Summer Sun

I love summertime. The sun, the warm weather, the icy cold treats, the flip-flops, the road trips, the beach. A few weekends ago, I went to the beach (Panama City, FL), and it occurred to me that I should share some of my summer essentials.

I'll start off by saying that I am incredibly fair-skinned. Think the girl in this meme:

As such, sun protection is a must. Neutrogena is my favorite sunscreen: it stays on well (even when swimming--it's water resistant for up to 80 minutes), it doesn't clog my pores, and it offers great sun protection. I like SPF 45 or higher. If you're swimming for a long time (like a whole day at the beach) reapply every hour or so. If you are trying to get a tan, I still recommend using sunscreen SPF 15 or higher. I got a (slight) tan using SPF 45.

If your sunscreen fails you, I have a great remedy for sunburn: freshly grated potatoes. What? I know, it sounds totally weird, but my mom came across this remedy while taking a free class on medicinal uses of herbs. I got a bit of sunburn while in Florida, but my brothers got it pretty bad (especially the one who refused to use sunscreen--he was trying to get a tan). Amazingly, the potatoes made a noticeable difference both in skin tone and in relief. My brother's back literally changed from a deep, angry red to a lighter pink. On my own back, the grated potatoes were surprisingly cold, which helped a lot with the pain. We used both russet and red potatoes, so I imagine that other kinds would work, too. Use whatever you have on hand.

Since I don't tan well (see meme above), sometimes I opt for the fake stuff. Enter: Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Lotion. It's cheap, and it looks fairly natural. I even tried the Deep Dark Color version (I couldn't find the Light/Medium kind), and it didn't turn my skin orange. That is a win, ladies and gentlemen.

This next one might be a bit controversial, but I just can't help myself: I have used Sun-In every summer since I was 12 years old. It's tradition. It's also one of my favorite parts of summer: My dingy blonde locks turn into brilliant blonde tresses. My hair bleaches quite a bit in the sun naturally, so I only use Sun-In once or twice at the beginning of the summer to give my hair a kick-start. Using this product too often can result in serious hair damage, or so I have heard. Moderation is the name of the game, folks.

Since hair damage is a concern in the summer time, let's talk about hair protection. My hair is pretty delicate (I'm a natural blonde, what can I say?), so it easily gets dried out in direct sunlight. I have heard that you can spray aerosol sunscreen on your hair, but I find that a bit heavy and greasy. Instead, I like to mix up custom solution. Feel free to change the recipe to suit your needs.
     2 Tbsp sunscreen lotion
     1 Tbsp conditioner
     1 Tbsp hairspray or gel (optional)
     1 cup of water.
Shake it up and spritz. Works wonders.

Another helpful hint: protect your locks in the pool by putting a little bit of conditioner on the ends of your hair before taking a dip. I like Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, but any conditioner will do. You'd be amazed how much this helps keep my hair from drying out due to the chlorine. It also builds a barrier so my hair won't turn green. #blondegirlproblems

Just one more tip: If you are spending a lot of time outdoors in the heat, be sure to drink plenty of water. I got a bit dehydrated at the beach, and I had a wobbly walk to the car. My favorite water bottle is one by Camelbak. Fun fact: if you drink through a straw, you consume more liquid because there are fewer air bubbles. Straw or not, stay hydrated.

Enjoy that summer sun!

July Book-of-the-Month!

Note: I had a bit of trouble posting my review of Tess of the d'Urbervilles and my pick for June. I think it's all hunky-dory now, so give it a look. 

Happy First Day of July, everyone! July is my favorite month. Summer (my favorite season) is in full swing. Fourth of July fireworks and BBQs are on the horizon. My favorite part of the month is right at the end, though. Why, you ask? My birthday!

Since July is birthday month, I'm choosing one of my favorite books for book club:

These Is My Words 
The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901
by Nancy E. Turner

From Amazon: A moving, exciting, and heartfelt American saga inspired by the author's own family memoirs, these words belong to Sarah Prine, a woman of spirit and fire who forges a full and remarkable existence in a harsh, unfamiliar frontier. Scrupulously recording her steps down the path Providence has set her upon—from child to determined young adult to loving mother—she shares the turbulent events, both joyous and tragic, that molded her, and recalls the enduring love with cavalry officer Captain Jack Elliot that gave her strength and purpose. 

Rich in authentic everyday details and alive with truly unforgettable characters, These Is My Words brilliantly brings a vanished world to breathtaking life again.

I so look forward to reading this one again. I love historical fiction, so this is right up my alley. The book takes place in the Arizona Territories in the late 19th century. Sarah Prine is a feisty woman, and I admire her (even if she is mostly fictional). Jack Elliot is a man worth his salt, too. Their love story might be my favorite one in literature.

This book gets an average rating of 4.37 stars on Goodreads, 4.5 stars on Barnes & Noble, and 4.7 stars on Amazon. I give it 5 stars. I hope you enjoy it as much.

Happy Reading!

P.S. I almost chose The Anatomy of Peace for birthday month. If you haven't read it, you should give it a go.

It's Never Too Late

Welcome back to book club!

I hope that reading It's Never Too Late by Dallas Clayton was as refreshing for you as it was for me. This book is short enough that I probably could type the whole thing here, and it still wouldn't be as long as my review of Tess of the d'Urbervilles.

While It's Never Too Late is quite simple, I enjoyed the message: Life is about more than day-to-day maintenance; it's about building meaningful relationships and doing the things that make us happy. Even if you get caught up in the mundane, you don't have to continue that way. (That's my interpretation, at least.)

Some of my favorite parts:

"the truth/ is that nobody has all the answers,/ and everybody’s singers/ and everybody’s dancers."

"everyone’s mind/ gets all full of mess,/ and we all read the signs,/ and we all try our best."

"But it’s never too late/ to say that you care,/ to call up a friend/ you wish was still there.
And it’s never too late/ to start something new,/ to do all the things/ you’ve been longing to do."

I really enjoyed this book. I think the author's unembellished style emphasizes the message he seeks to convey.

For me, It's Never Too Late fit perfectly with my busy summer schedule. Even if you didn't find time for it this month, I recommend you pick this one up when you have a few minutes to spare. It won't take more than 10 minutes to read, and it might remind you to take more care with how you spend the rest of your time. It was a good reminder for me, at least.

Hit me back in a few days for my pick for July!

Tess of the d'Urbervilles Review & New Pick for June

Thanks for joining me for book club!

My pick for May was Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. Oh my, what a book. I don't think I realized just how complex the storyline would be when I chose Tess of the d'Urbervilles for book club. I'll do my best to review/summarize it, so bear with me.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles is divided into seven parts or phases. This book is also known as Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented, Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman, or simply Tess.

The story starts innocuously enough: Tess's father (John Durbeyfield), a peasant, learns he is descended from an old, noble family: the d'Urbervilles. This information goes to his head, and much of the storyline is fueled by his discovery.

After reading parts one and two (phase the first and phase the second), I had to take a break from this book. Life seemed terribly cruel to poor Tess, who was believable as a pure and innocent character (sometimes such traits seem contrived).

At her father's bidding and against her better judgment, Tess went to work tending fowl for her distant relatives, the d'Urbervilles. The reader finds out that these wealthy relatives are not relatives at all but adopted the name "d'Urberville" some time past. During her stay at Trantridge, Alec d'Urberville takes advantage of a sleeping Tess. That sneaky rotter. Some time later, she returns to her family home in Marlott. There she has a baby, but subsequently the child falls ill and eventually dies unbaptized.

To escape her stigma, Tess finds work at a dairy some distance from her home. There she forms a relationship with Angel Clare. Eventually the two fall in love, and after several refusals from Tess, they become engaged and eventually marry.

Tess tried to confide in Angel on several occasions regarding her liaison with d'Urberville, but it's not until their wedding night that he learns of her bygones. Prior to her own confession, Angel reveals his own past transgression of a similar nature. Tess immediately forgives Angel, but Angel is dismayed by Tess's misdeeds and tells Tess he doesn't love her: “the woman I have been loving is not you.” I don't have enough words to describe the reprehensible hypocrisy of the misnamed Angel Clare.

I was really outraged at this point in the book--he said he loved her! He was kind and honest and made mistakes, but couldn't accept hers? Aaah! Makes me want to scream.

During part of their conversation, Angel and Tess both refer to Alec d'Urberville as Tess's "husband in truth." Angel even mentions that he can only be her true husband if Alec were dead. What a load of bunk. Alec d'Urberville is a lecher in truth. And possibly a rapist. Of course, I believe the author intended to highlight the inequality of moral codes between men and women during that time period. It's still despicable.

Tess soldiers on, however, believing she deserves Angel's censure. Angel leaves the country for Brazil, and Tess returns to her parents' home. Both keep the reason for their separation a secret. Tess doesn't stay long with her parents, but rather finds work on a farm in another area. Poor dear. She works so hard.

Eventually, she crosses paths with the now-reformed Alec d'Urberville as he is preaching to a crowd. D'Urberville found religion and redemption through Angel's father, Pastor Clare. From this time forward, he approaches Tess on several occasions and even offers to marry her to pay for past mistakes. She refuses since she has already married Angel Clare. Alec gives up preaching after speaking with Tess about her own ideologies, which are actually Angel's opinions and beliefs, but Tess believes them wholeheartedly because of her faith in Angel himself.

Tess's luck never does seem to look up, and when she has nowhere else to turn she accepts Alec's offer of financial assistance for herself and her family. Somewhere during the course of this, Angel stops being a blockhead, forgives Tess, and comes back for her. The two have lived separately for over a year at this point. Angel finally realized that he had been harsh with Tess, and he also recognized the hardships Tess endured while trying to provide for herself and her family while he was away. Unfortunatley, as Tess says when she first sees Angel after their estrangement, "it is too late." When Angel finds her, Tess is living with Alec d'Urberville as his wife (even though she is legally married to Angel).

If they weren't already, this is where things get crazy. Tess kills Alec so she can be with Angel. What the what? Angel doesn't know if she really committed murder, though she tells him she has, and they reconcile. They travel the countryside together, moving stealthily, until they get caught, Tess gets arrested, and finally she is executed: "'Justice' was done, and the President of the Immortals, in Aeschylean phrase, had ended his sport with Tess."

In some ways, this is a really horrible book. Probably I sympathize too much with Tess: even when she was calm and demure, I was furious on her behalf. Once again, however, I believe the author intended for the audience to be outraged by Tess's misfortunes at the hands of her father, Alec, and Angel, in particular. In so doing, Mr. Hardy points out both the dichotomies and double standards within the social and moral standards of the Victorian middle class. While I applaud his efforts, it makes for a dismal story. Hardy's agenda is apparent in the byline: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented. Even the book's ending paragraph included the word justice in quotation marks (as quoted above), as if Tess didn't deserve any sort of sentence for committing murder. Um... no. That said, Tess of the d'Urbervilles is quite captivating.

The book held my attention the whole way through, and the author engaged my emotions quite adeptly. I even learned a neat phrase: petite mort. Even so, I'm not sure I liked this book. I wish it had ended differently. Maybe I'm interpreting the author's intent incorrectly, but I don't sympathize with Tess to the point that I think she should commit murder and get away with it. And since I mentioned it, how in the world does Angel Clare, who couldn't stomach sexual immorality, accept Tess as a murderer? Maybe that's another irony Hardy purposely introduced to the story. Crafty author. Even though I have mixed feeling about the book, I'm still glad I read it. I hope you are too, if you ventured to try this one.

Whew. I applaud you if you made it through all that. On to June.

My pick for the month is

It's Never Too Late
by Dallas Clayton

From Goodreads: From the author who’s been hailed as the “new Dr. Seuss” comes an uplifting book that reminds adults to live each day to the fullest. 

Full of wisdom and whimsy, this children’s book for adults is a beautifully written, gorgeously illustrated timeless story for anyone looking for the perfect reminder of just how magical life is. As adults with bills and babysitters, it’s easy for us to get distracted from what matters most in life. Yet if today was the day that it all came crashing down, would you be happy with your life? If not, it’s never too late. It’s never too late to tell someone you care, to start something new, to appreciate life at its fullest. Because at the end of the day it’s the love you’ll remember that you gave and you got.

This one will be an easy read, I'm sure, since it is "a kid's book for adults." After Tess of the d'Urbervilles, I could use an easy read. I have been really curious about this author, so I'm excited to read It's Never Too Late. June is a busy month for me, so a quick read is convenient (for you too, I'd bet).

It's Never Too Late gets an average rating of 4.00 stars on Goodreads and 4.7 stars on Amazon. This book is new enough that it hasn't been reviewed yet on Barnes & Noble.

See you next month!

Sidenote: did you notice that Tess said "it's too late," and the next book's title is "It's Never Too Late"? Ha, ha. That wasn't intentional, but it worked out to be funny. 

Personal Progress Bingo

In my church, we have an organization for young women ages 12-18. In this organization, we have a program called Personal Progress to help these young women develop character and life skills. This program is also intended to set a pattern of goal-setting and -achieving in young women's lives.

To help the young woman (yes, there's only one) in my congregation, we are introducing Personal Progress Bingo!

I originally got the idea from this blog. I tweaked it a little to fit the needs of the young woman in my ward. We (myself and the other leaders) chose value experiences that we thought would be helpful to this young woman. Most of these value experiences require 2-3 weeks to complete. Since school's out, this seems like a perfect opportunity to work on these experiences. Here's what we came up with:

Click here to access a pdf for download

The directions read

1. Select a square above.
2. Read the Value Experience requirements in your Personal Progress book* & complete the worksheet.
3. Show worksheet to your YW leaders and have them sign your Personal Progress book.
4. Get a sticker for each completed Value Experience worksheet.
5. For each BINGO (four squares in a row), you will earn a reward!
 *Refer to worksheet for the Faith #8 requirements

The worksheets came from this website. I took screen shots of the value experiences I needed and printed one per page. I put everything in a folder and gave it to our young woman as a packet. (Your YW might not require worksheets, but our young woman isn't very motivated without specific instructions).

The value experience for Faith #8 is an optional write-in. We (the leaders) came up with a value experience that we thought would benefit the young woman we mentor. This is what we gave her:

---
Faith #8

We are all children of God. He loves us and knows our needs, and He wants us to communicate with Him through prayer. Make an effort to pray correctly: beginning "Father in Heaven" or "Heavenly Father," expressing gratitude to Him (“I thank thee…”), asking Him for things you need, and closing in the sacred name of His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus Christ commanded, “Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” (3 Nephi 18:19). Our Heavenly Father is always ready to hear and answer our prayers. Make your prayers meaningful. The prophet Mormon warned that if anyone “shall pray and not with real intent of heart … it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such” (Moroni 7:9). To make our prayers meaningful, we must pray with sincerity and “with all the energy of heart” (Moroni 7:48). We must be careful to avoid “vain repetitions” when we pray (see Matthew 6:7).

Practice praying clearly, respectfully, and with sincerity for 2 weeks. Use language that shows love, respect, reverence, and closeness. Always give thanks to Heavenly Father. Remember the needs of others as you pray. Pray in your YW meetings to help you with this goal. (When praying for a group, say “We thank thee,” “We ask thee,” “We say these things in the name of…,” etc.). Write in your journal the change you feel and share with your parent or leader your feelings.

Check the boxes as you complete the following requirements: 
☐ Carefully read the paragraphs above.
☐ Pray in the correct manner. 
☐ Practice praying clearly, respectfully, and with sincerity for 2 weeks.
 Start date: ________________________ End date: ________________________
☐ Say prayers in YW meetings to help you meet this goal.
☐ Write in your journal the change you feel.
☐ Share with your parent or leader your feelings as a result of this experience.
---

This might not fit the needs of your young women, so you might tailor your own value experience. You could also make your own bingo grid and fill it in with the value experiences that best suit your young women.

We spoke with our young woman at our activity today, and these are some of the rewards that she would like to earn:
   • roller skating
   • ice cream party
   • chocolate fondue party

We'll come up with more ideas as she achieves more bingos. You could also do candy bars, pens, small notebooks, nail polish, or any number of items for rewards. The young woman in my ward responds better to events as incentives, so we will oblige her.

I hope you and your young women get excited about Personal Progress this summer!

Book Club catch-up

I have been a terrible blogger as of late. Life has been busy (out-of-town trips, new jobs, various projects, etc.). I'm trying to catch up, however. Starting with book club.

I never officially selected a book for April because I was finishing up a few series I started a while back (Blackmoore, Allegiant, Extras). I hope you had a chance to read something worthwhile, too. I retroactively declare April "Pick Your Own" month. A cop-out, I know, but that's how the cookie crumbles.

Now that May is well under way, my choice for the month is

Tess of the d'Urbervilles
by Thomas Hardy

From Goodreads: "The chance discovery by a young peasant woman that she is a descendant of the noble family of d'Urbervilles is to change the course of her life. Tess Durbeyfield leaves home on the first of her fateful journeys, and meets the ruthless Alec d'Urberville. Thomas Hardy's impassioned story tells of hope and disappointment, rejection and enduring love."

From Barnes & Noble: "A ne'er-do-well exploits his gentle daughter's beauty for social advancement in this masterpiece of tragic fiction. Hardy's 1891 novel defied convention to focus on the rural lower class for a frank treatment of sexuality and religion. Then and now, his sympathetic portrait of a victim of Victorian hypocrisy offers compelling reading."

This book is available from Project Gutenberg! In case you didn't know, that means you can read Tess of the d'Urbervilles for free! You can download an ebook (.epub or .mobi), or you can read it online. Neat, huh? You can also get the Kindle edition free from Amazon. Or, you know, you can borrow a hard copy from the library (which is what I usually do). So many options.

This book gets an average rating of 3.70 stars on Goodreads, 4.1 stars on Amazon, and 4 stars on Barnes & Noble. I hope I enjoy it as much (and you, too).

I'll see you next month! I promise to come back this time ;-)

Mao's Last Dancer Review

Welcome back to my lovely book club. On the agenda today: Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin.

I thought this book was a fascinating look at real-life China but accessible to those from the Western world, such as myself. It's a good thing this is a virtual book club, because I have no idea how to pronounce many of the words in this book, including the author’s name (Kuhnksin? Koonksin? Koonkseen?). Update: I found on the Official Site of Li Cunxin that his name is pronounced “Lee Schwin Sing.”

Li’s writing style is engaging and honest--it caught my interest from the very beginning. I imagine it would be difficult writing an entire book in one's second language, but the author does it masterfully. He writes simply with a straightforward manner, but his story isn't simple. Even though much of Li's story is fraught with adversity and grief, he never tells it like a pity party. He just says what happened, and it resonates powerfully.

Li writes of his impoverished childhood survived only by eating despised dried yams. He describes childhood diseases and ills, such as worms and lice, as well as cuts and scrapes bandaged only with dust. He details his complete brainwashing by the Communist government. He writes about his niang’s (niang=mother) heart-wrenching sorrow that she couldn’t provide better for her children.

The author tells of his rampant homesickness when he left home at age 11 to study ballet, his only comforts found in his niang’s quilt and the weeping willow tree where he confessed his sadness; the internal conflict as he studied—and hated—ballet but wanted desperately to bring honor to his family.

The book progresses with Li's exhilaration as he learned to love ballet and found an all-consuming dedication to mastering technique. As he travels to America, his deep-rooted mistrust of Americans quickly fades as he sees true freedom for the first time. His dramatic defection, rather than solving his problems, causes other problems, one of which being fear for his family.

Ultimately, this is a book about the author's courage, determination, passion, and love.

It's worth a read, for sure. I loved every bit of it.

Stay tuned for my pick for April.

Cinnamon Sugar Muffins

These muffins are a family favorite. My mom has made them for as long as I can remember. Her recipe calls these "French Breakfast Puffs," but we have always referred to them as "Cinnamon Sugar Muffins." I have seen similar recipes for "Donut Muffins" or "Baked Donut Holes" (when baked in mini muffin tins), but this is my mom's recipe, so I'm calling them Cinnamon Sugar Muffins.

Cinnamon Sugar Muffins are a bit high on the calorie side, so I wouldn't recommend them for daily consumption.  Even so, I can't resist making them once or twice a year.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Cinnamon Sugar Muffins
Recipe by Sara (stuff-by-sara.blogspot.com)

1/3 cup shortening
1 cup sugar, divided
1 egg
1 ½ cups flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ cup milk
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp cinnamon

Heat oven to 350º. Grease 12 muffin cups.

Mix shortening, ½ cup sugar, and egg thoroughly. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Stir in alternately with milk, ending with flour.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

While the muffins are baking, combine remaining sugar with cinnamon.

When the muffins have finished baking, immediately roll in melted butter then in mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Enjoy!

The Pelican Brief Review and New Book

Welcome back to SBC!

I hope you enjoyed reading The Pelican Brief by John Grisham.

I enjoyed this one. It's a fairly easy read. The storyline is fast-paced with the right amount of intrigue. It kept me interested, at least.

Darby sure learned how to keep a low profile quickly, which was impressive. She's one of those characters that is a little bit too-good-too-be-true. She wasn't over the top, though, so I can't complain too much.

The storyline never lagged, which was a plus.

On to next month! The book I have selected for March is

Mao's Last Dancer
by Li Cunxin

This one is kind of a cheat: this is the pick for my friend's book club this month. She told me she enjoyed it, so I thought it would be a good pick for my book club.

Mao's Last Dancer is a memoir written by a world famous ballet dancer: Li Cunxin. From Goodreads: From a desperately poor village in northeast China, at age eleven, Li Cunxin was chosen by Madame Mao's cultural delegates to be taken from his rural home and brought to Beijing, where he would study ballet. In 1979, the young dancer arrived in Texas as part of a cultural exchange, only to fall in love with America-and with an American woman. Two years later, through a series of events worthy of the most exciting cloak-and-dagger fiction, he defected to the United States, where he quickly became known as one of the greatest ballet dancers in the world. This is his story, told in his own inimitable voice.

Sounds fascinating to me. I'm really looking forward to reading this one!

This book earns an average of 4.09 stars on Goodreads, 4 stars on Barnes & Noble, and 4.6 stars on Amazon.

I hope you read with me. See you next month!

Perfect Brownies

I love me some brownies. I love them fudgy and rich. Anything else just doesn't pass muster with me.

I have tried several different brownie recipes, but I found a winner in the Baked brownie. You can find recipes for it all over the internet (like here and here and here and here). This recipe was developed for a bakery called Baked NYC. It is lauded as Oprah's favorite. America's Test Kitchen backs it, too. ATK is king in the kitchen, so I really couldn't ignore this recipe. 

These brownies are perfect. Seriously. I did take a few liberties with the recipe, but the overall brownie is the same. The changes are minor, but they make the process a little more foolproof. The change in ingredients is reflective of the pantry items I usually have on hand, which means I can make brownies whenever I have the craving!

Try it my way, or try the original. You won't be disappointed.

Perfect Brownies 
Adapted from Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito and Baked: New Frontiers in Baking 
and the Internet
Brought to you by Sara (stuff-by-sara.blogspot.com)

1¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
2 or 3 oz Baker’s unsweetened chocolate, chopped (alter to suit your taste)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
1½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
5 eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the sides and bottom of a 9x13-inch glass or light-colored baking pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and cocoa powder together.

Place butter in a bowl (metal or glass) and set it over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, chop up unsweetened chocolate. When the butter is almost all melted, add the chocolate chips and chopped chocolate. Stir gently until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and add the sugars. Whisk until completely combined. Cool the mixture to room temperature. . 

In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Add vanilla. Add half of the egg mixture to the chocolate mixture and fold in. Add remaining eggs/vanilla to the chocolate mixture and gently stir until combined. Do not overbeat the batter at this stage or your brownies will be cakey.

Sprinkle the flour mixture over the chocolate mixture. Using a rubber spatula (not a whisk), fold the flour mixture into the chocolate until just a bit of the flour mixture is visible. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Bake in the center of the oven for 30-35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with a few moist crumbs sticking to it. Let the brownies cool completely. Cut into squares and serve. 

Store at room temperature in an airtight container or wrap with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.

Enjoy!

The Beekeeper's Apprentice Review & New Pick for February

Welcome back to my lovely book club!

If your New Year's resolution was to read more books, you have come to the right place! I set the goal last year to read at least one book a month, and I'm still going strong. Every month I read and review one book here on the ol' blog. To see what else I'm reading, hop on over to my Goodreads profile.

I would love to hear about what you are reading, too. Feel free to friend me on Goodreads, or leave me a comment here on the blog. I'm always looking for suggestions, so don't be shy!

I started this year reading The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King. I really enjoyed this one. I hope you did, too.

I always love Sherlock Holmes, but the real star of the show is Mary Russell. She's full of bits of wisdom: “Always carry a length of rope; it’s the most useful thing in the world.” She and Holmes develop a relationship dynamic that was delicious to read.

Even though Holmes is a confirmed pragmatist, he is willing to listen to Mary Russell’s scripture recitations and the like. He is very respectful of this part of young Russell. There is a tenderness to his character that always seems to take me by surprise, and that piece of his makeup is largely what makes Holmes so endearing to me.

Mary Russell is indeed a match for Holmes. She is as smart as he is. Of course, she has less experience, but she had the essential quality that makes her a partner to Holmes: a sort of detachment, the ability to step back and see the bigger picture. Holmes doesn’t ruffle her feathers. They accept one another part and parcel. Even the parts they could disagree on. Their differences enrich their partnership as much as their similarities.

Their adventures are really what make their relationship what it is, though. Of course, you'll have to read the book if you want to know more! I wouldn't spoil it for you.

Overall, I really liked this one. I would recommend it.

My pick for February is

(source)

The Pelican Brief
by John Grisham

From John Grisham's official website: In suburban Georgetown a killer’s Reeboks whisper on the front floor of a posh home… In a seedy D.C. porno house a patron is swiftly garroted to death… The next day America learns that two of its Supreme Court justices have been assassinated. And in New Orleans, a young law student prepares a legal brief… To Darby Shaw it was no more than a legal shot in the dark, a brilliant guess. To the Washington establishment it was political dynamite. Suddenly Darby is witness to a murder — a murder intended for her. Going underground, she finds there is only one person she can trust — an ambitious reporter after a newsbreak hotter than Watergate — to help her piece together the deadly puzzle. Somewhere between the bayous of Louisiana and the White House’s inner sanctums, a violent cover-up is being engineered. For somone has read Darby’s brief. Someone who will stop at nothing to destroy the evidence of an unthinkable crime.

John Grisham is a well known author, but I haven't read many of his novels. In fact, I've only read one: The Pelican Brief. The Pelican Brief also happens to be the only movie-based-on-a-John-Grisham-book I've ever seen. I read this one when I was in high school as a part of the book club my best friends and I initiated. There were three of us, and we read three books before our book club seemed to go kaput. I remember liking The Pelican Brief, and while I remember the overall storyline, most of the finer details escape me.

If you've never read a John Grisham novel, this is a good place to start. Plus, you can watch the movie afterwards. Double win!

The Pelican Brief earns an average of 3.87 stars on Goodreads, 3.9 stars on Amazon, and 4.5 stars on Barnes & Noble.

Hit me back next month for my review!

Neat Gifts for Newlyweds—Twenty Bucks or Less

I don't know about you, but I've been invited to 4 weddings that took place within the last month, and I know it won't stop there. Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, which means wedding season is well on its way. If you need some gift ideas for the newlyweds, you've come to the right place!

Most newlywed couples are fairly young, which means their close friends are probably fairly young, too. Fairly young often means fairly poor (or at least it does in my case). That's why everything on this list is $20 or under.*

If you are looking for a nifty gift that both practical and unique, this is the list for you. If you are a newlywed, these might be items you didn't think to register for. Either way, this is a list of useful stuff that won't break the bank.

OXO Good Grips Adjustable Measuring Cup. A.K.A. measuring cup for sticky stuff—great for corn syrup or peanut butter, but you can also use it to measure ingredients like flour and water. I love a multitasker! This will adjust to any measurement you need up to one cup. These come in adjustable two cup and ⅛ cup sizes as well. Available from Amazon for $6-12 (depending on size). A similar measuring cup is available from Pampered Chef, if you prefer.

Joseph Joseph Adjustable Rolling Pin. This rolling pin makes it easy to roll dough to a uniform thickness. Plus, the one with multi-color discs is cute (it also comes in grey and putty color schemes). Available from Amazon for about $20.

Norpro Flexible Cutting Boards. I love these babies. They make it easy to cut, transport, and pour ingredients. Set of 3 available from Amazon for about $6.

AccuSharp Knife Sharpener. The newlyweds might get some nice cutlery, and they'll want to maintain those sharp edges. This sharpener is recommended by America’s Test Kitchen. I always trust recommendations from ATK. Available from Amazon for about $9.

Microplane Zester/Grater. Completely awesome for zesting lemons or grating nutmeg. It will also give you super-fine shreds of parmesan cheese. It will feel like you are at the Olive Garden...except this isn’t the grater they have at the Olive Garden. Even so, this is a truly magical tool. Available from Amazon for about $13.

Ball Plastic Storage Caps. Since Mason jars are all the rage, why not get some storage caps for those suckers? These plastic caps are great for fridge or freezer storage, and they won’t rust. They come in both regular and wide-mouth sizes. Set of 8 available from Amazon for $3-4.

Perfect Grip Nail Clippers & Tweezers Set. Everyone uses nail clippers, but not everyone will splurge to get some nice ones. My sister and brother-in-law like this set. He says these clippers are easier to grip with his pudgy fingers...er...large man hands. Available from Drugstore.com for about $6. I’ve also seen them at Walmart.

Folding Board. Just like Sheldon Cooper’s. This is a neat tool for perfectly folded clothes with no hassle. Available from Amazon for about $8.

Kikkerland Hedgehog Dryer Balls. These little guys replace dryer sheets. They reduce static and improve airflow in the dryer. Use them over and over again. You can find plain dryer balls that serve the same purpose, but these hedgies are so darn cute. Set of 2 available from Amazon for about $7. Puffer fish dryer balls are available now, too!

Personal Library Kit. This one is a little quirky. The set includes self-adhesive pockets and check-out cards, just like a real library! It also comes with a pencil, adjustable date stamp, and ink pad. Perfect for merging his and her book collections (or his and his or hers and hers as the case may be). If you’re not a true book lover, you won’t see the appeal. If you are a bibliophile, you want one yourself. Available from Amazon for about $12.

Pilot G2 Pens. The new couple will have a lot of thank-you notes to write, and these pens are reliable. A bit pricey, but they last a long time and write consistently. Plus, the newlyweds can buy ink cartridge refills instead of buying more pens. Savings! Box of 12 available from Amazon for about $14. Of course, smaller packages are available for cheaper. I’ve seen these pens at Target, Walmart, Staples, and Office Depot. I linked to the 0.7 mm tip size, but they are available in 0.38 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1.0 mm also. Sometimes you can find them in fun colors, too.

Postage Stamps. Also for thank-yous. Sometimes the small things are the nicest to have around. Booklet of 20 available for under $10 from USPS.

Happy Gifting!

*Please let me know if any of these prices have changed, and I will update this post. Thanks!

Cold & Flu Season Essentials

Let me tell you a story. Once I came down with an awful stomach bug. My supply of food stuffs was all but depleted.  I lived alone, and I didn't have the energy to go to the store for Sprite or saltines. Long story short, now I keep a few things on hand for when illness strikes--because it's always unexpected. Here are a few of my staples for the cold and flu season:

Homeopathic Remedies

Personally, I'm a big fan of Oscillococcinum. You take it when you first start experiencing flu-like symptoms. Similarly, Zicam is marketed as a pre-cold remedy. I haven't tried Zicam, but I'm in favor of anything that will alleviate symptoms at the onset.

Waterless Vaporizer

I have a Vicks Waterless Vaporizer, but I have also used one made by PediaCare. Both are great. They release menthol vapors into the air. When I have a cold, I have trouble sleeping at night. Sometimes cold symptoms make it hard to breathe. These vaporizers have helped me a great deal.

Fluids

Drinking lots of fluids is always important. Dehydration is a serious concern, especially if you have the flu. If you have the stomach flu, clear liquids are preferable: water, white grape juice, Sprite, 7-Up, ginger ale, Pedialyte, etc. I like Powerade or Gatorade on ice. Just remember to sip slowly.

Bland Foods

My mom has always recommended the B.R.A.T. diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. I like saltines, and I always keep a box in the pantry. You might prefer pretzels, tortillas, graham crackers, Cheerios, or any number of other things. Just keep some around the house in the event of illness. Believe you me, you won't want to go to the store when you are ill.

Hand Soap

According to the CDC, clean hands save lives. Hand washing is "one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and and prevent the spread of  germs to others." Wash, wash, wash!
When you are out and about, carry some alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol). If soap and water aren't available, hand sanitizer is your best bet.



I hope you don't get sick this cold/flu season. But if you do, a stockpile of supplies will ease the burden. If you do get sick, go to a doctor. The products listed above won't cure your ailment.

And for heaven's sake, stay home! You need your rest, and the rest of us don't need your germs.