Matilda. I've been waiting for this moment ever since I became an aunt. It claims the top spot on my list of favorite children's books, and even made the cut of my top ten books of all time.
Lily is going to see the musical this week, so we read it together before she saw it live.
Booh and Tim had already read it to her a few years ago, but that didn't deter me. Or her. Or Roald — whose name I've apparently been saying wrong my entire life. Don't mind me.
We sped through this one, faster than all LiNo's choices before it.
I still got the funny views during our Facetime sessions. This was the first time we used the same edition, which was also fun.
Now on to our questions — perhaps her funniest bits yet.
1. Do you think Mr. Wormwood even got a degree?
M: Maybe he got a degree in sales?
L: That doesn't explain why he cheats. Remember when he said "Why would you want to go to university?" My answer is N-O. Because he just cheats.
2. If the Trunchbull was your aunt, what would her aunt name be?
M: Instead of NoNo, it might be NO NO, or Auntie Aggie.
3. If you could rename The Red House, what would it be?
L: I picked The Rose House.
4. If you had a magic power, what would it be?
M: I'd multiply myself to get more accomplished every day.
L: Oh yeah, like 1% here, 1% in Miami and 1% that's yourself. Like you're a holographic image with a mind of its own. Or you'd produce huge gusts of wind to play instruments.
5. If you were Matilda, what would your pranks be? Pick 3.
M: I'll tell you three real pranks I've done. First is when we were younger, your mom and I convinced Ubie that to become a fairy, we had to put magic in his hair, so we put weeds, dirt and bugs all over his head. Second…I like to tell lies that are jokes. Just ask Mikey Joe. Third, one time I hid my backpack when I got home from school so your mom wouldn't know I was there. What about you?
L: For the first prank, I'd make the house haunted with loud sounds while I'm invisible as a shape-shifter. My second one is, when my parents are asleep, I'd put glitter glue in their hair just for the fun of it. Then the last one would be pranking my parents into thinking there had been a robbery. I'd leave muddy footprints in the hall and out the front door, draw tire tracks, hide something rare, and then take the phone so they can't call the police. Oh, I'd also take the car keys.
1. Roald Dahl plays with words when naming his characters, like Wormwood, Trunchbull and Miss Honey. Based on the names I've made up, how would you describe these characters?
2. *Spoiler Alert* What did you think when the twist was revealed that the Trunchbull was Miss Honey's aunt?
L: Nothing, I was calm. My mom says I don't have a heart.
3. How would you have changed the ending?
L: I would have liked an epilogue of when Matilda grows up and goes to college and becomes a famous librarian.
M: I wanted her parents to have a change of heart and not abandon her.
L: I like them without a heart, in a good kind of way.
4. Give the book a new title.
5. How are you like Matilda and how are you different?
L: We both like books and libraries, but my parents like me. And I don't live in England.
Whew! Seven years. A lot has happened during that time, but I'm thankful to say there's no itch — unless you count our mutual itch to get outta Wyoming.
Our actual anniversary last month fell on a day when I was still reeling from a virus and drugged to the max, but it didn't stop us. We made the most of it by once again trying to find the craziest burger in town. Last year we had burgers on doughnuts, and this year I found a veggie burger that used grilled cheese sandwiches (plural) for buns.
It was decadent and fun and confusing and delicious. The brewery we visited also had homemade pretzel bites and Joe got to sample a few of their beers. Alas, they were all out of their peanut butter beer and I was too medicated to have any anyway.
But, the best part of any anniversary is the dessert. I didn't find any inspiration from our anniversary-year gift themes (cooper and wool), but did find incredible inspiration from a new cookbook my aunt had sent me the week before: Hello, My Name is Ice Cream.
One look at Blue Ribbon Chocolate with Peanut Butter Ribbon, Brownie Bites and Caramelized Rice Krispies and I was completely and utterly sold. Aren't you?
It was pure magic. I always, always say this, but one of my favorite ice creams I've ever made.
Here's what it looks like on day three, when you scoop it right out of the container without any toppings.
It was so full of flavor.
I'm a sucker for brownie bites in my ice cream, but these rice krispies stole the show. They are completely transformed by just a little sugar and salt. I couldn't believe how easy they were to make and how much they added to the dish. They are like the world's best ice cream croutons.
Joe and I both agreed that we loved them more as toppings instead of folded into the ice cream. The longer they sit enveloped by the cream, the softer they become. They still taste good, but lose the edge of that crunch you covet. What's awesome, is that you keep them in the freezer for a month, so they are ready whenever you need them. And, believe me, you need them.
Bonus: Getting featured on the author's What's Your Flavor site!
Place the sugar, water and salt in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar crystals dissolve.
As soon as the bubbles slow down in the syrup and it reaches 240-degrees on a kitchen thermometer, remove it from heat and add the Rice Krispies all at once. Stir gently to coat with the syrup. Remove the pan from the heat and continue stirring until the syrup around the cereal pieces begins to turn white and crystallize.
Pour the krispies out onto a sheet pan and spread gently with a spatula. Let cool enough to handle, about 2 minutes, and then gently start tossing them with your hands to break up any large clumps.
Allow them to cool completely, then gather them into an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to one month.
…before we had a swim day at my Dad's.
…but he finally witnessed one of our Les Mis sing-a-longs. I think the nose squeeze means stop singing.
…we had music lessons around the piano.
And then it was time to eat and swim! I let Lily, the family fish, play with the GoPro.
Loved my quick trip all of the family I got to see. Heart is full!
Last month I made a quick 48-hour trip to Tulsa to celebrate my Memaw's 86th birthday. All she wanted was family and the best BBQ in Tulsa. Wish granted!
That morning, Bryan and I made hummingbird cupcakes decorated like roses (her favorite flower) while having a major dance-off to entertain Rowan.
When you haven't seen the littles in a few months, you get attacked at the door.
…and a happy YaYa with all her grands.
Before we ate, Bryan and Robbi gave Memaw the best gift she could have asked for and then we dug in. Didn't take long to clear the decks.
Here's the hostest with the mostest.
…and LOVE going through old photos and hearing stories.
…how is this one so grown up??
Sibling love with a side of Aunt love.
A few group shots. We were missing some, but so happy to be together. Oh, the laughter when this group converges.
Happy birthday to our matriarch, our rock. We love you!
Everyone indulge me for a second and make some air quotes with your fingers. Now, do this every time I use the word "Spring." Because that's what Spring ("Spring") is in Wyoming — fake. We encountered some promise when our Aspen trees started showing these little furry blooms in March. Of course, they were covered in snow/ice most of the time. Notice the branch-cicles behind it.
…that ended up blanketing our yard when they weren't buried in snow.
And, oh, the icicles. We had two hanging on either side of our front door — both over 5 feet in length — for weeks. Here's part of one. It made our entrance look very menacing. I wish I had something for scale in this pic, because it's actually two pictures stitched together and it's not even showing the whole thing.
And they took FOR-EV-ER to melt. One single drop at a time…which I tried to capture because we literally just heard that tap-tap-tap non-stop for weeks.
But here are the April pictures, and probably the most realistic of what we're experiencing this Spring. There are no flowers here, but we do have these cute little blooms on one of our other trees. Blooms and snow, people.
And here's the crazy storm we had last week for reference. Sorry for the quick cell phone pics. Normally you'd be able to see Joe's car from our front door, but the trees on either side of the sidewalk were leaning close to the ground from the wet snow.
And here are more branches leaning on the brand new windshield I had installed the week before from, what else, snow.
Everyone says it'll be better by the end of May. Until then….
I've been waiting for this book–the final installment of the Tearling Trilogy–for a very long time. I read the first two books (here and here) almost back to back in late 2015 (and LOVED them), and then I had to wait over a year to see how it all ended. Early reviews were tepid. No one really liked how she handled the ending, and it made me nervous/sad to actually dig in. But, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't really have any expectations of what should happen and I certainly couldn't predict the direction she went, but that was fine with me. I was just glad to have some peace with it and I still think it's a fantastic series.
I don't even know if I should add this here, but I did read a few from The Wide Net series so I guess it counts. Nothing blew me away and I actually had to put it down because the one I was reading last was so slow. I still have quite a few to get through, so maybe I should just give myself permission to skip any that spark little to no interest after a few pages. To be continued with this massive book.
I've heard there are two kinds of people: those two think Catch-22 is a genius masterpiece and those who abhor it. I've been moving my parents' old copy for years and never cracked its cover, so I was excited to see which pole claimed my name. Love or hate? Genius or ridiculous? Good news, everyone. I'm in the genius category! (*wink*) It does take a certain kind of mindset to read it, but wow is it funny and so relatable too. I think the madness experienced by those soldiers is similar to the madness one can feel working in non-profit or even academia. Things we know a little about. But I found it genius to the core. Those who have read it, tell me what you thought!
And because I just couldn't stop, I also read Catch-22's sequel right after — it's been sitting on my shelf as long as its predecessor. This was written 30-plus years after Catch-22 and finds characters at the end of their lives–at a similar point for Joseph Heller, too, who died less than five years after it was released. I didn't love this. There were funny parts, yes, and the same satirical mania still coursed through its pages, but it didn't have the same spark. Some character's story lines were better than others, but overall I wouldn't recommend it. Leave the characters in the war and just imagine what happens next. It'll save you almost 500 pages.
LiNo's Libros strikes again! Click here to read all about it.
Oh, Julia. Queen of my world these days. I really love digging into anything I can about her–much like my obsession with Jackie Kennedy, which began when I was in middle school. This was the most in-depth account of her life I've read thus far and even though I really enjoyed it, it did take quite a while for me to get through it. Maybe I was savoring it like the last bites of a big meal? I was surprised at her early life through college, how she never found her stride and wasn't confident in the least. There were so many similarities between her and Paul and me and Joe, too. When they were in their mid-thirties, they had just finished working for the war effort and found themselves feeling a little lost trying to find their footing and next steps. (#usinwyoming) For them, the next steps were Paris and the rest is history. Hands down, I'm completely smitten and inspired with Julia. She's a bulldog, she's hilarious, she's compassionate and she changed our country's food culture more than anyone. Ever. There were a few moments that made me sad, especially Paul's gradual decline and how she reacted to it, as well as her own final days, but overall I loved every moment learning more about this incredible icon. Highly recommend this for any food lovers or non-fiction lovers.
Now, for the books I don't own, but can't wait to find. Thanks to many of you for the recs! Someday I hope to tackle them all.
When Lily and I created our book club, LiNo's Libros, I immediately started a list of all the books I'd love to read with her. I wanted to share all my favorite characters, like Ramona, Harry Potter and Matilda. Also up on the list was Nancy Drew, who was the star of some of my very favorite reading experiences growing up.
Serendipitously, Memaw gave Lily the first four Nancy Drew books for her birthday last year (Memaw loved Nancy Drew, too!) and I've been itching to share the sleuth world with her. So we picked Book 4: The Mystery at Lilac Inn.
And here's Lily posing with her cover and magnifying glass, haha.
Love, love, love reading with her.
Of course, it's also hilarious to read together this way. Typically, I can't see her that much on the screen or I might have a bare foot dangling in my face the entire time.
I snapped this one while she was listening to me read, but happened to capture the character's name I loved hearing her say the most because she'd pronounce it Chief McGiggins. So precious.
1. In the book, blue lilacs are called Blue Pipes. Let's make up some nicknames for other flowers.
2. Nancy has help from her friends Helen and Emily. Who would you depend on for sleuth backup?
L: My friends Ashlyn and Lakshmi. Did you know I have friends from all over the world? And I'm British, Texan, Wyomian. Oh, I'm Scottish and Virginian. I'm just around the United States. Oh, I'm also Oklahoman.
N: I'd choose your mom (because she's smart), Joe (for protection) and you (because you're sneaky).
3. This story was written a long time ago and things have changed. How would the story be different if written today?
L: Instead of a convertible, Nancy would drive a Tesla or a Nissan or a Ford. And instead of rowing a boat, they'd have motorboats.
N: What about cell phones? Those would've helped. And what would they call skin diving now?
L: Scuba, or scuba diving.
4. My favorite creative question for any pick: What would you have called the book?
L: The Letter, or The Impersonator, or maybe The Blue Pipes. That's not giving anything away, but it's also not hiding it.
5. Nancy was very brave and persisted to uncover the mystery, even when people were repeatedly trying to hurt her. How do you think you would have reacted? Would you have stayed at the inn, or gone home?
L: I would have stayed at the inn for like seven weeks and if it kept going I would have gone home.
L: I just like seven. Seven days of the week and seven parts of the brain. I just like it.
N: Totally logical. I think I would've been too scared if someone tried to bomb my bedroom, so I would've gone home pretty quickly.
1. What would you have the cover look like?
L: I would want it set back with lilac trees all over with a convertible holding Nancy.
N: When we started reading, I couldn't remember what lilacs looked like, so I'd want it covered with blooms as a pretty reminder.
2. Do you think all covers should be the same?
N: That's a very good question. I love when old classics are re-imagined with a new cover, but I also hate it when books have covers that reflect their movie versions.
L: I think all covers should be the same so people know what to look at. They shouldn't have to question; they just should all be the same.
3. Do you think Nancy should say "awfully <something>" so much? Like "awfully tired" or "awfully scared" or "awfully excited." It's so weird.
N: Interesting observation, Lil! It's British sounding to me.
L: Yeah! Do you think River Heights is British?
N: I'll have to look it up.
L: They still say "awfully ….." in England, so that may be it.
L: I'd feel depressed, nervous, angry, tearful and sarcastic.
5. Do you think you could change a part of the story?
N: I would have made Maud bad, because there was so much valid suspicion around her.
L: I'd have capsized the boat sooner, rather than have that long conversation.
N: How would you have the background of the story then?
N: You'd make a good book editor.
Next up: …..my absolute #1 favorite…..Matilda!
I knew I had to upgrade last year's Maleficent-looking napkin folds, so this year I tried out roses.
There were nestled in everyone's bowl, which helped them keep their shape. Here's a quick tutorial on how to make them.
I've said this before, but when hosting big (or small) gatherings, make things 250% times easier by setting out all of the plates, silverware, serving dishes, glasses, etc the night before. Everything out and ready to go!
My mom and I made four dishes, which was plenty for us. Let's start with the sweets, my favorites.
My brunch table will always, ALWAYS have Reese's Eggs. I don't know why they taste better as eggs than cups (which are still good!), but these babies make Easter for me.
This year we displayed them and our baked goods on a sweet floral tiered stand that Bobbie gave me for Christmas. I love it. So perfect for Easter!
On the bottom of the stand are the Barefoot Contessa's Easy Sticky Buns, which were a hit.
Very easy to make, and to devour.
For our fruit option, we made the Pioneer Woman's Champagne Oranges instead of a traditional fruit salad.
I was surprised how much I loved them. The syrupy sauce packs quite a punch, and bonus: you can make it the night before!
For the savory, we made Joy the Baker's Spinach and Artichoke Strata from her new cookbook Over Easy.
Egg dishes will never be my favorite, but I did love the flavors and crusty bread around the edges. Also the bonus that you prep it the night before and just throw it in the oven the next morning.
By far the standout dish for all of us was the Barefoot Contessa's Maple-Roasted Carrot Salad.
The FLAVOR of this dish is incredible. I want to make this every week for dinner.
It was the last thing to the table, so not easy to get a great shot of it, but it's bursting with caramelized carrots, almonds, cheese and dried cranberries reconstituted in orange juice. Just ridiculous.
Then we were ready to get to it!
Thankful for the great company and help in the kitchen. Wishing we could spend all holidays with family!
Generously butter a 3-quart casserole dish and set aside.
In a medium skillet set over medium heat, combine the butter and oil. Add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the spinach and artichoke, stirring well to heat through.
Place one-third of the bread cubes in the prepared dish. Top with one-third of the spinach-artichoke mixture and one-third of the cheese. Repeat the layering, finishing with cheese.
In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, mustard (if using), eggs, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Pour over the casserole, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, though overnight is best.
Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Let strata sit on counter for at least 20 minutes to remove some of the chill.
Bake until golden brown and cooked through–45-55 mintues. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Served best slightly warm or at room temperature.


text:
November 7, 2011 5:34PM EST
Stephen Ferry Wins First Tim Hetherington Grant
Paramilitaries during a demobilization ceremony in Norte de Santander, Colombia. © 2004 Stephen Ferry
(New York) – The photojournalist Stephen Ferry has been awarded the first Tim Hetherington Grant, an annual visual journalism award focusing on human rights.
Human Rights Watch and World Press Photo established the grant to honor the legacy of Hetherington, a photojournalist and filmmaker, who was killed in Libya in April 2011. The grant of €20,000 was given to Ferry for his project "Violentology: A Manual of the Colombian Conflict."
"As Tim Hetherington immersed himself in West Africa, spending many years working and living in Liberia, so Stephen Ferry has dedicated himself to covering conflict in Colombia," the judges said in awarding the grant. "Ferry is not only committed to creating an important historical record, he is also generating innovative approaches for disseminating that record within the community he documents, as well as to a worldwide audience."
Ferry's project was chosen by a jury from among 222 applications by photographers from 56 countries.
"Violentology: A Manual of the Colombian Conflict" focuses on the history and current dynamics of the conflict in Colombia, exposing the roles of all parties involved and the impact of the violence on civilians. Human rights abuses are widespread. Over the past two decades, paramilitaries, guerrillas, and government forces have forcibly displaced more than 3.5 million Colombians, and many thousands have died in the fighting.
Ferry, an American who has made his career documenting human rights stories, moved to Colombia and has spent more than a decade documenting abuses there. His "Violentology" project will be distributed across three platforms: an exhibition; a book; and selected excerpts in the form of booklets published free of charge in Colombian newspapers.
The jury members were: Christopher Anderson, Magnum photographer; James Brabazon, journalist and documentary filmmaker; Veronica Matushaj, Human Rights Watch's director of photography; Michiel Munneke, managing director at World Press Photo; and Jamie Wellford, senior photo editor for Newsweek. Adriaan Monshouwer, founder of Picture Inside, served as secretary during the selection process.
The selection committee was looking for qualities that defined Hetherington's career: work that operates on multiple platforms and in a variety of formats; that crosses boundaries between breaking news and long-term investigation; and that demonstrates a consistent moral commitment to the lives and stories of the photographic subjects.
The Tim Hetherington Grant is a joint initiative of World Press Photo and Human Rights Watch, and is supported by Hetherington's parents. The grant is intended to support a photographer in completing an existing project on a human rights theme. The application process was open to all professional photographers who have participated in a World Press Photo competition between 2008 and 2011.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
H.R.4922 - Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act115th Congress (2017-2018)
Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5] (Introduced 02/05/2018)
House - Energy and Commerce; Judiciary
House - 02/09/2018 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. (All Actions)
Cosponsors: H.R.4922 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)All Information (Except Text)
Sponsor: Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5] | Cosponsor statistics: 5 current - includes 0 original
Rep. Carson, Andre [D-IN-7] 02/27/2018
Rep. Duffy, Sean P. [R-WI-7] 03/19/2018
Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] 08/10/2018
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9] 08/10/2018
Rep. Gianforte, Greg [R-MT-At Large] 09/13/2018
02/27/2018 - Rep. Carson, Andre [D-IN-7]
03/19/2018 - Rep. Duffy, Sean P. [R-WI-7]
08/10/2018 - Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]
08/10/2018 - Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
09/13/2018 - Rep. Gianforte, Greg [R-MT-At Large]
Wisconsin [2]
Indiana [1]
Montana [1]
New York [1]