The Race for a Million Dollars

Hi!

Last night, Season 22 of The Amazing Race was on! There was an interesting mix of teams, and there are sure to be some personality clashes in the future. Here’s what I thought about this season’s competitors. As always, it’s all in good fun! :)

Max and Katie

Hrm. I don’t really like Max and Katie. They seemed to think that they were so smart because they decided to go for the penalty, instead of completing the challenge, but I mean, it’s still a 4-HOUR penalty! I won’t be rooting for these two.

Mona and Beth

I like them! We didn’t see a lot of the roller derby moms last night, but from the scenes they were in, they seemed pretty nice :) I’m not sure that they’ll make it to the finale, but we will have to wait and see!

Idries and Jamil

The siblings this season are twins, Idries and Jamil, two OB/GYN physicians. They had a strong start, but I think the sandcastle challenge threw them off a bit. Hopefully, they will be able to make up their last time and advance far in the race!

Anthony and Bates

Our athletes of the season, Anthony and Bates had very little screen time last night. Obviously, they’ll be shown more and we will learn a bit more about them as the race goes on, but all I know right now is that they play hockey and that they came in second.

Chuck and Wynona

Chuck. And Wynona. Very… interesting? The whole “I like to hunt” thing in the beginning with the animals freaked me out a bit, but after that, they seemed pretty nice. I guess I’m not really sure what to make of these two quite yet.

David and Connor

I like these guys too! The father-son team usually does pretty well, so I wonder where David and Connor will end up. And please tell me that I’m not the only one who thinks Connor looks like someone in Pretty Little Liars. Am I right?! :)

Caroline and Jen

Not a fan of Caroline and Jen. They didn’t leave a good impression with the first episode, and I doubt they will last much longer. We’ll see!

Joey and Meghan

Joey and Meghan are definitely the comic relief this season. They are both YouTube hosts, and I think they are quite funny and friendly, but I’m not sure that they will make it very far. I hope they do well!

Pamela and Winnie

Although I like them better than the other all-female team, I haven’t really made up my mind about Pamela and Winnie. Hopefully, by next week we learn more about them.

John and Jessica

Despite the use of the word “awesome” way too many times, John and Jessica seem like strong competitors! :) They did come in first and win the Express Pass for them and another team, but, from the previews, it seems like they are creating some drama…

Matthew and Daniel

Finally, Matthew and Daniel are two firefighters. They were the first team eliminated, so I don;t have much to say about them.

What do you think about the Season 22 teams?

Have a terrific night!

The Amazing Race {Season 21}

Hello!

Last night was the first episode of The Amazing Race Season 21! The first leg was in China, and it involved ping-pong, frog guts, and some heights. In typical Amazing Race style, we had to say goodbye to one team last night. I shared my thoughts below. {please remember that this is all in good fun! Obviously, I don’t know the teams in real life; my opinions are based after last night’s episode.} What did you think?

Amy and Daniel

I think it’s totally admirable that Amy is not only doing the Amazing Race, but also competes professionally in snowboarding! However, Amy’s physical disability shouldn’t be the only thing you focus on. I think that Amy and Daniel are a strong team, but we will have to see how it plays out.

Jaymes and James

I like the bow ties :) Physically, these guys will do just fine, yet I also believe that they could finish out on top mentally as well.

James and Mark

I don’t think yesterday’s premiere showed enough of these rockers for me to make a solid judgement, but they seem okay, I guess.

Caitlin and Brittany

Again, like the rockers, I don’t know enough about Caitlin and Brittany to guess how they will do in the race. However, I’m hoping that they are strong enough to be another all-girl team victory!

Gary and Will

Hehe :) I like these two. The “super fans” as they call themselves did okay yesterday, and that’s how I feel they will do all season. Are they enough to win? Nah, probably not, but for the time being, I will enjoy their enthusiasm.

Natalie and Nadiya

The Pink team! I like these girls as well, but they are not my favorites. They seemed to argue a lot, or was that just me?

Josh and Brent

Hmm, I don’t know about them. They are nice, for sure, but I don’t think they are the strongest team. If I’m correct, though, they were in Country Living! :)

Abbie and Brent

This was the team that came in first place last night, so they have the chance to win two million dollars! From the looks of it, they actually might have a chance too.

Rob and Kelley

They are interesting, to say the least. I can tell that they will provide plenty of entertainment this season!

Rob and Sheila

Unfortunately, this team was the one to go last night. Even if they had made it past the first episode, I don’t think they would have stayed in the race much longer.

Trey and Lexi

The “classic” couple team. We’ll see how long this lasts. Two, three, episodes, maybe?

Have a lovely night!
B :)

psst. Formatting is off, I know. I will fix it tomorrow after a good night’s sleep! :)

The Unseen Guest: A Book Review

Hello!

The Unseen Guest by Maryrose Wood

Summary: After their rather exciting trip to London, the three Incorrigibles and their governess, Miss Penelope Lumley, return to their home at Ashton Place. They are welcomed with the news that Lord Frederick Ashton’s other will be visiting. The house staff is busy organizing the home, the cook is preparing a dinner, and Ashton’s wife is in tizzy because her hair is a mess! Once the honorable Lady Ashton arrives, adventure is not far behind. The elderly women came with her good friend, Admiral Faucet, an adventurous explorer. Both the Admiral and the Lady take quick interest in the three children, although Penelope notices for different reasons. When Admiral Faucet’s beloved ostrich lets loose in the forest, he turns to Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia for help. With their keen smell and experience in the forest, they are sure to agree to help. Penelope? Not so much. Not having set one foot in the woods, Penelope would rather stay by the fire than venture into the unknown. Lady Ashton, on the other hand, loves the children as if they are her own, and is pleased that her son took them in. Not are they’re visitors, Penelope has yet to solve the mystery of the howling and the supposed curse! But, it’s expected that she would get nothing done with three Incorrigibles around…

My Thoughts: Loved Book One. Loved Book Two. And, now, loved Book Three. Maryrose Wood has such a quirky and suspenseful style of writing, and it keeps me hooked from the very first page! To start, I would definitely recommend reading   Book One and Two before reading this one. This is a perfect example of a series that should be read in order. Even after reading the first two books, I still don’t remember some of the details that led up to the plot of The Unseen Guest. I can’t expect Wood to write them any faster, so I am stuck just rereading them to keep the story fresh ;) Anyhoo, the three Incorrigibles are JUST SO cute! I love them all in their own way. Alexander, for his gentleman-ish actions, Bewoulf Beowulf {always spell his name wrong!} for, well, just being Beowulf, and Cassiopeia, for being an adorable toddler, yet still having ferocious side. I love their dialogue, especially because you don’t expect them to be as smart as they are! Penelope was the sensible, responsible governess she always is. However, I found she has been going outside of her comfort zone, therefore growing as a character. Taking a trip in the woods is not something I would even imagine her doing, but, then again, she completed it quite differently than the children. Can you believe that she is only 15!? That means she was 24 when she began her position as a governess! What’s up with that? I think I would remember THAT of all things… I liked Admiral Faucet in the beginning, or at least, tolerated him, but as the start continued, I liked him less and less. More did we see that he was just in it for the money, not for true love. Oh well. Lady Ashton didn’t deserve a jerk like him :) I was so happy to see Simon and the gypsy lady return and I loved the crazy plot line. The flow of the writing was disrupted at times. The story is told be an imaginary narrator, so there are moments when the “narrator” stops and comments on the story. I liked the idea, but at the same time, it could have been disguised better, if that’s the right word? Overall, a pleasant read, with very few “bumps” to improve.

Pros: Developed characters and a suspenseful plot.

Cons: Choppy writing?

Heads Up: Nothing very big.

Overall: I give it 4 1/2 stars {**** 1/2} and I recommend it for ages 8 and up.

Total side note. Don’t the cover illustrations look the same? Or is that just me?

Wasn’t Glee just amazing?! I <3 the two episodes, and i can’t wait for next week’s finale! Just a few points I would like to mention…

• tina I loved that she finally got her chance to shine! She is an amazing singer, but every time, she breaks down crying.  The body swaps were hilarious! Puck and Finn make a fabulous Blaine and Kurt. Haha :)
• beiste and puck Their duet was one of my favorite performances of the night, {to be totally honest, I liked them all!} and their scene in the locker room was so touching. I’m glad he got another chance at his test!
• nationals AHmazing. Vocal Adrenaline blows my mind :) I also found Jesse to be nicer. Weird.

All in all, Glee did an outstanding job, and, honestly, their finale better be good. What did you think?

Bella :)

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict: A Book Review

Hello!

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart

Summary: Nine-year old Nicholas Benedict is one very clever little boy. Going in out of orphanages his whole life, Nicholas also suffers from narcolepsy, a condition that makes him fall asleep at the worst moments and have terrifying nightmares. Despite his troubles, Nick has been able to keep a positive outlook on life. He’s now being sent to a new orphanage, and Nicholas believes that it can’t be any worse than the last one. He was wrong. There, at Rothschild’s End, Nick is being cared for by the evil and awfully greedy Mr. Collum, has already made enemies with the “Spiders,” and discovered that he will be locked in his room all night! How can he go exploring and discover all of the nooks and crannies of the manor if he can’t even escape his bedroom?! Fortunately, Nick made friends with John, one of the older boys, who gave Nicholas a warm welcome. With John and the possibility of hidden treasure, Nicholas is able to survive, even when he has to endure the wrath of the “Spiders,” three bullies who want to make Nick’s life miserable. All in all, Nick has a pleasant beginning at his new home. But something is bound to happen when you are a genius…

My Thoughts: I LOVED The Mysterious Benedict Society series, and I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this one! I was intrigued to read about Mr. Benedict’s childhood, considering what an odd lifestyle he had as an adult. The author’s style of writing was exactly the same, and the story flowed nicely. I did think that there was a *teeny* bit of excess information, especially when it was in description, but it only added to the vivid images he creates. Little Nick was the BEST :) He reminded me of the older Mr. Benedict in so many ways, but you could tell how he matured throughout the story. He was extremely clever, and I enjoyed all of his brilliant ideas. And, yes, sometimes he did act kind of bratty, but there was one point {near the end, I believe} in which the author explained why he was so self-centered, which I appreciated. John was super, too! He and I were always fed up with Nick at the same time :) I thought he played the part of the responsible friend quite well. I wanted to cry when he was adopted. It was like he died! No worries, however. It all worked out in the end. Violet was a sweetie. {except in the beginning. I thought she was a bit creepy.} Oh, it was nice to have a trustworthy girl character in the story. The rest of the female characters weren’t exactly role models… Mr. Collum was an absolute JERK! I’m really glad he’s fictional because he should not have been qualified to take care of children. He did turn a bit nicer at the end. A bit. The actual mystery was suspenseful, and I did not expect the ending. There were enough false leads and clues so it wasn’t predictable. Finally, because I don’t want to give too much away, I <3 the man on the train. *sigh* I actually wish Nick would have went to live with that cousin. But, with that being said, would he have formed the society otherwise? Anyhoo, this was another winner by Trenton Lee Stewart! I bet you can guess I’m waiting for the next one.

Pros: Developed characters, descriptive writing, and an entertaining story.

Cons: The beginning took a bit until I got into the story.

Heads Up: A small amount of violence.

Overall: I give it 4 1/2 {**** 1/2} stars. I recommend it for ages 11 and up.

Smash was eventful this week, that’s for sure! I’m so excited that Karen said yes! :)

Brittany’s dinosaur-themed prom? SO funny!

Bella :)

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Hi!

Chocolate and pretzels are almost too good of a combination. The salty pretzels mixes perfectly with the sweetness of the chocolate, and when scattered with rainbow-colored sprinkles, it comes together to form a delectable treat for any chocolate lover. The good thing about these are that they can be customized for any occasion. At Halloween, use the seasonal bats and pumpkin shaped decorations. Around Valentine’s Day, sprinkle red and pink candy sugar over the chocolate. Experiment with dark or white chocolate. I made these for a cookie swap recently. {and, yes, I know they are technically not cookies} Anyhoo, you can make the pretzels in less than an hour, so they are good for those in a rush. Chocolate covered pretzels are a hit at parties and gatherings, so depending on the amount of people coming, you can always double the ingredients. Or you could just have more for yourself :)

Chocolate Covered Pretzels Adapted from Paula Deen

ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• 24 large pretzel sticks
• Assorted sprinkles

to make

1. Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, and melt for 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Take chocolate chips out, and stir with a spoon. {If chocolate isn’t melted enough, put in microwave for fifteen seconds. Continue until melted.}
3. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
4. Using a spoon, place a dollop of chocolate onto a pretzel stick.
5. Using a knife, spread chocolate on the top half of the pretzel stick.
6. Shake sprinkle onto chocolate until fully covered.
7. Place the pretzel o the baking sheet to harden.
8. Repeat, until you have used all 24 pretzel sticks.
9. Let pretzels harden for a few hours. If you are in a time crunch, place them in the fridge.
10. Enjoy!

The finale of The Amazing Race is on tonight! I’m not really rooting for anyone, now that Bopper and Mark are gone, but I will still watch. From the preview last week, it looks like it’s going to be a tense one!

Bella :)