February 2016 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

February's TBR Pile (10/11):

1. Book Club Selection: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom √
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking √
3. Series Pick: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig √
4. Nonfiction Pick: You Did What edited by Bill Fawcett and Brian Thomsen √
5. Jar Pick: Hollow City by Ransom Riggs √
6. Jar Pick: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel √
7. Added: The Magicians by Lev Grossman (reread) -- In progress
8. Added: Impulse by Candace Camp √
9. Added: The Map That Changed the World by Simon Winchester √
10. Added: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig √
11. Added: Coffee Nerd by Ruth Brown √
12. Added: Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs √

Picture Book Roundup:

1. Pull the Tab Animals by Charlie Gardner
2. Jane Foster's ABC by Jane Foster
3. Pug in a Truck by Nancy Coffelt
4. Sally in the Snow by Stephen Huneck
5. Dig Dogs Dig by James Horvath
6. Duck Duck Moose by Dave Horowitz
7. Circus Train by Jennifer Cole Judd
8. Red Truck by Kersten Hamilton
9. ABC Animals by American Museum of Natural History
10. Pedro and George by Delphine Perret
11. What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss
12. Animals' Vacation by Shel and Jan Haber
13. Otter in Space by Sam Garton
14. Little White Fish by Guido van Genechten
15. Troto and the Trucks by Uri Shulevitz
16. Hide and Seek Harry on the Farm by Kenny Harrison
17. Duck and Goose Let's Dance by Tad Hills
18. The Pirate and the Penguin by Patricia Storms
19. Road Work Ahead by Anastasia Suen
20. Pete the Cate Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
21. Vincent Paints His House by Tedd Arnold
22. Splish, Splash, Splat by Rob Scotton
23. Splat Says Thank You by Rob Scotton
24. Construction by Sally Sutton

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3895 pages
Pages Remaining: 765,777 pages

Current Read - The Magicians by Lev Grossman; it's a reread so I can eventually read the third book!

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- None yet, but doing well.

Books bought/received

Half Price Books $3.27

• More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh (Mistress #1)
• No Man’s Mistress by Mary Balogh (Mistress #2)
• The Heiress Bride by Catherine Coulter (Bride Series Sherbrooke #3)
• Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt (Maiden Lane #7)

2016 Total Spent: $3.27

Comments - I made it over my goal of 3000 pages for the shortest month of the year. So excited about my reading this year. Next month's reads look amazing. I can't wait.

March's TBR Pile:

1. Book Club Selection: I Robot by Isaac Asimov
2. MVPA Book Club Selection: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
3. Series Pick: The Magicians by Lev Grossman (reread)
4. Nonfiction Pick: Assassination Vacation Sarah Vowell
5. Jar Pick: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
6. Jar Pick: Graphic novel -- The Manhattan Projects Vol. 3

Life Right Now #6

As I look outside my window: A bit of fog out there this morning. I'm sure it will burn off in a few hours.

Right now I am: Eating breakfast (PB toast and coffee) before heading out to Redwood City for book club

Thinking and pondering:  How can I stretch our grocery budget even more than we already do? Of course, we want to save money. But I also don't want to go to eating mac n cheese and ramen a few times a week.

On my bedside table: Stack of graphic novels (three volumes of Morning Glories and three volumes of The Manhattan Projects), Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, and I, Robot

On my tv this week:Catching up with our currently airing shows -- The Muppets, Limitless, Teachers, Telenovela, The Magicians

Listening to: Lots of The Beatles and Hamilton Soundtrack

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Cashew Chicken in the crockpot, first time trying this recipe
• Tuesday - Bacon and Spinach Pasta
• Wednesday - Apple Cheddar Stuffed Chicken
• Thursday - Leftovers
• Friday - Cheese Stuffed Meatball Sliders
• Saturday - Cookout, haven't decided the menu yet
• Sunday - No idea

On my to do list: Grocery list, send out March cards, clean clean clean

Happening this week:

• Monday - Ummm... nothing
• Tuesday - Oakland Zoo day
• Wednesday - Ardenwood Farm for toddler storytime; love Ardenwood and it's only $3 to get in
• Thursday - Possibly Tots on Wheels @ Las Palmas Park
• Friday - Nothing so far
• Saturday - My Birthday!!!! We're having a cookout to celebrate a friend and mine
• Sunday - Recovering from the cookout?

What I am creating: Retreat crafts and March and April design team cards

My simple pleasures: Strawberry fruit bars -- so incredibly yummy!

Looking around the house: Once again, our house is trashed. Ugh. It's a never ending struggle.

From the camera: Finally had a great day at the park. Lots of friends, great temps, and a happy toddler.

Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs

Title: Library of Souls (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #3)

Author: Ransom Riggs

Publisher: Quirk Books 2015

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 458

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Finishing the Series

A boy with extraordinary powers. An army of deadly monsters. An epic battle for the future of peculiardom.

The adventure that began with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and continued in Hollow City comes to a thrilling conclusion with Library of Souls. As the story opens, sixteen-year-old Jacob discovers a powerful new ability, and soon he’s diving through history to rescue his peculiar companions from a heavily guarded fortress. Accompanying Jacob on his journey are Emma Bloom, a girl with fire at her fingertips, and Addison MacHenry, a dog with a nose for sniffing out lost children.

They’ll travel from modern-day London to the labyrinthine alleys of Devil’s Acre, the most wretched slum in all of Victorian England. It’s a place where the fate of peculiar children everywhere will be decided once and for all.

Finishing off this series with a good book. I liked the third one much more than the second book. This time we get actual movement with the storyline. We meet a few new folks (Sharon was my favorite) and encounter some old friends. Plus there's tons of action and adventure. And of course, lots of photographs. I am amazed at how Riggs incorporates the photographs into the storyline seamlessly. It's just like they were meant to be in the book. Very glad I finally got the rest of the series from the library.

Miss Peregrine:

• #1 Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
• #2 Hollow City
• #3 Library of Souls

101 in 1001 Update #13

What I did:

3. Complete 52 once a week photos of Arthur -- One of my 2016 goals!

13. Pass 500 books for Arthur’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten (472/500) -- So close to this goal! Hoping to pass 500 books in March!

28. Read 100,000 pages toward 1,000,000 page goal (40,848/100,000) -- In January I read 4951 pages (!!!!!!!). I know the rest of the year I won't be able to top that number, but I'm super excited by my reading so far this year.

34. Make 250 different greeting cards (176/250) -- 8 more card from this past month

45. Make 50 new recipes (45/50)

• Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes -- So incredibly yummy!
• Pork and Green Chile Stew -- Amazing over black beans and rice. Definitely going into rotation.
• Buffalo Chicken Nachoes -- Substituted goat cheese for american cheese. Much better!
• Pizza Sticks -- Very yummy and fun to make. I will have to make these for the twins...
• Not-fried corndogs -- Made in muffin tins using Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix. They fell apart, but were very yummy and reminded me of summer!

47. Give up dining out for one month

54. Try 25 new restaurants (16/25) -- Tried a new breakfast place (Bill of Fare) that's been in San Jose for forever! Decent diner food and nice to go somewhere new for book club.

56. No pop for a month -- In progress!

81. Get rid of 100 things -- February was a month of a big cleanout of the house!

Remaining goals and total:

Friends, Family, and Love 1.Send out homemade holiday cards in December 2x (1/2) 2. Build a snowman 5. Date nights x 20 6. Complete a Jar of Life 7. Host a tea party 9. Write a personal manifesto 10. Take a picture of myself every first day of the month 11. Give 5 Just Because gifts 12. Give Arthur 25 pictures books in 25 days for December 2016 16. Take Arthur and twins to go see Santa

Crafting and Culture 17. Attend an opera or musical 18. Reread the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit 20. Finish one of my Perpetual Reading Challenges 22. Ask 20 friends to suggest one book, and read them all 23. Watch a meteor shower 24. Attend 5 concerts (1/5) 25. Complete 10 Day in the Life posts (2/10) 27. Tour a factory 29. Finish 2015 and 2016 Project Life book (family and Arthur) 30. Finish 2015 and 2016 December Daily 32. Watch 100 different TED Talks and do a short review/analysis on the blog (new series) 33. Watch/rewatch every Academy Awards Best Picture since the year I was born (1982) 1982: Gandhi 1983: Terms of Endearment 1984: Amadeus 1985: Out of Africa 1986: Platoon 1987: The Last Emperor 1988: Rain Man 1989: Driving Miss Daisy 1990: Dances with Wolves 1991: Silence of the Lambs 1992: Unforgiven 1993: Schindler’s List 1994: Forrest Gump 1995: Braveheart 1996: The English Patient 1997: Titanic 1998: Shakespeare in Love 1999: American Beauty 2000: Gladiator 2001: A Beautiful Mind 2002: Chicago 2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2004: Million Dollar Baby 2005: Crash 2006: The Departed 2007: No Country for Old Men 2008: Slumdog Millionaire 2009: The Hurt Locker 2010: The King’s Speech 2011: The Artist 2012: Argo 2013: 12 Years a Slave 2014: TBD 2015: TBD 2016: TBD 35. See a drive-in movie 36. Listen to every song by The Beatles 37. Finish watching every Star Trek television episode and movie 38. Have a Pixar movie month 39. Complete The Artist’s Way 41. Learn Ruby on rails

Food and Drink 44. Take a cooking class 46. Open a cookbook to a random page and make what ever is on it 48. Take a bartending class 51. Make fresh pasta 52. Learn to make a good martini 53. Do a brewery tour 55. Try 5 new to me foods

Health and Fitness 57. Lose 2 pants sizes 58. Walk a 5K 59. Get a massage 60. Take a yoga class 61. Get three pedicures (1/3) 62. Do a spa day 65. Get lasik 66. Get CPR certified again

Travel 67. Stay at a Bed and Breakfast 68. Go on a vacation with Josh 70. Travel to a new state

Philanthropic 71. Give a 100% tip 72. Donate something extra at each MVPA social x 10 (5/10) 73. Pay it forward at Starbucks/coffeeshop

Financial 75. Two week money fast (starting with full gas tanks and a full pantry) 76. Open an Etsy shop

Miscellaneous 79. Get Arthur’s tattoo 80. Get a passport 82. Learn how to use our DSLR 84. Make a chalk mural on the driveway/porch 87. Complete a coloring book 89. Take an IQ test 90. Play Bingo in a bingo hall 93. Unplug completely for 24 hours 95. Go to a convention (blogging, SU, etc) 96. Dye my hair purple 97. Revamp my wardrobe 98. Take real photos of me for my blogs 99. Post a vlog 100. Go apple/berry/etc picking

A Handful of Videos

Best acceptance!

Her Christina was amazing!

Could be good...

The book was amazing. I can't wait to see the movie!

These lists are amazing...

Love Hansel and Derek!

Currently #4

Watching: Obsessed with The Bachelor right now. Watching it on free Hulu, so I'm a week behind. Trying to avoid any spoilers for the current week.

Reading: Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs. Finishing out the Miss Peregrine trilogy finally. The library had it on the Lucky Day shelf so I grabbed it quickly!

Listening: J downloaded the Hamilton soundtrack and it's still on repeat...

Making: The design team admins put up the schedule for March and April. My goal is to finish out my cards for those two months before leaving for Indiana on the 16th.

Feeling: There's some big news brewing in our household. I'll let you know once everything is set, but I'm super excited.

Planning: The retreat is happening in two weeks. I'm finalizing the last little details and shopping for food.

Loving: Grabbed some awesome ginger beer at the store last week. Now I am obsessed with it.

Coffee Nerd by Ruth Brown

Title: Coffee Nerd: How to Have Your Coffee and Drink It Too

Author: Ruth Brown

Publisher: Adams Media 2015

Genre: Nonfiction - Popular Culture; Food

Pages: 206

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (Nonfiction Adventure); Nonfiction; 52 Books 0 W8

Ever wonder what goes into making the perfect cup of coffee? There's more to it than you think, and a new breed of coffee nerds has transformed the cheap, gritty sludge your parents drink into the coolest food trend around, with an obsessive commitment to sourcing, roasting, and preparation that has taken the drink to delicious new heights.

Coffee Nerd details the history behind the beans and helps you navigate the exciting and sometimes intimidating new wave of coffee. From finding obscure Japanese brewing equipment to recipes and techniques for brewing amazing coffee at home, you'll increase your geek cred--and discover a whole new world of coffee possibilities.

Mom bought me this book as a stocking stuffer for Christmas. Overall, it was an enjoyable little volume detailing the ins and outs of coffee. I learned a lot about the different types of coffee and growing regions. I even learned more about what makes a good cup of coffee. My only issue with the book was that at times Brown got a little too high and mighty for my tastes. She definitely implies and a few times, states that to not seek out local roasters and brewers, you don't actually like coffee. I do like coffee, but sometimes I don't have the time or energy to make the perfect cup. And that's okay in my book. Still a interesting little book.

Music Monday -- iPod Shuffle

Beauty and the Beast Broadway "Home" 

Fiona Apple "Paper Bag"

Snow Patrol "Chocolate"

Life Right Now #5

As I look outside my window: Watching the hawks fly around the backyard. I will miss them when we move back to the peninsula (hoping that happens fairly soon).

Right now I am: Sitting on the couch enjoying breakfast with the bug.

Thinking and pondering: How are we going to handle another move? I just don't have it in me to pack up the entire house basically by myself and deal with a two-year-old. This is going to take some extra planning.

On my bedside table: Stack of comics that a picked up from the library. I've got a few volumes of The Manhattan Projects and a few volumes of Morning Glories.

On my tv this week: Lots more Limitless (with J) and Reign (without J). Arthur and I have been watching the second season of Gravity Falls.

Listening to: Elise Gets Crafty podcast. I'm about a year behind on her episodes and slowly working my way through. Just listened to episode 44 Building Creative Routines with Tracy Benjamin. Very interest conversation! And I already follow Tracy's blog so it was nice to hear more from her.

On the menu for this week: Usually I have my meals planned out super well. This coming week is a bit of a free for all. I'm just not into cooking lately and it's taking a toll on my meal planning.

• Monday - Frozen chinese with crab rangoon
• Tuesday - Leftovers
• Wednesday - Pizza Sticks
• Thursday - Some kind of chicken dish...
• Friday - Corndogs and mac and cheese
• Saturday - Pizza, maybe
• Sunday - No idea

On my to do list: Finish cleaning out the craft area; meal plan until Arthur and I leave for Indiana; probably a ton more that I'm forgetting...

Happening this week: Super light week coming up. I just haven't committed to a ton lately. We'll see how the week progresses.

• Monday - Nothing so far... maybe a park morning
• Tuesday - Doctor's appointment in the morning
• Wednesday - Seven Seas Park playdate
• Thursday - Nothing
• Friday - Nothing
• Saturday - Crop day
• Sunday - Book club in the morning

What I am creating: Finishing off the retreat crafts...

My simple pleasures: Lots and lots of iced tea; apples; ginger beer

Looking around the house: Once again, this place is a disaster. Really need to get the 2 year old to pick up his toys on a more consistent basis.

From the camera: Puzzle making first thing in the morning.

The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig

Title: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine (Pink Carnation #5)

Author: Lauren Willig

Publisher: New American Library

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 473

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books

After years abroad, Robert, Duke of Dovedale, has returned to England to avenge the murder of his mentor. To uncover the murderer's identity, he must infiltrate the infamous, secret Hellfire Club. But the Duke has no idea that an even more difficult challenge awaits him-in a mistaken, romantic-minded young lady.

Charlotte Lansdowne wistfully remembers the Robert of her childhood as a valiant hero among men. Too aware of his own flaws, Robert tries to dissuade Charlotte from her delusions, even as he finds himself drawn to her. When Charlotte takes up a bit of espionage-investigating a plot to kidnap the King-Robert soon realizes that she is more than the perfect partner in crime.

Caught in a dangerous game full of deadly spies and secret rites, Robert and Charlotte must work together to reveal the villain...and confront their true love.

Another great volume in the Pink Carnation sage. And we didn't even get to encounter the Pink Carnation in this one. But no matter. We get an intriguing mystery involving the Hellfire Club, the French, and the King of England. Charlotte was a lovely plucky heroine on par with the previous ones. And Robert was a nice hero comparable to our Charlotte. This has become my go-to series for an enjoyable few days read.

Pink Carnation:

• #1 The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
• #2 The Masque of the Black Tulip
• #3 The Deception of the Emerald Ring
• #4 The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
• #5 The Temptation of the Night Jasmine
• #6 The Betrayal of the Blood Lily
• #7 The Mischief of the Mistletoe
• #8 The Orchid Affair
• #8.5 Away in a Manger
• #8.7 Ivy and Intrigue
• #9 The Garden Intrigue
• #10 The Passion of the Purple Plumeria
• #11 The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla
• #12 The Lure of the Moonflower

Winter Thanks

1. Thunderstorms -- For nourishing a dry California ground. I really do love me a good rain shower.
2. Cosmic whatever -- For the good news I received after a bit of a health scare. Maybe sometime soon I'll explain more.
3. Keurig -- For supplying me with yummy coffee and hot chocolate in the mornings. Really helping me get up and go.
4. My full bookshelves -- For providing some great reads this month so far...
5. FB Friends -- For helping me through some difficult times lately. Support, even from those I've never actually met in real life, is amazing!

The Map That Changed the World by Simon Winchester

Title: The Map that Changed the World

Author: Simon Winchester

Publisher: Perennial 2002

Genre: History, Geology, Geography

Pages: 329

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NonAd); Nonfiction

In 1793, a canal digger named William Smith made a startling discovery. He found that by tracing the placement of fossils, which he uncovered in his excavations, one could follow layers of rocks as they dipped and rose and fell—clear across England and, indeed, clear across the world—making it possible, for the first time ever, to draw a chart of the hidden underside of the earth. Smith spent twenty-two years piecing together the fragments of this unseen universe to create an epochal and remarkably beautiful hand-painted map. But instead of receiving accolades and honors, he ended up in debtors' prison, the victim of plagiarism, and virtually homeless for ten years more.

A fascinating subject matter even if the volume was a bit dry. Going into the book, I knew almost nothing about William Smith's map of England. In this respect, I learned a lot about his project and in general science in the late 18th, early 19th century. Winchester even mentions a few stories that I did now about. Specifically, he mentions Mary Anning and her discoveries. I read a fictionalized account of Anning life and discoveries about a year ago (Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier). The few times that Winchester dived into rock layers, I started to get less interested in continuing to read. But continue I did. I am glad that I finished the book. Another random subject that I now know more about.

Impulse by Candace Camp

Title: Impulse

Author: Candace Camp

Publisher: HQN 1997

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 382

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Women Authors; 52 Books - W7

Torn from the arms of the woman he loved and cast into the night by her highborn family, Cam Monroe vowed revenge on those who had wronged him.

Fifteen years later, after amassing a small fortune of his own, Cam returns to England with but one ambition. Now the power is his, power to ruin the Stanhope family if they refuse his demands. And what he demands is simple: that Angela Stanhope be his wife.

Then the mysterious "accidents" begin. Are the Stanhopes trying once again to remove him from their lives? Or is it someone from Cam's past, someone desperate enough to kill to prevent him from uncovering a shocking lie?

A nice historical romance to entertain me for an afternoon's reading. I enjoyed the romance between Cam and Angela. They were both feisty characters. My disappointment laid in the question and reveal of Cam's paternity. I was not impressed by the twist. Very contrived. Oh well. That's what happens.

Music Monday -- Disclosure feat Lorde "Magnets"

Not a new song, but really digging it this week!

Life Right Now #4

As I look outside my window: Looking at the beautiful pink flowers on our trees out front. They only stay for a few weeks so we're enjoying them while they last.

Right now I am: Sitting on the couch, drinking some coffee while Arthur watches an episode of Chuggington.

Thinking and pondering: Wrapping my brain around some big news. Will share in a few weeks.

On my bedside table: ??? I have no idea what I'm going to read next. I could start March's book club books (Zeitoun by Dave Eggers and Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan) or I could pick another random choice from the TBR jar. Decisions decisions...

On my tv this week: Still a week behind on The Bachelor. I hope Olivia goes home in the one I'm still waiting to watch... J and I have been on a bit of a Limitless kick watching about 6 episodes this week. And we continued our absurd Fantastic Four movie marathon with the sequel. Up next, the reboot that gets 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. This should be interesting.

Listening to: Hamilton soundtrack. J finally picked it up and it's been on repeat in this house for days.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Apple Bacon Sweet Potatoes and Salad
• Tuesday - Egg, Bacon, and Cheese rollups and Oatmeal
• Wednesday - Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Thursday - BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Friday - Potato, Barley, Ham Soup
• Saturday - Leftovers
• Sunday - BBQ Ribs, Baked Potato

On my to do list: Working on decluttering Arthur's room this coming week. And making a pass at the hallway (where all the board games are). Beyond that I need to complete a few regular cleaning tasks (wipe down bathrooms, laundry, etc)

Happening this week:

• Monday - Probably staying in due to President's Day and no school
• Tuesday - Social Committee Brainstorming Meeting; As Social Director I'm hosting this one to get some good ideas going forward.
• Wednesday - Bay Area Discovery Museum; So far, no one else has signed up, but Arthur and I are planning on going no matter what.
• Thursday - Possible park visit during the morning and Stamp Club in the evening.
• Friday - ??? Probably house cleaning.
• Saturday - Happiness Project check-in meeting
• Sunday - Book Club (The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom) and Paint Nite

What I am creating: Still have a few February design team cards to finish up. Need to complete examples for stamp club on Thursday. And I'm hoping to make some real progress on the retreat crafts.

My simple pleasures: Fill-it-in puzzles, love curling up with a puzzle book and a pen at night.

Looking around the house: The downstairs is in pretty good condition after cleaning for the cookout on Saturday. Now I need to look to the upstairs.

From the camera: Showing off his Monster Box we made at the Valentines Exchange last week.

A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking

Title: A Brief History of Time

Author: Stephen Hawking

Publisher: Bantam 1998

Genre: Nonfiction -- Science

Pages: 212

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (Nonfiction Adventure); Nonfiction; Popsugar -- Haven't read since high school

A landmark volume in science writing by one of the great minds of our time, Stephen Hawking’s book explores such profound questions as: How did the universe begin—and what made its start possible? Does time always flow forward? Is the universe unending—or are there boundaries? Are there other dimensions in space? What will happen when it all ends?

Told in language we all can understand, A Brief History of Time plunges into the exotic realms of black holes and quarks, of antimatter and “arrows of time,” of the big bang and a bigger God—where the possibilities are wondrous and unexpected. With exciting images and profound imagination, Stephen Hawking brings us closer to the ultimate secrets at the very heart of creation.

A book I first read back in high school. I have to say that I understand a lot more of this volume now than I did then. I appreciate Hawking's conversational style in explaining very large complicated topics. Definitely a must read.

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• The temperature this week has been amazing. So warm and sunny. Arthur and I spent a few hours just hanging out on the porch the other night.
• It's great to be out and about again. Arthur really needed to get out and play.
• My reading so far this month has been great. Hoping to keep up the momentum.
• Cleaned out the master bedroom, master closet, and master bathroom. Two give away bags and one trash bag full. Feeling good. Moving to the rest of the upstairs this week.
• Tried a new card making technique that failed miserably. I'm determined to get it right soon.
• Playing some Lego Movie game this week. It's a great relaxer.
• Been hard planning dinner this week, nothing really sounds that good. Hmmm...

Currently #3

Watching: Reign. Finally catching up with the second season. I watched three episodes back-to-back the other night while J was on a conference call. Such a guilty pleasure, but I love it.

Reading: Just started Impulse by Candace Camp and finishing up A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. With these two books I've exceed by stated TBR for February. Woohoo!

Listening: Lots of podcasts, but I've specifically been diving back into Elise Gets Crafty.

Making: Working on January's Project Life pages for tomorrow's craft blog post. Only a few pages for this past month, but I'm loving the embellishments.

Feeling: After being so sick for most of the month, I'm feeling so much better! Here's hoping the healthy state continues.

Planning: I had a basic meal plan laid out for January, February, and March, but I need to buckle down and get some details.

Loving: Been craving iced tea all this past week. So yum!

You Did What edited by Bill Fawcett and Brian Thomsen

Title: You Did What? Mad Plans and Great Historical Disasters

Edited by: Bill Fawcett and Brian Thomsen

Publisher: HarperCollins 2004

Genre: Nonfiction - History

Pages: 287

Rating:  3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (Nonfiction Adventure); Nonfiction

History has never been more fun than it is in this fact-filled compendium of historical fiascoes and embarrassingly bad ideas.

Throughout history, the rich and powerful, and even just the dim-witted, have made horrifically bad decisions that have had resounding effects on our world. From kings to corporate leaders, from captains to presidents, no one is immune to bad decisions and their lasting legacy. The fiascoes that litter our history are innumerable ... and fascinating in their foolishness. This witty collection of historical mayhem chronicles unwise decisions from ancient Greece to modern-day Hollywood and everything in between.

A decent collection of historical vignettes. By biggest issue with the book is that I knew almost every story. The perils of being a history major...  But I'll say it was a nice little diversion for the afternoon.

The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig

Title: The Seduction of the Crimson Rose (Pink Carnation #4)

Author: Lauren Willig

Publisher: New American Library

Genre: Historical Fiction 2008

Pages: 433

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My Own Damn Books; Women Authors; 52 Books - W6

Determined to secure another London season without assistance from her new brother-in-law, Mary Alsworthy accepts a secret assignment from Lord Vaughn on behalf of the Pink Carnation. She must infiltrate the ranks of the dreaded French spy, the Black Tulip, before he and his master can stage their planned invasion of England. Every spy has a weakness and for the Black Tulip that weakness is beautiful black-haired women, his petals of the Tulip. A natural at the art of seduction, Mary easily catches the attention of the French spy, but Lord Vaughn never anticipated that his own heart would be caught as well. Fighting their growing attraction, impediments from their past, and, of course, the French, Mary and Vaughn find themselves lost in a treacherous garden of lies.

And as our modern-day heroine, Eloise Kelly, digs deeper into England's Napoleonic-era espionage, she becomes even more entwined with Colin Selwick, the descendant of her spy subjects.

Another satisfying volume in this series. I really can't see why I held off for so long. This is a great historical romance series. They may not have been my absolute favorite couple so far (hello Miles and Hen!), but I really did enjoy Mary and Vaughn. Those two were definitely suited to each other. I love that Willig didn't have a delicate young debutante paired with the cynical Vaughn. That would have been too much! Thankfully Mary is fairly cynical in her own way. They were a nice match. And we get so much more information about the Black Tulip. I'll admit to being surprised by the big reveal. Did not guess that at all! I think that makes it a good plotline. Can't wait to read the next one!

Pink Carnation:

• #1 The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
• #2 The Masque of the Black Tulip
• #3 The Deception of the Emerald Ring
• #4 The Seduction of the Crimson Rose
• #5 The Temptation of the Night Jasmine
• #6 The Betrayal of the Blood Lily
• #7 The Mischief of the Mistletoe
• #8 The Orchid Affair
• #8.5 Away in a Manger
• #8.7 Ivy and Intrigue
• #9 The Garden Intrigue
• #10 The Passion of the Purple Plumeria
• #11 The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla
• #12 The Lure of the Moonflower