Book Store Magic

Have you ever had a moment of pure joy? A moment when all is right with the world, and time itself seems to still? For some this moment comes with falling in love (I know it did for me).  It may come with the birth of a child or any other number of things.   I had just such a moment the other day.  I was eating lunch with my friend Jolee and as we dined on soup and sandwiches she casually asked me if I wanted to go check out a used book store that she knows of…DO I?!?!?! I give her a look of impish glee and asked her with great incredulity if she really even had to ask! After that was settled we returned to our lunch which for me was mostly a blur. All I could think about was the treasures that awaited me.  I was like a kid who hurriedly ate all my chicken nuggets so that I could get to the toy in the bottom of my Happy Meal!  Needless to say I was not disappointed.  Entering this world of words was something akin to old world explorers discovering El Dorado (The City of Gold). Instead of gold, however, books were the awaiting treasure. After all…”not all treasure is silver and gold mate!”  After an hour or so of browsing and finding book after book we each went our separate ways and and back to our respective lives..  This treasure trove will not be forgotten, however, and I anxiously await my next visit, for there waits a vast sea of stories just waiting to encapsulate one’s mind and transport them to lands as far away as Narnia! 

Turning Pages Book Club

     Recently I have had a need, nay a veritable yen, for a group where I could share my love of books. A group where others understood my addiction and know what I mean when I say I am having “reading withdrawals." In other words, a group that just gets me.  That being said, there is a tragic lack of book clubs here in Lubbock.  Luckily for me, however, a friend who shares my longing, my yen if you will, had the ever so brilliant idea of starting our own!  And with that, Turning Pages Book Club was born! We sat there in our local coffee shop sipping frosty caffeinated drinks and simply said “let’s do it!”   We’ve decided to start with selections from the New York Times Best Seller List, in an effort to gain as wide an audience as possible.  And for our first choice?  None other than the powerful and moving story The Kite Runner.  This debut novel from Khaled Hosseini is a tragically sweet tale of bonds deeper than blood, real life at its lowest, and the healing and redemptive power of forgiveness.  If you haven’t already, I highly encourage you to read it!  Going back to the topic of the book club, I will be posting a book review of each book and rating it with coffee cups (stars are so last season).  

100 Things Part 10

91. Bubbles 

92. Pinterest.Com

93. Steampunk Style

94. Irish Stepdancing

95. Random Acts of Kindness

96. The perfect little black dress

97. Sweet Surprises

98. Long Walks after dinner

99. Inspirational Quotes

100. Knowing my identity is in Christ

Well folks that is it!!! 100 things!  I encourage you to take the challenge and create your own list of 100 things that make you happy!  Don't forget to comment and share your 100 List with me!!!

Herb Crusted Chicken

As a newly married woman I feel I am adjusting well to my new duties as a wife.  Among these dubious duties is that of getting dinner on the table for my husband and myself.  This is a task I take on with great gusto and gumption! Though our schedules very rarely allow us to sit down to a meal together today was an exception. What was my meal of choice for our first real cooked-by-yours-truly, you may ask?  Being one for the simple things in life I choose an easy recipe of Herb Crusted Chicken with green beans and sautéed mushrooms. The end result turned out well if I do say so myself! You can find the Chicken recipe HERE, and the green beans were simply tossed in olive oil and sea salt. The sautéed mushrooms (my specialty) were sautéed in butter, white wine (they are better in red) and garlic. Easy, right? It was simple and delicious and will definitely be repeated!   Next on the list? Crockpot Chili!  If you have a favorite recipe let me know in the comments!! I am always looking for new and fun recipes  to try!