Book Lists

I recently had this crazy idea. After reading a friend's blog back in January where she shared a list of the 52 books she read during the year...I kind of want to read 52 books in a year too!
At first I thought it was crazy...but then I thought about it some more. I already love reading and she didn't read a book each week of the year. Some months she read 8 books and others she read 2. So far this year, I'm only three books behind...
So far I have read (not in this order...this is just the order I remembered them):

The Count of Monte Cristo
Princess of Glass
Revolution
Mansfield Park
Room with a View
Wuthering Heights
Bridge to Terabithia
Tuck Everlasting
The Gable Faces East

I also found this list of Newberry Medal award winners and books who didn't win but were honored...I think that is a great list of quick reads that just might make it possible for me to really read 52 books in one year!

And since we are talking about book lists...I found this great link to book lists for kids!

Right now I love...

I have longed to take a floral design class for many years now...but now I live in a place where things like that are just simply not offered. But I love this tutorial, how easy to make your house beautiful!




Recently I have been wanting to try Boston Cream Pie...I've really never had it! Here is a "lighter" or healthier version...I think it looks great!





I would love to make some of these for our upcoming arrival!

Easy as Pie

Maybe it's just the right time of year...but lately I am so enamored with pies. Mostly my experience with making pies involves using pre-made pie dough and pie filling bought at the grocery store. We used to live in a small apartment complex where one of the girls there would make pies and give slices of pie to people in the apartment. They were always so delicious and ever since then I have really wanted to start making pies, really making pies. Where everything is from scratch.
So I have this huge long list of pies I want to make, and here is one more that looks delicious! Although this one looks too easy to count towards my goal of making pies from scratch.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups cold milk
• 1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
• 2-3/4 cups whipped topping, divided
• 1 package (4.67 ounces) mint Andes candies, chopped, divided
• 1 chocolate crumb crust (9 inches)
• 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
• 2 drops green food coloring, optional

Directions

• In a small bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in 3/4 cup whipped topping. Fold in 3/4 cup candies. Spoon into crust.
• In another bowl, combine extract and remaining whipped topping; add food coloring if desired. Spread over pudding layer; sprinkle with remaining candies. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or until set. Yield: 8 servings.

Optimism

I really liked this video--I need to be more positive in everything in life--especially when it comes to being a wife and mother! You can read more here.

Am I Crazy?

After I had my baby, I started jogging...and I really want to transition to becoming a true runner. I really want to do this half marathon in September...but found out this week we are going to be moving out of state before then...
Can I still do it? Am if crazy to drive four-ish hours to do a half marathon? Maybe I can find one closer to where we will live...either way, posting about it on here will make me feel more accountable for my goal. :)

Excited for what?

Yes it's true, I am so excited about food storage! Lately I have just felt like we really need to make it a priority...but we could barely afford the essentials each month. Until now! My husband graduated and got a full time job that started today...and I got this awesome book (and another book) for $1.52 thanks to Swagbucks!
And now...I can't wait to start gathering food storage and actually using it for our meals! I've already started using powdered milk in cooking--amazing. Saves so much money too! I highly recommend this book, and I'm so happy we now have enough money to have a food storage budget!

Beginning Photography Class!!!

I'm sure if you read this blog, or my personal family blog, you could guess that I really, really, really want to become a photographer. And as you can see from the above picture, I need some help. But I have been hesitant to take any classes because I don't have a fancy camera...just a point and shoot. Well, I came across a blog...and the author is teaching a beginning photography class--like really beginning! Even for people like me, with only a point and shoot camera! I really want to go. You should come with me! Find out the deets here. And if you decide to take it, I would appreciate it if you would tell her I referred you! Then go spread the word to your friends, so you can refer them and get a discount off the price too!

DIY Dance Photos

Once again...wishing I could dress up like a princess and have a night out on the town...wouldn't this be so much fun to do? Way better than my Prom pictures back in the day! And don't you just love these girls dresses?

Ideas from Laci Davis a local photographer who loves capturing you, being you!

Find a Location that Fits the Group

The location sets the mood for your photos. Find something that fits the Groups style well. If they are fun with bold dresses and personality go to a bold background. If they are wearing softer colors go to a great field or orchard. A High School is also a great place. It's meaningful to the group and has great levels. Use the bleachers, field, benches and any fun colors or brick walls you see.

Props

Using props is a great way to make the kids feel comfortable right off the bat. It breaks any tension and lets them be their fun goofy selves. I like to bring thins such as an empty frame that you can find at a thrift store, or poster board is also a great option. You can add the name of the dance and year that they are going, or any other fun words. Any props that make for a fun happy environment will add great personality to all your photos.

Go for Details

Don't forget those detail shots. Get up close! Details are great to remember all the things you worked so hard on. It adds more to memory to your photos. So go zoom in and photo those shoes, hair pieces, flowers, makeup and any other detail you worked hard on.

Engagement Photos Act as Inspiration

It can be hard to think of great posing. Go look at some engagement photos you have loved, and pay attention to what you love about them. Is it how they are standing, the levels they are on, the way their head is turned just right? Although these kids are not about to get married; now days, with such urban photography you have many more unique options.

Play with your Focus

Changing your focus will add such great interest to a photo. You need to make sure you have created depth of field, and then just put your red focus dot on one person or object.

Just what I need

Babies, Toddlers, and Kids Photography Class

Time for tots to take the spotlight! From newborn to elementary school, kids can be one of the toughest subjects for a photographer – we’re here to change that. This special 2-week online course will share professional tips and tricks on natural posing and genuine smiles. In just minutes, you can turn a disaster into a priceless moment, no matter the child’s age.

This class features an intelligent instructional video that will guide you through the ins and outs of photographing babies, toddlers, and kids (tantrums and toothy grins included). Additional reading and fun assignments round out this quick yet comprehensive course.

Learn to capture the countless “priceless moments” of youth with the Babies, Toddles, and Kids online course at Nicole’s Classes!

Oh I wanna take this class so much! This sounds like exactly what I need! Now I just need the funds...or maybe a nice camera first?

Tulip Love

I found this beautiful floral arrangement from At Home with Kim Vallee through Gordon Gossip. I can't wait to have a yard to plant flowers in! I love tulips, and it will be so fun to bring them inside!

Come run with me!

I was a lucky winner thanks to Make it Work Mom...and won a free entry into the Run For Red Race! I am so excited...and I would love it if you came and ran with me! The proceeds benefit their disaster relief fund. So, come this Saturday! March 6th at 10:00 am in Provo! $20 adults; $15 students. Hope to see you there!!

Boy Style

I saw this winter hat and love it! There are so many cutesy, princess, frilly things for little girls...and there are hardly any fun, cute things for boys! I totally love this, I think it would be so fun for my little babe to wear this at wintertime to keep his little ears and head warm! You can find it here, but man I wish I could make one myself!

Inspiration

*Photo from Little Birdie Secrets
I was at the library yesterday and this little girl had the most darling hair clips in her hair! They were crocheted flowers, very simple, yet so darling. It made me want to start making some right away, even though I don't have a little girl...and I don't know that it would work in my hair because they are small. I've wanted to start an etsy shop and make things to sell, but I've never been sure what to sell because there are so many things that would be fun...anyway, it made me want to start an etsy shop with little girls hair things. :) It reminded me of this tutorial from Little Birdie Secrets, (I love this website! So many great craft ideas!) and then today they posted another great tutorial showing how to crochet these darling hearts! I fell for these little hearts right away, and just need a reason to whip some up... maybe I could hang them on the wall? Or make a garland?

Good Reads

I have been wanting to read A Tale of Two Cities for a long time and I finally did it! I really loved this book. Even though I already knew the basic story, I was so caught up in the 'mystery' parts of the book and wanted to know how the characters stories all connected in the end. It was so heartbreaking to read of Sydney Carton, and so striking the difference between good and evil. I highly recommend it.



The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a book that I just heard of randomly when someone mentioned how much they liked it on facebook. I'm always on the lookout for a good book, so I put it on hold at the library and really knew nothing about it when I started reading. It is composed all of letters and notes which I wasn't too sure about at first and was a little bit confused about too--not knowing who the different characters were yet and who was writing to whom. But I loved this book! It tells about what life was like during the German occupation of the English Channel Islands during WWII. Although there are very sad parts, I thought it was very touching and had a sweet, happy ending. Once I got into this book, I didn't want to put it down, it was a very quick read.

Frog Pockets

I have fallen in love with the Thimbleart website--they have the most adorable quilt patterns! I bought fabric to make this cute quilt and I am so excited about it! I know my baby will have so much fun putting things in the little frog pockets and I will have so much fun making it! :) If you like to quilt, or if you have been wanting to quilt you should visit this website. There are so many cute quilt patterns I want to make, I don't know who I would make them for! I'm sure my little one would be tired of them after 5 or 6 or 7 or...

Simple Flowers

I love these ideas from BYU Campus Craft and Floral! So simple, but very beautiful.

Winter Flowers

I really, really love these flower arrangements from BYU Campus Craft and Floral. I always wanted to learn about floral arrangement. Maybe someday I can make beautiful things like this too. Oh I just love flowers! Too bad you can't scratch and sniff the screen.

New Words

Last year we went to the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert with Brian Stokes Mitchell and even though this is not a Christmas song, I loved it. It was my favorite of the night. It was so touching to me because I was a pretty new mother at the time. I've been searching for it on the internet ever since and finally someone has put a recording of it on youtube! I really want to learn this song and sing it to my son! Maybe if I can find the music I can sing it for the piano/vocal recital I want to give for my family and friends this year.

P.S. Don't you love his voice?

Find a Hobby Quiz

I just took a quiz supposed to help you find a new hobby and was surprised how well this described me. It didn't work quite as well for my husband who said he thought he was in between three different categories. But it was kind of fun. Here's what it said about me:

CREATIVE

You have a gift for expression. Whether it's writing, drawing, creating objets d'art or making music, you see the world in a unique way and are able to convey that to other people. No doubt you doodle on napkins and meeting notes, are always humming a new tune, have already read the latest fiction releases, and know all the local art galleries' schedules by heart. You might like hobbies like sketching, photography, sculpting, playing an instrument, singing, journaling, scrap-booking or designing clothing.

Although I didn't really need a quiz to tell me I would like these things.
You can take the quiz here. Do you agree with what it says? Did it inspire you to start a new hobby? I'm curious to know how it works for others!

Book Lists

I. Love. Reading.
Reading more books is not a goal I have to set for myself. However I would like to read better books. I usually love to read young adult fiction--entertaining and quick. This year I would like to focus more on reading classics and gospel centered books like the one pictured above. The Provo Library has this list of 111 classic books and another list of 100 years of reading. But I know there are books I would like to read that are not on these lists. What are your favorite books? Classics, gospel, just for fun...anything!