What I've been up to

(Format liberally borrowed from Janet, who borrowed it from Not Martha)

Reading

The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan.  Although it took me a good month (or three) to get past the first fifty pages about corncorncorn, I am now simultaneously enthralled and horrified.  Did you know cows aren't naturally adapted to eat corn?  Did you know that many organic free-range chickens only have access to a tiny yard outside their shed during the last two weeks of their lives, and by that time they're so used to being indoors that they're too scared to venture out of their shed?  DID YOU?   DID YOU KNOW THAT?  Because I sure didn't.  But if you've been anywhere near me during the past couple of days, I probably told you all about it.  And yes, I do realize I am about two years late on the bandwagon here, what's your point?

Eating

I need to bring three side dishes to a fancy bridal shower in June, and RA helpfully shared two of her tried-and-true recipes for me to practice with.  I had a moment of panic when I realized I wasn't sure exactly what a clove of garlic was (Hey Joel?  How much is a clove of garlic?  Is it the whole thing?  I think it's the whole thing because the directions said to peel it, but that sure seems like a lot of garlic.  But I already put it all in, so I hope that a clove means the whole thing.), and Rachel Ray is smoking some serious crack if she really thinks this recipe can be done from start to finish in 15 minutes (it took me 15 minutes just to peel the clove of garlic), but the salad was delicious.  Bonus points: I made it with spinach I picked up at the local farmer's market!

Watching

The first two installments of the Indiana Jones Trilogy.   Can you believe I've never seen them?   Neither can I.   We're working hard to rectify that before the new one comes out in theaters. 

Oh, and I am also still watching Moonlight, and I'd like you all to know that I actually think that this show is getting better.  Seriously!  It's not like it could have gotten any worse, but hey: progress is progress.

Meeting

Laurel, from Sass Attack!  I had to attend a meeting in NYC for work, and I asked Laurel if she'd like to meet up for drinks before my meeting on Thursday night.  And she said yes!  And I actually found the bar she suggested!  That deserves many, many exclamation points!!!  We had a fabulous time, if I do say so myself.  Can we do it again soon?  Like, tomorrow?  Or how about right now? 

Shopping

With my momma.  After my meeting in NYC, I spent the rest of the weekend in NJ.  Since it was pouring rain on Friday, we went shopping.  I'm proud to report that we came away with an outfit for my mom to wear to an upcoming party AND two pairs of great, non-low rise, jeans.  I also introduced my mom both Ann Taylor franchises, and while she didn't buy anything there, I ended up taking home more than enough for both of us.   Hello, new shoes!

Listening

To that Jordin Sparks "No Air" song.  I have never watched American Idol, but I do love me some Jordin Sparks.  Almost as much as Kelly Clarkson.   

Loving

How much my kitties missed us while we were away for the weekend.  Having a snuggly cat nestled uncomfortably in your armpit all night is almost as nice as sleeping in blissful silence for two nights in a row at your mom's house.  Almost.  Apparently the key to raising loving and obedient pets is to abandon them for the weekend on a regular basis.

Wondering

If I should make plans for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, or if it would be more fun to hole up at home for the entire three-day break.  Thoughts?

Comments

[Audrey]

I hate to break it to you, but a clove of garlic is one piece of the "whole thing," the whole thing being a bulb. But if the salad was delicious, then what the hell -- bring on the garlic!

I love your new shoes.

[Erin]

Love the shoes!

I've got Omnivore's Dilemma on my reading list for the summer. I've heard many good things about it!

[RA]

Sling-back, patent leather pumps! Hello, lady! It's like you're classy or something! Heh.

Also, we have discussed this, but Rachael Ray's time estimates are a bunch of hooey. Just throw 'em out the window and feel no guilt.

[Wickedly Scarlett]

Oh wow, so wait, did you use all of the little pieces of garlic that break off from the big lump? (Do you like my highly technical terms?) That is a LOT of garlic--but hey, in my kitchen, there's no such thing as too much garlic ;)

And I've watched Ghost Whisperer religiously for 3 years, so I am so not judging you for Moonlight...

[janet]

I'm a huge fan of Michael Pollan. Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much!

Also, I vote for holing up at home for Mem day. That's what I'm doing!

[Julie]

I am so looking forward to staying at home and sleeping all weekend.

I think I will take Friday off too.

[Laurel]

I am holing up for the three-day weekend. (Opted not to camp.) I'm pretty excited about it and plan to move some embarrassing movies to the top of our Netflix queue in preparation.

Also, Omnivore's Dilemma was awesome, right? I can't say I've made MAJOR changes to my diet like I should, but I think I've cut WAY back in my consumption of HFCS. Which is a start, right?

And, I wish we were having drinks again soon, too!

[Mary]

Oh, I hope you only used a clove and not the whole head of garlic. Oh well, just bring some mints!

[Celia]

I couldn't get through the Omnivores Dilemma. After reading about all the horrible things they do to food I got freaked out about everything I was putting in my body. Maybe I'll have to give it another chance.
Love the shoes!

[Kassie]

I don't think I bought that many pairs of shoes last year. You've just given me permission to shop more.

[HollowSquirrel]

I couldn't make it past the part of the post where you admit to not seeing any of the Indian Jones movies. My mind melted. I had to take a few days to recoup, and now I'm here to say "WHAT?" How does that happen in this day and age?

I'm happy to hear you're remedying the situation.