Book Review!

Ok so I have been reading a ton! But I've been bad at posting my reviews. Sorry.

Have a little faith

I LOVE all of Mitch Alboms books. When his new one came out I knew I wanted it. It didn't disappoint! It's a true story and right around the same type of thing as Tuesdays with Morrie. It is about faith & religion. Great story!


Synopsis
What if our beliefs were not what divided us, but what pulled us together?

In Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight year journey between two worlds – two men, two faiths, two communities – that will inspire readers everywhere.

Albom’s first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie was published twelve years ago, Have A Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.

Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor – a reformed drug dealer and convict – who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.

Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Mitch observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi, embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.

As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Mitch and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers and histories are different, Albom begins to realize a striking unity between the two worlds - and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.

In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor’s wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Have a Little Faith is a book about a life’s purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man’s journey, but it is everyone’s story.

The Host

Wow. Ok, ok I'm a fan of Twilight. I'll admit it. I love the books. When the host came out I didn't want to read it. I didn't think it was any type of book I would enjoy. Wow was I wrong. My best friend Sheena told me I had to read it...so when I got it for Christmas I did. I recommend it to everyone. The way SM writes is great for me. I don't like too much sex and swearing and this books didn't have any.

Synopsis

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.

Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.

.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians

.

Great books! I read all 5 in about a week. The lighting thief is the first of the series. They are for the younger crowd but not too bad that adults don't enjoy them.

Since it's a series here is what I got off of Wikipedia....

The protagonist is Percy Jackson, who discovers that he is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes. He learns that the legendary beings of Greek mythology still exist and have always existed, including monsters, cyclopes, empousai, Titans, and also the Olympians (Greek gods) themselves who dwell in Olympus which is now situated at the mythical 600th floor of the Empire State Building. He is frequently attacked by monsters because he is a child of one of the "Big Three" (Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades). Percy meets many other young demigods, both friendly and hostile, who are also in the process of discovering their heritage and powers.

.

Water for Elephants

.

I really liked this book. I didn't really know what to think when I started reading it. But it was like nothing I have ever read before. A little love, history and a great story line all made for a really great book!

Synopsis
As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

Spinach & Bacon Pasta Toss

What You Need!
1 pkg. (16 oz.) wide egg noodles
3/4 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing (I used Tuscan House Italian)
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups cherry tomatoes (about 1 pt.), halved
1 pkg. (6 oz.) fresh baby spinach leaves (4 cups)
1 cup Finely Shredded Italian Five(my was six) Cheese Blend, divided
8 slices Bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled

Make It!
COOK noodles as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, heat dressing in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 to 7 min. or until cooked through. .

Add tomatoes; cook 1 min., stirring occasionally

DRAIN noodles, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Add noodles and the reserved cooking water to chicken mixture in skillet; stir.

Remove from heat. Add spinach, 1/2 cup of the cheese and the bacon; mix lightly. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.


This was REALLY good. Sometimes I have no idea how things are going to be when I've never made them before. We all loved this. It makes a lot (8 servings) so if you don't want that much half the recipe.

This would be great at a BBQ or potluck! It's really tasty and easy to make!

We ate all of the leftover today. We had it for lunch and dinner! And I'm not a big fan of leftovers! lol. I think I will be making this again!

Birthday party!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Landon's party. My neighbor Mandy took over 150 pictures for me so really when I say a few...I mean a few. lol.
.
Mandy takes a lot of pictures for us. She is really good at what she does and has an amazing camera to back it up. I'm lucky to have her, without here I doubt I would have gotten many pictures at all.

This is Hummee.

.

Hummee doesn't like a lot of kids running in his house. This was taken right when people started showing up and he started to get a little nervous (I would to if I was that small!). He ended up going into his "house" for the party and was a lot happier in there!

This is Casey.

.

Casey and I have been friends for a little over 2 years now. Even though she doesn't have any kids of her own she treats Landon like he's part of her family. I mean look she came to his birthday party! She couldn't stay long since her husband had just gotten home but she helped me out tons with the little things I couldn't get done (like frosting the cupcakes!)

.

I'm very lucky to have a friend like her. She's the only one Justin feels 100% comfortable with watching Landon when we go out (that lives here). She's always there for me. Even when it's 2am and I just need someone to talk.

.

Thank you Casey for sharing Landon's special day with him, it meant so much to both of us!

Landon and his friend Madeline love to do puppet shows. I think they do one every time she comes over. It's fun to watch them pretend and play together. I thought it was cute that even at his birthday party they did a show for us.

Another shot of the Puppet show. I love this picture!

Since I let the kids decorate their own cupcakes we didn't make a big cake. So before we let them decorate I stuck a few candles in one and we all sang happy birthday.
.
The cupcake decorating wasn't messy at all! I thought we were going to have frosting everywhere since the kids ranged from almost 2-6 years old. But nope! Just some sprinkles on the floor!

This is Landon and his BFF Adrian. I met Adrian's mom on a forum for sub wives when she was getting ready to move out here a few months ago. I was excited that she only had one kid( not that I have anything against more kids. lol) and he was only a few months older then Landon. We got together right after they moved here and the kids hit it off like they had been friends for years!
.
Landon even got to have Adrian stay the night after the party! It was a lot of fun!

Coloring the masks and treasure maps kept the kids busy for a long time! I had no idea it would be such a big hit. I'm glad I had them!

Landon & I. I had a cuter picture of me but this one just fits us. I love that kid so very much and I can't believe he's already 5! Time goes by so quick.
.
We are already starting to plan next years birthday party! Landon wants an under the sea theme and since next year is an even number...off the the Aquarium we go! I think it will be so much fun for the kids!

Valentines

My Mother-in-law and I haven't always gotten along. When Justin and I started dating she HATED me. He was her baby. They had gone through everything together. I was his first girlfriend and I took up all of his time. She was pretty mean to me and didn't really welcome me too well.

Fast forward 8 years and we are best friends. When Justin left for boot camp in late 2005 her and I got really close. I had Landon and she wanted to spend as much time with us as she could before we moved. Since then we have had a growing relationship. I could say that in the last 2 years we have gotten REALLY close. I talk to her every few days and it feels off if I don't.

Since she doesn't get to see us very often she likes to do nice things for us when she can. Today was one of those days. She sent us Valentines Day gifts! Amazing Ghirardelli chocolates! I got a HUGE basket full of all different types and Landon got a bear with chocolates attached to it.

I feel so very blessed to have her in my life. Our relationship started out rocky but now I couldn't imagine it being any stronger. We went from her hating me to thanking me often for what a good wife I am to her son.

Both of our gifts together!

Landon's teddy bear Cocoa!

My basket! It's huge! I have no idea if I'm going to be able to eat it all! lol.

Pirate Birthday Party.

This will be just all the cool stuff I did for the party. So no good party pictures yet. I had a lot of fun this year coming up with things to go with the whole pirate deal. 

I use a few of Landon's toys to decorate for the party. I put candy in or around them to add to it. The bowls in the middle had pretzel goldfish, sweetish fish and normal goldfish in it.

For gift bags. We printed out on normal brown lunch bags. Easier said then done...let me tell ya. But I LOVE how they turned out! Each kid had one with their name on it. Inside was a party blower, pirate hat and a wooden pirate mask(found at Joann's Fabrics for $1) that they got to color and take home. They were a huge hit! They also worked great for all of the pinata stuff

To keep the kids busy while we were getting things set up I printed out Treasure Maps on cardstock for the kids to color. I didn't think the kids would really care about them...but they LOVED them! They were so cute!

For food I made Octopuss hot dogs (you cut them so they have 8 legs then boil them. They get a round shape while they cook), Shell mac & cheese and Anchor sandwiches. Everyone loved the food and it wasn't really unhealthy....so that made me happy! Then we had the normal snacks out....along with all the fishy snacks.

....

I just made 5 dozen cupcakes. I never want to make them again!

I hope to update with the pictures from the party tonight.....If i'm not too tired!

House Guest

A friends of Justin's has been staying with us for a few weeks. It's been great having him! He brought his dog with him. When Justin told me that I had no idea what to think. You see our little pup HATES other dogs. He's very defensive about his home. But the dogs quickly became best friends. I'm going to miss having the other pup around. He slept in bed with me everynight (not his owner, who still calls him a traitor) and when I wasn't in my bed he took over Landon's bed.

I hate people in my space. 5 years of living with just your husband and kid will do that to you. But it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I'm honestly sad that today was their last day with us. I hope they will come back for visits.

The pup's on Landon's bed when I got out of the shower.

Birthday Dinner!

Every year on Landon's Birthday we let him pick where he wants to eat. This is the 4th year that he has picked The Rainforest Cafe. We love eating there! It's expensive (and about an hour away) so we don't go unless it's for something special.

If you visit my blog regularly (or know us in person) you know how much we love going to eat there. It's so much fun and we always have a great time.

Every time we go we also take him to the Disney store and let him pick out one thing. It can be anything he wants. So far he has picked really cool toys each time. It's so fun to follow him around the store and just let him be. Once he has looked at everything twice he picks what he wants.


Huge butterfly on the tree right above our table. It's wings moved which made it even cooler! lol.

My boys. I always try to get good pictures of them wherever we go to send with Justin when he leaves....and I love having tons of them together for Landon to look at when his Daddy is gone.

Every time we go Landon wants this drink. It's a huge slushie and it comes with a toy in the bottom. He also always wants to massive volcano brownie for dessert.

.

We had the most amazing time last night. It's always so special to me to go out as a family and letting Landon decide makes it even better. These are the things that I hold so close when Justin is gone. We make the most of the time we have together so the time apart isn't so bad.

Pirate Birthday! Part 2?

I made the amazing pirate cupcakes for Landon's school this week....for his birthday party I'm letting the kids decorate their own cupcakes! Balls I have! lol.

.

I found this amazing shop! And they had a pirate cupcake kit! I have some bone sprinkles and a few other little things to add (like goldfish crackers and sweetish fish)....but this kit is perfect! I'm excited to let the kids make their own.

.

They have a bunch of other ones to!

Happy Birthday Little Boy

My little boy is growing up quick! I think this is the Birthday that has hit the hardest. 5. 5 is big. It's been so fun to watch him grow. I look forward to many more years.

Feb 3rd 2005. 2:23 am my little boy was born.

First Birthday party in Washington. Right before we moved.

2nd Birthday party. We lived in South Carolina but took Landon to Disney World for his Birthday. We had a few Birthday dinners for him that year.

3rd Birthday. We had just moved to Connecticut. I made him an under the sea cake and we had a few friends over....a few days later we got him Hundley!

4th Birthday party! Every other year we do something big the odd years will always just be a party at home. Last year we went to Kid City Children's Museum. All of the kids had a blast! It was the first year Landon got really excited about his Birthday.

Tonight for his real Birthday we are going to Rainforest Cafe (every year he picks this...since he was 2) and shopping at the Disney Store. Lol. Then on Saturday we are having his party here at the house. It should be a lot of fun. He even gets to have his best friend stay the night!

Pirate cupcakes!

Since Landon doesn't have school tomorrow on his real Birthday I made cupcakes to take to his class today!! I love how they turned out!

Bandannas are fondant

Sprinkles for the beard

Rolled out tootsie rolls for the eye patch and the moustache

Reece's puff cereal for the nose

The eyes are sprinkles that I had from Halloween.

Then I used white frosting to put the dots on the bandannas.

These were easy!

Blue fondant for the water

White frosting for the Island

Crushed Reece's puffs for the sand

Colored frosting for the tree

Sprinkles for the X (frosting wouldn't stick and was getting messy)

Switching!

I'm switching a few things on my blog around. After messing with it a bit I found that you won't be able to get to my blog anymore if you come from your side blog roll.......so If you aren't a follower my blog will disappear.

I'll give everyone a few days before I make the move.

The Perfect Brownie! Cheesecake brownies to....

I made these on a whim the other night. They were sooo good! It gave me a chance to use my new pan that my sister got me for Christmas! It worked perfect!

You need!
1 (20-23 oz.) pkg. brownie mix
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/3 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Directions!
Prepare brownie mix as directed on package. Reserve 1/2 cup of batter.

Cream cream cheese and sugar. Add egg and vanilla.

Spread brownie batter (minus 1/2 cup) on bottom of a greased 13 x 9 inch pan.

Cover with cream cheese mixture. Spoon on 1/2 cup brownie batter and swirl. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Easy!

The pan looks like a normal pan...but the bottom lifts out. Once you put the batter in the pan you put the divider on top and bake.

They rise in perfect squares! So you don't have to cut them and get everything all funky looking.

After they are out of the oven you wait 5 min and slide the divider out. Perfect brownies! lol.

Then you put them on the special rack and they come out of the pan! Done!