REVIEW: Breaking Dawn Part 2

I know, how could I have waited so long to post about the crazy, mad night for Breaking Dawn Part 2. My only excuse is the craziness of life, problems with the blog, & also not having any idea of what to say about it. I guess to sum it up I'll say: I loved it & hated it.

And that pretty much sums up how I've felt about all of the movies. I mean, for reals, there is nothing, I say NOTHING is like sitting with a theater full of like-minded individuals ready to cheer, chant, scream, and boo where it is needed. And it was needed.

 Without giving anything away because, people, seeing this movie is like a one-way ticket to crazy-town I'll say it was my least favorite book and while this movie is in fact significantly better than the book (thank goodness for some action and less heavy handedness) it was probably my least favorite movie. But it was good too, you know? I couldn't explain it to Scott either, but I think some of you know what I mean. And the montage at the end left me teary, so I suppose that means a lot too.

 And I though I was up to my eyeballs in stress & drink stirrers I had a blast with our giveaways, matching shirts, laughing, eating popcorn and having a blast with my friends! It's sad that these days of renting out a theater & making matching shirts for Twilight themed events is over but I will have some fabulous memories. Thank you to Esther, my partner in theater-renting-crime!


And let's be honest the fact that we have 3 fantastic book to big screen adaptations coming next year makes up for it: The Host, City of Bones, & Catching Fire.

Perhaps shirts for those events? Anyone? Anyone?

Past Twilight movie premires: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, & Breaking Dawn Part 1, Twilight movie release party, New Moon DVD release party, Borders before the movie comes out "discussion night", LBG Twilight DVD watching party night,
Past Twilight book fun: That time I met Stephanie Meyers & An LBG bookgroup about Breaking Dawn,

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 AND because I love you guys endlessly for A) reading my ramblings and B) being awesome I'm  giving away one of our one-of-a-kind totally awesome J. Jenks shirts with some other awesome Twilight themed goodies.

Leave a comment sharing your all-time favorite Twilight moment- movie or book and you'll be entered in to win this awesomeness (make sure I have a way of contacting you too) I'll leave it open for until Saturday the 8th at midnight!

Shabby Apple Giveaway

I've mentioned my unadulterated affection for Shabby Apple a couples times here on the blog. I love them. Love. Them. Maternity clothes, swimsuits, pretty dresses. Oh my!

One of my very favorite dresses is a Shabby Apple that I get compliments on every time I wear it no matter what I wear it with. Tights? Check. Bright cardigan? Check. Turquoise cowboy boots? Check.

So, in short, I love them. And being the totally rad company that they are, they asked if I wanted to do a giveaway of a $50 giftcard to one lucky reader of Gnome Sweet Gnome. I know, right?

All you have to do is take a look at the site, tell me what you would spend your giftcard on and please stop by & "like" Shabby Apple on Facebook (an awesome way to be the first to hear about new styles & sales).

Here are a couple of my favs:

Really, there is something out there for every style, every body, every person. The giveaway will stay open for one week (Oct 17th-24th) & remember to comment here with your favs, "like" them on Facebook, & good luck! (And, sorry, it's open to US residents only)

Guest Post & Winners!

Oh hi, friends!

TWO ITEMS OF BUSINESS...

1) I did a guest post for my lovely friend Rachel over on her lovely blog on how to find a writing group. Stop on by & make a comment so I won't feel like a TOTAL poser. And if you have any questions on writing groups ask & I'll answer ASAP!

2) WINNER! I, yeah, remember that whole 5 year blog anniversary giveaway & I still haven't posted winners. Well, I suck. Or rather I should say kids school schedules suck. It's eating my brain & my whole life. Help me!

But really, here we go winners:

Email me your addy & I'll send them off ASAP!

And again, I love you people!

Happy 5th Blog-iversary Giveaway!

2,630 posts & 5 years blogging, friends! And I just love it. More & more each year. And it's all thanks for awesome readers/commenters like you!

This year we had all manner of fun:
- We added two new additions to the Carter Clan- this one & this fellow too.
- We enjoyed lots of holidays together- Halloween, Christmas, New Years, Valentines Day, St Patty's, Easter, Father's Day, 4th of July, & Pioneer Day.
- We took a couple trips- here, here, & here.
- We did lots of fun stuff as a family- creating, playing pretend, snuggling, playing games, visiting museums & museums, and playing pirates of course.
- We celebrated too- Linc's birth, Sydney, our love, Scott, Bearto & my big 30th.

And to commemorate the awesome-ness that is YOU & the joy of blogging, I'm having a giveaway of 5 packages encompassing 5 of my favorite things. Nothing outlandish but small things that are fun, quirky, & make me happy!

The 5 different packages are:
1- some of my favorite PARTY GOODIES (including these from my tiny Etsy store).
2- my favorite WRITING SUPPLIES (including one of my favorites of these).
3- some items that INSPIRE ME (including a set of these).
4- one or two of my FAVORITE BOOKS (maybe one by this author).
5- a couple of my favorite supplies for making TREATS (including some items to make these)

So, that's right people, 5 chances to win 5 different fun, random packages! Just leave me a comment (I'll leave it open until Wed 29th) & maybe tell me a couple of your favorite things & if you aren't already a follower an anniversary would be an awesome time to start!

And go forth & have a great day- you all deserve it!

Earrings WINNER!

Sorry folks, I'm always late on posting winners! I entrusted the pulling of the winner of the lovely Chrysanthemum earrings my sis-in-law makes to Sydney Marie. And trust me, this girl takes her job very seriously.

So, the winner of the matchy, matchy hot pink earrings is Erin - my fabulous longtime childhood friend! Congrats lady!

I also had Syd pull an extra name for another pair of yellow ones I have & the winner of that extra pair is one of my old college roommates Stephanie!

So, ladies shoot me an email with addresses & I'll throw them in the mail as soon as possible!

Remember if you didn't win Kristal is still offering a 10% off discount. Just use the code GNOMESWEETGNOME when you buy them!

One of my Favorite Accessories EVER!

It doesn't matter what I'm wearing, dressed up or dressed down, my Chrysanthemum earrings are my favorite.

For real, let's be honest I mostly look like the picture on the right (Scott is one lucky man, folks). But even in my grubbies I feel adorable in these earrings.

My lovely, crafty, & awesome sis-in-law Kristal makes them & I can not sing their lauds enough- they are bright, just the right size, light weight, & so pretty!

AND she is giving away a pair of gorgeous hot pink ones just like mine (matchy, matchy) right here, right now to one of my lovely readers!

Just leave a comment & if you are feeling it go ahead a "pin" these lovelies on your Pinterest or spread the word about them any way you see fit.

If you just can't possibly wait or have another color you'd like (she has bunches of lovely ones) Kristal has also given all readers of the blog a 10% off discount. Just use the code GNOMESWEETGNOME when you buy them!

So, drop a comment right here, I'll pick a winner on Friday, & GOOD LUCK!

GIVEAWAY: In Good Taste Cookbook

Nancy Miles is an awesome family friend (more family than friend) of the Carters. When I first came out to meet Scott's family I HAD to meet Nancy because she was like Scott's second mom.

And she is indeed fabulous in many, many ways but she is INFAMOUS for her cooking.

I have lots of favorites that she makes but this recipe I'm sharing & her tri-tip steak are probably my favorites. AND she has even written her own cookbook (read here where she taught me how to make homemade noodles).

Today we are having a GIVEAWAY a signed copy of her cookbook IN GOOD TASTE & believe me you will love it. I haven't tried a recipe from this book that I haven't loved.

Also, right now you can get on Amazon for your Kindle FREE!

To give you a taste of the uberness that is this cookbook let me share one of my favorite recipes, Mexican Manicotti, that Nancy used for a cooking demonstration. It is so good everyone I've made it for has loved it.

It's a 3 part recipe- the homemade manicotti shells, the meat inside, & the dressing to pour over it.

1. The homemade manicotti shells

6 eggs, well beaten
2 cups flour
2 cups water
pinch of salt

Use a small 5" skillet sprayed with veggie spray.
Pour about 1/4 a cup of the batter spreading quickly over the bottom of the skillet.
Cook over medium heat ONLY ON ONE SIDE (don't brown it or turn it) The top will get bubbly, and become solid like soft cooked pasta (basically it's what it is).
Place between sheets of parchment paper.
Makes about 12.

2. The Mexican meat filling

2 1/2 lbs of ground beef
veggie oil
1 1/2 yellow onions, chopped
1/4 tsp galic powder
4 TB flour
4 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
4 oz can of chopped green chillies
7 oz can of green chilli salsa (I used the jar kind)
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Queso Fresco or Feta cheese

Cook ground beef. Remove meat and set aside.
Saute chopped onions and green chillies in oil.
Add all other ingredients (except the cheese) & mix well.

3. The cilantro tamatillo dressing

5 tamatillos cut into small pieces
1 package of Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch dressing dry mix
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup cilantro, chopped
2 cloves crushed garlic
1/2 tsp salt
2 TB lime juice
1/2 tsp cumin
2-4 drops Tabasco sauce

Pull all ingredients in a blender & puree, then chill.

And finally put it all together:

Put a couple spoonfuls of the Mexican meat mix in the manicotti shell.
Roll up tight and put in baking dish. Fill the rest.
Top with Monterey Jack & the feta cheese. Cover with foil.
Bake at 350 degrees and bake until cheese is melted- 20 minutes.
Let it rest and then drizzle with the Cilantro Dressing.

And ENJOY!

If you'd like to win a signed copy of "IN GOOD TASTE", just leave a comment & I'll draw a name at the end of this week! Good luck all!

Breaking Dawn Shirt WINNER!

Winner, Winner, Turkey Dinner!

And this winner is:

SARAH!

And I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving!

P.S. The Carters will be on a little blogging hiatus for the next week or so. I'll pop in if I can but we've got lots of fun family stuff planned. Hope everyone has fun!

GIVEAWAY: Breaking Dawn Shirt

Hip-hip!
It's giveaway time!
I have an extra very pink "Breaking Dawn" shirt for ya'll.
Just leave a comment here & I'll draw the winner on Wednesday!

Winner of WHITE CAT

So, remember how I had a contest like FOREVER ago? Yeah, I kinda stink & spaced it until Scott reminded me yesterday.

So, without further ado & with much apologizes the winner is...

KRISTAL!

(Aw, that's right my awesome sister-in-law Kristal!) Hope you enjoy & anyone who hasn't read this go pick up a copy. I LOVED IT!

No idea what it's about? Check out the book trailer:

Birthday Giveaway!

Hello ladies & gentlemen! Today is my birthday & in celebration of this awesome day I'm doing a GIVEAWAY!

So what better giveaway than a favorite of one of my favorite things... books!

A signed copy of one of my fav, fav books WHITE CAT by Holly Black! (& possibly a couple other favorite things included)

Just leave a comment (& follow if you want)- that's it! Winner announced on one of my favorite holiday's the 4th of July!

P.S. I also have a couple LOVELY friends who are doing book giveaways right now too. Debbie has an ARC of "Everneath" & Jennie who is giving away a signed copy of "Uncommon Criminals".

T-Shirts Design Extravaganza

Hello friends, the Lake Tahoe Relay Race is just around the corner (June 11th!) & my wonderful mother-in-law, the CEO/race director, needs a design for the shirts this year.

Here are a couple shirts from past years:

So, what I'm trying to find out is if any of my dear readers would like to make a design they'd like to submit.

It doesn't pay or anything, BUT you do get to see your creation emblazoned on hundreds upon hundreds of peoples chests (& there's a possibility I could swing you a discount if you're interested in running the race).

And if that weren't enough of an incentive- EVERYONE who submits something will get a lil' package of goodies from ME! (so when you email the pic, make sure to include your address)

So, here's the things that need to be on the shirt & extra info:
1. The name of the race- 47th DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay
2. The date of the race- June 11th, 2011
3. Be in JPEG format email to me (cowgirlprincess101@hotmail.com)
4. Limited colors (2 or less is the most cost effective for her)
5. WE NEED IT ASAP!
6. Maybe something about being America's oldest relay race.

Scott & I are working on an idea, but I know April would love some options to chose from. So email me as soon as you can & we'll see if we can't get you going down in Tahoe Relay Race history!

EveryLittleBit WINNERS!

The winners of the fabulous EveryLittleBit giveaway are...

Can't see? Just squint a little. Still can't? Yeah, it's pretty much a picture fail! Sorry about that!

It was MARIA & BRITTANY!

Email me your guys address & I'll send them off ASAP!

And the lovely Kristal is doing a special promotion for all you wonderful blog readers- 10% off your order! Just type in the promotion code GNOMESWEETGNOME in your note when you order.

And remember each purchase means a lovely handmade hat given to a less fortunate kid!

GIVEAWAY: Every Little Bit

We all know & love my talented sister-in-law Kristal! She is a spot on photographer, sews a ton, & her latest creative endeavor includes a fabulous humanitarian aspect. She's opened an etsy shop selling this adorable knit hats & knit flower clips.

They're so cute & Syd loves hers BUT the best part is for every one purchased she will make & give a hat to humanitarian efforts.

Today she is giving away one of her sweet hats to TWO of our readers (a gray hat with mustard flower & a cream hat with pink flower).

So, go ahead check out her shop & the leave a comment before Saturday the 26th & I'll pull 2 names. Good luck!

P.S. My babies are darn cute!

New Year, New Book WINNERS!

Sorry guys, I'm a little behind but here are the winners of the NEW YEAR, NEW BOOK giveaway!

For MATCHED is Variety:

For VAMPIRE ACADEMY is Peace, Love, & Applesauce:

Congrats ladies- Email me with your addresses & I'll send them along!

Here's to more fabulous BOOKS & more BLOGGING in 2011!

Gnome Sweet Gnome Christmas Giveaway

Alrighty, my blog readers, this is a little late but I did want to have a Christmas Giveaway to thank you guys for sticking around, though I've been a slow blogger lately.

For Christmas this year I'm giving away two of my favorite books signed by the authors:

MATCHED and VAMPIRE ACADEMY

Just leave a comment telling me which one you want (you can do both if you want)! I'll keep it open until the 24th & announce the winner after Christmas! That way you'll have a NEW BOOK to kick off your NEW YEAR!

3 Year Blog Anniversary Winners

Sorry guys! Blog-iversary fell right when I was leaving town. We just got back in last night & silly me thought I'd have time while we were traveling to pull a winner & post it.

"Best laid plans..." eh? But here we go! The winner of the "Liv's Simple Favorite Things" package is...

My bloggy friend Michelle of Einstein on the Beach!

And since I can't just giveaway one thing, EVER, I'm also going to send out 2 "mini, mini" packages to these guys...

My childhood family friend Erin & my hilarious cousin Ashley.

Winners- email me with addresses! And THANK YOU EVERYONE for sharing all your favorite things & for playing along with me!

3 Year Blog Anniversary

Hello my wonderful bloggy friends,

Can you believe it's been 3 years?!

And this year has been fun of all manner of FUN: little moments of bliss, favorite recipes, some romance, quiet moments & crazy ones (or two), some pick-me-ups, birthday bashs, writing, commiseration, and lots about my favorite people & things.

And you've been with me for every crazy adventure!

So, to show you guys how thankful I am for you sticking around & reading my ramblings, I'm having one of my patent "some of Livie J Carters SIMPLE FAVORITE THINGS" giveaway!

To enter leave a comment, tell me one of YOUR favorite things, & I'll leave it open until Wednesday.

Seriously, guys thanks for sticking around, leaving comments, & having your own lovely blogs I enjoy reading!

GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

Oh man, I'm sorry- my life got OUT OF CONTROL (ie: leaving town, out-of-town guests, Eclipse, birthday, & my hard-drive failing) but I'm here to announce the winner.

And as penitence & because it was just my birthday I'm also giving away an extra last years "La Push" shirt to another winner.

So, the winner of the ECLIPSE shirt is HOLLY & the LA PUSH shirt is AUTUMN:

Girls, email me with your address & I'll send these along!

Thanks everyone for playing along & adding a couple new followers. I've got lots to post in the next few days!

GIVEAWAY: Eclipse Shirt

Oh goody-goody gum drops! How I love having something to GIVEAWAY!

That's right, for you my dear readers, I am giving away a brand-new-hot-off-the-press Eclipse t-shirt. And may I just say they are even cuter in person! (it's on an adorable vintage-y heathered-ish blue & a size large)

Leave a comment (& follow if you aren't already- let's try to hit 100!). I'm going to out of town, partying at a family reunion, this weekend so I'll leave it open until Sunday evening when I get home.

Good luck & hooray festivities are only 1 week away!