of spiders biting me for the past two nights. It's keeping both me and Alma from getting any kind of good sleep.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
J is for Jace...
This is my nephew Jace:
He came to visit us the other day. This is how he showed up:
As a turtle/kung-fu/superhero/dragon-killer warrior.Alma and I had lots of fun with him.
He helped me make dinner:
Then we ate dinner together, on the floor, because we still don't have a table.Jace thought it was fun to eat on the floor. I didn't. Just ask Alma. He listens to me complain about not having a table pretty much every day.
Then we did the laundry, which Jace thought was great fun. He was mesmerized by the coin machine and loved pushing the laundry cart around the laundry room.
After helping me so much, Jace was tired out, so he and Alma watched Cars on the computer until his parents came to get him.
Thanks for coming to visit us, Jace. We sure had fun, and we hope you'll come again soon!Monday, February 9, 2009
C is for Chicken Curry ...
I made this the other day:
It's Thai chicken curry, and it was delicious. It reminded me of warm, sunny days spent on the beach in Hawaii. For just a moment, it warded off the cold and snow that were outside. The fresh green beans, the lime juice and the coconut milk all whisked me away to the days of summer.
What I'm trying to say is, you should make this. It's fresh, flavorful, and yummy, and just the antidote for those mid-winter blues.
Thai Chicken Curry:
(From FoodMadeFast Weeknights, Williams & Sonoma Cookbook)
2 Limes
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, about 1 1/2 lbs.
salt and pepper
peanut or canola oil, 3 tbsp.
1/4 lb green beans, trimmed and cut into 2 in. lengths
1 1/2 tbsp Thai red curry paste
1 cup unsweetened coconut paste
2/3 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp Asian fish sauce
6 green onions, including white and green parts, sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil, slivered
steamed white rice
*A few notes - a good fish sauce should be the color of Chinese tea. Anything darker than that and it won't be have very good flavor or quality.
*Only put in the 1/4 c. of lime juice called for. You'll probably get more juice than that from 2 limes, but if you put in all the juice from both it will be incredibly limey - I know from experience.
*Coconut milk separates in the can, so you'll need to stir it before measuring out the 1 cup.
*Sliver the basil with kitchen shears. It's a whole lot easier than using a knife.
*Finally, the green beans will still be crisp-tender at the end. If you like your green beans soft, you should parboil them before.
It's Thai chicken curry, and it was delicious. It reminded me of warm, sunny days spent on the beach in Hawaii. For just a moment, it warded off the cold and snow that were outside. The fresh green beans, the lime juice and the coconut milk all whisked me away to the days of summer.What I'm trying to say is, you should make this. It's fresh, flavorful, and yummy, and just the antidote for those mid-winter blues.
Thai Chicken Curry:
(From FoodMadeFast Weeknights, Williams & Sonoma Cookbook)
2 Limes
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, about 1 1/2 lbs.
salt and pepper
peanut or canola oil, 3 tbsp.
1/4 lb green beans, trimmed and cut into 2 in. lengths
1 1/2 tbsp Thai red curry paste
1 cup unsweetened coconut paste
2/3 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp Asian fish sauce
6 green onions, including white and green parts, sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil, slivered
steamed white rice
*A few notes - a good fish sauce should be the color of Chinese tea. Anything darker than that and it won't be have very good flavor or quality.
*Only put in the 1/4 c. of lime juice called for. You'll probably get more juice than that from 2 limes, but if you put in all the juice from both it will be incredibly limey - I know from experience.
*Coconut milk separates in the can, so you'll need to stir it before measuring out the 1 cup.
*Sliver the basil with kitchen shears. It's a whole lot easier than using a knife.
*Finally, the green beans will still be crisp-tender at the end. If you like your green beans soft, you should parboil them before.
- Grate 1 teaspoon zest from the limes and squeeze 1/4 cup juice. Set aside. Cut the chicken into thin strips and season with salt and pepper. In a large frying pan or wok over medium0high heat, warm the oil. Add the chicke and cook, turning occasionally, until golden, 4-5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate. Add the green beans and cook, stirring frequently, just until tender-crisp, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the chicken.
- Stir the curry paste into the pan over medium-high heat. Stir in the coconut milk, broth, and fish sauce. Bring to a simmer and stir, scraping up the browned bits on the pan bottom. Stir in the reserved lime zest and juice.
- Return the chicken and green beans to the pan and stir to combine with the sauce. Simmer until chicken is opaque throughout, 3-4 minutes. Stir in the green onions and basil. Spoon the rice into bowls, top with the curry, and serve.
Friday, February 6, 2009
T is for That's All ...
... That's it for my New Year's Revolutions, folks. I decided to limit it to three, because a girl can only work on so much change at one time.
Like I said, I plan to check in occasionally on my progress. Maybe I'll even take a cue from my girlfriend Holly over at if i were really skinny and have some experts guest post some advice for me.
Again, please feel free to leave any wisdom you may have. I could sure use the advice. A big thanks to those who already have.
Like I said, I plan to check in occasionally on my progress. Maybe I'll even take a cue from my girlfriend Holly over at if i were really skinny and have some experts guest post some advice for me.
Again, please feel free to leave any wisdom you may have. I could sure use the advice. A big thanks to those who already have.
B is for Blueberries...
... I know I'm late on this recipe, but it is soooo good, I wanted to get it up even if I don't have any pictures to go with it (which is what I've been waiting on).
The local Macey's grocery store had a sale on salmon and blueberries, and I'm sure glad they did, because it led to this wonderfully harmonious pairing of the two. Seriously, this was delicious. The salmon mixed with the blueberries and vinegar made just the right amount of sweet and salty. And it was really fast and easy. It took me about 15 minutes to go from start to finish, and I am a slow cook. And I'm sure it can be classified as healthy, despite the cup of sugar in the blueberry sauce!
Even if you don't think fruit and fish or sweet and salty should go together, please give this a try. I doubt you'll regret it!
Salmon with Blueberry Sauce
(from "Flavors of Home" cookbook)
Ingredients:
4 salmon steaks (or salmon pieces)
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
Thaw salmon if frozen. In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar and vinegar. Bring to boil over medium high heat, and continue with a rolling boil for four minutes, stirring and crushing the berries. Remove from heat. Set aside but keep warm.
Preheat broiler or barbecue. Melt better in small saucepan. Stir in lemon pepper. Over a barbecue grilll or under a broiler (about 6 inches from heat) broil salmon for about five to seven minutes on each side, until fish flakes when tested with a fork. Brush with lemon butter while grilling. Serve with blueberry sauce on top.
Goes well with a green salad and rice.
Serves 4.
The local Macey's grocery store had a sale on salmon and blueberries, and I'm sure glad they did, because it led to this wonderfully harmonious pairing of the two. Seriously, this was delicious. The salmon mixed with the blueberries and vinegar made just the right amount of sweet and salty. And it was really fast and easy. It took me about 15 minutes to go from start to finish, and I am a slow cook. And I'm sure it can be classified as healthy, despite the cup of sugar in the blueberry sauce!
Even if you don't think fruit and fish or sweet and salty should go together, please give this a try. I doubt you'll regret it!
Salmon with Blueberry Sauce
(from "Flavors of Home" cookbook)
Ingredients:
4 salmon steaks (or salmon pieces)
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
Thaw salmon if frozen. In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar and vinegar. Bring to boil over medium high heat, and continue with a rolling boil for four minutes, stirring and crushing the berries. Remove from heat. Set aside but keep warm.
Preheat broiler or barbecue. Melt better in small saucepan. Stir in lemon pepper. Over a barbecue grilll or under a broiler (about 6 inches from heat) broil salmon for about five to seven minutes on each side, until fish flakes when tested with a fork. Brush with lemon butter while grilling. Serve with blueberry sauce on top.
Goes well with a green salad and rice.
Serves 4.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
R is for Revolution #3 ...
... Be more proactive at work
I wrote a lot of stuff about this, then took it down. Work is personal, not public, but the revolution remains the same. I do need to be more proactive at work.
Just how I’m going to get up the desire and energy to do this is still up for debate, but I do know something has to change. I’ll keep you updated on my progress. As always, suggestions are welcome.
I wrote a lot of stuff about this, then took it down. Work is personal, not public, but the revolution remains the same. I do need to be more proactive at work.
Just how I’m going to get up the desire and energy to do this is still up for debate, but I do know something has to change. I’ll keep you updated on my progress. As always, suggestions are welcome.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
R is for Revolution #2...
... Change from a student to a scholar
For all of you who don’t know, I’m starting my Master’s in English here at the good ol’ BY. Which means I have to do a master’s thesis. Which means I have to do independent, scholarly research. EEK!
High school was a walk in the park for me, and as much as I hate to admit it, I kind of breezed through my bachelor’s with a minimum amount of effort as well. I was a student who did just enough to get the grade I was comfortable with. I even told a professor once that I wasn’t going to do the writing assignment because I had enough points to take the zero and still get a decent grade. Terrible, I know. Terribly lazy.
But now that I’m a grad student, I have to be better than that. I’m expected to think original thoughts, and comment original comments. Next week, I have to write and share a paper with my ENTIRE class, who will then analyze and discuss it. Scary.
What all this is building up to is the fact that I have to transition from a student to a scholar. I have to really know what I’m talking about and remember things from one semester to the next. I have to be able to quote theories and articles and scholars. Which is all stuff I’ve never been able to do before.
It’s going to take a lot more work than I’m used to. If anything qualifies as a resolution, this does.
For all of you who don’t know, I’m starting my Master’s in English here at the good ol’ BY. Which means I have to do a master’s thesis. Which means I have to do independent, scholarly research. EEK!
High school was a walk in the park for me, and as much as I hate to admit it, I kind of breezed through my bachelor’s with a minimum amount of effort as well. I was a student who did just enough to get the grade I was comfortable with. I even told a professor once that I wasn’t going to do the writing assignment because I had enough points to take the zero and still get a decent grade. Terrible, I know. Terribly lazy.
But now that I’m a grad student, I have to be better than that. I’m expected to think original thoughts, and comment original comments. Next week, I have to write and share a paper with my ENTIRE class, who will then analyze and discuss it. Scary.
What all this is building up to is the fact that I have to transition from a student to a scholar. I have to really know what I’m talking about and remember things from one semester to the next. I have to be able to quote theories and articles and scholars. Which is all stuff I’ve never been able to do before.
It’s going to take a lot more work than I’m used to. If anything qualifies as a resolution, this does.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
R is for Revolution #1...
... Make the gospel a priority
I love the gospel. Sometimes I love it like my husband, and I want to be with it all day, every day. It’s the first thing I want to see in the morning and the last thing I see before I go to bed. And other times, I love it like my friend and past roommate Denise, who I only speak to about once a month, but I know is always there for me if ever I should need anything. Whenever we see each other, it’s like we’ve never been apart.
So sometimes the gospel is a priority in my life, and sometimes it’s not. I find I’m often very willing to do the big things the Lord requires of me (tithing, word of wisdom, law of chastity, etc.) but I struggle with the little things (morning and evening prayer, daily scripture study, journal and family history, visiting teaching, FHE). Probably because with everything I have going on in my day-to-day life, the gospel seems to be the one thing that gets overlooked.
That can’t happen anymore. I’ve got to reprioritize my life. And what better time to start than as a newlywed? I probably need it now more than ever.
I haven't decided yet just how I'm going to implement this change, so if you have any ideas that have worked for you, please share them. And if I find something that works, I'll do the same.
I love the gospel. Sometimes I love it like my husband, and I want to be with it all day, every day. It’s the first thing I want to see in the morning and the last thing I see before I go to bed. And other times, I love it like my friend and past roommate Denise, who I only speak to about once a month, but I know is always there for me if ever I should need anything. Whenever we see each other, it’s like we’ve never been apart.
So sometimes the gospel is a priority in my life, and sometimes it’s not. I find I’m often very willing to do the big things the Lord requires of me (tithing, word of wisdom, law of chastity, etc.) but I struggle with the little things (morning and evening prayer, daily scripture study, journal and family history, visiting teaching, FHE). Probably because with everything I have going on in my day-to-day life, the gospel seems to be the one thing that gets overlooked.
That can’t happen anymore. I’ve got to reprioritize my life. And what better time to start than as a newlywed? I probably need it now more than ever.
I haven't decided yet just how I'm going to implement this change, so if you have any ideas that have worked for you, please share them. And if I find something that works, I'll do the same.
Monday, February 2, 2009
R is for Revolutions...
...I wasn’t going to bother messing around with New Year’s resolutions this year. I never follow through with them anyway. Usually I pick things that are super specific, like write in my journal once a week, read scriptures every day, lose 15 pounds, etc. They’re usually the same every year because I constantly have to work on the same things. Why waste my time with them this year?
But then I went to breakfast with my dear friend Whitney, and she just happened to mention that her class of nine year-olds (she teaches 3rd grade) calls resolutions revolutions. Which got me thinking – what if I did New Year’s revolutions instead of resolutions? Our dear friends Merriam and Webster define revolution as “a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something: a change of paradigm.” I like that. A fundamental change – a paradigm shift. There are definitely some parts of my life that need to shift.
I'll be rolling out my New Year’s Revolutions this week. I know it’s a bit late, but I figure better late than not at all. After all, these are revolutions. You just can’t come up with them in a day. I'll be putting up one revolution a day since it would be one massive post if I posted them all on the same day. People seem to be able to read the internet only in bite-sized increments.
And what better way to be held accountable than to publicly state my revolutions and then report on them from time to time? That's right, everyone, not only do you have my revolutions to look forward to, but I'll be posting periodic updates on my progress.
I knew it. Ya'll can't wait.
But then I went to breakfast with my dear friend Whitney, and she just happened to mention that her class of nine year-olds (she teaches 3rd grade) calls resolutions revolutions. Which got me thinking – what if I did New Year’s revolutions instead of resolutions? Our dear friends Merriam and Webster define revolution as “a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something: a change of paradigm.” I like that. A fundamental change – a paradigm shift. There are definitely some parts of my life that need to shift.
I'll be rolling out my New Year’s Revolutions this week. I know it’s a bit late, but I figure better late than not at all. After all, these are revolutions. You just can’t come up with them in a day. I'll be putting up one revolution a day since it would be one massive post if I posted them all on the same day. People seem to be able to read the internet only in bite-sized increments.
And what better way to be held accountable than to publicly state my revolutions and then report on them from time to time? That's right, everyone, not only do you have my revolutions to look forward to, but I'll be posting periodic updates on my progress.
I knew it. Ya'll can't wait.
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