Working on Books

 

As we are slowly decluttering our house, I have been thinning out my books.  Now, let me first say that I love books.....who'd have thought that, right?  I enjoy reading now.  I didn't always, but as an adult, I really love it.  But I have too many books.  Plain and simple.  Part of that is because we will go to Ed McKay's and I'll peruse the cheap book section and walk out of there with a basketful of books.  And there's nothing wrong with that at all.  But I've reached the point where I have stacks of books all over the house and that just has to change.

As I'm going through the books, I'm forming a list of criteria on which to base whether I keep it or let it go.  It's not absolute, but it's helping me in the process.  

1.  Is it a family heirloom?  I have a good many books that I inherited from Grandmother and her sisters.  I keep a lot of them, but have let some go as well.  Nothing that I was too emotionally connected to.  The ones I keep mean a lot because I feel like I have a piece of family history in my bookcase.

2.  Was is a special gift from someone?  These are generally books I'll keep because not only were they gifts, but someone was thinking of me when they got it for me.  Especially if they have inscribed it.

3.  Will I read it again?  This is a tough one because often I'll say, yes, I'll read that again one day.  But when I was going through books the other day, I really stopped and asked myself if I would read it again or not.  And there were a few times that I waivered but decided that if I wanted to really reread it and I didn't have it anymore, that's what the library is for (which I need to support and don't)

4.  Is it a valuable book?  I don't have many that are considered valuable and if they are valuable, it's nothing astronomical.  I have a few antique sets of books which probably have a little value, so I'll hold onto them.  Otherwise, since I probably bought them for a quarter, I can let it go.

5.  Do I have a place for it?  I specifically have 3 places where books should be:  the stack bookcase in the living room, the bookcase in the office and the top half of the secretary.  Now, I'm not including cookbooks in this blog because that's a different story all together.  And, no, I don't have a good place for them either!!  The bookcase in the office has one shelf of books and 3 shelves of records...of course LOL  So, that's another area I'm working on.

Still, I love books and will continue to read them and purchase them, I just need to be more particular of what I'm buying.  That way, I don't end up with stacks of books everywhere.  I can handle that.  So ends today's episode of Around The House

When one challenge helps another

 It's interesting how one challenge helps the other....unintentionally LOL  I've been doing better lately about drinking more water. In the end, it's not as hard as I thought it would be.  Not that I thought it was this humongous task, but still it wasn't embedded in my daily routine.  However, my meds are helping me to drink more water.  Several of the meds that I take are diuretics, which increase the passing of urine. Delightful, no?  So, I go to the bathroom a lot more than I used to.  Ah, the joys of middle age!

In an effort not to dehydrate myself, I'm definitely taking in my daily allotment of water, sometimes more.  And, of course, I'm going to the bathroom more.  It's a vicious cycle.  Often, early in the morning (or the middle of the night), I will go to the bathroom and it's as if my bladder is completely full and I'm like where is this coming from?  Drives me crazy.

So, taking my meds is helping me with my water challenge.  It's not the most pleasant reason why, but hey, I'll take it.  

That is all.

Writing a paper

 I am currently in the beginning stages of writing my 2nd paper as a graduate student.  The first one was fairly well received, overall.  This one, I'm having a difficult time getting started.  Earlier in the semester, we each did a gerontology career exploration. Now we have to take that exploration and apply one of the theories we have studied to it.  Seems simple enough, right?

Well, anytime I write anything it seems that I spend hours staring at the blank page...just waiting to put the first words on the page.  I wouldn't call it writer's block because I have so many ideas swirling around in my head.  I just find it hard to get those first words to get me going.  Once I do that, I'm pretty good to go.  And, usually, those first words I started with end up getting majorly edited or altogether deleted.  Ah, well.

I have to keep telling myself not to make this harder than it needs to be.  Once I can convince myself of that, the words usually start flowing like lava.  It's just a matter of getting to that point.  I have found my anchor theory for the paper, which is good.  Now, it's simply time to write...and rewrite...and proofread...and rewrite...and proofread again.  Seems like a never ending process.

But I can do this.  I'm a good writer.  I just need to believe in my abilities.

That is all.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Starting my Wednesday off with this beautiful arrangement by Gilbert Martin of the hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  We sang this several times when I was in youth choir at FBC Monroe.  I've always thought it a wonderful song and enjoyed singing it.  Not only beautiful, but the words are profound and thoughtful...just what I need to guide me today.  That is all.

You may need to watch in on Youtube so you can turn up the volume LOL
 

Quote of the Week

 As life seems to be passing by quicker and quicker each day, and I get busier and busier with work and school, I often stop and think about how I miss so many people that were once such a huge part of my life.  And it's not because they are not in my life anymore, just time and circumstance often drift people apart for one reason or another.  I believe that it is time to make the time to reignite some of these old friendships and discover new ones along the way.  One day, I want people to say about me what Charlotte says to Wilbur.  That is all.

The Continuing Adventures of Just a Waiter - Our PVB'S

 We have a set of principles, values and beliefs that we recite every day at work:

"We are committed to exemplary service, delivered with integrity, dignity and passion. Our communities for seniors are distinguished by warm, secure and friendly environments.  We will enhance each resident's lifestyle by responding immediately to residents' needs and concerns, offering high quality, creatively designed programs, encouraging independence, promoting a sense of community and friendship.  We the staff are committed to teamwork, being professional, open communication, fostering a learning environment, continuous improvement, profitability.  We live by a standard of conduct which encompasses honesty, accountability, personal development and a passion for excellence."

Every day at work, this is spoken.  And I take it to heart.  Every day. I hate the days when I don't live up to this expectation.  I feel like those are few and far between for me, but it still happens.  I once worked a day when I did not "openly communicate" and it could have ended disastrously.  I was so overwrought with guilt that I took my leader aside and told her.  Luckily, everything turned out alright but it was a scary few days.  I think these are more than just words.  And I feel lucky that most of the people I work with feel the same way.

Also, it is my personal goal to teach everyone I work with that "exemplorary" is NOT a word LOL

That is all.

This scripture fits

 I have felt this a lot over this past week but I've gotten through it!  Let's hope that keeps going!

Daily Challenge - Taking pills

 

As hard as it may sound, I have been having a difficult time getting into the habit of taking my daily pills. Yes, I know that they've been prescribed to me for my own benefit, but sometimes that's not always enough to get me to do it.  And it isn't as if I don't want to take them, I just am simply not in the habit.  

I have gotten myself a new pill box.  One side is for morning, the other is for night time.  I have been taking my morning pills for about 2 years now.  And I don't always remember to take them.  I have an alarm notification set to remind me to take them, but some days I just swipe by it and turn it off.  It's just reflex.  

And now I've got medicines that I need to take at night.  Mainly I take it at night to sleep through most of the side effects LOL  But I don't always remember to take them.  So, I've got an alarm notification set for that one too!

Basically, I just need to get into the routine of taking the pills.  It's not that hard and once I get more into the habit of it, I'll do it without even thinking.  In the meantime, it's the thinking that's the hard part LOL  Wish me luck!

That is all.

Donating to Goodwill

 Yesterday after work, I dropped off a load of stuff at Goodwill.  In an attempt to really begin to make room in the garage, I loaded up a bunch of boxes full of things that I will never use.  They were full of things that I thought one day I would sell, either online or in a shop (pipe dream).  But, sometimes priorities change and you have to change with them.  And that's fine.  Right now, my focus in life is on other things and I simply don't have the time to get all of that together for sale.

But, now at least there is a little more room in the garage!  And there is also a sense of satisfaction in letting go of things that don't serve a purpose in your life right now.  There were lots of fun things in the boxes and they will eventually go to good homes of their own.  It made me think back to all of the times Grandmother and I went Goodwill and thrift store shopping. We almost always came away with a fun treasure or two.  I still have most of those and will keep them.  But the randomly collected things that are simply taking up space...it was time for them to go and I'm ok with that.  It is time for them to become someone else's treasure, someone else's memory.  And that makes me happy.

Now, my goal is to not buy more random stuff to put in its place.  That will be hard for me because I do love a bargain...even if I can't afford it LOL  But I am determined to show some self control and keep the space as free as possible.  I do like it better when things are neater and not as cluttered.  We'll see how that goes.  Hopefully this weekend I can get another load of stuff put together for Goodwill.  Send your good energy my way!  This ends another episode of Around The House!

Recipe of the Week - Cheesy Portobello Dip

 The grocery store around the corner from us almost always has Portobello mushrooms and I always try to buy them when they're on sale.  I've cooked them sever different ways, baking them and sauteing them.  But I wanted to try something different, so I thought I would surf the internet for a good appetizer recipe.  Now, I have no interest in stuffing mushrooms.  I love eating them but don't really want to make them.  I came across this recipe for a dip and gave it a try.  I have made it many times and I was surprised to see that I had not put it on here yet.  I hope you enjoy!  This is Michael's favorite of the dips that I make!

Cheesy Portobello Dip

3 Tbsp butter

1 onion, minced

3 Portobello mushrooms, diced very finely

2 tsp worcestershire sauce

1 tsp hot sauce

1 8 oz package cream cheese

3 Tbsp heavy cream*

salt, to taste

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Melt butter in a saucepan on medium heat.  Add onions and Portobellos.  Saute until they are caramelized.  Reduce heat to low.  Add the worcestershire, hot sauce, cream cheese, heavy cream and salt.  Stir until the cream cheese is smooth and creamy.  Stir in the cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.

Serve with tortilla chips or crackers.  I like it best served warm.

*If you don't have heavy cream, half & half works fine!

Someone Else's Story - Judy Kuhn

 Chess is a very problematic show that has had many,  many rewrites.  The time I saw it in Charlotte, the script was a combination of about 5 different scripts.  Still, it was an entertaining evening. But the score, written by the 2 gentlemen from ABBA, is always fun to listen to.  I bought the CD before I saw the show and this song really stuck out to me.  Judy Kuhn's take on it is very haunting and I really love it.  Enjoy!

Quote of the Week

 As I get ready, literally, to go out to the garage and decide on things that need to be elsewhere, I'm taking this quote with me!

Recipe of the Week - Pork Chops in Ginger Cream Sauce

 

This recipe has been on a card in my recipe box for a long time.  I know that I have made it before but for the life of you I can't remember when.  Michael could not remember having it either.  So, I decided I would make it and see how we liked it.  And yes, we did like it.  It's fairly easy and will make a nice addition to my regular menus.  Hope you enjoy!

Pork Chops in Ginger Cream Sauce

3/4 Cup all purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

6-8 boneless pork chops

2 Tbsp cooking oil

1 can cream of mushroom soup

2/3 cup chicken broth

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp dried rosemary

8 oz sour cream

1 can french fried onions

Preheat oven to 300.  Combine flour, salt and pepper.  Dredge chops in flour mixture.  Heat oil in a pan and sear the pork until browned on each side.  Place the pork in a single layer in a casserole dish.  Combine soup, broth, ginger, rosemary and half of the sour cream.  Pour over the chops.  Sprinkle with half of the onions.  Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.  After 20 minutes, stir the remaining sour cream into the sauce and top with the remaining onions.  Return to the oven, uncovered this time, for an additional 10 minutes.  

I served this over jasmine rice and that was lovely!  I also used Trader Joe's french fried onions and they're delicious and not as salty as other brands.

Enjoy!

The Cobalt Candlesticks

 These candlesticks were made by the Imperial Glass Company in the 1930's.  They came in many different colors such as cobalt, clear, milk, green, amber, yellow and light blue.  They are double candle holders with a rope design.  They are not the most valuable collectible out there and you can get a pair very reasonably priced.  But I love these and keep them out all year.

I found these way back in the 80's at Grandmother's house.  She was always gracious enough to let me explore anything I wanted to in her house.  I loved the adventure of it and as I was doing home inventories at the time, I was also getting something accomplished!  Anyway, I found these in the back of one of the cabinets in the buffet.  I had never seen them before and I thought they were beautiful.  She told me I could have them if I wanted them.  Of course, I wanted them.  What 14 year old boy doesn't want a pair of vintage cobalt candlesticks?  I know, right!

They were wedding presents to her and my grandfather in 1933.  So, I at least had a date to begin with.  And through research I learned who made them and all of the different colors they came in.  I think cobalt is just a beautiful color of glass.  I move these around the house from place to place.  Right now, they are on the dining room table.  I love to put them somewhere where the light will hit them and the cobalt color really shines.  It's breathtaking.  

While they are not technically antiques yet, I still absolutely love them.  And being family pieces makes them all the more special.  One day I will pass them on to one of my nieces.  I hope one of them likes blue!  And so ends this week's episode of Around The House.

That is all

Student Life the 3rd Time Around - Letting the work filter into my brain

 I am now more than halfway through my first class as a graduate student.  I never really thought that would be something I would ever say, but I'm proud that I can say it!  It's definitely been filled with challenges, but I'm not paying money to be bored.  And bored I am not!  Let's hope this enthusiasm continues...at least until the end of the semester.  

One of the things I am relearning is that when I get frustrated with the material, I need to let it stew for awhile.  I don't want to dwell on the material and overwhelm myself, as I am usually in an overwhelmed state already, but I simply need to physically walk away from the book or the online work and just think about it.  I need to let it sink in, consciously and subconsciously.  Then, when I come back to it, I usually have a better grasp on what I read.

This happened to me today.  Last night, I read my assigned chapter and got totally frustrated.  In this unit, we are studying sociological theories of aging.  The online material has been wonderful and I have really connected with it so far.  Then, I started reading the chapter that was assigned to my group.  Ours is about sociological theories of work and retirement.   I had in my head that it was going to read like the online material.  Wrong!  It was mostly 15 pages of finances, business and economics with a little government policy thrown in for good measure.  The language of finance is not something I am familiar with and it was very dense and foreign to me.  I believe there may have been 10 sentences in the entire chapter in which I actually knew what every word meant.  I really needed Google Translate!

I was in quite a state of frustration before bed last night, but I was done with the reading and let it go.  Of course, I didn't sleep well....a combination of dreams and leg cramps.  So by the time I got up this morning, I was far from rested.  And I spent a good day at work worrying about how I was going to get through this next group assignment when I didn't have a clue what was being talked about.  Still, certain words and phrases from the chapter kept infiltrating my brain throughout the day and by the time I sat down tonight to write my answers to the chapter questions, I was able to give, at least in my opinion, decent responses.  Several times it actually sounded like I knew what I was talking about!

Letting the chapter soak in over a period of 24 hours allowed me to glean what information I found important from it.  Whether or not it was the correct information, I still was able to do my best with my assignment.  I'm happy with that progress.

That is all.

Getting more water in my body

 

This week, I'm going to bring my daily challenge focus back to water.  I definitely get more water on a daily basis than I used to, but it's still probably not enough.  I carry a water bottle with me to work every day.  It's 32 ounces.  On a good day, I go through at least 2 of those while I'm at work.  It makes me less hungry during the day and seems to keep my energy level up.  I end up in the bathroom pretty often, but still, I'm drinking more water!

My doctor suggested that I try to go for 96 ounces of water a day.  I've only done that a few times.  It may not seem like a lot, but it is.  Of course, it helps if I have done any form of exercise that day.  But, more often than not, that is not the case....another day, another blog LOL  Still, trying to get 3 of those bottles in each day is a goal.

I have made myself a rule that, other than my morning coffee, I can't have anything besides water to drink until I have had at least 2 of my water bottles.  Normally, that is a rule that I can stick to.  Some Fridays, though, I do treat myself to something else to drink at lunch...but not always.  Anyway, I feel better when I drink water and this week my goal is get back on track with that.  We shall see!

The Lonely Goatherd

 I've been watching some documentaries on the film version of The Sound of Music.  Of course, it's one of my favorite movies of all time and holds special memories for me.  Kids today will never understand the thrill of having to wait for the movie to be shown on tv once a year.  And even with so much of the movie edited down for time, it was still magical.  A yearly experience that I always shared with Mom.  This was one of our favorites scenes and it still is for me.  I would love to have this puppet show!  Enjoy!

Student Life the 3rd Time Around - Learning the ways of the computer

One of the challenges that I'm facing being a student again is technology.  Technology and I don't always get along.  I really don't have anything against computers.  They serve a purpose and they have their moments of being quite convenient for things.  But I don't live by my computer.  And there's nothing wrong with people that do, it's just not me.  So, there are lots of things I don't know how to do yet. 

Now, having said that, once I learn something on the computer I'm usually pretty good to go.  I may have to practice a few times, but all in all once I'm shown how to do something, I retain that information.  With all of my classes being online, the computer is the major tool of my education, so I need to embrace and use it to the best of my abilities.  It's my abilities that are the issue LOL

In the last 4 weeks, I have become that student that annoys everyone.  I'm always asking questions about how things work.  I know that my professor cringes when she sees my name pop up on email because chances are I'm asking her how something works on the computer.  I have actually figured a few things out on my own, but most of the time I have to ask someone.

A lot of the issue lies in my anxiety.  I am so afraid that I've missed something that I panic.  I haven't missed anything yet, but I sure have felt that fear.  Sometimes things are worded in such a way that I could take it several ways and I naturally take it the more difficult way.  I will get it all figured out.  I'm actually really enjoying learning the computer techniques.  And I knew this was going to challenge me when I signed up for this.  It just gets frustrating sometimes.  And 9 times out of 10, if I just "right click" on something, chances are the answer will be right there!

Now, I need to make sure my school computer is plugged in so that I don't freak out!

You Needed Me - Anne Murray

 I haven't posted an Anne song in awhile.  This is one of my favorites.  I just love her voice, always have, always will.  Enjoy!

Daily Challenge Update

 It's been awhile since I discussed my daily challenges.  Like most things in life, there are good days with them and bad days with them.  I have realized, though, that just because I label it a daily challenge that does not mean that everything has to be done every day.  I would like it to happen that way, but it is not just realistic.  Any of my posts about time management will help you to understand that!

I have been drinking more water, that's for sure.  I carry a 32 oz water bottle with me every day to work.  My goal is to drink at least 3 of those every day.  Sometimes it works, sometimes not.  I do, however, make it a rule that I need to drink at least 2 of those bottles before I treat myself to something else like iced tea or a soda.  I'm not including coffee in that list because I need that first thing in the morning LOL

Exercise and walking has been hit and miss.  For awhile, I was getting up every day and walking some.  I did feel better but after vacation, that just kind of died down.  Sometimes I will go walking after work with Michael and our friend Chris, but often I'm spending my time doing homework, so I need to make some time, even if it's just 15 minutes a day, to do something physical. I just need to tell myself that walking the halls at work does not count LOL

I only write about one letter a week.  I wish I did more, but alas, not so much.  I do keep my appearance neat and clean each day, so that's been one that has worked out well.  Basically, there are lots of things I am continuing to work on.  Putting some priority on those in order to balance my life will be beneficial.  It will happen.  I just takes time...and we all know how good I am with that!

That is all

Recipe of the Week - White Bean Dip

 I do enjoy a good dip recipe.  I found this one in an issue of "Our State" magazine and wanted to give it a try.  As a fan of white beans, this seemed like it would be something I would enjoy and I was right.  I have made it several times and Michael and I both like it.  It has a very hummus like feel to it.  Enjoy!

White Bean Dip

2 14.5oz cans of navy or cannellini beans

2 cloves of garlic, minced

juice from 1 lemon

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped or 1 tsp dried

1/4 cup olive oil

Mix all ingredients in a bowl.  Mash beans with fork, leaving a few whole.  Chill before serving.  Yields 2 cups approximately.  Goes great with Triscuits! 

I've made this both navy and cannellini beans and both work well.  If you want more whole beans in the dip, go with the cannellinis.  

Thought for the day - balance

 Now that I am back in school and also working full time, I really need to focus on the balance of home, life, school and work.  I don't want to focus too much on one thing and neglect the others.  And, admittedly, I have done that.  There are things I haven't paid as much attention to as I need to and it's time for work on that.  Overall, my life is very rich and fulfilling.  Yes, there will be more opportunities out there.  Yes, new people will come into my life.  But I am very thankful for what I have now and I need to show it more.

I already know that if I keep up with things, I feel better.  I just don't always make the time for them that I should.  And the problem truly stems from being able to blame something else. No, I didn't finish laundry because I was doing homework.  No, I didn't work on that project because I was cleaning the bathroom.  Etc, etc, etc.  Now, I'm not saying homework and cleaning the bathroom are not valid things to do, I just make too many excuses.  I think if I can really start to balance things, the excuses may still occur but might have some more validity to them.  It's hard to put into words, but it definitely makes sense in my head LOL

I need to take time to make time.  Life is too short not to soak up everything it has to offer.  But if I'm driving myself nuts and putting so much pressure on myself, I'll wake up one day and too many things will have passed by.  This is one of those moments when I know that time management is my friend.  Is there a course I can take on that?  I should look into it haha!  And I'm not saying that I will be able to get everything done.  That's not going to happen and that's ok.  I just need to spread my energy and enthusiasm to more than one thing.

I know that it is not fair to myself to compare myself to others, but I am always amazed at the example set by my parents.  They managed to work, have a home life and a social life and seemed to get it all done in due time.  And there were sacrifices made and they prioritized things, so that's what I'm really hoping to do more of to get this sense of balance that I long for.

Balance is not easy.  And whoever says it is...well, they're several steps ahead of me LOL  

Recipe of the Week - Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken

 I cook a lot of chicken, particularly chicken thighs, and am always looking for new ways to fix them.  I was looking online for a new sauce to make for cooking chicken and found this one and thought I would give it a try.  We liked it and I have done it several times already.  

I had never made my own honey mustard anything before. I do like it as a dip but am not a fan of it on a salad, but that's just me.  The sauce ended up being pretty easy to make and I had almost everything on hand to do it.  Actually, someone at work gave me a container of honey and I needed to do something with it which is one of the reasons I looked up honey mustard in the first place.  You can use this one any pieces of chicken and it will be great.  It would also be good to put the chicken on the grill after marinating it.  Enjoy!

Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken

3 Tbsp honey

3 Tbsp Dijon mustard*

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 clove of garlic, minced

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs

Combine all ingredients except for the chicken.  Whisk them together until they are well combined.  Coat the chicken with the sauce and let marinate for at least one hour.  Preheat oven to 350.  Place the chicken in a baking dish and cover.  Bake at 45 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees.  Enjoy!

For this last time I made this, I had 12 chicken thighs so I doubled the sauce recipe.

* I have made this with Dijon, whole grain mustard and spicy brown mustard and they're all great.

Jeremiah 29:11

 In seeking to balance my life with work, school and home, I am also seeking peace both within me and around me.  This verse gives me that.  And it gives me hope, which is always welcomed in my heart.

My Cabbage Patch Kid

 One of the wonderful things about being an adult is being able to buy toys for myself.  And, yes, I do that!  I look back at all of the toys I didn't have as a child and make a list of the things that I want.  I didn't have much shame as a child as to what kinds of toys I wanted but that's fodder for another blog one day.  Still, I don't have much shame today either about the toys I seek out.  Thank goodness for Ebay.  In the age of technology, I can usually find exactly what I am looking for.  I don't always win the auction, but it's always fun to try!

One of the things I always wanted was a Cabbage Patch Kid.  I, like most of America at the time, was obsessed with them.  We all wanted one.  Alissa was the first in our neighborhood to get one.  She got it for Easter.  Then, other kids got them.  I never did.  At the time, of course, I was crushed but in hindsight, it was ok.  I would always find them in the toy stores and spend lots of time looking them over....much to the stares of other people but oh well.  

I did get lots of CPK stickers and even got a CPK calendar one year for Christmas.  I played by myself a lot and when you have to rely on your imagination, you come up with all sorts of things.  I ran my own cabbage patch orphanage, with full descriptions of the kids names, eye color, hair color, etc.  I spent many hours playing that.  I enjoyed it.  Still, the elusive CPK of my very own never came to fruition.  Until this year.

This is Tara April. 

Born November 1st.  She has red hair and green eyes.  Her clothes are well worn but still in decent shape.  Her tongue sticks out.  But she's mine.  It's what I wanted.  Thanks to Ebay, I could get the exact hair and eye color I wanted.  And I did.  And I love the fact that she's not brand new.  One of the things I enjoy most about collecting toys is that I want them to be in good shaped but I want them to have been played with and loved by a child.  She has been and will continue to be.  Now, onto my toy buying adventure!  Can't wait to see what I find out there!

Thus ends today's episode of Around the House.

That is all.

My Funny Valentine - Linda Ronstadt

 The other day I was listening to Linda Ronstadt and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra perform songs from The American Songbook.  She did several of these records and they, like most of her records, are amazing.  She is such a versatile singer.  This one and "What'll I Do?" are two of my favorites from this period of her recordings.  Enjoy!