tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59597271319715692452024-02-19T02:20:37.584-07:00Oh Brain Where Art ThouSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-85563558240409758362014-04-28T22:37:00.000-06:002014-04-28T22:37:13.608-06:00Chocolate Quinoa nut bars are the way to go! Hi! Oh Look, I have a few minutes. I should probably post something so that all 12 of you don't forget about me. As usual, I racked my brain and realised that I actually made something that's kind of cool and others just might want to know about it. ( I know, that's called blogging, but if you haven't noticed I've kind of hit a slow patch in that department. I blame school.)<br />
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Anyway, back to what I wanted to post about. For the past year or so I've been supplementing my diet with the Kirkland brand Fruit and Nut bars(only found at Costco). They are what I would use to make me feel like I'm eating something naughty while I'm actually getting nutty goodness. (I also am addicted to the MMMMine! Coconut covered Cashews that they only seem to bust out during Christmas time, but that's a whole other tantrum.) Anyway, so I love those things. I have seen them at the store for years, so of course once I become reliant on them as food staple, they are nowhere to be seen. And yes, they have the Fruit n' Nut granola, but it's not the same. It just isn't the same!!! So, being me, I decided to go on the hunt for something that I could make that would fulfill my dietary requirements. What I found was Quinoa granola bars (the original recipe is <a href="http://honestlyyum.com/8346/quinoa-granola-bars/" target="_blank">here</a>). At first glance, they are your typical, trendy granola bar but they are surprisingly good... well after I tweaked them.<br />
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The first thing to go... the oatmeal. The problem I have with 95% of all the granola bars out there is that they have oatmeal or some sort of filler, like puffed rice etc. in them. And I can only speak for myself, but oatmeal really doesn't do it for me. So, in my opinion, it's extra, unnecessary carbs. And when you just ran 5 miles to ensure that you can fit into your size (insert the smaller size that you were a few months ago) jeans, you know how detrimental extra carbs can be. So that was the first thing to go!<br />
The second thing to go...the dried Cherries. They went, not because of the extra carbs but, well, I just don't like cherries.<br />
Now that those two things have been omitted, we can get on to things I added!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Chocolate Quinoa nut bars</u></b></span></div>
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This is what you are going to need.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq5wPBkaxnZgUvLmylCOIEel0vkk945qp-hY3Y5xPv32Gx-3pR4EAwUnJqH0DMNL_GhLHTjORvrg1oNNvnOAK6KsGApTbcmGRqb4TR7eA-afB6ZNhYu3SWrV3kfV-Pu6LGRTJAnCFxhFc/s1600/IMG_1726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq5wPBkaxnZgUvLmylCOIEel0vkk945qp-hY3Y5xPv32Gx-3pR4EAwUnJqH0DMNL_GhLHTjORvrg1oNNvnOAK6KsGApTbcmGRqb4TR7eA-afB6ZNhYu3SWrV3kfV-Pu6LGRTJAnCFxhFc/s1600/IMG_1726.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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<u>Granola</u></div>
-1/2 cup Quinoa (the <a href="http://honestlyyum.com/8346/quinoa-granola-bars/" target="_blank">original</a> calls for a whole cup, but it gets to be too crumbly...You take a bite and Quinoa is everywhere!)<br />
-1 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened (I use the kind they use for macaroons)<br />
-1 cup cashew pieces<br />
-1 cup slivered Almonds (feel free to crush these up a little bit with your hands)<br />
-1 cup dried Cranberries (I dislike cherries but find cranberries perfectly acceptable...)<br />
-1/2 cup flax seeds<br />
-1 cup crushed pecans<br />
-1 cup peanuts<br />
-1/2-1 cup sunflower seeds<br />
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<u>Chocolate Syrup</u><br />
-1/4 cup Honey<br />
-1/4 Rice syrup (Or any sugar free syrup of your choosing, I like Maltitol)<br />
-1/4 coconut oil<br />
-1/3 cup Nutella (or any form of chocolate hazelnut spread)<br />
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-Some Sea Salt for sprinkling<br />
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So here's how you make them....<br />
-Preheat the Oven to 350 F.<br />
-In the mean time. In a ,dry, medium frying pan, toast the Quinoa for a few minutes<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">- Then add the coconut (it takes less time to toast)</span></div>
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-Don't walk away, keep stirring until it looks like this.</div>
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-Once it's all nice and toasted, remove it from the heat and let it cool until you have assembled the other ingredients.<br />
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-Next...Combine all of your nuts and seeds, adding the Quinoa/coconut last.<br />
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-The next part is kind of tricky. In a small-medium sauce pan, combine the Honey, Rice syrup (or maltitol), Coconut oil, and Nutella. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">-Cook over medium heat, stir occasionally and let it come to a boil. Continue until boiling until it comes together and thickens enough to coat the back of a metal spoon (this doesn't work so well if you use the same spoon you used to dole out the coconut oil..just saying) </span></div>
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-Once the chocolate syrup concoction is ready, very carefully pour it over the nut mixture and stir, stir, stir. It may look like there isn't enough syrup, but there is...just keep stirring. Down to the bottom of the bowl and then back up. Turn the bowl a quarter turn and repeat until it looks like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fQog-7hHpaFKL3PKuReKZ3YpOroDkfB_aRsA5W5wkm6WHhgcooKVlShhGduTkIX7xTJ5z-g7vs3fVqqJqkFN9QYuTiaMSHw660T-rwfHmYpXIxmNYbXIQLvT4jcLUqhFfZO6AkZHGCSX/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fQog-7hHpaFKL3PKuReKZ3YpOroDkfB_aRsA5W5wkm6WHhgcooKVlShhGduTkIX7xTJ5z-g7vs3fVqqJqkFN9QYuTiaMSHw660T-rwfHmYpXIxmNYbXIQLvT4jcLUqhFfZO6AkZHGCSX/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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-Line a 9X13 pan with either aluminum foil, parchment paper, or wax paper (it's your choice). Once lined, spray with either cooking spray or lightly butter it. While you're at it, spray your hands, too. </div>
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-Then pour out the mixture and flatten it into the pan with your hands. </div>
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-Sprinkle the top with the Sea Salt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOlRa-cWvRkewrk22LLpSNvBww5nh-Pl_N72pp6e-NOgW3Qu0hd4Jb3wVK1leMRQGDec2EkyA_yEt4GdTvbGmVBbY0rqfYUCf2XfFfUEqj_MZTmcKgej-1YUrK9K8v3C5zoYmiN1JS3FF/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOlRa-cWvRkewrk22LLpSNvBww5nh-Pl_N72pp6e-NOgW3Qu0hd4Jb3wVK1leMRQGDec2EkyA_yEt4GdTvbGmVBbY0rqfYUCf2XfFfUEqj_MZTmcKgej-1YUrK9K8v3C5zoYmiN1JS3FF/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
-Now, Bake it anywhere between 10 -25 minutes. **The longer you bake it, the harder the bar will be.** But keep in mind, you can alway underbake something and bake it a little longer, but once it's over baked you can't go back (but then again sometimes with this sort of thing, if you live in a humid climate, they could soften up after a day or two). So experiment with what time works well for you and your environment.<br />
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-After it's done baking, let it cool, completely (I let mine cool overnight). Then cut it into your desired shape.<br />
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-Enjoy, but enjoy responsibly, they are addictive... and they have a lot of fiber... you have been warned.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-88325537856853176372013-11-10T23:05:00.002-07:002013-11-10T23:24:00.221-07:00Teddy Bear S'mores Brownie or is it Brownie S'mores?Alright, kids. This is going to be kind of short and sweet. I've had so many ideas for blog posts just breezing through my head over the last few days. Some have been more rants than real posts, while others have been what we have here. This one made the cut only because I thought it was something that looked a bit unique, well, at least in my kitchen.<br />
I have to start off by giving a big shout out to my husband. If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be able to come up with as many weird ideas as I do. He's the one that listens to me rant and rave about all the things I want to blog about and then makes sure I've calmed down enough to be rational and therefore, not post them. But, he also helps me tweak some of my culinary ideas, so he is a big help on both fronts.<br />
That said, he is the one that helped me hash out this latest and greatest idea.... S'mores Brownies with Teddy Grahams.<br />
It all started this morning when, just before he left for a meeting at church, he informed me, "Oh hey, so I need to bring a dessert for the youth thing tonight." Since he is in charge of the young men in our congregation, I figured I'd let him pick the dessert. His immediate choice was brownies. Now, that's not really a problem, but, considering that the other young men were also asked to make, and bring, their favorite yummy, the chances that there would be, at the very least, another 5 or 6 pans of plain old brownies was very likely. So that's when we came up with a plan. I can't remember who said what, but it went something like this: <br />
"What if we added marshmallow to it? Do we still have that marshmallow fluff?"<br />
"Oh and graham crackers? Yeah! Yeah! OOH! I have those Teddy Graham knock-offs in the pantry that may, or may not, still be good. Should we try that?"<br />
"Sure! And if not, do we have an open pack of graham crackers?"<br />
"Yes we do!"<br />
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And so the Teddy Graham S'mores Brownies were born.<br />
Now, I'm sure that there are many, many other S'mores brownies out there and there may even be one with Teddy Grahams. Honestly, I have even tried to Google it. But I just feel that we're cool for thinking it up.<br />
Also, it wasn't until after they were made, and all but consumed by hungry teenagers, that I even thought about the possibility of this being something unique...if only unique to me.<br />
So here they are!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa7IzwP-oYPnUElc7kPnO4F0NWcc1uq8UsTrOjM-0YgRWD4z2FnjD1MRwHlMSOD52tEy5ZrNw36gJToka5cFDL8rfMaktPzKz4MvaJYKx16Fq7Qn4cVB2u6z7SWKX4ohyphenhyphenwAc2LBRu460o/s1600/IMG_1650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa7IzwP-oYPnUElc7kPnO4F0NWcc1uq8UsTrOjM-0YgRWD4z2FnjD1MRwHlMSOD52tEy5ZrNw36gJToka5cFDL8rfMaktPzKz4MvaJYKx16Fq7Qn4cVB2u6z7SWKX4ohyphenhyphenwAc2LBRu460o/s320/IMG_1650.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just try to image the pan full of cute, perfectly aligned bears, like a bear army lining up to be eaten!</td></tr>
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And this is all I used.<br />
- 1 Box of Brownie mix (any)<br />
- 1 Container of Marshmallow fluff<br />
- 1 Bag of Teddy bear cookies (Real Teddy Grahams would look even cuter, especially since they are smaller. Plus, feel free to try out the different flavors like, chocolate, or those new strawberry ones.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfUaVOPQoes0_mY85lh60Ymo8pSqHx4VuVbMOPOFRKLD4K1LpYuL7-lU3teATUabkSfXHZMBIuVfSu6gVn91GPmtEoOMhWpDdmDPqrIWx2-P_CHy-4F5e2HGv05xRB0-QH-dj1IjxU87Y/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfUaVOPQoes0_mY85lh60Ymo8pSqHx4VuVbMOPOFRKLD4K1LpYuL7-lU3teATUabkSfXHZMBIuVfSu6gVn91GPmtEoOMhWpDdmDPqrIWx2-P_CHy-4F5e2HGv05xRB0-QH-dj1IjxU87Y/s320/IMG_1648.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">The "low-fat" brownies were more of a "this is just what I grabbed" as opposed to any real conscious choice for healthiness. I mean, come on, it has marshmallow fluff, so there really is no reason to not just have normal, full fat, option. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Instructions:<br />
-Make brownie mix according to the directions on the back of the box.<br />
-Once the brownies have finished cooking, and while the pan is still hot, plop large dollops of Fluff, evenly, (about 5- 6 dollops)on top of the hot brownies. Now, this may cause the flaky layer of brownie to stick to it. That's okay. Just take your finger and push the fluff off the spoon.<br />
- After you dolloped all of the Fluff, NO NOT TRY TO SPREAD IT! Stick it back into the hot oven for another few minutes. This will melt the fluff and cause it to almost spread itself.<br />
- Remove brownies from oven (again) and then, very carefully spread the melted fluff. It's ok if the flaky top pulls up a little bit, just be gentle and spread it back over. (Another option is to try to take the brownies out of the pan and flip them over, then dollop, but that wasn't going to happen with my time frame)<br />
-Once the Fluff is evenly spread, place a layer of Graham cookies/ crackers on top of the fluff. You can lay them in rows to help designate portion size (so everyone gets one bear per brownie piece) or you can stick them in so they are standing up.<br />
-Let cool. Yeah, you can eat them right away (as all good brownies should be) but we found that if you let them cool off and give the marshmallow a chance to return to its,less liquified, state, it makes it easier to cut and serve. But, it's up to you. Do as you must!<br />
<br />
All in all though, it was really simple but I feel that it pushed the pan of plain old brownies to a higher level of awesomeness. Don't you?<br />
<br />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-36902899995395510112013-08-23T14:38:00.000-06:002013-08-23T14:38:50.207-06:00The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - the movie <br />
Alright, so last night, I caught a late showing of <i>The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones</i>. I have been a fan of the book series for years, so it shouldn't have been a big shocker that I was there on opening day. And when I arrived home late last night, I had a lot to say. Very poignant and witty things. And I couldn't shut up about it. After seeing movies that I anticipate for years, I tend to have a lot of pent up energy. Unfortunately, because I stayed up half the night, rolling around ideas of how to say those things, and not just writing them down (my husband hates it when I stay up on the computer), I ended up forgetting a good deal. So you can blame him for the lack of awesomeness of this post. And I guess you will just have to believe me when I say, my comments were Gooood! And you just have to settle for the few things that I still remember. And just for fun, since I couldn't quite get my head around this review, I'll give you two options, the long or the short. Read one, read both, it's fine by me. :) But here it goes.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The short, sweet, version:</u></b> </div>
The awesome dialog was killed by lack of acting and rushing through the scenes. But the action and chemistry between the actors was spot on. Jamie Campbell Bower is not a bad Jace and Robert Sheehan was awesome as Simon. I give it a 3 out of 5...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The extended cut:</u></b></div>
First things first. I'm going to start by saying that, if I had to give it a "Star" rating I'd give it 3 out 5. Not because I'm a purist (which I am, in most cases), and they didn't stick to the book(which they did), but because I am also a realist and I felt, in some instances, it's a good thing to divert from the book when the need arises. And believe me, in this case, there was need.<br />
<br />
It occurred to me that they took so much time and extra dialog (But good dialog nonetheless. I can see how they didn't want to cut any.) trying to stick to the book, that it was all delivered too fast. It was so rushed that, instead of a movie set, I could all but imagined the actors just sitting around a table, reading lines. No real emotion or dramatic pauses involved, just doing a, quick, read through of the script, mostly monotone, and fast...Not every scene was that way, but there were times where it seemed like I was listening to a fifth grade play. A play where most of the kids didn't want to be there, the teacher is feeding them lines from behind the curtain and just wanted to get it over with so they could go out for ice cream.<br />
<br />
In fact, to go with the lack of emotion (or acting) they seemed to go out of there way to remove it!<br />
In one of the early trailers, when Clary asked Jace something like"Why can I see you and no one else can?" And Jace responded, in a deep voice "Because you're not a <i>mundane</i>." (Extra emphasis on the word, mundane.) That was a good scene! It had emotion and weight. Unfortunately, in the final cut, they chose to switch it to a different take where it was all flat and emotionless. <br />
<br />
And it wasn't just the dialog between the actors that played Clary and Jace that was, at times, semi flat, but even some of the more seasoned actors. Actors who I've seen in other shows and KNOW they can do better. They may have had the right "look" they needed for the role. (Exempt Kevin Zegers, he may have nailed the feel of the character, but he was just too old to play an 18 year old.) And some, even the ability, but it just didn't work consistently throughout the whole movie.<br />
<br />
Who knows, maybe it wasn't the fault of the actors so much as it was the fault of the editing. Maybe the editor was given a copy of the takes that were NOT suppose to be put together, by mistake. And by the time it was all done, they didn't have the time or budget to fix it. Or, another option could be that they spent so much money on special effects that they didn't have enough of a budget to go back and "fix" the scenes. I don't know!<br />
<br />
There are a few more things I thought of last night, but I can't remember what they were. So I will move on to what I thought actually worked. And since this is getting long, I'll stick to just the big things.<br />
<br />
Even though it could have been the reason the editing was messed up, the special effects were very good and very creepy... just what I want in a movie about a world with monsters and demons. :D<br />
<br />
And surprisingly, Jamie Campbell Bower's, Jace, won me over. Was he what I envisioned in my mind while reading the book? Umm, No! <i>BUT</i>, I can see why he was cast. When he wasn't responding to the tail end of an all but unfinished line, he had the right attitude and portrayed a good, believable, Jace. And despite the, too fast, dialog, there were moments of believable chemistry between him and Clary, played by Lily Collins.<br />
<br />
Along with a good Jace, cames good fight scenes. (who knows, maybe that's where their budget leaked, too) They were a lot of fun and kept the pace of the movie. They also helped convince me of the ,aforementioned, "Jaceablity" of JCB.<br />
<br />
As mentioned before, they did stick to the book. I know I said that doing so was one of the bad things, but it was also good in the sense that, it kept it well balanced. It is a great book. It wouldn't have been picked up as a movie if it didn't have potential, right? So it did have a good combination of action, romance, and best of all comedy. And it was nice that the movie was able to transition that from the book to the screen.<br />
<br />
Speaking of comedy, if they did a decent job casting Jace, they did an even better job casting Simon! Robert Sheehan was the perfect Simon. He was one of the few actors that exceeded my expectations. He had the right look. He had great comedic timing. Best of all, he didn't rush his lines, and if he did, it was appropriate for the scene. He was perfect.<br />
<br />
All in all, though, now that I've seen it on the big screen, I don't know if I will go back to a regularly priced theater to see it again. Once was enough. Although I'm sure I will buy it when it comes out on DVD.<br />
<br />
As I was leaving the theater, a question came to mind. A question regarding some of the book-movie adaptations of late. It's sort of a crass question but I don't know any other way to ask it....<br />
Before a movie is released I'm sure there are people who are asked to view it. These people, are they so paranoid, star struck, or even scared of the plug being pulled, that they don't have the balls to tell those in charge, or those who made the movie, that what they just made, pretty much sucked? Or at the very least that it was good but there were aspects that could easily be improved?<br />
I know,as a fan girl, I would rather be disappointed that a movie's release date is pushed back a few months than see a movie that was pieced together and just "good enough" to meet the release date.<br />
<br />
I guess I should add, in conclusion that, by no means do I think this movie (completely) sucked, but I will say that with sharper editing and better directing of the actors (all they had to do was slow down the dialog and make room for some emotion), this could have been a much, much, better experience.<br />
<br />
<br />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-88482956157157706202013-08-08T23:33:00.002-06:002013-08-08T23:34:12.213-06:00Because Sharing is Caring - Love Letter to Sushi So, I know I said that I was going to try to post on here more often. At least, I think I said that. But as I may or may not have mentioned, I started going back to school last year. So, that sort of made me fall behind in the blogging department.<br />
I'm sorry. :(<br />
But, to make up for it, I thought I would share some of the things that I learned. Don't worry, I'm not going to give you the refresher in basic math. But, what I am going to do it share some of my recent work.<br />
Last semester I had to take a basic writing class. The course was designed to get all of us old(er) people back into shape so we could compete with the youngin's who are fresh out of high school. I've always liked writing, and from what I could tell, people liked what I wrote. But, I always felt that it wasn't something I was good at. Particularly because on almost all of my high school essays, there was a note that said, "Watch your spelling!" Well, according to some of my classmates, I was wrong. I don't know if I agree with them, completely, but I can say I learned a few things in the class. Things like, how to use commas. If you can't tell. I am now a bit of a "Comma Queen." The general rule is: When in doubt, leave the comma out. Well, I try not to doubt myself that much...so... Commas for Everyone!!!<br />
But anyway... that's not really the point of my post. The point is that I decided that, over the next few weeks (or months if I get bogged down again), I am going to try to post some of the essays I wrote for the class. Some of them are funny. Some are less funny. Another thing I learned while taking the class was that, I don't like writing about things that were, too, serious. So I did my best to find topics that were susceptible to some levity.<br />
Alright, now onto the good stuff.<br />
For my first essay, we were asked to write a Love Letter to something that we loved. It could be about any, nonliving, thing. Others in the class wrote about various things from their beloved, classic, cars to their kitchen equipment. I decided to write mine to Sushi.<br />
So here is it.... Oh and when I wrote this, I seemed to be channeling my inner Pepe Le Pew. So, for the full effect, you might want to pretend you have a French accent...just a suggestion.<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Love Letter to Sushi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dearest
Sushi,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> I know it seems like I was just with
you yesterday, but now that we are apart, I have the overwhelming desire to
express to you the depths of my feelings for you. And I know that if I don’t tell you how I
feel, right here and now, I will lose my nerve. For, I understand that to the rest
of the world you are, at most, just seaweed encasing a bundle of raw fish,
vegetables and rice. But to me, you are so much more. You are my happy place,
and I love you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Just the ritual preparation involved
in your consumption is glorious. I love the salty aroma of the soy sauce that
must be mixed with just the right amount of wasabi. If there is too much, it
can be overwhelming. If there is too little, something vital seems to be
missing. But fear not my love. For this letter is not to let you know that I am
abandoning you for a love of wasabi, in fact, far from it. For without you, I
would not even dream of touching such a sinus clearing substance. I only
mention the wasabi because it merely enhances your scrumptiousness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> I love how in order to enjoy you
better, I am given the opportunity to use chopsticks, the most difficult mode
of cutlery to master. A person of lesser appreciation would sully your heritage
by using a fork or even just their bare hands, but I know you do not bode well
to being manhandled, so I try to respect your delicate nature as your design
was intended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> I love that you are constructed with
so much variety that when I enter a new establishment, I am forced to see a
different side of you, to try something new, something I have never tasted
before. Just gazing upon your versatility leaves me in awe. Some pieces of you
are saucy, a plethora of heat mixed with the ever present reminder of all
consuming sweetness. And then other parts, on the very same plate, seem so
simple, no sauce, just rice and meat, and yet are even more enticing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> I know it seems like I have
neglected you in the past, declaring my love and then not coming back for long
periods of time. It’s just that, there are times when you are more valued by
your maker than my husband, Chocolate, will allow me to pay. But do not fret,
it may take some time, but I will return to you just as soon as...I need
something from Fred Meyer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">All
my love,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Susan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-78418024266634973142013-04-08T20:57:00.000-06:002013-04-08T20:57:36.118-06:00Bacon Cheese Smores Sandwich...Yes, I went there!So tonight for family night we gave into my son's pleading and had a campfire.<br />
After roasting hot dogs for dinner, dessert was followed with what else? Smores.<br />
You know what a smore is right? Graham Cracker, Chocolate and Marshmallows all gooied into one. MMM Mmmmm....<br />
<br />
This recipe came about when I tried to give my 4 year old daughter her roasted marshmallow and she refused to eat it....with or with out chocolate and graham crackers. (Yes, my children are weird) The conversation when like this...<br />
<br />
Daughter: (after licking the end of the roasted marshmallow) I don't like it...<br />
Me: Yes you do!<br />
Daughter: No I don't!<br />
Me: How about if I put it between graham crackers. You love graham crackers.<br />
Daughter agrees to crackers with a nod of the head. I put marshmallow between said crackers and hand it to her....she gives it back.<br />
Me: Do you want me to put some chocolate with it?<br />
Daughter: No, I want Cheese on it.<br />
Me: Huh?!<br />
Daughter: I want Cheese on it!!!<br />
Me: You want me to put Cheese with your Marshmallow and crackers?<br />
Daughter: Yeah<br />
Me: Do you want it heated up in the Microwave?<br />
Daughter: Yeah!!<br />
Me:....... um, Okay.<br />
So I sliced a piece of cheddar cheese and sandwiched it between the marshmallow and crackers. Then I put it in the microwave for 20 seconds.I handed it to my daughter.<br />
Me: Is this what you wanted?<br />
Daughter: Yes...(takes a small bite)....I don't like it... I just want melted cheese....<br />
<br />
And so that bit of <i>fun</i> went on for a while until the right bargain was struck,and she ended up with just a plate of melted cheese. But in the mean time, I took a bite of what I'm going to assume by now half of you are quite grossed out over and have stopped reading while the other half of you are still sort of intrigued and hanging in there...<br />
<br />
Honestly, it wasn't that bad!! In fact. If I wasn't already full from dinner, I probably would have finished it off, if only out of my motherly obligation to eat what my children leave on their plates. (All you moms know what I'm talking about)<br />
<br />
So that's how the major concept of this sandwich came to be...<br />
<br />
The other half happened immediately afterward when I jumped on my computer and saw that the Tillamook Cheese company was holding a contest for Grilled Cheese sandwiches. This had to be fate! And I figured "Eh, why not?" From there I decided that to make this already interesting if not unique combination even more spectacular. I would add the two things that make life all better...Bacon and Chocolate.<br />
That's when it all came together to become this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sandwich
name: BCS Sandwich (Bacon Cheese Smore Sandwich)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Yields:
1 Sandwich</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1
Sheet of Graham Cracker cut in half/ hamburger style (Can substitute
two slices of Sweet White or Whole Wheat bread)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1
Giant Marshmallow (can substitute 2 normal/smaller marshmallows or
Marshmallow Fluff depending on your cooking method)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">2-3
sections Plain Hershey's chocolate bar (or chocolate of your choice)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1
slice Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1
piece Bacon, cooked until crisp, cut in half (optional)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1TBS
Butter (only if using bread instead of Crackers)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Aluminum
Foil (only if baking in Oven)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Preparation:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Depending
on how you choose to cook your sandwich will determine how it is
assembled.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Campfire
assembly: On top of one half of your Graham Cracker, place Chocolate
pieces and cooked Bacon. Roast Giant Marshmallow over fire until
golden brown and melted on the inside. Place hot Marshmallow on top
of the Bacon and then immediately top with the Tillamook
Cheese and the last piece of Graham cracker. Allow
1-2 minutes for Cheese and Chocolate to melt.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Conventional
Oven: Preheat oven to 350 degree F. On top of one half of Graham
Cracker place the Chocolate and Bacon followed by Marshmallow and
slice of Cheese. Top with last piece of Graham Cracker. Wrap in
Aluminum foil and bake for 10-15 minutes or until both the Cheese and
the Chocolate are melted.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Microwave: On
top of one half of Graham Cracker place the Chocolate and Bacon
followed by Marshmallow and slice of Cheese. Top with last piece of
Graham Cracker. Microwave for 30 second or until both the Marshmallow
and Chocolate are melted. (This method may result in Crackers losing
their crispiness but some people may actually like that)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Stove
Top: (</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This
method is ideal for those who wish to substitute the Bread for the
Crackers and use the Marshmallow Fluff .Also, If you choose to use
Marshmallows it might help to cut them in half or into fourths) Heat
pan over Med</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ium
heat. While pan is heating, Butter one side of each piece of bread.
(the butter side will be on the outside of the sandwich) Place one
slice of bread, buttered side down into the hot pan. Quickly place
Bacon, Chocolate and Marshmallow or Marshmallow spread, followed by
the slice of Cheese. Top with the second piece of bread, Buttered
side up. Grill 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. </span></span></div>
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This is what I made tonight. They don't have the bacon or the chocolate, but I thought I'd show you them just so you get a general idea of what they looked like.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">_____</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br />
Now, I must say that I've never really tried this in it's entirety, just the crackers, marshmallow and cheese. But I really don't see how the Chocolate and Bacon could hurt in any way. Can you?<br />
If you decided to make this let me know what you think. (but be kind)<br />
I have a feeling that with my son's new found love of campfires (he is sooo my kid) and the over abundance of marshmallows in my pantry, I will have the opportunity to make this soon. So I will try to update when I do.<br />
*As a side note, I realized also the potential of adding Cheese flavored potatoe chips in this recipe...just a thought for next time! :D<br />
<br />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-74719217756232149002013-03-11T23:17:00.000-06:002013-03-13T19:00:42.399-06:00The author of ingenuity is desperation...or something like thatAlright kids. So I really need to get off my lazy butt and stop thinking about alll the things I want to blog about and actually <i>do</i> it. For instance. I've been reading quite a bit, but can I think of anything cool to say about those books that hasn't been said before...right now, no. Not to mention, that life has been sort of crazy over the last few months. I started helping out my friend who runs an animal rescue called Rocky's Rescue by fostering a puppy...i.e. I took on another child. And then in the middle of it all my husband had to make an emergency business trip that ended up consuming the whole month of February. Thus making me want to just hide in a dark room every night rocking back and forth saying "It's okay...It's okay...two more weeks...I can do this....breeeeaaathh."<br />
So the fact that this next subject has kept my attention for the last few weeks means that it might be something fun to share with you....and more likely it has to do with food.<br />
<br />
Here's the story.<br />
<br />
So while my husband was on the other side of the country basking in the sun and sand and claiming to work. I decided that if I was going to survive with out my "Mommy Time" (the time where my husband steps in at 4:00 every day while I go scream into a pillow or take a very long walk to keep myself from having a conniption ) I was going to have to take charge and become (cue the echo effect) "The FUN <span style="font-size: x-small;">FUN</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">FUN</span> MOM <span style="font-size: x-small;">MOM</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">MOM</span>!!!!" I felt that with Hubby out of the way,so to speak, now might be a good time to do some of the things with the kids that he would either roll his eyes at or talk me out of. Besides, we Skyped every night during dinner so it's not like I was completely unsupervised..right? (He should just be happy that I didn't take a road trip to Disney Land)<br />
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On one particular day I was trying to figure out what to do for dinner. Going out to eat was not an option ( I went out the night before it was like trying to herd monkeys) I had been wanting to make some sort of pasta/ ravioli thing. But to do what I wanted I needed to find my pasta maker. I know it's in my garage somewhere!!!! I swear, I <i>just </i>saw it about two months ago. The only problem is that Hubby is the only one who knows where things are in there and I can't move things around to reach them in the dark poisonous spider infested corners...I'm short and did I mention the poisonous spiders?<br />
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I was conflicted...I knew my kids would love to help turn the crank and watch the dough come out. It's like using a very sophisticated play dough press. And darn it, I wanted homemade noodlly goodness! So what was I do to?<br />
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Well, the only thing I could think to do...something a lot more fun.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Cookie cutter noodles!!!!!!</span></u></b></div>
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As you can see by the picture. The process is quite simple.<br />
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Here is what you need:<br />
-Dough recipe for home made noodles <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/homemade-noodles/" target="_blank">like this one</a> (it's the first link I found when I googled "Home made noodle recipe" but feel free to look around)<br />
-Rolling pin<br />
-A lot of extra flour for dusting your table/flat surface.<br />
-Cookie cutters - any size, shape or theme. I wouldn't use anything too intricate though...We used Christmas, Easter and pretty much what ever was in my big bag of cookie cutters that I've collected over the years...heck there is even a train in there....<br />
-A large pot of boiling liquid.Water, Chicken broth or Vegetable broth or what ever you want to cook your noodles in.<br />
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Now you are ready!<br />
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Make your dough. I have a recipe that has been handed down from my mom from her mom etc. We call them Pot Pie noodles (because in Pennsylvania Dutch culture Pot Pie is not really a pie with flaky crust and filling but a form of noodle soup. And now you know!). But really any Egg dough recipe would do...<br />
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Roll out your dough. It can be thick 1/4 inch or thin 1/8 inch. It doesn't matter. Just remember that the thicker the noodle the longer it takes to cook.* Now is the time when you will need some of that extra flour. You don't want the dough to stick to your surface because then that makes it really hard to pick it up and still keep its shape. And don't be worried if your dough isn't all that smooth. It will still taste yummy. Also, the extra flour comes in handy if your kids are like mine. The second your back is turned they decide they are going to just plop a cookie cutter right in the middle of the dough instead of starting at the edge and systematically cutting the dough as to achieve the maximum yield per roll....Thus, making it necessary to re-roll the dough several times until it is all used up. (throwing hands in the air with eye roll...bah! Kids!)<br />
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Next comes the fun part... you dump out the cookie cutters and let them have at it!<br />
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While they are having fun, make sure your liquid is boiling before you start adding noodles**otherwise your noodles could disintegrate.<br />
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And then you just let them cook. Depending on the thickness, cooking times will vary. But that's when the "Oh well, I guess I'm just going to have to taste one of these every two or three minutes to see if they are done." goes into effect. Also, like with any noodle, make sure you stir regularly. You don't want them to burn on the bottom or stick together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Who says that gingerbread men cookie cutters are only for Christmas?</span></td></tr>
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In this batch I think I used too small of a pot so the noodles started to break up a little bit while I was stirring...<br />
In all honestly, I didn't mind it.....From now on, I think I'm going to call this "Zombie Pot Pie"<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">If Gingerbread men aren't your thing...try Angels</span><br />
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Or Butterflies....<br />
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Or Dinosaurs... You can see by the end my pot started to get too small....<br />
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In the end I think I will call this idea a success! As long as I made sure that one of their favorite characters was visible in their bowl of soup, they were willing to eat it...I even sneaked in some veggies.<br />
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**Some people like to let their pasta dry out a bit before they cook it...I do not. Even though it might take longer to cook, I like the spongy outside that goes with the extra flour and liquid in the fresh noodle. But do what you know you like.<br />
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UPDATE:<br />
So I was thinking after I posted this...1. I need to go back and edit all the spelling mistakes and 2. Another cool thing to try with this would be to add some food coloring to the dough before you roll it out....just to add to the fun and to maybe color co-ordinate with any holiday theme you wish.<br />
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<br />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-35964984459132953372012-12-12T11:59:00.002-07:002012-12-12T12:00:56.778-07:00Happy 12-12-12Just thought I'd pop on here and say Happy 12-12-12!!! And with luck I can type fast enough to get this posted in one minute at 12:00!!!<br />
Update: dang it! It seems that blogger is one minute slower than my computer :( oh well....Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-65960827590618716142012-11-10T20:38:00.000-07:002012-11-10T20:38:28.721-07:00These are my confessions.....<br />
So I'm just going to dive right in....<br />
Ok, here it goes.... (deep breaths)<br />
Bless me Internet for I have sinned.....I've started reading Romance Novels!!!!!!!<br />
There, I said it!<br />
Stop looking at me like that!!!<br />
I am 32 years old!<br />
I am an adult.... And it just sort of happened.... shut up!<br />
<br />
Anyway, here's how it all started.....<br />
I was in a used book store. I was mostly just wasting time while my daughter was in pre-school. But I was also looking around for something to jump out at me. Some little diamond in the rough that might appeal to me at the moment. That is when I came across the author <a href="http://katiemacalister.com/" target="_blank">Katie MacAlister</a>. She seemed to have an eclectic sort of titles to her books from "The Corset Diaries" to "A girls guide to Vampires" the first in the "Dark Ones" series.<br />
I eventually went back and bought "The Corset Diaries" (because I feel it's important to support local businesses) but at that time I left the store with something else but I had read the back covers they seemed pretty interesting. Not to mention, I love vampire stories. They have always been my monster of choice. So I went to the library and checked out the first of the "Dark Ones" series. I justified it mostly because it sounded interesting and the cover, for a romance novel, was quite innocuous. It looked more like a YA cover. Although by the end of the series they do tend to get more...um...shirtless.<br />
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Now, I am not completely new to the romance genre. I have friends who have suggested a few of their favorite novels. And I've read one or two with the unintentional side effect of finding humor at the serious concepts and outrageously cheesy dialog... in the end they seemed a bit, well, <i>stupid</i>.....When asked my opinion I would joke with them by giving a quick summary of the story..."I <i>love </i>you! I <i>hate</i> you! I <i>love</i> you!I <i>hate</i> you! Oh! I <i>hate</i> you so much for making me <i>love</i> you!!!!! "......but with this author I found something different. Intentional humor. Yes there are some serious points and even parts that are quiet emotional, and other parts that can be almost annoying but I found myself giggling and often outright rolling with laughter (with tears) ....not because the stories/characters are cheesy and predictable but because these real enough characters are put in these unreal situations and they are actually meant to be laughed at from an outside perspective. And yes like in any work of fiction/science fiction, one must suspend reality but... I just love her sense of humor!<br />
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Now, here's where more of the confessing comes in....I like it so much that, in the last 5 weeks, between her independent novels, short stories and the Dark Ones series. All together, I've read about 12 of her books..... (and no worries, my kids were still well fed...I think) Granted, three of those books were read as part of a challenge. I bet a high school student that I could finish three of my (over 350 page) books before she could finish her one, already halfway read (350 page) book by the end of the week....needless to say. I won. In fact it's been almost two weeks and she's still not finished....<br />
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Anyway, back to the point. The confessing...now while these books do not contain nearly as much foul language as even some YA books, they are essentially meant for adults and therefore do have "adult situations" aka there is sex. But considering that I've been married for over 11 years....and once again for the sake of my mother, who I'm sure is reading this..I am an Adult, so it's not like there isn't anything I haven't heard of before...well, except maybe that <i>one thing</i>...but in that case, that's when you make the best of an awkward situation and start taking notes.... ;D<br />
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I do have to add that after reading so many of her books I have noticed that she has a bit of a pattern. To be fair though, to be that prolific of a writer (<a href="http://katiemacalister.com/books/" target="_blank">over 11 different styles from contemporary, paranormal to the Historical and even a Dragon series)</a> one can't blame her. But with that said, she also manages to come up with enough diverse characters and situations that, even though the formula might be the same. The spin and the interconnecting of stories is enough to keep you going. Granted this opinion is coming from someone who has read all of the original Hardy Boy books... man,Franklin W. Dixon, now there was a writer with a set pattern/outline. But hey, it works because as you can see those were and still are quite popular books no matter what age group. So I know I'm not alone in my quirkiness for some sort of loose order. (and yes, I just did mention the Hardy Boys in a post about romance novels)<br />
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Alright, I guess that's it. (sigh of relief) My secret is out....I feel so much better now....Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-22358446755183497012012-09-24T09:25:00.000-06:002012-09-24T09:32:50.607-06:00Why YA according to Susan and other bright ideasSo yesterday, just about 20 minutes before heading out the door to go to church I decided to check my email. Why? You may ask. Well, I'll tell you . Because I can't seem to go a whole day with out knowing I didn't miss my opportunity to save the world via my computer. It was then I saw the email from my friend Scott Cramer author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Purple-Toucan-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B007OVUPXU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348499300&sr=8-1&keywords=night+of+the+purple+moon" target="_blank">Night of the Purple Moon</a>. If you don't remember I <a href="http://ohbrainwhereartthou.blogspot.com/2012/05/night-of-purple-moon-by-scott-cramer.html" target="_blank">reviewed it a few months ago</a>. (yes, we are friends now. If we ever meet in person I'm sure there will be toenail painting and we'll braid each others hair.) He pointed out that despite his book being in the Young Adult genre the majority of his reviewers/readers were not teens but youngish mothers. So since he was pretty certain I fell into that category, he asked me to maybe lend my ideas on how he might go about appealing to that unexpected audience of his.<br />
So me being the person I am.....Never missing an opportunity to help out...I thought, "Uhg! I have to go! I'll think about it and write back later"....5 minutes later I realized if I didn't write something I'd forget what I was thinking about and then feel bad that I didn't write it down. So this is part of what I came up with 10 minutes before running out the door. (then I came home, made dinner and then finished it)<br />
I"m not a marketing genius but I do know a little something about why I and some of my other mommy friends read YA. And as G.I Joe says. "knowing is half the battle"...so here's what I know...<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><u>The Why according to Susan</u> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">As mothers we cherish the quiet time no matter how brief and with it comes the story/escapism. Books provide that. Unlike TV were you feel you have to watch all the way through in one sitting. One can stop and start and even reread if you missed something or even loved something. (sans TiVo that is) That way if our kids need us we can immediately stop and then just pick up where we left off...We are drawn to YA because in some ways it's "safe". It's easy to read. Not that many big words our post baby brain can't figure out even with context. Speaking of words, it usually doesn't have as many bad words either,so we don't have to work to edit the way we talk (let's face it, if one is constantly bombarded with F bombs all day it's hard not to use them when you get mad at the kids) It doesn't make us feel under qualified as women like some Adult books do with characters that have relativity exciting lives and achievements that we currently do not<span style="font-size: 10pt;">(and at times feel we never may)</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> have. YA lets us go back to a time when we didn't have responsibilities and pretend that this "could" be us...does that make sense? </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Also reading YA helps us to stay connected to the younger generation.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> And not to mention the fact that (at least me personally) most mothers would rather not have their children see them reading books with half naked people on the cover.("What are they doing on that book mommy?" "He looks cold") Also we want books that we can share with our children. I know I can't wait until my kids get older and I can hand them a book and say..."You will LOVE this!" (while secretly knowing that I've already read and approved it, I'm sneaky that way)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: 10pt;">Another reason it's read by mothers is that we talk! (and thus the book club was created) Dystopian stories are in right now. And YA stories are usually not nearly as complicated to retell. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: 10pt;">(I had to stop writing this and go away for a while. During that time I had a whole lot more to add but now I can't think of what it all was)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: 10pt;">Also, you had a good start with changing the cover. Those who say they don't judge a book by it's cover...Lies! We all do it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">And scene....</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">I talked with my husband and then I wrote a bit more about why boys read (if and when they do) and then prattled on about a few other ideas that popped into my head. But that pretty much summed up the meat of my response.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: 17px;">So, what do YOU think? Why do you read the books you do? What would make them more appealing? Do you have any feed back or ideas to help out Scott? What was it about the books you loved that made you want to pick them up and read them in the first place? Was it the cover? The title? The description on the back? All that and more? Or was it more just word of mouth from a friend? Feel free to leave a comment on Facebook or in the comments below...who knows maybe one of my friends is a marketing genius!</span></span></div>
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-7556929827981996102012-08-03T20:46:00.000-06:002012-08-03T21:28:13.615-06:00Mommy and Me day at Razzle DazzleSo this week is the annual Salmon River family camp out up in Riggins ID. It's a full week of white water rafting, playing on the sandy river banks and eating really good food. Anyone and everyone is invited and it's usually a time of memory making and fun for all....with that said though, for many reasons I decided I wasn't going to go this year.(besides, someone had to stay home and watch the dog) But I knew my kids and husband really really wanted to go so I made a deal with Ryan. You take the boy and I will take the girl and you can tell me alll about it when you get back. And that way I don't have to have a panic attack from just the treacherous drive up there. (don't get me wrong, I love camping, I just have my reasons for not wanting to go)<br />
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So, while the men folk are up in the mountains having fun and doing manly things. I decided that my daughter and I were going to have some girly fun down here. And since she is only 3 I realized that staying in alll day and reading a book just wasn't going to cut it. That's when I had the idea to have a little bit of a "Salon" day. I asked around and looked up a few placed and after comparing cost and distance I settled on going to <a href="http://razzledazzlecollege.com/" target="_blank">Razzle Dazzle College of Hair Design in Nampa</a> ID.<br />
It was a very good choice. The staff and the Stylists/students (Jacynda and Vanessa) were very professional and friendly. They treated Willow like a Princess.<br />
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And she just LOVED it! I could hear her telling Jacynda all sorts of things about her brother and her baby dolls...and...and...and.<br />
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I ended up getting a pedicure and she just got a polish change, but it was the best polish change she's ever had.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, I know my feet aren't nearly as cute as Willow's but.....They're so sparkly I'm gonna Die!!!</td></tr>
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But the best part was that while Willow waited for me to finish up with my pedi the manager filled up one of the stations next to me with realllly soapy water and let Willow soak her feet and play in the bubbles.<br />
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She (the manager) made sure to let me know that "This won't happen every time." But that's alright. The fact that they took the time to do it this time was very appreciated.<br />
All in all it only cost about $21 for the both of us.(That's before tips, that were greatly deserved. And it should be noted that even after tips it was still cheaper than if I only had a pedicure for myself at another Salon) So in the end I think I will be going back to <a href="http://razzledazzlecollege.com/" target="_blank">Razzle Dazzle</a> in the future. :) Who knows...as Willow gets older maybe this will become an annual tradition.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-62900052825746612872012-07-27T16:35:00.000-06:002012-08-07T15:42:41.002-06:00Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins *Updated*<br />
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<img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSMJAJYAi9osr41xlu4f0a5qocOdsAUQE0AKuBLVriMu4k5pmac" /><br />
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<i><u>What it's about</u></i><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Once Anna's parents left her alone in her dorm room she realized that this was final. She was stuck in a foreign country with no friends or family. Nothing familiar...not even the language. And to make matters worse, she was the new kid.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">For most teenagers it would be a dream come true to move away from home to live independently from their parents. A fresh start away from all of life's current troubles...but not for Anna. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">She was looking forward to her last year of high school with her friends and then going to college to study film. So when her parents made the announcement that she was going to be sent away to France to finish her last year of High School at the exclusive School of America Paris, with out even giving her a choice. She was devastated. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">She was happy with her life.She lived with her mom and little brother. She had a best friend and a potentially new boyfriend named Toph that she's secretly liked for as long as she can remember. Her last night before leaving home he even kissed her, confirming that he liked her back.What was she going to do? How is she going to survive the whole school year alone?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">She is in utter </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">despair</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> until she meets a group of friends</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> including</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;">É</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">tienne St. Clair... </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">the most beautiful boy she's ever seen ...and the best friend a girl could ask for. He helps her order her food. He's takes her out exploring and best of all he takes her to the movies...the only down side is he has a girl friend. So he is completely off limits in the romantic department, and it's clear he only wants to be friends. Which is ok, because she has Toph, right? Who knows, with her new friends maybe this year won't be quite as horrible as she imagined.</span><br />
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<i><u>And Scene</u></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">(Side Note: Last November I reviewed the book <a href="http://ohbrainwhereartthou.blogspot.com/2011/11/lola-and-boy-next-door.html" target="_blank">"Lola and the boy next door" </a>I really enjoyed that book but thought it was a stand alone novel. I was wrong...if I had known that it was the second out of two books, Anna and the French Kiss (AFK) coming first, I would have read it in order...Now, after reading AFK, I need to go back and reread Lola...and pay a lot more attention to the secondary characters!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">This is the type of book that contains what I like to call a Seed story. It starts out small and plain, nothing really special. But once you finish it's grown so much that it's ingrained in your head and it is the only thing you can think about allll day. You can't help but go over your favorite bits over and over again. It's so encompassing you get into snippy arguments with you husband due to lack of sleep........ all because of this book....man I like this book!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Since the beginning of May I've read about 16 books (11 from a specific series) but even though I really got into them, <strike>I never really wanted to purchase the books.</strike> *UPDATE(ok not really true.I think I was talking about just from the series because I actually do own 4 out of those 16)END UPDATE* (once I finish the next book in the series,I might review it too...there's plenty to rant about, so don't get me started) But out of all those other books AFK is the only one I've seriously considered buying. </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Which is odd but true. </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">It's a book I want on my shelf so that I can pick it up when ever I want to shut out the screaming kids and just </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">reminisce</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">I really can't say what exactly made me like this one over the others. Maybe because unlike the majority of the other stories I read, that are based more on the supernatural, these events are possible. This <i>could</i> be someones true story...and if I had to think of one word that comes to mind when I think of the story it would be "Sweet." This is just a Sweet story. I know that sounds really girly of me but hey, New's flash, I'm a girl....And even though I wouldn't have minded an extra chapter at the end.... (there is an extra scene on <a href="http://www.stephanieperkins.com/annahelpwritenow.html" target="_blank">Stephanie Perkins blog</a> ,which is nice)....When I finished reading it I was all warm and tingly. It just made me feel good. And that my friends is a sign of a good book!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Side Note 2: If your are anything like my Mom, don't get thrown off by the title....She called me the other day and I told her what I was reading. I think all she heard was the words " French Kiss" because I could hear shock and horror that I might be reading smut. "WHAATT?!!! What's it called again?!" Then she kept making me repeat the title in the hopes that she heard wrong....</span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">1st. Breath easy mother...it's called "Anna and the French Kiss" not "Anna and the Orgy of French Kisses"</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">2nd Like I would admit to you that I was really reading smut.... But I wasn't so please refer to #1. </span></li>
</ol>
<br />
With all that said though, I personally would only really recommend this book for teens around age 16ish. There are some bad words here and there and a few more grown up themes discussed, pretty much like in any study hall in High school ...Middle school or younger...eh,not so much. But, hey if you'er not in that last category....I say go read it and share the warm and tingly feelings!!!! :D<br />
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<br />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-68982339483565298882012-07-25T17:43:00.000-06:002012-07-26T11:25:30.925-06:00What I did on my Summer Vacation....Oh wow, fancy meeting you here.....how have you been? Really that's great. Oh what have I been doing? Well, I kinda took a bit of a break. I went home to visit my family in Pennsylvania for about a month and then just kind of slacked for the last couple weeks.<br />
What? You really want me to tell you about my trip? No, you don't want to hear all about it.<br />
Really? *sigh* WELL Ok, if you insist!<br />
<br />
( I feel like I should put on khaki shorts and a polo shirt. Maybe dig out my old Hershey Park name tag and get one of those little portable mics. Oh and don't forget the sunglasses, because otherwise tourist can tell when you roll your eyes at there stupid questions...they don't like that.)<br />
Shall we begin our tour?<br />
(Just think, if this was 1972 I'd be setting up a slide projector...just saying)<br />
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Let's start with the "the Road Trip"<br />
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Because Ryan's arms are longer we have a sort of understanding that I drive most of the way and he beats...*cough cough*umm I mean handles the kids. Also despite having a perfectly decent sized kennel, George insisted on staying up front....where it was safer...<br />
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Only home a few days and Willow is not happy...this is her "I can't believe you put me in time out!" face. Especially on Memorial Day while at the coolest park ever!! It had a "desert"(sand box) and everything.<br />
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And of course the first thing you do when coming home is go to Chocolate world <span style="background-color: white;">"The Sweetest Place on Earth"</span><span style="background-color: white;">. Ride the free ride and get some free chocolate!</span><br />
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Hello ladies...Every few years they add some sort of "improvement" to the tour ride...the singing cows are one of the latest....<br />
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But what has never changed (and better not ever) although I swear they turned down the heat is the ROASTER!!! AAAHHHHHHH<br />
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And speaking of roasting...what better way to end our evenings than with a fun camp fire in the yard..mmmmm.......<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine"</td></tr>
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I love my parents back yard...3 acres of Green awesomeness.... I really like this picture...See Mom! You can cut them down but they will come back!!<br />
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Me posing in the "back forty" in front of my favorite Mulberry tree.... And speaking of Mulberries!!!!<br />
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THIS is what a real Mulberry looks like!!!! MMMMM YUMMY!!!And this is why I LOVE coming home in June. Last September I found a mulberry tree in Idaho and I almost bought the land it was on just to get the tree....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are my sister's hands...she didn't understand why I wanted to take of picture of them...so she could make a camio in my blog, of course!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">An this is what your fingers are </span><span style="background-color: white;">supposed</span><span style="background-color: white;"> to look like after just a few minutes of picking/eating them....</span><br />
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Now, up next on our tour is a little town just east of my home called Annville.<br />
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Every year they have an annual street fair they so aptly call. "Annville Days"...some years are better than others. But this year was pretty good....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis93dHNBaz_H819nOniob6pfn6xwbQSgiabBQrdoS_MvbtlxkNBr-vW8y9bi3S0199NKpaNCY_H5e9u4LCFHRmTwqaXGhsIlELenc7CUNzCFAcAOKUx88qm1hrEz-o9AMUu9i6KdBOPQNa/s1600/IMG_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis93dHNBaz_H819nOniob6pfn6xwbQSgiabBQrdoS_MvbtlxkNBr-vW8y9bi3S0199NKpaNCY_H5e9u4LCFHRmTwqaXGhsIlELenc7CUNzCFAcAOKUx88qm1hrEz-o9AMUu9i6KdBOPQNa/s320/IMG_0362.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not a deep fried Snickers, but hey deep fried Oreo's will do.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIuvdhZxqzSgAojTfUEZPfShNpjsTcW9o-FwLlKVtLEAMPj1ZXXHvU_ncs69oKtNOwamR5yx3czV_AZ8MlTrJwVSR5Z0qONhtVod6xP2qsFhl14Por9yS7LbHJqg-40zlI1uzC94dTHgF/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIuvdhZxqzSgAojTfUEZPfShNpjsTcW9o-FwLlKVtLEAMPj1ZXXHvU_ncs69oKtNOwamR5yx3czV_AZ8MlTrJwVSR5Z0qONhtVod6xP2qsFhl14Por9yS7LbHJqg-40zlI1uzC94dTHgF/s320/IMG_0365.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making cards to send to the Troops</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcAWZN-lWQZNOgucwacQBId1eu5paHoHbRyb5DgHW-NSTNhJHw0eVr4nTxm3bVuBaVrNsyYcRgDONB2u2klxADGuMA2ji_31Z5zaJD7lMu-X8LGOKNYZKfYRrZVKiaErCXEVP911w24-f/s1600/IMG_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcAWZN-lWQZNOgucwacQBId1eu5paHoHbRyb5DgHW-NSTNhJHw0eVr4nTxm3bVuBaVrNsyYcRgDONB2u2klxADGuMA2ji_31Z5zaJD7lMu-X8LGOKNYZKfYRrZVKiaErCXEVP911w24-f/s320/IMG_0368.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing the drums for music therapy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LVQ_UWOHTGA70UGW7plT5XE_FNf46rzKs0r1VOaf91Zk5Q6R-GZFatZYq-WZpUHyGDUnEERmGrugCO3wcr-l0IeQ51OxzPN-jIIoAHJUuEjoXZG1xQWx0wtZVNA9atYwqGGqYa54-Hs2/s1600/IMG_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LVQ_UWOHTGA70UGW7plT5XE_FNf46rzKs0r1VOaf91Zk5Q6R-GZFatZYq-WZpUHyGDUnEERmGrugCO3wcr-l0IeQ51OxzPN-jIIoAHJUuEjoXZG1xQWx0wtZVNA9atYwqGGqYa54-Hs2/s320/IMG_0363.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the BEST part of Annville Days....The Bag Pipes!! I'm serious, it's my favorite part.</td></tr>
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And now moving on....<br />
Since moving to Idaho I've had to make do with not having certain things that I can only seem to get in PA.(And if I do find them here, they are not very authentic) And here are a few of those things.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_RQNDhP_tzFLV8ZKfK6_ZkAQECKHtp117mJksusRQXUDMyV8m1xh3ZHqWYsawnF-EHMLiJucbTGvxRlV2HI1Yv-ltms3Mv5Ny7iKZ8twpi2W_-_Zduducv5dUCzgqFJwLnC_EohVBUfx/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_RQNDhP_tzFLV8ZKfK6_ZkAQECKHtp117mJksusRQXUDMyV8m1xh3ZHqWYsawnF-EHMLiJucbTGvxRlV2HI1Yv-ltms3Mv5Ny7iKZ8twpi2W_-_Zduducv5dUCzgqFJwLnC_EohVBUfx/s320/IMG_0380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four Leaf Clovers...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAFqbmnUB3xTujyGozcmJYdxyFM7O2nz93_BZC2Fg9-FxDSixo3Up7VgHpTd-Nobyxl4tj7mmk1wqNftJVORpFoVkuBu2VKyOD_QEnzd71u3LGuUhfIyxGE1fdsWDdVSNfsq0d9etrejQ/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAFqbmnUB3xTujyGozcmJYdxyFM7O2nz93_BZC2Fg9-FxDSixo3Up7VgHpTd-Nobyxl4tj7mmk1wqNftJVORpFoVkuBu2VKyOD_QEnzd71u3LGuUhfIyxGE1fdsWDdVSNfsq0d9etrejQ/s320/IMG_0395.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake WITH the thin layer of icing on the top of the Vanilla</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYkIgwxycpoHc3pgRa0K1ZyovNpaXz5FJcimsBn1gnubL1z00SX9YxVz68sPk7MGbHzy9kbo4uwOs_pKLEdZIkQt_Sh1y0wVAaeY0Rr4mwTHYub2kFOUSUq4zo4ZbKh3upaMO0RJB8HCI/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYkIgwxycpoHc3pgRa0K1ZyovNpaXz5FJcimsBn1gnubL1z00SX9YxVz68sPk7MGbHzy9kbo4uwOs_pKLEdZIkQt_Sh1y0wVAaeY0Rr4mwTHYub2kFOUSUq4zo4ZbKh3upaMO0RJB8HCI/s320/IMG_0447.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Real "OH MY GOSH" soft pretzels. Yes, it's over a foot wide and it only cost $4.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3iBO4Hr40KePndsW5ch7Oupod8Du8FdpVnpck6syDSRIetTU2Z7W59-NZAtXZ71vvdrTJ1_1yUhJBBnsEFH38TuJoWOGp22-8XpsgXrA-HnGDV__0U_cnQSYTgn4r2k999aVrUdDJYmi/s1600/IMG_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3iBO4Hr40KePndsW5ch7Oupod8Du8FdpVnpck6syDSRIetTU2Z7W59-NZAtXZ71vvdrTJ1_1yUhJBBnsEFH38TuJoWOGp22-8XpsgXrA-HnGDV__0U_cnQSYTgn4r2k999aVrUdDJYmi/s320/IMG_0469.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decent tasting Whoopy Pies mmmmm</td></tr>
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The last two picture were taken after of my trips to an awesome farmers market called "Roots" (pronounced "Ruts") located in Lancaster, PA. Going there is mandatory. The food alone is worth the trip and you can get the best deals on fruits and veggies. If you go there, take my mother. If she can't find you the best deal, than no one can. Not to mention that you if don't go home with a car full of flowers, enough fruits and veggies to can in mass quantities and a full belly, then you obviously did <i>something </i>wrong! Ok, moving on.<br />
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Our next stop was about 2 hours east, just outside of Allentown in Easton, PA.<br />
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The Crayola Factory!!! (aka the Crayon Chocolate factory)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUrDMN1fOF0Sp3WgszyRiyQPIXw0RkEjzOfxYwbDjHkO0sorYltvBIU8h9tcbAYxIB7rr89s1hFCvWZunbRAgsmWW5criVyKGGw6RTyYS_gt7e9_pOOHi7gLrcrwwoKcL3Ed7KHwxdbGv/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUrDMN1fOF0Sp3WgszyRiyQPIXw0RkEjzOfxYwbDjHkO0sorYltvBIU8h9tcbAYxIB7rr89s1hFCvWZunbRAgsmWW5criVyKGGw6RTyYS_gt7e9_pOOHi7gLrcrwwoKcL3Ed7KHwxdbGv/s320/IMG_0416.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town square Easton, PA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK_kXS0S-vZxvrd1_A0Fb1z3K-Pdc72XOhcCWMtWk7T_MC9MN-7KsXBgwmT8_cPz7ITn8l2QzqYDWDgqnWEuAJ1pjA07sN0fB5k0-qQ5TWkkDeUhkMoMn7X-B3ZVjbMP62__9wCfWIIBe/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK_kXS0S-vZxvrd1_A0Fb1z3K-Pdc72XOhcCWMtWk7T_MC9MN-7KsXBgwmT8_cPz7ITn8l2QzqYDWDgqnWEuAJ1pjA07sN0fB5k0-qQ5TWkkDeUhkMoMn7X-B3ZVjbMP62__9wCfWIIBe/s320/IMG_0419.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this really need a caption?</td></tr>
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There are just rooms and rooms of FUN. It was totally worth the $12.50 for admission...And to think my mom tried to talk me out of going.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtrFm89Y8HmAWueFrGLcFHqQQjZIGbJ_uRDLKJKj10l8Spa-mPzYw9m2MjxogZmMf58zszMzHpnfaK2TrDSUZGM60FUmI3SSN4SP-jGWcPwVWA5fXEE3EXN1ot4OS-yWisPPutPdl7bdQ/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtrFm89Y8HmAWueFrGLcFHqQQjZIGbJ_uRDLKJKj10l8Spa-mPzYw9m2MjxogZmMf58zszMzHpnfaK2TrDSUZGM60FUmI3SSN4SP-jGWcPwVWA5fXEE3EXN1ot4OS-yWisPPutPdl7bdQ/s320/IMG_0413.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids (and Ryan) had a blast!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really mommy, I can just cut and glue what ever I want?!<br />
Yes, child...go to town.</td></tr>
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One of the last stops on the East Coast was a quick one day trip to Rahobeth Beach, DE. For some reason I always thought it was in Maryland, but no, I was wrong....Either way, it hasn't changed in decades! This was only the kids second time to the beach (that they can remember) so it took a while, but they started to realize the full potential of alll that sand!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MMMUUUAAAAHHH HAHAHAA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It helped that Happy (Pappy) was there to show them the ropes</td></tr>
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All in all, it was a very fun trip. I had not been home in over two years so I wanted to make sure I got in all the fun things I remember from my childhood. So just to make sure I solidified those memories I made sure to make one more stop at the most important place.....again!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's only 5lbs...but still it's the best thing in the whole shop!!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">And thus ends our tour....I hope you all enjoyed this little trip to the East Coast...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">In some ways the trip ended too soon. But I was happy that I was given the opportunity to visit with all of my friends and family....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving home into the sunset through Wyoming....I'm sure it would have looked better without the smoke from the CO fires...not to mention a clean windshield.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MUSH GEORGE, MUSH!!! at a very windy "Little America" in Wyoming..<br />
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And now I will leave you with a small sampling of what I was <span style="background-color: white;">treated to </span><span style="background-color: white;">(subjected to) during our down time at the house...Did I forget to mention that my sister was visiting there with her 4 kids too? Combined with my two...it made for some interesting times.</span><br />
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<br /></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-54648837662086185572012-05-21T14:33:00.000-06:002012-05-21T14:33:48.841-06:00Interview with author Scott Cramer "Night of the Purple Moon"<div style="text-align: left;">
So as I promised in my <a href="http://ohbrainwhereartthou.blogspot.com/2012/05/night-of-purple-moon-give-away.html" target="_blank">last post,( where I'm hosting a give away</a> )here is an interview I did with the author of "Night of the Purple Moon", Scott Cramer.</div>
I just wanted to add that while I felt my questioners were kind of lame/generic, I loved his answers....And I wanted to thank him for his willingness to work with me.<br />
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<b> Due to the nature of the main characters in the book I have to ask first.....Do you have any children?</b><br />
Yes, I have two daughters. One just graduated from college and the other one is about to attend college. Day in and day out, I am amazed by their intelligence, grace, toughness, balance, senses of humor…I could go on and on. My wife, too, is way smarter than I am. So I am totally surrounded and outgunned. It was not a stretch for me to develop two characters, Abby and Emily (not perfect, by any means) who are resourceful, strong-willed and who do their best to face the biggest of challenges with courage.<br />
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<b>Was there a reason you choose the island you did to use for the setting of your book? </b><br />
The plot plays out on a grand scale…after space germs decimate the adult population, Earth becomes a planet of children virtually overnight. One way to examine a sweeping catastrophe is to shrink the scale and make the story very personal. I thought an island off Maine, with a small winter population, offered an ideal setting. Later on, I was able to examine life on the mainland.<br />
<br />
<b>What gave you the idea to write this book? What was your inspiration?!</b><br />
Two YA novels always stayed with me. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry and Homecoming by Cynthia Voight. In each book the young main characters faced incredible odds and took dangerous journeys. In Night of the Purple Moon, I tried to increase the odds and raise the stakes. Rather than have one or both parents die, all parents die. Also, modern civilization depends on the collective efforts of specialists. If those specialists disappear, the infrastructure (running water, electricity, communications, food production) will cease to function. That is a gut-wrenching, perilous situation for young teens and children to find themselves in.<br />
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<b>Did you base any of the characters personalities off of people you know/knew in your own life?</b><br />
What usually happens is that I might start out plagiarizing a few character traits here and there from people I know, but as you start to understand your characters and you place them in difficult situations, pretty soon they take on lives of their own; they act on their own and you watch them as much as you direct them. At that point, they become unique individuals in almost every way.<br />
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<b>How long did it take you to write this?</b><br />
The story took many twists and turns and went from a novel to a screenplay and back, and while all that was going on I was very adept at finding other major distractions, such as writing half a mystery novel. All told, it took me one and half years to write Night of the Purple Moon.<br />
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<b>Is this your first novel?</b><br />
Officially it’s my third. Two other YA novels are sitting on my hard drive.<br />
<br />
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<b>If no, what else have you written? If yes, have you written anything else non bookwise?</b><br />
I’ve written quite a few magazine feature articles. I had one screenplay optioned, though the option has since expired. I have a few children’s picture books, unpublished. I used to work as a stringer for a daily newspaper, covering school committee meetings and the like. I’ve probably tried my hand at every type of writing except a stage play.<br />
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<b>What are some of your favorite books to read?</b><br />
When I am writing fiction, I tend to read non-fiction. I have been on a long stretch of reading mountain climbing books and sailing adventures.<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>What is your favorite genre?</b><br />
I really love young adult. I think a good YA story should appeal to all ages. Some see the ages of the characters in Night of the Purple Moon (12/13) and think it’s a middle grade novel. I guess it is valid to say that it straddles the YA/MG line. But I never thought about a particular audience when I wrote the story. So far, 99 percent of the feedback has come from much older people. I know of only one 12-year who read an early draft. She said that she loved the book and cried “two-pounds of tears.” I think that she was the last person under 30 to read it.<br />
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<b>Will there be a sequel to NOPM?</b><br />
Yes.<br />
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<b>(Bonus lame Barbra Walters question) If you were a tree. What kind of tree would you be? And why?</b><br />
I debated oak vs willow for about two seconds and then came up with HICORY TREE. Hickory trees have been on my mind lately. My wife, who is a fifth grade science teacher, signed us up for a long-term environmental study where we plant three hickory trees in the yard and then report on their condition every five years. They came in the mail two weeks ago. They are the length of a chopstick and thin as twigs. She stuck them in the ground and surrounded each one with a little portable fence so I wouldn’t mow over them. Believe me, I am very careful around those hickory trees.<br />
___________________________________________________<br />
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So now that you know a bit more about the author and the book. Head on over <a href="http://ohbrainwhereartthou.blogspot.com/2012/05/night-of-purple-moon-give-away.html" target="_blank">(here) </a>and see if you can win a <a href="http://ohbrainwhereartthou.blogspot.com/2012/05/night-of-purple-moon-give-away.html" target="_blank">free copy</a>!<br />
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<br />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-14390308769861434922012-05-18T17:50:00.000-06:002012-06-02T07:26:15.033-06:00Night of the Purple Moon - Give Away!!<img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqYZKptPAXqOb2WyAxT4jcSefBfdq5j8LQqDsg_4pqwCkSBOx7" />
<br />
<br />
Did someone say Giveaway! Why yes, yes I did.<br />
Last week I reviewed "Night of the Purple Moon" by Scott Cramer. You can read it (<a href="http://ohbrainwhereartthou.blogspot.com/2012/05/night-of-purple-moon-by-scott-cramer.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>)<br />
Well, after that Scott has been gracious enough to offer 10 E-copies of his book. That's right 10 whole copies!!! to 10 lucky people! How awesome is that?! (very)<br />
So Let's help yourself out by scoring some great reading material and let's help Scott out by making that material his awesome book. Which by the way made one of the top 100 lists on Amazon.<br />
<br />
The only stipulation is that if you win one of these copies we ask that you read it (it's not a brick) and then pop on over to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_19?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=night+of+the+purple+moon&sprefix=Night+of+the+Purple%2Caps%2C221" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> and write a quick review. It doesn't have to be much. "I loved it!" "It was okay." "eh" "I wish it was called rainbow moon because rainbows are pretty!" (okay, maybe not that)...but what ever you want to say. If you want to get this for you teen to read I'm sure getting a review from an actual young person would be appreciated as well.<br />
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And so to increase the chances that we all get a little somethin' somethin'. I'm going to make the entries kind of easy.<br />
<br />
Here are the ways to get entries:<br />
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<br />
1. Follow Scott on twitter. @cramer_scott (then tell me)<br />
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2. Follow my blog (shameless promotion for me, I know) And post a comment telling me you did and how you like me, Um I mean, my blog.<br />
(If you are already one of the original twelve followers then let me know too)<br />
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3.Share this post with a friend (facebook, twitter, email, how ever)...because sharing is caring....then tell me how much you cared.<br />
<br />
And that's it! Just make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry.Otherwise if you put it all in one comment it will only be counted as one entry.....okay? Got it? Good.<br />
I will leave this open for two weeks, so until Friday June 1st. If you see this on June 2nd...you're out of luck! Also there will be an <a href="http://ohbrainwhereartthou.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=x47RcjcBAAA.gBDebnUWljyL54XYTs9ZtQ.hG0PnCs9IE_TEMisWLmkoA&postId=5464883766208618557&type=POST" target="_blank">interview with Scott</a> posted sometime within those two weeks.<br />
But back to the give away.......Now...Ready...Set... GO!<br />
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ENDED!!!!<br />
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<br />Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-65965812826148982192012-05-07T19:43:00.000-06:002012-05-07T19:43:40.115-06:00Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramer<br />
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Last week my sister and I were having one of our daily book conversations and she mentioned that she was sent a request to review a book. After reading a short synopsis she thought it might be a book that was more up my genre ally than hers...low and behold....It was!...well sort of. Let me show you what I mean.....</div>
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<img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqYZKptPAXqOb2WyAxT4jcSefBfdq5j8LQqDsg_4pqwCkSBOx7" />
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“Puberty was a ticking time bomb
planted in each and every teen. The older you were the louder and
faster it ticked...”</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A few
months ago Abby moved with her Dad and younger brother and sister to a small fishing island off the coast of Maine. She was
looking forward to the weekend when she would be able to see her Mom, following what was predicted to be the meteorological event of the
century!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That night the the Earth would be
making it's first pass through the tail of the <i>Rudenko- Kasparov</i>
comet. It was expected to be a spectacular show, covering the entire
atmosphere with harmless space dust and turn the moon a beautiful
shade of purple. Unfortunately it did a lot more than that....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When she woke up the following morning
Abby and her siblings discovered that not only was the space dust
harmful but it had silently killed almost every single adult and
older pubescent teenager on the planet. (seriously, all gone) </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now, at the ripe old age of 13 she is one of the oldest children on the island it fell to her to try to keep not only herself
and her siblings alive but the rest of the younger children on the
island as well. That is at least until they could find a cure or they
hit puberty and succumb to the space dust...which ever comes first.</div>
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My first opinion....</div>
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Stephen King's: <i>The Stand</i> meets
William Golding's: <i>Lord of the Flies</i>.....with a twist.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As a mother of young children Mr.
Cramer has managed to captured one of my greatest fears. That one day
my children will wake up and find that my husband and I have died in
our sleep. How will they survive?Who will take care of them? Not to
mention when they were really little, how do they even get out of the
house seeing as that they can't open the doors yet? These were
questions that would keep me up at night.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And while the writing was excellent....
It flowed well and I understood everything without confusion or
inconsistency. I must say as a mother, I really didn't like this
story. It scared the crap out of me!</div>
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....which leads me to.......</div>
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My Second Opinion.....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stephen King's: <i>The Stand</i> still
meets William Golding's: <i>Lord of the Flies</i>.....but from a
different perspective.......and still with a twist.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As I went through this book I realized
that if I was going to finish it I had to try to hang up my “Mommy”
cape but keep on my “Nerdy” boots and then mentally dig deep into
my past before I had kids. Back to a time where I liked thrillers and
watching movies with just this sort of thing....Hey, I like <i>The
Stand</i> so why couldn't I like this? ( I never really liked Lord of
the Flies, but then again, I doubt it was meant to be a “likeable”
book. It was meant to teach you a lesson. Sort of like this one).....
And so looking at it from that perspective I found that as
Sci-Fi Apocalyptic Underdog stories go.... It was pretty darn
good! :D</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After a while you almost tend to forget
that the main characters were not adults but children and that makes
the weight of their survival even more important. It shows the good
and the bad in human nature. It showed how society has a choice even
at a young age to either work together for the good of everyone or go
savage and run rampant and just destroy until there is nothing left
to save.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It also makes me realize that we need
to be teaching our children how to be more self reliant. If it hadn't
been for a few of the kids knowing basic survival skills and how to
do real work they wouldn't have survived for long.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This story also reminded me about how
we as a society need to value life. No matter how long or short it
is. We need to tell those around us how much we love and care about
them because for all you know they may not be there in the
morning....now if you 'll excuse me, I'm going to go teach my 3 year old how to start a bond fire with some twigs and a tampon.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you are interesting in reading this ebook you can find it at Amazon.com right <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Purple-Moon-ebook/dp/B007OVUPXU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1336435890&sr=1-1" target="_blank">HERE</a> for $2.99 or if you are one of the elite and have a Prime account it's FREE.</div>
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<br /></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-33503064563557274962012-05-04T13:19:00.002-06:002012-05-04T13:20:39.846-06:00Moving up in the blogesphere...So I just reviewed a book on someone Elses blog!!! They specifically asked me and everything!!! (granted it is my <a href="http://jenheadjen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">sisters blog</a>, but hey, that doesn't really matter. Right?) I feel important now. I'm going places! Movin' up in this wild and crazy world! Getting my name out there!<br />
WACH OUT WORLD!!!! I'M COMING FOR YOU!!!!<br />
<br />
If you would like to read my review of "Bloodlines" by Richelle Mead and check out my sister's much more, put together blog, just clickity click right <a href="http://jenheadjen.blogspot.com/2012/05/bloodlines-review-by-richelle-mead.html" target="_blank">here</a>. or <a href="http://jenheadjen.blogspot.com/2012/05/bloodlines-review-by-richelle-mead.html" target="_blank">here</a>. or even <a href="http://jenheadjen.blogspot.com/2012/05/bloodlines-review-by-richelle-mead.html" target="_blank">here</a> would work.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-84162641670922690522012-04-23T15:12:00.003-06:002012-06-03T14:24:36.124-06:00My recent Book Bender - Vampire Academy series.<img src="http://bookyurt.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/covervampacademyseries.jpg" /> <br />
It's been a while since my last post. My only excuse is that I've been kind of busy...there was spring break then a visit to my sister in Utah, breaking up with my best friend (one I mentioned in a previous post), my husband went way for a week on business so my sister actually came with her family up here for a while. The day she left I started reading.<br />
<br />
I've heard of some people going on " drinking benders". Basically they take a week or weekend off and just drinking themselves into oblivion...well, I don't drink so instead I read myself into oblivion.<br />
So in a matter of 8 -9 days I managed to get through the entire six book series of "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead. (And for you speedier readers out there who are all "well, that's not that fast." Remember I have 2 kids, a dog and a husband. Not to mention that even though they start out around 300 pages, by the end they are pushing 600 pages. So for me...that's pretty darn zippy! )<br />
<br />
When I borrowed the first two books from the library, going on a bender was NOT my intention. I figured I'd read the first one and see if I had time for the second...well I decided to make time! Thankfully because the series ended in 2010 there wasn't a long wait to acquire the other books... obviously it sucked me in.<br />
If you haven't heard of this series I'll give you a quick over view of the beginning...but before I do I need to give you a few definitions. (things that took me a while to grasp (let alone pronounce) in the beginning.)<br />
<br />
There might be a test later soo pay attention...<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Dhampir</b></u> (pronounced 'Damp-ear') - Half human half living vampire. Most train their entire lives to be "Guardians" to the Moroi. Look like humans. Has the durability of humans but also have the higher senses of the Moroi (night vision, better hearing and sense of smell). Does not drink blood. The sun doesn't bother them at all.<br />
<b><u>Moroi</u> </b>(pronounce 'Moe Roy') - they are peaceful "living" vampires that are not immortal but do require small amounts of human blood to survive. (they eat other human food too). They can also stand limited amounts of sunlight. Have differing degrees of magic that controls at least one of the 5 elements, but they refuse to use it for defense. They rely on the Guardians to protect them. Can use compulsion but it's taboo.<br />
<u><b>Strigoi</b></u> (prounced 'Stri goy') - The bad guys! Your stereo typical Vampire.Will burn in sunlight. They are immortal vampires that kill and drink only blood to survive. Most used to be Moroi who killed willingly thus causing them to change or were Dhampirs forced to change against their will. Either way they are evil from here on out and their favorite food group is the Moroi. They do not have magic anymore but are much stronger and faster than most Dhampirs or Moroi and they can use compulsion.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ok so that's pretty much what you need to know....<br />
<br />
In the beginning we meet Rose Hathaway, a novice Dhampir who has trained her whole life in the hopes of being a guardian for her Moroi best friend Princess Lissa Dragomir. Starting after an accident that killed Lissa's entire family and almost killed Rose, the two have been psychically bonded. With out saying Rose is very protective of Lissa. So two years ago when they perceived a threat to Lissa's life, they ran away from their home, a remote Moroi/Dhampir boarding academy in Montana.<br />
Living among humans and trying to avoiding any Strigoi and especially any retrieval squads from the Academy. Things had been quiet for months until one night they were ambushed and dragged back home by the new addition to the Academy's guardians, Dimitri Belikov.(insert happy sigh)<br />
Now, forced to integrate back into school she must find a way to keep protecting Lissa (some times from herself) and catch up on her training if she has any hopes of passing the final tests at the end of the school year to become a true Guardian and protect her best friend. Unfortunately, due to her bad temper and previous record the only person willing to train her is Dimitri. (insert happy sigh) Who, while extremely good looking (of course), is seven years older and is not known for his social skills but has the reputation of being a "God" when it comes to his job.......and thus the forbidden romance and drama with the occasional fight scene ensues.<br />
<br />
And.....scene!<br />
<br />
While this series is all from Roses perspective, due to her one way bond with Lissa we get to see what Lissa is thinking and feeling even when they are not together (which can be good and bad at times) thus almost making it seem like two different stories.<br />
And I've never really cared for the type of male lead who reminded me of Fabio with the long hair but I must say that if Dimitri were real......(insert happy sigh) Let's just say I won't be able to see a guy in a leather "duster" coat without wishing he really was real... I might have to put him on the shelf with Edward and Jace in my opinion....<br />
The writing is easy to read but also a bit repetitive as the series goes on. Mostly though to accommodate those who have had to wait long periods of time between books and who may have forgotten some details. So I found myself skipping paragraphs here and there if I saw she was going into more back story that I already knew about.<br />
<br />
As the books went on I also got the feeling she (the author) could have cut 100 pages if she didn't put quite sooo much detail and extra explanations . And despite me sometimes yelling at the book "I get it already!" it never really made anything drag. So no harm done.<br />
<br />
Oh! Without giving anything too spoilery away I must mention that due to something very very bad happening in the third book the fourth book will require tissues...lots and lots of tissues. But like I said by that point you can't stop reading! And it all gets better...so as the British say Keep Calm and Carry On.<br />
<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I reallllly enjoyed this series. I try to only obsess over one series at a time and I was hoping it would be something good but not get to invested in it...nope! It doesn't help that I discovered that there is a spin off series called "Bloodlines" following one of the minor characters ....It's on hold for me at the library right now!!!...and the second one in that series comes out in June!! Between that and the next Mortal Instruments book coming out in two weeks, I have a feeling my kids are going to have to learn how to use the microwave because.... "Mommy will be unavailable."<br />
<br />
Books in the Vampire Academy Series....<br />
-Vampire Academy<br />
-Frostbite<br />
-Shadow Kiss<br />
-Blood Promise<br />
-Spirit Bound<br />
-Last SacrificeSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-91769990570588960532012-03-12T23:30:00.000-06:002012-03-12T23:30:31.752-06:00My cookie story and a recipe with Nutella...need I say more?So today (Sunday) has been very emotional for me(in fact the whole week kinda sucked). And what is better to do when emotions are high than turn to a best friend. And since my best friend is my husband, he knew how miserable I was so he told me to go make some cookies while he folded the two weeks worth of laundry that 'somehow' got dumped out on my side of the bed this morning (by not me).<br />
So I did....I entered my kitchen with the intention of looking up a guilt free but still yummy chocolate chocolate chip cookie recipe and satisfying my unhealthy need to use food as a comfort object. My goal was to make something with my left over Almond and Coconut flour and try to keep it wheat and sugar free. (i.e. guiltish free)<br />
I opened my (one) cookbook that contained recipes that fit into that criteria and couldn't quite find what I wanted so I looked on the internet...nothing really looked like what I wanted so in the spirit of "invention comes out of necessity" I decided that for the first time really I was going to EXPERIMENT! Almost every single (baking) recipe I"ve made has been inspired or tweaked from a recipe that has been proven worthy in someone else's kitchen. But tonight I believe I made up something of my own creation (if I haven't then I'm sorry to who ever really made it first)<br />
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-xvs9Epm_R3c4fP2-KE4yCS2Og8pIH0lVnZ6n2hwoudZwEYO8pA" /> <br />
But first let me tell you a short story I mentioned that I would in another post about my first solo cookie attempt....<br />
<br />
When I was a freshman in college I decided that I was going to do something nice around Valentines day. I was going to try my hand at Domestic Engineering and make traditional Chocolate chip cookies and give them to people at school.<br />
Some I just liked and other I really Like liked. (this was over 12 years ago so now I just like everyone instead of Like like them) So, using the recipe on the back of the chocolate chip bag I proceeded to make the dough and cook most of them to a nice golden brown. Out of the whole batch of maybe 5 dozen I really only felt that only one or two dozen were worthy to distribute because they were nice and round and (in my opinion) perfectly browned. They were not chewy but I thought they looked great!! So I packaged them up in baggies and took them to school. (the rest of the rejects I left with a note that my (psycho) roommates could eat at their own risk)<br />
It was one of those days that I had a lot of time in between classes so I just sat in the hallway and waited to see people I knew. The first guy friend I saw I flagged down and gave him a bag. He took a cookie out and looked at it and said kind of disgusted "Um, it's Burnt!" I was taken aback..."No it's not!" and he was all "Yes it is." And proceed to tell me that it was burnt because it was hard. (or something like that, I was still reeling from the embarrassment and insult) Then he showed me a bag of Hershey kisses some 'other' girl gave him and how nice that was..bla bla bla!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkrCd7mrKzYaPVoAOjsmWNW_IC-1yvBUxP6iWEQSPZctZ0QBBx" /> </div>Anyway, I didn't give anymore out to my friends. But it was that "experience" that motivated me years later to learn how to bake and make things look good and taste even better for someone who actually Like liked me!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQARoFF-XPFqquurPCfFZ23uuO2Vlg8tjvH_gf-XW_7DHC37Ma8lg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This could have all been for You my friend!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>As a side note: I went home that evening to find that the rejects, while not perfectly round or brown were soft and chewy and very very yummy.<br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway, this is what I (believe) came up with tonight<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOPDUvDcaV-emmgNAnznYm-ZDoFPy7LxrlnH9H-WkTPZ1KsDNGdsXsj94GzgnyXNuDTsfom3mzDzmWhs_Ks56j41eUHvbVkhD_IYih5SiVZKikkg9ZCYbsjTGv6eM5YoeGzoZs-F9RPWL/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOPDUvDcaV-emmgNAnznYm-ZDoFPy7LxrlnH9H-WkTPZ1KsDNGdsXsj94GzgnyXNuDTsfom3mzDzmWhs_Ks56j41eUHvbVkhD_IYih5SiVZKikkg9ZCYbsjTGv6eM5YoeGzoZs-F9RPWL/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Chocolate Chocolate chip Nutella cookies<br />
<br />
1 cup Chocolate whey protein powder (I used MRM dutch chocolate)<br />
1/2 cup Almond flour<br />
1/2 Coconut flour<br />
1 tsp. Baking Soda<br />
1/2 tsp Salt<br />
<br />
1 stick of butter<br />
1/4 cup *Maltitol Sugar (I use "Steels" that I ordered online)<br />
1/4 cup Maltitol Brown Sugar (Steels)<br />
1/3 cup Nutella<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 Egg white (optional)<br />
<br />
1/2 bag chocolate chips (Not optional!!!)<br />
Pecans wouldn't be a bad thing (optional)<br />
Or maybe even Marshmallows?<br />
<br />
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees<br />
In a separate bowl mix your dry ingredients<br />
Then in a larger or stand mixer bowl mix up you wet ingredients.<br />
Then combine add the wet to the dry. At first it looks like there may not be enough liquid but it all soaks in eventually.<br />
After it starts to come together then add the chocolate chips.<br />
Using a small cookie scoop plop them down on your cookie sheet and then you can use your (clean) fingers to flatten them to about 1/4 inch. (the dough didn't stick to my fingers at all so no need to grease them)<br />
Bake for 8 minutes.<br />
yields about 4 dozen 2 inch cookies (It made about 40 whole cookies but I also ate a good deal of the batter throughout the whole process so I'm saying 4 dozen)<br />
<br />
<br />
*If you don't have Maltitol you could probably sub with Truvia or xylitol OR if you don't care about it being sugar free I'm sure you could used regular sugar... it might even give it a better texture.<br />
<br />
<br />
*Now because these cookies are not made with your typical cookie ingredients and have a lot of egg (hence why the extra egg white is optional), the texture isn't as dense. They more resemble a meringue cookie,(a little bit spongy) so if you feel so inclined feel free to use them as a "sandwich cookie" I found they make wonderful bookends to a dollop of Nutella or maybe your favorite frosting. And as with most things glutenish free, they are a bit better the next day...not so dry.<br />
<br />
Either way, they won over my son and that is not easily done!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Oh and because it is that time of years....<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTAchhPh7vylPGedLCZx9C2lWhhMk4WHHvBUbUj2tJ1_j2jJ4AHmA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know the feeling little girl.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-8926178922603255702012-03-01T19:42:00.006-07:002012-03-02T17:22:20.408-07:00French bread....and LIARS!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQivp-39UEMXCmhmeAv52Xbyo8gQxNEW1PSkeeaZSjdfUPs4Lmuew" /> </div><br />
So, I love to make bread. Almost any type of bread really...I like quick breads (muffins) and as I call them "slow breads" (sour dough) and all in between. If it has flour, chances are I've thought about trying to master it. But for years there is one thing that has alluded me....french bread that looks and tastes like the store bought baguettes (yeah, after 6 years of French lessons I still had to spell check that word)<br />
Speaking of my years of French language education, when I was in college my French teacher gave me a recipe to make for a class party. It really was my first ever attempt at a yeast bread that I can remember. And I followed the instructions to the T. I added the yeast to the water, let it sit. Then the salt and the flour. I kneaded the best I could, let it rise and then punched it down and formed it into free standing "loaves". Let it rise again and then baked it......what came out could have been used as a prop on one of the planets on the original Star Trek....it's looked "Ok" for my first attempt . Not professional, but not tooo bad (everyone told me so...the LIARS!) .... I also took comfort in the fact that it was going to be cut up into chunks for dipping. As the day went on, I was actually feeling pretty cool about how I "made" my own french bread....Until.....<br />
<br />
She (My French teacher) brought them to class still warm from the oven....fresh and golden brown. Two beautiful, crunchy crusted, spongy centered thin baguettes....My spirits were dashed! My accomplishment made to look like someone named Brunhilda next to Bell from Beauty and the Beast. (In fact, it reminded me of the "cookie" incident from a year earlier. But that's another post) Oh, she was very humble about it. I asked her what she did differently and the only thing she could tell me was that I needed baguette pans and it would be just like hers the next time...oh look another Liar!<br />
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpYEens-7hcZzw00vaZO0HPABBaoWET4sTDg-s7XHruiZ-qP4bmg" /> <br />
Fast forward a few years...I now had a professional baguette pan...Industrial really (thank you Ebay). It was so professional that my Dad had to cut the one end off so it would fit in my standard oven. (thank you Daddy!:D) Anyway, I was ready to try again! I combined all the ingredients and went through the whole process, knead, rise, etc. And then I got to the hard part....the shaping.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Side story: I can't roll out things very well. I will never be able to fulfill my dream of working for Auntie Anne's Pretzels because even though I have great customer service skills,and can pull off a hair net, I can't roll an even straight line....it's always been like this, ever since I was little I couldn't even make "logs" from play dough. Oh sure, every once in a while the stars would a line and things turned out even, but most times than not, I usually just end up with what looks like an uneven broken turd. Those who have seen this in person try to give me the same advice. "You just need to press down with the same amount of pressure and keep your hands moving as you move it out/along." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQnFJhEe0aXcnHVvuS2g_5uHGSJF1rF-o5J1EzVBdxbdR8zRaL8-Q" /></div>(once again) LIARS! Maybe my left hand is heavier than my right? I don't know. Either way, it just wasn't in my bag of skills I was born with...now, back to the bread.<br />
<br />
<br />
So I "log rolled" it out and even though it looked uneven and lumpy I placed it on my new pan and waited for it to do its magic.....hhmmm, I think my dad cut off the magic portion of the pan...<br />
Because while it came out in a more baguette shape it still was not very nice to look at and tasted very very bland. So I decided to scrap the whole endeavor. There were plenty of other breads to make that had cinnamon and berries and stuff that were much more compliant...I don't need the stupid yummy French bread! I can always just buy one at the store.....stupid baguette! :( I DON'T NEED YOU!!<br />
<br />
Fast forward even more years to yesterday....We had spagetti and meatballs planned and I wanted to make some yummy bread to go with it. Not really remember my last attempts and armed with the past few years of experience I thought this would be easy peasy....nope.<br />
It pretty much turned out like the last tragedy. Long, lumpy, tasteless and hard as a rock. Even my husband, who will eat almost anything (bless his heart) took a bite and said "eh, it's not too bad." Then made a bit of a face. I told him he didn't have to eat it. For which he looked quite relieved...in the end even my carb loving dog wouldn't touch it. Hopefully the birds aren't so picky.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Spock! I've never seen a barren planet that shape before! Mr. Sulu, what do you think?" "Oh my!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Needless to say I was put out. After all these years of making great bread and thinking I knew my stuff I still couldn't get it! So I woke up this morning with a goal...I was going to try it again with a different recipe! (cue "Eye of the Tiger.") So I turned to trusty Google and looked up recipes...Ugh! They were pretty much alll the same. Water, yeast, flour and salt. And all pretty much in the same proportions...so how could I be messing this up?! It was then that I read the instructions from one of the recipes...in relation on how to shape the loaf. (add Fireworks to "Eye of the Tiger")<br />
<br />
So now, without further ado! After a really long story! I bring to you my French bread recipe...<br />
<br />
1 cup warm water<br />
1 TBS instant Yeast<br />
1 1/2 tsp. Sugar (optional, it helps the yeast grow)<br />
3 cups Bread Flour<br />
1 tsp Salt<br />
<br />
1 Egg beaten or Egg White (for Egg wash, optional)<br />
<br />
(This recipe will make 1 baguette. The original recipe was doubled so the flour was 6-7 cups just FYI. And if you are going to double it, chances are it won't fit in you bread maker)<br />
<br />
- In your bread maker or in a large mixing bowl.Add the yeast to the water and let it start to get frothy. You can also add the Sugar at this time if you want it.<br />
<br />
- Add 1 cup of the flour and swirl it around a bit just to incorporate it.<br />
<br />
- Add the rest of the flour<br />
<br />
-Add the Salt Last! Salt, while important in bread, it actually hiders yeast growth if it's added before the flour. ( I think it's funny how in most recipes they add the salt before the flour. Maybe they just don't want you to succeed as much..just a thought)<br />
<br />
- Either put in your bread maker on the "Dough" setting and then walk away OR you can use a mixer with a Dough Hook OR you can get your exercise and mix it by hand i.e. Knead for about 10 minutes until it's smooth or your arms fall off which ever happens first.<br />
<br />
- If not using a bread maker. Place in an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap that's been sprayed with cooking spray and then put a kitchen towel over the whole thing.<br />
<br />
-Wait about an hour or until it's doubled<br />
<br />
-Punch it down, let it rest another 5 minutes or so and start the shaping (my nemesis)<br />
You can shape it any way you really want to. It's your dough. But there are traditionally a few ways to do it. Free standing or using a Baguette pan.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Free standing</b></u> you just knead it a little bit and then shape it into an oval, tucking up and under. Put some corn meal down on a cookie sheet and then put it on ,ugly seem side down.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Baguette pan shape</u></b>. (Here comes the "oh DUH!" moment I learned today) What you need to do is take your ball of dough and using a rolling pin Roll it out into a long rectangle shape and then roll it up Hot dog style and then tuck the ends in a bit...Viola! An actual baguette shape!!! Then you just spray you pan with cooking spray and place your lovily seems side down.<br />
<br />
From here you just put the plastic wrap back over it along with the towel and let it rise again for about an hour.<br />
<br />
Once it's risen take a sharp knife <b><u>very carefully</u></b> and make a few slashes about 1/4- 1/2 deep on top to let the steam out. (On my previous attempts I had so many holes in the dough, I didn't need to this. It would just escape through one of the craters )<br />
<br />
You can brush it with an egg wash (beaten egg) but only if you want to. It gives it a shine and a chewy texture on top. Brush it on just before it goes in and at about 10 minutes before it's done.<br />
<br />
Bake it at 375 degrees for about 24 minutes.<br />
<br />
Now, if all goes well. Yours should look something akin to THIS!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuiPq14k409-8Ax1cT0A21i7R2YpU7G2ZZgO2flxcYQXlagGhvjNsRDW22GSWUCjILQYUr8wh6xUTVR8mT5ubUnamHOkjBDnvAyRAmXjBTmOEObSZRb_OZ_8_fH-4TfAB9Xz-eOxbUlOW/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuiPq14k409-8Ax1cT0A21i7R2YpU7G2ZZgO2flxcYQXlagGhvjNsRDW22GSWUCjILQYUr8wh6xUTVR8mT5ubUnamHOkjBDnvAyRAmXjBTmOEObSZRb_OZ_8_fH-4TfAB9Xz-eOxbUlOW/s320/IMG_0173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this one is missing the end piece...resistance was futile!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh? You want to see the difference again? Well, alright.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWTGS9ngdzOiuvUUzSwLTCXVA5szfGNq42tOdjqoczjj-r8eYc7t1jC_0aNn6scb0HWLEBAflEF9907Ub2s1cW0ha7sooijsbjJwZxT3WHMmjI5VZLgfY_-yIPr8D1hD82FkwjPnsRZAX/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWTGS9ngdzOiuvUUzSwLTCXVA5szfGNq42tOdjqoczjj-r8eYc7t1jC_0aNn6scb0HWLEBAflEF9907Ub2s1cW0ha7sooijsbjJwZxT3WHMmjI5VZLgfY_-yIPr8D1hD82FkwjPnsRZAX/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And this is how you know that it is good</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE1Q2z8YivPRTavob_D6qK3QmvvyUEHC19TfSDSuVcip98v9EixrHFDU53Toi3Rzc_rRyv18n6muUrFHQBAGPL5SsTHCVsVpUcp7ZybHQf-iqK-tyTRy7osMP7Cvj94lvzFzx00TV_ETQ/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE1Q2z8YivPRTavob_D6qK3QmvvyUEHC19TfSDSuVcip98v9EixrHFDU53Toi3Rzc_rRyv18n6muUrFHQBAGPL5SsTHCVsVpUcp7ZybHQf-iqK-tyTRy7osMP7Cvj94lvzFzx00TV_ETQ/s320/IMG_0179.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the remnants of crust behind her..she saves them for me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here are some suggested condiments to enhance the flavor even more....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRWCD2lHzDX1dKx6OwHs7CslbYB8qw1K1l4xIjMufplapKgI9zgEZ5H9npkEFJK3z1Q8H167ZE0AcqQb5lEwn5SEZ1m4b45_wJG4BQlRZsyPHcpEs4ekuHJrrwGntKzP6J2GO5Cv-W_4E/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRWCD2lHzDX1dKx6OwHs7CslbYB8qw1K1l4xIjMufplapKgI9zgEZ5H9npkEFJK3z1Q8H167ZE0AcqQb5lEwn5SEZ1m4b45_wJG4BQlRZsyPHcpEs4ekuHJrrwGntKzP6J2GO5Cv-W_4E/s320/IMG_0181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, I can't tell you why it tastes better once it was shaped better (maybe it had self esteem issues) but I can tell you that it worked! mmmmmm mmmmm mmmm.</div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-61351259646492395062012-02-13T00:57:00.001-07:002012-02-13T13:59:00.465-07:00Oh That's so Un-Christlike!Alright so this isn't going to be like my other posts. This one is going to have some serious over tones. With a touch of mad rant. Just bare with me and I'll try to get back to normal for the next one.......<br />
<br />
So the other week I was driving with a good friend of mine. It was a long drive so we were pretty much just blathering on about random things. We talked about everything from our kids to how complex men are etc. About an hour into the drive I told her about how my mother (whom she's never met) was concerned about my brother in law (also whom she's never met) putting off finishing something that was almost done and very very important and so she's been kind of nagging him to get it completed.<br />
My friend's response was not the casual. "Wow, I can't believe he would wait so long.." Instead she sounded almost angry and indignant about how horrible and "Un-Christ like" my mother was for being so hard on him.<br />
Um...wait, What!?<br />
Her reaction was so confusing and hurtful that it made me angry. I decide that was a good time to look out the window and try to stop myself from crying.(that's what happens when I get too upset) While doing so though I tried to defend my mom. My friend seemed to back pedal a bit and calmed down. But the comment still stuck with me even though we moved on to better topics like the tattoos we wanted when we were twelve.<br />
But it's not the first time I've heard it used in that trivial a matter. And it seems to be growing in popularity as some sort of knee jerk/go to reaction to things people deem "not kind enough".<br />
<br />
Hmmmm......Let's break it down shall we?....<br />
<br />
It has a few forms but I've been hearing it more and more from my friends and family and their friends.<br />
"What do you mean we have to start on time and be rushed? That is so un-Christlike!"<br />
"You told someone my secret who is in no way connected to me. That's so un-Christian and un-Christlike.<br />
<br />
Give me a break!<br />
<br />
I wonder if those who use phrases like this in their everyday life are aware of just how Puritanical and Self Righteous they sound? Not to mention plain Judgmental! (was that judgmental of me to call them judgmental?)<br />
It's like these people have no other way of saying "Your response was not as nice or as understanding as I feel it should have been." Or "This upsets me and I don't like it." Or even "Hey, that's kind of mean." They feel they have to go straight for the "guilt". This is a very powerful trump card. And to use it as a reprimand is not only insulting but is even worse because, really, they are then responding in a way that is by itself, not Christlike. Because I doubt Christ is watching our conversations and saying "Boy,(or Girl) I wish you would step in and tell them that I wouldn't do that." :(<br />
<br />
In my opinion (because this is my blog and it's all my opinion), calling another Christian's actions Un-Christ like is like a slap in the face, <u>Especially when no malice was intended</u>.(I'm sure non-Christians wouldn't care so much.) Because, for Christians, what's a better way to make us feel guilty than to tell us that we are not behaving in the way our Lord and Savior would like? And in essence making us feel that we are a horrible person for doing or saying what we did.<br />
<br />
The thing though, is that more and more people are using it for the most benign things. Someone I know posted their opinion (on their own wall) about how sad it was that the media was giving so much attention to a celebrity death (who had a history of drug abuse) when there are soldiers dying everyday. The first person agreed with him. The second ripped him a new one for not being sympathetic enough to the celebrity, "such Christian attitudes.." was their first line. And they didn't stop there. Oh no, they went on and on....<br />
Now, if the person who posted started calling the celebrity nasty names and called for violence against anyone who so ever dared posted a condolence post. Then I would consider that to be on the extreme side.Go ahead and make them see the error of their ways.... But not for just sharing their opinion about the hypocrisy about someone who seemed to waste their life compared to someone who died in the service of their country.<br />
<br />
Do you see the difference people?<br />
<br />
Can you see where this is could get annoying and out of hand?<br />
<br />
I mean really, Christ's name is already used so much in inappropriate ways. Why must we use it as a form of reprimand or insult and hurt even more people?Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-39378653277275401072012-02-09T20:40:00.007-07:002012-02-09T23:04:32.956-07:00Did someone say Smoothies?!!!Oh yeah! It was me! Because on a semi dank and dreary day like today and it being close to Valentines day,who wouldn't want to cuddle up next to their Honey (aka a good book) and a large cup of frozen yumminess?<br />
<br />
As I'm sure you are all aware, there are thousand of smoothie recipes out there but for some reason when I go into a smoothie place I always try to find one that does not contain Banana...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFVKDLztc_4v7q2ZCY1gqi8l5sH73F_TCIJMrvToahk9MTqViA" /> </div>Now,some would ask, "But why not Banana?! All smoothies must have Banana!" And I would say to them "NOO, you are mistaken my friend. For my smoothies shalt not contain Banana because Banana is the bully of all fruit kind. The flavor takes over everything!" Not that I have anything against Banana, I just have to really be in the mood for it and when I find that it was slipped in without my knowledge it's like an angry assault to my taste buds. ...so moving on.<br />
<br />
Some people think that smoothies are expensive but being the frugal and forward thinking person that I am, I've found a way around that. I buy fresh fruit like strawberries and blueberries when they are on sale and in mass quantities and then I freeze them. If you aren't quite as enterprising (paranoid some may say) as I am, you can just as easily buy the frozen stuff in the store. If it's out of season it's usually way cheaper to buy than the fresh stuff anyway. <br />
<br />
<b><i>And now for a little background story....</i></b><br />
When I was in college, I used to go to Jamba Juice when I wanted to treat myself. I thought they were the BEST EVER. That is until a few years ago I stumbled across a small coffee/smoothie chain called Jolt and Juice in Ontario, OR. <i>(Jamba, I still like you like a friend)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
It was there that I weighed my options and ordered their "Cruisin Todd" (apple juice, blueberries, strawberries and heavy cream) with a shot of Mango syrup....and then, of course whip cream on top. It was like Manna from Heaven. And due to it's yumminess I craved it often. Unfortunately at the time the closest Jolt and Juice was about 45 minutes away and even then I could rarely convince my husband that stopping was truely necessary. So I had no other choice but to make my own...but in a not quite so "heavy whip cream" way. And this is what I came up with.<br />
<br />
Here are my Ingredients:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BHphWgaVbN_uEBhHI_eIXVCxKn8tkHetm4wCYvNtNz1gJOfHcGVCJ-sywZgkIurysXcUkIdnB3XXxNsqn_jqklfG1s3SqxHhy4rCtMRwCrD6sT1U0G2fpYv8MtMiGP4NjDCPBk47LCia/s1600/IMG_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BHphWgaVbN_uEBhHI_eIXVCxKn8tkHetm4wCYvNtNz1gJOfHcGVCJ-sywZgkIurysXcUkIdnB3XXxNsqn_jqklfG1s3SqxHhy4rCtMRwCrD6sT1U0G2fpYv8MtMiGP4NjDCPBk47LCia/s320/IMG_0155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>(most of these measurement are approximate so you just have to go with it and hope it turns out close to mine) <br />
1-2 handfuld of Frozen Blueberries<br />
1 handful Frozen Apple slices (peeled, the skins do not blend well)<br />
1 handful or 3-4 large Frozen Strawberries<br />
1 inch piece of Frozen Mango (they are behind the blueberries)<br />
about 1/4 cup of Plain Greek yogurt ( you could use Vanilla if you want)<br />
about 1/4 cup of Apple sauce<br />
1/2- 1 scoop of Vanilla Whey Protein powder<br />
I also add about half a dropper of Grape flavored Stevia extract. it helps with the tartness of the yogurt.<br />
<br />
<br />
Put all that in a food processor or blender and pulse once or twice to get it mixed a bit before putting it on high speed for about 20 seconds. Make sure to stop every few seconds and scrap the sides to ensure there are no giant bits.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2ZiYilqIFRtMncXTG97OoueFU1bEn9ivaFSUvQmP0i_IdugZ8cFfNHYPRQWEs42INsmKPJDVhVdJFCMztZXbQE5IKEHduVVtd9aVntXboCD39fp-tVwsLEgR95wfJmgCakSa0YClJTfi/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2ZiYilqIFRtMncXTG97OoueFU1bEn9ivaFSUvQmP0i_IdugZ8cFfNHYPRQWEs42INsmKPJDVhVdJFCMztZXbQE5IKEHduVVtd9aVntXboCD39fp-tVwsLEgR95wfJmgCakSa0YClJTfi/s320/IMG_0156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The longer you blend it, the smoother and less thick it will become.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3rb_VFzmS6PcLO8bk0GJ-FVdXK0Y_9XMKED3Np_dj67pg9aUNsySkiESDMbCCWACZeRKNoaQdtJYHpKZVjz98KaXoSnYpoJYD-tbJ9IiIdjl7YSXf8h4fLGhie9viqqOnhFwvDd5-7tY/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3rb_VFzmS6PcLO8bk0GJ-FVdXK0Y_9XMKED3Np_dj67pg9aUNsySkiESDMbCCWACZeRKNoaQdtJYHpKZVjz98KaXoSnYpoJYD-tbJ9IiIdjl7YSXf8h4fLGhie9viqqOnhFwvDd5-7tY/s320/IMG_0157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>From there you just poor it into a cup and start popping a vein...or you could get a spoon until it melts a bit. Either way, Enjoy!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-19204273311251486702011-11-11T14:51:00.000-07:002011-11-11T14:51:38.141-07:00Happy 11-11-11 dayI said that I would try to post something on 11-11-11. And I don't really have a lot of time today....So here it is....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRoJvuKp-F95hJy51g7n8E8fp_NZsw2Do5wcqaUl1gKEQjRO4T5ow" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> (ooh, apparently something is coming)</div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-31352274535681448922011-11-08T13:03:00.002-07:002011-11-08T14:20:35.079-07:00It's like TV but with Books!.<br />
The site is called <a href="http://www.bigworldnetwork.com/" target="_blank">Big World Net</a>work .<br />
<br />
This is a new site that will be launched tomorrow, November 9th that allows you either listen to or read a new chapter of a book released on a certain day of the week, for 12 weeks, just like a tv episode. The titles are all new and currently unpublished but range vastly in age level and genre.<br />
<br />
I was given the opportunity to preview the site and read the first chapters of a few of the books being offered. And while some of them could use a little bit more polishing, they are pretty good. The site even gives a "rating guide" depicting at what age the story is appropriate for so you know if it's okay to listen with your kids around.<br />
<br />
What also makes this site great is that they are always looking for more authors to submit their work for future "seasons". Making this a very good opportunity for aspiring writers...which I happen to know a few.<br />
<br />
So if you are interested in reading/listening brand new books or submitting your stories. And getting your name out there.... <a href="http://www.bigworldnetwork.com/" target="_blank">This might be a good place to start. </a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-45657091609454105822011-11-06T22:17:00.003-07:002011-11-07T08:48:49.523-07:00I had a dream...about a sandwichOk so, Last night I had the most infuriating, horrifying dream.<br />
But first I need to give you a little back story.... I love Arby's fast food restaurant. Growing up we didn't have one very close by. In fact my friend Laura and I would make special trips to the Harrisburg East mall, over 20 miles away (for teenagers, that was far) just so we could have the yummy cheesy roast beefy goodness...yeah, we shopped too, but really I went there for Arby's. For me, if I had to choose between the food of any other fast food joint and Arby's? I would choose Arby's every time. They just need to have a play place for the kids and I would never leave.<br />
Now, I realize some of you might think that it's gross and the worse place ever...well, then that's your loss...hand over the curly fries and walk away..... mmmmmmm<br />
<br />
Alright, so back to my dream. It wasn't very long but when I woke up, I was not happy.....<br />
<br />
I had just gotten back from Arby's. Apparently I didn't get anything for myself but I did get my kids a Ham and Cheese melt. My daughter doesn't really like to eat sandwiches in their pure form so she opens them up and then takes a bite or two and then usually just leaves it. And by "leaves it" throws it somewhere. This time she threw one part of the bun on the chair and the other part with the meat and cheese on the counter. The half on the counter just so happened to skid across and just barely touch the (clean) outside edge of the container we use to put compost in.<br />
Me, being me, and not wanting to waste any of this yummy goodness picked up the half on the chair and went to collect the other half. But just be for I could reach it. Ryan comes in and picks up the half on the counter, looks at it and then, to my horror, throws it inside the very slimy compost bin...making it completely inedible. <br />
"Hey! I was going to eat that!" I exclaim.<br />
"Oh, I thought it was dirty. I didn't think you'd want it." he shrugged.<br />
This coming from the man who will eat the moldy parts off of cheese because he hates to waste it.<br />
"Uggg!!! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT?!" I yell back<br />
"Uh, sorry." and then he just walks out of the kitchen.<br />
<br />
And Scene...<br />
<br />
So, needless to say, when I woke up, I was ticked! He had his arm draped over me, so I gave him a shove. I was so mad! I didn't want him to even touch me!<br />
Ug, How could he have thrown that away?! What was he thinking? He knows how much I love Arby's sandwiches. Granted, it wasn't a Roast Beef sandwich, but it was still on the top of my yummy list.<br />
It took a couple minutes for me to calm myself down and only then did I realize that it was just a dream...a very very bad bad dream.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5959727131971569245.post-7423242887199080032011-11-04T14:54:00.003-06:002011-11-06T17:10:13.998-07:00Lola and the Boy Next DoorSo, I just finished reading something else that I thought I would pass along. "Lola and the Boy Next Door" by Stephanie Perkins<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbckTmZPEOkQcU7U3DVnLaEJZSkYvKaKilOsto6SkMnqJCBzCJWQ" /></div><br />
Lola is a very interesting girl. She just turned seventeen and is having a pretty normal life living in the Castro district of San Francisco. The only thing that makes her stand out from the crowd, besides her two dads and the occasional visit from her fortune telling birth mother, is that she doesn't wear normal cloths but instead wears "costumes".<br />
<br />
Her goal is to never wear the same costume twice in a year. Despite some of the comments she hears at school, she is completely confident with who she is. Everything is going as well as she could hope for. She has the perfect (much older) boyfriend who is in a band. Her fathers hate him, which isn't so perfect, but she's working on that... She's even planning on making a Marie Antoinette themed dress for the Winter Formal that she's sure people will remember for the rest of their lives. Everything is on track....That is until the original residents of the house next door move back after being gone for two years. Bringing with them her most hated nemesis Calliope Bell and her twin brother Cricket Bell......the boy who shattered her heart.<br />
----------<br />
<br />
<br />
Lola is your typical teenager, she makes a lot of choices that I wouldn't condone but can understand. And I love just how confident she is with herself. She doesn't usually do things just to make others like her. She has her own drummer and she tries to follow it even if, to everyone one else, it's always a different beat.<br />
<br />
I really liked this story. It turned out to have a lot of good messages about being nonjudgmental, what real love is, forgiveness and being happy with who you are and accepting what life has placed in your path...<br />
<br />
In time I think I would want my daughter to read this but not until she was mature enough for it. It's not for pre-teens it's in the Young Adult category for a reason. It always drives me a little nuts seeing kids reading books that are not for their age group, subject matter wise..especially when their parents are the ones who give it to them. But that's another rant post for later...<br />
<br />
Anyway, like I was saying. I really did enjoy this book...maybe because it made me want to break out of my shell a little bit and start being my true self instead of what others expect me to be...plus, re-inspires me to start wearing more fun outfits and glitter!Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752573639283184435noreply@blogger.com2