The Girl Who Chased the Moon

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen is one part Alice Hoffman lite and one part magical realism. A bit overwritten at times, it was a mildly enjoyable story that gave me a hankering for barbeque and hummingbird cake. It wasn't until I finished the story that I realized that, while it wasn't really my cup of tea, it was a pretty good YA novel. 48/100

Today I’m grateful for air conditioning, healthy role models, seeing the wild bunnies in my neighborhood, Trader Joe’s, garage sales, and being able to grow where I am planted.

The Wedding Machine

I picked up The Wedding Machine by Beth Webb at the used bookstore and wouldn't have finished this book but I was home with a bug. Imagine a humorless Steel Magnolias but more religious, dipped in saccharine, and took place in South Carolina. 47/100

CSA Box = Good Eats

Been wondering what comes in my CSA box? Well, wonder no more! My Heart's Desire and I get a half share. We paid for it up front, so each week costs around $14.

Pictured is this week's bounty: peaches, cucumbers (regular and kirby), corn (picked that morning!), potatoes, tomatoes, and blueberries.

One of my favorite things about my CSA is that every week there are choices. First, I fill up a basket with veggies (so I can skip the things we won't eat), then pick a salad-y veggie (salad lettuces, spinach, scallions, cabbage), and finish off with a berry (right now the choices are strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries).

Tonight I made an appetizer with tomato slices, chopped basil from our front window, mozzarella cheese, drizzled the whole thing with balsamic vinegar and topped it off with freshly ground sea salt. My Heart's Desire grilled burgers (veggie for me) with corn on the cob (boiled, then grilled with butter and herbs), and asparagus. I roasted the potatoes and it was all delish.

The One That I Want

I was really excited to read The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch. I really liked her previous books, including Time of My Life (read my review here).

It was more than similar to Time of My Life, it was almost the same. Everything that I found so endearing and original in the previous book, just followed the same formula in The One That I Want. The plot pacing, precious but flawed characters, the surprise (though is it really a surprise when you're waiting for it?), the big reveal, and the growth in this book just felt like... formula. 46/100

Last night's dinner is even better today

Last night's dinner is today's yummy lunch. I took last night's leftover pasta with marinara and added a handful of chopped spinach, some crumbled goat cheese, a spoonful of pine nuts, and topped it with Parmesan. Perfect!

Women In Trouble

Run, do not walk, to get your hands on Women In Trouble. The movie is an ensemble piece about 10 different women that takes place in one day in Los Angeles. I loved it! My Heart's Desire really enjoyed it as well. Don't watch any previews, just add to the top of your Netflix queue.

Prayers for Sale

Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas is one of the books I picked up after the Snowpocalypse. The story is about post-Civil War pioneer women in the Colorado mountains -- I wanted to like it, really, I did. Brave women, quilts, homespun storytelling, baking, I was ready to like it. This book reads like a Reader's Digest version of a good book. Where that good book is, however, I don't know. 45/100

Me of Little Faith

I listened to Me of Little Faith by comedian Lewis Black and found it amusing, funny, random, and rambling. Some of the essays are more right on than others, and I was surprised at some of his experiences, though the old act he included I didn't like. It's probably just as enjoyable to read if you don't like being yelled at. 44/100

Today I am grateful for doing un-fun grownup chores, summer is here, unexpected free time, air-conditioning at home, work, and in the car, being of service, looking forward to family visits this summer, being prepared, that my journey led me here, women with grace and dignity who are doing things I want to do, summer produce (I love it!), the glory of nature in bloom, lovable pets, learning from books, and ice-cold drinks.

Furiously Walking

On Saturday morning I participated in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® with Allison, a colleague/friend. The other members of Furiously Walking couldn't make it, due to a plumbing emergency and a bridal shower (she was the bride!).

My fundraising goal was $500 and I exceeded it! All of my donors rocked, and I wrote their names on my bib. On race morning I had $510 and I received two donations after the race, raising my total to $560. Altogether, Furiously Walking raised $615. While fundraising, I was touched by how many people have been affected by breast cancer. Every dollar donated made a difference to fight breast cancer. The event raised more than $4.5 million to fund breast cancer programs for women in need throughout the National Capital Area and abroad.

I met Allison at the Bethesda Metro at 7:15am, and it was standing room only, mostly filled with other race participants. When we got to the Mall, it was a sea of pink as far as the eye could see. More than 40,000 people were there! Many of the groups had humorous names, like Walkers for Knockers, Save the Tatas, and Bosom Buddies. Along the route were the "I Am The Cure" cheerleaders, with contagious enthusiasm.

The sheer number of breast cancer survivors, wearing pink shirts and bibs, was really overwhelming. So many women - grandmothers, mothers, wives, sisters, and friends of all ages all wearing pink. The survivors also got a special medal when they crossed the finish line.

We took this photo after about two hours of walking in the heat. The race was more emotional than I expected and I am really glad we did it!

Native Tongue

How do I know summer is really here? Because I just finished Native Tongue by Carl Hiaasen. With his books, you know exactly what you are going to get: Florida corruption, environmentalism, gangsters, dark humor, shady businessmen, tourists, and an enjoyable ride. 43/100

The Confessions of Max Tivoli

The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer is a novel about a man who ages backwards. Interesting story, good writing but just an okay book. 42/100

Fingersmith

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is a Victorian crime novel with many twists and turns, interesting characters and racier than I expected. It's a good, long book that had me turning pages to see what was going to happen next. 41/100

Today I am grateful for: my hydrangea, which keeps blooming, getting plenty of sleep, AM Yoga, not having to be right, seeing my mentees grow, super-speedy utility repairs, air conditioning, being a nonsmoker, fun plans this weekend, Sarah Vaughan's I've Got The World On A String, my CSA starts this weekend, Nutella, flexible spending, things to look forward to, and friends and family near and far.

2010 Goals: May Progress

I set specific 2010 goals so here's an update on my May progress.

Read/Write/Blog
1. I read 7 books this month, raising my yearly total to 40. Summer is here and I'm planning on spending some quality time on my deck with good books and tall glasses of iced tea.

2. I didn't meet with my writing group this month. We have met three times this year so far, which is great! Goal: Achieved.

3. Submit... Ugh. I actually went into my submissions spreadsheet and found that the things I submitted last year are not on it, so I need to figure out if I just forgot or have another version somewhere.

4. Yes, I have been blogging regularly. This is my 91st post of the year, so I am ahead of schedule for 200 blog posts this year.

Healthy
5. Participate in two races. I participated in a second race, Girls on the Run 5K. It was super fun. I came in a little faster than the Earth Day 5K and received a finisher's medal! Part of my goal was to raise money for a worthy cause. I put together Furiously Walking, a walking team to participate in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® in the 5K walk on June 5, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and have met my goal of raising $500! Thank you to all who helped make a difference!

6. I exceeded my goal of eating vegetarian meals 90% of the time by eating veggie 97% of the time. I found that being prepared was really helpful. And the grocery store had my favorite Amy's paneer meals on sale, which made for easy work lunches. I tried some new dishes as well. Oven-baked fries were a big hit and I've made them several times. The recipe is really easy, though I add 10 mins to each side and double the garlic. Healthier than restaurant fries and really tasty. Cut into smaller squares with onions and fresh chives, they double as my brunch potatoes. I've been on a frittata kick as well, the spring and the Greek have made several visits to my table.

I also made Jamaican style Black Bean and Coconut Cornbread Bake (from Vegetarian Times) and it was so spicy that even sour cream and shredded cheese couldn't cool it down. My Heart's Desire was braver than me, he had it for dinner, while I gave up and made a PB&J.

Fun & Friends
7. This month I tried a couple of new restaurants – once with My Heart's Desire and twice with some friends. We went out to a fancy dinner that was expensive but not our favorite.

8. Seeing friends. This month I saw friends more than once a week. This month I met friends for a mani-pedi, brunch, lunch, dinner, entertained at my house, and saw My Heart's Desire's favorite lounge singer. Now that the weather's nice it's fun to be outside more.

9. My Heart's Desire and I had fun this month. We went to a butterfly exhibit at a living museum on opening day that was interactive and a new experience for both of us. We also went to the movies and saw Date Night. It was just okay.

10. Photo taken of My Heart's Desire and I? Sigh.