Do you ever find yourself with absolutely nothing of interest to blog about? Do you do what I do, and imagine your blogging friends (um, that would be all of you) sitting around in your living room before dinner with glasses of pinot grigio and what you might talk about? Well, here is how it might go today.
"So, did I show you my new sandals? I love these, even though they cost more than I make in a week. Totally worth it, for when you want to get that hip vibe that doesn't come easily once you reach a certain age. I feel slightly naughty wearing them, like an aging rocker or something. Oh, and yes, they are totally comfortable and I am keeping them well out of Ozzie's reach. Yes, how cool is that, the leather is totally edged with zipper. They are some German brand, Paul Green, I think. I love it that I take a 6 1/2 in a German shoe. That equates to 9+ in American sizing! I will need to wear them for about six years to amortize out a decent price per wearing. It's ok though. It is the last personal purchase I will ever make. The rest of my disposable income will go towards my new grand child. Oh, and fabric".
"What's for dinner? Oh, pork chops and mashed potatoes. It is my all time comfort food Go To Recipe. My mom used to make it. You brown some pork chops and sprinkle with diced onion. Spread a can of Campbell's cream of chicken soup over all (I like to dilute it with some white wine-pinot grigio is fine), cover and cook for 40 minutes or so. Meanwhile, cook up some russet potatoes and mash them. The gravy the pork chops make is wonderful spooned over the top. Yum. No, it isn't gourmet–far from it, but man, is it good".
"What am I reading? Or, shall we say, 'What's on my Kindle?' That would be My Antonia, by Willa Cather. This is such a fabulous-must-read-classic. How on earth did I live this long without reading it? If you haven't read it, well my goodness, you need to. Right away.
The story is set on the Nebraska prairie around 1918 (when the book was published). Antonia is a Bohemian girl, whose family emigrates to America and settles on the prairie. It is a fabulous story on so many levels. First, it is a story of the American immigrant and the struggle to make it in a harsh new land. Second, it is a story of a couragous, stalwart young woman who had none of the advantages we enjoy in this more Feminist-Friendly time we live in. The author was obviously a feminist, way ahead of her time. Third, it is an All American novel. The prairie, our immigrant ancesters, the heroism of brave women pioneers, and the random tricks of fate that shape our lives are all there in this book.
The book is written from the point of view of a bystander, who observes Antonia's life throughout the years. Many of the significant things that happen to her, happen 'off stage', and we only learn of them through his narration and perspective. This book is an American Masterpiece, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. My copy of the book, which I am enjoying on my Kindle, was FREE on amazon.com!"
OK, it's time for dinner, enough of this chit chat. Now you know more about me and what makes me tick, that is for sure! Shall we move into the dining room and eat those pork chops?
58 responses to “Bad A** Sandals, Pork Chops and My Antonia”
Oh I could really relate to you this morning Nicole! I’m a big Paul Green shoe fan! (Not that I buy a lot of shoes, but when I do they tend to be Paul Green and here in Switzerland they are relatively sensibly priced!). Mashed potato is one of my comfort biggies and I wouldn’t turn down the pork chop – and I’ve just finished reading My Antonia. Coincidence or what? Certainly kindred spirits – although I’m happy to wait a while for grandchildren!!
Oh I could really relate to you this morning Nicole! I’m a big Paul Green shoe fan! (Not that I buy a lot of shoes, but when I do they tend to be Paul Green and here in Switzerland they are relatively sensibly priced!). Mashed potato is one of my comfort biggies and I wouldn’t turn down the pork chop – and I’ve just finished reading My Antonia. Coincidence or what? Certainly kindred spirits – although I’m happy to wait a while for grandchildren!!
LOVE the sandals!! Gorgeous! I can tell they are well worth the price!! Pork chops sound so good. I made something very similar last night, but with noodles instead of potatoes. Comfort food for sure! I love Willa Cather!! I love that book, but O Pioneers! is my favorite by her!! A must read as well! Are you under a tsunami warning?????
LOVE the sandals!! Gorgeous! I can tell they are well worth the price!! Pork chops sound so good. I made something very similar last night, but with noodles instead of potatoes. Comfort food for sure! I love Willa Cather!! I love that book, but O Pioneers! is my favorite by her!! A must read as well! Are you under a tsunami warning?????
One of my favorite reads…I didn’t find it till about 15 years ago and have re-read it twice since…
One of my favorite reads…I didn’t find it till about 15 years ago and have re-read it twice since…
Love the saucy shoes! So many interesting things are being done with zippers these days!
Okay, a bit more information on the pork chops, please. During the 40 min. of cooking time is that:
on the stove (low, med, or high heat?) or in the oven (temperature?). Covered?
I’ll check out “My Antonia” and “O Pioneers” when I’m at the library next time.
Hugs!
Love the saucy shoes! So many interesting things are being done with zippers these days!
Okay, a bit more information on the pork chops, please. During the 40 min. of cooking time is that:
on the stove (low, med, or high heat?) or in the oven (temperature?). Covered?
I’ll check out “My Antonia” and “O Pioneers” when I’m at the library next time.
Hugs!
Great post, Nicole…really don’t know how y’all keep up with the quilting on your blogs…maybe that’s WHY you keep up…the blogs! Anyway…LOVE ‘My Antonia’, one of my favorite books. Living on the edge of the great plains really makes it come to life for me. I also loved Cather’s book ‘Death comes to the Archbishop’…horrible title, but a great read about early life in the Santa Fe area.
Great post, Nicole…really don’t know how y’all keep up with the quilting on your blogs…maybe that’s WHY you keep up…the blogs! Anyway…LOVE ‘My Antonia’, one of my favorite books. Living on the edge of the great plains really makes it come to life for me. I also loved Cather’s book ‘Death comes to the Archbishop’…horrible title, but a great read about early life in the Santa Fe area.
Chit Chat is good! Congrats on the shoes! I love porkchops – but my husband hates them, so I never make them.
Our book club read “Song of the Lark” many years ago. I think it is free on Kindle also.
Chit Chat is good! Congrats on the shoes! I love porkchops – but my husband hates them, so I never make them.
Our book club read “Song of the Lark” many years ago. I think it is free on Kindle also.
Very good post – kinda like what I had to do – post about my clock – but it was fun. Love those sandals Judy C and http://www.shadetreequilting.com
Very good post – kinda like what I had to do – post about my clock – but it was fun. Love those sandals Judy C and http://www.shadetreequilting.com
You are so funny…I think you could squeeze out another pair of shoes (or two) out of the inheritance…Hee!! enjoy, they are fun shoes!!
You are so funny…I think you could squeeze out another pair of shoes (or two) out of the inheritance…Hee!! enjoy, they are fun shoes!!
I make the same pork chops with Golden Mushroom soup.
I make the same pork chops with Golden Mushroom soup.
Cute shoes, I’m drooling over the pork chops, and I love the book My Antonia – I didn’t discover it until I was an adult either. Have a great weekend!
Cute shoes, I’m drooling over the pork chops, and I love the book My Antonia – I didn’t discover it until I was an adult either. Have a great weekend!
Love the sandals! Who knew zippers would become such a fashion statement? I work with lots of twenty-somethings and I see exposed zippers on the backs of fancy dresses and skirts now. Love the recipe – will have to try it or something similar!
Love the sandals! Who knew zippers would become such a fashion statement? I work with lots of twenty-somethings and I see exposed zippers on the backs of fancy dresses and skirts now. Love the recipe – will have to try it or something similar!
Love the porkchops,we have raised our own here and that is our go to meat for dinner in the winter time and we serve it over rice. My hubby loves gravy too. Sounds like a good winter day/evening,sign me up please…Good break away from the rest of life. I read that story years ago but haven’t had time to read lately(except blogs) so thanks for the diversion.
Love the porkchops,we have raised our own here and that is our go to meat for dinner in the winter time and we serve it over rice. My hubby loves gravy too. Sounds like a good winter day/evening,sign me up please…Good break away from the rest of life. I read that story years ago but haven’t had time to read lately(except blogs) so thanks for the diversion.
Thanks for the book recommendation! I just hopped on over there and downloaded myself a copy. Aren’t those kindles great?
Thanks for the book recommendation! I just hopped on over there and downloaded myself a copy. Aren’t those kindles great?
Fun shoes, and I am happy to see the other comments about My Antonia. What a wonderful book; I just reread it in January. I remember it being my favorite book from high school English, but it probably was more appreciated with this rereading (in my advanced years!).
Fun shoes, and I am happy to see the other comments about My Antonia. What a wonderful book; I just reread it in January. I remember it being my favorite book from high school English, but it probably was more appreciated with this rereading (in my advanced years!).
My Antonia.. so good. Spent a summer reading all those Willa Cather books. Love them.
My Antonia.. so good. Spent a summer reading all those Willa Cather books. Love them.
Love the new shoes! I make that recipe all the time because my husband loves it. I usually use cream of celery or mushroom.
Love the new shoes! I make that recipe all the time because my husband loves it. I usually use cream of celery or mushroom.
A lot of kindred spirits here in these comments!! Your sandals rock; pork chops and mashed potatoes and gravy are a great combination; and My Antonia is a true delight to read. I had the great fortune of teaching this book a couple of times; plus I first read it in high school. It does have much greater meaning to me as an adult reader, as so often is the case. For all who are considering reading it – yes, do it! And all the others suggested here by Cather.
A lot of kindred spirits here in these comments!! Your sandals rock; pork chops and mashed potatoes and gravy are a great combination; and My Antonia is a true delight to read. I had the great fortune of teaching this book a couple of times; plus I first read it in high school. It does have much greater meaning to me as an adult reader, as so often is the case. For all who are considering reading it – yes, do it! And all the others suggested here by Cather.
Why, yes, I’d love another glass of that pino grigio with dinner…and love those shoes!
Why, yes, I’d love another glass of that pino grigio with dinner…and love those shoes!
I went on a Willa Cather reading streak last fall/winter. A friend had gone to the conference in Red Oak and gifted me with a cookbook from there with favorites from Willa and her neighbors, relatives, etc. If you have read a lot of Cather, you know that food factors in all her books and the recipes in the cookbook sort of followed along, leaving me nostalgic for those books I read in my teenage years in Iowa while growing up. Nothing would do but that I hauled them all out from my shelves, the library, and even a couple online to immerse myself in the prairie, etc. once again. It was so worth it. Fun that you also enjoy My Antonia. lol on Grandbaby and purchases…oh yeah!
I went on a Willa Cather reading streak last fall/winter. A friend had gone to the conference in Red Oak and gifted me with a cookbook from there with favorites from Willa and her neighbors, relatives, etc. If you have read a lot of Cather, you know that food factors in all her books and the recipes in the cookbook sort of followed along, leaving me nostalgic for those books I read in my teenage years in Iowa while growing up. Nothing would do but that I hauled them all out from my shelves, the library, and even a couple online to immerse myself in the prairie, etc. once again. It was so worth it. Fun that you also enjoy My Antonia. lol on Grandbaby and purchases…oh yeah!
Oh those sandals ROCK! You are right, some times you just have to have that pair of shoes. I’ve been there too. In fact, I have 2 pairs coming from Nordstom this week! Shoes, you gotta love them!
Oh those sandals ROCK! You are right, some times you just have to have that pair of shoes. I’ve been there too. In fact, I have 2 pairs coming from Nordstom this week! Shoes, you gotta love them!
I grew up in Nebraska a few hours away from Willa Cather’s home in Red Cloud. So ‘My Antonia’ was definitely required reading in high school. I re-read it again last year for a book discussion group at my library (in Pennsylvania) and loved it even more the second time around.
And may I recommend another book I just read, ‘When We Were Strangers.’ It’s about a young woman’s immigration from Italy to the United States, and is just a beautifully written book. Of interest to all of us is the main character’s ability to earn her living through her needlework.
I grew up in Nebraska a few hours away from Willa Cather’s home in Red Cloud. So ‘My Antonia’ was definitely required reading in high school. I re-read it again last year for a book discussion group at my library (in Pennsylvania) and loved it even more the second time around.
And may I recommend another book I just read, ‘When We Were Strangers.’ It’s about a young woman’s immigration from Italy to the United States, and is just a beautifully written book. Of interest to all of us is the main character’s ability to earn her living through her needlework.
No comments about your new sandals – I’m not a shoe person. BUT the pork chops, just the way my mother made them, sans wine. Now I’m hungry for them. Thanks for sharing.
No comments about your new sandals – I’m not a shoe person. BUT the pork chops, just the way my mother made them, sans wine. Now I’m hungry for them. Thanks for sharing.
Love the sandals!
Love the sandals!
Your sandals totally rock! I bought a pair of Tori Burch sandals two years ago..not sure what I was thinking..but love, love them and smile each time I wear them…Lisa in Texas
Your sandals totally rock! I bought a pair of Tori Burch sandals two years ago..not sure what I was thinking..but love, love them and smile each time I wear them…Lisa in Texas
Hi Nicole,
Thanks bunches for your blog. I have just turned my computer back on to your blog. Such a welcome home and welcome back to where your brain was a week ago. We were in SoCal and leant our support to two parents now, moved from acute care to nursing centrs.
From feeling like “shot from a rocket” and then going to Nicole’s sandals, cooking, quilts, etc. With humor, I say, thanks big for quilting and blog friends in both camps. Such relief. And omigod, Willa Cather to boot (required HS reading).
Talk to you later. Thanks for the promise of some good quilty reading.
Hi Nicole,
Thanks bunches for your blog. I have just turned my computer back on to your blog. Such a welcome home and welcome back to where your brain was a week ago. We were in SoCal and leant our support to two parents now, moved from acute care to nursing centrs.
From feeling like “shot from a rocket” and then going to Nicole’s sandals, cooking, quilts, etc. With humor, I say, thanks big for quilting and blog friends in both camps. Such relief. And omigod, Willa Cather to boot (required HS reading).
Talk to you later. Thanks for the promise of some good quilty reading.
I was able to go down to my sewing room and work on Eventide for a couple of hours today… but only that long. I’ve never had pneumonia before. It’s tough!
I spent my “down” time reading “My Antonia”~ free, on my Kindle! Thanks for the recommendation! I’m loving it.
I was able to go down to my sewing room and work on Eventide for a couple of hours today… but only that long. I’ve never had pneumonia before. It’s tough!
I spent my “down” time reading “My Antonia”~ free, on my Kindle! Thanks for the recommendation! I’m loving it.
i got a kindle before my rotator cuff surgery last week, and love it so i appreciate all your books you highlight. i love my kindle and with one arm it’s nice to be able to turn a page with one finger. also adore your burp cloths! my grandsons brought me flowers after my surgery. the best flowers i ever got!
i got a kindle before my rotator cuff surgery last week, and love it so i appreciate all your books you highlight. i love my kindle and with one arm it’s nice to be able to turn a page with one finger. also adore your burp cloths! my grandsons brought me flowers after my surgery. the best flowers i ever got!
Seems like you have plenty to blog about to me 🙂 You always get so much quilting done…..it’s amazing 🙂 Love the sandals!!
Seems like you have plenty to blog about to me 🙂 You always get so much quilting done…..it’s amazing 🙂 Love the sandals!!
Wow. You certainly didn’t get those at the SAS store. No grandma shoes for you!!! 🙂
Wow. You certainly didn’t get those at the SAS store. No grandma shoes for you!!! 🙂