I've watched commercial after commercial of the picture-perfect family sitting around the Thanksgiving table and honestly I look at that like it's just a figment of the director's imagination. When it came to my family of origin, I never had a holiday like that. Not one. It was always, always crazy and chaotic. Yo, Tracy. Girlfriend. Count yourself in on one major blessing right now. You are one fortunate woman. But I'm sure you know that already. You are such a sweetheart.
Now, I don't want to make this post a tell-all on my wacky family, but I can't resist giving a few hints as to the level of our family dysfunction. Never did we sit down for Thanksgiving dinner before 9:00 p.m., and never was it to a home-cooked meal. On the contrary the food was ALWAYS pre-ordered from the club we belonged to. And by that time of night my mother, God rest her beautiful soul, had inevitably had a few too many. (She grew up in the Golden Age of Cinema as a Hollywood actress when martinis and cigarettes came with the job). Once we'd finally sit down at the elegant table adorned with my grandmother's antique linen table cloth, fine china and sterling flatware, and upon discovery that the turkey was as dry as a bone from the extra hours it spent in the warming drawer, and that there wasn't enough gravy to go on the turkey AND the mashed potatoes, my poor mother yells - well screams, "THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PEACEFUL THANKSGIVIIIIIIING."
Years of therapy later, here I am a Novel Girl.
I will say this about dysfunction. Dysfunction=Conflict=Great Writing Material. So that leads me to the chief reason I'm thankful for 2009. My dream came true after a very long fourteen years. I am finally a published author! I have no idea what 2010 will bring but I'm pretty sure it will hold its share of ups and downs. This past year brought my highest high and unfortunately my lowest low. But I thank God for His sovereignty and for the life of a beautiful young man. My family has hope in knowing that Josiah David Berger is alive in Heaven and waiting to someday welcome my boys and me to his eternal home. Here's to you, Josiah. Never did you miss a chance to encourage me over the years while writing Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter and I'm so thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving Eve everyone!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
I Will Be Thankful If My Son Sleeps At All This Weekend
I completely concur with Tracy. Thanksgiving was, like, two months ago, right? Sigh. It's hard to believe that at this time last year, I was still waiting for A Bump in the Road to come out and for my agent's notes on Not Ready for Mom Jeans. In fact, it's strange to think that none of us Novel Girls had a book out yet. And now we're all embroiled in the fun balancing act that comes with promoting one book, writing another, copyediting a third, and so on.
This year for Thanksgiving, my husband and I are packing up the old Ford Explorer and hauling our two-year-old and dog down to Cincinnati, Ohio to visit the inlaws. I've been looking forward to the 24/7 help with childcare, I must admit. (Although I'd be much more excited if my son hadn't recently learned how to get out of a pack-and-play, which should make those four days pretty...sleepless.)
Thanksgiving is late this year, so it feels strange to celebrate it and then have it be December the following week. Not to be delayed, all of the stores around here have already put all of their Christmas decorations and presents out. And our local radio station has already started playing Christmas music 24/7. I'm loving it now, although ask me in two weeks if my ears are bleeding from hearing Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" eleventy billion times.
And since I just turned in my acknowledgements and dedication for Mom Jeans, I'm in a thankful mood. So here is a brief list of things that, in 2009, I am thankful for:
1. Writing full-time: A true blessing in disguise, the ability to not split my focus between writing, a day job and my toddler has been the most wonderful gift. Whenever things are a bit difficult, like when my son won't take a nap or has a meltdown in a public place, I remind myself that everyday, I get to do things that I love--spend time with my family and my writing. And that, my friends, is worth a little public embarrassment.
2. My family and friends: If nothing else, holidays and social outings always provide me with good book material and tons of laughs. Their love and support always keeps me laughing and confident.
3. My fellow writers: This past year has been an orientation into the writing world, and I couldn't have done it without the support and camaraderie of my fellow writers, especially The Novel Girls! Writing is fun, publishing is not always. It's so great to have a support system of people who truly "get it."
Now, I could go into a list of things I am NOT thankful for, like the Chicago Bears football team this year, but we'll just end on a positive note, OK?
This year for Thanksgiving, my husband and I are packing up the old Ford Explorer and hauling our two-year-old and dog down to Cincinnati, Ohio to visit the inlaws. I've been looking forward to the 24/7 help with childcare, I must admit. (Although I'd be much more excited if my son hadn't recently learned how to get out of a pack-and-play, which should make those four days pretty...sleepless.)
Thanksgiving is late this year, so it feels strange to celebrate it and then have it be December the following week. Not to be delayed, all of the stores around here have already put all of their Christmas decorations and presents out. And our local radio station has already started playing Christmas music 24/7. I'm loving it now, although ask me in two weeks if my ears are bleeding from hearing Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" eleventy billion times.
And since I just turned in my acknowledgements and dedication for Mom Jeans, I'm in a thankful mood. So here is a brief list of things that, in 2009, I am thankful for:
1. Writing full-time: A true blessing in disguise, the ability to not split my focus between writing, a day job and my toddler has been the most wonderful gift. Whenever things are a bit difficult, like when my son won't take a nap or has a meltdown in a public place, I remind myself that everyday, I get to do things that I love--spend time with my family and my writing. And that, my friends, is worth a little public embarrassment.
2. My family and friends: If nothing else, holidays and social outings always provide me with good book material and tons of laughs. Their love and support always keeps me laughing and confident.
3. My fellow writers: This past year has been an orientation into the writing world, and I couldn't have done it without the support and camaraderie of my fellow writers, especially The Novel Girls! Writing is fun, publishing is not always. It's so great to have a support system of people who truly "get it."
Now, I could go into a list of things I am NOT thankful for, like the Chicago Bears football team this year, but we'll just end on a positive note, OK?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Turkey Time x Two
So, we're nearly to another Thanksgiving. Didn't we just celebrate Thanksgiving like yesterday? It sure seems that way!
When I was growing up, Thanksgiving was always at our house. The activity would actually start earlier in the week. My mom would cover our dining room table with slices of bread, so they'd stale in time to make the dressing. Then, the night before, we'd tear up the bread into chunks, bake a few pies, and do any other prep work my mother could think of.
And then, on Thanksgiving morning, I'd wake up to the smell of turkey roasting. That's because my mother would get up at the crack of dawn to get the turky into the oven, so it would be ready for an early afternoon dinner. Man, I loved waking up and smelling that turkey.
The rest of the morning was filled with tasks like peeling potatoes, cutting vegetables, and setting out treats (like pumpkin bread) for people to munch on while waiting for the actual dinner. Family would start pouring in late morning, and our house would almost burst from the amount of people.
It was noisy, crowded, and fun. Oh so fun. I loved every minute of it.
Things are different now. Some years, I host Thanksgiving. Other years, my parents still do. This year, we're doing both. Yeah, I know...crazy, huh? But my parents are having Thanksgiving on Thursday, and I'm hosting a second Thanksgiving on Friday. This sort of happened on accident. You see, I planned on having the turkey get-together this year, and went about setting everything up and making certain purchases (like, you know, a turkey). And then, just a few days ago, my mom announced that they were going to have the full dinner at their house.
So this year, we're having two. And I'm okay with that. Kind of. Other than all the cooking I wouldn't have had to do if I'd known earlier, that is.
Besides which, my gathering will be a lot smaller now, which means it will be much more relaxing than normal. So there's the silver lining!
How about you? How are you spending your Thanksgiving this year?
For a little Thanksgiving fun, check out the Turkey Fling game. It's weirdly addictive...
When I was growing up, Thanksgiving was always at our house. The activity would actually start earlier in the week. My mom would cover our dining room table with slices of bread, so they'd stale in time to make the dressing. Then, the night before, we'd tear up the bread into chunks, bake a few pies, and do any other prep work my mother could think of.
And then, on Thanksgiving morning, I'd wake up to the smell of turkey roasting. That's because my mother would get up at the crack of dawn to get the turky into the oven, so it would be ready for an early afternoon dinner. Man, I loved waking up and smelling that turkey.
The rest of the morning was filled with tasks like peeling potatoes, cutting vegetables, and setting out treats (like pumpkin bread) for people to munch on while waiting for the actual dinner. Family would start pouring in late morning, and our house would almost burst from the amount of people.
It was noisy, crowded, and fun. Oh so fun. I loved every minute of it.
Things are different now. Some years, I host Thanksgiving. Other years, my parents still do. This year, we're doing both. Yeah, I know...crazy, huh? But my parents are having Thanksgiving on Thursday, and I'm hosting a second Thanksgiving on Friday. This sort of happened on accident. You see, I planned on having the turkey get-together this year, and went about setting everything up and making certain purchases (like, you know, a turkey). And then, just a few days ago, my mom announced that they were going to have the full dinner at their house.
So this year, we're having two. And I'm okay with that. Kind of. Other than all the cooking I wouldn't have had to do if I'd known earlier, that is.
Besides which, my gathering will be a lot smaller now, which means it will be much more relaxing than normal. So there's the silver lining!
How about you? How are you spending your Thanksgiving this year?
For a little Thanksgiving fun, check out the Turkey Fling game. It's weirdly addictive...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
What makes a meal?
Yeah... I just ordered a pizza.
I'm neck deep in the home stretch on book 3 - yes I know I'm mixing metaphors. Quiet you. I'm also dog-tired from a full day of recording for the audio book version of DARKLIGHT yesterday with another full day in the studio tomorrow.
As far as food goes these days, pretty much anything I have time for - and somebody makes for me - is awesome. That somebody, of course, is usually John. But on the occasions when we do eat out, and eat out somewhere other than the place up the street, I do have a few faves. I'll tell you about two of them that, really know how to "make" a meal.
There is a steakhouse in town called Tom Jones. It is absolutely Old School. It's been around forever and the piano bar looks like it could have been a shooting location for Ocean's Eleven. The original one. This place has career waiters and - if you have ever experienced really high quality wait-staff service, you'll know what I mean when I say that they make all the difference in the world. These guys make the meal. They also, not coincidentally, make the salad. Ahhhh... the table-side caesar salad. I can taste the garlic just typing this. They will remember, for instance, even if I haven't been there in months, that I usually like a glass of Pinot Grigio before dinner. And seriously. I don't go there that often. That makes a meal.
Another place I'm ford of is the The Stonegrill on Winchester. These guys don't make your meal. They don't cook for you. Rather, they bring you your food uncooked, on a lava rock platter heated to - I dunno - a billion degrees, and they tell you to cook it. Just the way you like it. It is awesome. The ingredients are simple and straightforward - slab of meat, hot rock - and of exceptional quality. And you control the cooking time. It's delicious. And, of course there's that element of danger! And, in this case, that makes the meal.
And now I'm hungry. Where's my pizza?!??
I'm neck deep in the home stretch on book 3 - yes I know I'm mixing metaphors. Quiet you. I'm also dog-tired from a full day of recording for the audio book version of DARKLIGHT yesterday with another full day in the studio tomorrow.
As far as food goes these days, pretty much anything I have time for - and somebody makes for me - is awesome. That somebody, of course, is usually John. But on the occasions when we do eat out, and eat out somewhere other than the place up the street, I do have a few faves. I'll tell you about two of them that, really know how to "make" a meal.
There is a steakhouse in town called Tom Jones. It is absolutely Old School. It's been around forever and the piano bar looks like it could have been a shooting location for Ocean's Eleven. The original one. This place has career waiters and - if you have ever experienced really high quality wait-staff service, you'll know what I mean when I say that they make all the difference in the world. These guys make the meal. They also, not coincidentally, make the salad. Ahhhh... the table-side caesar salad. I can taste the garlic just typing this. They will remember, for instance, even if I haven't been there in months, that I usually like a glass of Pinot Grigio before dinner. And seriously. I don't go there that often. That makes a meal.
Another place I'm ford of is the The Stonegrill on Winchester. These guys don't make your meal. They don't cook for you. Rather, they bring you your food uncooked, on a lava rock platter heated to - I dunno - a billion degrees, and they tell you to cook it. Just the way you like it. It is awesome. The ingredients are simple and straightforward - slab of meat, hot rock - and of exceptional quality. And you control the cooking time. It's delicious. And, of course there's that element of danger! And, in this case, that makes the meal.
And now I'm hungry. Where's my pizza?!??
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Good Eats
I’ve blogged before about my obsession with healthy foods, so the places I eat at most often are places that have healthy things. Okay, call me strange, but there’s nothing I like more than going to a restaurant and ordering an amazing salad – mainly because there’s so much work/cleaning up that goes into making one at home. My favorite salad place is Chopped – not only can you get basically any ingredient under the sun put in your salad, but also it’s a super-fast order at the counter kind of place, which is great for bringing little kids with you, which I always do. I also love Sauce, which has amazing flatbread pizzas, wine, and great salads, and a nice outside seating area that’s perfect for Arizona winters.
But I don’t always eat healthy when I go out, of course! On the rare occasions I get to go out alone with my husband, I like going to The Melting Pot. I love the fondue, and especially the dessert fondue. Plus I love the dark, romantic atmosphere for an evening without kids. (Although, no matter what my husband and I do, somehow whenever we get a night out to ourselves there always ends up being a screaming child at the table behind us.)
I also love Mexican & southwestern food, and Blanco has a good combination plus the best fresh squeezed margaritas I’ve ever had. (The pomegranate grapefruit is amazing!).
And my favorite reminds-me-of-my-roots restaurant is Frankie’s Philadelphia Cheesesteaks. Everyone who grows up in Philadelphia knows that you can’t get a real cheesesteak anywhere outside of Philly. But I think Frankie’s is the exception. In fact, I had a cheesesteak the last time I went back to Philly to visit my parents, and decided that Frankie’s is actually better.
I love eating out, but these days, I’m much more a fan of take-out and cooking at home than I used to be in my pre-kid days. Half the time when we decide to go out now, my husband and I try to think of the quickest and/or loudest option. Because, yeah not having to clean up or cook is great, but trying to keep a toddler from jumping out of his high chair/letting out high-pitched screams/throwing crayons makes restaurants seem not quite as fun as they used to.
But I don’t always eat healthy when I go out, of course! On the rare occasions I get to go out alone with my husband, I like going to The Melting Pot. I love the fondue, and especially the dessert fondue. Plus I love the dark, romantic atmosphere for an evening without kids. (Although, no matter what my husband and I do, somehow whenever we get a night out to ourselves there always ends up being a screaming child at the table behind us.)
I also love Mexican & southwestern food, and Blanco has a good combination plus the best fresh squeezed margaritas I’ve ever had. (The pomegranate grapefruit is amazing!).
And my favorite reminds-me-of-my-roots restaurant is Frankie’s Philadelphia Cheesesteaks. Everyone who grows up in Philadelphia knows that you can’t get a real cheesesteak anywhere outside of Philly. But I think Frankie’s is the exception. In fact, I had a cheesesteak the last time I went back to Philly to visit my parents, and decided that Frankie’s is actually better.
I love eating out, but these days, I’m much more a fan of take-out and cooking at home than I used to be in my pre-kid days. Half the time when we decide to go out now, my husband and I try to think of the quickest and/or loudest option. Because, yeah not having to clean up or cook is great, but trying to keep a toddler from jumping out of his high chair/letting out high-pitched screams/throwing crayons makes restaurants seem not quite as fun as they used to.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tickle My Tastebuds
Since I eat out at more restaurants than I care to admit, picking just one that I love is nearly impossible. I love to eat out for all kinds of reasons but the chief reason is that eating out means I don't have to clean my kitchen. There. I've said it. I hate cleaning my kitchen.
But my ineptness at housework is not what we're discussing here.
Crab legs are my favorite food. And land-locked Tennessee is not the primo place to find them - let me tell you. So there is really nowhere in Nashville that I'm excited about eating crab legs. :-( Now take me to Florida and I'll stuff my face till I'm sick. One of my favorite places to dine is Bud and Alley's in Seaside, Florida. I've only tasted their crab cakes (for which they are infamous) and I thought I had reached an early nirvanna.
www.budandalleys.com
Check them out. You'll see what I mean. And if you've never been to Seaside, Florida - OMG, you have just been told about a little slice of heaven and one of the best kept secrets on the entire Florida Gulf Coast. It's 7 hours due south of Nashville and I had the good fortune of having a book signing at Sundog Books, smack dab in the middle of town.
www.sundogbooks.com
They have one of the most amazing bookstores I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. Linda and her staff are amazing. Please tell her I sent you next time you're there!
But if I had to choose just one favorite restaurant I think my all-time-favorite is the Hula Grill in Hawaii. They have one on Waikiki Beach and one on Kaanapali Beach in Maui.
www.hulagrill.com
FAB-U-LOUS is all I can say. Imagine a tropical breeze blowing through your hair, cooling your sunburned skin, as you gaze out onto the most luscious sunset you've ever feasted your eyes upon. The decor is an old Hawaiian plantation home with old fans lazily moving with the tradewinds. The food is to die for but then again seafood is the kind of food that tickles my taste buds.
I've got one problem with the Hula Grill. Every time I think about it I start salivating. Inevitably that drooling turns into starvation - like right now - and I feel the need to run up to the seafood market and settle for a poor substitute. I'm just praying that one day I'll find my way back to the Hula Grill, but for now I'll just have to be happy with my HG tee-shirt.
By the way, if any of our NG Followers live in Dallas I'll be at the Chi Omega Christmas Market at the Dallas Convention Center tonight as well as in the morning. I'd love to meet you so please stop by the Barnes and Noble booth! www.chiomegaxmas.org
But my ineptness at housework is not what we're discussing here.
Crab legs are my favorite food. And land-locked Tennessee is not the primo place to find them - let me tell you. So there is really nowhere in Nashville that I'm excited about eating crab legs. :-( Now take me to Florida and I'll stuff my face till I'm sick. One of my favorite places to dine is Bud and Alley's in Seaside, Florida. I've only tasted their crab cakes (for which they are infamous) and I thought I had reached an early nirvanna.
www.budandalleys.com
Check them out. You'll see what I mean. And if you've never been to Seaside, Florida - OMG, you have just been told about a little slice of heaven and one of the best kept secrets on the entire Florida Gulf Coast. It's 7 hours due south of Nashville and I had the good fortune of having a book signing at Sundog Books, smack dab in the middle of town.
www.sundogbooks.com
They have one of the most amazing bookstores I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. Linda and her staff are amazing. Please tell her I sent you next time you're there!
But if I had to choose just one favorite restaurant I think my all-time-favorite is the Hula Grill in Hawaii. They have one on Waikiki Beach and one on Kaanapali Beach in Maui.
www.hulagrill.com
FAB-U-LOUS is all I can say. Imagine a tropical breeze blowing through your hair, cooling your sunburned skin, as you gaze out onto the most luscious sunset you've ever feasted your eyes upon. The decor is an old Hawaiian plantation home with old fans lazily moving with the tradewinds. The food is to die for but then again seafood is the kind of food that tickles my taste buds.
I've got one problem with the Hula Grill. Every time I think about it I start salivating. Inevitably that drooling turns into starvation - like right now - and I feel the need to run up to the seafood market and settle for a poor substitute. I'm just praying that one day I'll find my way back to the Hula Grill, but for now I'll just have to be happy with my HG tee-shirt.
By the way, if any of our NG Followers live in Dallas I'll be at the Chi Omega Christmas Market at the Dallas Convention Center tonight as well as in the morning. I'd love to meet you so please stop by the Barnes and Noble booth! www.chiomegaxmas.org
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Now I'm Starving...
This topic is a tough one for me, because as I've mentioned before, I LOVE to eat! And I love a wide variety of cuisines--from French to Mexican to Korean to just plain old burgers. It's going to be hard for me to narrow it down to one specific restaurant, so I'll just cheat a little and name a few.
1. Russell's Barbecue With wood-paneled walls, picnic tables and plastic silverware, Russell's is about as down home as you can get. They also happen to have some of the best barbecue sauce and ribs I've ever had. It's been around forever--my grandparents used to go on dates here. They even used to have those little jukeboxes at each booth, which was just about the coolest thing ever when I was little.
2. The Sushi House. My family has been going here for sushi since I was a little kid. I always start my meal off with a serving of their miso soup and their goma ae salad--essentially spinach leaves with a peanut dressing. We usually all order a variety of sushi rolls and split it--anything from shrimp tempura rolls to california roll to tuna. The one pitfall of eating sushi (for me anyway), is that it adds up quickly! Each piece is priced pretty reasonably, but by the end of the meal, I always jolt a little at the total. But so, so worth it!
3. Lou Malnati's Pizza. This is my pick for best pizza in Chicago, mainly due to their awesome sauce. They top their deep dish pizza with a combination of stewed and crushed tomatoes and fresh garlic. It's hard to 100% accurately describe, but I've never had pizza that tasted more fresh and homemade.
4. Moto My husband and I recently ate here for my thirtieth birthday. We had a ten course, pre-fixed meal that was simply outstanding. Each course had a fun twist to it, starting with the presentation of menu, which was presented on an edible wafer. One of the courses is a "Cuban Cigar," which is basically a pork sandwich wrapped in grape leaves served in an ash tray. It sounds disgusting, and looked it, but it was amazing to eat something that your brain said, "NO!" but your palate screamed, "YES!"
I could go on and on, but I have to stop somewhere. So there you have it. Are you guys as hungry as I am? :)
1. Russell's Barbecue With wood-paneled walls, picnic tables and plastic silverware, Russell's is about as down home as you can get. They also happen to have some of the best barbecue sauce and ribs I've ever had. It's been around forever--my grandparents used to go on dates here. They even used to have those little jukeboxes at each booth, which was just about the coolest thing ever when I was little.
2. The Sushi House. My family has been going here for sushi since I was a little kid. I always start my meal off with a serving of their miso soup and their goma ae salad--essentially spinach leaves with a peanut dressing. We usually all order a variety of sushi rolls and split it--anything from shrimp tempura rolls to california roll to tuna. The one pitfall of eating sushi (for me anyway), is that it adds up quickly! Each piece is priced pretty reasonably, but by the end of the meal, I always jolt a little at the total. But so, so worth it!
3. Lou Malnati's Pizza. This is my pick for best pizza in Chicago, mainly due to their awesome sauce. They top their deep dish pizza with a combination of stewed and crushed tomatoes and fresh garlic. It's hard to 100% accurately describe, but I've never had pizza that tasted more fresh and homemade.
4. Moto My husband and I recently ate here for my thirtieth birthday. We had a ten course, pre-fixed meal that was simply outstanding. Each course had a fun twist to it, starting with the presentation of menu, which was presented on an edible wafer. One of the courses is a "Cuban Cigar," which is basically a pork sandwich wrapped in grape leaves served in an ash tray. It sounds disgusting, and looked it, but it was amazing to eat something that your brain said, "NO!" but your palate screamed, "YES!"
I could go on and on, but I have to stop somewhere. So there you have it. Are you guys as hungry as I am? :)
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