A little bit of catch up

Months and months ago-there were two comment questions that I've never gotten around to answering. It's summer now, so I have time to catch up everything. I adore my job. I don't know what I would do without a summer.

Michele wanted the recipe for Spaghetti Squash with Tomato and Parmesan. This is from the Betty Crocker cookbook.

1lb Spaghetti Squash
2-4 tomatoes
clove garlic
1T olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp basil
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

*Cut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds and fibers. Salt and pepper, dot with butter. Place in baking dish with 1/4" water and bake @400 30-40 minutes.
*Saute tomatoes, garlic, and spices in olive oil.
*Dig out fibers of squash with fork and top with tomato mixture and Parmesan.

I loved this. It was so tasty. I'm sure the original recipe calls for onion, but I usually take that out. This is from my recipe book, so it's how I fixed it, not necessarily how Betty would. I also think there may be other ways to cook the squash-I don't know if you can cook it whole?

And Sarah asked what kinds of Spanish music I've been listening to. Here's a list of my favorites, in no particular order.

1. Ricardo Arjona: "Si el norte fuera el sur"--This is one of my very favorite favorites. I got it in college, and realized this year that I must listen to it quite a bit, because Matthew was able to sing along as he walked through the kitchen. For him to know the words, but not the language-impressive. I got it because we did a unit on "Ella y él" (#3) in my advanced conversation class. It's still one of my favorite songs ever. I haven't ever gotten any more of his CD's, I don't know why.

2. Vico C: "En honor a la verdad"--Spanish Christian Rap. It's so good. I have "Emboscada" too, and I like it. I like "En honor a la verdad" a bit more.

3. Shakira: "Dónde están los ladrones"--This is actually Linda's. I should give it back. It's a great album. I have "Pies descalzos" too, but this one is my favorite.

4. Selena: "Amor prohibido" is my favorite, but punk kids stole it at the High School, so I have "Live, the Last Concert" which is also very good, and "Ones" which we bought at the Selena Museum, which has a DVD of videos too, which is fun.

5. Intocable: "Sueños"--This is very Garden City. My favorite song is "Sueña" (#1). It's the first song I had the kids sing. I heard it more than 200 times, and I still really like it.

6. Natalia Lafourcade: "Natalia Lafourcade"--This is really funky and fun--jazzy.

7. A.B. Quintanilla y los Kumbia Kings: This is one of my favorite bands--. I love them, except when they sing in English, and then I am forced to skip songs. Again-I may be influenced by the fact that the kids loved them, and so we listened to these CD's lots in class. I would recommend any of their CD's-I especially like "Amor, familia, y respeto", "Shhh", and "4"

8. Juanes: "Un día normal" and "Mi sangre". I listen more to the first one, but I like them both. It's Pop.

9. Andy & Lucas: "Andy & Lucas"--This is cheesy pop, but the lyrics are clear and simple, so I like it for that reason.

10. Limite: "Soy así" and "Por encima de todo"--Tejano. I really love "Soy así". Incidentally-lots of their music is written by A.B. Quintanilla too, so really-I love everything he does.

11. Crystal Lewis "La colección" I had this CD in English-she's a Christian singer who I liked in High School, and when I found the CD in Spanish I was so excited.

12. Monchy & Alexandra: "Exitos y mas" This is Bachata-from the D.R. I adore this CD, but Matthew can't stand it.

I noticed in making this that most of the people that I like have put out new CD's since I quit teaching at the High School and paying attention. My Christmas and Birthday lists are taking shape nicely.

So there you go-two answers, not too late.