WILW: Spring!

I am linking up with this lady today to declare that I am loving all things spring! Spring is such a fun time of year with winter slowly coming to an end, little peeks of bright sun here and there, a fresh new season and fun, bright colors.

First of all, I am loving that we got some seeds started inside and are already seeing sprouts.

I love these fun jars-turned-vases. I am definitely trying to do some in some springy colors.

Source: thecsiproject.com via Allyce on Pinterest

Love this fun top with a cute cardigan over.

Source: when-im-older.tumblr.com via Allyce on Pinterest

Definitely a good spring nail polish color.

Source: nailstah.com via Allyce on Pinterest

Layers work well here for spring.

Source: wendyslookbook.com via Allyce on Pinterest

I think I have posted this before but I still love it: cute ol' rain boots.

Source: tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com via Allyce on Pinterest

Yum, asparagus.

Source: simplyrecipes.com via Allyce on Pinterest

I am also loving:

::having more motivation to work out.

::borrowing library books on my Kindle.

::feeling more like myself.

Go link up, it's fun!

Recent Reading

I finally finished "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" trilogy. I think I can say that the last book was my favorite.

Source

I got all three books for Christmas last year and am just now finishing up. It's not because I didn't like them because I really did. They are all very intense books and definitely a different type of writing than I had ever experienced before. However, I really enjoyed that. It felt like I was really branching out. I would warn though, if you haven't already read these, they are a little graphic in some parts and there are some disturbing images. I am looking forward to seeing the movie that comes out in December. I really like Daniel Craig as an actor and think he will do a great job playing Mikael Blomkvist.

Next up, I needed a lighter read. Well this book definitely delivered in that department.

Source

In my opinion, it is a little too light. I read it maybe a day and a half and was less than thrilled. Maybe it was because I had just come off a heavier read but it just all seemed so shallow and young to me. Don't get me wrong, I love a good chick flick and I'm sure this movie will be good for that. I just didn't love the book all that much. I was thinking about getting the second book, Something Blue, but thought better of it and feel like I don't need to read it just because it is what comes next.

Now, I have moved onto something that is becoming more relevant in my life with each passing day.

Source

A friend let me borrow this book that they received in their birth class. Our birth class is a little different than the one they took so I thought it would be good to read this book along with taking our class. {That we started last night.} I really like it so far and just finished the birthing chapter and onto reading about possible medical interventions. Since we are planning natural childbirth, obviously our hope is to have no medical intervention, however, we understand that things to come up and want to be prepared for as much as we can and many possible outcomes. I think this book does a really great job at outlining all aspects whether you are planning a hospital or out of hospital birth. So far I would highly recommend it if you didn't receive it or something like it with your birth class.

Last night at our class, our instructor recommended a book that educated on immunizations. This is a pretty hot topic right now and it is very overwhelming. She said this book is really good at just explaining what each vaccination is and then we can make our own informed decision rather than be influenced by the mainstream, internet or a pediatrician.

Source

What books have you been reading lately? What are your thoughts on any of these books? For you moms out there, any thoughts on immunizations {I know it can be a touchy subject so no pressure to answer and I respect everyone's opinion on the matter.}?

Just Some Monday Mumblings...

This past weekend was Ben's birthday. We celebrated doing just what we like to do. Started the morning with a big breakfast, relaxed, Skyped with Ben's parents and he opened the gift from them which was a new camera {yay!}, watched college football, I made a dessert and then my parents came over for homemade fish and chips {sweet potato fries} and coleslaw. Overall it was a nice day at home and time spent with my hubs. Happy 27th Birthday, Ben!

Fryin' sweet potatoes

Isn't he cute?

Dessert

I found this dessert recipe on Pinterest and when I saw it and read the recipe it sounded like a really good idea. However, after eating it, it may not have been a good idea. It was really good. Just really, really heavy and rich. But, by all means, give it a whirl if you are brave. And have a really strong heart!

I feel like the fall and winter months put me much more in the mood for cooking hot or more involved dinners. What else is there to do when it is just rainy and dreary out?!

Source

This is the Pioneer Woman's Cajun Chicken Pasta. She made it last weekend on her show. I am still a little undecided on her show. I want to like it because I love her blog, her cookbook and the starting of her love story that I have read. However, I am feeling like her show is just a little forced. Her family is super cute and I love their ranch but it all just kind of looks too staged. Hopefully she finds her comfort zone on TV and gets into a groove. Big props to her for even trying though. No way I could just jump on TV like that and put myself out there for everyone to see!

I finally finished the Hunger Games trilogy. I really liked it and they were all a quick, easy read. Very entertaining and good for some light reading.

I am sad that Big Brother is over, as I always am at the end of summer but I am excited for new seasons of shows to start.

Source

Ben and I love this show. It is funny, entertaining and it gives us both a good laugh every Wednesday.

Source

We actually started watching this show just because it was on before Modern Family but then started liking it as well.

Source

I admit, Ben doesn't watch this show with me. However, I love it and it makes me wish I had more brothers and sisters.

Source

I have watched this show since the beginning. It has become a little embarrassing because the show has gotten quite out of hand and is pretty unrealistic at times. However, it is still entertaining. This is the last season so obviously I have to tune in to see what becomes of all these bored housewives.

Pretty random post but that's what's goin' down around here. Read any good books lately? What are your favorite shows in the fall lineup? How many desserts do you get sucked into on Pinterest?

Recent Reads

I have been reading quite a bit lately. It has been really nice. I love summer for that reason because the nice weather coaxes me out into the yard with a book instead of making me want to get under a blanket and watch the boob tube. Why, you ask can I not get under a blanket and read too? I don't have that answer.

Before we left for vacation, I was reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.

Source

Don't get me wrong, I really love this book and it has taught me a lot, however I thought for vacation I could use something carefree, trendy, quick, lighthearted, etc. Something in those categories. So my awesome parents gifted me a Kindle for my birthday and the first book I got on it was The Help.

Source

I know, I am probably a little behind the bandwagon on this book but I read it and it was good. The writing was pretty simple so it made for a quick read but the content was also really riveting so it kept me interesting. I really liked how the maid's chapters of the book were written how they would talk and their perspective. I also thought it was interesting that the author had actual experience with having "help" when she was growing up. I thought it was a very interesting take on the division of labor during that time period. I would definitely recommend this book.

Moving onto the next "trendy" read was The Hunger Games. 

Source

When I told my friend that I was reading this book her reply was, "Isn't that book for teenagers?" Well, yes, technically, but sometimes it's fun to have a quick, easy, entertaining read. That is just what this book was. When people had described it to me I didn't really understand what it was about and it didn't really sound like something I would like. Boy, was I wrong. I don't want to give much away but it keeps you hooked from the beginning. I recommend this book as well. I recommended it to Hub and he now has his little paws on the Kindle so I will have to wait a bit before moving onto the second book of the trilogy.

That's okay with me thought because I am now back on Ina May and reading about all the wonders of natural childbirth. To some that may not sound so interesting but to me it's fascinating! 

What are your favorite summer reads so far? Any good recommendations based off these reads I've listed? 

Welcoming the Weekend

Gosh, I am so excited that it is Friday. For one, it is beautiful outside. Two, the Hub is coming home tonight from  his work trip and will be home for a couple days then gone again. I am excited to soak up some time with him for sure.

Last night my girlfriend and I were going to get some dinner and then go see Bridesmaids, however decided at the last minute that we didn't want to forgo the lovely weather so we went to a happy hour instead. The deck where we were wasn't quite as warm as it had been on my back patio. We ended up a little wind-burned instead of sun-burned! It was really great to just have some quality time together, just the two of us.

I am reading this right now:

Image

And so far I am loving it. Really different writing style but very interesting. It also helps that I have been reading in the sun. Love it.

I read this in just a couple days:

Image

I'm not really sure why I got it at the library but I just did. It was okay. She isn't a very good writer {I know, shocker right?} but I do enjoy watching her shows. I think she is witty and funny but her sarcasm and sense of humor doesn't really come through in her writing unless she calls her self out. 

Anyway, that's what I am about to do now, go read. In the sun. Yay. Tomorrow I think I will be going to get some flowers to beautify the yard finally. Hub and I will be hanging around the house until I go to a wedding and he goes to some friends' house. Sunday we will probably be lounging around the house before he leaves again.

Happy Weekend!

Making the Time for Reading

I have always loved to read. When I was younger I could always be found with a book in hand. I could read in the car, with TV on in the background, with music on, while people were talking...literally, anytime. I feel as I have gotten older, I have been reading less and I want that to change. It seems like I can always find an excuse not to read. Throughout college there were always college texts to be read and now there is laundry to be done, dishes to be scrubbed, dust to be wiped, a bathroom to be cleaned, groceries to be bought, dinner to make, that one show to watch and sleep to be had! I hate that I can always talk myself out of sitting down with a book.

The other problem with me and reading is that once I am engrossed in a book, that's it. I am into it so don't talk to me and don't expect me to do anything until I finish that book. It's addicting! Maybe I could just plan reading time everyday. That sounds so silly but I feel like for things that are important, it is okay to make sure I have time for them. After all, work is scheduled, appointments are scheduled, dates with friends, dates with Hub--why not schedule time to read?

I am reading:

and even though I heard from some that it was a little hard to get into at first, it really picks up and is a great book, I have seriously loved it from the start. Larsson's writing style took a little getting used to in the beginning but now it is quite a page-turner for me. 

So, on top of some of the goals I talked about before, I also intend to bring back my love of reading. I am also a firm believer that being a reader results in one being a better writer so hopefully that works for me too! I simply detest how as we get older so many things we used to have time for just fall by the wayside.

When do you find time to read? Do you feel guilty while you're reading thinking about others tasks? What are you reading right now?