Stacey's Favorite Books

Friday, April 29, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours....

In honor of today's royal wedding, I thought I'd include something British!! I found this recipe on the Pioneer Woman's cooking website, The Tasty Kitchen. You can look for other great recipes there, too. http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/


Whole Grain Strawberry Pop Tart Scones

Light, fluffy scones studded with fresh strawberries and drizzled with white icing!


Prep Time 10 Minutes Cook Time 16 Minutes Difficulty Easy
IngredientsFOR THE SCONES:


¼ cups Milk
1 whole Vanilla Bean, Scraped Of All Seeds
½ cups Cream
1 cup Chopped Fresh Strawberries
½ cups Sugar
1 cup Whole Grain Pastry Flour
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 cup All-purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoons Salt
6 Tablespoons Cold Butter, Sliced Into Small Pieces

FOR THE ICING:

½ cups Powdered Sugar
1 teaspoon Milk


Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F.
Mix together the vanilla bean seeds, strawberries, cream and milk in a small bowl. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in the butter and work mixture together with your fingertips until it reaches the consistency of sand.
Add the strawberries and milk to the dry ingredients and mix together until a shaggy, wet dough forms.
Pat dough into a large circle on a lined baking sheet and cut into eight pieces (like cutting a pie). Separate the pieces about an inch apart and bake for 16 minutes or until golden.
Let scones cool completely while you combine the powdered sugar and milk to make the icing.
Drizzle icing over scones and serve.



Stop in @ the library today from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to catch highlights of the the royal event and enjoy some tea and cake with us for our "Royal Wedding Reception"!!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday...I'm late...which isn't particularly unusual, but I feel bad just the same.

Welcome to Wednesday (it's actually Thursday now) and What's in Your Library Bag!!
     You all know that we, the library ladies, are trying to read the classic, Jane Eyre, together. As I've been quite busy lately, all I am getting through these days is about 5 chapters a week. So, I thought I'd use this time to do a quick little review of an old favorite, A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux.
    Just thinking about this book makes me want to read it all over again. It is a classic tale of a love that lasts throughout time. Jude Devereaux writes historical romance with strong willed female characters that sometimes make you laugh out loud they seem so modern in the midst of 1500 Scottish lairds. Oh yes, this novel has a handsome Scottish Laird in it. Yes, it does. Said Laird, actually "hears" Dougless Montgomery weeping across time and is "pulled" to aid her in her hopelessness and quest for true love. They are instantly drawn together by whatever forces conspired to put them together and what follows is a love story that finds its completion in a round about, but very satisfying way.
     Dougless must first learn that she is strong on her own and generous and kind and worthy of love. Then she must realize that she has found love.
    In the storyline, Ms. Devereaux, after having brought this handsome hunk of a Scottish laird through time, then sends Dougless back in time so that she can prove herself. This puts the two together under totally different circumstances.
     When the quests have been fulfilled, Dougless is back in her time and Nicolas, the Scottish Laird is back in his and what happens in the end will leave you smiling right into your next good read. But, you'll have to read it to find out what it is.
     I love fiesty strong willed female leads. I love handsome Scottish lairds. I love time travel. I love great dialogue. I love me a good love story.
     Try this Jude Devereaux novel, A Knight in Shining Armor and see if it moves you, too.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Beginning the week with a book trailer...

Last week I tried out a Jane Eyre book trailer to get you interested in reading. This week I want to include a couple more to whet your appetites...

The first one is a little short, but is by a Janesville author who is only 17 and a published author, Abby Ryan. She will actually be doing a book signing here at the library,  Tuesday, April 26th, from 4-6 p.m. Check it out and see what you think, then stop by the library tomorrow to meet her and get a copy of her book.



Next, I thought I'd include something from the New York Times Bestseller list....




Happy Reading Library Friends!

Friday, April 22, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

Santa Fe Chicken

1 large onion, chopped
1 T. butter
1 1/4 C. chicken broth
1 C. salsa
1 C. uncooked long grain rice
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
3/4 C. shredded Cheddar cheese
Chopped fresh cilantro and parsley

In a large skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Add broth and salsa; bring to a boil. Stir in rice and garlic powder. Place chicken over rice; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn chicken; cook 10 to 15 minutes longer or until meat juices run clear. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and parsley if desired.

Note: I always fry chicken a little first and then add the rice. I also always use wild rice instead of long grain and then I cook it 45 minutes first and then add it to the broth. This recipe originally came from Quick Cooking Magazine and Al and I both love it.

Remember!!! 
The library will be closed Sunday, April 24th in observance of the Easter Holiday.

We will resume regular hours Monday, April 25, 2011, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday...

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday Readers!!!!
      As you know by now, some of us Librarians are tackling a classic together. We are reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. A few of us have put in on our Ipods and Nook, another got the large print copy and still another is reading the full text on the computer. I've never really been part of a book club before, but I love to read and I love sharing what I read with people. So, I am excited to be reading this book with my co-workers and friends. Please join in if you are interested; the more the merrier. We've kind of decided on a schedule of 5 chapters a week with comments amongst ourselves and here or on Facebook weekly. This is subject to change as we have or don't have time. We plan on watching a version of Jane Eyre together and talking more at the end of it all.
     For now, I wanted to start with some first impressions since I am almost finished with my 5 chapters. The first most notable impression I have is that it is not as hard to read as I thought it might be. I must admit that I had preconceived notions about the language, time period, etc. and dreaded reading it a bit. I am pleasantly surprised. The first chapter was a bit difficult, but chapters 2, 3, 4, & 5 have been easy going. I probably just had to get into the story a bit.
     Some of the language is different, but easy to follow. Growing up in today's society as I have, I am always shocked at how there is such a distinct difference in the classes of people and how they are treated and thought of and how women, especially young women, are viewed and treated. I want to yell at the people in the book and tell them to open their eyes and really see who is in front of them! I suppose that will keep my interest going; when a book elicits strong emotion it is always a good thing.\
     Lastly, after having talked with  Janette a bit, we both agree that the book itself is different than many of the books we normally read. Mainly, it has a lot more lengthy description than many either she or I have read. For me, so far, this is neither good nor bad; it just is what it is.
     I am interested to see what becomes of Jane next and am curious what everyone else thinks so far. Have any of you read Jane Eyre? Or have you decided to read along with us? Chime in and let us know what you think? Library gals, what are your thoughts?

Monday, April 18, 2011

Journey to Jane Eyre...

The Librarians have begun their journey to Jane Eyre.... We'll being posting comments here and on Facebook soon.Please join in when you can.  For now, I'll leave you with a sneak peak of the book...

Friday, April 15, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

So, I made this recipe for our staff meeting this a.m. and I believe the consensus was that it was a hit! The only advice I have is that it does not take 10-12 hours to cook. It was more like 5. Be sure and know your own crock pot so you don't burn it. It was super easy too!!


Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:
1 doz eggs
1 cup milk
1 bag (32 oz bag frozen hash brown potatoes
1 lb bacon, cooked crisp
3/4 cup chopped sweet onion
1 1/2 cup cheese - shredded (cheddar, jack, or both)
salt and pepper
garlic powder
Directions:

1. Spray inside of crock pot with nonstick spray.

2. Layer potato, bacon, onion, cheese 1/3 of each 3 times.

3. In a large bowl, beat eggs with milk and seasonings.

4. Pour egg mixture over the ingredients in the crockpot.

5. Cook on low 10 - 12 hours, until eggs are set and thoroughly cooked.

Remember::
The Month of April is National Volunteer Month!! And speaking of volunteering, the Library is seeking interested volunteers for working in our gardens this summer. Sign up is in the lobby. All you need to do is pick a section of the Library's gardens and commit to keeping up with it. You maybe will only need to come once a week some weeks, maybe twice. You will just be responsible for keeping free of weeds and trash. Let us know if you'd like to get started!!! 319-352-1223

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday...

     Hello reading friends!! It's Wednesday and time once again for What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday!! I must say that some weeks it seems like every day is Wednesday and I need to write something about what I am reading and I can't seem to finish a book to talk to ya'll about. Other weeks I've read four books and can't decide which one to write about first. This week happens to be one of those Wednesday weeks for me. Instead of writing about what I am currently reading, which is still Virals by Kathy Reichs, and I've already mentioned it twice; I thought I might just do a quick little mini review of a book that I've read before, but remains on my favorites list.
     The book is The Pact by Jodi Picoult. I would say most anything by Jodi Picoult is great, but this title is my favorite. She usually writes about very current and very controversial topics. For example, when genetic cloning was big in the news, she came out with her novel My Sister's Keeper. Also, Nineteen Minutes was released around the time of all the high school shootings. Her style of writing presents both sides to the story/issue and makes you really look at and see both sides. I am always amazed at the feelings she evokes and how much she makes me think about what I am reading even though her stories are fictional.
     The Pact is about a teen suicide pact. It addresses how a teenage gal and guy have been best friends forever and their families have been friends forever and then how they eventually get together and how that feels for each of them. It takes you back to dating and being in high school and all the emotions that go along with both. Even though, I never felt low enough to think about suicide, I know there are teens that do and Ms. Picoult makes this a very real part of the story. As a reader, you can feel what the characters are feeling and relate with what is going on. The idea that two teens would/could make a suicide pact is unfathomable to me and that's part of what keeps drawing me back to this novel. Ms. Picoult is such a good writer that you really feel for the characters and know what they are going through. In the end, she leaves you wondering how you would make the same choices given the same circumstances.
     If you are looking for a light read, Jodi Picoult is not an author for you. This is also the reason that I don't read more than one of her books in a row. I need to mix in some lighter reads as many of her novels are kind of depressing and they don't always end the way that you want them to. But, that is also part of what makes them so good.
      I haven't read all of her books, yet, but the ones I have read, I love. Try one out, you may love her too.

Friday, April 8, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

Twin Cronies

Have you ever heard of a Twin Cronie? It's a childhood memory of mine. We used to visit my Grandma's family in Oelwein and we'd always stop at the Dairy Queen in town and get a Twin Cronie. I don't get there very often anymore, so I just created my own version. The original is still the best, but this satisfies a hunger. Basically a Twin Cronie is maidrite meet and a hot dog on a hamburger bun with ketchup and either sweet relish or dill relish. I always got the sweet relish. So, here's my recipe for maidrites. Try one yourself and see what you think. Maybe you'll even want to roadtrip to Oelwein to see what I'm talking about. I believe they still serve them...

Stacey's Maidrites
1 lb. hamburger
1/2 C. ketchup
1/2 C. water
1 small onion, diced
1/4 tsp. chili powder
1 T. yellow mustard
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown hamburger and onion. Add rest of ingredients, stir, and cook down some. Serve on hamburger bun with a hot dog cut in half and add either sweet relish or dill and ketchup and create a food memory today...

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday...

     Happy Wednesday Blog Readers!!! You know what that means....Right! What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday?? I am still reading Virals by Kathy Reichs, that teen selection I told you about last week. It's kinda long and I haven't had tons of time to read, but I'm still enjoying it. The only thing I have to add so far is that there are points in the story where as an adult reader you go, "Oh that was very high school. Been there done that, don't want to read about it." But, the overall story is keeping my interest; actually it's starting to get really good as they have "contracted" something that changes them and they have yet to figure out what it is...The teen moments are few and far between, so I am not really put off by it, but it's something to keep in mind when choosing another book to read. I also read the Twilight series and the few teen moments in that novel just made me laugh and I felt like they didn't spend a whole lot of time addressing the high school issue in that series. But, to each his own. I know some adult readers who just love teen reads.
    
     Hopefully, you have noticed the new features I've added to the blog to give you some more ideas and help choosing your next favorite book. There are two new websites, New York Times book review and Book Page for you to visit and browse their ideas. Plus, the book shelf across the top is full of some of my favorite books. If you hover over the cover of each it will show you a little mini review I created for them. Keep checking back as I will change these titles from time to time to keep your reading interests alive.

     In other news, a few of us librarians are going to attempt to read and discuss Jane Eyre together. We plan on a discussion of sorts to be included here and on Facebook. So, be sure and watch for it and chime in with your thoughts. In the end, we'll watch one of the versions of the movie together, too! We got to talking and decided that we needed to tackle a classic and figured why not do it together?! I want to include in here so that any of you could join in or maybe peak your interest for reading a classic sometime, too. I am excited and apprehensive at the same time...I'll keep you updated...

Until next time...Happy Reading!

Friday, April 1, 2011

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

I love to read the Pioneer Woman. I believe that I've mentioned her before. She writes like I imagine she talks and she is just a little bit crazy and a whole lot fun! Her website is http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/. Last week she had this recipe up and since we were painting in my house and I needed an easy recipe for feeding several people I decided to try it. We agreed is was yummy, but quite spicy. When I make it again, I'll use less Chipolte peppers in Adobe sauce and maybe add a little more brown sugar. At Fareway, the can size was a 7 oz. can of peppers, so I added 2 since it wasn't 10 oz. Next time, I'll just add one. But, if you like it hot then you'll love it the way I made it first!! The other thing that I did differently was I put it in the crock pot on low for 7 hours. It turned out just great and was ready to eat. I even used the leftovers to make enchiladas. Yum Yum!!

Spicy Dr. Pepper Shredded Pork


Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 18


Ingredients


1 whole Large Onion


1 whole Pork Shoulder ("pork Butt") - 5 To 7 Pounds


Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper


1 can (11 Ounce) Chipotle Peppers In Adobo Sauce


2 cans Dr. Pepper


2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar


Preparation Instructions


Preheat oven to 300 degrees.Peel the onion and cut it into wedges. Lay them in the bottom of a large dutch oven.Generously salt and pepper the pork roast, then set it on top of the onions in the pan.Pour the can of chipotle peppers over the pork (include the sauce.) Pour in both cans of Dr Pepper. Add brown sugar to the juice and stir in. Place lid tightly on pot, then set pot in the oven. Cook for at least six hours, turning roast two or three times during the cooking process. Check meat after six hours; it should be absolutely falling apart (use two forks to test.) If it’s not falling apart, return to the oven for another hour.


Remove meat from pot and place on a cutting board or other work surface. Use two forks to shred meat, discarding large pieces of fat. Strain as much of the fat off the top of the cooking liquid as you can and discard it. Return the shredded meat to the cooking liquid, and keep warm until ready to serve. (You can also refrigerate the meat and liquid separately, then remove hardened fat once it’s cold. Then heat up the liquid on the stovetop and return the meat to the liquid to warm up.

Serve on warm flour tortillas. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheese, avocado slices, salsa, and whatever else you’d like.

A Note: Author Kenneth Huck will be visiting our library and doing a book signing on Wednesday, April 6th from 6-8 p.m. His book is Log of World War II: A Pacific Naval Diary. Join us here at the library.