1.14.2014

2014: read 25 books


I have decided to attempt to read 25 books this year.  As I made this list and thought about it some, I realized this is quite the lofty goal for someone who only reads at night before bed.  I guess I'll just have to plan a beach vacation at some point this year if I have any hopes of finishing them all. (And these do not include possible book club books).  However, it is nice to have a list to work from.  My Goodreads "to-read" has only gotten larger and I find myself so overwhelmed when I am looking for my next book.  So if nothing else, this will serve as a good guide

1 // re-read Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. {more than half way done with this one. i forgot how much slower paced this book is compared to the others}
2 // Looking for Alaska by John Green
3 // The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer {my mom said this was really good}
4 // The Book Thief by Markus Zusak {hear both the movie and book are excellent}
5 // Blog, Inc by Joy Deangdeelert Cho, Meg Mateo Ilasco
6 // Five Days in November by Clint Hill {i am fascinated by the Kennedy assassination and am eager to hear about it from a different perspective}
7 // Divergent by Veronica Roth {finally deciding to jump on the bandwagon}
8 // James Potter and the Hall of Elder's Crossing by G. Norman Lippers {if you know my obsession with harry potter then you will understand}
9 // re-read The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger {read this back in HS.  would like to read it with an adult mind}
10 // Winter of the World by Ken Follet {loved fall of giants}
11 // The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult {i have loved every book of hers. well minus the pact. wasn't a fan of that one}
12 // The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser {who doesn't find king henry viii interesting?}
13 // World War Z by Mark Brooks {because i love the movie and brad pitt}
14 // My Story by Marilyn Monroe {i have heard she was quite the intelligent woman despite always playing the token bimbo}
15 // Insurgent by Veronica Roth
16 // Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld
17 // The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
18 // 11/22/63 by Stephen King 
19 // Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell 
20 // The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman
21 // Allegiant by Veronica Roth
22 // Berlin Noir by Philip Kerr {I also find WWII and nazis occupied germany fascinating as well}
23 // Winger by Andrew Smith
24 // We Are Water by Wally Lamb {there is not one book of his that I have not loved}
25 // The Silent Wife by A. S. A. Harrison

Follow me on Goodreads for updates and to see how I am doing!   

Do you have a book goal for this year?
What are you looking forward to reading?
Which ones from my list have you read?
Any favorites?

Linking up with Tori, Kimberly, and Tiffany today!

until next time
post signature

1.13.2014

run. organize. blog.


I am excited to link up with Melyssa for my first Weekly Wishes today.  There is something about the first of the year that gets me all fired up to make lists and actually wanting to stick to them.

My goals for the week are:
1 // run. i will keep to my 13.1 training schedule this week.  
2 // organize. i will make a goal list of what I hope to accomplish in January and hang it up next to my 2014 goals and my list of 25 books. 
3 // blog. i will post 4 times (including today) this week. 

I am coming off a very sick weekend, so I am still dragging a little today.  A day spent with a 5 year old and 22 month old will set you back a little.  

What do you hope to accomplish this week?

Linking up with Melyssa today!

until next time
post signature

1.12.2014

under {sunday sounds}

favorite lyrics:
"life is no coincidence
it’s what you make it"
Aosoon - "Under"

until next time
post signature

1.07.2014

old economy park

The Sunday before Christmas, the husband and I decided to head up the hill to Old Economy Park for a little hike.  It was the first day since the beginning of December that there wasn't snow on the ground.  With temperatures hovering around 55 and 60, that will happen.  Since it was so nice, we decided to take advantage of it and get some fresh air.  

We have been up here before but never really gave ourselves time to explore.  This day we did.  And we discovered a connection of a running route to the park.  I am excited to explore that route and other trails within this park more when I start the longer runs for my 13.1 training. 











It is so nice to reconnect with nature even when it's somewhere you have been before.  Does the body good for sure.

Do you enjoy spending time outdoors?
Do you have any parks you like to explore near you?
What is your favorite part?


Linking up with Tiffany and Kimberly today!

until next time
post signature

1.05.2014

julian {sunday sounds}

I am not sure how I didn't discover Say Lou Lou last year but I have a feeling they are going to be a new favorite in 2014. 
"Julian" - Say Lou Lou

until next time
post signature

1.03.2014

a few happies with a side of a few photos

Thought I'd share a few things that are currently making me happy with you today. 

1 // I had a fantastic 2013 and am really looking forward to 2014. 

2 // I decided to make goals rather than resolutions for myself this year.  

3 // Signed up for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon yesterday.  Husband set me up a pretty sweet running schedule that I am actually looking forward to starting on Monday.  I need something to focus on daily to get me through the cold months of January and February.  

4 // Even though I do not particularly like where our house is located, it's home and I love it. 

5 // I completed my first 365 photo-a-day project on Dec 21 (below are my second group of favorites but I shared my first group of favorites here) and have been continuing the challenge.  One of my goals this year (and last year) is to shoot in Manual more.  So far I have been and I am starting to get the hang of it.   

Mar 3, 2013.  Day 73 of 365. 
"Looking Up"

 Apr 18, 2013.  Day 119 of 365. 
"Pink"

May 6, 2013.  Day 137 of 365. 
"Colorful"

May 12, 2013.  Day 143 of 365.
"Woodland"

May 18, 2013.  Day 149 of 365.
"Lightpost"

 May 19, 2013.  Day 150 of 365. 
"Sailing Frame"

May 26, 2013.  Day 157 of 365. 
"Bridge"

June 5, 2013.  Day 167 of 365. 
"Up Close & Personal"

June 6, 2013.  Day 168 of 365. 
"Vineyard Bike."

June 6, 2013.  Day 168 of 365. 
"Storage"

June 6, 2013.  Day 168 of 365. 
"Sunlit Vineyards"

June 8, 2013.  Day 169 of 365. 
"17 Mile Drive View"

June 10, 2013.  Day 172 of 365. 
"Tip Top."

June 10, 2013.  Day 172 of 365. 
"Golden Gate Blur"

June 10, 2013.  Day 172 of 365. 
"Shining Through"

Like I said above, I am really looking forward to what 2014 has to offer me.  I was just talking with the husband about how much I really enjoyed 2013.  He agreed it was our best yet.  

What's making you happy right now? (besides the fact that it is Friday)
How was your 2013?  Are you looking forward to 2014?

Linking up with Darci and Jess today!

until next time
post signature

1.01.2014

365 favorites {part 1}

If you are new around these parts, I started a photo a day challenge on Dec 21, 2012.  While I know I started to slack on the whole posting of my 365 photos on a weekly basis, I did complete it on Dec 20, 2013.  Since I took over 500 photos, I thought I would share with you some of my favorites in parts since it would be terribly overwhelming to share (and upload) them all at once.  

Dec 24, 2012.  Day 4 of 365. 
"STL Fire"

Dec 29, 2012.  Day 9 of 365. 
"Wintery Playground"

Dec 30, 2012.  Day 10 of 365. 
"7up"

Jan 1, 2013.  Day 12 of 365. 
"Wine & Spirits"

Jan 2, 2013.  Day 13 of 365. 
"Breakfast of Champions"

Jan 5, 2013.  Day 16 of 365. 
"Night Rider"

 Jan 9, 2013.  Day 20 of 365. 
"Letter C"

Jan 18, 2013.  Day 29 of 365. 
"Winter Road"

 Jan 21, 2013.  Day 32 of 365. 
"Snowglobe"

Jan 26, 2013.  Day 37 of 365. 
"Intertwined"

 Jan 29, 2013.  Day 40 of 365. 
"Fog"

Feb 1, 2013.  Day 43 of 365. 
"Heinz"

Feb 3, 2013.  Day 45 of 365. 
"Snowy Light"

Feb 17, 2013.  Day 59 of 365. 
"Red"

 Feb 20, 2013.  Day 62 of 365. 
"Pop"

Stay tuned for more coming soon!
HAPPY 2014!!!

What are your favorites so far?
Have you ever completed a photo a day challenge?

until then
post signature