May Goal Review

1. Budget - Put money into savings.  Done!  I transferred money into two of my savings accounts.  If I can just keep this up, I'll be well on my way to meeting some of my savings goals!
2. Food - Cook more.  If I'm counting correctly, I cooked 12 dinners this month.  Not bad considering I was out of town for almost an entire week.  I did feel like I was cooking more than I had in a while, and I only got stressed about cooking once.  I also baked muffins for breakfasts twice this month, but I only baked bread once.  I need to get bake into the swing of making all of my own breads.
3. Blogging - Blog. Period.  Counting this blog post, I have blogged 26 times this month, up from 20 in April.  I did some scheduling in advance and took the time when I could find it to at least get something down.  There were very few days when I felt stressed about not having anything posted.  I'd really like to keep this up because it's a great feeling!
4. Social - Maintain a balance.  This was hard this month because I was traveling for almost a week in the middle, but I think I did pretty good at the beginning of the month.  One of my closest friends is finally home from school (she just graduate law school - congrats Laura!!), so I see lots of outings in my future.  I need to try to keep up a balance between being at home and being out, for both my budget and my sanity's sake.
5. Personal - Organize my office.  For the second month in a row, I have failed on this goal.  Oops.  I realized my reason though, when I was writing my guest post for the blog swap.  I didn't set at SMART goal so we can blame my laziness on that, right? 

Did you set goals this month?  How did you do?

Recipe: Ricotta and Zucchini Galette

I love how I can turn anything into an adventure.  Or a disaster depending on how you look at things.

Take making this simple dinner for example.  It started last week when I realized I had some ricotta cheese in the freezer that needed to be used up.  I had recently pinned a new dish from Smitten Kitchen and decided that now was the perfect time to try it.  I bought the zucchini and the puff pastry (what, you think I'm going to make my own dough?  Yeah, right.) and put the galette on my menu plan.

Something nagging in the back of my mind told me to check the ricotta cheese the day I was planning on making the dish.  I can't remember if I was checking it to make sure I had enough or checking to make sure it hadn't gone bad.  Either way I ended up with well over a cup on ricotta cheese growing pink mold.  Oops.  Not okay.

So I made a mad dash to the store after work to pick up more ricotta because I HAD to make this for dinner (why I couldn't keep the pastry in the freezer and use the zucchini in something else I don't know.  My mind wasn't working like that on this particular day).  It turned out to be delicious and an excellent dinner decision.  However, now I'm stuck with ricotta cheese that needs to be used up before it too grows pink mold.

Ricotta and Zucchini Galette
Print this recipe!

1/2 box of frozen puff pastry (1 sheet), thawed
2 small zucchinis, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
I garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Spread the zucchini out on several layers of paper towels and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Let it drain for 30 minutes then gently blot the tops with more paper towels.  Meanwhile, mix the olive oil and garlic in a small bowl and set aside.  In another bowl mix the cheeses, 1 teaspoon of the garlic oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 400.  Roll the puff pastry dough out (on a floured surface) into a 12-inch circle or square (I have zero patience rolling already square things round, so I went with a square) and transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet.  Spread the ricotta mixture out evenly, leaving a 2 inch border around the edges.  Top with the zucchini in an even, single layer.  Drizzle the rest of the garlic oil evenly over the top.  Fold the border over the filling as far as it will go.  It should really just form a crust, not cover the whole top.  Brush the crust with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water).  Bake for 30-40 minutes.  Top with the fresh basil, cut into wedges, and serve. 

-Adapted from Smitten Kitchen

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday, Delicious Dishes, and This Chick Cooks

Menu Plan Monday

Since I've been out of town all weekend visiting my best friend, I'm getting around to planning my menu a little late today.  Since I had such a bad food waste week last week, I'm trying to keep things a little simpler this week to (hopefully!) prevent that from happening again. 

Monday: Memorial Day dinner with my parents - ribs (made with our favorite pork marinade), Asian coleslaw, pineapple casserole (no recipe just yet; if it's good I'm sure I'll be posting it!), BBQ bread

Tuesday: Out to dinner with a friend

Wednesday: Creamy Caprese Pasta

Thursday: Grilled chicken salad with lemon vinaigrette

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: TBD

Breakfasts are toast (trying a new bread recipe!) and yogurt, SlimFast, and frozen breakfast sandwiches.  Lunches are leftovers or sandwiches.  I think I might make a pan of blondies for dessert this week.

What's on your menu this week?

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday

Summer Grilling

Memorial Day (which is one Monday - don't forget!) is the unofficial start of summer.  In Alabama, summer usually kicks off around the beginning of May when we hit 90 for the first time.  For some of you way up north, spring may only just be beginning.

Memorial Day, and the unofficial start of summer, also means the official start of the grilling season.  I don't have a grill for my new house (any recommendations for a small, girl-sized gas grill?), so I've already been visiting/barging in on my parents to share their grill (and so my dad can cook for me...even I need a night off).  I thought I would share a few of my favorite grilling recipes and ask you to do the same.  Put your links in the comments!

Beer Can Chicken

Grilled Shrimp Skewers 

Grilled Vegetables

I also really like grilled fish (of any sort), grilled chicken (legs are my fav), and of course, hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill.  Oh, and steak of course.  And vidalia onions.  And corn.  And...I could go on and on.  

What are your favorite things to grill?  Any recipes you want to share?

Food Waste Friday

It's not a good week for food waste at my house.  I had froze a half a loaf of (store bought) bread before I went to MLA, and took it out when I got home.  I ate two pieces and when I went to get some the next time, it was growing some really fabulous specimens of penicillin.  Yesterday I went to get some ricotta cheese to use in a new recipe and found it was growing pink mold.  A quick Google search and asking on Twitter told me pink mold is not the kind you can just scoop off.  So into the trash went the cheese and the bread.

I also discovered some mushrooms I had forgotten about.  I probably could have salvaged them in an omelet or a frittata, but since I left this morning to go see my best friend, they had to go.  I also wasted some fried rice that wasn't very good to begin with and I couldn't bring myself to eat it.

Sigh.  Not a good week.

What did you waste this week?

This post is linked to Food Waste Fridays. 

Weekly Wanderings

Food:
Creamy Caprese Pasta - I love everything in this dish so much.  This will be appearing on my menu plan ASAP.

Browned Butter Blueberry Muffins - I love discovering the archives of long-running blogs.  Hence, this recipe.

Salmon Burgers - There's a restaurant near my parents' house that makes salmon burgers and sweet potato fries.  I will be recreating that experience (but not the price!) at home.

Strawberry Summer Cake - Yum.  Simple and delicious.  Perfect for strawberry season.

Everything Else:
Normal with a Slight Chance of Rapture - Need a laugh?  Tamara will provide.

The Ultimate Blog Swap - Curious about the blog swap I participated in on Tuesday?  Check out the Life...Your Way post that explains it and lists all the blogs that participated.

The Little Loft - I thought this was THE MOST ADORABLE playhouse and reading loft.  I would play here...even if I am 25. :)

You Need Some Links - Smart Bitch Sarah shares her (strong) opinion on Seth Godin's controversial blog post from last week.  If you are feeling feisty about the whole issue, you should also read this post.

This post is linked to Friday Favorite Finds.

Taking Risks

I am not a risk taker.

I am not the kind of person who jumps out of airplanes, takes spontanous road trips, or tries new and daring fashions.

I do not ride roller coasters or motorcycles, I don't walk up to people and strike up conversations, and I don't make decisions unless I'm almost positive of the outcome.

I am the type of person who chooses the safe career of librarianship over a career in paleo-anthropology because someone thought that I couldn't do it.  I am the type of person who doesn't move to England for graduate school, choosing to hide behind an excuse of "it's too expensive". 

I make safe choices.  Safe choices that could also be described as boring or cowardly. 

I have a choice to make right now.  To take a risk or stay at home.  To try something that may work and be amazing or play it safe. 

But I'm afraid. 

Afraid of having my heart broken.  Afraid of doing something I may regret.  Afraid of not doing something and regretting it. 

So I have to make a choice.  Take a chance and risk my heart?  Or stay safe and risk regret? 

Choices suck.

On Being Southern

Every once and while I get one of those emails that say "you know you're from Alabama if..." or "you know you're Southern when...".  I've always appreciated those lists because so many of them tend to be true.

In the movie Sweet Home Alabama, Reese Witherspoon's character, Melanie, says "you need a passport to come down here".  While that may not be true, living in the South, especially the Deep South, really is a whole other world.  We talk different, we move slower, and we still occasionally call it The War of Northern Aggression. 

I thought I would share a few of my favorite "you know" bits with y'all so we can all enjoy the little idiosyncrasies that make the South so special.

You know you're from the South when you measure distance in time, not miles.

You know you're a Southern woman if you can appropriately use the phrase "bless her heart" to mean both pity and insult, usually at the same time.

You know you're from the Alabama when grocery stores have buggies not carts.

You know you're in the Deep South when you order a Coke and the waitress asks you what kind.

You know you're from the South when you can correctly use "fix" as a verb.  As in, "I'm fixing to go to the store."

You know you're from Alabama when you know that the four seasons are really Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer, and Christmas.

You know you're from the South if you say "yes ma'am" or "no sir" to anyone 5 years older than you.

You know you're a Southern lady if you never, ever leave the house wearing white shoes, pants, or dresses before Easter or after Labor Day.

You know you're from the South if you always call your father "Daddy" no matter how old you are.

You know you're in the Deep South when you pass a store offering bait, movie rentals, and tanning.

If you live in the South, what are your favorites?  If not, what's special/humorous about where you live?

Recipe: Springtime Shrimp Pasta

For some reason leeks and lemon are spring flavors to me.  Add in shrimp (which always brings back memories of family trips to the beach) and a dish feels instantly warm-weather appropriate.  Spinach isn't very springy I know, but it does help balance out the heavy cream. :)  This a delicious, simple weeknight meal that I hope you enjoy.

Springtime Shrimp Pasta - serves 2
Print this recipe! 
1 1/3 cups uncooked pasta (that's about 1/3 of a 13.25 oz box)
1 tablespoon butter
1 leek, cleaned, dark green parts removed, and sliced into half moons
1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
Zest of half of a lemon
~1/3 of a cup of heavy cream (go ahead a make it a little bit more than a 1/3 but less than a 1/2)
5 oz baby spinach
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Cook the pasta according to the package directions in boiling, salted water.  Drain and return to the pot.

Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the leeks and cook, until softened 3-5 minutes.  Add the shrimp, lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are just barely opaque, about 4 minutes. 

Add the cream to the pasta in the pot and heat over medium heat.  Add spinach and stir until it's beginning to wilt.  Toss in the leek-shrimp mixture and stir until the cream coats everything and the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.  Toss in the cheese and test for seasonings (I needed more salt).  Serve, topping with extra cheese and the fresh basil.

Adapted from Real Simple

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday, Delicious Dishes, and Tuesday Night Supper Club

Ultimate Blog Swap: In Today's Economy It Pays to Ask For a Discount

Today I’m participating in the Ultimate Blog Swap. You’ll find me posting over at Dillon Bailey about setting SMART goals, and I’m excited to welcome Kristia from Family Balance Sheet to my humble blog.

Asking for a discount can be intimidating for many people.  We worry, “what if they say  no?".

What if that is the worst that could happen?

In my previous career, I would negotiate with vendors for better pricing and deliveries to help my company's bottom line. Currently the bottom line that I am responsible for is my family's, which is more precious to me than my previous employer.

Even with experience in negotiation, I can get intimidated at times, but just asking a simple question, "is that the best you can do?" has saved me and my husband a lot of money.

Some examples:
1. Three years ago, we were searching for a new vehicle. We had a budget, a trade-in vehicle, a down payment and a goal to get as much vehicle as we could for our buck. We test drove many vehicles over the span of a month and spent our evenings researching and reading Kelly's Blue Book online.

After much thought, we decided on a particular brand and model and had a price in mind that we were willing to pay. We visited a local dealer and met with a sales person. He explained the price of the vehicle and the promotions that were happening at that time and we listened intently. And then we asked, "Is that the best you can do on the price?". The sales person brought his boss over and he explained the promotion again. The particular promotions for the model that we were interested in were FREE oil changes for the first 50,000 miles and FREE state inspections. Sounded good, but another model's promotion included those things, PLUS FREE brakes, if needed, and 4 FREE tires, if needed, within the first 50,000 miles. That promotion sounded better to us, but it wasn't included with the model we wanted.

The price of the vehicle was within the number my husband and I had talked about, but we held firm; we wanted some kind of additional discount. After talking privately, the salesman and his boss came back with a final offer. They offered more than we anticipated with our trade-in, they gave us the free oil changes, tires and brakes for the first 50,000 miles plus free yearly state inspections, they took off the price of the Rear Entertainment System, and they gave us crossbars for our car carrier. We were pleased and accepted the offer. Our persistence paid off, and the fact that it was the last day of July and the dealer was looking to unload some vehicles might have helped too.

2. We recently re-carpeted our business office. We received several quotes, but there was one particular style/brand of carpet that we really wanted. When the salesman submitted his bid, we were glad that it came within our budget, but my husband simply asked, "is that the best you can do?". The salesman knocked another $200 off the bid and we were thrilled!

3. We are avid newspaper readers and usually pre-pay our 7 day subscription every year to save a little bit of money. But this year, when I received the bill, the yearly fee went up by $100. Ouch. I know the newspaper business is tough, but that price hike was a little hard to swallow. I called the customer service number and inquired about the price hike. She confirmed the increase, but told me that if I pre-paid a year's subscription right then, she would charge me the previous year's price.

4. Recently, I was shopping for a bridal shower gift from a store registry. My budget was $25, but since the registry was pretty much filled I settled on a gift that was $30. This particular store runs occasional coupons in the Sunday paper, but unfortunately I didn't have one with me. When I got to the register I asked the sales person if she knew if there would be a coupon in the next day's paper and if so could I bring it in for a price adjustment. She wasn't sure but told me that she would give me the 20% discount on my purchase. I was thrilled that I saved $6.00 by simply asking a question and my gift ended up being within my budget.

Some things to consider when asking for a discount:

• Be courteous and respectful. Rudeness will get you nowhere
• Be prepared with knowledge and information. We went into the car dealership with information from Kelly Blue Book about what was a fair price to pay.
• Be reasonable. Businesses and people are trying to make a living. For bigger items, your research will tell you what is fair. Try to get the best price possible, but don't go overboard.
• Be prepared to walk away.  We have asked many times for a discount and been denied.  Know where your line in the sand is.

In today's economy people are more choosy on where they are spending and placing their money. Companies know this and in many cases are willing to work with you to get your business. Many every day purchases can be negotiated. Food items close to expiration date, damaged, yet wearable clothing, new flooring for your family room. There are discounts to be found, sometimes you just have to ask.

Have you asked for a discount lately? Where was it and how much did you save? Let us know in the comments.  

Kristia writes about family finances, frugal living, and food at Family Balance Sheet.

Visit Life...Your Way to see all of the Ultimate Blog Swap participants!

Menu Plan Monday

In keeping with my May goal of cooking more, I'm trying a new plan where I cook one to two servings of a dish.  This a) allows me to cook more dishes, b) helps prevent food waste, and c) gives me some tasty lunches.  It seemed to work well last night; I had just enough leftover pasta to pack for my lunch today.  So lunches all week are leftovers and breakfasts are lemon raspberry muffins.

Sunday: Springtime Shrimp Pasta (recipe coming tomorrow!)
Monday: Sandwich (I'm babysitting and don't want to eat out)
Tuesday: Pasta Florentine
Wednesday: Zucchini and ricotta galette
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: No plans because I'm going to see my best friend!!

What's on your menu this week?

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday.

The Library As a Place

In case you missed it, I'm attending the Medical Library Association conference in Minneapolis this week.  I've been chosen as an official conference blogger and will be blogged a couple of times a day on my experiences as a new member and first time conference attendee.  I know most of you won't be following me on the official conference blog, so I will be reposting my posts here.


It seems an unofficial theme of "the library as a place" is going around.  From T. Scott Plutchak's Janet Doe lecture today to talking to librarians who round at lunch yesterday to talk of closing the reference desk at the Rethinking Libraries in Hard Times session this afternoon, everyone seems to be saying the library as a physical space doesn't exist anymore.  Or shouldn't exist or can't exist depending on who you talk to.  This is not an uncommon idea in any sort of library circles and an argument we've all been hearing for quite some time.


But what I haven't heard much talk about (in sessions or just in conversation) is a defense of the library as a space.  Arguments from those of us who have active, vital physical libraries.  So I'm here to take up the banner, at least for my own library.


The majority of my library users are residents and attending physicians.  Some do their own searching, some don't.  Some only use UpToDate to answer clinical questions, some prefer me to do a quick search.  Some like their articles hand delivered to their office, some will only accept them via email.  But they all have one thing in common: they like to pop by and ask me questions.  I have very few users whom I have never seen personally, and those that I haven't, it's because their practice is outside the hospital.


My library has a steady stream of visitors all day.  Surgical residents who drop by to take a look at an atlas, faculty members who come by with research questions, busy clinicians who use what little free time they have to peruse the latest copy of a print journal.  The common thread here is that they are visiting a physical space with physical resources and working with me, live and in person.


I'm rarely out of the office because I don't know when I'll be called upon to help answer a question or locate a resource.  The library itself is open 24 hours a day and stats show that it is used 24 hours a day.  And by the number of books scattered around in the mornings, they aren't coming in to use the computers.
So in my hospital the physical library is necessary.  I'm sure, after an adjustment period (probably full of complaining docs), we could move to a virtual library and I could roam the halls providing library services to those in need.  But this model works for my hospital and my patrons.  So I am defending (and will continue to do so) the library as a place in my institution.


Debate time: what are your thoughts on the matter?  Could you move to a mostly virtual library?  Have you already done so?

Trying To Do It All

In case you missed it, I'm attending the Medical Library Association conference in Minneapolis this week.  I've been chosen as an official conference blogger and will be blogged a couple of times a day on my experiences as a new member and first time conference attendee.  I know most of you won't be following me on the official conference blog, so I will be reposting my posts here.

Even a lolcat needs a break from being funny.

I tend to be a bit over-ambitious when it comes to setting a conference schedule.  I remember while at an ALA conference I attended while a library school student, making a mad dash across Chicago in attempts to make it to a session that I JUST HAD TO ATTEND only to arrive and discover that they had changed the location.


Luckily, MLA being the nicely contained conference that it is, I knew this wouldn’t be a problem.  I figured with sessions being only a floor apart it would, in fact, be possible to attend two sessions in the same time slot.  Hear one or two speakers, move quickly to the next and hear one or two more on a completely different, but entirely interesting, topic.


I always fail to consider exhaustion.  As in, the constant moving around, networking, learning, and trying to keep up with the lightening-pace twitter stream is bound to leave me brain-fried and unable to remember what day of the week it is.


I blame the solo librarian syndrome.  As a solo librarian, it is my job to do it all, because there is no one else to do it.  So if I don’t do it, it doesn’t get done.  I have somehow developed the misconception that it is possible for me to always be able to do it all.  Because top speed is how I function at work, top speed should be how I function at MLA.


Which is how I almost fell asleep at the Ovid party.

So new members and first time conference attendees, learn from me.  Don’t try to do it at all.  It’s not necessary to go to every vendor party, to try to attend multiple sessions in the same hour and half, or follow the twitter stream as if your life depends on it.  It’s okay to miss something.  It’s okay to take a break and recharge your personal (or phone) batteries.  You don’t have to do it all.

No Menu Plan Monday Today

I don't have a menu plan for this week since I'm conferencing it up in Minneapolis for MLA until Wednesday.  I imagine I'll be eating takeout or whatever frozen dinners are languishing in my freezer until I can get to the grocery store, but I'm not really all that concerned at the moment. :)

I'll be back next week with a great (hopefully!) menu plan featuring some new recipes.

I'm sure you're not out of town, so what's on your menu for the week?

Reflections On My First Day at MLA'11

In case you missed it, I'm attending the Medical Library Association conference in Minneapolis this week.  I've been chosen as an official conference blogger and will be blogged a couple of times a day on my experiences as a new member and first time conference attendee.  I know most of you won't be following me on the official conference blog, so I will be reposting my posts here.


Saturday was my first official day at MLA and I found that it was a great introduction as it was very low key.  I'm already feeling overwhelmed as I sit in this huge ballroom taking advantage of the free WiFi and official blogger tables.  

I started the day with my chosen CE for the year, Searching in Support of Systematic Reviews.  I took away a lot of great information (and some terrific handouts!) but mostly I learned that when the physicians at my hospital say they are interesting in writing a systematic review, they really have no clue what they are talking about and probably not all interested in writing an actual systematic review.  However, I did learn the process and the librarian's role in the systematic review process so I feel, that if called upon, I could do an adequate job in contributing. 

I was a bit worried about finding someone to have lunch with, but thanks to a trip to the ladies room, I met another hospital librarian AND found someone to have lunch with.  So, if you are looking for new connections, I highly recommend a trip to the restroom.  :)  In all seriousness, new friends and colleague connections abound, so if you are feeling lost, just find someone how looks friendly and ask them where they work.  Everyone here has been very nice and helpful so far.

I spent my time between lunch and the Welcome Reception people watching near the registration desk.  I met a number of very nice people just by sitting at a table, and had a great time watching all the librarians coming and going.  Medical librarians are one of the most diverse groups of librarians I've seen yet!  It quickly became clear to this new MLA member (and new medical librarian in general) that there is a place for everyone in MLA.

My favorite part of Saturday was the Welcome Reception.  After attending ALA in 2008 where I was completely overwhelmed by the exhibition hall and number of vendors, I was relieved to find that the MLA exhibits are much smaller and cozier.  I was able to find some food and a grab a drink while wandering around to a few vendor booths with my new colleague connection mentor.  I even ran into a few library school friends and some other people I know while wandering around.  

I made a special trip to the MLA booth to check out the store (I sort of want an official tshirt now) and the chapter/section booth.  I learned that you can join 3 extra sections for free until the end of the year.  This is a great opportunity to try out new sections, make new connections, and learn new things.  I'm thinking about the Leadership and Management section as I'm a solo and can use all the management help I can get. 

I was supposed to finish the day by attending the MD Consult party, but I got so caught up in chatting with new colleagues that I completely missed the party and apparently missed some really great food.  But I really think I came off with the better deal - after new friends and colleagues are really what I'm here for?

Weekly Wanderings

Food:
Crispy portobello fries with smokey cheddar dip - I never thought of turning mushrooms into fries before.  I think these would be a great accompaniment to a big burger (veggie or not).  Leave it to How Sweet Eats to make vegetables unhealthy. :) 


Old-Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake - I have a chocolate cake recipe that I love, but I think I need to try this.  Our Best Bites (and Cook's Illustrated) have never steered me wrong.  Here's the frosting recipe. 


Blueberry Muffins- I don't think you can ever have too many blueberry muffin recipes.  I find this linked on Smitten Kitchen, so it must be good.


Raspberry-Topped Lemon Muffins - Speaking of Smitten Kitchen...here's an old recipe of hers that looks delicious!


Everything else:

Addictive Summer Reading Lists for Kids of All Ages – for moms and children’s librarians alike.  I used to manage a children’s bookstore so I was pretty good about keeping up with the latest in children’s literature, but since it’s not necessary any more, I have no clue what’s out there.  I was glad to see this list so I could check out the new and nifty in the children’s book world.

Closet Turned Book Nook - I've recently become a fan of home decorating/design blogs and I'm loving what Thrifty Decor Chick did to this former closet.  How awesome is this??

32 Undeniable Truths for Mature Humans - I just love these; they are all so true!

National Women's Health Week - This week is National Women's Health Week!  Women are often neglectful of their own health because we are so busy taking care of everyone else.  The department of health and human services wants to inform you on ways to stay healthy.

Did you find anything interesting this week?

This post is linked to Friday Favorites.

5 Things I'm Looking Forward To at MLA'11

In case you missed it, I'm attending the Medical Library Association conference in Minneapolis this week.  I've been chosen as an official conference blogger and will be blogged a couple of times a day on my experiences as a new member and first time conference attendee.  I know most of you won't be following me on the official conference blog, so I will be reposting my posts here.

I'm very excited to be attending my first MLA conference and sharing my experiences with you.  I graduated from library school in December 2009 and became a medical librarian in May 2010, so not only am I new to medical libraries and MLA, I'm also new to the profession in general.  By way of introduction, I thought I would share what I'm looking forward to most here at MLA'11.

Top 5 Things I'm Looking Forward to Most:
1. My CE course on systematic reviews.  I consider myself a fairly decent searcher and I've been known to generate some excellent results on almost no information.  However, I'm at sea when it comes to major reviews.  I've read a few articles but I have no idea where to begin a systematic review.  I have a physician who is in the beginning stages of research on a new project and I know he is going to require a comprehensive review of the literature.  I've done what I can but I recognize my limits and when I need more knowledge on the subject.  Hopefully this course will help me better serve this physician and prepare me for other reviews I may do in the future.

2. New Member Breakfast.  I only joined the medical librarian force a year ago when I became an accidental medical librarian.  I don't know very many people in the field so I'm really excited about meeting other new medical librarians and hopefully learning more about MLA overall, despite the fact that this Sunday event starts at 7:30.  In the morning.  I hope there is enough caffeine. 

3. Rethinking the Librarian's Role in EHRs, PHRs, and EMRs: A Place at the Table.  This 5th annual lecture series sponsored by STAT!Ref (Sunday at 4:30) is of special interest to me because my hospital just purchased an EHR system and I would love to get involved.  Except I have no clue how such things work or what I can do to help.  I'm hoping to get some interesting tidbits and advice from librarians who been in my shoes.  

4. The Janet Doe Lecture. I'm very excited about the Janet Doe lecture (Monday at 9:00) because the speaker is T.Scott Plutchak who happens to be the director of UAB's Lister Hill Library, my resource library.  The title of his lecture, “Breaking the Barriers of Time and Space: The Dawning of the Great Age of Librarians” is very intriguing to me as I love anything that has to do with reaffirming the awesomeness of my chosen profession. 

5. Shopping at the Mall of America and generally exploring Minneapolis.  I've never been to Minneapolis and I love any chance to explore a new city.  For years I've been wondering what all the hoopla about the Mall of America so I'm making a special trip out there to see if for myself.  After reading all the great blog posts about places to eat around town, I'm dying to try out some of the restaurants.  Anyone want to go exploring with me?

What are you most looking forward to at MLA'11?


Since most of you aren't at MLA, what do you look forward most to at conferences?  If you've never been to a conference, what would you like to do/see/learn? 

Please Don't Forget

I know there is a lot going on in your life right now.  There is a lot going on in the world.  Big floods.  Bombs falling in Libya.  Crazy high gas prices. 

An E-F 4 tornado bearing down on Tuscaloosa.

But please don't forget about the tornado victims in Alabama and across the southeast.  259 tornadoes were reported in 16 states on one day.  238 people in Alabama alone lost there lives.

Tornado damage in Tuscaloosa.  That's a Hobby Lobby in the background.  A BBQ restaurant and a fast food restaurant (or what is left) is the front.

Please don't forget them.  News coverage has drifted away and volunteer and donation levels are dropping off.  Please don't stop sending donations and praying for those who were affected.  They need your help.

Horrifying tornado damage.

Luckily, despite the total lack of news coverage, there are so many people who haven't forgotten about the tornado victims.

Sarah Wendall from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books (who is so full of awesome it isn't even funny) has organized a list of needed supplies and names and address of volunteers in Alabama willing to accept them and take them to be donated.  I am one of those volunteers and I got my first two shipments yesterday and today.

What's in the boxes??

Feminine hygiene supplies! Not pictured: ladies underwear.

A picture from another volunteer.  Readers of SBTB FTW!!

So this is just a friend reminder to please do something.  Give blood.  Give money.  Send supplies.  Send prayers.  SOMETHING.  These areas are devastated and will continue to need help for a long time.  

So please don't forget.

Recipe: Gnocchi with Mushroom-Cream Sauce

Gnocchi.  Mushrooms.  Cream.  These are a few of my favorite things. :)

When I saw this recipe I knew it was for me.  I'm not one for making fresh gnocchi (I don't have that much time to spend baking and then ricing potatoes), but everything else about the recipe jumped out as a perfect week night meal.  The sauce comes together in about 10 minutes and gnocchi cook in no time.

Gnocchi with Mushroom Cream Sauce
Print this recipe! {new feature!!}

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup stock (vegetable or chicken)
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 package gnocchi, cooked according to package directions
1/4 cup parmesan cheese


Melt butter with olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Add garlic and mushrooms and saute until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add seasonings.  Stir in stock and bring to a slow boil.  Reduce heat to low and add cream.  Simmer for 1-2 minutes.  Add in cooked gnocchi and cheese and stir until evenly coated.  Serve with additional fresh chives or fresh thyme, if desired.

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday, Tuesday Night Supper Club, and Delicious Dishes

Menu Plan Monday

Apparently, it's pasta week at my house.  I didn't mean to plan three pasta-based dinners, but in trying to use what I already had on hand, I ended up with a lot of pasta.

It's a good thing I like pasta. :)

The end part of this week and all of my lunches are dedicated to cleaning out my refrigerator.  I'm leaving at o'dark hundred on Friday morning for the Medical Library Association conference and I don't want to leave any food waste behind. 

Side note: I'm an official conference blogger for MLA this year, so look for some reposts from the official MLA blog here so you can keep up with what I'm learning!

Anyway, back to the menu...

Saturday: Spinach white pizza ended up having takeout burgers with my parents
Sunday: Mother's Day Meal: Chicken, asparagus, and mushroom pasta, crusty bread, strawberry swirl cream cheese pound cake
Monday: Gnocchi with mushroom-cream sauce
Tuesday: Spinach and sun-dried tomato pasta
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Clean out the fridge/freezer
Friday: Gone to MLA!

What's on your menu for this week?

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday.