Thank goodness for the rain!! For more reasons than one! It does make for good reading weather. So, what's in Your Library Bag this Wet Wednesday? I have a new author in mine. Her name is Carrie Vaughn and she is a paranormal author. I only picked her book up and tried it because it seemed so intriguing. The main character, Kitty Norville, is a radio talk show host, and a werewolf. Okay, first what werewolf is named Kitty and then to be a radio talk show host, too?? Too good to pass up. And surprisingly, The Midnight Hour, which coincidentally is the name of the first book in the series and the late night talk show she runs, really was good.Coming from a die hard Laurell K. Hamilton fan, that's saying something. I am hoping that as the series goes along that there will be an element of romance added, but so far the idea of a werewolf talk show host getting into trouble in the paranormal community is intriguing enough to keep me reading. There are shadows of some of the characters from the Anita Blake series, but nothing so edgy, dark or sexy.
This first book in the series, The Midnight Hour, sets everything up for more. You learn how Kitty became a werewolf and how her show started. She has a pack in the beginning and you see how that changes by the end. There is a hit man and a best friend. So far no lover, but I am hopeful. I'm on to number two in the series already, Kitty Goes to Washington, and there are around 8, I think.
If you can't seem to get off of the paranormal bandwagon, like me, Carrie Vaughn is someone you might like to try.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Book Trailer Monday...
Happy Monday Blog Readers!! Today's You Tube video is somewhat of an advertisement, but it is the author talking about the book and app he created and it's something I agree with. The book is The Best Camera is the One You Have With You by Chase Jarvis, professional photographer. It's a book of photos taken with his iphone and he encourages and inspires you to go out and take pictures, make memories and record your stories which is what photography is all about. I thought with the beautiful fall weather we are having, I'd pass this along....
Friday, October 7, 2011
From Our Recipe Box to Yours...
In honor of it being beautiful weather and Fall and pumpkin season and all, here's a family recipe for some yummy cookies!!
"Great Pumpkin Cookie" Recipe
2 C. flour
1C. quick or old fashioned oats, uncooked
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C. Butter or margarine, softened
1 C. firmly packed brown sugar
1 C. sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C. solid pack pumpkin
1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Cream butter; gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chocolate chips. For each cookie drop 1/4 C. dough onto lightly greased cookie sheet; spread into pumpkin shape, using thin metal spatula. Add a bit more dough to form stem. OR, drop dough by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet for round cookies (less time consuming). Bake 20-25 minutes, until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets; cool on racks. May decorate with with icing, if desired. May also substitute 1 C. raisins for chocolate chips. Recipe doubles well.
My kids just love these!! A good way to get something good into them!!
"Great Pumpkin Cookie" Recipe
2 C. flour
1C. quick or old fashioned oats, uncooked
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C. Butter or margarine, softened
1 C. firmly packed brown sugar
1 C. sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C. solid pack pumpkin
1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Cream butter; gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chocolate chips. For each cookie drop 1/4 C. dough onto lightly greased cookie sheet; spread into pumpkin shape, using thin metal spatula. Add a bit more dough to form stem. OR, drop dough by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet for round cookies (less time consuming). Bake 20-25 minutes, until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets; cool on racks. May decorate with with icing, if desired. May also substitute 1 C. raisins for chocolate chips. Recipe doubles well.
My kids just love these!! A good way to get something good into them!!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Thoughts on a Thursday...
Boy, since I decided to pay attention and find words... all of a sudden I'm running across words I don't know in what I am reading! Huh. I'm reading pretty light stuff.
Here's today's word....
\ˈäb-fə-ˌskāt; äb-ˈfəs-ˌkāt, əb-\
Here's today's word....
ob·fus·cate
verb\ˈäb-fə-ˌskāt; äb-ˈfəs-ˌkāt, əb-\
ob·fus·cat·edob·fus·cat·ing
Definition of OBFUSCATE
transitive verb
1
a : darkenb : to make obscure <obfuscate the issue>
2
: confuse <obfuscate the reader>
intransitive verb
: to be evasive, unclear, or confusing
— ob·fus·ca·tion noun
— ob·fus·ca·to·ry adjective
See Examples of OBFUSCATE
- Politicians keep obfuscating the issues.
- Their explanations only serve to obfuscate and confuse.
Origin of OBFUSCATE
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?...
It's Wednesday!! And I just have to ask, "What's in your library bag this wonderful wednesday?!!" What's that you say? You don't have anything in your bag right now? You don't have any time to read? Let me just tell you that I understand, I feel your pain. There are days, weeks even, where I feel like I don't hardly have time to eat, let alone read for pleasure. But, I still think it's important and necessary. Reading keeps your mind sharp and it provides distraction and relaxtion and and and...If all you have time for is a magazine article, grab one today. If you can carve out a chapter, start that book you're dying to read. Don't wait. Do it today, right now. That said, starting next week, I am going to include 5 minute exerpts from a book, so that we can read together. Something about reading that is just amazing, sharing it!! Talking about what you are reading, getting excited about it...
Here are some more thoughts on the subject...
zen habits: How to Read More: A Lover's Guide
_____________________________________________
How to Read More: A Lover's Guide
Posted: 03 Oct 2011 12:17 PM PDT
Post written by Leo Babauta.
Reading a good book is one of my favorite things in the world.
A novel is a time machine, a worm-hole to different dimensions, a special
magic that puts you into the minds and bodies of fascinating people, a
transporter that lets you travel the world, a dizzying exploration of love
and death and sex and seedy criminal underworlds and fairylands, a creator
of new best friends.
All in one.
I read because I love the experience, because it is a powerful teacher of
life, because it transforms me.
I am not the world's most prodigious reader, but I do read daily and with
passion.
Lots of people say they want to read more, but don't know how to start.
Read this. It should help.
1. Don't read because you should - read for joy. Find books about exciting
stories, about people who fascinate you, about new worlds that you'd love to
visit. Forget the classics, unless they fit this prescription.
2. Carve out the time. We have no time to read anymore, mostly because we
work too much, we overschedule our time, we're on the Internet all the time
(which does have some good reading, but can also suck our attention
endlessly), and we watch too much TV. Pick a time, and make it your reading
time. Start with just 10 minutes if it's hard to find time - even 10 minutes
is lovely. Try 20 or 30 if you can drop a couple things from your schedule.
3. Do nothing but read. Clear all distractions. Find a quiet, peaceful
space. It's just your book, and you. Notice but let go of the urges to do
other things instead of read. If you must do something else, have some tea.
4. Love the hell out of it. You're not doing this to better yourself. You're
doing it for joy. Reading is magic, and the magic will change everything
else in your life. Love the experience, and you'll look forward to it daily.
5. Make it social. Find friends who love to read, or find them online.
There's a world of readers on the Internet, and they'd be happy to make
recommendations and talk about the books you're all reading. Try a book club
as well. Reading is solitary, but is also a social act.
6. Make it a habit. Pick a trigger in your daily routine, and consistently
read exactly after that trigger each day. Even if it's just for 5-10
minutes. The more consistent you are, and the longer you keep the streak
going, the stronger the habit will become.
7. Don't make it a chore. Don't make it something on your todo list or
schedule that you have to check off. It's not part of your self-improvement
plan. It's a part of your Make Life More Awesome Plan.
8. Give up on a book if it's boring. Reading isn't something you do because
it's good for you - it's not like taking your vitamins. You're reading
because it's fun. So if a book isn't fun, dump it. Give it a try for at
least a chapter, but if you still don't love it, move on.
9. Discover amazing books. I talk to other people who are passionate about
books, and I'll read reviews, or just explore an old-fashioned bookstore.
Supporting your local bookstores is a great thing, and it's incredibly fun.
Libraries are also amazing places that are underused - get a card today.
10. Don't worry about speed. Speed reading is fine for some, but slow
reading is great too. The number of books, and the rate of reading them,
matters not a whit. It's not a competition. You're reading to enjoy the
books, so take your time. It's like enjoying good food, or good sex: better
savored, not rushed.
Some recommendations.
Here I am going to add some of my own ideas to help get you started...It's an eclectic mix, but worth a shot!
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Someone Knows my Name by Lawrence Hill
Prey by Linda Howard
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
If You Ask Me by Betty White
A Western by Linda Lael Miller
Here are some more thoughts on the subject...
zen habits: How to Read More: A Lover's Guide
_____________________________________________
How to Read More: A Lover's Guide
Posted: 03 Oct 2011 12:17 PM PDT
Post written by Leo Babauta.
Reading a good book is one of my favorite things in the world.
A novel is a time machine, a worm-hole to different dimensions, a special
magic that puts you into the minds and bodies of fascinating people, a
transporter that lets you travel the world, a dizzying exploration of love
and death and sex and seedy criminal underworlds and fairylands, a creator
of new best friends.
All in one.
I read because I love the experience, because it is a powerful teacher of
life, because it transforms me.
I am not the world's most prodigious reader, but I do read daily and with
passion.
Lots of people say they want to read more, but don't know how to start.
Read this. It should help.
1. Don't read because you should - read for joy. Find books about exciting
stories, about people who fascinate you, about new worlds that you'd love to
visit. Forget the classics, unless they fit this prescription.
2. Carve out the time. We have no time to read anymore, mostly because we
work too much, we overschedule our time, we're on the Internet all the time
(which does have some good reading, but can also suck our attention
endlessly), and we watch too much TV. Pick a time, and make it your reading
time. Start with just 10 minutes if it's hard to find time - even 10 minutes
is lovely. Try 20 or 30 if you can drop a couple things from your schedule.
3. Do nothing but read. Clear all distractions. Find a quiet, peaceful
space. It's just your book, and you. Notice but let go of the urges to do
other things instead of read. If you must do something else, have some tea.
4. Love the hell out of it. You're not doing this to better yourself. You're
doing it for joy. Reading is magic, and the magic will change everything
else in your life. Love the experience, and you'll look forward to it daily.
5. Make it social. Find friends who love to read, or find them online.
There's a world of readers on the Internet, and they'd be happy to make
recommendations and talk about the books you're all reading. Try a book club
as well. Reading is solitary, but is also a social act.
6. Make it a habit. Pick a trigger in your daily routine, and consistently
read exactly after that trigger each day. Even if it's just for 5-10
minutes. The more consistent you are, and the longer you keep the streak
going, the stronger the habit will become.
7. Don't make it a chore. Don't make it something on your todo list or
schedule that you have to check off. It's not part of your self-improvement
plan. It's a part of your Make Life More Awesome Plan.
8. Give up on a book if it's boring. Reading isn't something you do because
it's good for you - it's not like taking your vitamins. You're reading
because it's fun. So if a book isn't fun, dump it. Give it a try for at
least a chapter, but if you still don't love it, move on.
9. Discover amazing books. I talk to other people who are passionate about
books, and I'll read reviews, or just explore an old-fashioned bookstore.
Supporting your local bookstores is a great thing, and it's incredibly fun.
Libraries are also amazing places that are underused - get a card today.
10. Don't worry about speed. Speed reading is fine for some, but slow
reading is great too. The number of books, and the rate of reading them,
matters not a whit. It's not a competition. You're reading to enjoy the
books, so take your time. It's like enjoying good food, or good sex: better
savored, not rushed.
Some recommendations.
Here I am going to add some of my own ideas to help get you started...It's an eclectic mix, but worth a shot!
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Someone Knows my Name by Lawrence Hill
Prey by Linda Howard
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
If You Ask Me by Betty White
A Western by Linda Lael Miller
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
A Book Trailer on Tuesday instead...
Since we're having a Cereal/Serial Killer Mix contest this month and since I created 3 different Cereal/Serial Killer bookmarks, I thought I'd give you a sample from the first Dexter novel to get you hooked on serial killers!! After all, Dexter is a psychopath serial killer you just can't help but love!!
Check it Out!!
And don't forget to stop in and get the rules for the Cereal/Serial Killer Mix contest and ENTER!!! We want you killer mixes!!!
Check it Out!!
And don't forget to stop in and get the rules for the Cereal/Serial Killer Mix contest and ENTER!!! We want you killer mixes!!!
Friday, September 30, 2011
From Our Recipe Box to Yours...
A co-worker brought this to work to share this week and I couldn't stay out of the break room!! YUM!! I thought I'd share too!! So go home and make it this weekend!!
St Louis Gooey Butter Cake (the REAL recipe from Pioneer Woman!!! check out all of her yummy recipes at www.thepioneerwoman.com)
Ingredients:
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
1 large Egg
1 Stick butter or margarine, melted
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs beaten
2 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°
Combine, Cake mix, 1 egg and melted margarine or butter.
Press into a greased 9x13 pan with your fingers
Blend, cream cheese, 2 beaten eggs, and powdered sugar until smooth.
Spread over first batter.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until edges are brown.
Dust with powdered sugar on top after cake has cooled
I like to make this a day or so ahead of time, because I actually like it better when it's a day or
two old the gooey center firms up more. (I don't like runny gooey)
St Louis Gooey Butter Cake (the REAL recipe from Pioneer Woman!!! check out all of her yummy recipes at www.thepioneerwoman.com)
Ingredients:
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
1 large Egg
1 Stick butter or margarine, melted
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs beaten
2 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°
Combine, Cake mix, 1 egg and melted margarine or butter.
Press into a greased 9x13 pan with your fingers
Blend, cream cheese, 2 beaten eggs, and powdered sugar until smooth.
Spread over first batter.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until edges are brown.
Dust with powdered sugar on top after cake has cooled
I like to make this a day or so ahead of time, because I actually like it better when it's a day or
two old the gooey center firms up more. (I don't like runny gooey)
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