Friday Things and Running Playlist

It was a pretty big bummer having to say goodbye to grandma this week.  Although, the kids have been distracted by all the holiday fun at this time of year.  Both have been practicing for their respective holiday sing-a-longs and, miraculously, have sung together in the car on the way to school without bickering lately.  Baby girl's Christmas program was today, and, er-ma-gherd.  This performance was much more orchestrated than the preschools that my son went to, and the kids were all so freaking adorable and well behaved as they went through all these little choreographed moved to the songs.  Seeing as how this was her first little school performance, we were over the moon.  

yes, I flooded my Istagram feed already today, but I have to share this one for posterity.

Speaking of the holidays, if you follow me on Twitter, you might have noticed I'm hosting an online Stella and Dot party!  I've wanted to host one of these for awhile, but the stylists I know personally don't live here in Seattle and I'd just rather support them to buy the jewelry (and all sorts of other awesome stuff).  I also kind of dread the idea of dealing with my kids during a party; so when a friend from high school was looking for some peeps to host an online party, it was a no-brainer, given how much I do online.  Plus, I'm a big fan of no pressure situations and shopping in my jammies!  Here are some awesome deals going right now/things I've shared via Twitter and Facebook:

Now through the end of December, if you spend $50, you get 50% off on some very cool items!  A great way to spend $50 or more is with the 3 for $60 poufs (along with these cute beaded bracelets).  You could fill them with all sorts of little things that would appeal to your giftee, maybe small school supplies for a teacher or a Starbucks gift card for... anyone.  Plus  you could get two poufs for gifts and a bracelet for yourself, or vice versa!  Or, if you're not looking to spend $50, there are lots of cute things to choose from, including these bird earring are on sale for less than $16! WANT.  

So, click on this link and get shopping - they have guaranteed Christmas delivery with their regular flat rate shipping (they're eating the cost of expedited delivery) if you order by 9AM on the 18th!

OK, A few fun things from the internet this week:

• Funny notes written by kids, mine are TOTALLY freeloaders...
• Gotta love the irony
• Behind the scenes photos from Obama's visit to South Africa
• And, juuuust in case you didn't see this WestJet Christmas surprise - check out this awesome video from a very smart marketing team.  I even wanna try flying WestJet next year - it's like Oprah's favorite things!
• Also good holiday fun: man walks all day to create giant snow patterns.  Unreal.

I'm adding Can't Stop Me by Afrojack to the playlist, because that's always a good lyric for a running tune.

Happy weekend!

2013 Playlist
Strangers by Seven Lions

#Thatpower by Will.I.Am

September by Earth Wind and Fire 

Move Your Feet by Junior Senior
Black Sheep by Metric

Still Into You by Paramore

Stay the Night by Zedd, featuring Hayley Williams

This is What it Feels Like by Armin vanBuuren

Pompeii by Bastille

Out of the Blue by System F

The Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi (Remixed by Steve Aoki)

Lose My Mind by Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso

Better Off Alone by Alice Deejay

Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes

Mirrors  by Justin Timberlake

Wake Me Up by Avicii and Aloe Blacc

Hey Now by Martin Solveig

We Come Running by Youngblood Hawke

Take You Higher by Goodwill and Hook N Sling

Justice and Independence by John Mellencamp

Glowing by Nikki Williams

Easy  by Porter Robinson (and Matt Zo).

I Could be the One by Avicii featuring Nicky Romero

Pair of Dice by Tiesto

Ain't No Stoppin' by Ferry Corsten (featuring Ben Hague)

Come and Get It by Selena Gomez
Apollo by Hardwell featuring Amba Shepherd

This Head I Hold by Electric Guest

Castles in the Sky by Ian Van Dahl

Feel this Moment by Pitbull, featuring Christina Aguilera

Into Your Arms by the Lemonheads

Just Give me a Reason by Pink

I Love It by Icona Pop

Little Secrets Passion Pit

Sovereign Light Cafe by Keane, remixed by Afrojack

Clarity by Zedd

Years by Alesso

Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club
She Wolf by David Guetta, featuring Sia
Alive by Krewella
Illmerica by Wolfgang Garnter
Drowning by Armin van Buren
Give Me Your Hand by The Ready Set
Language by Porter Robinson
Cry for You by September
You Are My Diamond by Tiesto - featuring Kianna
Arguru - Deadmau5
We Are by Jus Jack & Oza, featuring Aeone

How to Find Your Next Favorite Book

How do you find what books to read next?  This is a question I get A LOT, with all of my reading and talk of booooooks.  The ways I find great books are certainly the usual: friend recommendations, bestseller lists, browsing the bookstore, etc.  But there are a few ways to best utilize these sources, as well as some other great tools to get great info!

• My first recommendation would be to subscribe to Book Riot, Amazon's Omivoracious blog, and Go Book Yourself.  These are my go-to websites with all sorts of fantastic articles, lists, reviews, the latest on award winning books, etc.  Sometimes I think I might spend as much time reading about books as I do actually reading books...
• If you like to listen to podcasts, Bookriot has one, as well as NPR books (also a great website for booky info).  
• Your library should be a resource [edited to add: or your local bookstore, obv. - but I'm more of a library lover], whether you're an e-reader afficianado or not.  I mostly prefer my e-reader and if you haven't figured out Overdrive for borrowing ebooks and audiobooks - get on that.  I feel so lucky to live here in King County because of our amazing library system: the inter-library loan process is seamless, all online, and just fantastic.  In addition to great online content, each library has the latest 'paperback picks' which is a great jumping off point when looking for something new.  They also have fun marketing materials like these that are always changing:

• Bestseller lists are also a great resource, especially at this time of year!  Amazon does roundups all year long with the top books of each month, as does Oprah, and of course The New York Times.  Speaking of end of year lists, here is the mother of all Best of 2013 lists - courtesy of Bookriot.  And NPR changed things up a bit this year with a 'Book Concierge' app, rather than a list, which has been really fun to click around.
• Follow your favorite authors on social media.  Whether on Twitter, Facebook, or their personal blog, they talk about books, and not just their own!  I remember following Stephenie Meyer's blog after reading Twilight (before the movie even began shooting) and she recommended The Hunger Games on her site (what seems like a million years ago, now) and of course I devoured it.  
• Follow bookish bloggy people, too.  I've said before that I love reading Kim's blog, Miss Zoot, and she also talks books: same goes for Elizabeth at Princess Nebraska, Janssen at Everyday Reading, and Linda at All and Sundry, among others.  It stands to reason if you like a person's blog personality, you'll like the books they read.  Just like real-life friends!
• And, lastly, get your real-life friends on Goodreads, if possible.  Goodreads is mainly a social media website for keeping reading lists and sharing what you're reading with friends.  But it's also another website chock-full of great bookish info, best-of lists and monthly newsletters for members.  It's fun to add a book to my shelf and automatically see if any friends have already read it, and given it a review.  And, of course, it's nice to see your friends reviews/star ratings in real time, and what they're adding to their to-read shelves - especially when a book pops up that everyone seems to be adding at the same time.

Okay, I think with all this talking of books, I really ought to go and actually read my book right now...

Cranberry Orange Bread and This Week's Eat's 12.8.13

My streak of sharing favorite holiday recipes continues!  We make this scrumptious quick bread about once a week from Thanksgiving through New Year's, and maybe a few times more...

Cranberry Orange Bread

• 1 cup walnuts (about 4oz)
• 1 stick (4oz) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup orange juice
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.  Place nuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until very lightly browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes.  Leave oven on; coarsely chop nuts and set aside.

In a large bowl, using a hand held mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg.  Beat 1 minute.  Gradually beat in juice.  Add flour, baking powder, orange zest and salt.  Mix until just blended. Stir in cranberries and toasted walnuts.  Spread batter into pan.

Bake until top of loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean,  50-55 minutes.  Let stand in the pan for 10 minutes, then place onto a wire rack and let cool completely.

This week's eats:

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - out to dinner with friends!
• Wednesday - trying this Six Sisters recipe for fried rice I found on Pinterest
• Thursday - Pioneer Woman's 'Fancy' Mac & Cheese with Roasted Broccoli
• Friday - Baked Chicken Taquitos (a favorite recipe from Our Best Bites)
• Saturday - Rigatoni Arrabiatta 
• Sunday - Greek Turkey Meatball Salad

As always, I'm linking up with Org Junkie, Mommy Run Fast and Jill Conyers - be sure to check out all the great weekly menus!

November 2013 in Pictures

First night in Chicago, the Palmer House Hilton

Hot Chocolate 5K!

Chagall

Besties

I love these crazy sleeping pics

I also love it when I don't always have to do the pushing

Mustache Dache!

Little gymnast

Zoo pics feedin' the birds

More birds

Zip line

This is what the kids optometrist office looks like

Watercolor turkey

Yummmmy clove scented sidecar

First run together!

Tree is up!

Friday Things and Running Playlist

It's that time of year again: time for grandma (my husband's mom) to visit!

Garden D'Light's at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.  I love that we have traditions that involve Grandma, which for most families is a given...

 Yep, my kids see her once a year.  One day we'll hopefully all be able to afford more visits, but it's hard.  And my mom hasn't seen the kids in over a year and a half.  Mostly due to dealing with effing cancer, she's had to cancel her last few visits.  Moving to Seattle was one of the best things that has ever happened to us.  If given the opportunity to do it all again, we wouldn't hesitate.  As much as I talk about Chicago, and it will always be the city of my heart, we will most likely stay here for a long, long time.  When it comes to family, it's hard.  My brother lives in Minnesota and I haven't seen him in over three years.  Thinking that through and writing that down, man, that just made me feel queasy.  During the holiday season, if you're immersed in any local family drama, maybe take a moment to be thankful that they are near and hug them close.  OK, I'm off to enjoy some more quality time with grandma and the kids!

Worthwhile internet finds this week:

• I think I need to start watching, and commenting on The Brain Scoop 
• This Dad's response to his daughter's Christmas list is hilarious
• Amazing story, a memorial to a plane crash built in a remote African desert
• Famous brands updated with honest taglines, I could use a CD frisbee..
• Speaking of brands, these Twitter brand feuds are awesome

For your listening enjoyment: Strangers by Seven Lions is goin' on the playlist.

Happy weekend!

2013 Playlist

#Thatpower by Will.I.Am

September by Earth Wind and Fire 

Move Your Feet by Junior Senior
Black Sheep by Metric

Still Into You by Paramore

Stay the Night by Zedd, featuring Hayley Williams

This is What it Feels Like by Armin vanBuuren

Pompeii by Bastille

Out of the Blue by System F

The Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi (Remixed by Steve Aoki)

Lose My Mind by Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso

Better Off Alone by Alice Deejay

Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes

Mirrors  by Justin Timberlake

Wake Me Up by Avicii and Aloe Blacc

Hey Now by Martin Solveig

We Come Running by Youngblood Hawke

Take You Higher by Goodwill and Hook N Sling

Justice and Independence by John Mellencamp

Glowing by Nikki Williams

Easy  by Porter Robinson (and Matt Zo).

I Could be the One by Avicii featuring Nicky Romero

Pair of Dice by Tiesto

Ain't No Stoppin' by Ferry Corsten (featuring Ben Hague)

Come and Get It by Selena Gomez
Apollo by Hardwell featuring Amba Shepherd

This Head I Hold by Electric Guest

Castles in the Sky by Ian Van Dahl

Feel this Moment by Pitbull, featuring Christina Aguilera

Into Your Arms by the Lemonheads

Just Give me a Reason by Pink

I Love It by Icona Pop

Little Secrets Passion Pit

Sovereign Light Cafe by Keane, remixed by Afrojack

Clarity by Zedd

Years by Alesso

Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club
She Wolf by David Guetta, featuring Sia
Alive by Krewella
Illmerica by Wolfgang Garnter
Drowning by Armin van Buren
Give Me Your Hand by The Ready Set
Language by Porter Robinson
Cry for You by September
You Are My Diamond by Tiesto - featuring Kianna
Arguru - Deadmau5
We Are by Jus Jack & Oza, featuring Aeone

Books I Read in November 2013

Allegiant by Veronica Roth 

Sooooo, yeah, ending trilogies in a way that makes everyone happy must be a really tricky endeavor for authors. I've yet to read one that I thought was great; although, the Across The Universe trilogy came really close to great. This book felt like a lot of filler with so many characters to keep track of, and so much talk of the different serums I became confused. If you're a Divergent fan, you gotta finish it out - no question. It was super cool to be visiting home at the time I was reading it and riding the El, going to Millennium Park, and certainly O'Hare, where much of the book takes place. But overall, I was sad and disappointed by this book and not necessarily because of the ending.  I support Veronica Roth's decision on that front.  If you've read the book, here's an interview with her on the subject.  



Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I wanted to have an intro to Gaiman while I waited for my hold on The Ocean at the End of the Lane to come in, so I utilized this handy post from Book Riot. I enjoyed this book but wasn't enthralled/it took forever to read/I didn't have the urge to pick it up every chance I got. It blended together many different aspects of classic fantasy stories, set in modern day London. There was some good humor and originality, but on the whole I felt like I knew what was coming and had heard it all before. Blasphemy, I know, about one of the most revered fantasy writers of our time. I'm still going to read his latest, and if it changes my mind, I'll definitely read more. (Side note, one of our favorite kids book right now is Gaiman: Chu's Day is awesome.)



The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

I was a bit hesitant to read a YA vampire book, but it kept popping up on all sorts of 'best of the year' lists, including Amazon's top 10 YA for 2013. Plus, the Amazon editors promised that it was not the beginning of a new series, just one and done: SCORE. It was refreshing and original. What would really happen if we discovered vampires? How would it change our world?  It was a cool mashup of Twilight (but, written with much more finesse) and good dystopian fiction. However, the ending doesn't leave you hanging, but it isn't what I'd call neatly wrapped up. I smell a trap... A trilogy trap... Which I would TOTALLY read!



The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

OK, Gaiman has redeemed himself.  I devoured this book.  It's an absolutely perfect 'curl up on the couch on a rainy day with a blanket, next to a roaring fire' kind of story.  It's also very, very, creepy and fraught with tension.  If I were Joey, I would have put this book in the freezer a few times, if you know what I mean.  It's just fantastic storytelling and perfect imagery.  It's on Amazon's top 20 books of the year and it just took top honors on Goodreads for best Fantasy novel of 2013, with good reason.


Linking up with The Modern Mrs. Darcy's awesome book posts roundup!

Turkey Cranberry Salad Sandwich and This Week's Eats 12.1.13

The best part of Thanksgiving is the leftovers, amirite??  Every year I look forward to whipping up my favorite vehicle for leftover turkey, as well as leftover celery, walnuts, cranberries, parsley...

Turkey Cranberry Salad Sandwich

Ingredients:

- about a 1/2 cup of leftover turkey, diced

- 1-2 tablespoons finely diced celery 

- 1-2 tablespoons chopped red onion

- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries

- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley

- 2-3 tablespoons mayonnaise

- kosher or sea salt and black pepper to taste

The measurements aren't exact, just add as much as you like/omit what you don't like.  Mix everything up and serve on whole grain bread!

I forgot to report back on a few new recipes from the last two weeks that were really, really good: the Pesto Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Roasted Asparagus from Damn Delicious, the Skinnytaste Turkey and Black Bean Enchiladas, and the Crockpot Jalapeno Popper Chili from Everyday Reading.  Speaking of things that are really good, I got such an overwhelming response on Facebook to my Salami Stacks post last week.  Most from people I know personally that have had these tasty morsels thanking me for the recipe, or from friends who tried them and told me they were a huge hit over Thanksgiving.  If you haven't tried them, seriously, they are SO good.  You can thank me later.  

We're doing a bit of eating out this week, since my mother in law arrives for her annual visit and I can't wait!

• Monday - Pizza
• Tuesday - Chicken on the Grill with BBQ Sauce and Rice (easy peasy)
• Wednesday - Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema (old Cooking Light Recipe)
• Thursday - MIL arrives!  Dinner out after going to see some great local holiday lights displays.
• Friday - Buffalo Chicken Burgers
• Saturday - date night thanks to my MIL!
• Sunday - Baked Ziti

I'm linking up with Org Junkie, Mommy Run Fast and Jill Conyers, be sure to check out all the great weekly menus!