Stacey's Favorite Books

Friday, July 29, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

Since we camp and Dutch oven cook a fair amount, I am always looking for something new to try. Darin Siefken at Crawdaddy Outdoors shared this recipe with me and it has quickly become a favorite. It is a little bit time consuming, but so worth it. Could easily be made inside instead of over coals...

Cheesy Chicken Italiano

Nutrition Info
  • Calories: 310.9
  • Fat: 8.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 14.1g
  • Protein: 43.2g

Ingredients

1 pound bacon 
8 chicken breasts -cut into chunks
3 cloves garlic - minced
1 large yellow onion sliced
6 large tomatoes - diced
1 red bell pepper - cut into chunks
1 green bell pepper - cut into chunks
1 cup mushrooms- sliced
(1) 10 3/4 oz can tomato puree
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
2 tsp oregano -ground
2 tsp basil 
1 1/2 tsp parsley
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
3 cups mozzarella cheese -grated (low fat or fat free)
3 cups cheddar cheese - grated (low fat or fat free)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Directions

slice bacon into 1 inch strips and fry until brown. Remove all bacon grease except 2 tbsp add chicken and garlic and cook til done. In a dutch oven layer ingredients. Start with onion slices then chicken and garlic. Add tomatoes, red and green bell peppers and mushrooms. bake for 30 minutes.

In a separate bowl mix tomato puree, vinegar, honey and spices into a sauce stir to mix well. 
Sprinkle bacon over the chicken and vegetables then pour sauce over the all. Cover and bake another 15 minutes. Sprinkle cheeses over the top. Replace lid and let sit for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted

serves 16

Number of Servings: 16

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user TAMRAC63.


DON'T FORGET THAT THERE ARE NO STORYTIMES FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST. THEY WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER!!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday??...

     So, everybody!! What's in Your Library Bag this Wednesday?? I am embarassed to admit that I did that, that thing that makes me roll my eyes when other people do it. I screwed up my face and said, "But that book's about aliens..." when someone suggested The Host by Stephenie Meyer to me. Now, I get enough of "Oh, but that's about vampires" with faces that I should know better. But, I didn't. My first reaction was that I wasn't going to like the book because it was about aliens. I've never really read about aliens before. I am a Trekky fan with the best of them, but to sit and read it in a book...not so much. I was skeptical and I hesistated quite a bit. But, since it came on great recommendation, I finally took the book home and started reading it.
     I must say, The Host, is a bit of a slow starter. The first few chapters, I struggled with the "alien" names and kept falling asleep every time I tried to read. This, in my mind, just meant that I was right about the "But it's about aliens" comment that I'd made. Never one to give up quite so easily, though, I trudged on. This particular novel didn't take as long as The Hunger Games did to capture my interest. All of a sudden, out of the blue, it hooked me. It's really good and all I want to do is read. I did tell a coworker last night that this is the point where a book is most dangerous to me. The Host is roughly 400-500 pages and I am only at about page 80. It will do me no good to stay up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it, as is my custom, since there is no way I am going to finish it in one night. Ooohhh but I want to!!  I don't really want the story to be over; in fact, I was excited once I got hooked that I was going to be able to read for a good long story. But, it's good and I do want to read it. That usually means staying up late in my house.
     I do have a point here. The moral of  my story is, don't judge a book by its characters or cover for that matter. There are some really great stories just waiting to be read all about aliens, vampires, modern day romance,etc....the list goes on. Grab a book and start yours today!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Book Trailer Monday...

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater, the last in the Shiver trilogy came out this month. Janette and I have been anxiously awaiting its arrival and the making of the movie!!!

Check it out!


Friday, July 22, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

I walked into work this morning and was greeted by these yummy treats!! Didn't know I was hungry...but who can resist such a yummy cookie??? If you don't fee like camping or in general being outside in this humidity, try this S'more like treat and enjoy a great taste of summer!!


Triple-Deckers

 From FamilyFun Magazine
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These delicious little treats combine three all-time favorites (peanut butter, marshmallow, and chocolate) and are a cinch to make. Young helpers will enjoy snipping the marshmallows in half and breaking the chocolate bars into small pieces.
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 4-ounce Mr. Goodbars, with peanuts
  • 20 to 23 large marshmallows
Instructions
  1. Heat the oven to 375. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and blend with an electric mixer.
  2. Add the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract, combining thoroughly. In a separate bowl, combine the salt, baking soda, and flour, then mix them into the wet ingredients.
  3. Shape the dough into 1 1/4-inch balls and bake for 8 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet. Meanwhile, your child can break the chocolate bars into small squares and use kitchen shears (with your supervision) to snip the marshmallows in half lengthwise.
  4. Remove the cookies from the oven, top each one with a marshmallow half, and return the tray to the oven for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
  5. Finally, remove the cookies from the oven and place a piece of chocolate atop the marshmallows. Allow the cookies to remain on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to cooling racks. Makes 3 1/2 to 4 dozen cookies.

DON'T FORGET!!

THE LAST TEEN SUMMER READING PROGRAM AND A CHANCE TO WIN EITHER THE IPOD NANO OR THE NOOK IS NEXT THURSDAY, JULY 28TH @ 8:30 P.M. COME ENJOY A FIRE AND S'MORES!!!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday??

     What's in Your Library Bag this Hot Hot Wednesday Library Friends? I just finished reading the new novel by David Baldacci, One Summer. This particular novel was totally out of character for David Baldacci. He is typically what I would call a Mystery/Thriller author. However, in this novel, he writes a story of love, love lost, losing a loved one, miracles, and family. It is actually more typical of say, Nicholas Sparks. In fact, it reminded me a lot of a Nicholas Sparks story.
     By the third chapter of One Summer, I was in tears and knew it was going to be a good story. I don't particularly like to cry when I read a novel, but I love it when an author has written the story well enough to make me cry when I read it. Do you know what I mean? Anyway, the story begins with Jack Armstrong, a.k.a. the Dad, lying in bed, terminally ill with cancer. It is a week away from Christmas and he is just trying to hold on until after the kids open their presents. As he lays in bed contemplating his death, he writes a letter every night of the week before Christmas to his wife, Lizzie, trying to express how much he feels for her.
     In a strange twist of fate, Lizzie rushes out on Christmas Eve to collect medicine for Jack, and dies in a car wreck. What follows is the story of what becomes of the Armstrong Family after their mom dies and their dad is supposed to die soon from his terminal cancer. It is a story of second chances. Second chances for Jack. Second chances for love and second chances for a small family that was torn apart with grief. You'll have to stop in and pick it up to see what I mean.
     David Baldacci really stretched his writing in creating this novel, One Summer, so different from his typical story and I think he did a really good job. I give it a thumbs up!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Book Trailer Monday...

IF...

If you are a David Baldacci reader, this trailer and novel will really get to you....


If you are a Nicholas Sparks reader, this novel will really get to you....

If you are looking for something fresh and new and really gritty,  this novel will get to you...

If you'd like this nove to get to you, stop in to the library and add your name to the list, because I have it at home right now and it's really getting to me...

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Whoops! From Our Recipe Box to Yours Friday....on Saturday...

So, I was checking in on Facebook today and a friend and coworker of mine was making these for supper tonight!! They sounded soo good that I had to include the recipe here for you all to try, too!! Supper, here I come!

Foil Ranch Potatoes
 Spray the foil. Use 1 pkt of dry ranch, at least a half stick of butter and about a third cup of water, potatoes. Double foil. Grill about 25 to 30 min.


Hopefully, you all were out for Heritage Days and saw us in the parade today!! It was a hot one, but a whole lot of fun!! 


NEWS FLASH:
Job Opening
Waverly Public Library, Part-time Assistant Librarian, specializing in Teen Services. Four-year degree, computer skills, eagerness to serve the public. Plans, manages, runs Library's teen program, as well as Assistant Librarian duties. Must work well with young adults!! Requires flexible schedule - includes days/nights/wkends. Approx. 15-25 hrs/wk. Apply by July 25.


Complete general application and send with resume and three references to:


Beth Burrow
1500 W. Bremer Ave.
Waverly, IA 50677
bburrow@waverly.lib.ia.us











Wednesday, July 13, 2011

What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?

What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday is here again! I know that it's beautiful outside, but that doesn't mean you should stop reading...just go sit outside to read your favorite books!! That's what I do! You all know that I try to occassionally step out of my box and read something different too, right? Well, this one patron has been telling me how awesome of a writer Suzanne Brockmann is and how she just keeps reading the Troubleshooters series over and over because she can't find another author/series that she likes as well as that one. So, I broke down and checked out Unsung Hero, the first in the Troubleshooters series to try it. I figured if someone likes it that much, I should try it and see what it's all about. I should first tell you that Suzanne Brockmann does write romance, so you know it's not too much of a stretch for me to try this series.
     Back to the book. It is a very modern day romance. One of the main characters is a Navy SEAL who has been injured and is taking medical leave in his hometown of Baldwin's Bridge. While there, he reconnects with a gal that he had a crush on back in high school, cue the romance part. At the same time, Tom's niece is another story line that intersects with Tom's. I hadn't really noticed how much the separate story lines flip back and forth until I was discussing this book with a fellow librarian.
     In other words, there are a couple different story lines going on, but I didn't really notice or find them hard to follow until they were pointed out to me and then I just began to notice more. It really flows pretty seemlessly.
     The best part of the story, in my opinion, is the witty dialoge. I love books with strong, witty females and lots of dialog always makes a book fast, easy and fun to read. There is also a little bit of mystery going on that livens the story up, too, but it is very light.
     Overall, Suzanne Brockmann's Unsung Hero is a good, fun read. Lots of witty dialog in a modern day setting. A nice switch from my regular paranormal reads.
     Go out and try something new, maybe this Suzanne Brockmann, and see what you come up with!

Monday, July 11, 2011

It's Monday and I missed Friday...

It is Monday and I did miss Friday's recipe but I am sharing a new bookmark I made with some suggestions for something new to read...You do have to print it and cut it out, but it's yours to use!!

P.S. You can thank me later after you've found your next favorite author!! (fingers crossed)

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday??...

Remember this post http://waverlypubliclibrary.blogspot.com/2011/06/whats-in-your-library-bag-wednesday.html ???

I just realized that I have neglected to let you know which Beth is which?? The extra comments with clues were great! To Blair and Vicky, you were right, it was...drum roll please.....
Beth Burrow.


Now in order to satisfy everyone's curiosity, here are Beth Paulsen's favorite reads....


The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby

Life Guide to Digital Photography by Joe McNally

Captured : Lessons From Behind the Lens of a Legendary Wildlife Photographer by Peterson, B. (Bruce)

Photoshop Elements Book for Digital Photography by Scott Kelby

101 Great Things to Do With Your Digital Camera by Simon Joinson

Photojojo! : Insanely Great Photo Projects and DIY Ideas by Gupta, Amit 



Thanks everyone for playing along. Leave a comment and let us know what your favorite titles are and tune in next Wednesday for some more great reading ideas..... 

Friday, July 1, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

The Library Gals got together the other night and shared some food and fun. Here's the recipe I took...

Pinwheel Fruit Cobbler with Caramel Sauce
10" dutch oven


Sugar Syrup
2 cups water
2 cups brown sugar


Pastry
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup milk


1 stick butter
2 cups fresh fruit, finely chopped


Caramel Sauce
individually wrapped caramels
evaporated milk






Prepare the sugar syrup by boiling the water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.


Prepare the pastry by cutting the flour into the shortening until it is the consistency of small peas. Add the milk and form into a ball in the middle of the bowl. Place dough on a lightly floured board and roll out into a rectangle about 1/4" thick. Drain fruit and spread on the pastry dough. Roll up jelly roll fashion. Slice in 1" thick slices.


Preheat your dutch oven with 8 coals on the bottom. When the oven is warm, melt the butter. Place the pinwheel slices carefully in the oven. Gently pour the sugar syrup over the slices. Cover and place 17 coals on the lid in a checkerboard pattern. Bake 15 minutes. Remove all but 4 coals from the bottom of the oven and bake an additional 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with caramel sauce.


For the caramel sauce, melt the caramels in a small dutch oven over very low heat.and thin to desired consistency with evaporated milk.


I did use a dutch oven for this recipe, but cooked it in the regular oven at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. It was a yummy summery treat! Pick some raspberries today and try it!!


More yummy Dutch Oven Recipes can be found at http://www.dutchovenmadness.blogspot.com/




REMEMBER WE ARE CLOSED MONDAY, JULY 4TH FOR THE HOLIDAY. GET YOUR READING MATERIALS EARLY!!!