Book Review: The

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less
Terry Ryan

I always have these grand reading plans - listen to four audio books a month, read at least six books a month, etc. Honestly, I can tell you a read probably 100+ board books and picture books a month but I'm slacking in the adult reading department. By the time I have time to read now, I fall asleep. I've been reading the same book since the beginning of the month! But I did finish an audio book!! Listening to books in the car makes the commute so much better.

Last week, I finished The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. Many of you might remember the movie that starred Julianne Moore. I remember watching the movie and not really thinking much of it. It's been awhile so listening to the book wasn't completely ruined by seeing the movie. The book is a memoir of the author's life growing up with nine siblings, a sometimes absent and alcoholic father and a mother who applied for every contest possible just to make ends meet.

The book was definitely interesting. Not one does Evelyn Ryan raise 10 kids but she also finds the time and energy to enter contests to make a living. She won everything from sports equipment and trips to cash and cars. A few of her children even went to college on scholarships that Evelyn won for them. The book was both humorous and serious. Every time the family hit a road bump she managed to save them, including bankruptcy and losing the house. 

This is an easy and enjoyable read! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a a good memoir. You'll laugh, you might cry, maybe you'll even learn something - like how to survive with little. Head to the library and check it out for a great weekend read!

Happy Reading!

Pinterest Round-Up: January Projects

It's cold out and I have a sleeping baby after 8 p.m., so what better excuse to dive into some Pinterest projects on these chilly, winter evenings and during baby naps on weekends. I've been waiting until the holidays were over and my schedule to not be as crazy to start some of these. Here's what I'm hoping to work on this month.

READ Box for Library Books

Maybe it's the librarian in me who knows how often library books go missing or get mixed up with books kids already have, so I'm making Carter a READ box for his library books to keep in the living room. His books stay in the bedroom.

Baby Shadow Box

It's taken this long for me to realize that the pile of items in Carter's room that I set aside for a shadow box are still sitting there - his hospital bracelets, rose from church, bassinet name tag, etc. 

[Image from Pinterest.]

Space for Dennis' Stuff in the Living Room

This isn't really a Pinterest project but an organization task I need to accomplish. We have a large ottoman in the living room that doubles as a storage bin. I'm going to organize the inside for all of Dennis' mail, magazines, textbooks, etc.

Baby Size Hangers

Finally, I want to make size hangars for Carter's closet. Four months late again but at first I thought I didn't need it but I realized again tonight that it would be nice to have to separate his clothes.

[Image from Pinterest.]

And I hit the jackpot last weekend at Target with Christmas ornaments, so I think an impromptu Pinterest party might be in order to make holiday wreaths. Then I don't have to store the ornaments or I won't forget until it's too late that I bought them.

[Image from Pinterest.]

What Pinterest projects are you working on this winter?

Merry Christmas, Carrie!

Happy Holidays, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! It's hard to believe that it is already over. There was so much hype and rushing around that as always I feel like I missed it.

This year I was so much more excited about the gifts I gave that I really didn't even have time to think about the gifts I received. I'm still unpacking some of these that literally got put in the bedroom and not thought of again since we were so busy.

It was also special because it was Carter's first Christmas. Not that he had any idea what was going on but it was still fun to somewhat see it thru his eyes. We are still celebrating of course since Dennis worked. Tomorrow we are taking Carter to see the lights at Phipps.

I have to say that my favorite gift this year or at least the one I've used the most so far, would have to be my heating blanket from Dennis. It could be 60 degrees out and I'll be under the blanket. I've been asking for this for years, so I'm so happy I got it. And don't worry it is up to safety standards for the fireman. I can't wait to start reading some books cuddled up under my new blanket.

What were your favorite gifts?

Happy Holidays! Just a quick post for today! My goal as always is to be on here more in the New Year! We will see what happens!

Book Review: Julie and Julia

Reading hasn't really been on the top of my list lately. I was trying while Carter napped but that didn't go so well because I was tired and falling asleep. Then I remembered how much I enjoyed listening to books when I worked at Western Allegheny and North Versailles. Granted those were longer drives, however now I'm going to more meetings and am probably in the car just as much. The first book I listened to was Julie and Julia. Right now I'm listening to Modern Lovers and The Boston Girl. A different car every day (the joys of a car seat) means two different books!

I chose Julie and Julia because Julia Child fascinates me and I loved the movie; however, I'm not normally one that watches the movie and then reads the book but it just worked out that way this time. I have to admit. I wasn't that impressed and I liked the movie more.

As I said, Julia Child fascinates me. This book focuses very little actually on her except for the cookbook. The movie did such a great job of blending the two character's lives, which makes me think that the movie was actually based on not only this book but one of Julia Child's biographies, like Dearie for example. I'd say that was my favorite part about the movie was the Julia Child sections and not just because the great Meryl Streep played her but because she is so interesting.

Julie in the book was even more annoying to read about then she was to watch. I'm surprised I kept listening. She drove me nuts at first and they definitely added more to the movie because you could never make a book from just this memoir.

It's such an interesting concept though and I give her so much credit because it's people like her that I envy with her blogging ability. I think it was because of that movie that I originally started a blog. She has so much dedication. The idea of blogging about one thing intrigued me as well. She definitely inspired me to cook. I'm an awful cook but hey if Julia Child could learn to cook at 40, I can learn to cook at 25. Don't you think?

So this book has prompted me to want to cook more and now I'm making an effort to actually make something when Dennis and I are both home, which is rare so it's not too often and a good start. And I decided to get my cookbooks out (very few) and use them instead of Pinterest and getting food all over my phone or tablet.

I guess it wasn't a terrible book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who watched the movie. It might have even been better to see the movie first but I'm not sorry I listened to it. Go the library and check it out or borrow the book from me (I have the print edition) and get inspired to blog, cook or read better books. Ha ha!

Happy Reading!

Notebook Love

I love, love, love notebooks! Just on my desk alone I have five notebooks. Granted two are blank and are just waiting to be used. Thanks to Pinterest I've discovered mind mapping too, which is a fabulous use for notebooks and helps to get all the thoughts in my head onto paper. So, what you might ask do I use my notebooks for? Well, here is my Tuesday Ten of some notebook ideas and since I've been so awful at posting lately today is a double post with a Tuesday Ten of the best notebooks (hint, hint for Christmas gifts!).

Notebook Uses

1. Budget

I used to have an entire notebook for my budget but I have moved this to Google Docs. I still have budget notes in my notebook though.

2. Party Planning

Of course I have lots of notes for upcoming parties and you can bet that having a baby isn't going to stop us from hosting our annual events!

3. Date Nights

We don't really get date nights that often. We didn't really before Carter was born and we really don't know but we at least try to plan a few and get one in a month.

4. 2017 Vacation Plans

This is my favorite! I love planning vacations and now with Carter we are trying to make more of an effort to actually take time off and go on family vacations. Definitely hitting up DC next year since its been too long and of course Key Largo since we now have a reason to visit all the time!

5. Gift Ideas

Another favorite! I love buying gifts for people and especially now that its almost Christmas!! Yeah!!

6. Movies to Watch

Who am I kidding? I never watch movies anymore. I'm lucky if I get to watch the latest episode of This is Us or Blue Bloods. My TV watching consists of Today Show if we Carter wakes up at 7 a.m. and I have time before work, lots of football and occasionally a show on demand during a weekend day feeding.

7. Doodles

Sometimes you just need to draw and not think about anything else. My main notebook has random drawings in it as well.

8. Reading Lists

I have a list of books that I want to read this fall. I haven't been reading that much lately but I realized I can listen to books in the car again on my way to work and while I walk to get more reading in. I also have lists of books I want to read.

9. Writing

I have a whole notebook dedicated to my novel ideas. Last year, I tried to do NaNoRiMo but I was too busy. I definitely won't have time this year.

10. Price Comparisons 

I have a whole notebook for this but I hardly ever use it anymore because I'm lazy and do all of my shopping at Target.

I have a lot more in my notebook but this is just a few of the items and this isn't even including my work notebooks.

So, does that make you want to go out and buy notebooks? I do and I already have all of these lists or use notebooks for these items.

Best Stores to Buy Notebooks

1. Target 

Surprisingly, Target has a really great selection of notebooks and lots of different sizes in case you want smaller ones to put in a purse.

2. Marshall's/TJ Maxx

It's hit or miss but when they actually have notebooks in stock they are normally awesome.

3. Plum Paper

This is where my planner is from and maybe someday I'll start buying notebooks there.

4. Lilly Pulitzer

My planner last year was Lilly and I loved it. They have great notebooks as well.

* After I wrote this, I actually went back to look and they no longer have the notebooks. :(

5. WalMart

I don't really shop here at all anymore but when I lived in Ohio I did and the selection of notebooks isn't awful.

Notebooks I Want or You Should Buy :)

1. Erin Condren Custom Notebook

These are awesome and maybe someday I'll switch from Plum Paper to Erin Condren.

2. Plum Paper Notebook

How cute are these simple notebook/journals from my favorite Plum Paper?

3. Vera Bradley Notebook

I'm not a big fan of Vera and these prints really aren't my style but these are nice notebooks.

4. Kate Spade Notebook 1

Ahh I'm in love with these Kate Spade notebooks and journals! Sometimes they have these at TJ Maxx and Marshall's.

5. Kate Spade Notebook 2

Ditto to above!

So, what are you waiting for?! Get out there and get a notebook! Start making lists, mind mapping or doodling! I guarantee you'll like at least something!

Fourth Quarter Goals...Say What?

It's funny how your goals change after having a baby. I've always been a planner with extensive goals and resolutions each January. Now I have to plan even more but honestly I couldn't even tell you what my goals and resolutions were for this year and whether or not I've made any progress. My planning is more to make sure that we get out of the house and everything is scheduled regarding cars, childcare, meetings, etc.

Now I take life one day at a time and I'm happy when I lay down to sleep if...

...the bottles are clean or I have at least one clean round.

...Carter's room is clean and the diapers are out to the trash.

...the diaper bag is ready to go for the next day.

...the living room and kitchen are decent if guests would stop (I've learned to clean as I go or while I'm doing other stuff in the room).

...I have a game plan for the next day.

That's it. Pretty simple. We have ourselves in a routine now, so that helps and we are still learning but I'm no longer as focused on whatever those goals were at the beginning of the year. There's too much else to think about and actually I think I'm more relaxed this way. I enjoy every moment and treasure every smile, laugh and even cry from Carter rather than worrying about what I'm not doing.

(Photo from Pinterest.)

Fall Favorites

It only takes me a few weeks to say goodbye to summer and embrace fall with open arms. Here are a few of my fall favorites for a warm and cozy season.

College Football on TV

Chunky Sweaters from Gap or J. Crew

Juicy Apples from Soergel's or Kalin's

Walks in Highland Park

Riding Boots

Happy Fall, y'll!