I went to my favorite of our local libraries yesterday. Let me say, from the time I was a young pup I have LOVED libraries. I like the look, the smell, the feel, the routine and goodness of it all. I enjoy going to browse and see what there is to read. Not to mention if you want to really experience a cross-section of your local culture- just hang out there on a particularly cold or hot day. At one point as a young adult I thought I might want to be a children’s librarian. When we lived in Madison Wisconsin, the librarians were the hippest of the hipsters. Cool, stylish and utterly smart and cultured. I know that isn’t always the case. Young librarians today are not the old, sour, tight-bun-wearing, glasses-perched-on-bridge-of-nose, shushing and condescending stare type anymore. I still think they secretly judge. I can only imagine the conversations that go on around the breakroom water cooler over what random people wildly check out. But I digress. Libraries- love em. And nowadays my favorite ones have added on coffee shops and pleasant reading spaces to draw you in, presumably in competition with some large bookchains.

Long story short, Tuesday has become library lunch hour for me and a pal. We both tend to check out books and DVDs for our kiddos, which have a weekly due date. So it’s a nice break from the office and a good way to floss our brains. When we went in this week the librarian while eyeing my stack of Dora, Eloise and Hello Kitty literature asked if I needed wanted to join the adult summer reading program. The information sheet said I needed to read 3 novels by July 31 either the old fashioned way or via audio or e-reading device. Since I listen to a book on cd to and from work and could add Eclipse  classic american fiction to my list I happily agreed to sign up. Synergistically speaking I was happy to note that the program is sponsored by both a local book and coffee chain. When you turn in your list you get a free drink coupon from the coffee store and are entered to win some nifty book and e-reading device prizes.

So while I have to tropical or fanciful destination plans this summer that will actually put me on a plane, I do have some happy plans to win me a coffee and possibly a Nook Color! Any favorite summer reads out there you’d like to recommend? The Help & Her Fearful Symmetry are on my nightstand right now and I’d happily stack your recommendations there with them!

Corner view is a weekly Wednesday post hosted originally hosted by Jane, currently by Francesca. A topic is given and you can see impressions; be it in photographic or poetic in form from around the world:

 Jane, Dana, Bonny, Joyce, Ian, Francesca, Theresa, Cate, Kasia, Otli, Trinsch, Isabelle, Janis, Kari, jgy, Lise, Dorte, McGillicutty, Sunnymama, Ibb, Kelleyn, Ninja, Sky, RosaMaria, Juniper, Valerie, Sammi, Cole, Don, WanderChow, FlowTops, Tania, Tzivia, Kristin, Laura, Guusje, Susanna, Juana, Elsa, Nadine

Micah Madison’s Meatloaf! mmmmmmmmmmmmmm……I heart meatloaf; although for the most part I prefer my mother’s. Meatloaf in restaurants tend to not be so tasty to me. I like a fairly plain version- with a bit of sweet and tang. Many moons ago I worked in Iowa and a co-worker brought in her meatloaf. It was so tasty I asked for the recipe. The first time I went to make it I thought it was a bit sweeter than I remembered and maybe even tastier. The next time I went to make it I realized my mistake. I had inadvertently switched out the evaporated milk with condensed milk. Sweetened condensed milk. Yes folks, I had made meat candy.  I couldn’t knowingly go back to the condensed milk, but I really did like the sweetness- so I revised the recipe and added in some brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Problem solved- sweet and respectable! Wanna try?

MIX:

1.5 lb hamburger

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

2 sleeves Ritz crackers- crushed

2 eggs beaten

1 can evaporated milk

1 med onion diced

salt & pepper to taste

Bake 45 minutes @ 350 degrees. Add Topping:

Mix 1 Tbsp white vinegar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup diced onion, 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

Bake 15 minutes more

Corner view is a weekly Wednesday post hosted originally hosted by Jane, currently by Francesca. A topic is given and you can see impressions; be it in photographic or poetic in form from around the world:

 Jane, Dana, Bonny, Joyce, Ian, Francesca, Theresa, Cate, Kasia, Otli, Trinsch, Isabelle, Janis, Kari, jgy, Lise, Dorte, McGillicutty, Sunnymama, Ibb, Kelleyn, Ninja, Sky, RosaMaria, Juniper, Valerie, Sammi, Cole, Don, WanderChow, FlowTops, Tania, Tzivia, Kristin, Laura, Guusje, Susanna, Juana, Elsa, Nadine