Summer Reading

As I’ve mention before, I’m not great at reading. I mean, I am a good reader; I’m just not a very frequent or dedicated reader. But I do love it. I always look forward to my beach vacation to crank out a few books. Unfortunately though, this year since I started a new job in February, I have no vacation time. So I was at the beach for 2 days. However, I did finish at least 1 book, and thought I’d mention it.

I just finished How Starbucks Saved My Life, by Michael Gates Gill. This had been given to me as a gift for my 28^th birthday (I’m 2 months from 30 now), and had been on my reading pile ever since. It’s not that I wasn’t interested; I’m just slow at chipping through my pile. So, I finally got around to it and I really enjoyed it. Brief synopsis: It’s a memoir about a man who in his 50s is laid off from his high power advertising job, and drifts through the next 10 years, when a chance encounter at a Starbucks store lands him a job.

It’s definitely a book that talks a lot about the corporation of Starbucks and how they run, which I really enjoyed, and a good story about learning to work with all kinds of people. I finished it wanting to A. learn more about MGG and his coworkers, B. wanting to move to NYC, and C. work at Starbucks myself (I’ve twice applied for and been hired there for part time jobs, and then it just didn’t work out. I still think that I would LOVE being a Starbucks employee). Anyway, I recommend this if you like coffee, business, or stories of men finding redemption in their lives when they’re in their 60s.

I’ve actually been doing a lot more reading of late now that I take a lunch break, and have read several good books in the last few months. I’m getting to the point that if I have any downtime, I either have a book in my purse, or I’m sad if I don’t have a book in my purse. J If I ever get my life organized, I’ll tell you about them too.

Next on the pile is a new (2009 I think) Nick Hornby book that I’ve heard nothing about, but I bought it at a rummage sale for $.50 and Nick Hornby hasn’t let me down yet…. I’ll keep you posted.

Welcome Summer!

I realize that it’s a little late to officially welcome summer, we are, after all, half way into it… but on the first day of summer I did celebrate its arrival. It’s just taking me a few weeks to share it with you. This was the 3^rd in the two week time period of gatherings I hosted, and only 2 days after Junesgiving.

I’ve always wanted to host a summer solstice party; you know, celebrate the outdoors and the sunshine on the longest day of the year. I think I first got the idea from Real Simple a few years ago. And unfortunately, it’s just never worked out to do it before. There was always some kind of conflict. So I said “This is the year!” A good friend of mine hosted a winter solstice this past winter and we sat around and enjoyed wines and cheeses in the warmth of her home, and it was great fun. What wouldn’t be even more fun about that to do it outside!!!

So on June 21 I had a small gathering on my deck, where we enjoyed delicious seasonal foods, including guacamole which I made for the first time, and homemade Sangria. The guacamole turned into a bit of an adventure… I bought the avocados that Friday since I knew I’d be away all weekend, and when I got them out on Monday to use for the guac they were rotten. So, at 6:15 I had to run to giant, get home, and have food ready for guests to arrive at 7:30. It was a bit rushed, but it worked out well, and was quite delicious. Thought I did manage to get avocado in my hair and cut my hand….

We sat on the deck and enjoyed the summer weather, the snacks, and the conversation (though not really the music I had prepared because with the highway only about 20 yards away it was a lost cause) .

I used an Ina Garten recipe for the guac, and a Bobby Flay recipe for the Sangria. It was kind of a thick guacomole, you were just supposed to mix it with a fork, but I really enjoyed it. I managed to not take a picture of the sangria, which was not only delicious, but I think got an A+ for presentation.

I really enjoyed welcoming summer with seasonal foods and friends, and hope to do it again!

Flashback Friday

I feel that it is time again to share what gems from the 90s are getting me through me week…

Donna Lewis: I love you always forever (1996)

I really loved this song. It was one of those that the lyrics were fast and strung together and it was great fun to sing along to. So much so that I taped it off the radio and put it on a mixed tape. Remember taping things off of the radio? Man, those were the days. It was the only way to get a single. Well, except to buy a single tape at the store, but who did that…. Listening to this song will always make me think of my junior year of high school cruising around in Clifford (my big red jeep). I’m pretty sure that I still have the tape as well.

Ugly Kid Joe: (I hate) Everything About You (1992)

Oh my, Ugly Kid Joe. A dumb name for a band that I really enjoyed back in ’92. Well, I didn’t really like the band, but I really liked this single. And it got a LOT of airplay. For those who are wondering, a quick wiki search told me that while they broke up in 1997, in May 2010 they announced via their my space page that they’re going to do a reunion tour. I probably won’t go.

The Mighty Mighty Boss Tones: The Impression that I get (1997)

Who did NOT love Ska music? Certainly not me! And those late nineties were the years. While I never got super in to TMMBT and I stuck more with my Christian ska bands, this song was everywhere. This song immediately took me back to 1997 and the rebel that I thought I was for liking ska and punk. Makes me want to skank a little.

I don’t know if anyone else is enjoy my trips back to the 90s, but I sure am!

A Junesgiving Feast

So just 2 weeks after the Friends party I hosted (hosted is the key word here, not prepared) Junesgiving. A friend in my small group was given a coupon for a free turkey for Christmas from her work, and had to use it by May 31. So, she thought, why not share it?! Funny thing about buying a butterball in June (her coupon was only good for that brand)- they don’t stock a whole lot. So we had a 21 lb turkey. All the more people to invite!!

I offered to host because I have the most space out of the friends in my group, and we all invited a few extra people (totaling 15 I think). Each of us in the group volunteered a thanksgiving staple, and we came together and shared (just like the first thanksgiving!!). It was delicious and fun, and we all agreed that it was a great meal- which I think sometimes is hard to do with something like Thanksgiving, when everyone has their own way of preparing things. And we all got a week’s worth of leftovers. SOOOO Delicious!!!

got out the fancy blue goblets for this occasion!

This meal could not have been possible without Julie, who not only got the turkey, but spent the day at my house preparing it even though I had to work a wedding that day. So when I got home at 5:00 my house was already smelling like thanksgiving!!!

One thing we did realize in this process: There is a reason that these meals are done in the winter. It was in the mid 90s last weekend and I can tell you that the AC cannot keep up when it’s 95 degrees outside and you’re running the stove and oven inside for about 8 hours…..

here is Julie and her bf Ryan, she's doing dishes and he's carving for us (using the electric knife my mom gave me as a gift in like 2002. this was the first time it's ever been used...)

I decided to get a little Sandra Lee and decorate my tablescapes as best I could with the fact that it was June and I had spent the entire Saturday at work. But I think the pumpkins add a little something, no?

Other highlights of the night included my awesome friends who helped to clean up after nearly everyone was gone, and especially Joe and Marlayna, my roommate and his gf, who cleaned up the ENTIRE kitchen (including dishes, pots and pans, and even putting the tables away) while I was at church the next morning! It was an amazing blessing and surprise to come home to a house where all I had to do was put a few things away and mop up the floors. Which made for a better day considering I rushed immediately to my Father’s Day celebration and was hosting people again the next night (post forthcoming on the final entertaining of late).

Thomas and Steve working on the dishes! So thankful!

Billy resting after the Junesgiving haze... Everyone was a little disappointed that there was no football to watch- they said it wasn't the same. They compensated by watching the US Open. Golf just isn't the same as football though.

After all of this, I am thankful for good food, a house full of guests, and the community that we shared together. And why not be just as Thankful in June for these things as we are in November!!!