Zombies Wear Prada

So I finally finished reading "Revenge Wears Prada."  It was nice.  You get all of your favorite characters, and Andy's in a good place: she gets married, has a baby, and a cool career.  What was surprising was *who* she has that career with.  The only thing I didn't really like was the "smash cuts"- one chapter, she's about ready to have a baby; in the next, the baby's already several weeks old.  I suppose the pacing would have been a lot slower had the author take us through every single important event. 

[SPOILER ALERT]

What I had a hard time with was "discerning" who the "Revenge" part was with.  It's not from who you would think.... at first....  I think it actually comes from a few different people, and it's more along the lines of betrayal. 

However, overall, it's a bittersweet yet satisfying ending.  I would love to see this as a movie, but I don't think it would happen.

***

I went to see "World War Z" on the day it opened.  You may remember one of my posts a few months ago about us fans of the book unsure of what the film would be like, to say the least. 

Here's my verdict: it wasn't that bad.  The worldwide feel that you get from the book's "interviews" is still here.  Brad Pitt's character goes around the world to places that haven't quite been extensively explored in other films: South Korea, Israel, and WHO headquarters.  There are some very cool action sequences involving an airplane, and Israel.  The zombies are fast.  Almost too fast.

How the zombies are finally conquered was quite an interesting twist that I wouldn't have foreseen.  (Yeah, I do need to reread the book.)

Book Find

So... "Revenge Wears Prada" comes out today; it's the sequel to "Devil Wears Prada."  I was just shopping in my area.  I found that Twilight-themed scrapbook paper that I'd previously only seen online, and a store near me got it in stock.

Later on I stopped at Target (more Twilight trading cards!) where I went to the books, and they had one copy of "Revenge." Signed.  Could not pass it up.

 

So now I'm thinking I'll have to get another copy to read, and Mom bursts that bubble, going "Just read it." 

Sigh.  

Until paperback.  

The Hope Bracelet

I finally made this bracelet about a week ago, having been in the planning stage for forever, it seemed like. I had been wanting a blue bracelet for a long time. The blue beads and charms I got from Hobby Lobby, and I still had clear beads left over from previous projects.

Those "gray" beads are actually supposed to be bluish, but they pick up colors from what's around them. I got those from Walmart; really happy with that choice. I've nicknamed them "blue jean beads."

This is a personal piece for me. What inspired this, in part, was a quote: "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." (A proverb) I discovered this quote a few years ago when, well, let me just say, this was what I needed.

My History of Cooking

Apparently, when I was little, I could crack an egg with one hand.

That's what my mom tells me.

I suppose I got it from my grandmother.  Nan had a long history of cooking and baking.  She passed away when I was eight, and my memories associated with her are baking and being my only babysitter.  Years later, people would still remember things she made, such as a lemon chiffon cake.

The recipe that I most connect her with is Divinity.  Ah, the elusive Divinity.  See how it prowls across the barren landscape... Ok. It doesn't prowl.  But it is very elusive and temperamental. Made from mainly eggs whites, powdered sugar, and (traditionally) pecans.  We did walnuts.  You have to do this recipe exactly right.  Under the right conditions, or else it turns out like rubber cement.  It did, one out of the two times Mom and I made it.

When I was a little older, I would sometimes watch cooking shows with Mom on PBS on Saturdays.  Our favorites were the ones with Julia Child, especially the series with Jaques Pepin. (Those were the best ones.)

Several years ago, Mom found a box of Nan's recipes and took it upon herself to organize and type them up.  That was easier said than done.  Some were newspaper clippings, but most of them were in Nan's handwriting.  Furthermore, the recipes were often in shorthand and sometimes didn't have exact measurements, and Mom had to figure them out.  Mom collects recipes, and I have too, for a while.  Just look at my Pinterest board.

In getting me to try new foods as a toddler, Mom would hide her judgements/distaste of them.  It worked.  I loved sometimes-considered unconventional foods (shrimp pizza, anyone?).  I absolutely love Brussels Sprouts and cauliflower.  I am rather proud, and shocked, that I got her liking seaweed salad at the Japanese restaurant.

The Host

Today I took Mom with me to go see "The Host." I didn't really have any expectations for it. I wasn't all that interested in it until I saw the trailer. As you may remember, I slogged my way through the book.

But now I'd like to give it another try.

Because I liked this movie.

I had misgivings about Saorise as Melanie when I first heard about it, because she seemed a little young, but she's the right age for this role. Diane is really good as the seemingly nice Seeker, and she plays the villain well near the end.

The story wasn't too hard to follow, and the filmmakers handled Melanie and Wanderer's conversations well.

I guess the aliens really liked Ikea. And chrome cars. And white.

Aspects I really liked were the cave sets and desert scenery. The aliens, in their basic form, are actually really pretty. The special effects were decent, and the closing credits were pretty. (Well, they were.) The ending sets the stage for a sequel, which there may be; at least in novel form, for right now.  Mom liked it, too.

PS: tried the Raising Caine's restaurant today. Another pleasant surprise.

Breaking Dawn 2 Midnight Release

As I write this, it's been about a week that Breaking Dawn pt. 2 has been on DVD.  I went to the midnight release party at Walmart.  It was nice.  They gave us cake, and the freebie was a set of mini posters from the previous films. Very nice... One of the nicest promo gifts.  In fact, I tweeted it, mentioning Walmart, and someone replied back.  I had my Breaking Dawn shirt and accessories. Yes, I fan-girl hard.

(Hey, I like blue.  What can I say?)

They also showed behind-the-scenes segments from the DVD. 

Mom was with me, and she snagged another set of posters for me. (she bought an extra DVD!)  She thought I could use them in my scrapbook, but I think I'll frame them in a collage frame.  In fact, I have a bunch of posters that need frames badly.  Sigh.  

I watched the DVD the next evening, and of course, it was good. I also preordered the Target DVD (it came with a fabric poster, and bonus features), and it arrived a few days later. 

So.... will this be my last "Twilight" post?  Maybe not.  But let me close it out with this: 

Thanks to the actors, filmmakers, and especially Stephenie, for giving us the chance to dream about forever.

Oscars and the frosting in the Cake

Mom and I watched the Oscars Sunday night. Wasn't that invested in the nominees this year as I have been others.  Although, it did make me interested in a few of the films, like Argo and Silver Linings Playbook.  I was glad that Jennifer Lawrence won the Oscar for Best Actress. Ben Affleck gave the sweetest acceptance speech that included a thank-you to his wife.  Awww...

Was glad to hear that the host isn't planning to host next year.  Good.

So.... One of the snacks I made was a "pre-packaged" whoopie pie, well, pies. It was a Pilsbury mix- make the cake, spoon onto the cookie sheet, bake, then frost and assemble.  They turned out pretty good.  Next time I think I'd use canned frosting instead.  It would be thicker.