Books of 2013

I have really taken up reading the past few years.  I have read many books this year, some amazing and some not so great. Here are some of my favorite books I read this year: 

-My Inappropriate Life by Heather McDonald

-Drinking and Tweeting by Brandi Glanville

-This One is Mine by Maria Semple 

-Man Up by Ross Matthews

-Matched by Allie Condie

-Divergent by Veronica Roth

-Spelling it Like it is by Tori Spelling 

My favorite book read in 2013 was:

-Where'd You Go Bernadette?  by Maria Semple

Five on Friday

Yay so glad it is Friday!  Two more Fridays until Christmas Break! :)  Thank you Darci, April, Christina and Natasha for the link-up!  

O-N-E
SNOW DAY!!! I definitely did not think we would get a snow day today since the weather men were saying the roads would not be bad until later in the day.  It was a very welcome great surprise this morning when I got on our school website to see that we were closed!  So far this morning, Tinsley and I watched Fred Claus then took a two hour nap.  Hopefully I am able to be somewhat productive and get some laundry and Christmas wrapping done.  

T-W-O
Who watched the Sound of Music Live last night with Carrie Underwood?  I am finishing it up now.  I love Carrie Underwood and think she did a great job.  

T-H-R-E-E
Last Saturday was a great day in football with OSU barely beating Michigan and Auburn beating Alabama (who saw that amazing ending?!?).  I am quite nervous and excited to watch football again tomorrow.  Hopefully, OSU can beat Michigan State and actually play well. As much as I would love them in the National Championship game, they tend to choke on big games and I don't want to be embarrassed and lose horribly.  
 We are having a few friends over and I plan on making some appetizers.  Anyone have some suggestions?  I am thinking either Buffalo Chicken dip or Skyline dip, pumpkin oatmeal cookies (I made these the other night), and a few other finger foods.  

F-O-U-R
Ellen's 12 days of Giveaways started yesterday and I'm loving it.  Every year I enter to win.  Yesterday, I tried to enter multiple times but I don't think it was working.  I hope that they fixed their website so that I am able to win.  Wishful hoping right?

F-I-V-E
We had a great Thanksgiving at the cabin.  It was a perfect break from reality.  Baby Luke was born the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving, allowing his aunts and grandparents to send the whole time at the cabin which was a great joy.  He is a cutie and I can't wait to meet him!  I got an IPhone 5s as an early Christmas gift right before we left and haven't had time to unload pictures and get it all the way set up.  

These are a Few of my Favorite Things : Gifts <$100

Linking up again with Jen and Elise today for their "these are a few of my favorite things" link-up series! Today's theme is Gifts under $100.  It's focus is on things you can gift to family and friends for under $100.

Gifts for the Men in your life: 
*Dollar Shave Club-  Jt recently joined and we both love it.   
*Google Chromecast- HDMI Streaming Media Player, this can be used to connect your phone, computer, etc.  It is also compatible with Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, etc.  So many uses.  

*DVDs and Video Games- What guy doesn't like new movies and video games?
*Favorite bottle of liquor or a mixture of new beers for him to try- Booze and boys go hand and hand.
*Cologne- Give him a new sent to try out in 2014  

Gifts for the Women in your life: 
*Scarves- Personally I am all about the infinity scarfs this season

*Nail Polish- Girls always need new nail polish colors 
*Anything from Victoria Secret- So many options to choose from: clothes, perfume, gift sets, makeup, etc. 
*Candles- Personally I love candles from Bath and Body Works, however any good smelling candle would do 

*Alex and Ani bracelet- I am loving on these bangles and you are sure to find one for any woman in your life

Goals for the End of the Year

I have a few goals for now until the end of the year to end the year off well.  I thought posting them on my blog would help me stick to them.  Here they are: 

1-  Finish reading Divergent

2- Cook dinner 4-5 times a week

3- Try 1 new recipe each week

4- Workout 4 times a week 

5- Finish shopping and wrapping for Christmas by December 20th 

What are you end of the year goals?  

Happy Thanksgiving

What I am thankful for: 

1.  My husband- 

2.  My family-  

3. Tinsley-

4. My friends-

5. My Jobs-

Other random favorites: Ellen Show, TV shows, Coffee, Yoga and sweat pants, OSU football, my Kindle, Crafting, Scarves, Boots, Sunshine, etc. 

These are a Few of my Favorite Things : Stocking Stuffers

Link up again today with Jen and Elise today for their "these are a few of my favorite things" link-up series! Today's theme is Stocking Stuffers!  Thank you ladies for such a fun link-up!

For my stocking: 

*Chapstick-you can never have enough chapstick

*Nail polish- again can you ever have enough nail polish?

*Reusable Coffee Cozy- I've been eyeing these from Etsy and Starbucks for a while now 

*Jewelry- Every girl could always use jewelry in her stocking

*Gift cards- for Starbucks of course (or any yummy food) 

For my husband's stocking: 

*Tie- He desperately needs a new tie

*Cologne- His is almost out, perfect timing

*Wall Mount Bottle Opener- Just need to figure out where to put it

*Cigar- For those cold nights on the front porch

*Gift cards- Subway (he goes every day for lunch)

For Tinsley's stocking:

*New bone- She could always use some new bones

*Tennis balls- She loves playing with these but normally ends up tearing them apart after a while

*New toy- She loves to tear up rope toys and play tug of war with us so she could use some new toys 

Five on Friday

Linking up again on this raining Friday.  Thank you Darci, April, Christina and Natasha for the link-up!  

1---Hunger Games!  We bought tickets to go see it this Sunday morning.  That means no backing out, we have to get up and go.  I can't wait :) 

2---Justin Timberlake Concert was amazing last weekend.  He didn't start on time but played for 2 hrs and 40 mins with a short intermission.  The concert ended at 11:40 pm.  I am so grateful to my husband for dropping us off and picking us up letting us truly enjoy ourselves. 

3---Good food this weekend.  Sushi date last Friday was definitely a success.  It was so tasty!  Then Saturday before the concert, we decided to get pizza from my brother's restaurant Harvest Pizzeria.  The special was buffalo chicken pizza.  It was so good.  Looking at these pictures make me want to go back right now!  

4---We found Tinsley's tennis ball on Monday and had fun playing with it.  During my Target trip on Wednesday, I saw two tennis ball pack in the dollar section and decided to get her a pack.  Good thing I did because when I got home, she had decided to rip her current tennis ball apart.  

5--- On my rainy drive to work yesterday, I couldn't help but love the sunrise.  It was the perfect pinks and purples.  I tried to get a picture at the red light, but it's not that easy when your driving towards the city.  

Throwback Thursday-Thanksgiving in the Cabin

Every other Thanksgiving Jonathan's family rents a cabin in Hocking Hills.  This picture is from two years ago, my first time attending.  A week from today, we will be back in the woods for Thanksgiving 2013.  Although I am sad to leave Tinsley behind, I know she will be in good hands with my family.  Bring on lots of relaxing, hikes, food, drink, and hanging out with family. 

Christmas Wish List

Found this link-up yesterday and am so excited to participate for the next few weeks.  Thank you Jen and Elise for their "these are a few of my favorite things" link-up series! Here is what is on my wish list this year: 

*New books for my Kindle- Insurgent and Allegiant 

*Blu-Rays- The Little Mermaid and Monsters University (kid at heart) 

*White Fossil Watch (I love having a watch on at school everyday) 

*Pandora Leather Bracelet

*Gift Cards (always accepted) 

*New toys and treats for Tinsley- In the beginning she was not very interested in toys but now that she is comfortable in our home she loves to play and chew all kinds of bones.  She has done a good job of chewing up some toys and I would love to get some new toys to gradually introduce her to this winter. 

I have a little over half of our gifts bought for all of our family and friends this year and I can't wait to give them to everyone.  I am now down to the tough gifts and am trying hard to think of something good to get the people left on our list.  Christmas is such a fun and magical time.  I love seeing all of our favorite people including lots of family and friends.  Can't wait for the celebrations to begin :)