Reading Rainbow

Yeah, I know.  Let's not act like you haven't heard from  me in a million years and pretend that everything is hunky dory.  Hunky Dory?  I am officially losing it.  Anyway, I have been on a HUGE reading kick lately.  I have finished five books in two months.  That may not sound like alot to you but I rarely get this much reading finished.  Especially since I am in college and all.  I would like to share with you guys (whoever is really reading this) what books I have completed and what I thought of them (complete with pictures of course!). 

I read this book sometime in August or September, I think.  This is a biography of Julia Child, the great American-French cook.  This book is filled with her personality and trails.  I am, for some reason, intrugued by her story.  Maybe it is because it was until later in Julia's life that she started cooking.  It gives hope that you can achieve anything you want in life even if you think that it is too late.

I feel in love with this book.  This is a Christian based book that brings up the desires of every woman's heart.  You may think that it is a little far fetched to say that every single woman has this same desire but I believe it to be true.  What is this desire the book brings into light, you may ask?  The desire to be captivating, of course!  Through this book, the authors give examples of a woman's desire, pitfalls and hurts because of this, and how our Savior is here to mend our hearts so that we may be a woman reflecting Him.   

This book is one of the many that my friend, Jessica, has loaned me.  This is a fiction story written in the style of a journal.  Whitney, the main character and writer of the journal, starts writing on her thirtieth birthday.  This goes through her trails and triumphs as a single girl looking for the Lord to send her someone, getting through to her co-workers, and dealing with a friend deep in depression.  This book is also Christian based as Whitney looks to the Lord for answers.  It is a hilarious read and one of three books.  I would even go as far to say that it is a must read for any older (because 20 is old) single girl.   

This is a sequel of sorts to Eat, Pray, Love by: Elizabeth Gilbert.  When in Rome, Elizabeth meets a man named Luca Spaghetti (yes, that is his real name) and they build a friendship stronger than most.  This book is Luca's story to the world.  He recalls his childhood and displays his love for home, The Eternal City, Rome.  He goes into further detail of the story and how he felt meeting an American writer.  I love this book for many reasons.  One, I love stories of adventure and finding out more about one's self.  I also love any book dealing with another culture.  This book has both of these piled into one great read.

This is a book filled with heartache and hope.  Lakshmi is sold into sex slavery by her step father.  This is her story brought to you through poetry.  I found this book captivating and hard to put down.  The writer of this book went to Nepal and interviewed many woman who had been sold into prostitution.  This book is very eye opening and I highly recommend reading it.

I recently finished this book and it is still on my mind.  This is another book of hurt and hope.  Lily Owens wants to find out more about her dead mother even though her abusive father refuses to tell her anything.  The book is set in 1964, right in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement, filled with racism and prejudice.  This is a story that is so beautifully written that I could picture every detail in my mind.  

Although I have read some really great books lately, my reading list isn't quite finished.  Here are some more books I wish to read.  Hopefully Santa Clause will find this list and put a couple in my stocking!

* I would like to thank Google for all these images and Reading Rainbow for giving the passion to read.  Oh! and my mom.  (you always thank your mom)

Well, Hello There

Long time, no post.  I know, I know.  A little break turned into a long break.  I was really hoping to blog more during the month of October because it is my favorite month and I wanted to post about really cute fall craft projects.  Oh well...Now I can post about Thanksgiving and Christmas ideas.  Is anyone else out there into Pinterest as much as I am?  I don't know.  I love Pinterest!  I wanted to share with you my favorite food ideas that I found.   November is officially the month to eat...right?

white chocolate pumpkin cups

breakfast squares

tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons

red velvet hot chocolate

pumpkin and cream cheese wontons with caramel dip

Okay so that last one wasn't a recipe idea.  However, I really want to make those mantle blocks.  Stay tuned to see if I do ;)



Fall Ya'll

It's fall.  It's fall.  It's fall!  Fall just so happens to be my favorite season.  At this very moment I am home from college on our fall break.  What have I done to celebrate?  Let me show you.

carving pumpkins

a fall picnic complete with soup and hot cocoa

trail mix with plenty of candy corn

Now for the stuff I haven't done yet but plan to do so.  Thank you Pinterest for giving me these wonderful ideas.  I take none of the credit for these photos.

( have I mentioned how I am addicted to Pinterest?) 

a fall camping trip

(I already have one planned)

must do this

I need a countdown

making these for a party

and we will give these away as favors

I have already decided that this fall is going to be super awesome.  I love my college in the fall.  I love drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks.  I love red leaves.  I love tailgating and football food.  I love corn mazes and pumpkin patches.  I love camping and sweatshirts.  I'm breaking out the plaid flannel shirts.  Fall is here and I'm excited.  Let me know what you guys are doing for fall.  What are your plans?  What are your favorite fall recipes?  Comment away.

Pain

My life has been so painful lately.  I have allowed myself to stop blogging for a while without feeling guilty.  I don't know when I will blog again.  I do know that I will blog again.  The best way to describe my pain is like a crumbly brick.  No, there aren't any broken bones or tooth aches.  It's much worse.  The feeling of crumbling.  The feeling of defeat.  The feeling of darkness.  It will get better.  He has overcome. 

Sydney Baby

Yesterday I visited Sydney.  I was able to see the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge while on a ferry ride.  It was beautiful and quite exciting. 

Salutations

Right now, I am in Sydney.  Not on a plane headed for home and not in East Freo with my aussies. 

 

  I

     MISS

 fairy bread and afternoon tea

 chilling with Heath Ledger in his hideout...jk

 bubble tea

 the youth group

beautiful beaches

san churros' fondue for two

and of course...the wonderful people!

Heart Hugs

Today has been a good day.  For some reason I got an extra boost of energy today.  Thursday is a random day for a boost of energy.  I'm not complaining though.  I am getting to know the kids at Construction Zone pretty well.  Too bad tomorrow is the last day.  After CZ, I was able to go to a lady's house and chat a bit with another young adult here and my partner.  We went through some scrapbooks and eventually chatted for quite some time.  I felt like it was a heart to heart.  I like heart to hearts.  I'm gonna call it a heart to heart.  The lady shared her perspective on dating and out of a scrapbook came her old ''qualities in a husband'' list.  I may or may not have one of my own.  She wrote her list when she was twenty-two.  She calls this the list not to have.  It was quite hilarious.  I have no idea where I am going with this.  Today was a good day..yeah. 

Thanks God!

p.s. 5 more followers before my

birthday and I will host a giveaway.

Down by the Bayou

Today is the second day of Construction Zone here in East Fremantle.  I am enjoying it quite well.  I love the kids here in East Freo.  I am a little sad already when I think about going home but I know that I just need to make the most of the time I'm here.  I have two weeks left to grow in the relationships I've made.  Now, this is really random but I have been wanting to do a tribute to one of my favorite cities.  If you know me at all, you know that my favorite city is New Orleans.  In fact, I feel like God has called me there and I feel like I will live there at some point in my life.  It is even on my Forever 21 list to live there for a period of time.  If you know anything about New Orleans, you know that even my header is a pic of my Cinderella castle, the St. Louis Cathedral.  St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans is where I want to get engaged.  Be sure to let my man know ;).  You know the one no one knows about.  Anyway, this city has a big piece of my heart for several reasons and God has even woven it into my testimony.  I love this place and people in it.  I call it home.  Here is my Nola tribute:

I love Mardi Gras.  I love the Saints.  I love the French Quarter. 

I love Magazine Street.  I love the French Market. 

I love New Orleans.