Divergent Trilogy and a Mexican Recipe!

 Hello friends, ready with your cup of coffee? I hope you've been enjoying your week so far! It's been very busy here and I haven't had much time to be on the computer! Just have had my days filled (which is great) and I re-started homeschooling my 3 yr. old. It's been so much fun! She loves it and I do too!

I've also been baking a lot and having friends over! Today I am going to help do something at church (I am not even sure what, but I jumped right in when a friend told me she'd be there to help lol!) then I'll be going to Chick-Fil-A for lunch (my girls love it, and even when I love it too I don't get too excited about going there at noon because it's always packed!)... anyway... I said Divergent Trilogy, right?

Well... about probably 2 weeks ago I bought (what I thought was) the 1st. book of the Divergent Trilogy...

It was weird because the name of the Book was "Insurgent" and I thought the name of the 1st. book would be "Divergent" ... I saw the Divergent Book, opened it and I could swear I saw something that said "the 2nd. book of the Divergent Trilogy" inside of it... then I went ahead and opened the "Insurgent" book in my hands and I could also swear it said "the first book of the divergent trilogy" ... what went wrong? I don't know! I was sooo unsure that was the first book so I thought I really checked twice before buying it but... I did.. and even when I started reading it something was off! Things didn't make sense... I had the feeling I was supposed to know what was going on ... but I didn't ... so I convinced myself it's probably just the style of the author... and maybe things would get clear later... things did get easier later ... and I got the personality of the characters and understood that a lot had happened before but I thought the author explained it all throughout the book... I was sure I was reading the 1st. book of the Trilogy!!! (ugh!) ... I wasn't!!!

Then... when I finished the book... I was eager to read the 2nd. one... so I went to the bookstore THAT NIGHT and got it... guess what... when I start reading... I realize... I was wrong! The whole time! And here I am ... reading the 1st. book with such disappointment because I now knew what was going to happen... I tried to convince myself this would be like watching "Batman" and then "Batman -The Beginning-" or something like that ... it hasn't been bad at all though... I thought I wouldn't be able to get into it since I know so much of what's going to happen! But it's been really great and I finally get details about the personalities and "lives" of the characters that I might have to read the second book again! LOL! ...

Anyway... I recommend this book! There are some things I haven't liked but overall it's a good read, I've liked it better than "The Hunger Games"  ... I am almost done with the first book (2nd. one for me... LOL!) of the Trilogy... and I can't wait for Fall 2013 to read the last book!

And now... A recipe!

I am going to just start sharing here some of the recipes of my "Mexican cooking Blog" since I haven't been around there for a while... for a long time actually! So... for all my followers here I'll just start bringing those recipes over! I hope you enjoy them! All AUTHENTIC!

I know the fact that these albondigas are stuffed with hard-boiled egg might make some people nervous, but trust me... my husband (who is a gringo) loved them! :) He was skeptic at first but they are delicious!

Albondigas rellenas de huevo / Meatballs stuffed hard-boiled egg

Yields: 8 Meatballs (4 servings)

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb. ground beef
2. 1 chipotle pepper (from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce) -it HAS TO BE chipotle, any other "chili pepper or powder wouldn't give this dish the wonderful smokey flavor -
3. 2 cloves of garlic
4. 1/4 white onion
5. 6 roma tomatoes (or about 4 of the whole red tomatoes) - cut in quarters or big chunks -
6. 3 hard-boiled eggs cut in quarters (you will probably only need 2 because we are making about 8 meatballs but cook 3 eggs just in case)
7. 1/4 cup of white rice
8. 1 cube of chicken bouillion
9. salt and pepper to taste (about 2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. of black pepper... adjust to your taste)
10. about 1.5 tbsp. vegetable oil (or a little more if necessary)

Directions:
- In a middle sauce pan pour some water (fill it about half-way) and when the water starts boiling throw the 1/4 cup of white rice and let it boil for only 5 minutes, remove from the heat, drain the rice immediately and set aside (let it cool for about 5 minutes)

- Mix the ground beef with the rice, season with some salt and black pepper and mix it all well with your hands.
- With the meat start making "patties" (like hamburger patties) and wrapping the egg quarters with those patties (one quarter per each of the patties) Making sure the egg is completely wrapped by the mix of meat/rice. Do this with all the meat/rice mixture. You should have about 8 meatballs. Set aside.

- Put your tomatoes, garlic, chipotle pepper and about 1 cup of water in the blender. Blend it all until it makes a sauce (as smooth as possible)
- In an extended non-stick pan using medium-low heat add the oil and fry your 1/4 onion there (you can slice the onion if you want, it doesn't matter much but the onion will be removed) While the onion is frying and the oil is hot add your meatballs carefully so they don't open or fall apart, if you use medium or medium-high heat it might cause them to break so just be patient and seal your meatballs on all sides.

-Once they are browned on all sides (about 9-10 minutes) remove the oil and the oil excess. Add your sauce and chicken bouillion (you can add some salt at this point if necessary but wait until the sauce has been simmering for about 5 minutes to taste and adjust) once you add the sauce you can also add chopped potatoes if you want just to add something else, but I left it like that. Bring it all to a boil, cover, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for about 35 minutes and serve. (side of rice, mashed potatoes or salad)

I hope you like this recipe! If you do please let me know! Comments are always a great encouragement to keep cooking/sharing.

© Paloma K.

Same Kind of Different as Me - Book Review

Good day everybody! How are you all doing? I am sorry it's taking me a bit longer to answer comments and visit blogs back! I will get there! Don't worry! These will just be a few wonderfully busy days because my mom and sister are here from Mexico... so I am sure you can understand I want to take advantage of the time I get to spend with them as much as I can... Remember to join us tomorrow for our Coffee Party!!!

Now ... the Book Review...

 Well... I really loved this book! I enjoyed it very, very much! It is a very easy read, it's the true story of two men whose lives, being very different collide due to divine intervention and end up realizing their differences aren't as big as they thought or as appearances might make it seem.

I highly recommend you to read this book. It's entertaining and convicting at the same time, at times the events in the book make it all sound like a novel and like it "can't be true" but it is... I also invite you to visit the website of the two men who are the protagonists of the story AFTER you read the book (or you'll spoil it) samekindofdifferentasme.com 

Here ends my "vague review" for those who haven't read the book... so now:

**** SPOILER ALERT!!! Please do not continue to read the rest of this post since I'll disclose important/relevant information that will spoil the book for you ****

And now... for those who have read the book! WOW! Right? LOL! ... I was shocked when I read Ron Hall was behind JFK's car in that last "drive" he took! and shocked also to see how he made his fortune! interesting how he had such talent with art... without being an artist himself and coming from such humble beginnings...

I loved the honest description of Ron's marriage with Debbie... and the struggles they went through and how the were triumphant over the very thing that seems one of the hardest moments of a marriage! WOW!

I was also amazed to read Denver's stories... Racism is a horrible thing! And the results and consequences from slavery are still felt through the victims and descendants of those victims. I've heard "good Christian people" to this day say that "letting slaves go" wasn't right for them... because they didn't know "what to do on their own" ... amazing!

I loved to see the love of those women who didn't care about the external appearance of the people at the Mission and read how God (it had to be Him) moved them to "hang out with them", love them, care for them and just dedicate their time and lives to serve them with passion!

The only thing I didn't entire like of the book was when talking about cancer... I mean... I loved how honest Ron Hall describes his feelings towards God in such times... but I don't like it when it seems most Christians say "cancer, death, miscarriage, tragedies in general" all come from God for a bigger purpose! I feel like bad things happen in this world... to Christian and non-Christian... it doesn't mean God is "putting us there" or "testing us" I feel like the fact that God "allows it" to happen doesn't mean that "He is happy about it" or "He caused it in the first place" .... it seems that everybody in churches nowadays has adopted the "He gives and takes away mentality" when... of course... if that was the case... well... Yes... Blessed Be His Name! But... The fact that that happened specifically to Job doesn't mean that "every bad thing that happens to us" comes from the Lord! I feel ... if anything... that God doesn't waste any trial we go through... but it doesn't mean "he caused the trial in the first place" ... I've gone through things in life and I've been amazed to see God's hand in my life REGARDLESS of it... I've been divorced and made mistakes... and it might seem that BECAUSE of that divorce and mistakes I ended up being blessed beyond measure... and it would even be easy to say "God took me through those things to bless me like I am blessed now" but how could He cause the very thing He hates? You know? Maybe I am not making much sense... I just feel like we often jump into the conclusion of "God's testing you" or "she died from cancer so many could be saved" when we just "don't know exactly what happened! ... God in His mercy does bless us even when we go through bad things and yes... He forms our character even during the tribulation that he almost for sure didn't cause... it's like Zadrak, Mezak and Abednego in the time of Daniel in the Bible... they were thrown into the furnace of fire and God protected them! It doesn't mean God put them there... it was Nebuchadnezzar!!! ... We live in a sinful, corrupted world where bad things happen! God never promised he'd stop all pain from our lives! He is faithful and Good and He still gets something out of the pain His children go through! But... it doesn't mean He is behind the pain! That song "He gives and takes away" (with a very happy tune) really bothers me! but I guess I would have to go through  a lot more explaining and I don't have the time to write that much more right now! yes... Blessed Be the Name of the Lord... whatever our circumstance! That is for sure!!! and yes... One day He will end all pain and all sin and erase it from the world! It's because of His mercy that He doesn't end it now! ... Talking with my husband many times I've told him "I wish God would just end all sin and evil right now" and he reminds me of those who don't know The Lord yet... and how in God's mercy He provides a new day for them to have an opportunity to know him ... and I remember I once was lost... and my mom too.. what if the Lord had decided to end it all before them... before I was saved? right? .... interesting! 

Something else I loved was the friendship, the strong bond that was formed between Denver and Ron....

*** SPOILER ALERT ENDS **** You may continue reading! 

 

Still... very good read! that's overall my point of view of the book... there are some tiny things I could get on detail ... but not now... I'd love to hear your opinion on the book if you've read it! and I'd love to know if you haven't read it and you will as a result of this review!

© Paloma K

I won't drink dragons at night!

 My goodness! I usually drink coffee with hubby at night... He always drinks his strong stuff but at night I chicken out and drink decaf! Yes... I must admit I drink that stuff but a mommy needs her sleep! well... last night the temptation was too big and I had a big cup of hubby's coffee... "Komodo Dragon Blend" (from Starbucks) ... I just love that blend! It is really, REALLY good... it's strong but smooth and almost with chocolaty notes ... just perfect! I am in no way receiving any compensation or money to "advertise" Starbucks coffee... I love that specific blend of theirs... that's just my very personal opinion... but I will never have it late at night again... (Unless I need to stay awake!) ... it was 2:30 in the morning and my heart was racing... it's not 7 in the morning yet and I am tired but awake! LOL! ... so... I won't try to slay that dragon again! Not at night!

 At least it helped me get some reading done! I am reading "Same Kind of Different as Me" ... Thank you Melinda (from Mothering From Scratch ) for the book recommendation! I am LOVING IT!!! I will be sharing my thoughts on the book soon! :)

Happy Saturday everyone!

© Paloma K.

The Hunger Games Trilogy - Was it just me?

Well.. first of all let me remind you that tomorrow we have our Coffee Party "Coffee Friday" if you want to join just somehow mention "coffee" on your post (it doesn't have to be the main topic) and then come back to link with us! -remember to link back to us within the post- We will also have a featured blogger, a dear friend of mine who already sent me her coffee pictures to share with all of us... so she will be serving coffee and I think that she will even have a freebie for those who visit her from here! ;) Very cool! Right?

 
Anyway... Now to my topic... The Hunger Games... I just finished the 3rd. book and I am ... unsure of the way I feel about the whole thing... mmmm I guess I always expect the main character of the story (especially if portrayed as some kind of hero/heroin) to have this sense of justice... fighting for something above and beyond them... but that's not what you will find when you read this novel. I kept trying to find values... in some way... and even when you do find love... it's all a little (or a lot?) twisted? I don't know... I know it's probably not about values and I was maybe confused and thought it would be one of those stories where truth, justice, honor, love, faith, loyalty and those wonderful things prevail... and I found vengeance, selfishness, lies, anger, lack of forgiveness, etc... all from those that were the center of the story. Yes, there were glimpses of those values and principles that I mentioned but they were like "sparks" not really the "general feeling" throughout the books.

Am I crazy? I just feel like you it's hard to completely distinguish the bad ones from the good ones in movies, books and tv shows...  is it just me who felt like this?  I didn't even feel like the violence in the book was justified for the sake of the story and the moral behind it... and interestingly I am not saying that I didn't enjoy the books... I couldn't stop reading! ... so... huh! ... I have mixed feelings about it.

***WARNING: The comments may contain some spoilers... if you haven't read the books, be warned you might read stuff that gives too much away from the books ***

Ok... Now a question... is anybody else having issues leaving comments on my blog? I had a friend tell me that when she tries to comment the post is refreshed but nothing happens... I know if you are having issues you probably can't answer this question here... so please, PLEASE send me an e-mail to: love.for.coffee@gmail.com so I can see how I can fix it!

Thanks again!


Paloma K.

Watering my brain after a long drought

So... this past week my husband wasn't home... He had to travel because of his job, I didn't share about that with pretty much anybody (especially online) just because I thought it was safer that way... plus, I was a little sad from him being gone... He left on Sunday and came back last night! So I am just thankful with God he is back and his trip went good!

Thank you all in the blog for being here, even without knowing I was going through a little rough patch. I know it might sound "exaggerated" but I had never had to be without my hubby for so long ... many of you have husbands that have to work away from home or are in the other side of the world in places that are not the ideal... and I just have so much respect for you... I am sorry if my "rough patch" sounds silly to any of you... I am just thankful he's back! :)

So this week, while he was gone I decided to read the 2nd. book of the Hunger Games Trilogy "Catching Fire" I must confess I haven't read a book as a book should be read, with all focus and attention, from cover to cover for a long time now, I used to be an avid reader when I was a little girl and during my teenage years, I would read even very grown up (sometimes hiding from my mom) books like Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, The Gambler and Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky, Hamlet (we all know who wrote that one!), among others like that, besides the very traditional  Anne Frank Diary, Little Women and Wuthering Heights ...these are some of the titles I have on my mind right now... Many other books by Edgar Allan Poe, Beautiful poems by Spanish speaking authors like Neruda, Leon Felipe, Gabriela Mistral, Juana de Ibarborou,  ... etc... well... I was a girl that devoured books, even encyclopedias! And then... it happened! I think there were some events in my life that kept me from doing things I loved... like singing/reading... I lived a nightmare for a while and even when I woke up from it to a wonderful life I was still numb to do some of the things I loved so much... I couldn't focus to read even ONE ENTIRE page of anything! My mind became so random! I would be actually sad and embarrassed to not be able to say that "I read this or that", even the Bible seemed impossible to read! I would! of course! And I got involved with Bible Studies just to MAKE myself read it! but I would only be able to read "so much" ... I tried reading other books... without success... I needed something "simple" and "entertaining" I guess.... before tackling a BIG BOOK... weird! ...  Then, I watched the Movie "The Hunger Games" when it premiered and it was very entertaining ... So I decided I would tackle the books, I know they are meant to be for younger people, who knows... I just bought the second one... And it was what I needed! The book is definitely not the greatest literary piece you'll ever find... but it was ENTERTAINING and very easy to read... I finished the book really fast... I hadn't been able to do that in a long time! I am looking forward to buying the 3rd. one! ... If you have any book recommendations for someone that wants to go back to reading... Please... share with me! My brain, my soul and I will thank you!

© Paloma K

Better to sleep with a sober cannibal....

... than a drunken Christian



My husband and I just started reading Moby-Dick on our "Coffee nights", for some reason neither of us had ever read it. We both love reading but I must admit that I haven't been into it for a while now, he reads EVERY NIGHT! he has hundreds of books in his personal library and gets many others from the Public Library System.

So, we decided to start reading Moby-Dick by Herman Melville together; we got 2 books (one in English and one in Spanish) with the full version of the book. It has been SUCH A GREAT READING! It is witty, fun and very interesting, Melville had such a unique way of describing things, it is a shame he never knew his book would one day be considered one of the treasures of world literature.

"Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian" is one of the quotes from the book and it made me laugh so hard... Hubby and I are constantly laughing while reading so if you haven't read this great Novel yet take my advice and buy or get this book from the library! You will not regret it...

Trust me, it is a great thing to do while enjoying a hot cup of coffee!

Enjoy!