A Few Favorite Reads

I've always been an avid reader. While I don't recall my first book ever, I do have a list of books that I can read over and over again.

1 // A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

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This novel follows the lifetime of Francie Nolan in the early 1900's. Reading this book puts me exactly in Francie's shoes - to the point I can perfectly visualize sitting on a wrought-iron balcony with the sun on your face. It's on my bucket list to find a first edition - I have a 9th edition that has the original owner's name stamped in it which is still pretty great.

A small teaser from the beginning:

"There's a tree that grows in Brooklyn. Some people call it the Tree of Heaven. No matter where its seed falls, it makes a tree which struggles to reach the sky. It grows up in boarded-up lots and out of neglected rubbish heaps. It grows up out of cellar gratings. It is the only tree that grows out of cement. It grows lushly...survives without sun, water, and seemingly without earth. It would be considered beautiful except that there are too many of it."

I'm a sucker for a great quote.

2// The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

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This became a repeat read sort of on accident. I had borrowed a hard back version from a friend years ago when it first came out. When I was gifted my kindle years later I one day downloaded it. A few chapters in it felt oddly familiar and it took awhile to realize I had read it before! This story is just as compelling the second time around though. Autobiographical, it follows Jeanette Walls from her childhood with an unconventional nomadic type family until she finds the resources to make something of herself. Her unwavering attitude towards her family explores the complexity of love and relatives.

3 // The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

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A fictional account of Hadley Richardson - Ernest Hemingway's first wife. I have a mild obsession with all things from the 1920's - F. Scott Fitzgerald being my favorite author - and this book is not only a glimpse into the daily life of Ernest and Hadley Hemingway, but an insight into the lifestyle of these famous authors during the time they were first experiencing any sort of fame. And just as importantly, a snapshot of what it was like for the women who both and inspired and put up with them. 

4 // The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

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Since the mandatory reading of this book in high school, I have pretty much been in love. I really don't have much else to say except I hope you have read it!

And I'll round out my list with a book that I have only started but I feel like could fit in with this list already.

5 // Serena by Ron Rash

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I'm only on Chapter Four but I already love the style of this author's writing. Set in the 1930's - it follows newlyweds Serena and George Pemberton as they try to build a timber empire. I have avoided much more of the synopsis but I can tell it's going to be good. And I believe there is already a film adaptation with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, so for that reason alone I know it is a must read.

What are your favorite repeat reads? I'd love to hear about them!

Opening Day at the Races

Hot Springs holds a very special place in my heart. I used to go with my family on fun day trips; since dating EH we have spent several weekends every summer going out on the lake; horse races, Valentine's weekends, and easily greatest of all - we were married there!

So with warmed up weather, we headed to our favorite spot again for Opening Weekend at Oaklawn Gaming and Racing.

Lake Hamilton is beautiful no matter what time of year. 

The weather was perfect for Opening Day. Sunny, 65 and very little wind. 

"Orange Thing" in hand, we all headed off. Parking is usually found in neighboring home's driveways at $20 for the day. After a bit of walking, you enter through the unassuming North Entrance - where admission is free!

We make it a habit to arrive well before the first race takes off - this gives you time to check out your program to make your selections and hit up the new Beer Garden where the offerings are a bit better than your typical Bud or Miller Light. Though the prices are the same.

The Beer Garden is one of many smoking areas throughout the track, though the bathroom lines are usually nonexistent compared to other areas. But their beer selection (or mimosa, bloody mary and the like) makes up for it. Plus shorter lines all around.

We spent the next several hours pouring over our programs and eavesdropping from other racing enthusiasts around us. While my in-law's study and use actual reasoning when picking their horses, I tend to gravitate towards a name I connect with. Or a grey horse. Or sometimes just a feeling.

Which paid off on the 2nd race! I bet the #2 to WPS on a whim, had to be walked through placing my bet by strangers, and ended up he won! So thank you #YankeeDime for tripling my bet. Sorry I ended up wasting it all at the casino.

One thing you have to do while at the races is treat yourself to a Reuben sandwich. They are to die for.

Also, get yourself lost in the Bronx region of the track - some weird 2nd floor bar area that is ridiculously less crowded but also a mystery. None of our group had ever seen this area before and we weren't quite sure how we got there. Or out.

I thought I had taken a better picture but maybe that's just the mystique of this strange area. The beer was .50 cents cheaper. I swore mine had the faint taste of bananas.

After a trip to check out the new extended casino, we headed back to the lake house to cook dinner and hang out.

Onion and shrimp stuffed peppers wrapped in bacon.

Vegetable medley and salad.

Steak. Lots of steak.

Wine and Whiskey. Lots of that too.

I love these weekends - everyone over eats and over indulges and there is so much laughter and fun.

Moose enjoys the scenic views the most.

That was our weekend! And we've already conquered Monday so this week is off to a victorious start.

A Few New Favorite Things

Though I'm on a bit of a spending freeze now (just ignore that $20 receipt for sushi over there..), I thought I would share a few products I have tried over the past few months that I have really liked. Hopefully there is a little bit of something on here for everyone!

1 // Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - I have long been a fan of Smashbox primers. I'm pretty lucky that for the most part I stay blemish free, but my skin gets really oily and shiny. I've normally used the clear color Photo Finish primer which has a super soft, silky feel. After a friend suggested this though I decided to try it out. It doesn't have near as nice a texture as some of the other variations, but I definitely notice a difference in how my makeup stands up throughout the day. Even after applying my makeup at 7 in the morning, it lasts well into the night - which is great when you need that work to after hours transition!

2 // Yeti Ramblers - I first heard of these through work and I balked at the idea of a $35 tumbler. $35! For a stainless steel tumbler! But let me tell you what - these things are awesome. The perfect gift for the person who has everything. EH and I both received one for Christmas and they are awesome. EH made a whiskey drink in his around 8pm one night and the next afternoon it still had perfectly formed ice cubes and was barely watered down. Insane!

3 // eos Honeysuckle Lip Balm - No matter how hydrated I keep myself, my lips are perpetually dry and chapped, to the point of pain in the winter. I usually stick with good ole' Vaseline but I'm a sucker for a honeysuckle scent. This lip balm is light enough that it doesn't feel greasy, and the smell is awesome.

4 // Yeti Hopper - At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Yeti really knows how to make their stuff. I got this for EH as a YAY You Passed the PE/Christmas gift and he's still bragging about this thing. A ton easier to carry around than their hard cooler and it still holds the same amount of beer beverages. A small investment, but it comes with a guarantee!

5 // Hide a Squirrel Squeak Toy - This one's for the Dogs. Santa Paws brought this for Moose and I think it's officially approved. Though I'm almost positive these are chipmunks. Amp up your dog's agility, or watch them frustrate themselves until they pick up the entire toy and just carry it around.

6 // Blanket Scarf - I know I'm a bagillion days behind the super cool bloggers, but man do I love this thing. I ordered mine from Brina Box (two actually!) and they're just so convenient and pretty. I use one as a literal blanket in the mornings until my car heats up. EH goes the budget route and uses the living room throw.

Any new products you've found? Let me live vicariously through you as my spending freeze continues.