Monday Movie Review

This is the End
This movie was full of ridiculously and over-the-top-ness, and I'm not quite sure it was a good thing. It felt similar to being around a group of friends, and they keep talking about their inside jokes. And since you aren't actually friends with them all you laugh, but don't find it nearly as amusing as those in the inside circle.

There were a ton of cameos though, with the ones by Emma Watson, Rihanna, and Michael Cera being the most noticeable. Although for me the top cameo was the one at the very end featuring none other than the Backstreet Boys.

Yes, not really a surprise that this was my favorite, considering my obsession with them. But still, in my opinion their two minute cameo made the entire movie worth it, and one that I'd probably want to own if only so I can watch those few minutes over and over again.

Mailbox Monday (37)

I know you're surprised, but again my mailbox for full of books this week, so yet again, I'm linking up with Mailbox Monday. This link-up travels each month, and for June we're linking up at Dolce Bellezza.
For Review from TLC Books Tours
Together Tea by Marjan Kamali
I'm really excited for this one! It's about an Iranian American woman whose mother is looking for the perfect match for her. The Middle Eastern culture isn't one that I've read a ton about, but again I can't wait to experience it.

From Goodreads
Nearer Home by Joy Castro
I used to win goodreads giveaways ALL THE TIME, to the point where I thought it was normal and everyone else must also be winning once a month. Except about a year after regularly winning, I stopped and hadn't won one since December 2011. At least I hadn't until earlier this week when I won SIX in a single day. I actually thought goodreads was sending out congratulations e-mails in error at first. But turns out it actually happened. Not sure if I'll start winning them regularly again, or if it'll be several years till the next win, but either way I'm happy! As for this book, it's a mystery that take place in New Orleans, and living in Louisiana I always love reading books that take place here.

For Review from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
The Queen's Vow by C.W. Gortner
I've been wanting to read this since before it was even released, and can hardly believe I actually received a copy of it. I so so excited to finally jump into this one!

What did you find in your mailbox this week? And have you ever won a goodreads giveaway?

Project 365: Days 166 Through 172

We're officially into summer! Although it's definitely felt that way for a while now here in Louisiana. Either way, these are my last few photos from spring (and the first day of summer).
June 15, 2013 - 166/365: Our friends' two week old baby.
June 16, 2013 - 167/365: At the boy's baseball game.
June 17, 2013 - 168/365: Chicken soft tacos, compliments of the boy.
June 18, 2013 - 169/365: Playing Castles of Burgundy.
June 19, 2013 - 170/365: Sleepytime tea and a book before bed.
June 20, 2013 - 171/365: Red beans and rice for dinner.
June 21, 2013 - 172/365: Quiznos' chicken pesto flatbreads for lunch.

Is it just starting to feel like summer where you are? Or have you been feeling the heat for a while like us?

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

Family Fun - Vamp Style

Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
Published: May 4, 2010 by Ace
Series: Sookie Stackhouse #10
It's been almost 3 years since I last read a Sookie Stackhouse book. So going into this, I was a little hesitant that I'd be confused and have no idea what was happened. Except, I was surprised that a majority of the book came back to me. Although, I'm sure a lot of that was because so much happened in the last book that it was impossible to forget. There were still minor details and characters I couldn't quite place, but overall I didn't feel lost even after waiting so long.

There is a character introduced in the book that while maybe a little cliché, I loved. Granted I have a fondness for this character's period of history, but I thought it was a fun surprise. Maybe not completely necessary, but I appreciated it.

The book does start of a little slow, which in a way was good for me since it gave me a chance to get back into the world. Although, it did have me wondering if these books were as good as I remember. Thankfully the last few chapters are were the action is, and when I got close to the ending I didn't want to put it down.

I already have the next book in the series waiting to be read, so can't imagine I'll let years go by before getting to the next. And from that point, I'd have 2 left in the series, so hopefully instead of waiting 3 years to read the next, I can read the last 3 in the next year!

4.5/5

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

From Miss to Mrs: The One Who Found You

After finishing up our family photos the boy and I made our way to cocktail hour. On the way, we picked up our first and only post-dinner appetizer, a cup of gumbo which was handed out to each guest walking through the plantation house. The plan was for guests to walk through the house, pick up their gumbo, and mingle for drinks and appetizers in the courtyard. Except it was so hot, everyone went right indoors to reception area. It wasn't really a big deal, it just meant everyone was already seated, instead of being up and mingling, but most importantly, rescued from the heat.

Though it wasn't really used, this was the courtyard for cocktail hour.
You can see the reception inside, and even a sneak peak of our cake.The plan was for us to go right into our first dance to start the reception. So while it wasn't officially the start time listed on the schedule, the boy and I entered the room and went straight to the dance floor.
Two days before the wedding the boy tried to teach me to two step. No, we didn't get a lot of practice, but as I wrote in that recap, I don't think I would have been able to look coordinated even with months and months of formal classes.
Supposedly a friend of mine saw the two of us start do dance saying, "Aww how cute. She tried to teach him how to dance." Two which another friend corrected, "No, he's actually the one who tried to teach her how to dance."
I spent must of the time laughing at myself, while the boy spent a good portion looking exasperated, probably wondering how he was able to dance so much better than the woman he was now married to.
Rather than fill in the rest of the pictures with random words, here at least are the lyrics to our first dance song, "Deed I Do" by Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie.
Do I want you? Oh my, do I?
Honey, 'deed I do
Do I need you? Oh my, do I?
Honey, 'deed I do
I'm glad that I'm the one who found you
That's why I'm always hangin' 'round you
Do I love you? Oh my, do I?
Honey, 'deed I do
I was oh, so blue till you came along
Just to make my life a wonderful song
You brought sunshine just to brighten my loneliness
Is it any wonder in my happiness? I confess

Do I want you? Oh my, do I?
Honey, 'deed I do
Do I need you? Oh my, do I?
Honey, 'deed I do

I'm glad that I'm the one who found you
That's why I'm always hangin' 'round you
Do I love you? Oh my, do I?
Honey, 'deed I do

There are lots of others that I have met
Those you meet today, tomorrow forget
You're the only one who ever could stand the test
That's the reason why, I choose you from the rest, you're the best
Do I want you? Oh my, do I?
Honey, 'deed I do
Do I need you? Oh my, do I?
Honey, 'deed I do
I'm glad that I'm the one who found you
That's why I'm always hangin' 'round you
Do I love you? Oh my, do I?
Honey, 'deed I doIf seeing photo evidence of my awkward dancing wasn't enough for you, it's your lucky day, since there's even video of our first dance!

Personal VideoDid you choreograph your first dance or even just attempt to, like the boy and I? Or instead, have you ever taking a ballroom dance class? And while you may not believe it, I actually have! I took a half semester class my senior year of college for fun, but clearly it didn't have a lasting impact on me.

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
From Miss to Mrs: The Yichud
From Miss to Mrs: Extended Fun with Family

WordPress Woes

I may not have my blog hosted on WordPress, but a lot of my blogging friends do, so I have my fair share of interaction on WordPress blogs. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to comment on their blogs lately. It feels like it's been months, but in all likelihood it's probably only been a few days. I type of my comment and hit submit, and it doesn't show up and no notification of what happened even appears. I started even copying my comment, except then I'd resubmit it, and this time I'd receive an error saying I'd already said that. I even started waiting a few days to see if it magically appeared after the fact, and still no luck.

I did post a shout out on twitter, hopping this was a common problem that everyone was happening or hoping someone had a solution. Tamar tweeted me back saying she was having similar issues, but I still had no solution.

I tried googling a solution, and still no luck. Then several days later, I tried a new search and this time landed on this post on Reflections in a Puddle. It seems someone she had been having similar issues and on her blog post asking for help was recommended to check out askismet.
Askismet is a spam filtering website, from the creators of WordPress and I'm assuming is the default way of filtering spam. It seems like I had been caught up in their spam filter. Maybe I comment too much? But I can't quite believe that. Although I'm sure re-posting the same comment over and over in an attempt to get it to show up, didn't help matters.

I've posted a comment to their support saying I thought I was having my comments cached, and within a few hours had an e-mail apology and was able to comment again. So if you have a WordPress blog, expect to see me around more! And if you happen to check your spam folder, I'd imagine you'll have quite a few duplicate comments from me.

Has anyone else dealt with commenting issues either on WordPress or a different site?

Project 365: Days 155 through 165

Jumping right into things, these are my daily photos from the past week or so.
June 4, 2013 - 155/365: Day Lilies in the backyard. I think these may be my favorite out of all the ones we have.
June 5, 2013 - 156/365: The Blueberry Bliss Luna Bar is definitely my new favorite. I love the blueberry jelly on the top, and there's dried blueberries inside. If you haven't tried this one yet, it's a must!
June 6, 2013 - 157/365: I would have much rather had the figs in focus instead of the leaf, but either way, our figs are getting bigger!
June 7, 2013 - 158/2013: Pineapple juice and a book before bed.
June 8, 2013 - 159/365: Lunch at McAllisters.
June 9, 2013 - 160/365: The boy made brownies.
June 10, 2013 - 161/365: Leftover pizza from BJ's Brewhouse.
June 11, 2013 - 162/365: The view in our backyard. The lemon tree is actually the closest on the left. The fig tree is the third on the left side. And the satsuma tree is on the right, right by the house.
June 12, 2013 - 163/365: The last brownie.
June 13, 2013 - 164/365: Growing satsumas.
June 14, 2013 - 165/365: Soup & salad at Whole Foods.

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