My Blog

Jess Orso — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:54:31 +0000

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Bookclub: Our Mutual Friend

Jess Orso — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:58:37 +0000

Loved this book for July’s LOSTblog bookclub. Also I loved the BBC mini series. Staring the cute girl from Pushing Up Dasies (Anna Friel) and the made for TV movie (8th) Doctor Who (Paul McGann) with support from Harry Potter’s Argus Filch (David Bradley) and Tennant Era Christmas Special, The Next Doctor ‘s confused stand in (David Morrissey). I loved it. Can’t wait to watch it again.

Here’s a link to the blog.

Podcast coming soon.

Bookclub: A Tale of Two Cities

Jess Orso — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:27:40 +0000

Now this one I had read before. I remember it vividly from when I was in high school. Since I hadn’t heard about it I was surprised by the ending. This was the first time I had read it since, knowing the twist. This was for the LOSTblog bookclub for June.

Here’s the blog.

And the podcast.

Read: Heaven is For Real

Jess Orso — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:38:48 +0000

This book was suggested to me by my youngest daughter’s home daycare provider. It’s a retelling by a father of his son’s brush with death and what happened on his short visit to Heaven. It plays out in an amazing way and brought tears to my eyes. I won’t spoil it, but there is a little twist at the end. I suggest you follow your nose, and look up some youtube videos associated with it. I get teary still. Must read for all parents.

Bookclub: A Wrinkle in Time

Jess Orso — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:21:15 +0000

Another bookclub book that I thought I had read as a child, but I hadn’t. A strange story, but really enjoyable.

Here’s the blog.

And the podcast.

Read: The Passage

Jess Orso — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:23:30 +0000

Why did I pick up this book? It was on a MUST read list published in the iPad magazine Project. Oh and the synopsis said it was about vampires. Yeah, you might be seeing a pattern. It’s not about sexy vampires. I feel I have to make that clear. It’s about apocalypse creating zombie-style deatheaters. Sounds cool. I have heard a lot of good feedback from people who loved the book. Honestly I thought it was too long. It resolved itself and then started over, and over. Then you get all the way to Chapter 71 and you realize you’re headed for a cliff hanger. Another book to come. Sigh. This book (in my opinion) will make a much better movie. Will I read the next one. Probably. But I’m not excited about it.

Bookclub: The Chronicles of Narnia

Jess Orso — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 19:05:55 +0000

I read The Chronicles of Narnia for the LOSTblog book club (March/April) and I throughly enjoyed it. I thought I had read the whole series as a child, but all I remembered was the first book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The last book was so amazingly LOST. I’m glad I got a chance to be forced to read them!

Here’s a link to the blog.

And to the podcast.

Read: Water for Elephants

Jess Orso — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:17:42 +0000

Why did I pick it up and start reading this book? I had heard it suggested to my sister-in-law on her Facebook page, but if I’m going to be honest, then I need to admit that it was because I had heard that Edward Cullen was going to play the lead in the movie. So there’s that. Please judge away. To say that I loved the book would be a gross understatement. Did I picture him in it the whole time? Absolutely. I had trouble imagining Reece Witherspoon playing opposite, but whatever. The book was amazing.

Then I saw the movie. And to say that I was disappointed and BORED would also be GROSS understatement. And what’s-your-face-who’s-name-escapes-me-and-yes-I-could-look-it-up-but-he-doesn’t-deserve-the-internet-traffic, you sir were terrible. Chemistry with Reece? Not even close. Old man version of young man? We needed more of your amazing sass in the movie.

So in short. Go read the book. Skip the movie unless you can see it for free, and then fast forward to the end, cause it’s the best part.

Yes, I will be there opening weekend of Breaking Dawn. Yes I am a hypocrite.

Long time no see blah blah blah

Jess Orso — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 18:54:22 +0000

Update schmupdate.

Lost 25 pounds since the start of the year.
Have read a ton of books, but I haven’t been counting so… uh…
Am back to eating cheese. But it’s much more moderated. I choose to go without it if I have the choice.
Gave up on the milage and got a gym membership. Have discovered my true love in spinning.
Have traveled to Ponca City, Oklahoma and St. Louis, Missouri
Got pregnant (I’M KIDDING!)
Didn’t last two week without social networking. Turns out that with 3 kids and a full time job in a basement, it is MY ONLY NETWORK.

And haven’t been blogging. I attempted (for a short time) to blog about TV over at the UK site Simply Television, but turns out I don’t have time to watch TV either. I am still hosting the bookclub over at LOSTblog.com. And HEY I really need to post over there too. *woosh*

Crab Coconut Soup Recipe

Jess Orso — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:43:36 +0000

My husband and I are sick with strep. We’ve been at this for about a week. This is the light at the end of the tunnel. I can’t wait for dinner tonight. If you are of Alabama, this soup is a lot like Surin’s Spicy Chicken Coconut Soup, but it’s with crab, and waaaaaay better.

1 tbsp peanut oil

2 tbsp Thai red curry paste

2 ½ cups coconut milk

2 ½ cups fish stock

2 tbsp Thai fish sauce

8 oz canned or fresh white crab meat [I used King crab meat.]

8 oz fresh or frozen crab claws [or more crab meat]

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

3 scallions, sliced

Heat the oil. Add the curry paste and red bell pepper and stir-fry over medium heat for 1 minute.

Add the coconut milk, fish stock, and fish sauce and bring to a boil.

Add the crab meat, crab claws, cilantro, and scallions.

Stir the mixture well and heat thoroughly for 2-3 minutes or until all the ingredients are warmed through.

Transfer the soup to 4 warmed bowls and serve hot.