Book Challenges 2013

We can also call this post: "Why My Nose Will Be Buried in Books in 2013." 

After a long hard think these past few days, and already planning to sign up for 50 books in 2013 on Goodreads, I decided to give myself a little extra challenge (also as I've found myself reading more and more book blogs). I'm joining up with a few Book Challenges this year - most of which will overlap with each other as well as my ultimate goal of 50 books in the year. So, here you go, my list of Book Challenges for 2013. 

You can keep up with me as the year goes on as well up in the header under "She Reads" as well as with all the book review posts I'll be surly writing! Happy reading in 2013!

Off The Shelf Challenge 2013

The goal of this challenge is to read books that you already own.

Which is perfect for me, because I have a book buying addiction habit.

So, I have signed up at the Making A Dint level,

meaning 30 books in 12 months from my already owned pile.

Which, should also work along nicely with my Goodreads challenge!

1. The Mark of Athena (Heros of Olympus #3) - Rick Riordan
2. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
3. Trace - Patricia Cornwell
4. Reached (Matched #3) - Ally Condie
5. Satori in Paris - Jack Kerouac

TBR Pile Challenge 2013

This challenge is much like the Off the Shelf challenge,

except it requires you to set your list of 12 books before 2013 even starts

(it also requires that the books be on your shelf for a full year,

meaning no books published before 1/1/12).

And it's okay to crossover between the two challenges!

Why am I doing this one then?

I kind of like the added challenge of setting myself a list ahead of time,

and holding myself to it by the end of the year!

So, here's my list:

1. Life of Pi - Yann Martel (1/13/13)

2. Trace - Patricial Cornwell (1/19/13)

3. Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs

4. The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien

5. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee

6. Labyrinth - Kate Mosse

7. The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett

8. Lord of the Flies - William Golding

9. Satori in Paris - Jack Kerouac (2/13/13)

10. Game of Thrones - George R. Martin

11. The Alchemyst - Michael Scott

12. Blood of the Fold - Terry Goodkind

Alt. 1. Thursday Next: First Among Sequels - Jasper Fforde

Alt. 2. Looking for Alaska - John Green

Back To The Classics Challenge 2013

Goal: One Year, Six (or more) Classics

[Progress: 1/6]

1. 19th Century Classic - Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

2. 20th Century Classic - The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien

3. Pre-18th or 18th Century Classic - Robinson Crusoe - Daniel Defoe

4. Classic that Relates to the African-American Experience - The Color Purple - Alice Walker

5. Classic Adventure - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - L. Frank Baum Or/And The Odyssey - Homer

6. Classic that Prominently Features an Animal -  To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee

Bonus Topics
7. Re-read A Classic - Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
8. Russian Classic - Anna Karenina Or/And The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
9. Classic Non-Fiction -Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe
10. Classic Children's/YA - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz  Or/And Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
11. Classic Short Stories - A set of Poe's short stories

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 10: Black Friday}

Today's Topic?

I'm THANKful for Black Friday & Leftovers

Black Friday for me this year?

Involves serving Wings & Beer from 9am - midnight.

You know what, I'm excited about it.

I may even go to Target at 7am before work,

just because I can.

And just because Thanksgiving is over,

doesn't mean the sentiment of the holiday has to be over too.

Be THANKful everyday of everything you have.

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 9: THANKSGIVING}

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

I hope you are all stuffed to the gills with turkey and all your favorite fixin's!

We're about to sit down for pie in a few minutes,

but I wanted to check in and post my Thanksgiving table pictures :)

So, there you have it.

Thanksgiving at my place :)

Again,

I'm thankful for so much this year,

and all you guys?

SO a part of it!

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 8: Special People}

Today's topic is:

I'm THANKful for the Special People in My Life

What is more important aboutThanksgiving than the people you share it with? Or the people you wish you were sharing it with? If there's anything (non-academic) I learned in my two years in Budapest, it's that people are what matters most in life. Especially on holidays. Especially on holidays where you want more than anything to be at home with your people.

So, my people? The ones that I'm most thankful for?

My family.

I LOVE these guys.

(We're in Prague in this picture, if you were wondering)

Growing up an only child made my bond with these two so strong.

My parents, honestly, are my world.

And I am so THANKful that they're mine :)

Who are you THANKful for this Thanksgiving?

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 7: Thanksgiving Traditions}

Did I mention I LOVE blog challenges?

Because I do!

I'm seriously STILL so hungry from all your recipes yesterday!

I am going to need to have a second Thanksgiving

just to try all those amazing foods you've teased me with!

Today's topic is:

I'm THANKful For Thanksgiving Traditions

Mine are pretty simple: there are three!

1) MACY'S Parade - cannot wait to see Santa come down on his sleigh! I LOVE curling up under a blanket in my PJs while the smells of Thanksgiving start to swarm the house.

credit: pinterest

2) Leftovers - almost better than the meal itself. Enough said. :)

3) Breaking the wishbone - Mom and I do this every year. I think I'm winning in the number of wishes won over the years on Thanksgiving Turkeys. We do it with other chicken/turkeys we eat through the year, but Thanksgiving is the most important!

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 6: Thanksgiving Recipes}

Welcome back for another week of the

Plenty To Be THANKful For Blog Challenge

hosted by: me, Caroline, Kristine, Sam, and Meghan!

Last week was so much fun - I cannot wait for this week!

I can just tell today is going to be a delicious day in the Blogoverse!

Today's topic is:

I'm THANKful for my favorite Thanksgiving Recipe!

I don't have one favorite recipe for the day itself.

Nothing quite tops my mom's stuffing or sweet potatoes.

So, what I have for you is a delicious, delicious cookie recipe.

Perfect to snack on between slices of Thanksgiving pie :)

Ingredients

Dry

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 to 2 cups chocolate chips*

Wet

1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick)

1 egg

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract (i usually use 1-2 tsp though, I love vanilla)

* experiment here - I've used: nestles swirl chips - amazing; half white chocolate half regular chocolate chips - amazing; peanut butter chips - amazing. Use what you want here, it will taste good.

Directions

heat oven to 375 degrees

grease cookie trays

1. whisk/stir together dry ingredients (except for the chips!) in a medium sized bowl

2. in another, larger bowl stir (or use a mixer) together butter & sugar until it's creamy & yellowish. then mix in the egg and vanilla.

3. slowly stir in the dry ingredients into the bowl of the wet ingredients

4. DO NOT OVER MIX

5. stir in the chocolate chips*

6. scoop equal sized balls onto the cookie tray and space them apart

7. cook for about 8-11 minutes depending on size of the cookies

yields: 1-2 dozen cookies (depending on size of cookie)

notes:

- for divine cookies, let the dough (once you've mixed in the chocolate chips) sit overnight. I know, it sucks, a lot and requires so much patience. But it's so worth it. Trust me.

- these freeze very well. Double or triple the batch and then freeze. To freeze: place cookies in a single layer on a cookie sheet and then freeze over night. In the morning move them into an air-tight freezer bag. They last about 4 months, on average, in the freezer. To eat after frozen: let thaw about a half hour or heat oven to 375 degrees and cook about 10 minutes.

So, what's your favorite recipe for this time of year?

UPCOMING TOPICS

Tuesday November 22^nd – I’m THANKful For Thanksgiving Traditions!

Wednesday, November 23^rd – I’m THANKful For The Special People In My Life!

Thursday, November 24^th – I’m THANKful For Thanksgiving! (Post a picture of your table... if you have time!)

Friday, November 25^th – I’m THANKful for Black Friday & Leftovers!

Monday, November 28^th – BLOG SWAP REVEAL

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 5: The 21st Century}

I'm a little late in posting today, cause I slept past noon. Opps :)

But today is the last day of the first week of the challenge! So, thanks for playing along so far!

Today's topic is: I'm THANKful I Live in the 21st Century!

My reasons include:

- i love my car

- i love my phone

- i love indoor plumbing

- i love electricity

and most of all, i love...

- being able to make decisions about my life

(as a woman, this is awesome to me.

I can't imagine living any centuries ago,

being bartered for family status,

with my only major purpose being producing an heir)

How about you?

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 4: The Blogoverse}

Okay you guys! Seriously! I am loving hosting this Blog Challenge with Sam, Meghan, Kristine, and Caroline.... I am having SO much fun reading all your blog posts and reading all your sweet comments! Which is why today's topic is SO simple for me:

Day 4

I'm THANKful for the Blogoverse!

Why?

YOU ALL ROCK!

No, really:

- you guys always there (here or on Twitter) with a quick answer to a random question

- everyone seems to rally behind each other in both tough and joyous times

- it's a great place to meet new friends

- there's always some interesting or funny stories to make a bad day good

- recipes!

- and so, so, so much more!

So, again:

YOU ALL ROCK!

I'm so THANKful for this community :)

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 3: My Hometown}

Oh my word, you guys? The last two days have been SO much fun! Let's keep the party rolling, what do you say?

Day 3

I'm THANKful for my hometown!

I live in a small town in New Hampshire.

About 20 mins from the beach,

(I LOVE the beach)

an hour or two from the White Mountains,

(I LOVE to climb things)

and an hourish from Boston.

(I LOVE Boston)

It's the perfect location,

if you ask me :)

I like the small-town feel of this place,

I love that there's country,

and wildlife randomly in my back yard.

I love that I have a back yard.

I'm SO THANKful to have grown up here!

How about you?

What do you love about where you grew up?

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 2: YOUTube & Internet Fun}

Yesterday was AWESOME! I seriously LOVE reading all your fun posts - I want to comment on all of them, and will soon! Work is just crazy right now - I need more hours in the day so I can sleep! But seriously, you guys?! Your Guilty Pleasures? SO much fun to read :)

Today's Topic Is:

I'm THANKful For YOUTube & Other Internet Fun!

I'll start with three of my favorite websites,

and then leave you with some amazing YouTube Joy :)

Pinterest

if you have Pinterest, you know what I'm talking about.

Follow my boards and I'll follow you back!

If not, sign up!

I Waste So Much Time

&

Dear Blank Please Blank

THESE ARE THE FUNNIEST WEBSITES EVER.

Is that enough incentive?

yes, you can thank me later :)

So pretty, no?

Zidane may be a soccer player

(and a royal jerk)

but, this is my sport,

and he looks pretty in it :)

This is my state :)

So, what do you love out there on the internet and YouTube? Link up and let us all know!

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Day 1: Guilty Pleasures}

Hey Guys!

I'm super exhausted - my new job started this past week. I'm waitressing and our training was all week long! It's a new opening of a restaurant, so it's kinda crazy intense around my life! I've already worked 7 straight days of training and now I'm working 6 straight days of serving! CRAZY! But I get Friday & Saturday off - which, despite being the 'busy' nights - I'm SO excited about!

I am also SO excited that today is the first day of my, Sam, Caroline, Kristine, and Meghan's Plenty to be THANKful for Challenge! SO many of you signed up for the swap, and this is going to be JUST as awesome - I know it! Remember - anyone can join the challenge, even if you didn't get a chance to participate in the swap! So, spread the word!

So, let's not waste any more time!

Today's topic is {Day 1} I'm THANKful For My Guilty Pleasures!

This one is pretty easy for me :)

I'm THANKful for:

Starbucks

Chipotle

Criminal Minds

90's BoyBands

My Justin Beiber Pandora channel

(don't judge until you've tried it,

I thumbs down most JBeibs songs,

and the station ROCKS)

I'm not sure how many more I can admit to today! HAHA! I just have so many guilty pleasures :)

Remember to add your link below - and then go check out and comment on some new blogs! I think link-up challenges are awesome, because you can meet so many new blogging friends this way! I know that's how I got to know most of my amazing co-hosts :)

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Challenge Topics}

Hey everyone!

First and foremost, we’d like to say THANK YOU to all of you who signed up for our blog swap

and link-up! We hope you are just as excited as we are!

If you have any questions about the blog swap, be sure to contact any of us hosts (Me, Kristine, Meghan, Sam, or Caroline) via comment, tweet, or email. We’d be more than happy to answer your questions. Be sure you send out your blog swap packages no later than November 17^th!!

REMEMBER: if you choose to send anything liquid (nail polish, etc) PLEASE wrap it up and secure it in a zip-lock bag. No one likes a spill!

So, without further ado, here are the link-up topics you’ve all been waiting for:

Monday, November 14^th – I’m THANKful For My Guilty Pleasures!

Tuesday, November 15^th – I’m THANKful for YouTube (and other internet fun)!

Wednesday, November 16^th – I’m THANKful For My Hometown!

Thursday, November 17^th – I’m THANKful For The Blogoverse!

Friday, November 18^th – I’m THANKful That I Live In The 21^st Century Because…!

Monday, November 21^st – I’m THANKful For My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe!

Tuesday November 22^nd – I’m THANKful For Thanksgiving Traditions!

Wednesday, November 23^rd – I’m THANKful For The Special People In My Life!

Thursday, November 24^th – I’m THANKful For Thanksgiving! (Post a picture of your table... if you have time!)

Friday, November 25^th – I’m THANKful for Black Friday & Leftovers!

Monday, November 28^th – BLOG SWAP REVEAL!

Remember, there’s PLENTY to be THANKful for!!

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Swap Partners!}

Hey gals!

I AM SO EXCITED FOR TWO THINGS:
a) Sam has power, internet, and cable back :)
b) That she got all you ladies paired up for the swap so quickly!

We had thought about trying to pair you up based on location, but with her lack of power that was not such the easiest thing to do. Plus, postage is pretty similar within the US (especially if you use a flat rate box!). So, this way you guys now get to make new friends! And if you happen to live close together - you can meet up instead of mailing! Cause that would be super fun, no?

And, Oh my god! I cannot wait to get to know all of you guys' blogs! The names? SO SWEET! I love them all already! I really hope you all come back tomorrow to get the topics for the challenge too!

Anyway, without any further ado...

Meghan (The Perfect Compilation Tape) & Neely (A Complete Waste of Makeup)
Sam (A Careless Man's Careful Daughter) & Ainslee (First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage)
Courtney (Chaos Theory) & Alex (Ruffles Ribbons & Bows, Oh My!)
Kristine (Living a Barefoot and Crazy Lifestyle) & Melissa (Nashville's Melrose)
Caroline (Simply Smithwick) & Adventuresome Wyomingite
Meghan (Shine On) & Stacy (Cardigans & Crayons)
Caitlin (Done & Done) & Krystal (It's Krystal....with a K)
Erin (Everything According to Erin...) & Christy (25 Before 25)
Leeann (Join the Gossip) & My Own Little Corner
Jenna (Step by Step) & Simply Mily
Joanna (Dance and Dream 4 Ever) & Southern Belle
Megan (Chicago Girl) & Faison (Fat to fabulous... and everything in between)
Michaela (my world in a paper cup.) & Kit (Life of a Scott)
Michelle (Stuttering Shell) & Jess (Pretty Physicist)
Carly (Carly Chubby Cheeks) & Michelle (Snapshots)
Marcy (Marcy's Mazin' Moments) & Kattrina (Maple and Mud)
Meghan (little girl in the big world) & Sar (Life of Love)
Jenn (right where i should be) & Christine (Fancy Function)
Kristen (KristenDanielleXO) & Kimberly (Kimberly's Korner)
Kate (Dancing in the Minefields) & Lori (a crazy walk on the safe side)
Cait (Fit, Fierce, and Fabulous) & Megan (Sweet Serendipity)

Now, go forth and get to know one another! And, remember, the DEADLINE for Swap Gift send outs is Thursday, November 17th!

xoxo,
- Sam, Courtney, Kristine, Meghan, & Caroline

Plenty To Be THANKful For {Blog Swap & Challenge}

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to announce an awesome Blog Giveaway & Challenge that me, Kristine, Meghan, and Sam are hosting!

We're super excited about this! The challenge will be awesome - we'll announce the topics for the challenge on Friday, November 9th. The challenge will run from November 14 - November 25 (But not on the weekend days) and then on the 28th we'll post a link for you to post the reveals of your swaps :)

As for the swaps!

Please sign up on the link below by November 8 - and post (blog, tweet, etc!) about it so we can get more people involved!

The limit is $20-5 (not including postage) and should include things you're THANKful for :) After the partners are posted come back, find the link to your partner's blog, get to know them (this is really the most fun part!) and then make sure to mail your package out by November 17.

If you send anything that's liquid - like nail polish, lotion, etc - please make sure to put it in a zip-loc bag or wrap it real well! :)

What are you waiting for? Sign up now :)

HAPPY NOVEMBER!

- Courtney, Kristine, Meghan, Sam

Friday Fancies & Fall Blog Day 5

First up:

Lon Distance Loving's Friday Fancies

I've missed linking up here,

sadly my program to make this really pretty is on the fritz

(and I'm too lazy to make it work).

So here's my look for the first day of fall:

Dress:

Boots:

Coat:

Seriously?

How perfect would that be for a day just running around town?

I'm in love.

Now,

who wants to buy them for me?

And now:

What are you looking forward to this fall?

Carving Pumpkins,

Decorating the front porch,

and stuffing myself silly at Thanksgiving.

How about you?

HodgePodge & Day Three

I love a good HodgePodge :)

With Autumn really filling the air,

these questions are the perfect compliment

to the fading days of summer.

The Fall Challenge Day 3 is answered in Question # 8,

so if you're here from that,

read on :)

1. Chili?

I LOVE CHILI.

Yep, I said it. Almost all chili.

Red beans, white beans, no beans,

spicy, not spicy,

whatever.

On top?

Sour cream and cheese,

please.

2 Favorite Fall Color?

Don't make me pick!

I REFUSE.

I'm from New England,

this question is sacrilegious!

:)

Fall isn't one color,

it's the combinations that create the magic.

3. Who did you idolize growing up?

I'm going to consider this the "Celebrity Crush" section,

and just post some pictures.

I loved the 90s!

4. When did you last do Arts & Crafts?

You do remember I worked at a summer camp, right?

I am a BEAST at Friendship bracelets.

5. What's a place that makes you really nervous?

Nursing homes.

I honestly cannot stand them.

And I really love old people.

But the smell? The look? The overall whole thing?

CREEP ME OUT.

Nervous is an understatement.

6. Horseback Riding?

YEA/YAY

Sometime soon,

when I get caught up on all those travel posts I owe you,

I will write about last weekend

when I went to the Jumper Classic.

I LOVE PONIES.

And really, really need to get on one again soon.

7. Favorite Cliche?

Everything is okay in the end:

If it's not Okay,

It's not the End.

Why?

Because it's so true.

Every Bad Thing has an end.

You ARE strong enough to wait it out.

8. Random Thought:

I'm gonna use this section to complete day 3 of:

Day 3: Favorite Halloween Tradition/Memory

I used to ALWAYS,

without fail,

dress up as a ballerina kitten.

Which meant:

ballet clothes,

cat face paint and ears.

However,

if you remember,

I live in New England.

Which means that the end of October?

FREEZING COLD.

Like, there were a few times there was snow

when I was out trick or treating.

COLD COLD COLD

What are your Halloween Memories?

all images from pinterest