Archives for 2010

Zoo Day 2010

March 20, 2010 by Amy 6 Comments

P.S. Carolyn et al, I didn’t post your pics…wasn’t sure if you wanted it on here!

I was so happy to get to see Carolyn and family today. They were visiting Myrtle Beach from Canada and we decided to meet for a trip at the zoo. This is our second meeting..hopefully 2nd of many more. We visited one of our favorite restaurants from Cola (as the locals call Columbia) Lizard’s Thicket for lunch for some home cooking and then spent the afternoon at the zoo.

I realized this was the first time I had been with Lexi. I went several times with Emma when we lived there but never have made it back in the six years we’ve been back. It was a gorgeous day and apparently everyone else thought a visit to the zoo was the perfect way to spend the day because it was quite crowded. We managed a pretty good time though.

My favorite moment by far though was a visit to the gorillas. I think this shows our fascination with going to the zoos again and again…you just never know what they’re going to do.

Book Review: Plain Pursuit

March 19, 2010 by Amy 7 Comments

Plain Pursuit is an Amish Christian Fiction novel by Beth Wiseman. It’s the second of the Daughters of the Promise series. In the novel, journalist Carley sustains the loss of her mother and extensive injuring of her own and is asked to take a leave of absense from work. She goes to stay with her Amish friend Lillian and takes with her an assignment to write a story on the Amish way of life. While there she meets Lillian’s shunned brother in law and develops a relationship with him will helping pull together a family. In return, she finds a family of her own.

It’s been several books since I’ve picked up fiction, devoting myself to several Christian non-fiction books. I had really hoped to lose myself in this book and enjoy a quick, romantic read. Had it not been for my commitment to finish and review the book, I have to say I may not have finished it. I had a hard time connecting with Carley. The storylines were predictable and sometimes forced. The dialogue at times was out of character. I felt like the story was more about Noah and his brother Samuel more than Carley and Noah. I think Carley’s hang ups about her infertility were unfounded with Noah and her fear from Darlton was not developed enough for the reader to understand the fear. It was difficult to enjoy a book that was almost solely based in a hospital room and when a lot of the conversation dealt with shunning. I felt like Carley and Noah’s story was rushed towards the end of the book and I would have liked to see some more conversations between them throughout. I think mostly the book was lacking in character development. It seemed the author was more concerned with moving the story forward and describing the medical process and procedures than introducing the reader to the characters and seeing substantial development take place. With the beautiful countryside I’m sure they were in, I felt like scene was lacking as well. I had a difficult time trying to picture the locations and getting a sense of what the characters were seeing.

I did enjoy learning about the Amish as this was my first Amish fiction book. I felt like the author did a good job of weaving pieces of the storylines together, especially when ancillary characters were able to move the storyline forward. The writing was the best when Carley stood up for her beliefs or when there was tension between other characters. I felt like the underlying storyline of the clinic gave the reader something to drive towards and enjoyed all of the community’s “emergencies”.

Overall, I’d give this book a 6 out of 10.

This book was provided on behalf of Thomas Nelson publishing in exchange for the review. If you would like to participate in the book review program, please visit BookSneeze.com

Call Right Now!

March 19, 2010 by Amy 9 Comments

I pass by the girls in the living room who are watching TV.

Emma: Mommy, you should get a space bag!
I notice the infomercial on TV
Me: Really, what should I put in it?
Emma: I don’t know.
I walk into the kitchen to fix them breakfast. Emma follows me.
Emma: It keeps dirt, bugs and water away!
Me, pouring milk: It does?
Emma: Yeah, and if you run over it it won’t even get dirty!
Run over it? When in my life am I going to have a space bag in my driveway? Oops! Watch out! There’s a bag of sheets ahead!
Emma: Plus it will save you closet space!
Lexi: You can put it under our bed or the attic…
Emma: Or the garage! Or the basement. Mommy do we have a basement?
Lexi: Mommy, what’s a basement?

Things I learned today:

You don’t have to know what you’re selling to sell it
Infomercials work
Our closets are messy

How To: Find a Picture By Color

March 17, 2010 by Amy 3 Comments

I was going to do a random post of green pictures just because today is St. Patty’s day and I love the color green. I thought I remembered one of the search engines searched by color but I wasn’t having much luck. So then I went on a search and I found this tool that searches Flickr for colors you choose and it’s so smart! I just had fun playing with the whole thing and actually enjoyed the grouping of pictures more than I enjoyed the individual pictures.

So I started with all the shades of green

And then I thought while those were cool, I love red too.

And wow! I lurved that! What about blue?

Or what if I stayed with the green but picked some lighter colors to give it some contrast?

Or what if I just stuck them all in there?

Or, wait, look at all the blue!

It’s all so pretty!

So just in case you’re on the hunt for pictures of a certain color or palette of colors, I think that’s your tool. And looky there, I ended up with a post of green pictures after all!

Cooking with The Pioneer Woman: Weekly Update

March 17, 2010 by Amy 6 Comments

Chicken Strips

Overall these were given a thumbs up. I did make one mistake and dumped a bunch more flour in my bowl and forgot to re-season. They came out tasting a little like they needed more salt. My fault! The bummer is the kids didn’t care for them and I could barely get them to eat them after stripping off the thick and crunchy breading. The whole reason to make these were to substitute Chick Fil A and every other kids meal. I think I’m going to fish for another recipe :(. I do have to say they were juicy and *I* enjoyed them just as much as any restaurant.

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Hot Artichoke Dip (in cookbook)

I think this came out really well for what it was. It was yummy with tortilla chips. It was a tad sour for my taste. I think I missed some spinach a la Spinach and Artichoke Dip. I’m just not a huge artichoke fan. Scott seemed to really like it and he likes artichokes so who am I to judge or even make this?

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Penne a la Betsy (in cookbook)

I substituted chicken for the shrimp just because I knew Lexi wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole. Turns out she barely touched the chicken anyway. But both kids really liked the taste. Actually Lexi’s comment was the garlic bread was better than the noodles but both of them were better than her Gatorade. So there you go. If you’ve made the tomato soup, this tastes just like it but with noodles. I personally could have used a lot more spice. My family is so spice-sensitive though it’s hard to play around with that.

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I feel like I’m being harsh this week. There was nothing that had anyone jumping up and down but they weren’t bad by any means. I think with a few tweaks, these could go into regular rotation.

American Idol Top 12

March 16, 2010 by Amy 7 Comments

I need to preface these reviews with the comment that before tonight I wouldn’t have said I’m a Rolling Stones fan but I really liked a lot of those songs. I know, call me crazy.

Mike – I’m not 100% sold on Mike. I’ve complained before on his performance. It just feels a little fake to me. And I felt the dancing/moves were a little awkward. I was pointing at the TV and saying “YES” when Simon commented on it as well. I wouldn’t say it was desperate though. The guy can sing though.

Didi – Where has that Didi been? Wow. The big note was off but I felt like she was in it to win it tonight.

Casey – Yes! I loved that. I loved in particular that he smiled through the whole thing and looked like he was having fun.

Lacey – I really liked it. I wasn’t wowed and I think maybe it’s going to be forgettable but I can see myself listening to this on my iPod. On a few sidenotes, I really like her black nails and how did I miss she had a church background?

Andrew – Dude. That was not good. I agree with Randy. Too pitchy for me.

Katie – She performed that well. I’ve just decided though I’m not a fan of the tone of her voice. And wow, I’m surprised none of the judges made a wedding singer comment after that intro video. Not that I thought she sounded like one but it’s just not beneath Simon to pull that out especially with an opening. I just kept imagining Carrie Underwood in her place and those big notes would be so much easier to listen to with Carrie’s voice.

Tim – Maybe because I’m clueless about the original but I think I liked it. At least he sang it well. Why did the judges hate it? I’m confused.

Siobhan – Wow, it’s amazing. Every week I become a bigger and bigger fan of hers. She was a certified performer tonight. Definite, definite reminders of Adam Lambert there. But in a good, normal way. Finally! That’s how you are an outstanding performer on stage and then be a humble individual off stage. She’s so cute with those glasses. Ah, I’m on the Siobhan train!

Lee – I wish the guy would annunciate better. I did not understand 50% of what he just sang. I think his voice was really good. Strange for me with all the mumbling.

Paige – Is it just me or did she sound like one of the Judd’s? I think I might like the Country sound on her.

Aaron – Wow, I did not agree with the judges at all. I was bored. The performance was a little awkward. His voice was very nice in some places but overall, I’m just not a fan yet.

Crystal – I love Crystal. I love that every week you feel like you’re already watching a star.

Favorites by far: Crystal and Siobhan

In trouble this week: Andrew and Lacey

Check out more posts at boomama.net

Local Press on My Suze Orman Segment

March 16, 2010 by Amy 1 Comment

Our local newspaper and news station decided to do an article and segment on my segment on Suze Orman airing this weekend. I think my time on the news here is going to be longer than the actual Suze segment!

I’m happy to talk about the golf tournament as I think it’s going to be a great time for a good cause and I love Suze. I hope more people tune in to her as well. We all can use financial advice no matter where we are in our journey.

See the rest of the news article here.

Maybe it’s not a new car, a fancy home or an expensive flat-screen TV, but before Fort Mill resident Amy Bennett splurges a little on something fun, she needs to know, “Can I afford it?”

Last week, Bennett taped a spot for The Suze Orman Show’s “Can I afford it?” segment. The splurge she wants to make? A trip to the third annual “Beyond the Lights” celebrity golf tournament in Texas. The tournament, which raises funds for spinal cord injury research, is hosted by Brad Leland and Kyle Chandler, two of the stars of the NBC show “Friday Night Lights.”

Actors and actresses from the show also attend the tournament, which includes a silent auction and concert, and filming for the show occurs in nearby Austin. An avid fan of the show, Bennett runs a Friday Night Lights fan Web site, www.fridaynightlightsfan.com, that offers up-to-the-minute information on the show as well as recaps, blogging about the show and the cast, and a podcast created by Bennett and her partner on the Web site, Kaitlin Mattison.

Bennett has wanted to go to the tournament before, but felt like now is the time to book the trip.

“The network has already said this is the last year of the show,” Bennett said. “So this is probably the last year all of these actors will be together in Austin, so this is it. It’s kind of do it this year or never.”

Jenny from the FM Times wrote the article and I had such a fun time talking to her. We know each other back from high school and I almost forgot I was doing an interview on the phone with her. I think it really came across in the article and am so pleased with it.

Today Diane from CN2 came over for just a few minutes to get a couple sound bites for their segment on tonight’s news. I didn’t really realize I was going to be on camera. I thought it might be one of those they show my headshot or a picture of the show and then just saw a few words about it. I realized just how much I talk with my hands! If you can’t view the video below, check it out here.

Top Ten Tuesday: The Pioneer Woman’s Top 10 Recipes

March 16, 2010 by Amy 16 Comments

I’ve been wanting to do this list AND participate in Top 10 Tuesday. But somehow never put the two together? Who knew?

I have to give this with the qualification I haven’t tried every single recipe in the book but I think I’ve hit 90% of it. I’m judging simply by the mmm factor taking into consideration I would eat desserts 8 times a day as well as ease of recipe and frequency you make it. Also judging by how quickly my brain pulled it out of thin air. So here’s my list so far:

1 – Tomato Soup

This gets such high marks because it’s so delicious and so easy.

2 – Chicken Pot Pie

This is a tummy pleaser for sure. It takes a little more work because of the crust and time but once you’re familiar with it, it’s pretty easy.

3 – Blue Cheese Sauce

This is so high on the list because I could eat it with a spoon and try to find every reason to eat it again. It’s not in the cookbook either but did I mention it’s yummy?

4 -Tomato Basil Pizza (including her Pizza crust recipe)

Best homemade pizza ever.

5 -Best Lasagna Ever

I feel like a real cook when I make this. No can of spaghetti sauce included! It’s not the easiest thing ever but it certainly is yummy!

6 -Mocha Brownies

By far my favorite dessert recipe in the book. The inch thick icing is just sinful!

7 – Onion Strings

I could eat these for a snack pretty much any time of the day. They are salty and crunchy and for once I don’t feel like I’m missing out on not buying a Bloomin’ Onion somewhere

8 –Cinnamon Rolls

I only made these once. They are sinful. Period.

9 – Jalapeno Poppers

This is a great party snack. Even people that don’t like jalapeno should like these. And something about wrapped in bacon and a toothpick make me feel fancy.