Friday, May 31, 2013

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

I'd always wanted to read The Historian because it deals with Dracula, the ultimate vampire. I love vampire stories so I was eager to read The Historian. I put it off since it's 642 pages. But since this year, I'm reading longer books, I decided it was time to pick up The Historian.
A young girl lives with her father (Paul) in Amsterdam in the 70's. Her mother died when she was a small child. The girl's father was an academic but now runs a worldwide organization helping spread peace. The girl has few friends and spends hours reading in her father's library. One day, she comes across a stack of letters, addressed to My Dear and Unfortunate Sucessor. The girl is intrigued and begins to study the letters. After a while, she asks her father about the letters. Flashback to 1950's (?), Paul is in college, finishing his graduate degree. One night, at the library, a strange book appears in Paul's carrel. Paul shows it to his advisor, Professor Rossi, who has his own story to relate. Both Professor Rossi's story and Paul's story are about Vlad the Impaler or Dracula.
I was unprepared for the amount of history that laid out for the reader. I know nothing about 1400's/1500's Eastern Europe. Much of the book is about the policial, religious, and economic times of that era. It was interesting but it was a lot. Even with all of that, I still was able to connect to the young girl, Paul, and Professor Rossi. It takes a while for the story to get going but once it does, it's well paced. You'll want to know what's going to happen next. My only gripe was that once the story got going, it stayed with Paul in the past, rather than focusing on the girl in the current time. I enjoyed her journey slightly more than Paul's original journey but understood why Kostova stayed with Paul's story more than the girl's.
I have a confession. I do not like big books. They are hard to read on the bus. I liked The Historian but I hated lugging that huge book around. Made a real case for ereaders. Or audiobooks.
I enjoyed The Historian. It was suspenseful and creepy. Others who shared their thoughts on The Historian: Bookish Comforts, Scrambled Books, Book Rhapsody, and The 3 R's Blog.
This is my ninth read for the Historical Reading Challenge.
And this was my fifth read for the Mammoth Reading Challenge.
2013 Mammoth Book Challenge

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Pin It and Do It: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

I decided to give myself a break from granola and yogurt for breakfast. I wanted to make some sort of healthy muffin or breakfast cookie but I didn't want to go to the store. I wanted to make something with what I had on hand. No blueberry muffins or pecan breakfast cookies since I had no blueberries or pecans. Finally I stumbled on these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins. Oatmeal is healthy right?
Here's the original pin:

Here's mine:
Yum! Ok, I made 2 substitutions. I used coconut milk (I had some for another recipe) and I used sour cream in place of applesauce. Yeah, I made them even healthier! Anyhow, they are delicious and I would make them again.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Library Loot


Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.


Two of my favorite authors (Kelly Armstrong and Melissa Marr) wrote a book? Yeah I need to read that.

Zombies and it's set in Oregon. Yeah I need to read that.

Someone had posted a list of favorite historical fiction and Ashes In The Wind was on it. It sounded good so I added it to the queue.

What did you get this week?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: Phrases or Words That Make You Pick Up/Buy A Book




Top Ten Tuesday 
is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. 


This week's topic is a freebie so I'm going with a topic I wish I would have done: Top Ten Phrases or Words that Make You Pick Up/Buy A Book

France or Paris
I'm a sucker for anything French. If it's set in France, I want to read it.

Historical
I love historical fiction and historical romance. I'm a sucker for anything with a historical setting.

Adventure
If our hero or heroine is setting off for an adventure, sign me up!

Food especially if it includes recipes!
Not just cookbooks but food memoirs or food related fiction. 

Werewolves
I love books featuring werewolves.

Faeries especially dark fey
I'm always looking for more books on faeries. I like dark faeries best but will read most faery books.

Dystopian
After The Hunger Games and Divergent, this will guarantee I'll at least take a look at the book.

Robin Hood
I love Robin Hood legend and will always at least check it out if it references Robin Hood or Will Scarlet in anyway.

Struggling 20-something/30-something
This is popular on chick lit covers. Another genre I tend to like.

Magic
If there's magic, I'll take a look at it.

What words and phrases cause you to give a book a chance?

Monday, May 27, 2013

Pin It And Do It: Basil-Peach Chicken

I pinned this Basil-Peach Chicken recipe nearly a year ago. I had some basil decaying in my fridge and Full Circle delivered peaches this week so now was the perfect time to make this recipe.
The original pin:

Mine:
Mine looks a little sad compared to the original one. And while that chicken looks pretty pink, I guarantee that it was fully cooked! Again, I overcooked the chicken slightly, but it tasted yummy with the sauce. I would make this again. Next time I'll try it with chicken thighs.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Weekend Cooking: Nutella times two #pinitdoit

Tai loves Nutella so a weekend that includes two Nutella dishes was a great weekend for him.
Tai's work was having a potluck the following week. I wanted to make these 3 ingredient Nutella cookies but wanted to make a test batch. While I pulling out the Nutella to make the cookies, I started thinking about breakfast. I wanted to make french toast, but could I incorporate the Nutella in the french toast. Pinterest to the rescue.
So my first pin is the Nutella french toast:

Here's mine:
I had some leftover rolls from Ezell's (local fried chicken place) which worked perfectly. The french toast was very decadent and delicious. I will make these again.

So my test batch of Nutella cookies.
Here's the original pin:

And here's mine:
I took my test batch to my work and people raved about them. No one believed me that that there were only 3 ingredients. I made them small since they were very rich.

What's your favorite recipe to use Nutella in?




Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Pin It and Do It: Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops

I pinned the recipe for Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops over a year ago. We don't eat a ton of pork so I never got around to making them. But I was at the grocery store buying bacon when I noticed the pork chops were on special. So I of course picked some up. I was trying to think how to make them when I remembered seeing this recipe. And since I just picked up a new crock pot (my old one died), dinner was born.
The original pin:

Mine:
I did sear the pork chops before I put them in the crockpot. You don't have to. I just had a hot pan with bacon grease so I decided to give it a shot. Also I served mine over fauxtatoes (mashed cauliflower). Delicious. Everyone enjoyed it. I will make this again.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Awesome and Awkward Thursday



Awkward
- My new addiction to Fruit Mania, Bubble Mania, and Jewel Mania. I'm glad that it takes an hour to gain more life. Forces to me to do something else for an hour.
-I'm still reading The Historian. It's so long. I'm halfway through and enjoying it but the length is daunting. Also hard to hold on the bus. Seeing the appeal of an ereader for longer books.
-Blogger has been a pain lately. I was having trouble embedding pins. That got fixed. But now I'm having trouble loading pictures. Grr. 

Awesome
-Three day weekend on its way!
-The new season of Arrested Development drops on Sunday. Marathon time!
-Super excited for all the new movies coming out. Planning on seeing Star Trek this weekend. Saw Iron Man 3 last weekend.

What's been awkward and awesome for you this week?

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Library Loot


Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Honestly, I love the title of this one. I hope it good.
Yes, I've never read Ender's Game. Yes, I'm reading it because a movie is coming out.
I spend a lot of time wondering why I'm not happier or what what would make me happier. Hopefully this book will help. 
I like seafood but my experience is limited. I'd love to cook with seafood more. Hoping to find some good advice and recipes.
When I spotted Crazy Sexy Kitchen on the library shelf, I remembered Christine's post about Crazy Sexy Diet last year. Another one with a great title. 
I was in the crazy long queue at the library waiting for The Elite. My normal library usually gets new releases and those copies aren't added to the queue. So it's possible to find brand new books on the shelves. I've been stalking the YA section for The Elite for weeks now. This weekend I was able to find it!

What did you get this week?

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Book Covers Of Books I've Read





Top Ten Tuesday 
is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. 



Today's Topic: Top Ten Favorite Book Covers Of Books I've Read

I adore that pink dress. I need to continue this series by the way.
 I love all the covers of the Wicked Lovely series.
I love how slightly creepy the cover is.
I can't even tell you why I love this cover. It's probably just the raven.
I love the whole look of this cover. The red dress, the steampunky background, the font of the title. It's all amazing.
The cover caught my attention but the story kept me engaged.
Just love this cover and this book!
Another cover that caught my attention. I wish I would have loved the story as much.
Another beautiful cover. Can you tell pretty dresses get me every time?
Again more pretty dresses.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Pin It And Do It: Sriracha and Brown Sugar Almonds

One of my coworkers brings almonds as a snack to work. I was telling her that I saw some pins about flavored almonds. She said she hadn't seen them so I told her I'd send her a few links. While looking through my pins, I notice how easy these recipes are. And since almonds are good snacks, I decided to make these Sriracha and Brown Sugar Almonds. I figured if there were slightly spicy I wouldn't eat as many.
Here's the original pin:

Here's mine:
So easy. I made 1.5 lbs worth and doubled the sauce. I even gave some to Tai to take to work. I bet this batch will be gone in a few days.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Weekend Cooking: Chicken Breasts With Mushrooms and Cream #pinitdoit

We're getting to the end of May (where has the time gone) and I'm just doing my first Pin It and Do It item! Time certainly has gotten away from me!
So today's dish is a pin that I pinned 22 weeks ago. I love looking at my older pins because I tend to only took at my newer ones for dinner inspirations. This chicken breast with mushroom and cream dish looked interesting especially since the recipe stated the sauce was so delicious.
Here's the original pin:

Here's mine:
I overcooked the chicken a little. We all enjoyed the sauce. I'll definitely make this one again and try not to overcook the chicken!



Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Awesome and Awkward Thursday



Awkward
-Switching cell phone companies. What a PITA! Especially when Verizon decided to shut my phone service down 4 days ahead of schedule. 
-My lack of blogging. Been lazy lately. I have things to share but not enough time to write posts. Sigh.


Awesome
-I'm eight books ahead on my Goodreads challenge. Yay!
-I'm going to the premiere of Much Ado About Nothing tonight! And Joss Wheadon and Nathan Fillion will be there. I'm so excited!

What's awesome and awkward for you this week?

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Library Loot



Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.



Bellevue Farmer's Market Cookbook
My local farmer's market published a cookbook a few years back. I grabbed it off the shelf since our farmer's markets are just opening around here.
I've enjoyed the other Ephron books I've read. I don't think this one will be any different.
While attempted to read The Outlaws of Sherwood (which I DNF), I decided I needed to read more Robin Hood legend. I stumbled on Hood and decided to give it a shot.
You know I love my slow cooker. I hoping to find some winners in here.
More paleo but also like the smart carb approach. 

What did you get this week?

Monday, May 13, 2013

The Bungalow by Sarah Jio

After reading Violets of March and Blackberry Winter, I'll read anything Sarah Jio writes. I was not disappointed with The Bungalow. You do have suspend reality a little but the story was so moving that I didn't notice too much.
The Bungalow reminded me a lot of Rosie Thomas' books which I also enjoy. The Bungalow starts with an elderly Anne, napping while waiting for her granddaughter to arrive for a visit. Quickly, Anne starts to tell her granddaughter the story of her life in the 1940's. We're are transported to Seattle, at the start of World War 2. Anne has just graduated from nursing school and is ready to marry a good, stable man. Anne's life is all planned out. Anne's best friend, Kitty decides to volunteer as a nurse and persuades Anne to come along. Anne postpones her wedding and flies to the South Pacific with Kitty.
Jio writes richly detailed characters and beautiful settings. I could feel like I was there with Anne on Bora Bora. I enjoyed Anne's story. I wish that Kitty and some of Anne's other nurse friends were more fleshed out. The Bungalow is only 290 pages so Jio focused the story on Anne.
Overall I found The Bungalow to be a great quick read. Others who shared their thoughts on The Bungalow: Seize The Latte, The Literary Life of A Well Read Wife, Write Meg!, Jenn's Bookshelves, Devourer of Books, and Life In The Thumb.
This is my eighth read for the Historical Reading Challenge.