Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Enchiladas


Made some enchiladas yesterday. Used the recipe for Pineapple-Black Bean Enchiladas from the Pillsbury Bake-off, but I added chicken. My husband is not a huge vegetarian fan--he'll occasionally eat it, but it's not his favorite. I also used fresh pineapple, which was a huge hit with my kids.

In other news--we paid a deposit on a cruise last night! We're going over our 10th anniversary on a Carnival cruise to Mexico. It's actually the first annual "Believe in Marriage" cruise offered by Families Northwest, but we knew it was meant to be because it's actually over our anniversary (Valentine's Day) And my parents are free to come up and take the kids to school and activities, so we're going! We don't have passports, so I went to the post office and got the applications today so we can get going on those.

Today I'm doing a final test run for my Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil that I'm entering in the Southern Living Cook-Off. I'm going to have Kimber prepare the recipe according to my directions and see if I've left anything out or anything's unclear. I'll post a picture of the finished product tomorrow. Grace thinks I'm nuts taking pictures of food.

Still reading the Yada Yada book, after I get my errands done today I've got to get busy with it, because I have two others after it.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Apple Cranberry Bundt Cake


Here's a picture of my Washington Caramel Apple Cranberry Bundt Cake. It's really good...and even if I don't win (and I'm not really expecting anything) I am so happy. I have re-discovered how much I enjoy cooking and creating in the kitchen. It's fun to have something to inspire me to do it--thus a contest is a great thing. And my family is happy too!

I am going to enter something in the Southern Living contest as well...gotta work on that today because the deadline is next week.

I'm also reading up a storm. I'm currently reading The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Caught by Neta Jackson. Only two more books after this one, I should be doing well for this month.

We close on our house today! I am so excited to finally be done.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Changing the format a little


I am getting back into cooking more, so I'm going to start posting a picture of what I make each day. I've challenged myself to make something each day, no matter how small.

Yesterday, I made a recipe from the Pillsbury Bake-Off, Choco-Peanut Butter Cups


Here's the recipe:


1
roll (18 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated peanut butter cookies
1
cup Hershey®'s premier white chips (6 oz)
1 1/2
cups creamy peanut butter
1
cup Hershey®'s semi-sweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
4
Nature Valley® oats 'n honey crunchy granola bars (2 pouches from 8.9-oz box), crushed (3/4 cup)*

2 reviews
2 ratings
Preparation Directions:
1.
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 24 mini muffin cups with cooking spray or shortening. Cut cookie dough into 24 slices. Press 1 slice in bottom and up side of each mini muffin cup, forming 1/4-inch rim above top of cup (dust fingers with flour if necessary). Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes. With tip of handle of wooden spoon, press dough down in center of each cup to make room for 2 tablespoons filling.
2.
Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, melt white chips and 3/4 cup of the peanut butter over low heat, stirring constantly. Divide mixture evenly into cookie cups (about 1 tablespoon each). Refrigerate 10 minutes.
3.
In same 2-quart saucepan, melt chocolate chips and remaining 3/4 cup peanut butter over low heat, stirring constantly. Divide chocolate mixture evenly on top of peanut butter mixture in each cup (about 1 tablespoon each). Sprinkle crushed granola bars over top of each. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Remove from muffin cups before serving.
24 cookie cups
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Break up cookie dough into bowl; knead or stir 1/4 cup flour into dough. Divide dough into 24 pieces; press 1 piece in each cup.

I used homemade peanut butter cookies, because I'm too cheap to buy the refrigerated variety. They turned out really well, and the family is enjoying them immensely.

I'm going to enter the Nordicware bundt cake contest, so yesterday I made up a recipe for an apple cranberry bundt cake, and today I made it. I'm going to hold off on posting the recipe until after the deadline for the contest (I know, I'm paranoid) but I'll post a picture tomorrow.

Recent review posted (still in the middle of my RT books, six down, three to go)

Saved Folk in the House

So I should be posting a bit more regularly and a little more variety!

Monday, May 22, 2006

Forgot a couple! Plus a link

Forgot these two reviews!

Lime Ricky

Princess Izzy and the E Street Shuffle


This is such an interesting blog...check it out
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

More Reviews

I have been busily reading as my RT deadline is again quickly approaching. Here are my latest reviews:

Violette Between

Authority in Prayer

Better Dads, Stronger Sons

Weird Planet: Lost in Las Vegas

I'm currently reading Reluctant Burglar by Jill Nelson, who used to be the head inspirational reviewer at RT. I'm intrigued so far, it's a good book. I'm listening to Digging to America by Anne Tyler.

Back to the reading, I never seem to get caught up!

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

This week's reviews

Here are my latest reviews:

I Can't Do It All

When Crickets Cry

Alaska Twilight

I'm currently in the middle of Karen Kingsbury's Redemption series. I have the latest to review and I wanted to refresh myself. Haven't had much reading time, so it's slow going. I need to get busy because I have a slew of RT books this month.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

And another one!

Here's another review:
A Year in the World

Currently reading Violette Between by Alison Strobel. It's a strange book, but I just started so I'll reserve judgment for a little while.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Sunday Update

Reviews posted this week:

Religiously Transmitted Diseases

Goodbye, Jimmy Choo

Zoe Sophia in New York


I'm currently reading Lime Ricky by Jill Winters and listening to Don't Say a Word by Barbara Freethy

We did a huge amount of painting today, painted Kimber's entire bedroom. Now to get it put back together tomorrow.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

More quotes

"I'm never bored and I never mind waiting--anywhere. Unless, of course, I've forgotten my book, in which case I just run off and buy another one. I read at the DMV, in movie lines, in bank teller lines, or when the shuttle from L.A. to San Francisco is four hours late. Layovers in unfamiliar airports are a treat, as are jury notices that arrive at my home and give me license to sit around and read all day, knowing that I'm doing my civic duty."

"Books teach you how other people think, and what they're feeling, and how they change from ordinary beings to extraordinary ones. Often they are so appealing and intellignet, you'd rather spend time reading aobu them than doing anything else. And unlike life, if you don't like what you're reading, you can slam the book shut and...peace. "

More later!

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

My April Reads

Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark (B-)
House by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker ( C)
Pink by Marilynn Griffith (C+)
A Girl’s Best Friend by Kristin Billerbeck (C+)
A Year in the World by Frances Mayes (B+/A-)
The Notebook Girls by Julia Baskin et al (B-)
Uncharted by Angela Hunt (B+)
Waking Lazarus by TL Hines (B)
Goodbye, Jimmy Choo by Annie Sanders (B-)
Sandpiper Drift by Vanessa Del Fabbro (B-)
Sisterchicks in Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn (B)
Journey to Love by Charlotte Hubbard (D-)
Relentless by Robin Parrish (C-)
Last Light by Terri Blackstock (B+)
Night Light by Terri Blackstock (B)
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (audio) (B-)

Wednesday!

Haven't had any reviews posted this week. Finished up my Romantic Times books so I haven't had much time for any other reading.

I did finish Literacy and Longing in L.A., and while it was pretty good, I wish it had been a little longer. It seemed really short. I had many quotes I marked, here is one:

" I collect new books the way my girlfriends buy designer handbags. Sometimes, I just like to know I have them and actually reading them is beside the point. Not that I don't eventually end up reading them one by one. I do. But the mere act of buying them makes me happy--the world is more promising, more fulfilling. It's hard to explain, but I feel, somehow, more optimistic. The whole act just cheers me up."

I'm currently reading Alaska Twilight by Colleen Coble. I'm listening to Don't Say a Word by Barbara Freethy. Both are decent so far.

Gotta go make dinner!

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

And here I am on Wednesday!

I have a couple of new reviews posted:

The Travel Mom's Ultimate Book of Family Travel

Woman First, Family Always

We head to California (yes, again) tomorrow morning. I have two more books to finish for RT before Monday, which should be pretty easy with the 16+ hours I'll be riding in the car over the next two days. Fortunately I don't get carsick!
I have to read Relentless by Robin Parrish and Night Light by Terri Blackstock. I also have a reader-reviewer book that has a review due May 3, so I need to read that one too:Literacy and Longing in LA

We're finishing up the house this week. Down to the last few things. We're having some open houses this weekend, pray that it sells quickly!

Back to go seal the tile on the shower...

Monday, April 24, 2006

Monday Review Update

Here are my most recent reviews. I'm currently working my way through my Romantic Times books for the month. I have three more to go before Monday, which should be ok. Especially since we're driving to California again. Kimber's done with school for the year this week...so early, I know! We have to go down and pick her up on Thursday and Friday. I'm really hoping to get some serious reading time in the car.

Latest reviews:
Drawing The Line

Carly

The Notebook Girls


I just finished reading Sisterchicks in Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn ( I love this series, really touching books) and am getting ready to start Journey to Love by Charlotte Hubbard.

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous. I'm headed outside for a little reading before I have to go get Logan from school.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Books Read in 2006

Here are the books and ratings I've read so far in 2006. I will include April when the month is over and will post monthly after that.

March

Strictly Confidential--Terri Reed (C+)
Small Town Secrets--Sharon Mignerey (C-)
Be My Neat-Heart--Judy Baer (B)
Promise of Forever--Patt Marr (B-)
A Very Special Delivery--Linda Goodnight (C+)
Child of Mine--Bonnie Winn (C-)
Maggie's Story--Dandi Daley Mackall (B)
Red Velvet--Sandra Byrd (B)
The Art of Undressing--Stephanie Lehmann (C+)
Grace in Thine Eyes--Liz Curtis Higgs (A-)
Can You Keep a Secret--Sophie Kinsella (Audio) (B)
Claire Knows Best--Tracey Bateman (B-)
Landon Snow and the Auctor's Riddle-RK Mortensen (B)
Magdalene--Angela Hunt (C+)
House--Michael Ruhlmann (B)
Rekindled--Tamera Alexander (B-)
Magic Hour--Kristin Hannah (B)
Heavens to Betsy--Beth Patillo(C)
Earth to Betsy--Beth Patillo (C)
The Butterfly Farm--Diane Noble (B)
Everything's Coming Up Josey--Susan May Warren (A-)
A Vow to Cherish--Deborah Raney (B-)
Emily Ever After--Anne Dayton and May Vanderbuilt (B)


February

April in Bloom--Annie Jones (B)
The History of Love--Nicole Krauss (Audio) (B)
A Leap of Faith--Lenora Worth (B)
And Baby Makes Five--Debra Clopton (C)
Along Came Love--Carrie Turansky (C)
The Ransom--Kathi Mills-Macias (C+)
Things We Once Held Dear--Ann Tatlock (B+)
The Novelist--Angela Hunt (A)
Showdown--Ted Dekker (B/B+)
Tales from the Crib--Jennifer Coburn (B-)
Fashionably Late--Beth Kendrick (B-)
On this Day--Melody Carlson (B-)
Flee the Night--Susan May Warren (C)
Forever Odd--Dean Koontz (Audio) (C+)
Escape to Morning--Susan May Warren (C)
Expect the Sunrise--Susan May Warren (B+)
The Hunted--Fred Stoeker and DW Smith (C)
The Widows' Club--Joyce Livingston (B-)
The Forsaken--Stephen Arterburn and Mike Moscoe (C)
Mackinac Island--Gaymer Martin et al (C+)
Less than Frank--Lynn Bulock (C)
Leaves of Hope--Catherine Palmer (C)
If You Could See Me Now--Cecelia Ahern (Audio) (B)

January

A Time to Mend--Angela Hunt (B-)
Front Porch Princess--Kathryn Springer (B+)
Stormcatcher--Colleen Rhoads (B-)
Through the Fire--Sharon Mignerey (C+)
When Silence Falls--Shirlee McCoy (C-)
A Family Forever--Brenda Coulter (B)
When Dreams Come True--Margaret Daley (B-)
A Match Made in Bliss--Diann Walker (B-)
Lessons from the Heart--Dorothy Clark (C)
Miss New York Has Everything--Lori Jakiela (B-)
In Plain Sight--Lorena McCourtney (C+)
The Scent of Lilacs--Ann Gabhart (C+)
Unspoken--Angela Hunt (A-)
Savannah from Savannah--Denise Hildreth (B-)
The Tenth Circle--Jodi Picoult (B-)
Leigh--Lyn Cote (C-)
Carly--Lyn Cote (C+)
Fair Warning--Hannah Alexander(C+)
The Jane Austen Book Club--Karen Lee Fowler (Audio) (C)
In the Enemy's Sights--Marta Perry (C+)
On Wings of Deliverance--Elizabeth White (B)

Thursday

We have put in so many hours on the house this week I have barely done any reading. I decided to read Goodbye Jimmy Choo by Annie Sanders before going back to my RT books. It's pretty good, but not so much chick lit as women's fiction. The title makes it seem really fluffy and light, but it's not. I got a reader reviewer book in the mail today (actually a book I have been really wanting to read) Literacy and Longing in L.A. For book lovers like me it looks to be right up my alley!

All right, back to reading. Only an hour until Survivor starts and I want to knock back a big chunk of the book while everyone is outside.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

BookLoons Updates

Here are my most recent BookLoons Reviews:

House

A Girl's Best Friend

Pink

Landon Snow and the Auctor's Riddle


I'm currently reading Waking Lazarus by TL Hines. It's a very interesting Christian thriller about a man who has come back from the dead three times and a race to find a serial killer. Creepy but engrossing. Next up I have Night Light by Terri Blackstock.

It's been an interesting reading month!

Happy Easter to everyone. Thank you so much Jesus for all you have done for me.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

New Review

I have been busily writing reviews today. Didn't even get halfway through, but I did get quite a few written. I will probably get one more done tonight before everyone gets home from church.

New review posted:

Magic Hour

I am currently reading Uncharted by Angela Hunt. I have to say that she's becoming one of my favorite authors. This book has grabbed me from the start--it's a combo of Lost, The Big Chill, and Castaway according the the cover, and I'm not disagreeing!

Back to my review writing, gotta spend the day working on the yellow house tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Busy but Reading

I have been really busy...hopefully we can get this house finished soon so I can get back to my regularly scheduled life. I am pretty tired of it and ready to be done.

I'm reading The Notebook Girls which is a (supposedly) true notebook passed around by four girls during their high school years. It's a fun format and a lot of it rings very true, but you know how skeptical we all are about "true" stories these days. It's kind of interesting though, because I'm still listening to Prep, and both books are about teenage girls and their high school experiences. I'm drowning in teenagers! LOL

Watched The Apple Dumpling Gang last week. How cute...brings back total memories and it was as good as I remembered it. The kids really enjoyed it too. Last night we watched Where the Truth Lies, which was a decent mystery with lots of twists and turns, but...pretty graphic sex.

Sunday, April 09, 2006

I'm back!

Home from vacation! It was fun, but a long, long week. Too much togetherness sometimes.

On Friday night (the 31st) we left after LeeRoy got off work. Which was about 5:30. We hadn't eaten, so we stopped at the Spaghetti Factory in Vancouver. Long wait for a table, by the time we got out of there it was after 8. Then we drove to Newport, we got there after 11. Kids were exhausted, we were tired.

Saturday through Wednesday we spent at the beach. We did a lot of walking, went to the outlet mall, went to the aquarium, read a lot of books. Went to see Ice Age The Meltdown (cute). Thursday morning we did massive laundry and cleaned the house and then headed to California at noon. We got to Redding about 7:30, which was pretty good timing. Hung out with Kimber for awhile and went out to dinner, then took her back to her dorm and went to the hotel and went to bed.

Friday we went to the Sundial bridge, shopping, and just hung out most of the day. Went out to dinner for her birthday. We left there around 6:30 and drove to Medford, got there around 9. Yesterday we drove to Salem and picked up the dog and then drove home. Lots and lots of time in the car! LeeRoy went to church today but we all skipped, I just couldn't make it out of bed in time.

I have a tonnnnnn of reviews to write up, I don't know exactly when I'm going to carve out the time to do it. Maybe today for some, who knows.

Recent reviews posted:

Rekindled

Akimbo and the Crocodile Man


Here's a fun quiz to discover what type of reader you are:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/

Off to the shower (finally!) and maybe I'll get some typing time in today.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Current Read

I'm currently reading The Butterfly Farm by Diane Noble and still listening to Prep. This week I still need to read Everything's Coming Up Josey by Susan May Warren andA Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney (a re-release)