I'm currently participating in two book challenges. I'll start with the July Book Blowout!
The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk
The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory (only counts for 1/2, since I started in March)
Debbie Harry Sings in French by Meagan Brothers
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
So, now we're up to 5 1/2 books for the month of July.
I read The Handmaid's Tale as part of the New Classics Challenge.
Set in the future, The Handmaid's Tale is the story of the republic of Gilead, as told by the handmaid, Offred. Gilead is what used to be the United States, before taken over by people whose idea of utopia is that people dress in different clothes to show who they are, commanders have handmaid's to procreate with, and people are put on the Wall when they are salvaged for their beliefs.
Offred tells her story of the time before Gilead, her time in her commander's house, her unusual relationship with him, and her memories of her loved ones. It was very scary to think this is something that could happen. Not everyone's idea of utopia is the same, and I can't fathom being told to live by someone else's rules.
I recommend this book to everyone - it was a great read, and Atwood is at her best in writing this book.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Weekend Food Round Up
This weekend, Eric came to Lansing, and we enjoyed time out at some local dining establishments.
Friday night – Ukai, West Side
We haven’t been to either Ukai restaurant, so decided to try the sushi bar on the West side of Lansing. We ordered an appetizer – it was jalapeno peppers stuffed with spicy tuna, cream cheese, and tempura battered with spicy mayo and teriyaki sauce on it. We also ordered three rolls, and they were fabulous.
Saturday lunch – Amici’s, near Frandor
I got the chicken salad sandwich, and Eric got a hot pastrami sandwich. We enjoyed both of them, and I recommend that if you like deli sandwiches, visit Amici’s!
Sunday breakfast – Golden Harvest, Old Town
Oh yum. Yup, had to wait a bit outside, but it was a gorgeous day. We decided to sit at the bar, so that was cool. I got the carmel apple French toast with American fries and bacon, and Eric got the biscuits and gravy. So yummy and such a great place to eat!!
Sunday dinner – House of Hsu, Grand Ledge
I got the Princess Chicken, and Eric got the Three Delicacies. We also ordered an order of fried won tons. Very good Chinese!
Friday night – Ukai, West Side
We haven’t been to either Ukai restaurant, so decided to try the sushi bar on the West side of Lansing. We ordered an appetizer – it was jalapeno peppers stuffed with spicy tuna, cream cheese, and tempura battered with spicy mayo and teriyaki sauce on it. We also ordered three rolls, and they were fabulous.
Saturday lunch – Amici’s, near Frandor
I got the chicken salad sandwich, and Eric got a hot pastrami sandwich. We enjoyed both of them, and I recommend that if you like deli sandwiches, visit Amici’s!
Sunday breakfast – Golden Harvest, Old Town
Oh yum. Yup, had to wait a bit outside, but it was a gorgeous day. We decided to sit at the bar, so that was cool. I got the carmel apple French toast with American fries and bacon, and Eric got the biscuits and gravy. So yummy and such a great place to eat!!
Sunday dinner – House of Hsu, Grand Ledge
I got the Princess Chicken, and Eric got the Three Delicacies. We also ordered an order of fried won tons. Very good Chinese!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Mia & Grace
First off, I have to say this - you MUST try it.
Mia & Grace - 1133 Third St., Muskegon
After receiving an email with an interview of chefs Jeremy and Jamie Paquin, I decided this was one place we were going to eat at this weekend.
Eric, his mom Nancy, and I all went for lunch at Mia & Grace today. Of course, I forgot to bring my camera...but, I will definitely be bringing it next time, as I am hoping to frequent this place when I'm in town.
Walking into the restaurant, you can see how much work was done in order to get it to the beautiful decor they have there. They also have many paintings and photos from local artists up on the walls - and all are available for purchase. Because it is a chef driven menu, they have one menu up on the wall. They use fresh, local produce whenever possible. They also use products from The Cheese Lady, Creswick Farms, Funny Farm, and many others. Everything is made in house.
So - we went all out. There were so many good things on the menu. Nancy got the Beet Ravioli, stuffed with pork and goat cheese. There was pesto, a great cream sauce, and just a hint of chocolate sauce. Eric got the Grass-Fed burger, with onions, lettuce, and it was fantastic. The bun was delicious. I got a cup of cold cucumber soup - it had dill in it, and it was refreshing for a hot summer day. I also got the white truffle egg salad sandwich, and it had very tasty bread, with peppers mixed into the egg salad.
Then came dessert. We each got one - all different. Eric got the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Nancy got the Key Lime Pie and I got the White Chocolate Bread Pudding with a Rum Angalise. YUM. Though, I think out of all of them, Eric's won. The cheesecake is made by Jeremy, and it is hands down the best cheesecake we've ever had. And, the portions for the desserts are HUGE!!!
I promise, next time I'll bring my camera, but I urge you to try this fantastic new restaurant in downtown Muskegon.
Mia & Grace - 1133 Third St., Muskegon
After receiving an email with an interview of chefs Jeremy and Jamie Paquin, I decided this was one place we were going to eat at this weekend.
Eric, his mom Nancy, and I all went for lunch at Mia & Grace today. Of course, I forgot to bring my camera...but, I will definitely be bringing it next time, as I am hoping to frequent this place when I'm in town.
Walking into the restaurant, you can see how much work was done in order to get it to the beautiful decor they have there. They also have many paintings and photos from local artists up on the walls - and all are available for purchase. Because it is a chef driven menu, they have one menu up on the wall. They use fresh, local produce whenever possible. They also use products from The Cheese Lady, Creswick Farms, Funny Farm, and many others. Everything is made in house.
So - we went all out. There were so many good things on the menu. Nancy got the Beet Ravioli, stuffed with pork and goat cheese. There was pesto, a great cream sauce, and just a hint of chocolate sauce. Eric got the Grass-Fed burger, with onions, lettuce, and it was fantastic. The bun was delicious. I got a cup of cold cucumber soup - it had dill in it, and it was refreshing for a hot summer day. I also got the white truffle egg salad sandwich, and it had very tasty bread, with peppers mixed into the egg salad.
Then came dessert. We each got one - all different. Eric got the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Nancy got the Key Lime Pie and I got the White Chocolate Bread Pudding with a Rum Angalise. YUM. Though, I think out of all of them, Eric's won. The cheesecake is made by Jeremy, and it is hands down the best cheesecake we've ever had. And, the portions for the desserts are HUGE!!!
I promise, next time I'll bring my camera, but I urge you to try this fantastic new restaurant in downtown Muskegon.
Friday, July 18, 2008
July Book Blowout - UPDATE
I'm up to 4 1/2 books now.
The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk
The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory (only counts for 1/2, since I started in March)
Debbie Harry Sings in French by Meagan Brothers
The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk
The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory (only counts for 1/2, since I started in March)
Debbie Harry Sings in French by Meagan Brothers
Thursday, July 17, 2008
And another book challenge...
Hm. Hurrah for Entertainment Weekly and their new classics book list!
Joanna at Lost in a Good Story has posted a challenge regarding the 100 new classics list. Bolded titles, I have already read. Italicized titles are ones I will plan to read during the challenge.
Look for reviews, coming soon!
1. The Road , Cormac McCarthy (2006)
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling (2000)
3. Beloved, Toni Morrison (1987)
4. The Liars' Club, Mary Karr (1995)
5. American Pastoral, Philip Roth (1997)
6. Mystic River, Dennis Lehane (2001)
7. Maus, Art Spiegelman (1986/1991)
8. Selected Stories, Alice Munro (1996)
9. Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier (1997)
10. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Haruki Murakami (1997)
11. Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer (1997)
12. Blindness, José Saramago (1998)
13. Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (1986-87)
14. Black Water, Joyce Carol Oates (1992)
15. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers (2000)
16. The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood (1986)
17. Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez (1988)
18. Rabbit at Rest, John Updike (1990)
19. On Beauty, Zadie Smith (2005)
20. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding (1998)
21. On Writing, Stephen King (2000)
22. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Díaz (2007)
23. The Ghost Road, Pat Barker (1996)
24. Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry (1985)
25. The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan (1989)
26. Neuromancer, William Gibson (1984)
27. Possession, A.S. Byatt (1990)
28. Naked, David Sedaris (1997)
29. Bel Canto, Anne Patchett (2001)
30. Case Histories, Kate Atkinson (2004)
31. The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien (1990)
32. Parting the Waters, Taylor Branch (1988)
33. The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion (2005)
34. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold (2002)
35. The Line of Beauty, Alan Hollinghurst (2004)
36. Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt (1996)
37. Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi (2003)
38. Birds of America, Lorrie Moore (1998)
39. Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri (2000)
40. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman (1995-2000)
41. The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros (1984)
42. LaBrava, Elmore Leonard (1983)
43. Borrowed Time, Paul Monette (1988)
44. Praying for Sheetrock, Melissa Fay Greene (1991)
45. Eva Luna, Isabel Allende (1988)
46. Sandman, Neil Gaiman (1988-1996)
47. World's Fair, E.L. Doctorow (1985)
48. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver (1998)
49. Clockers, Richard Price (1992)
50. The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen (2001)
51. The Journalist and the Murderer, Janet Malcom (1990)
52. Waiting to Exhale, Terry McMillan (1992)
53. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Michael Chabon (2000)
54. Jimmy Corrigan, Chris Ware (2000)
55. The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls (2006)
56. The Night Manager, John le Carré (1993)
57. The Bonfire of the Vanities, Tom Wolfe (1987)
58. Drop City, TC Boyle (2003)
59. Krik? Krak! Edwidge Danticat (1995)
60. Nickel & Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich (2001)
61. Money, Martin Amis (1985)
62. Last Train To Memphis, Peter Guralnick (1994)
63. Pastoralia, George Saunders (2000)
64. Underworld, Don DeLillo (1997)
65. The Giver, Lois Lowry (1993)
66. A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, David Foster Wallace (1997)
67. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini (2003)
68. Fun Home, Alison Bechdel (2006)
69. Secret History, Donna Tartt (1992)
70. Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell (2004)
71. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Ann Fadiman (1997)
72. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon (2003)
73. A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving (1989)
74. Friday Night Lights, H.G. Bissinger (1990)
75. Cathedral, Raymond Carver (1983)
76. A Sight for Sore Eyes, Ruth Rendell (1998)
77. The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro (1989)
78. Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert (2006)
79. The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell (2000)
80. Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney (1984)
81. Backlash, Susan Faludi (1991)
82. Atonement, Ian McEwan (2002)
83. The Stone Diaries, Carol Shields (1994)
84. Holes, Louis Sachar (1998)
85. Gilead, Marilynne Robinson (2004)
86. And the Band Played On, Randy Shilts (1987)
87. The Ruins, Scott Smith (2006)
88. High Fidelity, Nick Hornby (1995)
89. Close Range, Annie Proulx (1999)
90. Comfort Me With Apples, Ruth Reichl (2001)
91. Random Family, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc (2003)
92. Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow (1987)
93. A Thousand Acres, Jane Smiley (1991)
94. Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser (2001)
95. Kaaterskill Falls, Allegra Goodman (1998)
96. The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown (2003)
97. Jesus’ Son, Denis Johnson (1992)
98. The Predators' Ball, Connie Bruck (1988)
99. Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (1995)
100. America (the Book), Jon Stewart/Daily Show (2004)
Joanna at Lost in a Good Story has posted a challenge regarding the 100 new classics list. Bolded titles, I have already read. Italicized titles are ones I will plan to read during the challenge.
Look for reviews, coming soon!
1. The Road , Cormac McCarthy (2006)
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling (2000)
3. Beloved, Toni Morrison (1987)
4. The Liars' Club, Mary Karr (1995)
5. American Pastoral, Philip Roth (1997)
6. Mystic River, Dennis Lehane (2001)
7. Maus, Art Spiegelman (1986/1991)
8. Selected Stories, Alice Munro (1996)
9. Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier (1997)
10. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Haruki Murakami (1997)
11. Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer (1997)
12. Blindness, José Saramago (1998)
13. Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (1986-87)
14. Black Water, Joyce Carol Oates (1992)
15. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers (2000)
16. The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood (1986)
17. Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez (1988)
18. Rabbit at Rest, John Updike (1990)
19. On Beauty, Zadie Smith (2005)
20. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding (1998)
21. On Writing, Stephen King (2000)
22. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Díaz (2007)
23. The Ghost Road, Pat Barker (1996)
24. Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry (1985)
25. The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan (1989)
26. Neuromancer, William Gibson (1984)
27. Possession, A.S. Byatt (1990)
28. Naked, David Sedaris (1997)
29. Bel Canto, Anne Patchett (2001)
30. Case Histories, Kate Atkinson (2004)
31. The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien (1990)
32. Parting the Waters, Taylor Branch (1988)
33. The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion (2005)
34. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold (2002)
35. The Line of Beauty, Alan Hollinghurst (2004)
36. Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt (1996)
37. Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi (2003)
38. Birds of America, Lorrie Moore (1998)
39. Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri (2000)
40. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman (1995-2000)
41. The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros (1984)
42. LaBrava, Elmore Leonard (1983)
43. Borrowed Time, Paul Monette (1988)
44. Praying for Sheetrock, Melissa Fay Greene (1991)
45. Eva Luna, Isabel Allende (1988)
46. Sandman, Neil Gaiman (1988-1996)
47. World's Fair, E.L. Doctorow (1985)
48. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver (1998)
49. Clockers, Richard Price (1992)
50. The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen (2001)
51. The Journalist and the Murderer, Janet Malcom (1990)
52. Waiting to Exhale, Terry McMillan (1992)
53. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Michael Chabon (2000)
54. Jimmy Corrigan, Chris Ware (2000)
55. The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls (2006)
56. The Night Manager, John le Carré (1993)
57. The Bonfire of the Vanities, Tom Wolfe (1987)
58. Drop City, TC Boyle (2003)
59. Krik? Krak! Edwidge Danticat (1995)
60. Nickel & Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich (2001)
61. Money, Martin Amis (1985)
62. Last Train To Memphis, Peter Guralnick (1994)
63. Pastoralia, George Saunders (2000)
64. Underworld, Don DeLillo (1997)
65. The Giver, Lois Lowry (1993)
66. A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, David Foster Wallace (1997)
67. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini (2003)
68. Fun Home, Alison Bechdel (2006)
69. Secret History, Donna Tartt (1992)
70. Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell (2004)
71. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Ann Fadiman (1997)
72. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon (2003)
73. A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving (1989)
74. Friday Night Lights, H.G. Bissinger (1990)
75. Cathedral, Raymond Carver (1983)
76. A Sight for Sore Eyes, Ruth Rendell (1998)
77. The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro (1989)
78. Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert (2006)
79. The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell (2000)
80. Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney (1984)
81. Backlash, Susan Faludi (1991)
82. Atonement, Ian McEwan (2002)
83. The Stone Diaries, Carol Shields (1994)
84. Holes, Louis Sachar (1998)
85. Gilead, Marilynne Robinson (2004)
86. And the Band Played On, Randy Shilts (1987)
87. The Ruins, Scott Smith (2006)
88. High Fidelity, Nick Hornby (1995)
89. Close Range, Annie Proulx (1999)
90. Comfort Me With Apples, Ruth Reichl (2001)
91. Random Family, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc (2003)
92. Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow (1987)
93. A Thousand Acres, Jane Smiley (1991)
94. Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser (2001)
95. Kaaterskill Falls, Allegra Goodman (1998)
96. The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown (2003)
97. Jesus’ Son, Denis Johnson (1992)
98. The Predators' Ball, Connie Bruck (1988)
99. Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (1995)
100. America (the Book), Jon Stewart/Daily Show (2004)
The week so far...
This week has been going pretty well, but it's been hard to get back in the swing of things. Especially when I've been trying to develop some new habits.
1) Bring lunch to work - This has been quite easy, since I stocked up on Chef Boyardee, and I'm bringing it to work. Tomorrow will be the day I can go out, only because Jimmy John's is having $1 sandwiches to celebrate their grand opening!
2) Making dinner at home - Ok, so Monday doesn't count in all of these. However, I made french toast and ham for dinner on Tuesday night, and last night was fishsticks and fries. Yum! Tonight is going to be chicken and vegetables. I'm not a big fan of cooking, so this is going to be hard to stick to, but I think I'm doing pretty well.
3) Exercising in some way, shape, or form - Monday was the exercise bike. Tuesday, same thing. Wednesday, exercise bike. Today will be yoga. Tomorrow will be yoga and possibly strength workout. Saturday and Sunday will be strength workout. Woo hoo!!!!
4) Movie watching and library using - definitely doing well on these. I've been reading or watching a movie when on the exercise bike. I love multi-tasking!
This weekend I'm heading to Muskegon. I'm excited to see the dog, since it's been awhile. I miss her. Hopefully, I will also have a post about a new restaurant, Mia & Grace that just opened in Muskegon.
1) Bring lunch to work - This has been quite easy, since I stocked up on Chef Boyardee, and I'm bringing it to work. Tomorrow will be the day I can go out, only because Jimmy John's is having $1 sandwiches to celebrate their grand opening!
2) Making dinner at home - Ok, so Monday doesn't count in all of these. However, I made french toast and ham for dinner on Tuesday night, and last night was fishsticks and fries. Yum! Tonight is going to be chicken and vegetables. I'm not a big fan of cooking, so this is going to be hard to stick to, but I think I'm doing pretty well.
3) Exercising in some way, shape, or form - Monday was the exercise bike. Tuesday, same thing. Wednesday, exercise bike. Today will be yoga. Tomorrow will be yoga and possibly strength workout. Saturday and Sunday will be strength workout. Woo hoo!!!!
4) Movie watching and library using - definitely doing well on these. I've been reading or watching a movie when on the exercise bike. I love multi-tasking!
This weekend I'm heading to Muskegon. I'm excited to see the dog, since it's been awhile. I miss her. Hopefully, I will also have a post about a new restaurant, Mia & Grace that just opened in Muskegon.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
This should be easy enough...
Oh boy - a July Book Challenge!!!
The July Book Blowout!
So far, I have read...
The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie - 1
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein -1
Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk -1
For a total of 3.
The July Book Blowout!
So far, I have read...
The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie - 1
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein -1
Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk -1
For a total of 3.
Back in Michigan!
We got back into Michigan on Sunday, stopped at Cabela's, because we're hardly ever down that way, got some stuff for other people, and then got back on the road. We started getting hungry, and we were near Ann Arbor, so of course I want to stop!
We went on campus to Mr. Spots. Of course, I got the cheeseburger with everything and an order of cheese fries!
Eric got the Philly Cheese Steak.
It's been so long since I have enjoyed Mr. Spots, but it was sooo good.
Sunday, the last day
I was planning on posting this yesterday, but I just got sidetracked with things I had to do. So, here we go.
On Sunday, we got up around 10:30am, check out at the hotel wasn't until noon - awesome! We ended up deciding to go to Westlake, OH, which is a suburb of Cleveland. Eric has spent a lot of time in that area for work, as there is a plant in Avon, right near there. We went to Crocker Park, which was pretty cool. We went to the Borders (of course!), walked around, and ate at Agave Tequileria. We both had the same thing - a beef taco, enchilada with red sauce, and beans and rice. It was alright for me - their salsa was very good though.
We walked around in the Crocker Park area for a bit. They had a cool chess area, and also a lifesize chess game. There were also these cute turtle statues.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Back up plan...
So, we goofed. We wanted to go to Michael Symon's restaurant, Lola Bistro, on Saturday night, and Eric even called there Friday night to get times, but we didn't make a reservation. So, by the time we tried early Saturday afternoon, it just didn't happen.
So, we had to settle for the Sunset Lounge. Yay for sushi!!!! After the large meat eating on Friday night, and standing/walking all day Saturday, it sounded pretty good. Plus, this place looked pretty cool.
Mind you, we went around 6:30pm, and there were THREE other people in the place. After a little digging, it seems that the Warehouse District, where it is located, seems to be a more late night place. That's ok - we didn't have to wait!
I ordered a drink, a Tom Collins, but it didn't seem to have enough sweet and sour mix in it. The decor was very nice, and BLUE. Our waiter was very nice, and even recommended a sushi roll that was the House Specialty, the Lil' Delicious. So, we ordered that, a Philadelphia roll, a Tiger Roll, a Double Dragon Roll, and Yellowtail.
From front to back - Yellowtail, Lil' Delicious (spicy tuna, avocado, lobster, tempura battered and covered with spicy mayo and sweet soy sauce), Philadelphia Roll (no salmon on top), Tiger Roll (smoked salmon, avocado, cream cheese, topped with fresh salmon), and Dragon Roll (eel, avocado, cream cheese, topped with eel and avocado).
We ate it all. The Lil' Delicious was fantastic - I never knew all those flavors would go that well together. All of the sushi was great.
After deciding against a dessert drink, we decided to walk up to E. 4th St. to the House of Blues. We had toyed with going to see D.L. Hughley at Pickwick and Frolic, which is also on E. 4th, but decided to forgo the 10:15pm show. So, we got some souvenirs and dessert at the House of Blues.
First - my warm apple tart. Second - Eric's ice cream cookie sandwich fudge thing.
We walked all the way back to the hotel, and pretty much crashed. It was a long day with lots of walking!!!
So, we had to settle for the Sunset Lounge. Yay for sushi!!!! After the large meat eating on Friday night, and standing/walking all day Saturday, it sounded pretty good. Plus, this place looked pretty cool.
Mind you, we went around 6:30pm, and there were THREE other people in the place. After a little digging, it seems that the Warehouse District, where it is located, seems to be a more late night place. That's ok - we didn't have to wait!
I ordered a drink, a Tom Collins, but it didn't seem to have enough sweet and sour mix in it. The decor was very nice, and BLUE. Our waiter was very nice, and even recommended a sushi roll that was the House Specialty, the Lil' Delicious. So, we ordered that, a Philadelphia roll, a Tiger Roll, a Double Dragon Roll, and Yellowtail.
From front to back - Yellowtail, Lil' Delicious (spicy tuna, avocado, lobster, tempura battered and covered with spicy mayo and sweet soy sauce), Philadelphia Roll (no salmon on top), Tiger Roll (smoked salmon, avocado, cream cheese, topped with fresh salmon), and Dragon Roll (eel, avocado, cream cheese, topped with eel and avocado).
We ate it all. The Lil' Delicious was fantastic - I never knew all those flavors would go that well together. All of the sushi was great.
After deciding against a dessert drink, we decided to walk up to E. 4th St. to the House of Blues. We had toyed with going to see D.L. Hughley at Pickwick and Frolic, which is also on E. 4th, but decided to forgo the 10:15pm show. So, we got some souvenirs and dessert at the House of Blues.
First - my warm apple tart. Second - Eric's ice cream cookie sandwich fudge thing.
We walked all the way back to the hotel, and pretty much crashed. It was a long day with lots of walking!!!
Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame
Next stop in Cleveland was the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, you cannot take pictures of any of the exhibits. Some of the coolest things I got to see were the Beatles original jackets, along with the Help! Exhibit, with things from the movie and the making of the movie. We also saw some very cool clothing and guitars from Queen, The Who, Aerosmith, the cone bustier that Madonna wore on the Blond Ambition tour, the "Eliminator" car, famous from ZZ Top videos; a John Mayer guitar, items from Pink Floyd's The Wall, and I could go on and on...
However, we could take pictures in the lobby area. And I happened to find a couple of awesome things to take pictures of. Such as...
The "Gwen" and "Moby" neon signs used in the "Southside" video collaboration:
The Weezer "W":
And, one of many artist created guitars around town -
We did spend too much money in the gift shop, buying t-shirts for each of us, a t-shirt for one nephew, a sippy cup for the other nephew, a poster, bottle opener...I think that might have been it. But, it was a good time, and I definitely would like to go back someday soon!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Saturday Lunch Round Up
I figured I should type this up, since many people commented on my status re: Chilled Watermelon Soup on Facebook.
Continuing in Cleveland today, Eric and I went to the Tower City Center. We stopped by the Hard Rock Cafe and got t-shirts and a shot glass (yup, we're nerds like that). Then we went to the Ritz Carlton (talk about feeling slightly out of place!) to visit the restaurant, Muse.
We arrived just as lunch was beginning at 11:30am. I was excited to try this place, considering what I've read it about it was pretty good. Plus, it's not every day I get to eat at the Ritz!
I chose the Crab BLT Palette, which comes with soup, a half sandwich, a side, and a small dessert. The sandwich was on Chive Aioli Rosemary Foccacia, and in addition to crab, had applewood smoked bacon, alfalfa sprouts, avocado, and balsamic marinated tomatoes. I loved how these flavors went together, and it was a great sandwich. However, the highlight for me was the soup du jour, Chilled Watermelon.
Now, the waiter was nice enough to bring the garnish out on the side. It was a sriracha chantilly cream, which he described as a "whipped cream with chili sauce". Of course, I tried it, and it worked perfectly with the watermelon soup. There were even chunks of watermelon in the soup.
Continuing in Cleveland today, Eric and I went to the Tower City Center. We stopped by the Hard Rock Cafe and got t-shirts and a shot glass (yup, we're nerds like that). Then we went to the Ritz Carlton (talk about feeling slightly out of place!) to visit the restaurant, Muse.
We arrived just as lunch was beginning at 11:30am. I was excited to try this place, considering what I've read it about it was pretty good. Plus, it's not every day I get to eat at the Ritz!
I chose the Crab BLT Palette, which comes with soup, a half sandwich, a side, and a small dessert. The sandwich was on Chive Aioli Rosemary Foccacia, and in addition to crab, had applewood smoked bacon, alfalfa sprouts, avocado, and balsamic marinated tomatoes. I loved how these flavors went together, and it was a great sandwich. However, the highlight for me was the soup du jour, Chilled Watermelon.
Now, the waiter was nice enough to bring the garnish out on the side. It was a sriracha chantilly cream, which he described as a "whipped cream with chili sauce". Of course, I tried it, and it worked perfectly with the watermelon soup. There were even chunks of watermelon in the soup.
Oh yes, he even brought me a mini-bottle of ketchup for my fries - brand new! I apologize for the bluriness of the picture.
Eric tried the White Asparagus soup, and thought it was delicious. He also had the "Hot Ham and Cheese" Panini. He said it was ok. It also came with root chips, that he liked.
But dessert - ah, sweetness. A tiny cheesecake with whipped cream, fresh raspberries, and a cocoa shaving topping. Just enough to cure a sweet tooth.
But dessert - ah, sweetness. A tiny cheesecake with whipped cream, fresh raspberries, and a cocoa shaving topping. Just enough to cure a sweet tooth.
Friday Night...
Coming to you live from Cleveland, OH!!!
Eric has been spending some time down here for work recently, and we decided to take a weekend trip, with the main reason being to go to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. Our secondary goal is to eat good food. We've been quite successful so far.
Once we got here yesterday, and checked into the hotel, we decided to go to dinner at Brasa Grill. Now, I've heard about these Brazilian steakhouses, where you just get tons of meat. So, we were naturally curious, and I was really excited to eat lots of meat. Our waiter brought us some things to go with the meat, including fried bananas, french fries and polenta, white rice, and a red wine vinegarette.
When we got there, we got right in. It was about 8:30pm, and it was busy, but not super packed. We had a great waiter, who explained to us how things worked, and we drank Evian water. Going up to the salad bar, there were so many good things - green bean salad, fresh asparagus, lots of different salads, bacon wrapped cod, oysters, cocktail shrimp...it was incredible. However, I tried not to eat much of that, since I knew the meat was coming.
Eric has been spending some time down here for work recently, and we decided to take a weekend trip, with the main reason being to go to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. Our secondary goal is to eat good food. We've been quite successful so far.
Once we got here yesterday, and checked into the hotel, we decided to go to dinner at Brasa Grill. Now, I've heard about these Brazilian steakhouses, where you just get tons of meat. So, we were naturally curious, and I was really excited to eat lots of meat. Our waiter brought us some things to go with the meat, including fried bananas, french fries and polenta, white rice, and a red wine vinegarette.
When we got there, we got right in. It was about 8:30pm, and it was busy, but not super packed. We had a great waiter, who explained to us how things worked, and we drank Evian water. Going up to the salad bar, there were so many good things - green bean salad, fresh asparagus, lots of different salads, bacon wrapped cod, oysters, cocktail shrimp...it was incredible. However, I tried not to eat much of that, since I knew the meat was coming.
We started out with chicken legs and pork sausage. The chicken legs were really tasty and tender, and had a great seasoning. Eric really liked the pork sausage. We then received salmon with some type of sauce (sorry, I'm not a huge foodie, so I can't just taste these things). It was ok.
Then the meat really started coming fast and furious. We continued with BACON wrapped turkey and BACON wrapped filet mignon. I loved the bacon wrapped filet. Not so big on the turkey though. Then on to beef ribs, which were tender and good.
Then, my favorite - filet mignon with parmasean. This was to die for. Cooked so it was still red inside, but the flavor was amazing.
To continue on - flank steak, prime rib, lamb, lamb chop (which was really good), smoked ham, and top sirloin (also fantastic). To top it all off, we downed a shot of almond liquer to settle the stomach - and it worked!!! And it was very tasty.
Then we walked back to the hotel. At least I can take some solace in the fact I burned a few calories...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Yoga & Sushi
I went to yoga class for the first time in a couple weeks tonight. My instructor was out of town last week, and I missed the week before because of work.
This Thursday night class that I have started going to was a little harder than ones I've taken previously. I worked up more of a sweat, and I think I was just a little out of practice. I have to say, it was definitely something I needed to go to. I'm really beginning to like the practice, and I'm also starting to learn more about the spiritual side of it.
We did this fantastic pose tonight - Pigeon Pose. I love it. It provided such a good stretch, and I also did the laying down aspect. Ahhhh.
And what yoga class in the evening would be complete without sushi? I popped over to the sushi bar at AI Fusion. I enjoyed some edamame, spicy tuna roll and a Crazy Dragon roll. YUM!!!!
All in all, I'm feeling pretty good!
This Thursday night class that I have started going to was a little harder than ones I've taken previously. I worked up more of a sweat, and I think I was just a little out of practice. I have to say, it was definitely something I needed to go to. I'm really beginning to like the practice, and I'm also starting to learn more about the spiritual side of it.
We did this fantastic pose tonight - Pigeon Pose. I love it. It provided such a good stretch, and I also did the laying down aspect. Ahhhh.
And what yoga class in the evening would be complete without sushi? I popped over to the sushi bar at AI Fusion. I enjoyed some edamame, spicy tuna roll and a Crazy Dragon roll. YUM!!!!
All in all, I'm feeling pretty good!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Life hiatus or I don't think one Hot Pocket is enough for dinner
While I'm digesting my Hot Pocket, I figured I'd write a blog. I'm still determining whether I should have more food for dinner.
During the last week of June, I kept telling my co-workers that my goal was to take most of July off. I think I'm doing well with that. The first week, I worked two days. This week, I worked three days. Next week, I'll be in for four days. Prior to that, it had been quite a long time since I took more than one day off.
In the meantime, I've been really lazy about doing any scrapbooking or jewelry stuff. No more! I fixed a necklace last night, and made a pair of earrings to go with it. Tonight I hope to get around to some scrapbooking. It's also been awhile since I've been to a yoga class, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. I attempted to do a short practice the other night, but I like class.
On the other hand, I've been doing fairly well in watching movies and reading. Which means if I've been doing well at watching movies, I've usually been riding the exercise bike (yay!).
I'm almost thinking to do everything I want to do, I might have to start scheduling myself for some things. I already schedule my yoga class, but unfortunately, life got in the way that last week of June. But I hate to be stuck to doing something...sigh, what a dilemma!
In the meantime, I'm going to have another Hot Pocket, get on the bike and watch "So You Think You Can Dance!"
During the last week of June, I kept telling my co-workers that my goal was to take most of July off. I think I'm doing well with that. The first week, I worked two days. This week, I worked three days. Next week, I'll be in for four days. Prior to that, it had been quite a long time since I took more than one day off.
In the meantime, I've been really lazy about doing any scrapbooking or jewelry stuff. No more! I fixed a necklace last night, and made a pair of earrings to go with it. Tonight I hope to get around to some scrapbooking. It's also been awhile since I've been to a yoga class, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. I attempted to do a short practice the other night, but I like class.
On the other hand, I've been doing fairly well in watching movies and reading. Which means if I've been doing well at watching movies, I've usually been riding the exercise bike (yay!).
I'm almost thinking to do everything I want to do, I might have to start scheduling myself for some things. I already schedule my yoga class, but unfortunately, life got in the way that last week of June. But I hate to be stuck to doing something...sigh, what a dilemma!
In the meantime, I'm going to have another Hot Pocket, get on the bike and watch "So You Think You Can Dance!"
Friday, July 4, 2008
Book list I stole from Sean's blog...
"The Big Read reckons that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed."
1) Bold: Books I have read.
2) Italics: Books I intend to read.
3) Underline: Books I love.
4) Red Text: Books I have no intention of ever reading or was forced to read at school and hated.
5) Reprint this list in your own blog.
1) Bold: Books I have read.
2) Italics: Books I intend to read.
3) Underline: Books I love.
4) Red Text: Books I have no intention of ever reading or was forced to read at school and hated.
5) Reprint this list in your own blog.
1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4. The Harry Potter Series - JK Rowling
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6.The Bible
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell
9. His Dark Materials - Phillip Pullman - I've read The Golden Compass
10. Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12.Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare - Let me explain - I've read MacBeth, Hamlet and some others. Whether I will read the WHOLE Complete works remains to be seen.
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien
17. Birdsong – Sebastian Faulks
18. Catcher in the Rye -JDSalinger
19. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26. Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32. David Copperfield – Charles Dickens
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34. Emma - Jane Austen
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen
36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38. Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47. Far From The Maddening Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49. Lord of the Flies – William Golding
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan
51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52. Dune - Frank Herbert
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57. A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68. Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding
69. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70. Moby Dick – Herman Melville
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74. Notes from a Small Island - Bill Bryson
75. Ulysses - James Joyce
76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78. Germinal - Emile Zola
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80. Possession - AS Byatt
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87. Charlotte's Web - EB White
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90. The Faraway Tree Collection – Enid Blyton
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92. The Little Prince – Antoine de St. Exupery
93. The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams
95. A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole
96. A Town Like Alice – Nevil Shute
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100. Les Miserables – Victor Hugo
Well - This list has showed me that I have read 27 out of these 100 listed. I also learned of some new books to add to my "to be read" list. Um, like I needed any more.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Playlist or Why We Clearly Don't Have the Same Taste in Music!
I've been meaning to do this for a few days, but have been sidetracked. Since I got my iPod back, I've been enjoying such songs as:
1) "Oh Sherrie" by Steve Perry
2) "Volcano Girls" by Veruca Salt
3) "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams
4) "Say it to Me Now" by Glen Hansard
5) "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" by Cake
6) "Delilah" by The Dresden Dolls
7) "No Air" by Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown
8) "Innocent" by Our Lady Peace
9) "Rock DJ" by Robbie Williams
10) "Napoleon" by Ani DiFranco
11) "I Am...I Said" by Neil Diamond
12) "Pork & Beans" by Weezer
This is just a small sampling out of the 3396 songs on my iPod. But, I love having it back!!!!
1) "Oh Sherrie" by Steve Perry
2) "Volcano Girls" by Veruca Salt
3) "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams
4) "Say it to Me Now" by Glen Hansard
5) "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" by Cake
6) "Delilah" by The Dresden Dolls
7) "No Air" by Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown
8) "Innocent" by Our Lady Peace
9) "Rock DJ" by Robbie Williams
10) "Napoleon" by Ani DiFranco
11) "I Am...I Said" by Neil Diamond
12) "Pork & Beans" by Weezer
This is just a small sampling out of the 3396 songs on my iPod. But, I love having it back!!!!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Things that make you go "hmmm"
Normally, news doesn't really rattle me all that much. Then, this story came out today. My heart goes out to the VanderStelt family. Troy and his brother Trent went to my high school, but I didn't know them.
Later in the afternoon, I started thinking about people that act on their rage in unhealthy ways. I realized that every day, me and my co-workers deal with these types of people, and it sort of freaked me out. You never really think that anything like this would happen at work, but how in the world can you prevent it?
Later in the afternoon, I started thinking about people that act on their rage in unhealthy ways. I realized that every day, me and my co-workers deal with these types of people, and it sort of freaked me out. You never really think that anything like this would happen at work, but how in the world can you prevent it?
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