Books I Read in 2013

I'm not going to list all the books I read in 2013, but I will share some that I really enjoyed. It was an up and down year as far as books. I hate/loath to start a book and not finish it, but I did that with three books this year.  One was the Witching Hour by Anne Rice.  I was going to New Orleans and wanted to read something with the feel of the city- it was just disgusting and vile, full of incest, I couldn't finish it.  I can't even remember the other two.

But on the other hand, there were some great books:

 This book was really interesting.  The story of a US Military Crew out for a sight seeing trip on a secluded, unexplored island, they crash into the side of a mountain and it recounts the survivors journey up to and including the rescue which, was very hard because of the terrain.  Not as riveting as Unbroken, but good and interesting.

 Classic Stephen King.  I loved it.  Not super scary, but scary and weird enough. 

 This was a good book.  I liked the story, but most of all, I like the way it depicted the lives of everyday poor Parisians in the 1800's.  Really good.

 Loved this book!  It takes place in the future but it has a lot of 80's trivia in it.  We all read it at our house and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I don't want to tell to much of the story line and give it away.

 This is an action thriller and I like those a lot.  I enjoyed this book.  

 I found this book fascinating and couldn't put it down.  

 This was a really good book, I learned a lot about the atmosphere and the political emotions of the time when Jesus lived.  It also gives you insight into some of the lives of the polititans and religious leaders of the day.  

This was a really good thriller, kind of scary book.  Loved it.  

Southwest Chicken salad

 I love McDonald's Southwest Chicken Salad.  In an effort to eat healthier, I decided to make it for dinner last night.  The only thing missing was that delicious Newman's Own Southwest Dressing, which I cannot find anywhere.  I added these Fresh Gourmet Crispy Red Peppers.  They are delicious in any salad.  A new product by Fresh Gourmet.

Fresh Gourmet Crispy Red Peppers can be found in the produce section with the croutons etc. (at least at my grocery store). 

I also topped off the salad with these Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Strips Santa Fe Style.  They also have just regular Tortilla Strips. 

Mezzetta Deli Sliced Peperoncini

I marinaded the chicken in Lawry's Santa Fe Chili Marinade.

Found in the produce section, refrigerated.

Found with the salad dressings

So to make a salad for four this is the recipe I used.

Salad

4 chicken breasts (marinaded in Lawry's Marinade) baked and cut into bite size pieces

1 bottle Lawry's Sante Fe  Chili

1 head romaine lettuce

1/2 can of corn

1/2 can of black beans

1/4 cup sliced peperoncinis

10 cherub tomatoes cut in half

8 slices cucumber

1/4 red onion sliced thin

1/2 cup Fresh Gourmet Crispy Red Peppers

1/2 cup Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Strips

Dressing

El Torito Cilantro Dressing

Litehouse Jalapeño Dressing

I actually mix both of these together on the salad. I know a lot of you can make your own dressing.  I'm not that ambitious yet.  

Enjoy!

I Gave Up Diet Coke

I was addicted to diet coke. I had to have a large diet coke everyday.  On my way to work or after dropping my kids off at school, I would drive through McDonalds or Del Taco for a large diet coke.  The morning server knew my name, I knew his.  I wouldn't drink just any diet coke, because they have different flavors you know.  No bottled or canned coke for me.  It had to be a fountain coke. Imagine my glee when McDonalds dropped the price of all their sodas to $1.00.  They had my immediate loyalty for my morning diet coke. (I didn't drink coffee at this point in my life). Now, I wouldn't just suck down the diet coke immediately, It would last half the day.  I would keep it in the refrigerator so the ice would not melt and water down the flavor.   If I didn't have to go to work or take the kids to school, I would make a special trip to get my diet coke. Addicted.

My children started to worry about me.  I drank too much diet coke and that meant too much artificial sweetener and chemicals were going into my body.  My oldest daughter, Alyssa, harassed me the most, sending my articles and asking me if I read them.  My family began to give me a hard time every time they saw a diet coke in my hand.  They would all talk about how bad it was for you.  So finally, in August, I decided to give it up.  It was hard, I replaced it with ice tea, but you could only drink so much of that. I tried drinking water in between meals and ice tea with my meals.  I needed some flavor.  That worked okay, but I still craved the diet coke.

Then I discovered Vitamin Water Zero.  I love this stuff.  I buy it buy the ton, it's a little cheaper than a diet coke and I Love It!  Did I tell you I love it?  I fill a large cup that has a lid and straw with ice and add this water and I take it everywhere with me.  It has done the trick.  I'm also getting all the water everyday that I need to drink. BONUS!!!  It's sweetened with Stevia, which according to my daughter is good.  I've had exactly 4 diet cokes since August and quite frankly, they just don't taste that good anymore! 

December Happenings

December was a busy month.  Besides all the Christmas activities, we celebrated two birthdays, a graduation and we did some fun stuff.  Here are couple of things I had my camera handy for and can share with you.

The dogs got hair cuts.  This was big!  People used to ooo and ah over their hair.  They had beautiful long flowing hair, but it was becoming harder to take care of in the wet weather.   So we did it, we cut their hair and then the temperature rose to 80 degrees.  Haha. 

We saw Michael Bublé in concert.  Fantastic concert!  Not only does he sing well, but he is hilarious. He really engages the crowd and makes you laugh along with enjoying his music.  People of all ages are there.  This guy can sing!

 During one of the songs heart confetti was dropped everywhere.  I got my fair share. Awesome.

 And now the best is saved for last:  Greg graduated from Pepperdine University with his EMBA.  First one with a Masters on both sides of the family.

 Our family:  Delaney, Katie, Greg, Alyssa, HH (Bob) and me.  

 Alyssa and Greg

It was a beautiful ceremony with bag pipes and the prayers were incredible.  The schools Christian roots were put out there for all to see.  

 Greg and his proud parents: Floyd and Barbara

We are so proud of you Greg!

My Little Secret Discovery - Melinda Maria Jewelry

 Jewelry, it's so personal.  Everyone has their own style, likes and dislikes. Do you like big chunky pieces or small delicate pieces?  Are you a minimalist or do you go by the credo of more is better? I've always had a hard time shopping for jewelry.  I don't like to stand out, I like the more delicate pieces, yet I always am impressed by the women who can wear these big chunky necklaces and layer them with just the right amount of panache.  They look so good!  But alas, I cannot pull it off.  I always seem to pick the most expensive thing in the store too.  I like it, but can't afford it.  While shopping for stocking stuffers this year, I can across Melinda Maria Jewelry at Nordstrom.  I also came across a very nice sales lady who tipped me off to some sale pieces.  The sale pieces were beautiful and 40% off.   So here are some of my favorite pieces, there are so much more and many of them are on sale now at Nordstrom.  Not all are on sale, sorry.

"Colin" on the left and "Sandra" on the right

I've ordered Colin for myself.  40% off right now. 

 "Frost" bangle on the left and "Thorn- Emilia" bangle on right.

"Thorn-Emilia" also comes in turquoise and it is stunning, Labradorite shown.

 "Mosaic-Monica" on the left and "Thalia" on the right.

Unknown on the left.  They have sold out since I began this post! and "Maggie" on the right

 "Palmer" pod stackable rings on the left and "Nicole" earrings on the right

These are just a couple of examples of her line.  She has various styles: large and chunky and small and delicate.  She also features turquoise and it looks beautiful cast in the gold.  

Take a look at her line and see if there is anything for you.  

*I have not been contacted or paid by Melinda Maria or Nordstrom.  I just like her stuff!

Family Get Togethers - Once a month

One of my New Years Resolutions is to get our family together once a month for a fun activity.  My children are grown up, so they can't always make it, but I will invite them and whoever comes, comes. Here is my list:

Griffith Observatory

January: We are having beautiful clear weather here right now and believe it or not, I have never been to the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.  There is a park and hiking, plus there are shows you can see in the planetarium.  The shows cost $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for students.  The L.A. Zoo is nearby. 

Skiing Park City, Utah

February

 KI Speed Indoor Go Kart Racing

March: I've always wanted to do this, it looks fun.

 Hike to the Hollywood Sign

Iconic

April: Another thing I've never done and I hear it is not that strenuous of a hike. 

May: Delaney's Graduation from Cal State Fullerton

The Getty Museum Los Angeles

June: I've been here a couple of times, the grounds are gorgeous and the view is amazing.  

 4th of July in San Francisco

July: This one is a little bit of a stretch.  I would love to do this.  I would also like to see fireworks over the Statue of Liberty and The Washington Monument.  This one is definitely doable though. 

Corona Del Mar Beach

 Aug & Sept:  It's finally starting to heat up here and I would like to plan some beach days with some bon fires.  The only problem is, you have to get to the beach early to stake out a fire pit and then stay the whole day into the night for the bon fire.

Lucky Strike Bowling

Oct: Lucky Strike Bowling at night looks like fun. They play loud music, serve drinks and no one under 21 is allowed after 9.  I used to bowl all the time as a kid, but 20 years ago, HH hurt his back bowling and we have never been back.  This time he will just use a lighter ball or watch us! 

Pinetop Lake, AZ

Nov. - Visit my in laws cabin in Pinetop, AZ.  Maybe have Thanksgiving there.

 Disneyland Castle

Disneyland Small World

Dec. Visit Disneyland since it will be decorated for Christmas.  They do a great job and it really puts you in the holiday mood. 

So, there was my list.  I'm hoping I can stick to it.  I'm not a rigid person, so if something doesn't work out or we want to change the order, I'm okay with that.  Somehow, getting it down on paper makes it more likely to happen.  

I'm just looking forward to spending more time with my family doing some fun things and I hope you will be inspired to do the same.