I'm in Love with a Hummus

I've been eating hummus for a long, long time - unremarkably, I might add.

My only memorable hummus moment occurred about ten or so years ago when I whipped up my own blend and used far too much fresh garlic. If you've ever consumed fresh garlic in any quantity (e.g., more than three raw cloves in one sitting), you might have some idea about the consequences of such actions. Needless to say, I over-consumed my garlicky blend and then boarded an overnight flight from the West coast.

Never do this.

Fresh, raw garlic should probably be researched as an alternative fuel source, because that dark night on the plane, I know I could have easily propelled a 747 to Europe on my fumes alone.

But I digress.

I took a break from hummus after that, uh, turbulent flight, but I couldn't stay away for long. There's something so indescribably satisfying about a blend of garbanzo beans, tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice, soy sauce, cumin, and garlic (in moderation). Despite creating some real hummus bombs in the past, in a manner of speaking, I still preferred my own blends over store-bought varieties.

Until now.

I recently discovered a line of Hummus products that are so incredibly scrumptious that I may never make my own hummus again. Seriously, people, I can't stop eating this hummus. It's creamy and flavorful, with a masterful balance of palate-pleasing tastes. As far as I'm concerned, it's the perfect food.

Take note, friends and fellow hummus lovers: Sabra Hummus.

I highly recommend their "Chunky Hummus," and will be trying out their other varieties (Luscious Lemon Hummus, Fresh Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, etc.) which I suspect are just as good.

Eat it up with my blessings.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

About a year ago, my eight-year old daughter received a book from my mother called The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo.


It sat un-cracked on her bookshelf until last month, at which time I began reading a few chapters aloud to both my daughter and six-year old son.

The book jacket description says it best:

Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who treated him with the utmost care and adored him completely.

And then, one day, he was lost.

Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the top of a garbage heap to the fireside of a hoboes' camp, from the bedside of an ailing child to the streets of Memphis. And along the way, we are shown a true miracle - that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.

We were mesmerized - me by the writing and story construction, my children by the intriguing tale and beautiful pictures (illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline).

On a lazy, rainy day several weeks ago, we huddled together on the couch and read the final chapters.

I was so choked with emotion I couldn't even speak. Interestingly enough, my children were similarly rapt. Unlike the mild teasing I endure when my lips quiver during readings of books like The Velveteen Rabbit and Love You Forever, my kids sat patiently still until I could collect myself enough to read on.

This took some time.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is a modern classic, a powerhouse of a book filled with beauty and love.

(If you recall, the last time I raved about a book was in my review of The Dangerous Book for Boys, a treasure trove that still tops the bestseller list.)

As far as I know, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane lurks somewhere under the radar, but hopefully not for long. I urge you to check it out and see why I get teary - in a good way - just thinking about it.

Here's what others have said:

"Edward Tulane does go on a miraculous journey, but the real miracle is how he is changed. From the bottom of the sea to a dump and beyond, this once glorious and much-loved china rabbit captured my attention immediately and took me with him on his amazing travels. With him I felt elegant, broken, frightened, hopeful, lonely, and ultimately happy. I was sad each time Edward lost someone and moved by what he learned about caring and love. I want to read this enchanting tale out loud to someone sitting on my lap, and together we will predict what the next adventure will be as we look at the charming pictures that introduce each chapter. This beautiful treasure, with the creativity and artistry of Kate DiCamillo and illustrator Bagram Ibatoulline, is a story for readers of all ages, who will be reminded about what it means to be human."

— Connie S. Zitlow, Professor, Ohio Wesleyan University; Editor of Lost Masterworks of Young Adult Literature; Past President of A.L.A.N
http://www.edwardtulane.com/Overview/tabid/52/Default.aspx

"This achingly beautiful story shows a true master of writing at her very best."

— School Library Journal (starred review)

"Perhaps no other current American children's book writer has appeared on the scene so quickly or so brightly as Kate DiCamillo. . . . DiCamillo's latest novel, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, may well be her best. . . . One reading is hardly enough to savor the rich philosophical nuances of DiCamillo's story. I think I will go read it again right now."

— New York Times Book Review

I think I need to go read this book again right now, too.

A Few Things

And now, an (unsolicited) toast...

To Khaled Hosseini for his riveting book A Thousand Splendid Suns. A highly disturbing and fascinating read about life in Afghanistan - and particularly the fate of many Afghan women. A tragic tale that, for me, glimmered with the hope of a thousand splendid suns.

And to J.R. Watkins Apothecary for this scrumptious-smelling lemon cream shea butter hand repair moisturizer. I want to eat it.

And with distinct pleasure I salute Maya Kaimal for her line of mouthwateringly delicious Indian sauces. Think: homemade Indian meals made easy. If you love Indian food like I do, then run, don't walk, to her website to find a retailer near you. (I found it in Williams-Sonoma.)

And finally, a nod to Prince DuraTac black overgrip for helping me maintain my grip all year long (but only on my tennis racquet). *Note: I find the Prince colored overgrips to be less tacky than the black - particularly the orange, pink, and neon green.

* * * * *

And now, an (unsolicited) toast of a different sort...



I curse you, Webkinz. You are the bane of my existence. You have highjacked my children and left me with robotic drones who chant, "Need more Webkinz" all the livelong day. Are you some kind of terrorist plot?

And you, Old Navy, when my feet turn black and fall off, I blame you and your "bargain" flip flops with their peeling, chemical-laden plastic pattern - the curious stuff that I find stuck to the bottom of my feet, seeping God-knows-what into my bloodstream. I hurl my rotted feet in your general direction and demand my $2.50 back.

This has been a public service pronouncement.