My Right Brain

Happy New Year

Sentimental is my middle name, and as 2011 comes to a close I can't help but think about how much GROWTH the year has brought.  From the birth of our daughter to the loss of a very dear friend (may his memory be a blessing) 2011 was the year everything changed. 

In a very uncomplicated way, these changes have made welcoming 2012 easy and full of promise, hope, and genuine excitement.  I have clear goals for the new year (who doesn't love a fresh start) and don't remember a time that I have felt more ready to build upon (opposed to hold onto) CHANGE.

I hope that your holidays were extra special and that this New Year brings only good things.

PS. KL thought that I should add that he is AMAZING and sooooooooooo good looking :)

See You Soon

Gonna take a few days off to enjoy some much needed family/holiday/fun time - see you soon :)

HOW TO: Holiday Bark, Bark!

This year for the holiday's I channeled my inner Martha and decided to bake.  We had a few parties to attend and I wanted to extend some love to our neighbors (who doesn't love a food gift bag) so I researched holiday bark and struck gold with this recipe. 

TOP REASON FOR LOVING: The ingredients are basic (cheap and not fancy), they take about 15 minutes to make (although I refrigerated for about 30 min to set), and OMG - OMG - OMG - OMG are they divine (see picture for visual proof).

WARNING: these treats are highly addictive, so if you make them I encourage to give them away as soon as possible otherwise you might gain five pounds in two days - oops

Ender's Game

Are you in need of an easy read that's both compelling and topical?  Have you wondered if you like science fiction but just don't know which book to test your theory?  If you are all on the fence or just want a good book, absolutely pick up Ender's Game.  Filled with heart, twists, and turns, this read will keep you guessing till the end.
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Ender's Game is the book I should have chosen when it was my turn to pick for book club (I was worried the girls wouldn't be into the sci-fi-ness of it all) and instead I picked Looking For Alaska (bleh).  Actually, that's not fair, everyone else seemed to like it (and it got tons of great reviews) but I was a little disappointed.  Since we are on a temporary book club hiatus (sigh) I decided to right my wrong and see what Ender had to offer, and thankfully it was more than Alaska (IMHO :)

Top Reasons for Loving:
1. It's sci-fi without being too over the top Sci.  I am reluctant fan of science fiction (the technical elements really turn me off) but the emotional and creative explorations I crave.  I want to know what it's like to live in the future or on another planet, but please don't make me learn an entirely new language or teach me how to fly a plane.  I just don't care.

2. Great character development - sweet Ender is the perfect protagonist.  Young and brilliant (literally, he's six years old and destined to save the world) and from page one there is NO question who you are rooting for.

3. Children, violence, and themes of leadership!  Yes, I still want more even after reading the Hunger Games Trilogy especially considering that this proceeded that series by many years.

Smartphone :)

Via Pinterest