New Moon Premiere

New Moon finally opened yesterday and I have to say I wasn't disappointed. I loved it. Chris Weitz did a great job directing the movie. It seemed to flow much better than Twilight and the script was better too. And boy did I cry. And now Daniel will cry because he's so sick of Twilight talk. Sorry sweetie!

New Moon Goody Bags

To make the movie a little more fun I made goody bags. I made "Emily's blueberry muffins" (she serves muffins to the wolf pack), a bookmark, and a packet of tissues which I'm glad I had because I cried...a lot.

Top Chef Wannabe

Here we have a pork loin that has been braised in apple juice and laid upon a bed of breadcrumb and herb stuffing (AKA stovetop) served with a petite pea salad (AKA bird's eye frozen veggies) and a cranberry-orange chutney.

I realize that I'm displaying my huge nerdiness for all to see but I love the show Top Chef and the Food Network in general. I've always thought it would be fun to go to culinary school. And if cooking is a little more entertaining when I'm pretending to be Julia Child so be it.

Our new niece

On Monday, Nov. 9th my brother Scott and his wife Amy brought their first child Rachel Dawn into the world. It was a long labor but mother and baby are doing great. When I showed her the picture, Mallory said, "Mom, her so cute!". I have to agree. Her is very cute. The kids are very excited to meet their new cousin.

New Moon- 11 more days

I love Twilight. And one of the things I love is that Edward plays the piano. When I look at this picture I "see" my quintessential Edward and "hear" Matthew Bellamy from Muse.

The Poisonwood Bible

So I just finished reading The Poisonwood Bible and I have mixed feelings. It made me think so I guess that's a good thing. I liked the book but it wasn't a page turner for me. I enjoyed reading about a place and culture that are so different from my own. The story is about a Baptist minister and his wife and four daughters that go to the Congo with the desire to baptize and save all of the Congolese people. Of course, things don't go according to plan. The Congolese don't want to be "saved" and the father is a zealot that rules his family with unrighteous dominion.

One of the things that made me sad about the book was that one of the daughters had great faith in her father and in God. And then when she lost faith in her father she also lost faith in God. I felt that the author had a great opportunity to show that even if her father had betrayed her that God never would but Africa seemed to become her replacement for God.

Another thing that bothered me was reading about how horrible America is over and over again. And this is where I must admit my own ignorance. I know nothing of America's foreign policy. I know very little about politics in general. I am complacent. I believe that our government is good. I know we've made mistakes and that not all of our actions have been virtuous, but I don't want to think that our nation is filled with selfish, money-hungry men that will stop at nothing to gain power. I can't believe that.

So there has been some good that has come out of this book for me. I am resolved to remove my head from the ground and become a little more knowledgeable about the world around me. I'm also going to try and do a little good beyond my regular sphere of influence. I'm used to thinking that my house is too small, my furniture is too shabby, and my cars are too old. And then I read about people who have dirt floors and no food, let alone clothing. It makes me very thankful for all of the things I've been taking for granted.

Internet Chain Mail

My friend just forwarded me an email about a very sweet story. It was a story about the kindness that we find in others during hard times. It was very inspirational and I even teared up. And then I get to the bottom of the email and the good feeling is gone.

Am I really a bad person if I don't forward this story? Will I have bad luck for 7 years? Am I not a "real" Christian if I don't forward this email? Am I being too touchy?

Don't get me wrong, I like getting emails and stories from my friends. I know they didn't put those ultimatums at the end. Those stories have made me laugh and cringe and cry, but if I do forward one it won't have any requirements attached.

Halloween- Megan was Hermione, Connor was Darth Vader and Mallory was a bumble bee. I was a witch...again.

Candy- here we come

Our neighborhood group trick or treating

Eating the goods

Didn't quite make it home

Getting ready to ride on 2 wheels

Carving Pumpkins

Asleep on the ottoman

Tuckered out