Valentine's Day Library: 2013

I'm sure after a week of checking out our past year's Valentine's Day books, you're all wondering what books made an appearance this year. So, without further ado:

Nathan: City of Ashes, City of Glass, and City of Fallen Angels. I wrapped them all up in this bag.

Whitney: The Remains of the Day (though I like my book's cover better than this one), Rules of Civility, and Me Before You.

We just had a nice night at home. I made this treat for dessert. Delicious, and I felt OK about it because it has vegetables in it. A dessert with vegetables is the best way to eat vegetables in my opinion.

Valentine's Day Library: 2012

One "thing" that I really liked about Nathan when we started dating was that he liked to read probably as much as I did. (As evidenced on this blog thanks to our book swap and other times he has done reviews.) So one tradition we've started right away was getting each other books for Valentine's Day. So this week, even though I know I've covered this other years, I thought I would spend each day sharing which books we got for each other, and some thoughts on these books. (Five days=five years. Works out perfectly.)

This year, we're adding a few more books. We went out this weekend to Barnes and Noble a did a little joint shopping. It was fun in the beginning to try and hide around the store and hope that we didn't figure out what books we were getting, but eventually i needed help at the "Buy two get the third free young adult fantasy table" and Nathan needed help navigating the store. (because all of the books he had researched were in totally random places, like by the bathroom...what? That required an actual sales person.). So I'm not ruining the surprise by telling you what books we got this year.

Nathan: City of Bones, Unwind, and Pathfinder
Whitney: The Night Circus, Anna and The French Kiss, and Walking Back to Happiness

Last year, we went to the bookstore together, which is one of our favorite dates. From last year's post: It was fun in the beginning to try and hide around the store and hope that we didn't figure out what books we were getting, but eventually I needed help at the "Buy two get the third free young adult fantasy table" and Nathan needed help navigating the store. (Because all of the books he had researched were in totally random places, like by the bathroom...what? That required an actual sales person.)

Valentine's Day Library: 2011

One "thing" that I really liked about Nathan when we started dating was that he liked to read probably as much as I did. (As evidenced on this blog thanks to our book swap and other times he has done reviews.) So one tradition we've started right away was getting each other books for Valentine's Day. So this week, even though I know I've covered this other years, I thought I would spend each day sharing which books we got for each other, and some thoughts on these books. (Five days=five years. Works out perfectly.)

Whitney: Great House and The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
Nathan: This Book Will Change Your Dog's Life, Why Does My Dog Do That?, and Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel

Some Reasoing: In case you couldn't tell, this was our first Valentine's Day with Shelby. (How cute is this face? She looks so little compared to now.)

I had never read The Pioneer Woman's blog, but really wanted to read the book, so I was glad Nathan got it for me. As for Great House...it's maybe still in my to-read pile. I should get on that. Nathan's books were themed around big, exciting events during 2011, getting a dog and also visiting Europe and the Sistine Chapel on our honeymoon.

Valentine's Day Library: 2010



One "thing" that I really liked about Nathan when we started dating was that he liked to read probably as much as I did. (As evidenced on this blog thanks to our book swap and other times he has done reviews.) So one tradition we've started right away was getting each other books for Valentine's Day. So this week, even though I know I've covered this other years, I thought I would spend each day sharing which books we got for each other, and some thoughts on these books. (Five days=five years. Works out perfectly.)

 

 

Nathan: Lamb and a Huskers trivia book
Whitney: The Believers and the yellow roses in the photo!

Some Reasoning: Nathan got Lamb by Christopher Moore because my sister told him he would like the author. And he does! I think since this book he has read every Christopher Moore book he can find. The Believers was really good, and one of the first "literary" books I had read in a while. (I blame that on taking too many English classes my last semester. All I wanted to read was light reading for a while.)

Valentine's Day Library: 2009

One "thing" that I really liked about Nathan when we started dating was that he liked to read probably as much as I did. (As evidenced on this blog thanks to our book swap and other times he has done reviews.) So one tradition we've started right away was getting each other books for Valentine's Day. So this week, even though I know I've covered this other years, I thought I would spend each day sharing which books we got for each other, and some thoughts on these books. (Five days=five years. Works out perfectly.)

Whitney: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and The Rim of the Prairie
Nathan: The Graveyard Book and James and the Giant Peach

Some reasoning: Nathan got me The Rim of the Prairie while we were visiting the Bess Streeter Aldrich house in Elmwood, the first time I went to his house and met his parents. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society he just picked out. The Graveyard Book is by Neil Gaiman, one of Nathan's favorite authors, and I got him James and the Giant Peach because it was his favorite book when he was younger.

Birthday Cake

My mom always made the best birthday cakes. They would be round two-layer cakes with buttercream frosting (that we would get to have on graham crackers, too, if there was extra), with our names iced on the top and, of course, candles for every year, served on a cake plate.

When we registered for the wedding, I made sure I included it so I also had a cake plate, almost exclusively for birthday cakes. Sadly, the poor guy has hardly been used at all, and never for a birthday cake. So this year for Nathan's birthday, I decided to put it to use.

Thanks to pinterest, I found a recipe for lemon-blueberry marble cake, on a blog called Lick The Bowl Good. I was a little worried as I started making it because it was a little more detailed than I thought I could handle (I mean, there was actual cake flour involved!) but they looked OK when they went in the oven and when they came out. I actually did the recipe a little differently, because I didn't have three round cake pans. I halved it, and split it between two pans, and the cakes came out just a little smaller, which was fine because it wasn't serving very many people. I also totally used the jar of jam vs. making them.

The frosting recipe, however, was something I knew was above my skill-set (and timeframe. and patience level.) So instead I used a basic white icing glaze, from Martha Stewart, which was preferable for Nathan anyway because he doesn't like frosting all that much. It didn't look as pretty though.

So there you have it, my first birthday cake baking experience. It turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself.

Building Our Valentine's Library

Over the time we've been together, Nathan and I have built quite the library (or added to the already overflowing library as the case may be), thanks to our Valentine's Day tradition of giving each other books.

2009
Whitney: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and The Rim of the Prairie
Nathan: The Graveyard Book and James and the Giant Peach

2010
Nathan: Lamb
Whitney: The Believers

2011
Whitney: Great House and The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
Nathan: This Book Will Change Your Dog's Life, Why Does My Dog Do That?, and Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel

This year, we're adding a few more books. We went out this weekend to Barnes and Noble a did a little joint shopping. It was fun in the beginning to try and hide around the store and hope that we didn't figure out what books we were getting, but eventually i needed help at the "Buy two get the third free young adult fantasy table" and Nathan needed help navigating the store. (because all of the books he had researched were in totally random places, like by the bathroom...what? That required an actual sales person.). So I'm not ruining the surprise by telling you what books we got this year.

2012
Nathan: City of Bones, Unwind, and Pathfinder
Whitney: The Night Circus, Anna and The French Kiss, and Walking Back to Happiness

Feeling Merry

I just returned from a week away in Denver, celebrating Christmas with my family. I feel very blessed that we were able to have the time together and also see many extended family members and friends while we were having our white Coloardo Christmas. It felt extra special this year to all be together.

Since today is the last day of 2011, I thought I'd make a list (my favorite) of my top moments this year. And next week (yes, I promise to be back next week, but probably not so early) I'll talk about the start of my happiness project.

*My new job: A year in, and I am loving the decision to change jobs to something that I not only love, but something that challenges me.
*Our kitchen: We're about halfway done now, but I still love the change that is in the room now. I still can't find the exact right place for everything, but it just feels better.
*Outdoor work: The garage is wonderful, and our new patio will be so nice this spring and summer. I know Nathan has big plans for the yard this year, too, and it's going to be the nicest yard in Lincoln, I'm sure.
*Vacationing: Our trip to the Bahamas was a much-needed break from the cold. And I love that many of our trips were ones that let us see family and friends this year!
*Celebrating: So many of our friends and family celebrated big events this year: babies, weddings, engagements, moving back to Lincoln, and it is fun to be a part of their joy.
*Shelby: Little Shelby and I have gotten to know each other much better now that we spend so much time together. It's really good entertainment being home and learning all of her little quirks. I think I'd be bored out of my mind being home without her, though I have to admit I get a lot more done when she's not afraid of the vacuum, the hairdryer, the steamer, etc.

Wishing you a happy New Year!

Bucket List: Two Easter Bunnies

When I think about my "list," that is, the certain things I want to accomplish in my lifetime, I realize that there are some pretty random, silly things that I have put on there: milking a cow, for example. But when I think about it, those random, silly things are the ones that I've accomplished already, so they must be pretty important to me, no matter how weird they seem to be to everyone else.

Aside from milking a cow, the second most random accomplished item on my list was to be the Easter bunny at the neighborhood Easter Egg hunt, which occurs every year on Palm Sunday. We attended the Easter Egg hunt as kids, moving up the age divisions as we got older and then graduating to wearing the bunny costume as a high schooler. (Well, only my sister followed me there, but you get the idea. So here is Easter Bunny Whitney, and I'm grateful that the costume is not as creepy as it could be, being an Easter Bunny and all.

This year, we had another bunny come visit us. The Shelbunny.

After coveting ears at the pet store and deciding NOT to buy them because Nathan would hate them, I made Shelby some yesterday and forced her to wear them, though Nathan gave her lots of treats for "putting up with mommy's crap." She really didn't mind them, though she HATED the basket. I'm not quite sure why she was so scared of it. It was filled with chocolate deliciousness, after all.

Be My Valentine

On our first Valentine's Day together, Nathan and I decided to give each other books. We're both bookworms, perhaps best evidenced by our book-themed wedding, so it seemed fitting. And we've continued the tradition during our relationship. The first year, we added The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, The Rim of the Prairie, The Graveyard Book, and James and the Giant Peach to our library.  Last year, the Valentine's Day library grew to include Lamb and The Believers. And this year, we've added This Book Will Change Your Dog's Life, Why Does My Dog Do That?, Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel, Great House, and The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.

As far as dinner goes, everything tasted fine, but didn't turn out exactly as it was supposed to. The tart filling all gathered on one side and leaked through the bottom of the pan, but it sitll tasted good. And the chicken was perfect, even though I adjusted the recipe. We had some "expensive" Trader Joe's wine ($7!!) and asparagus and rolls. And the best part of staying in was that we could sit and talk as long as we wanted without getting rushed out.

And what did Shelby get for Valentine's Day? A fancy treat, lots of pets and cuddles and peanut butter. Yum.

Inspired By Love

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my readers, whether you "believe" in the holiday or not. It seems I have quite the day ahead of me: DMV to register Nathan's car (now there's a benefit of having a wife work part-time: She can go to the DMV during the day and not fight the crowds), baking a lemon tart and roasting a chicken for our Valentine's Day dinner (accompanied by rolls and asparagus), and going to work, wearing my red dress. Nathan's books need to be wrapped, and the card needs to be signed. Tomorrow, I'll talk about our Valentine's Day tradition.

I also have a lot to think about after this last weekend. As I mentioned Friday, I went to a writing group yesterday and while I was feeling a little apprehensive about it, it was so beneficial and I really feel inspired and awed by everything we talked about yesterday. I want to talk more about that, and how it's going to fit into the actual writing of my novel idea (which I've had now for almost two years) and the research that I'll have to do for it, as well. But I still have some links to explore and thinking to do.

We also checked some items off our list this weekend, including choosing paint colors for the living room. I'll definitely want to show you those and talk about my inspiration for the living room.

But for now, consider this a teaser for what's to come this week, while I settle my thoughts and take Shelby for a walk on this sunshiney day.

Merry, Merry

It’s Christmas Eve Eve, and I’m home from work taking care of Shelby after she got spayed yesterday. She was very tired yesterday, but seems to be back to her normal self today.

Before I take a holiday break, I wanted to share some of my favorite Christmas traditions. Growing up, I had many good Christmases with friends and family. On the Christmases we’ve spent at home, we wake up early to find presents in Santa wrapping paper, and as we got older codes to figure out. We’d have breakfast and open more presents and spend the day doing whatever. Sometimes we’d go to movies, or spend time with family or neighbors.

We’ve also spent Christmases away from home, in Key West and Nebraska.  We’d have Cuban food and enjoy the nice weather and spend time with family. A couple years ago I spent Christmas with my grandma in Ogallala. It was the two of us and it was so good to spend time with her when I was older. We talked and went to a movie and spent valuable time together.

This year, Nathan and I are celebrating Christmas Eve by having breakfast with a friend and going to church. We’ll have Cuban food and open presents. On Christmas we’ll be going over to Nathan’s grandma with Shelby and maybe catch a movie.
I wanted to make sure our first Christmas was special, and that we’d take the time to start traditions that we’d have together. But then I realized, after thinking back on my favorite memories, that it’s not about having the same traditions every year, but being together. So our first Christmas will be memorable no matter what.

I wish you and your family the same—that you have a holiday full of love and making memories.

Lauran's Holidays

"Every Christmas is better than the Christmas before . . .

I guess it must be because I am growing up."
-Laura Ingalls Wilder, "By The Shores Of Silver Lake"

As usual, Laura speaks the truth, and in my opinion, she is one of the best Christmas writers there is. Each of her books features a Christmas story that I can relate to, even though we are generations apart. For example, in "Little House In The Big Woods," she gets her doll, Charlotte, for Christmas, and she is most treasured. I'm sure everyone remembers the excitement of Christmas morning and getting something that they most wanted, or means the most to them. As she grows up, she spends Christmases with families and friends, and welcomes Almanzo to the family in "These Happy Golden Years" when they celebrate their first Christmas together, as Nathan and I did last year. And in "The First Four Years," we see the two of them creating holiday traditions and celebrating together, just as Nathan and I will do this year and in the years to come. Be sure to check back this week as I reflect on my favorite Christmas memories, our Christmas this year, and more.

Holiday Gift Givning 2010: Share The Love Of Reading

Today, I bring you book-themed T-shirts, which I've coveted since my friend Leah sent them to me who knows how long ago. Aside from creating just plain awesome-looking shirts, the company, Out Of Print Clothing, donates one book to Books For Africa for every T-Shirt they sell. So, you get a shirt that lets you show off your love of literature, while people across the world get access to books, which also lets you SHARE your love of reading with someone who may not have access to books otherwise. It's a win-win, really.

Here's a link to the shop, which breaks the shirts down into men, women, and children, giving you plenty of options in all three. I think my favorite is the Nancy Drew one, because Nancy just always looks so sassy. (Side note: If you are interested in Nancy Drew at all, there is a truly fascinating book out there on the history behind the series, the truth about the author(s), and the historical context Nancy fits in. It's called Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew & The Women Who Created Her, by Melanie Rehak.) But of course, I also love the look of Pride and Prejudice, and the book, of course.

Holiday Gift Giving 2010: Explore Your Passions

Last night, Nathan and I went out to buy Christmas gifts. It seemed really random to do on a Wednesday night, but wow, it was so much better than battling the crowds on the weekends. We ended the night at Barnes & Noble, so I could pick up a few gifts and Nathan could explore. And in the journal section, I found these really cool new Moleskine journals. Or maybe they are just new to me, but regardless, they are very neat. They are part of the Passions Collection, which includes special journals for different hobbies, such as wine, wellnes, and, of course, books. But really, you can't go wrong with any Moleskine journal, or any kind of notebook for that matter, when it comes to giving gifts to readers and writers. I got one for Christmas last year and it's perfect for a purse notebook.

Holiday Gift Giving 2010: A New Look

The Clothbound Penguin Classics have been floating around blogland for a while, and I think the redesigns are beautiful and fun. Check out the titles available from Anthropologie here. Which one will you be asking Santa for? I think "Alice in Wonderland" has the best design, but would probably go with "A Christmas Carol" so I have something beautiful to cherish for Christmases to come.

EDIT: Further poking around on Anthropologie's site led me to THESE! Children's book classics with a redesign. I am not so much a huge fan of the look of "Anne Of Green Gables" as much as the others (maybe because I think Anne is more of an old soul with a great imagination and the pink tea party thing seems to contradict that in my head), but it will always be my favorite story, if choosing among those. Love.

Holiday Gift Giving 2010: A Twist On The Classics

Classics are classic for a reason, but for an updated approach (or to keep up with the vampire trend), give a parody. It will provide the basis of a good story, but with a twist.

Photo credit and book information: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Celebrate Christmas With word fancies

I still get really excited about Christmas when December rolls around each year, and so this month, we're going to celebrate the holiday on word fancies. Of course, the reason we celebrate Christmas is because of the story of the birth of Christ, but I think the holiday and the overall season can also create moving stories that cross genres and generations. So, I plan to reflect on some of my favorite Christmas writing as well my favorite Christmas memories, crafts, recipes, and traditions. And because, "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," according to Louisa May Alcott's Jo March, I'll also be exploring some gift ideas for the readers and writers in your life. Or, suggestions for you to add your list, as the case may be.