MIA at Christmastime.

Since I've been a little MIA, here's 5 updates on life. Not necessarily my life.

1) Mark and I leave tomorrow evening to spend 4 whole days with his incredible family in LA. Who's excited!!!!! These people rock my world. I seriously love them. There's currently 10 of us adults and two kids under 2 years old. We'll probably go to Six Flags on Friday, Saturday will be New Year's Eve celebrations, again as a family. We'll probably dine somewhere fancy to celebrate Mark's Dad who just learned he won an Academy Award.

Yes you read that right. An Academy Award. He'll walk the red carpet.

Why? He's a brilliant engineer and he designed a camera (I couldn't tell ya which one to save my life) that was incredibly innovative and tech savvy. Which won him this cool award.

So hurray! We get to celebrate this once in a lifetime achievement! I'm looking forward to it.

2) My sister-in-law is pregnant again! HURRAYY! More babies!

3) Today's workout was one of those workouts where I didn't want to go to the gym, and I reasoned with myself that if I got there, I could walk at an 10.0 incline instead of running.But that felt hard. I did that for maybe 10 minutes but I felt bad to get all changed into workout clothes only not to sweat enough to count, so I started running at a 2.0 incline and at my normal medium pace. This also felt incredibly grueling and I didn't understand why. This pace is usually easy. But I was finally moving and I made another mental deal with myself, that if I ran some intervals, that the jogging would get easier. RIGHT?

Nope. Still difficult. And not fun. I sweated (is that a word?!) a lot. And thankfully I finished without further compromise. Nothing feels as good as finishing a hard workout.

4) We already packed up all our Christmas decorations. Christmas is gone until next year. Don't call me a Scrooge.

5) My very generous and great listener of a husband who really doesn't care for Harry Potter much remembered me saying last summer that when all the DVD's for the movies are available, I want the box set. For Christmas he found them on EBay ( I guess they aren't fully released yet as a collector's item so only a few hundred sets actually exist!) and he bid on them, lost the bid four or five times, and then finally won a box set of  all 8 DVDs for me.

You can say it... AWWWW!

He also let me choose a movie to watch with our new cable, and I picked Twilight Eclipse, and he only complained a lot at the beginning, and a little during the middle and end. :-) If we're going to make him pick, he's on Team Jacob because we all wish we had abs like that.

And you probably all think I'm 17 years old now based on my movie choices and use of exclamation points. I swear I'm almost 30.

What's new with you?

How was your Christmas?

XOXO!

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Christmas Day Cinnamon Rolls

 For Christmas breakfast, we went sinfully naughty.

My husband's family has a family tradition. On Christmas day, they eat breakfast together, then open presents.
But not just any breakfast.
Christmas day is the one day a year his mom always makes cinnamon rolls. All the kids of his family look forward to Christmas morning all year long, and not just for the presents. They talk about the gooeyness of the frosting, sticky fingers, and going for thirds and fourths of the freshly baked rolls.

 This year was also the first time Mark (and I) were not able to spend Christmas Day with his family. Since being married, we agreed to spend one year with his family, and one year with mine, and well, this year was my family's year, so we stayed in Washington and spent the day with my mom.

 But I knew he was sad he had to miss his family for breakfast.
And more importantly, how he wouldn't get his yearly cinnamon roll(s).
So I set out to surprise him.

 I just so happen to have a grandma who wrote a cookbook.
A cookbook about how to make things from scratch.
Things like sweet bread and cinnamon rolls.
It uses words like "lard", "scald", and "buttermilk". MMMMM!!!!
So I set out to make her recipe for my beloved while he was out doing errands.

You see, my grandma always made these cinnamon rolls when she visited my family when I was little.
She'd make a double batch intended for the freezer, but I don't think the extras ever made it there.
Seriously sinful dessert breakfast rolls.

The dough takes a few hours to double in size.

And then the rolling and sugaring is kind of messy. But not difficult.
There's lots of butter involved.
But go big or go home, right?
(There's no such thing as a healthy cinnamon roll BTW.)

For optimum freshness, I prepped the rolls in my baking pan and then popped them in the fridge overnight. I woke up about an hour before I thought Mark would be up and pulled the rolls out of the fridge to finish rising and then I stuck them in the oven for 30 minutes to bake.

 oh, ya. I have a bad oven for baking. It bakes unevenly and burns the left side of everything. So if you decide to take on the challenge of homemade cinnamon rolls, yours should look better than mine. The middle ones were perfectly gooey and the edges of the pan got a little crispy. But Mark didn't seem to notice.

Seriously, these were totally worth the millions of calories.
And the rest of the batch went in the freezer for a later treat. (Just microwave with a moist paper towel to recreate the ooey gooeyness.


GRANDMA'S CINNAMON ROLLS
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
6 cups all purpose flour

1-2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 cup dark brown sugar + extra for pan
1/2 cup butter, softened + extra for pan
chopped pecans (optional)

1 cup powdered sugar
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tsp lemon juice

1. Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in the butter; stir until melted. Add water and let cool until lukewarm.
2. In a large bowl, combine the milk mixture, yeast, white sugar, salt, eggs and 2 cups flour; stir well to combine. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Cover and let rise until dough doubles in size.
3. Gently divide dough into two pieces. Roll each piece into a 12x9 inch rectangle. In a bowl, stir together the cinnamon and brown sugar. Spread each piece with half of the butter, half of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough, pinching the edges together. Repeat with other dough ball.
4. Cut each roll into 12 slices using a very sharp knife or dental floss. Grease the bottom of a 9x13 pan thick with butter and then generously sprinkle with more brown sugar. If using pecans, sprinkle evenly on top of sugar in pan. Place rolls in the 9x13 inch greased baking pans so they touch edges but are not squished. Cover and let rise until almost doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). (if placing in the fridge overnight, pull pan out at least 1 hour before placing in the oven.)
5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown on edges
6. To make frosting; combine confectioner's sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add lemon juice (or milk) gradually until frosting reaches a spreading consistency. Spread over warm (but not hot) cinnamon rolls.

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How has Marriage Changed You?

We went to dinner with some friends the other day and had just an incredible time connecting with them and receiving wisdom and encouragement from them. One of the questions they asked us has me thinking more this morning, and I thought I would share my thoughts on it with you.

*paraphrased because I can't remember the exact question.
How has marriage shaped you and changed you?

My first and initial response was marriage has revealed to me how selfish and self-centered I really am. Through Mark, I see a lot more of my sin because his reflection of God helps refines me. He lovingly corrects me, influences me, and encourages me in our journey of marriage together. The experience of living with him, loving him daily, and serving him as my husband and partner forces me to see more of who God is. And for those who don't share my christian beliefs and may think this sounds weird, maybe unfair or unbalanced, let me say that Mark never demands or asks for these things, but as a Christian wife, these are part of my commitments to love and serve him as his wife as we function as one in our marriage. It's my part, the wife's part, of our vows to one another in a Christian marriage.

Before the "I do's", life was about ME. I cooked for me, ate for me, exercised for me. I worked for me, cleaned for me, watched TV for me. I visited friends because I wanted to, I saved my money or spent my money because I wanted to, and I got a cat--because I wanted to. I prayed largely for my sake, and sometimes for the friends and family that I loved, and I prayed for the husband of my future--again to bless me.

I find myself in selfishness (ultimately sin against Mark) often. When I'm grumpy, I find myself expecting him to cheer me up. When I'm bored, or tired, or hungry, I expect him to respond or wait until I can change my mood. It's incredibly humbling to realize I've wasted hours wallowing in whatever puddle I'm in and he has patiently helped me, encouraged me and served me through my filth. He's an incredible image of Christ's love. Leaving me thinking, how often is Jesus waiting for me to turn around and stop fixating on myself and look up to Him for love, comfort, and satisfaction?

As the months pass, I've prayed and tried to pay closer attention to my thoughts and actions and look for the opportunities to serve my husband (as well as others). It can be simple things like remembering he doesn't like mushrooms in his veggie medley or that it's been a few days weeks since we ate his favorite food (pizza!). It's occasionally taking time to do some extra chores around the house knowing he has a buttload of homework to do, or even making sure he takes a ten minute break from that homework so he can stretch, drink fluids, and eat something!

So in a long round about way, I would say the biggest change marriage has brought about in my life is the way it revealed to me my sin. Selfishness is a big one, but there are more to be sure. Thankfully I have a great God to run toward, rely on for strength and receive forgiveness for all my sins--past, present and future--and sweet, generous, and forgiving husband who loves me even when I'm selfish.

He's all ready for his ugly sweater christmas competition at work today!

So for you, how has marriage shaped and changed you? Do share!

XOXO!

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Christmas Cookie Overload and a Need for Change

source

I have a tummy ache.

Today was the official day of the office cookie exchange. I chose not to participate in the baking, but the one dozen each baker contributed to the office kitchen had me happily sampling at least 7 different varieties of cookies.
......
Then some Harry and David crackers and spreads showed up, along with some Beecher's cheeses and sausages.
......
And then an edible fruit arrangement.
Silly me, I had to sample that too.

It's a fair statement to say that I'm a sucker for Christmas sweet and savory bites. I really wish I wasn't. I can often say no to sweets the rest of the year, but Christmas time wrangles me in.

If you dress sugar up in red and green frosting, or roll it in powdered sugar, or even more irresistible, coated it in chocolate, you've sucked me in to tasting it.
 I LOOOVEEE sweets.

Anybody else out there in the same boat with me?

Today is the last day of this Christmas season that should pose any real threat to my waistline. I think all my Christmas parties are over except for the one with my family. My mom isn't one to bake sweet treats and I'm in charge of most of the main meal, so it will be low fat and delicious. So I'm pretty much in the clear for baked goods this holiday season. I think.(cross my fingers!!!)

I actually spent the better part of Saturday reading a book that has collected a generous layer of dust while sitting on my bookshelf.  My body woke me up at 6:45 a.m.which seemed waaaay to early to start a Saturday if you ask me, but there was no question. I was UP. So I headed out into the living room, turned on the light (because in Washington, the sun doesn't come up until 8 a.m. in Dec!) and sat down with Body for Life and read it cover to cover.

The reason I picked up this book, and not something written by someone more current, trendy, fit, or female (i like female trainers, personally) was because last week I stumbled upon a new blog, Meals and Moves. I was instantly drawn in by Janetha's witty writing and honesty about her body image journey. As I poked around more, I found her Body for Life page and was enamored with her fitness testimony and the incredible before and after photos.

I was instantaneously inspired to seek a similar journey of my own.

Now, I'm not going to sit here and complain about body image, or pudge, or how tight my jeans may be. Yes, I did just get done venting about all the cookies that have popped up in my life, but in a whole, complaining is not my goal of this blog and I hope I rarely do that here. I'm very blessed with the body God has gifted to me. I'm blessed to have once known incredible illness and sickness and to have made full recovery from the symptoms that were mentally and physically crippling in my condition. I'm thankful for that time in my young life because it has allowed me to appreciate wellness, physical activity, and abundant energy on a whole new level. I do love and appreciate my body, and because it is a temple of God, I vow to do my best to always stay in healthy condition, eat right, exercise regularly, and seek my best performance in all that I do. Not only do I get to, I enjoy the challenge.

So with that said, and knowing all the cookies this season has brought to my taste buds, I feel it is time to commit myself to a healthier lifestyle regime incorporating better nutrition and planning. 

I'm working on the details of it this week and I will be sharing with with you exactly what my plan is and how I hope to carry it out. Truth be told, my wedding fitness journey was similar to the Body for Life plan and I found it to be something I could stick to, enjoy, and not feel restricted on while still seeing fantastic results inside and out. I'm planning to use many of the same tactics again.

I invite you to join me. Whether you want to pick up the book for 2 bucks at Goodwill (trust me, its there. It's almost as popular as South Beach. Don't pay full price.) or read Janetha's game plan, or devise your own, I invite you to commit with me to seek better nutrition and fitness in the next 12 weeks starting January 2nd.

This is not a new years resolution.

This is a lifestyle change.
A development of better habits.

Will you join me?

XOXO!

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Pike Place and the Market Grill

Here is one place I love.

Pike Place Market, Seattle WA.

For two and half years, I spent every Saturday here.

The people at this veggie stand became good acquaintances, frequently blessing me with free produce and fun conversation.

They make veggies look sooooo tasty.

And the Market Grill is where I served up freshly grilled fish for two and a half years as a second job to earn enough income to live on a teacher's salary. Sad. I know.  But the Market Grill was the perfect solution and blessing for my life at the time. 

My husband (at that time, boyfriend/fiance) ended up working just down the hall at Lowell's Restaurant, and seeing him during break times was always a treat to our budding relationship.

Since tying the knot, I haven't needed a second job, but I still frequent the Grill to say hi to my old boss and curb my fresh fish craving.

This is all it is. Ten seats. One chef. Five fish options. Sandwich or platter. Watch your meal cook before your eyes. 

Nothing fancy about it.

Just genuine fresh food.

Oh, and hands down the BEST clam chowder in Seattle, voted by Seattle Magazine 5 years in a row.

If you do visit, get the salmon sandwich loaded with all the toppings. 

You won't be disapointed.

(Below is not the salmon sandwich.)

Lunch today was freshly grilled halibut, grilled onions, and tomatoes on sesame soy brown rice and garlic bread on the side. 

I promise you, it's enough for two meals. Incredibly filling, and seriously Seattle fresh. The bread! OH the bread! It's from the french bakery down the street and was baked that morning. 

Come visit this awesome city some time and save some room for a fish sandwich and a chowder. It's one of the best!

XOXO!

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Cuddling with the Heater

Here's your weekly dose of Ella, my little bucket of LOVE.

She's cuddling with the heater. If she can't be on my lap, she's snuggling with the grate.

I guess winter is here!

Merry Christmas!

XOXO!

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Christmas Cookie Land

Pardon my absence. I don't know where the weekend went! I assure you it was full of fun things and I did not spend one second wasting it.

My Saturday started off with a workout, breakfast with my man, and then I headed out to my aunt's house which is about an hour away for our annual Christmas cookie decoration party.

I've been decorating Christmas sugar cookies with my aunt since I was about 5 years old. She was always the cool aunt who we wanted to spend time with. And she hosted the ultimate sleepover. She let us (a five year old and a three year old) pick out the movies (Cat from Outer Space was my choice five times in a row), ordered all cheese Little Cesar's Pizza, and helped us make a giant fort to sleep in. Of course she joined us in the fort at night until we fell asleep and then she snuck back to her own bed. She's a really good aunt like that.

Now that she's married and has a house, a farm, and her own daughter (age 12), I get to spend time with all of them on fun days like baking day.  As you'll see in a moment, we all had a little too much fun with cookie dough and frosting. But it was seriously one of the best Saturdays this year, and I had a blast spending time with my family.

 Here are about half of the cookies, and the other half were still in the oven.

 The girls got a little too silly and started putting warts on all the cookies.

 My cousin and her friend. They give away their age with their facial expressions.

 Homemade butter cream frosting!

 Naked cookies. We fixed that.

 The girls gave up after one hour. My aunt and I continued frosting for another hour and a half before finishing all the sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies.

 She did share her incredible gingerbread cookie recipe though. I'll post it soon.
The best part? It contains lots of yummy whole wheat!

 Um.. the girls ate a lot of the cookie decorations too, assuring the biggest sugar buzz of the year. Like I said already, they got a little silly. And giggly. And this is what resulted.

More topping than cookie. 

But they were delicious, and I had a major stomach ache by the end of the day. But family time is always worth it.

The rest of my weekend contained date night with the hubby. We headed downtown for coffee, a surprise shopping spree to buy me black boots, and a movie with Ryan Gosling.

Sunday we headed to church, played with the 4-6 year olds in childcare, and then spent the afternoon with the Brooks couple watching the Bears vs. Broncos Game and eating mexican food.

Do you have a really awesome family member?

Are you making cookies this year?

XOXO!

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Ryan Gosling or Puppy

Hi Ya'll!

How's it goin'??

I have one question for you today.

Who's cuter? Ryan Gosling or Puppy?

Just... trust me.
And tell me your thoughts.

XOXO!

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Our Christmas Home

Here is some of our Christmas decor. 

 I changed out some of my aqua mugs for red ones and the hand towel is obviously festive too.

 I picked up the Noel stocking hangers at Target the other day. They make me happy.

Some of the ornaments Mark and I have gotten for each other since we've been married. Snowman was for Hawaii last year, and the fluffy one is actually a pine cone snowman skiing. Because he proposed on the slopes.

XOXO!!

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It DID Rain Sweat!

Have you heard of BODYROCK?

I think it puts all of my workout DVDs to shame.

I found BodyRock about 6 months ago, and to be honest, it intimidated me. These bodyrock people are solid muscle, and beautiful, and fit, and did I mention solid?  Good heavens. Needless to say, I never actually attempted one of their workouts. I just envied their pretty bodies.

I'm not really sure what came over me on Saturday or why in the world I thought I would just go for it and try one of their workouts. But I did. And it quickly brought me to a puddle of my own sweat.

I loved every minute.

The idea behind BODYROCK is to workout very hard and intense for a short time period and eat clean. Supposedly that's how those beautiful people got their bodies, and I've spent enough time poking around their website that it seems to be true. (Testimony after testimony, etc.)

Most workouts require some sort of timer that can record laps or rounds, and even better if it can be set to beep at regular time intervals.

The workout I did was the It will Rain Sweat--1000 rep workout-- a beat your time workout. So I set my iPhone timer and hit "Lap" every time I finished a circuit.

I also set a goal to do 5 rounds of this particular workout and not all ten because even though I'm not a beginner to working out, I don't often do VERY HIGH intensity for workouts, so I wasn't sure how my endurance would be.

Five rounds was plenty.

Six would have been absurd.

I was able to crank out all five rounds back to back like they do in the video in 21 minutes 37 seconds. All done in my living room. (Then I went for a slow 3 mile run to round out my workout at 45 minutes.) Not bad, eh?

10 burpies
10 squat jumps holding a 20 lb weight
10 real pushups
10 toe touch sit ups
10 dips
10 tuck jumps
10 plank jacks
10 split lunges
10 leg drops
10 squat thrusts
Repeat 5 times as fast as you can.

Watch the video all the way to the end to see the play by play of how to do each exercise.

Did you watch it? Crazy huh?

I recommend it to anyone who is at an intermediate workout level if you think you can handle it! But of course, I'm not a doctor or a personal trainer, nor am I certified to give you advice on how to take care of your body. Please don't hurt yourself. But I agree it's good to challenge yourself.

If you want any other workout ideas, Click on my Pinterest button on the top of the left hand side. My Get Fit board is full of workouts and inspiration!

Work hard!

XOXO!

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Ina Garten's Ultimate Ginger Cookie

Ina Garten, Please adopt me.

This weekend was pretty typical. I planned our meals, organized my grocery list, worked out (post about that tomorrow), and went to Target.

I made my own version of some really yummy Carne Asada Beef Stew, went to a karaoke birthday party at the ultimate dive bar, baked up some ginger cookies for the Mars Hill Christmas Celebration (you should come!!) took a nap, and even listened to some Christmas music like I promised. 

It. Was. Fantastic.

I'm not really a pat-myself-on-the-back kinda girl, but I do have to say, I impressed myself with these. Maybe because they have real ginger in them. Or maybe because they lived up to hype of the slight crunch on the outside and soft chewy inside that can be so challenging to accomplish.

Drooling yet? If you're coming to the Mars Hill Christmas Party, you caaaan haaaave one.

BUT, if you live in another state other than Washington, I suppose that might be a challenge, so you might have to settle for making your own.

I confess, I followed Ina's Recipe almost to a T.

I accidentally forgot to put cloves in my recipe so the first 12 cookies went in the oven clove-less. To remedy, I sprinkled the rest of the dough with a few good shakes of ground cloves and finished up the last 18 cookies exactly as the recipe states.  I even had Mark warm the egg to room temperature by holding it in his hands for 15 minutes. Yep. I'm hard-core.

Oh that, and I used 4 oz candied ginger, based on what other bakers said in the reviews.  I recommend this change, or maybe even 3 oz. They are very ginger-y.

ULTIMATE GINGER COOKIE

by Ina Garten and the food network

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves (don't forget them!)
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup lightly packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup unsulfered molasses
1 extra large egg, room temp. If you don't have an extra large egg, maybe add a Tbsp more oil.
granulated sugar~ about 1/4 cup for rolling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt and then combine the mixture with your hands. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the brown sugar, oil, and molasses on medium speed for 5 minutes. Turn the mixer to low speed, add the egg, and beat for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula and beat for 1 more minute. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the crystallized ginger and mix until combined.

Scoop the dough with 2 spoons or a small ice cream scoop. With your hands, roll each cookie into a 1 3/4-inch ball and then flatten them lightly with your fingers. Press both sides of each cookie in granulated sugar and place them on the sheet pans. Bake for exactly 13 minutes. The cookies will be crackled on the top and soft inside. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Store in sealed container at room temp for up to a week.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

XOXO!

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7 Quick Takes Friday (my first one!)

Hi Ya'll.

Welcome new readers! I'm so glad you've returned!

It was a little scary posting about my blog on Facebook for the first time, but I've had such warm feedback from so many of you that now I'm pumped to share more.

I thought I might tackle another "first". Grace has been part of the  7 Quick Takes Linkup for quite some time and it seem kinda cool. And God knows I'm not the one to turn down the opportunity to talk about things I love. So here goes nothin'

— 1 —

I joined the gym in my building. Wait, I said that wrong. Let me try again. I JOINED THE GYM IN MY BUILDING!!!!!!!!  Yep. Best decision of the month. I absolutely love it because now my workout is 20 steps away from my desk, if I use the elevator. Gold's Gym has newer facilities, nice showers, although I still wear flip flops, and they have...are you ready!!....towel service. BRILLIANT! The drawbacks are: it's kind of a meathead gym. Lots of guys too buff for their own good looking at themselves in the mirror. But I ignore them, and just watch the TV that is on top of every single cardio machine. ALSO VERY COOL.

— 2 —

At my new job, I have a coworker who loves to work out (like me!!!) and she often prefers to use her lunch break for that opportunity. She gave me the idea to join the gym in the building, because she also has a membership to Gold's, and we get a corporate discount for being Gold's neighbors. So now, I workout on my lunchbreak. 40 solid minutes in the gym 20 to shower and get back to work. Eat at my desk. And low and behold, I have a whole extra hour in my evening time now!

— 3 —

Have you ever heard of a cinema gym? Because my new gym has one! I promise I'l stop bragging about my gym after this, but guys, common. This is cool. It's a cinema room. Where there's a big screen, playing a movie, and cardio machines like treadmills, elipticals, and bikes instead of theater seats or Lazyboy recliners. No joke. My first time in this room I watched the second half of The Dark Knight and ran 3.5 miles.

— 4 —

At work, I'm participating in Secret Santa, and although I cannot tell you who's name I've chosen, I'm so gld I got the name I did, because I can totally get her a Jillian Michael's DVD and a bottle of wine, and she'd be thrilled. BTW, if anyone knows the person who has my name, I'd like the same thing.

— 5 —

This is the first year Mark and I will do a Christmas photo card. I'm pretty sure everyone else on the earth uses Snapfish or some other cute site to design a family Christmas card, but we are kinda slow to jump on the bandwagon. Needless to say, its time, people. Our face needs to end up in your mailbox.

— 6 —

I'm planning on having an annual baking day with my aunt and cousin next Saturday and the results are always tasty even though I *accidentally* injest waaaaay too much sugar every time, but its going to be great regardless.We do it almost every year the for the annual sugar crash. And she has my dream kitchen: Big space, double ovens, huge island, industrial gas stove, and a view of Mt. Rainer.  I know this take probably belongs on next Friday's post, but I'm so excited to bake, that I can't hold it in. Hence you get this info a whole week early.

— 7 —

Completely accidentally, I swear, I haven't turned on any Christmas music yet. I know. HORRORS! I'm a Scrouge. And I'm disapointed in myself too. So for the record of all who read, I promise to turn on Christmas music tonight and cook dinner to it while listening. Scout's honor.

Have a great weekend, and I'll post photos of my baking day extravaganza soon!

7 Quick Takes is hosted by Jen over at Conversion Diary.

XOXO!



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The Lake of Dreams ROCKS my SOCKS

Hey guys,

I'm so excited to share a really beautiful book with you.

BlogHer Book Club emailed me about a month and a half ago and asked me if I would like to read and review Kim Edwards' new book. I couldn't resist jumping at this chance because I loved her previous book, The Memory Keeper's Daughter, immensely for its attention to special needs children in the 60's and how beautifully Edwards approached the struggles of that time.

The book I read is called The Lake of Dreams. And this book follows in her similar attention-to-detail style and her delicacy around historical hot topics. Here's my personal summary of the book:

.......................

Alluringly written, The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards is a graceful journey about a young lady named Lucy who begins to uncover the mystery embedded in her family past. She finds herself once again in the bedroom of the lake house she grew up in, after traveling halfway across the world to take care of her mother after an accident. She has intentionally avoided coming home because of the memories of her dad's tragic fatal accident that occurred over a decade earlier, but once home she discovers a cupboard otherwise forgotten for generations. She picks the lock and finds a small collection of papers dated between 1913 and 1925, all pointing toward a young woman named Rose who may have been shamed out of her own family tree due to her involvement in the suffrage movement.

.......................

Guys--this is seriously my favorite book of this year. No joke. And I read The Hunger Games and The Help this year, so I hope that says something.  There are so many parts and layers to uncover, and every moment is filled with the longing to know more, discover more, and unearth more of Rose's  intentionally hidden life.

Edwards orchestrates her words so effortlessly, pausing in delicate moments to help you breathe the mustyness of old letters, squint at the twinkling of stars, shiver in the breeze, soak in the warmth of the sun's rays, and empathize deeply with the sorrow and sadness felt by a mother who's daughter was taken from her as she simultaneously fought for her own rights in America.

The journey traveled with Lucy is very compelling. As she searches for answers to the mysterious documents and uncovers pieces of the puzzle linking her lost relative in stained glass, discarded embroidery, baptismal records, and archived letters, Lucy's own past opens up and is forced into question.  Lucy finds herself drawing on Rose's strength to help her overcome her own grief. As you read Rose's letters with Lucy, you begin to see and feel the weight of the risk that standing up for women's rights cost so many while on the journey to equality and freedom. I found my own heart aching for this mother that desperately wished for both of her worlds and desires to exist, knowing that if the same scenario occurred today, there is no question that mother and daughter would be together.

If you want to know what others are saying about this book, check out the BlogHer Book Club discussion.

And for anyone that's also into a good romance twist, its got that too. Tastefully done, I might add!

This was a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are completely my own and yes, I would have told you if I didn't like the book. 

XOXO!

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