I was tagged in an entry and I decided to pass it on.

Have you read more than 6 of these books? The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books listed here.

Instructions: Copy this into your NOTES. Bold those books you've read in their entirety, italicize the ones you started but didn't finish or read an excerpt. Tag other book nerds. Tag me as well so I can see your responses!

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1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
( more )

My bath puff recently died and I've also recently learned to crochet so I thought, why not try and make one? I was having a bit of a hard time understanding some of the patterns available on the Internet so I used one as a basis and kind of improvised and I thought I'd share. I feel like this will be more durable than the plastic ones you can buy.

Crochet Bath Puff

Materials:
1 - 42.5g / 1.5oz ball of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton
6mm / USA 10/J crochet hook

Method:
Round 1: Create a circle - I used a 'magic circle' (just search Google or YouTube if you don't understand the term). Add 15 single stitches in the centre of the circle. Chain 40 - this will form the hanger. Loop the chain (hanger) back to the beginning of the chain and add 1 single stitch to connect the hanger and with the ring.

Round 2: 6 single stitches in each of the 15 stitches

After the 2nd round I just kept going, adding 3 stitches per stitch until I finished the ball of yarn.

To finish off: make a chain stitch, and cut your yarn about 2-4" from the chain. Remove your hook and pull the yarn through the chain, pulling tightly to make it knot against the edge of your work.

Today was Canadian Thanksgiving. I look forward to holidays like this as it's a wonderful opportunity to see family and friends that we don't necessarily see all the time. For example, I ran to the grocery store to pick up some needed, last-minute ingredients and my friend, Natasha, who has been living and working in New Zealand for the past two years was running by my house and stopped to chat with my parents. Luckily I arrived back home while she was still over and we spent a few minutes catching up before I had to go back inside and help finish cooking.

As you saw from my post yesterday I made the pies this year (a total of three: pumpkin, apple and lemon meringue) but I also helped with the vegetable prep and cooking as well as table decoration. I also made a kick ass apple cider.

These are the table decorations I made. I had a lot of fun making them (especially the orange o' lanterns).


The centre piece is a really cool ice candle holder/wine chiller thing I have.

Some facts about Canadian Thanksgiving:
- Canadian Thanksgiving roots are more closely linked to European traditions. European farmers held celebrations at the time of harvest to give thanks for their good fortune of having a bountiful harvest and abundance of food.
- English navigator Martin Frobisher was the first to celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada in 1578. Frobisher held a formal ceremony upon settling in Newfoundland, giving thanks for surviving the long journey from England.
- In 1879, the Canadian Parliament declared the 6th of November as Thanksgiving Day. Over the years Thanksgiving Day was changed to every 2nd Monday of October (since 1957).

I am thankful for all of my friends and family, good food, good drink, and great company. Happy Turkey Day Everyone!

Pie Dough

Ingredients:
1 lb lard (Tenderflake produces the best, flaky crust)
5 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 Tablespoon vinegar
cold water

Method:
Mix together flour and salt, cut in lard until it resembles course oatmeal. In a 1 cup measure mix vinegar and egg. Add water to measure 1 cup. Gradually add to flour mix (I find it's easiest to do this with your hands). This will make enough dough for 3-4 pie crusts (less if you are topping the pies as well) depending on how thick you like your pie crust.

Apple Pie filling (for a 9" pie plate)

Ingredients:
About 6 large, peeled, cored and sliced apples
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (I don't really like nutmeg so I don't often use it)
1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Method:
In a large bowl combine all ingredients and toss until well coated, place inside pie crust, dab with butter or margarine and cover with pie top (don't forget to make slits in the top for venting). Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake for about 45 to 55 minutes or until the juices start to bubble and the apples feel tender (not mushy) when a toothpick or knife is inserted. Make sure to cover the edges of the pie with foil to prevent over browning after about 30 minutes (my most recent pie I had to cover the entire top because it was browning too much and the apples weren't cooked yet). I suggest placing a baking sheet under your pie to catch over boiling juices. My grandmother used to say, if the juices run the pie is ready.


apple pie (lattice top), pumpkin pie and pumpkin muffins ... yum!

These are quickly becoming my favourite appetizer and potluck dish. They're not hard to make and are relatively quick for a yeast dough. I found the recipe in Fall 2010's edition of Taste of Home magazine and have modified it a little bit. They really are delicious.

Italian Bread Twists

Ingredients
2 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) quick-rise yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
6 teaspoons olive oil, divided (original recipe calls for canola oil)
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
4 1/2 teaspoons grated Parmesan
1 Tablespoon pizza spices (original recipe calls for parsley flakes)
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Method
In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat the water, 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and honey to 120-130. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll into a 9" square. Cut into 1" strips. Twist each strip and place about 2" apart on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes. combine butter and remaining oil; brush over dough. Combine Parmesan cheese and spices; sprinkle over dough. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack.

Pizza Dipping Sauce

Ingredients
1 can pizza sauce
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
4 1/2 Tablespoons cider vinegar

Method
In a small saucepan, combine ingredients and bring to a boil. Serve with warm breadsticks.

Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!
einfach_mich and I (along with a bajillion other people) are reading, or re-reading in my case, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins because the third in the trilogy, Mockingjay, will be released in a couple of weeks! We decided we'd have a read along. I'm going to post my favourite parts about each chapter and she's going to respond with hers.



Chapter One
Favourite scene: "Look what I shot." Gale holds up a loaf of bread with an arrow stuck in it, and I laugh. - I like this scene because it is a very 'calm before the storm' kind of moment, they are almost lighthearted in their conversation.
Favourite line: "Tuck your tail in, little duck," I say, smoothing the blouse back into place. Prim giggles and gives me a small "Quack." - I love the relationship between Primrose and Katniss and this little conversation.
Other things liked about chapter:
- introduction to the Games, Districts, people

Chapter Two
Favourite scene:To the everlasting credit of the people of District 12, not one person claps. - very poignant in their indignation
Favourite line: "I volunteer!" I gasp. "I volunteer as tribute!"
Other things liked about chapter:
- Haymitch falling off the stage and Effie getting all flustered
- introduction to Peeta and Katniss' past and current relationship

Chapter Three
Favourite scene: Only they didn't die off. Instead, the jabberjays mated with female mockingjays, creating a whole new species that could replicate both bird whistles and human melodies. - I feel like I'd like to meet a real mockingjay, they sound like truly interesting creatures.
Favourite line: "There's almost always some wood," Gale says, "Since that year when half of them died of cold. Not much entertainment in that." - shows the callous nature of the Games.
Other things liked about chapter:
- description of some of the other Tributes
- the image of Effie hopping away on her pointed shoes

SO EXCITED!

It's that time of year again, time for the Twilight fandom to give back!

The Fandom Gives Back is a Fandom-wide initiative, created to unite the fans of the Twilight Saga and raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand. ALSF is a children's cancer research foundation, borne from the vision of Alex Scott (1996-2004). In November of 2009, the worldwide Twilight community banded together to raise more than $87,000 in just 7 days! Join us this year for FGB: Eclipse, June 2010. We hope this sequel event will surpass our first inception and raise even more to help this important charity!

This video explains a bit about the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation:

I tell you all of this because I want you to get involved! Spread the word: tweet about it, tell your friends, post about it on your blogs, talk about it on Facebook etc. Or if you have a few dollars to spare, donate!

Do you like auctions? Do you like fan-fiction? Do you like autographed merchandise? Do you like fandom related artwork and handcrafted items? Well, I know the auctions for you! If you are addicted to fan-fiction, a lot of super awesome people are auctioning off one-shots, different POVs for some chapters, and various other things! Yours truly is also participating. I'm auctioning off personalized "motivational" banners, a custom story banner, or a custom LJ/blog banner (any ship, any genre, anything ...) There's a tonne of other authors and fandom related merchandise and artwork. Check out the website and the forums. The auctions start on June 25, 2010 and will run until 11:59 PM EST on July 2, 2010.

Auctions:
- "motivational": http://www.thefandomgivesback.com/item.php?id=870
- story: http://www.thefandomgivesback.com/item.php?id=871
- LJ/blog: http://www.thefandomgivesback.com/item.php?id=872
- einfach_mich: http://www.thefandomgivesback.com/item.php?id=687
- kimpy0464: http://www.thefandomgivesback.com/item.php?id=677
- juliebutterfly: http://www.thefandomgivesback.com/browse.php?id=481
- floridachickie: http://www.thefandomgivesback.com/item.php?id=339

Other Links:
- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: http://www.alexslemonade.org/
- The Fandom Gives Back: http://www.thefandomgivesback.com/
- Twilight Fandom Give Back virtual lemonade stand: http://www.alexslemonade.org/stands/19842

Here's a sample of what I will make for you if you buy me [I'm cheap ;)] as well as the full terms.

Terms: Personalized "motivational" banners of 500x300 pixels, a custom story banner of 600x250 pixels, or a custom LJ banner of 800x250 pixels (any ship, any genre, anything ...) Banners do not have to be Twilight related. If the bidder wants specific picture(s) I would request they supply them. Pricing as follows. Any questions email sapphire.witche@gmail.com

auction link will be here

SAMPLES:

Motivational - $2 each


Custom Story - $4 each


Custom LJ - $6 each


Here are examples of what I did for last November's auctions:
Story



LJ/Blog

I don't eat breakfast, usually because I don't give myself enough time to get a breakfast together, so I thought I'd try making some dense, breakfast muffins that have a lot of nutritious ingredients. I'm thinking you could probably experiment with these muffins.

Morning Glory Muffins
Yield: about 6

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup plain yogurt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup grated, peeled apple
1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1/4 cup shredded, sweetened coconut
1/4 cup pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds) we didn't have any of these

Method:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, sugar, yogurt and oil until smooth; pour over dry ingredients. Sprinkle with carrots, apple, cranberries/raisins, pepitas and coconut. Mix just until dry ingredients are moistened to form a very thick batter. Spoon into muffin cups and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.