NYC Mom

You ever have those periods in your life when you have a brain overload? That's how it's been for me the last two days. Just too much going on. Easter coming, my friends mom is sick, found out a relative of mine is doing something so unethical and repulsive to me I can't talk to them now, middle school interview for P next week and today it's two months ago that my dad passed away. I'm really glad we're going away to our country house. Peace and quiet. Easter in the country. Wishing you a lovely Easter.

I love books. I always have. My dad taught me to read when I was about four years old. He told a story about taking me on the bus and I was reading all the signs on the bus while people looked on in awe of my reading abilities. I dunno how awed they were but my dad loved that he'd taught me to read.
I remember reading before even watching television. The first book I got out of the library was "The Cat in The Hat." Odd how I can remember that but I can't tell you where my glasses are right now.
Since getting my kindle, I've developed a curiosity about what other people are reading. I decided to join a few reading sites to check things out as I stated earlier in my Shelfari post. I've also realized that people sometimes have goals for their reading. I don't understand that. I usually pick up a book, have a quick look see and decide if I want to read it or not. I think setting goals makes it a chore and takes away a bit of love for the reading itself.
My niece, Bean, loves Chuck Palahniuk. I think he's her favorite author. I was checking out his books and accidentally purchased Choke. I IMed her asking how she liked this specific book and, as my luck would have it, it's not one of her favorites. Ugh! I'm reading it anyway...so far so good though. Makes me curious about his other writings.
I just finished a trio of books I really enjoyed. Water for Elephants, Secret Life of Bees and Middlesex. I like that I can purchase these books for under $10. My husband asked me how much I'd spent in books this month since purchasing my kindle. I told him about $50. He looked a lil surprised but I told him to think about what I DIDN'T spend because it would have been about double if I hadn't purchased them electronically.
I was going to try to do a blog critiquing books but I don't think I can. I seem to like ALL books to some extent. I always try to find what's good about them instead of what's bad. I guess that's not such a bad thing. I like being a "glass is half full" kinda gal anyway.
Ok I'm off to finish my book and peruse websites to see what others are reading.

Well sorta...kinda. Back a few generations and over from Scotland I am. A few years ago my brother in law was kind enough to delve into our genealogy and apparently we're Irish back a few generations so I figure, hey what the heck....if Mike Bloomberg can be Irish today, so can I.

Everyone knows the story of St. Patrick driving the snakes from Ireland, as seen above. But here in NYC it's a weekend long celebration of the drink. We went out to dinner on Saturday evening, about 5pm, and there were people, dressed in the green, pub crawling already. I'd forgotten how big a party it is here in the city since I don't party anymore. I guess any excuse will do for a party, huh?

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all, Irish or otherwise.

Things that make me happy:
Snuggling with my boys in the morning.
Tuna fish
Getting ass grabbed by my husband
A great book
A fun video game
The sound of my boys laughing together
A perfect margarita
A steak grilled to perfection
A movie that makes me laugh AND cry
The kids doing their chores without being reminded
Gracie's tail wagging
A great report card
A trip to the country
Auctions
70 degree days
Our annual Memorial Day party
Talking to my sister
Hearing from my niece
When my husband "gets it" without me having to say a word
Like a Prayer by Madonna
Finding a funny new website
Katz's pastrami on rye with mustard
My boys faces on Christmas morning
Trips to Florida
Swimming
A belly laugh
A great blog


Things That Piss Me Off:
Crowds
Telling my kids to do their chores repeatedly
Busy signals (wtf? Call waiting?)
Assholes on message boards
People cutting in line
People who don't clean up after their dogs
Shitty teachers
Pompous people
Starting the news with the weather when it's snowing in January (Snow in August I can understand)
Citywide standardized tests
People with a sense of entitlement
People who scam to get things they're not supposed to
Liars (Everyone lies I know..it's the pathological ones that irk me)
Senseless deaths
Parents who think their way of parenting is the ONLY way to parent

Ok that's all I could think of on this early Sunday morning. I'm sure I'll think of something else that pisses me off but this will do for now.

This is P. Incognito. He put this on walking home from the library one day. You should have seen the looks on peoople's faces. Hope it makes you smile.
OH! Speaking of laughter please go check out Elaine and Haley at http://icouldkillher.com You know that best friend you have who knows all your secrets and wouldn't tell any of them even at gunpoint? Well this ain't them. They love and laugh and spill the beans. Go have a look and a great laugh.

I joined this site in hopes of finding new books to read via recommendations made by other members of this group. For the most part, I've seen some great books I've added to my wish list. On the other hand, I see some people have read upwards of 20,000 books! I thought I was an avid reader but some of these peeps put me to shame. Then I delve into their reading lists. Ok...Cat in the Hat? Wtf? Roget's Thesaurus? COME ON PEOPLE! I don't think baby books and reference books should count. Who the hell has read a thesaurus from cover to cover? Isn't this cheating? I've found the way of the world has become bigger, better, faster, farther. If you're lagging, you suck. So cheat instead so you can be in the lead. I hate people sometimes.

I know this isn't a cooking blog but this recipe is too good not to share. It's also easy. I have a rule for cooking...if it takes longer than an hour to cook, we're having pizza tonight.
It's a grown up mac and cheese made with swiss and cheddar cheeses. I got it from Ina Garten who's known as The Barefoot Contessa. I've made it several times and it's a HUGE hit with our friends and family. Enjoy!


Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

Ok I just read that Keith Richards is the new "face" of Louis Vuitton. Is this because he looks like an old piece of luggage or what? I'm just gonna keep reading about this till I get to the punch line.