Hit By A Farm is an autobiographical story about a writer and bibliophile from the city whose partner talks her into buying and running a sheep farm!
This book is a series of stories that carry you throughout the time before the author begins farming, to a point a couple of years after they start their farm. The style and set up of the stories reminds me of the Laura Ingalls Wilder series, although it is certainly much more geared towards adults! It is similar in that there are many short stories that establish what it is like to live on the farm, and what the Catherine and Melissa were like before, during, and after that establishment.
Friend has a very amiable writing style that draws you in and really lets you feel what it was like inside of her during this time. It is not a bunch of "cute" stories that will make farm life sound easy or simple in any way! These stories are very honest and truthful, and in fact, include relationship and medical troubles that they both have along the way.
This book is fun and uplifting to read, especially if you have ever considered going from city slicker to farmer! I am excited to read the second installment she has written entitled Sheepish. It's next on my list.
Rating: 10 out of 10
24 January 2017
01 January 2017
How to Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It: Finding Love Beyond Words by Patricia Love and Steven Stosny
Rating: 1 out of 10
Another book that plays off of stereotypes of men and women.
When I saw this book on the library website, I didn't think it would be that way. So I was really disappointed when I got the requested book, and read the cover.
I'm sure some of their advice is useful, but honestly, if they need to envelope good advice in a pillow of gender-based insults, then I don't need to read it, or try any of their advice. Based on their assumptions, all relationships with two men are absolutely perfect, because what ruins a relationship is a woman who wants to talk about their feelings all the time! (sarcasm ahead...) Well, since a relationship between two men never has problems, their premise is obviously true.
The problem with the stereotypes of men and women that are perpetuated in relationship books is that not all people fit into these descriptions. Some people do, and that's why the stereotypes persist. I would love to see a book about relationships that follows the following principles:
1. No gender-based assumptions
2. No assumptions on what the genders are in a relationship
I can't imagine it would be that difficult! Someone write this book, please! :)
Another book that plays off of stereotypes of men and women.
When I saw this book on the library website, I didn't think it would be that way. So I was really disappointed when I got the requested book, and read the cover.
I'm sure some of their advice is useful, but honestly, if they need to envelope good advice in a pillow of gender-based insults, then I don't need to read it, or try any of their advice. Based on their assumptions, all relationships with two men are absolutely perfect, because what ruins a relationship is a woman who wants to talk about their feelings all the time! (sarcasm ahead...) Well, since a relationship between two men never has problems, their premise is obviously true.
The problem with the stereotypes of men and women that are perpetuated in relationship books is that not all people fit into these descriptions. Some people do, and that's why the stereotypes persist. I would love to see a book about relationships that follows the following principles:
1. No gender-based assumptions
2. No assumptions on what the genders are in a relationship
I can't imagine it would be that difficult! Someone write this book, please! :)
07 November 2016
Chimborazo, Minneapolis, MN
Rating: 5 out of 10
I wish that I could give this restaurant a higher rating. I really do. The food was wonderful (except for my toast being cold) and the chef even came out to thank us for coming!
But honestly, it has been a while since I've had such bad service. When we came in, we were right behind another couple, and the person who sat them actually made a point of saying she will be right back to seat us, so it was off to a good start. Then someone else came over to seat us, and the first person came back, and they actually bickered a bit about who would seat us. (Nothing terrible, just "I'll seat them," "No, I will," etc.) There appeared to be 3 servers, or possibly 2 servers and a host/busser. But this is a small restaurant and they seemed well staffed. Which brings me to the first problem in service: once we were greeted, no one came to greet us. When our server did greet us, my husband ordered coffee, which took a few minutes to get for some reason. Our server probably said about 10 words to us the entire time. I am not a huge fan of servers who walk up and say "Are you ready?" but I usually don't hold it against them.
We decided to order both the Tungurahua (eggs, rice and beans, yuca, toast) and Cotopaxi (eggs, llapingachos, and toast) and split them. I was especially excited to try the llapingachos, which are potato pancakes stuffed with cheese - and I was not disappointed! They were amazing. In fact, they were even better than I was expecting. They were very soft, but they were served hot, and felt very melty in my mouth. They are served with a green sauce on the side that I didn't care for. The toast is served with guava jam, which is also delicious.
The Tungurahua was fantastic as well. The rice and beans are served separately, which I wasn't expecting. So there are beans served with a mound of white rice. It would have been a bit too dry for me, but it was served with a different green sauce, which was slightly spicy and had an excellent flavor.
I would have asked for warm toast, but we did not see our server again until after our table had been cleared for about 5 minutes. He walked past us to drop checks off at two different tables. As he walked by, I asked if we could have our check as well and he said, "Give me a minute." When he came back with the check, he did not even slow down to put it on the table; instead, he threw it down and ended up hitting me with it. It is beyond inappropriate to act that way when someone asks for their check! The people next to us waited 15 minutes to get their check (they didn't request it, just waited for it). I didn't mind waiting for the check too much because my husband was finishing his coffee, but I was ready to go because of how loud it was in there.
I would probably be willing to try it again after giving them some time to sort out their issues with service!
I wish that I could give this restaurant a higher rating. I really do. The food was wonderful (except for my toast being cold) and the chef even came out to thank us for coming!
But honestly, it has been a while since I've had such bad service. When we came in, we were right behind another couple, and the person who sat them actually made a point of saying she will be right back to seat us, so it was off to a good start. Then someone else came over to seat us, and the first person came back, and they actually bickered a bit about who would seat us. (Nothing terrible, just "I'll seat them," "No, I will," etc.) There appeared to be 3 servers, or possibly 2 servers and a host/busser. But this is a small restaurant and they seemed well staffed. Which brings me to the first problem in service: once we were greeted, no one came to greet us. When our server did greet us, my husband ordered coffee, which took a few minutes to get for some reason. Our server probably said about 10 words to us the entire time. I am not a huge fan of servers who walk up and say "Are you ready?" but I usually don't hold it against them.
We decided to order both the Tungurahua (eggs, rice and beans, yuca, toast) and Cotopaxi (eggs, llapingachos, and toast) and split them. I was especially excited to try the llapingachos, which are potato pancakes stuffed with cheese - and I was not disappointed! They were amazing. In fact, they were even better than I was expecting. They were very soft, but they were served hot, and felt very melty in my mouth. They are served with a green sauce on the side that I didn't care for. The toast is served with guava jam, which is also delicious.
The Tungurahua was fantastic as well. The rice and beans are served separately, which I wasn't expecting. So there are beans served with a mound of white rice. It would have been a bit too dry for me, but it was served with a different green sauce, which was slightly spicy and had an excellent flavor.
I would have asked for warm toast, but we did not see our server again until after our table had been cleared for about 5 minutes. He walked past us to drop checks off at two different tables. As he walked by, I asked if we could have our check as well and he said, "Give me a minute." When he came back with the check, he did not even slow down to put it on the table; instead, he threw it down and ended up hitting me with it. It is beyond inappropriate to act that way when someone asks for their check! The people next to us waited 15 minutes to get their check (they didn't request it, just waited for it). I didn't mind waiting for the check too much because my husband was finishing his coffee, but I was ready to go because of how loud it was in there.
I would probably be willing to try it again after giving them some time to sort out their issues with service!
21 October 2016
Rocky Horror Picture Show (2016)
Rating: 5 out of 10
For every good part of this remake, there was a part that went horribly wrong. So I have split my review into the "Top 3" and the "Worst 3" parts of the movie. Let's start at the top, shall we?
Top 3
1. Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox did a fantastic job playing Dr. Frank N Furter. According to one of their "Behind the Scenes" outtakes during the commercial break, it is a role that she has always wanted to play, and you can tell. She obviously loves the movie, and knows the music well. The huge problem I have with her being cast in this role is her gender. She is a she! Maybe not the biggest deal in the world, because I do think that people of any gender should be able to play any role, but in this case I believe it is based in discrimination. My best guess is that they were casting a transvestite, thought of Laverne Cox and said, "Hey, she's trans. That would be good." without really thinking about what it implies; namely, that by casting Laverne Cox in a man's role, you may be implying that she is not a woman. That being said, I have no complaints about her performance: she belted out those songs, looks great in lingerie, and is an amazing actor.
2. Rocky Horror
Staz Nair was fantastic as the titular character. I've always thought that Rocky is the most difficult role to play; to be understated and act like you have half a brain is really difficult! Especially while singing "Sword of Damocles!" But I felt that Staz Nair did a great job at that. He's no Peter Hinwood, but hey, few are.
3. The Castle / The Set
Well, I really liked that castle. It actually looked like a castle, unlike the original version! I have heard complaints that having such a realistic and flashy set takes away from the camp of the script, and I totally agree with that. I just think it was really cool to see this be acted out in an actual castle, and it was one of my favorite parts of watching this. And there weren't many, unfortunately, so I'm just going to roll with it .
Worst 3
1. The Costumes
During the first break (I'm not sure if you can call it a commercial break, because there were no commercials) there was a behind the scenes short that discussed the costumes. Apparently, the costume designer decided to make the aliens have reddish costumes, the humans have blue costumes, and then the finale was all gold. It wasn't good. Laverne Cox does not look good in red, and since she's the star, that seems like a huge problem to me. Also, the costumes looked really bulky. I don't know how to describe it other than that, but in the original, everyone is fairly scantily clad. I realize this is for TV, but having Columbia in pedal pushers in the finale? What were they thinking?
2. The Audience Participation
I love audience participation. I spent a long time playing Janet, and I can go through the entire movie yelling at it the whole time. (Although I usually don't, but it's in my head!) I can understand what they were going for by including the audience, since this is supposed to be an homage to the staying power of the original and the midnight showings. However, it just didn't fit in with what they were doing. They cut to the "audience" so rarely that it tended to be jarring. Plus, they didn't have any of the best lines.
3. Janet Weiss
Obviously, it's difficult to fill Susan Sarandon's amazing shoes. But really, the part of Janet isn't that difficult. She has three songs, but the only song she carries on her own is "Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me." Victoria Justice did a decent song with that one. But she was way off, in character and expressivity, in "Dammit Janet" and "Over at the Frankenstein Place." Since those are the first two big numbers, that was pretty rough to watch.
Other Notables
It was cool that they did Superheroes at the end, which is missing from many of the prints of the original movie, but I don't know why they walked away at the end. It seemed like a weird way to change the ending.
It was great to see Tim Curry. I didn't know he was acting again after his medical issues. Love him!
I don't know why they had Ivy Levan sing and act out Science Fiction/Double Feature. It was weird. Like a music video, but in a bad way.
All this being said, I am a huge fan of the original. I realize this may come off as a huge fan who does not like to see change, and that is definitely part of it! I admit that fully. Some of my favorite things about the original movie were "wrecked" (in my opinion) in this remake.
I feel better when I think of it as a tribute: just a bunch of RHPS fans getting together and doing it in a more current way. Then I even kind of like it. But even as a tribute, I felt that it fell quite short of what it could have been. They definitely should have looked harder for a Janet!
For every good part of this remake, there was a part that went horribly wrong. So I have split my review into the "Top 3" and the "Worst 3" parts of the movie. Let's start at the top, shall we?
Top 3
1. Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox did a fantastic job playing Dr. Frank N Furter. According to one of their "Behind the Scenes" outtakes during the commercial break, it is a role that she has always wanted to play, and you can tell. She obviously loves the movie, and knows the music well. The huge problem I have with her being cast in this role is her gender. She is a she! Maybe not the biggest deal in the world, because I do think that people of any gender should be able to play any role, but in this case I believe it is based in discrimination. My best guess is that they were casting a transvestite, thought of Laverne Cox and said, "Hey, she's trans. That would be good." without really thinking about what it implies; namely, that by casting Laverne Cox in a man's role, you may be implying that she is not a woman. That being said, I have no complaints about her performance: she belted out those songs, looks great in lingerie, and is an amazing actor.
2. Rocky Horror
Staz Nair was fantastic as the titular character. I've always thought that Rocky is the most difficult role to play; to be understated and act like you have half a brain is really difficult! Especially while singing "Sword of Damocles!" But I felt that Staz Nair did a great job at that. He's no Peter Hinwood, but hey, few are.
3. The Castle / The Set
Well, I really liked that castle. It actually looked like a castle, unlike the original version! I have heard complaints that having such a realistic and flashy set takes away from the camp of the script, and I totally agree with that. I just think it was really cool to see this be acted out in an actual castle, and it was one of my favorite parts of watching this. And there weren't many, unfortunately, so I'm just going to roll with it .
Worst 3
1. The Costumes
During the first break (I'm not sure if you can call it a commercial break, because there were no commercials) there was a behind the scenes short that discussed the costumes. Apparently, the costume designer decided to make the aliens have reddish costumes, the humans have blue costumes, and then the finale was all gold. It wasn't good. Laverne Cox does not look good in red, and since she's the star, that seems like a huge problem to me. Also, the costumes looked really bulky. I don't know how to describe it other than that, but in the original, everyone is fairly scantily clad. I realize this is for TV, but having Columbia in pedal pushers in the finale? What were they thinking?
2. The Audience Participation
I love audience participation. I spent a long time playing Janet, and I can go through the entire movie yelling at it the whole time. (Although I usually don't, but it's in my head!) I can understand what they were going for by including the audience, since this is supposed to be an homage to the staying power of the original and the midnight showings. However, it just didn't fit in with what they were doing. They cut to the "audience" so rarely that it tended to be jarring. Plus, they didn't have any of the best lines.
3. Janet Weiss
Obviously, it's difficult to fill Susan Sarandon's amazing shoes. But really, the part of Janet isn't that difficult. She has three songs, but the only song she carries on her own is "Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me." Victoria Justice did a decent song with that one. But she was way off, in character and expressivity, in "Dammit Janet" and "Over at the Frankenstein Place." Since those are the first two big numbers, that was pretty rough to watch.
Other Notables
It was cool that they did Superheroes at the end, which is missing from many of the prints of the original movie, but I don't know why they walked away at the end. It seemed like a weird way to change the ending.
It was great to see Tim Curry. I didn't know he was acting again after his medical issues. Love him!
I don't know why they had Ivy Levan sing and act out Science Fiction/Double Feature. It was weird. Like a music video, but in a bad way.
All this being said, I am a huge fan of the original. I realize this may come off as a huge fan who does not like to see change, and that is definitely part of it! I admit that fully. Some of my favorite things about the original movie were "wrecked" (in my opinion) in this remake.
I feel better when I think of it as a tribute: just a bunch of RHPS fans getting together and doing it in a more current way. Then I even kind of like it. But even as a tribute, I felt that it fell quite short of what it could have been. They definitely should have looked harder for a Janet!
18 October 2016
Mexican Vegan Diet for Beginners by Sam Kuma
Rating: 9 out of 10
Affiliate Link: Vegan: Mexican Vegan Diet for Beginners: Delicious, Soul-Satisfying Vegan Recipes (from Tamales to Tostadas) that supplements a Raw Vegan Lifestyle ... Vegan and Vegetarian Beginners) (Volume 1)
Another excellent cookbook by Sam Kuma! Since giving up dairy, I have had a lot of difficulty with transforming my Mexican recipes. Also, I used to eat out at Mexican restaurants quite often and haven't been able to do that, either! Vegetarian Mexican recipes tend to use cheese, and usually quite a bit of it!
The recipes in this cookbook are quite simple and easy to follow. There is even a recipe for vegan elote! I have always loved elote and look forward to trying that one.
For my first recipe, I made Black Bean Guacamole. It is a very simple recipe, with avocado, black beans, a tomato, scallions, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. (It also calls for a jalapeno, which I didn't use.) The avocado and black beans are smashed with a fork, which was a bit of an ordeal (there has to be an easier way!) but other than that, it was quite easy. Just mix everything together.
It was delicious, although I did feel that the recipe called for too much lime juice and that will need to be adjusted. It doesn't look very appetizing, but definitely tastes better than it looks!
I received this product for free in return for my honest and unbiased review.
Affiliate Link: Vegan: Mexican Vegan Diet for Beginners: Delicious, Soul-Satisfying Vegan Recipes (from Tamales to Tostadas) that supplements a Raw Vegan Lifestyle ... Vegan and Vegetarian Beginners) (Volume 1)
Another excellent cookbook by Sam Kuma! Since giving up dairy, I have had a lot of difficulty with transforming my Mexican recipes. Also, I used to eat out at Mexican restaurants quite often and haven't been able to do that, either! Vegetarian Mexican recipes tend to use cheese, and usually quite a bit of it!
The recipes in this cookbook are quite simple and easy to follow. There is even a recipe for vegan elote! I have always loved elote and look forward to trying that one.
 |
| Black Bean Guacamole |
For my first recipe, I made Black Bean Guacamole. It is a very simple recipe, with avocado, black beans, a tomato, scallions, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. (It also calls for a jalapeno, which I didn't use.) The avocado and black beans are smashed with a fork, which was a bit of an ordeal (there has to be an easier way!) but other than that, it was quite easy. Just mix everything together.
 | |
| Super close up! |
I received this product for free in return for my honest and unbiased review.
14 October 2016
Naturalico Waterproof Electric Callus Remover
Rating: 9 out of 10
Affiliate Link: Naturalico Waterproof Electric Callus Remover / The Best Rechargeable, Cordless Personal Foot Pedicure File Tool & Shaver| Remove Dead/Hard/Cracked Skin Effortlessly| Your Spa At Home
To be honest, I was not sure how much I needed an electric callus remover. However, I do have calluses on my feet, and nothing has ever helped them. I've used a foot grater, soaked them, and used all kinds of lotions. I've had professional pedicures and they haven't budged at all.
I am very impressed with how much of a difference this electric callus remover has made in such a short period of time. I have used it 3 times. One of my calluses, on my left foot bottom near the pinky toe, has been there for over 10 years. (Maybe over 20! A long time, anyway!) It is nearly gone after only 3 uses. Not completely gone, but I think it will. It is so much smaller and softer.
The handle is very soft and easy to hold. I was surprised by how well-shaped the handle is; it really fits into my hand and makes it easier to maneuver.
I'm very pleased with the performance of the Naturalico Waterproof Electric Callus Remover.
I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Affiliate Link: Naturalico Waterproof Electric Callus Remover / The Best Rechargeable, Cordless Personal Foot Pedicure File Tool & Shaver| Remove Dead/Hard/Cracked Skin Effortlessly| Your Spa At Home
To be honest, I was not sure how much I needed an electric callus remover. However, I do have calluses on my feet, and nothing has ever helped them. I've used a foot grater, soaked them, and used all kinds of lotions. I've had professional pedicures and they haven't budged at all.
I am very impressed with how much of a difference this electric callus remover has made in such a short period of time. I have used it 3 times. One of my calluses, on my left foot bottom near the pinky toe, has been there for over 10 years. (Maybe over 20! A long time, anyway!) It is nearly gone after only 3 uses. Not completely gone, but I think it will. It is so much smaller and softer.
The handle is very soft and easy to hold. I was surprised by how well-shaped the handle is; it really fits into my hand and makes it easier to maneuver.
I'm very pleased with the performance of the Naturalico Waterproof Electric Callus Remover.
I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
09 October 2016
Suavecito Pomade
Rating: 9 out of 10
Affiliate Link: Suavecito Premium Blends Hair Pomade, 4 oz
This pomade is fantastic. It gives great hold without being crunchy or looking too wet, which is exactly what I'm looking for in a hair product.
During the day, my hair has a tendency to "change." What I mean by this is that somehow when I am standing in front of my mirror in the morning, my hair looks exactly as I plan. As the day goes on, factors outside of my control change my hair. For example, I may blow dry and style my hair just perfectly, and then put on a sweatshirt. So, of course, my hair doesn't *like* that I would dare to wear a sweatshirt! My hair then decides somehow to change and curl up in a weird way. However, if I use some pomade on the ends and tips of my hair, it doesn't curl up in a weird way. It just stays the same.
Another thing that my hair likes to do is go in my face. Right now, I have bangs, and they are exactly the length that they will go straight in my eyes. My hair even curls around my glasses to get into my eye, somehow. It's quite annoying, and hair spray doesn't quite cut it. (Well, it works, but doesn't last long enough.) When I use pomade, my hair behaves in a somewhat more reliable fashion. I still wish I didn't have bangs, but they blend in more, and there are no eye surprises.
I had planned on giving this to my son, who likes to wear his hair short, and use a pomade or cream. There are two reasons that he did not receive this as a gift: first, I decided I needed a hair product for myself, and second, the tin was dented. Now, my dear son would not have minded that the tin was dented, but I felt a little weird about giving it to him that way. He has tried the pomade, however, and he loves it as well! So, there may be a second (hopefully non-dented) tin in our future.
I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
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