May 13, 2013 |
I’m always surprised (although it’s obvious that I shouldn’t be) that the storylines I’m most attracted to are those with writers as the protagonist. Whether it’s a book, television show or movie… if there’s a writer involved, it holds a certain magic that I can’t find anywhere else.
John-Boy Walton was my first love. The episode “The Achievement” is still an all-time favorite. Richard Thomas, the actor, later portrayed another writer in one of my guilty pleasure films, Stephen King’s IT.
Jo March of Little Women lives my life. An awkward tomboy, dreaming of something beyond her home, she left… only to return to the family she loves and write about them.
Julie Powell wrote about Julia Child who wrote a cookbook. And not just any cookbook. Mastering the Art of French Cooking is still on my Wishlist. For those of you new to Frankly, My Dear… the movie Julie & Julia inspired me to start blogging.
Eat, Pray, Love is another wonderful story about a writer trying to find herself.
But it’s Under the Tuscan Sun that grabbed my attention this weekend.
Although I’ve had the DVD for several years, it’s been quite a while since I last watched it. For Mother’s Day, I did just that. Dot treated me to a Starbuck’s Apple Pie Frappuccino [Note to Self: Get more of this. Often. It’s the coffee-law!] and I settled into my Writer’s Corner (chair. It’s a chair.) and was instantly romanticized by the story of Katherine. Oh, you thought the movie was about Frances, the writer? It is. But my story is about Frances and Katherine, her new Italian friend.
During her season of finding herself, Frances confides in Katherine. Katherine takes her under her wing and encourages Frances to lose her fear of, well, everything. Katherine enthralled me, and the characters around her, with her zest for life. She drew Frances out of her shell. She commanded attention wherever she went. And she almost always wore hats. The big brimmed, feminine kind of hats that Audrey Hepburn would have adorned. If Katherine were real and you were lost in a crowd, you’d need only to look above the heads for her hat, and you’d be lost no more.
I don’t want to ruin the movie for you if you’ve not yet seen it. So I’ll skip any spoilers. But I must mention the dress. The white dress. It’s not a wedding dress. It’s simple yet elegant. Cinched with a simple yet elegant black belt. And Frances, after consulting with Katherine, wears it confidently.
I saw that dress. I saw a writer, who on a whim moved to Italy, and bought a white dress. I saw confidence and adventure and romance and life and courage…
I want that dress!
Not because I want the characteristics it portrays. But because I am finding myself already full of those characteristics and I can think of no better way to show it than to wear such a dress.
A year ago I wouldn’t have thought to wear a dress. Unemployed and feeling less than accomplished, a leg riddled with eczema patches… a dress most certainly wasn’t in the cards.
Oh, but it’s so much more than just about wearing a dress. It’s about grasping life with both hands and yet letting go. It’s eating the ice cream cones in the hot sun. Drinking wine in the backyard. It’s celebrating the failures and acknowledging the successes that come with every day of just waking up and being alive.
That dress is about being alive.
I. Want. That. Dress.
It is definitely worth saving my pennies for. If I have any extras, I’ll just toss them into the Fountain when I finally get to Italy.
And believe me. I’m getting there.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Mojo Movie Review of the Week: “Eat, Pray, Love”
Mojo Movie Review of the Week: “Julie & Julia”
Building a Better Me: Making (Better) Memories
Where are you, Paul Varjak?
Mojo Movie Review of the Week: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
When I Get To New York
If I Could, I Would…
My Personal History of Coffee (and a Keurig Review)
May 11, 2013 |
This Mother’s Day Weekend, I took my family to a different sort of outing.
The Hesperia Station Activities Committee is a support group for our local Police Department. Consisting of officer’s spouses and significant others, this group takes on the burdens behind the scenes. They’re quick to support families of police officers and not just in difficult times. They gather together to show their common bonds when an officer retires or has a baby. They raise funds to help with family-based social events throughout the year. They draw attention to the lesser known side of being a cop’s family. They encourage each other. And they share themselves with the community. The monies they raise through this breakfast will help when an officer’s family member is sick or injured. Who hasn’t had a kid in the ER at least once in their life? What happens when an officer is involved in a major investigation and can’t make it home? The HSAC is there. There are so many ways that supporting an officer’s family is just as important as supporting the work he or she does.
This year, the Committee sponsored a public Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast. At just $6 per ticket, it’s far cheaper than the larger school-based fundraiser breakfasts or even the Buy-One-Get-One-Free coupon books offered throughout the year.
So it was an obvious no-brainer for me to treat Dot and her two grandmothers. Full breakfast. Four people. $24.00. Yeah. That’s a good investment. When was the last time you ate such a hearty breakfast for so little? I mean the kind that didn’t come wrapped in waxy paper or served in a cardboard box?
Just look at this tasty abundance! And *BONUS* it was all you could eat. How fantastic is that? The Maple Syrup was exceptionally flavorful, as well. I’m nearly certain they brought it in from New England just for this. It was an event worth writing home to Mom about.
The entire experience welcomed us with a feeling of importance, of being deliciously pampered. Sure, it’s not the Ritz. There weren’t fancy tablecloths and fine china. But for $6, did you think it would be? The point is, it was still a great breakfast that not only fed us but will enable the Activities Committee to offer support throughout the year to officers and their families. However they need it.
There were no dishes to clean up. We didn’t have to watch the clock or the stove. We met new people. We spent the morning with great food and great company, for a great cause. Three of my favorite reasons to live combined to make this the perfect morning. We were given the opportunity to relax, be fed, be social, and support the ones who support the ones who protect our neighborhood.
For all they do for us, it’s the least we could do for them.
And celebrating the family Matriarchs as part of the deal? Well, that’s just icing on the cake!
[Support your local officers and their families. Contact your local police, sheriff, and fire departments to find out information on supporting their community events and how you can volunteer to help behind the scenes. It’s what they do that make it possible for you to safely do what you do. So let them know. And tell their Mommies “thanks!” for raising such fine men and women!]
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
This post is my contribution to NerdWallet’s ‘Mother’s Day Your Way Contest’. Click on the graphic to visit their website and see contributions from other bloggers celebrating Moms in their own way!
May 11, 2013 |
My Baked Frittata is one of my most popular recipes. It’s my favorite quick Go-To Combo, and my best lazy weekend morning treat. It’s never the same twice, and that’s just how I like it!
Baked Frittata Italian Style
Easily altered to suit your Mom’s flavor buds, this dish offers an incredibly delicious dining experience whether you’re making it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Start with a basic mixture of eggs, milk and cheese, then add your own preferred additions to truly make it your own one-of-a-kind creation. For Mother’s Day, I chose ingredients sure to please her pallet: mini pepperonis, diced onion, mushroom, seasoned tomatoes and a shredded cheese blend. You can add finely chopped herbs and seasonings, green peppers and other vegetables… whatever your Mom’s heart desires.
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni (or other diced meat)
- 1 can diced, seasoned tomatoes, drained
- 1/4 cup mushrooms, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh spinach, cut
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- salt
- pepper
- seasonings (Italian mix, basil, garlic salt)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Scramble eggs in bowl.
- Add all other ingredients.
- Mix well.
- Spray 9 x 9 inch glass baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Pour mix into baking dish.
- Bake for approximately 55 minutes, until eggs are cooked and edges are slightly browned.
- Serve big or small portions.
- Top with a dollop of marinara sauce.
- Enjoy!
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2013/05/11/mothers-day-frittata/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
Frittata
Doesn’t that look delicious?
Serve with a cup of coffee or juice, and make your Mother’s Day complete!
You can find this and other easy, inexpensive recipes in THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK, SECOND EDITION, available through New Inklings Press.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
This post is my contribution to NerdWallet’s ‘Mother’s Day Your Way Contest’. Click on the graphic to visit their website and see contributions from other bloggers celebrating Moms in their own way!
