The End of an Era

It is with mixed feelings that I write this post.

I have decided to stop posting to this blog.  I've come to a point in my life where blogging about books just doesn't fit anymore.  Years ago, when I started blogging, my life centered around reading.  I loved it and I STILL DO, but back then it was the true joy in my life (minus my husband, of course) and now there are just so many other things that I'm focused on.

I never ever wanted this blog to feel like a job and at some point in the last year, that is about how I started to view it.  I think that I desperately tried to hold on to it, partially because friends and fellow book enthusiasts seemed to enjoy the blog so much, partially because I liked some of the perks, and partially because it had become a part of my core identity.

As I embark on new adventures in my life, though, in my career and in my personal life, I'm finding I just don't have the time or drive to keep up.  I'd rather do what I've done with my reading habits, choose fewer "titles" and enjoy each more.

So, this will be my last post, though I'm not going to take down the blog completely, just in case a year from now, or two if I change my mind I can come back.

Thank you so much for reading and sharing my enthusiasm for all things bookish over the years. If you still want to keep in touch, come find me on twitter @JM_IReadtoRelax.
Sincerely,
Jessica

I'm Judging Again!

Hello All!
Once again things have gotten a little quiet here.
I swear I haven't disappeared and I'm actually reading just as busily as usual.  Surprisingly, at the moment, I'm working my way through a stack of adult romance novels - and I'm loving it!

See, right now I'm helping to judge for the Maggie Award for Excellence given out by the Georgia Romance Writers, a division of the Romance Writers of America. The Maggie Award for Excellence has been given out by Georgia Romance Writers for over three decades and I'm honored to be assisting them in the judging process.

I'm having such a great time reading, too, because I got sent eight romance novels from the Paranormal and Historical genre categories and the two I've finished so far have both been well done. I liked one so much, I immediately went online to see what else the author had written in the series. I think I'm going to be reading my way through the rest of hers. *grins*

Since these books are being judged, though, I don't feel comfortable sharing any more info about them until after the contest is over... so.... no reviews for now! You all will just have to know that I'm sighing happily somewhere with a good book, even if no evidence shows online. *wink*

Read From My Personal Library - March Update

So, I promised you all that I'd keep you updated on my self-imposed "Read from my Personal Library" challenge.

This is what the challenge stated: My realistic goal is going to be to read 3 personally owned books for every 1 that I read from the Library, etc.  

And here's how I did for the rest of March:

I read 9 books total.  

Four of those books were from borrowed through the Library where I work - 1 fun fiction read, 2 personal non-fiction reads, and 1 fiction book for work (for the book club I lead).

One book was sent to me for a Blog Tour review.  

Four of those books came from my own Personal Library!! Not quite the 3:1 ratio that I'd been aiming for, BUT a 1:1 ratio is a decent start...I'm going to aim for better in April.  

So, what did I read from my Personal Library?

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

 

Cress (Lunar Chronicles 3)

Fairest (Lunar Chronicles Prequel)

The Final Act (Immortal Circus 3)

Anyone else read from their own bookshelves (physical or virtual) this month?

The "Read from My PERSONAL Library" Challenge

So, I'm a lifetime, avid reader - a blogger, a professional reviewer, and of course, a Librarian.  This means that my life is FILLED with books.  They are everywhere. At home, at work, in the mail, lent out to friends, on my ereader...they are everywhere. I get books all the time. More than I can ever keep up with - in fact, I have a problem with NOT getting new books. I truly am one of those people who's afraid of running out of things to read!

Part of one shelf on ONE of my bookcases.
See the double stacking?

I'm pretty sure at least one or two of you know exactly what I'm talking about. I know I'm not alone in this. *grins*

BUT...I've decided I need to get things a little more under control.  How, you ask? I'm issuing myself a READ FROM MY PERSONAL LIBRARY challenge. I'm setting out to start reading all those books that I've bought, either in traditional paper format or as ebooks, and never gotten around to reading! Really. I want to make a dent in MY OWN Library before seeking out new books.

An old photo, but one that shows two of my
bookcases in the back...they still look like this,
if not even fuller!

Now, this is not to say that I can resist every new book that's coming out. I'm going to be realistic about this. Sometimes the shiny-new just ends up winning out. There's also those sequels that I just cannot wait for...and the books that I'm already on blog tours for...and the ones I have to read for the Book Clubs I lead at work...and the ones I professionally review.  SO.  What I'm actually proposing is that I am going to read AS MANY of my own books as I can in the near future. My realistic goal is going to be to read 3 personally owned books for every 1 that I read from the Library, etc.  

How am I going to keep track?  Well, in a couple of ways. First, I track all of my reading on Shelfari, so that means I'll be able to see the ratio of personal books to borrowed/gifted. Second, when I post blog reviews I always mention where I got the book from (full disclosure on the bottom of the review) so YOU all will be able to see whether or not I'm maintaining my challenge ratio or not.  Third, I plan to check in every once in a while here on the blog with a post updating you all officially on my progress.

How am I going to start this challenge?  Well, this is it...
 
I currently have out from the Library:
3 fun reading books (Ever After High: A Wonderlandiful World, Landry Park, and Wild Things)
3 non-fiction books*
1 book for work (our next book club read Bella Fortuna) from the Library.
*Note - for the purposes of this challenge, I decided that I'm going skip counting non-fiction books as they are either for work or  are lifestyle books that I tend to just skim through. I don't read them the same way as I do fiction.*

From those, that means that I will be reading at least 9 of my own personal books along the way!

My "display" book case with nicely arranged
series and knick-knacks. I look much less like a
book hoarder here! 

Then, I have 4 books on hold at the Library that I'm dying to read (Winner's Crime, The Heir, The Orphan Queen, and Wicked Charms) so when I get each of those, I'll make sure to read 3 of my own.

I also have 3 blog tour posts coming up for The Traveling Tea Shop, Shadow Scale, and Sophomore Year is Greek to Me. So, again for each of these titles, I'm aiming to read 3 personally owned books.

I'm not promising I can read them all in exactly that order (1 Borrowed, then 3 Owned, then 1 Borrowed, then 3 Owned, etc.), but I'm going to strive to loosely maintain that ratio over the next few months. I'd like to make a really nice dent in my Library by this summer! In fact, as I read things, I'm also going to be trying to free up some space on my shelves so that they look more like the ONE really nicely maintained "display" shelf that I keep out where guests can see it.

...And, I'm Back!!

Hello All. 

It's been a great couple of months off. I think I definitely needed them. It gave me time to recharge, relax, and concentrate on stuff that was going on with work and other aspects of my personal life. 

BUT... about two weeks ago, I found myself composing reviews in my head. A great sign I was ready to start blogging again. So, while I think I may not post as frequently as I have in years past and there may be more posts about other random aspects of my life, I'm happy to say that I am back in action. 

To start with I thought I'd just ease in by letting you know what I've been reading since the New Year. Since I started Roller Derby, my reading time has decreased significantly, so this list is definitely not as impressive as it would have been even a year ago, but that's A-Okay with me.  I'm healthier than I was a year ago, which is definitely a good thing! 

Books I've Read So Far in 2015:
Jennifer, Gwyneth & Me by Rachel Bertsche
Ensnared by A.G. Howard
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Burned by Karen Marie Moning
Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet
A Touch of Midnight by Lara Adrian
The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole
I Don't Know What You Know Me From by Judy Greer
Atlantia by Ally Condie
The Divine Cactus Tea Cantina by R.V. Mare
Code Zero by Jonathan Maberry
The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin

11 books and 2 novellas. Definitely a slower pace than in past years, but I think I'm enjoying each book individually a little more... I've been trying to choose books based more on personal desire to read than the necessity (other than the ones I read for the book clubs I run at work).  

What have YOU been reading while I was away from the blog??

On Break Until March

Happy, Happy Holidays...and I'll See You in a Few Months

First off, I just wanted to wish you all: 

I hope that each of you have a very Merry Christmas, or whichever holiday you celebrate, and get to spend as much time as you'd like with your loved ones. 

Secondly, I need to announce that I will be taking a break from blogging. 

I've been feeling a little lethargic (as you might have noticed from the lack of recent posts) and I am going to take the months of January and February off so that I can decide if I just need a break or if maybe it's time to retire all together... 

So, anyway, have a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year and I'll see you in March!

Mini Blogging Confessional... and a mini review of The Offering

So, today I have a different kind of post for you.  A mini blogging confessional.

Sometimes I read books so quickly in such a short period of time that if I do not immediately blog about them I can completely forget what I would have said about them.  For instance, I finished the last book in Kimberly Derting's The Pledge trilogy on April 13th.  I marked a note to myself that I wanted to give it a gold star review.  I remember loving the way the series ended.  Can I remember anything else now that I want to go back and blog about it? No. *facepalm*

I still want to highlight the book anyway and I don't have time to go back and reread it to review it...SOOOO... here's the description:

The Offering
by Kimberly Derting
The Pledge, book three

Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks.

When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom.

But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost. (Description from Goodreads.com) 

Know that I did LOVE it when I read it. Unfortunately, I just can't tell you why!  I do remember little bits...I still thought that Charlie was a great character and that Sabara and her lover were some creepy-@ss baddies.  I really though that Charlie was smart when she finally manages to escape Sabara's evil plans... and that's about it.  I hope that's enough for you! 

What does this teach me?  The few times this happens, I remind myself to blog about books in a shorter timeframe after I've read them.  I also need to start making some more distinct notes for myself, especially if I want to give a book a gold star review so that I can REMEMBER every little thing I wanted to say.  

And now, I'm off to go make some notes before posting my next review... hangs head in embarrassment. 

What a Library Move Looks Like...

So,  for the last two weeks or so,  our library has been physically moving to a temporary location so that they'll be able to build is a brand-new library in our original location.  Needless to say,  this process had involved a little madness amidst the excitement.  Now,  we're almost set to open in our new temporary home and I finally have some time to share (At least through some pics) what some of the process was like!

Enjoy!

We spent weeks packing as much as we could ahead of time, then had to take a week to pack while we were closed so that the movers could take the books, etc. over to our temporary library.  Then they had to start assembling our shelving and putting everything back in order!

Then we did our best to help out with the things we could...cleaning, shelf-reading to make sure the books are in order, etc...

...and of course, we tried to have a little fun in there, too!

So now we're in our final week before we reopen in our temporary location and we'll be making sure absolutely everything is where it belongs, organizing our desks, and basically recovering from a few crazy weeks! Phew. Amazing now that there's light at the end of that moving tunnel, LOL.

As Life Speeds Up...So the Blogging Slows Down...

So, if you follow this blog, you know that in the past few years, I've been a pretty regular blogger.  I posted reviews or some kind of fun, mostly bookish related post at least four times a week...and that didn't use to seem hard.

Right now, though, my life has gotten quite a bit busier!  My posts have slowed WAY down and honestly, I'm trying to make myself okay with that for a while.

A few months ago, I let you all know that I got a promotion at work. I'm the Adult Services Supervisor which means that I'm on the management team at my Library and what you may not know is that we're getting a new Library building.  YAY, right?

There's always a but, LOL.

Anyway, in order to get our new building, we have to move to a temporary location so that they can tear down the majority of our building to build a brand-new one on the same spot.  (We are keeping our historic wing, but that's it.)

So...we're moving in about a month and the process to get out of our current building and into the temporary one is well, a little insane! My life has turned into a series of meetings, question and answer sessions with staff and patrons, press releases, and the endless self-doubt routine of knowing that I've forgotton SOMETHING.

By the time I get home at night, I'm exhausted.  Can't even process some nights. No conversation, no reading...just bad television and hoping the dinner I fed my husband was fully cooked.

So, my reading has slowed down, my ability to form coherent sentences has disappeared, and any possible remaining energy has gone towards something mindless. (Or pie, LOL, which apparently my stomach has lied to my brain about, convincing the gray matter that it's a mindless activity in the interest of deliciousness...) In case you all care, my house is also a little...less clean...than usual, owing to my general exhaustion. Fun, right?

I'm hoping that once we've moved into our temporary location and have settled into a new routine by mid-March that I'll get back to life as usual.  Until then, my blogging may continue to be a little sporadic and less intellectual sounding due to general brain mush.

I hope you can all forgive me!

Pie Adventures (4)

So, since I've decided to have a year of Pie Adventures, I've only grown more excited about the prospect and I want to share as much as I can with all of you...pictures, recipes, funny pie stories, etc. So... here's what I've made since last time:

I realized it's been a few weeks since I posted some pies for you all.  Following up the key lime pie and savory meat pie, I decided to try some very different things.  I actually have FOUR new pies to share! The first, was a nice, easy and interesting pie...CINNAMON APPLESAUCE PIE from Ken Haedrich's Pie: 300 Tried-and-True Recipes for Delicious Homemade Pie. (All of today's recipes are from this book) 

INGREDIENTS:

1 (9-inch) premade crust

2 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 cups sweetened applesauce

1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)

1 Tblsp. fresh lemon juice

1 tsp. grated lemon zest 

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Place pie crust into greased pie pan and place in freezer for 15 mins. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 

2. Combine the eggs, egg yolk, and sugars in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, blend the ingredients until well mixed. Add all the remaining ingredients and beat again until evenly blended. Carefully pour the filling into the chilled pie shell. 

4. Place the pie on center oven rack and bake for 15 mins. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to bake for another 30 mins. Rotate the pie 180 degrees (so that the back is now in front) when there's about 15 mins. left. 

5. Let pie cool completely before serving. 

This pie was pretty good!  You could eat it warmed up or cold...either way it was deliciously cinnamon apple-y, which is one of my favorite flavors.  

In fact, I liked this one enough that it inspired me to go for a more difficult apple pie next, the CARAMEL APPLE PECAN pie. (Plus, I'd gotten requests from both the hubs and my boss for a pecan pie next...so...) 

INGREDIENTS:

1 (9-inch) premade pie crust

10 caramels, cut into 4 pieces each

[filling] 7 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (I chose granny smith)

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 Tblsp. fresh lemon juice

2 Tblsp. granulated sugar

1 Tblsp. cornstarch

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla extract

[topping] 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup pecan halves

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

6 Tblsp. cold unsalted butter cut into 1/4 in. pieces

[caramel garnish] 3 Tblsp. unsalted butter cut into pieces

1 Tblsp. water

30 caramels

large handful of pecan halves

1/2 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place pie crust in greased pie pan. Scatter the caramel pieces into the pie shell and place in freezer while preparing the filling. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 

2. Combine the apples, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Mix well, then set aside for 10 mins. Mix the granulated sugar and cornstarch together in a small bowl. Stir the mixture into the fruit along with the cinnamon and vanilla. Scrape the filling into the pie shell and flatten. 

3. Put the pie on the center oven rack and bake for 30 minutes. 

4. Make the crumb topping. Combine the flour, pecan halves, granulated sugar, and salt in a food processor. Pulse several times, chopping the nuts coarsely. Scatter the butter over the dry mixture and pulse the machine again until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Transfer the crumbs to a medium-sized bowl and rub the mixture between fingers to make damp, gravelly crumbs. 

5. Remove pie from oven and reduce temperature to 375 degrees F. Carefully dumb crumbs in the center of the pie, spreading evenly over the surface with hands. Return pie to oven, on a pie sheet, placing the part that had been in back in the front.

6. Bake another 30 minutes.

7. Take pie out and let cool for about an hour. 

8. While pie is still warm, (at almost the end of the cooling hour) prepare the caramel

garnish. Combine the butter, water, and caramels in the top of a double boiler (I used a large metal bowl on top of a pot). Melt the caramels over, NOT in, barely simmering water. When melted, whisk the mixture until it is smooth, then drizzle the caramel over the entire surface of the pie. 

9. Immediately press the pecan halves into the caramel then sprinkle chopped pecans over top, as well.  Let cool for another hour before serving. 

This pie came out AMAZING.  I won't lie.  Good cold. Amazing once warmed so the caramels melt again.  Ridiculously good...and pretty aggravating to make.  Not that it wasn't worth it, but this is NOT a pie to make on a whim.  This pie took about 3 hours from start to finish and had so many steps! Thank goodness the end result was fantastic.  I plan to make it again, but only for a special occasion. 

On the heels of this challenging bake, I decided to try something simple again. My husband loves peanut butter, so I decided to try a PEANUT BUTTER PIE. 

INGREDIENTS:
1 (9-inch) premade pie crust

3 large eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups dark corn syrup 

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chopped salted dry-roasted peanuts

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place pie crust in greased pie pan and place in freezer for 15 mins. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until frothy. Whisk in the corn syrup, butter, salt, and vanilla until well blended. Stir in the peanuts. Slowly pour the filling into the pie shell and rake the peanuts with a fork to distribute evenly. 

3. Place pie on center oven rack and bake for 30 mins. Then rotate pie so back is in front and bake for 20 additional mins. 

4. Let pie cool completely, then refridgerate overnight. Serve chilled. 

This pie should most definitely be served cold.  We tried pieces before it had cooled completely and were both disappointed.  Then we tried pieces the second day and LOVED it.  It really does need to be ice cold. It tastes like crunchy peanut butter and was a huge hit at both home and work. 

Easy and tasty, I'll definitely make that one again.  Two tips - dark corn syrup NOT light for sure.  It makes the pie more appealing visually, though I think the taste would be about the same.  Second, make sure you get roasted peanuts, but not the sweetened kind. You really want this pie to taste like pure peanuts. 

All right, last pie for tonight!  After two nut based pies, I decided I wanted a fruity one. So, tonight for the Superbowl, we had STRAWBERRY PIE. Nice and light and just right after so many "heavy" pies.  It almost felt like summer...

INGREDIENTS:
2 (9-inch) premade pie crusts

[filling] 4 cups hulled and thickly sliced fresh strawberries

1/2 cup sugar

2 Tblsp. cornstarch

1 Tblsp. fresh lemon juice

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 Tblsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

[glaze] sugar

milk

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place the pie crust in a greased pie pan. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  

2. Put strawberries in a large bowl. Mix the sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl, then add the mixture to the fruit and toss well. Add the lemon juice and nutmeg and toss again.  Set aside for 10 mins. 

3. Turn the filling into the pie shell and smooth fruit with a spoon. Dot the top with butter. Lightly moisten the rim of the pie shell and press the top and bottom pastries together along the dampened edge.  Trim the overhang. Cut a few vents in the top of the pie crust. 

4. Sprinkle the top crust evenly with sugar, then with milk. 

5. Place pie on center oven rack and bake for 30 mins. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F and rotate the pie so the back is now in front (may want to place on a cookie sheet). 

6. Bake for another 35 mins. If top of pie begins to get too brown, cover with tented aluminum foil for last 10 mins. 

7. Let cool for at least 2 hours before serving.

As I said this pie was light and berry-licious.  I topped it with some whipped cream, but if warmed, this pie could also be served with vanilla ice cream.  YUM!

Hope you're not pied out yet, because I'll be getting you more pictures and recipes soon.  I'm averaging a pie a week so far... LOL!

Pie Adventures (3)

So, since I've decided to have a year of Pie Adventures, I've only grown more excited about the prospect and I want to share as much as I can with all of you...pictures, recipes, funny pie stories, etc. So... here's what I've made since last time: 

After the chocolate cream pie, I decided to make another of my husband's favorites, KEY LIME PIE. I was pleasantly surprised with this one...lime's not always my favorite, but this pie was actually a lot sweeter than I'd expected! Not quite as tart as some of the other versions I've had. This one was a HUGE hit with everyone that tried it. The recipe actually came from Ashley English's book, A Year of Pies: A Seasonal Tour of Home Baked Pies. 

INGREDIENTS:
1 (9 inch) premade graham cracker crust
1/4 cup key lime juice
3 tablespoons grated lime zest
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
3 large egg yolks, beaten

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine the lime juice, lime zest, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks in a medium-sized bowl.
3. Whisk until ingredients are fully blended.
4. Pour the filling into the crust.
5. Bake for 15 minutes.

Cool completely before serving.

Here's what I learned...while on the surface this pie was easy to make, without ahand-held juicer, squeezing the juice out of those little key limes was a pain in the tush! I highly recommend that you invest in one like I did (after this pie, lol) before making anything that involves a lot of fresh orange, lime, or lemon juice. 

This pie, with a combination of tart and sweet, would probably go great with a contemporary suspense/romance featuring a sarcastic teen character...something like the book Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore. 

Last week I also made a staple in our house during the winter months.  This savory pie was developed originally from a recipe given to me by my friend, Sharon, who had gotten it passed down through her French-Canadian family. So, my version of French Meat Pie is somewhat more Americanized. 

INGREDIENTS:

2 (9 inch) pre-made unbaked crusts

1 lb. ground beef 

Adobo spice or salt and pepper

1/2 medium onion (I prefer vidalia) 

2 cloves garlic

Mashed potatoes (we cheat and use boxed) 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Spray pie dish and place bottom crust. 

3. Prepare mashed potatoes. If using boxed, make 6 servings worth. 

4. Mince the garlic cloves, chop the onion, then saute until onion is translucent.  

5. Brown the ground beef. Season to taste. 

6. Combine the beef mixture and mashed potatoes. 

7. Pour filling into pie shell and roll second crust over the top. Make sure to poke several holes in the top crust before baking. 

8. Bake pie for 30 minutes or until top crust is golden brown. 

Allow to cool for five minutes before serving. 

This pie, which takes about 10 minutes to put together (before baking) is super easy and is a great comfort food meal, perfect for cold nights over the winter. This is a great pie to eat while reading a book with a cold setting, something perhaps like Trapped by Michael Northrop.

As I continue my pie adventures, I'll be sure to share more pictures, recipes, and reviews of each pie's deliciousness. Look for more tasty posts on the weekends!

Some 2014 Resolutions...

Okay, it does not officially feel like 2014, but since today IS Jan 2nd, 

I thought I would give you all a glimpse at my resolutions for the year: 

Jessica's 2014 Resolutions:
*Continue to work out and eat healthier. I'd like to lose at least another 15 pounds, but really just being healthier is the goal.

*Get back to my professional reviewing, but outside of that I'd like to read *leisurely* this year. 

*Write. I want to try to revise and polish up my face story for potential publication.

*Pie Adventures! (Now, I know this conflicts a little with being healthier, but I do love pie) The Goal is to bake at least one different pie every other week...

*Develop some great programs and services for the adults at our Library. I want to offer the equivalent of the awesome and fun things I used to for kids and teens.

*Continue to lavish affection upon my husband and the dogs. I do love to spoil them.

I guess I can't give you this year's resolutions without commenting on how last year's resolutions worked out, so...

1. Read 15 books off my TBR shelves. - I actually read 17!

2. Make reading less stressful - Had to take a break from reviewing which made me sad, but helped me keep my sanity!

3. Self-publish my Fae book - Nope. The 2nd Draft is being read by new betas for notes, though.

4. Develop a kick-butt book club - Done!

5. Lose 20 more pounds. - Nope, but I did keep off the weight I'd already lost which is great!

6. Continue to lavish affection upon the Hubs and the doggas. - Done!

So...how did you all do on you resolurions? Anyone want to help me stick to mine this year?

My Pie Adventures Continue!

So, since I've decided to have a year of Pie Adventures, I've only grown more excited about the prospect and I want to share as much as I can with all of you...pictures, recipes, funny pie stories, etc.  So... let me catch you up: 

First, I made a SOUR CREAM AND RAISIN pie which was...interesting!

Not sweet, but more spicy like a pumpkin pie.  And if you don't like raisins, you definitely won't like this one.  However, if you'd like to try making this one yourself, here's the recipe I used from Allrecipes.com.

INGREDIENTS:
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup raisins

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.)
2. In a large bowl, combine eggs, sour cream, sugar, vanilla, salt and nutmeg. Beat until smooth. stir in raisins. Pour filling into pie crust.
3. Bake in the lower half of preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until filling is set. Allow to cool before serving.

This pie would be perfect while reading any book set in the South, like the Caster Chronicles series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl or the Southern Vampire Mysteries (ie - Sookie Stackhouse) series by Charlaine Harris. 

Secondly, I decided to go for a more traditional and sweet pie, so I decided to make my husband's favorite, CHOCOLATE PUDDING PIE. 

I realized as I was prepping it, though, that I'd made a silly mistake.  In order to make a pudding pie or any other type of chilled/no bake pie, you need to use a prebaked crust.  I only had the uncooked kind (and yes, at the moment I'm still cheating with store-bought crust...I'll tackle that extra challenge as the year goes on...).  So, first I learned how to bake an empty pie crust! 

Once that crust was set and cooling, I started the pie recipe, again from Allrecipes.com.

INGREDIENTS:

1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate
pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped
topping, thawed
10 gummi worms

DIRECTIONS:
1. Make instant pudding according to directions on box.
2. Dump pudding into pie crust.
3. Spread whipped topping on top of the pudding.
4. Refrigerate until not too gooey.

This pie came out delicious and once I had the pie all set, it was super easy. I would just recommend letting this one chill in the fridge overnight for maximum firmness.  This pie would pair perfectly with a good holiday romance... 

As I continue my pie adventures, I'll be sure to share more pictures, recipes, and reviews of each pie's deliciousness.  Look for more tasty posts on the weekends! 

Happy Holidays!!

To all of you in whatever celebration you partake in this time of year...
I wish you happiness, health, good times with family and friends, good food, a warm, cozy house, and lots of love.

Happy Reading and Happy Holidays! 

A Year of Pie Adventures Ahead

So, With the holidays upon us,  my mind has of course turned to sweets. As I was reading Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl last week,  I was intrigued by the multitude of different pies that the Southern characters baked throughout the book. Inspiration struck and I have decided to launch a new hobby in the coming year...

I am going to embark upon a pie exploration!  I told my husband that I am going to bake a different pie about one every other week (a declaration to which his response was rather enthusiastic,  lol). So, tonight I tried my first new recipe.  One for a sour cream and raisin pie.  Something I had never heard of before!

The result:

A pie that turned out to be way more flavorful than I'd expected!  Not too sweet,  but rather spicy like a pumpkin pie... full of nutmeg and raisin-y goodness. So different than most pies I've ever had!

Now I just have to decide what recipe to try next!  Fun. If you have any suggestions let me know! I'm up for almost anything.

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your day be full of fun,  friends and family, and good food.  Even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving,  I still wish those things for you.

Why So Silent?? A NEW JOB...That's why!

SO...you may have noticed that I haven't posted for more than two weeks. 

TWO WEEKS!

That's one of the longest quiet periods on my blog, well...ever.

I'm so sorry, I left you all hanging, BUT...I had a really excellent reason for my "radio silence."

As of November 12th, I officially became the Adult Services Supervisor at my Library.  A huge promotion with lots of new responsibilities and exciting duties...and well, some adjustment has definitely been in order. 

So, I took a little break to just sort of get some things under my belt at work.  Not that I haven't still been reading a ton at home, but I just had too many things rolling around in my brain to sit down long enough to blog.  

I also finished up my state award nomination reading committee last week, so now (aside from the review books I get from SLJ, VOYA, and AudioFile), I'll be able to READ WHATEVER I WANT!!!!!!

I missed that anticipatory feeling of being able to lazily wander bookshelves until something just screamed out "read me!" I have so many books I want to get to...but the best part is... I can just get to them whenever I feel like it. Amazeballs.

So, you should be hearing a lot more from me now...I'm hoping to revitalize the blog a little bit. Spruce it up. Ramp up the fun.  It's gonna be a whole new year soon!  Gotta make the blog match what I'd like to think I look like professionally now:

Well, maybe not quite that chic...but, hey, it gives me something to aim for right?  

Lots of love to you all for sticking with me through thick and thin... and here's to the beginning of new, great things!!

My Favorite Bookish Mugs

Last week, my friend Jen from YABooknerd saw the Epic Reads mug post and created her own epic post about her favorite mugs which you can see here.  I got inspired and decided to show off a few of the great Librarian and Bookish mugs that I've either bought or been given.  It's not a HUGE collection, yet (which is probably good for my cabinets) but they do make me smile every time I drink out of them.

So, here we go! 

This one makes me giggle EVERY SINGLE TIME I USE IT!  It's so hilariously wrong.  If I ever actually heard someone try to use this pick up line I might vomit...and yet... it does make me laugh! 

Enough said. 

The mug I'm sure almost every Librarian I know owns.... somewhat ironic, and yet somewhat true.  I am a first-class Librarian and most days I am proud to be a public serving, friendly, book (we don't stamp anymore) checking out, softly politely spoken, helpful, well read Librarian... 

My giant (slightly stained!) Winnie-the-Pooh mug that is used every time I feel sick, too full, freezing cold, etc. and need a double cup of tea (or sometimes hot chocolate).  It keeps the giant vat o'liquid surprisingly warm for a long time and keeps me from having to get up too, too often... definitely a favorite mug. 

And, this one's not at all bookish, but my friends will know that I love it dearly nonetheless:

MY FAVORITE MUG EVAH.  EVAH. EVAH.  Can you tell how much I love it??  My sister-in-law, Shannon, and her fiance gave it to me and I LOVE IT.  See that little giraffe in there?  He peeks out as you drink your coffee, tea, whatever, and it is the coolest thing I've ever seen. LOVE. 

Do you guys have bookish mugs that you adore?