If My Embarrassment Helps Even One Person Its Worth It...

Yep, thats right it's time to pre-order your copy of New Moon. What? You thought I was referring to something else? Like what? my battle with dry skin? or post baby weight loss? Ha ha ha, no no my dear friend it's something infinitely more important. 

Now for those truly Twi-sessed folks this is old news... like Tiger Woods is gross old news. But as I said above, if I can share the good news with even one person it'll be worth it. Click here to buy New Moon on Blue Ray and here for the "regular" dvd.

I am ordering my copy on Blue Ray, my very first one. I don't count Batman, that's totally DH's. 

Do you remember the first video tape you owned? Mine was Silver Streak with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder. It was a favorite of my dad's and we watched it on our enormous VCR over and over and over. But I've digressed again haven't I? Shocking I know.

I gave DH a PlayStation 3 for Christmas this year and as the nice BestBuy lady told me it also plays Blue Ray DVDs. Of course I didn't know what a blue ray dvd was or more to the point what the difference was but I nodded and smiled so she'd see I was impressed. Even now I'm not sure I'd pass a pop quiz on the subject but for my purposes I'm pretty sure it means that RPatzz will be way hotter on this version. S-O-L-D! 

I was only able to see New Moon once in the theaters. However, I did attend the midnight screening despite giving birth to our second child less than 10 days before. What? Stop looking at me like that, I was totally out of the hospital and home by that point. Never the less I think I used up most of my goodwill with DH in attending the midnight showing. I'm afraid if I told him I was going for a second or even third time he'd actually start worrying about my "quirky little obsession." So needless to say I'm dying to see it again and over analyze every little thing I can. 

And just think, by the time my hot little Blue Ray New Moon DVD arrives on March 20th, I'll only have to wait another 3 months till Eclipse hits theaters! 

Cheers, 

Ousier

Slice of Humble Pie with a Side of Yo-Yo Ma Please

That may be the weirdest blog post title I've ever written. huh, anyway...

Is it just me or did your parents become a whole lot smarter after you turned 30? I mean once I was firmly in my 20's I appreciated Mamere so much more and we graduated to a real friendship. But now that I have two kids of my own and I'm nearing my *gulp* mid-thirties I see her in a whole new light. All those little bits of wisdom she so earnestly tried to impart on me in my younger days ~ Oh wouldn't life have been more than a bit smoother if I'd listened? But that's not what today's post is about... although I would like to say 
THANK ~ YOU ~ MAMERE!


One of the most prevalent memories of my childhood is time spent in the car with my mom ~ running errands, picking me up from school, from gym, from swim practice, from kickball. That is a lot of miles in the car and with swim practice came a 4am wake up call. Honestly sometimes I slept in my swimsuit... too much? okay, sorry


I will say that we had some of our very best talks in that darn beige 1980's Volvo stay-wag.  But inevitably whenever I got in the car there was classical music playing. Gawd, how I hated classical music. Why would anyone choose to listen to a song with no words when Bon Jovi or Depeche Mode were only a few turns away on the dial. Yep, that was back before digital radio or really digital anything but I' digress.


So isn't it fitting that I've recently found myself listening to Yo-Yo Ma. It's so soothing and while I adore my precious little angels I've realized just how much I appreciate ANYTHING that is soothing ~ a bubble bath, a massage, a big glass of wine and yes Classical music. 


So on this Friday please enjoy a few moments of soothing cello from one of the world's most talented artists. 

Cheers, 

Ouiser

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty & Witty & Oh Heck, Just Gimme One!

You may recall I first wrote about this amazing up and coming jewelry designer, here. But if not take a look at some of her new pieces below and on her website here. Ester Design Jewelry founder Tanis Herndon works with vintage chains, including some from Channel (gasp, yes that Channel) as well as vintage broaches. I love love love her style and did I mention that she's willing to work with you on custom pieces?! How cool is that? Um, what a totally unique gift idea!!


Okay, I know at least mamere is chuckling right now... oh wait I think I heard a guffaw or maybe it was a kerfuffle. So I'll fully disclose the fact that not only did I grow up with Mrs. Herndon she's also one of my best friends, BUT and it's a big but (snicker snicker) it doesn't change the fact that I adore her pieces. 


Below are a couple of my absolute favorites but check out her website for yourself. She has lots of other pieces online and having spoken to her yesterday she's promised to put up some new things on line any day now. 


So, Mrs. H, do I get a discount on referrals?! *wink wink*

Happy Shopping!


Cheers, 
Ouiser 

Recipe of the Week ~ Ham & Beans with Southern Cornbread

I just couldn't decide what recipe to share with yall this week, believe it or not this is usually the hardest post to write each week. Obviously when it comes to recipes there are endless options available but I genuinely only want to post things I love so sometimes it takes awhile to find some inspiration.


I'm not a huge fan of stews but during the cold and dreary days of January I think we all crave something warm and homey. Well today's recipe is the definition of a warm and homey meal. 


Mamere made Ham & Beans for DH and I last month when she was here for a visit. Aside from being absolutely delicious, I was hard pressed to remember the last time I had Ham and Beans. Something so simple and reminiscent of home yet I'd never once made it since moving "north". Thankfully DH was as big a fan as I. 


I made this version of Ham and Beans along with the BEST cornbread (I'm touting the recipe of course not my baking skills) for dinner last night and you can bet I'll be warming up a bowl today for lunch as well. 


And as I was browsing around for a nice picture of cornbread I stumbled upon this little number. I made mine in our cast iron skillet (really the only way to go) but aren't these darling? As I recall Mamere has two sets of these her self.... but of course she does! You can order your own here.


Ham and Beans
Serves 4 -6


1 pkg      Dry beans (I like the 15 bean mixed bag)
2-3 qts. Water (amount depends on how "soupy" you like)

1 lbs       Ham or Smoked Sausage, cut into bite size pieces

Rinse beans then add to water and cook over high heat till it reaches a rolling boil. Cover and reduce heat to low and let simmer for an hour.


After an hour add the ham and continue to simmer for another 30 mins to an hour.


Add seasoning if needed but it likely will be plenty salty from the ham. 

I DO NOT claim any ownership of the corn bread recipe. It's yet again from my all time favorite cookbook, The Joy of Cooking. You can purchase your own copy here if you don't aready own it. And as I was finding the link to share with you I noticed they've come out with a new addition, The 75th Anniversary Addition. 




Southern Corn Bread
Serves 8


Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees


1 TBS    Bacon grease or shortening (butter/oil is okay)
1 3/4 C   Stone ground cornmeal
1 TBS      Sugar
1 tsp        Baking Powder
1 tsp        Baking Soda
1 tsp        Salt
2              Large Eggs
2 C           Buttermilk


Grease a cast iron skillet (or MUCH less desirably an 8 X 8 glass baking dish) with bacon grease.


Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. Whisk together the wet ingredients then add the wet to the dry and whisk until just blended. 


Heat the skillet for a minute or less in the oven then pour the batter into the skillet and return to the oven. Cook for 20 mins or until the top is browned. 


I can't stress enough what a difference cooking this in a cast iron skillet makes. The crust has a bit of a crunch that is missing when made in a glass dish. 


I hope you make this sometime soon. I know we'll be having it again before spring arrives! 




Cheers, 
Ouiser

Sugar & Spice and All Things Nice...

What are little boys made of?

What are little boys made of?

Frogs and snails, and puppy-dogs tails,

And such are little boys made of.

What are little girls made of?

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice and all things nice,

And such are little girls are made of.

I've always liked this section of "What Folks Are Made Of", mostly because I revel in the idea of being sweet with a bit of a bite. As far as boys being made of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails... I might have disagreed with this premise until having boys of mine own. Granted they are both little ones who mostly smell like the Mustela wash I bath them in but I'm beginning to glean my future and it's not pretty. In fact its filled with dirt and sand and trucks and poop. All of which my oldest son is interested in playing with and in some cases eating (not the poop, God, please say not the poop!)

So, when it all becomes too much I book an appointment for some girly pampering. Alas I can no longer spend all day at the salon or spa in this case but I can get away for an hour or two thanks to DH.

During the last couple of months I've spent a number of blissful hours at Sugar House Spa. Located in the Old Town neighborhood of Alexandria, Sugar House offers a wide range of services that you can read about here. If you live in the area or are just visiting and looking for a little (or a lot of) pampering please call and book your appointments now!

I usually don't get mani/pedis at nice spa/salons because in my experience they are at best the same as the cheap places and at worst much much worse. In fact the worst mani/pedi I've ever gotten was at Elizabeth Arden in Chevy Chase. (sorry I hate to name names but it's true) For the most part I go to Eastern Market Nails on Capitol Hill. Tina and the other ladies are wonderful!! However, my experience at Sugar House was pure unadulterated bliss. From the moment I walked into the second floor nail room and met Monique, my nail technician I was pampered. I settled into the ultra comfy chair, flipped on the vibrating back, pulled out my book and ipod and sighed deeply. By the time I left, an hour and a half later I was practically jello. Kudo's to you Monique, I will be scheduling with you in the future!

I have had my hair cut and styled here, although it was at least five years ago. To be honest I thought it was just okay. I'm sure there are wonderful and talented stylists but I've long since fallen in love... head over heels kind of love with Kym, co-owner of Aquilano. As a girl who's seen the inside of a lot of salons in her 30+ years Kym is the best I've ever known. She gets my hair, knows what it can and can't (or shouldn't) do and her cuts and color are exceptional.

But back to Sugar House...

Okay, lets get personal... waxing. I know some of you love it, some hate it and some simply tolerate it. Now, I'm no waxing expert but my time with Timmy (Yes it's a woman!) was as painless as a girl could hope for given the purpose of the visit. Thats about as detailed as I'm getting for this PG rated post. The point being, she's the best. Oh and book now, she's clearly got a following!

I wanted to add a review of their massages, I mean doesn't just the idea of a massage relax you?  Alas, I couldn't get an appointment until Feb. 13th and since I am including Sugar House on my list of Valentine's Day gift ideas (a work in progress) I wanted to get in the overall review before then. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed it's spectacular!

Since I can't speak to the massages at Sugar House I will share another gem, Fountains Day Spa, also in Old Town on South Washington. I've been going there for years for facials and massages and I can attest they are fabulous! It's less frilly girl spa and more European health spa. And their line of Guinot skin care products are phenomenal!! I particularly adore their moisturizer and exfoliating wash.

Hope you spend time pampering yourself sometime soon! And if you are at Sugar House be sure to stroll around the corner after your treatments for a sweet treat at Bittersweet. They have to die for cupcakes, cookies and cakes as well as savory fare.

Cheers, 
Ouiser

Dante's Inferno

As I sit down to type this post, it is laughable that I am writing a "review" on Dante. In fact so laughable that I can't even bring myself to label this post as a book review.  Instead I'll just share my thoughts on this amazing literary work and strongly encourage you to pick up a translation and read it for yourself.  And of course if you are fluent in Italian by all means read the original.

Aside from being vaguely familiar with who Dante was-- an Italian writer from a long time ago... no, like a really long time ago-- I didn't have much interest in reading his writing. Too academic, not enough passion. (No, not that type of passion. Geesh, where is your mind?!) But after reading a story in which the main character was a Dante expert I was intrigued by his all encompassing obsession with Beatrice. So I toddled over to the library and picked up Dante's Inferno: A Translation by Michael Palma. I should mention that DH mocked me ruthlessly for my recent YA (that's Young Adult) book obsession so it was a VERY nice change of pace to check out something from the Adult section and Non-fiction at that.

I was immediately struck by how easy to read and comprehend his poetry is. Even though it was written in the middle ages his tone and word choice is relevant and accessible today. Of course I haven't read anyone else's translation of Dante Alighieri so it will be interesting to see if I feel the same after reading Purgatorio and Paradiso (the second and third poems from the Commedia) from other translators.

After settling into the story-- oh I guess I should start with that. Dante is lost in the woods when he's approached by the ghost of Virgil, one of Dante's literary influences. He is told by Virgil that Beatrice is worried about Dante's soul and has asked him to take Dante on a journey through Hell so that he may be saved. Blurg, this sounds so contrite and I'm cringing at my own oversimplification but I'll continue...

Virgil escorts him through each circle of hell as Dante witnesses what a tortuous afterlife is for many. And I'm here to tell you that the "wrath" some claim can be found in the bible has absolutely nothing on Dante. They should be teaching Inferno in those fire and brimstone churches to insure moral behavior. The descriptions, while terrifying and horrific almost beg to be illustrated. I can see why so many artists have tried their hand at illustrating Dante's words. His word choice creates a beautiful flow and is, for lack of a better word, lyrical.

I could go on to describe each circle of Hell but I won't. First and foremost I won't do it justice, I'm more than a bit intimidated to even review such a masterful piece of literature. Nevertheless I do hope that you'll challenge yourself by finding a translation and taking a crack at this story. I think you'll be surprised how easy it is to read.

I had the pleasure of participating in an online interview with a Dante scholar this weekend and they recommended translations by Dorothy Sayers and Mark Musa. You can bet I'll be checking them out soon.

Oh and Mamere requested that I mention The Poet's Dante: Twentieth-Century Responses, edited by Peter S. Hawkins & Rachel Jacoff.  It's a compilation of essays by famous 20th century poets and writers writing about how Dante has influenced their work. I just started it last night but so far it's quite interesting albeit a little slow at times.

Happy Reading!

Cheers, 
Ouiser

A Plague On Both Your Houses...

We only have one house but Mercutio had it right. A plague of stomach illness overtook our house last week and it was ugly.

Sorry to abandon the blog but I wasn't able to do much more than groan as I limped from bed to sofa to the floor and back to the sofa. And yes, before you ask a limp is totally a symptom of the stomach bug.

The funny thing is that my sick son kept following me around all day. I'd lay him down on one sofa and go lie on the other one. Then he'd come over and lie on the floor next to me. After a few moments it would occur to me that leaving my son on the floor as I was lounging on the sofa was pretty crappy of me so I'd get down on the floor with him and we'd just lie there. It was a sad sad picture I'm not going to lie.

Thankfully Super DH (yep there's a costume that goes with that) arrived home from work to save the day. And luckily neither he nor Baby Deux contracted the plague... must be superior genes.

Now that we're on the mend I'm back online. Will try to post something later today or tomorrow but there is just so much important reading *Sigh, yes I'm referring to twilight fanfiction* to catch up on.

Happy Rainy Dreary Monday!

Hope it's sunny where you are.

Cheers, 
Ouiser