Reading Challenge 2015

I'm doing a reading challenge with friends this year. A 50 book challenge, but with limitations. I'll update this post as it goes. Hoping I succeed with this year's challenge, as I was a few shy for 2014.

The Challenge


A book with more than 500 pages-

A classic romance-

A book that became a movie-

A book published this year-

A book with a number in the title-

A book written by someone under 30-

A book with nonhuman characters-

A funny book-

A book by a female author-

A mystery or thriller-

A book with a one-word title-

A book of short stories-

A book set in a different country-

A nonfiction book-

A popular author's first book-

A book from an author you love that you haven't read yet-

A book a friend recommended-

A Pulitzer Prize winning book-

A book based on a true story-

A book at the bottom of your to-read list-

A book your Mom loves-

A book that scares you-

A book more than 100 years old-

A book based entirely on its cover-

A book you were supposed to read in school but didn't-

A memoir-

A book you can finish in a day - Flirting with Felicity by Gerri Russell

A book with antonyms in the title-

A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit-

A book that came out the year you were born-

A book with bad reviews-

A trilogy-

A book from your childhood-

A book with a love triangle-

A book set in the future-

A book set in high school-

A book with a color in the title-

A book that made you cry-

A book with magic-

A graphic novel-

A book by an author you've never read before-

A book you own but have never read-

A book that takes place in your hometown-

A book that was originally written in a different language-

A book set during Christmas-

A book written by an author with your same initials-

A play-

A banned book-

A book based on or turned into a TV show-

A book you started but never finished-

Painting Projects

I've started to have painting contractors come through to give me estimates on painting this week. I cannot wait to have these projects done! Ceilings, master bedroom, guest room, main bathroom, living room ceiling and the hallway are on the to-do list. This house needs a face lift, badly. No more beige!

I haven't been reading much this week, but I'd like to start those new books I mentioned in my last post. Hopefully I can squeeze them in. Party planning for Sam's birthday is underway, and I'm looking forward to celebrating with my family. They're making the trip in from the Midwest and staying through Easter. So thrilled.

Back to the painting, I'm thinking a light gray for the bedroom with lavender/purple/blue-ish accents. The guest room will be painted a light buttercream yellow. I'm still thinking about colors for the hallway. The ceilings are going to look wonderful with a couple coats of paint! Then, when the walls are all done, I can start putting up some art and decorative frames.

And even if we end up moving, the house will have a fresh coat of paint and look wonderful for the next owner! Boom, baby!

Spring? Is that you?

What a difference sunshine makes! It's a gorgeously sunny Saturday morning. Breakfast has been made, messes cleaned, coffee sipped, and now I sit with a few minutes to myself. Is there anything better? I have a few ideas about that, but I'll just be thankful for what I have at the moment.

Today we're going to tour some venues for our son's third birthday. I'm almost positive I know which one it will be, but I'll take the husband so he can give input. I've also been doing a lot of online window shopping for furniture. We need new couches, and I need a dresser this year. Actually, I needed it last year, but I haven't found the one for the right price. I'm thinking a light colored wood, with a sea-color on the wall, for the maximum amount of relaxation.

Our toddler is stretching his wings lately, so I need all the relaxation I can get. It's a phase, it's only a phase!

I have a few more books in the queue for this month, including Concealed In Death by JD Robb and Shattered, the third book in the Hidden series by M. Lathan.

February is almost over! How did that happen?

Crochet

I'm pleased that I've learned a new skill set. I'm on project two of single crocheting a scarf. The first one had some mistakes, as I expected, but I was still proud of the finished product. The second scarf is for me, colors "Oceana". It's going to be long and narrow, able to be wrapped several times. I can't wait to see how it's going to turn out! There's a huge sense of accomplishment in making something by hand, that I can't adequately explain. I want to learn to double crochet next, followed by knitting. It'd be nice to be able to make pretty things. And eventually, I'd like to pass these skills on. I'm already working on a recipe book, making sure I document my 'signature' meals.

I'm thrilled with my progress so far. I've taken a small break from reading to crochet, but I will come back to it shortly. I can never stay away from a good story for too long.

Here's a picture of the first completed project, modeled by my toddler;

Happy Homemaking!

Technology...

Is my nemesis today. I've tried a million times to upload a picture and it doesn't seem to be working. Riddle me this; how can a person who can read HTML have issues with a click here uploader? It's madness. Total madness.

Tonight I'm trying a new recipe from the Cooking Light magazine. The link is: Chicken with Honey Beer Sauce. I'm hoping it's delicious. I need a new chicken recipe under my belt, and this looks beyond simple.

In other frigid news, we got another six inches or so yesterday. I would like to take Sammy outside, but the windchill is in the negatives. Bummer. Here's to hoping tomorrow might be a bit warmer, so we can make a snowman!

I bought two more books today; Blood of the Lamb by Michael Lister and Dead Center by Danielle Girard. Both are crime drama. I'm taking a break from supernatural/fantasy series for the moment, as I just finished 5 in a row.

Any good book rec's are welcomed!

Edit: Hah! Take that! I fixed it. /fist pump

Weird Wednesday

Today has been odd. You know when you're agitated with something or someone and you rant to a close friend/family member? I did that this morning. And then, the weirdest thing happened; I got two phone calls that were complete rants about more serious things. Is it bad that I totally feel better about my small stuff? And then I wondered to myself, "Do I sound like this?" and if I do, I'm sorry. Man, what a downer. So, now, I'm turning all that excess energy into cleaning the house. I'll make things brighter until I feel brighter. And it's totally worked.

Just a weird Wednesday.

I have several books in the queue, but haven't started a new one yet. If everything goes smoothly for the rest of the day, I might start one. We'll see.

This weekend we have two parties to go to, a half hour apart for start times. How do you choose who to go to first? And who to be late to? Or do you not go to one? I'm still trying to figure out how it's going to work.

In the meantime, I guess I can sit and admire my clean house.

Mother Nature, Monday

As I'm sitting inside today, my Dad tells me that the actual temperature is -15 degrees. The windchill? -41. That brings a whole new meaning to 'cold'. I'm grateful for a warm house and a roof over my head today. Maybe I'll put that in the gratitude jar. Here, it's cold, with a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Thankfully, B is working from home today.

This morning I finished the book, Champion by Marie Lu. It's the final book in the Legend series. I wanted it to continue on further than it did, but I liked the way the author ended it. The characters were developed wonderfully, and I find myself thinking about them, even after I've finished. It's a mark of a good series. (Like, In Death's Eve and Roarke!)

Now, onto something else... Although I'm not sure what the next book will be.

Warm wishes on this cold, snowy Monday afternoon.