The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books,
and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.
What a wild week it's been. Between election results that tipped one way and then the other, and record-high numbers of COVID cases, it's been... interesting. Can we just fast forward six months or so?
Oh, and will someone send some cooler weather my way? I mean, I appreciate that it's no longer in the 90's, but still... something below 80 would be nice.
I got all domestic and made a big batch of homemade marinara this week. It simmered in the slow cooker all day and then I divvied it up into bags and popped them in the freezer. I used some a few nights later and it was really tasty but next time I'll put the immersion blender to use for a smoother sauce (I am so not a fan of chunky sauce). I also think it needs a little sweetness to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Anyone have some good tweaks for a basic marinara?
I fell down a rabbit hole of old made-for-TV movies this week. Somehow I came across one on YouTube (I wasn't even searching for it) and that was my downfall. Before you know it I was finding all these old TV movies from the 80's (and even late 70's): Surviving - about teen suicide and starring Molly Ringwald, Midnight Offerings with Melissa Sue Anderson, Something About Amelia with Ted Danson, and on it went. Is anyone of a similar age and remembers those? Back in the days long before Lifetime movies? :)
This week's 80's music fix is Africa (1982) by Toto. Loved the original version back in the 80's and love the remake from Weezer last year.
Friday, November 6
WHAT I COMPLETED IN THE LAST WEEK
Read:
Listened to:
WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING
Reading:
Listening to:
KINDLE BOOKS:
How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share?
I'd love to hear about it!
We've had 70's here and for Michigan in November... that's weird. and so glad the election is over! Has it been crazy or what? Yowzers.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh made-for-TV movies. Remember when there was a Movie of the Week?????
I love your song pick! :)
Crazy election week, for sure! That goodness it's over.
DeleteYes, totally remember Movie of the Week. That was like a family event. :)
I'm super tired right now and read "marinara" as "marijuana". I was like, Wow! She really did have a stressful week! I can't believe she's telling us this! Then, I reread the paragraph and laughed so hard at myself. I should go to bed!!! Great song choice. I love that song.
ReplyDeleteBahaha! Too funny, Deanna! Um, it's been a stressful week but I haven't been driven to that point. LOL
DeleteI find my self in YouTube rabbit holes way too often, lol.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the weather will cool down. I had an evening stroll and it was 4 degrees of Celsius, I LOVED it! The cold, the wind, it really gives me the Autumn vibes.
It's so easy to do, isn't it? And I'm sure they make it that way on purpose. One video leads to twenty-seven. LOL So envious of your glorious weather!
DeleteI remember Something About Amelia. I just google Surviving and I saw that too, but not the third one.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason Surviving really stuck with me for all these years (30 years or more?). Maybe because it was Molly Ringwald.
DeleteI didn't even know Weezer had a remake of Africa ! Sorry about the marinara and the lifetime movies, I'm useless here. I mostly follow recipes for sauces at the start then arrange them my way, but there are lots of ideas on Pinterest, for instance ? I've been watching Miss Marple with Geraldine McEwan, I've never watched it before, just the old version with Joan Hickson. Have a great week :)
ReplyDeleteWeezer actually did a wonderful cover of Africa last year. Really well done. Pinterest is a good idea for recipes... but I tend to spend hours on there and walk away no better off. LOL
DeleteFor the sauce, sweet/bell peppers? Chop 'em up, throw them in, and if you're blending you shouldn't notice them but they're super yummy in basic pasta sauces and help sweeten.
ReplyDeleteI dont remember the last time I bought a jar of sauce... :)
Toto's Africa is a nice through back! Ultimate 80's right there but impossible not to smile at. :)
Sadly, peppers are one of the food I absolutely won't touch. Top of my list of foods I loathe. LOL My husband occasionally finds it amusing to offer me money to eat one and I just roll my eyes. :)
DeleteI love this song! Yes, I wish we could fast forward a bit, too; I'm worried what the next weeks will bring now that the election has been called.
ReplyDeleteSame here, Angela. I just don't see a smooth transition happening, unfortunately. But eventually he will have to move out and make way. :)
DeleteIt was back into the upper 70's this week here in SW Ohio and I am OVER IT. It is NOVEMBER. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI love Toto!
Our weather (upper 70's) is pretty typical for November here in FL but I'm still over it. LOL
Deletei was pretty much an ostrich, burying my head in the sand this week. the weather is great here in florida, but the pool is getting very chilly. lol
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Wise decision, Sherry! Why subject yourself to all the nonsense, right?
DeleteWe like our Sauce (I call it Sunday Gravy) on the chunky side. I use sweet onions in mine and diced tomatoes. I can't remember if my grandmother added sugar to her sauce. I would have to ask my mom. Sunday "gravy" is my favorite and I love the way the house smalls when I make a huge pot with Meatballs.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Tanya! Happy Reading!
Doesn't the house smell fantastic with a good sauce simmering all day? Yum! And now you have me craving meatballs... :)
DeleteWhen I cook a tomato sauce I always add either some sugar or some agave juice. It sweetens the acidity on the tomato. Now Tanya I was on pins and needles this whole week for you all!
ReplyDeleteHm, I've never used agave juice, but I do think I need to add a little sugar to balance the acidity. Good idea!
Deleteoh girl...this election chaotic mess is something let me tell ya LOL At least my state was ready for it. But seriously we still don't know the outcome until it gets settled in the courts and all, its going to be a long month that is for sure. I just hope it all works out and we can move on as a country and learn to unify and lift each other up. again.
ReplyDeleteHappy to see Devney Perry on your week of reading, hope you are enjoying all of those! She is a good one.
I don't see much coming from all the lawsuits but I guess we just have to wait and see. It will feel good to have it all behind us so we can move forward and start fresh.
DeleteDevney Perry is a real favorite so I'm always excited to pick up one of hers. :)
I'm so happy the election is finally over and decided! I know there are court battles, but I don't think they'll go far. We FINALLY got some cooler weather and rain! Yipee! I hope you get some of the lovely Fall temps too. Perfect reading weather!
ReplyDeleteI read The Outpost a while back and really enjoyed it. Hope you did too! :)
Yeah, all the lawsuits seem desperate and I don't think much will come of them. It's exciting to see Biden already making plans and getting ready to hit the ground running.
DeleteI really enjoyed The Outpost. The whole Jamison Valley series has been great so far.
Is the election definitely done and dusted!! I’m so glad Biden is in but I can’t get over how long the process takes!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week and stay safe!
Well, it definitely doesn't take this long normally. But with it being such a close race and so many mail-in ballots I guess it really slowed the process. Just so glad it's over!
DeleteThis has been the longest, most bizarre week in the history of weeks, and that is saying something in 2020! I am glad it is over, and more glad at how it turned out, maybe we can actually attack the pandemic with science and facts and stuff. It was really warm here too, nearly 80 this weekend! Hope you have a good week, and stay safe!!
ReplyDeleteCould we have expected any different from 2020? Ha! It's so encouraging to see that Biden already putting his COVID task force in place and making plans.
DeleteNothing beats slow cooking a pot of sauce all day! I use crushed tomatoes so that it has a bit of texture without being chunky. I also season with a combination of salt, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
ReplyDeleteMakes the whole house smell delicious, right? I definitely think I need to add a little more sugar to offset the acidity of the tomatoes.
DeleteIt has definitely been a crazy week! Although I life in Europe, I just couldn't stop watching all the elections stuff.. It was making me crazy! LOL!! Well, maybe the combination of pregnancy and not being able to sleep was what really made me crazy!
ReplyDeleteA slowcooker is definitely on my wish list. I've seen and heard so many great recipes, I can't wait to get my hands on one. Your sauce sounds yummy! I love chunks! :D
Invisible Girl looks amazing!
Have a great week, stay safe and happy reading.
I love my slow cooker and use it often. It's so easy to toss ingredients in on a busy day and have dinner ready when I get home from work. :)
DeleteOur weather has been amazing in the 79s mostly. But mid week we will have rain and then drop into the 60s. I only make a really simple no cook pasta sauce with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and lots of garlic but it is definitely chunky, so I am no help. I am happy with the election results and want to move on into the new, out with the old. You got some great looking books - enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
I imagine the next two months will be filled with as much revenge and stone-walling as possible, but at least the clock is now ticking.
DeleteIt really was a wild and crazy week and I expect we're going to have another couple of crazy months ahead of us. I was naively hoping for a smooth transition but that's clearly not going to happen, lol. Mmmm, that homemade marinara sauce sounds so delicious.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think it's safe to say a smooth transition is not in the cards. But at least there's now a clock ticking.
DeleteWe have had some beautiful days lately but I have a feeling that we will be paying for soon enough. I have not made homemade marina before but I have been know to throw tomatoes in the blender before adding them to chili. I don't care for chunky either. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSounds like something I would do, Carole. Chunky tomatoes just do not do it for me.
DeleteOoo homemade marinara?
ReplyDeleteBetween COVID and trying to steal the election, why do I think the next few months are going to be THE WORST. Just let us have a grown up at the helm!
Right? Get the insolent, petulant toddler out of there and let a grown up take over. Ha!
Deletehomemade marianra...i like my sauce less chunky too, but mr wonderful looks to scoop those yummy chunks
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
I don't mind the flavor of the tomatoes and onions but I do NOT want to bite down on chunks of them. Nope!
DeleteHomemade marinara sounds yummy! Hope you find the tweaks you're looking for! I'm really hoping to read Spoiler Alert in the next week. Hope you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll love Spoiler Alert when you get to it! :)
DeleteIt’s snowing here. I’d offer to trade weather with you, but I like snow more than hot :). I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
LOL No worries, I think I'd like the snow more than the hot, too. :)
Delete