Smithsonian October

Three really good articles this month- click the link above.

Guerrillas in Their Midst
Face to face with Congo's imperiled mountain gorillas
By Paul Raffaele

Teaming up with Thoreau
One hundred fifty years after the publication of Walden, Henry David Thoreau is helping scientists monitor global warming
By Michelle Nijhuis

Swamp Ghosts
In Papua New Guinea, a journalist investigates the controversy over a World War II bomber
By John Darnton

Summer Read: For One More Day~Mitch Albom

It took me longer than I wanted to finish "Running", but I did it yesterday. It was different...

On to one of my favorite authors (I can hear Jake in my head saying "Who wrote the aufor?).

I have loved his other books and I am sure I will not be disappointed.

Summer Read: Running with Scissors~ Augusten Burroughs

I finished "Night" this afternoon..very good book. Off to finish "Running with Scissors". I started reading it in November when I was pregnant with Kaleb. I am 3/4 of the way done so it won't be long.

Summer Read: Night~ Elie Wiesel

I have just finished "Baby Laughs" and decided to start this book next. I had forgotten what the book was about (a Holocaust Survivor) and after picking it up and starting last night, I really didn't want to read it now because of its content. Part of me wants to read it, so I am going to.

It is a "quick" read, but won't be an "easy" read (I will be able to knock off a chapter or two everyday while pumping at work....hopefully).

Click the link above to learn more about the author and his moving account of surviving a Nazi concentration camp.

Summer Read: Baby Laughs~ Jenny McCarthy

This was a quick book I was able to read in my "private office" at work. I am not a huge fan, but do find Jenny McCarthy funny at times. This book was actually pretty funny- if you are a first time parent, you will be able to relate. A little over the top at times, but funny! I will have to pick up a copy of "Belly Laughs".

My Visual DNA

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Fiesta Cabbage

See my comments in RED

From Southern Living
Prep: 15 min., Cook: 25 min.

1 pound kielbasa, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices*
1 small bag of peeled baby carrots
1 medium-size red onion, diced can leave out
1 medium-size green bell pepper, diced can leave out
1 medium-size cabbage (about 2 1/2 pounds), chopped into bite-size pieces I quarter
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained can leave out
1 teaspoon salt I leave out
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Sauté kielbasa in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels (I just leave it all together), reserving drippings in skillet. Set aside. Sauté onion and bell pepper in hot drippings over medium-high heat 3 minutes. Add partially cooked carrots (I boil them for 10 minutes then add). Stir in cabbage; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Stir in cooked sausage, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook until thoroughly heated.

*1 pound ground pork sausage may be substituted. Sauté vegetables in 2 tablespoons reserved drippings. (Haven't tried it this way).

My way is almost like a "boiled dinner", but sauteed.

Yield: Makes 6 servings

My Creation

M & M Jenn

M & M Jenn on her property in VT...

Quick Jambalaya

Found this recipe in one of my Martha magazines. It is easy to make and really yummy. (I substituted pork sausage for andouille; also precooked the meats before cooking).

Beer Lover's Guide to Coffee

Check this out from one of my favorite roasters. I absolutely love African coffee (Costa Rican too). I am looking to purchase African as well as Mexican from Red Barn (had for the first time in Boston): http://www.redbarncoffee.com/.

Kenya AA

Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

Mexican Altura

A Good Laugh

I don't normally plop down to watch the Globes, but there was nothing on last night but repeats and the baby wanted to eat. I was disappointed that Patrick Dempsey did not win..but Hugh Laurie's speech was pretty good. Not as good as Sacha Baron Cohen's blurb.

"I saw some dark parts of America ... an ugly side of America ... a side of America that rarely sees the light of day. I refer, of course, to the anus and testicles of my costar Ken Davitian. Ken, when I was in that scene and I stared down at your two wrinkled Golden Globes on my chin, I thought to myself, I better win a bloody award for this."



– Sacha Baron Cohen, accepting his best actor award for Borat

Remembering MLK

If ever given the chance, visit the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. It is very moving.

Beauty of Pewter {Danforth}

During my visit to Middlebury in May I was able to watch a pewter vase being made. I have been buying their products for the past couple of years. This is the 2006 Holiday Ornament I purchased as this years gifts.

Another Want

Our 6 year old laptop is pretty much toast...thank God we have a newer desktop. If I could have my choice of replacements, this would be my pick.

Enhance your entertainment and gaming experience with the luxuriously designed VGN-AR270 CTO Series notebook with optional Blu-ray™ support. Packed with power, this is the ultimate notebook for the A/V enthusiast. Super-fast ATA hard drives, DDR2 memory, your choice of Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor and NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7600 graphics deliver robust computing performance and blazing game play. View your DVDs and photos in true-to-life color on the stunning 17" widescreen display. The VAIO® AR Series notebook is a “Windows Vista™ Premium Ready” PC.

A Want

Sony 10.2-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera
Model: DSLRA100H

I really want this camera! My goal is to become a photographer when we move north in the next few years. This is the camera I would want if I were in that position now. I am curious to see what kind of goodies will be available then!

On the Loose with Dr. Seuss

Once Kaleb gets a little bigger we plan on making a visit.