Mailbox Monday (35)

Yes, I once again added to my to-read pile this week. But at least I feel like I'm reading books from it quicker than normal. Not necessarily quicker, than I add to it, but one step at a time. Anyways, I'm linking up with Mailbox Monday, which for the month of June is hosted by Dolce Bellezza.
Purchased
A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
This is for my monthly book club, and honestly I know nothing about it. But hopefully it's one I enjoy. And if you have heard of it, and know what it's about, feel free to give a shout out in the comments.

The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner
I'm actually on a blog tour for the sequel to this later this summer, and wanted to be sure I read this first. I read one of Gortner's books a few years ago and really enjoyed it, so I'm really looking forward to these!

Won in a Giveaway from The Literary Gothamite
This is a historical fiction about the life of author Edith Wharton. I'm always looking for new historical fiction, so can't wait to read this either. Plus it's always fun to read a book won in a giveaway.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

Project 365: Days 144 Through 154

I may not be the most consistent about bloging my Project 365 photos, but I am at least taking them! And that's really what matters, right? So, before I go another week without sharing, here's a week and a half of daily photos.
May 24, 2013 - 144/365: Pumpkin ravioli for dinner.
May 25, 2013 - 145/365: Truffle scrambled eggs with sausage crispies. (This was all the work of the boy.)
May 26, 2013 - 146/365: My reading materials and snacks for the boy's baseball game.
May 27, 2013 - 147/365: Gumbo for dinner. Again, a meal made by the boy.
May 28, 2013 - 148/365: I was a little hesitant about this since I'm not a huge carrot cake fan. Plus I don't really like raisins, which this had. But I was really quite surprised by it, and thought it tasted more like a spice cake. I wouldn't call it a favorite, but definitely a Luna Bar flavor I'd be willing to have again.
May 29, 2013 - 149/365: The boy babysat our niece this day, and the two of them picked me up for my lunch break. This is her on the drive bringing me back.
May 30, 2013 - 150/365: Lunch at Whole Foods
May 31, 2013 - 151/365: Apple Melon Martini at Portico's for book club.
June 1, 2013 - 152/365: Lunch at WhichWich.
June 2, 2013 - 153/365: For the first time in seemingly forever I made my blueberry pancakes.
June 3, 2013 - 154/365: Another fabulous meal from the boy. This was roast duck, fried potatoes, and swiss chard.

Since this post basically seems like an excuse to show off the boy's cooking, who cooks most of the meals in your home?

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

An Apple a Day

The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs
Normally when I read a romance novel I know exactly what I'm getting into. A predictable story about about a couple who is apart by some circumstance, yet there's always a happy ending. I wouldn't say this is a bad aspect, just the opposite. It's nice knowing you're in for a happy and fun ride.

Here the story is of Tessa, who is told that she has a long lost sister named Isabel, and grandfather of whom she had never heard. The male in question is Dominic, who works at the bank foreclosing on her new-found family's apple orchard. So yes, this had all those cute and predictable elements, yet there was so much more as well.

First throughout the book there's the recipes. While this isn't expected in a romance novel, it isn't that uncommon either. And it's always fulfilling reading about characters eat delicious goodies like lavender scones or baked hot chocolate and knowing that you have the ability to create it in your own kitchen. But while I really enjoyed the recipes, this wasn't my favorite part.

Instead, I loved the historical subplot that took place in Denmark during the Holocaust. The only story I've read of the resistance in Denmark till now was Number the Stars growing up, so I loved reading more on it. If you aren't well versed in this history, the people of Denmark were able to smuggle around 8,000 Jews to safety in Sweden almost overnight. In fact, almost 99% of Jewish population of Denmark survived the war. Imagine if the people of every country conquered by the Nazis put up such a fight?

Another item I've come to expect from romance novels is that a series is full of connected characters. Since this is the first book of a series, I can't wait to see the other characters highlighted. I imagine the next book will be one Isabel, and while she wasn't my favorite character, I can't wait to see what awaits her!

4.5/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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

Five

Almost two months ago now, Lauren tagged me to list 5 things about myself. I do my best to follow through when tagged, so even though it's a few months late, here are my 5 things.

1. I feel like I'm in the minority, but I still buy cds. Of course, looking at the ones I've bought recently (Nashville Soundtrack Season 1 Volume 2, Nashville Soundtrack Season 1 Volume 1, Smash Soundtrack) it clear what the trend is and how rarely I actually buy cds. Of course I can promise you I'll be buying an album this summer, when the Backstreet Boys release their new cd.
2. For the longest time I wanted to name my daughter Tacy. I thought it would be such a cute name for a little girl, plus I've been obsessed with the Betsy-Tacy books since middle school. I've since moved on from it, but there's still a little nostolgia for my almost-daughter Tacy.

3. I failed my driver's test the first time I took it. Of course it started hailing halfway through. It was raining so hard I couldn't see the lane lines, and while making a left turn was basically in the middle of two lanes. Thankfully though, the second time I took it, it was bright and sunny and I passed.

This is me not driving, with it not raining, but still inside my car.4. I was somewhat obsessed by Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies when I was little. I had 3 of her books (Faires of Summer, Trees, and Alphabet) and used to spend what felt like hours in my room just imagining what life was like in their world.

5. When we bought our house one my favorite parts of it was the yard. Of course now it's my least favorite yard because of all the work that goes into it to maintain it. It's so overgrown and a little depressing. I know if I spent time on it every day it would look a lot better, but still the fact that I spend what feels like hours on it almost every weekend and it's in the shape it's in... Well, it makes me want our next house to have a lot more concrete and a lot less plants.

I'm not going to tag anyone but if you want to join it, but feel free to join the fun and list 5 or even 1, thing about you in the comments.

From Miss to Mrs: The Yichud

After the boy and I walked down the aisle as husband and wife, we were ushered into the plantation's dinning room (the room we signed our ketubah and license earlier that day).
It was in this room where the two of us shared our yichad, while the rest of the bridal party and guests continued through the house towards the cocktail hour.
Yichud is a Hebrew word that literally means union, and historically it is when Jewish brides and grooms would consummate their union. Obviously that doesn't quite happen today, and instead it's more of a chance for the couple to connect for a few minutes, and maybe reflect on the fact they're now married.
Traditionally newlyweds break their fast at this point, at least assuming they fast for the day. While the boy and I did not keep the tradition of fasting, we did share our first meal as a married couple. We had plates of food waiting for us, full of all the food from the buffet. My stomach still wasn't in tip-top shape from the bachelorette party two nights before and general nerves, so I didn't each much. Except for the duck with praline sauce, which was delicious and I'd love to have now.
This is basically why I'd recommend all couples, Jewish or not, to have some type of yichud. It gave us a chance to talk, and it made sure we actually ate, something I've heard most people don't actually get to do at their wedding.

Personal PhotoThe one small hiccup with our yichud, was that we didn't have a defined time limit for it. I had asked our family to gather in the parlors across the hall so they'd be present for photos. (They had food as well, which you can see in the photo below.) But since we took so long eating and waiting for someone to come get us, but the time we were ready for photos half the group had left for the reception.

Personal PhotoAlthough, in full disclosure we did have one small interruption. At one point we thought someone was coming to get us when the doors opened. Except instead it was our almost-3-year-old nephew, the ring bearer. He came in, looked around at us, and quietly left the room. But not too long afterwards, we finally did join our families for photos.

Personal PhotoDid you have the chance to eat at your wedding? Or do you think having a yichud is something you'd want to do at your own wedding?

Unless otherwise noted all photos in this post courtesy of Sabree Hill Photography.
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

Monday Movie Review

After Earth
I'm still a little mixed over this one. There were parts I enjoyed, parts that made me cry even, but overall it was so slow. I think about halfway through I asked the boy what time it was, because I wanted to know how much longer we were stuck in the theater.

I do think one surprising note is that this is directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Surprising because you would have no idea based on the previews. I'm guessing people have gotten tired of his movies, so maybe they felt using his name would detract people from wanting to see it? But again, it doesn't really feel like a Shymalan movie, so maybe not advertising him being the director made sense.

Overall this isn't a bad movie, but it isn't necessarily one I'd want to see again. I think if you're a huge Will Smith fan maybe see it, but otherwise there's a ton of better options in theaters right now.

Mailbox Monday (34)

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for bloggers to share the books they've recently picked up. It was started by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday travels every month, and since we're starting June, we're linking up at Dolce Bellezza for the next few weeks.
From Paperback Swap
The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Laure Willig
Last week I wrote how I had started using my mom's account after her death. Then I shared a book off her wish list, this time it's a book I added. This was the first book I requested, and lucky for me a copy was available. (I've since learned that isn't always the case.) But I figured it was a perfect one for me to add, since my mom was the one who got me started on this series since she loved them. I've always planned on continuing it, but considering, I want to even more now.

What did you find in your mailbox this week? Or for whatever reason, have you started a series based on someone's recommendation and found that you were the only one still reading it?