All posts by Beth Berger

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About Beth Berger

Hi there! Finding Delight is a lifestyle and lifelong learning blog written and curated by me in Alabama. Along the way, I attempt to tackle the rough real world with books, budget-livin', brainpower and all the beautiful stuff you can find when you really look. Won't you join me? The true delight is in the finding out.

mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , , , , ,

snowy road

Hey babes! After a few days holed up in my apartment, I slipped and slid in my Subaru to work yesterday. This week has been treacherous and draining and it’s only the MID-week. Sending so much love to you all in the hopes you’ll send some back my way in return. Stay safe, stay warm and if you’re still stuck at home with no end in sight, here are some links for you to enjoy…

A rather sophisticated pairing.

Ladies like this give me hope and happiness.

An autistic woman’s perspective on anti-vaxxers.

15 facts about my favorite soda.

Our planet’s diversity shown through portraits of women.

Delight a poem by Amber Tamblyn

How cute would this t-shirt be for the Derby?

Gave me chills.

The cutest pop-top camper in the whole world!

Facebook allows for the appointing of a digital heir.

A vagabond’s daily carry.

Adorable lunchbox inspiration for my new bento box!

No-recipe Recipes.

Food, , , , ,

No Recipe Meals Collage

Do you have an arsenal of easy-to-prepare dinners you look to on busy week nights when you’re exhausted and frankly too lazy to make anything that meaningful? I definitely have my own rotation. When you’re trying to stick to at-home eating, whether for dietary reasons or budget, it’s important to recognize the barriers which will keep you from staying the course. For me, these barriers are time and effort. To combat, here are a few quick, no-recipe dinners I make to stay away from take-out and scarf down a home-cooked meal when ain’t nobody got TIME for the kitchen…

*Baked Potatoes- As soon as you get home from work, cut the top of a washed potato with a knife in a cross pattern, pop it in the oven, and go about your business for the next hour or so. Top with any combination of the following: butter, sour cream, cheese, salt & pepper, salsa, beans, avocado, chunks of deli meat, banana peppers, or capers. Note: This works for russet or sweet potatoes, though I have found sweet potatoes don’t need as much time in the oven.

*Omelettes- The key is to cook your eggs very slowly! Fill with cheese and veggies. Serve on top of greens, if you like.

*Spaghetti Bolognese- Heat up olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and onions, then carrots and celery, then ground beef and finally canned tomatoes and herbs/spices. Let this thicken for about 30 minutes while you cook some pasta.

*3 Ingredient Chili- 1 lb cooked ground beef + undrained can of beans + can of tomatoes OR jar of salsa if that’s what you have on hand and you like things with a kick = CHILI yumminess. I like to add in pasta because that’s just the sort of chili eater I am.

*Salmon and Veg- Grill a salmon filet on the George Foreman and top with a dollop of cranberry sauce. Serve with whatever vegetables you have on hand. If you’re especially famished, add some brown rice.

*Pancakes- If you use pancake mix it’s as easy as adding an egg or two and some milk to create a batter. For flair; mix in blueberries, walnuts, chocolate chip, banana or anything else your heart desires. Speaking of hearts, why not make your pancakes in the shape of a <3!

*Mexican Bagels- Toast a bagel and top with creamed cheese and sliced cheese. Stick this under the broiler to melt, then top with salsa and avocado.

*Pizzas- Buy store bought crust and top with combination of pizza sauce, cheese, and any and all leftovers you find in the fridge. Even easier? Pita pizzas! Just do the same but on pitas. They’re adorable!

*Chicken and sweet potato fries- Bake a chicken breast and serve with store-bought, frozen sweet potato fries. My favorite are the Alexia crinkle-cut kind.

And of course, ANYTHING on toast can become a meal if you believe hard enough!

What quick dinner recipes/no-recipes do you know by heart? How did they make their way into your arsenal? Trial and error? Grow up with them? Home Ec class? Share your favorites in the comments below!

 

What I got for Valentine’s Day.

Every day life, Personal, , , , ,

This Valentine’s Day, Chet surprised me by having a package sent to my doorstep. We waited until the night of the 14th to open our gifts to each other, as my Louisiana-love had a Mardi Gras parade to attend (of which he sent me lots of videos and pictures so I could feel like I was there, too). I sent him a little care package complete with loose tea, Sharpie pens and other bits and bobs. While I was the recipient of this adorable bento box!

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The dividers inside each box can be moved around to create a number of different configurations or completely removed, so it’s quite customizable, and the whole kit and caboodle packs up in to this matching drawstring bag. Wouldn’t it make even a simple packed lunch feel fancy?

If you’d like to learn more about bento, watch the BEGIN Japanology episode on the subject here. Then, search “bento box lunches” in Pinterest and say goodbye to the next 30 minutes or so!

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine’s Day! How did you celebrate the day? Did you exchange gifts with your sweetheart?

Girl Crush: Amy Poehler

Books, Personal, , , , , , , , , ,

amypoehler

It seems everyone and their mom has picked up Amy Poehler’s new book Yes Please as their kick off read of 2015. With a load of books ahead of this one in my personal queue, I still couldn’t help myself…I cracked it open to check out the first few pages and then couldn’t put it down. Now I’m even more in love with Amy Poehler than I was after watching Parks and Rec. While Amy is clearly hilarious and there are laugh out loud moments of honesty, I actually found myself tearing up during several passages. Her descriptions of friendships and creating things together just take me to a place. Plus, it’s a great behind the scenes look at Upright Citizens Brigade, SNL, Parks and Recreation and all those awards show bits orchestrated by Poehler.

If you haven’t yet, definitely give this book a read. But you’ve been warned, you might get a little bummed that you’re not BFF’s with Amy Poehler…yet.

Plus, isn’t this so wonderfully true? Such a good reminder–

“Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it. Doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that- that’s what life is. You might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s really special and if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself.”

(Photo via here.)

P.S. Girl Crush: Sarah Koenig

January favorites.

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jan favorites 11. Wild 

The book was a huge favorite many months ago and I couldn’t wait to see it come alive on the big screen. Reese Witherspoon was fantastic as Cheryl Strayed and it was fun to revisit the story. I still, in my heart of hearts, desperately want to be a long-distance hiker. I also believe stories like Strayed’s matter and am happy for it to be told in multiple forms so more people see it.

2. Bath & Body Works 3-Wick Candles

I’ve been having a bit of a candle moment lately and Christmas hooked me up with a supply. Nothing beats a trips-wick from BB&W. My favorites include; Endless Weekend, Eucalyptus Mint, and Leaves.

3. Malbec

I am by no means a wine snob and have trouble making decisions. So when this book, which I gifted my mom for Christmas, suggested January was a good time to give Malbec’s a go, I just went with it. My mother has been comparing Malbec’s from different countries and regions. I on the other hand went with the cheapest option at Trader Joe’s. Gradual refinement is fine with me.

4. 30 Days of Yoga with Adriene

Daily at-home yoga practice works so well to counteract the negative physical aspects of my desk job (not to mention my natural inclination towards tension headaches and racing thoughts). It’s also such a wonderful excuse to unwind and unplug.

5. Virunga

Nominated for an Academy Award, this touching documentary tells the story of a National Park, one of the most bio-diverse in the world and home to the last of the mountain gorillas, and the people working vigilantly to protect it from those who seek to destroy it. It’s available on Netflix so do yourself a favor.

6. YOU with Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver, who I’ve loved for ages, is the guy behind this fun new app. It’s kind of like Instagram with a purpose. Each day you’re given a micro-action to complete which you snap a picture of and explain in the description. The prompts range from noticing nature’s beauty to intentional snacking. It’s fun to see what other people come up with and it’s a great reminder each day that small actions matter and add up to a more purposeful life. P.S. It’s free to download.

7. Zen

A new-to-me sushi and sake bar in town. Sometimes you just want a little pomp and circumstance with your meal and I’ve found that places specializing in sushi are the best at this.

8. High Maintenance 

I may or may not have watched all available episodes of this web series, about a pot dealer and his various customers, over the course of just two nights. I found it laugh out loud funny. My friend Adam liked it too and I don’t think we’re usually wrong, soooo….

9. Roasted Jalapeno KIND bars

Sounds crazy but actually crazy delicious.

 

mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , ,

balloons

What have you been up to this week? Did you know 1.23 billion chicken wings are eaten on Super Bowl Sunday, nearly four for every American? It’s safe to say I ate my quota! Did you do anything fun for the big game? Besides football, my TV has been glued to this show. Have you seen it? I would highly recommend! Especially if you’re mourning the loss of Parenthood or, like me, you have a girl crush on Gaby Hoffman. Hope you have a fun week, and here are some of my favorite links of the day…

Kindergarten teacher turned twerker.

Fascinating article for former (and current) speech gals like me.

Wouldn’t this be pretty trimming a window or a gallery wall?

Good morning!

This song has been on repeat lately in my neck of the woods.

There are just no words.

Super affordable e-courses if you’re feeling all winter-time cooped and have an itch to get creative.

Get ready to laugh! 

Behind the scenes with a stock photo model.

Ladies and gentleman, THIS is true royalty.

Children, play and the Holocaust.

Victim of “revenge porn” fights back.

 

P.S. My art collection and my reading habits. ❤

Kitchen gadgets that I don’t need but definitely want.

Food, Style and Design, , , , , , , , , ,

Here are some items that don’t NEED to find their way into my cupboards but just might! Pretty, fun, bright, sleek and FUNCTIONAL–what’s not to love about kitchen gadgets?

1. Salt and Pepper mills. 

Salt & Pepper. Turn the key.

2. Retro Pyrex baking dishes. 

pyrex!!!!!!!!!!

3. Star spangled spatula. 

Star Spangled Spatula.

4. Lazy food hack: bell pepper edition. 

I neeeeed this!

5. Dia de los Muertos cookie cutters. 

Sugar Skull Cookie Cutter - Set Of 4

6. Keepcup with built in cork sleeve. 

KeepCup

7. Crock Pot lid pocket. 

Never know where to set down your crockpot lid? This little gadget offers a solution.

(Source)

The Reading Habits Tag

Books, Brainpower, , , , , , ,

the reading habits tag

I definitely found reading to take first prize in “happy places” for the month of January. I’m always an avid reader but recently I’ve just found nuzzling up with my cat and a book to be a brilliant evening occurrence. So, when I stumbled upon a reading tag which I bookmarked AGES ago, I thought I’d finally fill it out.

1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

My bed. I have one of those pillows with arms (boyfriend pillows?) that’s been going strong since my freshman year of college and it’s usually what I’m propped up on. I also weirdly prefer to read on the side of the bed that I don’t sleep on. I’m sure that’s not what all those articles that encourage you to only SLEEP in your bed if you want to have restful slumber actually mean but hey! Sometimes I read on the couch but I’ll get distracted easily. And I love, love, LOVE reading at the kitchen table while something cooks (or someone is cooking FOR me).

2. Bookmark or random pieces of paper?

I’m currently using a Christmas-y bookmark my mom tucked into our stockings. However, the ribbon that was on the end of it is long gone after the bookmark became an impromptu cat toy.

3. Can you stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or certain amount of pages?

I can stop at the end of a paragraph though the end of a chapter is preferable. I also like setting a timer when I read so that I don’t have to keep looking at my phone or a clock to check and see if I should be moving on to the next activity. This allows me to unwind and just enjoy as much of the book as I can get through in that time and then I stop wherever that is.

4. Do you eat or drink whilst reading?

Yes, nibbling on a snack is great while reading and of course drinking anything I can get at a coffee shop. I don’t like to eat a full meal while reading.

5. Do you watch TV or listen to music whilst reading?

No, not by choice. If someone else has something on and I want to read, I can tune it out. Chet listens to some very calming instrumental music while he works which I don’t mind but really anything else wouldn’t be my preference. I would love to be the type of person who reads during commercial breaks but let’s be real…I don’t have cable! And Hulu commercials are pretty short.

6. One book at a time or several at once?

One book at a time. I’ve dabbled in multiples–usually going for a diversity of genres, but I had a lot less on my plate in those days. Now I prefer to tuck in to one at a time and get fully immersed before moving on to the next!

7. Reading at home or everywhere?

Either. I’ll read anywhere! Some of my favorite places to read include: airports, cars, Starbucks, parks, and any sort of waiting situation.

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?

Silently in my head…MOSTLY. My sister will be quick to tell you, I love the sound of my own voice…I didn’t do ELEVEN years of competitive speaking for nothing, ya know? So yes, I like reading out loud to other people. If I’m by myself and a passage is especially poignant or packed with a lot of information that I want to retain, I’ll stop and read it out loud. I’ve also volunteered at a radio reading service and loved every reading-out-loud SECOND of it. Sorry not sorry.

9. Do you ever read ahead or skip pages?

Not on purpose. Unless the book has pictures! Some of those memoirs with glossy photos smack-dab in the middle of the book should really come with spoiler alerts. Any lengthy acknowledgment section is also fair game for flipping to after the first chapter or so.

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?

I like my books to look well-loved. And sometimes they’re not even brand new in the first place. Haven’t you people heard of a library?

11. Do you write in your books?

Sure. I don’t usually have much cause to but I’m certainly not against it. I loved writing in books in college. Cracking open a book you wrote in years later is such a meaningful time capsule.

12. What are you currently reading?

Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Before that, Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery by Robert Kolker. Up next, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt.

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What are you reading these days? Have any go-to book recommendations? Please share in the comments below! ❤ 

My modest art collection.

Home, Style and Design, , , , ,

Today, I thought I’d show you my extremely modest art collection. All of these pieces make me smile, bring me inspiration, tell a story, and have happy homes on my walls. They are all extremely affordable options to adding a little color and personality to your living space. From maps to prints torn out of books, screenprint shop finds to upcycling a speech trophy…perhaps you’ll find an idea that suits your taste.

Living Room

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Chet and I found these little foxes hanging out in a thrift store in Bowling Green last summer. A Print Mafia piece, these babes have a special place in my heart. And it’s no mistake that my computer matches this print perfectly, Chet custom painted it with this print in mind(and his computer is orange!!). We love these guys!

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Way back in 2002, I lived in Ireland with my family for a spell. We lived in Dublin but we spent a lot of time hiking along the cliffs of the seashore and around the Wicklow mountains. This is a map of some of those peaks. I like that the folds are still visible. I like that at some point it was probably shoved in my Dad’s pocket before it made it’s way across an ocean and into this frame.

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These second-hand framed prints informed the color palette for this room. I love the yellows  and blues and oranges and greens. 

Bedroom

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My mandala-making sister gifted me with this creation back when I was TV-less and the only thing that happened in my living room involved a mat. I called it “the yoga studio.” Now that I’ve scored a TV, this hangs in my bedroom right next to my dresser so I can look at it while I’m getting ready for my day. A gentle reminder to create my own sunshine. 

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I love bees and I love pretty much everything Cricket Press does. I also have a ridiculous love of hanging things with binder clips. (Is it tacky or cute? IDK.) I bought this tiny print at the Woodland Art Fair along with one featuring fireflies for my sister, Katie. 

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When my mom and sister went on a trip to Europe a few years back I requested a painting of the Eiffel Tower that they could buy for me off the street. They did not disappoint. I felt like a real grown-up when I took it to Michael’s to be professionally matted and framed. It’s pure luck that my bedroom wall color matches so well…it was painted that way when I moved in. 

Kitchen

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My favorite Picasso. Bold and fun colors in my kitchen, please!

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I cut this lil abstract number out of a free Bowling Green publication (probably during some vision boarding phase). I received the  frame with a printed certificate inside for talking pretty at Berry College one weekend.  When I was about to chuck it (whoops!) I noticed the reds matched exceptionally well. So I slapped that puppy in the frame, on top of the certificate, and called it a day…and also called it art. 

Dining Room

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My favorite Chagall. Read: Goats. Sidenote: My mom took us to a lot of museums growing up when I was really too bratty to appreciate them. I’m #blessed to HAVE a favorite Chagall. So, thanks Mom. 

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Who doesn’t love Bill Murray? This beautifully-sweatered Bill was popped out of the Bill Murray coloring book gifted to me by my brother and given a frame all his own. Because Bill Murray does not belong on a shelf. 

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and always and forever, my Gordon Lightfoot “Summertime Dream” album. 

mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , , ,

sneakers on the pier

Hey friends! What are you up to this week? If you’re on the East Coast I hope you’re ensconced in covers and have plenty of wine tucked in your cupboards! I recently checked out a new dinner spot that I would highly recommend if you’re around these parts, and Monday was free Chipotle day! Did your Chipotle run out of free sofritas, too? It sounds like they weren’t prepared for such a positive response. Never under-estimate the power of free burritos, people! I’ve also downloaded a new app that I’m excited to tell you guys about at some point. : ) Hope you have a good week, stay safe out there, and providing you’re weathering the storm with an Internet connection…

Urban renewal in Lexington begets some hip establishments.

You can learn a lot about a nation by taking a peak at their soldiers’ ration kits.

Stumbling upon an abandoned town in the Smokies.

Dogs of the world! 

It’s NEVER not a good idea to live tweet idiots being idiots.

Amazon’s 100 books to read in a lifetime.

Book deal differences.

Supernormal stimuli.

Text convo with Euclid Kroger.

A new musical. (!!!)

Finland’s famous baby boxes.

Turning 9 pieces into 9 outfits.

P.S. Apartment inspiration and a thrilling page-turner.