Hey There, It's Christa!

Book Comment: "The Guinea Pig Diaries"

Whether it was a year dedicated to following the Bible's every suggestion (culturally relevant or not), well, literally or the time he decided to read an entire set of encyclopedias and shared what he learned along the way, (which turns out, was plenty of randomness) author A.J. Jacobs' writing is always good for a laugh. Or several.

And surprisingly enough, it's not because his turns of phrase are laughable. In fact, the writing is darn good, which makes reading all the more enjoyable, of course.

So as you can imagine, once his latest book hit store shelves, I was excited to dive into another one of Jacobs' wacky social experiments (or several this time around) with The Guinea Pig Diaries.

As my oh-so-patient husband probably read something awesome and scholarly nearby, I would routinely break into mini fits of laughter as I reading The Guinea Pig Diaries. 

And being the sweet hubby that he is, he even let me read select passages to him.

Whether Jacobs was outsourcing his life's more tedious tasks (including random arguments with his wife) to a secretary in India or attempting to give multi-tasking the heave ho, I simply couldn't turn the pages fast enough. It was like reading the "Twilight Saga" without all the aren't-I-too-old-to-be-reading-this guilt.

Thankfully, there's not even a swoony vampire in sight, just plenty more of Jacobs' biting humor and intriguing insights, which can't help make me wonder what he'll do to try and top this. Trust me, the mind reels...

Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Cream Cheese Frosting, Oh My!

It's only four days after Thanksgiving, and aside from a few slices of the Oprah-recommended smoked turkey we ordered all the way from East Texas (Will was a huge, huge fan, while I preferred the decidedly less smoky roasted turkey breast I made instead), all the leftovers are long gone. It's a little sad, really. But at least there's a little spare room in the fridge now...

I'm always amazed how quickly the holidays come and go, but it sure was fun giving thanks and celebrating. Not only did both of Will and I's football teams win big, but all the food turned out really well.

And after 6+ hours of cooking, something that was way, way more fun than it sounds, I'm sure glad it did.

Half of dessert menu almost ended in disaster, but fortunately I caught my mistake when I accidentally measured out a teaspoon of baking soda instead of baking powder into the first batch of carrot cake cupcake batter. Knowing that one is definitely not a substitute for the other when you're baking (for the uninitiated, not only will they not rise properly, but they'll taste downright nasty and chemical-y), I realized what I did before I baked them off and promptly started over. 

Thank goodness.

I also tried a brand-new recipe for cream cheese icing since the jarred variety simply won't pass muster on a national holiday (thank you Slashfood for the tip...it was delicious). The only slight modification I made was adding another teaspoon of vanilla and a bit of heavy cream. Yum. After all, we all know that cupcakes are really just a convenient portal to justify eating a ton of delicious frosting, and that's exactly what we did with these (see pic on the left).

Aside from the requisite sweet stuff, I also tried a new recipe for stuffing (cranberry sausage, to be exact) that I really ended up loving. Normally, I really can take or leave stuffing, but this was both moist and perfectly crisp on top, which is exactly how I think it should be. Plus, the savory sausage was such a nice flavor complement to the tangy cranberries, so basically, I'll definitely be making this one again.

Other highlights included the red-skinned sour cream mashed potatoes (a once-a-year delight), the green bean casserole that a holiday isn't complete without, the cheddar bay biscuits, and of course, Barefoot Contessa's famous orange-cranberry compote, the only thing I didn't make from scratch. Well, that and the pumpkin wine (it's simply delicious with just a hint of that fall flavor) that my pal Kat brought for the festivities from a local vineyard. I'd never tried a Minnesota wine until this one...I think I may be a believer since you wouldn't necessarily think of Minnesota and wine-making. 

And now that I'm all done reminiscing about the Thanksgiving vittles, I'm already thinking about what I can make for Christmas. Oh the possibilities...

Mark Your Calendars!

Just in time for your Christmas gift-giving, I'm going to be signing copies of my two novels, Around the World in 80 Dates and Blessed Are the Meddlers at Christian Book & Gift shop in Rochester, Minnesota.

I'll be there from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 12 (a week later than originally scheduled), so feel free to stop by anytime. I even hear there's going to be cookies and cider, so that's definitely worth a visit, right?

By the way, the Christian Book & Gift shop is located at 815 Broadway Ave. North in Rochester.

Any additional questions? Feel free to email me at christabanister@mac.com.

Ooooh, "Gilmore Girls" Movie, There's Still Hope

I read this most spectacular article in Entertainment Weekly this week that suggests that a "Gilmore Girls" movie isn't completely out of the realm of possibility...now that would be fun, wouldn't it?

As a fan of all things Lorelai and Rory, I also couldn't help but wonder how the show would've ended if G.G. creator Amy Sherman-Palladino had written it instead. My guess is that Rory wouldn't have been working as a stringer for Barack Obama...but hey, now that he's our president, at least there would be plenty for her to write about, right?

But of course what everyone is really wondering is would she still be with Logan? Seriously, the mind reels...

(Incidentally, I'm going with "no," I never really liked the guy...way too smug).

Yes, Sylvia Plath Was Right...

Let's face it: Sylvia Plath wasn't exactly the cheeriest of women. In fact, I remember watching the movie about her life as a wife, mother and writer (you know, the one starring Gwyneth Paltrow) and not only did I want to punch her ex-husband, but I felt depressed for days just thinking about her.

And don't even get me started on The Bell Jar. Great writing, but wow, was it ever bleak.

But when I was preparing for a talk I did at the Minnesota Christian Writers' Guild event this past week, I found this  most excellent quote from Ms. Plath about writing...and it's actually encouraging.

"And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt."

Now isn't that the truth, fellow writers?

For more on writing, be sure to check my latest post on Scribble Chicks, a collaborate blog project I do with a few fellow authors.

The Countdown to Thanksgiving Has Officially Begun!

Confession time: It's only November 3, and I've already poured through the latest issues of Food Network Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Everyday With Rachael Ray and Better Homes and Gardens, not to mention a few cookbooks in search of the best Thanksgiving recipes.

Yes, I absolutely adore making Thanksgiving dinner...every single course of it. Really, it's like the Super Bowl of meals for the home cook, and I look forward to (and start planning) for the big day several weeks in advance.

Hence all those magazine articles...

Now I'll admit, if I had to cook for a whole army of people (usually, we have 2 or 3 guests aside from Will and I), I might not feel the same way. But because there's just a few of us, I love the challenge of trying to get everything done in time in our very tiny, apartment-sized kitchen.

This year, I cheated a little and ordered a smoked turkey (Will has always extolled the many virtues of a smoked turkey, so I surprised him by ordering the one from East Texas that Oprah likes), so that will definitely make things easier cooking-wise since the turkey tends to take the longest (and ours already comes all ready to go). But if you're making your own, I highly recommend Sunny Anderson's recipe for turkey with peach rosemary glaze. I made this last year, and it was delicious.

So without having to do all the roasting myself this year, that will leave more time for the my favorite part of the meal—the sides!!

While it's definitely not rocket science by any means (although I definitely add my own touches from the original recipe), Thanksgiving just isn't Thanksgiving without green bean casserole. So I will make that, along with garlic red mashed potatoes and gravy (a once-a-year indulgence), homemade cheddar buttermilk biscuits, homemade sausage and cranberry stuffing and, of course, I'll serve all that with Barefoot Contessa's old-fashioned cranberry sauce. I love this stuff sooo much that I wrote a review of it on Crate and Barrel's website, the only place where you can get it. Trust me, it's way better than the stuff with the can imprint still on it.

As far as dessert goes, I'm still deciding what I want to do. I'll definitely make something pumpkin-y, but maybe I'll offer something else, too (an apple tart, perhaps?), so I'm still brainstorming that. Thankfully, I've still got, oh, 23 days left, but it's never too early to start, right?

So now that I've revealed mine, what are your must-haves for Thanksgiving dinner and why? Also, any good dessert recipes I must try pronto?

Movie Comment: "Amelia"

Considering  that I'm already at the movies several times a month for work (and loving every minute of it...even if I'm watching sometime truly horrible like Couples Retreat because bad movies are still really, really fun to review), many people automatically assume that I don't like seeing movies for fun, too.

But that's definitely not true. Need proof? Just check out my ever-growing Netflix queue, not to mention my matinee-viewing habits, and you'll see. I love, love, love seeing movies...and if they're great, well, that's a huge bonus!

Sadly, I haven't seen a really great flick for a while, but I definitely had high hopes for Amelia, given the compelling subject matter, a talented director and an equally impressive cast with Hilary Swank (who is always far better at Boys Don't Cry-esque drama than P.S. I Love You comedy in my humble opinion), Ewan McGregor and Richard Gere.

While not a total dud, thanks to gorgeous cinematography and a killer score, Amelia still didn't exactly live up to my expectations. After all the time I spent with Amelia Earhart, I still don't feel like I really know her at all. Not only did the screenwriters skip most of the "why" for why Amelia had to fly (the flimsy "for the fun of it" line just wasn't doing it for me), but the storytelling just felt a little too clinical. I felt like I was getting the Wikipedia version of the story—all dates and facts, but little of the "heart of the story," which is what every movie needs to truly succeed. Ultimately, there's just not enough of that in Amelia to stick with you for the long haul, a shame considering what it could've been.

Rating: ** 1/2 out of **** stars

A Fireside Chat With Yours Truly...

Let's face it, Monday night isn't usually a very good TV night anyway (well, unless my Packers, Vikings or Will's Cowboys are on), so if you're looking for something fun (and quasi-educational, too) to do, why not stop by Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina on November 9 for my fireside chat?

The Minnesota Christian Writer's Guild has been kind enough to extend an invitation for me to talk about freelance writing (and all the fun that entails), the life of a writer and novel-writing, too, so feel free to bring those questions along...

And if I'm feeling particularly ambitious, I may even bake some cupcakes for the festivities, too, which is definitely worth the price of admission (which is free, by the way).

Now for the rest of the details...the event will start @ 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Edina Presbyterian Church is located at 6901 Normandy Road.

My, My, How They Grow Up!

It's always a happy, happy day in my world when my sister Lindsey sends me a new pic of her sweet 'lil Adelyn Grace.

Apparently, Adelyn is thoroughly enjoying the fall in Colorado Springs and is a big fan of the brightly colored leaves.

Must say that I'm already looking forward to Christmas so I can hang with this little cutie pie (I'm guessing she'll also get a kick out of the snow) and her parents, of course, too...

 

 

Gut Reaction: John Mayer's New Single "Who Says"

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that sometimes, although nothing is immediately springing to mind, a song that's thoroughly underwhelming at first listen can ultimately grow on you.

And I guess I hoped this would be the case with John Mayer's new single, "Who Says" from his upcoming album, Battle Studies.

But I heard it again this morning, and well, nothing...

Really, it's got all the makings of the John Mayer songs that I like the most...a stripped-down, pretty little melody that perfectly complements his voice. Musically, it almost feels like something from the Room For Squares or even the Heavier Things era, you know, before he had to start channeling his inner Stevie Ray Vaughan again and again and again. 

But then, just as I start getting hopeful, he makes the colossial mistake of actually opening his mouth and singing some of the lamest lyrics, which completely ruins the experience.

Case in point:

Who says I can’t get stoned?
Turn off the lights and the telephone
Me and my house alone
Who says I can’t get stoned?

Who says I can’t be free?
From all of the things that I used to be
Re-write my history
Who says I can’t be free?

It’s been a long night in New York City
It’s been a long night in Baton Rouge
I don’t remember you looking any better
But then again I don’t remember you

Who says I can’t get stoned?
Call up a girl that I used to know
Fake love for an hour or so
Who says I can’t get stoned?

For the record, yes, he's going on and on about wanting to get stoned, but apparently there's a slew of people trying to stop him? What? And I sure hope the part about "a girl that I used to know" isn't about Jennifer Aniston. Especially if he has to "fake love for an hour or so." That's not very flattering...

I guess it just seems like a waste of a good melody and someone who used to write much, much better songs. Guess I can only hope the rest of Battle Studies isn't such a waste of time. After all, my iPod space is rather limited these days, John. Got it? :)