Books

So the goal is to read more.

Why? Because I want to. Can't think of any other reason.

Been thinking about reading more 'Classic' books. Either I (1) didn't read them in high school/college or (2) I've forgotten that I've read them. Not quite sure which is correct.

I've been looking for a good list to go by. I need to make sure there are some normal books on the list else I'll go crazy.

I've found a good list from Time here, but it's in alphabetical order (yikes). Is it bad if I haven't even heard of a lot in the "A" group? Oh dear, just counted and I've read eight - which is a impressive number because they don't have normal books on that list.

Re-searching.

Found this - much better. I've read ten total on the 'Readers List'. Sigh.

Keep re-searching.

Now there is this. Much much more promising. 22 read.

This is the list I will use. Cheating, a little. But at least I won't go crazy with the list. But I have to mention that I don't think the Twilight series are really Top 100 quality - but I've read (and enjoyed) them all. And they do have newer books on the list.

Here's to reading more!

Magical Weddings

Even longer ago, my very good friend LaShan and my other very good friends Cassie and Thad came to Orlando for the marriage of their good friend. And I got to tag along and be a plus one.

It's fun being a plus one.

Especially at Disney.

Disney - can you see the carriage in the distance?

The day was a beautiful one - nice normal winter Florida weather. I was very impressed by the location, and loved the horse and carriage. Though I've never been the princess/fairytale type, it was pretty special.

Cassie, Matron of Honor
She was gorgeous!

Bride, Dina, and her Dad

Wowzers! From the ceremony, we headed inside for a quick break while the others took pictures. We had the best time being silly and eating random appetizers.

Mickey and the Castle cut-outs

Tic-Mickey-Toe

And then there was the reception. It was an Alice themed roomed. We had a nummy dinner of like five courses - including this fantastic one:

The shoe! With raspberry sorbet!

Can you tell whose crazy? Hee hee.
Me, Cassie, Mad Hatter, and LaShan

Thad being silly and trying on the giant hat.
(It probably would have fit my Mother's head. Hahahaha.)

LaShan with the bride!

It's always fun to have friends visit - and even better when you get to do something memorable with them. I was super excited about the wedding and was so happy to go. I guess that's one big positive about living in Florida; everyone always comes to visit!

FL Competition

We have amazing friends. Seriously.

One day, not too long ago, we got an invite to go to the basketball game of UCF vs. UF at the Amw@y Center. Snazzy. (It's brand new in case you didn't know this.)

Wow.

First of all, we were in a box. I've never been in a box before. Ha ha, that sounds funny. Our friend Julie and Bob were going and we tagged along - Julie's work has a box and she gets tickets every once in awhile. Just so happened we got to go to this super exciting game.

Wow.

Go Knights!

UCF team

It was a great game - UCF won. (They were actually ranked - for the first time in college history - for awhile there but have recently lost four games in a row.) The food was amazing - they had these funnel cake fries with a raspberry sauce that were to die for. We had two helpings. Sigh.

And it was a lot of fun. And the game really was exciting, close, and crazy!

And I'm a fan now. And I'll have to admit I'll have a hard time choosing - maybe - who to cheer for in the future.

Yikes, Thanksgiving

Well way back when, like over three months ago (yikes), Darin and I drove up to South Carolina to spend post-Thanksgiving with my parents, sister, the Ws, and KC.

Hurray!

It's always fun to see how many people you can cram into one large house without wanting to hunt each other down and tackle them. We were fine though. (Movies help a lot, as does more than one car...) And goes going out to eat.

Here's one of my favorite bbq places ever. Margie, Bob, and I have been meeting there for almost eight years now. (Isn't that crazy?!)

KC and Bobert

Dru and Mom

Dad by his sign.

The pulled pork there was wonderful as always. As were the sweet potatoes. I absolutely love sweet potatoes. And there was banana pudding. My father absolutely loves banana pudding. (Now I want banana pudding, but alas I have banana bread so that's probably good enough.)

***

We had a great time all together. Ended up seeing this movie. Fantastic. I was really proud of us all for waiting to go see it together! <3 style="font-style: italic;">heart people)

Thanksgiving dinner was re-done on Saturday. Darin really liked my Mother's stuffing - and I made the gravy with her help (my first time). We all got our special fixin' and it was great as always.

***

We got to also go to another crowd favorite - Creek R@ts. We ordered our favorite fried pickles (Margie and mine at least) and then Dru ordered fried okra because she's weird.

Hurray!

It was a great time up there. And a fun tradition we started. Isn't it amazing that we can come from all over the country to be with family? So simple really: I guess that's what family is all about.

Book List 2010

Every new year I do my book list of the previous year.

I love to read, and it makes me feel great accomplishment to see how many books I've added to my list.

Here goes:

Books I've Read...
Spider Bones, Kathy Reichs
Mona Lisa Smile, Deborah Chiel
Deliver Us From Evil, David Baldacci
Mini Shopaholic, Sophie Kinsella
Last Night at Chateau Marmont, Lauren Weisberger
I am the cheese, Robert Cormier
Fly Away Home, Jennifer Weiner
The Help, Kathryn Stockett
The Heritic Queen, Michelle Moran
Scarpetta Factor, Patricia Cornwell
Invisible Prey, John Sanford
Mind Prey, John Sanford
Nefertiti, Michelle Moran
Sizzling Sixteen, Janet Evanovitch
The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Steig Larsson
Remarkable Creatures, Tracy Chevalier
SuperFreakanomics, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
The White Queen, Phillippa Gregory
The Girl who Played with Fire, Steig Larsson
I, Alex Cross, James Patterson
Storm Prey, John Sanford
Rough Country, John Sanford
Knit the Season, Kate Jacobs
Nanny Returns, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Freakanomics, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
True Blue, David Baldacci
Winter Prey, John Sanford
Children of God, Mary Doria Russell
9 Dragons, Michael Connelly
Best Friends Forever, Jennifer Weiner
Sudden Prey, John Sanford
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Steig Larsson

Books I've Listened To...
Dracula, Bram Stoker
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, Seth Grahame-Smith
A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson
World Without End, Ken Follett
Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett
Alex Cross' Trial, James Patterson
Silent Prey, John Sanford
Around the World in 80 Days, Jules Verne

Over all, I'd say my favorite this year would be Remarkable Creatures - I highly recommend it. I love books that are a bit different than the every day book. Plus I love archeology. My favorite listening books were the Ken Follett ones, though they took forever to finish. They were like 36 CDs each and took a couple of months and some trips up to South Carolina to finish. I will probably read them one day. Also, Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter was a great book. Can't wait for it to become a movie. Next year!