beach reads

We're headed to the beach next month, and I need to start planning my books. (Last year's reads recap.) I finished "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" last month. Can I say I was disappointed? It was a STRUGGLE to get through and then all the business shit at the end after the mystery was wrapped up, really bored the hell out of me. I think I'll pack "Girl Who Played with Fire", but it may not get read.

On the "maybe" list"
Girl Who Played with Fire
Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes
Freedom A Novel
Book Thief
South of Broad (One I started last year in SC, and have failed to pick back up)

I need some good girly book recommendations I started "Remember Me?" at the pool last weekend, and I think it will be a quick read. Any others I should add to the list? I also have a Maui honeymoon to book plan for, so the more the merrier!

2010 in list form

BOOKS I READ
Art of Racing in the Rain
Catching Fire **Favorite of the year!
Chasing Harry Winston
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (honestly...I've really only read half but that should count as a book in itself!)
The Help
Hunger Games
Little Bee
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
My Fair Lazy
Peace Like a River
Unaccustomed Earth

BOOKS I QUIT
South of Broad **I hope to pick this up again sometime soon. It just wasn't the right book for the time.
Year of Magical Thinking
Olive Kitteridge

TRIPS WE TOOK
South Carolina (February, June, August, November, December)
Santa Fe (1,2)

SUCCESSES
-I can cook! We didn't starve! (recipes, menus)
-Watched all 6 seasons of Lost. I guess I haven't discussed that on the ol' blog...we finished 2 weeks ago and I still don't know what to think about the finale. We are feeling a void now that it's over.
-Buying a house!

FAILURES
Lima Bean Wreath
Pioneer Woman's Meatloaf

IMPORTANT DATES FROM 2010
February 22 - the date we closed on our house
December 25 - first Christmas spent with Preston's family

Looking forward to 2011! Hope you have a safe and happy new year!

Christmas - round 1

This year we spent Christmas in South Carolina with Preston's family. This was our second white Christmas in a row! I love the snow.

If we had sent a Christmas card, this would've been what it looked like :)

My mom sent us with our Christmas eve pajamas to open.

And Preston spent all morning, playing with and trying on all his gifts.

Preston's family all got Oklahoma shirts.

It was my first year to not spend Christmas day with my family, and I really felt 100% included and was so glad we spent time with his parents and sister. This was the first trip that everyone stayed up late talking every night. We had a great time and are looking forward to Preston's parents visiting for his surgery in a few weeks.

Tonight we have Christmas with my family. I could get used to this two Christmases thing!

Thanksgiving recap...better late than never!

Here I am two weeks later, just getting all the pics uploaded. Typical holiday season :)

We spent Thanksgiving in New Mexico with my parents, my sister and her boyfriend, my grandparents, aunt and cousin. We had a great time. Ate a ton of food...drank too many margs on some days and had a nice relaxing trip. Santa Fe is a beautiful little town and we stayed close enough to the plaza area that everyone was able to do whatever they wanted with a short walk or drive. The art isn't always mine and Preston's scene but it was interesting to spend some time looking at the local jewelry and galleries. I had a great time exploring all the history and architecture in the town. The churches are breathtaking. And the food...OH the food, you can't beat New Mexican food. The local green chillies in everything are mouth watering good. I've had dreams about the green chili cheeseburger we had on the way home...LIFE CHANGING!

This was Preston's first time west of Oklahoma, besides Vegas but you don't to take in much of the desert scenery on the strip. I think he was in awe how beautiful the mountains are in New Mexico. It's always special being with someone who's witnessing something different for the first time. I'm glad he was able to experience something he hasn't ever experienced before. Santa Fe is a special place.

On to the good stuff! There were 4 of us and the dogs in the truck. It was a tight fit but the dogs did great. Good thing they love each other!

(our feeble attempt at an appropriate card picture doesn't really work if the guys have a "no shaving on vacation rule")







I think some of us could've stayed a while longer, but Tuck was ready to get home.

back to the grind

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend! I was lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving in Santa Fe, NM. My parents and grandparents love Santa Fe, and frequently drive over for long weekends. This time, they were kind enough to bring the kiddos (and grand-dogs) along.

We embarked on the 8 hour trek on Tuesday, and Preston flew out on Thursday. It was a tight fit..good thing we love each other.

We were so lucky to have a great house, beautiful weather, and amazing company! More pictures to come..

I must say though, I'm kind of relieved to get back to a routine? The extra day off I took to re-coop made me feel lazy!

hungry for more

I've been a bad book lover ever since we got back from the beach. I haven't finished one book. I really tried to finish "South of Broad" and hope to someday, but it really is a long vacation book. It was hard to read a chapter or two before bed. I'll pick it up again sometime.

For our trip to South Carolina, I packed "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. I'm sure I'm the last blogger on the block to read "The Hunger Games" (as I am for most other things :)), but let me tell ya, it was so good.

I read every chance I got while we were there.It was an easy read, moderate in length, but the story really kept you on the edge of your seat. It's kind of Harry Potter meets 1984..but still appropriate for young adults.

I'm really excited to read the other two in the series - "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay". But I'm going to hold out until the paperbacks are released, because I'm a book snob like that. Since I currently have the young adult, fantasy bug, and the movie is getting ready to be released, I think I'm going to read "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" next!

the latest - traveling down south

Preston and I got back late Sunday night from spending the weekend in South Carolina with his family. We definitely are spoiled while we were there; you would've thought Sunday lunch was a holiday with the ham and fixin's his mom put together. While we were there, we went to the lake so the boys could do some fishing, a little bit of shopping, LOTS of eating, went to the Clemson game, saw some of P's friends from Charleston, and relaxed..A LOT. It was a shock of cold; Oklahoma's not quite to the 40s and 50s, but we had a great time! (And I love any excuse to wear a sweater or my uggs :) !)





We'll be back to South Carolina again in December and hope to drive the dogs out there sometime next spring. Side note: So glad ONE team we root for won this weekend. I just wish it would've been mine :(

why aren't all weekends 4 days long?

We had a great time in Dallas this weekend! But I'm so glad I took today off to get back to normal. The house was dirty, kitchen cabinets empty, and my body flat worn out.

This week's meals:
Sunday
Pizza. You really think I was going to cook?!

Monday
White Chile Casserole from Tasty Kitchen courtesy of Kate
We had this for dinner tonight. YUMMO. Easy. Tasty. Enough for leftovers. My kind of meal.

Tuesday
First Tuesday Girl's dinner for me. Leftovers for P. Can't lie, I'm kinda jealous.

Wednesday
Deconstructed Enchiladas from Tasty Kitchen
I'm not sure how I'm going to sneak two Mexican-ish meals in this week. I hadn't planned on the theme, but the white chili casserole is more like enchiladas and less like chili. I may swap this one out...

Thursday
Pork chops, squash - Preston's night

Friday
Can I get away with two nights of leftovers? Here's hoping

Saturday
French onion soup for lunch
Chili for the next 3 days :)

Besides cleaning and napping today, I made hummus and some cinnamon bread. I also finally started the C25K program. If you follow me on twitter, I've thrown around the idea for awhile. Heat was always the biggest deterrent, and I knew the week before OU/TX wasn't going to work. So today was the day. I took the dogs, but I'm not sure I'll ever do that again. They do ok on the leash, but two (overweight) dogs...and squirrels...and interval running...I'm surprised they lasted. Hell, I'm surprised I lasted! I'm proud of myself for actually finishing the entire work out. I hope I can stick to the whole 8 weeks! Stay tuned..

I just took my cinnamon bread out of the oven. Fail on the bread. But the cinnamon, sugar dough tastes yummy :) Just keepin' it real.