Eightysixed

So, last week I was asked if I'd like to read a book about love and foodie adventures in Chicago. Um, yes, please! I started reading Emily Belden's Eightysixed. Emily has a blog called Total E-Bag that she started in 2011 so she could chronicle her bad dates and everyday life in Chicago. Her book is basically the same idea. She writes about her many bad dates that eventually led to something amazing. I know that seems pretty vague but I don't want to give anything away! There were some laugh out loud moments and some sad ones too. Emily's narrative is hilarious. Much like the emails we exchanged, you can feel her spirit and spunk throughout her story. Overall, it's a very fun and easy read. It only took me 3 days to read it and once I got close to the end I couldn't put it down. I just had to finish it to see what happened!

Once I was finished I had a few questions for Emily so we did a little mini Q&A.

1. What made you decide to write this memoir?

It started as just a Dear Diary on steroids, not really meant for the world to see, but to just help myself get over a bad breakup (details in Part One of the book...). But as all the crazy experiences of Part 2 started happening, I just couldn't stop repeating: "This could totally be a book." So I made it one. By the time the serendipitous, soulful ending happened in Part 3, I knew putting all the wild and crazy out there was worth it - if only for that ending.

2. How was writing a book different than writing for your personal blog? Do you prefer blogging or book writing?

I definitely prefer writing because I love storytelling. Sometimes in a 400 word post, you make a point - but you don't story-tell. That part is important for me. And the main difference is instant gratification vs. long-term achievement. Start to finish, Eightysixed was a 3.5 year process. Blog posts can take me 10 minutes and then they are live for the world to see.

3. Out of all the bad dates you wrote about in the book were there any that you didn't add that were equally as bad or worse?

Definitely the worst of the worst made it in there, and I actually had the opposite problem. I had to decide: "Was that bad date bad enough to make the cut?" Talk about a first-world problem!

4. Do you plan on writing another book?

Yes! I am currently half way done with the manuscript. It's an adult fiction book called FAKER. The ending on this one may even be more unforeseen than mine with Floris in Eightysixed, so stay tuned. Due out in 2015.

5. After you met Floris did you learn to cook? Do you have any favorite recipes?

I didn't learn to cook, but I vowed to stay active in the Chicago food scene. So I made sure that saving up to splurge on a coursed-out meal was a priority. It's really incredible to go from just "eating" to having an full-blown artistic experience with food.  

6. What kinds of books do you like to read? Do you have any recommendations?

I like to read the opposite of how I can write. I just finished Gone Girl, which is a stellar book. I could never think of twists and turns like that and carry out a winding story for over 400 pages, but the author did just that. I am so proud to be among a coalition of Chicago Authors with her and cannot wait to see it on the big screen.

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This book is a great summer read and I highly recommend it. Emily has included a discount code for you to get 20% off! Just go here and use the code 2NPRU7QM at checkout!

Let me know in the comments if you read it or have read it and what you think!

photos courtesy of Emily Belden

What I'm Reading: Water for Elephants

I give this book a 4 out of 5. I definitely loved it but I have to say there are some things that I think they did better in the movie. I know some of you are probably thinking I'm crazy. Most people (including my mother-in-law) usually like the book version better than the movie adaptation. In this case I will say I like the movie better, it's one of my favorite movies. Don't get me wrong the book was wonderful but I feel like it was almost a different story than the movie. I won't give away too many details since I'm sure not everyone has read it or seen the movie. I would definitely recommend the book and of course the movie. Even if you don't care for Robert Pattinson I say give it a shot because he was great in this movie. I love the Twilight series but he did do a much better job in Water for Elephants.

Have you read Water for Elephants or seen the movie? What did you think?

story time

In honor of National Ice Cream day or Sundae Sunday I am going to be giving you guys a sneak peek at my mother-in-laws newest endeavor. She's started writing cute little romantic short stories that she is going to eventually compile into a book with 365 stories! Also, she will be starting her very own blog soon where she will be sharing her stories. So, here's the story she wrote just for this special occasion. Let me know what you all think!!!

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Sundae Sunday
by Deborah Belford

“Did you know the third Sunday of July is National Ice Cream Sundae Sunday?” Mark asked looking up from the newspaper he was reading.  “We should make homemade ice cream and invite some friends over.”  

“I didn’t know you knew how to make ice cream, sweetheart,” Annie replied.  

“The ladies at church are always making ice cream in the summer!  How hard could it be?”

“If you want to throw an ice cream social, Mark, I will support you any way I can. BUT you have to make the ice cream.”

“I bet you think I can’t do it,” Mark responded to her challenge.  

“I wouldn’t have married you if I didn’t think you had superhuman capabilities that far surpassed the skills of every other male on the face of the planet.”

Later that evening, after Mark had spent a little time pondering the challenge, he came to Annie with his idea.

“I think we should turn this into a contest for our Sunday school class.  Every couple has to design their own sundae, and we can have the children’s department pick a winner.  We guys have to make the ice cream, and you gals will have to design the sundaes.”

“I like that idea,” Annie had to admit.  She was always surprised by how Mark was always finding ways to get people stirred up and involved.  They had met during high school when she first moved to town.  Her family had joined the little church where he went, and even then he had leadership qualities that showcased his talent for good, clean fun.

“Do you think there will be enough notice?” Mark worried.

“If we don’t do it next Sunday, we will have to wait a whole year. It’s just an old fashioned ice cream social with a twist,” she assured him.  People who didn’t know Mark better would be surprised by his little waves of insecurity.  He always overcame them, and Annie knew that he was worrying for nothing.

The next morning was Sunday, so they didn’t have long to wait to find out if the idea was going to fly.  As Annie suspected, Mark’s idea was a big hit.  Their Sunday school teacher had his wife go to the children’s department immediately to let the director know that there would be a contest between the couples in our class, and we would need judges.  We also had to invite everyone to stick around after church to help us eat up all the ice cream.  

It was billed as the Sundae Sunday, Eat Desert First Challenge.  An announcement was made from the pulpit, and everything was all set.  

At this point Annie was just as excited about her part of the challenge as Mark was about his.  She visited Martha Stewart’s website for ideas.  Then she checked Paula Dean, and Rachel Ray, and even Hungry Girl.  What had started out as an off-hand remark was turning into a big production, and Annie didn’t want to let Mark down. 

Mark went to his mother for advice about ice cream.

“What have you gotten yourself into this time?” chuckled Melissa, Mark’s mom.  “We leave town for one weekend, and you turn into the Good Humor man!”

“Just tell me how to make ice cream, Mom,” he begged, imitating his six-year-old self as best he could.  “Annie absolutely refuses to help.  She says she doesn’t know how.”

Melissa gave him a raised eyebrow look of skepticism.

“I agree, Mom.  I think she is holding back on me, too, but this has turned into a top secret enterprise.  Annie has been on line trying to get the edge, but she isn’t telling me any of her plans.  If my ice cream isn’t the best, I am going to let her down.  I’ll probably have to move back into my old bedroom.  You’ll have to move your sewing room back down into the basement.  Dad will have to put his work bench back in the garage, and your new car will get dented in the next hail storm because you have to leave it in the driveway. Are you going to help me or not?”

“When you put it that way, how can I refuse?” Melissa replied as she opened the cabinet with all her recipes.

Annie ended up making miniature pie shell that looked like stars from the top.  Mark was totally surprised by the cleverness of her contribution. She placed slender brownie planks whose tips had been dipped in red, white, and blue candy coating finished off with red, white, and blue nonpareils.  Next came Mark’s French vanilla ice cream which was not holding its shape very well, so Annie had to work fast.  She topped the ice cream with her homemade strawberry preserves, whipped cream, and finally a gummi Crabby Pattie. She didn’t want to risk losing the children’s votes.  

It was a tiny work of culinary art.  Mark just looked on with amazement as his wife of just one month (to the day), blew away all the competition.  

Waiting at the stop light on the way home, Mark reached out and took Annie’s hand.  “You do know this will probably turn into an annual event?”  

“Oh, I hope so,” Annie replied as she gazed at their certificate of achievement.  “It was a great idea. Simple! Fun!  What more could you want?”

“I’m just worried,” Mark admitted.

Annie had been admiring his hand over hers, so she missed the teasing look in his eye.

“What could you possibly be worried about?  Even Arlene Everett was having a good time, and she never likes anything fun.”

“I’m worried that you won’t be able to top today’s performance. What are you going to do next year?”

Annie knew what she would see when she looked up into his eyes.  He pulled her hand up to his lips for a quick kiss while the light turned green. His eyes were twinkling as she suspected.

“You worry too much.” 

“I love you!”

“I love you, too!”