Matched Trilogy

Matched ***
by Ally Condie
Book Type: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Dystopia
Summary: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: This book was fairly fun. It was a new concept. I thought it started out interesting, it developed well... At first. Then it kind of felt a bit drawn out and dramatic for me. They claim on the descriptions that this story is a bit of a love triangle but honestly? It was two boys in love with one girl who really is just in love with one boy. And the drama is not as well done as it could be because of that. The chick knows who she wants from the beginning so you KNOW who she is going to end up with. It was predictable and a bit melodramatic. Okay, it was not the best book. But the concept at the beginning was new and interesting. But pretty quickly the story got old and I was ready to move on.

Crossed ***
by Ally Condie
Book Type: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Dystopia
Summary: In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.
Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever
summary found on goodreads
My Review: This book has a little more action than the first, which isn't hard. But definitely made it more interesting and exciting. So that part was good. But really, it was even more dramatic and cheesy than the first book. And not cheesy in a good way. It was just a bit lacking. Ehh. I almost didn't finish the story. But like I've mentioned before I have an insanely hard time not finishing a story, even if I don't LOVE it.

Reached **1/2
by Ally Condie
Book Type: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Dystopia
Summary: After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising—and each other—Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again.
In this gripping conclusion to the #1 New York Times-bestselling Matched trilogy, Cassia will reconcile the difficulties of challenging a life too confining, seeking a freedom she never dreamed possible, and honoring a love she cannot live without.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: AGHEHFJHH really? There was nothing redeeming about this book. A plague?? Yeah okay. So the society that these kids hate is destroyed way too easily so of course everyone has to start dying of a plague. Had to be exciting somehow right? OH and throughout the book I totally got the vibe that both boys were falling for other girls... Yet at the same time they are still totally obsessed with Cassia, who is totally weird in this book by the way. She's dramatic in the last book, but she's crazy in this one. LAME. The love doesn't feel real, it's not cute, it's not exciting... I didn't care who she ended up with in the end... Honestly it's just cheesy and a bit lack luster.

Airborn Trilogy

Airborn ***1/2
by Kenneth Oppel
Book Type: YA, Alternate History, Steam Punk, Fantasy
Summary: Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the Aurora, a huge airship that sails hundreds of feet above the ocean, ferrying wealthy passengers from city to city. It is the life Matt's always wanted; convinced he's lighter than air, he imagines himself as buoyant as the hydrium gas that powers his ship. One night he meets a dying balloonist who speaks of beautiful creatures drifting through the skies. It is only after Matt meets the balloonist's granddaughter that he realizes that the man's ravings may, in fact, have been true, and that the creatures are completely real and utterly mysterious.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: I found this book thoroughly enjoyable. I have to say that although the story starts out exciting with a lot of action, for some reason I could NOT get into the story until Kate joined the tale. As soon as this little firecracker came into the scene Matt developed and grew as a character. He became much more dynamic and relate-able, which in turn created a depth to the story that was lacking earlier on. Kate is an incredibly strong-willed and determined young woman who takes Matt on an adventure he never could have imagined, on top of the incredible journey he is already on! The ship that Matt works on has crash landed on an island in the middle of nowhere, Kate wants to explore the island and threatens to do so on her own if Matt won't join her. Matt can't ever allow someone to put themselves in danger if he can help it, so he joins her on a journey of danger and discovery. This story is full of intrigue, pirates, adventure, near-death experiences, and young love. It is a blast once you get into it. Don't give up on it if you feel the beginning is dragging or not gripping enough, it picks up and doesn't stop until the very end of the book. :)

Skybreaker ****
by Kenneth Oppel
Book Type: YA, Alternate History, Steam Punk, Fantasy
Summary: A legendary ghost ship. An incredible treasure. A death-defying adventure.
Forty years ago, the airship Hyperion vanished with untold riches in its hold. Now, accompanied by heiress Kate de Vries and a mysterious gypsy, Matt Cruse is determined to recover the ship and its treasures. But 20,000 feet above the Earth's surface, pursued by those who have hunted the Hyperion since its disappearance, and surrounded by deadly high-altitude life forms, Matt and his companions soon find themselves fighting not only for the Hyperion--but for their very lives.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: This book was even better than the first. Matt received quite a bit of money after his adventure with the Pirate Szpirglas and is finally able to work toward fulfilling his dream of being a captain of an airship by attending the Airship Academy in Paris. He has been working hard at school and during his hands on training with a ship, his crew discovers the Hyperion, a long lost ghost ship. The captain almost kills his crew attempting to get to it. Once Matt returns to Paris many unsavory men/pirates are aware that Matt has knowledge of the coordinates of the alleged ghost ship and will stop at nothing to find it themselves. Of course the vivacious and lively Kate is determined to find this ship and examine it's contents herself. So she finds a captain crazy enough to attempt the journey. Which of course leads to Matt being roped into a journey up to a ship that is floating at deadly heights. Matt is finding that life with Kate is always an adventure and this one turns out to be even more dangerous and exciting than the first! 

Starclimber ****1/2
by Kenneth Oppel
Book Type: YA, Alternate History, Steam Punk, Fantasy
Summary: Pilot-in-training Matt Cruse and Kate de Vries, expert on high-altitude life-forms, are invited aboard the Starclimber, a vessel that literally climbs its way into the cosmos. Before they even set foot aboard the ship, catastrophe strikes:
Kate announces she is engaged—and not to Matt.
Despite this bombshell, Matt and Kate embark on their journey into space, but soon the ship is surrounded by strange and unsettling life-forms, and the crew is forced to combat devastating mechanical failure. For Matt, Kate, and the entire crew of the Starclimber, what began as an exciting race to the stars has now turned into a battle to save their lives.
summary found on goodreads
My Review: Matt and Kate have once again come out of an adventure with a handful of money. Money that helps continue to support Matt's family and his schooling. This summer Matt is looking forward to spending a lot of time with Kate. Plans change dramatically when they are approached by none other than Mr. Lunardi who wants to recruit Kate to join a team going into outer space for the first time and invite Matt to join a TRAINING program where he is expected to compete against 99 other older, more experienced men to try and get a spot on the spaceship. Matt desperately wants to go on this thrilling and very possibly life-threatening journey and will work harder than he ever has in life to go. On top of everything else Kate has announced that she is engaged to another man. Will Matt get to go into space? Will Kate really marry some other guy? Or will Matt get the experience of a life-time and keep Kate for himself? Read the third and final installment of this story to find out! And don't worry, this is the best story in the trilogy. I LOVED the ending. Perfect end to a thrilling adventure. Yay for Airborn! :)

Healthier Chimis

Baked Chimichangas
source: blogchef
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2lbs ground turkey
• 1 (1.25 ounce) packet taco seasoning
• 1 ¼ cups water
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons fresh oregano (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
• 2 cups shredded Coly-jack cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
• 6 large whole wheat flour tortillas
• 4 tablespoons melted butter

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. In a large skillet add ground turkey and brown over medium high heat. Add the taco seasoning and stir. Add the water and stir. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the liquid has reduced by 2/3.
2. Add cumin, oregano, cilantro, green onions, and green chilies. Simmer until the rest of the liquid has evaporated.
3. In a small saucepan heat the refried beans until warm, smooth, and easy to spread. Warm the tortillas according to package directions. Lay a tortilla onto a flat surface (such as a cutting board), spread a thin layer of refried beans into the center of the tortilla, top with the meat filling mixture, and sprinkle some cheese over the meat. Roll up the tortillas while tucking in the sides. Place onto a lightly greased baked sheet, arranged so that they are not touching. Repeat until all of the tortillas are rolled.
4. Brush the chimichangas on the tops and sides with melted butter. Place into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. During the last few minutes of cooking top each tortilla with remaining Colby-jack cheese. Bake until the cheese has melted.

Simply delicious.

Pico De Gallo and Guacamole 

source: The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients:  

pico de gallo

• 5 whole Plum (roma) Tomatoes
• ½ whole Large (or 1 Small) Onion
• 3 whole Jalapeno Peppers
• Cilantro
• Lime Juice
• Salt To Taste

guacamole

• 3 whole Avocados
• Pico De Gallo
• Lime Juice
• Salt To Taste

Directions:
Pico de Gallo

1. Chop jalapenos, tomatoes and onions into a very small dice. (Leave seeds in your jalapenos for a hotter pico). Adjust amount of jalapenos to your preferred temperature. 
2. Chop up a nice-sized bunch of cilantro. Just remove and discard the long leafless stems before chopping. No need to remove the leaves from the stems completely. Place all of these ingredients together in a bowl and give it a good stir.
3. Squeeze the juice of half of one lime into the bowl. Add salt to taste and stir again.

Guacamole

1. Start with buttery-soft avocados. Halve them lengthwise and remove the pits. Next, with a spoon scrape the “meat” out onto a large plate. 
2. Next, with the bottom of a clean cup (or with a fork) mash the avocados, making sure to leave it relatively chunky. Add just a couple of shakes of salt to taste. 
3. Next, add a generous helping of Pico de Gallo. Fold together. Lastly squeeze the juice of half of a lime over the top. Give it one last stir.

I finally got creative... And it paid off

Cabbage Vegetable Soup
source: ME!
Ingredients:

• 1 T olive oil
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced small
• 2 celery stalks, diced small
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chunked
•  2 garlic cloves
• 1/3 c cabbage, coarsely chopped
•  3/4 c dried lentils
• 1 can tomato sauce + 1 can water
• 2 c beef bouillon or 2 tsp. better than beef bouillon base + 2 c water
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• Cayenne pepper to taste (optional)
• beef/steak, chopped into 1/2 in. cubes (optional)
• grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Bring 1 1/2 c water to boil. Add lentils. Cook at least 10-15 mins.
2. Season meat with pepper, saute in olive oil until cooked through, set aside.
3. Heat up olive oil. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook about 5 mins or until softened. Add garlic, cook about 2 mins. more.
4. Add liquids and seasonings and bring to boil. Add cabbage. Cook another 15-20 mins or until veggies are soft. Serve with parm.

Yummy salsa

Restaurant Style Salsa
Source: thepioneerwoman
Ingredients:

• 1 large can whole, peeled tomatoes
• 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chili's
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 white onion, chunked
• 1 bunch cilantro leaves, minced
• 1 pepper, sliced thin (mild=anaheim, medium=jalapeño, hot=serrano)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• lime juice to taste

Directions:

1. Throw all ingredients in food processor or blender.
2. Pulse 8 times or to desired consistency.
3. Refrigerate 4 hours and serve.

So EASY but SO DELICIOUS

Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chile

Source: Rita's Recipes

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, still frozen
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes
• 1 can corn kernels, do not drain
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
• 1 T cumin
• 1 t chili powder
• 1 t onion powder
• 1 8-oz pkg. cream cheese

Directions:

1. Put the chicken in the crock pot.
2. Top with the tomatoes, corn, the drained and rinsed beans, ranch dressing, cumin, onion and chili powders. Stir to combine then top with the cream cheese.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring one or twice to blend in the cheese.
4. Shred the chicken into large pieces and serve over rice.
5. Can also serve in tortillas or taco shells or as a dip.