Week 3 of HV Nestie Favorite Things

Welcome to Week 3 of our Favorite things.  This may be a shorter post...I say that now.  I'm probably lying to you.

Let's get started....

Favorite TV Show

Anyone who has known me for like a minute knows my 2 all time favorite TV shows.  But I will talk about both right here.

The first show which filled my Tuesday nights for 7 wonderful years, is the WB's Gilmore Girls.  To say I love this show, is an understatement.  I WORSHIPED this show.  I obsessed.  I watched every episode AND when the repeats started on ABC Family, I watched those too. 

Lorelai was a character that I IMMEDIATELY identified with.  The character and I were roughly the same age and in a similar situation.  She just had rich parents, I didn't. Oh and she had a daughter where I have a son.  I loved the town of Stars Hollow and all the people that filled it.  I wished I could live in a town like it.  The town and characters that the Pallindinos created felt so real. I  think that is why the fans of GG love it so much.  They felt like these were people you could walk out your front door and be friends with.

The day this show ended, I cried like a baby. I felt like I lost all my friends.  That is how invested in that show I was.  My Tuesday nights became barren. I couldn't find a show that would fill that void in my TV loving heart.  Then this happened......

I was watching a movie on FX and saw a commercial that featured actors Katey Sagal and Ron Pearlman.  There was also this beautiful blond boy.  There were Harleys and boys in leather.  I KNEW I had to watch this show, just for the eye candy.

So that fateful Tuesday night in September 2008, I turned on FX.  I was ready to see a typical biker show.  Lots of bikes maybe not a lot of story, but I didn't care as long as the guys were cute.  BOY WAS I WRONG!!!

I was drawn in by the story.  The story of Jax Teller, a young man trying to find his place not just in the world at large, but within his own outlaw biker club.  His father, who is dead, was one of the club's founding members.  His mother Gemma, brilliantly portrayed by Katey Sagal, is the Mamma lion of the club.  She's loving, fierce, sexy and absolutely psychotic, but one thing is for sure, she loves her family and her club.  His step-father is portrayed by Ron Pearlman.  His name is Clay.  Clay is a dangerous man and the one responsible for killing Jax's father.  Okay, I'm saying that here, it's not really "official" but trust me, Clay did it.  As I sat there, speechless every episode.  I became more and more drawn in.  There is no turning back for me.  I began to see how the story of Jax and his club and family is much like Hamlet.  I can not say enough times, how much of a brilliant writer Kurt Sutter is.  He writes story and characters and dialogue that is so real and keeps you interested.  I love this show.  My best friend loves this show.  My BROTHERS love this show.  I got two of my co-workers hooked and loving this show.  It's not for everyone.  It's a very REAL show.  There is violence.  Lots of it.  They don't treat their women all that well either.  Though, I wouldn't mess with Gemma, she'd cut a bitch and has.  And lord help you if there is a skateboard nearby...she'll break your damn nose.

I am anxiously awaiting the new Season to see what will happen to my beloved men of SAMCRO.  Of course, I have to wait until September to find out.

Favorite Store to Shop At.

Well, this is a broad "favorite".  I'm not a shopper.  I wish I could be.  I love it when I actually have some spending cash and can go to the mall or bookstore and just not worry about things.  But those occassions do not happen often.

My list of favorite stores:

For groceries and what not I go to Shoprite. They opened a new one here in Stony Point and I go there.

For Clothes:  I go where ever I can find clothes that fit me.  I usually buy clothes from Lane Bryant.  Sometimes Target.

Shoes.  Well, I LOVE SHOES.  Really, I love them.  I buy most of them from DSW.  But every so often I buy direct from Steve Madden.  Cause I LOVE Steve Madden shoes.

The one store I spend most of my money at:  Barnes & Noble.  Besides my shoe addiction I have a book addiction.  Yes, many people tell me the so-called greatness of The Kindle or the Nook.  But I LOVE BOOKS.  I love to hold them in my hand. I love the feel of the pages.  The smell of the ink on the page.  You can't get that with a Kindle or Nook.  I think one of the main reasons why I love my job at Sunnyside is because I can spend a lot of time in Washington Irving's study, surrounded by books that are 150-200 years old.  I sit in that room and I'm in awe of the yellowing pages that fill that room.  E-readers do not produce this kind of love.  They never will.

Favorite Recipe.  

I believe I have shared my favorite recipe here in this blog.  But just in case I haven't.  I'll share it again.

It's Pasta e Fagoli  (Pasta & beans).  Everyone has their own version of this soup.  Some make it with meat.  Some make it with white beans only and some like my mom back in the day actually used pork and beans (don't ask...she has since mended her ways)  Below is my version.

1 28 oz. can of crushed or diced tomatoes.  My favorite brand is Cento.

1 box of small pasta, Ditalini,  elbows, any small pasta you prefer

2 cans of pink beans, rinsed.  Again, use what you have (just not black beans!)

3 stalks of celery, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

1 medium onion, diced (I finely dice it because of my son's aversion to large chunks of onion)

3-5 cloves of garlic, crushed

EVOO

Basil

Oregano

Garlic Powder

Black pepper

Salt (optional)

First, start the water to cook the pasta in.  Cook the pasta to just under al dente.  When you drain it, save some of the pasta water.

In a large pot, heat EVOO on medium high, add the onion, carrots and celery.  Stir frequently and cook the veggies till they start to brown a bit.  Add the garlic and stir until fragrant.  Next add the can of tomatoes and the beans.  Stir together.  Add the spices.  I don't measure.  I just add to taste.  Usually I add more basil than the other spices.  I don't add extra salt to my food due to the Bear and The Boy's high blood pressure.  But if you need the salt, do so.

Add the pasta once it's done cooking and some of the reserved water.  Mix everything together.  Turn the heat down to medium low and simmer everything together.  10-30 minutes is usually how long I let it go for.

This is the Boy's favorite soup I make.  It's comfort food and it's also quick and inexpensive.  What I feel is the greatest thing about Pasta fagoli, is that you can use whatever you have on hand to make it. 

So these are the favorites for this week.  Happy reading and see you all next week!