The Mapmaker's Children & Other Reading

I'm just stopping in to catch you up on my reading challenge for this year. I haven't got as much done as I'd like, but I'm getting there! 

The Mermaid Chair - I read this after The Secret Life of Bees, I loved it so much I was excited to read something else by the author. It wasn't as good as The Secret Life of Bees, but I would still recommend it. 

The Tricksters Choice/The Trickster's Queen - I love Fantasy books, and Tamora Pierce was always one of my favorite authors in middleschool/highschool. These were both great! They were very easy reads. . . since they're technically Young Adult books. 

The Mapmaker's Children* - I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect mix of history and modern day. Sometimes I can't follow along very well when authors switch back and forth, but this book seemed effortless. Set in New Charleston, WV it follows an Underground Railroad mapmaker, and a modern day wife struggling with infertility whose lives coincide through a house that was part of the URR. Some of the story was based on truth, and she brought a lot of interest into it with her own imaginings. I will say it didn't end the way I wanted to, but it was still happy! I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.  

Bossypants - I got 2 free audiobook downloads a couple weeks back, and thought well I'll pick 2 for my Reading Challenge. I don't normally like talk radio, and so many of them were like 20 hours long! I was a little nervous about finding one I liked. This was read by the author Tina Fey, which I think really made the book for me! She is so hilarious, and hearing her read the jokes made it even better! Now I just need to figure out another audiobook! 

Chronicles of Avonlea - I've read this before, and it's just a small collected of short stories by L.M. Montgomery the author of Anne of Green Gables. 

Nobody's Cuter Than You - I loved this book, and cannot say enough great things about it! Go get it, I'll just leave it at that!

There are a few more I've read, but I'll probably review them later! 

*This book was received from Blogging for Books in exchange for a review

Read More

How to Get Dressed

This is an interesting book to review, I don't have any strong opinions about it. Since it was informational I did think it went a bit slow sometimes, but the author did manage to make it a little interesting, considering there were no amazing photos. I was expecting a lot of photographed examples from a book about clothes, but o well. I felt like it was very practical, but I also thought I knew a lot of the information that was given. This women definitely knew what she is talking about though and gave so many awesome tips! There are some people I think that could definitely use this book! I am glad that I have it now for future reference, but I don't think I would have bought it myself. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who wasn't comfortable with style and wardrobe choices.



*I received "How to Get Dressed" from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for a review*

Read More

Grapevine Wreaths

One of my favorite things for a house is a good grapevine wreath! I feel like these beauties can be made to match any season, and you only need 1! I have had this grapevine wreath since we got married 2 1/2 years ago, and am constantly changing out the flowers for a new fresh look! Here are 4 of my favorites! 

1. Cotton Bolls - I love this one for late summer/ early fall!

2. Fall Berries - This one will last me from early Fall through Thanksgiving if I want. I put the berries through the entire wreath, but you could also just do a corner like I did with the other wreaths. 

3. Ombre Hydrangeas - This is always my favorite, it's so full, and you could do any color! I've also hung an initial in the middle for a personal touch. 

4. Roses - I did this one for Valentin'es Day this year, you can do as few or as many as you like! 

Do any of you have grapevine wreaths you use throughout the year? What type of decor/flowers do you put on them? 

Read More

Five on Friday

1. My sister-in-law graduated!! I am so proud of her and had such a great weekend down there, it was much more relaxing than I thought it would be. My mother-in-law has better pictures, but this one will have to do!

2. For her graduation we got her a book called "Adulting" and I loved it, I'm tempted to go out and buy one for myself. It had such practical advice, but with some sarcasm and down to earth attitude!

3. As a thank you to our youth workers we got them succulents, and my sweet husband let me pick one out as well! Hopefully I'll be able to keep it alive!

4. A few friends and I found out that Tuesdays at our theater are $6 economy tickets! Our movie theater is so expensive, it's $11 for a movie, which is ridiculous. Now I see a lot of Tuesday night showings in our future! We went to see Hot Pursuit. . . I was literally crying from laughter half the time!

5. It's Friday!!!

I'm linking up with Caitlin, Amy, and April!

Read More

Reading Challenge 2015 Update

Back here I wrote about the 2015 Reading Challenge I am doing. I will admit, I am a bit behind, but hopefully this summer I'll have a chance to catch up while I am not as busy! 

Here is my list so far: 

The 5 Money Personalities

Redeeming Love

Marley & Me

American Wife

Women of the Word

A Fifty-Year Silence

The Magicians

Little Women the Musical

Insatiable

The Secret Life of Bees

The Best Yes (in progress) 

The Spymistress (in progress) 

There are a few that I wouldn't recommend, and won't bother reviewing in detail since I am playing catch up those are: The 5 Money Personalities, American Wife, The Magicians. I felt like they were all too slow, or had over used premises. I also won't review Little Women the Musical, one of the challenges was a play, so since I was directing that show I read the script about 20 times! However, I don't think it will be going on your reading list anytime soon! 

Redeeming Love - I can't believe that I haven't read this before! This book was such a heart wrenching story, and a beautiful picture of sacrificial love. I definitely recommend it!

Marley & Me - Another one that is relatively old (I've been browsing the Goodwill racks for some of my 52 reads this year) and it was a tear-jerker! I love a good cry though!

Women of the Word - This was a very helpful and practical book. It did take me a pretty long time to get through considering how short it is, but I think that was because of her writing style. 

A Fifty-Year Silence - This was an interesting read. . . I wan't sure what to expect after reading some reviews of it. It was a very touching, and sincere story. It was very personal to the author, since it was about her grandparents. However, it didn't pull me in, and I can't say I would recommend it to many people. You may be interested in it if your grandparents went through a similar situation, or if you are very interested in history. But I know the story meant so much to her family so that made it a bit more endearing. 

Insatiable - This is one of the hundreds of vampire books that are currently out, I also picked it up at Goodwill. I knew it would be a quick, easy read, which I need for this challenge. It was better than I thought it would be! So if you're into vampires go and pick it up!

The Secret Life of Bees - I had heard plenty about this book because of the movie, and the popularity of the book. I couldn't put it down. This was a wonderful book that I would recommend to anybody!

Read More

Five on Friday!

1. Outside Walks - Some friends and I have decided to start walking together every Tuesday, this past Tuesday was the first time, and the weather was so perfect! I am so excited about being able to be outside more!

2. The Best Yes - I started this book last week, and haven't wanted to put it down. . . unfortunately I haven't had many chances to read so it's going a bit slower than I had hoped. But if you haven't read it, you need to! This book is such an encouragement and a rebuke at the same time! I'm already seeing it make a difference in the decisions I make. 

3. Bonfire - We just recently started a small group in our church, and it has been going so well. This past Sunday we had a bonfire, and it was so wonderful to hang out with all of our good friends!

4. Audra McDonald - Tonight a friend and I are going to see Audra in concert. And this song. . . there are no words. . . 

5. Friday - I can't think of another highlight for this week, but that fact that today is Friday is highlight enough!! 

I'm linking up with Caitlin, Amy, and April!

Read More

What's Up Wednesday

Well it's been quite a while since I've been on here! So what would be more appropriate than a link-up letting you know what has been going on?! 

What we're eating this week. . . 

Everything grilled! I am so glad to have the chance to eat outside every once in a while! I will be so glad when we can eat outside every night!

What I've been up to. . . 

I have been so busy the past few months! At the end of January I signed on to direct a local high school's spring musical! It was so much fun, we just finished mid-April and it was a great success! 

What I'm dreading. . . 

Working for 2 more days!!

What I'm working on. . . 

A blogging calendar that will keep me on track! 

What I'm excited about. . . 

A friend and I are going to see Audra McDonald perform on Friday night!

What I'm watching/reading. . . 

Well I'm still doing the reading challenge from earlier this year. I think next week I'll be doing a few posts reviewing the books I've done so far. Watching - I just started watching Parenthood last week, and am already in season 2 on Netflix, it is so beautiful, and heartwarming! I am also trying to catch up on the past 4 episodes of Grey's so I can watch the finale!

What I'm doing this weekend. . . 

The plan is to go kayaking with a few friends on Saturday (never been so I'm a little nervous!) I also think Aaron and I are going to try to see the Avengers at some point!

What I'm looking for to next month. . . 

I am so looking forward to consistently warm weather. Lately we've been anywhere between 40s and 70s.

I'm linking up with Sheaffer @ Pinterest Tole Me To for What's Up Wednesday!

Read More