Monthly Archives: August 2009
What are your limits?
Everybody has their limits, the little invisible lines that define what is appropriate and acceptable and what is not. A number of people have asked me if I only read books by christian authors and christian publishers. The answer is a resounding “No.” Neither do I only listen to christian music or watch movies that portray christian characters. A problem arises, though, when people who know I am a christian assume that all the books I review or recommend meet their same standards of propriety.
So, here’s my question for you: what are your limits?
I understand CBA will not publish a book if it includes a single swear word. It makes me think of Gone with the Wind and all the hub-bub Selznick endured for that one famous line: “Frankly, my dear …”
Will you read a book with swear words? Are there certain swear words that are okay and others that are not? What about sensuality? Do you have different standards for books versus movies or TV?
I have a friend who insists she’ll not read books nor watch movies that include profanity. Yet she loved Erin Brockovich. Have you seen that movie? Not only does it portray a single mom with immodest fashion sense and questionable morality, but the F-bomb is dropped liberally throughout. Almost as much as Good Will Hunting. My friend wasn’t bothered. In that case, the story took over. She was so drawn into the plot that these inclusions, which typically assault her, went unnoticed.
Where is the line and how good does the story have to be to justify “impure” details? Raw details often lend greater authenticity, but how much is too much? How do you define the line?
Mama Loves: Ellie-isms and Zach Attacks
I may have the funniest kids in the country. I love it! Here are some of the summer’s best quotes.
Zach: “I’m done with my wake-up nap now.”
Me: “What’s a ‘wake-up nap?’”
Zach: “It’s when you’re talking but you still need to be woken and after a little you’re awake. It’s a wake-up nap, Mom.”
Ellie: “Flour comes from the mill. The farmer takes it to the mill and they turn it into flour.”
Me: “That’s right! Where did you learn that?”
Ellie: “Oh, I just had it in mind. I’m really smart — are I’m?”
Zach: “I was sinking that we should — “
Ellie: “Zach. It’s not SINKing; it’s DINKing! Hear that T-H sound? Dink. Dink, dink, dink.”
Ellie, singing: “A-O mountain high, A-O valley low, A-O river wide in love. If you need me, call me, no matter where you are, no matter how far.”
Zach, also singing: “‘Cause babies say A-O mountain high in love! A-O mountain low in love! A-O river wide in love to keep me from getting to you!”
Ellie: “Can we go to Disney God Tom today?”
Translation: Can we visit Disney.com?
Zach: “You gotta look!! I did a pepper-salt!”
Translation: I did a somersault.
Ellie: “Mom, you make a really nice waitress.”
Zach: “Bye-bye, peepee! Have a great adventure! (Then in a higher, funny voice) I will! I’ll send you a picture! Bye-bye, you silly boy! (Back to his normal voice) Ha ha! I miss you already!”
Me: “Ellie, you are insufferable.”
Ellie: “You mean I’m a genius.”
Recipe Swap Sunday: Banana Crunch Muffins
Ina Garten created famous Banana Crunch Muffins for her East Hampton specialty food store. She then published the recipe in The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. Below is my adaptation. The original certainly does NOT need to be changed; I altered it simply because I lacked all the correct ingredients. The original calls for whole milk (which I never have in the house) and sweetened shredded coconut (also never in my house). Instead I used a flavored coffee creamer (always in my house) and LOVED the results. I also altered the flour and sugars since I prefer healthier, more natural blends. The results were so good Rick didn’t even notice the whole wheat flour. (If you knew my husband, you would understand how astonishing that is.) So, here’s my twist on the Barefoot Contessa classic.
Banana Crunch Muffins (Tanya Style)
- 3 c flour (I mix my flour: half whole wheat and half all-purpose.)
- 2 c sugar (I mix my sugar: 1 part raw and 2 parts granulated.)
- 2 t baking powder
- 1 t baking soda
- 1/2 t salt
- 1/2 pound butter, melted and cooled
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 c flavored creamer (I used “White Chocolate Coconut” by International Delight. DELISH!!)
- 2 t vanilla extract
- 3 very ripe bananas: mash 2 of them, dice the 3rd.
- 1 c walnuts, chopped
- 1 c granola, plus extra for sprinkling on top (I used a “vanilla crunch” blend.)
Preheat the over to 350′F. Line two large-muffin pans with paper liners or spray with non-stick baking spray.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl (preferably your electric mixer — when finished, the batter filled my 6 qt KitchenAid). Add the melted butter and blend. Combine the eggs, creamer, vanilla and mashed banans in a separate bowl, then add this mixture to the flour-and-butter mixture. Scrape the bowl (it’s pretty sticky) and blend well, but not too much.
Fold in the diced banans, walnuts, and granola. Spoon the batter into muffin wells, filling each to the top. Sprinkle with extra granola.
Bake for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly, then enjoy. 
