Mood:  a-ok

Last night, I finally got to make a recipe I'd been saving for months now—Paula Deen's White Bean Chili. 

For this you will need 1 pound of dried navy beans, 5 cups of chicken stock (I used 6), 4 tablespoons of butter (I only used 3), 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 3/4 a cup of diced onion, 1 1/2 cups of chopped green chiles, 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast finely chopped, 1 tablespoon of ground cumin, 1 tablespoon of dried oregano, 2 teaspoons of ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and 1/2 bunch of cilantro leaves, chopped.

Sort and rinse the beans well, cover with cool water and soak for two hours. Drain before putting them in a large pot with the 5 cups of stock. Bring to a boil over high heat.

While you are soaking the beans, I made the rest in my crock pot. I added the chicken, garlic, onion, chiles, cilantro, and all of the spices and the butter in the cooker with my extra cup of stock, on high heat. I let that cook for two hours until the beans were simmering separately, then I added the beans and stock into the cooker and let them sit for another two hours.

The outcome was delicious, served with homemade salsa and corn chips.  

Posted by wittywriter7 at 1:00 PM CST

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Mood:  irritated

Last night, I nearly skipped to the movie theatre to see Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, starring Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks. 

I have been waiting months to see this flick, and if I didn't have to be a nice friend, I would have gone to the midnight showing Thursday night, instead of waiting around for married friends.

However, the movie was fantastic.

In most cases, any movie based off a book is disappointing. The vibe from the book can never quite translate into film, or the director might just have a different idea for the film.

That is not the case for this movie.

It is the story of Oskar Schell, who has just lost his father in the 9/11 attacks.

As Oskar is only 6 years old, he goes in search of everything he can find relating to his father, in order to get to know more about him.

While the movie is focused on Oskar's search, the shadow of 9/11 is a sad one. We've seen the images repeatedly, but seeing them on the big screen is nearly impossible to handle, and the packed theatre joined me in many tears.

However, I hate to say that this movie is a sad one, because I did my fair share of laughing—Oskar's character is just as hilarious as he is in the book.

I recommend this movie to ANYONE and EVERYONE. It really is amazing.

Posted by wittywriter7 at 9:13 AM CST

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Mood:  energetic

Earlier today, I finished reading a book that was given to me by a coworker with a promise that "it's really scandalous."

I love a good (literary) scandal.

And so, I read "The Choir Director," by Carl Weber.

The Choir Director is the story of, you guessed, it the choir director at New York's First Jamaica Ministries.

Upon the first page, news breaks that the choir director is not only homosexual, but he's been sleeping with the congregation and his wife has pictures to prove it.

The scandal lowers attendance at the church, leaving the bishop to find a new choir director—one that can bring positive light to the church and maybe win some money to help, also.

And so, they go in search of someone to fit their needs, and they are lead to Aaron, who accepts the job (as long as he gets the new Escalade, of course).

But when Aaron comes to town, he causes quite the stir with the ladies—he's apparently the most handsome man on the block.

But his eyes are set on the prize: winning first place at the next choir competition.

However, further scandal swirls the church, only this time, it's in the form of murder.

Who is causing all this trouble at First Jamaica? I just can't spoil it, read if you want to find out!

2012 reading goal: 5/29 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 8:58 AM CST

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Mood:  crushed out

For only the second time ever in my life, I re-read a book. 

I know this is something lots of people do all the time. In fact, I've met handfuls of people who make it a habit to read a certain book every year. While there are several books I love, and several books I would love to read again, I never do because there are so many books I want to read, and often, I get anxiety over not having enough time to read all the books I want!

However, I loved Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer and since the movie is coming out this weekend, I wanted to read the book one more time to refresh my memory.

It had been at least 4 years since I read the book and I'm really glad I took the time to visit it once more.

It is the story of a 6-year-old boy named Oskar. Oskar is smart, curious, and absolutely adorable.

When we meet him, he is coping with the loss of his father, who was killed in 9/11. This book was the first book to have 9/11 as part of its plot.

While the setup is sad, the story is really amazing. In attempts to learn more about his father, Oskar goes on a mission. It begins in his father's closet where he finds a key in a small envelope labeled "Black."

He ventures all over New York City, trying to figure out what the key goes to, what it unlocks.

When the local art shop can't help and the locksmith is unsure, Oskar makes a list of every single person with the last name "Black" in the city. He visits every person.

What he discovers is interesting, while at the same time, uncovers a creative love story about his grandparents.

This book truly is remarkable and I cannot wait to see the movie this weekend! 

2012 reading goal: 4/29 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 11:15 AM CST

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Mood:  irritated

Yesterday, I finished reading Walter Isaacson's "Steve Jobs," a biography. 

When I heard the book was being written, before Jobs died, I didn't have much interest in reading it. Yeah, I'm a Mac. But I guess I didn't know much or care to know much about its creator.

However, I had the opportunity to meet and interview Mr. Isaacson a few years ago. He is a smart businessman, but above that, a fantastic writer, particularly known for his biographies on Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein.

Once Jobs passed, I became more curious about the book. So, I asked for it for Christmas, but didn't get it. Until someone very sweet stepped in and insisted he buy it for me.

I literally squealed when the book arrived at my doorstep.

And I pretty much read it like it was a life source.

However, I will say that whatever sparked my interest in getting this book, I'm thankful that it happened because it's an amazing piece of work.

In 560 pages, Isaacson tells the story of Jobs' life, going all the way back to that of his birth parents, and his adoptive parents. It talks about him going to school, meeting Woz, and the first inventions they created together. It confronts Jobs quitting college and searching for himself in the form of fasts and extreme diets.

And of course, his role at Apple. It goes in depth on all of the Apple computer models, and then Macintosh. It covers the ibook, ipod, ipad, iphone, itunes store...you name it, it's there.

And frankly, I've taken a lot of Jobs' brain for granted. Who knew that someone actually had to think of, create and code "Mac Paint"? I never thought of it. It's just always been there.

The book is objective as Isaacson interviews friends, family, and coworers of Jobs—even ones he'd fired. If you've heard Jobs was an asshole, you heard correctly.

However, the part of the book it explores that most of us didn't know much about was Jobs' battle with cancer. And Isaacson tells this beautifully. The end of the book brought me to tears; something that rarely happens in all of the books I've read.

I'm so thankful I got this book, read it, and thankful for great writers who remind me of the gift only a few have.

I can't wait to pick up more books by Isaacson! 

2012 reading goal: 3/29 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 1:02 PM CST

Updated: Sunday, January 15, 2012 1:14 PM CST

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Mood:  down

I was surprised when Darian Chustz, president of Coca-Cola’s Gulf Coast region, agreed to sit down with me for an interview with Dig last July. I knew he was a busy man, so I appreciated his time.

When I arrived at the local bottling company, I was in awe. It was his kingdom, decked out in vintage Coca-Cola memorabilia. I tried to keep my jaw intact as I followed him, known as the “Coca-Cola man,” to his office.

There, we sipped from ice cold glass bottles of Diet Coke—Chustz’s favorite way to drink his soda—and talked about his career, his life.

This morning, I heard the sad news of Chustz’s passing.

I remembered Chustz telling me that his dad died at a young age; Darian was just 42. Because of his father, Darian said Coca-Cola was always a part of his life and held great memories.

Through his hard work, the Baton Rouge economy has benefitted and welcomed the bottling plant into the city; the first Coca-Cola bottler to earn certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Although Darian was the man in charge, he was humble and kind. It was important to him that Coca-Cola employees loved their jobs, and he meant it when he said that no job is more important than the other.

He was at the top of his career, and he was happy. He spoke fondly of his wife and children, and my heart goes out to them.

“I have a great balance with my career and home with my wife and our three children,” he told me. “Coca-Cola is it for me. When you work for a company that prides itself on treating people with respect, why would you want to leave that?”

Our community has lost a great mind, and a powerful spirit. I am honored to have met him. Today, I think I’ll sip a cold Coke from an 8-ounce glass bottle. If I could, I would buy the world a Coke, for Darian. 

Read my article on the "Pop President" here: http://digbatonrouge.com/article/pop-president-2597/ 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 2:29 PM CST

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Mood:  vegas lucky

Last night was the first session of the Advanced Dialogue on Race, a continuation of the previous series I took, Dialogue on Race. 

I was shocked and completely honored last night, when my work was quoted in the opening statements. I was then told my article, Talk it Out, would be featured in every booklet for Dialogue on Race participants for years to come.

I had no idea that something of this nature would ever be an accomplishment for me. I love writing, and I work hard at it, but some topics, political ones especially, are out of my league.

I am proud and thankful that something I wrote is good enough to be a part of such a life-changing experience.

Last night, after the announcement, my dialogue-mate leaned toward me and whispered, "You're making history."

"It feels good," I said. And it does. It really does.

Check out the article here: http://digbatonrouge.com/article/talk-it-out-4048/ 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 8:11 AM CST

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Mood:  hug me

During New Year's Eve/New Year's, I lost a bet with a friend. Luckily, we bet over baked goods and not cash. 

The prize? Homemade snickerdoodle cookies.

Although I would have loved to enjoy these sweet things by winning the bet, it was fun to bake them for two reasons: 1. I'd never baked them before so I got to learn something new, and 2. I hadn't tasted a snickerdoodle cookie since elementary school...wow, have I been missing out!

For this recipe, you'll need (for the topping) 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. For the cookie dough, you'll need 3 1/2 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 cup of butter, 2 cups of sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup, 2 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

In a small bowl, stir the sugar and the cinnamon together and set aside.

For the dough, mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.

In a separate bowl, cream the butter with a mixer, and add the sugar. Add the eggs, corn syrup, and vanilla, and mix well. Add the dry ingredients in sections, until everything is completely mixed.

If the dough seems too sticky, chill in the fridge for about an hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Roll balls of dough about the size of a walnut and then roll them in the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Place them on an ungreased sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until puffed up and the surface is slightly cracked. Let them cool on the sheet pan for a bit before transferring to a wire rack.

Enjoy! 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 11:47 AM CST

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Mood:  bright

This weekend, I finished reading Scandalicious by Allison Hobbs. 

While I'm a fan of the standard romance novels, a woman I work with is a big fan of Hobbs' work, so I was delighted when she let me borrow "Scandalicious."

Oh, but this "romance" was on an entirely different level. I think "erotic" was how it was described on the book's cover.

Anyway, it's always important to expand your reading horizons, right? Scandalicious is a book about three love stories. It begins with Solay, the owner of a cupcake shop named Scandalicious. Solay is convinced her bad attitude derives from the lack of male attention she's received lately. And so she seeks the companion of a male prostitute.

And then, there's Solay's coworker, Melanee, who is in a weird relationship of her own—submissive relations with her "master."

And finally, there's a married couple having trouble staying faithful to one another.

How will these three stories connect? Will Solay get the attention she craves? Will Melanee ever please her Master? Will the married couple stay together or find love on the outside?

Read it!

2012 reading goal: 2/29 books 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 11:30 AM CST

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Mood:  accident prone

Yesterday, I finished reading The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper. 

A few months ago, I read my first book by Tropper (This is Where I Leave You), after a recommendation from another blogger. I absolutely LOVED that book! And now I'm just hooked. I wanted to read all of his books!

The Book of Joe is the story of Joe Goffman. Goffman left his small town after high school and wrote a successful novel based on the people in the town. When the book came out, the town was excited...until they read it.

He never returned to the town, until his dad suffered from a stroke and he had to go back.

The book covers Joe's return; he struggles to be accepted by anyone, even his family.

The book is somehow funny and sad all at once, but incredibly relatable.

Can't wait to read more of his work! 

2012 reading goal: 1/29 books 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 11:22 AM CST

Updated: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 11:28 AM CST

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