Category Archives: Nico

Feb 16

Hello To One More Year

When I was ten years old and in the fifth grade, I became obsessed with politics. I decided then and there what my future party would be, and I even wanted to be a political science major when I grew up. The thing that stuck with me most was when my social studies teacher talked about presidential campaigns, and just what it took to be president. One factor, that I remember best, was that you had to be at least thirty-five years to be eligible to run for president.

So with that, today I’m old enough to run for president…

Yarn party anyone?

 

Feb 10

Thrifting Finds

I had an awesome trip to the antique shop, and came home with an item that I have been searching for, for the longest time.

I happily added some more vintage Pyrex to my collection.

I absolutely fell in love with this organizer. I put it in the kitchen above the cookbooks.

I was thrilled when I found this bowl. I have been looking for this Friendship pattern for two years.

I’m very happy with my new old finds.

 

 

 

Jan 25

Sunday Stills: Ten Years

This month sometime between Christmas and Thade’s first birthday we moved to our little town ten years ago. At first the move to me didn’t quite fit, now I love to call this little town my home…

 

 

Jan 9

Bookworm: What I was reading in 2014

I set a goal of reading at least twenty books cover to cover in 2014. I only made it to book number nineteen. I’ve set the same goal this year, and I really hope to accomplish the task. I thought I might share what I read with you, and see if you read some of the same books too.

Here are all of the books that I read (in no particular order):

  • Quiet by Susan Cain
  • UnSouled by Neal Shusterman
  • Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
  • Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
  • Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
  • The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
  • Orfeo by Richard Powers
  • The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
  • The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
  • A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin
  • Four by Veronica Roth
  • Divergent by Veronica Roth
  • Insurgent by Veronica Roth
  • Allegiant by Veronica Roth
  • Tell The Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
  • The Witch’s Daughter by Paula Brackston
  • The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
  • The Eye Of Minds by James Dashner
  • Pandora’s Star by Peter F. Hamilton (I actually just finished reading this last night)

I have to say that I really enjoyed every single book that I read last year. I do have a few favorites though…

  • Favorite Horror/Suspense: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn- I have read all of Gillian’s books, and I have enjoyed them all.
  • Favorite Sci-fi: Orfeo by Richard Powers- The story was absolutely fascinating, and I can’t wait to read more of Richard’s novels.
  • Most Helpful: Quiet by Susan Cain- Introverts unite!!!
  • Guilty Pleasure/Best Dystopian: UnSouled by Neal Shusterman- I’ve read the entire UnWind series, and I’ve loved every single story.
  • Little Did I know I couldn’t live without: Me Before You, and The Girl You left behind, both by Jojo Moyes- Must have all of her books now!!!
  • Best Comedy: Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple- Fun, fantastic read, that I couldn’t put down.
  • Favorite Novel: The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman- Absolutely beautiful, this was another page-turner for me.

My very favorite book that I read in 2014 was…

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt was my very favorite. From the very first page I was hooked. It isn’t a happy tale, but it is beautifully written, and impossible to put down. The tragic tale of loss, theft, addiction, and growing up. Absolutely fantastic!

I can’t wait to get started on this year’s books! What about you… Do you have a reading goal for 2015? Have you read any of the same books that I read in 2014? What did you think of them?

 

 

 

Dec 2

November’s Tasty Treats

While searching for photos for the month of November, I quickly realized that I hardly took any photos in November… I guess it really was a busy month. I do have a few to share from the kitchen. By the way, the kitchen is still a mess from Thanksgiving. I swear the next house that we live in is going to have a dishwasher, maybe two of them.

I’ve been making a lot of muffins lately. This is a tasty batch of banana ones.

Also, this happened… I have to have at least one when they are back!

Ugh, lazy Sunday morning.

In November I tried out a few new recipes. I used a breadmaker recipe for Coffee-cake.

I used the same recipe to make a quick batch of breadmaker Cinnamon Rolls. They worked out nicely, and cut down the proofing time considerably.

I also tested a batch of Wheat Rolls for Thanksgiving. I love a big pile of dough, just waiting to be made into something tasty.

The rolls turned out beautifully, and the family approved too. The Wheat Rolls were delicious.

Then Thanksgiving happened, and I cooked for four days straight. I was so stinking busy cooking, and cleaning, that I didn’t get any photos to share. I assure you it was tasty, and I made seven pies and two cakes.

Weekend breakfast, leftover Pumpkin Bundt Cake with cream cheese frosting. It was so sweet and tasty.

December is here, and I’m still tired from Thanksgiving. I haven’t started on Christmas cookies just yet, but I am stocked up and ready to go.