Amaro

New Year's Eve is just a few days away and a well planned celebration is just one of the ways to ring in the New Year.  Perhaps trying some alternative liqueurs could bring in the New Year in style.  If this is a goal, then I encourage the reading of AMARO, The Spirited World of Bittersweet, Herbal Liqueurs.  
"Amaro refers to the collective class of Italian-made aromatic, herbal, bittersweet liqueurs traditionally served as a digestif after a meal (Parsons 6).  Brad Parson's book, AMARO, is an informative source to explain the history and enjoyment of all drinks, Amaro.
Living in a rural community, Amaro is not readily available, but that does not mean that the book was not entertaining.  Anyone interested in travel and exotic new experiences will appreciate Parson's research and informative source.  Origins, varieties, recipes, and cocktail offerings are all included in the artful presentation.
I was impressed by the knowledge I gained in reading Parson's book and encourage anyone interested in exotic liqueurs to check it out as well.
FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

What my students don't know...

The school fall semester is quickly coming to an end as the Christmas break approaches.  Students are preparing for first term final exams.  Some are embracing the challenge to continue studying, in a quest to improve their grades and finish strong.  Others are not.  Many of my students are among the latter category. I tutor many students in various subjects throughout the day, working with ones that struggle to excel in their school work.


Last night at church I was overcome with emotion as I prayed for my students.  Both the ones at school and the younger ones in my church class. The thought struck me that my students do not realize their impact on my life.


What my students don't know...


I pray for you:

I am aware that I have only so much influence in guiding you in your work, but I have faith that God will lead you in all the ways that I cannot.



When I leave work I don't leave you here: 

I take my concern for you with me wherever I go. Day and night you are on my mind and I am constantly thinking of alternate ways to teach you to help you understand the material more fully. You keep me up many nights.


I want great things for you:

I see your potential and know you are capable of any endeavor you attempt, if you truly put in the hard work to achieve the goal.   



I work twice as hard to try to make things better for you:

Before I attempt to teach material to you, I study it myself.  Then I study the material again with you. Especially when it is a new concept to me.


When I see you give up on yourself, I cry:
I know you can do the work so when you don't try my heart hurts. I know learning about assignments and projects can be overwhelming. Sometimes just beginning the work can seem like a vast hill to climb.  But starting the process is the first step and if you never start, you can not succeed.  Trust me that you have the ability, don't give up on yourself, I won't.


Sometimes the work does not seem relevant:

Yes the work is hard and you may not directly use the information you learned from passing your class. You may never discuss Thoreau's "Walden," again, or be asked to convert an equation from point-slope form to slope intercept  form in your adult everyday life. However, learning to work hard you will use always.



When you fail, I feel like I fail too:

Because you are important to me, I revel in your successes.  I also feel sadness for your failures.   You matter.


When you are rude to me and others:

My feelings get hurt, but I can't show you that. I must always model the adult way to treat others.


Finally, 

So many ask me if what I do is worth it and I say...yes you are

How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety

Milton Berle, the well-known comedian once said, “Laughter is an instant vacation.” Going into the holiday season and all the “busy-ness” that is involved within the holidays, a laughter vacation will most certainly be appreciated. My suggestion is to obtain a copy of How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety, which I feel is one of the most humorous books that I have read in a very long time. How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety, by the American Association of Patriots, is a satire based on many self-help books. Not only does the book include helpful advice about why an owner should speak to their beloved pet about the hazards of guns and never knowing if one is loaded because there is truth behind the old adage, “curiosity killed the cat.” Also, the book tackles the touchy subjects of abstinence, drugs, Satanism, and other dangers to our feline friends. Many times during my reading, I laughed out loud at the commentary presented in a question, answer based format. Holiday stress can overcome even the calmest individual as parties, family, baking, gift buying and giving and all the other myriad of activities ensue. Give yourself an early Christmas gift and get the book, How to Talk to Your Cat About Gun Safety; you won’t regret educating your cat as well as tickling your funny bone!
FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Classic German Baking

     I must be honest, when I first saw Luisa Weiss's book, Classic German Baking: The Very Best Recipes for Traditional Favorites from Pfeffernusse to Streuselkuchen,  on the Blogging for Books website I emitted a small exclamation of joy.  Scared my husband, and the dog, but I knew they would forgive me once they tasted all the wonderful creations I would be able to concoct from this beautiful book.
     With a maiden name of Havenstein, German heritage and traditions have always been an interest. Add to this my sister marrying a man who is full blood Austrian,  and subsequently growing up knowing her Austrian mother-in-law, and you get a passion for all things involved in German cuisine.  However, even with the background I have, I have not had the opportunity to explore traditional German baking.
     Thanks to Weiss's incredible book, Classic German Baking, I now have the resource to create many traditional favorites, and I might add that I can't wait to do so.  The book itself is an inspiring piece of art.  The page layouts are appealing and offer easy to read instructions with stunning photos of the various foods.  My first attempt was the time-honored Apple Strudel.  I will admit, I felt a bit of apprehension when I looked at the recipe, three pages of instructions were given, yet as I delved into the process, with the company of my daughter and her dear friend, I found the procedure quite straight forward and easy to understand. The proof was in the strudel, the pastry turned out wonderful: flakey, buttery, sweet, and definitely a new family favorite.
      With Christmas quickly approaching, I hope to try many of the recipes.  Thank you Luisa Weiss for creating a stunning book to create all the German baking of my dreams! I would highly recommend anyone interested in authentic German baking to treat themselves to this gem!
   


FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Barons of the Beltway

In the current political atmosphere, there are many emotions and opinions.  Both conservative and liberal voices are rampant with new controversial information everyday.  This is one reason I chose the book, Barons of the Beltway by Michelle Fields.  However, I am a self proclaimed anti-political enthusiast.  I honestly try to stay as far away from any political discussion as humanly possible.  Reading the Barons of the Beltway was a stretch for me, and I have to say I found it to be exactly what I thought it would be.  That being said, I was underwhelmed , but as I said, I am not a political junkie.  The book delivers exactly what it said that it would. Extravagances of today’s political system are compared to the humbleness and conservative spending of our forefathers.  Fields offers accounts of the IRS wasting funds on “goodie bags” for conferences as well as delving into the Clinton email issues and many additional congressional individuals extravagances and problems.  If I was a conservative news junkie, I would probably be raving about the book.  I honestly feel the book is well written and interesting.  However, in all honesty, I feel that Barons of the Beltway is just one more way to make money during the frustrating political climate of 2016. 

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Guide Me Home

The Appalachian mountains have a rich culture that includes a strong sense of family, faith and the land that has brought the people together.

In Kim Vogel Sawyer’s novel, Guide Me Home,  Rebekah Hardin learns the difficult lessons of loss, grief, guilt, and the acceptance of God’s forgiving grace while living in a poor, but strong of faith Appalachian farm family.  Rebekah hires on as an assistant guide for the Mammoth Cave estate, a tourist attraction near the harding farm. She is old enough to marry, yet she chooses to work in the caves  in order to earn enough money to help her parents purchase a headstone for her brother Andy.  Andy was tragically lost in an incident in the Mammoth Cave.  While working at the estate, Rebekah meets Devlin, a cartography student from the university who is focusing his senior project on  mapping the tunnels in Mammoth Cave.  Through working with the cave’s main guide, Tolly, and helping Devlin, Rebekah learns that her love of God and her faith can see her through any dark passage.  As she lives her faith, she also helps to light the love of the Lord in Devlin’s heart.

Once again, Vogel doesn’t disappoint.  Her engaging narrative, well developed characters, and
delightful setting create a story that engages the reader from page one clear through to the end.  Rebekah, is a strong willed, independent, kind young woman that the reader learns to love.  The story moves right along and is a definite page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Vogel’s book, Guide Me. Home and would strongly encourage anyone that enjoys an uplifting faith filled story read it as well.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Where I'm From

I love the beginning of the school year. Not just because of the shiny new pencils and backpacks, but because after a long summer rest it is wonderful to return to the classroom and school building to interact with my peers and students.

I split my time between English language arts classes and math classes.  Due to this, I am privileged to experience some of the most gifted teachers ply their expertise.  One such instructor teaches high school senior English.  I adore being in his classroom because not only do I get the joy of seeing his students inspired and engaged, but the enthusiasm is infectious.  

One of his first lessons this school year originated from Kentucky’s 2015-16 Poet Laureate George Ella Lyon.  Lyon created the “Where I’m From” poem. http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html  The link will take you to her website and her poem.

The assignment for the seniors was to create their own “Where I’m From” poems.  I couldn’t resist doing the same.  

Where I’m From

I am from the “Little Apple”,

A place of purple pride,

Agricultural learning, and people from

Many cultures who have come to learn but

Decide to stay.

I am from a family of faith,

German Lutherans whose

Knowledge of “this is most certainly true”

Stems from many hours of learning

And teaching Luther’s Small Catechism.

I am from Sunday dinners.

First as a small child sitting in the

Kitchen at my grandparent’s farm table,

Drinking milked down sweet coffee in grandma’s

Depression glass coffee cups. Then later,

At my parent’s house once my siblings and I were grown.

I am from soft fluffy parts in my heart.  

A bed filled with plush animals as a small child,

Melding into a myriad of cats and kittens living outside in the

Country at my childhood home, evolving into two pets residing in my

Home as an adult.

I am from angel food cake with seven minute frosting,

Choosing a favorite meal for my birthday, always mom’s fried chicken,

Homemade vanilla ice cream

so rich and creamy that a sweet film coated my lips

As I savored every last drop on the spoon.

I am from my dad’s strong hands,

Covered in scrapes and cuts

From the car’s sharp metal that he

Straightened and pounded back to perfection.

I am from homemade dresses for Christmas and Easter,

Every pattern, every design matched perfectly,

Lovingly constructed by my mother

Who stayed up all night to complete the garment  

In time to wear for church.

I am from a loving home that began

With my parents and through marriage

And children evolved into my own, and because

Of this...I am from blessed joy.

I encourage you to write your own “Where I’m From” poems.  Search your heart and memories and remember where you are from.

Ghosts from our Past Both Literally & Figuratively

When I ordered the book featured in the latest Ghostbusters movie, I really didn't know what to expect.  I am a Ghostbusters fan so I hoped it would be fun; I was not disappointed.  Andrew Shaffer did an admirable job creating a book that is fun to read, and keeps the true flavor of the storyline in the movie.

I thought the humor in the writing was well done.  The fact that the book is the same one used in the movie made the content even more enjoyable to read.  The book is "written" by Erin Gilbert and Abby L. Yates with  Andrew Shaffer.  The comments throughout the book carry the voice of the movie characters and make reading the book a journey back into the world of the movie.

Ghosts from our Past Both Literally & Figuratively upholds the claim on its cover,  the material in the book is literal and figurative.  The literal inserts include ghost accounts from various locations.  The figurative edge deals with the professional information on ghostbusting resources, classifications of Class I through Class IV ghosts, and reports about Gilbert and Yates's childhood experiences that sparked their interest in being Ghostbusters and studying paranormal events.

This book needs a specific audience.  A prior knowledge of the Ghostbuster series is a definite plus to enjoying the book.  I plan to take it to my high school classroom.  I feel many of my reluctant readers may be interested in it simply because they attended the movie.  I would recommend Ghosts from our Past Both Literally & Figuratively, to any Ghostbusters fans looking for an informative and humorous read.


FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

In Memory of Bread

Paul Graham's memoir, In Memory of Bread,  is one of the most entertaining reads I have experienced this summer.  A delightful surprise, Graham's book has taught me a wealth of information about his journey being diagnosed with Celiac disease as an adult and how he eventually learned to live, eat, and bake gluten free.

In choosing this read, I honestly did not expect to be entertained.  My daughter, recently graduated with her dietician and nutrition degrees and acquired her registered dietician licensure.  She helped me to choose this selection to read.  I did so to pass the book on to her after my review.  I expected the book to be a dry account of gluten sensitivity and diet requirements.  Well, I was most whole-heartedly wrong.  Not only was Graham's book full of information about the ideas behind the upsurge of gluten sensitivity in the United States, but his writing was full of humor and voice that I devoured the book with zeal.

I felt sympathy for him when he wrote about missing the hot bread and beers that he loved so in his past. I understood his anger when he tried to bake gluten free breads, make gluten free pastas and the attempts were complete failures that left him throwing a bit of a culinary temper tantrum.  It can happen.   I laughed out loud when he stated another attempt at a gluten free product, crepes, "made me its bitch."  Most of all I learned compassion for his circumstances.

I confess, I did not feel the true struggle someone with gluten sensitivity endures until I read Graham's memoir.  When so many gluten free products flooded the markets during the last couple years, I thought it was a bit of a marketing fad.  Healthy individuals were embracing the gluten free items as if they were a necessary alternative eating regimen.  I thought this was silly.  Now, although I do believe some choose gluten free unnecessarily, I also understand the desperate need for the products for individuals that suffer from gluten sensitivity and full blown celiac disease.  That so many products are now available is a blessing, and I am happy for them.

I certainly enjoyed In Memory of Bread, and recommend this book to anyone living with gluten sensitivity, wanting to learn more about the disease, or those just wanting to read a great piece of writing.  In Memory of Bread is a true joy.


FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Punderdome: The Game That is a "Pun of Fun"

I love puns, I love words, so it only makes sense that puns would be a joy for me.  This being said, the idea of a game built on and based on puns was a certain choice for me on the Blogging for Books website.  I laid awake, well not really, but I did check the post everyday waiting for my new box of fun to arrive.  It did and I happily opened it.  First impression, the box is attractive, the instructions were easy to understand and made learning the game easy. The object of the game is to create real groaners, awful puns.  Joy for me!

I must say one of my favorite parts of the game is the cards themselves.  There are two hundred cards and every single one has a pun on it, a pure punner's heaven!

Just a couple puns that I enjoyed right off were:

What is the most psychic type of plant?
 The Palm Tree (Ba dum dum!)
or
What did they call the bug that didn't talk about his accomplishments?
A "Humble Bee." (GROAN!)

There are also two mystery envelopes that encourage the game players to include prizes for winning the game.

That being said, actually playing the game became a bit of a problem.

There are two colors of cards, white and green.  The game players are told to take turns being the reader and read the two categories on the cards then the other players  make a pun.  The reader is then to judge the puns and choose their favorite.  The favorite one awards the pun writer with the set of cards.  The first player to acquire ten pairs wins the game.

I tried to play this game with two dynamics of players.  One set were not necessarily word aficionados.  Very literate professionals, but not  people who make puns at every opportunity.  Needless to say this group struggled with the game.  In fact, it was a total bust.

Next, I played the game with true game players and word smiths.  Those who carefully play games and strategize for optimum results.  Also word lovers that do make puns quite often.  Sadly, I did not have a much better result in the playability of this game.

This said, I feel this game has potential.  It just needs "more".  I am not certain what kind of "more" it needs, but perhaps  more details to the prompts for making puns, or maybe more parameters in the instructions.

I love the concept of the game, I love puns in general and the fact that there are 200 puns written on the cards, however, I did not love the game.  Yet, I hope the creators look into adding more to the game because I would certainly enjoy playing it with a bit more depth.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review