Review: Witch Bell by Joan Lennon

by Carol3 Comments
I love kids books that are fun, but sneak in some education at the same time. Witch Bell is a great example. The plot is full of adventure and great characters, but we also learn a little about medieval life. Pip is an orphan who has been taken in by the brothers at the Wickit Monastery in the fens of England. He has a companion that he met in the tower, a living, breathing small dragon gargoyle named Perfect. How many kids dream of having a pet like that? It's been raining for ages and many of the area residents have arrived at Wickit to escape flooding, including two strangers, the Traveler and the infamous Holy Hunter, an emissary of the Church. Through a series of events, Pip ends of being accused by the Holy Hunter of being in league with the devil. Of course Perfect and their new friend come to his rescue, but the whole adventure is fun and entertaining....
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Recipe: Spinach-Mushroom Quiche

by Carol13 Comments
I am not a cook, not really, although I am trying. I have never made a quiche before. I always had the suspicion that it would be hard, but I came across this recipe in one of my old Every Day with Rachael Ray magazines and thought it sounded like something David and I would. It actually turned out really yummy and wasn't difficult. Well, except shredding the cheese- I'm always afraid the grater is going to get my fingertips. Spinach-Mushroom Quiche Serves 4 Ingredients: 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil 4 yellow-fleshed potatoes, such as yukon gold (about 12 ounces) 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 tablespoon cornstarch Salt and pepper Two 5-ounce containers baby spinach 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced 3 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded 2 large eggs plus 2 large egg whites 2/3 cup milk Directions: Preheat the oven to 400°. Grease a 9-inch glass pie dish with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Using a food processor fitted with a shredding attachment, shred the potatoes; transfer to a large bowl and stir...
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“In the Clearing”

by Carol10 Comments
"In the Clearing" 381 words Jack felt as if he was being watched. Of course, here in the woods, all manners of creatures were watching him, the deer and birds, mice and squirrels, fairies and perhaps the witch whose cottage was nearby. But this different, it was as if the watcher was always with him, following him for weeks from village to village, delighting with him when he had tricked the giant into leaving the valley, mourned with him when his dog died. Friend or foe, Jack wasn't sure. At times Jack sensed the watcher wanted him to get into trouble, was not content with the days he was in peace in his own home, happy and content. Jack came up with a plan. He needed to know who was watching over him, a guardian angel or someone more sinister. He would retrieve his grandfather's harp, the one who could play by itself. It was against the rules of course, the harp kept...
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Guest Post: Richard Blunt, author of Lucas Trent: Guardian in Magic

by Carol4 Comments
I'd like to welcome Richard Blunt to my notebook today. The other day I was talking about sequels I'm looking forward to. Today, Richard discusses the challenge in writing sequels. The Challenge with Sequels By Richard Blunt Do you like reading sequels as much as I do? Well, OK, that might depend on how much I like reading sequels I suppose. *grin* But you might have guessed it, I love sequels. Or to phrase it more specific: I love it when a good story doesn’t just end, but continues. The problem is: Can you make a good story better by continuing it? Or can you at least hold the quality? In my opinion this is one of two things that set apart nice stories from really great stories. If you look at authors like Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle or J.K. Rowling, they all managed to pull that off and write book after book without getting lame, overly repeating or just boring. The second...
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Look Past the Ugly

by Carol8 Comments
I was watching the Property Brothers last night on HGTV. I find them a little creepy even if the renovations they do are nice. There's just something off about them, but that's beside the point. I don't know if it was during the actual show or a clip from another one, but someone stated, "You just have to look past the ugly," referring to the run down houses they transform into dream homes. I said to myself what a good motto, thinking about the mess my house usually is. (Yes, I have talk to myself, don't most people really?) But then I thought, that really is a good motto. "Just look past the ugly." It can apply in so many instances beside a house. People, for example. We're not all beautiful and some of us are downright ugly, but if you can look past that you might meet the kindest, funniest person you'll ever know. Or maybe the ugliness is on...
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Thursday’s Tale: Hoodwinked Too! (2011)

by Carol5 Comments
Last week, I looked at Nekane, a Red Riding Hood like character. Sticking with that theme, this week we watched Hoodwinked Too! starring none other than Red, this time a wise-cracking kung fu fighting smart girl. Now I liked the first one, how the same story was told through several points of view, but this sequel was just okay. Red's training with the Sisters of the Hood when she is called back to the HEA (Happily Ever After Agency). Granny's been kidnapped along with two children, so Red and Wolf are paired to save her. The plot line's goofy, it revolves around a magical truffle that can make a person unstoppable. But I do like the villains, a pair we usually consider helpless victims who barely survive their fairy tale. Here they are not innocent helpless children lured into a mistake. They are the masterminds, luring Granny into their grasp. It wasn't an outstanding movie, but it was fun enough. Thank goodness we...
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