Uncomfortable/cute moment at the library...

I was helping an 11 year old boy find a movie at the circulation desk.  He was standing next to me and said "you are working so hard. How much money do you make working here?" Dead silence.  I didn't have a clue what to say. Luckily I was saved when his mom was motioning him to go back to the kids area.

My dad said I should have said "I make enough." Someone else said I should have said "I make enough to drive back and forth from home."

What would you have said?

Today at the library...

There is an older gentleman who comes into the library almost every day. He speaks very little English but I am always smiling and waving hello when he comes in.  He usually says something in Spanish and I never quite remember how I need to respond but today was the day I would say something back in Spanish! 

He came and walked by and said Buenos Dias. I said Buenos Dias back and he got the hugest grin on his face and put a big thumbs up and you could tell he was proud. I pretty much had a grin on my face all day.    I think he has been trying to teach me and he succeeded today with getting me to say two words. 

I was telling this to a co-worker who also speaks Spanish and he was saying the older gentleman seems like a wise man.  This older gentleman reminds me of my grandfather who always had a sparkle in his eye.  It was a good day in the library!

Once Upon a Time

Who doesn't love a good fairy tale? I have been enjoying the hit new ABC show Once Upon a Time immensely.  It has all the fairy tales most people know about and they will have some lesser known fairy tales as the season progresses.  The latest episode was about the huntsman who is supposed to kill Snow White.

Under the curse the queen has put on the town none of the townspeople remember their true identities.  Emma, the main character, is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. She comes to the town of Storybrooke, Maine under the request of her son Henry. Henry was adopted by the Mayor of Storybrooke who is actually the Evil Queen.

Each episode feels like a mini movie and each hour goes by way to fast. This episode was very emotional because I started to really like Graham and Emma together and then they go and take it away.  I am probably reading into this to much but the actor who plays Graham/The Huntsman is in all 22 episodes this season. It is too soon to know but I can’t wait for the season to begin again.    

      

The Hunger Games

Book Description
Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place. 

Excerpt from the book
 The rules of the Hunger Games are simple. In punishment for the uprising, each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy, called tributes, to participate. The twenty-four tributes will be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen wasteland. Over a period of several weeks, the competitors must fight to the death. The last tribute standing wins. – from The Hunger Games, page 18 

My Review

The Hunger Games is not a book that I thought I would ever read.  It is not the type of genre that I generally enjoy, but I decided to give the book a chance.  I am so glad that I did.  Since it's a teen book it's a pretty quick read. I read it in a day and a half. I could not put it down! I have seen this book being checked out at the library a lot and never put a request in for it to read.  I seen the trailer for the movie coming out in March and thought it looked pretty interesting so I thought I would give the book a chance.  All the copies were checked out so I put my name on the list and in about three weeks it came.  I started reading it almost immediately.  Katniss is such a strong character throughout the story, you can't help but encourage her until the end. Here is the trailer for the movie coming out in March 2012.

Chevy or Ford

This could also be a perfect hallmark card commercial.  

What is or has been your favorite car? 

Pretzels

Back in October my mom and I went about making some pretzels. We had made pretzels a long time ago and I remembered them tasting delicious.  I went online to www.tastykitchen.com to try and find a pretzel recipe that sounded good.  Pretzels are a pretty basic recipe so I found a pretty simple recipe. Sweet Basil on tasty kitchen has a really good recipe.  We sprinkled half of them with salt and the other half with cinnamon sugar.  They were both equally delicious. 

Ingredients

·        4-½ Tablespoons Yeast

·        3 cups Warm Water

·        2 Tablespoons Sugar

·        6 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

·        2-½ teaspoons Salt

·        8 cups Flour

·        2 Tablespoons Baking Soda

·        2 cups Water

·        ¼ cups Margarine, To Brush On Pretzels

Preparation Instructions

Dissolve the yeast in the 3 cups warm water. Combine the sugars, salt, and flour into a mixer. Add the yeast mixture and mix on high speed for 8 minutes.

Put dough in a greased bowl and let rise 1 hour. Roll into 12-16 ropes about 18 inches long. Let rise 15 minutes.

Roll ropes again till about 24 inches long. Twist into pretzels. Dip in a mixture of the baking soda and 2 cups of water. Put on a greased cookie sheet, or parchment sprinkled with flour works best. Let sit 10-15 minutes.

Bake at 450F for 8 minutes. Brush lightly with melted margarine and sprinkle with coarse salt, sea salt, Parmesan cheese or cinnamon and sugar.

Note: for cinnamon crunch pretzels, just add an equal portion of brown sugar to the cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top.

Can I have a copy?

Around ten years ago I broke my third toe on a metal door stop.  It was painful but since doctors don't do much for a broken toe I didn't do much except ice it and wrap it.  All was fine until a few weeks ago when I accidentally bent them backwards beneath me while sitting in a chair looking at the computer.  It was painful right away but not as bad as ten years ago.  It bruised quite badly but I was working through the pain with Tylenol and icing it. The pain was worse when I was working so last week an appointment was made for today to go see a foot doctor.  I had met this doctor before when my dad went to him for a foot procedure.

My mom went with and we met with the MA first who was really nice. I have never really thought of myself as clumsy but I think I found out today I am.  He needed to take my blood pressure and as I was rolling the sleeve up on shirt I accidentally hit myself in the face.  Oh how embarrassing.  He looked at my toe and was pretty sure the doctor would want some x-rays done.  I hadn't ever had x-rays before other than on my back when I was much younger.  The doctor came in and said he didn't think it was fractured but I had traumatized my toe but wanted to have an x-ray done to make sure.  We walked across the street to the hospital where I had to have the hospital patient wristband.  I had three pictures of my foot which the doctor was able to look at right away.  We stopped back by the office to see if it was fractured.  If it was I would have to wear an ugly shoe for five weeks.  We were able to go back in the office right away and he looked at my foot on the computer and said it was sprained not fractured.  He said I had a beautiful, healthy foot.  I just need to ice my toe three times a day and keep it wrapped.  I really wanted to ask if I could have a copy of the x-ray but I didn't.

Sweet Land

Over the weekend I checked out a movie at the library that looked really good. It was called Sweet Land. It is set in 1920, Inge is from Germany and she travels to Minnesota as a mail order bride to marry Olaf Torvik. Inge met his parents in Norway.  The four of them made an agreement that allows her to immigrate to America if she marries Olaf.   She arrives in Minnesota with no immigration papers.  To make matters worse, she accidentally obtained membership papers for the American Socialist Party.  The minister and the county clerk refuse to marry the two because of the obstacles they are facing.  

Inge is feisty and can't speak very much English.  Olaf is very quiet and doesn't say much.  They are quite a pair.  Sweet Land is a winner of the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2005 Hamptons International Film Festival.  Alan Cummings plays Olaf's good friend and neighbor who is a light hearted man with a sense of humor.  This was a very cute movie, and I suggest if you ever see it available somewhere that you take some time to watch it.  

Friday Five - Books to read

I have five books checked out and I really need to get started on reading them.

1. Karen Kingsbury's One Tuesday Morning.  I have read this one before but it has been a long time since I read it.  I thought it might be time to reread it.  The first time I cried throughout the whole book so I am hoping I don't cry as much this time around.












2. Karen Kingsbury wrote a book A Thousand Tomorrows and it is being made into a movie.  I have read this one before also but I can't quite remember what the plot is, so I thought now would be the time to refresh my memory of this book.



3. Sarah Sundin has a series Wings of Glory that is about World War II. I read the first book A Distant Melody and the second book is A Memory Between Us.  I can't wait to get started.













4. Susan May Warren has a book out called Nightingale. I don't know much about this one, I just knew I really liked the front cover.













5. A Most Unsuitable Match by Stephanie Grace Whitson. This story takes place on a steamboat in 1869.



What books are you reading?

Family - How are we related?

How are we related? I have probably asked that question 100's of times growing up.

The family on my mom and dad's are quite large.  My dad is the youngest of 13 kids, and my mom is from a family of five. I grew up in a small town and a small school so there were always lots of people I knew that were related.  As I went to high school with more students I didn't recognize as many of the people but they would have a familiar last name.  I would come home and ask my mom "Do you know who this person is? Are we related." The best person to ask was grandpa because he seemed to know just about everyone.  He would tell you who the person's parents probably were. Coming home and asking if we are related has been going on for quite a few years.  

This all started back up again when a cousin said Happy Birthday.  I went to mom saying "How are we related.  She is one of my mom's cousins daughters.  Most people would think that would make them a second cousin.  She is actually a 1st cousin once removed.  I have been told this more than once and I never can seem to remember it.  So, this week my mom and I went through all of her first cousins to see how many first cousins and first cousins once removed I have.  There are 14 first cousins and 82 first cousins once removed.  That was a shocking number.

My grandma and aunt made a book that is compiled of family records, stories and history of the family.  It is the most amazing book to look through and read all the family stories.

Teaser Tuesday

I am working on a family post, but it should be ready for tomorrow.  Until then I will post the Teaser Tuesday. http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/

The rules for Teaser Tuesday, hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading, are simple:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two "teaser" sentences from that page (without spoiling the book)
4. Include the title and author so others can find the book if they enjoyed your teaser

This week's teaser:


"An unmistakable look of pride as he watched his daughter brought an answering tightening somewhere in the region of Joan's heart. She swallowed, her throat dry. Fathers and daughters always got to her."

Virginia Smith. Stuck in the Middle (Sister-to-Sister, Book 1) (Kindle Locations 80-81). Kindle Edition.

Now on a separate note, I need to think of one  or more books that I believe have been influential to the world.  The library would like a display of staff picks. I look forward to seeing what books have been influential to the staff at the library.


What book do you believe has been influential to the world? 

Book Review: A Great Catch by Lorna Seilstad

From the back cover: 


She wants to change the world.
He wants to change her mind.

It's the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When Emily Graham's meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.

Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and a pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father.

When their worlds collide, neither Emily nor Carter could have guessed what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?


My Review:
I had tried reading this book once before and I couldn't get into reading it.  I seen it at the library and I just knew I had to try reading it again because the cover was so intriguing.  I am so glad I did.  I really got into the story this time and enjoyed it immensely. 


I didn't realize that this book is the second in a series called "Lake Manawa Summers." It reads like a stand alone novel so you don't have to worry about reading the first book, but I will be requesting it from the library.  


"A Great Catch" has a sweet romance, humor, history, and a great spiritual lesson of learning to put God first in your life.  


This is Lorna Seilstad's second novel.  

Friday Five - Period dramas I love

These are some Period dramas that I enjoy and could watch over and over and not get tired of them. 

1. Ever After.  This is one of my very favorite movies.  I love the simple Cinderella story line. We still have this movie VHS. I should probably try and find it on DVD so it lasts longer.  

2. Anne of Green Gables.  I love the relationship Anne has with Marilla and Matthew.  I can't forget to mention Gilbert. His relationship with Anne is so fun to watch as it develops.  

3. Pride and Prejudice.  I love all of Jane Austen's books and the movies.  I always liked the relationship between Jane and Bingley the best.   

4. Downton Abbey.  I loved the first season of this and I can't wait for the second season that starts in January. 

5. Emma. I had to put another one by Jane Austen.  The newest version of Emma with Romola Garai was so much fun to watch.  

Easy Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Last year a friend from work made the most delicious Pumpkin Spice cookies for my birthday.  I have never been a huge fan of pumpkin but there isn't an overwhelming taste of pumpkin in these cookies.  She mentioned the Pumpkin Spice cookies last night at work and I just had to share the recipe.  I hope you enjoy them.

I found a similar recipe on food.com

http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-pumpkin-spice-cookies-cake-mix-147653

• 1 (18 1/4 ounce) box spice cake mix
• 1 (15 ounce) can solid-pack pumpkin (the small can)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional) or 1 cup chopped pecans (optional) or1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 1 cup cream cheese frosting (optional)

Directions:

1. 
   

   1. 1
      Preheat oven to 350°F.
   2. 2
      Spray cookie sheets lightly with vegetable spray (Pam).
   3. 3
      In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and pumpkin with a fork or mixer until well blended; stir in nuts or raisins, if desired.
   4. 4
      Drop by large rounded spoonfuls onto the cookie sheet; they don't flatten out much so however you place them on the sheet is pretty much how they'll look after baking.
   5. 5
      Bake for 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies.
   6. 6
      Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for up to 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
   7. 7
      Frost, if desired.
   8. 8
      How many cookies you get depends on how large you make them of course - just increase your baking time if making larger cookies (it's truly difficult to burn these, but they will get crispier & less moist); Mine, made with a medium size cookie scoop, take 13-15 minutes to bake and yield about 3 dozen.

Library books

I love working in the library because I get to be around books, I meet all kinds of people, and the best part is seeing what people are reading! I loved talking with people about the books that they are checking out. It is always nice when they recommend a book to read or a movie to watch. 

Yesterday, 16 books were returned that all looked like fabulous. They were all new books from different libraries.  I already have two books checked out that I haven’t started reading yet so I was trying to decide if I wanted to read the new books.  I decided I would check them all in and see if they had holds for someone else. If there were holds I wouldn’t check them out.  If they didn’t have holds I would check a few of them out.  None of the books had holds so I took that as a sign from God that I need to read those books. So I came home with 10 items on my account. 

 I will need to start reading! The book I am most looking forward to is “The Cubicle Next Door” by Siri Mitchell. 

Do you go to the Library? If so, do you leave with a huge book bag full of books? What are you reading now?

Book Review: Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist

Synopsis (From Deeanne Gist's blog)

From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled--by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in proper servant etiquette, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid. After all, the one rule of the house is no romance below stairs.

But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs, their aspirations ...and their hearts.

My Review

Ever since the first book by Deeanne "A Bride Most Begrudging" I fell in love with her books.  "Maid to Match" was no different than her other six books.  This book takes place in 1898 in North Carolina.  This is one of my favorite time periods to read about.  The characters that Deeanne writes about seem so real and I felt like I was right there with Tillie and Mack in the Biltmore Estate.  

It is a quick historical read with a sweet romance entwined.  It is a stand alone book so you don't have to worry about reading a sequel.  

Perfect Love

I found this poem on a website and loved it.  The author is unknown but here is the site it came from. http://www.eternalchoice.com/perfectlove.php

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone- 

To have a deep soul relationship with another- 

Be loved thoroughly, and exclusively. 

But God, to a Christian, says: 

I want you to be satisfied, fulfilled, and content 

With being loved by Me alone- 

With giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me- 

With having an intensely personal and unique relationship 

With Me alone. 

Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, 

Will you be capable of the best human relationship 

That I have planned for you.

I want you to be united with another after you are united with Me- 

Exclusive of anyone or anything else, 

Exclusive of any other desires or longings. 

I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, 

And allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing- 

One that you cannot imagine. 

I want you to have the best- 

Please allow Me to bring it to you. 

You just keep watching Me, trusting Me- 

Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am. 

Keep listening and learning the things I tell you. 

You just wait. 

That's all.

Don't be anxious. 

Don't worry. 

Don't look around at the things 

Others have gotten or that I've given them. 

Don't look at the things you think you want. 

You just keep looking off and up to Me, 

Or you'll miss what I want to show you.

And then, when you're ready, I'll surprise you with a love 

Far more wonderful than any you would dream of. 

You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready, 

(I am working even at this moment to have both of you ready at the same time), 

Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I prepared for you, 

You won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me. 

And this is the perfect love.

And dear one, I want you to have the most wonderful love. 

I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me, 

And to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love 

That I offer you with Myself. 

Know that I love you utterly. 

I am God. 

Believe and be satisfied.

     -author and original title unknown

Bonus article:

Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Some men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy. So the apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, THEY'RE amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

Learning to Speak Spanish

Hola, mi nombre is Katey

I have worked in the Library for more than a year now and I think it is time I start actively trying to learn to speak Spanish. I took two years of Spanish in high school but it didn’t really go so well. I know some of the basic phrases but I pretty much rely on the various Spanish speakers who work in the library. It is time to change that.

I went to Target and bought some flash cards to write Spanish words, phrases, and numbers that are commonly used in the library to practice when I am not at work. Working in the library I have access to some awesome resources to go about learning Spanish.

Hopefully I am not being a loca cabeza (Crazy head) for trying to learn to speak Spanish. I do have quite a few co-workers I can practice with. I don’t think they will mind.

I hope you all have a great week!

First post

After a few years of reading blogs I finally decided to start a blog of my own. I work in a library and am always coming across little stories that I don’t want to forget. I sometimes give a brief story on Facebook about the story but I thought a blog could also be a fun way to document my time working in the library.

I am also an avid reader so I might talk about the books I am reading. I love to read inspirational fiction books; anything by Karen Kingsbury is on my bookshelf. I love cooking so if I find a recipe I want to share you guys will be the lucky person to hear about it.

Now for the Blog title. I am not quite sure how I decided on My Life in Pink, but I have always been quite a girly girl and those two things seem to go hand in hand.

My fun for the day was going to a high school classmates baby shower. There is no better place to oh and ah at pretty baby girl clothes.