Book Report: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Two words.... THRILL RIDE!!!! This book is better than any amusement park ride or haunted house you will ever find!! I promise... it’s THAT GOOD!!! So if you are an adrenaline junkie, hurry and read this book ASAP!! Seriously... do not hesitate like I did!!!!!! I’ve started reading this book numerous times in the past year or so but never got past the first chapter. And then so many times in the past couple months, I’ve heard “you have got to read these books”! So after my sister, Sheena, read them... I thought it was about time I got started. SO “thrilled” I did! In all honesty, it’s a pretty morbid storyline, especially for a YA (young adult) series, and I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to indulge in this kind of adventure.... I'm so glad I didn't not read it based on that reason.

The story takes place in a futuristic North America now called Panem, where the country is in ruins after a war of sorts and is now separated into 12 poverty-stricken districts plus the lush capitol. As part of a punishment and agreement for the 12 district’s survival, the capitol requires one teen boy and one teen girl to fight in the annual Hunger Games. Twenty-four participate in these games and fight to their death ultimately leaving only one survivor and winner of The Hunger Games. (For a fabulous review and synopsis of the book, please visit my sweet friend and fellow blogger, Susan’s blog.)

And if reading this book wasn't exciting enough.... the book has been made into a movie and will be released March 23, 2012! EXCITED doesn't even begin to explain how I feel about this!!!!! Oh to see the action......

Weight Watchers Chocolate Muffins!

A girl at my office made these delicious muffins..... and I couldn't believe they were only 2ish WW points! These yummy things only require purchasing two ingredients!! A devil's food cake mix and a 15 ounce can of pumpkin... and getting generic brands, it was under $2! I had an almost empty bag of chocolate chips laying around, so I threw them in too. Add 1/2 cup of water and you are good to go! Bake them on 350 for 35 minutes and they come out perfectly moist!!!

11.11.11 @ 11:11

Just had to do it.... a post on November 11, 2011 at 11:11. Of course I had to set the entry to post at that time since I am working, but it's my blog so I can set the rules! :) Ha! And because I miss her and love her sweet little dirty face, you get a picture of my niece, Alivia (taken last Memorial weekend)!

Kippen & Bennett Family (Grand Rapids Family Photographer)

I was so excited when Kari asked me to photograph her family! Kari is the very first person Jeff and I met in Michigan!  She was our real estate agent who helped us find our home!  Then for a couple years, I babysat her youngest children (now 15 and 12).  So it was a special experience for me to do their session!  Kari's two precious grandson's were so cute!!!!  They are typical busy little boys who had me chasing them around the park!  It was a blast!!!

I think one of my favorite images is of the entire family sitting on the bank of the creek!  My friend Amy told me about a great free action on The CoffeeShop Blog that worked absolutely perfectly for it.  The action is called "Denim" and changes the image to all black & white except for anything blue (such as blue jeans).  In the case of this image, the family all wore some form of a blue shirt!  I adore how it turned out and Kari is actually contemplating getting this made into a large canvas print.  I think it would look fabulous on the wall!  Very decorative and artsy!



And a slide show of all their images. Enjoy!

Insta-Friday - 11/4

I can't believe it's already Friday again! Makes me happy!  And I am so addicted to Hipstamatic.... what a fun little app!  Here's to another week of Insta-Friday!

So Grace and I were sitting in the church lobby last Sunday and there was a kids wooden block sitting there - one side had an S and one side had a G - so we had to take pics with it!


LOL.... Grace posing with a ginormous gourd at Walmart the day before Halloween.


She's cute.


My shadow.... I look like a major bag lady!


View from the parking ramp at work...


Still some beautiful colors in Heritage Hill


Her favorite place to lay in the fall.... the front porch!


Get that thing out of my face!


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... Starbucks and Walmart style!