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6 Books I’d Re-Read (If I was a Re-Reader)

January 28, 2019 2 Comments

I admire people who re-read, but I can’t fathom it all at once. My argument goes along the line of “but there are so many good books out there waiting to be read and time is finite!” So I don’t re-read. I’ve only broken that rule a few times.

I re-read the Bible. I’ve accidentally re-read a book that I forgot that I already read…yeah, that happened. And I’m re-reading a book right now.

But, there are a few books in the last year that if I could pause time and re-read, I would.

6 Books I’d Re-Read (If I was a Re-Reader)

1. Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof is a loaf of homemade bread. Yeasty and filling, this bread melts on the tongue. Whether eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this loaf satisfies your food cravings.

2. Safe People by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, Safe People by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend is a homemade mac ‘n cheese with smoked paprika. This comforting meal is the perfect comfort food. The added smoked paprika brings just the touch of magic to keep you pondering the flavor and wanting more.

3. The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfus

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss is a giant jawbreaker. Each layer of sweetness reveals another color and flavor. This candy is a commitment that might require many days.

4. Jane by the Book by Pepper Basham

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, Jane By The Book by Pepper Basham is a chocolate raspberry smoothie. Fresh raspberries add a sweet pucker to chocolate smoothness. Seeds crunch cool against teeth.

5. The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan is a powdered sugar doughnut. Whether filled or not, this sweet treat is as likely to powder your nose as it is to sprinkle your shirt. Hours later, you’ll chuckle to see a white powdered nose.

6. Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple is a creme puff. The light and puffy exterior hides a creamy center. The gentle sweetness brings you back for more and you keeping popping them into your mouth.

Oh, postscript: this is going to be a movie this year!

Bonus: Literarily for Keeps by Sarah Monzon

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, Literarily For Keeps by Sarah Monzon is a cup of chamomile tea. Steaming hot, this flavor captures woodsy adventure from the comfort of your favorite mug. Every sip is satisfying.

What book would you reread over and over again? Why?

More Thoughts from the Birthday Girl

January 21, 2019 2 Comments

Birthdays are a lot of pressure. Each year, I take stock of what’s happened in the last year. I ask myself questions: did you do what you intended to do? what went wrong? what surprised you?

A strength of mine is high expectations. It’s also a very sharp double-edged sword, and I often end up sliced by those expectations of mine. Not sure if I’ll ever get better at that.

I’m always striving for more.

But that’s tiring. The end of 2018 dumped me into such a place of exhaustion from everything I’ve been trying to get better at. How do you obtain goals without working hard?

The word I chose for 2018, and tried to live by.

What’s the balance of rest and work?

My two proudest moments of 2018 represent two areas where I’ve been working so hard.

In October, I performed a rope duo with a friend for our student showcase. That act is one of the most physically taxing and stunning pieces I’ve had the honor to participate in. We spent months working on it and fine-tuning.

More than ever, I’ve loved the gift of moving. I’ve delighted in learning more aerial and CrossFit. I love seeing my muscles take me to a new level of skill and excellence. I never knew how amazing bodies were until I started asking mine to do crazy things, like hold other human beings and strict-pull-up the weight of me.

Then, in December, I read a portion of chapter 1 of Teal Paisley Tights to a group of people who came out to celebrate the book release with me. I wanted to pause the moment and drink it in. Here’s a dream that I didn’t know if it would ever come true. And it did…after nearly 9 years of work.

So I guess I did do what I intended to do this year. I performed a challenging aerial act. I published my first novel. And I learned a lot along the way.

Working hard is so important to dream chasing.

Maybe that’s the gift I’ve learned in my years on this planet. Work hard, and keep working hard. It’s okay to go slowly as long as you keep going.

I really wish I had something so amazingly enlightening to share. But I really don’t. Yes, this post is that awful mash-up of a stream of consciousness.

What went wrong? Oof, I had an unexpected job change during the last few months of 2018 (that didn’t add to my stress and exhaustion at all or anything like that). I enjoyed that job, but I love my new job even more.

What surprised me? I’m glad you asked. My heart surprised me by being more capable of caring for others than I could have thought possible. It beats.

I reallllly enjoyed this book. this last year

What moments have I cherished? In the last year, my parents have been caring for my paternal grandmother. And I’ve gotten to participate in spending time with her so my parents could take care of other things. While I’d sit at my computer, she’d sit beside me working on Crossword puzzles until she forgot how to do those puzzles. And then, she would nap. Some days, I’d take her with me to my aerial classes so she could sit and watch.

What’s the best food I’ve had this year? Oy, that’s a tough one. Ummmmm. I still remember an amazing sandwich from my visit to Prague…4 years ago?! But, I think this year I’ll go with the discovery of Doce Taqueria and their amazing tacos.

Okay, so even though I wasn’t so sure about this birthday post, I think I’m glad that I took the time to spill it out. It’s revealed a lot of little gifts to me.

So thank you for taking the time to read and to go alongside my life in this last year. And let’s grab tacos, sometime, okay?

3 Pittsburgh Suburbs Mexican Restaurants Reviewed by their Chicken Enchiladas

January 14, 2019 Leave a Comment

The part of the show where Barbara goes to three different Mexican restaurants in the suburbs of Pittsburgh in the space of 5 days and orders the SAME THING every time. Insert eye roll.

I didn’t set out to write this post (so there are going to be like 2 pictures). Because, well, I hadn’t planned on getting the same food three times or going out to Mexican restaurants three times in the same week…but here we are.

If you’re in the Pittsburgh South Hills and you love Mexican food, then you’re likely to have heard of Casa Nayarit in Bethel Park, Totopo in Mt. Lebanon, and Old Mexico in West Mifflin.

3 Pittsburgh Suburbs Mexican Restaurants Reviewed by their Chicken Enchiladas

Casa Nayarit

This hole-in-the-wall gem is set right off of South Park Road, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll drive right by it. The parking lot is small, and so is the restaurant. But don’t be fooled. Casa Nayarit is Bethel Park’s best-kept secret.

Once inside the restaurant, you are led to a booth in the back or a nearby table. Chips and salsa. And a menu with all of the classics. I went with the Enchiladas Verdes, essentially chicken wrapped in corn tortillas covered in cheese, green salsa, and iceberg lettuce. To the side of the enchiladas was a pile of Mexican rice.

Details: $8.99, 3 enchiladas, side of Mexican rice

Flavor & After Effects:

Every bite was delicious. I’m not a huge fan of iceberg lettuce, but I do love a good green salsa. The chicken was a perfect consistency. Now, for the fun part, sometimes I get GI distress from eating out. And Casa Nayarit wins because I ate and didn’t experience any GI distress.

Totopo

Located in downtown Mt. Lebanon, Totopo is hip and stylish. My cool points bumped up just walking in the door of that restaurant. Parking is up to you: choose street (parking is free after a 5 or 6 pm) or parking garage.

Totopo is spacious with a center bar and flat screen televisions mounted along the walls. The bright, earthy tones used for the decor have you thinking warmer thoughts despite the chilly Pittsburgh temperatures. Once again, I went right for the Enchiladas Verdes (hold the sour cream). Same deal as Casa Nayarit, but this plate included a small bathtub of black beans.

Details: $12, 3 enchiladas, sides of Mexican rice and beans

Flavor & After Effects:

Smooth yet spicy flavors accompanied every chew with these enchiladas. And the Mexican rice was nothing to snort at. While I only ate two of the enchiladas, within about 20 minutes of eating, I started to feel bloated. A friend fondly termed it “bubble guts.” And yup, that was it. The discomfort lasted until I popped a trusty TUMS. While I was bummed that I’d forgotten to bring my leftovers home, I’m more relieved than anything that I don’t have to feel guilty about throwing them away.

Old Mexico

Previously housed in the Century III Mall, Old Mexico fled that location for the prime real estate of Clairton Boulevard or Route 51. I’ve had my eye on this place and its renovations for the past few months. And once it opened, I’ve noticed that the parking lot never seems to be empty.

Walking through the front door is like walking into a place that gives off vibes of old timey Saloon. Bright colors with lots of wood detailing could give you something to stare at for hours. It’s a pretty great vibe. But side note, the bathroom felt like a freezer, and I’m so not into that. But hey, if you can steer clear of using the bano, then you’ll be good to go. For fun’s sake, I chose the Chicken Enchiladas (it promised a green salsa, but I think mine came with a red).

Details: $9.25, 4 enchiladas, no sides

Flavor & After Effects:

Yes, please. Pass the enchiladas. These ones were delicious, and I ate two, then I had to eat just one more. I was feeling cautious, though, after the experience of the previous restaurant. When it came to post-eating after effects, no bubble gut was involved (thank goodness). I did feel rather heavy after that though.

Barbara’s Choice of Restaurant and Enchilada

I’m going to give it to Casa Nayarit. For the price, the service, and the food without after effects, I think it’s a bargain to be sure. And I also just love the intimacy of a hole-in-the-wall place. There’s a certain camaraderie between everyone in the place because you know that you have found the best well-kept secret of delicious Mexican food in the suburbs of Pittsburgh.

Honorary Mention: Old Mexico