MMRR in May

It's hard to believe but we're about to be entering June! Summer may not be officially here, but it sure feels like it in Southern Louisiana. As I've been doing the past few months, it's my monthly recap post inspired by Lisa's original version.

Meals
I had a lot of pretty delicious food this month. (See mushroom risotto with truffle oil, chicken parmesan, sesame noodles,...) But my favorite had to be my meal at The Pelican House at our book club meeting. I actually started with a glass pear cider. I almost never drink beer or cider, but since it was a pub-type place felt that type of drink only made sense. I definitely made a good choice, because I really enjoyed it.
And then had the basil chicken sandwich I blogged about before.
This was so delicious, as were the bites of food I tried of my friends. There were a ton of things I'd want to order from their menu, and can't to be back to try more of them!

Moments
The boy and I went to the last regular season home game for LSU baseball together. While the regular season is over, post season starts today with LSU playing Jackson State in their regional tonight.
The boy also bought me my new Cannon Rebel! These two photos were taken with my new camera, from the same point of view, but changing the flower in focus, just to give you an idea of what my camera can do.
Reviews
This month I reviewed 5 books and 4 movies
Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag by Jennifer Gilbert
The Ward by Jordana Frankel
Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashers
The Keeper of Secrets by Julie Thomas
Iron Man 3
The Great Gatsby
Star Trek Into Darkness
Fast & Furious 6
As for a favorite, call it biased all you want, but I'm going to have to say The Ward.

Remembering
Four years ago, in 2009, I wrote about cooking Marriage Meatloaf for the boy. It's a recipe from Glamour that's supposed to make your current boyfriend propose, and while it may not have worked immeadiatly, we are married now, so I guess I'm a success story!
What are your meals, moments, reviews, and remembering from this past May?

A Song for the Ages

The Keeper of Secrets by Julie Thomas
Upon finishing this book I wasn't sure know how else to describe it except that it's almost beautiful. In a way, it's kind of like a painting, in that even though I've seen (or in this case read) it once, I can't help but look back on it and smile.

The book includes three main story lines. The first is Daniel Horowitz, a fourteen-year-old violin prodigy, who isn't quite ready to devote his life to music. The second part, tells the tale of Daniel's grandfather Simon Horowitz, and the horrors he lived through in Nazi Germany. The third is that of Sergei Valentino, a boy raised by his aunt and grandparents in Stalin's Soviet State. In the last concluding section, all three tales come to one together for the grand finale.

If there's any complaint with this, it's that I wanted more. Part of that is because I read the entire thing in a day or two since I couldn't put it down. Maybe if I savored it a little more, I would have felt more fulfilled by it. Instead looking back I wanted more details. I think because each of the subplots could have stood on their own, the fact that they're only a third of a book means in a way we missed out.

As for the musical subplot, I'm not really a classical music person, but still really appreciated the musical details within. And I loved all the historical chapters, but still really enjoyed those set in modern day. With everything together, I really loved this book and can't wait till I can read it again.

4.5/5

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

Ballin'

Yesterday, I posted about the LSU baseball game, and today I'm back posting about baseball. Although a slightly less exciting game depending on who you ask.
As promised in my Project 365 post, I'm posting about the boy's baseball game. He decided to play in a men's league this year, so each Sunday I'm out supporting him. (He's the catcher in these photos.)
Of course my version of support means I'm out at the games reading a book or a magazine while he's playing. But the fact that I'm there means the most, right?
Do you play in any sports leagues?

The boy keeps telling me I should join a soccer league this fall, which is the sport I played in college, but we'll see what happens there.

And It's One, Two, Three Strikes

Last month, I blogged about the boy's and my first trip of the season to Alex Box Stadium to watch LSU baseball. Well, this past weekend we were back again!
While it was our 2nd game of the season it was actually LSU's final home game of the season (against Ole Miss). Unfortunately, we got there just as the finished honoring the seniors before the game. But were able to see the two senior stars, Mason Katz and Raph Rhymes, be welcomed off the field after playing in their final regular season home game. (I'd say final home game, except for the fact we're hosting a regional playoff this next weekend. And assuming we win that will be hosting a super regional as well.)
Also the night before they renamed the field, to Skip Bertman Field at Alex Box Stadium. While again, we weren't there for that ceremony, the new name was definitely made known.
They already had the new name up on the scoreboard and over the press box.
For those who don't know (aka me, before I moved to Louisiana) Skip Bertman is the former baseball coach who lead the Tigers to their first 5 National Championships, and also the former athletic direction. While not the best view, they even added his signature to the field as well.
Funny enough as we were leaving the game we even saw Skip Bertman himself, standing outside Skip Bertman Field.
The weather was ridiculously hot though, in the high 90s. We were both drenched in sweat and sunburned what felt like immediately, but still had a good time.
Part of me wanted to try another meat pie like the last time, but I couldn't quite do it. Instead the boy and I each had a snowball. And while I realize you can't quite see the flavors since each were white, mine was half wedding cake and half pina colada.
We left about halfway through the game, not quite able to stand anymore heat, but first grabbed one final picture with a Mike the Tiger statue.
LSU did wind up losing this game, but considering they've since won the SEC tournament, are ranked number 4 in the country, and are heading into post season play it really doesn't matter. So hopefully they close out the amazing season with a trip and a win at the college world series in Omaha. Geaux Tigers!

Have you been to any baseball games yet this year? And do you call them snow cones or snow balls?

I always called them snow cones in California, but since living here I've slowly adapted to using snow balls, at least most of the time. Sometimes the California in me still slips out!

Monday Movie Review

Fast & Furious 6
I never saw the first 3 movies, nor did I really have any desire to. Which is why it's a little surprising how much I've come to enjoy these movies. I wouldn't list them as my favorites, but they're a lot of fun. And I think it says something that this is the movie I chose to see this weekend instead of Hangover 3.

I'm not sure I really have a complaint about this. So of the stunts may have seen a little unrealistic, and there was about 5 million endings, but it worked. Plus there was a cute baby cameo, which I think always adds to a movie.

I haven't seen Hangover 3, at least not yet, so I may not have the best opinion over which to see. But I can say that if you decide on this, I don't see how you'd be disappointed.

Mailbox Monday (33)

Normally when I post my Mailbox Mondays it's a sign that the weekend is over, and we're heading back to work tomorrow. Except with tomorrow being Memorial Day, there's still another day left of fun! Either way, I'm still linking up with Mailbox Monday, hosted by For the Love of Books in May, to share the recent books I've picked up.
From Paperback Swap
Natural History by Justina Robson
Two years ago when my mom was in the hospital she asked me to login to her paperback swap account. A book had been requested from her, and she asked me to send an e-mail on her behalf saying she was in the hospital and would mail the book once she was out. Except instead, after my mom's passing, I followed up and made sure the book sent on its way.

From there, I wasn't really sure what to do with my mom's account. I changed the e-mail so I received notifications, but never really responded to them, and her account was put on hold. At least until I received notification that this book on her wish list was available. I had never heard of this book before, but it's science fiction and seems like the type of book my mom would love. And one that I would enjoy as well. So decided to accept the wish and received my copy.

I'm still not quite sure what to do with my mom's account especially since there's still credits and money tied to it. I'm thinking of using the credits and money, and then at that point opening my own account? Or maybe just using the account indefinitely? But I guess that's something I'll figure out as time goes on.

Are you a member of paperback swap? And is this a book anyone else has heard of before?

Project 365: Days 137 Through 143

Another spin around the carousel of time, and we're back with another installment of my weekly project 365 photos.
May 17, 2013 - 137/365: I had a girl's night with some friends where we saw The Great Gatsby, and then stopped at BJ's Brewhouse house for dinner. I had the Angel Hair Toscana Pasta. We also split a red velvet pizzokie, and while I don't have a picture of that it was easily the high point of the meal.
May 18, 2013 - 138/365: The boy and I spent the afternoon at the LSU baseball game. More on this to come.
May 19, 2013 - 139/365: More baseball, this time it was the boy playing. He's the catcher in the photo above. Again, expect at least one baseball heavy post this week.
May 20, 2013 - 140/365: The boy made dinner of mushroom risotto (with truffle oil!) and roasted chicken. Both delicious, although the risotto with truffle oil was easily my favorite part.
May 21, 2013 - 141/365: Lunch at Starbucks: Lime refresher, spinach and feta wrap, and a lemon cake pop.
May 22, 2013 - 142/365: White flowers in our front yard. Anyone know what these are actually called though?
May 23, 2013 - 143/365: Snacking on truffle gouda and cheddar.

I think looking through these photos it's clear we have a mild truffle obsession. But really I think it's well deserved. How obsessed with truffles would you rate yourself?

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