Moving Announcements

I decided to buy our change of address announcements rather than make them myself. I didn't think I would have the time or energy to make my own. After looking at several online options, I choose Paper Culture. I thought they had the best options. The fact that they plant a tree for every order and have free  rounded corners made them more attractive.
For our (Tai and me) announcements, I chose the Moving Box announcements.

Clearly not our info

For Dad's announcements, I chose the Bird House Relocation announcement.

I also ordered mailing labels for Tai and me. I found Paper Culture easy to work with. Their delivery was quick. Overall I was very happy with their service and would use them again.

Full disclosure: Paper Culture did not ask me to write this post. I paid for my purchases from Paper Culture. Just a happy customer, sharing my experience. 

Sausage, Spinach, Mushroom & Cheese Bake

Now that I'm cooking for Dad on a nightly basis, I'm on the hunt for more low carb recipes. Tai and I are also trying to limit our carbs so we are perfectly happy eating less bread and pasta. But my low carb menu was low. I bought some chicken italian sausage and I was looking for a way to use it. I stumbled on this recipe, did a little adding, and came out with a delicious dinner.

Sausage, Spinach, Mushroom & Cheese Bake
adapted from allrecipes.com

1 lb italian sausage (chicken, turkey, or pork)
1 jar of pasta sauce
2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 onion, diced
6 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cups of fresh spinach
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 egg, beaten
8 oz mushroom, sliced
2 cups of mozzarella cheese

Brown sausage. I used fully cooked chicken italian sausage so I sliced the sausage and browned it. You could leave the sausage whole or remove it from the casings before browning it. Next time, I'll use bulk italian sausage. Once sausage is brown, add jar of pasta sauce and remove from heat.
While the sausage was browning, I put the mushrooms on a pan and put them in 400° oven for 30 minutes until slightly roasted. 
Combine cottage cheese, spinach, mushrooms, Parmesan, onion, garlic, and egg in a bowl. Pour cheese-spinach mix into a 9" x 11" baking dish. Pour sausage-pasta sauce mix on top. Spread mozzarella over top. Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Remove cover and let cheese brown for 10 minutes or so.  

It is a little watery so you might want to drain a little of the water before serving. Everyone loved this dish. It was a keeper.

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.

Forever and A Day

Shelf Talk had an excellent post on Historical Romances. Several caught my eye. Two of which came this week from the library. Forever and Day being the first. 

The Proposal

The Proposal being the second from Shelf Talk's list.

White Jacket Required

I've been reading Jenna's blog, Eat, Live, Run, for a while. I decided to check out her book.

What did you get this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character

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

Today's Topic: Top Ten Characters I Would Crush On If I Were Also A Fictional Character 

Marcus Flutie- Jessica Darling

Swoon! First, I adore the name Marcus. Second the way he woos Jessica. Double swoon!

Jacob Black-Twilight

I do love me some werewolf.

Sam-Newsoul series

A 5000 year musician who writes music for the woman he loves. Swoon!

Jack Dandy-Steampunk Chronicles

I have a soft spot for bad boys. And Jack Dandy is bad. 

Tybalt-Toby Daye series

Meow! Tybalt is dangerously adorable. I've been a fan of his character his the first October Daye book.

Cricket-Lola and the boy next door

A smart boy who's also a snappy dresser? I seriously loved Cricket (yes more than Etienne).

Nat from the Witch of Blackbird Pond

I loved how Nat challenge Kit and never backed down. He supported Kit even when the whole town was against her.

Peeta-The Hunger Games

Tai jokes that Peeta is my book boyfriend. I'm very much Team Peeta.

Wade Watts-Ready Player One

I have a small crush on Wade Watts. I imagine we'd spend hours talking about video games and the 80's.

James-Ballad

Another musician. An adorable one that writes music on his arms. Ok, Maggie Stiefvater. Stop writing other books and write the third Book of Faerie book already.

What characters do you have crushes on?

March Book Tally

Hexed by Kevin Hearne (320)
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World by Bryan O'Malley (200)
Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (144)
The Kitchen Counter Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn (285)
The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston (340)
Asunder by Jodi Meadows (406)
Piece de Resistance by Sandra Byrd (304)
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (452)
Hammered by Kevin Hearne (310)

Nine books this month. Not bad. Plus I read some great books. I'm loving Hearne's Iron Druid series. As you can see I read 2 books in that series this month. I was so excited to read Scarlet and Asunder. Both were excellent.

Stats:

Fill In The Gaps YTD: 0 (None this month)

Historical Reading Challenge YTD: 2 (Buddha in The Attic, The Winter Witch)

Mammoth Book Challenge YTD: 2 (Scarlet)

Let Me Count The Ways Book Challenge: Pages read this month (2761), Pages read this year (7245)
Total books to date: 23

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Recommend The Most

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

This week's topic: Top Ten  Books I Recommend The Most

An Everlasting Meal

One of my favorite books about cooking. It opened my eyes to meal planning and how to stretch your food. 

Almost Perfect 

I adore this love story between a boy and a MtoF trans girl. I think everyone should read Almost Perfect.

Across The Universe

For anyone who thinks they don't like books about space, Across The Universe is the perfect book. It's about space but it doesn't feel like it. Revis makes you feel like you are on the Godspeed.

 Incarnate

Imagine being new among people who have been together for five thousand years. Meet Ana, the first new soul to be born in Heart. Is Ana a mistake, someone who will destroy Heart, or someone who will help save it? Meadows builds a gorgeous world that I adore visiting. 

 The Rook

O'Malley built this crazy wonderful world that I loved spending time in. Fast paced, imaginative, and hilarious is how I describe The Rook.

The Fault In Our Stars

I imagine The Fault In Our Stars will be on a lot of lists today. And it deserves to be. Augustus and Hazel will make you laugh and cry. It's a book that sticks with you.

 Ready Player One

I think I have recommended Ready Player One to every person I know. If you love the 80's and video games, Ready Player One is the book for you.

My Life In France

Anytime someone tells they are too old to learn something new, I suggest they read Child's My Life In France. Julia learned to cook when she was in her late 30's. She accompanied her husband, Paul, to France and spent her time learning to cook. She had many failures before she became the famous Julia Child. Her story never fails to inspire me.

The Night Circus

A magical and beautifully told story that I recommend to people who don't like fantasy. I think the story is so well told that it doesn't feel like fantasy.

Y: The Last Man

My favorite graphic novel series. I always recommend Y: The Last Man to those who think comic books are all about superheroes. Y: The Last Man was so engaging and well written. 

What books do you recommend the most?

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

I've been waiting to read Scarlet since I finished Cinder last February. I was slightly disappointed that this one followed Scarlet rather than Cinder but I quickly got over it because Meyer weaves Cinder and Scarlet's stories together so well.
Scarlet's grandmother is missing. Scarlet doesn't know how to find her or why she might have been taken. When Scarlet meets Wolf, a mysterious street fighter, who offers to help her, she jumps at the chance especially since he seems to know where her grandmother is being held. I liked Scarlet. She's got guts. She's got a quick temper but she's quick to help. I adored Wolf. A hulking man who turns shy at times, swoon! I loved Scarlet and Wolf's interactions. I smiled whenever they were on the page together.
Cinder and my favorite, Iko, are back. Cinder's story picks up right where Cinder left off. Kai got little page time but I see him playing a large part in the next book. I enjoyed the developments in Cinder's story especially when it intersected with Scarlet's story.
I'm loving this series. I cannot wait for the next book! I was so sad when I finished Scarlet. Meyer writes some great characters in a fascinating world. Others who shared their thoughts on Scarlet: A Room With Books, Read. Breathe. Relax., Good Books and Good Wine, On The Nightstand, Alexa Loves Books, and Ink and Page.
This is my third read for the Mammoth Book Challenge.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

Awkward:

-So sad Google Reader is shutting down. Loved Google Reader.

-A few friends are going through a shitty time. Totally sucks. None of them deserve the pain they are going through.

-The gym. Haven't been since early February. Don't think I'll be back til after we get our stuff moved from the old apartment.

-Yes, we still have some things at the old apartment. Sigh. Still moving crap 3 weeks later.

Awesome:

-Made the switch to Feedly. Really loving it as my replacement to Google Reader. Feedly makes me less sad. 

-Asunder by Jodi Meadows is awesome. Read it. Read Incarnate first if you haven't. Totally in love with the Newsoul series. 

-Great customer service from Apria Healthcare, Full Circle, and BECU. I love talking to friendly and helpful customer service folks. 

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

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.

Shards and Ashes

I'm not entirely sure where I heard about Shards and Ashes. But since Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, and Veronica Roth were involved, I was super excited.

Scott Pilgrim and The Infinite Sadness

Continuing my Scott Pilgrim adventure.

The Best Chicken Recipes

I have a confession. I don't like chicken. I particularly dislike cooking it. I usually undercook it. If I don't undercook it, I overcook it. Neither makes a good meal. I tend to make a lot of beef. But I need to make more chicken. It's good for us and we won't get bored with my beef dishes. I'm hoping The Best Chicken Recipes gives me one or two winners.

What did you get this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread

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

Today's topic is Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread.

The Host

I bought The Host soon after it came out while I was still in my Twilight haze. Tai read it and I think he liked it. But I still haven't pick it up. 

Snow Falling On Cedars

I bought Snow Falling On Cedars so long ago. I wanted to read it before I saw the movie. I still haven't seen the movie. I wanted to read it since it was set in Seattle. Still haven't read it.

Stiff

I'm going to add Stiff to like this list despite the fact I didn't buy the book. I actually borrowed from an old coworker. We don't work together anymore and she told me to keep the book. Still haven't read it. Feel a little guilty about it.

A Million Little Pieces

I bought A Million Little Pieces after My Friend Leonard came out. My BFF Ashley bought My Friend Leonard. At one point she also had A Million Little Pieces but loaned it to someone and never got it back. I bought A Million Little Pieces to read it first and then borrow My Friend Leonard. Never did either.

The Almost Moon

After reading Lovely Bones, I decided I wanted to more of Sebold's work. I found The Almost Moon at Half Price Books. I was excited to buy it but again it's still sitting on my shelf.

The Eternal Ones

Another one I didn't actually buy. When Marta used to work for the large internet retailer, I was sometimes able to score books that publishers sent for review. The Eternal Ones was one of those books. I was super excited to read it then I read My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares. I heard The Eternal Ones had a similar plot and since I was so in love with My Name Is Memory, I never picked up The Eternal Ones.

American Wife

Another one I borrowed from an old coworker and never gave back. I was excited to read it but since it's loosely based on Laura Bush, I kind of lost momentum. 

Sense and Sensibility

I've owned Sense and Sensibility so long I can't remember why I bought it. Did I buy for school? Did I buy it because I love the move version and wanted to read the book? I don't remember. After reading Pride and Prejudice, I decided that Sense and Sensibility was my next Austen novel.

1984

I'm fairly certain I bought 1984 during one of those I-can't-believe-I-haven't-read-this-classic-I-must buy-it-and-read-it-immediately. I had a lot of those episodes during my mid-twenties when I read chick lit exclusively. My friend Erin and I would talk about how we needed to read more "grown up" literature. I'm sure 1984 was purchased during one of those buying sprees while I was devouring anything resembling Bridget Jones.

I could only think of nine. Most of my books are still in boxes. If they weren't I'd probably be able to think of the tenth. Oh well. What are some books you HAD to buy but still haven't read?

Weekend Cooking: The Kitchen Counter Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn

I've checked out The Kitchen Counter Cooking School at least 3 times from the library. I'm glad I kept checking it out. It was a great read and really reinspired me in the kitchen.
I read Flinn's The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry a couple of years ago. I enjoyed it but I enjoyed The Kitchen Counter Cooking School more. The Sharper Your Knife was about Flinn's experience at Le Cordon Bleu. The Kitchen Counter was about real life. As a part of a real life experiment, Flinn decides to offer free cooking classes those who have little cooking experience or those who believe they are poor cooks. Flinn chooses her pupils by what they can do and what they eat. The majority of her students don't cook fresh vegetables. Most buy their groceries in boxes or rely on take out. Flinn attempts to teach them about real food and help them kick the processed food/fast food diet.
I am very interested in ditching processed foods and eating more real whole foods. I definitely enjoyed Flinn's lessons. Some were very basic but you could see that these are building blocks. You need to learn how to cut before you cook. I could relate to Flinn's students. I too fall into the trap of take out being quicker than making something at home false thinking. I also hate cooking for just myself (not that that's a regular thing). So I enjoyed the quick meal ideas, the tricks and ways to make cooking quicker and healthier.
I would definitely recommend The Kitchen Counter Cooking School to anyone who wants to learn more about cooking. Even accomplished home cooks will learn something. Others who shared their thoughts on The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: Love, Laughter, and A Touch of Insanity, Devourer of Books, Bookshelf Bombshells, Mother Daughter Book Club, and Chaotic Compendiums.




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.

The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston

I added The Winter Witch to my library after seeing the beautiful cover. Witchcraft, a small Welsh town, and a mute young woman sounded like an interesting combination. I was surprised how much I enjoyed The Winter Witch.
Morgana hasn't spoken since she was a child. Her father left and her voice went with him. Morgana has lived happily with her mother until her mother marries her a man from another town. Morgana must move to a new town and live in a strange home with a stranger. Cai is a drover, he drive cattle from their Welsh town to London for sale. As a head drover, Cai must be married. Cai's first wife passed away and he must marry Morgana in order to do his job. This isn't a love match for either Cai or Morgana but both hope to find respect and companionship out of their match.
Brackston does a excellent job of slowly fleshing out Morgana and Cai. Morgana is a strange one and has been ridiculed for not only her muteness but for the magic that she weaves. Morgana has also been able to weave magic although it mostly happens as a defense mechanism. Cai is still wounded from the loss of his first wife. I loved how Cai and Morgana's relationship grew and evolved throughout the book. I really enjoyed the romance of the story.
I really enjoyed The Winter Witch. It had some mystery (another witch makes life difficult for Morgana) and plenty of romance. Others who shared their thoughts on The Winter Witch: Girl Lost In A Book, Charming Chelsey's, and The Big Nerd.
This was my fourth read for The 2013 Historical Reading Challenge.