Book Review - The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams

Title: The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams




Author: Rhonda Hayter



Publisher: Dial



ISBN: 978-0803734685


The book The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams goes to show that even teenagers with special powers can find problems with school. The main problem for Abbie is how to keep her schoolmates and friends from finding out that her family is comprised of a long line of witches. As hard as Abbie tries to keep her secret  it seems that her family nearly always does something equally strange. Such as when her little brother turns into a wolf and tries to eat his teacher or the cat her dad brings home and the mystery that surrounds it. The book is captivating to say the least and captures and holds one attention. It is the sort of book that I find hard to put down and even during a busy day of housework constantly found moments to sit and read to find out what happened next. Abbie is the type of gal that tries to do her best even when her brother who seems to be pesky needs a firm hand from her and the fact that the school is not aware of her secret that Abbie is a witch. Abbie her self is a character that captivated my attention and I wanted to see what else she would do when crisis arose. The author Rhonda hayter has surely created mystical characters in this book not only in Abbie but also in the father, and brother each with their own moments of power and excitement. While Abbies dad is a bit radical her mother stays calm but also holds a firm grip of control and tries to help Abbie but it is Abbie who must decide what she should do. Being a teen-age girl once with a set of parents who could get excited easily yet remain calm if needed when me or my siblings were finding our place in life I can relate to the stress that Abbie finds in life. While part of Abbie's world is full of wonder and magic she also attends public school while practicing and studying her skills on becoming a witch. Abbie stays very busy trying to keep her balance between her life of being a witch with the life of reality. With all that she still leads the life of a teenage girl and like most teenagers finds herself in trouble for doing things that teenagers do. That is why I believe this book would be perfect for a tween or teen girl they could very much relate to the character of Abbie.

 The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams

Saturday 9

1. What's the nicest thing a complete stranger ever did for you?

bought my groceries, pumped my gas, smiled when I felt down so many things I can think of whenever someone I do not know does something nice I always feel so thankful on the inside after all perhaps they were a person placed there by the Lord himself and that is why I try to help all those I meet as well we never know why they were placed in our lives




2. What one thing always speaks deeply to you, to your spirit, no matter your mood or what else is going on in your life?

my children, memories from the past where others have made it through rough times, a hug from my husband so many things can help brighten my day



3. How many jobs have you held in your life? How many of those were part of your chosen career field?

there have not been a whole lot of different places that I have worked and most of them were all nurse aide jobs


4. Of those jobs, how many did you leave voluntarily?

all but one and the same boss that fired me just rehired me this past week



5. How did you discover Saturday 9? How long have you played? (Thank you for joining in!)

discovered quite some time ago from another blog played off and on since that time


6. What's the worst beverage you've ever tasted?

it would have to be alcohol of some sort beer or whisky


7. Is there anything in life you are "certain" about? Firm in your beliefs? Strong in your convictions?

I know that we have one God and his son is Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. I believe that abortion is wrong with so many women who would love babies and can not have them adoption is so much more of a right choice to me

8. How did you come up with the title of your blog's posts?

name of the meme it was simple


9. Would you consider yourself a good cook?

yes after many years of experimenting I would say that I am
 
play along here

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Cake


2 1/4 cups cake flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups sugar

About 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2/3 cup milk

Peanut butter filling

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup milk

Assembly

Fudge Frosting

2 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, quartered

1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts


1. Preheat oven to 350°. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat sugar, 1/2 cup butter, and peanut butter until creamy. Crack eggs into a small dish (do not beat) and add vanilla. Add eggs to the butter mixture 1 at a time, scraping down the inside of the bowl as needed. Beat in flour mixture and milk in alternating batches, starting and ending with the flour and making sure each addition is fully incorporated before adding the next.



2. Butter and flour 2 round 9-in. cake pans. Divide batter evenly between pans.



3. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.



4. Cool cakes 5 minutes. Invert onto a rack, remove pans, and let cool to room temperature, at least 40 minutes.



5. Make filling: In a medium bowl with an electric mixer, beat together peanut butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth and fluffy.



6. Assemble cake: Dollop 1 tbsp. peanut butter filling onto a cake stand (to hold cake in place). Place 1 cake layer on stand. Spread with remaining peanut butter filling. Top with second layer. Starting with the top, then working down the sides, frost cake with fudge frosting. Decorate the top edge with candy pieces and peanuts.



recipe source my recipes


 also shared at Hey Whats For Dinner Mom

hostess Smart Bakes Streusel Cakes coupon .50/1

Have you tried these delicious Hostess Smart Bakes Streusel Cakes? Well right now you can get a .50/1 coupon

found while surfing around on the blog A Frugal Friend

Get Some Free Cookbooks

While blog surfing today I found this super great deal on the blog deal wise mama



Order up to 3 free recipe booklets from Sun-Maid! Get your free copies of the “Fruit & Sunshine,” “The New Taste of Tradition” & “Fall Favorites”. There are actually 5 you can choose from! I just love these cute little books!

Describing my day today

Today is my day off so while I am getting the house straightened, spending time with my teens I am also entering lots of great giveaways. So my six word Saturday phrase is:
I'm Entering Lots of Giveaways Today

Saturday Snapshopt - How Do We Do This Again

saturday snapshot @ http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/

Peanuts Valentine DVD Giveaway @ A Kindred Spirit Mommy

As a kid we never missed any of the Peanut Cartoons on T.V. I am not sure who liked them more us kids or my mom. The Valentine Special was no different as we would watch as all the Peanut characters celebrated Valentines day. The same characters we loved to watch on T.V. when I was a kid now star in their own DVD . Enter to win this DVD on the blog A Kindred Spirit Mommy this giveaway ends 1/31

Peanuts: 1970's Collection, Vol. 2 (Be My Valentine Charlie Brown / You're a Good Sport / It's Arbor Day / What a Nightmare / It's Your First Kiss / You're the Greatest)

Peanuts Holiday Collection (It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown / A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving / A Charlie Brown Christmas) (Deluxe Edition)

Surf Sweets Giveaway

Ready for a bit of a quick snack? Well if you enter the giveaway over at Leslie Loves Veggies you may get just your wish. Leslie is hosting a giveaway sponsored by Surf Sweets where the winner will get Prize Package that will include a bag of Sour Worms a snack bags of Gummy Bears and Jelly Beans {$4.20 Value} I am not sure about you but I love to have a bit of a sweet snack every now and then again. This giveaway ends 2/1

Winner Alert

Hamburger Helper, Beef Pasta, 5.6-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)The winner of the Hamburger Helper Prize Pack including the Tim McGraw CD was:

Jessica said...
I follow via GFC (Jessica) and I give back my donating to my local foodbank


winner has been notified by email and has 36 hours to comply

Blog Hopping on Saturday

 




Hey I will be stepping by some new blogs today as I travel along the blog hopping path. if you happen to stop by here please leave a comment so I will step by your place and follow you as well

Win $100 American Express Gift Card

Enter to win a $100 American Express Gift Card from prilosec OTC at the blog Baby Loving Mama Giveaway ends 2/1/11 You can also enter at An Island Life this giveaway ends 1/30/11

Rock N Roll Friday

1. SURFER GIRL : “I have watched you on the shore, standing by the ocean drawer, do you love me do you surfer girl”


Were you ever interested in someone (other than a celebrity) who did not return your interest?

in highschool this was a reality of sorts I was always interested in the older guys who were normally interested in the older girls only



2. BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL : “So be true to your school now, just like you would for your girl or guy...”

Looking back, how do you feel about your high school days?

Loved them I was in many activities met my hubby and we have been together for over 24 years

3. FUN FUN FUN : “…and she’ll have fun fun fun till her daddy takes the T-Bird away…”

What was the worst punishment you received as a teenager?

groundings were the usual punishement


4. I GET AROUND : “Round round get around, I get around”

Where did you go on your last long trip?

Springfield Illinois


5. HELP ME RHONDA : “You gotta help me Rhonda, help me get her off of my mind”

What do you do to cheer up after a personal tragedy such as a lost job, power outage or broken relationship?


A day out with my friends and family can make event the worst days seem not so bad


6. CALIFORNIA GIRLS : “I wish they all could be California girls. The west coast has the sunshine and the girls there get so tan, I dig a French bikini on Hawaiian island dolls, by a palm tree in the sand”

Where are the best boys found?

My mom always said in church or college i married a bad
boy and did not meet him in either

7. SLOOP JOHN B : “I wanna go home, please let me go home, ya ya. Well this is the worst trip, I’ve ever been on…”

What is the worst trip you’ve ever been on?

I would say it was one with my brothers we always seem to get into an argument of sorts


8. WOULDN’T IT BE NICE : “I guess the more we talk about it, it makes it harder just to live without it, but let’s talk about it…”

What is your biggest wish?

That my kids all get through college and get great jobs


9. IN MY ROOM : “There’s a place where I can go and tell my secrets to. In my room. In my room.”

What is your favorite thing about your own personal room or space in your home/office?

my computer other than that I need to do a bit of arranging

10. GOD ONLY KNOWS : “You never need to doubt it, I’ll make you so sure about it. God only knows what I feel about you”

When was the last time you told a significant other or close relative that you loved them?

tonight in fact I tell those I Love "I Love You" all the time

11. GOOD VIBRATIONS : “My baby has good vibrations, she’s giving me excitations…”

When do you get good vibrations?

Good Vibrations swell up in side when pride overwhelms me when my children do good, when my grandchild gives me a kiss so you could say good vibrations are there nearly all the time

12. KOKOMO : “We’ll go to Kokomo. We’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow. That’s where I wanna go…”

What is your favorite warm weather destination?

panama beach Florida




13. DO IT AGAIN : “Let’s get back together and do it again…”

If you could go back in time and gather up your school friends, what would you do again?

we used to have this place called saltblock it was really cool and we always had a lot of fun
 
 
 
play along here

Earring Giveaway

These cute earrings from Mouse Market look good enough to eat and the best thing is that you can win them on the blog Momma Told Me. Giveaway ends January 24, 2011 

Orbit gum b1g1 coupon

The B1G1 Free Orbit coupon (up to $1.00) has reset just in time for next week’s B1G1 Free sale at CVS (1/16 – 1/22). Depending on the sale price, you should be able to get 2 packs FREE with each coupon you use.

  Thanks to STL Mommy for the information visit her by clicking on her button for more great useful tip

Snorg Tee savings

Use the coupon code "funnysayings" to save 20% off any tee at Snorg Tees.com

save 20% off Fridays

Thought that many of you may be interested in this coupon that allows you to save 20% off your order at Fridays This deal ends January 27, 2011

Thankful Thursday

I am very thankful for things in my life. I am thankful for my new job and the girls that I work with. Good girls that are good hearted and hard workers. I am thankful that my children are trying to excell in college and do their very best. I am thankful for heat inside my house that keeps us warm with the windshield temps outside being near or below zero. Thankful that I have a ride to work and do not have to walk in the bitterly cold temps. Most of all I am thankful for my Heavenly father and the love that he shows to me.

I posted this over on the blog Spiritually Unequal Marriage

Noodle Head Travel Buddy review and giveaway

 My grand-daughter lives several hours away from me and the long journey can at times become very uncomfortable. Sitting in a car seat in a straight position is not always the best way to spend a few hours. I was so happy to be able to review the Noodle Head Travel Buddies because I knew that the trip to grandmas would not be so uncomfortable. Not only does it aide in Princess comfort but it also has become a super cute friend.

Now the trip to grandmas house will be more comfortable and because every trip with a close companion is a great one. There are ten different travel buddies one of which I am sure your child will adore. Travel Buddies are perfect for children 18 months and up and are perfect to take on planes, trains and automobiles.

Want to win a travel buddy of your own? You are in luck  because Lucky Noodle wants to give one to a lucky Annies Home reader.

To enter giveaway let me know which travel buddy is your favorite.

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog
• subscribe to my blog through reader or email (2 entries each)
• follow Noodle Head on twitter
• like Noodle Head on facebook
• follow my blog on twitter
• tweet about the giveaway (2 entries per tweet unlimited) leave link in comment
• share this giveaway on facebook (1 time per day) leave link in comment
• comment on any post on my blog
• share a travel with children tip

Giveaway starts now and ends January 27, 2011. Good Luck Email must be in comment or on blog profile or entries will not count

We received a travel buddies from Noodle Head for review purposes and would love to thank them for that.

Help a Farmers Dream Come True and Get Stonyfield Coupons

You can help a farmers dream come true by hearing their story and voting for them. Stonyfield knows how hard farmers work and wants to honor some exceptional organic farmers with dreams and aspirations by awarding them with a bit of money to help those dreams come true.

Read their stories, watch their videos, and VOTE for the proposal that makes a difference in environmental impact, innovation, and ability to sustain organic practices. Stonyfield will award $10,000 to the farmer that gets the most votes, $7,500 to 2nd and 3rd place, and $2,000 to 4th-6th. Every vote counts so get to know some great farmers, VOTE, and share the news with your friends! (Vote now through February 28th.)

To vote simply like Stonyfield on facebook. For placing a vote and

helping family organic farming Stonyfield will give each person that votes coupons to save on Stonyfield products.

Gortons January Grilled Giveaway

Start your New Year off right with Gorton’s Grilled Seafood & the new KINECT exercise craze! Enter the January Grilled Giveaway for a chance to win FREE grilled seafood and an XBOX 360 with Kinect bundle and The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout game

fan Gortons on facebook

be on the lookout for a future giveaway sponsored by Gortons here on Annies Home coming up in the not so far away future in the meantime enter their January Grilled Giveaway here

German Chocolate Brownies

•1 pkg Duncan Hines® Milk Chocolate Chunk Decadent Brownie Mix


•1 large egg

•1/4 cup water

•1/4 cup vegetable oil

•1/3 cup packed brown sugar

•2 tbsp butter or margarine

•1 tbsp all-purpose flour

•1/3 cup chopped pecans

•1/3 cup flaked coconut

1.Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom of 8x8-inch pan.

2.Combine brownie mix, egg, water and oil in large bowl. Stir with spoon until well blended, about 50 strokes. Spread into prepared pan.

3.Combine brown sugar, butter and flour in small bowl. Mix until well blended. Stir in pecans and coconut. Sprinkle mixture over batter.

4.Bake at 350°F for 35 to 38 minutes, or until topping is browned. Cool completely. Cut into bars
 
recipe source: duncan hines

Betty Crocker Cheesy Beef and Tomato Casserole

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

3/4 cup uncooked medium-grain white rice

1 cup water

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (2 cups)

1 large tomato, chopped (1 cup)

1 can (19 oz) Progresso® Vegetable Classics tomato basil soup

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)


1.Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2.Place rice and water in baking dish; stir to mix. Layer cooked beef, zucchini and tomato over rice. Pour soup over top. Cut 16x12-inch sheet of foil; spray with cooking spray. Cover dish with foil, sprayed side down.

3.Bake 40 minutes. Uncover dish; sprinkle cheese over top. Bake uncovered 10 to 15 minutes longer or until edges are bubbly and cheese is lightly browned

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Dipping it seems is something that kids, teens and even adults love to do. Whether it is catsup or something even more tastier and gourmet dipping fries, chicken nuggets, meat and the etc... is something that is not only fun but tasty as well. My children often ask for honey mustard dipping sauce it is simple to make by mixing together 1/2 cup spicy brown mustard and 2 tablespoons honey in a small bowl

Baby Brezza Sweepstakes

The excitement of becoming a grand-mother is more than just waiting for the beautiful child to be born. To me it is also a moment of pride as well as a time to sit back and watch as my daughter grows through her pregnancy to the stage of delivery. The dreams she has of what her child will look like, the name that she chooses, the items that she would love to have and list on a registry for all to know. These are all moments of pride for a mother who has raised her child and now has the opportunity to watch their children become parents their selves. Are you an expectant parent, grandmother of someone else who is happily waiting the arrival of a new baby? Then perhaps you would want to share with the mother the information about a wonderful opportunity to get all the items that they are dreaming of and wish to have for their baby. The Toys R Us Baby Brezza Sweepstakes where the winner will receive all items listed on the registry list up to $3,500 just imagine what it could be a new crib, beautiful linens to go in that crib and use for the sweet new baby, toys and equipment that would be so useful. For more information about this contest visit the sweepstakes site

From January 13th until February 13th, you have the chance to win your entire Babies 'R Us registry*, just by adding the Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker to your registry. That's right, one lucky mom-to-be will win her entire wish-list, including the Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker! And trust us, this is one must-have that you'll want to add to your list anyway, since it's the only baby food maker that steams and blends in one simple step.

If you have a registry complete then remember to add the Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker if you have not all ready and if you don't have a registry as of yet be sure to make one including the Baby Brezza.

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card and Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place."

Meatball Sub Casserole

This Taste of Home recipe is enough to please the whole family that loves meatball subs since it has the same delicious taste with less mess.

1/3 cup chopped green onions


1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 pound ground beef

1 loaf (1 pound) Italian bread, cut into 1-inch slices

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1 jar (28 ounces) Hunt’s® Spaghetti Sauce Traditional

1 cup water

2 garlic cloves, minced

Directions

In a bowl, combine the onions, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in. balls; place on a greased rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until no longer pink.

Meanwhile, arrange bread in a single layer in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish (all of the bread might not be used). Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning and pepper; spread over the bread. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella.

Combine the spaghetti sauce, water and garlic; add meatballs. Pour over cheese mixture; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6 servings.







sponsors this week include Barefoot Books, Balboa Pillows Aurora Gifts Little One Books Happy Baby Foods Zutano and PawParrazi

Zutano $75 gc giveaway ends January 26, 2011

I love to dress my adorable grand-daughter up in equally adorable clothing. When her brother is born I will be looking for adorable clothing for him as well. Zutano is one brand that you can count on for both boys and girls clothing. Zutano is the company that was developed by a set of parents and since the beginning has been a clothing style that was colorful and creative. Today the company has grown into a driving force in children's clothing. I have shared reviews with you here on Annies Home previously and have shared how much I truly love the styles that they offer. Zutano has offered to give one of Annies Home readers the chance to win a $75 gift card to purchase their own favorite style of Zutano for their child(ren). Want the chance to win? Then enter the giveaway by letting me know what your favorite item at zutano.com is by leaving me a comment here. Just for starter take a look at a few of my favorite zutano items.

Itzy Bitzy Good Dog Footie by Zutano - Off-White - Preemie


Itzy Bitzy Good Dog Long Sleeve Wrap Bodysuit by Zutano - Multi-colored - Preemie


Zutano - Itzy Bitzy Dino Jungle Footie

What is your favorite style?

Extra Entries:

• follow my blog via gfc
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• share this giveaway on your blog, a giveaway linkup, or other social site (5 entries each let me know what you did in comment leave link if possible)
• comment any of my other post (unlimited 2 entries each)

Giveaway starts now and will end January 26, 2011 Good Luck Email must be in comment or on blog profile or entries will not count.