Feeling Bookish with Coralie Bickford-Smith

Walking past a bookcase in my home today I realized the colors weren't quite organized the way I like them.  I organize my closet by color too.  People make fun of me but I'm ok with that.  But looking through my books is like playing with fire.  Way too much fun.  Take a gander at these beautiful books by designer Coralie Bickford-Smith.  I want to collect all of these and I don't think I would care if they were organized by color.





 I never thought I would ever want to re-read a book; who the heck has time for that?  But just having skated into my forties, I realize I need to reconnect with some of the books I love.  A lot has happened in my life since I read some of these novels.  Would I feel the same about some of them?  So here is a short list of books I have loved and sometime in the next decade when I have loads of 'extra' time I will read again.

1) Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Friend by Christopher Moore
If you have not read any of Moore's books please, please read at least this one.  Crazy funny.  One of those books you cannot read in public because people will stare at your red face and the tears running down it.  Seriously.  Religion can be funny.  Moore proves it.  Trust me, it's quirky and wise and really charming.

2)The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen
Wow.  Beautiful prose.  This is a book hard to catagorize since it is a travel and adventure narrative yet it also about human nature and religion.  And let us not forget the elusive snow leopard.  Probably the first book that made me cry not from sadness but from just being thankful for having read it.

3)The River Why by David James Duncan
If you had ever told me I would be reading a book about fly fishing and loving it, I would have told you that you were headed to hell for lying.  But here I am some 20 years later after reading it recommending it.  Yes, there is fishing that takes place but this book is all about the characters.  Funny, witty, inspirational people that you will be quoting after reading this.

4)A Painted House by John Grisham
I know everyone knows him for his lawyer books but this one is my favorite.    Talk about living a summer thru someone elses narrative.  Amazing story of migrant workers, farming, boyhood and baseball.  Excellent writing and beautifully simple.

5)Native Son by Richard Wright
There is a lot of pain in this book.  There was nothing pretty or nice about segregation.  The main character Bigger Thomas is just full of hate and that reverberated out of the pages.  But by the middle of the book I was so drawn in I couldn't stop reading to find out what happens to Bigger.  Powerful book.

6)Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
My husband had to tell me to stop reading all the good lines aloud to him because I was laughing too hard and he couldn't understand me therefore ruining all the jubilation for him and just making him feel left out.  Sedaris is just the wittiest man and reading about him moving to France to deal with the French while learning their language along with essays about his dysfunctional family is just hilarious.

I was only gonna mention 5 but I just want to go on and on.  I love books and not to just arrange them on the shelf to collect dust.

Most Rad Lego Set EVER!

Am I too old to ask Santa for this?

Really??!!

I happened upon this on the Sephora website.  And one review said this...

"I'm embarrassed to say that I opened my mouth and said exactly the wrong thing last night at a party when I sat next to someone who was wearing this "fragrance." At first I couldn't figure out what the weird smell was and then I thought I smelled something electrical burning, like a cord or rubber tubing/hose. So, of course I innocently (with the intentions of averting a problem) asked if something was burning, only to discover that, after everyone sniffed around, it was this unfortunate woman's fragrance. While Demeter Fragrance Library might find making a fragrance that smells like rubber funny, I just have to wonder who would want to go around smelling sort of weird. I'm sending flowers to the woman to apologize for my faux pas, which really isn't enough, but my question really came out of concern because there were a lot of candles and some lighted torches present along with a lot of people."
Laugh or cry, laugh or cry; poor person.  I'm thinking maybe whoever wears this scent didn't grow up with garbage service and instead burned all their rubbish and now they miss the smell?  Can't explain the attraction otherwise.

What I Want Today

I have lust in my heart.  I think I am going to hell just based on how often I have lust in my heart.  Along with lust I have guilt.  Ah yes, guilt, hard like a fist in my gut.  See, I have a passion for shoes.  I used to be ok with some cheap shoes but as I have advanced in age my sciatica seems to act up if I cough more than once or even think about bounding down a step.  Or up for that matter.  So no thin budget shoes for me.  Don't start getting images of me in orthopedics though. No, no, no.  I must have pretty shoes.  Buttery leather shoes.  Shoes that make my legs look hot.  Shoes that make me run faster.  I have all the excuses to spend money on what matters.  Fantastic external coverings to protect my precious extremities. So today I share with you what I want (I know I sound like a two year old, want, want, want).  First here is what I have.

My darling decade old boots.  So worn in and comfy but so decidedly plain.  Like an unbuttered piece of toast kinda plain.  Our wet season hasn't begun yet so they are currently only slightly muddy.  They are not only my riding companions but if I have a long day of outside chores to do, I will throw these on.  The heels saves my back from aching.  Now I went from sounding like a two year to a 92 year old.



But drumroll please, here is what I'd like to have.  I know, I know, millions of people starving in the world and I am looking at these boots.  Blame the lust in my heart.



Love the cassock top.  I bet I could dance like a Russian if I had these.

These are awesomely sassy also.  I would not complain if I opened my closet and found these residing there.  I repeat, I would not complain.



Find both of these here

A Birthday Wish List

My reasoning here is
1. It fits all my family (dog excluded).
2.  In three years I will need a manual to teach my daughter how to properly drive.  None of that pansy automatic stuff for her.
3.  I'm turning 40.  Need I say more?
4.  My stylist says this color would go good with my hair.  (Ok, full disclosure, she's my BF and I bought her a coffee before that statement).

For those carefree, the kids-are-at-school moments, this would work.



Then for errands and exercise with the kids, I could use this. 



While wearing this...

And using this...



Living on the Central Coast of California, I could definitely get a lot of use out of this.  Our water is a tad frigid.




I have no problem finding items to want or buy.  Anybody need a personal shopper?

What I Want Today...

I think I need two of these to wear them Wonder Woman Style.  Bam!  Bam!



Find them here

Wicked Good Product

You have absolutely no excuse to not make incredible tacos with Mission Artisan Style Corn & Whole Wheat Blend Tortillas.  Put a little oil in a pan and fry them until the edges are browned.  Oh my land, crispy AND chewy heaven.  Here's what I did with mine.  Such a fast, easy meal.

Fry the tortillas in olive oil and set aside.  (they brown fast, so don't walk away)
Add a little more oil to the pan and add Trader Joe's Diced Onions, Garlic & Shallots.  Fry until light brown.  Add Kirkland Grilled Chicken Strips.
 (I always keep these in the fridge; an enourmous time saver)
Add your favorite mole or other sauce.
 (I tried Archer Farms Cocoa Chile Mole and it was pretty good).
 Simmer until warm. Spoon chicken and sauce onto tortillas, top with shredded lettuce and sharp cheddar.  Devour.
 It reminds me of a dish I've had in Baja.  Here's a picture I snapped north of San Jose Del Cabo, in the middle of nowhere.  I told the kids to move over and let him in but they just rolled their eyes at me.

Today I Am Listening To...Buddy Holly

I love this guy.  So suave, his voice so unadulterated and simple.  Hangin' with the kids I try to play music that maybe adds a bit to their worldly education.  So I don't have to hear them ask things like "who's Elvis" or "what's a depeche mode".  And 'cause let's face it, their music sucks.

Labor Day Weekend Smores

I just know my smore making would be sooo much better if I had this...



Incredible isn't it?!  Find it here

Jimmy Fallon and Amy Sedaris-Comedy Sweethearts

In case you missed this freakin' hilarious segment, I thought I better share. 

http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/amy-sedaris-8-30-11/1350947

Wallpaper-Don't Be A Hater

Scrolling through Etsy today I came across the wallpaper of my childhood bedroom.  Isn't it cheery or just cheerfully redundant?  I think I could still handle it in a small dose.  Like papering the inside of an armoire.  Four walls?  No thanks! Funny aside, I still draw my flowers just like that!



Here is the paper I have in my kids bathroom.  It's funny and bizarre and it's got lots of animals in it. I only did the main large wall so it wouldn't overwhelm.  Perfect!   And better than the Swiss Dots of my childhood paper. 

Any future decorating will include more papering.  Maybe this one...



Or this...

Or this...


Or how about a modern version of my old bedroom? 


(Find the four above here http://www.walnutwallpaper.com/default.asp)

There's a lot to be said for the joyfullness of pattern and texture.  Life can be a little flat at times so I've learned to liven it up the best I can.

Recipe for Today

I just finished making peach scones.  I ate two.  I think that was a bad decision because I am feeling a wee bit too full.  Um, oh well.  Obviously, I'm not TOO full because I already went a-hunting for what I want to make next.  I have a whole cupboard dedicated to just baking supplies and sometimes I forget what little delights I have in there.  Today I  found a jar of apple butter.  And here's what I decided to make.

 

Caramel Apple Butter Bars

An excellent treat for crisp Autumn days or anytime of the year!

ingredients

Crust:
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened

Topping:
• 1 jar Stonewall Kitchen Caramel Apple Butter
• 1 1/2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped (approx. 1 1/2 apples)
• 1 cup chopped pecans

directions

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8" x 8" pan.
2. Using a food processor or a pastry blender, combine flour, powdered sugar and butter. Blend until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Press crust mixture into the bottom of a 8"x 8" or square baking pan, saving 1/3 of mixture for topping.
4. Sprinkle apple pieces over bottom crust.
5. Pour Caramel Apple Butter over apples; then top with pecans.
6. Crumble remainder of topping mixture over apple mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-50 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool and cut into squares.

Thanks Stonewall Kitchen for the inspiration.  Yum, yum!  Link to their site is located below.