The Graveyard Book

I read The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman, over the summer, and I don't think I ever reviewed it, which is quite neglectful on my part. My youngest brother actually read the first part of it while I was driving some of the family up to Utah. I really liked the book, so much so that I had to finish it on my own before the rest of the family returned home earlier than I (with the book). I'm not super familiar with Gaiman, but my brother likes him. He wrote Stardust, of which you may have seen the movie adaptation. He also wrote this great poem.

Anyway, about the book. It won the Newbery Award, as you can see, and I know why. It's great! It is a rather dark tale, which is not surprising from the title or cover. The book is about a boy who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard. As my brother says (and he knows better than I do), it is obvious that Gaiman is familiar with much folklore and legend. If you're in to that kind of thing, you will love this book! It's a young reader book, so it doesn't take long to read. It's pretty fascinating with many characters who have their own stories. I have to admit that part of it was almost too twisted for me, but I still love the story, and I'm so glad my little bro shared it with me. By the way, it's a great story to have read to you, too; I don't think all stories work that way.

Disclaimer: if you decide you want to try out Gaiman, his children's books are the safest place to go. My brother says his adult books are very "adult" in content, so be careful.

Washer

I almost forgot to blog again - I'm going to have to do better at remembering or I might lose this year. Guess what happened to my roommates and me tonight? Whether you want to know or not, I will tell you. One of my roommates was trying to do laundry when she noticed water coming out from beneath the washing machine - oops! I had an experience with a washing machine once-upon-a-time that led me get on top of the washer, so I could look at the drain hose behind it. Well, that wasn't the problem. The girls and I ended up pulling the washer out far enough that one of them could get behind it, which was quite brave, seeing as how the floor beneath where the washer normally is was filthy. Another roommate and I tipped the washer forward while she examined the bottom of the washer. After three of us had examined it, we determined where the leak is, or at least where the water is coming out at. That didn't really do us much good, seeing as how we don't know how to fix it. Close to two full rolls of paper towels later, I am in my room, getting ready for bed much later than I wanted to be. But, at least the floor should be pretty clean now, right? To try to keep as much water from the floor as possible, my roommate removed the wet clothes from the washer. Then I got a hose, and she tried to get a suction thing going, but that didn't work. I ended up scooping out about as much water as I could with a cup. Fun times!

10 Year Reunion

This weekend was my 10 year high school reunion - I'm old! I wasn't sure if I wanted to attend or not because it meant the annoying drive, it was more money than I wanted to pay, and I was only going to make it to one of three days of events. In the end, I decided to go for two reasons: 1) I didn't want to regret NOT going, down the road, and 2) I didn't want to bail on one of my friends, whose twin sister told him that he WAS going, I believe.

Well, the drive wasn't as bad as it might have been because my little brother went home with me. The event did cost more than I wanted to pay, but I guess that's how it goes. I am glad, however, that I went, even though it was for only one event. I went to last night's dinner at a local casino. My friend had told me that there were many people who were supposed to be attending, and I wasn't too disappointed. I got to see several old friends/acquaintances and say hello to them. One of my very best high school friends, who I haven't been in touch with for years, was there, and it was really nice to catch up with her. She's the only girl in the few pictures I took. There were several people who I wish had attended that didn't, like my other high school best friends, the valedictorian, and others. However, it was fun to catch up with the people I did. It brought back some memories, and makes me a little melancholy for the old days, not that I would necessarily go back - one just misses the good times of yore.

Creation

Today's topic suggestion was something I have created - um, I don't really do much of that, so I decided to put this picture up. Then I remembered that I put this picture up before. I guess I'm repeating, but I created some of these pies for last year's Pi Day. I think I made three. You will also notice some red balls in the upper-left side of the picture. They may or may not be mine. My roommate made most of them, but I think I helped make a few for Chinese New Year. I'm not much of a "project" girl, so that's what I've got.

Contest Giveaway

Rules: Answer the following trivia questions, and I will send you a prize. Question: How can bats hang upside down on a wall and sleep without falling off the wall? Do they need to be upside down or could they sleep right-side up? If they do have to be upside down, why do they have to be upside down? The prize will be determined when you fulfill the requirement to win. At that point I will contact you and we will discuss what I send/give to you. I'm sorry this is not very thought-out, but I just realized I hadn't posted yet, and I'm about out of time. Good night!

The Good Stuff

Ingredients:

Chicken (cubed)
Bacon
Onion (sliced)
Carrots (sliced)
Potatoes (cut up however you want them)
Cheese (grated)
Salt
Pepper
Seasoning Salt

Directions:

1. Fry the bacon until it's pretty crispy. Set it aside.
2. Pour some of the bacon grease into a large pot.
3. Cook the chicken in the bacon grease (Mmmmm!)
4. When the chicken is cooked, add layers of the onion, carrots and potatoes. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and seasoning salt onto each layer.
5. Add about a cup of water to the pot, cover the pot, and let it cook for 20 min. or until the potatoes and carrots are soft.
6. While the food is cooking, tear the bacon into bits.
7. Cover the top of the meal with cheese.
8. Sprinkle bacon on top of the cheese.
9. Eat it! It's good!

*This recipe comes from a former roommate of mine. Its name is very appropriate, and I have seen many happy people upon consumption of The Good Stuff.

A Favorite Photo

I know I have posted this photo before, but I love it. The prompt I looked at suggested posting a great photo I have taken. I don't know if this is great as far as the art of photography goes, but this is such a happy picture! I mean, look at that expression. Look at those beautiful eyes and those cute bottom teeth! This is for sure one of my favorite pictures that I have taken.