Stories I Only Tell My Friends

Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography by Rob Lowe

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


As it turns out Rob Lowe is a great writer. The well known actor can really set a scene! You just won't believe all of the name dropping that happens in this book. Page after page of little stories involving people we all know. If you like that kind of inside information then you will really enjoy reading this book. Even if that, not your thing the great writing will keep you interested. This is an uplifting story of one person's strive to find normal under totally unrelatable circumstances. Even though it's a life I can't ever imagine living, Rob does come off as a likable mid western guy who just by chance lives an extra ordinary life. I recommend this as an entertaining light summer read.



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Freedom

I have finally finished Freedom By Jonathan Franzen. If you are reading or plan to read this book be warned, there are SPOILERS!!!!

Freedom opens with Walter and Patty Berglund and their children Joey and Jessica. They live in suburban America. They seem like the average American family until you find out that Joey has moved in next door with his girlfriend Connie and her family. Right away that hits you as strange.
Soon we begin to learn about Patty's early life. We follow her from adolescence through college where she deals with an obsessed friend and meets Walter and Richard. Obsession was an early theme for me. No one seems to just like anyone around here. They are either neutral or obsessed. I think early in the book freedom is defined as getting what you want. I don't think the characters are freed by getting the love of the people that they want.
Even though Patty is truly in love with Richard, she ends up marrying Walter because of the love Walter offers. Richard is always distant because he respects Walter's feelings for Patty. This is the second time that Patty suppresses who she really is for what she feels is the greater good. I believe this leads to her later depression and mistreatment of Walter.
Patty and Walter create a life together. The kids grow up. Joey rebels from his mother's obvious favoritism and obsession with him by moving into his girlfriend's house. He goes on to college from there where is able to discover who he really is. It turns out that even though he couldn't get along with his father in his younger days, he is idealistic, just like Dad. I love that quality in both of them.
Patty plunges into an awful depression that causes her to cheat on Walter with Richard, and Walter to fall in love with a younger woman. I believe that if she could just feel free enough to be who she really is, none of this would have happened. I don't think she would have even married Walter.
The characters are real and so dimensional. They learn a lot of life's lessons the tough way. They fight emotion only to learn that it can't be done without destroying who you are. This is really a beautiful story that truly teaches a lot about Freedom. In the end I believe freedom is defined as the ability to be who you really are, and be ok with it.

Book Reviews : Manic A Memior by Terri Cheney

I read this book some time ago, but I loved it so much that I wanted to add it my reviews.
Manic is the very personal story of Terri Cheney and her struggles with mental illness, namely manic depression. Terri tells her story with such vigor and truth. The good, the bad, and the ugly of manic depression is all in this book. Reading Terri's personal account has changed my views on personality disorders tremendously. I was never really able to understand manic depression, but after reading this I felt like I had experienced a tiny bit of what living this way must be like. I can relate to friends and family that struggle with mental illness in ways that I never could before. I can also appreciate the beautiful and special pieces of a personality that is marked with this illness.
The story skips around just the way that Terri's mind does which gives it a very authentic feel. Terri, an entertainment lawyer with a list of high profile clients, goes through love, loss, and institution time before finding her way in this world. This story has highs, lows, and moments you just won't believe. Most of all this is a story of hope and beauty. I highly recommend!

Book Reviews : Family Tree Barbra Delinsky

I am very excited to add book reviews to my blog! In August I was lucky enough to get a Barnes & Noble Nook for my birthday! I have always been an avid reader but the Nook changes everything. I'm reading more than I ever have now and I love it! Without further ado here's my review for Family Tree!

I came across this title when I was searching the $5 and under section for Barnes & Noble ebooks. There were a lot of great reviews for Family Tree, and it was $.89, so I really had nothing to lose, or not much to lose anyway. It was an easy read and I'd say worth the money I spent.

The books opens with a quintessentially happy couple just beginning the labor and delivery of their first child. Dana and Hugh Clarke are about to have a baby on what should be the happiest day of their lives. It all falls apart when the baby is born with African American coloring and features, even though Hugh and Dana are Caucasian. The couple is suddenly dealing with the differences in their family backgrounds and rumors of infidelity on Dana's part. It never mattered before to Hugh, who is from a well to do New England family, that Dana's family is just the opposite. Dana never knew her father so they assume this is where the African American traits come from, even though Dana has blonder features. Desperate to prove that his wife did not have an affair, Hugh begins the journey to find the African American roots in his daughters Family Tree.

The premise is a tad difficult to believe, as well as a few other details in the book. It's very difficult to imagine two Caucasian people having an African American baby. The book is pretty predictable as well. Otherwise, it's a quick read and a pretty good story. I also enjoyed the storyline on the side. If anyone has a Nook and is interested in this read, leave a comment and I will lend it to you!

Chicken Stroganoff

Everyone has a Chicken Stroganoff recipe right? Here is my take on the chicken version of a beef classic. I use boneless skinless chicken thighs for extra flavor without the extra chicken juice over powering the sauce! If you can't find these at your local market, chicken breasts work as well.


6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Olive oil for browning
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 package Lipton onion soup mix
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups chicken stock
1 tbsp. butter



Preheat Oven 350 degrees

Season chicken with salt & pepper. Brown chicken in a large oven safe pan. While chicken is browning mix together sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, and the onion soup mix in a separate mixing bowl. Once chicken is browned on all sides add the sour cream mixture to the pan. Remove pan from stove and pop in the oven for 1 hour.
When you've got about 40 minutes cooking time left on the chicken it's time to start your rice. Melt butter in a meduim sauce pan. Toast your rice until it's slightly golden brown and smells toasty. Add 2 cups of chicken stock. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer and cover. The rice will be ready when the chicken timer goes off.

Serve chicken and sauce over rice. You can also serve over egg noodles!

New Recipe!

It's been a long long summer for me! I am really excited to be back in the fall routine as this is my favorite time of year! Over the summer I did get a chance to experiment with some new recipes. These things are always born out of necessity. That means I have lots of left over ingredients to use. If I buy those ingredients again to make the recipe on purpose then I know it was a good one. I'm excited to share my summer dinners with you guys. I'm starting off with a no recipe recipe. It's so easy, you'll never have to even write it down. I keep a variety of veggies in the fridge that can be easily roasted and throw them on the side of whatever I'm making. Any of these veggies can be interchanged, they are roasted the same way. Pictures coming soon!


Teriyaki Pork Chops with Rice and Roasted Asparagus
(for a family of 4)


4 medium to thick cut pork chops
3 tbs. of butter
1 tbs. flour
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup chicken stock
1 cup long grain rice
Asparagus
Olive Oil
1/2 lemon


Preheat oven to 400 degrees

I always start the asparagus first. Take one asparagus and snap the end off where it breaks naturally. Then use that one as a guide and chop the rest at the same point. Lay them out on a cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast for about 20 minutes watching them to make sure the ends don't get too dark.

Melt 1 tbs. of butter in a medium sauce pan before adding 1 cup of long grain rice. Toast your rice until light brown. Add 2 cups of chicken stock. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is soft.

While your rice is cooking melt another 2 tbs. of butter in a large stainless steel frying pan on medium high heat. Sear chops 5-7 minutes on both sides. Remove chops from pan once cooked through. Whisk in the flour cooking for just a minute before deglazing the pan with the soy sauce. Add brown sugar whisking continuously. If your teriyaki is too thick, add chicken stock and continue whisking. If your sauce is too thin, turn the heat up to reduce it down some. Once you have the right consistency add the chops back into the pan turning to coat. Serve over rice with asparagus on the side. Enjoy!


More recipes to come soon!

Remembering Mr. Betts

Remembering Mr. Brian Betts

I first met Mr. Betts in 1989. He was the new Phys. Ed teacher at Rockview Elementary School in Kensignton Maryland. I was a 5th grade student, also new to the school. Even though I didn't see much of Mr. Betts, I really enjoyed being in his class. Students only have physical education once a week in grade school. Two years later I had moved on to Redland Middle School, in another district of Montgomery County Maryland. On the first day of 7th grade, to my happy surprise I ran into Mr. Betts again. He transferred and would be my teacher again for that year. In our first class he introduced himself. He told the other students that if they wanted to know what kind of a teacher he was they should ask me. I had nothing but glowing things to say about Mr. Betts. Through out the next year I would really get to know what kind of an educator Mr. Betts really was. He had a way of making each student feel special in his eyes. My self confidence was automatically boosted when I was in his presence. That year he taught his students 3 semesters of Physical Education and 1 semester of Health Education. He was just as good in the classroom as he was on the field. Mr. Betts was really able to relate to us, often talking about his experience in school. He was a one of a kind teacher.

This morning while I was having coffee with my husband and talking to my children about their upcoming day in school there was a news report that caught my attention. The newscaster reported that Brian Betts, a middle school principal had been found dead in his home of an apparent gun shot wound. I didn't think it was the Mr. Betts that I had known. Tragically after some Internet research I found that it was indeed.

I am so sad to see that the world has lost such a wonderful person. I wish I had told Mr. Betts what a difference he made in my life. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and students.
The investigation into Mr. Betts' murder is on going.

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the victim's dark blue Nissan Xterra blue 2007 Nissan Xterra (MD plate 562M222) to call the police non-emergency number of (301) 279-8000. Anyone with other information pertaining to this death is asked to call homicide detectives at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.