Water For Elephants

Water for Elephants

By: Sara Gruen

When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.  Set in the circus world circa 1932 tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford.

I personally loved this book. It was one of the best books I've read in a very long time.  It come highly recommended to me and did not disappoint me in the least.  I think the most important aspect of books is feeling whether you could actually see the events on page come to life in your mind. In reading Water for Elephants in less than one day, I found that happened to me. I love how the author authentically researched the circus to add in non-fiction details that really intrigue the reader.

A highly enjoyable, well-researched, somewhat romantic read that brings to life the era of the traveling circus and small town America during the Depression.   

Siiiigh

I was a competitive gymnast for a majority of my life...12.5 years to be exact.

I have tumbled on and off since giving it up. (Not by choice by the way.)

I have been teaching for the past 4 years.

In addition, I taught while I was in high school.

I think this gives me somewhat knowledge on the subject.

I hate that people seem to think I have absolutely no idea about gymnastics.

I have been hired in both my gymnastics positions due to my background and ability to teach.

I ran the gymnastics program at my former job with little to no supervision for 4 years with no complaints.

That right there says a lot about my skills and abilities to not only teaching but also in dealing with parents and children.

If you are unsure about my background in gymnastics, ask me.

Don't just assume this is my first gymnastics job and I know nothing.

It's extremely insulting.
Why are people so annoying.
Get off your power trip.

So Heartwarming :)))

Watch this video and I  dare you not to get teary eyed.

It won't happed.

Unless you are a total scroge with a cold heart.

It's just that much of a heart warming video.

Definitely makes you warm and tingly all over.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Bruins-surprise-serviceman-8217-s-parent?urn=nhl-wp17324

ahhhh, so sweet :)

Acorn Treats

These are very simple to make and they are super cute.

They're good for any type of fall party, not just Thanksgiving!

Ingrediants:

*Peanut Butter

*Hersey Kisses (unwrapped)

*Bite Sized Nutter Butters

* Chocolate Chips

Directions:

*Dip one side of the  Nutter Butter in peanut butter

*Stick it the flat side of a Hersey Kiss

* Dip the flat side of the chocolate chip in the peanut butter and stick it the to top of the nutter butter

Football Cookies

Chris is a HUGE football fan.

One of his favorite things to do on Thanksgiving is watch football...just like 95% of males.

So since he can't be here to watch this thanksgiving I figured I'd send him these...

Again, pardon my piping; all my tips and icing bags are still in storage so i was working by hand and with toothpicks!

 To make these I made a simple chocolate cookie.

I wanted to make a whoopie like cookie but I was afraid too much icing, and it being too hot would equal a disaster.  Meaning, it might go bad by the time it actually got to him, so I'll save those for when he actually gets home.



Ingredients:

*1 cup of all-purpose flour

*1/4 cup of cocoa powder

*1/2 tsp of baking powder

*1/2 tsp of baking soda

*1 dash of salt

*1 cup of sugar

*1 beaten egg

*1 tsp of vanilla extract

*5 Tbsp of melted butter

*1/2 cup of melted chocolate semi-sweet morsels

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F or 180C.
2. Mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
3. Mix the sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract and the beaten egg until creamy
4. Mix in creamy mixture from step 4 into the melted semi-sweet chocolate morsels
5. Mix in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients little by little
6. Form into 1 inch round balls and place on a cookie sheet evenly spread apart
7. Bake in oven for 12 minutes or until done.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.

Turkey Cookies

I wanted to send Chris a little taste of Thanksgiving while he's overseas, and since I can't very well send him a turkey and all the fixings that make for a turkey day dinner.

So after a little research (aka pinterest) I found a cookie that looked like these.

After making a few alterations of my own to make them last a little longer and send better, this is what I got.

Not my best work, since my icing bag and tips are in storage but they'll do. :)



Basically I started with a sugar cookie recipe from scratch...

Ingrediants

*1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
*1 cup butter or margarine, softened
*1 egg
*1 tsp vanilla extract
*1/2 tsp almond extract
*2 1/2 cups flour
*1 tsp baking soda
*1 tsp cream of tartar
Directions
*Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
* Add egg, vanill and almond extrat and beat until well mixed
* Add flour, baking soda and cream of tartar
* Roll into circular 1/2 balls
* Place in a preheated 375 oven and bake for 7 to 8 minutes



I am grateful

I am grateful for everything that I have been given in this life.

I have a husband who loves me and would absolutely anything to see me smile.

I have a husband who I adore more life itself.

I have found a love that is true to the core.

I have found a love that is honest and real.

I have found a love that is rare and sparkles like a diamond in the rough.

I am grateful for everything that I have been given in this life.

I have a handful of true, real friendships.

The kind of friends I can call in the middle of the night if I need them and know that they'll be there for me and not care what time it is.

The kind of friends that no matter how long it's been since the last time we've seen each other, we pick up right where we left off like no time has passed.

The kinds of friends who are more like sisters than friends.

The kinds of friends my children will grow up to know as their "aunts" because that's how close we are.

I have truly learned the value of the saying " it's better to have a handful of true friends, than a ton of acquaintance."

I am grateful for everything I have been given in this life.

I have a truly wonderful family.

I have a brother and a sister who are two of my best friends.

I have two wonderful parents who raised me to be a kind, considerate, thoughtful, polite adult.

They raised me the right way, and for that I am very thankful.

I have a strong family behind me in everything I do.

I have a family who will be there for me no matter what the circumstances may be.

I believe in strong family relationships.



I am grateful for everything I have been given in this life.

I am blessed with two loving, adorable, sometimes crazy cats.

They have two very different personalities but I love them both to pieces.

My life would be so boring without them, they provide us with so much entertainment.

They love us unconditionally.

And we love them unconditionally.

I know how much I've been blessed with in my life.

Not a day goes by that I don't remember that and I'm not thankful.

I thank my lucky stars each and every day for all that I've been given.