a collection of tried and true
The tale of outcast Oscar Wao told in relation to his mother, his sister and his sister’s boyfriend. Mostly set in the Dominican Republic and later in New York and New Jersey. Lot’s of spanish in book that I didn’t get, but a good story and interesting reading about the craziness of Dominican Republic under Trujillo.
PJH Rating: Four stars
This is a weekly stand by that we have been making for years and years. It’s not really much of a recipe, but we base it on a recipe from a cookbook that I think somebody gave us as a wedding present – almost 23 short years ago. Everybody likes it and it couldn’t be easier to make. (Jack always gripes about the mushrooms but tough luck Jack.)
We made this last Sunday and made it even better because we made homemade pasta. We haven’t made pasta in a super long time and me and Sophie had fun doing it together. I don’t think she ever made it before.
The pasta dough recipe we use is from the New Basics. It makes about the equivalent of one pound of dried pasta:
Place the flour in a food processor, and with the motor running, add the eggs one at a time. Continue processing for 15 seconds.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until it has formed a smooth, firm ball.
Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest for 30 minutes.
Divide the ball into 5 pieces. Use pasta maker to roll out each ball for whatever kind of pasta you want.
Back to the ham, mushrooms and peas: in goes the butter:
Adapted from 365 Ways to Cook Pasta, Marie Simmons
Paglia E Fieno
Enjoy
Set in London, a straight laced, nerdy recent college graduate is absorbed into the dysfunctional life of two siblings estranged from their famous father. A series of crazy occurrences leads to an unexpected, yes satisfying ending. Although a bit melodramatic in tone at the beginning, I would recommend.
PJH Rating: Three 1/2 stars
Have read several other books by David Guterson. Snow Falling on Cedars is one of my all time favorites. This one follows Ed King, whose 15 year old mother gave him up on a doorstop and he ended up being a huge technology guy – aka Bill Gates / Steve Jobs. It’s a crazy modern take on Oedipus Rex so you basically know what’s going to happen which is part of the fun. The novel is told from several different points of view, his mother, his father and his. His mother was my favorite. Definitely a good read.
PJH Rating: 4 stars
I had a goal of reading 36 books in 2011. I am happy to report that I have met that goal and read 38! hurray. My goal for this year is 40 books.
My top 5 in alphabetical order:
Here is my list in order of when I finished. My rating is 1-5 with 5 being outstanding.
Christmas is over. We spent all morning today putting everything away and cleaning our house which I hate to confess I enjoy as much as Christmas. Here’s some photos from this year.
We didn’t put our tree up until a week before Xmas. We dragged the kids out of bed at 8:00 AM on saturday morning which they weren’t too happy about.
Like I said…not too excited…
Chrimas Eve was a nice night. See food post here.
Emily Jane sharing the holiday spirit.
Shea spreading some holiday cheer with her recorder.
The Purcell boys chrimas rap.
Not sure who brought the fake teeth? But very attractive.
present time…. Grandma and Grandpa always gives everbody a book, an ornament and jammies.
obligatory group jammie shot:
excited girlies.
Eat On Edgecliff 