Rainy Day Soup

I'm making a big ol' pot of sunshine soup!

Christmas Time Festivities

Matt and I had a wonderful Christmas.  We started celebrating on Christmas Eve, when we watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Elf".  We then had waffles with Mascarpone sauce and blackberries.  Before we fell asleep we read Luke two and watched the clips from Jesus' life mentioned in the Christmas Devotional.

The next morning we had waffles again and went to church.  To get to our church house we go over Magnolia Bridge, which has an incredible view.  On the way back to our apartment, it was raining, but there were windows in the clouds where the sun was shining onto the sound.  It was amazingly beautiful.  After church we had cheese fondue (it's just bread and cheese man!) and talked to my family.  Then we talked to Matt's family.  We spent the rest of the day just hanging out with each other.  I missed being with my family, but it was a really good Christmas.

The monday after Christmas Matt had work off, so we went to the Pacific Science Center.  My favorite part by far was the butterfly room.  A blueish purple butterfly landed on me!  It was so much fun.  The bug exhibit also included a bunch of huge, huge bugs on display.  There was a wasp that was six inches long!  The Center is full of interactive learning stations that teach you about math, biology, and physics. 

As of Lately

Matt and I are loving living in Seattle!  It really is beautiful here, and Matt loves his job.  Life is good!  I have been enjoying Virgin Bat Mojitos.  That's right.  I did mean Bat.  Some of our really good friends, the Ballards, got us a Batman Ice Cube tray.  It is even more awesome then it sounds.  Here are some pictures of our apartment, and the view from our apartment: 

This is our kitchen and dining room

I'm pretty sure this is North

The Space Needle!  

I like this picture because it shows the colorful leaves

Towers on the hill 

We live only a couple blocks away from the Space Needle one way, and the other way, we are a few blocks away from Seattle's city center.  It really is an amazing location.  

The Daily Bite: Mama's Mexican Kitchen

Today we met up with my cousin Sara, who has been living for Seattle for years now.  She took us to this hole-in-the-wall restaurant called Mama's Mexican Kitchen.  Apparently it is Seattle's oldest mexican restaurant.  It was amazing.  We all got Chicken Nolasco Mexican Plates with enchilada sauce.  One plate has a lot of food; Matt ate all of his, but I had to take half of mine home.  And it comes with a lot of guacamole, which I love.  I would definitely go there again.  I'm actually really glad my cousin showed us this place, because I was starting to have Costa Vida withdrawals.  Mama's is more expensive, but the food is as good, if not better than Costa Vida's.

Recipe of the Week: Creamy Chicken with Broccoli Shells

This recipe is from the Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Slow Cooker Recipes book.  Matt and I were looking through our cook books, and he asked if I would make this one, so naturally I did.  He loved it.  I thought it was good, and I will make it again when he requests it.  I added commentary in italics.


1 Box (12-ounce) dried jumbo pasta shells
1 package (10-ounce) frozen chopped broccoli
2 tablespoons water
1 large egg
1 container (15-ounce) ricotta cheese
1 cup cooked chicken, chopped
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
(Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram and Garlic)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 jar (16-ounce) roasted garlic Alfredo pasta sauce (We used sun-dried tomato Alfredo, it's Matt's favorite)

Preheat oven to 350° F. (FYI: shift+option+8 makes the degree symbol)

In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook pasta for 12 minutes or just until al dente.  (I never use salt and the box says cook for 9 minutes for al dente, but I would go in-between and cook for about 10 1/2.)  Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking; drain.  Set aside.

Place broccoli and the 2 tablespoons water in a microwave-safe bowl.  Cover and microwave on high setting (100% power) for 5 minutes.  Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

In a small bowl, beat egg with a fork.  Stir egg, ricotta cheese, chicken, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into broccoli until thoroughly combined.  (Once again, I didn't add salt.  Matt always knows he can add salt and spices to anything I cook.)

Spoon 1 cup of the pasta sauce into a 13x9-inch baking dish; set aside.  Fill 21 to 24 pasta shells with chicken mixture.  Arrange in baking dish.

Spoon remaining pasta sauce over shells.  Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.  Cover loosely with aluminum foil.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes.  Remove aluminum foil and cook for 5 to 10 minutes more.

The Daily Bite: Berliner, Starbucks & Ivar's

Now that Matt and I are living in Seattle, a city known for fine cuisine, I thought I would review some of the restaurants we have been to.  


For starters, a couple of days after getting here Matt and I ate Doner Kebabs at the Berliner.  Matt served an LDS mission in Switzerland and lived in Vienna Austria for three months.  He had Kebabs all the time and I really wanted to try one since it was one of Matt's favorites.  We both got the Lamb Berliner Kabab on Fladenbrot (a special type of bread that was invented in Germany by Turks).  It was delicious.  It had this homemade garlic yogurt sauce that made it taste amazing.  I would definitely reccommend it, but not to those with weak stomachs, because it is spiced pretty heavily.  


Also this week, Matt and I had to run an errand at the Apple Store, which is in University Village, right by the University of Washington.  It is a really classy open air mall that reminded me of the Riverwoods Mall in Provo.  While we were waiting our appointment at the Genius Bar, we stopped into the nearest Starbucks (I'm pretty sure there were three in that mall alone).  My friend Candis told me about their seasonal gingerbread hot chocolate, and being a hot chocolate connoisseur, naturally I wanted to try some.  Matt and I both had one, and while we liked it, we didn't love it and I probably won't get it again.  Don't get me wrong, it was good, it just wasn't as good as I imagined it would be.  To be fair though, I love hot chocolate and my favorite cookies are gingerbread, so I hold both those culinary items to a high standard and I expected a lot from the combination of the two.  


Last on the list is another Seattle classic, Ivar's.  Matt and I walked over to Pike Place Market and then down to the docks.  Right before we headed back home we stopped at Ivar's for some fish and chips.  Last year when Matt lived in Seattle for three months during an internship, he loved getting the scallops from Ivar's.  When I came to visit I tried some too and loved them.  So this time we thought we would branch out and try something a little different.  Matt had fried oysters and I had fried salmon.  We didn't really like the oysters.  They tasted really fishy and actually made Matt a little sick.  However, the salmon was tasty.  If we went there again though, we would probably stick to the scallops.  But if you do go, make sure to get the fries too.  Their fries are exceptionally good.  In fact, the fries actually remind me of ones my siblings and I used to eat when we would go skiing at Powder Mountain, a ski resort in Utah.  We have raved about those fries for years.  They probably tasted better to us because we were happy, but cold and tired after a long day skiing and the fries would warm us up.  And they came with really good fry sauce.  We were all really disappointed when they changed to different fries. 

Most Recent Read: Specials

Like I said I would, I finished Specials quickly.  It was good.  I really liked how Westerfeld tied up the loose ends, except one.   I wanted Tally to end up with someone else.  I liked that it was environmentally conscious, without being too heavy handed.  I would like to be a special, but without all the freaky features like wolf teeth.  So pretty much, I want some super solider serum.

Most Recent Read: Pretties

Pretties is the second book in Scott Westerfeld's trilogy and I loved it.  I am glad I realized Memento Nora was a copy-cat of these books, (Glossy vs Pretty-Making Bubbly...Really?) after I started reading The Uglies.  Otherwise, I don't know if I would have finished reading Memento Nora.  I usually don't like mimicry books, however, I enjoyed reading both of them.  I'm excited to read Specials.  Stay tuned, it shouldn't take me too long.  

Most Recent Read: Uglies

In between packing boxes for our move to Washington, I finished reading Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.  Lately I have been picking books that take place in a futuristic society and have a strong female lead, which is a bit random for me.  However, I'm glad there are more books in the series, because I really enjoyed reading it.  

Most Recent Read: Son of Neptune

The Son of Neptune was amazing.  Rick Riordan is awesome.  And I want a Camp Jupiter shirt.  

Most Recent Read: Momento Nora

Momento Nora was engaging.  It takes place in a futuristic United States, which is hauntingly reminiscent of 1984.  It was a good reminder of why law enforcement should not be privatized.  

In Nora's city, terrorist attacks happen nearly three times a week, forcing everyone to travel in armored vehicles, routinely visit Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic and even move to compounds.  The compounds include malls, schools, movie theaters, etc., so that no one in the compound ever has to leave.  Also, compound members have to have ID chips put inside them, so they can be identified and tracked.  The people who don't have ID chips inside them, have "mobiles", which are also used to identify and track individuals.  

The Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic, or TFC, is supposed to help individuals avoid post traumatic stress disorder by giving the patients a pill to forget traumatizing or unpleasant memories.  But as Nora finds out, some things need to be remembered.  

The following are some of my favorite quotes: "We walked up to our house in silence.  Mom lagged behind as if she were trying to enjoy the scenery.  We do live in a pretty area.  Eighteenth-century town houses in alternating blues and creams and grays.  Tree-lined streets with big oaks and maples forming a canopy over the pavement.  Cobblestone sidewalks" (pg 20).

"These streets used to make me feel safe.  And inside the foyer, the gleaming hardwood floors so shiny you could see your face in them and the historic-trust sage green walls with wide antique white molding-all of which mom had painstakingly restored-used to make me feel safe, too.  Now I wasn't so sure" (pg 20).

"We'd stayed at a little cabin a block from the beach.  The sheets smelled funky, and it had been cold out, too cold to swim.  We'd walked barefoot on the rocky beach, eaten popcorn shrimp and saltwater taffy, and watched the stars at night.  The beach town didn't have a curfew like Hamilton and the other big cities did.  I'd loved that freedom.  the world seemed so much bigger" (pg 60). 

I think there should be a distinction made between memories which effect our lives today and ones which have nothing to do with the present, but still haunt us.  For example, I'm sure there are some war veterans who would love to forget some of the things they have seen.  I think that would be completely justified.  However, if you are in an abusive relationship, and your partner makes you go to the TFC so you won't remember your partner is abusive, then that is wrong and shouldn't be allowed.  

The book made me think about the things I remember, and why it is important to hold onto those memories.  It also made me think about forgiveness.  It is important to forgive people, but that doesn't mean you act like nothing ever happened.  You can forgive someone without trusting them again.  Furthermore, we are supposed to learn from our experiences.  If we just went around erasing the parts of our lives we-or other people-want us to forget, then we lose all that knowledge.

Most Recent Read: Dani Noir

I loved reading Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma.  It is the best book I have read in a while and is definitely one of my new favorites.  The book is about Danielle (Dani), a thirteen year old girl who is trying to come to terms with the fact that her mom and dad are divorced and her dad is getting remarried.  Her best friend just moved away and her brother is at soccer camp, so she spends a lot of time waiting for one of them to call. 


When she isn't sitting on her roof trying to get cell phone coverage, or tailing a "suspect", she is at the local movie theatre, The Little Art, watching classic black-and-white films.  Because of this, even though Dani's life seems pretty run of the mill, she narrates most of her story like she is in a film noir, which makes for some hilarious commentary.  "And her smile, always with that sweet smile, like nothing could ever bring her down.  She's really killing my noir mood. "Dani!" she says, all bubbly. "Want a sundae? On the house!"...Any other day, I'd take the freaking sundae, but this isn't any other day.  My world is crashing down around me! Not even ice cream will save me now!  Do you hear me, people? This is serious."  It is refreshing that while Dani likes to imagine she is a noir detective or Rita Hayworth, she knows she is really only a teenager living in a podunk town.

Even though the The Little Art only has one movie screen, I like the idea of it.  It's vintage, with a movie reel and red velvet ropes.  The films shown are older, like 1940's older, with stars like Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, and Ingrid Bergman.  They have self serve popcorn with a variety of toppings, salt, butter, cinnamon, hot-pepper flakes, coconut flakes, brown sugar, cocoa powder and parmesan cheese.  If Matt and I ever opened a movie theatre, I could see us doing something like that.  Except I would probably add a counter that served custom drinks, like italian sodas and hot cocoa.  Maybe even some baked goods like lemon scones and almond filled croissants.  All those buttery flakes would be really hard to clean up afterwards.  Maybe I should just open a cafe.  Or a book store.

Most Recent Read: How to Say Goodbye in Robot

There were aspects of How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Staniford I really liked, and some things that drove me crazy.  I read it really quickly and it was nice to devour a book again.  I liked that the characters were well rounded and dynamic.  While the book only had a small spattering of them, there were some really descriptive phrases I enjoyed reading.  I love this first one because I love the crisp air the winter brings and I completely understand what Staniford was talking about. "One of the beds had a pile of coats on it, still cold and fresh-smelling from the night air."  It reminds me of skiing with my family, and the real mountain air that you can feel in your lungs.  It clears your head and makes it so much more fun to speed down the mountain and feel it whip past your face.

I liked this next quote mainly because it was vivid.  "The Ferris wheel whisked us away from the noise and smells of the boardwalk for a few seconds, high over the sand and water.  The moon bleached a strip of the sea.  We dipped down, down through the squeals and shots and bangs and pops and up, up again into the fresh air, the lights of the toy city below.  I wished I could live at the top of the Ferris wheel, just high enough to walk on the clouds if it's cloudy, but close enough to the ground to keep an eye on everybody." And then later, "The pinkish-green air promised rain that never came.  Moisture hung in the atmosphere, weighing down on us.  We were living inside a cloud."

It was random, but funny, one of the characters was Anne, and another was Ann, but Ann was called Awae (pronounced ay-way) for Anne without an E.  I also like the unexpected ending.  Looking back, I really should have seen it coming.  Now for what I didn't like.  I didn't like the swearing, underage drinking and macabre photography references.  Or the Night Light show with Herb Horvath.  Every time I had to read the phrase, "nighty-night" I cringed inside.  I don't know why, but it is now one of my pet peeves.  It doesn't even make any sense.  There are so many alternatives that do make sense, ie: goodnight, sleep well, sweet dreams, so long for now, farewell.  Like I said, I don't know why it bugs me so much, but it does.

So overall, it was a pretty good book that made me think, but not too much.

Recipe of the Week: Peach Clafouti

http://cdn.taste.com.au/images/recipes/sfi/2007/09/17585.jpg

This is another dessert from the kitchen of my Father-in-Law.  It is actually similar to the Backofenschlufer, but it has peaches.  And it is a little lighter.  For the record, it is pronounced klah-foo-tee (that being said, you are welcome to make up silly variations, like my husband does; he calls it klow-footy).  This recipe is from MarthaSewart.com


Ingredients
5 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup whole milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1 1/4 pounds peaches, halved, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch slices (4 1/2 cups)
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting


Directions
Preheat oven to 375°
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and flour until combined.  Add sour 
cream, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt and whisk to combine.  Pour 
mixture into four 2-cup baking dishes or a 3 quart baking dish.  Scatter 
peaches in a single layer in batter.  Bake until custard is browned and edges 
and center is set, 30 minutes.  Let cool slightly.  Serve warm, dusted with 
confectioners' sugar. 

Fall

I have a blog post a year ago saying that I loved the fall weather.  And you know what?  I love the fall weather again this year!  It may be my favorite season!  Especially with the changing leaves.  And the crisp cool air.  And the overcast skies.  The only downside is eventually it will get much colder.  Oh well. :) 

Überraschung!

Last night Matt surprised me by cleaning up the whole kitchen while I was out running errands.  We usually clean it together, but it was so nice to have it done.  Best husband ever!

Most Recent Read: Virtually You

It is ironic that I am writing a blog post about a book that is about our virtual identities.  I'm not going to lie, I didn't finish the book.  Not because it wasn't good, but because it seemed Aboujaoude made some really good points in the first chapters and could have gone without dragging them out the rest of the book.  

The book is extremely relevant for our time and gave me several insights into my own interaction with the internet.  I realized that it really is easier to spend money online, and while Matt and I aren't thousands of dollars in debt because of my online spending (in fact we have no debt), it is good to be aware so that I can be more careful in the future.  Reading this book made me really glad that my husband and I don't feel the need to live our lives vicariously through internet websites like second life.  It's refreshing and liberating to know that who we are doesn't have to be defined by our virtual selves.   

The following quotes are some of my favorite by Dr. Aboujaoude,"Online, we are all still prospectors at heart, looking for a bonanza like everybody else.  And so, many among us believe that if we join enough chat rooms, consult enough blogs, listen to enough podcasts, and look at enough three-dimensional pictures, we can finally discover the unique, perfect, most exquisite...can opener!"

Also by Dr. Aboujaoude,"The internet has become the sure means to almost every brilliant goal, the one common road to myriad things we fantasize about and want to see realized...If our online expedition is expensive, time-consuming, or even of questionable morality or legality, at least it can be rationalized as a quest for a state of perfection that we now know exists and can be found; at least it can be done in the name of discovery and dream fulfillment".  I know I have spent some time looking for the perfect item online, whether is is a floral scarf, an alarm clock where the snooze is activated by shooting a laser at it, or some other random object.  It's amazing how stepping back, and looking at our actions with a heightened perspective can help us understand why we do some things, and how to avoid doing them again in the future.  I know that I will be less likely to spend too long searching online for the perfect flats.  I also realized that sometimes I put up wall posts on Facebook because I want people to notice them and comment back.  But I don't have to use Facebook updates.  I can call a friend and talk to them and then instead of a token comment, I can see how they really are doing.

I also liked this quote in the book by René Girard, "There is nothing, or next to nothing, in human behavior that is not learned, and all learning is based on imitation...If human beings suddenly ceased imitating, all forms of culture would vanish".  This quote reminded me of a quote by Isaac Newton, "If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants".  We are a sum of all the experiences and interactions we have had and I hope that future generations keep those experiences and interactions mostly in the real world, and not the virtual one.

Recipe of the Week: Cocoa Crepes With Mascarpone and Blackberries

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/08/cocoa-crepes-with-mascarpone-and-blackberries.html

My Father-in-Law (aka The Gourmet Chef) made these for dessert a while back and they were absolutely amazing!  Like, fill your mouth with heavenly delights amazing.  They have the perfect blend of flavors.

Cocoa Crepes With Mascarpone and Blackberries
Recipe by Jenny McCoy on seriouseats.com

These incorporate cocoa powder - I recommend Valrhona brand - into the crepe itself; the crepes are then rolled with blackberries and a mascarpone filling.

For the Cocoa Crepe Batter:
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 cup whole milk

For the Mascarpone-Blackberry Filling:
2 cups mascarpone
1/2 cup cream
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
1 1/2 pints blackberries

First, for the cocoa crepe batter combine all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.  Strain mixture though a fine-mesh sieve and let rest in refrigerator for one hour or up to two days.

Next, over high heat, warm a non-stick saute pan or crepe pan, lightly coated with non-stick cooking spray, until very hot.  Reduce heat to medium, ladle about 1 ounce of batter into pan, swirling batter until it evenly coats base of pan.  Similar to a pancake, cook the crepe until small bubbles appear and batter is matte in color.  Gently flip the crepe and cook for about five more seconds.  Invert pan over a plate or parchment-lined tray, lay crepe flat to cool, and repeat with remaining batter.  (To evenly distribute the crepe on the pan, take the pan off of the heat before adding the batter, swirl and then put the pan back on the heat.)

For the mascarpone-blackberry filling, use a large bowl and stir the mascarpone, cream, and sugar together with a rubber spatula until smooth. (Honestly, using a mixer should work just as well)

Finally, dollop about 2-3 tablespoons of filling in the center of each crepe, top with 5-6 blackberries, and gently fold crepe in half twice.  Scatter the remaining blackberries over the folded crepes.

Enjoy!  No, seriously. Enjoy.

Most Recent Read: Onward

I enjoyed reading Onward, and would highly recommend it. Or at least the first few chapters.  Granted, I would take it with a grain of salt; it is a book about Starbucks written by Starbucks' CEO, Howard Schultz.  Even so, I found Schultz's insights and ideas inspiring.  Furthermore, Schultz's passion for life was contagious, transcending the pages of the book to motivate me to work harder and dream bigger.

One of my favorite quotes from this book shows Schultz's passion, as well as his moxie:  "There are moments in our lives when we summon the courage to make choices that go against reason, against common sense and the wise counsel of people we trust.  But we lean forward nonetheless because, despite all risks and rational argument, we believe that the path we are choosing is the right and best thing to do.  We refuse to be bystanders, even if we do not know exactly where our actions will lead.  This is the kind of passionate conviction that sparks romances, wins battles, and drives people to pursue dreams others wouldn't dare.  Belief in ourselves and in what is right catapults us over hurdles, and our lives unfold. "Life is a sum of all your choices," wrote Albert Camus.  Large or small, our actions forge our futures, hopefully inspiring other along the way."

While the story focuses on Starbucks' rise and fall in the past couple years, it also touches on issues relevant to today's society as a whole, such as the tough economy and globalization.  It was interesting to read how Starbucks has tried to keep their products relevant to the areas the stores are located (which is everywhere, except Antarctica and the Moon) by incorporating local ingredients.  For example, in China they have developed more oriental flavored drinks, such as Peanut Mocha Frappuccino, Iced Oriental Beauty with Aloe and Black Sesame Green Tea Frappuccino.

I'm just looking forward to the seasonal flavors here in the States.  I hear the gingerbread hot chocolate is divine.  Something to look forward to this winter, other than Christmas of course.

Recipe of the Week: Strozzapreti

This recipe is super simple and makes spaghetti noodles. I found in the New York Times and is adapted from Oretta Aanini De Vita. It is a recipe it make when you have a lot time to prepare dinner.

1 Cup Grano Duro Flour or Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (More as Needed)

2 Large Eggs

Salt

The recipe says to mix the flour and eggs with your hands, but I find it works better to combine the ingredients in a mixer and blend until the dough is uniform. After, dust your hands with flour (the dough is very wet) and then knead the dough briefly. The dough should be moist, but not sticky.

Now shape the dough into what you want the noodles to look like. I like to spread out the dough with a rolling pin and then make star shaped noodles with a cookie cutter. Make sure to keep the shapes pretty thin so that it can cook all the way though later. After the shapes are all done, put the dough in a bowling pot of water. The noodles only take a minute or so to cook, so stay by the pot. Be careful not to undercook or overcook them. Check to see if the noodles are done after they float to the top of the pot. The noodles should be tender, slightly chewy and no longer raw in the center. Drain cooked pasta and pour into a large bowl. Add sauce and/or vegetables or what ever else you want add, and then toss quickly and serve hot.

Thunderstorms

I especially enjoy the smell of rain in the air. Incredible thunderstorms have been brewing here last night and tonight! Lightning bolts every few seconds, lighting up the sky, followed by the rumble of thunder. Even though it was overcast all evening, it did not start raining until it was dark.

Most Recent Read: Through The Grinder

It's kind of funny I read this book when I have never even tried coffee. But, I do love the smell of coffee beans. I usually stop in the grocery store aisle and breathe in the smell for a second or two and then move on.

This book was a lot more edgy and macabre than the books I usually read. However, minus a couple pages in the book that I skimmed over (Ahem), I loved it. Even though this wasn't the first book in the series, I was able to get right into it and figure out what was going on. The book takes place in New York City, and I really like how Coyle describes the architecture and atmosphere.

My favorite parts were paragraphs like this one, which were so descriptive I felt like I was there, "Tonight, while I had the chance, I wanted to take my time and enjoy the radiant charm of streetlights glowing though gauzy lace... They say time slows for people in this part of the city. The pace is more leisurely, the objectives more mannered than midtown's lean, reaching towers of commercial sport. On a twilight evening like this, however, with a thick white blanket muting sounds of car traffic, ambulance sirens, and cell phones, time didn't just slow, it stopped altogether... My boots crunched with every step as I walked, breathing in air that smelled fresh and crisp, enjoying the intimate stillness of the streets, the hush of all things around me".

I also liked how the ending was unexpected, but realistic, which seems rare in romance mystery novels. Over all, I would suggest reading it, but be ready to skip over a few parts here and there.

Most Recent Read: The Sweetness of Salt

I throughly enjoyed reading this book. It was definitely a page turner. I liked how it was sort of a social commentary for how many of my fellow graduates and I felt just after high school graduation. It is a super stressful, but really exciting time, where you can literally decide to do anything or become anyone. Be warned though, there is a lot of swearing. Like, she could give Michael Crichton a run for his money swearing. I've just learned to skip over the words.

Most Recent Read: Watch For Me By Moonlight

I can't seem to fall asleep, so I finished the last Midnight Twins book, Watch for Me By Moonlight. I'm not going to lie, the ending made me cry. I think this one may have been the best book in the series. It really made me think.

Most Recent Read: Look Both Ways

The second book in the Midnight Twins series. It was really good. I would suggest reading it. I really like how Mrs. Jacquelyn writes. Her similes make me laugh, like this one... "The cheerleaders approached the car and absorbed Meredith as she hopped out of the backseat, as if they were first graders playing amoeba tag".

Most Recent Read: The Midnight Twins

This book was slow getting into, but it ended unexpectedly. I really liked it.

Christa McAuliffe Space Center

Lake Tahoe with Lauren and Dad