New Year's Resolution Update #7

September 6, 2011- 101 books read, 199 books to go (I can honestly say that I do not think I will read that many by January 1, 2012; sorry to disappoint blog readers!!)

Breaking Dawn- Stephenie Meyer
The Forbidden (The Courtship of Nellie Fisher, Book 2)- Beverly Lewis
Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature- Robin Brande
Fat Cat- Robin Brande
Am I Right or Am I Right?- Barry Jonsberg
1001 Cranes- Naomi Hirahara
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West- Gregory Maguire
Alice in Zombieland - Lewis Carroll and Nikolas Cook
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz- L. Frank Baum
The Complete Adventures of Alice in Wonderland- Lewis Carroll
Patiently Alice- Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Alice on her Way- Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Alice in the Know- Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Almost Alice- Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Intensely Alice- Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Alice in Charge- Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Incredibly Alice- Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires, Book 1)- Rachel Caine
The Dead Girls' Dance (Morganville Vampires, Book 2)- Rachel Caine
Arousing Love- M.H. Strom

New Year's Resolution Update #6

July 31, 2011 - 81 books read, 219 to go

The Parting [The Courtship of Nellie Fisher, book 1] - Beverly Lewis
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone- JK Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets- JK Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban- JK Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire- JK Rowling
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix- JK Rowling
Throwaway- Heather Huffman
Suddenly a Spy- Heather Huffman
Jailbird- Heather Huffman
Ties that Bind- Heather Huffman
The Phantom of the Opera- Gaston Leroux
The Vampire Diaries: The Return-Shadow Souls- LJ Smith

A Community I love

A lot of people have tons of complaints about Storm Lake. "There's nothing fun to do here." "There's no cool places to hang." I beg to differ my friends. I am here to offer you 10 reasons why Storm Lake, IA is a community that I truly love (to be quite honest, it's the only community I have lived in, but I digress)

1. Pages Bakery - If you are in Storm Lake, and you want donuts, don't even think about Casey's or Hy-Vee. Pages is the best hands down. It is a family owned business that has been in Storm Lake for a very long time, and it's as good as it's ever been (so I'm told). I recommend the donut holes, bird-eye's, or chocolate yum-yums.

2. Honey Kissed Pizza- The number 2 tourist spot in Storm Lake, this is the best pizza I've ever eaten. The secret is the HONEY on the crust (hence the name Honey Kissed Pizza). They have tons of specialty pizzas, and the decor in the restaurant is completely awesome!

3. The Star Spangled Spectacular- This hometown tradition is one of my very favorite things about Storm Lake. Everything about the Star Spangled Spectacular is awesome: the parade, the food, and the bands/booths. I have only missed 1 Star Spangled Spectacular in my entire life, and I cannot imagine NOT being in Storm Lake for the 4th of July.

4. The Storm Lake High School Music Department- If you go to any school in NW Iowa and mention the Storm Lake High School Music Department, chances are they will get a small look of fear in their eyes. Our Music Department has been a staple in our town for awhile, and that's mostly thanks to Jeff Tollefson, our former vocal director and now HS Vice principal. Tollefson was a no-nonsense kind of guy, and because of that, our choir got 2nd in a national competition in Florida. Our band got 1st place, because Senor Heeren is the same no-nonsense kind of guy, and we have a great orchestra. Our department is lucky to have such community support.

5. Boz Wellz- I've mentioned a lot of food in this blog, but let's face it : we love to eat. This is another hometown restaurant with amazing food. They always have good soup, the cheesballs and onion rings are to die for, and the club sandwich is amazing. And don't even get me started on the Gooey Butter Cake!

6. Santa's Castle- My family always goes to Santa's Castle every year, and I have had the opportunity to work there through the HS Key Club. It's not as exciting as it was when I was younger, but I love seeing the little kids there and they're reactions. The goats are my favorite exhibit.

7. Our diverse community- Many people would see our diverse community as a bad thing, but the people in Storm Lake embrace it and make the best of it. Getting to learn about all these different cultures is awesome. Tasting the food, seeing traditional dances, and all of those things truly make us lucky to live in Storm Lake.

8. The Skating Rink- Sure, this place is the same as it was in the 1960's, but you can't tell me you never went skating there in middle school. My friends and I still love to go skating when we are able, but I've only been there a couple of times since I broke my tailbone skating during Adventure Club freshman year..

9. King's Pointe- I don't think this waterpark is as awesome as some of the little kids, but it's nice to have. However, it is ridiculously over-priced and not nearly as AWESOME as the Marshalltown Aquatic Center. Just sayin'..

And, finally, wait for it. Drumroll please.... *BZZZZZZZ*

10. Grand Central Coffee Station- I've never actually tried the coffee because coffee disgusts me, but the steamers, smoothies, tea, and muffins are really good.

There you have it folks. Although our town is sometimes smelly, the lake is pretty gross, and we're surrounded by cornfields, Storm Lake is truly a community I love.

New Year's Resolution Update #5

June 29, 2011- 69 books read, 231 to go.

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle- L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion- L.J. Smith
The Vampire Diaries: The Return- Nightfall- L.J. Smith
Rainbow Boys- Alex Sanchez
Rainbow High- Alex Sanchez
Rainbow Road- Alex Sanchez
Getting It- Alex Sanchez
The Weight of Silence- Heather Gudenkauf
Cool Beans- Erynn Mangum
Life's a Beach- Claire Cook

Caramel Chocolate Bars

Recipe courtesy of the Palo Iowa Quasquicentennial Cookbook


1 (14 oz.) bag of caramels
1 can evaporated milk
1 (18 oz.) package chocolate cake mix. (I used Devil's Food)
3/4 cup melted butter
1 pkg. chocolate chips


Combine the caramels and 1/3 cup of evaporated milk in pan. Stir until melted, and keep warm. Combine the cake mix,  butter, and 1/3 cup of milk and mix well. Spread half of the batter into a greased 9 X 13 cake pan. Bake at 350 for 6 minutes. Cool 2 minutes. Spread the caramel mixture over crust and top with chocolate chips. Drop the remaining batter by spoonfuls over the cake. Bake for 18 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.
These are very very yummy!!

Orange Brownies

Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen and "Paula's Home Cooking"

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 sticks softened butter
4 eggs
2 teaspoons orange extract
1 teaspoon grated orange zest.

Cream the butter, eggs, and sugar. Add the orange extract and orange zest. Add the flour. Beat until well blended. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until light golden brown. Allow the cake to cool, then pierce the entire cake with a fork. Spread the Orange Cream cheese frosting over brownies.

Frosting
1 8 oz. package softened cream cheese
4 tablespoons softened butter
1 [1 pound] box of confectioner's sugar (about 3 cups)
2 tablespoons orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice

Whip the butter and cream cheese together. Gradually beat in the confectioner's sugar until it is combined and smooth. Beat in the orange zest and orange juice. Spread over brownies.

Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake

This dessert is literally as easy as it sounds, and it's delicious!

1 can pie filling ( I used cherry, but you can use any kind)
I boxed cake mix (I used chocolate, but white/yellow/spice will also work)
1 stick of butter.
*We usually make ours in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven, but a casserole dish works just as well. Make sure you grease whatever pan you are using WELL!
1. Dump the pie filling into the bottom of the dish and spread it around.
2. Pour the DRY cake mix over the pie filling (don't mix the cake up)
3. Slice the butter and place it around the pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!!
Cherry-chocolate is the combination we usually make, but you could also do apple-spice, or yellow/white cake mix with any pie filling!!

Summer fun stuff to come..

Hello blog readers!! I've decided to do a little project. I love to bake, so I'm going to try a bunch of different dessert recipes this summer, and I will post the recipe and picture of it on my blog! Then you guys can get the recipes or just drool at the picture..I'm baking tomorrow morning so will try to post sometime tomorrow
Hasta la vista!
:)

The letter that I'd never send

When I was a kid, nothing was more exciting than my parents telling me that all my relatives were coming home, and we were going to Grandma's for the weekend. I would get everything packed and be waiting by the door, because I was STOKED to see my family. Even though most of the gatherings were all the same (swimming at the hotel, lots of good food, and laughs), each time was special. My parents, sister, and I always stayed in the same room at my Grandma's house, and I made a sign that said "Reserved for the Ron Struck party of 4." My Grandma kept that sign and hung it up every time the whole family was coming home. Most of my aunts and uncles stayed at the hotel, so I would go hang out in one of their rooms and go swimming with my cousins. We would then all go to the party room at the hotel, the church basement, or my Grandma's. My aunts and uncles would tell stories, and we would laugh and laugh. Unfortunately, things aren't like this anymore. Instead of begging my parents not to leave because I didn't want the fun to stop, I ask constantly when we can go home. I'm not sure what happened, but we don't act like a family anymore. Some people in this family find it necessary to try and boss everybody around. They have their "favorites", and the rest of us get blown into the wind. They get to make all the decisions, and then act like it was something that everybody was in on. They are lying to Grandma about so many things, just because they want to spare her feelings. They call certain people, and are derogatory and yell at them, and then email those people expecting an apology, when they should apologize to the person that got yelled at. You say that you want to get this family back to the way it used to be, but that can't happen until the people who have been a**holes to everyone else admit that they were wrong and apologize. Not a blanket apology, but a single apology to EVERY SINGLE PERSON. I don't look for that to happen, unless hell would freeze over twice and pigs learn how to fly. So, go ahead. Have your little cliques, and be jerks to everyone in this family. But at the end of the day, look at a picture of Grandpa, and think about how he would feel right now, because he knows that he didn't raise you guys like this.

Random thoughts on a Friday night

In case you haven't noticed, I got a new font for my blog. (If you honestly hadn't noticed, you might want to look up "optometrist" in the Yellow Pages.) It's a little crazy and insane, just like me, so I thought it would  be the perfect font for my blog. It also types everything in all caps, which makes it seem like I'm kind of yelling (mind you, yelling in a "Hey! You should read my blog" sort of way, not a "Hey! You're an idiot" sort of way.) This isn't really the deep, insightful post I was hoping for, but I hope you laughed. I aim to please.
Sayonara!

What was going through my mind last night while I was trying to fall asleep

I've often referred to myself as a "self chosen anti-social", but the more I think about it, the more I realize that that is not an accurate description. I wouldn't call myself anti-social, because I do like to hang out with people, just not people my own age. If I was given the choice between going to a party with kids my own age, or going to get coffee with my mom and her friends, I would honestly choose the latter option. I don't want to sound self-centered, but I honestly see myself as more mature than a lot of my classmates (mind you, not all of them, just a majority), so I would rather hang out with people who I can have intelligent conversations with. By intelligent, I mean about something other than who is throwing a party this weekend, or where you got your nails done.  I'm sure that's not typical of most high school kids, but I guess I'm not a typical 17 year old high schooler. Let's share some examples of how I'm not "typical." Instead of sitting in the student section at sporting events, cheering and having fun with classmates, I sit with my parents so my dad can explain what the heck is going on to me. I would rather stay at home and play Mario Kart with my sister or Wii Bowling with my family than go hang out with my friends. My parents seem to not mind that I'm not a typical teenager,  because they always know where I am at, and that I'm not getting into any trouble (because I'm usually just down the hall.) I guess if I was a parent, I would also take comfort in knowing that instead of getting an alcohol possession at a party on Saturday nights, my daughter is laying on my bed watching The Lawrence Welk Show while making macrame bracelets.....

New Year's Resolution Update #4

May 31, 2011 - 59 books read, 241 to go.

After Ever After- Jordan Sonnenblick
Keeping Faith- Jodi Picoult
Nineteen Minutes- Jodi Picoult
A Devil to Play- Jasper Reese
Mayne Attraction: In the Spotlight- Ann Mauren
13 Little Blue Envelopes- Maureen Johnson
Fly Away- Nora Rock
Swoon- Nina Malkin
I'd Tell you I'd love you, but then I'd have to kill you- Ally Carter
Boyfriends with Girlfriends- Alex Sanchez
The God Box- Alex Sanchez
Bait- Alex Sanchez
Eat, Pray, Love- Elizabeth Gilbert

New Year's Resolution Update #3

April 25, 2011 - 46 books read, 254 books to go.

House Rules- Jodi Picoult
Sing You Home- Jodi Picoult
The Lonely Hearts Club- Elizabeth Eulberg
Lovely- Allison Liddelle
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A memoir of going home- Rhoda Janzen
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's- John Elder Robison
Water for Elephants- Sara Gruen
Cross my Heart- Katie Klein
Edith- M.B. Forester-Smythe
Boyfriends, Burritos, and an Ocean of Trouble- Nancy N. Rue

New Year's Resolution Update #2

March 27, 2011- 36 books read, 264 to go

Spirit Bound (a Vampire Academy novel)- Richelle Martin
Please Ignore Viera Dietz- A.S. King
The Bride's Baby- Liz Fielding
A Very Special Delivery- Linda Goodnight
Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo- Heather Wardell
The Time Travelers: Volume One- Caroline B. Cooney
Fools Rush In- Janice Thompson
Five Flavors of Dumb- Antony John
Stuck in the Middle- Virginia Smith
The Running Dream- Wendelin Van Draanen

New Year's Resolution Update #1

Well, about a month ago I told everyone about my New Year's Resolution. I have decided that about once a month I will update with how many books I've read, how many books I have left, and the titles that I read. If anyone is looking for book suggestions, check the blogs about my New Year's Resolution.

February 27, 2011- 26 books read, 274 left to go!

Untamed (a House of Night novel)- P.C. and Kristen Cast
Hunted (a House of Night novel)- P.C. and Kristen Cast
Tempted (a House of Night novel)- P.C. and Kristen Cast
Gods in Alabama- Joshilyn Jackson
Ash- Malinda Lo
Wintergirls- Laurie Halse Anderson
The First Part Last- Angela Johnson
Waiting for Sarah- Bruce McBay and James Herughan
Jerk, California- Jonathan Friesen
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round things- Carolyn Mackler
Girl at Sea- Maureen Johnson
The Shunning- Beverly Lewis
The Confession- Beverly Lewis
The Reckoning- Beverly Lewis

This list only contains 15 of the 26 books I've read, but if you look at my first post about New Year's Resolutions, those titles are listed. I will update again in about a month with the new titles and countdown!

RIP

Today, our world has suffered a great loss. Alex was one of the most courageous people I knew, and her strength has helped many to realize how blessed we all really are. Her perseverance to fight this disease for 5 + years is only one of many things that will never be forgotten about her. She is now living a pain free life, riding horses and playing softball up in heaven, and watching down over every person she had ever known.

To Alex: I will miss you everyday. I hadn't seen you in awhile, but I always kept you in my prayers. You are one of my inspirations, and I will never forget how strong you were. I know you are watching down over us, and will help us during our times of need, like our prayers helped you during your times of need.

To the Hermstad family: I have no idea what it is like to be in your shoes,  but know this: you have the support of thousands of people behind you. You are so strong, just like Alex. She was very lucky to have all of you supporting and loving her through the duration of her illness.


Alexandria Ann Hermstad
August 22, 1993-February 14, 2011

Gone, but never forgotten.

Labels

I was at school yesterday afternoon waiting for a band rehearsal to start when one of my acquaintances made a comment that really upset me. She was telling about her older sister who was also named Kelsey, and "had brown hair, played the french horn, and was an over-achiever." I honestly don't understand where people get the idea that I am an over-achiever. I DO set very high goals and standards for myself, and make sure that I reach them, because average does not sit well with me. Pushing myself has never before made me an over-achiever, I was just a kid who would do what she had to in order to get good results.  I hate the fact that my so-called labels are "smart" and "over-achiever." I guess the fact that I actually want to get something out of school and apply myself so I am successful doesn't make sense to anyone but me..

New Year's Resolution...

New Year's resolutions seem like such a stupid thing. We all make them, then end up abandoning them by the 2nd week of January. I am guilty of that as well, so this year I decided  to make a resolution that I would actually stick to. My main resolution is to read 300 books by January 1st, 2012 at midnight. This seems like a large task, but in 25 days I have read 11 books already, and for those that know my schedule, that's a pretty big accomplishment. I plan on posting every title/author for every book I read on my blog.
January 25, 2011- 11 books read, 289 books to go (these are in no particular order by the way, because they are randomly spread out through my book journal)

Rockstar- Jackie Collins
Room- Emma Donoghue
Princess Ben- Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Half-Baked: a memoir- Alexa Stevenson
Betrayed, a House of Night Novel- P.C and Kristen Cast
Chosen, a House of Night Novel- P.C and Kristen Cast
Picture Perfect- Jodi Picoult
Handle with Care- Jodi Picoult
Front and Center- Catherine Gilbert Murdock (3rd book in the Dairy Queen trilogy)
Out of my Mind- Sharon M. Draper
Parrotfish- Ellen Wittlinger

If you are looking for something to read and would like a synopsis of what these books are about, please comment and I will hook you up with some. As my Accelerated English/Composition teacher says, "Happy Reading!"

Living each day to the fullest

Every day when I walk into my seventh period Composition class, the first thing written across the top of my teacher's board is "Today is the only (insert date here) you will ever experience. How are you going to live it?" Many of us take things for granted, whether it be our health, our family, or something as simple as it being January 25, 2011. This quote always makes me think "What am I going to remember about today?" It could be a funny story from the day, or a good grade I got on a test. Sometimes there are days that I don't want to remember, and those will always stick with me no matter what, purely because I don't want to remember them. Hopefully, those are the memories I will someday tell my kids, or grand kids. We need to remember those memories, and the people present in them, because life is unpredictable. One of my favorite country songs by Tim McGraw is titled "Live like you were dying." None of us want to think about dying or losing one of our loved ones, but the reality is, we don't know when it's going to happen, only the big guy upstairs does. We need to take advantage of every opportunity given to us, because otherwise we may never get to do it. Do the things that you want to do!!! Get that crazy tattoo, tell that guy your true feelings, or go skydiving. Whatever it is you choose to do, just remember : today is the only January 25, 2011 you will ever experience, how are YOU going to live it??

Religion...

I am writing a defense for my Composition class, and I have chosen to do it on the misconceptions people make about the Catholic church. I am finding very interesting how much I am learning through my research(one example, Martin Luther was a Catholic priest before breaking off and creating the Lutheran church), which is stuff you would think I would know from attending CCD classes...but that is not the case around here I guess. I quit confirmation two years ago due to "lack of time", but I honestly felt that I didn't learn anything in CCD from the time I was in Kindergarten to when I quit freshman year. If I was going to go through the process, I wanted to gain some knowledge from it, not just waste two hours sitting there.  Most probably assume when  they hear of someone quitting their confirmation program that they do not believe in God, and the fact that their parents allowed them to do that is not Christian-like.  I would like to turn this into a defense of sorts, and say I do believe in God, and I am a Christian. That's another thing that creates heated debates, what makes a person Christian? Is it attending church every weekend, or is it being a good person and doing what you know is right? My opinion sides with the second answer. Just because a person attends church every weekend does not necessarily imply that they are a  good "Christian" person, and vice versa, not attending church doesn't make you a bad "Christian" person. My family attends church semi-regularly, we have my whole life, but my parents have also instilled values of helping others and praising our Lord in me, and that is what makes a Christian. I would someday like  to be confirmed. Will it be in the Catholic church? Your guess is as good as mine. Until that day, I will proudly say "Yes, I might not attend church every weekend. Yes, I may not be confirmed. But I am a Christian, and I love our Lord just as much as anyone."

First post!

With all the excitement going on at school about teachers creating blogs, I decided to create one for myself...a way to let my feelings out and share with friends. This should be kind of fun!!