Showin' You My Books

The last month I slowed down with reading a bit since I started work, but I still managed to get through 4 books!

Secret Lives by Diane Chamberlain

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This one was written in the early 90's, so when you read it, keep in mind when she talks about "word processor" just pretend she means "laptop". 

This is a story about an actress who goes back to her hometown in order to research more about her mother (a famous author) who was known as kind of a recluse. Along the way, she discovers some deep seeded family secrets. There's also a love story that has it's own complications, too.

I really enjoyed this book, and it was the second Diane Chamberlain book that I read, that convinced me that I really like this author.

I give this one 4 out of 5 stars.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child -Parts One and Two by J.K. Rowling

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I was incredibly excited when I saw that a new HP book was coming out, but then I saw some mixed reviews on this one and it got me wondering. My father-in-law gave me this one (he's the best) and I read it in about 1 day I think. You have to keep in mind that this is a play, so it doesn't read like a typical Harry Potter book does. There's not as much character development, and things/time skip around, much like they would in a play. I think I would have liked this better if I'd SEEN the play, rather than reading it. I gave it 3 stars since it was still enjoyable (mainly halfway through it got better), but it wasn't up to my expectations of a typical HP book.

Stepdog by Nicole Galland

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I got this one from my mom and was immediately intrigued since I love stories centered around animals, especially dogs (hello, Art of Racing in the Rain!). This story is about a guy who isn't a citizen, but gets into a relationship with a coworker, and subsequently inherits her dog as part of the relationship, which he's not thrilled about.

They get into some adventures with another character in the book (I won't give it away), and that part of the book kind of drags on for a bit too long, in my opinion. I also felt disconnected from the main character because he wasn't connected to the dog, and I just couldn't relate. 

The story was still interesting, but it definitely dragged towards the middle/end of the book. I gave it 3 stars.

Keeper of the Light (Kiss River #1) by Diane Chamberlain

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Another Diane Chamberlain book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I borrowed this one from my friend Trish (again--she's a good friend!) and I'm so glad that I did. It's another older book of Chamberlain's but the story is still good.

It starts off a bit slow, but picks up pretty quickly and soon you're really invested in the characters.

I'll give you the Goodreads synopsis, since I'm not really sure how to put it into words well:

"Dr. Olivia Simon is in the middle of treating a gunshot victim while on duty Christmas night when she realizes that the patient is Annie O'Neill, the woman with whom her husband, Paul, is in love. Despite Olivia's best efforts to save her, Annie dies in surgery. For Olivia, Paul and Annie's husband, Alec, life will never be the same."

This was the book that I was reading every night last week, and even while Bravo shows were on, because I wanted to find out what happened. I definitely recommend this one.

I gave it 4 stars.

That's all I got through this month. Hopefully I'll get into a few more good ones in the coming weeks!

Friday Faves

Happy Friday friends! Hopefully it's a long weekend for you like it is for me! Which leads me into my first favorite of the week!

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{1} Long Weekend Plans

Today is a teacher work day at work which means a day without students (which basically feels like a day off), and we have off on Monday for Columbus Day.  MG and I take the opportunity every year to go visit our friends in Minnesota. Hoping the weather is warmer than expected, but we're pumped either way to see them, and their three adorable kiddos!

From last year:

{2} Favorite Meal of the Week: Mexican Pizza

I made some yummy stuff this week, but by far, the best one was the Mexican Pizza I shared with you guys over the summer. If you haven't tried it yet, and you like Mexican-inspired foods, then give this one a whirl! You won't be disappointed!

{3}-Cooper's birthday

I dedicated a whole post this week to the furry love of my life who turned 8 this week. Still can't believe we've been together almost 8 years (in November). He may be considered an adult, but he'll always be my puppy 

{4} Fall temps

This week has really started to feel like Fall and I'm totally ok with it. The afternoons are in the upper 60s and lower 70s. No jacket required yet. It's the perfect in between weather. Of course, with that comes Fall allergies which are already acting up (grrr), but I'm enjoying the weather, and some after work walks with MG.

{5} Funnies

When you're in a meeting with a lawyer who tries to flex their "power" but you shut her down with your explanation

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When you try to subtly ask your husband for a massage

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What a teacher workday feels like

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When you geek out over something with your friend

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Have a great Friday and a fantastic weekend! To all of my Florida friends, stay safe!! I'm thinking about you guys!

Stuff and Things on Thursday

I love Thursdays because I can brain dump a bunch of random stuff (and also make them funny with some gifs)!

~Dressing in the mornings has gotten more difficult because the days start in the 50s, and end in the 70s. I've been choosing to dress for the 70s most days since my office is hot. #morningbrrrr

~I was disappointed in my broccoli cheddar soup the other night. It still tasted ok, but it was more watery than usual, and I'm not sure why. It won't stop me from making it again in a few weeks though #gimmeallthecheese

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~We're going to Minnesota this weekend to see our friends and go to the Vikings game. True to October in MN, the high for Saturday is 55.  Time to bust out the cold weather stuff! #freezingmytootsiesoff

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~This meme made me giggle (there are about 20 more)

~I sent out screening forms to the Kinder teachers to help me identify students they have speech/language concerns about. One teacher literally identified over half of the students in her class. When I screened them you want to know how many actually had concerns? Zero. #thanksforthehelp #notreally

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~I need to find a good pair of cute booties for the Fall. I want ones that are basically flats. #fallfashionemergency

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~When I walked 3 of my K students back to class (two girls, one boy) they started walking through the hallway holding hands. It was SO cute. And then the little boy reached back to grab my hand, too so that I was included #heartmelting

~I finished my Diane Chamberlain book and literally couldn't put it down at the end. I was reading while Below Deck was on which should tell you something! Really love her as an author so far!

~I'm slightly obsessed with soups lately (read my post yesterday) and I guess since I've been pinning soups, Pinterest keeps recommending more soup pins to me. Further continuing my soup-obsessed cycle. #imtrapped

For all of my Florida (and East Coast friends), please be safe with Hurricane Matthew coming! I'll be thinking about all of you and praying that you're all ok!

What are some things on your mind today/this week?

WHW {#61}: Fall Food

Since it's officially October and the mornings are feeling more Fall-like, I've been getting more and more into the Fall spirit. And more than ever, I've been eyeing up some of the yummy Fall food recipes out there and thought I'd share some of the super yummy looking ones with you for What's Hap-"Pinning" Wednesday!

More than anything, I've been all about pinning soup recipes. I've been counting down the weather days until it gets cool enough to consider making some soups. In fact, my Broccoli Cheddar Soup is on the menu tonight!

Here are some others that I can't wait to try out:

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{via} Crockpot Tomato Basil Soup

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My mouth is seriously already watering just looking at those pics! Plus I love that several of them are made in the crock pot since I adore my crock pot!

Other recipes that intrigue me are:

Especially because of my love affair with pesto!

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This one won me over with the delicious melty cheese :)

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I was all over this one because I looooove spinach artichoke dip! But I never thought of making it with quinoa and putting it in peppers! Healthified!

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Have you tried any of these recipes? Any other Fall recipes calling your name, or your taste buds?

You can link up below and share that, or anything else that's  hap-"pinning" in your life with Jessi and I!

Happy Birthday Cooper!

I wanted to take a minute today to celebrate the furry love of my life, Cooper! He turns 8 today which is mind boggling to me.

He came into my life at a whooping 3 lbs (mainly of fluff) and has been my best bud through lots of life's ups and downs.

He's been there through break ups, and the start of my relationship with MG. He won over my dad's heart when he was a puppy with his tail wiggles (that sometimes turned into whole body wiggles). He makes everyone who meets him pretty much fall in love with him (even people who aren't huge dog/animal people), because he's the sweetest pup there ever was. 

When I say he's my doggy soul mate, I mean it. I can't imagine my life without this little poof of white. The tail wiggles when I walk in the door after work. The dog who skips when he goes on his walks. The one who scrambles across the room when he hears the cheese drawer open, or goes into crazy dog mode when we put a new trash bag in the trash cans. The dog who drops to his back and shows you his belly, the second you even look like you might bend down to pet him. 

You've been with me through some really happy moments in life, and some really sad ones, and I've always found comfort in this little face who always knows when I need a cuddle.

Happy 8th birthday, Cooper! Here's to 8 more! We love you!!!

Weekending Highlights

Happy Monday and October!  I have very few pictures of this weekend because 1) I didn't do a whole lot and 2) I was lazy lol

My highlights this weekend included:

~Wore my new Converse sneaks that I got this summer--so comfy!--on Sports Day at school 

~Friday girlfriend dinner date with my girl Wendy--we used to work at the same school, but now we don't so getting to meet and catch up is always nice! Plus we had buffalo chicken wraps at a local favorite spot so it was extra good!

~Saturday morning I knocked out a workout at home, and then the rest of it was pretty much spent reading and snuggling with Coop since the weather was rainy and gross

~Saturday afternoon MG arrived back from his travels. Coop and I were both excited to see him. One of us had tail wiggles upon his arrival. I'll let you guess which one :)

~Went out to grab Mexican for dinner as MG was craving it. I was more than happy to oblige, and so was my stomach :)

~Had a low key night in since MG was suffering some jet lag pretty bad

~Sunday morning errands and meal prep for the week

~MG decided to order Redzone so there was lots of football watching going on in the house while Fall candles were being burned :)

~Went for a 3 mile walk around the lake by our house since the weather finally cleared up and the sun decided to make an appearance after being absent for the last 4-5 days. Felt good to get out and get in some exercise.

~More football and reading

~Thai food for dinner because I didn't feel like cooking and then we watched SNL from the night before and Real Housewives before bed!

As you can see, it was very low key (and low pictures), but I'm totally ok with that since we'll be gone next weekend. How was your weekend?

Friday Faves!

It's been a long time since I've pulled together a Friday Favorites post, so I figured why not get my butt in gear for the last post of September!

{1} Justin Timberlake

Did you guys see that Netflix is going to have a special on Justin Timberlake's live performance on October 12th? You better believe this girl will be tuning in!

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{2} Natural Cold Remedies

For the first time in a LONG time I was able to kick my cold (and not let it progress into coughing and ickiness) with the use of these things: Saline spray (like every hour for the first day or two of symptoms--I now keep a bottle at work and at home), essential oils (diffusing them in my office while here, and at home)--specifically the On Guard blend from doTerra, a spoonful of honey before bed and before leaving for work (and in my tea before bed). And that was really it! I started feeling icky on Wednesday and when I did all of this, I felt wayyyy better by Friday evening. This is going to be my go-to from now on (but hopefully I won't need it for a LONG time!)

{3} MG's coming home

So, my world travelling husband has been gone on another work trip this past week and he gets home tomorrow. Luckily we've been able to Skype every day, despite the 7 hour time difference, and in between the meetings he's been going to, he's also been doing some sight seeing. I have to admit, I'm a little jealous when he sends me pics like this:

(life is obviously really rough for him lol)

{4} Political Funnies

In a time where people can get super heated about politics and start bashing one another, I think it's important that we come together over our commonalities. Case and point:

{5} Some more funnies (because laughing is good for you)

When the UPS guy delivers a third shipment to your house from a recent online order

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When you can't stop eating the new bag of Pirate's Booty you just got

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When you get a paycheck in your bank account for the first time in 3 months

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When you finish a really good book, and you didn't want it to end

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Hoping your Friday is quick and your weekend is Fall Fabulous! :)