Stacey's Favorite Books

Friday, December 30, 2011

From our recipe box to yours...

These looked fun to have on New Year's Eve....

RaSpBeRrY FiZzLeR
 
recipe image
Rated:rating
Submitted By: CaItLiN
Photo By: CC♥'s2bake
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Ready In: 5 Minutes
Servings: 2
"This recipe, made for kids, is a fruity-good drink. Raspberry juice is blended with raspberry sherbet and carbonated water. You can try cranberry-raspberry, or apple-raspberry juice!"
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups raspberry juice
3 scoops raspberry sherbet
1/2 cup carbonated water
DIRECTIONS:
1.In a blender, combine raspberry juice, raspberry sherbet and carbonated water. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2011 Allrecipes.comPrinted from Allrecipes.com 12/30/2011


Don't forget that we are closed on Sunday, January 1 in observance of the New Year's holiday!! We will resume regular hours Monday morning.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Thoughts on a Thursday...

Here's a word for this lovely Thursday...

interpolation

   in-tur-puh-LEY-shuhn  , noun;

1.
The act or process of introducing something additional or extraneous between other parts.

2.
Something interpolated, as a passage introduced into a text.

3.
Mathematics.  A. The process of determining the value of a function between two points at which ithas prescribed values. B. A similar process using more than two points at which the function hasprescribed values. C. The process of approximating a given function by using its values at a discreteset of points.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday...

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday?!!! I am still reading the Cassandra Clare series, The Mortal Instruments. I am on book three, The City of Glass, and it just gets better and better. Much like the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning...The first books are good, but the last ones??...Definitely the best and worth the wait. Kind of a catch, you have to read the first ones to really "get" the last ones, but boy oh boy, the last ones in the series out do themselves and make you think you didn't need the first ones to begin with since these are soo good!! If you are a fantasy reader at all, you should enjoy the Mortal Instruments  series by Cassandra Clare!!
     What I really wanted to ask was if you ever read poetry? To yourself or to your children?? I remember being in school and enjoying writing my own poetry, but I don't remember reading much except for Shel Silverstein. I still don't read much on my own, but a few years ago, The Best Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis came out and I received it as a Christmas present. It's a great collection from short Emily Dickinson poems to  verses from the Bible. I really enjoy reading just a few here and there, flipping through until one catches my eye.
    My children especially like to listen to poetry, grabbing the book from me and taking turns reading. We enjoy a lot of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky along with the selections from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Even my youngest has his eyes light up when he sees me bring a poetry book in before bed.
     What I'm saying is, check out a book of poetry today and explore the possibilities either on your own or with your children. You'll be glad you did.

A parting poem for you....


Snowball
by Shel Silverstein

I made myself a snow ball as perfect as could be.
I thought I'd keep it as a pet and let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas and a pillow for it's head.
Then, last night it ran away.
But first -- it wet the bed.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Book Trailer Monday...

Not coming out until next December but definitely one to watch for!!...

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Thoughts for a Thursday...

Here's a new word for today!


ab·scond/abˈskänd/

Verb:
  1. Leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or arrest.
  2. (of someone on bail) Fail to surrender oneself for custody at the appointed time.
Synonyms:
flee - escape - run away - elope - get away

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday?

    Welcome to the Wednesday before Christmas! Are there any of you who are all done with your shopping, cleaning, wrapping, etc. and are able to sit down and enjoy a good book? I, for one, am not. I do, however, manage a few pages before I fall asleep each night! Pathetic, I know.
     I was thinking of asking you what your favorite book from 2011 was, but then I wasn't sure I could name just one for myself. I loved the Hunger Games series, Divergent, Anita Blake, series, Shiver, Linger and Forever....I don't think I read or started to read as the case may be, too many that aren't worth mentioning....I can't remember all of them though...Maybe I should keep an ongoing list to look back on like Janette does?...Something to think about for a New Year's Resolution....
    So, if you've got a favorite book for 2011 please share!! Leave a comment and let us all know what we should be reading in 2012...

Otherwise...
What's your favorite Christmas Carol? Again, I can't name just one. Mine include:

1. We Three Kings of Orient are
2. Mr. Heatmiser by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
3. Jeannette Isabelle by Manheim Steamroller
4. The First Noel
5. Away in a Manger
6. Jingle Bells
7. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Monday, December 19, 2011

Book Trailer Monday...

'Tis the season for Holiday stories....Here's a new one that looks good...


Friday, December 16, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

I recently asked my coworkers what their favorite Christmas candy was. I got all kinds of answers from fudge to candy canes to nut clusters and pecan tassies. But, the one candy that got more than one vote was Sarah's peanut butter balls!! She has a baking thing going here and probably doesn't even know it!!!

So here you go...

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS


1/4 to 1/2 lb. melted butter (if the batter doesn't seem moist enough, add more butter!)
2 C. peanut butter
1 lb. powdered sugar
3 1/2 C. Rice Krispies, measure than crush


Melt 1/2 to 3/4 bar paraffin wax with 12 oz. chocolate chips in a double boiler. Shape and dip peanut butter balls  in chocolate. Cool on wax paper.


REMEMBER: We are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Closing at 5:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve and Closed on New Year's Day!!! Enjoy the Holidays with your family!!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Thoughts on a Thursday...

I just keep running across such fun words in my reading lately...

con·cu·pis·cent

  [kon-kyoo-pi-suhnt, kong-]  Show IPA
adjective
1.
lustful or sensual.
2.
eagerly desirous.

Origin: 1400–50;  < Latin concupīscent-  (stem of concupīscēns,  presentparticiple of concupīscere  to conceive ardent desire for),equivalent to con- con-  + cup-  (stem of cupere  to desire) + -īscent-,  variant of -ēscent- -escent


Monday, December 12, 2011

Book Trailer Monday...

Here's a book to change your life and how you view this season of giving....

Friday, December 9, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours....

Today I'd like to share a family recipe with you. Last week, the librarians all got together and made goody trays for the other city departments. We each brought or made a recipe of our own. Our director, Sarah, brought her mom's recipe for coconut balls and they were a huge hit!!! So, I thought I'd share it so you could try it this Christmas season with your own families....

Sarah's Mom's Coconut Balls

Filling: 
1 bag coconut flakes
1 bag powdered sugar
1 stick butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Coating:
1 bag dark chocolate chips
1/3 to 1/2 block Gulf paraffin wax

Combine filling ingredients and roll into small balls. Melt chocolate chips and wax together in a double boiler. Cool slightly then dip the balls until totally covered. Let cool and harden on wax paper. Voila!!! Yummy coconut balls. Store refrigerated or out on your freezer in the garage! :)

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Thoughts for a Thursday...

Wow! These young adult novels are really getting me!! Love looking up words and learning new things!! This week's word comes from City of Bones by Cassandra Clare....

in·im·i·cal

  [ih-nim-i-kuhl]  Show IPA
adjective
1.
adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable; harmful: aclimate inimical to health.
2.
unfriendly; hostile: a cold, inimical gaze.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?... To get you in the mood....

Hey it's Wednesday!!! What's in Your Library Bag???? I thought I'd include this famous poem today to help get you in the mood for this holiday season...if you are anything like me, you don't have lots of extra time to read, but this is a fun poem to share with your family...

 Twas the Night before Christmas Poem
by Clement Clarke Moore
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Friday, December 2, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

I know that my co-worker Janette reads these entries and thinks that her whole recipe box goes on this blog, but she always has such yummy, good ideas I can't help myself!!!

Here's what's in my crock pot as we speak...Thanks Janette!

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos...

4 chicken breasts
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 pkg. taco seasoning


Low 4 to 6 hours. Breasts can be cut up or whole and also can be frozen. Serve with tortillas, hard shells or chips. Garnish with cheese, lettuce, sour cream and tomatoes as desired!!


Another co-worker, Kate, makes this same thing only her recipe goes like this...


Crock Pot Chicken Tacos Kate Style....


1 lb. chicken (frozen is fine)
1 can chicken bouillon
1 pkg. taco seasoning


Low 4 to 6 hours. Kate says she always makes more than 1 lb. of chicken and then freezes her leftovers in all of that liquid and it heats up wonderfully for a meal on another night when she is too rushed to cook!!


It's so fun to work with such great cooks!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Thoughts on a Thursday...

I ran across this book within the first chapter of the latest young adult selection I am reading. Funny thing, I've run across more interesting words this last 6 months that I want to look up and learn in young adult titles than adult books. What does that say exactly?


in·sou·ci·ant  (n-ss-nt, s-syä)
adj.
Marked by blithe unconcern; nonchalant.

[French : in-not (from Old French; see in-1) + souciant, present participle of soucierto trouble (from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *sollictre, alteration of Latin sollicitreto vex; see solicit).]

in·souci·ant·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

insouciant [ɪnˈsuːsɪənt]
adj
carefree or unconcerned; light-hearted
[from French, from in-1 + souciant worrying, from soucier to trouble, from Latin sollicitāre; compare solicitous]
insouciance  n
insouciantly  adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.insouciant - marked by blithe unconcern; "an ability to interest casual students"; "showed a casual disregard for cold weather"; "an utterly insouciant financial policy"; "an elegantly insouciant manner"; "drove his car with nonchalant abandon"; "was polite in a teasing nonchalant manner"
unconcerned - lacking in interest or care or feeling; "the average American...is unconcerned that his or her plight is the result of a complex of personal and economic and governmental actions...beyond the normal citizen's comprehension and control"; "blithely unconcerned about his friend's plight"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

insouciant
adjective nonchalantcasualcarefreegaysunnybuoyantairybreezyunconcernedjauntyuntroubledhappy-go-lucky, free and easy, unworriedlight-hearted He worked with insouciant disregard for convention.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday?

     It's Wednesday my blog reading friends!! And I'm here to ask you What's in Your Library Bag this Wednesday? I missed last week with the Thanksgiving holiday, but I'm back and ready for your suggestions this week!!
     For whatever reason, I  haven't been reading as much as I normally do, but I did finish the newest Jeaniene Frost book, One Grave at a Time. It was nice to catch up with Cat and Bones again and Ms. Frost added an interesting twist by giving ghosts the ability to take solid form while introducing a new character heading Cat's old team that doesn't like her much as well. Dealing with both of these has Cat and Bones with their hands full. Cat's old best friend, Denise, makes an appearance as a shapeshifting dragon, too. Lots of paranormal, lots of mystery, lots of fun!!
     There is a new book that looks intriguing that I recently placed a hold on: 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I have read Stephen King's biography, On Writing, but I haven't really read anything else of his. I know his writing is kind of fantastical, but seemed kind of weird.... This new one sounds intriguing. Here's a clip about it from goodreads.com...

November 22nd, 1963 was a rapid-fire sequence of indelible moments: Shots ring out; a president slumped over; a race to the Dallas hospital; an announcement, blood still fresh on the First Lady's dress. But what if President John F. Kennedy didn't have to die; if somehow his assassin could have been thwarted? For Maine schoolteacher Jake Epping, those hypothetical what if's become real possibilities when he walks through a portal to the past. Without special skills and still unfamiliar with his new/old surroundings, he struggles to discover a way to change the history he left. Like its Under the Dome predecessor, Stephen King's 960-page novel shows that this master of suspense is back at the top of his game.


Kind of time travel/fantasy, alternate history....I'll try it and let you know....


What are you reading or putting holds on??? Do you have a long list of titles that you want for Christmas?? Chime in and let me know....