Peacefield

Woo-hoo for Twilight hooked-ness, Joe! Always a good thing . I was up way too early for a Sunday morning, but I just couldn't get back to sleep so I read more of Dime Store Magic. I love it!

Wow, there are so many from the US that I love! To narrow it down a bit though, here are a few in no particular order: John Steinbeck Stephen King Tracy Chevalier Matthew Pearl Robert Frost Laura Ingalls Wilder I would also add a favorite MN author of mine, Jon Hassler. He unfortunately passed away last year, but had been writing some wonderful novels since 1977, all set here. If anyone ever has a chance to read his first work 'Staggerford,' I would highly recommend it .

Your TBR pile is Mt. Everest, Lexie, wow! Lots of luck with your reads this year . Is the Maeve Binchy a new release? I used to love reading her a few years ago and would like to get back to her. I hope you enjoy Angels & Demons, it's most definitely my fave of Brown's. I also love Bill Bryson, and I can never get enough of Sophie Kinsella . Oh, and you'll have to let me know what you think of the Kathleen Kent. I have this on my wishlist and hope to get it sometime this year.

Great to see the Kelley Armstrong books on your list, Nicola! I just started the 3rd one a couple days ago and I'm taken. Can't wait to read the rest! Also glad to see the Fforde on your list. I hope you love it! I have Interview with a Vampire on my TBR shelf, waiting to be read next. It's my first Rice and I'm excited to see what all the fuss is about.

Thanks for updating me on the goings on, Kylie! Now I definitely have a better idea of what was happening when. Ugh, Jess. I don't think I'll ever understand why the writers chose to have his character leave the show. He and Rory were really good together! Yuck, Digger! I never knew what Lorelei saw in him. At least we know after Digger she finally starts dating Luke. Luke and his lady lawyer thing was an odd story line I always thought. Was her name Nicole? I forgot about Paris and Asher! I liked her much better with Doyle. I know what you mean about Gil's hair. I wonder if they didn't want to cut it because it was kind of his signature, singing for Skid Row in real life and all?

Glad to see you back around these parts, Bethany! Lots of great titles on your wishlist - I loved the Haddon, as well as the Sittinfeld. I have Twenties Girl on my wishlist too, and oh! I hope you get to read the Sookie books soon. They are definitely one of a kind!

He does sing it on the show at some point, with lots of others when the family do their various 'concerts.' I also love one called 'Summer Days' . I don't know a lot about the show either, but I do remember the general vibe whenever I heard my sisters talking about it .

For some reason I woke up yesterday in a Gilmore Girls mood, Kylie, so I watched the first 6 eps of season one . I like seeing how everything began with the series. I don't have it down in my head as far as what things were happening in what season though. Where do Jess and Rory stand around the episode you mentioned 'Festival of Living Art?' And is Lorelei dating Luke at that point? Gil was a great addition to Lane's band . I always missed Dave, but Gil seemed like a fun guy to have around .

Ooooh David Cassidy, Kylie! The Partridge Family was a bit before my time, but man I remember my sisters swooning over him. I must admit I could never get tired of watching him sing 'I Think I Love You' though.

My most favorite West Wing episode! 17 People .

That's so cool you have some of her music, Frankie! I've only heard the songs they played that night but have been meaning to track them down on iTune for ages. It was a really good show, and their vibe seem to fit well with Chris, so the whole night was amazing. She sort of reminded me of a female Mick Jagger if you know what I mean. Very energetic and doing all these crazy dance moves around the stage all night . I watched Emma this afternoon with Gwyneth Paltrow. One of my faves!

Forgive me for not noticing you had the Katherine Howe on your list, Frankie! I loved this one dearly and hope you get to it soon .

I loved Frost/Nixon, Nicola! I'm forever in love with Michael Sheen because of it . I really think Frank Langella deserved the Oscar last year for his portrayal of Nixon instead of Sean Penn. I've been meaning to see Whip It, Frankie, glad you liked it! I loved Ellen Page in Juno so have been wanting to see her in other things. Oh, and did you know that Juliette Lewis has a band and is the singer? I saw her a couple of years ago open for Chris Cornell and they were really good! They're called Juliette and the Licks .

I'm excited to see Armstrong on your list too, Frankie! And if Kell started Paula and Charm on Armstrong, then I have Kell to thank too since they recommended her to me and I'm definitely hooked . I loved the first two books, and am already about 50 pages into book #3 and am really excited about it .

Taking a break from cleaning to have lunch and watch another fave West Wing episode, 'The Supremes.' I forgot about Glenn Close guest starring in this one!

Mostly the same list from last year, with one change: 1. The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas 2. The Shining - Stephen King 3. Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens 4. The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand 5. Ordinary People- Judith Guest

I was in trouble with the elders. Again. Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong

I've been in the mood for tabouli salad lately, so I'll be starting the preparations for that later . For some reason cold weather makes me want Lebanese food. I think I have some ground turkey too so I may make some kibbi if I feel up to it, even though my poor grandpa is probably turning in his grave at the mere mention of not using lamb!

Two of my fave West Wing episodes from season 4, 'Inauguration' and Inauguration: Over There' . Then I'll get something productive done today, I promise!

I hope you like The Outisders, Kylie! It is truly a wonderful book, and definitely see the film too if you have the chance . Oh, and SE Hinton is actually a woman . I looked up her biography, and apparently just before publishing The Outsiders she shortened her name from Susan Eloise to SE so boys wouldn't know she was female, therefore putting them off reading the book I suppose. I had never known that about her.

OMG that would be scary, Rawr! I think I would've just started sobbing or something had I been in that spot . I hope you didn't see any twig dolls hanging from trees or bundles of flannel shirts laying around, creepy!

Gravy winning over bruschetta?! Blasphemy! It was very tasty, and like I predicted I also had popcorn at the movie. Someone was a little too liberal with the self-serve butter machine though so now I'm not feeling so hot . Luckily theatre popcorn is not on the menu very often.

Have you read any SE Hinton before, Kylie? I loved the Outsiders, and also loved 'That Was Then, This is Now' and 'Tex.' I hope you like it!

Having just returned from another viewing of NM, I can finally say I noticed everything on the list that was posted in an earlier thread! It only took me 6 times . The drum on Emily's house, the compass on Bella's backpack, etc. I also noticed for the first time the Lupe Fiasco song (I think it's called Permanent Midnight) was played during the movie theatre scene with Bella, Jacob and Mike. I'm still annoyed that this song wasn't included on the CD version of the soundtrack, but at least I know where it is in the film now. Oh, I also noticed a hilarious poster in the theatre for a movie called 'Gambling, Gods and LSD' . They must have had fun coming up with those titles!

Bruschetta is this really yummy mix of tomatoes, garlic, basic and olive oil on top of crusty bread . I broiled it in the oven with just a bit of fontina cheese on top so it was nice and melty.