Skinny Italian - Teresa Giudice

So I'm still digging through my ancestry looking for the Italian link. It must be there somewhere, because when I cook Italian...making my own pesto, or making homemade ricotta, or making tomato sauce with slow-roasted plum tomatoes...I get all TINGLY and WARM inside. But of course there are all those pesky carbs and cheese and things, but when I read about Skinny Italian from Kathy @ Bermudaonion, I figure I'm buying what they're sellin'.

This isn't your mother's cookbook (no offense to mom). Teresa, who starred on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey", is all-woman, all-Italian, and loves a big plate of pasta. She looks like a million bucks, but doesn't really like exercising much (except in the bedroom), and kvetched over having her "bubbies" done (but who would blame her after four kids??). She not only provides us with some great low-calorie recipes, but gives loads of practical advice in the kitchen, like:

* How to spot true Italian food, versus a knockoff

* How to pick out a good bottle of olive oil, then how to cook and bake with it

* Everything you'd ever want to know about spices, including when to add it to food, and how to store it

* 6 rules for loving your food and having it love you back

* The truth about pasta, and which kind is best

* How to make a quickie tomato sauce, and how to can it

* How to get the kids involved in the kitchen

All good stuff, this. But she does it in a way that will have your Chianti coming out your nose because you are laughing so hard. Anybody that entitles a paragraph "OO, VOO, EVOO, WTF?" or calls all the bad foods "stripper foods" (foods that are also stripper names like Cookie, Candy, or Cupcake), well, they have my attention.

Never mind that she seems to cook in clothes that I would wear to a Christmas party. Whatever she is doing, it is working for her.

I made several recipes from this book before I had to return it to the library...it was on hold unfortunately, so I couldn't renew. First, I made the Quickie Tomato Sauce, a double portion, and used it all week for various recipes. It took 10 minutes!

I also made something called Pork Chops Alla Salvia, which was a pan-fried bone-in pork chop that used herbs and some of my tomato sauce. Everyone ate it and was happy, without complaint.

Then my piece de resistance, Gabriella's Bolognese Sauce, which uses my tomato sauce, chopped veggies and lots of garlic (minced in my case so the kids couldn't see them), ground pork and veal, and some wine, and simmered it all afternoon. My husband was almost rolling around in it, and claimed he could have that dish once a week (a big complement from him, the king of wanting new recipes all the time).

I thoroughly enjoyed this cookbook, almost to the point where I might just need to own it!

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

Rules of the Lake - Irene Ziegler

Back at the beginning of the summer, I reviewed Irene Ziegler's new release "Ashes to Water", a mysterature that was drenched in old Florida atmosphere. I experienced something close to love at first sight with the story's protagonist, Annie Bartlett, a damaged woman with a strong sense of justice. While the book stood on its own, I knew that Ziegler had written a prequel, entitled "Rules of the Lake", that delved into Annie's childhood and the ghosts she acquired as a result. I knew I HAD to read this - I needed insight into Annie's psyche. Before I was able to use my birthday money to buy it though, Ziegler sent me a copy (thank you!). I squirreled it into my bags for my trip to Indiana. I might just miss my southern, humid, bug-infested home, after all!

"Rules of the Lake" is a collection of separate events in Annie's life that define her...her parents' unhappy marriage, her father's abusive personality, her mother's suicide, her fascination with mermaids (we have them in Weeki Wachee, you know), her molestation from a neighbor, her relationship with her troubled older sister, and her love of water and the lake in her backyard.

Again, Ziegler has hit the nail on the head in creating an essence of old Florida, and blends it with the nostalgic, bittersweet childhood of a young girl. (A young girl that comes back as an adult in "Ashes to Water" and kicks a little butt, which is oh so satisfying.) If you can't afford to go plodding around in untouched, backwater Florida, then this is the next best thing.

I am also compelled to take a slight, superficial detour. Guys, this book cover! I've uploaded an extra large version so you can see. I can't stop staring at the blending of the colors, and the mesmerizing representation of the unseen, non-Disney Florida. If I could frame it and hang it on my wall, I would. The signature says "Vige", but I can't seem to find any information on the artist. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

If you want to take a trip to the unspoiled South, without the strife of heat and mosquitoes and tourists, this is your best bet. You will thank me later!

4 out of 5 stars

Cape Seduction - Anne Carter (Kindle)

When it comes to magnificent structures, lighthouses have got it all...they are majestic, historic, mysterious, and romantic. Solitary protectors, beacons of hope. That is why I'm so enchanted with them, and what originally drew me to Pam Ripling (pen-named Anne Carter). Pam loves her lighthouses, and began weaving them into her writing projects with Point Surrender, a story of love, ghosts, and a lighthouse.

Rebecca Burke is a successful photojournalist with her sights set on featuring the crumbling and decaying Dragon Rock Lighthouse in an upcoming publication. It is surrounded with a colorful and mysterious past...it was the location of a 1940's romance thriller film called "Cape Seduction", which starred an promising actress named Darla Foster. Strangely, it was soon after the shooting of the film that Darla was last seen alive.

Matt Farralone is the handsome lawyer who represents the current owner of the lighthouse (and friends with Amy and Case from Point Surrender, who make a cameo appearance). Matt is charged with ensuring no one sets foot near the property, which inspires Rebecca to cook up a crazy scheme to bamboozle him. What she didn't count on was actually LIKING the guy (but let's face it, we the readers can see it coming a mile away!). She also didn't count on the paranormal-like visions of a beautiful, young, dark-haired woman who seems to be compelling her to get inside that lighthouse at all costs.

We are transported back and forth through time, from the current day with Rebecca and Matt, to 1948, when the movie Cape Seduction was being filmed. Darla's slightly kooky but childlike presence, her ambitious desire to become a star, and her fateful relationship with her dashing co-star Jordan Kent is slowly revealed to us. And all the while, there is an ominous undercurrent - we know things are going to go well for this misguided but charming young woman.

Reading a paranormal romance is a real departure from my typical fare, but it was pure enjoyment! The paranormal aspects are subtle - just enough to give you a little tingle. The romance isn't too sweet, but with lots of chemistry. I will warn you that the romantic plot is predictable and full of outlandish coincidences, worthy of an eye-roll and some out-loud commentary. This didn't deter me nearly as much as it should have though, because the characters were interesting and likable. The real star of the show here, and the reason why I continue to think about this novel long after I've finished, is the lighthouse.

The Dragon Rock Lighthouse was inspired by the real-life St. George Reef Lighthouse in Northern California. The lighthouse sits on a reef six miles from the coast, built in the late 1800's, and is only accessible by helicopter. (This is the only off-shore lighthouse in the world with public access. You can visit via helicopter for $195pp.) You can only imagine the misadventure that could occur in such a location, with its isolation and exposure to the crashing waves. The atmosphere doesn't get any more tangible and more memorable.

If I didn't know better, I'd think that the ghost of Darla was beckoning me to visit.



4 out of 5 stars

Wordless Wednesday: Yosemite #5

For more Wordless Wednesday photos, click here.

The Nobodies Album - Carolyn Parkhurst (Kindle)

Do you ever look back at your life and how you lived it, and wish you had made better decisions? Do you wish you could have a "do over"?

Octavia Frost, a successful author, widow, and mother to her estranged adult son Milo, is living her life in a sea of regret. Years ago, a tragic event claims the life of Octavia's husband and daughter, leaving mother and son to wallow in survivor's guilt. Octavia throws her energy into a career as a novelist, projecting the hell of her life into a long line of dark novels that are semi-autobiographical. After four years of alienation with Milo, she decides that her next literary project will be to re-write the endings of all of her books, a subconscious attempt at setting things right.

On her way to turning in her manuscript of this project (entitled "The Nobodies Album"), she learns that her son, now a front man for a popular band, has been accused of murdering his girlfriend. She races cross country to offer her support, not knowing if it will be accepted. She also embarks on a journey to discover the truth behind the murder charges, the pursuit of forgiveness, the exploration of self, and the quest to heal the decades-old wounds between mother and son.

At this point, you may be muttering to yourself "yeah, yeah, family tragedy, dysfunction, angst, blah, blah, blah". Wouldn't blame you. Haven't we heard this all before a thousand times? Yes, but not quite in a package such as this. I love clever and unique, and this is so very much clever and unique. Let me try to explain.

First, the writing is stellar. It is smart, insightful, and real. The voice effectively communicates to us through tone and inference that this is a woman who is sharp but tired, who is living with loss, who is feeling her middle-age, who recognizes her faults, and misses her son.

The book moves back and forth between Octavia's present involvement with her son and his predicament, and excerpts from The Nobodies Album. As Octavia attempts to find a toehold in her son's chaotic situation, we intermittently get a peek into her mental state in her novels' original endings, and where she wants to be through her revised endings. I don't believe many authors could pull off such a subtle but impactful study of the human spirit, contained in such a clever package.

Layered in between all of this awesomeness are two mysteries. What really happened to Octavia's husband and daughter? And who really killed Milo's girlfriend? The answer to the first question shook me to the core, and came just a leeeeeetle bit too close for comfort. I had to get up and walk that one off. The answer to the second question is not an obvious one, and has a respectable and satisfying conclusion.

Most importantly, at the heart of the book you will find the soul of a mother who loves her baby...a fierce protector, flawed but good intentions, and a desperation for love.

I, along with half of the book blogging universe I think, was persuaded to read this book by Jen of Devourer of Books. You can read her most excellent review here.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Monday Movie Meme - Repeat After Me

In your family, is there one particular movie that is quoted ALL THE TIME? The Bumbles want to know, and so do I. This week's theme is all about those highly quotable movies.

The Nawrots are into their movies, so you might expect that we quote a number of them in our home, but one stands out above the rest. I won't tell you which one it is...you have to figure it out. Just know that in reciting these lines, it is all about the accent.



"Mind if I sit down? I'm carrying quite a load here."

"So that was Mrs. Lundegaard on the floor in there. And I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper. And those three people in Brainerd. And for what? For a little bit of money. There's more to life than a little money, you know. Don't you know that? And here ya are, and it's a beautiful day. Well, I just don't understand it."

"Ah, hon, ya got Arby's all over me."

"I'm not sure I agree with you a hundred percent on your police work, there, Lou."
"Well, the little guy was kinda funny-lookin'."

"It's my deal here, see?"

"Go Bears!" (pronounced beers)

Sunday Salon: Hot and Steamy

Good morning, friends, and welcome back to a hot and sweaty Sandy, courtesy of the lovely 97 degree Florida weather! The kids and I mosied on back to our home, kitties, piggy and daddy from Indiana on Wednesday, and brought the nasty weather with us. I don't even want to go outside at this point - you can't even breathe. But after being gone for three weeks, and with the beginning of school leering at me like an evil troll, I had to get a few things done.

The first item on the agenda was simply groceries. I don't know what my husband had been living on for three weeks (apparently friends' hospitality). Then I decided to tackle the worst things first - back to school shopping, which includes uniforms, shoes, and supplies, and always is accompanied with fighting and heated discussion. My son doesn't want to reuse anything from the previous year, and my daughter wants her uniforms skin tight. Still on the to do list: scheduling about a half dozen appointments of various kinds, getting the kids together with their friends because they seem starved for companionship, and yard work. Bleh.

I'm also trying to get my blogging act together. It just kind of fell apart over the summer. I usually have a good month's worth of posts stacked up which gives me wiggle room. But this has dwindled away because I am uninspired to write. I'm going to have to get over this I realize, and quickly. I'm definitely not lacking in things to read for sure. When I walked through my door Wednesday afternoon, I saw an almost toppling tower of books that had arrived while I'd been gone. An ARC of Sara Paretsky's latest, another Beth Kephart gem, two more graphic novel volumes of The Stand, a WWII novel and DVD from my friends at Aquila Polonica, several books that I'd won in giveaways (including the most BEAUTIFUL journal from Iliana!), and a buttload of library books. Plus more that I'm probably not remembering. It was overwhelming and tickling all at once!

I'm finally seeing the light at the end of of the tunnel called The Passage - only a few more discs to go! Jenners and I are planning on reading Middlesex together sometime soon, and mine will be in audio format, so I hope to start that when she is ready in the next few weeks. I'm also itching to listen to the latest Jack Reacher installment called "61 Hours". The kids and I started an audio that I impulsively ordered because of Raych called How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff (precious precious). So audios are back in working order.

I am closing in on "So Cold the River" and I'm having a great time with it. There is nothing more exciting than reading a book where the location is like another character in the story, in this case the West Baden Springs Resort which I fell in love with last fall. Now I think I need to go back! I also sorta kinda squeezed in the two volumes of the graphic novel The Stand because I couldn't help myself. I am eyeballing another graphic novel next, one that I ordered from the library called "Pyongyang" that was recommended to me from Alyce.

As I am writing (on Saturday evening), I am preparing a yummy feast for my family and friend that is coming over. Shrimp Cakes with Chili-Lime Cream Sauce, Gorgonzola Risotto, a salad, and maybe if we are so inclined, Twix brownies for desert. When this particular friend comes over, we usually get involved in a wine tasting extravaganza, hence why I feel it is best to get my post written now and not in the morning when my only goal will be to drag myself out of bed for church. Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!