Thursday, July 30, 2009

Gwyneth Paltrow's Book List

Click HERE to see Gwyneth Paltrow's summer reading list from her site GOOP. If you go to the main page she has lots of yummy recipes, travel trips and all sorts of information on other topics too.

What are YOU reading this summer?

I am currently working on City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare....it's about vampires and "shadowhunters" and other mythical creatures that I NEVER thought I would ever enjoy reading about! It's book #2 in the Mortal Instruments series....check it out if you loved the Twilight series and need a little more vampire adventure and romance in your life :)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Life Through Johnny's Eyes

A South Carolina flag waving proudly during one of the many dust storms.



Yup, that's a scorpion! Johnny said even the locals were scared of it!


Johnny and Charlie Daniels after a concert by the Charlie Daniels Band.


(Sorry for the wacko coloring here.) Here is the little desert lizard that Johnny chased around his room one night. As you can see, the tail-less lizard lost!

Friday, July 10, 2009

READ IT! That's an order!


I just finished reading this book. And all I can say, is RUN, don't walk, to your nearest book store and get it! It is probably one of the best books I've ever read. I typically like reading mystery and suspense, but this true story was so touching and eye-opening that I didn't want it to end. I cried through the last 100 pages, but then again, that's nothing new! My mom suggested the book because she had read it for her book club and absolutely loved it. As I started flipping the pages I was enjoying it and intrigued by the different lives the two authors wrote of, but it wasn't until Chapter 22, one sentence in particular, that made me close the book and gasp as I said, "I LOVE THIS BOOK!" And then I couldn't put it down.

This book is the story of a poverty-stricken slave from Louisiana, a very successful art dealer and a woman who had the heart of an angel who brought them all together. Such an unlikely trio, yet such a profound story.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Land of the Free Because of the Brave


Happy 4th of July!

This time last year Johnny and I were in Columbus, GA while he caught up on some much needed sleep, filled his belly with as much food as he could manage, and soaked his poison ivy ridden legs in some sort of smelly medicine before he had to report back to Ft. Benning for Ranger School. I can't believe that was a year ago!

I have always loved America and felt blessed to live in a country where we have so many rights and such freedom. I remember a moment a few years ago when I was so overcome with pride for my country that I got goosebumps and tears in my eyes. I was flying home from Australia where I had lived for six glorious months and as we were rounding out the 18 hour flight and soaring above the big blue ocean, the pilot came over head and said, "Welcome to the United States of America." I have never been so happy to hear those words and I didn't even realize they would mean that much to me.

Since then, I've become an Army wife and our rights and freedoms that we are so blessed to have here in America have taken on a whole new meaning to me. I know I can speak for Johnny as well when I say IT'S OUR HONOR TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY. Thank you to the rest of the soldiers who the serve and the families who support them.

Happy Birthday America!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Summer Ingredients

I love avocados. They are so, so creamy and fresh tasting. Next time you make a BLT (bacon lettuce and tomato) sandwich, mix up fresh avocado with the mayo until it is completely smooth and spread that on your sandwich. It will make plain mayo seem so boring! I made this for dinner the other night and it is so delicious and takes a simple sandwich to a whole new level!

Watermelons....ahhhh...my favorite! It's only slightly embarrassing how much watermelon I can consume in one sitting :) So I bought a HUGE watermelon yesterday and now I have watermelon running out of my ears.

What are your favorite ways to use watermelon? Do you have a drink recipe or dessert or ANYTHING you can share with me?! I made a watermelon and feta salad last night, but y'all, I'm not kidding when I say I have more watermelon than I know what do with! So help a girl out would you please?