Scrapbook Saturday: November
Katie 
November is just Kris Allen – for now. I also was at Disney World but like I said last week, that will be in several future posts 🙂
Book Review: Trolls Graphic Novels #1: Hugs & Friends
The Trolls Graphic Novels #1 contains 15 different stories that are about 5 pages each. There are different characters featured in every story and they are illustrated, not computer generated like the movie, so they look a little bit different than what you might be used to for the movie. This is the first book and I am looking forward to more to come to see what other kind of trouble these Trolls can get into!
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
It’s the Trolls first graphic novel! Who are the Trolls? Who are the Bergens? Why is there one Troll who isn’t happy like all the other Trolls? And why does this Troll know more about the Bergens than any other Troll? Find out more about Poppy and Branch in this all-new collection of comics that take place before the Trolls motion picture. Warning: You may never look at a cupcake the same way after you see this graphic novel.
Throwback Thursday: Honor Society 7/18/09
Headliner: Honor Society
Opener(s): NA
Venue: Paradise Rock Club
Cost: $34
Setlist:
Book Review: Crochet Stories: Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland
I know every time I read one of these crochet books I say that I am going to learn to crochet, but I truly thing this year is going to be my year. The latest book I read was all about the characters from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. In addition to the instructions on how to make the characters (which are ranked with skill levels like easy or intermediate so you know where to begin based on your skill level) there is also some excerpts of the book included as well. There are some really cute characters like the door mouse and the hedgehogs as well as your favorites like Alice, Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter. You can also make accessories for your tea party as well! All characters come with crochet instructions and how many to make as well as photos of the finished products.
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
Everyone should visit Wonderland, and these charming crocheted characters bring Lewis Carroll’s enchanted kingdom to magical life. Appropriate for intermediate to advanced crocheters, this collection of eighteen patterns presents clear, well-illustrated instructions for creating imaginative renditions of personalities and props from the classic tale.
First and foremost is golden-haired Alice herself, both in her normal, child-sized form and also in a miniature version. Other characters include the White Rabbit, the King and Queen of Hearts, the Caterpillar and his mushroom perch, the Dodo, the Mad Hatter and Dormouse, and the grinning Cheshire Cat. A variety of accessories consist of a tea pot and cups for the mad tea party; a flamingo mallet, hedgehog ball, and playing-card arch for a game of croquet; a rose bush with red and white blossoms; and a cake and bottle to provide Alice’s transformations in size. Crocheters will delight in each of these whimsical patterns, and their handiwork will result in keepsake treasures.
Love with Food December
The last of the Love with Food box posts. I was not happy that they changed prices on me after I locked in for a year and no refunds were offered and the quality of the items in the boxes were becoming less and less items that I actually would want to try… so I am moving on. Try it Tuesday will never be the same. It got me thinking if I should switch to something else. Let’s say sausage, for example. Our local producer has a wide choice and uses the best ingredients including casing from dcwcasing.com/. It is definitely worth trying.
Bunch o’ Berries Fruit Snacks
by Horizon Organic
Big fruity flavor comes in small packages. Don’t be surprised if the kids are craving these any time of day.
Can’t go wrong with fruit snacks and this was no exception!
Extreme Daily Dose of Dark Chocolate
by NibMor
This deliciously dark chocolate doesn’t mess around. 80% cocoa, organic and more than a little addictive.
LOTS of dark chocolate in this box and it all went to Mom!
Salmas Crackers
by Sanissimo
After tasting these deliciously crispy bites, you’ll swear there must be some magic hidden in those five ingredients.
These were pretty good!
Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Mini Bar
by LUNA
Chocolate, nuts and oats. A flavor combination that never gets old – especially when there are no GMOs and zero gluten.
More for Mom… she enjoyed.
Beef & Pork Pepperoni Seasoned Meat Stick
by Field Trip
13 units of Field Trip Beef & Pork Pepperoni Seasoned Meat Stick
The perfect boost of protein in a seasoned, salty package, with zero gluten and seriously addictive flavor.
This meat stick was nothing to write home about. Decent.
Peppermint Bark Bar
by Baron Chocolatier
A flavor combination that the holidays just wouldn’t be the same without. But with no GMOs, there’s practically no guilt.
Also gave this to Mom. She liked it.
Baked Mac n’ Cheese Puffs
by Snikiddy
12 Bags of Zesty Baked Mac n’ Cheese Puffs by Snikiddy
The cheesy, comforting flavor you love in light, airy puffs you can take anywhere!
I’ve had these before as well and it takes a second to realize its not Mac and Cheese but they are good.
Ginger Snaps
by Lucy’s
12 Mouth Watering bags of Ginger Snaps by Lucy’s
Just sweet enough with a little kick of spice. Perfect for the season, or basically anytime you’re craving a cookie.
Love ginger snaps!
Stephen Kellogg Tour De Forty @ The FTC Warehouse
Friday night Stephen Kellogg rolled in for a home town show at the FTC Warehouse. I believe this was his first time playing the Warehouse, previously he had played the smaller Stage One next door.
Opening the show was Don Miggs. I may have gone in to the night a bit biased because my friends had said they saw him the night before and weren’t impressed, but I have to say that I wasn’t all that impressed either. I don’t think I have ever seen an opener mess up nearly every single song in his set – and admit to it. He later mentioned that he probably shouldn’t admit to it but that’s who he was. Which I can get, but if you’re playing to a crowd of people that most likely don’t know your songs you can just cover it up with a new lyric and no one would have been the wiser. (Although a few songs were covers so it was a bit more obvious if you knew the originals) Most of his songs were for his wife, which was sweet.
Then it was time for Stephen Kellogg. He had a band of 6 backing him and it has been a while since I’ve seen him with a band and not just him and his guitar and I have to say there is a HUGE difference in his stage presence with a band than not and this show was a whole other level than any of the other shows I have seen from SK in the past 10 years. So much so I was considering going to the show Saturday night too, but it was just not going to work out. I had seen SK6ers 25 times before their split and SK solo now 5 times since then and this has to be my favorite show of his ever. The show just seemed to go on forever and it was just amazing. I’m not sure if any of his shows after this will ever measure up (although I am sure seeing him at BTTI in January will be amazing for different reasons)
Stephen also called out some people in the crowd for not even looking at the stage. There was a lot of chit-chat going on during the openers set, and I figured it would stop once Stephen took the stage so I was pretty surprised when it didn’t. Several years ago he had commented from the stage at a show about some drunk girls talking right by the stage but when I mentioned it to him more recently he said he mellowed out a bit as he was getting older – but I was glad he took the time to ask the people not even looking at the stage to either look or head somewhere else to do whatever they were doing. I am not sure why people go to a show to not pay attention to the headliner but it is what it is.
Hopefully my next SK adventure will be the BBQ this summer!
Casino Double Feature: Kesha @ Foxwoods, Rick Astley @ Mohegan Sun
I have been so tired after this back-to-back run of shows I never bothered to write up a review. So here goes nothing… Usually I like to write reviews when the show is still fresh in my mind but I failed at that for these two shows.
As part of Foxwoods 25th Anniversary they kicked it off with a couple of free shows. One being Kesha on a Wednesday night at the Grand Theater. There were 3 ways to get tickets – win them from the radio, win them from Foxwoods text contest or wait in line all day for tickets. I ended up winning them from Foxwoods text contest a couple days before the show.
I really wouldn’t have called myself a Kesha fan before the show – I knew her songs from the radio but if you told me I’d be going to see her in concert I’d probably have told you you were crazy. But all that has changed now. Kesha put on an amazing show and I hope that all her legal troubles get figured out soon – she said she has 73 songs written that she can’t put out because of all the crap going on between her, her label and Dr Luke.
Kesha played all her hits but a lot of them she did in new arrangements. She had checked her paperwork and was still allowed to play them but wanted to mix things up a bit. She also threw in some covers – appropriately the first one was “You Don’t Own Me” as well as Britney’s “Til The World Ends” (which she wrote so im not sure if its technically a cover) and some Dolly Parton for good measure as well.
Favorite Lyric change: “Boys trying to touch my junk. Fuck you Donald Trump!”
Thursday night Mohegan Sun had an exclusive invite only show with 80s legend Rick Astley. I had thought that I only knew the song famous for “Rick Rolling” Never Gonna Give You Up – but I forgot all about Together Forever as well!
He had an opener Harrison Kipner who kept going on about how big the arena was. They had the arena set up has a half-house and no one was in the upper level but considering the smaller venues on the rest of Rick’s tours – it was pretty impressive. (And maybe some day he will play it at full capacity!)
Rick did some of his tracks from his new album and mixed in some covers as well – including ACDCs Highway To Hell which he played the drums during! He even did a mashup with a Rihanna song as well.
Scrapbook Saturday: October
October – Tyrone Wells, Dalton Rappatoni and Carrie Underwood. Also, Disney World but that will be a later post, or 10.
Book Review: Creepy Crawly Crochet
Once again, I check out a really cool book about crochet with having no knowledge of how to make any of the cool things in the book! But this year I think I am going to try to teach myself because there are so many cool things that I want to try and make out there!
There are 17 creepy, crawly creatures in this book – things that go bump in the night! The book shows you all the stitches and techniques for all of the creatures. My favorites were the mummy, swamp thing and booboo voodoo! There is even an itsy bitsy spider included, but I think I’ll pass on trying to make him! This book has a lot of items that would be great for Halloween!
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
They’re creepy but they’re cute and cuddly, too! Inspired by classic literature, film, and folklore, these 17 crochet monsters will delight everyone with a taste for old-fashioned thrillers and modern tales of horror. Detailed instructions include assembly diagrams for ease of construction along with full-color photos. The patterns are suitable for beginners, but advanced crocheters will find them irresistible as well.
These fetching fiends include Boo Boo the Voodoo Doll; Jack, the Headless Horseman, and his horse, Nightmare; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Carl of the Dead and Daisy, his Zombie Dog; and other sinister characters. In addition to their value as handmade keepsake treasures, these characters also make great gifts for fans of horror and science fiction.
Throwback Thursday: Demi Lovato
Headliner: Demi Lovato
Opener(s): David Archuleta, KSM
Venue: XL Center
Cost: $65
Setlist:
