Stacey's Favorite Books

Friday, April 27, 2012

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

From The Pioneer Woman!! She is such a great cook!! You just have to try one of her recipes!!

Recipe: Malted Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 Sticks) Unsalted Butter Softened
  • 3/4 cups Golden Brown Sugar
  • 3/4 cups Sugar
  • 2 whole Eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 2 cups All-purpose Flour
  • 1-1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1-1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 cup (rounded) Malted Milk Powder
  • 1 bag (12 Ounce) Milk Chocolate Chips

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream butter, then add both sugars and cream until fluffy. Add eggs and beat slightly, then add vanilla and beat until combined. Add malted milk powder and beat until combined.
Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture, beating gently until just combined.
Add chocolate chips and stir in gently.
Drop by teaspoonfuls (or use a cookie scoop) and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Bake less if you want chewy cookies; more if you want crispy cookies.
Optional: Allow to cool completely, then use two cookies to make an ice cream sandwich. Add sprinkles to the sides of the ice cream, then wrap individually in plastic wrap.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Thoughts on a Thursday...

Here's a word that is fun to say and is in my most recent book.....

mer·cu·ri·al

  [mer-kyoor-ee-uhl]  Show IPA
adjective
1.
changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic: a mercurialnature.
2.
animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted.
3.
pertaining to, containing, or caused by the metal mercury.
4.
initial capital letter of or pertaining to the god Mercury.
5.
initial capital letter of or pertaining to the planet Mercury.
noun
6.
Pharmacology a preparation of mercury  used as a drug.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

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

     Hi!! It's Wednesday and time once again for What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday? I have a confession to make. I've been reading the new Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James because as a librarian, I wanted to know what people would be getting into when they picked up this book. With all of the hype surrounding it, everyone wants to read it. Even if they shouldn't. Now, when I say shouldn't, I don't mean shouldn't as in I am going to censor what you read...I mean shouldn't as in, won't enjoy it, but are reading it just because everyone is. I do try to pick up really popular books and read them so that I know what everyone coming through our doors is interested in and then I can better help them find more books to read and love. But, if the book offends me in any way, I put it down and chalk it up as not my thing. Which is okay; to each her own I always say.
     Back to the book at hand, Fifty Shades of Grey. First of all, it is for mature audiences only. Second of all, the part I was most afraid of reading about (the S& M) is not what I imagined. The author addressed this part quite well and prepared you for the little bit that there was included in the story. It is said that the author, E.L. James first wrote this story as fan fiction of Twilight and then made it into a novel to sell. I can see that.  The main female character, Ana, is an innocent falling for a  much older, richer, handsome guy who wants to take care of her and is quite controlling. This is similar to the Twilight storyline except there are no vampires or werewolves in this story. The other way in which this novel is like Twilight, I think, is how easy it is to read and get sucked into the story.
     That said, there are some parts that will offend some of you. And if you aren't interested in reading about the intimate parts of a relationship, then this book isn't for you. But, if you like to read that type of a story, this novel might be your thing. It's definitely a love story at its heart and the writing has an easy flow. The female lead is quite fiesty and fun. The bantering that goes on between Ana and Christian is my favorite part of the book. But, don't read it just because everyone else is. Read what you love and love what you read!

Friday, April 20, 2012

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

Buttered Rosemary Rolls....taken from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From My Frontier by Ree Drummond

Ingredients:
Butter
Frozen unbaked, unrisen dinner rolls
Coarsely chopped fresh rosemary to taste
Coarse sea salt to taste

Directions:
1.Melt 1 tablespoon butter in an iron skillet over medium-low heat. Remove from the heat and cool for 10 minutes. 2. Place the dinner rolls in the warm skillet, allowing some space between the rolls. 3. Cover with a dish towel or cloth napkin and set aside in a warm place to rise for at least 2 hours. 4. When risen, the rolls will be poufy and soft. 5. Melt 2 tablespoons butter, then brush the butter onto the rolls. 6. Then sprinkle the rolls with chopped rosemary. 7. Finally, sprinkle with sea salt. 8. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Don't be alarmed if you pull them out of the oven and they've risen way over the surface of the pan. Within a minute or two, they'll calm right down. Then you can dig right it!!

I don't know about you, but this sounds like one homemade bread/roll recipe I can handle!! Besides, I love everything I've tried from The Pioneer Woman! How about you?

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Thoughts for a Thursday...

Here's just a fun word to say!!!

tris·kai·dek·a·pho·bi·a

  [tris-kahy-dek-uh-foh-bee-uh,tris-kuh-]  Show IPA
noun
fear or a phobia concerning the number 13.
Origin: 
1910–15;  < Greek triskaídeka  thirteen + -phobia


tris·kai·dek·a·pho·bic, adjective

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday?

Welcome to another Wednesday and another edition to What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday? Remember when I told you I was in a rut and kind of tired of reading the same type of book? Well, I did need a break, but I really loved all of the books that I read. I was reading young adult  novels focused on a dystopian society, like The Hunger Games. I found some titles on my own and read them, but while browsing Pinterest I found these other titles for those of us who are experiencing a "Hunger Games Hangover"...I thought I'd share cuz I know there are more of you out there than just me!

The Giver by Lois Lowry
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Matched by Ally Condie
Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
City of Ember by Jean DuPrau
Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Dark Life by Kat Falls
Peak by Roland Smith
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Partials by Dan Wells
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
Legend by Marie Lu
The Barcode Tatoo by Suzanne Weyn
Life as we Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Enclave Ann Aguirre
Gone by Michael Grant
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Under the Never by Veronica Rossi
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday?

     It's Wednesday again!!! Woo Hoo!! What's in your library bag this week? I have recently picked up Bossypants by Tina Fey. Not my regular reading material, I know. What made me want to read her book was an excerpt of a letter to her daughter that a friend sent to me. It was too funny, and at the same time too true!! Here it is with a few blips inserted but you will get the picture!!


A Mother's Prayer for her Child by Tina Fey


First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.
May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.
When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.
Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.
Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels. What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, You*.
May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.
Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and *(messing around) in cars will wait.
O Lord, break the Internet forever, that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.
And when she one day turns on me and calls me a B* in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that S*. I will not have it.
And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. “My mother did this for me once,”she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.
Amen.”
-Tina Fey
This funny outlook on life made me want to read her book and laugh!! Laughter is good. So, if it interested you, let me know and you can have it next!! If not, let's chat, and we'll find something you will like! Promise.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Book Trailer Monday...

Here's a book that a patron was anxiously awaiting and can't stop saying enough good things about now that she's finished it...

Actually, this is just a little taste of what's inside, along with Kelly Corrigan and her novel Lift....An intriguing hook...

Saturday, April 7, 2012

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...Saturday edition!

Here's my contribution to Easter dinner....
Vanilla Ice Cream V
recipe image
Rated:rating
Submitted By: JKINFLA
Photo By: Jodi
Prep Time: 45 Minutes
Ready In: 45 Minutes
Servings: 32
"No-cook, no eggs, made with half-and-half and cream. Great, simple, classic vanilla ice cream!"
INGREDIENTS:
2 quarts half-and-half cream
1/2 pint heavy cream
1 1/2 cups white sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
DIRECTIONS:
1.Combine half-and-half, cream, sugar, vanilla and salt in freezer container of ice cream maker. Freeze according to manufacturer's instructions.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2012 Allrecipes.comPrinted from Allrecipes.com 4/7/2012

What's Yours?

REMEMBER THE LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW, SUNDAY, APRIL 8, IN OBSERVANCE OF THE EASTER HOLIDAY. WE WILL RESUME NORMAL HOURS MONDAY MORNING AT 10!!