Is this a place to write?

I’m not sure if this is the right place to write for me. I’ve slowly moved from blog to blog. The longest I’ve stayed was using a tumblr. I keep thinking I’ll write this, I’ll write that. But it doesn’t happen. I think I need a place to review everything but at the same time, it’s just not fitting. I have so much to say, and wordpress feels more like a front than something personal. 

 

I thought that was what I wanted. 

 

The Miner’s Lady by Tracie Peterson (Book Review)

The Miner’s Lady by Tracie Peterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I won this book in their giveaway.

What I find is a true test of writing is whether a book can keep it’s status as part of a series, as well as stand alone on it’s own. In this case, this book can stand alone as in my case.

That was a pro for me because not everyone has access to the rest of the series or reads them out of order. In this case, I wasn’t even aware that the book was part of a series. Apparently it is, but from looking at the other books, none of them are related to each other in terms of characters.

As for being romance, it’s not heavy handed, and reminded me of the innocence of books I read in YA, especially the Dear America series, and it works here. It definitely works, and I also like that Christian aspect of the book was not preachy. Maybe come off that way, this one focused more on faith and prayer than anything.

I did not like the cover as much though, but that’s not what I’m judging this book on.

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The Unlikely Hero in Room 13B, a book review.

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I have received this boom as part of an ARC giveaway.

I have come across many people who say they are OCD about something. Truly the misused of that word becomes quite apparent in this book. Totem offers us a insight into what it really is like to live with a mental illness, and the weight of it upon the individual. Her book is a fast read, enjoyable. The main character Adam does grow as a character, but only so much, like a reflection of reality, it takes a longer time than the book’s length for Adam to be ok. The book does not let Adam become only his illness but also incorporates the other aspects of Adams life, making the book come to life with it’s supporting characters. I look forward to other books by the writer.

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At home, review of a recipe. The Home Baked Mac’n’Cheese.

So like the rest of the world, I too have taken to pinterest (http://pinterest.com/starquietannie/boards/)

And like many of the ladies I’ve known, I’ve become infatuated with all things home, but more importantly, the food. Who knew food could be so tasty, so cute, and made at home. So I’m giving it my go at it and cooking the recipes I have, and reviewing them. 

The first recipe is a baked macaroni and cheese, from snackworks.com 

Recipe here: 

http://www.snackworks.com/recipe/home-baked-macaroni-cheese-54116.aspx

I tried it because of many reasons but mostly because of one, I have two boxes of Mac sitting in my pantry because I’m crazy and like sales. So this means I’ll be eating a kraft dinner once a week at least till it’s gone because I’m cheap like that. 

This recipe wasn’t that much difference than the box,  or the way I make kraft dinner. I make kraft dinner the way it is on the box, the only differences are that when I’m boiling the pasta, I put a little bit of butter to melt in the water with parsley flakes. Then when I add the milk, or in this case the sour cream and the cheese packet, I add mostly italian spices with a little bit of chicken bouillon.  It makes all the difference. 

Did the sour cream instead of the milk make much of a change. Not much, only what I’ve noticed is that the sour cream doesn’t leave any ‘soup.’ Now being baked does make a bit of a difference but not by much, I’ve noticed the slightly crispier and texture taste but I must point out that I used italian breadcrumbs instead of crush crackers. Next time I’ll used crackers but I’m not sure that it would be a drastic change either. 

FInal say: Only do this recipe if you’re desperate to fool your mind your eating something other than kraft dinner, otherwise don’t bother. Oh and use italian spices for a saucy little taste!

Who Asked You? by Terry McMillan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Terry McMillan does it again. Some people will think that her books are formulaic in terms of plot and nearly characters. But what most people don’t realized is that sometimes the best books are the ones you can come back to over and over again and relive them through new characters/situations. Every book McMillan writes has a heart and that heart teaches many lessons.

Some of her books can hit closer to home than others, and Who Asked You? Is not an exception. Some people will call this book heart warming, realistic, but in the end, it’s not what the book is, it is what was taken from it as a reader.

I read and review this book as part of ARC giveaway, and I would have reviewed the same even if it had not been an ARC. McMillan is truly one of the few authors I enjoy without qualm or question.

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Poutine with a Bruschetta Pizza, a Pizza Pizza review.

“What’s Poutine?” 

It’s a Canadian thing. I keep explaining myself over and over again to my family members and my friends, telling them it’s cheese curds, gravy, and french fries, and no I don’t know who invented it. Apparently, mexican carne asada fries as known as the Mexican poutine. How cute. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine) 

I have slowly grown very fond of it and I am getting into the habit of asking for it when I swing by Pizza Pizza. 

Ah yes, Pizza Pizza, that cheap fast food pizza chain that the US is sorely missing (at least the west coast.) 

Pizza Pizza is to pizza as to what Roberto’s is to Mexican Food. YUM. 

This Canadian chain, more than most places have made me a repeat customer. 

I am slowly making myself through the menu over time. My most repeated order is a walk in special for a cheap pepperoni pizza at 4.99 plus tax, duh. 

But on today’s menu was a lovely Bruschetta pizza. 

“Topped with grilled chicken, roasted garlic, Italiano blend seasoning, bruschetta sauce, parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. A little taste of Italy.”

While I am not sure whether it’s a taste of Italy,  but it was delicious and enough to fill my appetite, along with the free poutine. 

That’s another aspect of Pizza Pizza, I take two minutes to fill out their survey, and get a code for a free food item when I spend over $10. I usually get a poutine or an Italian sandwich. 

If anything, you won’t regret the price of this quick lunch/dinner option. But the Bruschetta, as yummy as it is promised and will have you instagram your not so hipsterish food. 

 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, a review

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was a hard decision for me to read this book because of the content. My grandmother passed away from cancer, and I feel like this book captures the feeling of isolation that comes with it. I wanted to dislike Hazel for some crazy reason, maybe because I didn’t want to get attached to her because I’m afraid she’s going to die.

Yet I ended up liking her and anger and how unfair it is. The more I read, the more I liked it. By the end I ended up like anyone reading it who got emotionally involved, in tears. This book is worth a read, if only because you will not forget it or what you felt when you were reading it.

This book evokes feelings of a childhood that you watch pass by you too soon as you recall memories you haven’t thought of in years, giving you that nostalgic feeling which makes you want to cry for no reason, and for all the reasons in the world as you remember you are not young anymore, and your world isn’t yours for the taking. That’s how emotional this book is.

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Mocha Cookie Crumble delicious

I’m not much of a starbucks go-er. A bit too much for my pocketbook which is my way of saying it’s overprice, especially when I’m buying for two people or more. I’m also not much of a coffee person. If I do drink coffee, I tend to make it taste more like a confectionery than coffee.  

But lately, one of their drinks makes it worth it. The Mocha Cookie Crumble. This is coffee? This is delicious!  Unfortunately I drank it too fast before I took a pic. If you aren’t a fan of the taste coffee that much but love chocolate and need a pick me up, definitely try this. It’s chocolate coffee upon chocolate whip cream with a mixture of oreo crumbles in it. Ridiculous delicious.

I will also be posting about this in the future when I try to make it at home and find a good recipe.  

The Best of Me, book review

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was recommended to me because it pissed my friend off. I see why it pissed her off. It pissed me off too but the truth is that the ways the events unfolded in this book reminds me that’s how things are. People will hold grudges, they will judge you endlessly, and you just have to do the best you can.

The wonderment of this book stretches your imagination at times, but sometimes the world works with a bit of magic, too much to be a coincidence. Not only that, but the manner in which relationships work as well are a bit of a stretch. I’ve read Sparks before and I can say this isn’t his best work and was rather weak in comparison to rile my emotions and attachments to the characters in some of his other books. This book was just a snack to my brain that leaves your craving for a real meal.

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I join the horde. A word about hive minds and ipsy.

Beauty boxes. 

Ipsy, Julep, Beauty Army, Birchbox, and many more are emerging, each trying to get into the cash cow that has quickly become a trend. 

I’ve always been late on the trends. Just not aware of who that celebrity is or what does that gadget do. I wasn’t aware of what a beauty box was until quite a few of my friends already had theirs. Feeling left out is always a bummer but I just overlook it like other things.

After moving to Canada, I suddenly had a LOT more time on my hands and one of the things I wanted to work on to improve myself involve makeup and being more fashionable. I feel like half a frump half the time when it comes to my clothes and my makeup, sometimes I’m all for it, and other times I’m like ehh whatever. Do without. 

But I’ve been steadily lurking in r/makeupaddiction on reddit and then crossover to beaut box… and then I wanted one. I wanted everything. 

Is this just a case of material lust? 

Is this a case of feeling left out? 

A last ditch attempt to make my youth last. Although I’m not sure how much younger looking I can get with these braces. 

Either way, Ipsy, I choose you! 

If anyone should want a referral code, here’s mine. It would cheer me up on this less than glamorous day. 

http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-hji6scfcqy6t1y4d

Or is this just curiosity. I’m currently on the waiting list.