Clouds so low and fluffy that they looked fake. Where are the strings holding them in the sky?
Wow! Half of 2012 has passed! I know it’s a cliche to say that time flies, but it’s still true. And when life gets crazier than usual, it seems to fly by even faster. Of course when temps are in the three digits, it’s hard to be too sad about that!
How is your summer going so far? Have you gone on vacation? Hit the pool? Held – or attended – a half-dozen barbecues? And what are you reading, watching, eating and listening to? Here’s what I’ve been into the past few weeks.
What I’m Reading:
I’ve read two books lately that I enjoyed immensely, and they couldn’t be more different. Don’t get me wrong. Neither book is perfect. But I loved reading them both so much.
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore is YA fantasy and the third in a series. Cashore has created a vivid world and writes moving stories about complex characters, and I hope she doesn’t take as much time between books this time. On the other hand, The Expats by Chris Pavone is a contemporary [adult] novel that’s as much about marriage as it is about spies. Not only did it keep me riveted page after page, but in places, the author had put together words in such a smart, unexpected way that I literally exclaimed out loud, “Wow! That’s fantastic!”
I’ve also been reading through the Psalms with my church. We’re doing “Summer in the Psalms,” and if you’d like to join in, it’s not too late! You can download a bookmark with a reading plan or text “psalms” to 74574 for daily text message reminders.
Oh – and one other thing I’m reading these days? Bajillions of posts on the Facebook page my friend Steven set up for our 15th high school reunion. I’m barely exaggerating. Apparently my 100 (give or take a few, based on whether students who dropped out or moved before graduation count) fellow classmates have been just waiting for a chance to catch up. At the rate our Facebook conversations are going, I’m not sure we’ll even need a reunion come fall!
What I’m Watching:
Here’s where I’m tempted to share less than the whole truth, nothing but the truth. I’d like to forget – or at least hope you forget – just how cheesy my TV tastes can be. But the truth is I watch a lot of ABC Family. There. Okay? Say what you will, but I’m not sure even your mocking could make me quit the definitely-not-Gilmore-Girls Bunheads, the made-for-much-younger-girls-than-me Jane by Design, and the I-can’t-believe-I-keep-telling-you-I-like-it Melissa & Joey.
On a less embarrassing note, I’m also enjoying two of my favorite summer shows: Franklin & Bash (Team Zack Morris forever!) and So You Think You Can Dance (dance, dance . . .). And I just might be counting the days until White Collar returns. Just maybe.
What I’m Eating:
Nothing healthy, I can tell you that. Well, that’s not completely true. I have eaten plenty of healthy foods. But, well, I’ve eaten plenty of other foods, too. I don’t really want to dwell on it. Instead, let me just give you the recipe for those yummy cookies up there.
Lazy Cake Cookie Bars
1 yellow cake mix
5 tbsp butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups mini chocolate chips
Mix it all together. Pour in 9×13 pan. Bake for 20 minutes at 350. (Thanks to my friend Mandy for the recipe!)
What I’m Listening To:
It seems like what I’m listening to most often these days is horrible tantrums from my child. But that is another post in itself. So I’ll share something way more positive. I am loving Forever Reign by Hillsong. Have you heard it? Some of the words that always get me: “You are good, you are good when there’s nothing good in me,” and “You are peace, you are peace when my fear is crippling.” That’s good stuff, and I wish we’d sing this one at church every Sunday.
On the other end of the musical spectrum, I’m also really liking Gym Class Heroes’ new song, The Fighter. You can hear it and see the inspiring, Olympics-themed video here (But be forewarned: when I watched it, the ad before the video was a strangely graphic commercial for condoms. Just so you know.).
And, because my friend Amanda’s recent tweet about hating commercials has me on the lookout for good ones (because, you know, I love me some good commercials), here’s one I think is adorable.
This post was inspired by Sorta Crunchy’s monthly post. And it contains affiliate links.
Those cookie bars look amazing. I am not much of a tv watcher, I am just not, BUT the commercials for White Collar did look good. I have heard wonderful things about Melissa and Joey and thought about picking it up, and due to the heavy ASL content I am big on Switched at Birth which is also an ABC family show.
White Collar is great. I think the past seasons are on Netflix. Also, cool that Switched at Birth has such a focus on something so important to your family right now!
We vacationed in SC and the funny thing was that it was cooler there than back home! The book I read, “Not a Fan. :Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus,” by Kyle Idleman was perfect for a vacation filled with pool time, beach time, quiet time.
I’ve seen that book and wondered if it was good. Thanks for the recommendation, Cindy!
Yay for Bunheads and SYTYCD! Have you watched Breaking Pointe yet? It’s a reality show about a ballet company in SLC and I LOVE it. Such a fascinating inside look at that world.
P.S. Your title says May. :)
Oops. Thank you. Obviously I really can’t believe it’s almost July! :) Oh – and I haven’t watching Breaking Pointe. The commercials did look good, though.
Okay, couldn’t resist commenting! I love that McDonalds commercial about the oatmeal when the older lady is talking about tweeting something…I only saw it once but laughed!! Then, I just read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and once I pushed through the beginning I really enjoyed it and was motivated to make some change happen in my life! With only one TV in the house using a converter box(No cable!) there are not too many options so we have been watching the Olympic Trials! I am also working through the Abide study by Jared C. Wison and realizing how worldly I am! Looking forward to making the bars! Yum!
Love that road songs commercial too!! So glad you threw that in :)
Oooh, I can’t wait to try those cookie bars!
No vacation for me this year, just trying to survive. My church is reading Psalms as well, we started today. I’m looking forward to it, should be a good series. I am also starting Joel Osteen’s, Your Best Life Now. For fun I’m reading What Doesn’t Kill You by Iris Johansen. One of my favorite new shows on TV is Longmire (LOVE it) on A&E which comes on right after The Glades, another great show. I haven’t really been listening to alot of music lately, I have so much stress going on in my life music is just noise right now. Your recipe looks so easy, I’ll have to try it. Thanks.
Nice!! :)
I feel like that with family reunions sometimes too – that we don’t have as much to talk about anymore because we all keep in touch on Facebook. So it def has its good & bad!
Girrrrrrl, I love that you love Melissa & Joey too! Makes perfect sense to me.
Ooooo those cookie bars look GOOD!!
I’ve posted mine as well:
http://rochelle-learning-to-trust.blogspot.com/2012/07/june-2012-what-im-into.html