Annie's Homegrown Frozen Entrees

I was given the chance to try out a new product by Annie's Homegrown Frozen Entrees. I love frozen entrees. They are a quick addition to meal time. We chose the White Cheddar Shells with Chicken. I am always worried about the size of a frozen entree. My husband and daughter can be big eaters. I could tell as soon as I took the product out of it's box there would be plenty.

The entree was super easy to prepare. Just stick it in the microwave for eight minutes then give it a stir and cook for a few minutes more. I love meals you can pop in the microwave on a busy night. You can also bake it in the oven if you wish. I like the quicker method.

The entree smelled so good while cooking I couldn't wait to give it a try. It looked creamy and delicious when it was done. I have had some frozen entrees that were dry and blah. This was not the case with Annie's Homegrown Frozen Entree.

The real test would be my husband and daughter. As soon as my husband tried the entree he was raving about how good it tasted. My daughter is super picky about what she will eat and she loved it too. I thought it was great. I loved the creamy texture. The cheddar taste was just right. The chicken was very tender. I think we found a keeper with this entree.

Movie Review: The Nut Job ( I know the title is funny, stop laughing)

               We went this past weekend to see The Nut Job. My daughter had been pestering to see it since we saw the previews last November. I don't mind kids movies. They often have moments of adult humor. I don't want to ruin the movie by going into great detail, but I will say it was super cute.

               There are a few parts that younger children might tear up. I know I did, and I'm a grown adult. It's not that the movie is extremely sad or anything.  There is just a few parts that young children may not be mature enough to realize what is going to happen.

          Make sure to stay for the credits. There is some added fun while the credits are rolling. We really enjoyed the movie and would recommend it for any age group. It can be enjoyed by all, big or small. We are looking forward to adding it to our collection when it's released on DVD.

Here is a trailer from the movie.

Guest Post by Charie D. La Marr, Creator of Circuspunk

Hi my name is Charie D. La Marr, creator of the genre Circuspunk. Some of you might know me from Facebook as Persiphone Hellecat and some might even know me from the nine years I spent as a professional clown as Kotton Kandy.

So why, do you ask, does a person who spent nine years wearing the motley suddenly start writing stories where clowns blow up? First of all, that is only a part of Circuspunk. Circuspunk can bring in any other genres that you want—from romance to sci fi and everything inbetween. The stories include circuses, carnivals and fairs, midways, freak shows and sideshows, clown, magicians, freaks, acrobats, carnies … all of it!

And the reason is simple. Behind all that splatter and funk, I love the circus! This is a very irreverent, but loving look at a subject near and dear to my heart. But I just got tired of hearing people say, “I #$%$%$% hate clowns!” I would show them my picture and they would agree that as a clown, I was adorable, but they still hated clowns and wanted to see them wiped off the face of the earth. So I decided, if people want to blow up clowns, let’s do it MY way—with tongue firmly planted in cheek. And so Circuspunk was born. I hope that it makes people laugh and desensitizes that clown phobia. I consider it an antidote.

Now, that is not to say that I don’t understand clown phobia in children. As a clown, I took many courses in the psychology of children and how to handle them. I understand that we raise our kids telling them not to talk to strangers. And yet the first time they see a clown, they push the kid into the clown’s arms and get out the camera. I would freak too if my parents made me hug the strangest person I ever saw! I learned to get down to their level, stay back and talk softly and work to gain their trust until they came to me. I would talk about what was on their t-shirts, what their favorite subject in school was, anything to loosen them up and gain their confidence. And the truth was, I ended up in literally thousands of baby books because I never met a kid who ended up not liking me.

Sadly, I cannot say the same of their parents. I was a performing clown. I did magic shows, I walked around with magic tricks in my pockets and puppets. I was not a gumball machine. I didn’t give out cheap trinkets or make animal balloons. I saw way too many parents allow young ones to suck on those balloons and once saw a kid have to have a cheap ten cent ring pulled out of her throat.

My message is simple. Love us. We walk around all day in costumes that sometimes weigh close to ten pounds with wigs and full makeup in the hot sun. We get shin splints from working on unforgiving concrete surfaces. We work hard taking classes and keeping our skills and talents sharp and growing. And we ask nothing more from you than a smile. Is that a lot to ask for?

Links to learn more

http://www.amazon.com/Bumping-Noses-Cherry-Charie-Marr/dp/149433660X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386332881&sr=8-1&keywords=bumping+noses+and+cherry+pie

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19240533-bumping-noses-and-cherry-pie?from_search=true

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Circuspunk/350354765086962

http://www.chupacabrahouse.com/

Bumping Noses and Cherry Pie

I had never heard of Circuspunk before reading “Bumping Noses andCherry Pie” by Charie D La Marr. I was quickly introduced to the definition, which I have to admit was rather intriguing. I was drawn in and hooked from the start. Here is the excerpt that describes the new genre. I know I can't wait to read more.

WHAT IS “CIRCUSPUNK”?

This is the definition that I sent to the Urban Dictionary. “Circuspunk is a new sub-genre of punk/bizarro literature scene created by Charie D. La Marr aka Persiphone Hellecat aka Kotton Kandy - a former professional clown. The genre includes stories that take place in circuses, carnivals, midways, sideshows and also includes stories of birthday party clowns, freaks, magicians and costumed characters. With some elements taken from her experiences in the world of clowns (she won't tell which are true and which aren’t) the genre is a blend of truth and fantasy that takes in the usual bizarro mixture of fun, sex, satire and splatter. Also included in the genre are dark stories, Lovecraftian stories, noir stories and other variations and combinations of contemporary literary genre.”

Now that you have an idea of what Circuspunk is, I will continue with my review. The book is composed of several short stories. They focus on the life of circus performers, characters in costumes of sorts, and people with dreams of being something different. I was hooked after the first story. I love the humor mixed with racy descriptions of what was happening. The stories are very easy to visualize as you are reading. The language could be considered rough at some points, but I feel it is crucial to the Circuspunk genre. The reader is left wondering if the story really took place, but by the way they were written, I could believe that they all were taken from true events. I enjoyed each story and can't wait to read more in this new genre and I am sure you will too. After-all, don't we all have a little freak hidden in us somewhere?

BUMPING NOSES AND CHERRY PIE is a book of short stories in a brand new genre created by the author, a former professional clown —Circuspunk! This is the answer to clown phobia. It's all there in 25 short stories that are a combination of satire, splatter and outright fun -- exploding clowns, Hondurican Monkey Flu, the elusive circus wank, a circus poodle raped by one of the show's rescue mutts, the hottest girl ever to set foot in a dunk tank, clowns, magicians, freaks, carnies, showgirls, and a wild and zany cast of characters at circuses, freakshows, carnivals and midways. Meet an MIT student who runs away to become a rodeo clown, an LGBT trained seal, a billionaire who runs away to join the circus, a ringmaster trying to juggle three women under one Big Top, a trapeze artist who has more problems with a sex swing than Chloe and Lamar. It's all there, and much more. It is a wild romp that will have you laughing until the very end. “This ain't your mama's roller coaster ride! That is unless your mama does acid before hitting the amusement park!” says Mimi Williams, author of “Beautiful Monster. “. Hate clowns or love them, you are going to enjoy reading her zany and sometimes poignant look at a world we both love,” adds Jim Rose of the Jim Rose Circus, Lalapalooza fame and author of “Freaks Like Me.” A professional clown for 9 years, Ms. La Marr tells it like it, like it should be and like those of you who with clown phobia would like it to be. So get your ticket and join us under the Big Top for BUMPING NOSES AND CHERRY PIE. The first Circuspunk book ever! And remember - buy your copy today because the clowns know where you sleep!