Inspiration, Iowa City

I feel like I can do anything and be anything when I go to the library. If I get an idea or a tinge of inspiration I like to go to the library and check out all the books I can find on that topic or idea. Then I head to the audio section and check out CDs with thoughts of future mix CDs dancing in my head and finally I finish up at the DVDs and decided on my entertainment for the week. My friends and I have all made a nice habit of frequenting the library.

The little ones get new books for the week, play with the trains that are set up in there and poke around the movies and computers a bit between episodes of blindly running from here to there. It is during this time that Lucia and I sit back and look on with pride and admiration at my friends with their children. They are being brought up well with good memories of trips to the library- as it should be. I remember the library cards from when I was a little girl. It was very official. Your number was punched into a metal strip that was inserted into a very sturdy card. I remember thinking library cards are very dear. Today they are cheap plastic cards and don't nearly look as important as they actually are.

Today's inspiration at the library was an episode of the Splendid table from NPR this weekend. There was a feature on a new Filipino cookbook. It just so happened that I was sent home with a nice big bag of Pancit this weekend from Tita Leti (Genevieve's Aunt who makes amazing authentic Filipino food). I was named as part of the family way back in High school (I ate the squid) and have eve rafter been treated as part of their family. I was excited by the prospect of making this dish for myself.

I found the cookbook and three others on Filipino cooking and Indian cooking. Here are the titles:

1. The Filipino-American Kitchen by Jennifer M. Aranas
2. Memories of Philippine Kitchens by Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan (this was the featured book on Splendid Table)
3. Cuisines of India: The Art and Tradition of Regional Indian Cooking by Smita Chandra
4. Lite and Luscious Cuisine of India: Recipes and tips for healthy and quick meals By Madhu Gadia.

I also checked out a novel that I hope I will actually read.

I'm excited to get this brain/stomach party started!

p.s. I reserve the right to lose inspiration at any moment.