Project 365: Days 327 Through 333

November 23, 2013 - 327/365: Our mantle pre-holiday decorations.
November 24, 2013 - 328/365: Hot chocolate with marshmallows.
November 25, 2013 - 329/365: Soup in out new Rachael Ray bowls.
November 26, 2013 - 330/365: Prepping for Thanksgiving. (A preview of a recipe to come!)
November 27, 2013 - 331/365: The first night of Hanukkah
November 28, 2013 - 332/365: The table set for Thanksgiving.
November 29, 2013 - 333/365: The best part of Thanksgiving leftovers, fresh whipped cream for my coffee. (Plus pie for breakfast!)

I hope you and yours had a happy Thanksgiving (or even better a happy Thanksgivukkah)! I promise even more holiday fun to come in the next few days.

I'm linking this post up with Random-osity & Kleinworth & Co. for Project 52!

Follow Friday

For the first time ever, I'm participating in Alison Can Read's and Parajunkee's Follow Friday. This is a weekly link-up where book bloggers gather to discover new blogs and find new friends. Each week there's a question to answer and this week's question is, What’s your favorite Thanksgiving Day food? If you’re not American or Canadian, what is your favorite holiday food?

For me, there's so many dishes I love, with mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie near the top of the list. But my all time favorite is stuffing.
This year actually, in another first, I made the oyster stuffing I grew I eating that my mother, grandmother, and even I believe great-grandmother have all made. It was actually on my list of 101 in 1001, and I'm happy to report it was just as delicious as I remember.

A full Thanksgiving recap to come in the next week, but till then, What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish? And if you're here from Follow Friday, be sure to say hi!

One Choice Will Define You

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Published: October 22, 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books
Series: Divergent #3
Talk about a book that gets people riled up! I'm going to try to remain as spoiler free as possible, but given the nature of this book, and how everything ends, it's not the easiest thing to do.

First for me, the best aspects of these books is the world building. This time the focus is no longer the factions, but the world outside. I do think Roth definitely transports us into these places, but still, I'd rather be back in a world with factions!

This book is different from the first two in that it's isn't told just from Tris' point of view, but from both Tris and Four. I really liked the idea of this, but felt it just didn't work. I wish there was a bigger sign, the font used maybe, to make it clear who we were with. I think it would have worked if each was at a completely different location, but since they were going through the exact same situations, it was really hard to follow who was actually narrating at any given time.

While I didn't have any big spoilers going into this, I did know that something crazy happened at the end. And for that reason, felt like I speed through the book because I HAD TO KNOW. Reading so quickly I didn't really feel like I got lost in the book. Part of me wants to go back and really savor each book of the series, but I'm not so sure I want to relive the ending.

And yes, I'm finally getting to the ending. I completely get why everyone hated it so much. And while I didn't like it, I think it at least fit, and was the only logical outcome. Yes, it's awful, but I kind of understand it.

I'm still not so sure on my thought about this book specifically, but can say I loved the series. I would say Divergent is my favorite with Insurgant as a close second. I can't wait to see how the manage to turn these books into a movie, and am awfully curious to see what Veronica Roth manages to come up with next.

4/5

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a copy of Mission One of Auggie the Alien!

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

From Miss to Mrs: The Last Lunch

A few days after our wedding, while members of my family were still in town I drove down to New Orleans for one last meal with everyone before they flew back. While this post may not be a wedding recap in the truest sense, it is one that follows chronologically. It was always a delicious lunch that I'd hate to not post about, so finally, it's happening!
I met everyone for lunch at Revolution, which is one of John Folse's newest restaurants. (Or at least it was when we were there over a year ago.) Just to give you a feel for the type of restaurant it was, instead of a normal salt shaker on each table there was tray a various colored salts to choose from.
Along with that variety, there were several different breads to choose. The ones below are only the ones I picked, but there were probably 2 or 3 other options.
We split a few appetizers among the table include a tomato salad,
and black truffle beef tartare.
Not too surprising, but I went with a pasta dish for my main course.
Although by far, the highlight of the meal was the dessert, white chocolate bread pudding creme brulee.
It wound up being a delicious meal and a perfect way spend one final meal with family.

All photos in this post are personal photos.
Miss a Recap Post?
From Miss to Mrs: The Calm Before the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: There's a Hurricane Coming?
From Miss to Mrs: Here Comes Isaac
From Miss to Mrs: Weathering the Cane
From Miss to Mrs: After the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: Trials and Tribulations
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Errands
From Miss to Mrs: A Night on the Town
From Miss to Mrs: The Hangover
From Miss to Mrs: Rehearsing in the Heat
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Supper
From Miss to Mrs: Gifting the Girls
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Night
From Miss to Mrs: Oh What a Beautiful Morning
From Miss to Mrs: Getting Prettified
From Miss to Mrs: Prepping the Plantation
From Miss to Mrs: Turtle Time
From Miss to Mrs: The Photographer Has Arrived
From Miss to Mrs: Becoming the Bride
From Miss to Mrs: Dress Details
From Miss to Mrs: Ou Est le Groom?
From Miss to Mrs: A Bridge-y First Look
From Miss to Mrs: Couple Time
From Miss to Mrs: Just the Two of Us
From Miss to Mrs: Grouping the Girls
From Miss to Mrs: Ain't No Party Like a Bridal Party
From Miss to Mrs: Fun with Family
From Miss to Mrs: Making it Official
From Miss to Mrs: The Bedeken
From Miss to Mrs: The Final Minutes
From Miss to Mrs: Programming Break
From Miss to Mrs: The Processional
From Miss to Mrs: Walking the Walk
From Miss to Mrs: Circle to Ceremony
From Miss to Mrs: Remembrance to Kiddush
From Miss to Mrs: The Exchanges
From Miss to Mrs: Lucky Number Seven
From Miss to Mrs: Mazel Tov
From Miss to Mrs: Ceremony Details
From Miss to Mrs: The Yichud
From Miss to Mrs: Extended Fun with Family
From Miss to Mrs: The One Who Found You
From Miss to Mrs: You Are My Fire
From Miss to Mrs: Eat, Drink, and Be Married
From Miss to Mrs: I Want Candy
From Miss to Mrs: Let's Get Toasty
From Miss to Mrs: What a Wonderful World
From Miss to Mrs: Behind From Where We Came
From Miss to Mrs: Havah Nagilah
From Miss to Mrs: Hey Mr. DJ
From Miss to Mrs: The Littlest Guests
From Miss to Mrs: Show Me the Money
From Miss to Mrs: Tossing Fun
From Miss to Mrs: Don't Stop Believin'
From Miss to Mrs: The Morning After

Tales of a 4th Grade Alien {Giveaway}

Mission One of Auggie the Alien by Leah Spiegel and Megan Summers
Published: June 6, 2013 by Createspace
Augustov Litlickie is a young alien sent on a secret mission to earth. He's supposed to learn if earth is worthy of his species to inhabit with humans since their planet is dying. His mission is to fit in among humans for graders with goals of achieving the sleep over, the social outing, and the birthday party.

You can't help but fall in love with Auggie and this entire book. It's full of high jinks since while he studied humans, he hasn't quite grasped sarcasm or tact. So while Auggie always thinks he's doing what people ask, it's a little off. For instance he cheers his classmates for missing a basket in a game of basketball because he's told that he needs to be a good sport and cheer for both teams.

I think if I was a kid I would think this book was hilarious, and constantly be laughing out loud. Even know as an adult I found myself amused, but couldn't believe how unprepared Auggie was for his mission, especially since his mother was human. (And yes, he is the product of an alien abduction.) But I think you could agree as to how much of a say his mother had in his upbringing. Or more likely, that I'm analyzing this children's book far to much.

I loved my time with Auggie, and felt almost proud of him by the end of the book. I'm only hoping there's a second mission published because I'd be more than happy to travel along.

4.5/5

If you think this book is one you'd enjoy, or would want to give as a holiday present, then today is your lucky day, because I'm giving away a copy! U.S. and Canada readers may choose a print copy or an electronic copy. International winners will receive an electronic copy. Please enter using the rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I was provided this book through Virtual Author Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Project 365: Days 320 Through 326

I have no idea how this became the week of bug photos. Alas, I hope you survive and I promise to be a little less bug-y next week.
November 16, 2013 - 320/365: Egg, bacon, and a busciut for breakfast.
November 17, 2013 - 321/365: Last year I was obsessed with gingerbread oreos. This year, I think they outdid them with peppermint oreos. So delicious, but my goal is to limit myself to a single box over the season.
November 18, 2013 - 322/365: I was feeling slightly under the weather this day, but luckily my throat drops where there to give me a little inspiration.
November 19, 2013 - 323/365: Here come the bugs! A spider outside our back door.
November 20, 2013 - 324/365: Once again, lunch at Whole Foods.
November 21, 2013 - 325/365: Lentil soup for dinner.
November 22, 2013 - 326/365: A month on our peach tree.

What are your thoughts on flavored oreos? Do you have a favorite version?

I'm linking this post up with Random-osity & Kleinworth & Co. for Project 52!

Quit Playing Games With My Head

Head Games by Erika Rummel
Published: April 30, 2013 by Guernica Editions
I'm a little unsure how to describe this, but I think the closest genre is New Adult. It's about a somewhat naive young women who travels to Argentina to discover who her birth father is. Along the way she's involved in love triangle, and also winds up kidnapped as part of a payback scheme.

With so much happening in this book, I'm surprised at how much pages it took for things to pick up. I don't think I really got into the book or felt like I had figured out the plot until almost 2/3 of the way through.

I liked the idea that parts of the book were in Argentina. Except I wish I got a better picture of what it was like there. There were a few scenes where I felt Argentina came across, but overall I wished I had felt more transported there.

I still think this one has potential, but that it didn't quite work for me. Even now, I feel like this one played a game with my head, that I'm quite sure how I want to remember this one.

2.5/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book through Virtual Author Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

You Find the Truth in a Child's Eyes

For any long time visitors of the blog you probably know exactly what's coming. Especially when I tell you the Backstreets Boys released their newest music video for their newest single, "Show 'Em What You're Made Of." So of course, I'm sharing it here today, so you all have the privilege of watching.

For the teeny still inside you, the video does feature Brian and AJ without their shirts. Considering they're in their 30s and 40s they all look pretty awesome. I even happen to think Nick looks better right now than ever.
But on a more serious side, the song is about the message they want to send to their children. (Since yes, all except Nick are now fathers!) There's several inspirational lines, include my favorite:

"You gotta stand for something
Even if you stand alone,
Don't be afraid
It's gonna be alright"

While I don't have children yet, I still can imagine a lot of these ideas are things I want to pass on to them. The idea that the sky is the limit, that they need to go out and show the world what they're made of.

What are some values that you want to pass on to your children?

Waiting on Wednesday (5)

I don't often participate in Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday, but every so often there's a new release coming that I can't help but get excited about. Clearly, this week is one of those times.

Daughters of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
Expected Publication: December 3, 2013 by Berkley Trade
Series: Cleopatra's Daughter #3
Synopsis via Goodreads:Based on the true story of Cleopatra’s daughter…

After years of abuse as the emperor’s captive in Rome, Cleopatra Selene has found a safe harbor. No longer the pitiful orphaned daughter of the despised Egyptian Whore, the twenty year old is now the most powerful queen in the empire, ruling over the kingdom of Mauretania—an exotic land of enchanting possibility where she intends to revive her dynasty.

With her husband, King Juba II and the magic of Isis that is her birthright, Selene brings prosperity and peace to a kingdom thirsty for both. But when Augustus Caesar jealously demands that Selene’s children be given over to him to be fostered in Rome, she’s drawn back into the web of imperial plots and intrigues that she vowed to leave behind.

Determined and resourceful, Selene must shield her loved ones from the emperor’s wrath, all while vying with ruthless rivals like King Herod. Can she find a way to overcome the threat to her marriage, her kingdom, her family, and her faith? Or will she be the last of her line?

I loved the first two books of the series, and can't wait to see how it continues! I would imagine this is the last of the series, but hopefully I'm wrong. Either way, I definitely want to be savoring this once it's finally available.

Are they any books you're waiting on that you can't wait to see published?

From Miss to Mrs: The Morning After

Almost 3 weeks ago, I posted the end of our wedding reception. Since I haven't mentioned the wedding since you may have thought I was finished blogging about it. But surprise, surprise, I have a few final recaps posts to come. If part of you is saying, it's been over a year, time to move on, I understand and promise to soon. But first...
The morning after our wedding, after I night the boy & I spent at the Crowne Plaza, we all joined together at my now SIL's house for a morning after brunch. We expected to be one of the last one's there, but be it a mix of adrenaline and the excitement of our first morning as a married couple, we actually arrived before most of the guests.
But eventually friends and family arrived for a breakfast, leftover wedding cake, and present opening.
I'm opening my ice cream maker in the photo above, which of course I've yet to use. But I've been thinking of peppermint ice cream for the holidays could be a lot of fun, so hopefully I'm able to make that happen.
The boy even got in on the present action, opening one of his favorites, his mandoline, which he has actually made use of.
Before the wedding, I wasn't too sure about the idea of a morning after brunch. But I'm definitely glad it happened because it gave everyone a chance to be together one last time in a low key atmosphere before saying good-bye.

What are your thoughts on having a morning after brunch for weddings?

All photos in this post are personal photos.
Miss a Recap Post?
From Miss to Mrs: The Calm Before the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: There's a Hurricane Coming?
From Miss to Mrs: Here Comes Isaac
From Miss to Mrs: Weathering the Cane
From Miss to Mrs: After the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: Trials and Tribulations
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Errands
From Miss to Mrs: A Night on the Town
From Miss to Mrs: The Hangover
From Miss to Mrs: Rehearsing in the Heat
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Supper
From Miss to Mrs: Gifting the Girls
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Night
From Miss to Mrs: Oh What a Beautiful Morning
From Miss to Mrs: Getting Prettified
From Miss to Mrs: Prepping the Plantation
From Miss to Mrs: Turtle Time
From Miss to Mrs: The Photographer Has Arrived
From Miss to Mrs: Becoming the Bride
From Miss to Mrs: Dress Details
From Miss to Mrs: Ou Est le Groom?
From Miss to Mrs: A Bridge-y First Look
From Miss to Mrs: Couple Time
From Miss to Mrs: Just the Two of Us
From Miss to Mrs: Grouping the Girls
From Miss to Mrs: Ain't No Party Like a Bridal Party
From Miss to Mrs: Fun with Family
From Miss to Mrs: Making it Official
From Miss to Mrs: The Bedeken
From Miss to Mrs: The Final Minutes
From Miss to Mrs: Programming Break
From Miss to Mrs: The Processional
From Miss to Mrs: Walking the Walk
From Miss to Mrs: Circle to Ceremony
From Miss to Mrs: Remembrance to Kiddush
From Miss to Mrs: The Exchanges
From Miss to Mrs: Lucky Number Seven
From Miss to Mrs: Mazel Tov
From Miss to Mrs: Ceremony Details
From Miss to Mrs: The Yichud
From Miss to Mrs: Extended Fun with Family
From Miss to Mrs: The One Who Found You
From Miss to Mrs: You Are My Fire
From Miss to Mrs: Eat, Drink, and Be Married
From Miss to Mrs: I Want Candy
From Miss to Mrs: Let's Get Toasty
From Miss to Mrs: What a Wonderful World
From Miss to Mrs: Behind From Where We Came
From Miss to Mrs: Havah Nagilah
From Miss to Mrs: Hey Mr. DJ
From Miss to Mrs: The Littlest Guests
From Miss to Mrs: Show Me the Money
From Miss to Mrs: Tossing Fun
From Miss to Mrs: Don't Stop Believin'

Do You Know What Time It Is?

About Time
When I told the boy I wanted to see this movie, his response was that we had already seen it. And while yes, there were a lot of similarities to The Time Traveler's Wife, made even more apparent by Rachael McAdams being in both, they aren't quite the same. But if you had to compare them, About Time is the one I'd rather see, and knowing how I feel about the book, is what I wish that had been able to achieve with the other.

They keep marketing this as a movie made by Love Actually, which is both one of mine and the boy's favorites. And while it is nowhere near as good, it does feel similar. It has those moments where the two of us couldn't help but laugh together, and also those where I fond myself in tears.

We both wound up enjoying this more than expected. I can't quite get the boy to say he enjoyed it, but he did at least admit it was better than "the other version." It doesn't seem to be doing to well in theaters, so I'd say if you have any desire to see this in theaters, make a point to do so while you still have the chance.

Mailbox Monday (55)

Mailbox Monday is a place for bloggers to gather to share the books they've picked up each week. It's currently tours to a new host each month, and for November we're linking up at I Totally Paused!.
From Paperback Swap
The Founding by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
I'm really excited for this book, but also a little apprehensive. It's the first in the Morland series, which currently spans 35 books, so I know I have a lot of reading ahead of me. It's a multi-general story, that starts in the 1400s in this book and goes through the 1930s in the most recent.

From Goodreads
The Heart of Everything That Is by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin
This is a biography of Red Cloud, the only American Indian to defeat the US Army in war. Until this book arrived, he's someone I'd never heard of, but I'm excited to learn more.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

Project 365: Days 313 Through 319

I almost hate to jinx myself, but with only a month and a half left, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be completely my project 365 on my first attempt ever. Of course, still need about 40 more photos, but I'm awfully close. Till then, here are my daily photos from this past week.
November 9, 2013 - 313/365: Saturday we went to our niece's first ever swim meet. Here she is jumping in for her free stlye, before this she swam backstroke too. But even though she only swam two events, we were there several hours. I've never swam in a swim meet myself, bu do remembering going to one or two of my friends' back in high school.
November 10, 2013 - 314/365: The boy made red beans and rice for dinner. Which in my opinion, pairs pretty perfectly with a glass of wine!
November 11, 2013 - 315/365: My first red cup of the season.
November 12, 2013 - 316/365: Holiday catalogs in the mail. Although since when do snapfish and shutterfly actually mail out catalogs?
November 13, 2013 - 317/365: After living in our house almost 4 years, we finally took down the previous owners curtains and hung a set of our room. Of course every other room still needs curtains, but at least it's a start!
November 14, 2013 - 318/365: About two weeks ago Trader Joes finally opened in Baton Rouge! It was a little too crowded when we went to really stock up on stuck, but I did manage a box of these cranberry granola bars.
November 19, 2013 - 319/365: Sweet Italian sausage tortellini.

Have you ever swam in, or even just been to, a swim meet?

I'm linking this post up with Random-osity & Kleinworth & Co. for Project 52!

November Blog Love

Last month I participated in Dara's monthly giveaway, and one of the prizes I offered was adspace on my blog. So I'm excited to announce the winner, Shana of Organized Chaos who you may have noticed in my sidebar. Shana is a mother of two who currently lives in South Africa, and I'm excited to share some of my favorite posts of hers from the past month!
Organized Chaos
30 Days of Gratitude: Loving South Africa

"Today, I am grateful for my South African life.
1. I love the social atmosphere in South Africa. It is a difficult thing to describe, because yes, we are social in America too. But here....it’s just different."

Conquering PPD: Step 1 Finding the Shift

"I was discussing with a friend recently about depression and I’d realized that I hadn’t wrote anything about my....my....I don’t like the word battle because I don’t feel I’m battling. I mean, of course, I struggle and of course I attempt to overcome it, yet I just feel battle is too strong...to violent of a word."

Conquering PPD: Step 2 Recognizing the Changes

"Step two came as I realized when it started to change....I started recognizing why. What changed that caused the shift?

Maybe....so that you can understand where this is all going....after I started figuring out what changed....I then asked myself why those changes affected me so tremendously."

If you want to look into sponsoring From L.A. to LA, be sure to check out my sponsor page.

What are your favorite posts from around the blogosphere this past month?