What-What?! Week of April 21st

This week has been long, as I’ve been busy with school, and have come down sick to boot.  My littlest, at just about 12 months, is really walking now!  He’s starting to get pretty quick, too. :D

Local Living:  The San Jose Fantasy Faire

Last Sunday, we went to the San Jose Fantasy Faire with the kids and my sister; we had a really good time, though it is definitely a kid’s event.  There were a bunch of princesses, including Rapunzel and her tower, as well as a “princess pavilion”, where princesses rested in between activities; my daughter would have rather we just left her there to live with the princesses.  At one point, my daughter and sister sat down to a princess story time, and when Belle finished reading, she asked if anyone wanted to hear another story; all the other kids got up and left, but not my daughter!  It makes me happy that my kids love reading. :D

We also saw Captain Jack Sparerib’s show, which was entertaining, though my sister (rightly) remarked that it was similar to the act that Broon does at the regular renaissance faires.  Still, the kids were entertained and happy to see him, and were especially happy about the treasure map that we got them.

Cooking:  Dried Blueberry and Yogurt Scones

This recipe came about because we wound up with a big container of expiring plain yogurt, and nothing to do with it.  I had picked up some dried blueberries from Costco ($7-8 for a giant sack), and it just seemed like a good idea.  I wasn’t able to find a recipe that I was happy with, so I took bits and pieces of other recipes.

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 stick cold butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup dried blueberries
• 1-1/4 cup yogurt (can probably be substituted with 1 cup of milk; I have not tried this)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Mix flour, baking powder and sugar together in bowl; cut the butter into this mixture using a pastry cutter, two butter knives, a fork, or a stand mixer.  Mix in the blueberries, then stir yogurt until incorporated.  Knead a few times, then you can either roll out to a 1-1/2 inch thick circle and cut into wedges, or cut into circles with a biscuit cutter, or you could eat the dough raw, if you really want.  Bake for 25 - 30 minutes, until golden brown.  Enjoy! :D

Films:  Upcoming Thor: The Dark World Movie Poster

So, the new poster for the upcoming Thor film was released, and it’s utterly useless.  It shows Thor with his hammer.  Big whoop!  I am a bit disappointed, though, that this one isn’t being directed by Kenneth Branagh; maybe it will be a bit less hilarious in the romance department, which was at about my five-year-old's level in the first film.  The director for The Dark World is Alan Taylor, who has only directed three feature-length films prior to this one, though has directed a great variety of television episodes, including The Sopranos, Deadwood, Mad Men, and Game of Thrones.  This film sounds like it's going to be more complex overall, with more character development and stuff.  If you go looking on the interwebz, be careful of spoilers.

Until next week! :D