Countdown

1 year and 5 days ago I was proposed to in La Jolla, California.

And in 50 days I'll be getting married! I can hardly contain my excitement.

I've been working on some diy wedding projects the last couple weeks, all of which will be shared after the wedding. I've also been cooking a little bit, including tomato chutney with pork chops and rice, pineapple and strawberry crumble and rotini with pesto and broccoli. yum. Unfortunately my camera transfer cord is in Tucson, so no pictures for you guys. Sorry the blog has been neglected lately, but once I get my camera cord back I'll be all about it again :)

Mas Libros

I'm just a reading machine.

One Thousand Gifts
by Ann Voskamp

This book can be summed up with "Be Thankful." But Ann writes about her journey learning this lesson when she was dared to write a list of 1,000 things she was thankful for. This reminded me of my mom's thankful journal that we used to write in at home. I love the idea and may just take it up someday for myself. I didn't love her writing style but the idea of the book is excellent.







Blood Bones and Butter: The Reluctant Education of an Inadvertent Chef
by Gabrielle Hamilton

I first heard about this book on The Splendid Table, a food podcast from American Public Media. It's an autobiography written by the chef of the restaurant Prune in NYC. She had a crazy childhood growing up in an old broken down silk mill, fending for herself at 16 in the city and just living life as a chef. I didn't necessarily approve of her lifestyle but her writing is enthralling and her life keeps you on your toes.

Spring Break 2011!

One benefit of being with a teacher is that even though I don't get the holidays off I still feel like they're holidays. My handsome man came in last Monday and just flew out this morning back to Tucson and I'm back to the grind tomorrow evening.

It was excellent to be able to hang out for a whole week in the same place! Fortunately, we were super productive this past week. We got Seth's wedding suit, found a potential house, sat outside, ate delicious food, froze at a sunrise Easter service, and even went on a date. We saw Water for Elephants. Based on a fantastic book I read this summer, the movie didn't disappoint. I was not thrilled with the choice of actors (R. Patz doesn't appropriately express emotion), and it didn't completely capture the book but it was neat to see the story on screen.


Now, I just have to go through the next 2 weeks before heading back to AZ to see my man again!

Engage!

I came home at the end of February and immediately after landing in Phoenix I drove home, hopped in the shower and got all gussied up for our engagement pictures. They were done by the AMAZING Kimberly Jarman Photography. I met Kim in 7th grade when she started working with the youth at our church, I then worked for Kim in high school as her first admin assistant, and have continued to admire her photography since then. Seth and I are totally in love with these pictures so now I hope you enjoy this little taste!

Just what you have been waiting for. More book reviews

Being on call for work puts me in such a productive mood. I've already written all my thank you cards from my amazing bridal shower this past weekend, coded an interview for a research project and bought a plane ticket home. Hooray.

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith

As you already know, I love reading good books. This was one of them. Betty Smith wrote such an incredible story of a young woman growing up in Brooklyn in the early 20th century. Through the book you fall in love with Francie Nolan and the whole family. I highly recommend this book.

I've put her second book Joy in the Morning on my "to read" list.




A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken

Now, I feel bad reviewing this book, because my sister was going to give it to me for the wedding so I shouldn't have read it. Bottom line though, it was a beautiful book. I am still processing everything I read in this book. Vanauken writes the incredibly moving account of his marriage to his darling wife. It includes letters written from C.S. Lewis to Vanauken. The way they approach their marriage, love, their search for faith is so inspiring. I'm even making the fiance read it so we can discuss it.

Monday, Monday

How I feel after 3 nights in a row:
(source)

And where I'll be spending most of my day:

(source)

okay, not this exact bed, but you get the idea
Enjoy your Monday.