Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. 1. You get to pretend you're something else for a few hours. 2. It encourages creativity in adults (also lots of drinking). 3. C-A-N-D-Y. It's the only time of year Matt lets me buy candy, in bulk. Who cares if we only get 3 kids for trick or treating. I have an entire bag of mini snickers calling my name. *High Five!

Charlie as a Ghost, Halloween 2010.

Also, Halloween is an excuse to dress up the dog without Matt questioning my sanity. :) Take for instance last year's debacle. It was a failure partly because of my inept sewing skills and Charlie's unwillingness. However I did snap this quick photo. His tail is wagging but that's only because I'm bribing him with treats.

So this year I have no idea what last minute costume I'll whip up for him, but you can bet it'll be just as bad.

In order for this post not to be a complete waste, I'm leaving you with some fun facts about Halloween I gleamed from our friends at Huffington Post. 

-Americans purchase nearly 600 million pounds of candy a year for Halloween.

-The top selling candy: Candy Corn. Americans purchase over 20 million pounds of it a year, though it is unlikely that every last one of those millions of candies was actually consumed.


-Candy Corn is the most searched-for candy term in Google -- more popular than candy apples, gummy worms and candy pumpkins. Searches for Candy Corn are up 10 pecent from October 2010.

-Out of all 50 states, Alabama searched for candy corn the most!


And to put all of that into prospective Lewis Black once said: The worst thing about Halloween is, of course, candy corn. Candy corn is the only candy in the history of America that's never been advertised. And there's a reason -- all of the candy corn that was ever made was made in 1911.


Love,

Grace

The Botticelli Secret

Review of: The Botticelli Secret

Marina Fiorato

St. Martin's Griffin, 514 pg.

Hardcover $14.99

 

A strong female lead,  a pinch of murder, a dash of treason, marinate it with a twisted plot and top it with a secret as big as The Da Vinci Code. Viola, you have The Botticelli Secret.

I adore historical fiction. I began my secret love affair with this genre when I first read The Other Boleyn Girl my senior year of high school. Oh Phillipa Gregory, how you make my heart go pitter-patter. While Gregory prefers England and it's proper monarchy, Marina Fiorato, a "half-Venetian" herself, prefers the romantic setting of Renaissance Italy.  It's a journey worth taking.

By: Marina Fiorato

If you love, The Da Vinci Code, don't compare it to The Botticelli Secret. While it isn't a New York Times best seller, it is one great read. I thoroughly enjoyed Fiorato's use of Italy's tumultuous history and her characters. Much like other historical fiction novels the main character, Lucianna, is intriguingly weaved into the fabrics of time and history.

Summary:
When Lucianna's best client asks her to pose as a model for Sandro Bottecelli's painting La Primavera she agrees. Surprised at Bottecelli's talent, she is equally surprised when he walks out and refuses to pay her. In a moment of anger Lucianna swipes a miniature of the art work. Immediately people around her are being assassinated. In an attempt to save her life she goes to the only person who can help her. Guido della Torre, a novice monk and the only man she couldn't entice. Together they flee the city and try to solve the mystery of the Botticelli painting before their enemies do.

If you like historical fiction, romance, or are even in the market for a fun read, The Botticelli Secret is for you.

"An intriguing mix of history, mystery, art, music, poetry, romance, and politics... Writing with charm and authenticity, Fiorato produces a blend of historical mystery and modern romance that is thoroughly entertaining." -Booklist

Love,
Grace

A House is not a Home Without a Pet!

I knew that taking this job was going to tug at my heart strings every day. I wish I could adopt every single animal, take them home, love them and snuggle them. But then I'd be divorced, unemployed, and the star of an episode of Confessions: Animal Hoarders. Hey there Animal Planet! I'm pretty sure the SPCA wouldn't appreciate that.

But there are 2 furry babies that have captured my heart. JUST TWO!!! Can't we save JUST TWO, or four, or sixteen. It's a down hill cycle. Luckily my husband sees that.

Haleigh, up for adoption soon.

I am hoping that since I can't adopt them, someone loving will so that I know they went to a great home.

To the right, is Haleigh. She's new to our shelter and will soon be up for adoption. I call her my mini Charlie. She's so sweet and very affectionate. Oh please won't you take her home with you.

My other love-bug is BeBe. He's an orange tiger kitten. As soon as I take him out of his cage he's an instant purr box. Like Quaker Oats, "just add love".

Ahem, *Lifting right hand*

I Grace, promise to not flood my blog with photos and sob stories of fur babies that need homes.

But these two, would already be home if I could.

Please forgive the weird way Haleigh and I are (both, even weirder) looking off to the right. Stupid phone.

If you can't adopt a baby, please donate to the SPCA so we can continue to help these wonderful animals find their forever homes. You can visit www.caspca.org for more info!

Love,
Grace

I also found this quote. Proof that my cat is plotting revenge:

"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshiped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this."

With a Little Love for My Fans

So in celebration of me officially being on the blog-o-sphere for... a week. I wanted to give a little thanks. Mostly because there is one person who is amazing and dedicates time out of her day to read my posts and bring thoughtful insight to her comments. It's nice to know that someone, in the vast billions of internet junkies, is reading what I write. Shannon, you're one in a hundred billion.

I know that you love books and reading. And you have one of the sweetest, most romantic hearts I've ever met. So to say thank you and in hopes to tempt you to keep reading! I'm giving you a little gift.

$10.00 Amazon Gift Card

Thanks!

Love,
Grace

"Anyone who can walk to the welfare office can walk to work."

Or drive, which is what I'm doing this morning. Yes, I am going to work. Let us give praise and thanks to the god's of minimum wage. Which by the way, is higher now than it was when I bused tables at 14. Bonus!

Cartoonist Al Capp

It really doesn't feel like work yet. I have to be in at ten, which means I was up at 7 a.m. or at least my alarm was. Did you know my phone decides that I can't hit snooze after 7:45. I think it was tired of yelling every five minutes for my ass to get out of bed.

Anywho, that quote is by Alfred Caplin, aka Al Capp, a cartoonist best known for the cartoon Lil Abner. I'd never heard of Al Capp before but I like his style. I hate not working. And I hate applying for unemployment.

My dream job would let me read the hours away. I don't get to read but I do get to do my second favorite thing-- play with animals. I got hired as a Front Desk Clerk at the Charlottesville SPCA. Of course in my dreams of working at the SPCA go like this:

Me, rolling around on the floor with dozens of clean, fluffy retriever puppies that smell adorable and are climbing on me and licking my face. Insert giggles here.

Reality: Me and a shovel cleaning dog poo, walking animals that aren't leash trained, cleaning cat gashes on my arms, and crying over furry babies that won't be able to find a forever home. 

Every job has a down side.

Ultimately I'll be working for a cause I believe in. I'll save animals lives and help people find pets that they will love and hopefully treasure as much as we treasure our Charlie and Gracie. (Yes, Matt named his cat Gracie. In his defense he named her 4 years before we met.)

Off I go, joining the millions of the many, the thankful, employed. Wish me luck.

Love,
Grace

A Little Inspiration

 

I like to find things that inspire me. This quote (see above) was posted on Facebook by my Aunt Sherry. A beautiful woman with an unyielding optimism about life that I can only envy. And I love that about her.

So be inspired. 

Today, go do something you've always wanted to do because even if you fail, you will have done it. 

Love,

Grace

A Bit Peculiar

Review of: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Ransom Riggs

Quirk Books, 349 pg.

Hardcover $17.99

Front Cover

Ranson Riggs, writer, film maker, and collector of abandoned photographs is also a New York Times Best Seller. The gold stamp of approval on the cover of his first novel, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, is well deserved. Riggs’ first novel is a hauntingly emotional story filled with enough wonder and peculiarity to keep you entrenched in an otherwise seemingly impossible world.

When I first stumbled upon Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children I loved the cover. It’s black and white and it’s ancient. It’s captivating and it’s intriguing. In other words, it’s creepy. I really like a creepy factor in my books. The cover made interested, the photographs inside sold me the book. Riggs’ amazing collection of “authentic, vintage photographs” is what tethers fantasy to reality.

Back Cover

The story begins when sixteen-year-old Jacob’s life is torn apart with the tragic death of his grandfather. In order to understand the only family he ever loved, Jacob travels to a remote island off the coast of Wales. Upon arrival he discovers a dying sea village, an abandoned house, and the peculiar half truths of his grandfather’s life.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is delightfully mystical. Riggs journeys far beyond the mysteries of the supernatural and introduces a world outside the likes of any pagan folklore. While Riggs created this essentially wholesome world of children he also created the monsters that lurk in the darkness. Miss Peregrine’s children are being hunted and they need a hero. In search for the truth to his Grandfather’s life Jacob finds he is on a journey to discover himself.

It’s a wildly creative tale.

The only fault I could find was in the ending. It ended a bit like a young adult novel preparing its reader for the next installment. While it didn’t leave a bitter taste in my mouth it most certainly left me wondering what’s going to happen next.

I hope this isn’t the last we see of this gang of unusual children and their stoic headmistress.  

Love, 

Grace

The Mystery of Shakespeare!

Anonymous the movie

Here we have it, Hollywood's answer to the timeless question, was Shakespeare a fraud? In all honesty, it's been a few hundred years. If the man who wrote these plays allowed Shakespeare to title them as his own, then voila, he obviously didn't want anyone to know.

I stumbled upon this great article by Alex Knapp from Forbes Magazine  Yes, Shakespeare Really Did Write Shakespeare. He's the entire reason for this post. I love learning new things. Especially if I can sprout off impressive remarks about 16th century England. Alex, you've now made me that girl who smugly recites annoying facts to her friends. It's like spilling soda on them during previews and now they're uncomfortable the entire movie. Hence why I love this article so much. It doesn't ruin the movie, it just makes you a very smug movie goer. It leaves you with the ability to enjoy the movie without doubt.

I say, folks, quit reading signs in the sky for the end of days, quit trying to hunt down the Easter Bunny, and for goodness sake, let the man have his glory.

Ultimately it's for you to decide. Go ahead, give Alex a go. Did he sway you or did he leave you more in doubt?

Love,
Grace

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

When I first spotted this book I was trolling through Wal-Mart. I like to swing by the book section because sometimes, as much as I read, I don't always keep up with the newest best sellers.

I was immediately drawn to this really strange cover. If you don't believe you can judge a book by it's cover, then all books would be covered in paper bags. THIS cover grabs your attention. See for yourself.

So first thing I did when I got home from my shopping excursion was order it from Amazon. Other reviews said don't buy an electronic version. DOWNER. I buy a lot of books for my Kindle. However after seeing it at the store. I agree. The pictures Ransom Riggs dug up for his book are worth it. Creepy children, there's nothing like it. I ordered it with my Amazon gift card (birthday) and I anxiously awaited it's arrival. Being a Kindle lover spoils the postal service for you.

By: Ransom Riggs

It arrived yesterday. YES, YESTERDAY. I haven't opened it, except to gleam looks at those creepy children. I have a feeling it's going to be one of those books I can't put down. I hope I'm right.

I'll let you know as soon as I'm finished. Don't worry, I have a feeling you won't have to wait long.

Love, 

Grace

The Many, The Hopeful, The Unemployed.

The first week of not working is the best. You just left behind days of structural tasks and objectives and are facing days of unending opportunity. I'M FREE! My first week I spent doing what I love to do. Reading. I read approximately 4-5 books in my "free time". To clarify that's time not spent cooking, cleaning and watching Project Runway reruns. I love that show.

The first title I plucked off my shelf was a grab bag goodie from a friend who was giving books away like candy at a veterans parade. Not one to miss the opportunity to test the structural soundness of my library, I rescued many, many books. And I found Jen Lancaster.

Bitter is the New Black has become my handbook for unemployment. While I didn't take a Prada bag to the unemployment office, I actually don't own a Prada bag, I still ache with the need to be self sustaining. It's a blow to your esteem and your ego when you go from being respected in your field to a housewife. Yes, I said housewife. Years of feminist movements and the psyche of the American work ethic (which ironically is dying with our younger generations) creates a hell of an emotional upheaval. I'm left contemplating my self worth when rejection emails flood my inbox and phone calls about interviews go unanswered.

Jen Lancaster is just the thing I need. She's amazing in her ability to be scathingly funny. I mean that. I'm afraid she'll read this and write something about the loser who mentioned her in their blog post. Before I go all hero worship here, she (and my cousin who wouldn't quit harping me) are the reason I'm writing this blog. Because if I don't do something, I'll ultimately be deemed insane. Then my husband will have to put me in a mental institution and some bimbo will come along, whose hotter than me, has big boobs and talks with a sexy lisp, and steal him away. She won't love my dog either. Bitch.

So thanks to Jen. Who truly is an amazing writer and a constant inspiration, I'm writing this blog to stay sane. I can't guarantee anything I write will be in any way useful to you, my readers, but I can hope that it will entertain you.

Love, 
Grace

For those of you who don't know who Jen Lancaster is, educate yourselves.