The Latest BzzAgent Campaign Review - FAGE Greek Yogurt

 
 My coupons arrived and off to the store I trouped off to Woodman's. I was a little surprised at the cost of this yogurt ($1.29 each) but grabbed them with the help of my free coupons. I have to say this stuff is pretty tasty. What really won me over was the plethora of vanilla beans throughout the vanilla yogurt. I've never seen that in my 2 other favs: Oikos & Chobani.

I'll definitely grab more Fage, but probably only when they're on sale.

Brassy Apple: DIY Sweater pillows - cozy up!

She has some AWESOME ideas for old sweaters!!

Brassy Apple: DIY Sweater pillows - cozy up!: This project is a great way to cozy up your couch in the Winter time! Not only does it add warmth and texture to the room they just invitin...

Another book review - no wait, two!!

Thanks to NPR, I have another author I love and would never have found without them

It's not an overwhelming story, and yet I find it sticking with me., pooping into my head at the strangest times.  In the story, a cataclysmic event is taking place on the planet while the young lead of the story still tries to get on with moving from preteen to teen to adulthood. I've gotta say, while it's been almost 30 years since I've been in her shoes, the nerves, angst that goes along with the first crush came rushing back while reading "Miracles." That's not to say this is a "coming of age" novel. Nope. Just an entertaining character study during an unbelievably terrifying disaster. Run to the library and grab this one today.

This next book I found was in the midst of searching the shelves for another NPR book, Hallucinations by Oliver Sacks. Normally I don't run for the medical-true-life books for light reading but Terry Gross' interview was so COOL, I had to read this book. For that review, however, you will need to return later since the copy was checked out.

On the same shelf was "Muses, Madmen & Prophets" by Daniel B Smith. 

I had high hopes for this one since the author's father (and paternal grandfather) suffered from hearing voices, which is what spurred the book. I really liked how thought provoking the book was, how once it was permissible to hear voices as they were considered a divine gift.  Now, the minute someone mentions hearing voices, your right index finger starts twirling near your ear. 

It was also a little disturbing (there is that negative bias I mentioned last sentence) to find several historic figures who did GREAT things (included founding a certain faith near and dear to my heart) claimed to hear voices. Unfortunately, while I appreciate the history the author laid out, as well researched and thought provoking as it is, I kinda wanted a more "Oof" at the end. My, how beautifully descriptive. Of course, it could be my "best seller brain" being biased, too.  Still, worth a read if you want to start freaking yourself and friends out ("Did you hear that voice?"). 

Enjoy your weekend, all!

A Rainy, Circumspect Day...and a Request for Assistance

This blogging, if you want to do it right, is a time consuming gig! My schedule's been so crammed lately that the only blogging I've been getting done has been in my head.

We've got a cold & rainy day here in Wisconsin this morning (at least it isn't the snow The Plains is being hammered with). So, with no urgent chores and a cup of coffee, it's time to put fingers to keyboard  and post the mental blogs.

As a 1st time parent in my 40's, I find myself doing a lot of reflecting on what memories I want The Congee Kid (C.K.) to have when she's my age. For me, the child of a Theater Major and an Engineer, I had a pretty wide variety of experiences that have stayed with me.

With Mom, I remember participating in clowning routines, wearing handmade matching outfits, making candles at "The Strawberry Patch" in Muskegon, and licking the butter wrapper while we made cookies. There was even 1 summer vacation where we hooked up with the Ringling Brothers circus and literally ran away with the circus for 2 weeks. Then there were the trips to the library and community Easter Egg hunts.

With Dad, it's using my chemistry set to make plastic, which immediately adhered itself to the test tube. It's trips to the family cabin (The Cabin) where we would cross country ski in winter and picnic in the snow. Since Dad's parents supplemented their meals with wild game, I have more than a few memories of hauling deer back from the scene of the "incident" to The Cabin, as well as learning to fish from a tipsy yellow kayak. I remember sitting on the hard wooden bench at The Cabin trying desperately to stay awake for just 1 more minute while Dad, Grandpa, Grandma & Uncle Fred and Aunt Bea played Pinochle.

These are the moments I treasure and the ones who helped make me the woman, wife & mother I am today. What will C.K. remember? How can I give her wonderful memories like these?

I have some ideas, some that have worked and others that haven't So, I'm asking you for help. What wonderful memories do you have of your childhood? What fun activities have you done with your kids? Please share and let's see if we can inspire each other.

1st trip to the planetarium

Random Movie Review

With the Oscars this Sunday, I figured I'd better post at least on movie review (besides the review of the abhorrent Movie 43!). 

Pre-Congee Kid my goal each year was to see all of the nominated films before Oscar night.  Now with 9 nominees, CK and my Hubby's dislike of movies a) over 2 hours long and b)touchy/feeley movies, I count it a success if I see at least 1 of the nominated films. Well, this has not been a successful year. But I have seen 1 of the talked about movies: Flight

Let me state for the record that I have not been a big Denzel fan since his mediocre portrayal in "Training Day" topped Russell Crowe in "A Beautiful Mind" for the Best Actor Oscar in 2001 so I wasn't geeked to see the film. Still, it was a Friday night and Red Box still had a copy. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. 

It was a neat premise for a movie: true loser of a human being does the impossible and lands a tragically failing plane. So, does it make him a hero and forgive his abuses of trust or not?

Denzel played the character of Whip the alcoholic/druggy pilot in very understated, except when he was under the influence of whatever substance fit his mood (scary good sloppy drunk). And even though you despise the guy, you find you self yelling, "Don't Do It" to the screen several times.

And just when you think the emotional ride of the movie is over, there is a final scene with Whip and his son actually brought tears to my eyes. Even if you aren't a Denzel fan, this film gets a solid thumbs up.

New BzzAgent Campaign - Cafe Escapes

The BzzKit arrived with free samples of the CafeEscapes flavors. Getting ready to craft the Mocha. Check back to see how it's rated!

Well, wish I had better news but so far I'm unimpressed. I tried the Cafe Mocha and found it very diet-tasting (you know, that dull aftertaste you get from faux sugars) which seemed strange since it is NOT a diet beverage. After 4 sips to confirm it indeed was unappealing, I tried the new Cafe Vanilla. Again with the YUCK diet finish. After confirming it wasn't just the first sip, I rinsed the Kuerig reservoir and made a cup of Barista Italian Roast with a little milk and sugar. It came out as wonderfully as usual with no "blech". Hopefully the rest of the flavor options are not as icky but I'm not hopeful.

Awesome Book of the Day

A few months ago I caught the tail end of an interview with the author on NPR. It sounded interesting enough that I rushed to the library but they hadn't purchased the book yet. Finally last week I was able to snag a copy. Wow! 

The author and I are about the same age so I could completely related to her stories of growing up. The scary part is how the government hid vital information from the public surrounding Rocky Flats for so long. I particularly enjoy how she wove her own personal life history with the story of Rocky Flats. The book has been meticulously researched (can't IMAGE how much effort it all took) and is written in plain English for folks to whom chemistry doesn't come easily. 

Don't walk, run to your nearest library, book store or Amazon to grab this outstanding read!!

In case your need something to make for your Sweetheart...

Chocolate Espresso Crème Brûlée Cooking Club of America

Worst Movie Ever? I Think So

Yesterday for Date Night we decided to watch a movie. Due to time constraints, we decided to give "Movie 43" a shot. BIG MISTAKE! If only it were possible to un-watch a movie.

A brief summary: the movie is about a crazy guy (played by Dennis Quaid) making a movie pitch to a studio exec (played by Greg Kinnear). There are a bunch of little stories in the movie that you, the audience, get to watch as Crazy Guy is making his pitch. 

Theoretically the movie is a comedy but on the whole I was so disgusted that laughter was the farthest thing from my mind. The film has a boat load of stars in it who should all be SERIOUSLY be questioning their decision to be a part of this stinker of a film. The "comedy" is all crude, raunchy and disturbing. I'm married to a former frat boy so crude humor I get, but all this film managed to do was offend me. I'm still shocked any studio gave this film a green light. What were they thinking!! 

So, save yourself the $15 bucks and wasted 97 minutes. If this is Hollywood's idea of comedy, I'm officially off the comedy film band wagon.

Books You MUST Read and Must AVOID

Since I've been spending quite a bit of quality time with books over the past few months, I thought doing some reviews singing the praises of the ones I love and warning you off the ones to avoid would give me LOTS of Random material.

Under the heading of "Immediately-Run-to-the Nearest-Library/Bookstore/Amazon" are the 1st two books in Laini Taylor's stunning "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" trilogy. The first book was picked up on a whim at Waukesha Public Library where the cover artwork called to me from a display table. "A book about angels? Eh, I'll give it a shot." Soooooo glad I did!. Her characters have amazing dialog, witty observations and have incredibly believable personal growth throughout. Add in an enveloping love story (without all the raunch a flat out sex you get with Laurel K Hamilton, et al - I KNOW what people do behind their closed doors and don't need it spelled out in eye-popping detail!), and you have two winners. The main characters, Karou and Akiva, along with their close family and friends, make the list of people I'd LOVE to invite to dinner! The twists and turns come from out of no where and this is a rare instance where Book 2 is better than Book 1. My ONLY complaint is the 3rd book isn't due for publication until Spring 2014. Sure wish I hadn't gobbled up the last 3rd of "Days of Blood & Starlight" last night like a box of Godiva's I didn't want to share! Wah!

Under the heading "Don't Waste Valuable Reading Time on This" comes "The White Forest" by Adam McOmber. This was another grabbed off the table at the library book. Sounds like a neat premise: Girl with missing friend hears inanimate objects "speak" to her while looking for her friend. Unfortunately as is the case with a lot of books, and movies for that matter, the devil is in the execution. Frankly, I got to the end of this one hoping for an original twist or something that would make me care about any of the characters. Alas, it never happened. Take my word for it, avoid this one.

That's all for now. I'm about to dive in to "Swamplandia" by Karen Russell. Whether it's a "Whoo Hoo" or a "Wah!" we be revealed soon....