Since getting done with a lot of my projects (another post about this coming soon), I've had some extra time to start reading again. Jessica has been bugging me for over a year now to read these books, The Hunger Games. To be honest I've been putting it off. I wasn't sure that we had the same taste in books. She read and LOVED Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. So I read it too. ... It was ok. Don't get me wrong, it was a good book, but I didn't LOVE it like Jess did. So when she kept telling me how good these Hunger Games books were I was little skeptical. I even made her tell me a little synopsis of the books before I would read them.
She told me that it was about a futuristic society, still in America, just a lot of years in the future. The civilians had a rebellion and the government totally took over. The land was divided up into districts and each year the government holds The Hunger Games to kinda keep it's citizens in-line. So the main character is a teenage girl who ends up being one of the two tributes (those are the people who have to play in the games) from her district. The government takes the tributes and throws them into an unknown terrain called the arena with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Then the whole point of the games is, basically, to survive. AKA kill all the other tributes and be the last living person in The Games.
So far I was not impressed. I didn't really get it. But Jess wouldn't let up and when she heard me talking about having free time and needing a good book to read she immediately got me the books! I flipped through the pages and it looked like an easy read. I decided that I would just hurry up and read them so that she would be happy and I could move on to something more interesting.
And "hurry though the books" I did! I was SOOO wrong! I couldn't put the first book down! Bryan started reading it first and flew through the first half of the book in a few hours. I really like reading books with Bryan because we can talk about how stupid a character is or what we think is going to happen. So I knew, by how fast he was reading, that I had to catch up! I started reading it around 9:00 one night after I put Michelle to bed. After that night Bryan and I were in the same place. We read a little more on the way to my parents house that next day, on the 4th, and I was done with the first book by the next afternoon. I'm sure I would have read the whole thing in one sitting if I didn't have Michelle to take care of, or a holiday to celebrate! lol!
I have to give it to Jess, she was totally right about these books. There's really no good way to explain what they're about. No matter how you describe them the actual book will still be better!
I do have to give a word of warning though. I almost put the book away after the second chapter. Not because it was boring or because it wasn't keeping my attention, but I wasn't sure that I could handle the content of the book. The districts all have to participate in these games, and the people who are eligible to participate range from 18 at the oldest, to as young as 12. And it's not a choice. If you're name is called as a tribute you have to go. I wasn't sure that I could handle a book that was going to describe putting a 12 year old into a scary place and having them either kill other kids, or be killed by other kids. So, my advice? Keep reading. It's a sad concept, but the author does a really amazing job at keeping it PG... maybe PG13 in some places. And it helps you get a feel for why people hate their government so much.
Now I'm a little bit (about 1/3 of the way) into the second book, Catching Fire, and it's just as good as the first! If you haven't read these books you really should! They are quick, easy, reads, and tell an awesome story!
OH- I almost forgot! They are making these books into movies! They already have a cast and have started filming. I looked it up on-line and I think they mixed up two characters (just based on looks), but other then that, as long as they stick to the books, it should be really good!
Coming March 2012...
*I'm not sure if this is a real trailer or not, there are a lot of "fan made" trailers out there, but it's the best one I could find. And it looks pretty close to how I would imagine the movie to be.
I love Apple Pie!! I can't get enough of it! I'll buy it as a 12" pie from Sam's or even as a 4" pie from Wal-mart. And it's such a great pie for any season! So this year, instead of buying a pie, I decided to try my hand at making my own... 100% from scratch! I have to be honest, I was totally nervous to do this! Here's how it went:
First I made the dough for the crust.
I rolled it out and was amazed at how perfectly it fit into my dish! Yeah, I pretty much rock ;)
Ok... I did have to do a little trimming.
Then came the apples. Peeled by hand and sliced by my handy dandy Williams-Sonoma slicer!
Then I cut the second half of the pie dough into strips to make a "Lattice" crust.
I didn't get any pics of me making the juicy filling, but it was kind of a "be really quick and don't let it burn" process. So there wasn't a whole lot of time to take pics. After I made the filling I poured it over the top of the pie, let it drip through the holes of my "Lattice" crust, and put it in the oven to bake! (I keep saying "Lattice" because I didn't really do it right. I just layered it instead of weaving it like you're supposed to.)
The smell filled my whole house and I couldn't wait to cut into it! Michelle was pretty excited about it too!
I have to say, it turned out pretty good. For my first time making a pie I don't think I did too bad. Next time I'll definitely use a different crust recipe. This crust was pretty thin and not as "buttery and flaky" as I like, but the filling was awesome! I'd give the whole pie a B+.
Anyone out there have a wonderful crust recipe that they want to share?
Well, it's about that time. We're going private and keeping the weirdo's away! (One too many anonymous comments, if you know what I mean) If you're not one of those weirdo's and would like to keep reading/following our blog leave me your e-mail address as a comment either here, on Facebook, or through my own e-mail (randi.grant85@gmail.com). Goodbye public blog!
Michelle had been excited for her birthday party for weeks! So when the day finally came she was all smiles and giggles!
Her favorite part of the pre-party set up was definitely the balloons!
I still haven't gotten pictures uploaded from Michelle's actual party, but she got some awesome gifts!
She plays in her play set every day! She slides "really fast!" and drives "like captain hook" and even looks through the telescope at the starts and sees "Mickey's comet"! It's also an awesome spot to hide!
"Shhh, don't tell Daddy where I am!"
Nana got Michelle this huge treasure chest for us to put all her new toys in! We probably unload it and re load it at least twice a day! She also got a few new Little People play sets. She got an airplane that she calls her "Rocket" and a boat that she goes fishing for "gooy fish" in.
Mommy and Daddy got her this little pool to keep her cool when we play outside. So far (since it's been super hot) there has only been one day a week that she hasn't insisted on playing outside. Sunday, the day we go visit Grandma and Pa, is the only day of the week Bryan and I get to stay inside for the majority of the day. So this was a pretty good gift (if I don't say so myself!). Nana also gave us a bigger pool that Bryan and I actually fit in and that has helped a lot too!
This is actually a drum! lol! Michelle decided to use it as a seat this day for some reason. But Jess has a pretty cute picture of Clayton using it like an actual drum on her blog.
Speaking of Jess- The Jones family got Michelle this alphabet toy that sticks to the fridge. Michelle plays with it every time we go into the kitchen! She puts a letter in, dances like a mad woman, and then puts the letter down below until all the letter have had a turn!
I can't believe it's been two years! I've been a mom for TWO YEARS! Michelle has been a wonderful daughter, and such a blessing in my life. She is SO smart and SO beautiful! She still has her chubby little baby cheeks and those squeezable legs. But, I can tell, they won't be around for much longer. She is starting to look more and more like a little girl and less and less like a baby. She speaks so clearly it's crazy! And full sentences too! She knows all her colors, and shapes; she can count to 13, and name almost any body part. She plays "kitchen" like a champ- she makes really good burgers and ice cream. Michelle is so sweet and thoughtful. She will come over and pat your back and tell you "it's ok" if you look sad. Then she'll go get you something that will "make you feel all better!" (usually her sippy). She also blows kisses to you anytime she thinks she might be getting in trouble, and does a big cheesy grin. She's starting to get the hang of potty training. We're still new at it though so accidents are expected (although she's only had one so far today!) She loves to "run away" and "hurry" everywhere she goes. She also loves "party hats" and "birthday cake". We've been stuck on the birthday idea for about a month now! lol!
I just can't get over how far she has come! I love her to death and couldn't be more proud of her!
You have no idea how bummed I am to not have a car right now.
OH- I almost forgot! They are making these books into movies! They already have a cast and have started filming. I looked it up on-line and I think they mixed up two characters (just based on looks), but other then that, as long as they stick to the books, it should be really good!
Her favorite part of the pre-party set up was definitely the balloons!
"Shhh, don't tell Daddy where I am!"
Nana got Michelle this huge treasure chest for us to put all her new toys in! We probably unload it and re load it at least twice a day! She also got a few new Little People play sets. She got an airplane that she calls her "Rocket" and a boat that she goes fishing for "gooy fish" in. 
Mommy and Daddy got her this little pool to keep her cool when we play outside. So far (since it's been super hot) there has only been one day a week that she hasn't insisted on playing outside. Sunday, the day we go visit Grandma and Pa, is the only day of the week Bryan and I get to stay inside for the majority of the day. So this was a pretty good gift (if I don't say so myself!). Nana also gave us a bigger pool that Bryan and I actually fit in and that has helped a lot too!
This is actually a drum! lol! Michelle decided to use it as a seat this day for some reason. But Jess has a pretty cute picture of Clayton using it like an actual drum on her blog. 
Speaking of Jess- The Jones family got Michelle this alphabet toy that sticks to the fridge. Michelle plays with it every time we go into the kitchen! She puts a letter in, dances like a mad woman, and then puts the letter down below until all the letter have had a turn!
Wait a sec... what's that she has spelled out?!
Awww ;) What a sweetie!
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