Treat Tuesday #86...

Treat Tuesday:  Bacon-Cheese Quiche

*This is probably a tad bit late, but thought I would share this recipe anyway.

*We had this on Easter Sunday and it was delicious.  We actually had a mid-afternoon meal, but still did quiche.

*My wife found this online and it is from Martha Stewart.



Ingredients…

*All-purpose flour, for rolling

*One homemade or store-bought single-crust pie dough

*One tablespoon unsalted butter

*Two cups medium diced yellow onion (from 1 large onion)

*Course salt and ground pepper

*Six large eggs

*3/4 cup heavy cream

*3/4 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

*One cup shredded Gruyere cheese (4 ounces)

Directions…

1.  Preheat over to 375 degrees.  Lightly flour a rolling pin and work surface and roll out dough to a 12-inch round.  Place in a 9-inch pie plate, fold overhang under, and crimp edge.  Place a sheet of parchment paper over dough and fill with pie weights or dried beans.  Bake until edge is dry and light golden, about 20 minutes.  Remove parchment and weights.

2.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high.  Add onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook until light golden, 8 to 10 minutes.  In a median bowl, whisk together eggs and cream.  Add onion, bacon, and cheese and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  Whisk to combine, pour into crust, and bake until center of quiche is just set, 40 to 45 minutes.  Serve warm or at room temperature.


Treat Tuesday:  Middle-Grade Novel

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool








Treat Tuesday:  Adult Novel

Back Roads by Tawni O'Dell

Coal Run by Tawni O'Dell

Music Monday #25: Dream Big by Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband

Dream Big by Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband

*I remember when I first started doing Music Monday with my fourth graders.

*My daughter Kate first heard this song and told me about it.  She said I should use it for a "music Monday" selection.  

*The song, video, and lyrics are so great and speak to the possibility of our dreams in life.

*After we view one of the videos, we discuss as a class for a bit.  

*The kids then get busy writing in their notebooks.  They can write their reactions, thoughts, feelings, connections, reminders, or what they noticed.  

*A few of the writers will share what they wrote at the end of our writing time.  

Music Monday Selections for 2014-2015…

Week #1 = What I Am by will.i.am and Sesame Street Characters

Week #2 = Proud by Heather Small

Week #3 = Dreamer by Chris Brown

Week #4 = Roar by Katy Perry

Week #5 = What Does the Fox Say by Ylvis

Week #6 = Rainbow Connection from the Muppets

Week #7 = Good Time by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepson

Week #8 = Thriller by Michael Jackson

Week #9 = Hall of Fame by The Script and will.i.am

Week #10 = Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka

Week #11 = Count on Me by Bruno Mars

Week #12 = Superheroes by The Script

Week #13 = Something New by Axwell Ingrosso

Week #14 = Clouds by Zach Sobiech

Week #15 = Do They Know Its Christmas by BandAid
Week #16 = What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Week #17 = Shooting Star by Owl City
Week #18 = Happy by Pharrell Williams
Week #19 = The World's Greatest by R. Kelly
Week #20 = Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) by Shakira
Week #21 = Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz
Week #22 = I've Lived by One Republic
Week #23 = I Believe by Yolanda Adams
Week #24 = The World is Ours by David Correy

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (4/6/15)...

Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to their site...

                

 http://www.teachmentortexts.com/

Books I Read this Past Week… 

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

*5 STARS out of 5 Stars!

My Book Review

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

*2 STARS out of 5 Stars!

My Book Review





One of Us by Tawni O'Dell

*5 STARS out of 5 Stars!

My Book Review

Mosquitoland by David Arnold

*5 STARS out of 5 Stars!  

My Book Review





Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week… 

The Bohemian Flats by Mary Relindes Ellis

*My adult novel

Courage for Beginners by Karen Harrington

*My middle-grade novel

The Truth about Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

*My young-adult novel

Mosquitoland by David Arnold...

How I Heard About It:  This book was mentioned via Twitter and I also read different reviews of it in various publications.  Before I went on spring break last week I downloaded it to my Kindle to read it on the beach.  I started it there, but finished back at home.    

What It Is About:  Mim (Mary Iris Malone) is having a difficult time.  Her parents have divorced.  She is "medicated" because her father mandated it.  She has been relocated from Ohio to Mississippi.  She doesn't like the new situation with her dad and the "step mom".  After learning that her own mother is sick, Mim decides to take things into her own hands.  She boards a Greyhound bus for Cleveland to reach her mother and make things right.  While on this journey she meets up with a unique cast of characters.  The cast includes Arlene (an elderly women traveling with a mystery box),  Poncho-Man (a sinister type person), Walt (a homeless guy with Down Syndrome), and Beck (a romantic interest).  Along with these quirky new "friends", they experience a plethora of situations that require them to rely on each other.  Once Mim reaches her final destination, she can't quite believe what she finds.    

What I Thought Of It:  This book lived up to all of the publication hype.  The story was endearing, thoughtful, and special.  Mim is one of a kind character and her "voice" came through loud and clear during the life-changing journey.  The characters she met along the way and included on her journey added to the enjoyment of the read.  Everything about this story was top-notch and provided for one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time.  

Who Should Read It:  The story is perfect for the high school reader and above.  I'm finding that many of the young-adult novels that I read are actually perfect for the adult reader.  In some ways, this book reminded me of Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech.  Just on a more mature level.  Readers who enjoy "journey" and "self-discovery" stories, will devour this book as I did over the last couple of days.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan...

How I Heard About It:  The pre-release buzz on Twitter about this book was crazy.  It was driving me crazy that I couldn't get an ARC of the book, but it was worth the wait once I got this "major" book in my hands.  

What It Is About:  This is not an easy novel to describe.  It is so many genres wrapped up into one.  The story begins with Otto in a forest where he meets three mysterious sisters.  They send him on a quest that involves a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica.  The story then goes forward in time to a boy named Friedrich who lives in Germany during the war.  He has the "special" harmonica and must use it to rescue his father from the Nazi party.  The harmonica then shows up years later with Mike who lives in Pennsylvania.  He must protect his younger brother from the evil foster care system.  Finally the story takes the reader to California and a young girl named Ivy.  She has the harmonica and must use the power of it to keep her family together during times of segregation.  All three stories come together in a grand "musical" finale and of course the "magical" harmonica.

What I Thought Of It:  When I found this novel in the bookstore, I was surprised by the size of the book.  It is pretty massive and also quite beautiful.  It is one of those novels that when you open, you experience pure magic.  This was a one of a kind reading experience.  I loved how the beginning of the story started with Otto.  I was then surprised to find that the rest of the book consisted of three different stories.  I kept wondering how they would all come together.  I found out the answer with the incredible conclusion.  This may be a novel that I revisit in the future and experience it all over again.  

Who Should Read It:  The book is geared toward the readers between the ages of ten and fourteen.  In my opinion, it is better suited for readers who are fourteen and above.  Knowing my fourth grader readers, I don't think most would be able to handle this book.  It is long and has quite a complex story line.  I did see a former student at the book fair buying this book.  She is now in sixth grade.  I told her she will really enjoy the story.  I also know that adult readers, such as teachers and librarians, will enjoy this unique and special story.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein...

How I Heard About It:  This book has been sitting in my TBR pile for almost a year or so.  I first heard about it via Twitter.  I actually bought it for my kids to read on vacation last year, but they never did.  I finally got around to it in the past few weeks or so.  

What It Is About:  Verity is a spy during World War II.  She has become great friends with a female pilot named Maddie.  When they crash in enemy territory, things don't look good for them.  The Nazi's want Verity to confess all of her secrets and what her mission was.  If she does not, they will execute her.  As she writes a series of letters, she details her life, her past, and how she and Maddie became the best of friends.  She hopes that this confession will save her life.



What I Thought Of It:  I had heard such great things about this novel.  I was excited to read it.  When I found it at the library on audio, I decided to listen to it during my commute.  I'm not sure why, but this story did not grab me and I never really truly enjoyed it.  I found it quite slow and hard to follow the story line.  After awhile I didn't care much about the plot, but continued to listen day after day so I could finish it.  It was my hope that things would "click" and I would start to enjoy the story.  For whatever reason, this did not happen.  I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, so maybe that was part of the reason.  

Who Should Read It:  Being a young-adult novel, this would be perfect for high school and college level readers.  I know many adult readers have read the novel and enjoyed it.  Readers that enjoy historical fiction, World War II, pilots, spies, and espionage will find this an excellent read.  It always amazes me how the same book can reach certain readers and doesn't for others.  I guess that is the marvelous aspect of reading.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  2 STARS out of 5 Stars

One of Us by Tawni O'Dell...

How I Heard About It:  One of my favorite adult authors is Tawni O'Dell.  Her books Backroads and Coal Run are two of my favorite books.  She knows how to write a story.  This newest novel was picked by a member of the BBC (Boy's Book Club) for our March/April book club selection.  I was thrilled.  

What It Is About:  Sheridan (Danny) Doyle is a psychologist who deals with the most dangerous killers in Philadelphia.  He has a "charmed" life, but it wasn't always that way.  He grew up in a small town called Lost Creek which was a mining town.  His father and grandfather both worked in the mines.  When he was about five years old his baby sister was killed and his mother was put in prison for the crime.  Throughout the years, she spent time in both prison and mental health facilities.  Danny returns home upon her release.  He needs to help his grandfather take care of her and make sure she is safe.  When Danny gets home, there is a murder at the mines which brings him to the center of the investigation.  The present day issues with the miners and the "rich" owners of the mines collides with Danny's past, his sister's murder, and his mother's involvement..

What I Thought Of It:  I sometimes get nervous reading a new novel by a favorite author because I'm afraid it won't measure up.  That was not the case here.  I enjoyed this new story and found it quite a satisfying read.  As with all her novels, the plot moves along quickly with lots of twists and turns.  A favorite aspect of this story was the relationship between Danny and his grandfather.  The grandfather was there for Danny during his dark days as a young boy and never stopped being there.  The story kept me on the edge of my "spring break lounge chair" and the surprises kept coming and coming.  

Who Should Read It:  If you have read other Tawni O'Dell novels, then you must read this newest one.  If you have not experienced a Tawni O'Dell book, then I highly recommend you do so.  All of her novels are completely engaging.  Her novels are for adult readers and fiction lovers.  Give them a try.  I know you won't be disappointed.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars