Quotes to Live By

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
(John Quincy Adams)

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. (Aristotle)

Every artist was first an amateur. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. (Thomas Jefferson)

It takes ten years to build up a reputation, but only five minutes to ruin one. (Anonymous)

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Crocheting for Grandbabies

Even though I'm not a grandma and not even close to being one, I really liked this book. This book had very cute designs and shows you how to make each little animal hat out of yarn. What I liked as I leafed through this book was that it even showed you how to start crocheting the hat and it teaches you what technique you need in order to make that design.

Even though I cannot make heads or tails with crocheting, I will still commend the effort the author did in writing this book. I just liked leafing through the pages and looking at all the cute things I could make, if I ever learned how to crochet.

Sized from newborn to 12 years old, the 19 projects in this book are designed to grow with kids and become their go-to favorite hats. All the hats and booties are both beginner-friendly and budget-friendly, using machine-washable acrylic yarn and time-tested knitting techniques for quick baby shower and children's gifts.

Even if you're new to knitting, Gramma Nancy's Animal Hats (and Booties, Too!) provides encouraging words of advice and plenty of clever shortcuts. With Gramma Nancy's tried-and-true patterns, you'll find just the inspiration you need for your own knit-with-love creations.

Knit up the cutest little animal hats and booties, including a pair of elephants, a cheeky monkey, and an adorable bunny hat with matching paws. These fun and fabulous animal hats will delight new parents, and they're a snap to knit.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Parenting with Grace Devotional

I don't know about you, but it seems that parents need more grace with their children more than ever. I have seen some super tantrums and some kids do not ever grow out of them, even when they get to college (my roommate). I would really like to meet some of those parents.

But in this generation, kids are in their entitlement attitudes, which some are brought up by their parents, but others are being influenced by the society who believe in materialism. When the iphone 6 came out, the mall was in chaos and havoc because of a new piece of technology. When the new kids movie comes out, everyone rushes to see it or gets the new video console.

Every child I have ever observed this year thinks that because they are important in their family, they are entitled to some rights. For example, a student introduced himself as the cafeteria worker's grandson. Apparently, he thought it was a big deal and that I should take a note of it. He uses that excuse a lot to get out of doing homework or classwork. I fixed that problem really quickly (recess detention).

But even a midst all these problems, parents still need a huge dose of grace because more and more parents are going to work. There are more working parents than stay at home mom and children are swept to the side for an added income to the family.

This devotional will come in handy for parents with school-aged children. The Once-A-Day Nurturing Great Kids Devotional helps you to bring God into your parenting by providing 365 daily devotionals written specifically for parents who are seeking to build a stronger relationship with their kids and put God first in their family. These devotionals will inspire you as a parent to embrace the role that God has given you, while also equipping you with the tools you need to be a strong Christian role model for your children.

Starting with a Square

I was excited to receive this book in the mail because I would finally learn how to knit granny squares. I have always wanted to learn. What I expected to find and what I actually received were two different things. I received a book that had lots of different designs and how to "make" the design using a foreign set of numbers/terminology I had not learned before.

Maybe because this book is for seasoned knitters? Anyways, the illustrations were pretty and I wish I could make anyone of these squares they pictured.

For those of whom are seasoned knitters, here is a synopsis of what the book entails: 

150 original block patterns, from simple textures to embossed pictorials, intricate lace to cables, colorwork, double knit, and more, all with Nicky’s signature wit, verve, and style.
More than ten exclusive project designs that will make you say “I can’t believe that is made out of blocks!”
Detailed guidance for creating exciting pieces out of block knitting, without using increases or decreases.
Exclusive cut-and-paste project design pages. Simply cut out the printed blocks and arrange them to help create your own masterpieces.

Blocks are quick to knit, portable pieces perfect for group and charity projects, and now not limited to just afghans! Knitting Block by Block gives you the tools to unlock a world of creative possibilities and confidently build your own design “blockbusters,” one block at a time.  

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Testing Food

Many people think that cooking is a mystery, but if you break it down, cooking is only a mixture of ingredients, made hot by heating in different ways. Maybe that is the mystery. What if I put the wrong amount or what if I put a wrong ingredient into the mixture?

I was talking to a friend and he told me that on Thanksgiving, he is responsible for eating. I think that's true for most family members. Eating is a very important responsibility, but I think cooking is a huge responsibility too. If the food isn't good, then the eating is hard. If the food is good, then the plates will be empty.

Either way, making food is a skill all in itself. That's why I requested this book. As a college student, ramen noodles is a staple in the menu. Everything stems from ramen noodles, pizza, or mac & cheese. This book takes 125 common foods and elevates it to a higher standard. No more are we eating ramen noodles. We are instead eating an Asian salad with ramen noodles.

See the difference? The author, Tyler Florence takes a common thing and makes it uncommon. The pictures and illustrations are in color, so you don't have to guess what the result would look like. Also, there are step by step directions along with a few pictures so you know what each step is supposed to look like when it is finished.

Have you ever wondered which cheese, exactly, will make the stretchiest, cheesiest mac and cheese? Or if you can make Hollandaise sauce without fear, a double boiler, or even a whisk? Or if, instead of having to choose between onion rings or French fries, you can make onion rings crusted with French fries? Tyler Florence has. These are the kinds of questions he obsesses over when he thinks about how to make cooking both easier and more exciting.

For years, while shuttling between his restaurants and TV shoots, Tyler's kept a notebook of ideas to push his own recipes out of their comfort zone. Now, for the first time in his career, he’s established a culinary lab where he can dive deep into the hows, whys, and why-nots of his cooking. He brings you Inside the Test Kitchen to see his experiments, the wins and the fails, and of course, the delicious, foolproof, and surprising recipes that come out of it.

Go from tricks to make basics brilliant—like saucing Double-Creamed Spinach with pureed spinach, or using boiling-hot brine to make a Super-Crisp Roast Chicken— to simpler ways to make the classics, like a nearly no-stir Time Saver Risotto and a Three-Minute Hollandaise, to pure reinvention, like Fronion Rings and almost-instant Modern Burger Buns.

Through these 120 recipes, Tyler invites you to question culinary sacred cows, push your skills to the next level, and make food more delicious than they would have thought possible.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Just Sayin'

If you read my previous blog post, I talked about a 90 day devotional for boys. Well, guess what? They have a version for girls and it's for girly girls. The girls that talk about nails, hair and makeup, this book is for them.

I can see my cousin who is in 6th grade doodle all over this book. She loves drawing and being artistic, so this book will probably fit her. This book is just like it's male counterpart: "Dare U to Open this Book". It's filled with fun devotionals aimed at girls in their preteen ages. The cover is also pink and all the devotional topics have something do with life from a girl's perspective.

Just Sayin’ isn’t your typical 90-day devo for girls. It’s an all-out open space for you to explore and learn more about yourself and your faith. Prompts get your mind thinking, ideas flowing, and help turn your thoughts and emotions into dynamic doodles and more!

Each of the short, single-page devos were designed for girls just like you, with relevant topic, quotes, Scripture, plus doodles, journal prompts, lists, puzzles, quizzes, fill-in-the-blank prayers, and unique activities that explore Bible truths and ways to apply them—everyday. Just Sayin’ challenges girls to follow Jesus every day. Best. Idea. Ever.