Good Reads :: What I'm reading to start the year.

With all the traveling we did in December, I got in plenty of reading.  My preference is reading "real" books in comparison to Kindle books.  If I have to buy an e-book from Amazon, I either borrow or find something super cheap.  When I ran out of real books on my trip, I plowed through The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and then purchased Greyhound (which I finished up in 2013) for three bucks on the Kindle.  

I couldn't wait to get back to flipping and earmarking pages, so I was thrilled to get a Barnes & Noble gift card from a student!

I started with It's Kind of a Funny Story.  I'm working on it currently.  I had it on my Amazon wish list but wasn't quite sure why.  I never quite like to read the blurbs on the backs of books because they give away parts of the book.  It's the same philosophy I use with movies...enter knowing less and you'll like/love more.  I'm about halfway through the book, and I'm undecided on whether I like it or not.

Next up, The Fault in Our Stars.  With all the bloggers and buzz about this book, believe it or not, I do not know the story line or plot.  I actually have no clue what this book is about, but I've only heard good things.

I've been trying to work on classics more.  Treasure Island is on the 1001 books to read before you die list.  I was trying to add something to my order to get free shipping.  I spotted this special edition classic for $4!

What are you reading in 2013??

Life lately :: It's pretty obvious I've recovered.

Since my last life lately post, I've kicked that damn sickness and am right back in the game!  I may have jumped in a little too hard though...but that's a story for another day ;)

 [So happy to rock out 6 miles in my new babies!]

 [After getting up early to run, I even made D breakfast...and I never make breakfast]

 [I graced us with these delicious carrot cake pancakes!  Use what you have at home...I subbed almonds for walnuts & buttermilk for almond milk, and they still turned out awesome!]

 [Thrilled to finally be reading this! Already over halfway done]

 [12 hour work day last week called for the usual morning run followed by a glowing green smoothie]

 [While I still drink my coffee sans sugar + cream, my latest obsession is this vanilla latte with almond milk from my local coffee shop]

 [Almost pale dinner, jalapeño cheddar salmon burger topped with an egg + pico + guac]

 [Based on advice from Kristin, I'm cutting out my tapered runs & getting in the quality long runs before the half in only three weeks.  Slow 8 is better than no 8!  I'll take it, and hope to improve my time for 10mi next week]

[Hung out with this little lovey this weekend while D was out of town.  I can't get enough of that little tongue sticking out!]

Life lately :: Weekend update edition.

Even with D being out of town again this weekend, I vowed not to sit at home again.  I wanted to make the most of my alone time but be productive as well.

[Terrapin Sunray for a pretty spring day]

I enjoyed a nice beer while waiting on a friend to head out for some mexican food and margaritas, the best way to start off the weekend.

[A local garden store in Raleigh]

After a delicious brunch with another friend, I headed out to pick up some more food for my chicks and then to Logan Trading Company.  We're not doing a big garden this year but had some pots with dead herbs waiting for some plants.  I picked up some "patio" tomatoes, cilantro, and a geranium for planting.

[Rosemary from last year struggles a bit, cilantro as a neighbor, geranium will grow purple, owl watches over tomatoes]

I spent the remainder of my Saturday doing reading and only a little TV watching.

[The Book Thief]

I'm really in love with this book so far.  I was able to make a huge dent in it, which was my goal since work has caught up with my and I can't stay up late at night reading anymore.  So far, I think the book is beautifully written, touching, and even has a little bit of humor sprinkled throughout.  It was the best feeling to just curl up and get deep into a book again.

Weekends really are the best.

Linking up with Hayley today!     

It's over and I have no clue how to handle this.

Summer is over.  Friday marked the official first day of fall.  I missed giving you guys awesome summer posts about my homemade salsa, my no-tax weekend shopping finds, beach trips (including one of the best birthday weekends yet), my summer book reviews, and even missed my one year update of my 101 in 1001 list.  I'm still debating whether or not to go back and still write about some of those experiences or to just move on.  Nonetheless, I had a pretty awesome summer.  To bring summer to an official close, let's review. (Beware: Crazy photo heavy...gotta make up for lost time)

FOODS & COOKING:

 I spent the summer making Carrie's kick-ass guac.  Our fav way to eat it was topped on steak tacos.

 While it may not look super appealing, I perfected my salsa recipe.  Ingredients are super simple and easy.

I even tried baking! Now these Strawberry Lemonade Bars certainly didn't turn out like the picture in the recipe, and I didn't have powdered sugar.  We did end up topping them with Cool Whip.  They were delish!!

D and I really loved this delicious Tortilla Crusted Fish.  I used wild-caught Cod.  It's topped with a creamy cilantro salsa.  I definitely recommend it!

Have you ever heard of Amish Friendship Bread?  You get a starter dough from a friend, let it rest for ten days, while adding some ingredients on the fifth day.  This was my first go at it.  I made a blueberry cheesecake bread.  Amazing.  Recipe and more dets to come!

Pancetta and arugula pizza from Bella Mia in Cary, NC.  I love the perks of hanging out with my beer-selling D.

This summer was seriously perfected by discovering Pelican's Snoballs in Garner, NC.  Close to our house and amazing.  My favorite was the strawberry lemonade.  They're super cheap and have tons of flavors.  I even took my family to play putt putt there while they were in town!

 

 More pizza on our summer trip to Topsail Beach, NC. 

Amazing sushi platter at my birthday dinner in Wilmington, NC.  Seriously, I had all the food I love for my birthday weekend.

TRAVELS:

 Our trip to Topsail Beach, NC.  Seriously, the tube is a necessity for extended time in the ocean.  Oh and margaritas.

 Putt-putt on Topsail!  Such a fun environment.

 Topsail Beach balcony view.  Perfection before a night beach walk with margaritas in hand.

Aquarium from my birthday trip to Wilmington, NC.

 Beautiful farm wedding weekend in Sparta, GA.  More pics from that to come. (Ps. I seriously need to learn to pose for pictures...scary.)

ENTERTAINMENT!

Finally read Room, which I loved.  I also finished the Hunger Games series (thanks to Meghan for getting me started), although I'm not sure I loved it as much as others.

Yep, counting this as entertainment.  I did a hard-core closet clean-out and organization session.  Well worth it.

 More summertime reading.  Best gifts ever from D for my birthday.

 Labor Day weekend, D and I discovered The Alley in Raleigh.  They have awesome bowling and beer deals.

The Flaming Lips show at the Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh

 House decor counts as summer entertainment.  We finally got around to hanging up D's anniversary maps.

 Running and my new Garmin 405CX! 

 Not summer beer, but prepping for fall at our new favorite beverage store...Tasty Beverage in Raleigh.

 One of my favorite summer reads.  Still need to purchase the book for my own.

 Starting at my new school.  This classroom now looks worlds better.

CLOTHING & FASHION!

 One of my favorite shirts that will definitely transition to fall.  Also, my first Anthro purchase!

 Loving this oversized, flowy blouse from Target.  I purchased the black one as well.  It's been paired with shorts and heels for the summer but will transition to fall with skinnies

 Fav summer outfit.  Flowy tank + shorts.

 Obsessed with this blouse

 Birthday outfit for dinner in Wilmington.

My Toms wedges for my bday from D.

In the books as an amazing summer.