what i'm reading (or not)

Confession: I started reading Pride & Prejudice, because I had never done so, and I made it a couple chapters into the book and I just can't get into it. I feel like I'm spitting in the face of classic literature because I just am having such a hard time staying engaged. I really want to like it, but am not sure if I'm willing to continue reading just for the sake of saying I read it.

Agh, I feel better...sort of. I still feel bad. I feel like I should just dive right into it and be engaged, interested and excited to read the next page. I tried, but I'm just not that interested. I've read many books that I can't wait until the next time I read, but I'm not finding that with this one. Oh well, guess I'm just not as into the classics as I thought.

So I back to square one, trying to figure out what to read next. I'm currently book-less, which is rare. I usually have more than one book I'm reading at a time, but now I find myself without a book of interest. I recently finished Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed by Glennon Melton. I loved this book! I found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasions. While many of the topics are related to difficult topics, the way she delivers them are just funny. She is the writer of the blog Momastery, which is primarily related to parenting, but regardless of your life stage, it's a great read.

Now this is where you come in-- I'm looking for my next read (or two) so any recommendations of books you've recently finished would be greatly appreciated. So please share!

Until next time...

winnie love

Winnie hasn't gotten much blog love recently so I figured since she is sportin' her new do...it's time. We've had terrible luck, mostly due to me, finding a groomer that actually knows how to groom a Goldendoodle. Many people like to cut them like poodles, which not to knock the poodles but she is not one. She is a shaggy doodle and I prefer when she looks that way. I finally broke down and took her to PetsMart, which I swore I'd never do, and they did the best job so far. She still has the poodle poof on top but at least she is still cute.

With the weather being so beautiful the past few days, we've been spending a lot of our time outside, hanging out on the balcony and enjoying all the windows being open. I love the smell of springtime! Although...allergies much?!? They seem to be worse than usual, but I'll take it as long as we can keep this weather.

Can you tell I love my doodle?!? Until next time...

on the new job and our weekend in milwaukee

Hello there--

Sorry I've been kind of lacking this week. I've been spending a good majority of time writing for work. Which reminds me...I may not have told you, but I got a job! Answered pray for sure! I am so thankful for it. I'm working at an adorable women's boutique here in northern Indiana called Flourish Boutique & Gallery. If you like clothes, then you should definitely check it out. I may be biased, but we carry some pretty cute stuff. I am working on the social media and marketing side of the shop and so far it has been lots of fun. It's a completely different environment and industry than I've ever worked in, but it's an exciting change. So I'm a double blogger now. I'll try to keep a better balance between the two, but if you want to check out the other blog, just click here. It will keep you all up to date with the goings-on in the fashion world.

In other news, we traveled to Milwaukee last weekend to visit some dear friends. They recently got an dog named Curly and so, obviously, we had to get the dogs together so they could meet. Here is a iPhone recap.

The weekend basically went like this: the dogs played and we watched them. We talked. The dogs played more. We ate really big cookies. We took the dogs for a walk. We ate some sushi. We did some shopping. We went to Bryants-- a really sweet old time cocktail lounge. Then the dogs played and we talked some more. It was a really great weekend. We always love going to Milwaukee, not just because it's a fun city and the houses are beautiful, but because the people there are pretty great, too.

I hope your week has been a good one. We'll catch up again soon. But until then, for your enjoyment, here is a picture of Winnie enjoying the spring air on the car ride.

Until next time..

my favorite pinterest recipes

Pinterest is such a great way to find new recipes. You really can spend all day just repinning pictures of delicious looking dishes. However, sometimes looks can be deceiving. I've made a couple of those dishes and to its always such a bummer when you prepare something and its an epic failure.

Today I wanted to share with you three of my favorite Pinterest recipes. It's ways better to try things after someone else has figured out if it actually tastes good. And instead of retyping all three recipes, you can just click on the name of the dish and it will take you right to the original recipe.

1. Grilled Bruschetta Chicken 

2. Baked Spinach Chips

3. Grilled Fish Tacos

First, the Grilled Bruschetta Chicken is delicious. It was delicious right off the girl and the leftovers were just as tasty. If you like bruschetta, than you definitely need to try this. It's also super easy and healthy, so there is no reason you shouldn't attempt it.

Secondly, I tried the baked spinach chips only because I had a bunch of left over baby spinach leaves from a recipe I had previously made. I wasn't real optimistic about the flavor because I'm not a huge fan of spinach, but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it actually tasted similar to chips. There is a slight flavor difference but if you are wanting a healthier option, these are a great choice. They were good enough that I ate them all. But make sure you have a mirror, so you don't have any green things hanging out of your teeth afterward.

Lastly, is by far my most favorite recipe from Pinterest. I don't really like fish. I rarely eat it and when I do the fishy taste has to pretty covered up; however, on occasion I can handle fish tacos. Since Jake likes fish a lot, I figured I'd be a good wife and make something with fish. As soon as we had these, we were addicted. The mango & avocado salsa is to die for! I've used both fresh tilapia and mahi mahi and each time it has turned out awesome. We make them at least ever couple weeks. The only down fall is that they have a lot of fresh ingredients that can get expensive, but they are so worth it. Oh, and they're healthy for you. You really can't go wrong.

So there you go. Those are my favorite pinned recipes. You can check out all the other recipes on my Pinterest page as well.

Tell me-- what are some of your favorites?

weekend update

Ask me what I did this weekend-- go ahead, ask.

Well, to answer your question, I did nothing. Nothing at all.

Other than working a few hours on Saturday, the past couple days have been full of a whole lot of nothing. The hubs has been most of the weekend on the couch coughing and sneezing himself silly. He's was sick and I was tired. We were a bucket full of fun. But it was so needed, not the sickness, but the rest.

Sometimes all that we need is rest. Rest from the week. Rest from work and stress. Rest from constantly moving and pushing ourselves to get it all done. And that is just what I got this weekend. It was really needed. Even though I have only been back working for a week, it really took it out of me. I think I've slept better this past week than in a really long time. So doing nothing was a blessing.

I hope you got a chance to find time for some rest this weekend.

Until next time...

Bread & Wine

 

If you've been around my corner of the blog world, you've probably noticed that I enjoy the occasional tasty dish and sharing it with good people. As a matter of fact, I've written about it a few times, like here and here. Cooking and good food are a big part of my story, so naturally when I found out that my favorite author was writing a book about life around the table, I was stoked. 

You've also probably heard me say that Shauna Niequist is my most favorite writer. I love pretty my much anything she writes, whether it's on her blog, an online article or a book. She has such a beautiful way of looking at life and the world and puts it into words better than anyone I've read. Plus, she just seems cool-- I'd be friends with if she offered, just saying. So, when I found out that I would be getting an early edition of her upcoming book to read and review, again, I was stoked.

I inhaled Bread & Wine just about quickly as I do a piece of chocolate cake. I couldn't put it down. I looked forward to each opportunity I got to pick it back up again. Shauna's short story writing style has a way of pulling you in, in such a way, that grabs at your heart. Her stories aren't necessarily of big life events, although a few are, or tragic tales, although a few are, but of the ordinary day to day. 

If you read anything she writes, it's pretty easy to tell that Shauna loves to entertain and cook, but most of all, she loves the people in her life. One of the best features of this book is that serves, not just as another great memoir, but it includes the recipes that are connected to her stories. It seems that Shauna has a natural gift for bringing people together and typically, the most common method is through food. So after you read the story about her tale of running a full marathon-- you can read about the harvest salad that she loves so much when she was training. (Side note: I made that salad on Monday and it got a big thumbs up!) Or you can find a recipe for flourless brownies, or watermelon and feta salad, or mango-curry chicken, or risotto or her favorite enchiladas. You get the idea. And I've tried multiple recipes and haven't been disappointed yet.

Regardless of the great recipes, I fell in love with this book because something about creating community around the dinner table and being real and present with those you love resonates so deeply within me. It's something that we need much more of in this life. Her writing energized my soul in its own way and I plan to read it again, very soon. But even if you aren't much of a reader, at least check out the recipes.

Definitely check out Shauna and more of her writing on her website. 

Oh, and you can purchase the book on Amazon, too.

Shauna Niequist is the author of Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet, and Bread & Wine. Shauna grew up in Barrington, Illinois, and then studied English and French Literature at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. She is married to Aaron, who is a pianist and songwriter. Aaron is a worship leader at Willow Creek and is recording a project called A New Liturgy. Aaron & Shauna live outside Chicago with their sons, Henry and Mac. Shauna writes about the beautiful and broken moments of everyday life--friendship, family, faith, food, marriage, love, babies, books, celebration, heartache, and all the other things that shape us, delight us, and reveal to us the heart of God.

high five for friday

today I'm linking up with from my grey desk to share my best from this week.

it's been a pretty good week in our household. even though we're not in florida, we've had some nice weather and some exciting happenings.

1. we spent Easter weekend with both families- lots of driving but it also gave us the opportunity to see the beautiful double rainbow. a wonderful reminder of God's promises.

2. our wedding album finally arrived today. love love love being able to look at the pictures. it's perfect!

3. we've had an extra set of (four) legs this week. my in-laws are on spring break so we've been dog sitting. we love having two fluffy puppies around the house. they play and play all day long and they really are best friends.

4. the Easter bunny brought me some lovely, purple tulips. i love having real flowers on the table.

5. the weather has finally decided to act like spring. the hubs and i enjoyed sitting on our back deck watching the sunset-- and not be freezing.

oh, and i got a job. yay! it happened pretty quickly, just in the last week. i start training on monday and will be doing social media and website work at a local women's boutique. clothes, shoes, writing, social media-- yes, i am excited.

i'm ending this week feeling just showered in blessings. so thank you, thank you, thank you.

happy friday!