86. Write a review for 5 books (either on B&N.com or Amazon.com) :: Only Mine

I ADORE the Fool's Gold Series by Susan Mallery - and I have pre-ordered books 4, 5 & 6!! Book 4 (Only Mine) came out yesterday and I'd finished it by noon today. I just LOVED it. So I wrote up a review and posted it on B&N.com, Amazon.com and Good Reads!!! So here it is for you as well :)

(And if you're looking for a fluffy romance read? I highly recommend this series!

Now? I'll shut up and let you read my review!

I love reality TV (Anyone else addicted to The Bachelorette?) And the Fool's Gold series by Susan Mallery is at the top of my list of favorite series reads! (If Fool's Gold was a real town? I'd move their in a heartbeat!) So I'm sure you can imagine how excited I was for book #4 in the series!
This is the first book featuring the Hendrix Triplets - Dakota, Nevada and Montana. I have enjoyed their characters in previous books and was looking forward to their feature books! Dakota most definitely did not disappoint.

In the opening pages, her personality grabbed me! Her humor is something that I could relate to, including one of her opening cracks to Finn about his choice of a plaid shirt. I think on a personal level I related to Dakota more than any of the other Women in Fool's Gold, her humor being the main connection.

I loved watching the relationship between Dakota and Finn bloom, and I found them to be one of the more realistic couples in romance novels. He was hot tempered (making me think of my own husband at times) and she had a natural way of talking him back down, much thanks to her background with a PhD in Psychology.

Another great element to this book was the subplots. Finns twin brothers, Sasha and Stephen were entertaining. Although to be honest, I didn't have much use for Sasha's character or his part in the reality show. But Stephen and his counterpart - Aurelia? I couldn't get enough of them!
I give Only Mine 4 Hearts, and can't wait for the next installment in this series! (Only Yours is due out August 30!)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

12. Make S'Mores (with Skyler!) Outdoors

Two weeks ago, Skyler and I made S'Mores with my sister. Unfortunately, due to the lovely humidity that Nebraska experiences? My camera fogged up and not a single photo turned out. So I've been waiting to make my official post on this task, and today we made "S'Mores on a Stick" for a potluck dinner! These photos? Have turned out - so I thought I'd write a quick entry on how to do them! They are a super simple, quick treat to make!

You will need:

• Graham Crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate Chips
• Serrated Knife
• Sticks/Skewers
• Ziploc Bag

This recipe makes 16 S'Mores Sticks

First, you spread the Graham Crackers out (Broken into individual crackers). I used wax paper to make the cleanup easier!

Next, cut the marshmallows in half using teh serrated knife. (I've heard it works smoother if you grease it with Crisco, but I didn't have a problem without the grease.) Slide them on the tip of the skewer. (I don't have a photo of this *sad*

Then, stick your chocolate chips (about a cup worth) in the ziploc bag, microwave for one minute. Squish the partially melted chips around with your fingers, microwave an additional 30 seconds, moosh around again. (It took me 2 minutes total, but microwave power varies.)

Cut the tip off the the ziploc bag (just a small triangle) and squeeze a strip onto on row of the crackers, then quickly place your marshmallow sticks onto the poured chocolate.

Next, Squeeze a dab of the chocolate on top of each marshmallow. Cover, with the spare cracker.

Let sit for an hour or two for chocolate to harden, then you have S'Mores on a stick!

32. Document a "Day in My Life" with Photos

 While in Lincoln; I completed #32 on my list! A day in my life in photos! It was a fun experiment - although I think everyone around me was a bit annoyed as I snapped away photos of every little activity.

I'd like to do this again -- a normal day at home for Skyler and I. I think it's something that will be fun to look back on in a few years! 

If you want to see the collage larger?  (HERE)

Among my favorites?

Skyler at the Grocery Store! (She loves the little carts -- I wish we could find a store with them in Colorado.)

And Skyler playing!

I also liked Skyler's bedtime shot... (Gee - a lot of Skyler *giggle* )

And my favorite "artsy" shot was my headphones!

26. Visit 5 Museums

While we were in Lincoln, we visited the Sheldon Art Gallery!

I've been there a dozen times - we went in school almost every year. But I never really took the time to appreciate it. This time, I tried to take it all in. (At least until Skyler got a bit too bored, and I had to leave and take her to play in the sculpture garden outside!)

(Although Skyler did love the "Song of the Bird" sculpture inside. We spent a good amount of time walking in circles and looking at that one.)

And one last shot -- snapped when I told Skyler we had to leave (of which she'd been BEGGING for the previous 30 minutes...)

86. Write a review for 5 books (either on B&N.com or Amazon.com) :: Room

I am a book nerd. At this point (July 14) I have read 54 books in 2011, and it's rare to find a book that I don't like. So for my 101 in 1001 I thought it would be fun to review a few books! So I posted the following on both Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com as well as Good Reads. 

HERE is my review at B&N!!

I was anxious to read "Room" having heard so many wonderful reviews. Everyone I talk to seems to have loved this book.

I struggled to read from the beginning. Maybe it was the broken language of a five year old, maybe it was the repetitive nature. Whatever it was? It was slow. (I typically read a book in 2 days, but this took me an entire week.)

I didn't feel that there was any real climax to this book, sure it picked up when Jack made his great escape. But it never really grabbed me the way many books do.

I couldn't stand Ma's family. I tried and tried to put myself in their place, which is normally pretty easy with a book. But these characters were just so unlikable that I couldn't manage it. I liked Ma in room; and I can't begin to imagine her trauma, but I just had a difficult time sympathizing with her once they'd escaped.

Overall, I didn't love the book. It was just sort of ok, and I definitely would not recommend it to my friends and family.

48. Send a "Just Because" care package to someone

I love getting mail, so what better than to send someone mail they aren't expecting?

No, it's not my sister's birthday. It's not a holiday. And there is nothing that she needs. But I decided this week, I'd send her a care package at camp! It's packed with nothing in particular, certainly nothing she "needs"! (Although I suppose Justin Bieber trading cards could be a necessity, I'm not sure...) Just a silly collection of items to make her smile!

 

 

Inside? 

*Frog Puzzle

*Guitar Necklace

*Decorative Pins (for her power belt -- a fanny pack for all you non-Kitaki people)

*Cars & Justin Bieber Trading Cards

*A note