Randomness

Reading update

I haven't read in almost two weeks *gasps*. In my defense I was on vacation for 9 of those days and I never read on vacation. I know, I know it sounds so backwards that I don't read on vacation but it is what it is.

eCookbooks: Yea or Nay? 

What are your thoughts on eCookbooks? I found myself looking at a kindle cookbook the other day and considered one-clicking it but I ended up not doing it. I'm just not sure if I would actually use it or if it would sit there on my kindle for all eternity...untouched.

Cool cover spottings

My sleep loving pooch, Kirby. Seriously, I'm pretty sure he hates me for those 5 minutes it takes me to wake him up and get him from his bed to the stairs to go out each morning. Lol!

ZOMBIESSSSS!!!

Walking Dead is back on in just a few days! I'm beyond excited!

I also plan to watch the CW zombie show, iZombie, when it starts next month. 

Random Book Stuff

There is going to be a cover reveal tomorrow for End of Days (Penryn and the End of Days #3) by Susan Ee. It's been over a year since book 2, World After, came out so I'm counting down the minutes until it releases!

My Reviews of Book 1 and Book 2 in the Penryn series.

Heather Demetrios has a promo going on for her new book I'll Meet You There. If you purchase it this week, not only will she send you a handwritten love letter from Josh Mitchell, a signed bookplate, and a bookmark but she'll also donate $1 to the Wounded Warrior Project. Pretty cool, right? Learn more about both on her blog. 

Well I think that's it for now. Until next time...

On the Menu: Southwest Cornbread

Southwest Cornbread

Active Prep Time: 30 minutes 

Bake Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1/2 onion – chopped finely

Salt and pepper – to taste

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 8 1/2-ounce box corn bread and muffin mix

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

1 can cream-style corn

2 cups pepper jack cheese – shredded

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter the bottom and sides of a large casserole dish.

Brown and drain ground beef and onion.  Add seasoning and stir well.

In a small bowl, combine corn bread mix, egg, milk, and corn.  Stir well.

Pour 1/2 cornbread mix in casserole dish.  Add ground beef and spread evenly.  Add cheese evenly.  Add remaining cornbread mix.

Bake for 35 – 40 minutes.

My Changes:

When browning the beef, I added a minced garlic clove and beef base in addition to what the recipe calls for. I may have also added some chili powder and a smidge of cayenne at the last minute but don’t tell my hubby that. He’s blissfully unaware *evil grin*.

My Thoughts:

I did enjoy this recipe but I think I’ll make some additional changes the next time. The cornbread, while delicious, kind of overpowered…well just about everything else. I think I may try cutting the cornbread mixture in half and only putting it on top when baking. I would also add more corn (regular corn, not cream style).

Recipe & Image Source: The Meal Planning Mom Blog

TBR Jar -Trial and Error

I decided to try something new...well new for me at least. I made a TBR Jar for the books I want to read most. At first I started with only romancey books since that's what I'm into right now. They're greens and white.

Then I decided to add paranormal books and really anything other than romance in blue.

This way I can decide if I want romance or other. I've never tried something like this so we'll see how it works for me.

~~~

**Update - since typing this post I have decided I'm going to redo the color coding a little. I will keep the 'other' as blue but I'm going to change the rest. 

I have a method for choosing some of the romance books I want to add to my list so I want those to be one color so separate them. Want to know my two part secret? 

1. I stalk Karen's (For What It's Worth) reviews, lol. Kidding...not kidding. I noticed she doesn't give 5* reviews easily so I know if she rated a romance 4* or 5* then I have no doubts I'll love it. 

2. I want to have heard of the book previously. I'm actually kind of picky about the type of romances I read so I want it to be already on my radar...and if I'm lucky already on my kindle.

How do you decide what to read next?