Hi!
I have been diligently working on my awards banquet, yes I'm still working on it! Wait until it gets posted it'll be amazing! Anyway, I was trying to get it done before going to work at 4pm and leaving tomorrow.
So, since it's not finished obviously, I wanted to put out a really quick post just to let you know that I am leaving tomorrow. Mom, aunt, sis, grandparents, and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon for...London!! We will return on Tuesday, August 3, so I will be blogging again around then. When I return I promise I will post the awards banquet!!
So, if I don't talk to you before I leave, have a great week or so and I'm sure I'll have lots of fun stories to tell you when I return!!
Hannah
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
New challenges for the year!
Hello, we meet again to discuss the fabulous topic of books!
I have just found a few new challenges to take part in. Yes, a few (I do use that term a little loosely).
The first challenge is:
Timeline: 01 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2010
Rules: To read TWELVE (12) thrillers in 2010
Details:
• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront then you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
• If you decide to participate in this challenge please use the links I have set up below with the buttons to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun.
• If you decide to join this challenge be sure to create a post telling others, please make sure you add a link back to this post so others can join in.
• You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.
• You can find link to specific month to link your reviews HERE and be entered into the monthly prize draw. Non-bloggers welcome.
Now, there are many different sub-genres of thriller, so don't go thinking that you don't actually read these kinds of books because I bet you read more than you think. As I mentioned above you can choose from the numerous sub-genres, from cosy mysteries such as Agatha Christie to the more hard-boiled kind like V I Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, or even supernatural/paranormal suspense written by the likes of Laurell K Hamilton (Anita Blake) and Kelley Armstrong. So, there you have it, this challenge will have something for everyone I'm sure! :)
To help you figure out and decide, J. Kaye has kindly given me the sub-genre list that she compiled when hosting the challenge. To view this list go HERE.
The challenge has already started! Are you going to join me?
The second challenge is:
As so many of us love reading our series this one gives you the chance to include them in your challenges. As with all our other challenges there are various levels from the Curious to the Obsessed. If you start out at the Curious level and find yourself on the Addicted level then just change you post accordingly.
Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.
2. There are four levels:
-- Curious– Read 3 novels that are first in a series.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 novels that are first in a series.
-- Addicted – Read 12 novels that are first in a series.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 novels that are first in a series.
3. Any genre counts.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.
This challenge has also started. Will you join me?
The third challenge is:
This one is set up exactly like the previous challenge, probably because it's by the same blog. I urge you to visit the Queen of Happy Endings blog if you like reading challenges!
Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.
2. There are four levels:
-- Curious – Read 3 E-Books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 E-Books.
-- Addicted – Read 12 E-Books.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 E-Books.
3. Any genre counts.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.
If you want to join me, sign up HERE!
Book Challenge number four:
This challenge is for all those books you wish you'd read. It might be Pride and Prejudice, War and Peace, a Nora Roberts Romantic Suspense, the Outlander series or a childhood classic Winnie the Pooh. I have a very long list of books that I've been wanting to read for years, not to mention the list of books I've added to it since I've been blogging. These don't have to be books you currently own, you can buy them, borrow them or beg for them. This is a great challenge for getting those TBR piles reduced. So go have a look at what you might read and challenge yourself.
This is kind of a catch-all challenge. A good one to start with, if you ask me!
Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.
2. There are four levels:
-- Curious – Read 3 books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 books.
-- Addicted – Read 12 books.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 books.
3. Any book format counts.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.
Join me in this fun challenge HERE!
The fifth reading challenge for this year is:
This is a fabulous challenge because it not only helps you, but it helps your local library. What could be better!?
Challenge Guidelines:
. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.
There are four levels:
--The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.
--Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.
--Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.
--Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.
(Aim high. As long as you read 25 by the end of 2010, you are a winner.)
3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – any book as long as it is checked out from the library count. Checked out like with a library card, not purchased at a library sale.
4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.
6. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.
****You do NOT need to review your books. That is optional.****
Sign up for this bad boy HERE!
For now I'm going with these five. That should keep me busy for a bit! LOL! Soon I will be posting them in the sidebar, but for now I thought I'd let you know in a post. I'd love it if you joined me on one of these! I mean, if you're reading anyways, why not join a challenge!?
Have fun!!
Hannah
I have just found a few new challenges to take part in. Yes, a few (I do use that term a little loosely).
The first challenge is:
Timeline: 01 Jan 2010 - 31 Dec 2010
Rules: To read TWELVE (12) thrillers in 2010
Details:
• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront then you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
• If you decide to participate in this challenge please use the links I have set up below with the buttons to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun.
• If you decide to join this challenge be sure to create a post telling others, please make sure you add a link back to this post so others can join in.
• You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.
• You can find link to specific month to link your reviews HERE and be entered into the monthly prize draw. Non-bloggers welcome.
Now, there are many different sub-genres of thriller, so don't go thinking that you don't actually read these kinds of books because I bet you read more than you think. As I mentioned above you can choose from the numerous sub-genres, from cosy mysteries such as Agatha Christie to the more hard-boiled kind like V I Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, or even supernatural/paranormal suspense written by the likes of Laurell K Hamilton (Anita Blake) and Kelley Armstrong. So, there you have it, this challenge will have something for everyone I'm sure! :)
To help you figure out and decide, J. Kaye has kindly given me the sub-genre list that she compiled when hosting the challenge. To view this list go HERE.
The challenge has already started! Are you going to join me?
The second challenge is:
As so many of us love reading our series this one gives you the chance to include them in your challenges. As with all our other challenges there are various levels from the Curious to the Obsessed. If you start out at the Curious level and find yourself on the Addicted level then just change you post accordingly.
Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.
2. There are four levels:
-- Curious– Read 3 novels that are first in a series.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 novels that are first in a series.
-- Addicted – Read 12 novels that are first in a series.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 novels that are first in a series.
3. Any genre counts.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.
This challenge has also started. Will you join me?
The third challenge is:
This one is set up exactly like the previous challenge, probably because it's by the same blog. I urge you to visit the Queen of Happy Endings blog if you like reading challenges!
Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.
2. There are four levels:
-- Curious – Read 3 E-Books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 E-Books.
-- Addicted – Read 12 E-Books.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 E-Books.
3. Any genre counts.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.
If you want to join me, sign up HERE!
Book Challenge number four:
This challenge is for all those books you wish you'd read. It might be Pride and Prejudice, War and Peace, a Nora Roberts Romantic Suspense, the Outlander series or a childhood classic Winnie the Pooh. I have a very long list of books that I've been wanting to read for years, not to mention the list of books I've added to it since I've been blogging. These don't have to be books you currently own, you can buy them, borrow them or beg for them. This is a great challenge for getting those TBR piles reduced. So go have a look at what you might read and challenge yourself.
This is kind of a catch-all challenge. A good one to start with, if you ask me!
Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.
2. There are four levels:
-- Curious – Read 3 books.
-- Fascinated – Read 6 books.
-- Addicted – Read 12 books.
-- Obsessed – Read 20 books.
3. Any book format counts.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.
Join me in this fun challenge HERE!
The fifth reading challenge for this year is:
This is a fabulous challenge because it not only helps you, but it helps your local library. What could be better!?
Challenge Guidelines:
. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post.
There are four levels:
--The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.
--Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.
--Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.
--Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.
(Aim high. As long as you read 25 by the end of 2010, you are a winner.)
3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – any book as long as it is checked out from the library count. Checked out like with a library card, not purchased at a library sale.
4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.
6. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.
****You do NOT need to review your books. That is optional.****
Sign up for this bad boy HERE!
For now I'm going with these five. That should keep me busy for a bit! LOL! Soon I will be posting them in the sidebar, but for now I thought I'd let you know in a post. I'd love it if you joined me on one of these! I mean, if you're reading anyways, why not join a challenge!?
Have fun!!
Hannah
Monday, July 5, 2010
A Sweet Summer Treat
Happy Fourth of July to all of you that are checking the blogs today!!! I know I'm a day late, but I was being festive yesterday (even though I was babysitting *grin*)
I have a GREAT recipe for a sweet, refreshing drink for you today. It's called the Patriotic Drink, but we called it the Red, White, and Blue.
Taken from familyfun.go.com:
"With a steady hand and some colorful drinks, you can create a tasty, multilayered concoction. The secret is in selecting liquids with varying amounts of sugar, since those that contain more (such as soda) are denser than those with less (such as diet drinks). And that makes it possible to actually stack one on top of another (for a little while, anyway -- then they'll start to blend). Here's how to serve up a thirst quencher with two, three, or even more layers. Our recipe is for a red, white, and blue version for your Fourth of July celebrations. See how your favorite beverages literally stack up!"
We used:
- Ice cubes
- Cran-apple juice
- Blue Gatorade
- Original Fresca
Instructions:
1) Fill a clear glass with ice cubes. Pour the drink with the most sugar (check the nutrition label) into the glass. For our recipe, we used the Cran-apple juice.
2) Very slowly add a beverage that contains less sugar-in this case we used the Blue Gatorade. Be careful to pour it onto an ice cube -- not directly into the other drink -- to keep them from mixing.
3) Use the same technique to add a beverage with even less sugar than your second beverage-we used the Fresca. Don't forget to pour it onto an ice cube!
Stand back and look at your beautifully patriotic creation! We were mostly successful, though the Gatorade and the Cran-apple juice liked to bleed for who knows what reason.
You can use absolutely any different kinds of red, white, and blue beverages to make this tasty drink. The only thing you need to remember is watch the sugar. Otherwise, the drinks can go in any order!
This is a very kid-friendly creation, both making (with help or they enjoy watching) and drinking. It also creates the perfect opportunity to explain/discuss the symbolism of the colors-red, white, and blue. We had a lot of fun!
This goes perfectly with homemade s'mores!
Now, you can make them on the grill outside or "cheat" and make them inside.
You'll need:
- Graham crackers
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate bar
- Source of heat (grill, stove)
Instructions for indoors:
1) Preheat oven on broil.
2) Place a layer of graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow on a cookie sheet.
3) Put in oven. I would watch them closely because all ovens are different (also depends on how preheated your oven is). Without preheating, they took about 4 minutes. After preheated (been on a while), 2 minutes tops. Like I said watch them closely because we burned them when we didn't.
You're looking for that perfect brown crust on the top of your marshmallow. If that's there, the chocolate is melted and the graham cracker nice and toasty.
4) Let cool (just so you don't burn yourself), then add on the top graham cracker and enoy!!
You can try variating the chocolate. Some ideas are: nut-filled chocolate, caramel-filled chocolate, dark, white, or even a peanut butter cup! Do you like anything else on your s'more other than the original Hershey's chocolate??
You s'more and Red, White, and Blue are the perfect sweet treats for a hot summer night!!
Let me know what you think if you try this!
Enjoy!!
Hannah
I have a GREAT recipe for a sweet, refreshing drink for you today. It's called the Patriotic Drink, but we called it the Red, White, and Blue.
Taken from familyfun.go.com:
"With a steady hand and some colorful drinks, you can create a tasty, multilayered concoction. The secret is in selecting liquids with varying amounts of sugar, since those that contain more (such as soda) are denser than those with less (such as diet drinks). And that makes it possible to actually stack one on top of another (for a little while, anyway -- then they'll start to blend). Here's how to serve up a thirst quencher with two, three, or even more layers. Our recipe is for a red, white, and blue version for your Fourth of July celebrations. See how your favorite beverages literally stack up!"
We used:
- Ice cubes
- Cran-apple juice
- Blue Gatorade
- Original Fresca
Instructions:
1) Fill a clear glass with ice cubes. Pour the drink with the most sugar (check the nutrition label) into the glass. For our recipe, we used the Cran-apple juice.
2) Very slowly add a beverage that contains less sugar-in this case we used the Blue Gatorade. Be careful to pour it onto an ice cube -- not directly into the other drink -- to keep them from mixing.
3) Use the same technique to add a beverage with even less sugar than your second beverage-we used the Fresca. Don't forget to pour it onto an ice cube!
Stand back and look at your beautifully patriotic creation! We were mostly successful, though the Gatorade and the Cran-apple juice liked to bleed for who knows what reason.
You can use absolutely any different kinds of red, white, and blue beverages to make this tasty drink. The only thing you need to remember is watch the sugar. Otherwise, the drinks can go in any order!
This is a very kid-friendly creation, both making (with help or they enjoy watching) and drinking. It also creates the perfect opportunity to explain/discuss the symbolism of the colors-red, white, and blue. We had a lot of fun!
This goes perfectly with homemade s'mores!
Now, you can make them on the grill outside or "cheat" and make them inside.
You'll need:
- Graham crackers
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate bar
- Source of heat (grill, stove)
Instructions for indoors:
1) Preheat oven on broil.
2) Place a layer of graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow on a cookie sheet.
3) Put in oven. I would watch them closely because all ovens are different (also depends on how preheated your oven is). Without preheating, they took about 4 minutes. After preheated (been on a while), 2 minutes tops. Like I said watch them closely because we burned them when we didn't.
You're looking for that perfect brown crust on the top of your marshmallow. If that's there, the chocolate is melted and the graham cracker nice and toasty.
4) Let cool (just so you don't burn yourself), then add on the top graham cracker and enoy!!
You can try variating the chocolate. Some ideas are: nut-filled chocolate, caramel-filled chocolate, dark, white, or even a peanut butter cup! Do you like anything else on your s'more other than the original Hershey's chocolate??
You s'more and Red, White, and Blue are the perfect sweet treats for a hot summer night!!
Let me know what you think if you try this!
Enjoy!!
Hannah
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Honey, I'm home!!!
Hello!
How is everyone's summer treating them thus far? Hopefully it's been filled with some sun, a good read or two (or three or more, if you're crazy like me *wink*), and new memories!
My family and I just returned on Sunday evening from Portland, Oregon (shout-out to Amber, though she's gone for a bit right now). Portland is beautiful, much to your surprise. Lol!
It was a lot of fun and we saw lots of different things. One of my favorite places that we visited was the Portland Rose Gardens. If you are a fan of flowers, or if you just think they're pretty, GO HERE! I took ALOT of pictures of these magnificent flowers, but haven't had a spare second to put them on the computer yet. Sorry about that....will do it as soon as possible, hopefully *grin*
Just thought that I would share some of that with you. Have any of you been to Portland, Oregon? Visited the gardens? Let me know....
NOW onto our next scheduled event:
WWW Thursday (again) *slaps hand* Bad Hannah!
Remember that you can find this meme on MizB's blog.
To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?
My answers this week:
Currently reading: The Last Child by John Hart
I have to make a note about this book. It. Is. Phenomenal!!! If you like mystery, crime, murder, action, sad books, this book is for you : ) Seriously though, I started this Sunday night and have about 50 or less pages left: there are 432 pages! I am in love with this book and plan on finishing it tonight!
Anyway...
Just finished: Vision in White by Nora Roberts
AND...
When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall
(Sidenote: LOVED both of these books!!! Highly, highly recommend both. I think I might be doing my first reviews of these books because I LOVED them so darn much (then I will do The Last Child, lol!))
AND...
Critical Care by Candace Calvert
Next read(s): When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall
AND...
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Yet again, another sidenote: Sarah Addison Allen is a wonderful, newish author. I have read one other book of hers, Garden Spells, and it was enticingly enchanting and magical! I am extrememly excited to read this book as well as her third and only other book that I haven't read: The Sugar Queen. She does not disappoint...
Okay, so that's how I've done recently. On a five day vacation, I read three books, not bad, eh?! I'm hoping to keep up this reading stamina because I'm zipping through books and they've all been good, too! I would be reading Bed of Roses (the sequel to Vision in White by Nora Roberts), but sadly it's checked out of the library currently *tears* They're going to call me when it comes in though!! Keeping my fingers crossed that it'll be any day now *wink*
I'd love to hear what you've been reading!
I wanted to put out a quick THANK YOU to everyone that wished me well during graduation. Sorry I did not reply and haven't been around since then, but it's been crazy! Now hopefully it'll calm down a bit and I can stay around, as long as my new job doesn't get in the way!
Talk to you soon and happy reading!!!
Hannah
P.S. I'm SERIOUSLY working on the awards banquet!!! Everyone's going to hate me because they give me one and then "ignore" it. Well, it's in the works people, please hang in there with me!
How is everyone's summer treating them thus far? Hopefully it's been filled with some sun, a good read or two (or three or more, if you're crazy like me *wink*), and new memories!
My family and I just returned on Sunday evening from Portland, Oregon (shout-out to Amber, though she's gone for a bit right now). Portland is beautiful, much to your surprise. Lol!
It was a lot of fun and we saw lots of different things. One of my favorite places that we visited was the Portland Rose Gardens. If you are a fan of flowers, or if you just think they're pretty, GO HERE! I took ALOT of pictures of these magnificent flowers, but haven't had a spare second to put them on the computer yet. Sorry about that....will do it as soon as possible, hopefully *grin*
Just thought that I would share some of that with you. Have any of you been to Portland, Oregon? Visited the gardens? Let me know....
NOW onto our next scheduled event:
WWW Thursday (again) *slaps hand* Bad Hannah!
Remember that you can find this meme on MizB's blog.
To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?
My answers this week:
Currently reading: The Last Child by John Hart
I have to make a note about this book. It. Is. Phenomenal!!! If you like mystery, crime, murder, action, sad books, this book is for you : ) Seriously though, I started this Sunday night and have about 50 or less pages left: there are 432 pages! I am in love with this book and plan on finishing it tonight!
Anyway...
Just finished: Vision in White by Nora Roberts
AND...
When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall
(Sidenote: LOVED both of these books!!! Highly, highly recommend both. I think I might be doing my first reviews of these books because I LOVED them so darn much (then I will do The Last Child, lol!))
AND...
Critical Care by Candace Calvert
Next read(s): When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall
AND...
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Yet again, another sidenote: Sarah Addison Allen is a wonderful, newish author. I have read one other book of hers, Garden Spells, and it was enticingly enchanting and magical! I am extrememly excited to read this book as well as her third and only other book that I haven't read: The Sugar Queen. She does not disappoint...
Okay, so that's how I've done recently. On a five day vacation, I read three books, not bad, eh?! I'm hoping to keep up this reading stamina because I'm zipping through books and they've all been good, too! I would be reading Bed of Roses (the sequel to Vision in White by Nora Roberts), but sadly it's checked out of the library currently *tears* They're going to call me when it comes in though!! Keeping my fingers crossed that it'll be any day now *wink*
I'd love to hear what you've been reading!
I wanted to put out a quick THANK YOU to everyone that wished me well during graduation. Sorry I did not reply and haven't been around since then, but it's been crazy! Now hopefully it'll calm down a bit and I can stay around, as long as my new job doesn't get in the way!
Talk to you soon and happy reading!!!
Hannah
P.S. I'm SERIOUSLY working on the awards banquet!!! Everyone's going to hate me because they give me one and then "ignore" it. Well, it's in the works people, please hang in there with me!
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