Steve Jobs

Smartly, I put myself on the hold list for this Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson even before the book was released. I only had to wait through 5 people who had a faster trigger finger than I.

Unless you've been living under a rock for a number of years, you know who Steve Jobs is. Chances are good that you own or have at least encountered one Apple product, and probably more than that. You've likely seen Toy Story or another Pixar movie. Yeah, he was behind that too. Jobs may have dropped out of college but he was so smart it's sickening. He had a work ethic that wouldn't quit and a drive that was unmatchable. You probably know all of this already too. What I didn't know before reading this biography was just how intensely he lived his life. Jobs would become so focused on certain aspects of his products and business that nothing else really mattered and those who stood in the way inevitably became collateral damage. But, that's how you build a technological empire. Even through his battle with cancer, which he lost this year, he was still present in all Apple had to offer.

I'm not going to re-hash his whole life story here. What I'll tell you is that this was in incredibly interesting, albeit long, read. I found his rise, fall, and rise fascinating. While some of this 500+ page biography is a little slow, as a whole it's definitely worth reading whether or not you think you're interested in the Silicon Valley and its beginning or how Apple became the juggernaut it is today. Give this one a shot. People will think you're both smart and hip if they see you reading it!

Rating: * * * *

Gifts from John

John and I celebrated Christmas together a week early. We don't think it makes much sense to haul our presents up north just to bring them back down again. He got a new suit and a book from me. He likes it because it has pinstripes and makes him feel gangsta. The suit, not the book. He got me, with a little elf help, the earrings I was coveting in both gold and silver! And also, this beauty......

This is Josie. Isn't she pretty? She is a buttery celadon yellow, over the shoulder bag about 12" x 11". This means, he remembered every time we went purse shopping over the past year and I lamented about not being able to find a yellow bag. She also has the quirkiest black and white polka dot lining. That Kate Spade, she knows what's up.

The only question now is, can I start carrying her now? If the color were decidedly more lemon, I would have had to wait until spring. However, this is a muted yellow. Do I buck tradition and bring her out on the town? Or slide her in her dust cover until the ground thaws again? Decisions, decisions.

Opinions welcomed!

Biltmore Christmas White

If you're looking for an affordable, holiday themed wine to put on your dinner table or take to a party, look no further. Christmas at the Biltmore is a semi-sweet white blend from the vineyards of the Biltmore mansion in Asheville, NC. It retails for somewhere around $12.00. Light in  flavor, crisp in finish.

Isn't that a festive label? Biltmore holds a contest each year for a new label design on their Christmas offering. I served this when my parents were in from Florida. I just may have to pick up another bottle to take north for our other parties.

Recipe Re-blog #51

OK, home stretch, folks. I can totally do this.

BBQ Chicken Pasta Skillet: Yes, this is a strangely title recipe. Now, to some this may not sound appetizing, at all. To those of us Chez G, it sounded amazing. I only knew we'd both be interested because I tried a similar recipe earlier this year using pulled pork as part of a cold pasta salad and it was to die. This recipe also only has 336 calories per serving, a winner any day in my book. I really liked this one. Give the sauce time to thicken. I also forgot to add the shredded cheese until a couple bites in. I liked it after I added it but I didn't miss it beforehand. Also, one pot cooking! Try this, s'il vous plait!
Guess what? One week until Christmas!

Sewing Sorry

I had fully intended to post a sewing project today. When I planned out my December posts, the 14th said "sewing something." Well, guess what. I have nothing for you. Frankly, at this moment, I'm really sick of sewing. This was the first year I've made this many presents to give to people. Don't get me wrong. I really like gifting my handiwork to those lucky recipients. I hope they like it too. But, when you make 10 clutches, 4 pairs of slippers (because you made the first 2 too small), and many other items I can't show you yet because they haven't been opened, you get burnt out. I'm just lucky I started so early. Otherwise I never would have finished in time. My back is killing me from bending over my machine. The 2 1/2 hours I spent wrapping presents last Friday night didn't help either.

So, please forgive me. I'll be sewing again after the holidays. Until then, you'll just have to read my random ramblings.

Oh yeah, I also didn't finish the large book I intended for tomorrow's post so there's a good chance you're on your own for Thursday. I'm just disappointing you all over the place today, aren't I? Call me a victim of a hectic holiday season.

Pass the Kleenex

Guys, I am really not a crier. I have never been one of those people who cry at things they see on TV or books they read or anything like that. Well, I don't know what happened to me but lately this couldn't be further from the truth. Here is a list of things that made me mist up this week:

-the video of those dogs getting released from captivity after being medically tested for years and never having set foot outside

-a story on the Today Show when a father comes home from Iraq and the kids are surprised at school by his return

-likewise, a story on the radio about a woman's son who is still in Afghanistan and will miss Christmas again

-a special on the Ironman Triathlon when each person, old and young, fast or painfully slow, crossed the finish line, especially the 70 year old man who could barely stand up straight and kept falling down but made the 17 hour cut off mark with minutes to spare

-a Christmas card that was really nice

-reading race reports from other runners who crossed the finish line in various races

See what I mean? This really has got to stop. It's embarrassing. Sniffling and wiping snot on my sleeve while watching TV is not okay. What is wrong with me and how do I make it go away?

Additionally, the other night I dreamt that John and I were getting married again and Jay-Z was there. This didn't make me cry but, when I woke up I was slightly sad that I'm not actually friends with Jay-Z.

I love gooooooold

Recently, I purchased two new holiday nail polishes because I am a sucker. Luckily, I truly didn't have anything similar to either of the colors when I got home. Typically, I buy bottles and think, "Oh I don't have anything like this in my collection!" And I'm usually completely wrong. Isn't that weird?

This is called High Roller from Ulta ($6). Ulta has totally revamped their polish line with a sleeker look and I swear, a new formula. This stuff had great coverage. I think I could have gotten away with only one coat.The gold really says holiday and I do feel like a high roller up in here. I showed John my nails and immediately had to make it rain. High roller, comin' through!

P.S. Buy it when they're having a BOGO sale, which is pretty much all the time. What? Even high rollers love a bargain.

P.P.S. High rollers also eat at Fleming's but make sure they're using gift cards and getting their promised dining credits for reserving online.