Reading Books

Books I read in 2014

 

I made my reading goal this year.  I am pretty amazed.  Here is what I read last year.

 

1. City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments book 3)- Cassandra Clare

 

2. Divergent (Book 1)- Veronica Roth

 

3. Blood Magic (book 1)- Tessa Gratton

 

4. Nim's Island (read to my kids)- Wendy Orr

 

5. Cinder- Marissa Meyer

 

6. Who Was Amelia Earheart (read to my kids)- Kate Boehm Jerome

 

7. Insurgent (Divergent book 2)

 

8. Flight of the Sparrow: A Novel of early America- Amy Belding Brown

 

9. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (one from chick family book club)- Stephen Chbosky

10. Dealing with Dragons (book 1)- Patricia C. Wrede

 

11. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian- Sherman Alexie

 

12. Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo (book 1)- Obert Skye

 

Books I've started in 2014 and need to finish:

1. The Maze Runner- James Dashner

2. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (reading to my kids)- Barbra Robinson

 

I have enjoyed reading most of the books I read last year, there was one I didn't care for.  Which was Blood Magic.  I just really didn't like reading that book.

There were two books I really enjoyed.  Of course I enjoyed the Divergent Series, I need to read the 3rd one, but those are the books I am talking about, even thought they are good.  The two I enjoyed reading was, Flight of the Sparrow and The Absolutely True Diary of a part-time Indian.  Both of those books have Indians in them.  I really enjoyed reading those two.  So if you get a chance see if you can find them at your library.  I will tell you Flight of the sparrow is pretty descripted and there are some parts that are sad and disturbing.  The True Diary one has language and in appropriate things, but it is still a good read.  Just read with caution.

I will hope fully finish those other two books here soon. 

 

And here is something we are doing for The Chick Family Book Club...

Not sure if you can read any of it.  Something to keep us busy this year.

 



Cajun Potato Soup Recipe

Cajun Potato Soup Recipe

 

2 TBSP: Unsalted Butter

1/2 Onion, diced

2 stalks of celery

2 C: Milk

3 TBSP:  all-purpose flour

3 C: Chicken Broth

1 can of corn

2 lbs. red potatoes

1 1/2 tsp.: Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning (or any kind of Cajun Seasoning)

1/2 tsp.: thyme

1/4 tsp.: Oregano

Salt to taste

 

1. Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add onions and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes.

2. Gradually whisk in the milk and the flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until incorporated, about 1-2 minutes.

3. Stir in Chicken broth, corn, potatoes, Cajun seasoning, thyme, oregano and salt.

4. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20-30 minutes.

 

 

This recipe turned out really good.  I adapted it to the things I had in my kitchen and a way my kids would eat it.  They loved it.

 

Here is the actual recipe, (ya, I changed the name too)

 

Potato Corn Chowder

2015? Where are the flying cars?

So we made it to 2015!

 

This has to be a good year, cause I was born on the 15th, so 15 must be a lucky number.  Right?

 

So I too have made some goals this year.  I am going to try to follow my goals, but no promises.  Life gets busy goals get broken.  I guess it is good to set some though.

 

I'm not going to make a goal like, I want to lose 20 lbs this year.  I make that goal every year and it never works out for me.  I am going to try to focus more on my health instead of weight loss, and if I'm lucky maybe the weight loss will follow.

 

My goals are...

 

1. Work out at least 30 min a day (go to the gym more)

I have been doing good at this so far, except for today.  I decided cleaning the house, and I mean really cleaning the house will work for my working out for today.

 

2. Read 15 books this year, plus read the scriptures.

My goal was 12 last year and I barely made it.

 

3. Try a new healthy recipe once a week

Today I made Cajun potato soup.  It was really good.

 

4.  Drink more water! (I am really bad at this)

 

5. Go to sleep earlier!  (I have been horrible at this already)

 

6.  Have a movie night or game night with my family once a week.

 

So those are my goals.  Super exciting right?

 

If you made goals this year, I hope you are able to keep them.  I know it is hard.  I hope you all keep healthy and enjoy being around loved ones.  I hope 2015 is a great year.  Even if we don't have flying cars :-(

 

HAPPY 2015