Mailbox Monday (57)

Mailbox Monday is a weekly link-up for bloggers to share the books they've picked up recently. Right now it tours to a new host each month, and for December we're linking up at Rose City Reader. As you may or may not know, we're in the middle of deciding the plan for Mailbox Monday for next year. My suggestion was to run it similar to several other link-ups (Follow Friday being one, hosted by Allison Can Read and Parajunkee) where it's co-hosted by the official Mailbox Monday blog and a rotating host. That way you could choose to link-up at either site and find the exact same link of blogs waiting for you. As for my weekly books...
Gifted
The A.O.C. Cookbook by Suzanne Goin with wine notes by Caroline Styne
This was a Hanukkah gift from my dad and was signed by both of the authors. Suzanne Goin is a chef my parents have been a huge fan of for several years, and while I don't believe I've eaten at any of her restaurants I know I've eaten at her husband's. The food insides look delicious and some of the recipes I'm dying to try are Duck Sausage with Candied Kumquats, Peach and Arugula Salad with Burrata, Cumin, and Toasted Almonds, or Grilled Fig Lead Panna Cotta with Figs and Melon Sorbet.

From Goodreads
Stained by Elizabeth Marx
This is an NA book about a girl from rural Alabama. I haven't read much NA books, but so far have enjoyed the ones I've read, and am excited to read more. Plus as I started writing this post realized the author included some bookmarks and postcards as well.

For Review from TLC Book Tours
The Wedding Bees by Sarah-Kate Lynch
This is another book about a Southern girl, exact in this she moves to New York City. From the cover and description I think it looks adorable. Plus the fact I was obsessed with WeddingBee when planning our wedding may have been one reason I was so eager to read this.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

God Save the King

The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen
Published: May 14, 2013 by Ballantine Books
Series: The Boleyn Trilogy #1
When I first heard about this series I was so excited. After all it's from a time period I love, but one I've stopped reading as much because everything is so similar. Except with such a unique premise (What if Anne Boleyn hadn't miscarried and gave birth to a son as well?), I knew I was in for a surprise.

While this isn't marketed as YA, I was surprised at how YA it feels. It makes sense since the characters (Elizabeth, Henry IX, and their friends) are in their late teens and early 20s, but it isn't something that typically happens in historical fiction. I could see how if you don't read a lot of YA, you may not be a fan, but for me, I loved that the characters acted true to their age. Of course though like every YA book, there is the love triangle. While it isn't my absolute favorite version (nothing compare to Will, Jem, and Tessa), it at least made sense and it is one of the better versions.

It was also a little confusing trying to figure out which characters were historical and which were completely fiction. And while obviously certain characters had to be fiction, I wish all the rest had been historical. Part of me does understand why certain other characters were created, but I loved seeing how roles changed for certain lives and wish it had been done more. (Instead of creating the character Minuette as Elizabeth's best friend, why not have Lady Jane Grey play that part instead?)

The book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger that makes me want to pick up book 2 immediately. Hopefully I won't have to wait to soon to get to it, since I can't wait to see what else is to come in this trilogy!

5/5

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

Ginger-y Fun

Growing up my mom used to make pumpkin pie with gingerbread crust each year for Thanksgiving. While I've gotten pretty good at her pumpkin pie recipe, I've always used a store bought crust to make things easier. At least until this year, when I decided to go all out. I used this Martha Stewart recipe, and while I'm not sure the exact one my mom used, it did taste pretty similar.

Gingersnap Crust
Ingredients
10 oz gingersnaps
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon water (if necessary)

Directions
1. Preheat over to 350 degrees. In a food processor, pulse your cookies till crumbs. (You'll want about 1 3/4 cups.)
2. Mix together crumbs, sugar, flour, and salt.
3. Pour in the melted butter, and mix together. Press some of the mixture against the side of the bowl to test it out. If it doesn't hold together add up to 1 tablespoon of water. (Or you could be like me and not read the directions and add 3 tablespoons of water, but it thankfully worked out.)
4. Press crumbs into a 9-inch pie plate. Freeze for 10 minutes. Place on a baking sheet and bake till set, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
I made my crust on Tuesday, and then the filling on Wednesday, so I let it cool for about 24 hours before using it. Of course I was planning on linking my standard pumpkin pie recipe here, but while I've posted the pies I've made (here and here), I don't seem to have shared the recipe. And since I didn't take step-by-step photos, I'm going to leave you all in suspense till next year!

Do you have a specific Thanksgiving dessert you make every year?

Gingersnap Crust
Ingredients
10 oz gingersnaps
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon water (if necessary)

Directions
1. Preheat over to 350 degrees. In a food processor, pulse your cookies till crumbs.
2. Mix together crumbs, sugar, flour, and salt.
3. Pour in the melted butter, and mix together. Press some of the mixture against the side of the bowl to test it out. If it doesn't hold together add up to 1 tablespoon of water.
4. Press crumbs into a 9-inch pie plate. Freeze for 10 minutes. Place on a baking sheet and bake till set, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

MMRR in November

I know I'm posting this a few days late, but we're still only a few days into December so it could be worse. But without getting too into December, here's a look back at November.

Meals
It almost seems unfair to talk about the top meal of Novemeber since it's hard for anything to compete with Thanksgiving.
That was definitely the case this month as evidenced by my completely full plate.

Moments
Branching out a bit from the holidays, in November we celebrated my nephew's 4th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.
Reviews
In November, I posted review of 6 books and 2 movies.
Gracianna by Trini Amador
Survival Lessons by Alice Hoffman
Woman on Top by Deborah Schwartz
Anvil of God by J. Boyce Gleason
Head Games by Erika Rummel
Mission One of Auggie the Alien by Leah Spiegel and Megan Summers
Thor: The Dark World
About Time
I would probably list About Time as my favorite from this month, but still really did love both Survival Lessons and Anvil of God.

Remembering
Going back to Thanksgiving, in 2009, I wrote this post about my Thanksgiving traditions.
The photo above is from Thanksgiving 2008, which was the last one I spent with my mom as well as my grandpa.

What are your meals, moments, reviews, and remembering from this past November?

Happy Thanksgivikkah

As I mentioned this week's Project 365 post, for the first time ever, the boy and I hosted Thanksgiving.
We tried to divide and conquer our dishes, so while I made stuffing, green beans, and pumpkin pie he did the gumbo, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, gravy, and truffle butter crostinis. On top of that my MIL & FIL brought turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, and a pecan pie, while my SIL brought sweet potatoes and rolls.
This was the first time I attempted making the oyster stuffing I grew up eating, and while it may not have been perfect, it didn't reminded me of Thanksgivings past.
On the topic of new dishes, I also made a gingerbread crust for the first time. I've made pumpkin pie several times, but always with a store bought crust. And again, while the crust may not have been perfect, it sure was delicious. (Recipe to come tomorrow!) Especially when topped with homemade whipped cream.
Since this was no ordinary night, I ended things lighting the menorah with my attempt at "Thanksgiving-y" colors. For one final photos, here's a shot of some of Thanksgiving guests finishing up their dessert.
Where did you spent your Thanksgiving? Did you attempt any new dishes this year?

For the First Time in Forever

Frozen
I know there's been a ton of great reviews of this one already, but I have to agree because I absolutely loved it! I almost don't know where to start because there's so many amazing things about it.

First there's the actual story. I loved how it isn't the typical Princess love story. I loved the relationship between the sisters and how everything resolved at the end. And while there is still a true bad guy, it isn't who you'd expect.

Then there's the songs, which I've been listening to practically non-stop since the movie ended. So many perfect songs, where each Princess has her signature one. But even better in my opinion are some of the duets, with "Do You Want To Build a Snowman?" probably one of my favorites.

And the dresses! Just look at the silver-y dress Elsa in wearing the the poster. And Anna's ball gown! So many awesome dresses, that I'd love to wear myself.

If there's one criticism it's the fact that Disney princess never seem to have parents. But even so, that scene wasn't even one of the ones that made me cry.

Mailbox Monday (56)

Each month Mailbox Monday travels to a new host. Since today is the first day of Decemeber, we're linking up at Rose City Reader sharing the books we've picked up recently.
For Review from Historical Fiction Book Tours
Degrees of Courage by Shari Vester
This is a multi-generation tale, loosely based on family history, of a Hungarian family throughout the 20th century. It's a huge book, and looks a bit daunting, but hopefully it's one I'll enjoy.

From Goodreads
O, Africa by Andrew Lewis Conn
This is another historical fiction about 2 brothers who travel to Africa in the 1920s to make a movie. I haven't read a ton of books that take place in Africa, so I have to say, I'm excited for this.

From My Dad
The Master of All Desires by Judith Merkle Riley
This is yet another historical fiction, that used to belong to my mom. It takes place in France in the 1500s, and seems to be some sort of a mystery. It's just the type of book my mom enjoyed, so I'm not too surprised she had it, but am curious as to whether she ever read it.

Bistro Cooking by Patricia Wells
This is a book that my parents already owned, and my dad found a copy in a used book store. As you can see I've already gone through and marked the recipes I want to make, some of which sound delicious, and others I remember my mom making. The one I'm most excited about, that I used to love when my mom made it, is Gateau de Pemmes de Terre L'Ami Louis, or Potato Cake.

What did you find in your mailbox this week? Or were you too busy celebrating Thanksgiving to find the time to pick up any books?

And don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a copy of Mission One of Auggie the Alien!