Picture Time 2011

Since my goal of 5 great photos a month is technically complete, I've decided to change things up. Right now I'm in the midst of trying to find myself some sort of online photography course or challenge - so I'm undecided on how exactly I'm going to change things.

In the meantime - here are a few of my favorite photos from January:

2011 Reading Goal

Some of you may have noticed this edition to my blogs sidebar:

image source

Pretty self explanatory I think. In 2011, I plan to read 100 books. I think I can do it. Will I review them all here? Probably not, but I'm going to try to review a good portion of them.

Speaking of reviews, I think I might change up the way I do my book reviews. I have a few ideas, so in the next couple weeks those of you who read them might notice some changes.

With January almost over, I'm already working on lucky book number 13. I think I'm on a good pace to possibly even break my 100 book goal. We shall see!

Happy reading everyone!

Book Review: "Tempted"

"Tempted" by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Book 6 in the House of Night series

With Neferet and Kalona gone for the time being, Zoey and her friends need to figure out a way to bring things back to normal. At least as normal as things can get with all the things that have happened in such a short time.

When they head back to The House of Night, things seem off. Even with Kalona gone everyone is still under his influence. They all believe that Zoey is in the wrong and Kalona is not evil. However, there are still a few fledglings and a couple teachers who are have sided with good and can see through Kalonas darkness.

Zoey still shares a connection with Kalona through her dreams and through her Cherokee heritage. She's unsure of what that bond means though. With Aphrodite still having visions, and the prophetic poems of a red fledgling, those who have sided with good try their best to track Kalona down and destroy him for good.

On the friend front, things are good for Zoey again. Her friends have forgiven her for past lies and the circle of elements remains intact. Meaning that Aphrodite's visions of Zoeys death have changed. Hopefully. Even with things looking good with her friends, there is always drama lurking. Will secrets drive Zoey and her best friend apart?

When it comes to boys, Zoey still can't seem to catch a break. She still has three guys vying for her attention, although in mostly different ways. Her Imprint with Heath is strong and he will be with her however she allows him too. Stark is her Warrior and bound to protect her. Then there's Erik, her on-again-off-again boyfriend who's slowing turning into a possessive ass.

When Zoey and crew head to Venice to face the Vampyre Head Council, things take a turn for the worse when Heath finds out the truth about Kalona. Will everyone survive to make the trip back to the House of Night?

Would I recommend this book?

Yes, but not as much as the others.

The further I get into this series, the slower it seems to move. Six books in and only about 3, maybe 4, months time has been covered. I'm wondering if the next few books have some sort of time-warp or something.

Another thing I didn't like about Book 6 - It jumps point of view. This never happened in the first five books. You get a look from not just Zoey, but also Stevie Ray, Aphrodite, Rephaim and even Heath. I don't see why after 5 books of only Zoey they would find it necessary to change this now. It also bothered me that they switched from First Person (Zoey) to Third Person (everyone else). To me the view changes throw off the whole feel of the story.

Next up is book 7: "Burned"

Book Review: "Hunted"

"Hunted" by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Book 5 in the House of Night Series

In the old tunnels under Tulsa, Zoey and her friends are plotting a plan to take down Neferet and Kalona. Using her intuition and prophecies from the Red Fledglings, Zoey slowly pieces together what she needs to do.

On the multi-boyfriend front - Zoey has a chance to win Erik back. Will the second chance be worth it? Just when things seem good, her human ex-boyfriend, Heath, shows up and throws a wrench in everything. When Zoey is attacked, Heath's blood is what helps her gain the strength to survive. However, that also means that she has Imprinted with him yet again, much to Eriks dismay.

With Zoey injured and weak, they are left with no choice but to go back to The House of Night so she can have a chance to heal. While they are there, they realize that Kalona seems to have everyone in some sort of trance. They don't seem to notice the evil that has infiltrated The House of Night. Zoey, her friends and a few of the teachers seem to be the only ones immune to his powers.

While back at school, another boy gets added into the mix for Zoey. Stark, another red fledgling, has pledged himself to Zoey - meaning he is on her side for good. Everyone that is not under Kalonas influence plans their escape to a nearby church, where they are hoping to lead Kalona.

If Zoey has correctly figured out all the clues left for her, Kalona should leave and the war that Neferet wants should be avoided, for now. Was Zoey right?

Would I recommend this book?
Yes! This one is probably my favorite of the series so far.

The one thing that bothers me though is this: Whoever did the proofing on this book needs a good kick in the ass. There are several spots throughout where two of the character names are incorrectly places. Damien (Zoeys gay-big-word-loving friend) and Darius (a warrior and Aphrodite's lover) and swapped in a couple places. It bugged the crap out of me. A 'Best Seller' shouldn't have errors like this.

Next up is book 6: "Tempted"

Not-So Secret Way to Bake Chicken Breasts

As mentioned in the Chicken Soup post, here is the easy, yummy way to bake chicken.

- 4 to 12 (or even more) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

- Olive Oil

- Garlic Salt and Pepper

- Large sheet of heavy-duty foil (or double up on the regular stuff)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line up the chicken in a row on the foil. Drizzle each piece with a little olive oil. Season each piece with some garlic salt and pepper. Wrap up the foil (not too tight) to make a packer. Place the packet on a pan or cookie sheet. Bake 40 to 55 minutes depending on your oven and how many pieces of chicken you're cooking. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Carefully open the packet.

If you need the chicken shredded or cut up, do this while it's still warm because it just falls apart easily.

WARNING: Don't cook this stuff while you're hungry, it smells so damn good you're going to want to eat it right off the pan. No joke.

This recipe is also from 'The Cooking Mom'.

Super Quick Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

I tried this recipe for the first time yesterday - with a few tweaks - and it was delicious!!! I kept half out for lunches and froze the other half.

This recipe is from a cookbook that I received for Christmas 'The Cooking Mom'

Ingredients:

- 3 to 4 tablespoons butter or olive oil (I used butter)

- 1 medium onion, diced

- 2 large carrots, diced

- 4 large stalks celery, diced

- 2 teaspoons garlic salt

- 1 teaspoon black pepper

- 8 to 10 cups of chicken stock (I used 10)

- 3 to 4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (I'll post a super easy, yummy way to to this)

- 1 bag (16oz) egg noodles (I used Amish noodles) *

- 4 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley or 2 tablespoons dried

* To change things up a bit in the noodle department, I used an idea from my Mother-in-Law. I used only a little over half the bag of egg noodles, then I put in a small package of cheese filled tortellini. SO good.

Directions:

In a large soup pan, melt butter. Cook onions, carrots and celery in the butter for about 5 minutes until they start to get soft. Season with garlic salt and pepper. Add chicken and 8 cups of stock. Simmer for a few minutes. Add parsley and cooked noodles. If you like more broth, add more.

Book Review: "Untamed"

"Untamed" by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Book 4 in the House of Night series

Zoey has suddenly become an outcast. In the aftermath of what happened at the end of "Chosen", her friends have cast her aside and no longer trust her and all the men in her life either hate her or are dead. Zoey has no one to turn to, but her sworn enemy helps her to realize that she needs her friends now more than ever.

With the murders that happened, Neferet has declared war against humans. A vision predicts that this will end badly for all involved, so Zoey and her friends must do all they can to stop it. Shekinah, High Priestess of all vamps, decides to stop for a visit. She believes in Zoey and calls off the war, but Neferet is doing all she can to change both of those things.

With the help of her Grandma, Zoey and her friends decifer a prophecy of the horrible things to come. When another dead fledgling becomes undead in front of everyone at a ritual, there is hope that Neferet will be exposed for what she really is.

Using the affinities they have been given, Zoey, her friends, her ex-boyfriend (Erik), a warrior and the red fledglings escape away from the House of Night. They're on their own now and on the run. Will they be able to pull together and survive?

Would I recommend this book?

Yep! The series keeps offering more twists and turns to keep it interesting.

I just read something yesterday saying that this series is set to be 12 (!!!!) books by the time all is said and done. Holy crap. There are 8 available right now and the 9th is set to come out this coming November. That's a lot of books. As of right now, I plan to follow the series until the end.

Next up is book 5: "Hunted"

Book Review: "Chosen"

"Chosen" by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Book 3 of 8 in the House of Night series

Bad things are happening at the House of Night and Zoey has no one to tell about it. Her best friend is gone - not dead like everyone thinks she is - and she can't tell any of her other friends for fear of the adult vamps finding out.

While Zoey is looking for a solution to her dead undead friends problem, she ends up finding help in the the most unlikely place. From her sworn enemy. While she knows that this will cause problems down the road with her friends, right now she doesn't have a choice.

Somehow Zoey has ended up having not one, but three boyfriends. Her sort-of-almost-ex-boyfriend, Heath (who is still human), the dreamy co-fledgling who she may or may not love, Erik Night, and the sexy poet slash teacher, Loren Blake. While trying to decide what to do about that, fate (in the form of Neferet) steps in and uses Loren to break the Imprint that Zoey has with Heath, while Erik "accidentally" walks in on them. Thus leaving her with a broken Imprint, a broken heart and no boyfriends at all.

When her friends find out about all the secrets Zoey has been keeping, everything begins to fall apart. She still manages to save her undead dead best friend, but loses everyone else along the way. What will she do now that no one is on her side?

Would I recommend this book?

As with the other two before this one, yes! I do have to say though, I'm a bit surprised by the amount of swearing (not that it bothers me any) in these books so far - only because they are considered 'Young Adult' books.

Next up is book 4: "Untamed".

Changing Signs

Have you heard? Your Zodiac sign may have changed.

A scientific study has shown that the moons gravitational pull of the Earth has shifted over the past thousands of years. Because of that shift, the constellations aren't in the same spot that they were 3,000 years ago.

Meaning that the horoscope you've been reading everyday? Probably wrong.

Now, I don't put a lot of stake in horoscopes and zodiac signs and all that jazz. But I know a lot of people do. So for them this probably sucks, for me, I'm just a bit disappointed that I'm no longer a Scorpio. I've supposedly shifted into the Virgo category.

Here are the new dates, see if yours is affected:

 

Capricorn: Jan. 20 – Feb. 16
Aquarius: Feb. 16 – March 11
Pisces: March 11– April 18
Aries: April 18 – May 13
Taurus: May 13 – June 21
Gemini: June 21 – July 20
Cancer: July 20 – Aug. 10
Leo: Aug. 10 – Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16 – Oct. 30
Libra: Oct. 30 – Nov. 23
Scorpio: Nov. 23 – Nov. 29
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29 – Dec. 17
Sagittarius: Dec. 17 – Jan. 20

The new Scorpios are apparently a rare bunch, they only get 6 whole days.

I did a little Google searching to see if I fit into one category better than the other. According to the oh-so-wise internet, I'm a Scorpio through and through. I fit all the personality traits damn near perfectly. Virgo traits? Not so much.

I think I'm just going to stick to the Scorpio. If it ruins my life? Eh, I'm not worried. I just feel bad for the people who take this stuff so seriously that they've gotten a zodiac tattoo.

Book Review: "Betrayed"

"Betrayed" by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Book 2 of 8 in the House of Night Series

Zoey has made it through her first month at The House of Night. Now she has the challenge of taking on the roll of the leaders of the Dark Daughters and Sons, as well as being the High Priestess in training. With all that happening, she is also trying to figure out the gifts of the elements that have been given to her.

Just as things seem to be working out well for her, everything starts to go wrong. Human teenagers in the area start to go missing and turn up dead. Zoey knows all of them and it seems that all the clues the police are finding point back to The House of Night.

It is discovered that while Zoey has an affinity for all five of the elements, each of her friends appear to have been given a gift as well. In the midst of celebrating this and the Dark Daughters ritual, the unthinkable happens. One of Zoeys best friends rejects the change and dies. This after Zoey realizes that she can no longer trust her mentor, Neferet. She lies.

When her sort-of-ex-boyfriend that she may or may not have Imprinted on, Heath, goes missing, Zoey must use her powers and those of her friends to find him before it's too late.

Would I recommend this book?

Yes. It's a bit more suspenseful (if you can call it that) than the first book. I like the humor that gets thrown around in these stories. The funny characters make the out there story lines more bearable.

Next up is book 3: "Chosen"

Book Review: "Marked"

"Marked" by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Book 1 of 8 in the House of Night series

16 year old Zoey Redbird has been Marked to join the House of Night. She has no choice but to join, unless she wants to die. For the next four years, she will attend classes there with all the others that have been Marked.

Zoey's Mark isn't like everyone else's. By the time she gets to the House of Night, her crescent moon Mark is already completely filled in - where everyone else at her level only has the outline. This makes Zoey somewhat of an oddity. Everyone is either afraid, confused or fascinated by her. She is taken in by Neferet, who becomes her mentor and helps her understand what is happening with the Change.

After only a short time at the House of Night, Zoey discovers that she may have a special gift, or affinity as they refer to them. Only her closest friends are aware of her affinity, but this comes in handy when she needs to perform a ritual at  Dark Daughters meeting. Zoey discovers a little more about her powers and her Mark becomes even more unique as she becomes the unexpected new leader of the Dark Daughters.

Zoey manages to land the affection of the "it" boy, Erik Night, make four awesome new friends, get a cat and possibly Imprint on her not-quite-ex-boyfriend. All that in a week. It's a lot to take in.

Would I recommend this book?
Sure I guess so. It's not horrible, just different. In these books, humans are aware of vampires and all "stereotypes" about vamps go out the window. I'm curious to see where the series goes.

I keep getting sucked into supernatural series books.... not sure how I feel about that.

Next up is book 2: "Betrayed".

Book Review: "In The Woods"

"In The Woods" by Tana French

When Adam Ryan was twelve years old, he and two friends went into the Knocknaree woods to play. Peter and Jamie never made it back out and Adam Ryan was found clinging to a tree with blood filled shoes and no memory of what happened.

Twenty years later, Detective Rob Ryan (Adam) is working for the Dublin Murder Squad. Cassie, his partner, and Det. Ryan take on the case of 12-year old Katy Devlin who was found murdered on an archaeological site in Knocknaree. In the very same woods where Ryan's two friends disappeared 20 years earlier.

There are a lot of details that tie the two cases together. However, Cassie is the only person on the Murder squad that knows Ryan's true identity and that he was involved in the earlier case. Using the bits and pieces of current evidence that is found, Rob finds himself remembering things that happened in the summer leading up to Peter and Jamie's disappearance. A good amount of those memories tie the father of Katy Devlin to both cases.

During the case, you get a good look at the rise and fall of the relationship between Cassie and Rob. With Cassie using her criminal profiling skills, they eventually bring in a suspect. While the motive is unclear at first, everything falls into place for a shocking outcome.

"Whodunit", indeed.

Would I recommend this book?
You bet I would.

It's a little slow going at first, but the details are all essential to the story. I will say that the outcome of the cases did shock me a little. I guess I was expecting a different ending for Detective Ryan, I feel like there was a lot left unanswered.

The one thing that bothered me: Rob Ryan is a Detective on the Murder Squad. He never legally changed his name from Adam to Rob - just used his middle name instead of his first. His partner was supposedly the only one who knew he was actually "the Adam Ryan". You mean to tell me that the police force, his boss and whoever else had access to his file had no idea? Do they not need to know the background of the people they trust to bring justice? It's discovered over time, but come on, they had to know something. That's just not realistic.

Anyways, I loved the book. It's a great murder mystery and a very well written novel. I'm excited to read some of French's other books.

Now I have the difficult task of choosing what to read next... I have too many new books to choose from!

New Year

2010 has come and gone, didn't it go fast? It sure did for me. It seems like just last week I was soaking up the sun while relaxing in Mexico, but nope, that was already a year ago. Time flies!

I've been waiting to do this post so I could include an update on my 101 in 1001 goals (which was the original reason for this blog), but the website that hosts it has been down due to overloading their servers. They say they're working on the problem, so hopefully the site will be back up and running soon! I'm hoping that my list is still in tact as well, because my genius self didn't save it anywhere else.. oops!

Anyways, if my memory is correct, I think I'm roughly 40% done with my 101 goals. Not too bad for a year! I still have a year and a half to complete the others, so I may come close to finishing. Only time will tell.

So, enough with my rambling... let's take a look back at my 2010....

January:
Jamie and I kicked off 2010 with our delayed honeymoon. We spent a week in beautiful Riviera, Mexico... I'm pretty sure I'd sell the lower half of my left arm to go back there right this very instant.

I also officially changed my last name last January. It only took me four months to finish that. I actually just used up the last of my checks with my old name on them last month... took long enough!

January marks my 'no-soda-versary'. No more soda for this girl anymore! Best decision ever.

February:
I began reading again, thus sparking some sort of reading frenzy. I polished off over 100 books in 2010, which is a lot for me!

I entered my first Photography contest and WON! I was shocked, it was pretty awesome.

I took a Stained Glass making class and created this pretty thing:

March:
March was a MONUMENTAL month at my house. Our bathroom renovation began!!

I watched 'Twilight' for the first time. I've been a sucker (no pun intended) for all things Twi ever since.

April:
Our bathroom renovation was completed! We went from a fugly black and blue mess, to a pretty space that I actually LOVE. 

I attempted to donate blood for the first time and failed miserably.

I read, and became obsessed with, The Twilight Saga.

May:
I traveled to Tennessee to see my best friend graduate from college and had a little fun at the Jack Daniels distillery along the way.

I planted my first flower bed - and it stayed alive well into this past fall I might add. I'm very proud ;)

June:
June was pretty uneventful for the most part. We did get our backyard fenced in.

July:
My hubby turned 31. But we'll just pretend he's 24. He likes to think he's younger than me.

We went to our first Brewer game of the season

I took my nieces and nephews on a fun day out.

August:
I finished my first baby quilt.

Went fishing with my nieces and nephews. This day was one of the hottest last summer. It was sweltering.....

Enjoyed the Tall Ships Festival as it came through Green Bay.

September:
Got my new camera!! I've been snap happy ever since.

We celebrated out One Year Wedding Anniversary. Did I mention we celebrated in Vegas?! It was spectacular.

October:
Paid off my car!! We officially have no car payments right now. It's awesome.

I got myself a COACH bag for my birthday. Best gift to myself ever.

I turned 25! Yikes... only 5 more years till 30.

November:
Nothing much happened in November. I crafted and made some kick ass wings. Oh and there was Thanksgiving, which was filling as usual.

December:
Wisconsin is cold. So I spent most my time cooped up reading! Lame I know, but it keeps me from getting too bored. Christmas was good to me.

Over all, 2010 wasn't too full of adventure. I did a lot of traveling which I haven't done it the past, and I'm grateful for those opportunities. The best part was making it through happy and healthy, that's all I can ask. I'm hoping for big things and monumental changes in 2011, but again, only time will tell.

I hope everyone had a great 2010 and has a bright outlook on 2011.

Happy New Year everyone!