Category: music
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Tuesday, May 7
Introducing Kitchen Tunage
I have something fun to share with you today and I’m super excited about it! First, let me set the stage.
This blog was born because Nate brought home an old, free iMac to put in the kitchen. I’ll never forget saying, “What will I do with a computer in the kitchen?” Makes me laugh looking back. Anyway, in addition to creating a free Blogger blog to list out the things I cooked for my brother’s reference (yes, that is why I started the blog), I also set up iTunes so I could listen to music while I cooked. It was revelatory. Having music playing made my time in the kitchen so much more enjoyable and I loved it!
I tried to write about the music I was listening to, but it was hard to keep up and, frankly, didn’t seem to fit on the blog, even though the music was a big part of my cooking life. Then I had a couple babies and kind of forgot new music even existed. Lately, though, I’ve gotten more into it again. Between the kitchen and the car, the kids and I are listening to a lot of music. New music, old music, all kinds of music. I’ve even started “Music Education” with the girls to make sure they don’t end up on American Idol one day saying something like, “I’ve never heard of the Beatles. Are they famous?”
I’m constantly wanting to share this music with you but haven’t really found a good way to do so. Until now!
Enter Kitchen Tunage.
Because one blog apparently isn’t enough, I’ve started another! Kitchen Tunage is my Tumblr blog that shares my kitchen playlist. It’s nothing fancy. I’m not a music critic and I don’t claim to be. It’s just my playlist, what we are to listening to now. There’s a lot of good music out there and I can’t help but want to share it with you!
The playlist will have old favorites, new discoveries, random stuff we’re listening to and the lists of bands that the girls are being educated on. I’ll update it almost daily. It’s gonna be fun! Head over, take a listen, and spread the word…my little Tumblr needs friends!
Posted by Jane Maynard at 11:52 am 10 Comments
Categories: Kitchen Tunage, music Tags: kitchen playlist, kitchen tunage, music, music in the kitchen |
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Friday, September 14
I want to tell you about Lucy
I want to tell you about my little friend Lucy. She’s three years old and she is funny, feisty and loving. Really loving. Like, if she met you right now, she would tell you how much she loves you.
Lucy is also the person in my life who I think about when things get hard or stressful, or at least when I think they get hard or stressful. All I have to do is call Lucy and her family to mind and I instantly gain perspective. You see, Lucy has a terminal and degenerative genetic disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). She can’t walk. She can’t eat. She can barely breathe. And yet she is LUCY. She has this amazing little brain that works just like yours and mine. She loves using her iPad (which, by the way, has opened up the world to her). She loves to go swimming. She loves the Disney princesses. She loves to swing on the back porch with her brother and sister in the special swing her grandpa built for her. She likes to drive her special chair ALL BY HERSELF. She is just like any three-year-old, except her body just doesn’t cooperate.
Lucy’s parents Chad and Cherisse are amazing. They have the tremendous task of caring for Lucy, and they do so with tenderness and love, just as any parent would. But, actually witnessing their care, on both good days and bad? It is a true inspiration and a reminder of the great love and great good we are all capable of. Even with all the care that Lucy requires, they still have strong relationships with their two older children, who adore Lucy as well. Cherisse’s Instagram feed does a heart good, let me tell you. Getting a peak into their day-to-day, the small moments Lucy has with her siblings, it’s beyond touching.
Lucy is a miracle. She was diagnosed with type 1 SMA (the most severe form) as a small baby. At the time of diagnosis, the doctors said Lucy would be lucky to see her first birthday, which was hard for Cherisse to believe looking at the baby in her lap. It became clear as time went on, however, that the disease would overtake almost all of her abilities.
And yet…Lucy is a miracle. 90% of SMA Type 1 babies don’t make it to their 2nd birthday…and Lucy is a trooper of a 3-year-old!
SMA stinks. Lucy is the second child I’ve personally known who has this disease. I’ve been wanting to tell you about Lucy because, well, I love her story. But I also want to help Cherisse spread the word about SMA. I love this infographic from the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation that gives a fabulous summary of the disease:
Here is SMA in a nutshell: it’s degenerative, it’s the #1 genetic killer of infants and young children, it affects the body’s ability to function in just about every way and yet the brain is never affected. But here’s the sort of magical thing about SMA…research of this disease could truly do wonders. Treatment and cure is plausible and, if discoveries are made for SMA, that research could help with the treatment of hundreds of other genetic diseases and neurological disorders. (To read more about SMA, click here!)
Have you ever seen the This American Life tv show? It is as great as the podcast, and my most favorite story from the series is of Mike Phillips. Mike was diagnosed with SMA at age 9. He was 27 when This American Life told his story. He always said that if he could talk, he would want to sound like Johnny Depp. Awesomely they got Johnny Depp to narrate his story, a story that is amazing, haunting, sad, funny and will definitely make you cry. It gives such a unique insight into the mind of someone dealing with this disease.
Lucy has made a mark on this world. She has impacted many lives. And she is a beautiful reminder to all of us that each and every day we have on this earth is a gift. I am going to quote Cherisse here for a bit because, well, the words of Lucy’s own mother are more precious and powerful than anything I can come up with.
“I would not trade the world for this little girl that brings so much joy, love, hope and light to our lives. She is an angel in every sense of the word and I wish I could share her with the whole world. She has enough love in her little red heart for everyone she meets (and she will tell you that she loves you too, over and over again). I don’t think that our family will ever feel as loved and supported as we have while caring for this very special girl, my heart swells when I think of all of the kindness and love that has been shown to us. Everyday I think that my life will never be as stressful as it is now but then it won’t ever be as wonderful as today, another day (and everyday) that I get to spend with my three little ones and my sweet husband.”
If you’d like to help support SMA research, Cherisse is going to be running the Santa Barbara 1/2 Marathon to raise money for the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the SMA cause. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE it if some of you could support Cherisse and help us fight SMA. Even if it’s just $5. Consider it your annual This Week for Dinner subscription fee or skip the pumpkin latte at Starbucks for a day. No pressure, just if you’re feeling it! Click here to donate!
And, have you seen the completely awesome Flight of the Conchords charity song? Really, you have to watch it. The whole thing (or at least start around the 5:00 mark). It will make you happy and the supremely catchy song will get stuck in your head. Let’s helpa helpa helpa the kids!
Posted by Jane Maynard at 11:24 am 14 Comments
Categories: fab faves, kids, music, musings
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Sunday, March 14
Week 164 Menu
This past week was GREAT. I can’t tell you how nice it was to have a decent menu plan again and actually follow it (with tweaks here and there, of course). I cooked real meals. I had the ingredients in the fridge. It was so nice.
Nate went to Costco yesterday. I like it when he goes without me because he buys splurge items like pre-cut mango, which I always feel a little guilty spending extra money on. Seriously, not having to slice mango but still getting to eat it is the BEST.
MONDAY:
- Asian Spinach Salad (I’m going to try leaving the chicken out, maybe add a few veggies to the mix…although it is really good WITH the chicken, just trying to figure out more veggie-based dishes)TUESDAY:
- Fajitas (leftover ingredients from last week)WEDNESDAY:
- Butter Chicken & Basmati Rice (still looking for a good recipe for Butter Chicken…any tips?)
- Naan bread
- Some sort of veggieTHURSDAY:
- LeftoversFRIDAY:
- Frittata (I’m going to do a veggie frittata, but use the linked recipe as a base)SATURDAY:
- Eat outSUNDAY:
- Pot Roast w/mashed potatoes and a veggiePlease share your menu! We like all kinds of menus, no matter how fancy or un-fancy they are! Also, you certainly don’t have to assign days to specific items…we’re flexible around here.
Posted by Jane Maynard at 9:14 am 38 Comments
Categories: music
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Sunday, September 27
Week 140 Menu
I can’t wait to share my fun weekend at BlogHer Food with you…but at this very moment I’m completely wiped out, so I’m going to take a nap instead. Until then, please enjoy these homegrown tomatoes from Katie at goodLife {eats}. ALL of my tomato plants died this summer…I blame the dirt and a suspected virus. It certainly couldn’t be me, right? Katie felt guilty literally swimming in healthy, homegrown tomatoes, so she carried a bag on the plane all the way from Albuquerque to share with me. Now that’s food blog love if I’ve ever seen it. Thanks, Katie!
On to the menu! You would think a weekend at a food blog conference would have me fired up to cook. Nope, it actually has me fired up to be a better photographer. I may end up playing with my camera all week instead of cooking!
MONDAY:
– Homemade margherita pizza
- SaladTUESDAY:
– Tacos of some kind – there was a lot of taco talk this weekend, feeling a bit inspiredWEDNESDAY:
– Chilaquiles – this was on TWO menus last week and I haven’t even heard of them, so I’m giving it a try. Figure I can incorporate leftover ingredients from taco night. Recipes are welcome!THURSDAY:
– LeftoversFRIDAY:
– Baked loaded potatoes (Sherri S put this on her menu last week…sounds really good to me for some reason…Nate doesn’t really like potatoes…he’ll have to suffer for one night….aren’t I sweet…should I keep doing ellipses…is it annoying yet…)
- SaladSATURDAY:
– Eat outSUNDAY:
– Butternut Squash Risotto – doesn’t that sound good? I think I’ll add some chicken to it, as well.
- SaladYour turn! Please share your menu for the week! I love how we’ve had lots of first-time posters lately…please keep those menus coming! As you can see, the more tired I am, the more ideas I steal from you…so, thank you for your ideas!
Posted by Jane Maynard at 2:15 pm 29 Comments
Categories: music
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Wednesday, December 3
Song of the Week: ‘Tired’ by Adele
I think it’s about time for another Song of the Week! I know, it’s been more like the Song of the ‘Every-Few-Months-Or-So’ but whatever.I LOVE this week’s song. Have you heard Adele yet? She is too cool, I mean, look at the album cover. Adele is a British singer with a hip sound and an Amy Winehouse-esque voice, but without all the “baggage,” if you know what I mean (no hard feelings, Ms. Winehouse).
I bought Adele’s whole album after only hearing one song, Chasing Pavements, and love it. The song Tired is hands-down my favorite. Check it out! You’ll be glad you did.
Posted by Jane Maynard at 10:20 pm 3 Comments
Categories: music
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Thursday, August 21
Song of the Week: ‘The Hat’ by Ingrid Michaelson
Have you heard Ingrid Michaelson’s music? It’s great, isn’t it? If you haven’t, here’s a link where you can go listen! I really like the whole album.
The Hat was playing in the background the other evening and I found myself really enjoying it. So, it’s the Song of the Week. But The Way I Am is lovely and adorable. It makes me smile.
Okay, no more music and radio shows. My next post will be about food. I promise!
Posted by Jane Maynard at 6:01 pm 5 Comments
Categories: music
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Friday, August 8
Song of the Week: Jack Johnson
I know you all know I love Jack Johnson and today’s post is not news, but I went to his concert this week and it was GREAT. I’ve seen him a few times before and Jack never disappoints. Seriously, that guy is just cool.The concert this week was really fun. Zach Gill from ALO played piano/keyboard for all the songs and it added a really great sound to all the music. Loved it. We left the concert before the encore to beat the crazy traffic out of the parking lot, but when we got to the car we could hear Jack singing solo with his guitar. It was quiet except the music. A great way to end the night!
Anyway, here’s a link to the new album, Sleep Through the Static. Although, I think Brushfire Fairytales will always be my fave. (click the links to hear samples and/or buy the MP3s)
PS – I almost took Cate to the concert. There were crazy storms that day, though, so ix-nay on the ate-cay. Which was a good thing. For some reason I forgot concerts are LOUD. Cate would have hated the decibel levels, even if it was “Curious George’s Daddy” singing to her.
Posted by Jane Maynard at 7:41 am 2 Comments
Categories: music
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Saturday, May 3
Song of the Week: Breathe (2 AM) by Anna Nalick
This week’s song is Breathe (2 AM) by Anna Nalick (click through for a sample). I haven’t heard it in a WHILE and it was on the radio the other day. Just a nice mellow song, and I really like Anna Nalick’s voice. I haven’t listened to any of her other music, but from what I’ve sampled on iTunes I like her. Perhaps a new album to buy!I actually have a cool acoustic version of Breathe on a cd from a radio station in Boston. This CD is GOOD. Just so you know. It’s called “92.9 WBOS Studio 7: Live from the Archives Vol. 3″. I found on at this website if you want to buy it.
Posted by Jane Maynard at 6:10 pm No Comments
Categories: music
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Monday, March 31
Song of the Week: Inaudible Melodies
I’m sure you all have this week’s song on your iPods already, but that’s just because it’s awesome: Inaudible Melodies by Jack Johnson.
I drove to Phil’s BBQ last night and turned on Brushfire Fairytales for the ride. The very first chord of the very first song, Inaudible Melodies, immediately transports me back in time…back to our first years in San Diego, back when we were younger and MUCH cooler, back to days at the beach, back to those fun times before you have kids and can be a bit more spontaneous, back to when Nate surfed all the time, just back.Fun story…Jack Johnson was playing at UCSD years ago and we had tickets. Nate went out for a surf that morning before the show and was late coming home. I, of course, was annoyed we were going to be late…Nate wasn’t worried because he knew Jack was going on later…how did he know this? Jack told him. Yup, he totally ran into him out on the water and talked with him between waves. Needless to say, I wasn’t so mad when I found out WHY Nate was late.
This is definitely the kind of music I need to listen to this week. First off, I have so many happy San Diego memories tied to those tunes. More importantly, it’s CALMING, which is what I need right now. “Slow down everyone your moving too fast.” That’s right, Jane – slow down & enjoy your last moments in this beautiful city.
Posted by Jane Maynard at 12:23 am 2 Comments
Categories: music
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Saturday, March 22
Song of the Week: Mozart’s Violin Concertos No. 3 & No. 5
This week I’m feeling a little classical…so I’ll share my most favorite classical music CD. I don’t know why I love this album so much, I just do. It’s beautiful, I love Mozart and the music sounds, well, happy. Perfect for a spring day. Perhaps I’ll have it accompany our Easter dinner tomorrow…Here it is: Mozart’s Violin Concertos Nos. 3 & 5, featuring Itzhak Perlman (violinist), James Levine (conductor) and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Click here or on the title of the album above to listen to and/or purchase the MP3s!
Posted by Jane Maynard at 7:38 pm No Comments
Categories: music
Hello! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and then count on you to share your own! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
