Author Archives: Jennie

The Sunday Review: Anna Karenina

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I have been hearing about Anna Karenina for most of my adult life and have been dreading reading it for the same amount of time. Tolstoy just didn’t seem to be my kind of author, although I do love the Victorian American classics.

When the movie started being advertised, I knew that I had to read the book first so that I could adequately compare the two. The book, while having a strong plot wrapped around the seven main characters, failed to really engage me and it was slow-going at times. Tolstoy’s diversions into politics and social struggles often seemed unconnected to the main story lines, and the last section was very disappointing. Talk about a flat ending after an interesting penultimate chapter — trying not to write a spoiler here if you haven’t read it.

I can see why the book endures as a classic, but it wasn’t my favorite and I know for sure I’m not reading War and Peace. Maybe it was the translation I read, as others have mentioned, but although I’m glad I finally read it, I’m also glad it’s over with.

Interestingly, I haven’t been able to get anyone interested in seeing the movie with me, so I may have to wait until it comes out on video. That’s a shame, as I’m sure the movie version with the luminous Keira Knightley is a masterpiece of cinematography and deserves to be seen on the big screen. Or maybe one of these afternoons I’ll just go by myself; that is one of the prerogatives of retirement, after all.

Leave a comment about dear old Anna if you’d like, and thanks for stopping by to visit!

Photography Travel Theme: Multiples

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This week’s travel theme at Where’s My Backpack? is multiples. When I first decided to link up with Ailsa, I was at a loss as to what to actually feature among my photos. But, as with any conceptual theme (and a lust for travel), inspiration will take you beyond where you thought you could go.

Here’s a few local shots for your traveling enjoyment. After all, Chicago is a travel destination for some people — just not me. 🙂

Let’s start with multiple tree branches taken on New Year’s Day at Dawes Park in Evanston, Illinois. Dawes Park is just south of Northwestern University along Lake Michigan and is a local treasure. I loved the way the afternoon sun hit the branches of the trees and the amazing blue of the sky on a very cold day.

Following along the path in Dawes Park, we discovered the rocks piled up to form a breakwater. The sun on the snow with the contrast of the rock was breathtaking.

On a lighter note, my travels took me to my nail salon yesterday, and I couldn’t resist taking this photo of another kind of multiples. I gave the photo a little “boost” of color, and there you have it. A smile for your day…

  Happy weekend and happy photography!

Be sure to stop by Ailsa’s blog at Where’s My Backpack? and check out some photographs by other posters!

 

York Minster — A Cathedral for the Ages

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London. Check. Canterbury. Check. Brighton. Check. Dover. Check.

You might even have made the pilgrimage to Liverpool to visit the stomping grounds of The Beatles. You’re pretty well traveled.

But have you been to York in North Central England?

Accessible by express trains directly from Manchester Airport, York’s 2000 years of history and outstanding architecture make it a world-class attraction. At its center lies York Minster, the second largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. A church has stood on the site since 627 A.D. and the current structure was begun in about 1230 and completed in 1472.

The York Minster is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for sightseeing and runs a full schedule of services as well as providing guided tours for guests. A combined ticket (£14 today) will give the adult visitor entry to the Minster and Tower. The trip up to the top of the central Tower allows the visitor a panoramic view of the historic city of York and the beautiful Yorkshire countryside beyond the city center. Just remember that it’s 275 steps and 230 feet up to an open-air platform and the visitor must agree to the restrictions before climbing the Tower.

If you can handle this…

… you’ll be able to see this.

 

Are you ready to make your own pilgimage to York Minster?

 

Welcome Winter

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With the onset of cold weather in Chicago — FINALLY!– I decided to feature some of my favorite places covered with snow.

Lake Michigan at Evanston, Illinois

 

It’s hard to believe that I will be seeing those hills in Provence in just a few months — and they won’t have snow on them then. I’m also pretty excited about planning a trip to Edinburgh and northern England for a tour group; you’ll be hearing more about that as the plans progress.

Happy New Year (and make your reservations!)

January Header Images Credits: Provence, Lamb in snow, Stonehenge, Paris

 

Poinsettia Tablescape Vignette

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I just can’t resist being part of these tablescapers.

I’m not even close to being done with my decorating, and we’re going to our son’s house for Christmas, but I’m excited about having all of my decorations out of the basement where they can see the light of day. Today’s going to be a big decorating day and I’m as happy as a pig in you-know-what.

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I’m linking up today with Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life. Since Marty advertises that it’s okay to showcase a vignette, I’m going to show you what I have done so far. It’s not much, but I’ve got three free days this week to finish everything up, and in my book, baby steps are important.

I needed to replace the centerpiece on my coffee table so I picked up a couple of cheap poinsettias from the grocery store. I knew that I had containers to put them in at home. Two years ago, I found wooden handled storage boxes at the dollar store and I usually put ball jars full of office supplies in them, but I knew the mix of textures with the black wood was perfect for this tabletopper. First I put Tupperware dishes in the bottom of the box to protect it. Then I put the poinsettias in opposing corners and filled in with some antique red and gold ornaments that were a gift from a friend a few years back. I even kept the foil on the poinsettias because I knew it would pick up some shine from the candle. I tucked a pillar candle stand from Partylite in the other corner to raise up the cylindrical vase and put a short pillar candle in it. Voila! A centerpiece.

 

And just in case you were privately thinking it, I’ve moved the foil around so the label doesn’t show, but this was the best photo I got so I decided to use it anyway. 🙂

Happy decorating, and I definitely will have more to share soon!

Advent Calendar Renovation

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I’m taking a break from the recipe count today to link up with a whole new set of friends.

I recently discovered a blogging community that sets their tables for fun. Oh, my. Where have these ladies been all my life? Today I’m linking up with Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch; I just can’t resist.

One of the things that I wanted to do in retirement was to get out all my Christmas stuff and reorganize it. I also wanted to move it from its storage spot in the basement crawlspace to the garage where I could access it on my timetable rather than waiting for Music Man to drag it out for me. I used to think that I had more stuff than most people, but recently several different friends posted photos on Facebook of their stacks of Christmas storage boxes. One friend said she brought 22 boxes from her storage unit, which took several trips in her car. I don’t feel so bad now. Apparently I’m not a Christmas hoarder, even if my basement says otherwise.

When I got out our Advent calendar this year, I took a quick photo with my phone of it hanging in my bathroom on the first day of December. In recent years, this seems to be the most convenient and obvious place for it, as I am reminded every morning to change the ornament on it. At my advanced age, I need every reminder I can get.

My sister-in-law made Advent calendars for   family members many years ago — maybe as many as 30 years and I treasure her generous spirit and the family tradition honored by the calendar. I’ve been getting out that Advent calendar every year and doing the countdown with my kids, but I always wanted to change one little thing about it. It was designed to use very thin gold cording to hold the ornaments on the nails, but over the years they got tangled and it wasn’t easy to pop those little puppies off and on the nails.

So—- I decided to do a little project that I’ve been contemplating for “several” years, and by “several” I probably mean ten years.

I  felt that the calendar would work better with rings to replace the cords so that the ornaments dangle cleanly and are easy to take on and off. I’ve purchased those rings at least three times over the past few years, but never did the repairs. THIS YEAR, my first year of retirement, it was time to actually do this instead of talking about it.

Yet, things can never be easy, can they?

When I went to find my duffel bag full of jewelry findings and tools, it was nowhere to be seen. I had decided to use a split ring and needed my special split-ring pliers, so I ended up buying another tool. I think that’s probably my third set of those particular pliers, but who’s counting? Then while I was standing in line, I saw these beautiful red rings that would set off the red trim on the calendar. Just had to have them, so into the bag they went.

When I got home, I found that the little holes in the ornaments were too small for the red rings. I begged Music Man to pull out the drill for me and he also found a small piece of wood that I could drill against. I made each hole a little bigger, threaded the red ring through it, and then realized I didn’t need the split-ring pliers at all since I was putting the whole thing together with simple needle-nose pliers.

Am I boring you yet?

If you’re not a crafter, these stupid little details can’t be very interesting, but for those of us who are crafters, it’s important to know in advance what one needs to do the job. Obviously, I didn’t think this through very well.

The project turned out well, and although it can’t quite be termed a metamorphosis — the theme of today’s linky party — I did finish a planned project. Now I think I need to decorate it some more — maybe a thin inner border of beads or something. I’ll have to see what’s on sale at the store. 🙂

Yet the story remains a continuing saga of stupid actions.

Somehow, I lost the chuck for the drill. The one that is designed to fit perfectly into the handle. We’ve looked everywhere and cannot find it. I can sense Music Man’s annoyance under his helpful searching for the tool, but it’s just nowhere to be found.

Perhaps it’s in my missing jewelry duffel bag and I’m being punished by my Elf on the Shelf. 

25 Days of Holiday Recipes: Pecan Bourbon Chocolate Pie

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This series is turning into an ode to my favorite cooks.

When we first started, I told you that I’d been collecting favorite recipes for years. Writing this has not only been a walk through different stages in my life, it’s also been pure heaven to revisit the cooks who made these wonderful recipes.

Today’s recipe is no different. Catherine is a good friend by marriage — her marriage to one of my best friends from college. In her beautifully renovated Victorian kitchen, Catherine produces sublime food, especially desserts for her guests. And who can resist the combination of pecans, booze, and chocolate? Your guests and family will love this one!

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Pecan Bourbon Chocolate Pie

Yield: 1 Pie

Pecan Bourbon Chocolate Pie

Ingredients

    Crust: Aunt Nancy’s Foolproof Piecrust
  • 4c flour
  • 1 3/4 c shortening or butter, softened
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 c water
    • Filling:
  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 c packed dark brown sugar
  • 2/3 c light corn syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • 2 c pecans
  • 1 c chocolate chips

Instructions

For the crust:

With fork, mix first 4 ingredients. In separate dish, beat remaining ingredients. Combine the two mixtures, stirring with fork until all ingredients are moistened. With hands, mold dough into ball. Chill at least 15 minutes before rolling into desired shape.

Dough can be left in refrigerator up to 3 days or can be frozen until ready to use.

Yield: Two 9" double crust pies and one 9" shell. This recipe requires a very deep pie pan and one half of the crust recipe.

For the filling:

In a large bowl, mix eggs, brown sugar, syrup, vanilla, salt, melted butter. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips. Pour filling into pie shell and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown. The filling will puff up slightly and the center will still wiggle a bit.

https://gotmyreservations.com/2012/12/09/25-days-of-holiday-recipes-pecan-bourbon-chocolate-pie/

25 Days of Holiday Recipes: Calico Baked Beans

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Shopping. Work. Cleaning the house. Going to the church potluck. Everyone needs a go-to recipe that fits into your holiday lifestyle, and Calico Baked Beans is that recipe.

Having absolutely no resemblance to the yucky baked beans people usually bring to events, your crockpot will be filled with a sweet and savory meat and bean melange that is more like stew than like beans. A teaching colleague brought this dish to every school potluck and if I was in the last lunch group, I was lucky to get even a taste of this. People seem to just inhale it.

This recipe is also one that is easily modified depending on what your family likes or what is in the fridge that needs to be used up (Using up stuff in the fridge seems to be a common theme in my recipes). We didn’t have any barbecue sauce in the house so I threw in extra ketchup and some mesquite seasoning. It worked just fine. We also added some aging tomato salsa and seriously considered opening our brand new bottle of peach salsa from Trader Joe’s. That would have been a tasty addition to the mix, but seemed unnecessary. You could also use a Rotel tomato product with chilis if you like your food a little spicier. I also used ground turkey and pancetta rather than the ground beef and bacon — I don’t think anyone would know the difference and Music Man liked it better that way.

Try it for your next caroling party — it will be ready when you get home!

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25 Days of Holiday Recipes: Calico Baked Beans

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Yield: 8 Servings

Serving Size: 1 cup

25 Days of Holiday Recipes: Calico Baked Beans

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 tbs. butter or margarine
  • 1 pound bacon, cooked, drained, in 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tbs. prepared mustard
  • 2 tbs. molasses
  • 3/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 16 oz. canned kidney beans, drained
  • 16 oz. canned lima beans, drained
  • 28 oz. canned pork and beans

Instructions

In large skillet, brown beef and onion in butter. Drain well. Place in casserole with bacon.

In medium bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, molasses, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Add kidney beans, lima beans, and pork and beans to casserole. Pour sugar mixture on top. Blend well.

Cover casserole and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Uncover casserole and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

This casserole can be held, covered, in a low oven for 1 hour. It can also be baked and kept warm in a crockpot.

https://gotmyreservations.com/2012/12/07/25-days-of-holiday-recipes-calico-baked-beans/

25 Days of Holiday Recipes: The Cosmopolitan

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I have a wonderful group of friends, and at Christmas we love to party.

When Mama Kat posted this week’s prompts, it seemed the perfect time to share our favorite ladies’ drink, the Cosmopolitan. When the shaker and the triple sec come out, the men run the other way, but there’s nothing quite as pretty as a pink Cosmo shimmering in a beautiful martini glass.

The Cosmo has been used as a signature drink in the media, most famously as the drink of choice of Carrie Bradshaw and her girlfriends in Sex and the City.

And then there’s the Ozmopolitan,  “a cocktail mixed to mark the London launch of the musical ‘Wicked’, being a (green) version of ‘The Cosmopolitan'” according to Urban Dictionary.

2 parts Vodka (apple if available)
1 part Midori
1 part Lime Juice
1 part Lemon juice.

Print
25 Days of Holiday Recipes: The Cosmopolitan

Yield: 1 serving

25 Days of Holiday Recipes: The Cosmopolitan

Ingredients

  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz triple sec or cointreau
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • 1/2 oz cranberry juice

Instructions

Shake vodka, triple sec, lime and cranberry juice vigorously in a shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass, garnish with a lime wedge on the rim, and serve.

https://gotmyreservations.com/2012/12/06/25-days-of-holiday-recipes-the-cosmopolitan/

According to wikipedia, there is no clear origin for the original recipe for a Cosmopolitan, but it seems to have surfaced in the 1970s as a fruitier version of the martini. I have to admit, I still love my dirty martinis, but sometimes, the Cosmopolitan is the right drink for the event, and will look beautiful at your holiday party. And just in case you want to match your drink, here’s an option from Maggie at Polyvore.

Cheers!

 

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