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Sunday, January 29, 2012

2012 Intention: Read 25 books

I am terrible when it comes to sitting down and reading a book. There are at least 5 or 6 books on my nightstand that are halfway read, staring me down every night as I check my phone one last time for a game in Words With Friends or a last glance at my Facebook/Twitter feeds. Or my minds zips off to crafty projects I can start/finish, DVR shows I can watch, or anything else non-print related. Last year I had set a goal to read at least 25 pages per day, but that quickly flopped as we moved and settled into new jobs. 

I received a few books for Christmas including How to Live Dangerously, In Defense of Food, and Make the Bread, Buy the Butter. I also started reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle before the holidays (heck, it was probably over the summer), but alas, there it sits on my nightstand. I feel as if I am behind the times with books, but I somehow find the time to keep up with all 150+ blogs in my Google Reader feed. I usually take on my reader feed while at work, but aimlessly surf the 'net once I'm home (post-dinner/gym). It is definitely time to cut back on the internet browsing and stick my nose in a book.

Thankfully, Andy is really good at keeping me accountable. He has already zipped through at least three seven books in the last month, however, I was lucky to squeeze in about 30 pages (when I wrote this post earlier in the week) before I hit the hay, which means (for me) that I'm off to a good start. With that, my crazy goal for the year is to read 25 books. I remember the days when reading was fun and I really want to view this as an opportunity to expand my horizons, build my vocabulary and knowledge, and get back into good fiction. If I reach my goal before the end of the year, I'll keep reading. I've also set up a Pinterest board to keep track of what I've read, as well another board with books to complete/read. Here's to happy reading of the printed word!

Read the Printed Word!

Monday, January 2, 2012

This is the new year

We're going riding on the freeway...

Cheese!

Nail polish stickers, which were more of a pain to apply than regular nail polish. There's a reason they give you 16 nail stickers in case you screw up. They did look really cool for the three days I wore 'em. Acquired via my Birch Box.  


Presents, PRESENTS!

And now for the finale, I bring you many photos of present face!

For the first time in present history, Tommy was excited about receiving clothes!

Brooke loves to pose!

Swimming lessons for Tommy! Thanks Aunt Cara and Uncle Andy!

Make and Takes for Kids

Brooke was more interested in the pretty bow than the present.

Clothes!

Christmas Eve madness

Lynn

Ho ho ho!

Thanks Tommy... for the bottle of rum!

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetle...

Ian is a zombie!

Samantha

Foods of Christmas

The heavenly French toast casserole
Brunch at my mom's and dinner at the in-laws. We also ate a vintage-inspired Christmas Eve lunch at my dad's house (swedish meatmalls, cream cheese ham wraps w/pickle, and macaroni salad. Christmas Eve dinner included a little family drama, along with meatloaf and all the trimmings. Now I'm hungry just writing about food. Enjoy!

Pull apart cinnamon rolls, ham, and mini-quiche

Olives and pickles

Mustards and ham

Hashbrown Quiche

Assorted breads and cheese

Prime Rib, which also came with all the trimmings.

Christmas in Dairyville

My mom and I took Tommy over to the Alpenrose Dairy a few weeks back for a visit to see Santa and all the dairy had to offer. 
 
Lovely flocked trees

Hen house


"I want a golden goose for Easter!"

Tommy in the sleigh

Rooster and Hen

A tiny cathedral

Tommy's magical floating head

Sleigh ride!

Sharing his wishes (a dinosaur and a bicycle).

Cheese!

This donkey had a funny name...