You're drooling now, aren't you? I know I am! Yum!
27 January 2012
Today is National Chocolate Cake Day!
Talk about a yummy holiday right up MY alley! LOL We salute you, yummy chocolate cake! Since I didn't find out until about oh, five minutes ago, I don't have enough chocolate on hand to bake a cake and share (I used the last of my cocoa last night for brownies!), so I'll direct you to My Baking Addiction, and her fabulous blog posting with a recipe for Chocolate Cake & Espresso Buttercream. Here's a taste:
Photo courtesy of My Baking Addiction
You're drooling now, aren't you? I know I am! Yum!
You're drooling now, aren't you? I know I am! Yum!
Book Review: Queen Of America By Luis Alberto Urrea
I recently received a copy of the new book Queen of America: A Novel by Luis Alberto Urrea to review.
Queen of America: A Novel is the follow up to the author's book, The Hummingbird's Daughter. Set in the end of the 1800's, Teresita Urrea, who has become a beloved healer and the "Saint of Cabora," in her home country of Mexico tries to flee with her father to Arizona after the bloody Tomochic rebellion. Just wanting to live a normal life, she is once again claimed as the Spriritual Leader of the Mexican Revolution, and back to being worshipped by the people, Teresita must be careful as assassins could take her life. She ends up traveling through turn of the century America, meeting many people, all while longing for something else. Even though she is a saint - after all, she came back to life after being declared dead - could she love?
Although the book is fiction, Teresita Urrea was a real person, and a member of the author's family tree. To truly understand Queen of America, you really need to read The Hummingbird's Daughter first. A little knowledge of Mexican history around the time this book is taking place is helpful, but not necessary. There are a few words here and there that might be hard for some to understand, but you'll get the gist of it anyways. It's great book, and if you find my review interesting, I recommend you add it (well, both) to your library or want list.
Queen of America: A Novel by Luis Alberto Urrea is a hardcover historical fiction book published by Little, Brown and Company. It is 496 pages long. The suggested cover price is $25.99, but Amazon has it available for $15.26 as of this posting. It is also available as an e-book for the Kindle and other e-readers.
I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.
Queen of America: A Novel is the follow up to the author's book, The Hummingbird's Daughter. Set in the end of the 1800's, Teresita Urrea, who has become a beloved healer and the "Saint of Cabora," in her home country of Mexico tries to flee with her father to Arizona after the bloody Tomochic rebellion. Just wanting to live a normal life, she is once again claimed as the Spriritual Leader of the Mexican Revolution, and back to being worshipped by the people, Teresita must be careful as assassins could take her life. She ends up traveling through turn of the century America, meeting many people, all while longing for something else. Even though she is a saint - after all, she came back to life after being declared dead - could she love?
Although the book is fiction, Teresita Urrea was a real person, and a member of the author's family tree. To truly understand Queen of America, you really need to read The Hummingbird's Daughter first. A little knowledge of Mexican history around the time this book is taking place is helpful, but not necessary. There are a few words here and there that might be hard for some to understand, but you'll get the gist of it anyways. It's great book, and if you find my review interesting, I recommend you add it (well, both) to your library or want list.
Queen of America: A Novel by Luis Alberto Urrea is a hardcover historical fiction book published by Little, Brown and Company. It is 496 pages long. The suggested cover price is $25.99, but Amazon has it available for $15.26 as of this posting. It is also available as an e-book for the Kindle and other e-readers.
I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.
Friday's Featured Etsy - Valentine's Day Is Coming!
Welcome to my Friday's Featured post, in which I showcase Etsy stores and small businesses from folks like you and me. Recession, smession! ;)
This week, I'm featuring great Valentine's Day gift ideas from a plethora of Etsy shops! Many are under $10, so you're getting some deals!
Need a Valentine's Day card for a teen or Twilight fan? Check out this Valentine's Day Card- Vampire TrueBlood Twilight Card FREE SHIPPING from Scrappingoodtimes:
Or a gift for a little girl in your life, check out this Valentine's Day Conversation candy hearts and pearls bracelet from bamfkat - bonus, proceeds are donated to animals!
There's the Hearts in a Bottle Valentine's Day glass vial necklace OOAK from Woodland Trinkets:
To decorate the bathroom a little, check out there Valentine's Day Heart Soap, Lavender hearts with flower buds, Vegan Cold Process Soap in Purple from Second Spring Soaps:
And to wear out there's the Pink Valentine's Day Heart Button Ring (Free Shipping) from Moonstone Beginning. It's a steal at just $2!:
Head on over to Etsy for your Valentine's Day gifts - support handmade!
This week, I'm featuring great Valentine's Day gift ideas from a plethora of Etsy shops! Many are under $10, so you're getting some deals!
Need a Valentine's Day card for a teen or Twilight fan? Check out this Valentine's Day Card- Vampire TrueBlood Twilight Card FREE SHIPPING from Scrappingoodtimes:
Or a gift for a little girl in your life, check out this Valentine's Day Conversation candy hearts and pearls bracelet from bamfkat - bonus, proceeds are donated to animals!
There's the Hearts in a Bottle Valentine's Day glass vial necklace OOAK from Woodland Trinkets:
To decorate the bathroom a little, check out there Valentine's Day Heart Soap, Lavender hearts with flower buds, Vegan Cold Process Soap in Purple from Second Spring Soaps:
And to wear out there's the Pink Valentine's Day Heart Button Ring (Free Shipping) from Moonstone Beginning. It's a steal at just $2!:
Head on over to Etsy for your Valentine's Day gifts - support handmade!
26 January 2012
Thrifty Thursday - Party Stock Up Time
This week for my Thrifty Thursday post, I'm here to remind you that many of the prices you'll see on tailgating and party foods will probably be the best you'll see until Memorial Day. Foods like burger condiments, chips, soda, grilling meats can be purchased ahead - check the dates to be sure they don't expire too soon. If you use a bottle of ketchup every other month, you can easily purchase 2 or 3 now, saving yourself as much as a dollar a bottle.
If you drink alcohol, be on the lookout for rebates that will give you money back for purchasing items such as meats with the beer. (Be sure to save your receipt and remember to mail that rebate in!)
If you're looking to cut costs on your Big Game party, try hosting a potluck! Assign each person attending a category - have one person bring a drink, another a dip, someone else a condiment - and you'll cut down on costs while still being able to throw a fun party.
If you drink alcohol, be on the lookout for rebates that will give you money back for purchasing items such as meats with the beer. (Be sure to save your receipt and remember to mail that rebate in!)
If you're looking to cut costs on your Big Game party, try hosting a potluck! Assign each person attending a category - have one person bring a drink, another a dip, someone else a condiment - and you'll cut down on costs while still being able to throw a fun party.
Blu-Ray Review: Real Steel
My family and I recently received a Blu-Ray combo set of the new movie Real Steel to review.
Set a few years ahead, Charlie Kenton is a washed up former boxer who wants to make a comeback. In the meantime, he makes a living as a robot-fight promoter and builds robots from scrap - ironic, since it's because of these robots that he lost his chance to be in the ring. Eventually, he ends up teaming up with his estranged son Max to build and train a championship robot boxer.
This CGI/live movie features the acting skills of Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, and Dakota Goyd as the young son. Dany Elfman, one of Hollywood's music geniuses, was in charge of the music. The line up is good, the graphics are killer, the storyline is different - and entertaining for young adults and adults like. That being said, I wouldn't agree with this movie being called a "family movie" as I have read in previews of this movie - at least not MY family. It does have it's share of violence - even if a lot of it is CGI - and it's share of bad language. However, both my DH and I enjoyed it as adults.
The movie is being released as a two disc set. The regular DVD contains the movie, as well as a few special features - some bloopers, several mini featurettes "Making of Metal Valley" and "Building the Bots", as well as some audio commentary with director Shawn Levy. The Blu-Ray disc contains the Blu-Ray version of the movie and the same special features on the DVD disc, as well as some extra deleted and extended scenes with introductions by director Shawn Levy, a featurette on boxer "Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman's Champ", "Countdown to The Fight: The Charlie Kenton Story" - which gives you kind of a background on the main character of the movie, and the super neat "Real Steel Second Screen: Ringside With Director Shawn Levy", which allows you to explore interactive content with your iPad or computer while you watch the movie.
I love these two disc sets that contain both the DVD and the Blu-Ray - if you don't already have a Blu-Ray player, you save money by not having to re-buy all your movies, plus you can play the regular DVD on computers and portable DVD players while traveling or just on the go.
Real Steel is available now wherever Blu-Rays and DVD's are sold. Rated PG-13, the total running time (not including special features) is 127 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $39.99, but Amazon has it available for $22.99 as of this posting. (Netflix users: this title will be available on DVD, so add it to your queue)
I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
Set a few years ahead, Charlie Kenton is a washed up former boxer who wants to make a comeback. In the meantime, he makes a living as a robot-fight promoter and builds robots from scrap - ironic, since it's because of these robots that he lost his chance to be in the ring. Eventually, he ends up teaming up with his estranged son Max to build and train a championship robot boxer.
This CGI/live movie features the acting skills of Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, and Dakota Goyd as the young son. Dany Elfman, one of Hollywood's music geniuses, was in charge of the music. The line up is good, the graphics are killer, the storyline is different - and entertaining for young adults and adults like. That being said, I wouldn't agree with this movie being called a "family movie" as I have read in previews of this movie - at least not MY family. It does have it's share of violence - even if a lot of it is CGI - and it's share of bad language. However, both my DH and I enjoyed it as adults.
The movie is being released as a two disc set. The regular DVD contains the movie, as well as a few special features - some bloopers, several mini featurettes "Making of Metal Valley" and "Building the Bots", as well as some audio commentary with director Shawn Levy. The Blu-Ray disc contains the Blu-Ray version of the movie and the same special features on the DVD disc, as well as some extra deleted and extended scenes with introductions by director Shawn Levy, a featurette on boxer "Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman's Champ", "Countdown to The Fight: The Charlie Kenton Story" - which gives you kind of a background on the main character of the movie, and the super neat "Real Steel Second Screen: Ringside With Director Shawn Levy", which allows you to explore interactive content with your iPad or computer while you watch the movie.
I love these two disc sets that contain both the DVD and the Blu-Ray - if you don't already have a Blu-Ray player, you save money by not having to re-buy all your movies, plus you can play the regular DVD on computers and portable DVD players while traveling or just on the go.
Real Steel is available now wherever Blu-Rays and DVD's are sold. Rated PG-13, the total running time (not including special features) is 127 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $39.99, but Amazon has it available for $22.99 as of this posting. (Netflix users: this title will be available on DVD, so add it to your queue)
I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.
25 January 2012
Giveaway: Celtic Woman - Believe
Celtic Woman, an all-female singing group featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt who perform classic Irish songs and Inspirational songs, just released their new CD yesterday, called Believe. They also released a companion live concert DVD! You may remember my review on Songs From The Heart, so I was happy to hear a new album has been released! Look for my review on Believe, coming soon!
The DVD was filmed at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA with a dazzling array of visual and musical effects including a 20 piece orchestra, 7 piece Celtic Woman Band, 16 piece Atlanta Bag Pipe Band; lush vocal harmonies from a 10 piece Aontas Choir, 30 member children’s choir and featuring a world champion Irish dancer formerly a lead performer in Riverdance all serving as the backdrop to the grace and beauty of Celtic Woman. You'll be able to view this special on PBS, if you haven't caught it yet. (By the way, this is about the time of year many PBS stations start their pledge drive - you may be able to score a copy of this DVD for free with your donation! Check your local station!)
Celtic Woman is also launching their US tour on February 3rd in Nashville, TN. Check out this list to find out when Celtic Woman is coming to your nearest town! I'm excited to know they will be coming to Seattle here in April at the Paramount Theater.
You can purchase the Believe DVD here and the Believe CD here via Amazon.
Win it! I am super excited that I'm getting to give away one signed copy of the Believe CD and one signed copy of the Believe DVD! To enter, either tell us your favorite Celtic Woman song, or if you're not very familiar with them, tell us what you think about Celtic music in general. Please leave in your comment whether you'd prefer the CD or the DVD.
As always, you can receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
Win Celtic Woman Believe CD/DVD http://bit.ly/xPs62U ends 2/4 @psychotichouse
That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 4th at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)
Two lucky winners will receive the prize(s) stated above, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.
The DVD was filmed at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA with a dazzling array of visual and musical effects including a 20 piece orchestra, 7 piece Celtic Woman Band, 16 piece Atlanta Bag Pipe Band; lush vocal harmonies from a 10 piece Aontas Choir, 30 member children’s choir and featuring a world champion Irish dancer formerly a lead performer in Riverdance all serving as the backdrop to the grace and beauty of Celtic Woman. You'll be able to view this special on PBS, if you haven't caught it yet. (By the way, this is about the time of year many PBS stations start their pledge drive - you may be able to score a copy of this DVD for free with your donation! Check your local station!)
Celtic Woman is also launching their US tour on February 3rd in Nashville, TN. Check out this list to find out when Celtic Woman is coming to your nearest town! I'm excited to know they will be coming to Seattle here in April at the Paramount Theater.
You can purchase the Believe DVD here and the Believe CD here via Amazon.
Win it! I am super excited that I'm getting to give away one signed copy of the Believe CD and one signed copy of the Believe DVD! To enter, either tell us your favorite Celtic Woman song, or if you're not very familiar with them, tell us what you think about Celtic music in general. Please leave in your comment whether you'd prefer the CD or the DVD.
As always, you can receive extra entries for:
-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
Win Celtic Woman Believe CD/DVD http://bit.ly/xPs62U ends 2/4 @psychotichouse
That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends February 4th at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)
Two lucky winners will receive the prize(s) stated above, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.
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