What I'm Into (January)

Joining in for the first time with Leigh Kramer and her monthly What I'm Into linkup! Head over to her site to see all the other great bloggers participating.

Reading:

Loved, loved, loved The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. It tells the story of Ernest Hemingway's first wife and their years in Paris before he was a success. Their relationship was fascinating and flawed, but McLain made every moment compelling. Now I'm dying to dig in and find out more about Hadley's later life and read more by Hemingway himself, which to me is sign of a really good historical novel.

Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss is a half grammar how-to book, half funny diatribe about modern punctuation (or lack there of!). Sometimes hysterical, sometimes a bit slow, but a good refresher either way.

I'm still reading The BFG with my boys, though my goodness it is dragging! I loved it as a child but there just isn't enough action to keep us hooked as a read-aloud. Any suggestions for favorite read alouds for boys? I always need to add to my list.

I'm going to try to join Leigh in her February Reading Challenge. For this month read only books you already own rather than hitting up the library or bookstore. I am so guilty of find new recommendations on blogs or Goodreads and ignoring the great books laying around my house unread. The picture above is my working to-read in February pile…considering that I have enough unread books on my kindle alone I'm sure this list is going to change!

Listening:

Since I'm somewhat randomly headed to a Luke Bryan concert this weekend I've been listening to his album and similar music on iTunes radio to brush up. I was pathetically excited when a song popped up by Darius Rucker (aka Hootie minus the Blowfish) and I realized he made a country album! Excuse me while I turn into a 90s fangirl for a moment.


Watching:

Sherlock is back!! Sunday night was the most fabulous Best Man's speech ever. Now if only this season had more than 3 episodes. Of course, I'm watching Downton too. Frankly, the storyline with Anna really is putting me off this season. I wish Julian Fellowes could have left well enough alone for at least one season!

The Bachelor. Total guilty pleasure. It was really fun watching this week's episode where they all went to South Korea and we could see some of the same sights we saw when we picked up Ben.

Loving:

Hot chocolate dates with my boys and snuggling my dogs in the cold weather, and sneaking a few minutes outside to read when it's been warm.

Comfort cooking: Nigella's Rice Pudding, cinnamon sugar scones, homemade pizza, and spiced brownies  and drinking hot toddies and warm tea.

Classic movies: Finally convinced my husband to watch some of my old favorites…not sure if it was the end of football season or canceling our cable package  that finally made him say yes. First up The Thin Man, The Uninvited and lots of Alfred Hitchcock!

Wishing for these shoes, an excuse to make this hostess gift, and a local source for Ginger Beer so I can make this drink (in that fabulous mug of course!)

The holidays always makes me want to clear out my clutter. I've got one thrift store donation run down and a bunch of clothes loaded into Poshmark to sell and my closet looks so much better! Now to add a few new things into it :)


What are you into this month? Check out Leigh's blog for more fun posts!


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Happy Friday everyone! Are you still hunkered down in the freezing cold? We're getting a brief reprieve from it for the weekend thank goodness, so I can get my stir-crazy boys outside before we get another "arctic blast" next week.

I've been reading a lot this week and while the book subjects are all over the place, one of them is about unexpected houseplants. Between that and the dreary weather I am longing for garden season. I used to have a lot of houseplants but it got difficult to manage them with all the military moves so I've been gardening outside only the last few years. I might look for one this weekend though, it makes such a difference having something green in the house in the dead of winter!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Here are some of my favorite links around the web this week: 

Manhattan Clam Chowder by the Brown Eyed Baker. As a native New Englander, it feels a little blasphemous to say it…but this looks fantastic.

Shana and Stacey ended their series on Learning to Like a Social Network. So many good tips!

These Stir Fried Noodles would be perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

Another slow cooker recipe to try: Chicken in Milk by the Naptime Chef.

Ending the "mommy wars".

It might be that I'm used to moving every few years, but I totally have the "re-decorating disease"!

You know I love a good owl craft!

These are getting made this weekend. My boys will flip out. Pizza Waffles!! What 5 year old can resist that!?

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Happy Friday! So happy that it's a three day weekend with minimal plans in our house. I have grand plans of cooking, cleaning out my closet (thinking about trying Poshmark. Anyone had good luck selling clothes there?) and constantly vacuuming up the dry grass my dogs are rolling around on in the backyard.

Here are some fun links from the last week:

Slang phrases from the 1920's that should be brought back. The history nerd in me suspects some of these might not be accurate, but some are hysterical…

Anyone heard of these MiiPC's reviewed by Cool Mom Tech this week? As my boys get older and are needing to do school work on a computer I'm very intrigued by this idea.

Ready for more brownies? These Dulche de Leche brownies from Brown Eyed Baker look phenomenal.

This Beer and Cheese dip from the Curvy Carrot would be perfect football playoff food.

Are you looking forward to the Oscars? Luckily there are a few children's movies on the list of nominees or I wouldn't have seen any of them! Somehow I don't think I'll get a chance to watch the best picture movies before March…

Happy weekend everyone!

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Somehow I always let the first week after the kids go back to school from a vacation get extra busy. Too many appointments, too much paperwork. I got a lot accomplished, but there were times I felt on the edge of burnout. I have big plans this weekend to cut myself a lot of slack, get together with friends, let the kids play and the grownups relax, read a good book (I just started Where'd you go, Bernadette?!) and remind myself that it's ok to take the easy road sometimes.

Happy weekend everyone! Here are some of my favorite links from around the web this week:

Scientists in Australia respond to their lack of research into Dragons…and then make a 7 year old very happy!

Kelsey (The Naptime Chef) has posted a ton a great recipes in the last few weeks. The lemon marmalade and classic lasagna bolognase are going to the top of my to-do list!

I love Stacey's idea of an inspiration card that you can carry with you instead of a board hidden somewhere in the house.

How do you measure creativity? The Art of Simple shows us how to think beyond the number of completed crafts.

Tips for cooking with your kids from Simple Bites readers.

I really need a party as an excuse to make this Salty Honey Pie from Joy the Baker because I'm pretty sure I would eat the whole darn thing myself otherwise.

A great perspective on changing online envy into motivation from PJ at Bunny and Dolly. This is something I need to work on this year!

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I think I need to switch my bedside table out for a bookshelf! 

Whew! We made it. Today is the last day of school for the boys, most of our presents are wrapped, and everything that needs to be shipped has been shipped. The weather is turning cold again and I'm looking forward to a weekend with good books and good food. And since it's our 10 year wedding anniversary tomorrow, good champagne!

Here are some of my favorite links around the web this week:

Twitterature was Monday!

Bookworm Problems. You know you have them too.

There's a good chance this Eggnog Bundt Cake will be our Christmas dessert.

I can't get over this holiday table setting from Simple Bites.

Anyone else cookie'd out? These buckwheat chocolate shortbread cookies might solve that.

You had me at sriracha aioli.



Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Don't forget to enter my cookbook giveaway! It's my very first giveaway. I'll announce the winners Tuesday morning :)

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                                        Books ready to be exchanged at my book club's annual book exchange!


Happy Friday everyone! Are you done with all the shopping and planning for the holidays or are you still in the midst of the craziness? I suspect you can guess which category I'm in :) There will be a lot of wrapping and post office runs over the next few days for me!

It's fun crazy though, and we have a packed weekend. Christmas parties last night and tonight and then tomorrow I'm headed to a girls day in the big city for a Pioneer Woman book signing. (Cue fangirl squealing!)

It's been a while since I've rounded up my reading so I'm going to do a separate reading roundup in the next few days. There's been a lot of good stuff in my reading list lately. If you can't wait until the post-go friend me on Goodreads and see what I've been reading there!

In the meantime, here are some of my favorite links from the last week!

1. If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you might have already seen this, but my guest post on Bunny and Dolly was included in a roundup of Hot Chocolate recipes on The Huffington Post! I wandered around with a big goofy grin on my face all day yesterday. Seriously, the HUFFINGTON POST. And the other bloggers on the list are huge and awesome. Ok, obviously I'm still giddy. Check it out here. I'm #12!

2. For my fellow Jane Austen nerds check out the Jane Austen and Motherhood Book Club hosted by Gidget Goes Home. The group is going to read one Austen book a month (starting with Pride and Prejudice in January) and discuss it through the lens of Motherhood. You don't have to be a mother to join-the discussion will focus on how mothers are portrayed in her books and how they affect the storyline and other characters. The discussion will all be happening in the Facebook group.

3. This Pomander Spiced Orange Jam from Simple Bites looks like a perfect complement to holiday breakfasts. And it must smell divine while it's cooking!

4. I haven't tried making chocolate bark yet, but this Peanut Butter and Chocolate version from Brown Eyed Baker is going on my holiday baking list.

5. 10 Food Crazes of 2013. I think the only one we use regularly is sriracha, but I wouldn't consider that "new".

6. Shana and Stacey are doing a new series on Social Networks. This week they have tips for getting the most out of Twitter and Facebook. Since I'm still figuring out Twitter, I am loving this series! Do you have a social media preference?

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

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The view out my front window after about an hour after the ice starting falling this morning. 

So about 15 minutes after I hit publish on yesterday's post (the one where I talked about how nice the weather was?) the wind started blowing and by the time I picked the boys up from school it was in the 40s. Yikes. The ice has started to fall this morning, and I'm sticking close to home drinking tea and enjoying the fireplace for the first time this year. And probably making cupcakes…as you do.


What I've been reading online this week:

I love this little sewing nook on I Heart Organizing (by Make it Handmade). I've been taking a refresher sewing class, and it's been so much fun to dedicate time to being creative once a week.

Joy the Baker has a new show called Bonkers Awesome on ulive.com AND made some amazing looking candy bar cupcakes.

1500 pieces of art stolen by the Nazis has been found in Munich.

Domestic Sluttery is celebrating the 50th Anniversary episode of Doctor Who (airs on Saturday!!) with a week filled with Doctor Who goodies. My favorites? The Dalek Bread and the 4th Doctor Apron. It would be dangerous to cook with Tom Baker's scarf after all!

One Simple Thing made a baked Lemon Ricotta cake that looks like the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea.

You may have seen this already if you've liked my Facebook page, but if not check out these colorized historical photographs. They are absolutely fascinating!

I hope you have a fabulous weekend, and if there is winter weather in your area too-stay safe!

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Whew! We survived Halloween, and the crazy event schedule that goes with it! The boys had a blast trick or treating last night and then staying up to hand out candy with us. The poor teachers today though- I can't imagine how insane the kids are going to be after a late night and lots of sugar.

I'll be taking down all the Halloween decorations today, and going into planning mode for November. We've got lots scheduled, and a Thanksgiving menu to plan! Am I the only one who's really excited about that? This must be what fashion bloggers feel like during Fashion Week :)

I'm starting a sewing class next week and I'm super excited-I've been sewing for years but most of the things I do are my "own" way, not the "right" way. Several good friends are taking it too so it will be a really fun way to have a girls night once a week. (Local friends-I think there is still space in the class! You should sign up too!) Keep an eye out on Instagram for peeks of my projects!

What I'm Reading this week:
I rounded up some of the spooky reading I've been doing on Wednesday, and since finishing those books I've moved on to Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Melton. She blogs over at Momestery and while I'm enjoying it, it isn't quite as "life-changing" as I heard it might be. I'm hoping that my expectations aren't going to ruin it for me.

What I'm Reading around the Web this week: 

55 Things only 90s Teenage Girls Understand is hysterical. I may have seriously considered being Angela Chase for Halloween this year…

Thoughts on when to let kids start cooking from Simple Bites.

Book subscriptions sound like such a cool idea-sadly this roundup from Domestic Sluttery is only for the UK. Someday in the states maybe?

This Sweet Onion and Parmesan Dip from the Brown Eyed Baker looks like the perfect football party (any party, really) food. Now I just need to plan a party so that I can make it!

I'm going to try this project with the boys for November. Each day we can all write something we're thankful for. I'm hoping to start widening the perspective of my oldest, but even if the kids don't get anything out of it, I will. A little gravitate practice will be good for us all.

I hope you have a great weekend!


Let's connect! Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Instagram/Goodreads

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Not too shabby for a last minute Dinosaur costume for the Kindergarten Book Parade, huh? 

My books this week: 
The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan is the third and final book in the Kane Chronicles (Percy Jackson meets Ancient Egyptian magic). This was a fun and fast read and wrapped almost all the plot lines up tidily. There's just enough out there that makes me think Riordan will revisit the Kanes in a second trilogy, much like he did with Percy Jackson and his friends.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. This was the book for my book club this month, and I just can't get through it. I'm about halfway, but the meeting was last night and based on our discussion I don't think I'm going to bother finishing it. Strayed doesn't go through much of a character arc through the course of the book, and I can't connect enough with her to be interested in what happens the rest of the way. There's too many good books to read to continue with this one!


What I'm reading around the web:

Map of the most famous book set in each state. Of course I had to go see what the book for each state we've been stationed in was!

I love this article on Kveller about telling friends and strangers that they are good mothers. It is so easy to doubt ourselves, especially in those tough parenting moments, and it means so much to hear someone say those words. To all my Mama friends-You are GREAT moms. I am proud to know you and I have learned so much watching you.

There's a lot of pumpkin recipes out there right now, but this Pumpkin Hummus from The Naptime Chef looks delicious and is a nice change from all the sweets floating around right now.

I need to take advantage of my slow cooker as the days get shorter and busier and this Chicken and Sausage Stew from Smells like Home is at the top of my list to try.

I'm having way too much fun reading this new-to-me blog: Two Nerdy History Girls. So much historical goodness!

Hope you have a great weekend!

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What I'm reading:

My book club is reading Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail by Cheryl Strayed. I've been picking it up and starting it all week, and I just can't get very far. I have a feeling that I'm just not in the right mood for it this week, so I'm going to put it down, read something else that I know will be a quick one and try again next week. I'm notorious for finishing book club books the day of the meeting anyway :)

Good reads around the web: 

Martha Stewart had a big week! First she went passive aggressive on Gwyneth, and then made the bloggers mad. Yikes.

One of my favorite blogging linkups was posted this week-Twitterature on Modern Mrs. Darcy. Check out the great recommendations from Anne and all the other blogs linking up at the bottom of the post. Lots of books to add to my Goodreads "to read" shelf!

I love this post about National PJ Night from Traci Zeller Designs. What a great idea for a great cause!

This Roasted Apple and Rosemary Tisane from Simple Bites sounds like the perfect drink for a rainy fall day!

Why Neil Gaiman is every librarian's hero. Such a perfect speech on why libraries and books are so important.


Just a general housekeeping note...I've changed somethings around on the design side of the blog. The biggest change is switching the comments to Disqus. You don't have to sign up for a Disqus account to comment, but you do have to leave a name and email at the minimum to comment (don't worry-your email stays private!). The upside is that it's easier to have a conversation in the comment section as well as getting notified when your comments have a reply. If you have any comments or questions about it, feel free to get in touch and let me know!

Let's connect! Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Instagram/Goodreads

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What I read this week: 

I finished up the Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan at the beginning of this week. I don't connect with all the characters in this series as well as I do in his Percy Jackson series, but I am officially hooked. There was a time in my life when I was sure I was going to be an Egyptologist and reading this series is really making me want to go back and read all the Egyptian history books we have around the house. Riordan is a fantastic storyteller, and when I finished this book I went straight to the library to pick up the third in the series.

After Throne of Fire I went straight into The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. Gaiman is an unbelievable writer. He perfectly manages to walk the line between reality and magic, and horror and fantasy. Had the timing worked out, I think I would have read this in one sitting...as it was it only took me a day to read. It's short, but absolutely spellbinding. Gaiman always has exactly the right words. Nothing feels forced or too bizarre, despite the fact the plot involves myth and magic. The characters make perfect sense and they feel so real. I'm not entirely sure there is anything I could say that does this book justice. (I felt this same when after I listened to the Graveyard Book as an audiobook. I had to buy the physical book the second I finished listening and it's now a favorite re-read.)
I know that the subject may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the writing and the story were so good that I want to shout "READ THIS" from my rooftop. His writing style doesn't remind me of JK Rowling, but the talent behind it does. You can look at one of his sentences and realize just how perfect it is for that moment in the book, and how masterfully the threads of the story weave together.

(A side note-if you like audiobooks then try any of Gaiman's books. He reads them himself and they are some of the best I've listened to...and as a former librarian that's saying something!)

Good reads around the web this week:

This Pork Tenderloin with Apple Salsa from Pink Parsley is going on our menu for next week for sure.

I adore rice pudding and Joy the Baker created a fabulous twist on the recipe-Maple and Ginger.

Awesome kids dress up sellers on Etsy from Ain't No Mom Jeans.

Dried Apple Rings from Smells Like Home. I have my eye on these for after school snacks.


Have a great weekend everyone!

Let's connect! You can find Hearth and Homefront on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Goodreads. I'll see you there! 

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What I'm reading this week:
This was one of those weeks with an event almost every night and a stomach bug thrown in for good measure (fingers crossed everyone is healthy now!) I didn't get a whole lot of reading done, but I did finally get to the library to pick up a few new options. I just started The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan. It's the second in his Egyptian series, and so far so good! I'm really looking forward to the next release in his Heroes of Olympus series in just a few days :)

Good reads around the web:

A truly thoughtprovoking post by Tsh (Simple Mom) about the dark side of the Chocolate industry. I really had no idea how cocoa was harvested, and I will certainly be doing some research into this.

Apple season is in full swing in the blogosphere. These Ham and Apple Butter Panini's look delicious and Simple Bites has 5 ideas for cooking with apple cider.

More Vintage Children's books-this time for fall!

Buffalo Chicken Chili? Yes Please. Perfect for football season and the hopefully "cool" weather we are about to get.

The Naptime Chef interviewed the author of Weelicious Lunches...the boys have been super picky about what we send in for lunch and I'm racking my brain for more ideas. I might have to check the book out!



Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

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Where did September go?? We just finished up a lovely visit from family and now I'm knee deep in the Alt For Everyone online blog conference. It's been really inspiring so far, so don't be surprised if there are some changes (for the better, promise!) around here in October.

What I'm reading:

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
I could have finished this book a few days ago but it's too good to rush. I'm savoring the last pages because it's just too good to give up! The story goes back and forth between Nicola in modern London and Anna, the young Scottish girl from the late 18th century who she is trying to connect to a piece of art. Both have secrets to keep and must regain their sense of trust as the book goes on. "Time Slip" novels can often feel disjointed if there isn't a smooth transition between the two time periods, but Kearsley moves back and forth perfectly. Each story moves the other along and while much of the book is character driven it is never dull. The characters come to life equally developed in both time periods and the historical sections are a smooth blend of the description needed to portray Scotland, France and Russia in the 1700s and the action needed to continue the story. And the icing on the cake? Kearsley has written a number of books already, and one is the story of Anna's parents! I can't wait to work my way through the rest of her books!



Good reads around the web: 

We finally got some rain a week or so back but just before that we had a mini dust bowl in the empty field behind our house. NPR talks about why it might start happening again on a large scale. Scary!

The healing properties of turmeric...in a tea!

Speaking of tea-Cup of Jo has a recipe for homemade Masala Chai. Might be just the thing for the cooler weather (supposedly) coming our way this weekend.

Annie's Eats lightened up a fall favorite: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins.

These wise words from Caitlin Moran (via Cup of Jo) might be my new mantra.


I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!

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We're finally getting into a rhythm with school and our new schedules. Just in time for after school activities to start! I'm officially a soccer mom now :) I'm finally getting into a routine myself now that the initial catch up from the summer is over. I even made it to the library by myself yesterday. That's my haul at the top of the page-a wee bit ambitious? Perhaps. But too many books is a good problem to have!

And a special note to my parents on their anniversary this weekend...they've set the example for me of what an amazing partnership marriage can be and I'm so proud and grateful to have you in our lives. Love you both! Happy anniversary :)


What I'm reading: 

The Girl who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

This was a gentle, magical little book that weaves together several stories in the small town of Mullaby, North Carolina. There is a gentle giant, mysterious lights and a baker whose cakes send out messages of love and hope. The description sounded a little hokey, but the story doesn't feel that way when you read it. It's not deep but nothing feels contrived or overly silly, which is a real accomplishment when the author weaves a magical storyline through a book. A good summer read.



Good reads around the web:

A HUGE round up of school lunch ideas from Modern Parents, Messy Kids.

Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies from The Pioneer Woman. Yum. Now I just need an excuse to make them so I don't eat the entire batch by myself.

Now that we are a couple weeks into school we are starting to get the hang of things. We could stand to be a little more organized though, especially about lunches and paperwork. This post from I Heart Organizing has some great ideas.

Life in Mod has a great post on how to wear your white converse this fall...because I for one am not putting them away just yet!

I knew I didn't quite fit in with either Gen X or the Millenials. Generation Catalano anyone?

Have a great long weekend everyone!!!

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Sorry for the radio silence the last few days friends. It has been one of those weeks-the kind where nothing goes how you planned and nothing really gets accomplished. (You know that three headed monster that Hercules fights where every time he cuts one head off three more grow back? Just like that.)  I'm going to recharge this weekend, and be back to myself for next week.

What I've been reading this week:

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan. This is basically the Egyptian version of his Percy Jackson/Greek myths series. Carter and Sadie Kane are siblings who have lived with different family members since the death of their mother. They think their parents were Egyptologists, but really they are magicians descended from the Pharaohs. When their father is captured by an evil Egyptian God, Carter and Sadie must discover their own powers to save him. This is a young adult book, so the narration can be very juvenile at times but the story is fast paced, and Riordan is the type of writer who always makes you read just one more chapter. Entertaining, but not my favorite of his books.


Good reads around the web:

Take that first step towards your dreams...A reminder that I certainly needed this week.

Now this is a way to wear sweatpants out of the house!

Chicken and summer vegetables in a casserole? It's on the menu for next week.

This mango smoothie looks so good. I would eat mangoes every day if I could.

Because sometimes you just need pretty pictures of beautiful jewelry.


And the video that makes me giggle now matter how grumpy I am. (And yes, the cat is fine)





Hope you all have a great weekend!

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My Elizabeth Peters shelves...and this is barely a drop in the bucket of what she actually wrote!

What I've been reading:

The Murders of Richard III by Elizabeth Peters

This is the second in the Jacqueline Kirby novels by Elizabeth Peters. After I finished the Seventh Sinner, I started looking around my house for this. I KNEW I had it, but just couldn't find it. When I couldn't get settled into any other book last week, I broke down and ordered this and the 3rd in the series for my Kindle. I am so glad I did. Elizabeth Peters died this week, and it seemed only fitting that I  was reading her books when it happened. I really don't think there is another author who had such a big influence on me. I discovered her freshman year of high school thanks to my guidance counselor and haven't looked back. She was one hell of a writer, and you should expect to see lots of re-reads of her books coming up for the rest of the year.

The Murders of Richard III take place at an English country house party made up of Richard III supporters. They have discovered evidence that may prove Richard was innocent and have called the members of their society together to make the big announcement to the press. It seems that someone wants to stop them, and Jacqueline tries to put a stop to the strange events before they go too far. I love that I come away from any Peters mystery wanting to learn more about the historical subplots. I've read Josephine Tey's Daughter of Time years ago, which is the seminal novel "clearing" Richard of the Tudor accusations. The winners do write the histories, and the Tudors were not known for their subtlety. I will have to poke around through some of the revisionist histories and see just what the theories are now.

In the meantime, I'll be finishing out the series. Next up: Die for Love.

Good reads around the web:

There are several good tributes and obituaries around the web for Elizabeth Peters. The Washington Post, and NPR.

Some solid school lunch ideas that don't involve turning the lunch into a work of art. Much appreciated by this tired Mama!

A great roundup from Emily Clark of kids spaces to inspire me a little more. (We only have sheets and clocks so far...obviously I need a lot more inspiration!)

Peach Almond Slab Pie by Savor Fare...I have never heard of slab pie, but the fact that is a portable pie is all I need to know. I would probably switch this out for my fave strawberry rhubarb combination.

This tomato tart from Joy the Baker would be the perfect way to use all the tomatoes I would be getting from my garden right now if I could get the plants to do anything more than flower! Tomatoes may be my gardening kryptonite.

I've never tried a Ricotta cake. Have you? After seeing this one from Michelle of Brown Eyed Baker I will be making one very soon!

I love Breanne's thoughts on the reality of Pinterest projects with little ones.

Hope you have a great weekend everyone!



Let's connect! Find Hearth and Homefront around the web: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Goodreads

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This has been a strange week. We were away until Tuesday, then rolled right into Ben's birthday and just when I finally get everything back to normal it's Friday. To top it off, the kids will start school in just a couple of weeks so we need to enjoy summer while we still can.

Here's to a gorgeous weekend with some good food and good books!


What I've been reading:

  The Seventh Sinner by Elizabeth Peters

I forgot how much I love Elizabeth Peters! The mystery itself flies along and while I didn't figure it out until the very end I could look back and see all the clues she laid out through the story. That makes me a very happy mystery reader-I at least want the chance to figure it out! Jacqueline Kirby is a librarian spending the summer in Rome where she falls in with a crowd of graduate students and scholars. When a man on the edge of their circle is killed they all come under suspicion. Strange accidents begin to happen and Jacqueline must find the murderer before someone else is killed. While this was written in the 70s it didn't feel dated to me-more like an historical mystery set then. And it's the first in a series!

  Burial at Sea by Charles Finch

This is the 5th Charles Lenox mystery.  This book takes him out of his comfort zone in London and sets the mystery on a ship headed from England to Egypt. The Suez Canal is just opening and Lenox, now a Member of Parliament, is sent on a clandestine mission for the government. Lenox is a gentler soul than other Victorians detectives. He is competent and caring, but he doesn't carry a lot of baggage. I love the glimpse into the Victorian Navy in this book as the ships and the purpose are on the edge of a big change. That stressor runs underneath the murder mystery itself, which adds a nice dimension. I missed the familiar London characters, but the change of scene was a good one for the series I think.

Good reads around the web this week:

Stuck between Gen X and Millenialls?

This Lemon and Arugula Pasta looks like a great dish for those busy summer nights!

I miss the Vietnamese food we could get in California...this lemongrass grilled pork from Savour Fare will satisfy that craving.

A Doctor Who line of bakeware? I NEED THIS. Fingers crossed they ship to the states.

What book do you pick up when you need a comfort read? Deanna Raybourn (fab author AND blogger) rounds a few up. Lots of good suggestions in the comments too!

I'm thinking about making this kiwi moscato popsicle recipe from Quarter Life (Crisis) Cook this weekend when the temps inch back up to the 100s. Moscato is a little sweet for me though...I'm thinking champagne. Of course, I always think champagne :)

CTFD Parenting. Awesome.

Remember, you can follow me on Goodreads or on Pinterest and see the books and the other great blogs posts I'm reading every week! (And of course, you can always find me on Facebook and Twitter too!)

Friday Favorites

My tomato plants have flowers! Amazing what one little rain storm can do out here. 

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all had a good week. One of the boys had a 24 hour bug in the middle of the week so I wasn't quite as productive as I wanted to be. I did get some yummy things made after he recovered though so there are some great posts lined up for next week! 

We finally had some rain last night and I'm hoping that will break this heat wave we've been in. I'm over the 100+ temps thankyouverymuch. 

What I've been reading: 

I'm almost done with Instant Mom by Nia Vardolos and Quiet by Susan Cain. They are both really interesting reads. I had such a connection with Instant Mom that I'll be devoting a blog post to a full review. It's an honest, beautiful and heartbreaking depiction of infertility and adoption. My boys and I have been tearing through chapter books lately too, so I'm going to round those up in one big post. 

I'm pushing myself to learn more about photography (see below) so I can push myself on my food photos. I'm dying to dig into Plate to Pixel by Helene DuJardin. It's full of techniques and styling tips and just downright gorgeous photography. For now though, it needs to stay on my to-be-read shelf.
Between sick kiddos and swim lessons I've been taking much longer to get through books these days. I'll just think of it as savouring the stories, and not being slow :)

Good reads around the web this week:

Since last Friday I was a slacker was part of a holiday weekend this week's Friday Favorites will have a few more links than usual to cover all the good stuff floating around from the last two weeks. 

This gorgeous chocolate sheet cake from Pink Parsley with berries would be a great end to a summer party. 

This list of vintage children's books from No Time for Flash Cards has lots of my favorites on it, and some new to me books that I can't wait to read with the boys. 

The amazing Shana at Ain't No Mom Jeans made Chicken Tacos with Peach Salsa. What a perfect way to use those peaches that are in season now! 

Ritz cracker ice cream sandwiches? My new favorite late night snack. Thanks Joy the Baker!

This house makes my inner anglophile giddy. 

Do you meditate? I do in spurts, but not nearly enough. A dear friend loved this challenge the last time they did it, and I'm thinking of giving it a try! Anyone want to do it with me? 

I finally got Photoshop Elements this week, and I've been having SO much fun playing around with it. I'm really excited to do some real editing on my photos for the blog. I've been reading all sorts of tutorials on the web, and I found some cool actions to try on this blog. If you have some favorite resources please share in the comments! I'm on the hunt for some new props and I'm going to try to DIY a lightbox this weekend too. 

I can't get the idea of this cake drizzled in caramel out of my head. 

I've already passed the big 3-0, but this article really made me laugh!

I took the boys out for milkshakes the other day and now I'm obsessed with making variations at home. Shutterbean just made this Orange Cream Float...YUM.

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Friday Favorites

What I'm reading:

Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson

This story is set in a small country village in England between the wars. Barbara Buncle finds herself in dire financial straights and decides to write a novel to make some money. She writes about what she knows-her friends and neighbors- never expecting the book to be published. When it hits the shelves, the residents of Silverstream find themselves in the book and most are none too pleased. This book is clever and sweet. It reminds me of the "Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society"in its tone and gentle rhythm. It is a smart book but there are no pretensions or crazy plot twists. It is simply real life with real characters and how their lives are changed by the publication of Barbara's book. The man characters are well developed and react believably to the situations they find themselves in. The whole thing was delightful!


Good reads around the web this week:

No Bake Oreo Dessert by Brown Eyed Baker. It has been over 100 degrees most of the week here, so I've had  my eye on anything that doesn't require me to turn on an oven!

Grilled Chicken Panzanella by Annie's Eats. I keep seeing panzanella recipes this time of year and I think it's high time I tried one. This one has all my favorite flavors.

What to pack on a beach vacation from Ain't No Mom Jeans. I'm dreaming of a trip back home to the beach right about now, and this should be my packing list.

Chocolate Sorbet without the guilt? Yes Please.

Microwave popcorn without the chemicals from Simple Bites. I'll be making a batch this afternoon while the boys and I have movie time!

Don't forget that Google Reader is gone as of Monday! If you're wondering what options are out there for blog readers, here's a post I wrote about Bloglovin and Feedly. If you don't want to use a reader you can always get notified of my new posts by "liking" my Facebook page, following me on Twitter, or signing up to receive new posts by email on right side of this page.

Friday Favorites

What I've been reading this week: 

The Family Vault by Charlotte MacLeod

How could I resist something with the tagline "America's Agatha Christie"?? I'm about halfway through this and so far I'm pleased. The day before burying a great-uncle, Sarah Kelling finds the skeleton of a burlesque dancer walled up in her family vault in one of Boston's historic cemeteries. Being a history geek and from Massachusetts to boot, I adore the references to places I know and love. The suspense is coming in bursts, with a fair bit of backstory in between, and I think it is probably doing a lot of set-up for the rest of the mystery series. At this point the plot is still picking up and there have been quite a few twists and turns that leave me having no idea where it's going. I'm looking forward to finding out! (And hoping it's a start to a great series--I love knowing there are a whole batch of books waiting for me.)

Books on my radar: 

These are a few books I have my eye on to read in the next few weeks. 

Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz

I read "My Life in France" by Julia just as I was beginning to learn to cook, and I connected so much with her. She fell in love with cooking while her husband was posted to Paris after WWII and she was suddenly a diplomatic wife with no friends or occupation to keep her busy. Her cooking lessons brought her both. Ever since that I have devoured every book I come across on Julia and the reviews on this are excellent. 

Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill by Gretchen Rubin. 

I stumbled onto a recommendation for this book on the Modern Mrs. Darcy blog (readers-check this one out!) and given that I've read two books about Churchill recently I couldn't resist adding this one in. It's not a traditional biography, but forty questions about different aspects of Churchill's life. I think it will round out my little trio nicely. 

Good reads around the web this week: 

Reading in "flights" by Modern Mrs. Darcy- I adore this idea of intentionally choosing three complimentary books to read together. 

Honey Lime Drumsticks by Shutterbean The marinade for this chicken dish looks like the perfect combo of sweet and spicy. YUM.

A new-to-me Tumblr called Awesome People Reading, which is exactly like it sounds. Writers, politicians, actors...all caught in the act of reading. Gorgeous photos all around. 

Lemon Blueberry Icebox Cake by Savour Fare. I'm trying to figure out a good excuse to make this. The flavors are perfect for early summer. 

Soboru Pan by Heart, Mind, Seoul. We've been cooking more Korean food with the boys lately now that they are getting out of the picky stage and this website is a go-to for good Korean options. I've only tried main dishes so far, but this bread looks fabulous. A peanut butter crumble topping? Yes please. 

One of the things on my kitchen "bucket list" is to really learn to preserve things. This intro to basic canning by Cook Like a Champion answers a lot of questions and gives me the confidence to try it this summer. 

Have a great weekend!