2012 Books

I took 7 graduate level courses in 2012, so it was a slow year for pleasure-reading. But here's a quick run down of what I read and some of my thoughts (in no particular order).

Seven Years in Hanoi: A POW Tells His Story, Capt. Larry Chesley

 I met "Lucky" Chesley in Kirtland where we both served missions. He and his wife were serving a couple mission. Elder Chesley was gruff and kind of scary but he would do ANYTHING for the young sisters. He kept a fully-stocked candy bucket in the break room. His philosophy was, "I went seven years without candy, oreos, and coke. I'm not depriving myself ever again." I heard his story in person and on some recorded talks he handed out to us. I knew he had written this book, Seven Years in Hanoi, but I never thought I'd read it, since I knew his story. Then, when I got home, I found this book in my parents' collection. It was inscribed to my dad from my mom's parents the year the book was published and the year my parents got married. I kept it. Years later, I have now read it. It was interesting reading it from "Lucky's" perspective of being a freshly returned POW as opposed to the stories he told us decades later. In fact, I know of many more trials "Lucky" had been through since this book was published.

Despite the amateur writing and clear political bent, this book was written from the heart. It is said to be one of the most accurate recordings of life as a POW in Vietnam. My two favorite parts: 1) the stories of the POWs understanding that knowledge is power...they created tap communication between walls. When a large group were fortunate to live in one room, they set up "classes" to teach each other several languages, religion, music, and they even produced musicals and plays. 2) the reactions of the Mountain West community when "Lucky" got home to Utah and Idaho. The stories of people who packed chapels to hear him talk, the parades, the letters, the visits. It would have been a special thing for those people to hear from "Lucky." I'm glad I know him.

I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith

 I loved this book. It was whimsical, imaginative, and girly, which was just what I wanted to read at that time last summer. Because this book is really Cassandra's journal we get the same feel as Potato Peel Pie Society where we follow the plot based on what someone is writing about it. Cassandra is trying to "capture" her life on paper. My favorite part: the descriptions of the summer solstice ceremony Cassandra, Rose, and sometimes Topaz participate in every year. I loved the leisurely day Cassandra had home alone when she describes everything she did and ate and then the preparations she made for the Solstice. The floral crowns she created, the night air, the smells, the fire, the perfume. Lastly the unexpected male visitor who makes Cassandra realize everything will be different from this point on.

Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert

 This was a book I just felt I should read, since it fits with my favorite types of genre: French history, culture, etc. It tells two stories: The first was Mr. Bovary's and I feel you get to know him on a certain level, feel his emotions, and root for him. Then the story switches to Madame Bovary's and your perspectives change so drastically. It's a dark story with real emotion. It influenced popular culture during its time.

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, David McCullough

How could I not read this, right? Here's my review I wrote on Goodreads:

"I didn't love this as much as I thought I would. It was my first David McCullough book and I've heard nothing but RAVES about his work, but it really did nothing for me. Maybe because it surveys such a long time period and vast amounts of people. I applaud McCullough on the depths of his research and presenting compelling details from personal letters that I would otherwise never know. The accounts of the Commune were the first I've read that actually helped me understand the timeline and depth of that conflict. The art discussions made me cringe."

Now that time has passed, I am realizing how much I learned from this book. Everywhere I go I see statues or read names of people I learned about while reading this book. The whole chapter on Samuel F.B. Morse, creator of the Morse Code, but first painter and political rockstar? Mind blown. Also in my school research I find myself wanting to go back to parts of this book to get ideas for sources. So overall it has been more valuable to me than I thought at first.

Here's my 2011 Books post, one of my favorite posts from over the years.

Lettuce Wrap Tacos

Here's a super tasty, healthy meal idea that's not revolutionary by any means, but was so satisfying I wanted to share!

The secret is in the homemade taco seasoning. It is way more flavorful, healthier, and cheaper than the packets. This recipe calls to mix with a cornstarch-water mixture. I tried it and loved the result, but I've also found that it isn't necessary. The seasonings produce a thick, flavorful sauce on their own when mixed with water and simmered. Here's the recipe as I use. I keep a mason jar full of it in my cabinet.

Homemade Taco Seasoning
source: adapted from Smells Like Home, Delish, and Allrecipes

1/4 cup ancho chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp paprika
2 tbsp ground cumin
3 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.
To use: Use 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons of taco seasoning in place of a packet of store-bought taco seasoning. Combine 2 tbsp cornstarch with 1 cup cold water and stir to dissolve cornstarch. In a large saute pan set over medium-high heat, brown 1lb ground beef, turkey or chicken, add seasoning and cornstarch-water mixture, and simmer over low heat until liquid has thickened.

So on to the meal!


Lettuce Wrap Tacos
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup black beans
2 TB homemade taco seasoning
4 large lettuce leaves
green salsa
2 tomatoes
2 green onion
small handful of cilantro

Brown a pound of ground beef, drain. Once cooked, add half a can of black beans. Throw in homemade taco seasoning and half a cup or so of water. Lower temperature and simmer for 5 minutes.

Dice tomatoes, green onion, cilantro. Wash and dry large romain lettuce leaves.

Assemble tacos by spooning meat and beans onto lettuce wrap, add a spoonful of green salsa, sprinkle tomatoes, green onion, and cilantro. Feast!

I LOVE using lettuce as a wrap instead of tortillas, because usually the lettuce is my favorite part of mexican food. It is so crunchy and fresh!

BONUS: This meal is gluten and dairy free! I would have mentioned it earlier, but I know sometimes I gloss over those recipes because I don't have allergies. But now I know GF and DF can be delicious!

10 Things Monthly Challenge: March

My 10 Things Monthly Challenge is still going strong. While I haven't gotten the guts to deal with shoes and clothes just yet, I am slowing making a dent in my bookshelf and desk drawers. I advised my mom to leave some extra space in her suitcase when she comes to visit me in April because I want her to take a look at my giveaway pile and take whatever she wants. Read about my January and February 10 Things here and here. Here's what I'm getting rid of this month:

1. Old magazines ( I already went through and ripped out cute pages and folded them into envelopes)
2. Old dried up gold paint pot
3. Empty box
4. Empty box
5. Worn out hair rubberbands
6. Empty box
7. Empty box
8. Christmas card
9. Bookmark
10. Old J.Crew catalogues (Also a great source for homemade envelopes!)

New York City

The Friends

The Food

The Ambience

The Fun

Another delightful weekend in New York City. Special thanks to my high school BFF Lacey! We share so many interests, we never had to think twice about our plans. The agenda consisted of:

Victorian elegance at Lillie's

My fav

Shenanigans were made here

Highlight of the trip: Brooklyn Flea. Why oh why did I wait this long? Everything you've heard about Dough is true. The Cemita was the most amazing sandwich I've ever seen or tasted. I would have bought that Marie-Antoinette style lamp in a heartbeat if I owned my own house.

We ducked in and out of shops and restaurants in Soho during a snow flurry...so magical and cozy.

All you can eat Sushi.

Endured a night at the bars on Saint Patrick's Day...never again.

Beautiful, delightful, gorgeous, rich brunch at the Russian Tea Room. Can't recommend it enough.

Strolled through the (still cold) park and with all the luck in the world met Mamma Biscuit and her daddies. Be still my heart.

Saw the Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity show at the Met. Sauntered through the galleries in angst because it should have been me who curated it, ya know? It is everything I stand for and embrace. I mean, even quotes from Au Bonheur des Dames were on the wall. This is sacred material my friends. It should have been me.

Can't visit the UES without a stop at Laduree, which was delightful as can be.

My one regret was when the taxi drove past St. Patrick's Cathedral on St. Patrick's day, we should have made time for a quick visit. It only seemed right. But I was in a hurry to catch my bus.

I'm still on a high, though dieting. 

A few weeks ago I posted my choices for the 6-week Pinterest Challenge. Here they are again:

I completed my first choice, DIY envelopes from catalogs and magazines. So fun! I made a bunch while watching movies. I love the way they turned out.

If you are lucky, you might get one in your mailbox someday! I have cute cherry blossom and Lady Bird Johnson stamps to use too.

Oh how I love the simple things that don't take a lot of brain power to accomplish. I made a list today of all the crazy things I'm juggling right now and thought I'd post it here as kind of an update on what I'm up to right now. A lot of firsts for me right now and the mind is on OVERLOAD.

1) Full-time work that is getting busier and busier all the time. Constant feelings of guilt for pushing so many work-related projects to the back burner

2) Part-time grad school in which, for one class, I am creating a museum and meet 3 times a week to keep the ball rolling. My teammates are out of control overachievers and planners. I can't keep up. The other class is independent research that will be published and presented. I meet frequently with professionals to report on my work. A lot of pressure.

3) Serving as 1st Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency can sometimes be like a part-time job, but luckily things have slowed down a bit...except for Sundays. This is also one of the greatest blessings in my life right now.

4) I have a part-time job on Wednesday and Friday nights and sometimes pick up extra shifts. Babysitting. It is a huge commitment and sacrifice of my free time right now, but for now financially, this is a commitment I'm willing to make.

5) I'm a GTA to 70 MBA students who happen to be public figures...mostly NFL players. Interesting stories. I have TONS to grade for the next month. I'll be honest I am only doing this so I can make 3K in one month.

6) I am diligently applying to internships, which can be VERY time consuming. I'm back to that phase again, where I have to complete two (!) 260 hour (!) internships before I can graduate. My goodness. This summer I hope to start my first one while doing everything else I do.

7) I was hired by a writer to type up his manuscripts for a book he is writing. It's not a lot of work, but just one more pressure.

8) Moving. How and when this will be accomplished I have no idea.

9) Visiting friends and family. I'm somehow making time to go to New York this weekend to see Lacey! Met anyone? Central Park! Upper East Side. Chelsea. Definitely want to go to the Brooklyn Flea as well. So much to look forward to. Mom is coming at the beginning of April...help me move please??

Needless to say, many things have been tossed out the window lately. The ones I miss the most are exercise, temple attendance, cooking, shopping, social life, and mid-week church meetings.

my maggie march

This is the playlist I should have made for a weekend getaway to the mountains of West Virginia. It was a couple weeks ago, and back then I was still on a day-after-Valentine's high and couldn't get into the cold, solitary mood of the lingering last days of winter. This playlist is inspired by the rolling mountain views and the endless music streams and discussions that occurred over the getaway. It also reflects my ennui for my 5th straight semester of grad school. When we come out of this month, it will be spring with cherry blossoms. Until then, I'm shacking up with the wistful music of winter's end. You can listen to most of it here.

The one song I couldn't find on Spotify is too beautiful to not include so I'm posting it here: