What's In My Book Bag?

The Smurfs Movie Review and $1.99 Amazon Instant Video Rental

Any Smurf fans out there?  I know my cousins loved watching the Smurfs as kids.  Right now Amazon has The Smurfs (the movie) available as one of their instant video rentals for $1.99.

 

 

MY MOVIE REVIEW:

I had a chance to see this movie when it was playing in the theater this summer.  Imagine getting to see how the Smurfs live but then imagine humans also interacting with them.  It is amazing what they can do with computer graphics (but I'm probably starting to show my age so I'll get back to the review).  I enjoyed watching this movie with my nephews.  I like the actors Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays (of Glee), so seeing them interacting with the Smurfs was a lot of fun.  Watching the Smurfs get into things around their apartment was entertaining and seeing the Smurfs make their way around New York City was an adventure.  This movie might just have you seeing Smurf blue -- and that's a good thing.

 

Spoiler alert: There is "cartoon type" violence.  For instance Gargamel (human) is hit by a bus and is just a little squished against the windshield but not seriously injured.   Some dialogue is a bit risque but even some of that is included in the movie trailers.

 

I've noticed that these rock bottom rental prices don't always last very long.  As best I can tell it looks like this price is good through this weekend and will end on Monday, January 2, 2012.  If you are interested I would get it soon.  You have 30 days to start your rental after you purchase it.  Once you start it you have 48 hours to finish watching it.

 

If you haven't had a chance to try the Amazon Instant videos you can go to Amazon to learn more about How Amazon Instant Videos Work.

Glee: The Concert Movie Review and $1.99 Amazon Instant Video Rental

Calling all Gleeks (fans of the tv show Glee).  Right now Amazon has Glee: The Concert Movie available as one of their instant video rentals for $1.99.

 

MY MOVIE REVIEW:

I had a chance to see this movie when it was playing in the theater.  I saw it in 3D.  I would say it is definitely meant for fans of the show.  It is a documentary of the concerts that took place in venues across the country.  The behind the scenes was fun.  Lots of the same songs that were on the tv show.  You might even find yourself singing along.  Don't expect anything earth shattering.  It is primarily a synopsis of the show as a concert.  The performances are bigger because they take place on an arena stage instead of in a "classroom" setting.

 

I've noticed that these rock bottom rental prices don't always last very long.  As best I can tell it looks like this price is good through this weekend and will end on Monday, January 2, 2012.  If you are interested I would get it soon.  You have 30 days to start your rental after you purchase it.  Once you start it you have 48 hours to finish watching it.

 

If you haven't had a chance to try the Amazon Instant videos you can go to Amazon to learn more about How Amazon Instant Videos Work.

Mr. Popper's Penguins Movie Amazon Instant Video Rental for $1.99!

This looks like fun for the New Year weekend.  Right now Amazon has Mr. Popper's Penguins available as one of their instant video rentals for $1.99.

 

I've noticed that these rock bottom rental prices don't always last very long.  As best I can tell it looks like this price is good through this weekend and will end on Monday, January 2, 2012.  If you are interested I would get it soon.  You have 30 days to start your rental after you purchase it.  Once you start it you have 48 hours to finish watching it.

 

If you haven't had a chance to try the Amazon Instant videos you can go to Amazon to learn more about How Amazon Instant Videos Work.

Sherlock Holmes Movie Amazon Instant Video Rental Only 99 Cents!

If you are planning on seeing the new Sherlock Holmes movie with Robert Downey, Jr. soon, you might want to see the first one and sort of make it a "double feature" event.  Right now Amazon has Sherlock Holmes (2010) available as one of their instant video rentals for 99 cents.

 

I've noticed that these rock bottom rental prices don't always last very long.  If you are interested I would get it soon.  You have 30 days to start your rental after you purchase it.  Once you start it you have 48 hours to finish watching it.

 

If you haven't had a chance to try the Amazon Instant videos you can go to Amazon to learn more about How Amazon Instant Videos Work.

King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Cookie Mix Review

I hoped to have time to make a bunch of gluten free goodies before  Christmas.  Unfortunately I ran out of time and had to sit out most of the sweets at celebrations.  Since I had the ingredients on hand and we were looking for a treat this afternoon I suggested that I try making a gluten free cookie.  Today I'm trying the King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Cookie Mix. 

 

I used parchment paper because it seems like such a Martha thing to do because it makes for easy clean up (and I was using my pizza pan with holes in it because the jelly roll pan that I usually use to make cookies was being used for something else).

 

Now I don't have a lot of experience yet making gluten free baked goods but one thing I noticed is that the flour mix was very light and became airborne very quickly (something to keep in mind as you pour it into your bowl & as you begin mixing).

 

The directions on the box were good.  I will say that I didn't have the patience to wait for my butter to soften so I heated it up in the microwave which, of course, may have slightly changed the outcome of our cookies.  I also added 2 tsps. vanilla (not that it necessarily needed it) but it seemed like something I would add if I were making a non-GF variety.  I also added 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. (As always, make sure anything you add in is also gluten free).

 

 

Here are the cookies on the parchment paper ready to go into the oven.  Put in oven.  Set timer.  Look at directions on box again.  Ooops.  It says to flatten them out before baking.  Quick.  Grab oven mitt.  Grab tray out of oven.  Sort of flatten cookies with back of spoon.  Put tray back in oven.  Reset timer.  Now I'm not sure what they would have looked like if I hadn't gone back and sort of flattened them out.  But they came out looking pretty yummy.

 

Here they are out of the oven after they have cooled for a few minutes.  I even got a "Oh, these are good" from a person who eats gluten.

They were good.  They came out chewy not crispy.  Next time I think I would add another 1/2 to 1 cup of chocolate chips.  The cookie part is not very sweet like I remember some of my favorite gluten filled chocolate chip cookies. It has been a long time since I've had a "regular" chocolate chip cookie, though, so my memory might not be so accurate as to the degree of sweetness in the cookie.  

 

I definitely plan on picking up more of the King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Cookie Mix.  I like my first batch of cookies and it is definitely a good mix to add to my pantry.  I also like that it is a general cookie base and that you are invited to switch out your favorite add ins to make different flavors so it should work for both chocolate chip or dried cranberry walnut.

 

What do you like to add into your cookies?

Redbook Magazine Subscription 2 years for $10 ( about 42 cents an issue) STILL ACTIVE

If you're interested in a subscription to Redbook magazine, the 2 years for $10 offer is still available on Amazon (as of this writing).  That works out to be about 42 cents an issue.  And this offer does not require you to sign up for auto-renewal.  I'm not sure how long this offer will last.  I know it has been available for a few days.  Amazon could decide to change it at any minute.  That is sort of how Amazon works (from what I've observed).  So if you are interested, don't wait too long.

Redbook Magazine Subscription 2 years for $10 (42 cents an issue)

If you like Redbook magazine, Amazon currently has a deal where you can order Redbook (2-years) for $10.  That is about 42 cents an issue.  Amazon has a special for Redbook (1-year auto-renewal) for $5 that ends today.  If you choose the 2 year, you get that rate for both years and it does not automatically renew.  I'm not sure how long this offer will last so if you are interested I would subscribe right away.

Reminder: $5 Magazine Subscriptions Sale Through December 26 (TODAY)

Here is the information from my previous post:

 

Have you heard about the $5 Magazine Subscriptions sale going on over at Amazon?  Choose from 19 titles -- and these are pretty popular titles (Woman's Day, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Popular Mechanics, Seventeen).  

Magazine subscriptions make nice gifts.  If one (or more) of these titles would be interesting to your gift recipient, $5 for a subscription sounds pretty good.  What about a Secret Santa or Pollyanna gift?

Click on this link to check out the magazines included in this offer:$5 Magazine Subscriptions 

Note: This deal at Amazon ends December 26, 2011.  Also, all of these $5 subscriptions are for the auto-renewal option.  You can read the fine print over at Amazon.  It says you can cancel at anytime and I know I have just cancelled the renewal but continued the current subscription.  You go into your Amazon account.  Click on Manage Your Magazine Subscriptions and follow along from there.  If you want to change your subscription I usually wait until the first issue or two arrives, otherwise you may be cancelling the subscription all together.

5 Christmas Romances by Popular Authors for Kindle -- 99 cents each today only

 

Update: This specific deal has now expired.  You can check with Amazon to see the current price on these titles.

Anyone unwrap a Kindle, Kindle Touch, or Kindle Fire this morning?  Amazon has a special Christmas deal today.  They are offering the Kindle version of 5 Christmas romances by popular authors for 99 cents each today only.  Titles include:Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs, Holiday in Stone Creek: A Stone Creek Christmas\At Home in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller, That Holiday Feeling (3 stories by Debbie Macomber, Sheryl Woods & Robyn Carr), Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber and Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr.  

 

Don't have a Kindle?  That's ok.  

Of course you can purchase a Kindle at Amazon.  

You can also purchase Kindle books and materials and read them on your PC.  I don't have a Kindle yet so this is what I've been doing. How to Read Kindle Books on Your PC.

 

This deal is only good for today.  Merry Christmas.

$5 Magazine Subscriptions through December 26

Have you heard about the $5 Magazine Subscriptions sale going on over at Amazon?  Choose from 19 titles -- and these are pretty popular titles (Woman's Day, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Popular Mechanics, Seventeen).  

Magazine subscriptions make nice gifts.  If one (or more) of these titles would be interesting to your gift recipient, $5 for a subscription sounds pretty good.  What about a Secret Santa or Pollyanna gift?

Click on this link to check out the magazines included in this offer:$5 Magazine Subscriptions 

Note: This deal at Amazon ends December 26, 2011.  Also, all of these $5 subscriptions are for the auto-renewal option.  You can read the fine print over at Amazon.  It says you can cancel at anytime and I know I have just cancelled the renewal but continued the current subscription.  You go into your Amazon account.  Click on Manage Your Magazine Subscriptions and follow along from there.  If you want to change your subscription I usually wait until the first issue or two arrives, otherwise you may be cancelling the subscription all together.