Thursday, April 30, 2020

March 2020 Books

♥ Grateful American ¹ by Gary Sinise

* Where We Go from Here ¹ by Bernie Sanders - I really liked that after Bernie lost the Democratic nomination in 2016 that he kept moving forward. He didn't let that huge loss stop him from getting out there and doing everything in his power to make this country better. It's impossible not to admire that kind of determination.


¹ - audiobook
² - abridged version
* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

March 2020 Donations

Bernie Sanders

Knowing now that this dream is never to be is truly, truly upsetting. But at the beginning of March I donated to his campaign for what would be the last time. I had so much hope that the country would unite, elect Bernie Sanders President, put us back on track, and make the world as a whole just a better place to be. It's like George McGovern all over again. I really hate it when things that should be are not realised. It's soul crushing.

OmazeGive Power

Baby jumped at the chance to win $100k - which after taxes is probably more like 60k, but that's still enough to get me out of debt, fix up my place, and take a fun vacay trip to Positano and Ireland. Plus I liked that my entry fee or whatever was going to a very worthy cause. Here's some info on what Give Power is all about:

2.1 billion people lack access to clean water, but GivePower is on a mission to change that. GivePower uses its deep solar energy expertise to provide clean water, food security and light to regions in need around the world. Omaze has teamed up with GivePower to bring clean, healthy water to water-scarce communities in Kenya. And we want you to join us! Every donation to this experience will help build a  groundbreaking and critically needed Solar Water Farm in Mishomoroni, Mombasa, Kenya. This installation will provide clean drinking water for up to 35,000 people every single day. 

American Red Cross

With all the shit going on with Corona I wanted to do something, so I threw some cash at the American Red Cross. Their Mission Statement makes me all kind of weepy:

The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.​


Colonial Theatre

I randomly checked my favourite movie theatre's website to see if they had any updates or plans when they'd reopen. I came across a plea for donations. So clearly I cut them a check. Plus, these "punny" marquees are really stinkin' cute and clever.



Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Hush Up

Bishop posted this on his Instagram page and it cracked me up. It also made me a little hopeful...


Monday, April 27, 2020

FaceTime with the Big Brother!

Wayne and I had a FaceTime date set up for today at 8pm and this is what I saw after answering the call:


He said they are his old Italian man from South Philly glasses. All he needs is a cigar and a velour running suit and he is SET! Wayne said he has a great gangster name for himself - Ronny Bananas. Perfect.

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Awkward Family Postcards



The reactions: the first one is from Maureen and it's the one of the three ladies in plaid on the right, inexplicably posing in front of appliances.



This one from Chrissy is the baby in the upper right corner - middle finger hidden behind the cute band boy.

And the last message was from MeMom - the postcard between the bride and the band boy.

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Chickpea Curry

My first attempt at really cooking something turned out somewhat successful. I scrolled through tons of vegan/gluten free recipes on Instagram and wrote down the ones that seemed easiest. Then I ordered some kitchen supplies (large 3 quart saucepan, electric mixer, and a big ole pot), kicked up my spice collection a notch and dove in. This recipe was good and only needs a little tweaking to make it my own, but I'm excited that I feel a bit of confidence in an area where I have always felt inept and useless.



The Chickpea Curry recipe was found on @plantbased.recipes on Instagram but the recipe credit is to The Buddhist Chef

Ingreds:
1 red pepper cut into strips
1 chopped white onion
1 tbsp curry powder
¼ tsp crushed red pepper
1 tbsp cane sugar (I think this is too much and next time I'll half it.)
4 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 can o' chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
1 can of coconut milk
salt to taste

Directions:
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the onion and bell pepper for 5 to 10 minutes. (I didn't use much oil except for a few spritzes of olive oil to make sure the onion and peps didn't stick to the pan)
• Add the curry powder, crushed red pepper, cane sugar, nutritional yeast, tomato paste and chickpeas.
• Sauté for about 3 minutes
• Stir in the coconut milk, add the salt and continue to cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until thick and creamy (10 to 15 minutes).
• Serve with rice - I went with brown.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

A Peek of Springtime

I was actually outdoors during daylight and saw some flowers begin to bloom and then inexplicably, watermelon rinds in the creek behind my complex.



Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Negroni Up

Bishop sent me a vid via Instagram of the incomparable Stanley Tucci making a cocktail. It was so simple but also just fun seeing someone so hip in his own home making a cocktail for his bride. What a guy!

How to make the perfect Negroni à la Tucci:

• fair amount of ice in a shaker
• double shot of gin (Plymouth Gin) or vodka laced with gin
• shot of sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth)
• single shot of Campari (made in Milan)
• shake well
• pour into a coupe glass (or the glass of your choosing)
• garnish with a pre-sliced and peeled orange (from Florida) after squeezing just a little juice into the glass
• sip and state "That's good..."

Monday, April 20, 2020

Spenser for Hire

While the rest of the world binge watches Fleabag, Tiger King, and the like, I'm hitting up more classic 80s telly with some vintage Robert Urich and Avery Brooks - two super fine and handsome fellas. The show is really, really good, doesn't feel dated at all and features oodles of familiar faces when they were just kids - Patricia Clarkson, Angela Bassett, and Frances McDormand to name a few.


Sunday, April 19, 2020

Letter from Jax

I am simply swimming in mail lately and I love it! I stopped by Xavier's yesterday and Jax gave me this letter. He would have mailed it but they don't have any envelopes. (Eye roll. They needed stamps so I ordered a book of Hot Wheels stamps online to be sent to them. It never occurred to me that they needed envelopes. Talk about rookies in the art of correspondence...)

dear Aunt lisa,
thank you for the stamps. you are
the best! what is your favorite stamp.
mine is the shark Ruiser. I hope you
can stop by sometime soon.
always Love,
Jax. 

Look at this knucklehead - 42 degrees out and he's barefoot and shirtless! But still adorable.

Saturday, April 18, 2020

The Doctor Has Been Spotted

And on David Tennant's birthday no less!


Friday, April 17, 2020

Incoming!

My mail-slot is practically bursting at the seams with letters! (Exaggeration but who cares!?) I got this adorable Panda card from Anne, followed by a letter from Melissa and a sweet painting from her roomie, Terra. Am I lucky or what?


 Fact (per The Daily Show): Pandas in Chinese zoos have been
spontaneously mating. They are notoriously difficult to get them to 
mate in captivity, but with no people watching due to Coronavirus
they are happy to do it. They just needed a little privacy.
Go pandas!

Dear Lisa*
I'm enjoying our FaceTime meetings, but missing
the hugs! I hope we see each other soon.
Love, 
Anne


Thursday, April 16, 2020

Mail from Bailey

This little cutie-pie exclaimed that she wanted to be "just like our Lisa" and mailed me my very own letter. I got it and here it is, in all its glory.




Dear Lisa
I Love and miss
You.
I hope you
are having 
fun.
- Bailey
(Ashlee told me that Bailey wrote everything and she only helped her with the spelling. I'm impressed! I love that her Es are little squiggly spirals!)

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Veronica Mars Latest

One of my favourite TV shows is Veronica Mars. Even though I thought the film was a bit of a disappointment, I'm really enjoying season four on Hulu. It's so nice to see the gang all back together.

(photo kidnapped from slashfilm)

Monday, April 13, 2020

Joy Received

My mission to spread a little sunshine during lockdown is definitely paying off!





Sunday, April 12, 2020

Happy Easter!

I don't celebrate Easter anymore but I still love all the cuteness surrounding this holiday! Bunnies and chickies and Cadbury mini eggs and ME as a cute and fuzzy bunny in my Bitmoji Avatar.




Saturday, April 11, 2020

God Damn Gluten

Recently I've discovered that I may be joining the masses in becoming gluten intolerant. It's extremely frustrating and very upsetting that I'll perhaps be saying farewell to some of my favourite foods. Yes, yes, gluten free goodies are everywhere and I'll be able to adjust, but it is still depressing because while switching to vegan is a choice, this gluten shit is so not. To help with the transition by wonderful lil' brother send me a care package of vegan and gluten free snickety-snacks a couple weeks ago. Everything I've tried is beyond yummy and I'm saving some so I don't go crazy and eat the whole box at once. Hopefully this dreary non-gluten future won't be completely awful...but if I really am gluten intolerant that means no more vegan chicken cheese steaks from Govinda's. Insert sobbing emoji face here.




Friday, April 10, 2020

Voyagers!

I am trying to be healthy this month and so when I reach certain goals I have a list of rewards. I finally hit the one I was working towards - watching my DVD series of Voyagers! starring Jon-Erik Hexum and the adorable Meeno Peluce. I'm only a few episodes in but it is so much fun! Jon-Erik is the dreamboat (who isn't very good at world history) and Meeno is the super cute, super smart sidekick. They make a fabulous team. I'm so sorry I didn't watch this as a kid but I'm glad to have discovered it as a grown up. Time travel, adventure, a bit of romance here and there, a tug on the occasional heart strings, oodles of history, two wonderful leads, and oh-so-much more. What's not to love?

(photo kidnapped via imdb)

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Local News from Europe

Yesterday I messaged Michel to see how he's doing and was told that Bernie Sanders withdrew his bid for President.





Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Aymi Duignan

(photo kidnapped from @aymsdesigns Instagram page)