I love books. But, the reality of me actually sitting down with a book? Embarrassingly, it doesn’t happen that often unless I am on vacation.
So instead, I listen to books while I drive.
I am in territory sales management so I am on the road a lot. Listening to a book helps make time go faster and the drive so much more enjoyable. So enjoyable that sometimes, if the book is really good, I don’t want to get out of the car… even in my own garage.
I recently listened to Amy Schumer’s, Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo.
It was trending due to it’s recent release and because I really loved Tina Faye’s Bossy Pants, I added it to my Audible list.
To be totally honest, I didn’t have high hopes. I just don’t really looove Amy. I don’t hate her, but she just kind of… eh. I honestly think it’s mainly because I have a bone to pick with women who think it’s “cute” to be hot mess.
I know, I know. How pretentious of me!
And, if you knew me in college you might be thinking, “Uh, hey Claire… I saw you a couple times… And, let me just be honest. Hot. Mess.”
Yes. Okay. I boozed with the best of them. I ate awful food like mozzarella sticks stuffed hot dogs at three AM. And, I may or may not have crept home at 7 AM with mascara under my eyes clutching my beer soaked stilettos.
I did those things. But, I got most it out of my system before the real world hit. However, there was (and still are…) the occasional, “Woah. How did I just get so red wine drunk, alone, on a Friday night watching Glee Season 1…?”
But, since crossing over the threshold of being closer to 30 than 25, those instances are few and far between. And, I can’t help but ask, “When did responsibility become so bad? Why at this age are we still glamorizing the awkward, immature and uncertain?”
Because of this, I didn’t like Trainwreck and didn’t expect much out of Amy’s book.
I thought my initial thoughts were proven right right there in the first chapter as Amy writes an open letter to her vagina.
Cool. Body part humor.
Ugh. Lame, obvious, and cheap.
But as the book continued on, I surprised myself. I began to like Amy more and more as I learned she is not the girl who I thought she was.
She is smart and not as scandalous as I thought. Turns out, she is a relationship girl and complies her very few sex-capades into her whole comedy act making it only sound like she has one night stands 24/7.
The story of how she lost her virginity totally bummed me out. I get that most “first time” stories are… not awesome. But, even if you are dating and sex seems like the obvious next step, it shouldn’t be assumed like Amy’s high school boyfriend had thought.
The care she has for her father, suffering from MS, is amazing and made me so very thankful for the health of my parents.
And, the compassion for the two women who were shot in the theater watching Trainwreck– targeted at that particular movie just because they were women- is pretty remarkable. And, even as a supporter of the second amendment, I believe this connection to gun violence gives Amy more than plenty of grounds to speak her mind on gun control. I even find myself agreeing with her on occasion.
So.
I was wrong. And, I am now a fan.
Kind of like I was about butternut squash. (Smooth segue… I know.)
In 2013 and 2014, you found me writing that I don’t like butternut squash and that I wouldn’t grow it. Ever.
News flash. This dislike for butternut squash had no solid ground to stand on. I had never even tried it. I just had an issue with the name and the look.
Then 2015 came along and I tried a recipe that Adam got from his sister.
I was eating my words.
And, every butternut squash I could get my hands on.
I was so wrong. Butternut squash is great and versatile. Totally fall and so tasty.
But, nothing beats it in a soup. On cool fall nights, it warms me right up and I love to play with different flavors alongside the squash like goat cheese, bacon or apples.
This particular soup, that is more stew because it’s so chunky and hearty, is packed with flavors and texture. And, lots of other backyard staples like tomatoes, chicken and herbs.
Perfect to fill you up and warm your soul if you have spent the last week feeling a little sad, like me.
And, take what I have learned from Amy and butternut squash. Don’t make blanket judgements based on one thing you know about someone or on what you think you know.
You could be so wrong.
Now to end this post in the only way that seems fit: A little body part humor.
- 1 1/2 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (I just shredded some already cooked chicken)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- salt and pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 can 14 ounce petite diced tomatoes (I used a bunch of cherry tomatoes)
- 2/3 cup uncooked quinoa
- 3/4 cup pitted and quartered kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
- Steam the butternut squash until just tender, about ten minutes. Remove half of the squash pieces and set aside.
- Steam the remaining squash until very tender, about five minutes. Mash with a fork and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook until the chicken is cooked through. About 15 minutes.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cool. Pour the broth into a medium bowl.
- Return the saucepan to the stove and lower the heat to medium. Add the olive oil.
- Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally until the onion starts to turn golden, 10 minutes.
- Add the salt, pepper, minced garlic and oregano. Cook, stirring for one minute.
- Add the tomatoes, mashed butternut squash and squash pieces to the sauce pan and stir to combine.
- Stir in the reserved chicken broth and quinoa. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the quinoa is cooked about 15 minutes.
- Shred the chicken with your fingers or a fork.
- Stir in the chicken and olives. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for about five minutes uncovered.
- Stir in parsley and serve.
LOVE this post and how you smoothly transitioned from one topic to another. I, too, have a rather snobbish opinion of Amy and Butternut Squash…..Hmmmmm……Maybe I should also reevaluate these thoughts. Keep up with your awesome writing!
Great post. Like you I hardly find time to read a good book, other than when I am traveling. Her book was started on our last trip but I haven’t picked it up since we returned. Looks like I know what I am doing tonight.
This looks like a yummy recipe for leftover turkey! Will try it out in a week or so!!
making Cook’s Illustrated Butternut Squash Soup with Sage Pesto right now!! just made the Pesto
Sounds fab. Can I name my next kid Sage? Seriously? 🙂
I made lamb burgers with this same recipe (1# = 4 burgers, finished in the sauce just like you did with the meatballs)and they were absolutely amazing. Can’t wait to try the ribs. And a pork tenderloin started on the grill and finished in the sauce.