Summer Book Challenge Update

I started this challenge with a TON of enthusiasm, but then I saw the challenge list... Here are the categories I have completed:

1. August 1st is Girlfriend's Day. Read a book about a group of friends.: A Woman's Place by Lynn Austin (4/5 stars)

2. Read a one word titled book: Deadline by Chris Crutcher (3/5 stars)

3. Read a memoir: Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison (4/5 stars)

4. Read a book where a main character has a job you would love to have: Firefly Lane by Kristen Hannah (5/5 stars)

I am currently working on The Widow's War by Sally Dunning for the historical fiction category. I found this book as a result of a fellow blogger. I am about 60 pages in, so I will update when I finish it.

Good Housekeeping

In our never-ending stay or sell struggle, Dave and I have decided to do some work on the house. We know that if we find a house that we love (already happened), and they are willing to negotiate a price we can afford (still working on this one), that we will need to get our home on the market ASAP. We want to be ready, and if we never end up selling, then we will have just made some nice improvements on our home.

One of the most time intensive projects we have undertaken was re-painting the front porch and painting the rocker on the front porch. I can't believe how a fresh coat of paint is such a huge face lift!













I am also working on a wreath for the front door. I have zero craft talent, so I will need help with this one!














In anticipation of fall (and also because I forgot to water the previous flowers and they died), I planted mums in my flower boxes. I am thinking they are a bit sparse, but I want to see if they spread out a bit more before I plant a couple more.

Finally, I broke down and purchased a new table cloth and napkins for the dining room. If you have not seen my dining room, it is a combination of cream and a terra cotta-type reddish color. Because I was always worried about making the room look too busy, I always stuck with cream linens. Cream = BORING! I finally stepped out of the box and went with a cool napkin pattern. It matches the room and my table cloth perfectly!

I love my family

Dave will not be happy that I published this one, but it is SO him!

Chili Weather

I meant to post this last week, but I kept forgetting to upload the pictures. Dave and I love chili, but we despise beans! So I set out in search of a yummy chili recipe that offered something a bit different. I started with a recipe from the Newly Wed Cookbook, and I have adapted it over time. I usually make this almost every Sunday during football season, and we enjoy it while we watch the games. It is quick, easy, and delicious!

To begin, brown up your ground turkey or beef. We use ground turkey for everything, including burgers, tacos, and chili. I use a sauce pot since I will be adding other ingredients.










While the meat is cooking, I chop up yellow peppers, red peppers. and onions.











Once the meat is mostly cooked, I add these to the pot. I also add a small can of tomato sauce as well as a medium can of hot chili peppers. The canned chili peppers can be found in the Mexican food aisle. I also add cayenne pepper and black pepper. Of course, you can make the chili more or less spicy, depending on your taste. I will tell ya, we like it SPICY! I let the pot simmer for about 20 minutes, and then you are ready to enjoy! We like to top our chili with taco cheese for an added kick.

Baby Steps

I FINALLY ordered our bassinet today! The one I have been after was no longer available at Babies R Us, so I gave up and started looking for another style. Dave is my hero because he not only found it on overstock.com, but it was $30 less! Way to go Dave!

Here it is:

Finally decided....

and ordered nursery prints! I did not end up with the ones from Paris; I just couldn't justify spending that much money. So here is my compromise:

They are definitely girly, but I love them! Since they were only $22 plus shipping, if we have a boy I can order something different. Everyone swears we will have a girl, which is good because we cannot agree on a boy name! I love the whimsical birdies, and any daughter of mine will NEED a cupcake picture!

I can't believe that I haven't updated since Friday. I have been working for the last 4 nights so I have not had a whole lot of exciting news to post.

Tomorrow I am heading to David's Bridal to pickup my dress for my cousin's October wedding:












Then I am meeting up with Jess for lunch at Jumpin Jacks! It should be fun to catch up for a bit. It will be great to see her. I will probably get some other errands done tomorrow as well. I am off for the next 4 out of 5 days so YIPEEEE!