{Books of 2010}

It's a new year! 2010 really did seem to go by in the blink of an eye. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, maybe it's because I've been busier than ever before, and maybe it's because time goes faster when you watch your children grow up. After all, my baby is going to be two years old in less than four months!

In 2009 I started writing down all of the books I read over the course of the year. It was fun to look back and see everything I had read . . . and I made it a goal to read more. So last year I did the same thing. I regret that I didn't read any more books than I did in 2009, but I did discover a new favorite author and got lost in many exceptional storylines. It was a great year of reading!

So here's my list of 2010 books in the order that I read them. Perhaps you will b inspired to pick up one of them and go for an adventure!

1. You Have To Kiss A Lot Of Frogs by Laurie Graff

I must admit that this is not a book I'd recommend. The plot was not very rich . . . in fact, I had to plug my way through just to finish it. Basically, a Jewish actress recounts all her failed dates and relationships and her struggles to find "Mr. Right". There are some moments of hilarity, but overall it just isn't a story that is inspiring or thought-provoking. I suppose it would make a good beach read if you want something mindless and light. Now that I think about it, I don't even remember if she finds a husband, although I don't think she did. My verdict: Skip this one.

2. Get Out of That Pit by Beth Moore

Beth Moore is an amazing spiritual writer and teacher and I've learned more from her Bible Studies over the past couple of years than I have from all the years I spent at church, Sunday School, and church camps combined. This book focused on how to overcome pitfalls in our lives and how to live a life of positivity and happiness. It was a great read and really helped me look at myself in a different light so I can be a better person. I definitely recommend this one - and anything by Beth Moore!

3. Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip - Confessions of a Cynical Waiter by Steve Dublanica

As a former waitress (or "server" if you want to be p.c.), I know all about the frustrations and hardships of working in a restaurant. So this book was right up my alley. I LOVED it! The author became a waiter in a high-end Italian restaurant by chance and spent years there serving people from all walks of life. He describes all the secrets of the kitchen staff, managers, and servers - the good, the bad, and the disgusting. Not only was it a very entertaining read, it was also informative. If you ever wondered what is expected of you when you go to a restaurant (or what you can do to ensure the worst experience eating out), pick up this book and devour it! ;)

4. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Allow me to introduct to you my new favorite author: Francine Rivers! My sister-in-law lent me this book to read and gushed over it. Once I picked it up I did NOT want to put it down. It is set in the West during the Gold Rush and follows Angel, a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a girl. Then she meets Michael. Michael is a God-fearing man who wants to save Angel, but he soon realizes that that isn't going to be as easy as he hoped. The story is heartwrenching, gripping, and eye-opening. You can't read this book and not be changed by it afterwards. I love this book so much that I've given it to friends and family as gifts. If I could buy a copy for everyone I know, I would! RUN to your local bookstore and get this amazing work NOW!

5. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

Like all of Picoult's novels, this one described an unusual legal case. A family is divided over whether or not to sue the prenatal physician for not giving them the option to abort a baby who was born with Brittle Bone Disease. The twist in the story is that the physician is also the mother's best friend. A beautifully written story, many hot issues are touched on that make the reader question her (or his) own beliefs. And the ending will definitely surprise you! A good - although sad - read!

6. A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

I was so spellbound by Redeeming Love that I couldn't wait to read more by Francine Rivers. I chose this one next. It is the first in Rivers's Mark of the Lion series. Oh. My. Word. This book is so incredibly rich in history, scripture, and perfect storytelling! I learned an immense amount about what the world was like during the Roman Empire, just after Christ died. This period of time truly came alive for me. The main characher, Hadassah, is a Christian slave for a very prominent Roman family. She strives to introduce Christ to those she works for and loves, despite the fact that she could be sent to the arena (as in gladiators - yes, there are gladiators in this story, too!) as a result. It is a story of courage, conviction, and ultimate sacrifice that will leave you hungry for more. Thankfully, there are two more books that follow the characters.

7. Going Rogue by Sarah Palin

I don't read too many political books or autobiographies, but given the political climate of the past two years I couldn't pass by this one. After reading Palin's first book I am more convinced than ever that the media is totally self-serving and one-sided. The details Palin revealed about her experience running for Vice President alongside John McCain are eye-opening. I was shocked by how she and her family were treated, by the lies that were spread about them, and by how intelligent Palin is. She is an example of how hard, honest work can take you anywhere in life - even to the White House. I hope everyone, regardless of their political affiliation, gives this book - and Palin - a chance.

8. Little Bee by Chris Cleave

This fall I joined a book club. Our first book was Little Bee. I had never heard of this book before but apparantly it has been on many best sellers lists and is a common book club book. Set in both England and Africa, it is rich in history and cultural references. An English couple go to Africa for a vacation and find themselves caught up in a little-known African political war. Their involvement follows them home to England in the form of a girl named Little Bee. While this wasn't a favorite read of mine, it was fascinating in many ways. I think most people would enjoy the story and it is a fairly quick read, too.

9. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer

In 2009 I got sucked into (pun intended) the Twilight series. And like most Twilight fans, I was disappointed when I had finished the last book and had nothing left to look forward to with Edward and Bella. Thankfully, Stephanie Meyer wrote a novella that follows one of Victoria's newborn vampires she created to kill Edward. Readers get a look at a totally different type of vampire and see the final battle between Victoria and her army and the Cullen family in a completely new light. It's a fast read and will satisfy your thirst for more Edward and Bella.

10. The Ten Best Days of My Life by Adena Halpern

While at Tastefully Simple's National Conference last summer I attended a breakout session on self-motivation. The speaker emphasized the importance of reading inspirational books, and this is one that she spotlighted. The story follows a 20-something woman who has a seemingly unimportant life with little direction or purpose. When she is tragically killed, she enters Heaven and is amazed at how wonderful it it. But to stay there she must write an essay about the ten best days of her life. If it is good, she will stay at that level of Heaven. If not, she will go down to a less "perfect" level of Heaven. Yes, levels of Heaven is a rather ridiculous concept, but the self-discovery she attains by analyzing her life and the lessons she learns make the book a great read. And it really does leave the reader inspired to make the most of each day.

11. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Get ready to be transported to China during the 1800's. A wonderfully crafted story about two young girls from different social classes whose lives are brought together by old Chinese customs, this book gives the reader a very detailed look at what life was like in China during this time period. There are parts that are difficult to read - especially the foot-binding chapter - and parts that leave the reader feeling very proud of the female characters who made the best out of bad situations. I highly enjoyed this novel and recommend it if you want to read something from a different culture and time period.

12. The Help by Kathrn Stockett

Oh my, I LOVED this book! I've always been a HUGE lover of African American literature so this one was right up my alley. It is a story of black maids in the south and their relationships with the white families (mainly the women and children) they served. Set in the 1960's during the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, the novel is full of historical references and the voices of the women are extremely vivid. It is almost like you are peeking inside the windows of peoples' homes and witnessing life during that volatile time period. I can definitely understand why this book has been so widely popular and on so many best sellers lists. It's a knockout!

13. An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers

I ended the year with Rivers's second novel in the Mark of the Lion Triology. I didn't think it could be any better than the first, but I was wrong. I was yet again blown away by the way Rivers teaches about history and about Christianity by weaving the past and scripture into a beautiful story. I found myself thinking about the characters non-stop and had a hard time putting the book down at night. This is another book that will stay with me for a long, long time. Go out and get it and be prepared to be swept away!

And that's it! Thirteen novels. Not bad, but definitely not what I had hoped to read. I have a feeling that this year I'll be reading LOTS more books because my sweet hubby bought me a Kindle for Christmas! YAY! Now I can easily take my books with me wherever I go and I've already discovered that I read much faster on the Kindle than I do with regular books.

I'd LOVE to hear about some of your favorite books from the past year! What did you enjoy? I have a running list of books I want to read and am always adding to it, so please share!

Here's to a great, inspiring, and positive 2011!

{Christmas in the City}

New York City. There's something magical about that place, wouldn't you agree? My family is fortunate enough to live a little less than four hours away from the Big Apple, and we love to visit as often as possible. Sadly, it's been a loooong time since Cory and I have been there (I think two years). So a couple of months ago I asked Cory if he'd like to go to the city for a weekend in December - just us, no kids. Of course he agreed!

Last Friday afternoon we said goodbye to the kids - THANKS MOM for taking them for the weekend!!! - dropped the dogs off at my dad's house - THANKS DAD for taking the pups!!! - and headed north. It was a bit strange to have hours of driving time with no kids yapping or fighting or crying in the back, but we managed to survive the silence. ;) We stopped for dinner in Harrisburg and then drove up to New Jersey where we stayed overnight. The only drawback to going to NYC during the holidays is the price of hotels - we could only afford to stay in Manhattan one night for the price of three to four nights during the rest of the year - OUCH!

On Saturday morning we drove the remaining 40 minutes into the city. The sight of the skyline is always breathtaking. It's just amazing that man can construct a city of this magnitude!

We had a great view of Lady Liberty's backside. I have never visited Ellis Island because I'm afraid of getting sick on the ferry, so I have to be content with views like this one.

We quickly approached the Holland Tunnel. This is the time I really start to get excited - almost there!

We easily found the Hilton - a beautiful hotel, by the way - checked in, freshened up and headed outside. This was the first time we had been to NYC during Christmas and we soaked in all the gorgeous, larger-than-life decorations.

These huge nutcrackers were in front of the columns of a huge building - I think it may have been a bank but I'm not certain.

One of the many fountains had a super cool train puffing away in its center. Dixon would have loved this!

Radio City Music Hall had a gorgeous tree and all kinds of lights out front - the tree was very tall and I couldn't get the whole thing in the photo.

Another fountain had gigantic ornaments perched in the water. The color was so vivid and the details were amazing. Even the hooks looked real!

There were lots of "characters" on the streets: Winnie the Pooh, Dora, Cookie Monster, and Spongebob to name a few. When I saw Christmas Minnie I took a couple pictures of her and she asked if I wanted my picture taken with her. I foolishly said yes. Foolishly because after Cory snapped the photo she held out her Minnie stocking and expected payment. Grrr . . . we learned our lesson to not do that again!

Soon we came upon the one thing I wanted to see most - the Rockefellar Christmas Tree. I've watched the tree lighting ceremony for years and always follow the story of where the trees come from. The trees look so incredibly regal on television and I couldn't wait to see this year's tree in person.

Here it is!

Now for my honest truth: Cory and I were a bit disappointed. The tree was big and lovely, but I guess we were expecting . . . more. It looks much bigger on tv. Oh well.

Now for the shopping! You can't go to NYC and not SHOP! There were two places I knew I wanted to go (and neither was a place for me!). We hit American Girl Place first. This store was an absolute ZOO! The line just to get in to the store was almost a city block long. Thankfully, the line moved quickly. Once inside, it was shoulder-to-shoulder packed with people. Cory and I were SO thankful we didn't have kids with us because it would have been a nightmare trying to keep track of them in those crowds while trying to shop. But we definitely want to bring them there soon. They've been begging to go and were actually quite upset when the found out we were going to the cith without them. I'm hoping the AG story is less crowded during the summer!

We made it out of the store with gobs of goodies for both the girls' new dolls that their Me-Me and Pap are getting them for Christmas and for the dolls they already have. Yes, they are spoiled little girls! But how can we resist?

After taking our loot back to the hotel it was almost time for the main event - BROADWAY!!! I was able to get tickets to a show that I have heard SO much about - Promises Promises! I really didn't think I'd be able to get tickets because the show has gotten so much positive press adn I was sure it would be sold out. But I got them!

The show starred Sean Hayes (from Will and Grace fame), Kristen Chenoweth (think Pushing Daisies, Glee, and a number of other awesome shows), and Molly Shannon (Saturday Night Live, baby!) as well as several other well-know actors from film and tv. These folks did NOT disappoint! We were laughing our pants off, crying, and pinching ourselves over the fact that we were really seeing this spectacular performance. Sean Hayes must be an ad-lib pro because he had Kristen Chenoweth in stitches at least four times to the point that she had to collect herself to go on. Hilarious is not a strong enough word to describe those moments! If you ever get a chance to see Promises Promises, GO!!! It ranks up there as one of the top three Broadway shows I've ever seen.

After the show was over we wandered around the city trying to find a good place to eat. I know that sounds weird because NYC is studded with amazing restaurants, but most of the great ones had long waiting lists and the others just didn't appeal to us for one reason or another. We went back to our hotel and asked the concierge for recommendations. She got us a reservation at a French-American restaurant called Cognac.

Our appetizer - a goat cheese, tomato and thyme tart - was fantastic! My meal of beef bourguignon was very tasty as well, but Cory found his steak meal a bit lacking in pizazz. We switched plates halfway through and I thought the steak had great flavor, but the cut wasn't the best. The service was just okay as well. So overall it was a restaurant that was mediocre and we probably wouldn't go back - especially knowing how many top-notch restaurants we have yet to explore!

After dinner we headed back out into the cold air to enjoy the lights at night. Times Square was packed and full of energy. The New Year's Eve countdown ball was up and ready to go in a few weeks. There is so much to take in in the city at night!

Surprisingly, despite the freezing temperatures the Naked Cowboy was in Times Square doing his cowboy thing! I don't know how he can stay out there in his tighty-whities during the winter - brrr!!! I did get yelled at (well, me and dozens of others) by evangelists because by taking photos of the Naked Cowboy and paying attention to him I am "glorifying all that is evil and wicked". I can't really argue with that, but I also know that sometimes it's okay to just have some innocent fun. Rock on with your bad self, Cowboy!

The next morning Cory and I walked to our favorite Trattoria for breakfast - Daniela's. This is the one restaurant that we - "we" meaning us, my mother, my sister, and my grandmother - eat at at least once every single time we visit New York. The food is fantastic and affordable and the staff is the best! I couldn't wait to get my oatmeal. Seriously, I have dreams about this oatmeal. It requires no milk or brown sugar becuase it is so creamy and sweet already. And it's loaded with strawberries and bananas. YUM! Cory had an omelette stuffed with feta cheese, mushrooms and olives and he loved every bite of it. If you go to the city, you MUST visit Daniela's!

We had a few hours before we had to check out of our hotel so we walked the streets and did some more shopping. We had already hit Toys R Us the night before so we wanted to go to some grown-up shops. Did I mention our kids are spoiled?

Cory wanted to check out Sketchers. We almost always come home from the city with new Sketchers, so this was no surprise. We got a pair for Cory, Sasha, Clara and Dixon - everyone but me. Check out Dixon's first pair of Sketchers (the one in front) - they light up when he walks!

Before we left home we asked my mother and sister if they wanted any Crumbs cupcakes. I first heard of Crumbs in a magazine where they were featured as a hot new item. When my mother and sister went to the city they found one of the bakeries and the rest is history. We've been enjoying Crumbs cupcakes ever since! Cory and I came home with a dozen cupcakes in a variety of delicious flavors, some for us and some for Mom and Becky.

We continued to walk around Bryant Park and visited all the little shops set up around the park. One of them was called Bald Man Chocolate. They gave us samples and we were sold! My dad was the beneficiary - hope he's enjoying his chocolates! One of the cool things they had was chocolate syringes. They are real medical syringes filled with melted chocolate that you shoot into your mouth. Oh. My. Word.

It was cool to see the ice skaters at the park skating beside another huge Christmas Tree.

One of the shops had all kinds of vibrant, gorgous clothes, pillows, blankets, jewelry and more, all made in India. I picked up something for Sasha here. Check out the colors!

I asked a nice man to take a picture of Cory and I in front of the Bryant Park tree. I'm not looking so hot - did I mention it was COLD? - but this is the only picture we have of the two of us together from the weekend.

There were lots of other cool little shops around the park, including a puppet shop that was amazing. Cory was ready to plop down some green for mermaid and princess puppets for the girls but he resisted.

We finally headed back to the Hilton to check out. We found one more neat decoration - a huge strand of lights. You just don't see stuff like this in small-town America!

We had a fantastic weekend together. It went by WAY too quickly. We didn't get to do everything we wanted to do, like check out the window displays on Fifth Avenue, but we just didn't have enough time. Hopefully we can do it again next year and take in another great show. Christmas in the city is amazing!

Until next time, New York!

{DSD 2010!}

It's officially DSD 2010! What is that, you ask? Digital Scrapbooking Day! If you are one of my fellow digi scrappers you know all about this "holiday" and are itching to shop the great sales and scrap all weekend. If you are scratching your head and wondering what on earth I'm talking about, keep reading . . . and then explore ScrapMatters to get started on your digi scrap adventure! :)

This year ScrapMatters is having an AWESOME DSD weekend full of sales, special events (speed scraps, chats, and games), and even a mega Design Team Collab kit that you can get for free! Check it out:

Want to see the kit in more detail?

Isn't it gorgeous??? The rich colors and detailed elements (plus check out all those alphas!) are perfect for all your fall layouts and for those everyday moments that are so important to document. You should see the stunning layouts and projects that are being created with this loaded kit already - they are just fantastic! The best part is that you can have this entire kit for FREE with any $20 purchase at ScrapMatters during the DSD celebration!

So to kick off this fun weekend of scrapping I'm participating in the ScrapMatters blog train - you can pick up LOADS of goodies by hopping from blog to blog! You likely arrived here from Becky's BLOG. I'm giving you a pre-shadowed frame cluster using "Many Thanks". I hope you like it and can use it to preserve some memories!

Image is linked to the download.

The next stop on the train is Lori's BLOG and I know she has something great for you!

Make sure to stop by ScrapMatters and stock up on all the high-quality, original designs there while they are on sale! Happy DSD everyone!

{Surprise!}

Yes, I'm really blogging! It's been almost two months since I've blogged, and my last few posts haven't even been about my family. The reason for my slacking? Well . . . I've simply been focusing on other things. Lame explanation, I know, but it's the truth.

Anyway, I'm not even going to attempt to recap all the news of the past few months. That would take way too long! So I'm going to start with the here and now and just move forward.

September is always an exciting month for my family - not just because it's the start of school and a new season, but because it's Sasha's birthday month! The countdown begins on the 1st of the month and the excitement builds as the days tick by. So I asked Sasha if she wanted to do anything special for her big day and she immediately said yes. She wanted to get her ears pierced.

Now, I must preface this story with some background. Earlier this summer Sasha decided she wanted to get her ears pierced, so her Nana, Daddy and I took her to Claire's to get it done. We were so excited! I kind of wanted her to be a bit older, but she seemed ready and I gave in. Anyway, she was nervous and I had to keep reassuring her she would be ok. Nana even got a second ear piercing first so Sasha could see it was no big deal. Long story short, we ended up leaving with her ears bare. She totally flipped out and left in tears.

So when Sasha requested getting her ears pierced for her birthday, I was hesitant. She insisted she was ready this time and it was just about all she talked about for the days leading up to our trip back to the mall.

Well . . . once we were in the store and I had filled out all the paperwork Sasha once again let fear consume her. So little Clara (who just turned five) hopped up on the chair and got hers pierced.

Check out her sparkly blue flowers!

We asked her if it hurt and she replied, "Just a little bit." She didn't flinch, cry, or complain one single bit. What a brave girl. I was able to eventualy talk Sasha into sitting on my lap to get hers done. The ears were swabbed with alcohol, the dots were made with a pen, and her hair was clipped back. And that's as far as she got. I think she turned every head in the store with her screams and cries, and she thrashed her way out of my arms onto the floor. The poor girl is simply terrified of anything that might cause the slightest bit of pain.

What was supposed to be Sasha's special birthday treat turned out to be Sasha's special torture and Clara's surprise gift. Go figure.

On her actual birthday - which was Thursday - I took cupcakes to her school during lunch. Clara and Dixon and I stayed with her for her lunch time and I could tell she was in her glory. I soaked it up because I know it won't be long before my presence in her school will be a source of embarrassment. ;)

She decided she wanted to go to Cluggy's and Red Lobster that evening, so that's what we did.

All three kids got sweaty, dirty and exhausted - and they all slept really well that night!

Today we held her birthday party here at our house. Her past two birthday parties have been major events - a farm party for her 5th and a wedding party for her 6th - so this year she had a simple pizza party. She and her friends painted pumpkins and pummeled a pinata, but the rest of the time was spent playing in the backyard, eating pizza, and just having fun.

How I became the mom of a seven-year-old is beyond me. I'm only 25! :)

Happy Birthday, Sasha Rose! I look forward to another year of ups and downs with you - you sure do know how to keep us on our toes!

{Birthday Blog Train!}

What a celebration! This weekend the fabulous digital scrapbooking store, Scrap Matters, turns 3! I fell in love with this store shortly after it debuted, and it continues to be my favorite digi site on the web. The community is so incredibly positive and upbeat and the gallery inpires me every time I visit. Plus, the designers . . . my goodness, do the designers ROCK!



So in honor of three amazing years of bringing the world creativity and inspiration, Scrap Matters is having a birthday bash all weekend long. See my previous post for the details! Today the designers and creative team members are giving away freebies made with Cupcakes & Candles, the huge birthday collab kit that you can get FREE with a $20 purchase during the birthday celebration! You probably came here from Val's blog. If you have missed any part of the train up to this point, you can head to Scrap Matters to get the entire blog train list.



Before I give you my freebie I will share one of my favorite birthday memories. Every girl looks forward to her Sweet 16, right? It's the big year when something magical is supposed to happen to turn a girl into a young woman . . . maybe it's the right to get a driver's license, or date, or just be considered more grown up. Anyway, 16 is supposes to be big and important and is worthy of a huge celebration. Well, my 16th birthday just happened to fall on Easter Sunday. No big party for me! All my friends were obviously with their families for the weekend and I had no one but family to "party" with.



It turns out that I have a pretty amazing family. We used to go to a family cabin in the mountains every Easter and Thanksgiving and spend the day there eating, playing games, going on hikes, and watching for wild turkey and deer. This Easter was no different. We packed the trucks and headed up the bumpy dirt road to the cabin. When we arrived, my aunt and uncle had been there for a few hours already to get the woodstove going and heat the cabin for the rest of us. I walked inside and . . . TA-DA!!! There were streamers and balloons throughout the cabin and a sign that had a Happy 16th Birthday message on it for me! Everyone in the family was in on my surprise and it made me feel so special and important. My birthday turned out great - perhaps even better than had I spent it with friends.



And wouldn't you know it, my next "big" birthday - my 21st - also fell on Easter weekend? That's a whole other story . . .



OK, now for the portion of this post you are all here for! Here is my gift to you today: a frame cluster perfect for any birthday photo OR any celebration photo you may have! Think about New Year's Eve, graduation, and other events where you celebrated with others.




You can grab the cluster HERE. I hope you enjoy it!



Your next stop on the blog train is the fabulous Stefanie's blog. Enjoy picking up the rest of the freebies, and don't forget to celebrate with everyone at Scrap Matters all weekend long!

{Birthday Sale!}

Make sure you head over to Scrap Matters starting tomorrow - FRIDAY, AUGUST 6th - for amazing sales, fun games, and great prizes! It's going to be a birthday bash not to be missed!

{FREEBIE!!!}

To all my digi scrapping friends out there, I'm giving away a template on Sarah Bennett's CT blog today. Here is the template:

It really is a 12x12 template - I used a white background that you obviously can't see - whoops!

Anyway, check it out and get the download link HERE I included an example layout using the template there as well. Hope you enjoy it and USE it!!!