Year In Review-The Life Edition

I'm in denial about how much time I have to read more books before 2016 is over. But this year was a banner year in the SLM household. Even though globally so many things feel wrong (Brexit, the election, all the celebrity deaths), things in my house are quite right.

We bought a house! 

I would like to do a whole tour but I want to finish unpacking (yes, still) before I give the grand tour. Expect that in 2020.

We moved!

It took us two months to get the new house ready and the old house packed up. 

One of our closest friends got married!

Tai was in the wedding party. It was a great wedding and wonderful to see the happy couple. 

I finished my Invisalign treatment!

It was a PITA but I'm glad it's done. 

We went to Portland! I have no pictures but I swear we went. 

I got a new car!

My old Camry went kaput so we got a Honda Fit.

We adopted Houdini!

Since we bought the house, I've been anxious to get a dog. On Christmas Eve, Tai and I went to our local humane society and Houdini choose us to live with. He's 2. He's our lovable guy.

There are parts of 2016 I didn't like but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Looking forward to 2017.

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Just Juliet

This looked like a cute LGBT romance.

Scoop

More for the Foodies Read Challenge. 

America's First Daughter

After discovering Hamilton, I've been become interested in the American Revolution. I forsee more books in that time period.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week.

Top Ten Tuesday: My Favorites of 2016

In no particular order...

 The Summer of Chasing Mermaids

 How To Say I Love You Out Loud

Yes, Please

 Their Fractured Light

 A Man Called Ove

 You Know Me Well

Marrying Winterborne

 Ant Man vol 1

When A Scot Ties The Knot

The Art of Normal

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

The Year of The Cow

I doubt I'll get to this one this year but perhaps I'll get an early start on the Foodies Read in 2017.

Arabella of Mars

I found Arabella on a list of local authors. Sounded good.

What did you get this week? Add your loot below.

I've Joined a Cult...

Or it just feels like it. On Thanksgiving day, I was browsing Facebook when I saw an announcement that Instant Pot were on special on Amazon. I'd heard about Instant Pots and this seemed like an amazing deal. I decided to give it a try. Then, I joined the Instant Pot community on Facebook. People are fanatical about their Instant Pots. In the short time I've had mine I find it useful. I made hardboiled eggs which came out perfect. I'm now looking for more ways to use it.

Thanks to the Facebook community, I found this Instant Pot Cookbook on Kindle for free. I had a piece of pork loin in the freezer so I made the Pork Shoulder with Dr Pepper BBQ sauce.

Ignore the sightly burnt bun. The sauce was delicious. I would like it spicier. I added a little bit of Frank's Red Hot to mine.
I also want to try the Pork Medallions with Cremini Mushrooms, Stuffed Flank Steak, and Ground Beef, Potato, and Kale Soup.
I'm going to keep using it. I'll report my winners.
This was my seventh read for the Foodies Read Challenge.

Weekend Cooking: The Secret Lives of Baked Goods by Jessie Oleson Moore

The Secret Lives of Baked Goods was such a fun read. Moore takes the reader behind what made some of our most favorite desserts and gives a good basic recipe for that item. It was a delightful read.
From lemon meringue pie to blondies to Pop Tarts, Moore revels how the item came to be. Some have a long history and some were created on a whim. Whatever your favorite treat you'll be delighted to read about how desserts were created and be itching to get in the kitchen to make your own. This would be a fantastic last minute holiday gift for the baker or dessert lover in your life.
This is my sixth read for the Foodies Read Challenge.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth  Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

Foodies Read 2017

I'm going for the Sous-Chef level again (9-13 books) even though I had some trouble with that level this year. I love to read about food. Besides it's supposed to be a challenge! To sign up, go here.

How To Say I Love You Out Loud by Karole Cozzo

I heard good things about How To Say I Love You Out Loud. I requested it from the library a couple of times before actually getting to read it. Too many books, too little time. I'm so glad I kept requesting it. How To Say I Love You Out Loud was probably one of my favorite books of 2016.

When Jordyn's autistic brother starts at her school, Jordyn doesn't want anyone to know they are related. Jordyn's whole life has revolved around Phillip. Jordyn was looking forward to school being where she was just Jordyn. But when she's outted as Phillip's sister, she has to decide who she's going to be.

I liked Jordyn even though I didn't always like her decisions. We all have our ways of dealing with anger and hurt. Jordyn just closed herself off from people. She starts to see this prevents her from getting what she wants and needs but she still feels like this is the best way. Even her close friends don't know about Phillip. Watching her realize that she's not really happy and there's no way to remove Phillip from her life is the best part of this book. Watching Jordyn find herself and be brave was amazing. You can change your perceptions even though you can't change what other people think.

How To Say I Love You Out Loud was an amazing journey. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more by Cozzo. Others who shared their thoughts on How To Say I Love You Out Loud: Good Books and Good Wine, Here's To Happy Endings, and Rebel Mommy Boook Blog.

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Paper

I'm a huge fan of Kurlansky so when I heard he'd written a book about paper, I immediately added it to my hold list. 

Something In Between

I was drawn to the gorgeous cover.

Here I Am

I didn't expect to get this one so quickly. I hope I have time to read it.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week.

The Doctor Wears A Stetson by Anne Marie Novark

I downloaded The Doctor Wears A Stetson in order to finish up the What's In A Name Challenge. I enjoyed this sweet and steamy romance.

At 15, Jessie went to the prom with handsome senior, Cameron. Cameron knew what he wanted in his life and staying in this small Texas town was not it. When Cameron left town, he took Jessie's heart with it. After seventeen years, Cameron comes back to town for his mom's big birthday party. Jessie doesn't expect anything to happen with Cameron but after he sees her, Cameron decides to pursue Jessie. Jessie and Cameron both have strong feelings towards each other but not sure about what they want. Cameron feels a sense of peace with Jessie but doesn't want to stay in this small Texas town. Jessie is attracted to Cameron but she's made promises to others and feels obligated to keep them. Will Cameron be able to melt Jessie's resolve or will Jessie convince Cameron to stay?

Overall this was a fun read. Plenty of sexy times. Cute romance. I do want to check out the rest of the series. Others who shared their thoughts on The Doctor Wears A Stetson: Mrs. Julien Presents and Romance Writer and Lover of Books.
This book satisfies the profession category for the What's In A Name Challenge.

Six in Six

It's time for Six in Six again! Jo at The Book Jotter  created this meme several years ago. The purpose is to help to summarize six months of reading by sorting books into six categories. Choose from the ones Jo suggests or come up with your own... and it's okay to use the same book in multiple categories.

Six new-to-me authors:
1. Melina Marchette (Jellico Road)
2. Fredrik Backman (A Man Called Ove)
3. Megan Erickson (Make It Count)
4. Sarah Ockler (The Summer of Chasing Mermaids)
5. Cindy Rodriguez (When Reason Breaks)
6.  Lisa Williamson (The Art of Being Normal)

Six  tried-and-true  authors:
1. Christopher Moore (Secondhand Souls)
2. Kiera Cass (The Crown)
3. Liane Moriarty (Truly Madly Guilty)
4. Neil Gaiman (How To Talk To Girls At Parties)
5. Jessica Spotswood (Wild Swans)
6. Kresley Cole (Arcana Rising)

Six from the nonfiction shelf:
1. Cooking As Fast As I Can by Cat Cora
2. The Art of Eating In by Cathy Erway
3. Cheesemonger by Gordon Edgar
4. Drowned City by Don Brown
5. Yes Please by Amy Poehler
6. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Six great graphic novels:
1. Rat Queens by Kurtis Wiebe
2. Ant Man by Nick Spencer
3. Paper Girls by Brian K Vaughan
4. Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction
5. Saga by Brian K Vaughan
6. Persepolis by Marjane Satripe

Six five-star or four star ratings:
1. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
2. The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler
3. And I Darken by Kiersten White
4. Ash and Bramble by Sarah Prineas
5. When Reason Breaks by Cindy Rodriguez
6. Stiletto by Daniel O'Malley

Six books I plan to read before 2016 ends:
1. Once Broken Faith by Seanan McGuire
2. Snow White by Matt Phelan
3. Click Here To Start by Denis Markell
4. Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
5. Mothers by Brit Bennett
6. Otherworld Chills by Kelley Armstrong

Weekend Cooking: The Girl Who Ate Everything by Christy Denny

Honestly the title of the book hooked me. The Girl Who Ate Everything. I didn't know that Denny had a blog by the same title. I'm super glad I picked up her cookbook. Everything looked amazing!
This cookbook has everything from appetizers to mains to sides and desserts. I haven't had a chance to try anything but I want to try her Egg Benedict Casserole. After looking through the recipes, there are so many delicious looking ones to choose from. She's had many recipes pinned over a million times! Her cute stories about every recipe made this one hard to put down.
I don't often buy many cookbooks but this one is on my to buy list.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth  Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

This was my fifth read for the Foodies Read Challenge.

Island Dresses by Roderick J Robison

I choose Island Dresses because I needed a book with a clothing item in the title for the What's In A Name Challenge. I got an adorable story about a young girl who got to spend a summer on a small island.

Cheri has been looking forward to her summer all school year. This year, Cheri and her friend are going to day camp. It's going to be the best summer ever. But right as the school year ends, Cheri's mother changes her plans and sends Cheri to stay with her aunt and cousin on a remote island. Cheri is upset. There's no electricity or indoor plumbing on the island. She isn't sure what she'll do there all summer. But slowly Cheri learns what fun she can have without her phone.

This would be a great read for a young kid. Imagining what they could on a remote island. What kind of adventures they would have. Others who shared their thoughts on Island Dresses: Readers' Favorite.
This was my fourth read for the What's In A Name Challenge.

What's In A Name Reading Challenge 2017

I had a hard time with this one this year but I'm excited to give it another try in 2017. To sign up, go here.

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

Chike and The River

I spotted this one on someone else's blog and it looked good.

How To Say I Love You Out Loud

Reloot. 

Shadowshaper

I'm always looking for good fantasy.

What did you get this week? Share your loot below.