Yogurt Shmogurt

Review by Do:


I like yogurt. I like granola. So when I saw that Activia is now offering both in one nifty little container, I just couldn't help myself.

Boy was I pleasantly surprised! Described as "a blend of creamy lowfat yogurt, fruit pieces, and lowfat crunchy granola" the new Activia Parfait Crunch is very tasty and filling! The container has 220 calories and 3 grams of fat per 6oz, and is offered in 4 different flavors. My local grocery store only carries Vanilla and Strawberry, if it's in stock at all. I prefer the Strawberry, which has the fruit pieces, over the Vanilla, which does not.

The only complaint I have is that the container of yogurt is only half full...literally. Normally when you open a jug it's almost full; with this container, not so much. I'm not sure if they do that so there is room for you to stir in the granola or what, but it's a little deceiving. Somedays you want to eat healthy, but then again you're sooo hungry, and then you open this container and find that someone has already eaten half! Oh no...but don't worry my friends!! Like I said, it is very tasty and filling, so it is well worth the purchase.

Although Activia claims to "naturally regulate the digestive system", I do not eat it for that reason. I have had my share of activia yogurts and I never felt as though it helped me out in that "area". I eat this particular activia product because it is good, plain and simple. I hope that if you give this yogurt a try, you'll like it as much as I do. And if it does happen to 'help you out' with other things, then just think of it as a little added bonus. Enjoy!

Cracker Chips

Review by: Do

I enjoy crunchy snacks. Crunchy, salty, yummy snacks. But it's hard to indulge in such a treat with all the fat and calories they usually bring along. So when I spotted the new Special K Cracker Chips in the cracker aisle at my local store, I decided to give them a try.

Let me just say, they are a tastey treat! They taste like a cross between a pringle and a rice cake. Thin and salty like the pringle, but crunchy and ricey like the cake. And they only pack on 110 calories, 2.5g fat, in 30 chips! And you wouldn't always think so, but 30 chips is a lot.

They come in 2 flavors, sea salt and sour cream & onion. I prefer the sea salt over the sour cream & onion variety. I find the sc&0 flavoring to be too powdery and not as flavorful as I would have hoped. So if you are looking for a light and crispy crunchy snack, do give these cracker chips a try. They definitely pack the big potato chip crunch you like, but without all the fat & calories you hate.

The Dresden Files

Review by: Do


So I've been reading.

Recently I started The Dresden Files series. Book one, Storm Front, is a very good introduction into the life of "Harry Dresden. Wizard." Harry is a freelance wizard who advertizes his abilities with vague listings, which leads him to very sporatic work adventures. But he is a very interesting character. He isn't particularly nice, doesn't play well with others, but is always willing to help someone in need, which makes him very likeable. He has slim pickens when it comes to family, friends, and people he can count on. Most of the creatures he comes in contact with aren't even human.

This first book has Harry tracking down someone or something that is murdering people with black magic, which, in the wizarding world (really in any world), is a no no. He teams up with the local police department to solve these killings; the director of Special Investigations believes in what Harry can do, or rather, when she is out of ideas as to what could have happened, she consults him. While learning who/what is doing the killings, we get a glimpse of his life, who he is, what he's capable of, and possibly even a little love interest. I thought this book was pretty good. A little confusing at times with all the author tried to throw at you, but in the end, a good story.

Book two, Fool Moon, was a much better read.

I've always been a big fan of werewolves & vamps, etc., so when I started reading and finally realized this book was about werewolves I was excited. I didn't notice it right off the bat but if you look closely at the cover, the full moon and bloody paw prints are a pretty good indication that this book is about werewolves. Duh. I need to start paying closer attention to detail. So keep that in mind with all the Dresden Files titles. STORM Front, Fool MOON, you get the idea.

This story also involves the Chicago Police Department, which I am assuming is going to be an important reoccuring event. More supernatural, unsolved murders have the PD calling upon Harry again. To figure this set of grisly murders out, Harry dives deep into a hidden world of werewolves. Who knew there were so many different types!! All different and all deadly...not a nice set in the bunch. And won't you be surprised where the deadliest are hiding! We also get more tidbits of Harry's past, his parents, and other details of the wizarding world. Definitely an interesting and enjoyable book!

But not as good as number three...

Book three, Grave Peril, has been my favorite so far.

This story involves...(title hint, GRAVE)...you guessed it...ghosts! And boy do I like a nice ghost story. Ghosts that are being tormented and causing major trouble for the living makes for a good read. Again Harry is working with the PD, but on a smaller scale as they are still recovering from their last encounter. This book also introduces someone new that Harry works and usually gets in trouble with. This character, we'll call him Michael (cuz that's his name) is a champion of God, a Knight of the Cross. He's honest, trustworthy, strong, religious, and the total opposite of Harry. Once you take away all the fighting, some of their interactions are seriously funny. And it's just nice to see that Harry can have an actual friend.

The book starts off very different than the first two. Immediately thrown into a situation, you work backwards to get yourself forwards in the story. Very interesting! I was confused at first, thinking maybe I had skipped an entire book because I had no clue who Michael was, but just keep reading and it's all explained.

I liked this book best because it had many storylines going on at once, but they were all tied together. Whoever was doing this, was doing that, and may be involved in something else too...maybe. More supernatural creatures are introduced, including Harry's Godmother who is not a very nice person. A story I couldn't put down, just ask my husband. ;-)

For those of you who are looking for a nice sci-fi, supernatural thriller I do recommend The Dresden Files. No matter what abnormal, dark, and/or unnatural being is your favorite, this series is sure to have a little something for everyone. (sidenote: Although I have chosen to read this series in order, you don't necessarily have to. Each book recaps enough info from the previous books so you are not lost; but not too much that it becomes annoying.)

So I've been reading...times three. I am not a big believer in buying new books, as the local library, my mother, and used book stores are all excellent alternatives to purchasing a new shiny book. But after checking all those resources first, the next book is not available for me. I have put The Dresden Files books 4-6 on my Christmas wish list, with the hopes that Santa will find me NICE this year, and fill my stocking with a new (or gently used) book. I wait patiently, bookless, for the next two weeks. But on the bright side, I should now have plenty of time to finish my Christmas cards.


Happy Holidays!!

Apples apples apples!!

Review by: Do

My favorite season in CNY is Fall. The air is crisp, the foliage is beautiful, and there are so many fall festivities to take advantage of! One of our (or just my) favorites is apple picking.

This year we went to Beak & Skiff in Lafayette, NY. My favorite kind of apple is Empire & they started picking them Oct 3rd, so that's the day we went. It was a really nice day too - sunny and not too cold. It takes about 40 minutes to get to the orchard from our house, and since apple picking came a bit early this year (because of unusual spring & summer weather) the leaves were just starting to change.

We got there just before noon and the crowd was a pretty good size...I guess a lot of people like Empire apples. First we walked around a bit to see what was going on that day. We traveled through the local store where they sell things from apple cider to apple socks. Among 'everything apple under the sun', they also offer items made from honey, pumpkins, corn, etc.

Just about this time I pulled out my camera so I could take some nice pics. I was snapping shots of everything. I was taking pics of signs, scenery, gigantic pumpkins, buildings...just everything. I didn't think anything was wrong, but I guess I must have gotten a bit carried away cuz my hubby started calling me 'Hirohito'. Yes, I'm your local japanese apple orchard tourist.

With camera in hand we checked out the cider mill, which wasn't running, but was cool to look at. From there we headed over to the snack shack. They were offering coffee, hot cocoa, cider (h/c), and apple fritters. We all got some cider and fritters....let me just say, Hirohito likey! The fritters were awesome. For those of you who have never had an apple fritter, it's like a hot mini apple pie all your own! Mmmm...wish I had some right now. I even took a pic of one, if you can imagine that.

After our snack we went to hop on a wagon ride out to the apple orchard. The trees were jam packed with huge red beautiful empire apples!! You wouldn't believe how over flowing they were. We grabbed three empty bags (1 each for the kids, 1 for hubby & I to share), and started our apple search. This place was great because they set up ladders near the trees so you can climb to the top for the best selection of apples. Awesome! Took a pic. :-)

Apple picking is easily addicting. There are so many beautiful apples that you can't stop picking! I'm not kidding. Eat an apple, pick a couple, snap some pics, eat another apple, pick a couple more, repeat. Good thing they didn't weigh us before and after our visit. We ended up buying 23+ lbs. of apples! Now that's a lot of apples.

After we were done picking, the kids got their faces painted, I took some pics, and then we did an apple taste test to find our favorite variety. I found out that I like Jona Gold, Honey crisp, and of course, Empire. My poor husband is still searching for his fave.

The day started to warm up nicely, and it was obvious that the orchard was getting way too crowded. So I snapped a couple more pics, sent my hubby to buy some Beak & Skiff apple cider and we were done for the day. I think apple picking is a wonderful way to get the family outside for a day trip. Beak & Skiff offers great apples, yummy snacks, and a variety of activities for all ages. And if their other store items are as good as their cider, then you just can't go wrong.

So until next apple season, this is Hirohito wishing you all Good Pickin'!! Domo Arigato.

Books, books

I've been reading a bit over the last few months. These are the books I've finished. Now I'm reading the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Have y'all read it yet?

This book was recommended to me and, all-in-all, I liked it. Nothing too earth shattering, but it was an interesting take on the "grass is greener" concept. Tessa King, an attorney in London, starts the book by returning from a five week vacation in India. Due to a mental breakdown of her boss, being stalked and harassed, she needed to get away. She's back and ready to be a part of her rather large group of friends and godchildren.

Tessa's godchildren -- Caspar, Cora and twins, Bobby and Tommy -- are different ages of different parents (all of whom are her friends). Each set of friends is married; Tessa is the only single person. She's not sure what she wants to do or how to live but she wants to have children and a life. There is a LOT of angst, self-doubt, anger, bad feelings and drama in this book -- some self-generated, some thrust upon Tessa.

One would think that once you get to a certain age, you would stop behaving badly. Not so in real life, not so in this book. At times I think Tessa is a good person who means well and tries very hard to be a good friend and godmother, but there are times when she is so self-consumed that she cannot see past what she wants.

It's chick lit, if you are wanting to read chick lit book. The big bow at the end kind of bugged me, as it does with most chick lit, but that's the genre. (3 stars)


This book is an invented journal written by Marie Antoinette, the queen of France who was sent to the guillotine during the French Revolution in 1793. The book starts out with her childhood as Austrian Archduchess Maria Antonia -- her royal family, the death of her sister and her ultimate betrothal to Louis XVI. Once Marie Antoinette arrives in France and is crowned queen, you see through her eyes the daily bombardment of rules, luxury and excess. Louis is simple, unwilling to make decisions, and weak. She becomes fond of Louis, becoming his friend and confidant throughout their marriage. Marie Antoinette also an affair and falls in love with Swedish nobleman Axel Fersen.

Various events and happenings, fictional and real, are woven together to give a glimpse at what Marie Antoinette's life could have been like. She had four children, only two survived. She was unilaterally hated by the French people for her excess and lavish lifestyle. She was made a scapegoat for a way of life, and was ultimately executed for being who she was.

The book was interesting, well paced and generally on track. Too many outlandish tales could have lead this book astray, but Carolly Erickson managed to keep the tall tales to a minimum. The book is definitely sympathetic to Marie Antoinette. She was not the villain she was made out to be by the peasantry of France. She was a victim of circumstance – she was condemned because she was born to royalty. She was neither a saint nor evil.

I enjoyed this book. It made me want to learn more about her as a person, though the fictionalized areas of the book were frustrating at times. (3 stars)


Katniss Everdeen is a citizen of District 12 in the land of Panem. Panem is what is left of the US after the multiple revolutions. The Capitol runs the country with 12 districts to control and supply it. In order to keep the districts in line, they have an annual event called the Hunger Games.

Each district must choose a 2 children, ages 12-18 -- one boy, one girl -- to participate in this battle to the death. Normally the children are selected at random but Katniss volunteers when her 12 year old sister is chosen. This story is about Katniss and what she endures to try and survive the Games.

This books if fascinating. Suzanne Collins can write characters and plot extremely well. The story is fast paced, well coordinated and quite engrossing. It's hard to put down. (4 stars)


Jane Green needs to find a new genre. While I enjoy a good chick lit book every now and then, this one is just like all her other books. I know they sell well but it is getting old. Green is a good writer with great character development but when she writes the same vapid, perfectionist character each time...done.

I've read three of her other books. Jemima J was the first -- I read it at least ten years ago when I less cynical. It was good, I'd give it 3.5 stars. Then I read Mr. Maybe and Babyville. Same books, different names. Bleh. 2 stars each.

This book is about cancer and families and figuring it all out. Sorry but I wasn't impressed. (2 stars)

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

I've always wanted to try making whoopie pies, and since I keep hoping fall will finally show it's lovely face, I decided to try the pumpkin variety first.








Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cloves (I used allspice -- I had no cloves)
2 cups firmly packed dark-brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 cups pumpkin puree, chilled
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; set aside. In another large bowl, whisk together brown sugar and oil until well combined. Add pumpkin puree and whisk until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and whisk until well combined. Sprinkle flour mixture over pumpkin mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.
3. Using a small ice cream scoop with a release mechanism, drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Transfer to oven and bake until cookies are just starting to crack on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of each cookie comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely on pan.

I found this recipe at Serious Eats -- it's by Matt Lewis from Baked bakery in Brooklyn, NY.

This is an easy recipe. Just make sure you chill your pumpkin before you start pulling everything together for the recipe. I used a basic cream cheese frosting recipe for the filling (very similar to the recipe listed). The allspice was fine instead of cloves but next time I'd use a bit less, maybe 1/2 tsp because it was a bit heavy on spice. Otherwise, they were wonderful. Good pumpkin flavor, cream cheese frosting was perfect with the spices, and they weren't too big to handle and eat. They were a big hit in pottery class.

We had five or six left over so I put them in the refrigerator. I would NOT recommend making them for anything other than a gathering of people or party to be eaten same day. Keeping them in the fridge (because of the cream cheese frosting) makes the cookie part of the pie rather moist and sticky; not pleasant. The flavor is still good but I'd rather not deal with that kind of ickiness.

First time campers

Review by Do:

Every year we plan a little family getaway, usually trying to work in a little something for everyone. The past couple years we have traveled north to the Adirondacks. Old Forge is a great town with lots of shops, great eateries, and a water park. We decided that's still the best place for us, but for a little change, we decide to try camping!

Now this camping idea is a big thing for us because we all really enjoy the comforts of a hotel...you know...comfy beds, hot showers, tv, free breakfast, etc. Once we started looking for camping accommodations the one that really jumped out at us was Old Forge Camping Resort. More specifically, their cottage rentals. Their cottages are a small cabin-type housing with electricity, indoor plumbing, and even a small kitchen. For our first camping excursion, we thought it sounded perfect!!

We had to borrow most of our camping necessities since, as I mentioned, we don't camp...ever. Luckily we know people, so we were able to borrow fishing poles, lanterns, sleeping bags, etc. We did have to buy our worms because it was a no brainer that none of us were going worm digging any time soon.



We always opt for a long weekend in August (Sun-Tues) to ensure warmer weather and low volume water park attendance. We packed as much as possible the night before, loaded up Sunday morning, and we were off by 10:30am. OFCR is very easy to locate and check-in was a snap. After we found our cottage and checked our place out, we unloaded. Who knew 4 people could need so much crap!



The cottage has 2 rooms, so the kids had their side and we had our side. Not the greatest amount of privacy, but some is better than none. The kids loved the bunk beds and we liked the fact our bed was a double...although Steve still didn't exactly fit. :-)

One of the first things we did was go fishing. OFCR has a private lake so all we had to do was walk to the water and find a nice spot. The kids were really eager to try, but not willing to put their own worm on the hook. My husband got that honor - but he wasn't too keen on it either so he picked up the worms with a bag on his hand. OMG...funny!! We would never survive in the real wilderness.

After about a half hour, no fish, some casting issues, and two fishing lines stuck in the trees overhead, the kids had enough. Me too for that matter...and how are you supposed to catch fish with paddle boats in the lake any how!! But you'll be happy to know the remaining worms were kindly let go in the woods to live out their last days in the dirt.


We went to dinner in town (which was our plan, you don't need to cook over an open fire every night!) at the cool new pizzeria Tony Harper's Pizza and Clam Shack. Indoor/outdoor seating, cold beers, great pizza (even Paige liked it) and their Whiskey Wings are awesome! Definitely a place you should eat at if you're ever in Old Forge.

Back at camp my husband made a campfire and got it going pretty good...would you be surprised if I told you that he used his torch from work? Anyway, we all sat around the fire until it barely got dark and then we could hold the kids off no more - we had to make smores!! My husband just ate the chocolate, my daughter only ate the marshmallows, and my son just wanted to play in the fire. What ever. :-)

Our next day was really busy. We got up early and headed out to Enchanted Forest Water Safari (...where the fun never stops!). We enjoyed hours of water rides, food, wave pool, more water rides, more food, train ride, over the park ride, and even more water rides!! We got back to the camp by 4pm, and then went to try the paddle boats. We all soon realized that paddle boats are not as easy as they look. My husband and daughter got to the middle of the lake and my daughter gave up...my husband had to paddle back mostly by himself. We then cooked burgers and dogs on the open grill at the camp, made another camp fire, and had more smores. The kids ventured on some small walks but didn't go to far. We all retired early that night.

The next morning we slept in, packed up, and headed out! We like to walk around town on our last day there, which is mostly for my husband and I. We hit most of the shops on main street but were a little disappointed with the famous Hardware Store this year. Not much to offer this time around.

I think our first attempt at camping went very well. We really enjoyed Old Forge Camping Resort. We even tried to scout out what cottage we want to reserve for next year. We didn't see any bears, but then we weren't bothered by mosquitoes either. The lake is beautiful, the cottages are really nice and clean, and I just think the whole location is just great. I think Old Forge and the Camping Resort together make a great little vacation getaway for the family. There's just a little something for everyone!!