Friday Things
1. One morning this week I took a peek at my lemon tree and found a cricket crashing on one of the leaves. I grabbed my camera and snagged a couple of great close-up shots with my macro lens. Those eyes are totally creepy, right?!
2. Speaking of my lemon tree, it has little baby lemons! Aren’t they cute?!
3. If you shop at Nordstrom, you definitely need to check out their Anniversary Sale. It runs through this weekend and I basically want to buy all the things. I can’t stop browsing the boots!
4. Speaking of shopping, a friend of mine recently introduced me to Rue La La. It’s an online boutique shop which opens sales for specific designers for small periods of time and at discount prices. I haven’t had a chance to really dig into it yet, but I have a feeling I’m going to be addicted!
5. I’ve started searching around for some fall and winter crochet projects. Do you have any favorite blanket patterns? I haven’t made one in years!
6. I blew through my first Kindle book, and am trying to decide what my next one should be. I can’t decide between Hunger Games or The Paris Wife. Thoughts?
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7. While we were in DC last week, my Chief Culinary Consultant and I went to see “Despicable Me 2”. Neither of us had seen the first one, but we loved the movie. It was really funny, totally didn’t expect it. If you are looking for a cute, light-hearted movie, I highly recommend it!
8. I saw a story on Twitter about an artist who was inspired by his pup and painted “A Golden Retriever at the Museum”:
Love it.
9. TGIF!
“Ahem, you interrupted my nap, what do you need?”
Ooohhh Einsie :)
Starting to use my cast iron pan is one of my goals.. I’ve seen a few tips on how to season it, but I’m still afraid to try them for fear of ruining the pan.
Michelle – off topic slightly but had to let you know our second Golden was born today…I will be flying back to MN to pick him up in 6weeks – WHOOT! Now just need to prepare Crosby to have his world rocked (he’s very chill like your big man) :-)
Kristin, Congratulations! We are actually getting a second, as well! We will be picking him up at the end of August, right after we get back from the beach :) Do you have a name picked out?
Heatley it is (as in Dany Heatley, one of the boys’ favorite players, who also hapens to play for our MN Wild)…Boogaard was a close second but I couldn’t imagine calling for him and saying “Boogey!” :-) How about yours – gender and name?
Ahh, I love the hockey names :) Since you’re a Wild fan, I hope you enjoy Matt Cooke! I’m bummed that he had to leave Pittsburgh; great guy, definitely a fan favorite (although I know opponents will always hate him!). We’ll be getting another boy too; we’re close on a name, but haven’t finalized it yet.
The boys were actually sad to see Cookie leave the ‘burgh, but glad he’s with the Wild just the same. You know our love for those Penguins runs deep :) Big Congrats to you guys too – so many exciting things happening in your household!!! Time to crack open those puppy books again…wondering if our older boys need any special help to deal with the big change coming!
I say Hunger Games, too. I haven’t read it or seen the movie – YET, but my daughter-in-law has read the series and has seen the movie and LOVED it. I’m going for the book next – right now I’m reading “Call the Midwife” series that is based off the PBS show. LOVE IT and recommend it.
And, I have to comment on Einstein – I like his picture better that the one that is selling! He is precious!
Thanks for this Friday’s “Friday Things!”
Go for Hunger Games or The Divergent Series. The Paris Wife sort of dragged on!
The tip on the skillet story was so worth reading your entry today! Thanks for the excellent tip our way!
Echoing nearly everyone else, The Hunger Games trilogy will blow you away. I’ve yet to meet a single person who was not totally sucked in once they started. The books transcend generations as well – my 63 year old father was completely addicted. The series has received criticism from many adults because of the violent content but what they must be missing is the whole point of the story: Suzanne Collins is critiquing violence itself – especially as entertainment – not condoning it.
Love the pic of the cricket in your lemon tree and those baby lemons! I love Despicable Me. It doesn’t matter if the plot is silly – those minions are hysterical! Have you seen Grown Ups 2 yet? Unbelievably funny! I know your always looking for good tv shows. If you haven’t checked out Ray Donovan on Showtime on Sundays. There’s only been 3 episodes and I’m hooked!
It seems like we all have pretty strong opinions (either way) about The Hunger Games. I read all three within a week, they are very easy to read, a good summer trilogy. While they may not be a “gourmet dinner”, I found them well-written. Anytime an author can suck you in and make you want to stay in the story for as long as possible, counts as good writing in my opinion. Not classical literature, but still good writing. :) Divergent and Insurgent are also very entertaining, although definitely more sophomoric.
Btw, I, too, thought that was a Katydid. :) Great pictures!
Hey, that’s not a cricket, that’s called a “True Katydid” and I think he’s mucnching
on your tree leaves, just saying. Though they do sing.
You might want to read The Paris Wife first, because as soon as you read The Hunger Games, you’re going to want to finish the trilogy (pushing The Paris Wife even further down your reading list).
Love that golden painting! So cute. This makes me wish having retrievers running around the house. :) Happy Friday!
If you haven’t read The Hunger Games then it is definitely a MUST READ! But be warned…it will suck you in! On the other hand, I personally didn’t really get that into The Paris Wife and it’s honestly one of the few books I’ve started with out finishing, but I know a lot of people did enjoy it, so I might try again at some point.
The Paris Wife was fantastic! It was well written and captured an era long gone. Although the parts from the point of view of Hemingway seemed unnecessary and a bit forced, they were few and did not detract from the rest of the book. The Hunger Games storyline is okay, but I could not really enjoy the writing since it was so flat. I was also amazed that no one seems disturbed by the violence in The Hunger Games, but I guess that is a result of the writing style. My recommendation would be The Paris Wife if you are looking for a story to savor. The Hunger Games is fast food.
The Hunger Games! Read all 3 in less than a week.
I’m glad you’re enjoying your Kindle – I adore mine! I haven’t read The Paris Wife yet, but it’s on my list. Definitely read The Hunger Games. It’s fantastic! I liked the whole series, but the first book is the best. Also, check out Goodreads for some great reviews and book suggestions. I find most of mine there, based on reviews of friends and other bloggers. http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/51025-jean
Hunger Games was so good. It’s a must read. The first and second book were great. But the 3rd was a difficult read and wasn’t as great. I just started on Divergent which is pretty good too.
I don’t know if I can handle the fact that you have not seen Despicable Me OR read the Hunger Games trilogy! You need to remedy this as quickly as possible!
Read The Paris Wife first. There are 3 books in the Hunger Games and you will def want to read all three. By the time you get done the trilogy you’ll have forgotten all about the other book. I enjoyed all of these books for different reasons, don’t skip any of them.
I guess I’m the only one here who loved The Paris Wife. It was a bit sad, but I love historic fiction and the era. I felt as if I had shaved about 20 IQ points off after reading THG1.
You might want to check out the blog Attic24 for crochet inspiration. She does some really colorful and fun pieces. http://attic24.typepad.com/
I’ve read both and would definitely recommend the Hunger Games series first. The Paris Wife is good in its own way, but not really a page turner…
Hi! I found your blog through Secrets of the Cookie Princess – and I’m so glad that I did. Your Friday things are right up my alley. Along with the other comments, I totally recommend the Hunger Games as your next read. And as far as Rue La La… it’s amazing. I actually found my wedding dress (granted, it was a bit untraditional) on Rue La La. It’s so much fun to see what’s on sale. Hope you find something great! :)
You definitely need to read the hunger games.. and then you can watch the movie too! Although be prepared to read the other two right away. I think I read all three in one week :)
Definitely read the Hunger Games next. I couldn’t put it down when. I read it. All three are fantastic!
I love the painting!!! It’s just adorable! Ohhhh, I forgot Nordstroms is having there anniversary sale. I normally pick up some Gucci or Prada sunglasses for under $70.00 every year! Thanks for the reminder! Have a great weekend!
I have always wanted a lemon tree how fun! Both books are really good but totally different. Hunger Games is really a three book series but fast read edge of your seat. Make sure you have time to just sit and read it through. You wont be able to put it down. Very summer. The Paris Wife is a bit more of downer. Still really good.
I haven’t read The Paris Wife, but I read The Hunger Games and I blew through all three in the matter of a week (or less). I couldn’t put them down. Highly recommend.
Definitely The Hunger Games for your next Kindle read!! But, better get all three of the EBOOKS now because you won’t be able to put your Kindle down after the first one!
Have a wonderful weekend and your 100mm macro. I’ve toyed with getting that lens but I try to use my 24-70mm almost like a macro. It gets incredibly close (nothing like a true macro!) but I try to talk myself out of the 100 mm macro. So far, so good :) But I do want it, especially after seeing your pics!
For your next Kindle read, I definitely recommend “The Hunger Games”, really great read and you’ll find you won’t be able to put it down! I held off reading the third installment in the trilogy because I didn’t want it to end! Love your “Friday Things” post!