Eating This and Not That

Have you read the Eat This Not That books? I think they are neat! They are not diet books really, but are full of nutrition information about common restaurant and grocery store foods. I've had the original Eat This Not That for over a year and have liked it and used it so much that I just bought the Eat This Not That for Kids and Eat This Not That Supermarket Survival Guide in the last month. The books are laid out in such a clever way, that the information is very visual and easy to understand - even for my kids.

In reading them I've found it so interesting that there is so much high fructose corn syrup is in everything. I totally know that HFC is chemically the same as sugar, but the problem is that its in all sorts of foods that didn't used to have sugar in them at all or they had a lot less of it. Well, these books, the supermarket one in particular, have helped me at a glance to choose a better nutrigrain bar, yogurt, spaghetti sauce or whatever without all the work of standing in the isle reading labels while I'm shopping. I just look through the book and write on my shopping list the name of the better brand for whatever I'm buying. It's been really nice and I hope it's making a difference. I'm sure that if I would have taken the time before to compare food labels before I wouldn't have needed these books, but honestly I usually went for the cheapest brand rather than the healthier one. I guess trying to make better choices has probably led to more of our budget going to food... That's the down side. Isn't it a bummer that buying healthier food is more expensive. But we've been going out to eat so much less in the last months so at least that helps in the budget department.

I've let Sophie and Ben look at the kids one as much as they want. For days after I bought it, Sophie kept coming up to me saying, "Did you know this is healthier than this??" I think it really shocked her how unhealthy some of her favorite "treat" type foods are. I don't want to make my kids obsessed with food, or count calories or anything like that, but I do want them to try to make healthy food choices. We've had really good conversations about what foods Sophie should pack in her lunches so they are well balanced. She has willingly taken chicken noodle soup packed in a thermos and turkey sandwiches with baby carrots since reading through this book and I am so happy about that. I don't want to say that I am a complete health-nut or that my kids never have processed foods or fast food (believe me, that's not the case - we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast today:) ), but I have loved these books for putting the nutrition information out there for me to make more informed decisions.

Wuthering Heights

Well I guess I'm going to keep on the love theme and talk about Wuthering Heights. I really really enjoyed the Masterpiece Theatre Wuthering Heights that concluded last night! It was one of the best adaptations I've seen. I, of course, LOVE Ralph Fiennes as Heathcliff (you must see that one if you haven't already!), but his pairing with Juliette Binoche as Cathy just didn't do it for me. I think it's cause Julia Ormond sounded a lot more French than she should have the whole time. But no, this Cathy from the Masterpiece Theatre version was GREAT!! And the Heathcliff was so rough and tortured, just how I imagine Heathcliff. As a teenager I never could really figure out in my mind what Heathcliff should look like... He would change as I tried to make him better and better and eventually he ended up looking like my head version of Louis from Interview With the Vampire, just because I wanted to pin down an image... But really I think my mind version Heathcliff will look like this guy from Masterpiece Theatre from now on. Visually he is exactly what was described in the book - tall, dark, broad, of unknown ethnic origins (though Hindley refers to him as a Gypsy), wild, tortured, brooding, but still handsome. Good casting Masterpiece Theater!! I also totally bought the horrible, destructive love between Cathy and Heathcliff. I kept yelling at the TV, "Come on Cathy, why did you marry Linton??!!" I let go of the many fold inaccuracies. The most blaring one that I had to let go was Heathcliff's suicide. In the book he does sort of suddenly die, but it is not described as a suicide. Near the end of his life you assume he is sick or having some sort of break down because he starts to hear and see Cathy outside his window and out on the moors. I thought the suicide in the version last night was a bit gross, but again I let it go because I really did enjoy this adaptation. To me Heathcliff committing suicide wasn't very far off from his character - you believe that man is capable of almost any horror near the end of the book.

Adrian watched the movie with me as if to figure out the inner workings of my head and why I love this twisted story. He kept saying, "But it's a horrible story." I know. I know. It is. BUT. Seriously have you ever read a novel with so much raw passion?? So much emotion and psychology?? Where the characters have such great lines?? I don't think Dracula's few awesome lines even come close to Heathcliff's. Yes, all the characters make the worst possible choice at every crossroads, but it's the love, the undying love between Heathcliff and Cathy that makes the story so resonating. I actually got teary when Heathcliff was holding Cathy in his arms shortly before she died and when he was sobbing after she did die. Then of course I was still teary when he said my favorite lines, "I cannot live without my life. I cannot live without my soul." So this is my conclusion: even though their love distorts them both, it is undeniable, powerful, and unforgettable and that's why I love Wuthering Heights... I also love that in the end they are freed to wander the moors together, well as ghosts, but it's still cool. So gothic.

Adrian finally said after the movie, "It's how much Heathcliff loves her, that's what makes you like him." Yep. He got it right. And to that he said, "Well I guess I'm your Heathcliff then." And THAT made me tremendously happy. Honestly my hubby sometimes surprises me, he's a quiet guy who's definitely not prone to being mushy, but sometimes he says just the right thing. I might be a girl that is mildly obsessed with a bunch of fictional romantic characters, but my real life Heathcliff/ Edward/ Mr. Darcy/ Mr. Knightley/ Captain Wentworth/ Lloyd Dobler/ Romeo is the love of my life and all those fictional heroes have nothing on real thing. Wow, this movie review ended all sappy didn't it. Sorry, but love stories always do that to me.

Art History Pic for January (and probably February too if I'm honest)

Illustration of the 1943 edition of Wuthering Heights, wood engraving by Fritz Eichenberg,

Arts of the Book Collection, Yale University Library

I came across this most amazing illustration of Heathcliff whilst perusing Wuthering Heights pictures on the web. I love it (would love to have a print of it!!) and think the importance of illustration is often overlooked in art history. Sure there are very important illustrators (or print makers) like Albrecht Durer, but generally how often do illustrators get the acclaim they deserve? I absolutely love the illustrator for the American editions of the Harry Potter books, but don't know her name off the top of my head. (I just looked it up, her name is Mary GrandPre.:)) I feel like a dork for not being more mindful and appreciative of great illustrators. Well, today I am paying tribute to Fritz Eichenberg for creating this gorgeous wood engraving of one of my favorite fictional characters. This wood engraving displays the powerful emotion and tumult of this scene in the novel, when Heathcliff is informed of Cathy's death. You can see his torment in the shape of his body mirroring that of the landscape. Isn't it awesome?? Wow, great job Fritz Eichenberg. I think this wood engraving is a great work of art.

Love

I have a sweet hubby. For the last 2 days he has brought me home a big diet cherry limeaid because he tells me I need to keep hydrated. Awww, I feel loved. Forget roses and sonnets, a big Sonic drink when your feeling icky is romance in its purest form. (I think I'm on the mend, my head hasn't felt as much like its going to explode today so I figure that's a good sign, yesterday I was sure I had a sinus infection.) I heart Sonic and I heart Adrian!

Inauguration Day

What a day! I have been watching all the Inauguration festivities on TV all day (I have a really nasty cold or flu and watching TV is about the most strenuous thing I've managed to do today:)) and I have been struck by the momentous occasion this is in our country's history. Whether you are democrat or republican or neither it seems like today has been a day not to talk politics, but a day to celebrate the inauguration of a president that we have so many hopes for. I can't imagine the mantle that has been placed on his shoulders today, but I hope and pray with the rest of the nation that better times will be in the days and years ahead with him as our president. His speech was amazing and filled with words of comfort and hope. I was moved by how many people were on The Mall in DC. It was so weird to be so far away from DC today, having lived in Maryland for many years until last summer. I kept thinking how amazing it would have been to actually be there in DC, but then when I saw how cold it was I was happy to be watching in my baggy sweatshirt and comfiest jeans sitting in a warm family room. I've kept the TV on the coverage all day as background noise and when Ben asked a couple of times to watch a kids show I told him today was such an important day and we should watch all the news about our new president today. He hasn't complained at all (a miracle) and he and Nina actually sat on the couch (with the aid of freshly popped popcorn in a bowl between them) and watched the swearing in and President Obama's inaugural address with me. I am so grateful for my country and the peaceful exchange of power that we always experience. I know this is not the case in many nations were exchange of power is often met with disruption and violence. We have so much to be grateful for in this wonderful nation of ours. As Tim Russert was known to say, "What a country!!". Best wishes Mr. President!!

What an Amazing Story

Chesley Sullenberger is one cool guy!! I have been watching the news coverage of the US Airways crash landing on the Hudson river yesterday and am amazed by the pilot, Chesley, who was able to land the plane on the river. Isn't it amazing that everyone survived! Adrian called me yesterday afternoon to ask me to turn it to CNN because he heard a plane had crashed and wanted to know what was happening. So I did and they were just reporting that everyone had made it out of the plane. Amazing. As you know it is not my favorite thing to fly and though this story scares me to death (a flock of geese is what downed the plane) it is also comforting to know that a plane with 2 failed engines could still land... Wow. Chesley you're my hero!! Apparently he walked up and down the plane (that was sinking) twice to make sure everyone was off before getting out himself. I found this article super interesting about how the pilot was able to land the plane.

January, Sleep, Austen

January
So I was just watching the Today show and I think I have the "winter blues" as described in their last segment. I think I always feel this way in January like a lot of people. December is a wonderful and magical month and then January comes and there is the inevitable let down. I do, however, like the new beginning aspect of January. Its great to make goals for the new year, but honestly I hardly ever sit down and write resolutions... I guess this year I've just made some mental notes of things I'd like to work on - being healthier, kinder, and getting our finances on track. I know those are common themes, but good things to improve on none the less.

Sleep
I think a lot of my January melancholy has to do with lack of sleep also. I've been watching one of Sophie's friends before school. Her mother got a new job that starts early and she'll be coming over an hour and a half before school for the next couple of weeks till her mom can get her set up with the early care program at the school. Consequently I've been waking up at 6am so I can get ready before everyone is up and about. I know 6am is very normal or even late for lots of people, but well I'm a bit weird. I actually feel a little sick when I wake up early as opposed to feeling happy and ready to greet the day. It doesn't help that I usually can't fall asleep till around 1am even if we go to bed at 10 or 11. Hopefully if I keep trying to go to bed at the same time every night that will get better. I've been making breakfast for everyone too (which is usually Adrian's job) and the smell of pancakes or even cold cereal in the mornings makes my stomach twist. The most I can choke down in the mornings is a breakfast shake and I make myself do it because "breakfast is the most important meal of the day". There are some great benefits to this temporary situation though, I like helping out S's mom, Sophie gets to spend time with her friend, Ben loves having S over too (he totally has a crush on this little girl), and Adrian loves going into work early. I don't know how I ended up with such a morning person - when I see how happy Adrian is in the mornings its almost like we are different species. If I get used to waking up early it would be nice. Being a morning person would be wonderful.... Early to bed, early to rise and all that... But right now I'm doing my best to put on a happy face in the mornings - fake it till you make it, right?! Hey, why doesn't anyone extol the virtues of those who are cheerful at night?? I tell you if it was cool to be a night-person I'd have that one in the bag!

Austen
Oh I have to mention that I have been totally engrossed by the cutest mini-series on the Ovation channel called "Lost in Austen". Awesome. It's a weird mix between the book Austenland and the movie Being John Malkovich. What happens is a woman who obsessively reads Pride and Prejudice finds a doorway in her apartment to the world of P&P and kind of switches places with Elizabeth Bennet. I know it sounds dumb, but really it is FUNNY. There is a Colin Firth-esque wet shirt scene that I couldn't stop laughing at. Even Adrian enjoyed watching it and that is saying something. I don't think he has ever happily watched an Austen movie. I have the whole 4 part series stored on my DVR and will probably be watching it lots during the desert of sadness between when Twilight is out of the theaters (its leaving all the theaters near me this Fri), and when it comes out on DVD. March 21st!! Of course I already have it pre-ordered. Don't worry about me though, I think that between Lost in Austen and the new Wuthering Heights airing on PBS this Sunday (CAN'T WAIT) I'll be okay.:)

2008 Books

I'm going to be completely honest about all the books I read in 2008 (which really weren't many - it was a slow book year for me). Please don't think badly of me about some of these selections... I had kind of a stressful year and in times of stress I totally turn to escapist reads as you will see. Surprisingly, I really really liked the Sophie Kinsella fluff though and totally recommend them (well maybe not Remember Me, but the rest are FUN). As for the Anita Stansfield, well I'm sticking by my stressful year excuse for those...

1. Pope Joan, Donna Woolfolk Cross - This was for the book club that I hosted back in MD, I've heard they are making it into a movie, hmmm I wonder if it will be good??
   
2. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith - Probably right up there in my top 10 books, it is a beautifully written classic.
3. Undomestic Goddess, Sophie Kinsella - This was the book that began my crazy Sophie Kinsella read-a-thon.
   
4. Confessions of a Shopaholic, Sophie Kinsella - LOVE IT!!
5. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, Sophie Kinsella
6. Shopaholic Ties the Knot, Sophie Kinsella
7. Shopaholic and Sister, Sophie Kinsella
8. Shopaholic and Baby, Sophie Kinsella
9. Can You Keep a Secret, you guessed it Sophie Kinsella
10. Remember Me?, Sophie Kinsella - This one is not a favorite, probably because it was more vulgar than most Kinsellas.
    
11. The Book Thief, Markus Zusak - How's that for a 180 after all that fluff?? I really liked this book. The imagery is like nothing I had ever read before...
12. The Host, Stephenie Meyer - Not a favorite.
    
13. Little Children, Tom Perrotta - Wow, so this one is a very disturbing social commentary about life in the suburbs... Not a favorable view of stay-at-home moms or married people or cops or well anyone really. People in general are horrible in this book, but the author did have a weird zen sort of respect for skateboarders. I wouldn't recommend it at all, very gritty.
14. First Love and Forever, Anita Stansfield - When I started this I had just found out we were moving and selling our house... This is the book I always turn to when I want to feel warm, fuzzy, and a little mind-numbed.
15. Kitty and the Midnight Hour, Carrie Vaughn - I borrowed this from Julia and hey vampires and werewolves are always up my alley!:)
16. Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer
17. Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer - all but the "Jacob" part this time, maybe werewolves aren't always up my alley...
    
18. In Search of Heaven, Anita Stansfield -Okay, so there is a whole Mormon book section at the Walmart here and well somehow it ended up in my cart... Not the best written book in world, it's Jane Eyre with a Mormon context, but okay fluff.
    
19. Quiet Promise, Anita Stansfield - This is where my Anita Stansfield streak stopped, this book seemed to go nowhere and the characters were so one dimensional. Seeing that the Barrington saga went on for many more books I decided to stop at this one.
    
20. Rebecca, Daphne Du Maurier - Amazing book and I loved it. In my top 10 definitely.
    
21. Cocktails for Three, Madeleine Wickham - This is written by the same person as the Shopaholics but under another name. Fluff read. This one was for the plane ride to MD (I'm usually a bit of a mess on planes) and it was great one for that.
    
22. Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer - It took me a long time to finally read this because of my annoyance that she's no longer going to finish and publish it... I liked it. A lot. Lots of Edward and that makes me happy. But. I am still fighting my annoyance over her not finishing and publishing it. I was so excited for it for so long and now all I get is an unfinished rough draft... I guess Stephenie Meyer just wants to leave the whole Twilight Saga alone now. Alright. I'll deal, but just need a few more months to digest my disappointment.
    
23. Plain Truth, Jodi Picoult - I liked this book, interesting and the Lancaster, PA setting was lovely. I love Lancaster and am so sad to live so far away now. I am craving a red velvet whoopie pie right now!

So there's my 2008 book list. Don't judge me too harshly it was a rough year... I have a few books on the way from Amazon right now that I'm excited to read, including a graphic novel named Plain Janes which Corinne recommended and I'm totally psyched about.

New Years Movie and Hair

Since the kids have been doing so well in movies lately we decided to stretch our luck on New Years day and take them to a live-action flick Marley and Me. It went okay, but the movie really wasn't the best kids movie. Yes, it is about a lovable and badly behaved pooch, but we didn't have the foresight to really check into the plot of the movie. Let's just say it ends on a very sad note and there was a lot of sex talk and a skinny-dipping scene to boot, yep not exactly what we were hoping for. I think it could be a great family movie if your youngest child is around 10 or 11. Anywho, we made it through the movie with lots of pop corn and candy consumption and all in all the kids were pretty well behaved but bored, so we'll probably be sticking to Pixar movies for a while.

One funny observation during the movie though is that my little Nina has Owen Wilson's hair. I don't know how this happened (Adrian's probably wondering this too! Ha!:))and she probably needs a hair cut, but I couldn't stop thinking of the resemblance the whole time. Funny.

Ben's Birthday and New Year Festivities

I can't believe it, but my little Ben is 5!! I don't know what it is about 5, but it seems like an important age. This year he will start kindergarten and it seems like he is fully a little boy now. He had a good birthday I think. He wanted yet again to go to Chuck E Cheese and so that's what we did for lunch. He had such fun playing all the games and Sophie and Nina really enjoyed it too. I will never understand how Chuck E Cheese can charge so much for such horrible pizza, but the kids loved it so it was all good. After all the tokens were used up and little prizes were gotten with all the tickets we headed home and gave Ben an extended birthday Nintendo session (that kid could play for hours if you let him). We had his requested hot dogs, potato chips and strawberry jello salad for dinner and then a Star Wars birthday cake (a Walmart cake decorated by moi with some Star Wars Galactic Heros figures). He loved his presents which were a color-changing light saber, so you can go from good Jedi to dark Sith with the push of a button and a Star Wars Legos set. We really do wonder how long his Star Wars obsession is going to last, but at least it is something he can share with Adrian (whose obsession has stood for a good few decades now:)). So happy happy birthday Benjamin Bunny!! I'm sure in future birthday posts he will want me to refrain from using my favorite nickname for him so I have to put it in now while he is still unaware!:)

We had a very fun new years eve too. Our neighbors 2 doors down invited us over for treats and fun. It ended up that all our neighbors from the 3 houses near us all came and it was so neat to get to know everyone. Honestly, I can't imagine that kind of thing happening in our MD neighborhood; we are constantly amazed by how friendly everyone is around here! We were the only ones with little kids so we ended up heading home a bit early, but it was great while it lasted with lively conversation and goodies galore. Oh, I have to mention probably the funniest part of the conversation. So Adrian had met our next door neighbors before, but I hadn't and he had mentioned that he was from Utah originally... Well the neighbor was talking to me and said she was glad to meet me because she had joked with her husband that "uh oh, since they're from Utah maybe he has 3 wives or something!" I told her in a very friendly tone, "Well we are Mormons, but not polygamists." I couldn't help but smile and laugh and I really hope I didn't make her feel bad, but thought it was best to dispel any fears that she had about her Mormon neighbors right away. Honestly that was a first for me and if it came from someone else it might have been awkward, but she is such a friendly and fun lady that we laughed and then started up a different conversation. Anywho, we came home at about 9pm and it was like Sophie and Ben got a second wind and they wanted to both stay up and play a game. So we got out chips and candy left over from Christmas and played The Game of Life. Ben tuckered out and went to bed around 10, but Sophie held out till the end of the game and came in 2nd place. She ended up going to bed somewhere around 11pm. Adrian and I had a hard time fighting sleep (I know its crazy that I was tired being such a night owl myself) but we watched The Phantom of the Opera till midnight and had a toast with sparkling cider. Happy happy new year!!