It's definitely fun to get to hear what other bloggers sound like and now you'll know what I sound like.
What type of accent do you have?
Thursday, October 3, 2013
What type of American accent do I have? Find out here.
Instead of doing useful things, like fixing dinner- I was reading blogs and saw Kera from Nugget on a Budget doing this link up from Not in Jersey. I decided this would be something fun to try. I've never posted a video before, so this is a first.
It's definitely fun to get to hear what other bloggers sound like and now you'll know what I sound like.
What type of accent do you have?
It's definitely fun to get to hear what other bloggers sound like and now you'll know what I sound like.
What type of accent do you have?
I Pinned It, I Did It: Homemade Taco Seasoning
I'm not really a creative person in the sense of coming up with my own ideas. I do better to come up with ideas with another person or to take another person's idea and go with it. This is probably the reason I love Pinterest so much. I use ideas I find on there all the time.
Since I do things I find on Pinterest a lot, I figured I should post about my experiences from time to time. Some ideas from Pinterest work great while others don't work out as planned. I know that other people post about trying out Pinterest ideas, and I find them helpful. So, I'm going to do some of my own.
Several months ago, I discussed on the blog how I was beginning a journey towards eating more real food. This journey has had its ups and downs, but I've not given up. I'm trying to get back on the path to eating less processed food. So, this pin I recently tried out came from my Real Food Recipes board. The source of the pin and the place where you can find the recipe is Rachel Cooks.
What is it?
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Why I pinned it:
We eat tacos and similar Mexican food a lot. I want to work on eating less processed food and this seemed like something easy to put together.
Why I did it:
I wanted something simple to cook this past weekend and we had limited ingredients at our house. I figured I could cook tacos. I went to my small spice drawer and remembered that we had no taco seasoning. I purposely didn't buy any the last time I went shopping for groceries because I wanted to make my own. Luckily, I had all the ingredients I needed to make my own.
The process:
I followed the directions from Rachel Cook's blog except I accidentally put 1/2 tablespoon of paprika instead of 1/2 teaspoon-oops! In the end, it didn't make a difference. So, a good thing about this recipe seems to be that the measurements don't have to be exact. This blog has even been updated to include a recipe for a larger batch of taco seasoning so you don't have to do a lot of math and figure it out for yourself.
The verdict:
Tacos tasted fine to me. I couldn't tell a difference between seasoning the meat this way and seasoning it with the store bought packet. The recipe basically makes enough for one pound of meat (you might could get two out of it). So, you can either make it as needed or make a larger batch. This took me less than 5 minutes to do between finding my ingredients, measuring them out, and stirring them together. So, it's really no more difficult than opening a store bought packet. I will definitely do this again.
Since I do things I find on Pinterest a lot, I figured I should post about my experiences from time to time. Some ideas from Pinterest work great while others don't work out as planned. I know that other people post about trying out Pinterest ideas, and I find them helpful. So, I'm going to do some of my own.
Several months ago, I discussed on the blog how I was beginning a journey towards eating more real food. This journey has had its ups and downs, but I've not given up. I'm trying to get back on the path to eating less processed food. So, this pin I recently tried out came from my Real Food Recipes board. The source of the pin and the place where you can find the recipe is Rachel Cooks.
What is it?
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Why I pinned it:
We eat tacos and similar Mexican food a lot. I want to work on eating less processed food and this seemed like something easy to put together.
Why I did it:
I wanted something simple to cook this past weekend and we had limited ingredients at our house. I figured I could cook tacos. I went to my small spice drawer and remembered that we had no taco seasoning. I purposely didn't buy any the last time I went shopping for groceries because I wanted to make my own. Luckily, I had all the ingredients I needed to make my own.
I followed the directions from Rachel Cook's blog except I accidentally put 1/2 tablespoon of paprika instead of 1/2 teaspoon-oops! In the end, it didn't make a difference. So, a good thing about this recipe seems to be that the measurements don't have to be exact. This blog has even been updated to include a recipe for a larger batch of taco seasoning so you don't have to do a lot of math and figure it out for yourself.
Tacos tasted fine to me. I couldn't tell a difference between seasoning the meat this way and seasoning it with the store bought packet. The recipe basically makes enough for one pound of meat (you might could get two out of it). So, you can either make it as needed or make a larger batch. This took me less than 5 minutes to do between finding my ingredients, measuring them out, and stirring them together. So, it's really no more difficult than opening a store bought packet. I will definitely do this again.
The finished product:
Yummy quesadilla!
What's something you make yourself rather than buying the premade version?
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
September Book Review
Crossed by Ally Condrie
Book Description:
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I loved the first book in this series which I reviewed last month. I didn't like this one as much, though. I still enjoyed it and I want to see how it ends. Parts of it were kind of boring. This one was narrated by both the main characters, Cassia and Ky. Even though it switched back and forth from chapter to chapter, there were times when I forgot who was narrating. There wasn't a clear distinction between the two voices. Overall, I was disappointed and I hope the 3rd one revives this trilogy for me.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
Warrior by Joanne Wadsworth
Book Description:
Eighteen-year-old Hope Wincrest calls the Outback of Australia her home away from home. She is a
princess of Dralion from the planet Magio, where the two
leading nations are at war. While in the Outback, Hope is warned by her
warrior father--who holds the prophetic ability of forethought--that she
is about to meet an enemy protector. She doesn’t expect him to be her
soul-bound mate, a man she must now work with to piece together her
unknown mother’s lost heritage. Peacio’s Silas Carver follows the
calling of his soul to Australia, only not all goes as planned.
Discovering Hope is his mate has him demanding his release from their
bond. She agrees, but only if he first helps her learn about her mother.
Hope must lay her life in Silas’s hands during a journey which
takes them deep into foreign lands. Waging a battle of the heart, and of
the land, can the young mated pair find their place with each other?
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the story of Hope and Silas so much better than Faith and Davio from the first book. It seemed more realistic. These characters are mated which means their soul is bound to another person. They don't get to choose this person. The way Faith and Davio accepted this in the first book seemed unrealistic and I didn't enjoy it. However, I loved the way it worked for Silas and Hope. They refused it at first, but they slowly fell for each other as the story progressed. Plus I just really liked these two characters more. I hope there will be another book focusing on them.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Reached by Ally Condrie
Book Description:
After leaving Society to desperately seek The Rising, and each other, Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again. Cassia is assigned undercover in Central city, Ky outside the borders, an airship pilot with Indie. Xander is a medic, with a secret. All too soon, everything shifts again.
My Review:
I'm disappointed with this series. I had such high expectations after reading the first book, Matched. I loved the concept. I loved the world they lived in. It intrigued me. Then, it slowly went downhill with the next two books. This book was long, yet didn't really seem to be going anywhere. There was so much information to keep up with and you needed to remember little details from the previous two books. Also, I enjoy a good love triangle every now and then, but notice I said GOOD. I hate when an author so conveniently brings in a new character for the unchosen boy to fall in love with in the end. It's so unrealistic and just makes me mad.
I give it 2 out of 5 stars.
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks
Book Description:
Budo is Max's imaginary friend. But though only Max can see him, he is real. He and the other
imaginary friends watch over their children until the day comes that the
child stops imagining them. And then they're gone. Budo has lasted a
lot longer than most imaginary friends - four years - because Max needs
him more. His parents argue about sending him to a special school. But
Max is perfectly happy if everything is just kept the way it is, and
nothing out of the ordinary happens. Unfortunately, something out of the
ordinary is going to happen - and then he'll need Budo more than
ever...
My Review:
I really enjoyed this book overall. It was unique in the sense that the narrator was an imaginary friend named Budo. It was an interesting perspective for a story to be told from. The boy who imagined Budo into existence was a child on the autism spectrum. So, he'd kept his imaginary friend around a lot longer than most imaginary friends are kept. Budo had good insight into the world around him. However, I wasn't crazy about where the plot went in the second half of the book when it turned into a suspense novel. I feel like it would have been more powerful if it had just been a simple story about a boy with autism and how he struggles on a day to day basis as told by his imaginary friend.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Book Description:
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances? R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.
My Review:
I loved this book. I think it's a must read for children and adults. I enjoyed how it's told from several character's POV, so you really understand everyone's perspective. Yes, it's a simple story but I think it has a powerful message that we all need to hear. BE KIND! This is a hard lesson not only for children, but also for adults. This story tugged at my heart as we got an inside view on what it's like to be different, not only for that person but also for their family and friends.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Book Description:
Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .But for Cath, being a fan is
her life — and she’s really good at it. She
and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series
when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother
leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums,
writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for
every movie premiere. Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to. Now
that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to
be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort
zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around
boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end
of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk
about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s
loving and fragile and has never really been alone. For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?
My Review:
This was a fun book. It was very relateable to me in the sense that I had a hard time with my first year of college too. I really liked the character, Levi. I found their blossoming relationship to be very believable and Levi was such a likeable guy.What I liked most about this book was that it didn't have some huge plot with major conflict and resolution. It was just about the normal every day issues of a new college student. Sometimes, it's good to read those types of books.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
Book Description:
My Review:
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting setting and the main character, Josie, was someone that I really felt for throughout the story. The only reason I rated it 3 stars instead of 4 was there were some minor details that just didn't add up or didn't sit well with me.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Garden of Stones by Sophie Littlefield
Book Description:
In the dark days of war, a mother makes the ultimate sacrifice Lucy Takeda is just fourteen years old,
living in Los Angeles, when the bombs rain down on Pearl
Harbor. Within weeks, she and her mother, Miyako, are ripped from their
home, rounded up-along with thousands of other innocent
Japanese-Americans-and taken to the Manzanar prison camp. Buffeted
by blistering heat and choking dust, Lucy and Miyako must endure the
harsh living conditions of the camp. Corruption and abuse creep into
every corner of Manzanar, eventually ensnaring beautiful, vulnerable
Miyako. Ruined and unwilling to surrender her daughter to the same fate,
Miyako soon breaks. Her final act of desperation will stay with Lucy
forever...and spur her to sins of her own. Bestselling author
Sophie Littlefield weaves a powerful tale of stolen innocence and
survival that echoes through generations, reverberating between mothers
and daughters. It is a moving chronicle of injustice, triumph and the
unspeakable acts we commit in the name of love.
My Review:
This book intrigued me because I feel like the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII isn't something that is taught in history and I wanted to know more about it. This story broke my heart as I continue to learn about the dark history of our country. This is one of those stories where you feel like nothing can go right for the character. It does not have a "happily ever after" ending which I appreciate because that's not realistic. For me, it was a good blend of historical fiction and mystery/suspense. There were surprises throughout the book. I loved how the book went back and forth between the present day (1970s in the story) and Lucy's childhood (1940s). I loved how you'd learn about something in the present day part of the story and then you'd flashback to Lucy's childhood to learn all the details behind the new revelation. It made the book very hard to put down.
I give it 5 out 5 stars.
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott
Book Description:
Just in time for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic comes a vivid, romantic, and relentlessly compelling historical novel about a spirited young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself embroiled in the media frenzy left in the wake of the tragedy. Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she's had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be a personal maid on the Titanic's doomed voyage. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men, one a roughly-hewn but kind sailor and the other an enigmatic Chicago millionaire. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes. Amidst the chaos and desperate urging of two very different suitors, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. Tess’s sailor also manages to survive unharmed, witness to Lady Duff Gordon’s questionable actions during the tragedy. Others—including the gallant Midwestern tycoon—are not so lucky. On dry land, rumors about the survivors begin to circulate, and Lady Duff Gordon quickly becomes the subject of media scorn and later, the hearings on the Titanic. Set against a historical tragedy but told from a completely fresh angle, The Dressmaker is an atmospheric delight filled with all the period's glitz and glamour, all the raw feelings of a national tragedy and all the contradictory emotions of young love.
My Review:
I'm a fan of historical fiction. However, this story just seemed to drag along to me. I was ready for it to be over. A big problem I had was the telling of the sinking of the Titanic. I know that that was not the main part of the book, but the way it was told made it sound like the ship sank in 10 minutes. Even if the author didn't want to give a significant portion of the book to the sinking, I feel like she still could have found a more realistic way to tell about it. There was also a subplot that was a love story consisting of a small love triangle. I didn't like it. I like my love stories to be well developed and believable where I'm rooting for the couple.
I give it 3 out 5 stars.
What have you read this month? Have you read any of these?
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I loved the first book in this series which I reviewed last month. I didn't like this one as much, though. I still enjoyed it and I want to see how it ends. Parts of it were kind of boring. This one was narrated by both the main characters, Cassia and Ky. Even though it switched back and forth from chapter to chapter, there were times when I forgot who was narrating. There wasn't a clear distinction between the two voices. Overall, I was disappointed and I hope the 3rd one revives this trilogy for me.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
Warrior by Joanne Wadsworth
Book Description:
Eighteen-year-old Hope Wincrest calls the Outback of Australia her home away from home. She is a
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the story of Hope and Silas so much better than Faith and Davio from the first book. It seemed more realistic. These characters are mated which means their soul is bound to another person. They don't get to choose this person. The way Faith and Davio accepted this in the first book seemed unrealistic and I didn't enjoy it. However, I loved the way it worked for Silas and Hope. They refused it at first, but they slowly fell for each other as the story progressed. Plus I just really liked these two characters more. I hope there will be another book focusing on them.
*I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, but this review is my honest opinion of this book.*
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Reached by Ally Condrie
After leaving Society to desperately seek The Rising, and each other, Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again. Cassia is assigned undercover in Central city, Ky outside the borders, an airship pilot with Indie. Xander is a medic, with a secret. All too soon, everything shifts again.
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I'm disappointed with this series. I had such high expectations after reading the first book, Matched. I loved the concept. I loved the world they lived in. It intrigued me. Then, it slowly went downhill with the next two books. This book was long, yet didn't really seem to be going anywhere. There was so much information to keep up with and you needed to remember little details from the previous two books. Also, I enjoy a good love triangle every now and then, but notice I said GOOD. I hate when an author so conveniently brings in a new character for the unchosen boy to fall in love with in the end. It's so unrealistic and just makes me mad.
I give it 2 out of 5 stars.
Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks
Book Description:
Budo is Max's imaginary friend. But though only Max can see him, he is real. He and the other
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I really enjoyed this book overall. It was unique in the sense that the narrator was an imaginary friend named Budo. It was an interesting perspective for a story to be told from. The boy who imagined Budo into existence was a child on the autism spectrum. So, he'd kept his imaginary friend around a lot longer than most imaginary friends are kept. Budo had good insight into the world around him. However, I wasn't crazy about where the plot went in the second half of the book when it turned into a suspense novel. I feel like it would have been more powerful if it had just been a simple story about a boy with autism and how he struggles on a day to day basis as told by his imaginary friend.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances? R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I loved this book. I think it's a must read for children and adults. I enjoyed how it's told from several character's POV, so you really understand everyone's perspective. Yes, it's a simple story but I think it has a powerful message that we all need to hear. BE KIND! This is a hard lesson not only for children, but also for adults. This story tugged at my heart as we got an inside view on what it's like to be different, not only for that person but also for their family and friends.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Book Description:
Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .But for Cath, being a fan is
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
This was a fun book. It was very relateable to me in the sense that I had a hard time with my first year of college too. I really liked the character, Levi. I found their blossoming relationship to be very believable and Levi was such a likeable guy.What I liked most about this book was that it didn't have some huge plot with major conflict and resolution. It was just about the normal every day issues of a new college student. Sometimes, it's good to read those types of books.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
It’s 1950, and as the
French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old
Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals
as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life
than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a
mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an
investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her
conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie
is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine
underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling
temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate tests.
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting setting and the main character, Josie, was someone that I really felt for throughout the story. The only reason I rated it 3 stars instead of 4 was there were some minor details that just didn't add up or didn't sit well with me.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Garden of Stones by Sophie Littlefield
Book Description:
In the dark days of war, a mother makes the ultimate sacrifice Lucy Takeda is just fourteen years old,
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
This book intrigued me because I feel like the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII isn't something that is taught in history and I wanted to know more about it. This story broke my heart as I continue to learn about the dark history of our country. This is one of those stories where you feel like nothing can go right for the character. It does not have a "happily ever after" ending which I appreciate because that's not realistic. For me, it was a good blend of historical fiction and mystery/suspense. There were surprises throughout the book. I loved how the book went back and forth between the present day (1970s in the story) and Lucy's childhood (1940s). I loved how you'd learn about something in the present day part of the story and then you'd flashback to Lucy's childhood to learn all the details behind the new revelation. It made the book very hard to put down.
I give it 5 out 5 stars.
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott
Just in time for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic comes a vivid, romantic, and relentlessly compelling historical novel about a spirited young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself embroiled in the media frenzy left in the wake of the tragedy. Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she's had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be a personal maid on the Titanic's doomed voyage. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men, one a roughly-hewn but kind sailor and the other an enigmatic Chicago millionaire. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes. Amidst the chaos and desperate urging of two very different suitors, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. Tess’s sailor also manages to survive unharmed, witness to Lady Duff Gordon’s questionable actions during the tragedy. Others—including the gallant Midwestern tycoon—are not so lucky. On dry land, rumors about the survivors begin to circulate, and Lady Duff Gordon quickly becomes the subject of media scorn and later, the hearings on the Titanic. Set against a historical tragedy but told from a completely fresh angle, The Dressmaker is an atmospheric delight filled with all the period's glitz and glamour, all the raw feelings of a national tragedy and all the contradictory emotions of young love.
book description and image via Goodreads
My Review:
I'm a fan of historical fiction. However, this story just seemed to drag along to me. I was ready for it to be over. A big problem I had was the telling of the sinking of the Titanic. I know that that was not the main part of the book, but the way it was told made it sound like the ship sank in 10 minutes. Even if the author didn't want to give a significant portion of the book to the sinking, I feel like she still could have found a more realistic way to tell about it. There was also a subplot that was a love story consisting of a small love triangle. I didn't like it. I like my love stories to be well developed and believable where I'm rooting for the couple.
I give it 3 out 5 stars.
What have you read this month? Have you read any of these?
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