Intrigue and Suspense

Einstein's Trunk by Jim Haberkorn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This mystery/thriller piqued my interest immediately and I didn't want to put it down. The plot is exciting, suspenseful, gripping and keeps the reader wondering what's going to happen next. The good guy is really "good:" an international spy who believes in no sex before marriage, and who doesn't drink, smoke, or cuss. No gratuitous sex or vulgar language. The characters are so well drawn and the locale so well described that 2 weeks later I still have visual pictures of both in my mind and am waiting for the next adventure from this talented author. I can imagine a movie being made of this.







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EINSTEIN'S TRUNK

Einstein's Trunk by Jim Haberkorn




I'm only into this suspense novel a little way and don't want to put it down. This promises to be a great quick read!



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When You're Holding a Hammer, Everything Looks Like a Nail

Tennessee middle school assistant football coach, age 26, fired for a song he wrote & sent to his family & friends by private email. When you go to the link for the song, there are a couple of sites that give the news on the firing. This could be the next number one hit country song. It's the best effort yet at encapsulating the outrage at the oversteps of this government in an entertaining song .. Apparently the guy was fired over the song because some parents complained. Shameful if it´s true. If you like it, help it go "viral" by passing it along to everyone you know.

Click for a great song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfH46DTAkxo

Outliers: The Story of Success

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Read this. You will be talking about it to your family & friends for a long time. Many people read only fiction and that is a shame, because Malcolm Gladwell has revolutionized non- fiction writing. His first 2 books were best sellers: "The Tipping Point" and "Blink." I’ve read both and being primarily a fiction reader, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed them. But this third book, in which he explains the story of success, is my favorite.



Citing case after fascinating case of successful people & organizations Gladwell’s point becomes unforgettably clear: successful people are often talented, intelligent, and ambitious, yes, but these traits *always* converge with opportunities. These opportunities include cultural environment, where and when a person is born—even their birth month, and luck: being in the right place at the right time. Forget genius. Hard work combined with opportunity is everything. Since he writes so clearly this is a fast and fascinating read, well woth the few hours invested.





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"Bleak" is not Bleak

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I don't remember ever hearing of this novel, considered by many to be Dickens' best narrative & social history of 19th century England. A month ago I listened to the audio book & found it extremely compelling. Then I checked out the 3 DVD (3 1/2 hr!)BBC series video from the library & we watched it in one sitting. NOW I'm reading the 900 page book and it's *still* a page turner! His characters are wonderful & the story with all its inter-related subplots is compelling. I had forgotten how much I loved Dickens prose. Next I'm going to read 2 other novels of his with which I am unfamiliar: "Nicholas Nickleby," and "Our Mutual Friend."



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A Short Guide to a Happy Life

A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A fast read (less than 30 minutes)by one of my favorite authors. It was originally a commencement address. Very uplifting call to reality & what is most important.



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Showing Off the Silver

It's been awhile since I posted something new, however in May I *did* do a "Guest Post" on my 5 daughters' blog, Bossy, titled "Platinum Princess"
You can read it & see some fun photos with varying hair colors & silly comments. Click HERE.


It's how to gracefully go from my original very dark (black)brunette: to this (I'm talking about hair color, not 7 month old Henry) & have fun in the process:
I think you'll ENJOY it.

Remember, "Comments are like chocolate to bloggers," so please post your COMMENT when you are through!

Life Really Boils Down to 2 Questions

Posted with thanks to my beautiful, VERY funny friend,

MARY CALLISTER, for emailing this silly thing to me:

(I don't know whose dog & kids they are, but we've all been there before!)







In every young woman's life there are 2 Ponderable Questions:











1. Should I get a dog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?





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2. Or should I have Children . . . . . . . . . . . ?

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Hope it made you laugh!

FEEDING THE MISSIONARIES

We had these WONDERFUL young men over for dinner 3 weeks ago. It has taken me too long to post about it.
Elder Garcia, from Texas, and Elder Naylor, from San Diego, Calif.,
Elder Naylor's mom, Diane, is a blogging friend of my daughter, Robin. When she found out that Robin was from Boise she posted a comment on Robin's blog that her son was on a mission here. I went to Diane's blog & recognized him as the new Elder in our ward! Now she, her son, & his companions refer to me as "the blog stalker!" Look at Diane & Robin's really GREAT blogs--click here:
Diane Naylor and RobinSmith

Our cute granddaughter, Hannah, joined us which made it an especially enjoyable evening.

We really love having the missionaries in our home, but having Elder Naylor here is especially fun because of the blogging connection between his mom & my daughter. They met each other online through mutual blogging friends & family!
This was our Dinner Menu:

Thai Chicken Curry (recipe below)
Saffron Rice
Egg Rolls
Fruit Salad
Coconut-milk Pudding Rolls (recipe below)
Vanilla Pecan Fudge

Thai Chicken Curry
(neither I nor Alan care much for curry, but this was delicious!)
Makes 6 servings

1 can (13.5 oz.) coconut milk
1 Tb. chopped fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
1/2 tsp red-pepper flakes
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. curry powder
1 1/2 # boneless skinless chicken breast, cut in very thin 2" strips
2 bags (6 oz each) baby spinach
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, cut in strips (I used more because I love basil)
1/2 tsp salt

1. Puree 1/2 C coconut milk, ginger, garlic, onion, lemon rind, pepper flakes, paprika, & curry in blender.
2. Heat mixture in skillet over med-high heat. Cook until thickens & turns brighted, 1-2 minutes.
3. Add chicken, remaining coconut milk. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low & simmer, uncovered, 8-10 minutes until chicken is done.
4. Stir in spinach, basil, & salt. Stir until spinach is just barely heated through, and remove from heat.
Serve immediately, with Rice, if desired.

I served with an easy Saffron Rice package mix:

Coconut-milk Pudding Rolls--these are FABULOUS!
Recipe by Eleanor Kondo Ream, Salt Lake City. (I found the recipe in either LHJ or BH&G.)
If you look closely at the picture, you will see a pudding on the pan bottom....from the coconut milk added after the dough rises --sort of a reverse frosting. Yummy!
Makes 24 small rolls (9x13 pan)

1 pkg dry active yeast
3 1/4 cups plus 1 Tbsp. flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted & cooled, plus more for buttering bowl
1 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 can coconut milk

1. Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water. Stir in 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 more flour & knead into soft dough, adding up to 1/4 cup more flour, as needed. Put dough in large buttered bowl. Cover & allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. (Note: I do all of this in my bread maker, on the "dough" setting. It is so much easier, faster, & less messy.)
2. Whisk together coconut milk, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, & 1 Tbsp. flour until smooth. Set aside.
3. Divide dough into 24 small balls. Put them in a 9x13 inch pan. Cover, & allow to double, about 30 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour reserved coconut milk mixture over raised rolls. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Serve warm.

The Elders with me (Linda), & Alan. I'm not sure if he is adoring, amused, or contented, or what, but I love the after-dinner look on happy hubby Alan's face!

New Supermarket

--- **The scent of freshness**---

With thanks to my cousin, Keith Sorenson, for this :



A new supermarket opened in Pulaski, Wisconsin.

It has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh.
Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and
the smell of fresh rain.

When you pass the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and you
experience the scent of fresh cut hay.

In the meat department there is the aroma of charcoal
grilled steaks and ribs.

In the liquor department, the fresh, clean, crisp smell of tapped Miller Lite.



When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and
cackle and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of
bacon and eggs frying.



The bread department features the tantalizing smell of
fresh baked bread & cookies.










I don't buy toilet paper there any more . . . . . .