The end of Harry Potter

I can't believe the last installment of the Harry Potters movies comes out tonight! It still feels like just yesterday I was sitting in a Borders with my friends waiting for the midnight release of the 5th book. This series has made a huge impact on so many people. In High school as many of you know I was a bit of a nerd, but it was ok because all of my friends were too. We went to every midnight release of book and movie. Now that the final one has come we are all coming back together for the last hurrah. What we started together we now get to finish together. It is amazing to see how far we have all come in this time. I think I read the first book freshman year of high school. I remember my brother coming home one day and telling us about these books his teacher had recommended. He doesn't read and she thought these might keep him interested. At the time only books 1 through 3 were out. Well it worked within a couple weeks my entire family had read all three and we were waiting with abated breath for the next one. It was around book 4 that the  Harry Potter craze started. And man did that craze heat up. I went to the book release of the 7th one. I kid you know there must have been 500 to 1500 people waiting to get that book at just the Barnes and Noble we were at. There were so many people they had to call int he police to rope of the parking lot and contain us in a certain spot. It was pure mayham and insanity. I loved every second of it! I love seeing all the people. The best part of these events is the people watching. What costumes will show up, who will do something crazy. I'm hoping for some great stuff tonight. Well Its time for a quick nap and off to the show! I hope everyone enjoy it!

Day 13: Which book/series is you favorite?

I love this question, but its so hard to choose! I also have choosen my top three series. I also have a favorite book that tops all of these but I've decided to go with series. My all time favorite book it The Princess Bride. This is also one of the few movies where I am not disappointed in how they did it. I love both!

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy most definitely holds the top spot. I have a great love of ridiculous British humor. These books kept me laughing and entertained. I've been meaning to go back and re-read them. So much I have forgotten about them. Douglas Adams really did a phenomenal job of creating a really different and eccentric world. This is a world I would love to live in. One where a Towel if your most prized possession  and you can put a slug in your ear and be able to understand everyone. Where 42 is the answer and you don't get to know the question! There's romance, adventure, and just about anything you could ever thing of.

 So the Parasol Protectorate had to make the list as well. Once again because it keeps me laughing the whole time. This is a newer series I have discovered. I love the characters that Gail Carriger has created. The way they continue to grow and change. They keep me fascinated and glued to the pages. I've almost finished Heartless and loving it so far. I already can't wait for the next one. Also this really make me want to go out and buy a parasol and sew hidden pockets into it. I'm pretty sure I am going to do this! Who wouldn't want one like Alexia's!

Harry Potter makes the list also. I don't know If I can even remember how many times I've read the first one now. These are one of the only books that I can re-read and re-read and still love them just as much. I would also love to get  more copies from other countries. I don't have nearly as many and my friends Lacey and Morgan but I too have a couple different versions. It is very sad that in only 2 days an end to an era will come. The very last movie comes out on the 15th. I will be there for the midnight premier with all my friends and it will be bittersweet. Can't wait to see how they finished this movie. I'm not ready for it to be over yet!

Day 7

So once again I have skipped a day. Last night was my brothers birthday so I didn't get a chance to get on here. Although looking at the question I may have to think on it a while and get back to it. I'm not sure what to pick or what it would be.
So On to Day 7.

Day 7: Something You Use Everyday

This is a hard one too. What do I really use everyday that's worth mentioning. We use so many things everyday. I'm going to go with reading. It is nearly impossible for me to pass a day without reading something. Sometimes I only have enough time for 10 pages other days its a whole book. I feel like I have missed out somehow if I don't get any reading in. It really is a disease and obsession. Right now I am reading Heartless by Gail Carriger. If you haven't heard of or just haven't read her series, The Parasol Protectorate, then you really are missing out. This has been my find of the year. A lady at a book store saw me looking for a book and recommended it to me. They are a steam punk series, with a supernatural side. So if you like, Victorian gadgets, werewolf's, ghosts, vampires, and a superbly witty heroine then this is for you.

Just read the author bio and you will be sold.

(I had an picture of me and the book to add in here but my stupid phone is backfiring. So if you know me just picture a typical Katie face holding a book, if you don't, I'm sorry. You are missing out on one of life's great experiences.)

Her Blog: http://gailcarriger.blogspot.com/

So yes, books and reading are what I use everyday.

Ok so final note. I need suggestions on where to go for dinner for my Birthday. Any ideas?

Day 4 and 5! Yes I know I skipped 3!

Sorry Guys, the holiday weekend snuck up on me and I didn't have a chance to keep up with the challenge. I'm going to skip Day 3 for now, and dive right in to day 4.

Day 4: The people that make your world go round...

This is something I feel very blessed about. I have an amazing family that is there for me at every turn. I know I can go to them with anything. My mom especially, I've been having a hard time lately with trying to find my own way in this world and she has been there at every turn to support me and help pick me back up.

I also have amazing friends. Some of them have been around for years and some of them I just made but everyone one of them is important. They are my support and lifelines. Thank you guys so much.

Day 5: Your Favorite Show

How in the world am I just supposed to pick one. I try not to watch too much tv, but who am I kidding I'm a little obsessed with too many shows. Here are my top few of right now!

Game of Thrones

Chuck

Being Human

Warehouse 13

Glee

Covert Affairs

There are more but I'll leave it at that. 

I will say Game of Thrones tops that list. I really wish HBO did longer seasons. This first season went by way too fast. They did really good job of following the books though. I remember being so excited for True Blood then so pissed that it was nothing like the books. It was nice to watch something for a change that actually followed the story. Plus these books depend so heavily on things following just the right order I can't imagine not staying to the books and having it really work.

PS: She is second in line for character I would be for a day! 

New job New Adventures

Who wouldn't want to work at the happiest place on earth. As a kid Disneyland is so real. The characters are really them and the rides are small trips to galaxies far far away. Now as an adult it all still there, even if you know the truth, its nice to forget about that and go with the illusion. Well working here is the same way. I started working in The Grand Californian about two months ago. My coworkers really are the happiest people. I love working with them. I had gotten so used to negative emotions around me that this has been a real treat. Plus I get to go to Disneyland when I want to!

I work in the Banquets kitchen under Chef Ralf. I really like working for him. He gives us a lot of creative power. When we have a banquet and get a vegan or even sometime the vegetarians we get to come up with the dishes. The last two times I had the chance to make the dishes. I had a lot of fun coming up with them and finding ways to make sure they were vegan. 

So here they are:

So this one right here is Ratatouille inspired. On the bottom we have white beans. In order to  make them creamy reduced soy milk. Soy milk adds a lot of sweetness so you have to be a little heavier on the salt and pepper to keep it savory enough. then I layered grilled Portabello, Eggplant, Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Red Bell peppers. For a garnish we blistered some cherry tomatoes with sliced garlic, then drizzled some herb oil. Finishing touch was a sprinkle of Espellte.

I loved the way this dish turned out! I came out so much better then I imagined it. Underneath the Portabello is a bean mixer with sauteed spinach. I marinated the portabello is a wonderful lemon olive oil that we have.

The filling for the mushroom was made with: Crimini mushrooms, red bell peppers, eggplant, and yellow tomatoes. I stewed all these down then I added reduced soy milk and panko to bring it all together.

After we baked them I added a panko mixture on top and flashed it. I garnished the dish with a balsamic reduction, herb oil. and chili oil.

I really looking forward to improving my vegetarian and vegan cooking. More fun dishes to come!

Day 2 of the Photo Challenge

If you could trade places with a character from a book or movie who would it be and why?
There are so many good ones to choose from. It was so hard to narrow it down. But since I just read this book I'm going with Cerise. She lives in a world that is all about survival, and magic. She is wicked with a sword and fighting. She can hold her own against any enemy. Plus she has William an extremely sexy, deadly, hot, did I say sexy yet?  shape shifting man. Another plus is that he is rich and has two castles!

Photo Challenge 31 Day Challenge: Day 1

So my friend Lacey started this challenge on her blog. You can see her under people I follow. Her blog is awesome. So I thought It would help me get a jump start on mine again if I posted my responses here and then put the link in her comments. Here we go then!

A Photo Ofor
Tell Us Aboutor both..

1.     A photo of yourself with 10 facts.

 

1. I went to culinary school
2. I'm kinda awkward
3. I read more then is healthy
4. I just discovered steampunk fully and I love it!
5. Pickles are one of my favorite foods
6. I speak Dutch
7. Zebra's are my favorite animal, but my family takes it way too serious
8. I really wish I had a better fashion sense
9. Rum and coke is my go to drink
10. I secretly wish I was a ninja/ pirate

Its been a While

So my wonderful friend Lacey has inspired me to get my blog going again. It going to take a bit of a twist now though. I will still be putting stuff up about food and pictures of fun dishes I do. I still need to go back and show off some of the amazing cheese displays I've put together. But I've also decided to start putting more stuff in here about life in general. Also I'm such a book nerd this blog would not be complete without a little book talk. And No I'm still not any better at this so bear with me. I'm a horrible writer and most likely will have a million grammatical mistakes! (maybe I should make a game out of it), but I'm trying.
I also plan on following Lacey's 31 day photo challenge on here so we'll see how that comes out!

Ok so for today I decided that an amazing dinner was in order so I could have a bomb picture to start this new beginning with!

Photo: Chicken with a BBQ Ranch broccoli and corn slaw with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes. Garnished with Marinated cherry tomatoes and zucchini and drizzled with Pomegranate Balsamic Dressing. 

         Served with a Valpolicalla Ripaso.

Yes this is what I made myself for dinner, it tasted amazing! Thank you Megan for the slaw inspiration. Took it from the lettuce wraps we had the other day and tweaked it a little bit.

I hope you will all enjoy this new updated blog and I would love ideas and feedback from you! Hopefully I will stick with it this time!

Talk to ya all soon!