Meeting Sebastian St. Cyr

What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris
Published: October 3, 2006 by NAL
First Published: November 1, 2005
Series: Sebastian St. Cyr #1
For a while now this book has been showing up in my goodreads recommendations. So when someone else suggested it for book club, not only had I already heard of it, but I was excited, if only because the internet told me I should be. Now that I've finished reading it, it's pretty easy to see why the algorithm recommended it for me.

This book is similar to a lot of the historical books I read, most specially the Pink Carnation series. Both of the series take place in England during the early 1800s. Both also include mysteries. But the big difference is that Pink Carnation has much more of a chick lit spin, while St. Cyr is a bit more gory.

While in some ways this did read a little slow for me, I think that's more to do with how little time I seem to have to read lately. Although one could argue that if it was good enough, I would have found a way to make time. Nonetheless, I always seemed to enjoy myself when reading.

There were moments when the politics involved got a little heavy. Considering that I feel a little more knowledgeable than most, makes me think others will likely have similar problems as well. But even so, I just wound up skimming over the lines that were a little involved, and still made sense of the overall story.

Overall it's definitely a book worth getting into. And while I may not be ready to list this as one of my favorites of the year, I'm still looking forward to continuing the series.

4/5

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

Project 365: Days 91 Through 98

Check it out... I have two Project 365 posts this week! At this rate you might actually see me catch up before the year is over.
April 1, 2015 - 91/365: Trying the Birthday Frappuccino at Starbucks. Technically this was after the special was over, but they were still able to make them. It was delicious, although I'm even more excited to try their new s'mores version!
April 2, 2015 - 92/365: Oreos for Dessert.
April 3, 2015 - 93/365: Out for book club, trying a Watermelon Mint Margarita at Velvet Cactus.
April 4, 2015 - 94/365: We still fit in the RockNPlay.
April 5, 2015 - 95/365: Mine and the Boy's Easter Basket.
April 6, 2015 - 96/365: Huevos Rancheros Sandwiches.
April 7, 2015 - 97/365: Buds on the Peach Tree.
April 8, 2015 - 98/365: Hanging in the Exersaucer. The was actually the first time she reached out and touched one of the buttons on her own.

Back at Alex Box

Each year I post about seeing LSU baseball at Alex Box Stadium. Last year I even suspected I was pregnant went we went, and confirmed it the following day. So it only makes sense that the first time Elley went to a game you'd see it on the blog.

All decked out in her purple and gold.The game was originally supposed to be 7, which would have been interesting with her 7:30 bedtime. Except they moved it up in hopes of avoiding the rain. 12 o'clock came and we were ready to leave the house, only it was raining. But we left with hope that maybe the rain wasn't across town at the stadium. Turns out it was raining there as well, and they had postponed the game to start at some point after it passed.
We did plan for this though, and instead went off to lunch. We went to Fat Cow Burger, where I finally got to have their Hundred Dollar Burger. It's a play on Hubert Keller's burger and has Fois gras, balsamic vinegar, Arugula, Parmesan cheese and Truffle Aiole on it, but it's only $15. It was definitely delicious, but even so, I think next time I'd go back to having their Napa Burger.

At that point the rain still hadn't stopped, so instead we decided to stay in town and get some shopping down. Well, we arrived at our destination and took Elley out of her car seat to find she had leaked out of her diaper, and her LSU onsie would be out of commission. A change of clothes later we were out of the car and on our way to kill a bit more time.

By the time we finished shopping and got back into the car, the rain had stopped and the game was back on, so it was back to the ball park. LSU is currently ranked number 1, and they were playing Texas A&M whose ranked number 2, so it was definitely a game to watch.
This was the third and final game of the series; a series where LSU had already won the first two. Basically meaning it didn't quite matter the score of the our game. Good thing too since LSU wound up loosing 6-2.
We made it till the 7th inning, when Elley told us she was ready to go. Although on the way out we did take one final photo with a Mike the Tiger statue. The first of many to come, I'm sure.
All in all, a successful outing, especially considering just how the day could have turned out.

Project 365: Days 83 Through 90

Yes, it's time again for your weekly fix of daily photos! This week's theme just happens to be sleeping babies, not intentionally done, but it's definitely what happened.
March 24, 2015 - 83/365: Sleeping Baby #1
March 25, 2015 - 84/365: Sleeping Baby #2
March 26, 2015 - 85/365: This time we actually have an awake baby.
March 27, 2015 - 86/365: Chewing on an Icosahedron.
March 28, 2015 - 87/365: Biscuits and Gravy for Breakfast.
March 29, 2015 - 88/365: Back to the sleeping babies with Sleeping Baby #3.
March 30, 2015 - 89/365: Sleeping Baby #4.
March 31, 2015 - 90/365: Pecan Praline & Cream Ice Cream. This was delicious. Except while I almost never buy Bluebell ice cream, this was Bluebell. Which means that even though I only ate half of it, I needed to throwit out when Bluebell recalled all their products due to listeria. So yes it was good, but not quite good enough to risk getting listeria.

Mailbox Monday (112)

Another weekend has come to an end, and what a weekend it was! More to come on this later this week, or at least whenever I manage to get the post up. But for now, I'm linking up with Mailbox Monday to share the books I've recently picked up.
Gifted
A Walk in Paris by Salvatore Rubbino
This was a gift from my dad. It's pretty fitting too since it's about a girl who walks around Paris seeing the sights with her grandfather. At this point I've really only glanced through it, but it does look quite adorable.

From My Mom
The English Roses by Madonna
This, like the next few books, were all ones that belonged to my mom that I'm now inheriting. For the first, I actually remember when my mom bought this one. I was in college at the time, so I definitely wasn't for me, but instead she bought it as a Madonna fan. I remember reading it then and thinking it was adorable, and continue to feel the same now.

Athenais by Lisa Hilton
My mom and I had similar reading tastes, and often she'd finish a book and lend it to me afterwards. This definitely seems like one that may have made it's my way eventually, even if my mom was still alive. It's about one of Louis VIV's mistresses, which means it take place in one of my favorite time periods.

Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd
This one is at least one I'm familiar with, although I don't remember my mom reading it. It's quite possible that she didn't though, since there's a handful of Waterstone's bookmarks in it. I've actually been wanting to read something by Rutherfurd for a while now, so hopefully it lives up to my expectations.

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
This one I remember my mom loving, although I don't remember this specific version of the book. I've been wanting to read this series for a while now and I'm excited that I can finally make it happen.

The Witch of Cologne by Tobsha Learner
The cover of this gives quite the impression, yet it doesn't look to be the best representative of its story. Instead it's about a Jewish midwife in the 1600s, which sounds like the type of book I'd really enjoy.

Wind, Sand, and Stars by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
I remember loving a movie of The Little Prince growing up, but I never actually read the book. Expanding that a little more, I've never read anything by Saint-Exupery before, so I knew this was one I wanted to add to my library.

The Discovery of King Arthur by Geoffery Ashe
Knowing my mom loved The Mists of Avalon it shouldn't be too much of a surprise to hear she was a big King Arthur fan in general. This book isn't fiction, and instead explores the history behind the legend and where it may have come from.

From Goodreads
A Lover's Vow by Brenda Jackson
Yet another giveaway win! But honestly as a romance novel, I can't say I'm expecting too much from it.

What did you find in your mailbox this week? And did or do you and your mom have similar taste in books?

Down by the Banks

On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Published: 1971 by Harper Trophy
First Published: 1937
Series: Little House #4
Rereading this one is definitely a different experience than the rest of the series. You can't quite see the one as being full of childhood games and innocence knowing what's to come. It's just hard reading how optimistic Pa is, and how grand everything will be after the wheat crop comes in, when you know what actually happens to it.

I did find it interesting that Nellie Oleson and the chapters about Laura and Mary in school were so few, especially since that's what I remember most from this book. I know there is still more of this in books to come, but really thought there was more here. Maybe because growing up I couldn't help but identify most with those scenes that were closest to my actual life, having friends or enemies, going to school, and throwing parties.

Out of all the books so far, reading this book as an adult has felt the most different, and in a way, the least enjoyable. I still found myself loving it, but it's almost bittersweet to read knowing everything that is going to happen before the next book even begins.

5/5

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

April Graze Time

You guys have seen me share Graze boxes for over a year now. There's definitely been some boxes better than others, and while they're not the most exciting of blog posts, I still have fun writing them to look back on. So even though it's been a few weeks since my last box arrived, I still wanted to share it, especially since it was an especially delicious one.
First up was Apple Cosmo with soft apple pieces, lime raisins, and cranberries.
This was actually my least favorite of the bunch. Not because it wasn't good, since it definitely was, but more that compared to the rest it wasn't very exciting.
From there, everything else was really awesome, starting with Herby Bread Basket. This was basil baguettes, garlic crostini, and oregano rice crackers.
All three of these were really delicious. I would have expected to have liked either the baguettes or crostinis the best, but actually the rice crackers were the winners.
I've actually had these Wholegrain Banana Caramel Dippers before, although it was in a box I didn't blog specifically about. This box is banana shortbread with caramel sauce.
I'm actually not a huge banana person, so I wouldn't have expected to enjoy these that much. Except the shortbread has the perfect hint of banana, and as you'd expect from caramel, it's a pretty awesome sauce.
Last up, were Chili & Honey Almonds.
These were the perfect mix of sweet and spicy and like all the rest of the snacks I easily could have kept eating them once the box was finished.
Definitely one of the better boxes I've had! Which gets me excited for my next box which should be arriving any day now.

If you want to try out graze you can sign up here to get your 1st and 5th box free! This post is not sponsored by Graze, however if you sign up using my referral link I'll receive $1 off my next box. All opinions expressed are my own.

Project 365: Days 75 Through 82

It's once again time for another installment of daily photos. And yes, I may be about a month behind here, but I figure I'll eventually catch up.
March 16, 2015 - 75/365: Homemade Pesto Risotto.
March 17, 2015 - 76/365: Happy St. Patrick's Day!
March 18, 2015 -77/365: Nighttime Pumping Session... with a mug of hot chocolate.
March 19, 2015 - 78/365: It's been a while since I've posted one of these, but... Lunch at Wholefoods.
March 20, 2015 - 79/365: First Time Sleeping with a Stuffed Animal. The sleeper she's wearing is actually one my mom made for me when I was a baby.
March 21, 2015 - 80/365: Trivia Crack Stats. Although at this point I don't play it nearly as often as I used to. I was far more obsessed with it back when I was still on maternity leave.
March 22, 2015 - 81/365: Hanging out at Daddy's Baseball Game.
March 23, 2015 - 82/365: Changing up our Bookshelf to Passover and Spring Books.

4 Months Update

Elley, you are 4 months old!

April 11Which means you're a third of a year old. You weigh 10 lbs 14 ozs (5th%ile), have a head circumference of 39.9 cms (25th%ile), and are 23.23" (16th%ile).

March 12You're pretty much wearing 6 month (sometimes called 3-6 month) clothing, although a few items that size are way too big and other are getting quite tight. Funny enough there's actually a newborn outfit or two you still fit into. We just moved you up to size 2 diapers and when you wear a bumgenius you have two rows unsnapped in the front.

March 14You're still an awesome sleeper. I can't remember the last time where you slept less than 10 hours. Even more remarkable your daddy set you down in your crib without rocking you to sleep one night and you just went to sleep on your own.
March 21You're still a great eater too. We're nursing everyday when you wake up and then go to sleep, plus more on the weekends. During the day when you're a daycare you have 4 4-ounce bottles and drink every last drop. Although considering how little you've put on in the past 2 months, and that you're down to the 5th%ile, your doctor thinks we should up the amount you're drinking each day. But since you have no problem drinking 16 ounces a day, I can't imagine you'll have any problems with a little more.

At Your Daddy's Baseball Game, March 22Speaking of daycare you seem to be doing really well there. You're the youngest baby there by far, and supposedly all the workers want to come by and hold you. All the babies seem curious about you too, and are always trying to get your attention.

Sleeping Through Your Uncle's Birthday Dinner, March 28You're smiling a ton now, but haven't quite figured out how to laugh. You're getting close, but instead it's more like a high pitched scream you let out while you're smiling.

First Time Facing Forward in Your Stroller, March 29You love being held in a standing position, and will get upset if you're not upright so you can see what's happening. You also love chewing on things, and anytime you get something in your hands it goes straight to your month.

April 5You rolled over from back to front, although only once for your dad. But ever since then I've been working towards swaddle-weaning and leaving one hand free at night. As I started out this post by saying, it hasn't impacted your sleeping and you're still down all night long.

April 5We've had such, such a great month with you, especially as you're starting to show a bit more of your personality. You really are such a chill baby and most times are more than content just to sit back and observe all that's going on around you.

Hanging With Your Cousin, April 7I can only just imagine how much more your personality is going to blossom and grow as your keep getting older!

1 Month ~ 2 Months~3 Months