I'm usually helping my family set up the decorations for the house right before trick-or-treaters come around and our many pumpkins are set out and carved. Candy is all bagged up and I would be putting my costume around four in the afternoon.
But this year I'm just not up for it. This year is going to be more low key. For now I'm snuggling up on the couch with a blanket and catching up on American Horror Story and Sleepy Hollow. Later I'm making some potato and leek soup for friends of mine who just had a baby two weeks ago and bringing it over to them. Then when hubby gets home I'm making some alfredo pizza and watch Hocus Pocus (a traditional favorite of mine).
Happy Halloween Everyone! Be cautious but have fun!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Book Worm Wednesday
Since this is the day before Halloween I thought I would share my favorite Edgar Allan Poe story. Hope you enjoy!
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe
The "RED Death" had long devastated the country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous. Blood was its Avatar and its seal-the redness and the horror of blood. There were sharp pains, and sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the pores, with dissolution. The scarlet stains upon the body and especially upon the face of the victim, were the pest ban which shut him out from the aid and from the sympathy of his fellow-men. And the whole seizure, progress, and termination of the disease, were the incidents of half an hour.
But the Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious. When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends from among the knights and dames of his court, and with these retired to the deep seclusion of one of his castellated abbeys...The prince has provided all the appliances of pleasure. There were buffoons, there were improvisatori, there were ballet-dancers, there were musicians, there was Beauty, there was wine. All these and security were within. Without was the "RED Death."
It was toward the close of the fifth or sixth month of his seclusion, and while the pestilence raged most furiously abroad, that the Prince Prospero entertained his thousand friends at a masked ball of the most unusual magnificence.
It was a voluptuous scene, that masquerade. But first let me tell of the rooms in which it was held. There were seven-an imperial suite...The apartments were so irregularly disposed that the vision embraced but little more than one at a time. There was a sharp turn at every twenty or thirty yards, and at each turn a novel effect. The right and left, in the middle of each wall, a tall and narrow Gothic window looked out upon a closed corridor...These windows were of stained glass whose color varied in accordance with the prevailing hue of the decorations of the chamber into which it opened. That of the eastern extremity was hung, for example, in blue-and vividly blue were its windows. The second chamber was purple...The third was green...The fourth was furnished and lighted with orange-the fifth with white-the sixth with violet. The seventh apartment was closely shrouded in black velvet tapestries that hung all over the ceiling and down the walls, falling in heavy folds upon a carpet of the same material and hue. But in this chamber only, the color of the windows failed to correspond with the decorations. The panes here were scarlet-a deep blood color....the blood-tinted panes was ghastly in the extremes, and produced so wild a look upon the countenances of those who entered, that there were few of the company bold enough to set foot within its precincts at all.
It was in this apartment, also, that there stood against the western wall, a gigantic clock of ebony. Its pendulum swung to and fro with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang; and when the minute-hand made the circuit of the face, and the hour was to be stricken, there came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound which was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly musical, but of so peculiar a note and emphasis that, at each lapse of an hour, the musicians of the orchestra were constrained to pause, momentarily, in their performance, to hearken to the sound; and thus the waltzers perforce ceased their evolutions; and there was a brief disconcert of the whole gay company...it was observed that the giddiest grew pale...But when the echoes had fully ceased, a light laughter at once pervaded the assembly; the musicians looked at each other and smiled as if at their own nervousness and folly, and made whispering vows, each to the other, that the next chiming of the clock should produce in them no similar emotion; and them, after a lapse of sixty minutes...there came yet another chiming of the clock, and then were the same disconcert and tremulousness and meditation as before.
To and fro in the seven chambers there stalked, in fact, a multitude of dreams. And these-the dreams-writhed in and about, taking hue from the rooms, and causing wild music of the orchestra to seem as the echo of their steps. And, anon, there strikes the ebony clock which stands in the hall of the velvet. And then, for a moment, all is still, and all is silent save the voice of the clock. The dreams are stiff-frozen as they stand. But he echoes of the chimes die away-and a light, half-subdued laughter floats after them as they depart.
But now there were twelve strokes to be sounded by the bell of the clock; and thus it happened, perhaps that more of thought crept, with more of time, into the meditations of the thoughtful among those who reveled. And thus too, it happened; perhaps, that before the last echoes of the last chime had utterly sunk into silence, there were many individuals in the crowd who had found leisure to become aware of the presence of a masked figure which had arrested the attention of no single individual before. And the rumor of this new presence having spread itself whisperingly around, there arose at length from the whole company a buzz, or murmur, expressive of disapprobation and surprise-then, finally, of terror, of horror, and of disgust.
...The figure was tall and gaunt, and shrouded from head to foot in the habiliments of the grave. The mask which concealed the visage was made so nearly to resemble the countenance of a stiffened corpse that the closest scrutiny must have had difficulty in detecting the cheat. And yet all this might have been endured, if not approved, by the mad revelers around. But the mummer had gone so far as to assume the type of the Red Death. His vesture was dabbled in blood-and his broad brow, with all the features of the face, was besprinkled with the scarlet horror.
When the eyes of Prince Prospero fell upon this spectral image...he was seen to be convulsed, in the first moment with a strong shudder of either of terror or distaste, but, in the next, his brow reddened with rage. "Who dares"-he demanded hoarsely of the courtiers who stood near him-"who dares insult us with this blasphemous mockery?"...It was in the eastern or blue chambers in which stood the Prince Prospero as he uttered these words. They rang throughout the seven rooms loudly and clearly, for the prince was a bold and robust man, and the music had become hushed at the waving of his hand.
It was in the blue room where stood the prince, with a group of pale courtiers by his side. At first, as he spoke, there was a slight rushing movement of this group in the direction of the intruder, who, at the moment was also near at hand, and now, with deliberate and stately step, made closer approach to the speaker. But from a certain nameless awe with which the mad assumptions of the mummer had inspired the whole party, there were found non who put forth hand to seize him...he made his way uninterruptedly, but with the same solemn and measured step, which had distinguished him from the first, through the blue chamber to the purple-through the purple to the green-through the green to the orange- through this again to the white- and even thence to the violet, ere a decided movement had been made to arrest him. It was then, however, that the Prince Prospero, maddened with rage and the shame of his own momentary cowardice, rushed hurriedly through the six chambers, while none followed him on account of a deadly terror that had seized upon all. He bore a drawn dagger, and had approached, in rapid impetuosity, to within three or four feet of the retreating figure, when the latter, having attained the extremity of the velvet apartment, turned suddenly and confronted his pursuer. There was a sharp cry- and the dagger dropped gleaming upon the sable carpet, upon which, instantly afterward, fell prostrate in death the Prince Prospero...
And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death. He had come like a thief in the night. And one by one dropped the revelers in the blood-bedewed halls of their revel, and died each in the despairing posture of his fall. And the life of the ebony clock went out with that of the last of the gay. And the flames of the tripod expired. And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all.
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe
The "RED Death" had long devastated the country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous. Blood was its Avatar and its seal-the redness and the horror of blood. There were sharp pains, and sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the pores, with dissolution. The scarlet stains upon the body and especially upon the face of the victim, were the pest ban which shut him out from the aid and from the sympathy of his fellow-men. And the whole seizure, progress, and termination of the disease, were the incidents of half an hour.
But the Prince Prospero was happy and dauntless and sagacious. When his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned to his presence a thousand hale and light-hearted friends from among the knights and dames of his court, and with these retired to the deep seclusion of one of his castellated abbeys...The prince has provided all the appliances of pleasure. There were buffoons, there were improvisatori, there were ballet-dancers, there were musicians, there was Beauty, there was wine. All these and security were within. Without was the "RED Death."
It was toward the close of the fifth or sixth month of his seclusion, and while the pestilence raged most furiously abroad, that the Prince Prospero entertained his thousand friends at a masked ball of the most unusual magnificence.
It was a voluptuous scene, that masquerade. But first let me tell of the rooms in which it was held. There were seven-an imperial suite...The apartments were so irregularly disposed that the vision embraced but little more than one at a time. There was a sharp turn at every twenty or thirty yards, and at each turn a novel effect. The right and left, in the middle of each wall, a tall and narrow Gothic window looked out upon a closed corridor...These windows were of stained glass whose color varied in accordance with the prevailing hue of the decorations of the chamber into which it opened. That of the eastern extremity was hung, for example, in blue-and vividly blue were its windows. The second chamber was purple...The third was green...The fourth was furnished and lighted with orange-the fifth with white-the sixth with violet. The seventh apartment was closely shrouded in black velvet tapestries that hung all over the ceiling and down the walls, falling in heavy folds upon a carpet of the same material and hue. But in this chamber only, the color of the windows failed to correspond with the decorations. The panes here were scarlet-a deep blood color....the blood-tinted panes was ghastly in the extremes, and produced so wild a look upon the countenances of those who entered, that there were few of the company bold enough to set foot within its precincts at all.
It was in this apartment, also, that there stood against the western wall, a gigantic clock of ebony. Its pendulum swung to and fro with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang; and when the minute-hand made the circuit of the face, and the hour was to be stricken, there came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound which was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly musical, but of so peculiar a note and emphasis that, at each lapse of an hour, the musicians of the orchestra were constrained to pause, momentarily, in their performance, to hearken to the sound; and thus the waltzers perforce ceased their evolutions; and there was a brief disconcert of the whole gay company...it was observed that the giddiest grew pale...But when the echoes had fully ceased, a light laughter at once pervaded the assembly; the musicians looked at each other and smiled as if at their own nervousness and folly, and made whispering vows, each to the other, that the next chiming of the clock should produce in them no similar emotion; and them, after a lapse of sixty minutes...there came yet another chiming of the clock, and then were the same disconcert and tremulousness and meditation as before.
To and fro in the seven chambers there stalked, in fact, a multitude of dreams. And these-the dreams-writhed in and about, taking hue from the rooms, and causing wild music of the orchestra to seem as the echo of their steps. And, anon, there strikes the ebony clock which stands in the hall of the velvet. And then, for a moment, all is still, and all is silent save the voice of the clock. The dreams are stiff-frozen as they stand. But he echoes of the chimes die away-and a light, half-subdued laughter floats after them as they depart.
But now there were twelve strokes to be sounded by the bell of the clock; and thus it happened, perhaps that more of thought crept, with more of time, into the meditations of the thoughtful among those who reveled. And thus too, it happened; perhaps, that before the last echoes of the last chime had utterly sunk into silence, there were many individuals in the crowd who had found leisure to become aware of the presence of a masked figure which had arrested the attention of no single individual before. And the rumor of this new presence having spread itself whisperingly around, there arose at length from the whole company a buzz, or murmur, expressive of disapprobation and surprise-then, finally, of terror, of horror, and of disgust.
...The figure was tall and gaunt, and shrouded from head to foot in the habiliments of the grave. The mask which concealed the visage was made so nearly to resemble the countenance of a stiffened corpse that the closest scrutiny must have had difficulty in detecting the cheat. And yet all this might have been endured, if not approved, by the mad revelers around. But the mummer had gone so far as to assume the type of the Red Death. His vesture was dabbled in blood-and his broad brow, with all the features of the face, was besprinkled with the scarlet horror.
When the eyes of Prince Prospero fell upon this spectral image...he was seen to be convulsed, in the first moment with a strong shudder of either of terror or distaste, but, in the next, his brow reddened with rage. "Who dares"-he demanded hoarsely of the courtiers who stood near him-"who dares insult us with this blasphemous mockery?"...It was in the eastern or blue chambers in which stood the Prince Prospero as he uttered these words. They rang throughout the seven rooms loudly and clearly, for the prince was a bold and robust man, and the music had become hushed at the waving of his hand.
It was in the blue room where stood the prince, with a group of pale courtiers by his side. At first, as he spoke, there was a slight rushing movement of this group in the direction of the intruder, who, at the moment was also near at hand, and now, with deliberate and stately step, made closer approach to the speaker. But from a certain nameless awe with which the mad assumptions of the mummer had inspired the whole party, there were found non who put forth hand to seize him...he made his way uninterruptedly, but with the same solemn and measured step, which had distinguished him from the first, through the blue chamber to the purple-through the purple to the green-through the green to the orange- through this again to the white- and even thence to the violet, ere a decided movement had been made to arrest him. It was then, however, that the Prince Prospero, maddened with rage and the shame of his own momentary cowardice, rushed hurriedly through the six chambers, while none followed him on account of a deadly terror that had seized upon all. He bore a drawn dagger, and had approached, in rapid impetuosity, to within three or four feet of the retreating figure, when the latter, having attained the extremity of the velvet apartment, turned suddenly and confronted his pursuer. There was a sharp cry- and the dagger dropped gleaming upon the sable carpet, upon which, instantly afterward, fell prostrate in death the Prince Prospero...
And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death. He had come like a thief in the night. And one by one dropped the revelers in the blood-bedewed halls of their revel, and died each in the despairing posture of his fall. And the life of the ebony clock went out with that of the last of the gay. And the flames of the tripod expired. And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Meh...
I apologize for not posting on Friday or yesterday. J-man and I have been planning to visit Nice, France for his birthday and took the opportunity this weekend to go. We came back home Sunday but we got busy with cleaning the house, unpacking, doing laundry and grocery shopping yesterday.
Then yesterday evening we visited one of J's friends and I ended up getting food poisoning. Thankfully, I had a sweet husband to take care of me and he did not falter after witnessing the gross stuff. I feel much better now but I still feel weak so today I'm taking it easy by snuggling in the couch while watching Supernatural.
Then yesterday evening we visited one of J's friends and I ended up getting food poisoning. Thankfully, I had a sweet husband to take care of me and he did not falter after witnessing the gross stuff. I feel much better now but I still feel weak so today I'm taking it easy by snuggling in the couch while watching Supernatural.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Alfredo Sauce
My husband and I LOVE chicken alfredo pizza. The way I do it is easy and fast. I buy the pizza crust and the alfredo sauce (in a can). All I have to do is cook up some chicken breast and add some herbs in the mix. Every once in a while we'll get crazy and add sun-dried tomatoes.
This week, though, I've decided to try to make alfredo sauce by scratch and see which tastes better. I'm betting on the made-by-scratch. I found a recipe that's supposedly the same one used by Olive Garden. I'm hoping so because they have the best alfredo sauce in my opinion. It's especially good with some fresh garlic bread to dip in too.
Once it starts to bubble add the parmesan and mix it well into the sauce until it melts. I recommend getting real parmesan or Sargento Artisan's parmesan. I should add that you don't want too much parm in the sauce or it will get clumpy. You want the result to be smooth and creamy.
After tasting it I knew I was never going back to canned alfredo sauce again. It tastes just ALMOST like Olive Garden's sauce. The first thing I used this sauce for was my white cheese pizza. Any leftovers I had I saved it for the next night and I dipped toast in it. If you are a white sauce person then I urge you to use this recipe.
This week, though, I've decided to try to make alfredo sauce by scratch and see which tastes better. I'm betting on the made-by-scratch. I found a recipe that's supposedly the same one used by Olive Garden. I'm hoping so because they have the best alfredo sauce in my opinion. It's especially good with some fresh garlic bread to dip in too.
You will need:
1 pint of heavy cream 2 Tbsp. cream cheese
1 stick of butter 1/2-3/4 C parmesan cheese
2 tsp. garlic (I forgot to add it to photo above)
First, you melt the butter in low heat and add the heavy cream and cream cheese. Mix the ingredients well.
After tasting it I knew I was never going back to canned alfredo sauce again. It tastes just ALMOST like Olive Garden's sauce. The first thing I used this sauce for was my white cheese pizza. Any leftovers I had I saved it for the next night and I dipped toast in it. If you are a white sauce person then I urge you to use this recipe.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Book Worm Wednesday-Witch's Spell
Act IV, Scene 1 from Macbeth, by William Shakespeare
The Witch's Spell
2 WITCH. Thrice and once, the hedge-pig whin’d.
3 WITCH. Harpier cries:—’tis time! ’tis time!
1 WITCH. Round about the caldron go;
In the poison’d entrails throw.—
Toad, that under cold stone,
Days and nights has thirty-one;
Swelter’d venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i’ the charmed pot!
ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
2 WITCH. Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing,—
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
3 WITCH. Scale of dragon; tooth of wolf;
Witches’ mummy; maw and gulf
Of the ravin’d salt-sea shark;
Root of hemlock digg’d i the dark;
Liver of blaspheming Jew;
Gall of goat, and slips of yew
Sliver’d in the moon’s eclipse;
Nose of Turk, and Tartar’s lips;
Finger of birth-strangled babe
Ditch-deliver’d by a drab,—
Make the gruel thick and slab:
Add thereto a tiger’s chaudron,
For the ingrediants of our caldron.
ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
2 WITCH. Cool it with a baboon’s blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.
The Witch's Spell
A dark Cave. In the middle, a Caldron boiling. Thunder.1 WITCH. Thrice the brinded cat hath mew’d.
Enter the three Witches.
2 WITCH. Thrice and once, the hedge-pig whin’d.
3 WITCH. Harpier cries:—’tis time! ’tis time!
1 WITCH. Round about the caldron go;
In the poison’d entrails throw.—
Toad, that under cold stone,
Days and nights has thirty-one;
Swelter’d venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i’ the charmed pot!
ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
2 WITCH. Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing,—
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
3 WITCH. Scale of dragon; tooth of wolf;
Witches’ mummy; maw and gulf
Of the ravin’d salt-sea shark;
Root of hemlock digg’d i the dark;
Liver of blaspheming Jew;
Gall of goat, and slips of yew
Sliver’d in the moon’s eclipse;
Nose of Turk, and Tartar’s lips;
Finger of birth-strangled babe
Ditch-deliver’d by a drab,—
Make the gruel thick and slab:
Add thereto a tiger’s chaudron,
For the ingrediants of our caldron.
ALL. Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
2 WITCH. Cool it with a baboon’s blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
As Of Today
I have three whole weeks left in England. After that I'm flying back to my hometown in New Mexico to stay with the folks until Jared is able to leave and fly into Dallas.
I can't believe time has flown by so quickly. Five months have past with the blink of an eye. In three weeks a new chapter of my life will begin. It's pretty exciting. Hubby and I are trying to plan one more trip before we leave. His birthday is tomorrow, in fact, and he's been wanting to go to France for some time, more specifically the French Rivera. We plan to leave this weekend so I will keep you posted for the time being.
I can't believe time has flown by so quickly. Five months have past with the blink of an eye. In three weeks a new chapter of my life will begin. It's pretty exciting. Hubby and I are trying to plan one more trip before we leave. His birthday is tomorrow, in fact, and he's been wanting to go to France for some time, more specifically the French Rivera. We plan to leave this weekend so I will keep you posted for the time being.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Game Night and After Party
My husband and I love to play board games. We can be super competitive too, especially when it comes to Monopoly. Last Saturday we invited a few friends, other couples, to hang out and dress up for Halloween. We all had a blast snacking on finger foods, drinking my husband's jungle juice, and enjoying each other's company.
We, Campbells, decided to dress up as Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler from the BBC version. I was very pleased with my costume.
We, Campbells, decided to dress up as Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler from the BBC version. I was very pleased with my costume.
That hair style was difficult to do when I first tried it but after finding a tutorial through Youtube I was able to simplify it.
My lovely ladies: Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Keith
The gents: Mr. Keith and Mr. Bell
After playing Cluedo, Battle of the Sexes, and Trivial Pursuit it was midnight and we were done for the night, or so we thought. My darling friend, Mrs. Bell, suggested going to New Market to go dancing. How can I refuse her? So we Campbells and the Bells changed clothes and hit De Niro's in New Market. Even though we did not get back home until four in the morning (my new record for staying out late) I had a blast.
I realized, also, that it was the first time my husband and I went out clubbing together. I actually had a lot more fun with him because I know I had someone looking out for me compared to a night with some girlfriends. I was able to relax and dance with Mrs. Bell while our husbands watches over us from upstairs. It was certainly a great night.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Fall Is Here
I was out jogging a few weeks ago and saw a beautiful image at one of the side roads I like to take. There are a row of trees on both sides of the road and they were orange and dried up. The next day I had to come back and shoot.
A sure sign of fall.
I'm a very happy girl when it comes to fall.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Jambalaya
I've never had the opportunity to try Jambalaya before but I've been curious about it. Last week when I was in the middle of prepping for this week's meals I was flipping through the pages on my cookbook and found an easy Jambalaya recipe. With the weather cooling down (some days rain included) I thought this was the chance to try it out.
*The recipe asks for shrimp but since my husband does not eat seafood I substituted it with chicken. I used chopped chicken breast and added it to the pot with the sausage and rice. If you let it simmer for about 12-15 it should be thoroughly cooked.
*The recipe asks for shrimp but since my husband does not eat seafood I substituted it with chicken. I used chopped chicken breast and added it to the pot with the sausage and rice. If you let it simmer for about 12-15 it should be thoroughly cooked.
Jambalaya
1 lb. fresh or frozen peeled and deveined shrimp ½ C chopped onion (1 medium)
½ C chopped
celery (1 stalk) ¼
C chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
2 C chicken broth 1 bay leaf
1 14.5 can diced tomatoes, undrained
8 oz. Andouille or keilebasa sausage, cut into ½ in.
slices
¾ C uncooked long grain rice 1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
½ tsp. dried basil, crushed ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
1 C cubed cooked ham
1) Thaw
shrimp (if frozen) and rinse. Set aside. In a 12 in. skillet cook onion,
celery, green pepper, and garlic in hot oil over medium-high heat until tender.
2) Stir
in broth, diced tomatoes, sausage, rice, thyme, basil, cayenne pepper, ¼ tsp.
black pepper, and bay leaf.
3) Bring
skillet to boil; then, reduce heat. Simmer, covered for 15 minutes. Stir in
shrimp. Return to boil. Simmer and cover for another 5 minutes or until shrimp
turns opaque and rice is tender.
4) Stir
in ham; heat through. Before serving discard the bay leaf.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Book Worm Wednesday
I've been reading The Night Circus lately and thought some bits and pieces had a magical, almost child-like wonder that is familiar (in my opinion) with Halloween. Here are a few excerpts.
"The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. The towering tents are striped in white and black, no golds and crimsons to be seen. No color at all, save for the neighboring trees and the grass of the surrounding fields. Black and white stripes on the grey sky; countless tents of varying shapes and sizes, with an elaborate wrought-iron fence encasing them in a colorless world. Even what little ground is visible from outside is black and white, painted or powdered, or treated with some other circus trick...People marvel at the staggering height of the tallest tents. They stare at the clock that sits just inside the gates that no one can properly describe. And the black sign painted in white letters that hangs upon the gates, the one that reads:
Opens at Nightfall
Closes at Dawn
"What kind of circus is only open at night?" people ask. No one has a proper answer, yet as dusk approaches there is a substantial crowd of spectators gathering outside the gates. You are amongst them, of course. Your curiosity got the better of you, as curiosity is wont to do. You stand in the fading light, the scarf around your neck pulled up against the chilly evening breeze, waiting to see for yourself exactly what kind of circus only opens once the sun sets."
"In this tent, suspended high above you, there are people. Acrobats, trapeze artists, aerialists. Illuminated by dozens of round glowing lamps hanging from the top of the tent like planets or stars. There are no nets. You watch the performance from this precarious vantage point, directly below the performers with nothing in between. There are girls in feathered costumes who spin at various heights, suspended by ribbons that they can manipulate. Marionettes that control their own strings. Normal chairs with legs and backs act as trapezes. Round spheres that resemble birdcages rise and descend while one or more aerialists move from within the sphere to without, standing on the top or hanging from the bars on the bottom.
In the center of the tent there is a man in a tuxedo, suspended by one leg that is tied by a silver cord, hands clasped behind his back. He begins to move, extremely slowly. His arms reach out from his sides, first one and then the other, until they hang below his head. He starts to spin. Faster and faster, until he is only a blur at the end of the rope. He stops, suddenly, and falls. The audience dives out of the way below him, clearing a space of bare, hard ground below. You cannot bear to watch. You cannot look away. Then he stops at eye level with the crowd. Suspended by the silver rope that now seems endlessly long. Top hate undisturbed on his head, arms calmly by his sides.
As the crowd regains its composure, he lifts a gloved hand and removes his hat. Bending at the waist, he takes a dramatic, inverted bow."
"The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. The towering tents are striped in white and black, no golds and crimsons to be seen. No color at all, save for the neighboring trees and the grass of the surrounding fields. Black and white stripes on the grey sky; countless tents of varying shapes and sizes, with an elaborate wrought-iron fence encasing them in a colorless world. Even what little ground is visible from outside is black and white, painted or powdered, or treated with some other circus trick...People marvel at the staggering height of the tallest tents. They stare at the clock that sits just inside the gates that no one can properly describe. And the black sign painted in white letters that hangs upon the gates, the one that reads:
Opens at Nightfall
Closes at Dawn
"What kind of circus is only open at night?" people ask. No one has a proper answer, yet as dusk approaches there is a substantial crowd of spectators gathering outside the gates. You are amongst them, of course. Your curiosity got the better of you, as curiosity is wont to do. You stand in the fading light, the scarf around your neck pulled up against the chilly evening breeze, waiting to see for yourself exactly what kind of circus only opens once the sun sets."
"In this tent, suspended high above you, there are people. Acrobats, trapeze artists, aerialists. Illuminated by dozens of round glowing lamps hanging from the top of the tent like planets or stars. There are no nets. You watch the performance from this precarious vantage point, directly below the performers with nothing in between. There are girls in feathered costumes who spin at various heights, suspended by ribbons that they can manipulate. Marionettes that control their own strings. Normal chairs with legs and backs act as trapezes. Round spheres that resemble birdcages rise and descend while one or more aerialists move from within the sphere to without, standing on the top or hanging from the bars on the bottom.
In the center of the tent there is a man in a tuxedo, suspended by one leg that is tied by a silver cord, hands clasped behind his back. He begins to move, extremely slowly. His arms reach out from his sides, first one and then the other, until they hang below his head. He starts to spin. Faster and faster, until he is only a blur at the end of the rope. He stops, suddenly, and falls. The audience dives out of the way below him, clearing a space of bare, hard ground below. You cannot bear to watch. You cannot look away. Then he stops at eye level with the crowd. Suspended by the silver rope that now seems endlessly long. Top hate undisturbed on his head, arms calmly by his sides.
As the crowd regains its composure, he lifts a gloved hand and removes his hat. Bending at the waist, he takes a dramatic, inverted bow."
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Nobody Tells You
...that you gain weight after getting married. Since I was fifteen I've kept my weight around 115; it was never above 120. Even in college I managed to stay under 120. But after I graduated and got married, somehow all that went out the window. I've been given a few theories that involves eating more and sex could be the perp.
Now that I have to feed two people I make bigger portions. I'll admit I have been snacking more than I did. I think it is because when I was in college and living off of less than two grand a month I couldn't afford snacks or junk food. I just focused on three square meals. There would be a window of luxury every once in a while that I would satisfy late night cravings with Jack In The Box or Taco Bell. But now that husband supports me we can afford to have chips or a big bag of kettle corn. It's so nice that I can munch on anything I want but when I saw what the weight scale said several weeks ago I was, well, upset. I have gained roughly ten pounds.
Yeah that might not be a lot to people and you're thinking "big deal". But like I said I've never gone over 120. It was a wake up call for me. I needed to slow down on the munchies and steer away from carb-y dinners. Not only that but the fact that I'm not working plays a big factor too. I don't have anything to do except this blog. When I was in college I was constantly on the go between classes, sorority events, and trying to have a social life. Now I'm a couch potato catching up on Supernatural. My hopes are that once we get back in the States I'll start working and get moving again.
Anyone have this issue right after getting married? Do you think gaining weight is a myth or real?
Now that I have to feed two people I make bigger portions. I'll admit I have been snacking more than I did. I think it is because when I was in college and living off of less than two grand a month I couldn't afford snacks or junk food. I just focused on three square meals. There would be a window of luxury every once in a while that I would satisfy late night cravings with Jack In The Box or Taco Bell. But now that husband supports me we can afford to have chips or a big bag of kettle corn. It's so nice that I can munch on anything I want but when I saw what the weight scale said several weeks ago I was, well, upset. I have gained roughly ten pounds.
Yeah that might not be a lot to people and you're thinking "big deal". But like I said I've never gone over 120. It was a wake up call for me. I needed to slow down on the munchies and steer away from carb-y dinners. Not only that but the fact that I'm not working plays a big factor too. I don't have anything to do except this blog. When I was in college I was constantly on the go between classes, sorority events, and trying to have a social life. Now I'm a couch potato catching up on Supernatural. My hopes are that once we get back in the States I'll start working and get moving again.
Anyone have this issue right after getting married? Do you think gaining weight is a myth or real?
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Recipe of the Week
Because fall is slowly showing itself I've been dying for anything pumpkin flavored. Pumpkin spice lattes, chocolate chip pumpkin cookies, or what-have-you. This week I've been wanting to try pumpkin muffins with white chocolate chips.
I forgot to photography the whole process because I was in such a rush to bake them. I was craving PUMPKIN. As always, I find inspiration through Pinterest and found this.
It's very easy and basic; the only trouble is having all the spices. If you'd rather have regular chocolate chips or nuts it's easy to incorporate your spin on these muffins.
My husband shares my love for pumpkin flavors and swooned after chowing into a fresh muffin. After I thought you couldn't make it any better my husband added some leftover cream cheese frosting we have stashed away. He declared that he could almost live without sex if he had those muffins with the frosting. I guess that means I did a good job.
I forgot to photography the whole process because I was in such a rush to bake them. I was craving PUMPKIN. As always, I find inspiration through Pinterest and found this.
It's very easy and basic; the only trouble is having all the spices. If you'd rather have regular chocolate chips or nuts it's easy to incorporate your spin on these muffins.
My husband shares my love for pumpkin flavors and swooned after chowing into a fresh muffin. After I thought you couldn't make it any better my husband added some leftover cream cheese frosting we have stashed away. He declared that he could almost live without sex if he had those muffins with the frosting. I guess that means I did a good job.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Book Worm Wednesday
Because I'm a HUGE fall person and a lover for Halloween this month I'll incorporate the theme into Book Worm Wednesday. I'll start it off with good ol' Edgar Allan Poe.
An excerpt from 'The Black Cat'...
"...Upon the fourth day of the assassination, a party of the police came, very unexpectedly, into the house, and proceeded again to make rigorous investigation of the premises. Secure, however, in the inscrutability of my place of concealment, I felt no embarrassment whatever...They left no nook or corner unexplored...They descended into the cellar. I quivered not in a muscle. My heart beat calmly as that of one who slumbers in innocence. I walked the cellar from end to end. I folded my arms upon my bosom, and roamed easily to and fro. The police were thoroughly satisfied and prepared to depart. The glee at my heart was too strong to be restrained. I burned to say if but one word, by way of triumph, and to render doubly sure their assurance of my guiltlessness.
...'Gentlemen,' I said at last, as the party ascended the steps, "I delight to have allayed your suspicions. I wish you all health and a little more courtesy. By the bye, gentlemen, this-this is a very well constructed house,"-"I must say an excellently well-constructed house. These walls-are you going, gentlemen?-these walls are solidly put together"; and here, through the mere frenzy of bravado, I rapped heavily with a cane which I held in my hand, upon that portion of the brickwork behind which stood the corpse of the wife of my bosom..."
...But may God shield and deliver me from the fangs of the Arch-Fiend! No sooner had the reverberation of my blows sunk into silence, than I was answered by a voice from within the tomb!-by a cry, at first muffled and broken, like the sobbing of a child, and then quickly swelling into one long, loud and continuous scream, utterly anomalous and inhuman-a howl- a wailing shriek, half of horror and half of triumph, such as might have arisen only out of hell, conjointly from the throats of the damned into their agony and of the demons that exult in the damnation...
...Of my own thoughts it is folly to speak. Swooning, I staggered to the opposite wall. For one instant the party on the stairs remained motionless through extremity of terror and awe. In the next a dozen stout arms were toiling at the wall. It fell bodily. The corpse, already greatly decayed and clotted with gore, stood erect before the eyes of the spectators. Upon its head, with red extended mouth and solitary eye of fire, sat the hideous beast whose craft had seduced me into murder, and whose informing voice had consigned me to the hangman. I had walled the monster up within the tomb.
An excerpt from 'The Black Cat'...
"...Upon the fourth day of the assassination, a party of the police came, very unexpectedly, into the house, and proceeded again to make rigorous investigation of the premises. Secure, however, in the inscrutability of my place of concealment, I felt no embarrassment whatever...They left no nook or corner unexplored...They descended into the cellar. I quivered not in a muscle. My heart beat calmly as that of one who slumbers in innocence. I walked the cellar from end to end. I folded my arms upon my bosom, and roamed easily to and fro. The police were thoroughly satisfied and prepared to depart. The glee at my heart was too strong to be restrained. I burned to say if but one word, by way of triumph, and to render doubly sure their assurance of my guiltlessness.
...'Gentlemen,' I said at last, as the party ascended the steps, "I delight to have allayed your suspicions. I wish you all health and a little more courtesy. By the bye, gentlemen, this-this is a very well constructed house,"-"I must say an excellently well-constructed house. These walls-are you going, gentlemen?-these walls are solidly put together"; and here, through the mere frenzy of bravado, I rapped heavily with a cane which I held in my hand, upon that portion of the brickwork behind which stood the corpse of the wife of my bosom..."
...But may God shield and deliver me from the fangs of the Arch-Fiend! No sooner had the reverberation of my blows sunk into silence, than I was answered by a voice from within the tomb!-by a cry, at first muffled and broken, like the sobbing of a child, and then quickly swelling into one long, loud and continuous scream, utterly anomalous and inhuman-a howl- a wailing shriek, half of horror and half of triumph, such as might have arisen only out of hell, conjointly from the throats of the damned into their agony and of the demons that exult in the damnation...
...Of my own thoughts it is folly to speak. Swooning, I staggered to the opposite wall. For one instant the party on the stairs remained motionless through extremity of terror and awe. In the next a dozen stout arms were toiling at the wall. It fell bodily. The corpse, already greatly decayed and clotted with gore, stood erect before the eyes of the spectators. Upon its head, with red extended mouth and solitary eye of fire, sat the hideous beast whose craft had seduced me into murder, and whose informing voice had consigned me to the hangman. I had walled the monster up within the tomb.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
When You Know
I've learned that throughout a marriage a person will have moments, mostly when least expected, when you realize that you have the right partner. I've had one of those moments a few weeks ago.
J-man and I were watching an episode of Modern Family (hilarious show). To summarize, Mitchell and Cam left their daughter, Lily, with Mitchell's father, Jay, while they went to the hospital to get their baby they've been dying to have. Lily had a ballet recital the same day so Jay had to take her. The ballet instructor approached Jay and told him that Lily didn't want to dance. So he went backstage and tried to talk her into doing it. She finally said, "Will you dance with me grandpa?" Jay didn't want to and would rather give her $50 than dance with her.
My husband said, "I would gladly go up and dance with her." I couldn't help but smile and my heart skipped a beat. I silently thanked God for such a sweet husband. I knew that I've got the right life partner. I know that I have a husband who in the future will be a wonderful father, making forts with our kids, and will be the kind of grandpa who will make a fool of himself attempting ballet with his nervous granddaughter. What more could a woman want?
J-man and I were watching an episode of Modern Family (hilarious show). To summarize, Mitchell and Cam left their daughter, Lily, with Mitchell's father, Jay, while they went to the hospital to get their baby they've been dying to have. Lily had a ballet recital the same day so Jay had to take her. The ballet instructor approached Jay and told him that Lily didn't want to dance. So he went backstage and tried to talk her into doing it. She finally said, "Will you dance with me grandpa?" Jay didn't want to and would rather give her $50 than dance with her.
My husband said, "I would gladly go up and dance with her." I couldn't help but smile and my heart skipped a beat. I silently thanked God for such a sweet husband. I knew that I've got the right life partner. I know that I have a husband who in the future will be a wonderful father, making forts with our kids, and will be the kind of grandpa who will make a fool of himself attempting ballet with his nervous granddaughter. What more could a woman want?
Monday, October 7, 2013
Appreciate The Differences
I noticed the other night when my husband and I were chewing into our corn-on-the cobs. We eat our corn differently; he chews all the way across while I eat up and down the rows.
It's little things like this that make me appreciate our differences. It amazes me how many ways we are different and yet we find enough common ground to choose to spend the rest of our human lives together. Sometimes I think our differences are what makes us happy together but there are times that I'm proven wrong and it can be the total opposite.
I suppose that is part of the riddle of marriage.
It's little things like this that make me appreciate our differences. It amazes me how many ways we are different and yet we find enough common ground to choose to spend the rest of our human lives together. Sometimes I think our differences are what makes us happy together but there are times that I'm proven wrong and it can be the total opposite.
I suppose that is part of the riddle of marriage.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Nature's Bounty
They look like blueberries but I'm not sure. Still, very pretty with the rain drops.
These are blackberries, my hubby's favorite. Can't wait until they ripen so I can collect them and make blackberry jam. MMM!
I walked further down the road, hoping to find more beautiful spider webs and then I found this little guy. Well, not really little compared to the other snails I would find on the road.
Nature's bounty is glorious.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Honeymoon Days 3 and 4
So day three! After a delicious breakfast we went back to Mykonos town because there was somewhere we had planned to go. We heard of a tour boat that will take us to Delos Island. Delos, supposedly, is where the greek god Apollo was born. His temple and sanctuary is there and we heard there are ruins there. Growing up as a history nut I had to go.
These are OLD mills used in the town once.
I had to give a shout out to my sorority sisters!
This is the view where the windmills are.
That large building is the 'maison de trident' or the house of Poseidon.
who's that good looking gladiator?!
Yes, I wore that dress on purpose. Fits the scenery, no?
After Delos we sailed back to town and we drove the four wheeler back to our hotel for lunch. Instead of staying put we went higher up on the hill where our hotel sits to find a restaurant called Kiki's. I've read that the wait can take up to an hour because it's so small but the food is worth it. It's also very hard to find Kiki's because they don't have a sign. We looked around the area and after smelling the grill and hearing the sounds of plates clanking we knew we were close. Two minutes later we found it.
We decided to share the swordfish fillet. I was very proud of hubby because he refuses to eat fish.
This was my portion.
Kiki's is basically a beach shack that grills almost everything from different choices of fish and chicken.
The weather was perfect and the meal was great.
I noticed in the restaurant that after everyone finished their meal they asked for espresso. Like they say, when in Greece...
Very bitter but definitely wakes you up. Hubby had a tiny spoonful of it and I swear his hair stood straight. We went back to the hotel to relax by the pool, once again. Goofed around as you can see.
Around dinner we came back to the hotel, we showered and got dressed up for our last night out. We chose to go to Kalosta, another hotel/restaurant that was right next door. I've been really wanting to go to this place once I've researched it. All the reviews said it had the best food and service.
Day Four.
The next morning I woke up very sad to leave our little spot of perfect. We had a large breakfast and tried to soak up as much sun as possible by heading down to the beach.
I love this shot! Hubby is getting very good with the camera.
But this shot is my absolute favorite.
Overall I would highly recommend Mykonos Island, Panormos area especially. The people are kind and helpful. The food is wonderful. And the views are to die for. I hope we come back to our little spot of perfect years from now.
Thank you J for making my perfect honeymoon come to life. You've spoiled me so much and I cannot wait to share more memories with you in the years to come.
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