Fearless by Eric Blehm

Last month’s book club choice was Eric Blehm’s Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown.  The title is not something I would have chosen on my own, but it was suggested to me by one of the club members.  I was surprised at how much I liked and got out of the book.  I definitely shed some tears, but more than that, the story of Adam Brown’s life really made me think.

Adam Brown grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Throughout Brown’s childhood he showed his kind spirit by standing up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves.   He exemplified driven and determined behavior through his performance in football and his unwillingness to ever give up.  Most importantly Adam was a trustworthy and giving son, brother, and friend.   No one would have expected Adam to fall in with the wrong crowd or to betray their trust, but when he did, he found it within himself to turn his life around, overcome his addiction, join the Navy, and be the man he and his family and friends always believed him to be.  Adam Brown lived a life unique unto himself, as do we all.  But Adam’s drive and his sacrifice make his a story worth publishing.

  

Personally Brown’s story spoke to me about self-motivation.  He over came so many obstacles to achieve his career goals.  He always pushed through the hardest times, he never gave up and, he did anything and everything he could to fulfill his personal goals and take care of his family. 

So when I don’t want to get up and go to work, take the dog out, exercise, or do any other number of minor daily tasks, I think about Adam Brown and his unwavering dedication to self-improvement.

Who would I recommend this book to?  Anyone and everyone.  

Still not sure?  Check out the book trailer or website.  You can also visit Eric Blehm's site for more information.

Note: The writing style is not what I’m used to, so it took a little getting used to for me.  I typically read fictional literature, and Blehm’s writing style is more on the journalistic side. 

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South on Main to Wicked

Before the show left town on October 6th, we were able to catch a showing of Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz at the Robinson Center Music Hall in Little Rock.  I had never seen the musical before so I was really excited, and I was disappointed.  The show I saw was witty, funny, and boasted amazing talent.  I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it.  Unfortunately, photos were not permitted.

Before the show we tried out a new restaurant in town.  South on Main serves up a sophisticated southern cuisine.  The atmosphere is really neat.  We sat at a small table by the window in two really comfy, colorful armchairs.  They serve water in cute blue mason jars and roll the silverware in blue patterned clothe napkins.  Some menu items are fried, others roasted.  There's pork, chicken, or fish to choose from.  And if you're a vegetarian, they've got you covered too.  I ordered the roasted Drum with Arkansas basmati rice and summer vegetables.  It was so so good.  He had the pork chop served with cabbage and a fried egg to make the entree even more rich and delicious.

The bar offers a creative cocktail menu to be sure.  I had a Corpse Reviver #2 to start; a yummy gin cocktail served with fat brandied cherries.  For my second drink, I decided to stay with gin and ordered a Blackberry Bramble.  Rather than using muddled blackberries, the bartender makes it with a blackberry liquor.   Very yummy AND pretty; its served with a lemon wheel.  He decided to play it safe with beer and ordered the Diamond Bear Pale Ale, a popular beer brewed in Little Rock, AR.

And dessert... it was amazing.  We ordered the donuts.  I had never had donuts from anywhere other than a typical donut shop before that night.  I can't even describe to you how good it was.  All I know is it was topped with coffee whipped cream, and it was to die for.  

If you're in town be sure to stop at South on Main and stay a while.  You'll need some time to make it through the delicious food and drink menus.  

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Science After Dark

I haven't taken many pictures lately, therefore I've been lazy updating my blog.  So sorry.  Anyway...

The last Wednesday of every month is adult night at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock.  So last month we went to check it out with a couple of friends.  The theme was "SeptemBEER."  In the front room they had some booths set up.  Bosco's brews their own beer so naturally a representative of their's was present.  Also, the Central Arkansas Fermenters were there promoting Little Rocktoberfest 2013 and selling brewing starter kits of sorts.  There were also informative and fun stations regarding the history of beer and a beer tasting challenge.

After grabbing a drink at the cash bar and checking out the set up, guests were able to explore the museum itself.  There's all sorts of natural science information on display ranging from magnetism to reptiles to weather.  There is a really interesting tornado room that highlights the experiences of those in Central Arkansas during the tornado of January 1999.  Like I said,  I've been lazy with the camera, so this is about all I have.

I would have preferred to upload the slow motion video I took of this exhibit but I'm having a lot of trouble.  If you can tell me what I'm doing wrong, please do.

We were excited to find something new to do in town.  Next month the theme is "The Science of Fear."  Could be pretty cool.  Click here for more information about Science After Dark.  

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Fun. and the Dallas World Aquarium

About a week ago we drove down to Dallas, Texas to see Fun.  Unfortunately all the best shows don't always make a stop in Arkansas. Sometimes we get lucky, sometimes we don't.

Tegan and Sara opened for Fun. at the Gexa Energy Pavillion, a pretty big outdoor venue in downtown Dallas.  We had a great time just sitting on the lawn, drinking beer, and watching Fun. do their thing.

The next day we woke up, had some lunch, and headed over to the Dallas World Aquarium.  I can't tell you what I learned exactly; I was too busy ogling the animals.  

These little buddies were the first I laid eyes on.  They were too cute just hanging out and eating the little bugs in each other's hair.  You know, just bonding.  

And this guy!  I literally could have reached up and touched him.  It was strange to be so close and see how slow sloths actually move.

Some were threatening, even at a distance.

And some looked quite familiar.

Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to see some of these in the wild.

I think its pretty obvious I was more than thrilled to be at the aquarium.  I walked around in awe of everything I was seeing.  I'm excited even now to share these pictures with you.  Sadly the photos don't quite do the animals justice.  

If you want to see these guys in the flesh, feathers, or whatever it may be, pay Dallas World Aquarium a visit next time you're in town.  An adult pass is $20 and parking is cheap.  

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Blog and Book Club: Chelsea Handler's My Horizontal Life

I love reading.  I always have.  But when people ask me about my hobbies, I’m stumped; I always just look at them like “What hobbies?”  Then I remember that I spend most of my down time reading so that has to count as a hobby, right?  The only problem is I never have anyone who can discuss books with me.  So on any given day while talking with any given person, I’ll end up starting sentences like this, “A character in my book…,” or “In the book I’m reading…,” or “Have you read…?”  You get the picture.  It makes me feel like some kind of nerd.  So in order to help myself avoid those situations, I’ve gone out on a limb and started a book club.  A group of friends obligated to talk about books with me?  Perfect.

Last month’s title was My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands written by Chelsea Handler.  A Chelsea Handler book was called for, so I decided we should start with her first published work.

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA; Later Printing edition (May 12, 2005)  ISBN-10: 1582346186

The book is about just what it sounds like it is about.  Handler’s wit and humor shine through the pages as she tells the world about some of her more memorable one night stands.  She open’s with a story from her childhood.  Picture this: a very headstrong seven year old Chelsea sneaking into her parents room on a dare and snapping a shot of her parents in the throes of passion.  And thinking she has gotten off scot free.  Handler chooses now to introduce us to her rather judgmental father in the first pages. I can only assume its because he adds a considerable amount of humor to the later pages.  As she takes us through her twenties, has us laughing at her and her friends' alcohol infused antics and the various men she chooses to take to bed.  From cheap cruise performing boys that are barely legal to the man you see smiling at you from the bank posters.

As far as I can tell, the book is based on truth, or so the reader is supposed to believe.  But it’s hard to know when Handler openly admits to readers that she makes up incredible stories and passes them off as true, something that adds an extra punch to her cock tales.  

I was a little surprised when the book wasn’t as vulgar as I had anticipated.  It was actually refreshing; I enjoyed reading about Chelsea’s shenanigans more than I would have enjoyed reading explicit sexual content starring Chelsea Handler, the woman I watch on late night television.
What I liked best about the book?    Handler's stories encourage reader’s to take chances.  To do what you want, when you want, and nothing you don’t want.    

So, if you’re looking for an easy read that will make you laugh out loud, I’d recommend My Horizontal Life.  You can buy the book from any major book dealer, but I just borrowed it from the local library's electronic collection.  

And please don't forget to let me know what you thought! 

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Arkansas v. University of Louisiana Lafayette

Last weekend was opening day for the Razorbacks.  If you live in Arkansas, you already knew that.  I had to move some stuff around in my schedule in order to make it, but it all worked out just fine.  

Heading up to Fayetteville for a game is always exciting.  Maybe its the stadium I like so much.  I'm always impressed by the field and the humongous video board.  I guess that's why its called a JUMBO tron.

The atmosphere was electric.  Everyone was so pumped up about the new coach and our team's chances this year.  We aren't delusional or anything; we don't expect to win it all, but we do expect to win.  Or at least we hope we do.  ULL was our first victim of many, I hope.  As a novice Hogs fan, the best I can do is keep the hope alive.

Our little ole seats.

I'd have to say the worst part about it was the heat.  That Arkansas summer was slow to come on, but arrived in full force for the first game of the season.  Wouldn't have expected any less.  =)

Unfortunately I didn't have a photo op until the end of the game.  By then I was good and sweaty.  Oh well though.  What's a girl to do?

Today, the Hogs are playing in Little Rock.  The city is alive with it.  I'm not able to make it to the game, so y'all let me know how much fun y'all had!!

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I am the MOH

On Friday, one of the last days of August, I helped my best friend shop for a wedding dress.  I am to be her Maid of Honor, a post I have never held before, so this will all be new for me.  Honestly I am a little nervous;  I'd never want to disappoint my favorite bride!
Our shopping trip was a preliminary one.  Katie had made an appointment at David's Bridal, a large retailer in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico.   She wanted to try on as many different styles of gowns as she could to get a good idea of what would look best on the big day.
Unfortunately when we arrived at David's Bridal on Chenal Parkway, we had catalogs thrust at us and were promptly forgotten.  After about thirty minutes of struggling in the dressing room on our own, we gave up and went to lunch.  I called the smaller boutiques around town to see if they could fit us in, and although they were all very polite and helpful, they did not have any open appointments on such short notice.  Finally when we thought the whole day had been a failure, we tried the David's Bridal on McCain Boulevard.  What did we have to lose?  When they heard what had happened, they scheduled us a one-on-one appointment that day.  Our experience at the location on McCain was as good as our experience on Chenal was bad.
I don't want to give anything away, but here are a couple of the dresses/styles that Katie tried on.

We learned a lot about what she actually likes.  She always thought she wanted to wear a short wedding dress, but after trying one on, she quickly changed her mind.  She hated the way the tea length dress cut her off at the shins.

Although she decided this gown was too embellished and "fancy" (for lack of a better word) for the back yard venue, she liked the style much better.   The sheath, straight line dresses was much more becoming and showed off her figure well.  

After a disappointing beginning, it turned out to be the fun and very girly day we had hoped for.

Please share any suggestions you have about gown shopping in Arkansas, and please, please share with me any advice you have about being the best MOH a girl could ask for.

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Oscar de la Renta at the Presidential Library

On Saturday, my friend Jessica drove down to visit with me!  I was really excited because we planned to head over to see the Oscar de la Renta exhibit at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library.  Before speeding over there we stopped for a bite at The Root.  It was my first time at The Root, so I was taking it all in.

It's this hip little cafe that uses only locally grown or produced foods.  Everything comes from right here in Arkansas.  I think that's pretty nifty.  Follow this link to their website for more information about the work they are doing: The Root Cafe.

For lunch I ordered a cup of the corn chowder soup and the chicken salad salad.  The salad was huge and was made with locally grown and organic mixed greens.  Needless to say I felt wonderful about the meal.

After lunch we headed over the the library.  After walking through security and paying the $7 admission fee we were directed to the pink doors on the third floor.

Once inside, we couldn't stop oohing and ahhing.  The featured designs are more than impressive.

The photography on the walls had us standing so close the exhibit attendant was keeping a close eye.

Is that Carrie Bradshaw's Russian?  =))

There are dresses worn by first ladies of the United States and dresses worn by some of the most popular celebrities.

I promise I didn't show you all of the dresses featured in the temporary exhibit.  Please make it over there and see it for yourself.  The exhibit runs until December 1, 2013.  After what I saw, I have no doubt that Oscar de la Renta deserves every bit of praise he has ever received for his iconic work.

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Arkansas Burger Company

So my boyfriend loves cheeseburgers and fries.  Its like, his favorite meal of all time.  I can't blame him, it's classic American grub. What I will blame him for are the extra pounds I will be picking up here soon if I continue with him on this venture to find the best burger in central Arkansas.  Our relationship doesn't need that strain; so needless to say, I will not be posting about the best burger in town ever again.  Or so I tell myself...

Friday we stopped in at Arkansas Burger Company.  Not much to look at on the outside, and a small parking lot to be sure.

**I'm a dummy and didn't take a photo of the outside of the building so I borrowed this one linked to their myspace.com homepage.

Visually speaking, things did not improve upon entering the joint.

I get it.  It's a mom and pop type of place.  That's really cool.  And the fact that probably every single thing hanging on the wall promoted our beautiful state makes it hard for me to say this, but the decor, the vibe, is hokey.  This place needs a face lift.  =(

Anyway, back to the burger.  I ordered the basic cheeseburger with hot cheese and everything on it.

Sadly, the burger was nothing to look at either, but, boy, was it good.  I can't say whether it's the best burger in town (I try not to eat too many), but I bet its on everyone's top ten list.  Maybe even top five.  The point is, don't take your lady to Arkansas Burger Company on a date.  You will impress no one.  But for a quick, clean, and yummy lunch, its your spot!  Give it a go.  I betcha you walk out satisfied.

On a lighter note, to take the edge off my burger guilt, I cooked up some homemade garden spaghetti sauce with ground turkey meat and whole wheat spaghetti noodles for dinner.

And a little something sweet for dessert - mixed berry and greek yogurt parfaits.  To be honest, my parfaits need some tweaking, so when I get it all figured out I'll give you a good recipe.

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In the Pickles

Yesterday I crossed something off my to-do list that had been lingering there at the bottom, repeatedly getting put off and ignored.  I tried my hand at making refrigerator pickles.  Now I'm anxiously waiting to test my dill-icious creation.  If you want to try making your own pickles, too, here's how:

Gather six clean pint sized canning jars with lids.  In the bottom of each jar put a few sprigs of fresh dill (you'll probably need about one package for the recipe), a clove of minced garlic, as much roughly chopped white onion as you'd like (I used two small Arkansas garden grown onions), and a dash a of black pepper.  Don't worry too much about measuring, just go with what looks right to you.

Next, rinse and cut up about eight cucumbers.  I used all different sizes of garden cucumbers grown here in Arkansas.  You can cut them into whatever shape you like best.  I chose to cut some in to chips and the others in to spears.  Now arrange the cucumbers in the jars, making sure not to pack them in too tightly.

Last, mix the brine and pour it over the cucumbers, but be sure you leave them a little breathing room.  

To make the brine, combine four cups of water, 10 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, and about four and a half tablespoons of kosher salt.  Stir the liquid mixture until the salt is dissolved, and viola!, you just made your pickling solution!

As a finishing touch, I placed one last spring of fresh dill to each jar.

That's it!  Can you believe it?  Screw on the tops real tight and refrigerate for AT LEAST two days.  I'm going to let mine stew as long as I can stand it.

Is it weird that I think they're pretty?  I'm pleased as punch with myself for creating something so cute and edible.  Give it a go and let me know how it all panned out.

**This recipe is adapted from one of Annie's at Annie's Eats.

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