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Archive for June, 2010

  • We Saw Eclipse

    Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

    So Kati (from last week’s post), Lori (in a soon-to-come post), and I attended the movie release of Eclipse in the wee wretched hours of this morning. And we threes liked it…we really did. For the most part.

    Ms. Stewart still refuses to portray personality (sad…truly), but the fight scenes were pretty fantastic. Especially between Jasper and Alice, and Edward and Victoria. In the words of Kati, “Edward actually looked like a bad a$$ instead of a weenie. And his makeup was SO much better.” Yay, Edward.

    We were also rather impressed with Jasper. Who knew he could act rather than just look constipated? (Or am I the only person who’s ever thought that?) He was quite studly. I wholly approved.

    I liked Rosalie this time around too. Although, Lori did take issue with Rosalie’s eyebrows. Multiple times. I believe her exact words were, “PLEASE bleach them.”

    Oh, and these rabid fan girls were just…so awesome. Seriously. And sweet. Vampires be proud, these girls made our evening THAT much better.

    Also, thank you to the man in the audience who, after about the 150th bout of girls shrieking at anyone and EVERYONE who’s muscles (ahem, Jacob) or face (Edward/Jasper/Carlisle) graced the screen, finally yelled “shut-uuuuuuuup!” at the top of his lungs. That was highly appropriate of you. Especially since I was having a hard time hearing the make-out scene.

    All in all? A fabulous time was had by vamp and rabid fan girls alike. (And old people like me who aren’t used to staying up until 3:30 in the morning.)

    So, tell me…did you see Eclipse? WILL you see Eclipse? Reactions to it? Are we right or are we right?

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    And, yes, my Twi-sensitivities should be highly offended by this. But I can’t stop laughing.

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    Posted in Twilight, Undead Leeches | 22 Comments »

  • A Recipe for the Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookie

    Monday, June 28th, 2010

    The last two weeks have swirled around like one chaotic, exhausting, marvelous whirlwind of people and fun. My husband graduated (YAY Cal Poly civil engineering!) looking all handsome in his cap and gown, after which we promptly escaped with the kids up to Vancouver, Portland, and Eugene to visit friends and family and enjoy lots of coffee, cider (McMenamins…mmm), and treats (Euphoria Chocolate Factory, anyone?). We arrived home mid-week only to turn around and camp out at the lake for a weekend full of more people and fun. And food. Forget the hot dogs and hamburgers indispensable to American camping though…I brought cookies (see below). And a book. “The Passage” by Justin Cronin. So far, I can compare it to Michael Crichton on literary steroids. High concept storyline + fabulous prose (that combination being something the literary world needs more of—see Guardian article) equals what the world really DOES need more of. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. In the meantime, how’s YOUR summer going?

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    A Recipe for Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookies

    1. ¾ cup butter (room temp)
    2. ¾ cup packed brown sugar
    3. ¾ cup granulated sugar
    4. ¾ cup smooth peanut butter
    5. 1 egg
    6. 1 tsp vanilla
    7. 1-¾ cups all-purpose flour
    8. Pinch of salt
    9. ½ tsp baking soda
    10. 1 package dark chocolate chips

    Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, beat together butter and both sugars until creamy. Add peanut butter, egg and vanilla, beating until well blended. Beat in flour, salt, and baking soda. Shape dough into 1-3/4 inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until puffy and lightly golden. Cool 4 minutes on pan, before removing to a rack. Once cool, chill the cookies in the refrigerator for 1 hour (this allows them to firm before dipping). Melt one package of dark chocolate chips (using a double-boiler or 1 minute in the microwave + 30 seconds). Drag the tops of the peanut butter cookies through the melted chocolate and set out on parchment paper until hardened.

    And since I can’t seem to leave well enough alone when it comes to food…I dipped a few of the cookies into milk chocolate and made s’mores for my kids. All in the camping spirit of course ;-) .

     Yeah…they were good.

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    Mood noise?  My heart squishing and thumping while I’m reading.

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    Posted in Book Trailers, Reading Recipes, Undead Leeches | 11 Comments »

  • Howl’s Moving Castle (a guest review)

    Thursday, June 24th, 2010

    Today’s guest is my sister Kati, who—I readily admit—is my best friend. She also happens to be a younger, more interesting, and better fashion inclined (in a “she doesn’t even try but people still think she’s the raddest person in the room”) version of myself. In fact, I’ve often thought she reminds me of an anime character. But without the high-pitched, Japanese voice-overs, obviously. Although voice-overs would’ve been cool while growing up since I distinctly remember her entire year of age 6 being spent seated on the front steps singing Ariel’s “Part of Your World.” Not that I’m bitter or anything.

    Anyhow, a couple months back she handed me “Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynne Jones, and when I didn’t read it within two days, immediately proceeded with hourly, nagging phone calls as to WHY I’d not read it yet and did I not understand that “Howl’s Moving Castle” was one of the best books ever. I yawned and delayed even longer, privately relishing my obstinacy as a form of revenge for the Ariel performances in front of my friends. But then, in a fit of boredom, I did read it. And repented. And promptly began recommending it to all of my friends, followed by nagging phone calls and questions of literary taste. So, if you’d like to avoid those phone calls, I suggest you get on the ball and read it. Here’s her review:

    Up in the northern regions of a country called Ingary sits a village called Market Chipping. Aside from its few oddities, such as the castle that roams the surrounding hills, or Wizard Howl, who is purported to be the eater of young maidens’ hearts, Market Chipping is the perfect home for one Sophie Hatter. As the eldest of three girls Sophie is quite content with pursuing her dreary life of trimming hats while her sisters set off to seek their fortunes. At least that’s what she keeps telling herself.

    Enter the Wicked Witch of the Waste, who, in a fit of hat-induced rage, changes Sophie into a ninety-year-old woman. This inadvertently sets Sophie on a journey of her own as a stubborn, old, cleaning lady for wizard Howl and the inhabitants of his moving castle. In an effort to break her own spell, she strikes a bargain with Calcifer, the fire demon, to break the mysterious contract that binds him and Howl together.

    Fun and full of wit to spare, Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones has some of the most fabulously quirky and memorable characters I have ever had the delight to read–including the wildly self-absorbed, but ultimately good-hearted wizard, Howl, and the hard-headed, no-nonsense Sophie who will enchant individuals of any age.

    Favorite things:

    1. Sophie spends 85% of the story as a 90-year-old woman, with all the aches, pains, and complaints to go along.
    2. Howl’s vanity, which may be longer than his suit sleeves.
    3. Calcifer’s endless hints about his contract.

    Kati’s question for the reading friendlies:  Have you read it???

    Mary’s question for the reading friendlies:  What did YOUR annoying younger sibling used to sing???

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    What’s the mood noise of the moment?  Cyndi Lauper:  Girls Just Want to Have Fun  (Incidentally, this is Kati’s ringtone on my phone. :-) )

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    Posted in Best & Worst Books, Book Reviews | 10 Comments »

  • The Ordinary Princess (a book review)

    Thursday, June 17th, 2010

    Monday’s post on childhood books brought an air of nostalgia to my week–especially as I poured over the summer reading lists and remembered my own favorites from years gone by. At age ten, I adored The Secret Garden. At fourteen it was The Scarlet Pimpernel. And yesterday, in the midst of my spring cleaning, I came across a little book which stalled my organizing for a good half-hour while I flipped through its browned, coverless pages. “The Ordinary Princess” by M. M. Kaye. It was my constant. My overall favorite for years and years. Maybe it still is.

     

    Princess Amethyst Alexandra Augusta Araminta Adelaide Aurelia Anne is the youngest of seven fabulously beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed sisters in the kingdom of Phantasmorania, and she is the loveliest. That is, until the day of her christening when the Old Fairy Crustacea bequeaths upon the Princess the gift of being perfectly “ordinary.” From then on Princess Amy’s life is ruined (in the eyes of her parents, sisters, and subjects) by hair that turns mousy, skin which sports freckles, and a personality prone to mischief and **gasp** fun.

    Amy’s parents are so devastated by this that, as the Princess grows up, they keep her hidden behind the castle walls, lavishing all sorts of potions and skin de-freckling charms upon her in hopes that either (a) the potions will work, or (b) no one will be able to see how unbeautiful Amy is and will accidentally marry her. Concern reaches a frenzied peek when the sixth sister is married off to a handsome Prince Charming (like all the sisters before her), and Amy still has no suitors, nor even potential suitors. Her parents (mainly the mother—of course) thus take the drastic measure of hiring a dragon to capture Amy in order to send out a hail for all brave princes to come rescue her. Once one has, he’ll then be obligated to marry her.

    As you might imagine, this idea doesn’t go over well since no self-respecting, ordinary girl would acquiesce to such a thing. Princess Amy runs off to live in the woods, practical and carefree, making friends with Peter Aurelious (a crow) and Mr. Pemberthy (a squirrel). Fast forward through the summer and, just as she finds her clothes have worn shabby, Amy happens upon a castle where she seeks out work as a kitchen maid. Here Princess Amy meets Peregrine–the nicest, handsomest, most normal, “man-of-all-work” one could imagine–at the very same time that the staggeringly gorgeous Princess Persephone of Plumblossomburg arrives to woo the prince of the castle, who—for some odd reason—Amy has never seen.

    What ensues from here is the perfect ending to a charmingly unordinary fairytale, and I suggest that if you get a chance this summer you read it. It’s short and delightful, and leaves one craving sweet, grassy meadows and wildflowers, days spent laying around on shady creek banks trailing blackberry stained fingertips through the idle water, and then awakening to the dew-touched mornings of love’s first romance.

    So…tell me…what is YOUR very favorite fairytale of all time?

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    What’s the mood noise of the moment?  Amos Lee:  Sweet Pea

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    Posted in Best & Worst Books, Book Reviews | 9 Comments »

  • Kids’ Recipe & Summer Reading List

    Monday, June 14th, 2010

    Summer’s here, and I confess to being one of those paranoid mothers who worries her kids will spend the next 2 months forgetting their entire last year’s worth of education. I can see their little clockwork minds turning even now with the inventive belief that somehow, if they practice their Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus skills 24 HOURS A DAY all summer long, they too can achieve random stardom and be free from the despotism of elementary school. All they have to do is sing loud enough and often enough—which roughly equates to one unbelievably long Party in the U.S.A. at my house. Thus, in the interest of my personal sanity my children’s intellectual health, I have searched out these summer reading lists (below) to keep handy when visiting our local library. Which will be frequent and directly proportional to the amount of times I hear Justin Bieber infer that I am an eenie meenie miney mo lover. So here you go—for your sanity kid’s developmental benefit as well:

    1. http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/forparents/tp/summer_reading.htm
    2. http://www.canadianfamily.ca/articles/slideshow/20-books-every-child-should-read-beofre-thyere-16/0/
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    And no matter what age you are, this recipe is fun.

    Except, before you read it, tell the rest of us what YOUR summer plans are. And let’s be honest…do they involve Justin Bieber??? *eyebrow raises suspiciously*

    Edible Play Dough

    1. 1 cup peanut butter
    2. 1 cup corn syrup (although, since I’m kind of anti-corn syrup, this summer I’ll attempt to make it with Blue Agave)
    3. 1 & ¼ cups nonfat dry milk
    4. 1 & ¼ cups powdered sugar

    Mix all the ingredients together before playing and creating shapes with the dough. Be sure to laugh wildly, make silly faces, and behave —for all it’s worth—like you’re all five again. This is therapy for your soul (as well as your kids’). Refrigerate for a couple of hours once finished; then eat and enjoy the sugar high before you both crash headfirst into a lazy, summertime nap. Or into more Justin Bieber singing.

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    What’s the mood noise of the moment?  My youngest’s favorite music video.

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    Posted in Genre Savvy, Reading Recipes | 16 Comments »

  • Ultimate Fighter & Book Reader: Tim Kennedy

    Monday, June 7th, 2010

    Seeing as we wrapped up last week with Jeanette’s excellent guest post on “man” books, I thought it appropriate to bring a man on who not only reads “man” books, but actually lives them. Meet my friend Tim Kennedy–mixed martial arts (MMA) professional fighter and full time Army man (Green Beret). He holds a degree in Criminal Justice and has served in the 7th Special Forces Group as well as on the best-of-the-best Commander’s Inextremis Force (among other elite and dangerous type things). Basically, he’s terrifying. To his opponents anyway. To those of us who grew up watching Star Wars and playing Marco Polo with him, he’s more like exceptionally intelligent with a make-you-pee-your-pants sense of humor and great smile (okay, and maybe a little terrifying—seriously, have you seen his muscles???).

    Tim Kennedy

    Plus he’s got a beautiful, genius wife, Ginger, and two super sweet kids, which always makes a good man that much better :-D . So here’s an interview I got to do with him off the cuff last week just for the fun of it—which surprised and pleased me beyond belief because he’s, like, really busy saving the world and stuff. So thanks a MILLION, Tim. And for the rest of you, Reading Friendlies: enjoy :-) . (Tim’s responses are in green. My comments are obvious and interspersed wherever I feel like it.)

    What’s the best novel of all time?    Count of Monte Cristo.  I do love, and have read, almost every book you recommend on your site.     (What can I say? The man has great taste in websites…er, books–whatever.)

    Title of the last novel you read?    I’m reading the 3 part series by Stieg Larsson. Just finished The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  Kind of graphic, but good read.

    Who would win in a thumb-wrestling match–you or your wife?    Depends on the rules…    (Nice.)

    If you were a superhero who would you be? Oh…wait…you are a superhero. Okay, so if you were a FICTIONAL superhero who would you be?    Thor.  He has such great hair… and he is also pretty bad a$$.   (That noise you hear is me choking on my coffee and laughing at the same time. Just ignore it.)

    If you hadn’t noticed, we are kind of into food on this blog. What are your top 3 favorite foods?    I LOVE food. I cook all the time. I’m looking forward to retiring because I plan on going to culinary school.  Ginger and I plan on opening up some restaurants. I’m a big fan of BBQ (done right), fondue, and sushi. My favorite things to cook are probably Thai and Italian.     (I officially accuse you of being the perfect man. Aside from my husband of course.)

    How often do you work out?    I work out 3 times a day 4 days a week, 2 times a day 2 days a week, and then take the Sabbath off.    (So basically just a tad more than I do. That’s cool. *stretches and discreetly flexes non-existent gun-boats at the computer screen*)

    When’s your next fight (and where)?    My next fight is against Trevor Prangley on June 16th live on Showtime at the Nokia center in LA.  (Click MMA Mania for info on that.)

    Can people still get tickets to it?    Yes. Ticketmaster.

    Last question: As kids we all used to run around your yard in underoos fighting off Darth Vader and his storm troopers. How formative was that (my own sweet fighting skills in particular) to your massively awesome current career?    I’m pretty sure everyone knew at a very young age that I was either going to end up fighting in some form for a living or I would be in prison. Thank God I ended up fighting for a living.    (Yes. The prison system is definitely safer for it. Um…wait a sec…so no comment on my sweet, influential fighting skills? Drat. Although come to think of it, I do remember having to be the wookie an awful lot… *shakes fist at all those I thought were my childhood friends*)

    So…for those of you who want more on Tim’s Ultimate Fighting info, you can go to Ranger Up or MMA. Or for more on Tim’s culinary skills, you can go to…um…Tim? Maybe you should add an extra page to your website. You could call it “Cooking & Reading with Tim” or something. You could even do you tube videos. All in favor say “aye.”

    Thanks to Ranger Up and Tim’s MMA Facebook Fan page for the photos.
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    What’s the mood noise of the moment?  Gasoline Heart:  Paralyzed

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    Posted in A bit of brag, Best & Worst Books | 13 Comments »

  • Divine Justice (A Guest Review)

    Friday, June 4th, 2010

    Well, my reading peeps, today marks the final guest post by Jeanette Morris in her series of man book reviews. Last month, she offered up her thoughts on Patrick Lee’s “The Breach.” In March, it was Michael Connelly’s “The Scarecrow.” Today, she wraps things up with “Divine Justice” by David Baldacci. And let me say THANKS, Jeanette, for delving us into the world of your husband’s reading material. It’s been fun. You’ve been brave. We’re the better for it… Right? ;-)

    Divine Justice (2009) (# 4 in the Camel Club series) by David Baldacci – Ex Viet Nam sniper and former government assassin Oliver Stone (no, not the film director) commits a pair of “necessary” assassinations and goes into hiding in Divine, a coal-mining town in rural America. Not where he intended to run, but where he ended up after rescuing a kid getting mugged on the train to New Orleans. Stone soon discovers that something is awry in Divine—something equally as dangerous as he encountered in his previous life as a hired killer. It’s a “Fugitive” knock off in ways, as Stone is always just one step away from his nemesis, Macklin Hayes, who is obsessed with finding Stone and eliminating him. Also looking for Stone are his friends, members of the former “Camel Club,” who know that Hayes is on Stone’s trail and want to find him first. In the meantime, Stone is busy falling in love with the bus kid’s mother and digging into the mystery surrounding the string of murders in Divine. This plot is actually one that kept me turning pages. The characters are interesting and the dialogue realistic. Of the three man-thing books, I enjoyed this one (mostly) and could actually relate to the female characters, who were brainy and beautiful, but not quite the super-heroines of the other two stories. Baldacci is a good storyteller and I might find myself reading another of his books . . . the next time I’m sick in Las Vegas on a rainy afternoon.

    All right, guys and gals. What are YOUR reading plans for this summer? And might they include Divine Justice?

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    This commercial parody from Baldacci’s website made me (Mary) laugh!

    Here’s a brief explanation from it’s creator– nateonjesuslane (you tube): “ This is a parody of an ad that I saw for one of Mr. Baldacci’s books, not a parody of him or his writing. The ad said, ‘David Baldacci is a master of plot, character, and dialogue’ which seems like a selling point for a book, but really, when you think about it, that should be a prerequisite for any published author.”

    Jeanette Morris is a freelance writer and editor who has helped over 30 clients achieve their publishing dreams. You can find her at any of these places:     www.firstimpressionswriting.com   www.worddivas.com   www.ministryofwords.wordpress.com 

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    Posted in Book Reviews, Book Trailers | 8 Comments »

  • A Recipe for California Goodness

    Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

    Well, the Golden Cali Coast lived up to her name this weekend, my Friendlies. Balmy. Beautiful. FANTABULOUS. Especially for this California girl who’s spent a very cool spring aching for all things summer—including SUN, heat, and that beachy scent of coconut oil.

    Highlights from the weekend?

    (1) A local newspaper feature on the Word DIVAS writing group (*fist pump in the air*).

    (2) An afternoon with family and friends at the ranch pool (first bathing suit donning of the season = *total cringe*).

    (3) Reading “The Beasts of Tarzan” while lying out beside said pool. (Awesome right?)

    (4) My kids. Their squeals and laughter while being dunked.

    (5) This Memorial Day post by Agent Janet Reid:  http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2010/05/91-minutes-of-silence.html

    (6) The fantastic food. Including, but not limited to, Lori’s cake, my dad’s barbequed tri-tip, a margarita (or two), and this vegetarian sandwich with roasted bell peppers, feta (good addition, Val), and garlic aioli.

     

    The Recipe

    1. 2 bell peppers (red, orange, yellow—your choice)
    2. 2 yellow, crook-necked squash–sliced thin, lengthwise
    3. small yellow onion
    4. 6 thin asparagus spears (cut in half)
    5. garlic salt
    6. half loaf of French Bread
    7. butter
    8. feta cheese
    9. garlic aioli (I’m too lazy to make my own– so yay for Trader Joes :-) )

    Set your oven to Broil, and place washed bell peppers on a foil lined pan. Broil between 12 and 20 minutes, rotating regularly until all sides are lightly blackened. While they’re cooking, slice up the yellow onion and grill it in a saucepan over a high heat stove for five minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until golden (about 10 minutes), stirring regularly so as not to burn. Turn off heat and allow to sit. Next, remove the peppers from the oven and seal in a paper bag for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the peppers and peel their skin—it should slough off easily by hand—and de-seed. Slice into 3-inch strips. Now place squash and asparagus on the foiled pan and sprinkle with olive oil and garlic salt. Broil for around 7 minutes; remove. Slice the 1/2 French bread loaf down the side lengthwise and lightly butter open faces. Broil buttered halves face up for 5 – 7 minutes. Remove and spread with a thin layer of garlic aioli. Stack the veggies sky-high on the bottom bread portion; then top with feta and the bread lid. Mmm…

    INCIDENTALLY, how was YOUR weekend??? Give us the highlights pretty please :-) …

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    What’s the mood noise of the moment?  Sixpence None the Richer:  Kiss Me

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    Posted in A bit of brag, Reading Recipes | 15 Comments »

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