Summer Reading

I have a to-read list on goodreads.com that is way too long. I need to knock those books out quickly. So I am making a summer reading list of 50 books. I've finished 3 already and am in the middle of a 4th. The first 3 were Marsha Altman's The Darcys and the Bingleys series. They were her take on what would have happened after Pride & Prejudice. I don't think Jane Austen would have taken it in that direction, but I was entertained and loved the characters she created. Right now I am reading Northanger Abbey. It's one of the two Austen novels I haven't read. I keep getting distracted with all of the JA fan-fiction. There are SO MANY novels that are based on her works, and I'm trying to get through them all.

Happy Homemake Monday!

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It's quite warm and sunny, but the clouds are slowly rolling in for some late afternoon thunderstorms we're supposed to get.


Things that make me happy:
Beating my run times. Shaved a few minutes off of my 5k personal best.

Book I'm reading:
The Darcys and the Bingleys by Marsha Altman.


What I'm enjoying on TV:
Ghost Whisperer


On the menu for dinner:
Fettuccine Alfredo


On my To Do List:
Run 2 miles
Clean bathroom


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:

My mom's homemade scones and sloppy joes.

In the craft basket:

Finish dinner time magnets.

Looking forward to this week:
Logging some more miles towards the Run 4 Red Ribbon project.

Tips and Tricks:
I don't think I have any today.


My favorite blog post this week:
I liked Sandra's post on being too dependent on technology.
Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
I haven't discovered any new blogs this week, but I have started one of my own. I'm doing some charity work for Peak 4 Poverty. This blog chronicles my journey of helping them. Check it out, and donate if you can!
http://jennar4rproject.blogspot.com/

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):




















Lesson learned the past few days:
Well, I was feeling some pain in my shins after a lot of running this week and I just ignored it, and instead of resting I went for a long run yesterday. Big mistake. I need to learn to listen to my body. I should have taken it easier because today I'm hurting pretty bad.


On my mind:
Getting my shins better so I can keep running.

Happy Mother's Day!

We had a pretty relaxed Mother's Day. I was suffering from allergies all day, but I didn't let it get in the way of having some fun with Jer and Layla. We spent most of the day doing laundry and packing because Layla and I are headed out to the East Coast with some friends this morning. We did take a break for a late lunch and some shopping out in West Omaha. We went to Cheeseburger in Paradise and picked up some cute clothes for Layla at the Carter's outlet. The weather could have been nicer, but we still had fun!

Layla and I were being goofy waiting outside Coldstone Creamery while Jer was getting our ice cream.

Layla was chasing some birds and screaming at them. I think she was trying to get them to chase her, but it wasn't working out too well.

Little Green Monster

Happy Homemaker Monday!

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It's actually quite warm! The sun is shining and there is hardly any wind! Beautiful day to spend outside with my little one.


Things that make me happy: My family's health. We took Layla to the doctor for her 2-year check up today and she is doing very well developmentally and growing like a weed!


Book I'm reading:
Bikram Yoga by Bikram Choudhury. I take the hot yoga class and it's doing wonders for my body and mind!

What I'm enjoying on TV:
Parenthood and Biggest Loser on NBC
Dancing with the Stars on ABC

On the menu for dinner:
I think I'm going to make Rocco DiSpirito's HEALTHY fettuccine alfredo. We haven't had it since the first time I tried it.


On my To Do List:
Meeting some friends for lunch.Run a few errands.
Exercise!


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
I want to try and make a marinara sauce with turkey meat for some yummy spaghetti.

In the craft basket:

Scrapbooking

Looking forward to this week:
Jeremy might get some time off at the end of the week so we can have some quality family time before deployments this summer.


Tips and Tricks:
Ice shin splints. I'm currently suffering from them and it's all I can do to make them better.


My favorite blog post this week: 'Ice Cream Man Come Here!' post on Not so idle hands blog. Too cute! I remember doing the same thing as a child!

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
RunnerDude's blog. Love it!


No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

Lesson learned the past few days:
If you're in a little bit of pain, rest. Don't work yourself even harder because then your injuries get worse. It's kind of common sense and I can just kick myself for pushing myself too hard on my run yesterday.


On my mind:
Summer plans. We've got a lot going on starting in the middle of May all the way through August. It's going to be busy!

5 Senses Saturday

Hear:

My 2 year old trying to say the alphabet =)
Large, loud planes flying over my house.
My heavy breathing when I run.
"I'm on a Boat" by the Lonely Island (one of my favorite songs on my running playlist.)
See:
Sunshine!
A messy kitchen =(Flowers blooming.
Layla coloring.

Smell:
A freshly baked cake that I need to turn into cake bites.
My new honeysuckle candle.
B.O. from my 5k run.

Touch:
Layla's LONG hair!
The keyboard.
The condensation on my Nalgene water bottle.
The pages of 'Bikram Yoga' By Bikram Choudhury.
Taste:
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Homemade Berry Energy Smoothie

Oops!

I forgot to post the link on my last post!
Check out Sandra's blog!

Happy Homemaker Monday!

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It's beautiful and sunny. Just got back in from watering my beautiful flowers. It's a little too windy for my taste though.


Things that make me happy:
The funny little noises my toddler makes when she's trying to read.

Book I'm reading:
Mansfield Park.


What I'm enjoying on TV:Dancing with the Stars!
Go Ochocinco!


On the menu for dinner:
No idea.

On my To Do List:
Clean up the living room, clean my craft room, and run another 5k today.


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
I really want to get Rocco Dispirito's new cookbook "Now Eat This" and try EVERYTHING in it!

In the craft basket:

Scrapbooking. Of course.

Looking forward to this week:
Finishing my goal of running 5k everyday.


Tips and Tricks:
Always use a towel soaked in HOT water to clean up sticky beverages. If it's cold water it won't get all the stickyness up and all dirt in the room will be attracted to that ONE spot.


My favorite blog post this week:
I love the vlogs posted by Natalie at run1000miles.com
She's funny and creative, and doing and excellent job.

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):



Lesson learned the past few days:
Time flies. My only child turned 2 on Friday, and I just can't believe how big she's gotten! She also started potty training this weekend and went both poopoo and peepee in the potty. I am just so proud of her!


On my mind:
Whether or not I'm going to have to drive to Utah alone this summer. Jer might be deployed for my birthday and won't be able to come on the family camping trip =*( It's going to be difficult to drive all the way there with just me and Layla =*(

Layla's Birthday Party!

For Layla's birthday party we did a Princess and the Frog/Tinkerbell theme.
The color theme of both characters is purple and green, which I think are a beautiful combination.

I made funfetti cupcakes with white cream cheese frosting, which I spray painted with edible purple paint and topped with green pearl sprinkles (best sprinkles ever made!) They were delicious!!!

Usually I go all out with the decorations trying to cover every available surface with streamers and anything I could find, but I kept it a little low key this year.

Playing ball with William.

Layla is finally learning how to share!

Such a pro kicker!

Layla and William holding hands and running to the playroom together.

Walking down the hill into our neighbor's yard with Grandma JoAnn.

Presents time!!

Layla got a lot of new books to read! We finally have some new material at bedtime!

Layla loved the ribbons.

She LOVES the Princess and the Frog band equipment. I can hear her playing the drums in the next room while I'm typing this.

She got really shy when everyone started singing to her. She had no idea what was going on!

She had so much fun coloring on the tray that Grandma and Grandpa Chastain got for her. We sat there for a while after the party coloring and winding down.

THanks to everyone who came to the party! We had a lot of fun and Layla loves all her presents!!