Blogs List
 Meg Alexander |
Dies the FireTue, March 2, 2010 @ 6:05PM Dies the Fire was not the best read I've ever experienced, but it wasn't the worst either. Written by S.M. Stirling, it's described as an "alternate history, post-apocalyptic novel." Set in modern day Idaho, the book starts with a bang — or rather a flash — when civilization as we know it is plunged into the dark ages. Without electricity or even guns, the worst and best of human nature is revealed as everyone fights to survive the circumstances. Plagues, fires, cannibals, power-crazy historians ... it's all here, with a bit of romance, sex and mysticism thrown into the mix. Dies the Fire reminded me of a cross between Louis L' Amour and Michael Crichton, both of whom I enjoyed as a child, thanks to my dad. The concept was interesting, and the action scenes enjoyable, but the dialogue and prose were ... OK. All in all, I'd give it ... 2.71 stars — not enough for me to pick up the rest of the Emberverse serie.
|
 Jennifer Brookens |
20 Random FactsFri, March 19, 2010 @ 4:28PM (Yet another lull in the creativity pool, so here's someting that my friends have been circulating on their Facebook pages) 20 random facts about me 1) I took French in high school and was pretty good at it. Now I hardly remember any of it and wish I'd taken Spanish, since it'd really come in handy. But I don't regret, since I had an awesome French teacher in high school. 2) I was born in Wisconsin, but grew up in Wyoming. Went to college in South Dakota and then moved to Minnesota, so I've almost come full circle. 3) The one thing guaranteed to get me out of a bad mood (at least for a moment) is to hear my children laughing or hear them tell me, "I love you." 4) In the past few years, I've gone through cell phones (and cell phone numbers) at an alarming rate. Yeah, I'm getting sick of it too - hopefully the new one will make it through a year at least!!! 5) Luck is usually not on my side.
|
 Sarah Day |
Recipe/ Web site: Pie Pops and BakerellaThu, March 4, 2010 @ 9:46PM This past weekend I made the cutest mini blueberry pies. I tested it as a beginning step into making Pie Pops. What’s a pie pop? Well, they are the most adorable bite-sized pies on a sucker stick. I found the idea while browsing cooking blogs, something I’ve been doing more and more of. Bakerella’s centerpiece, I would say, is cake pops. It’s the same concept as a pie pop, but with cake and frosting rolled into balls and dipped in a candy coating or chocolate. They are cuter than a bug’s ear. She experimented with pie pops after she found the idea on another cooking blog – and so the experimental creative baking world turns. So here’s what you do. Make a pie crust; actually double that – two 9-inch pie crusts. If you don’t want to get that in-depth with it you can probably find it pre-made in local grocery stores. Then roll it flat. Flatter. Even more. There ya go.
|
 Kylie Saari |
I'm calling itThu, March 4, 2010 @ 2:15PM First robin sighting ... check. Splashed through big puddle in car .... check. Saw pavement on driveway ... check. Garage flooded with snow melt ... check. There you have it people. I think we can say spring is here. Don't worry, I know we have a long way to g.
|
 Lee Smith |
Who's acting unethically?Tue, March 9, 2010 @ 10:49PM I've been on the receiving end of some political emails lately that strike me as strange. Basically, they accuse some Republican politicans, including Gov. Tim Pawlenty, of being hypocrites. Their crime? They have received or are using government funds in some way. The argument goes like this: Pawlenty, for instance, opposed the federal stimulus, so he shouldn't use federal funds to balance the state budget. Another email focused on a Republican candidate for Congress — Randy Demmer — who has served as a state lawmaker, for which he was paid state dollars. He also has received some ag subsidies over the years, among other things. The critics say Demmer shouldn't talk about fiscal responsibility on the campaign trail because of this. This, to me, sure seems like an awfully convenient argument for those on the Left. Nearly every aspect of our daily lives involves government in some way.
|
