Pennsic Pics... Finally

Okay, I've been saying for awhile that I'm going to post a few pictures (postcards) of some Pennsic battles, so here they are:

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• Plus, a picture of my elephants:

• I don't know why, but I love to collect elephants!

• - C

Another Book Read...

• Hey there! I just finished reading Julie Powell's fantastic book Julie & Julia.
• I loved every single page. I was inspired to read it after having seen the movie version a few weeks back. For those of you who don't know, it's the true story of New Yorker Julie Powell who decides to cook her way through Julia Child's book Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vol. I.
• It's a really fun story, and Julie's writing really draws you in. You feel (or at least I did) like you're right there in her crowded kitchen, watching her bone a duck or roll out really dry pastry dough. This book comes highly recommended by me!
• In the mean time, I've managed to lose my reading list, so I'm not sure what I'm 'supposed' to be reading next. But while I was taking a bubble bath today I started on a book called Level 4: Virus Hunters of the CDC (yes, I read in the bath tub, library books beware!), so I guess that one'll be next.
• Also, I've lost a good chunk of weight by dieting, and I've decided it's time to get rid of the rest of the flab through exercise. The only problem is that I can be really really lazy when it comes to that kind of thing. So if anyone knows a good exercise routine for lazy people, I'd love to try it! Thanks!
• - C

Cupcakes!

• Last night I was inspired to do some baking. The result: 32 red velvet cupcakes with vanilla cream-cheese frosting. May I just say, yum!

  The whole project took a few hours, but it was soooo worth it. They came out better than they ever have before. Granted this is only the second time I've made them, but still... Came out better this time than the last.

  Oh dear, someone seems to have taken a bite out of this one:

  Can you see how red they came out? That's the result of an entire 1 oz. bottle of red food coloring. And more sugar then you really want to know about.

  I love to bake and I'm always looking for new challenges. I'm thinking of trying out this lemon chiffon cake next time: What do you think?

  - C

  P.S. I'd love to get some new recipes for cakes and cupcakes! Leave comments here or e-mail me @ annrkey@rock.com

Another Great Movie...

• Okay, I know I promised to post some pictures of the battles at Pennsic (well, postcards really) and I will, but in the meantime...
• I just finished watching The World According to Garp.

• I'd never seen it before, but I loved loved loved the book, so I thought I'd give it a try.
• I'm not sure how faithful it was to the book, it's been a long time since I read it, but I still loved the movie. The actors were fantastic (especially John Lithgow as Roberta Muldoon) and the screenplay was very well done. The story jumps around and can be choppy at times, but I still recommend it.
• The only part I wasn't thrilled about was the ending, but I won't say anything else, I don't want to spoil anything for people who haven't seen it. I can't tell you how much I hate it when people spoil the endings of books or movies for me.... Grrr!
• Anyway, I've got lots and lots of movies on my Netflix list, and lots of books in my 'To Be Read' pile, but I could always use more!
• If you have any suggestions for books or movies you think I'd like, please please please let me know! You can drop something in the comment box, or e-mail me @ annrkey@rock.com
• Thanks!
• - C

Where Have I Been?

Okay, I promised to tell you all where I was for my vacation? I was here:

In the Current Middle Ages!

I was at Pennsic XXXVIII!

I'm not going to try to explain Pennsic here, it would take too long and I'd just get myself all worked up. Let's just say it was the most awesome two weeks I have ever spent pretending to be 400 years ago... Confused yet? Try this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsic see if it helps.

Basically, it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 people. They all dress up like people from the real middle ages, and some of them even fight! There's tons of stuff to do, and don't even get me started on the shopping! (More than one person advised me to set aside money for the trip home, otherwise I might be tempted to spend it!) There are 'mock' battles and we even got to go to the East Kingdom's Royal Court (I'm not joking, you have to bow to these people...) The entire thing was an amazing experience.

Anyway, I had an amazing time, met the coolest (read weirdest) people and went to some awesome classes! I think tomorrow I'm going to post a few pictures from the battles (I didn't take them, I bought post-cards) and talk a little bit about the classes I got to go to.

The entire thing is mind-blowing. If you're ever looking for a very very strange (but fun and exciting) vacation, try Pennsic!

Also, I'd like to thank my boyfriend for 'dragging' me there, kicking and screaming! Thank you Puppy, I had a wonderful time!

- C

A Movie and a Book

• Hey everyone! Just a quick post here!
• I'm currently working on my vacation post, but I thought I'd post real quick-like in the meantime.
• Two things:
• First, I just got back from seeing the movie Julie & Julia (check it out over @ imdb.com if you have no clue what I'm talking about: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135503/) and I loved it! It was supper cute and lots of fun. I love to watch people cook (not too big on cooking, but love the watching) and I love fun movies, so this was a perfect combo for me. It's a great movie with a great cast, and aren't you glad I don't write movie reviews for a living? But anyway, if you have a chance go see it, it's lots of fun!
• Second, over my crazy insane vacation, I got a chance to finish Descartes' Bones by Russell Shorto.
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• It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I loved it nonetheless. The book is about what happened to the bones of one of France's greatest philosophers. It's about more than bones though, really. If you don't believe me, you'll just have to see for yourself. As I said, I don't write reviews for a living, and so I'm going to cut this one short. Just go check it out!
• And I'll be back tomorrow (or Monday... that's just how I am) with part one of my vacation post!
• Look forward to it!
• - C

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

• Ah!
• Just a quick post here to let you all know that I'm back!
• I should have posted before I left, but I'll make up for it tomorrow, I promise!
• I've been on the weirdest possible vacation for the last two weeks, and I can't wait to tell you guys all about it and share some pictures!
• I'll be here tomorrow posting about my crazy vacation!