Sunday, May 19, 2013

What's New?

Why is it so hard to jump back into blogging after just a few short months of poor blogging stride? It seems the longer you go without regular blogging, the harder it is to just get going again. Well, to get going again, I've thrown together a set of lists. One is a list of things that are bugging me right now--mostly relating to blogging or my lack thereof, and the other is a list of things I'm pretty excited about lately. Nothing Earth shattering on any front.. just.. well, life. It happens. Oh and I also threw in two of my favorite photos from last week (taken with my iphone 4S). I think they're super adorable and I hope they make you smile as they did for me. :)

I took this photo last Friday morning while out on an early weekday morning bike ride. It was the cutest, coolest blimp I've ever seen in my life! Just darling. It made my day. ;)
It's a Despicable Me Minion blimp!
Things that are bugging me right now: 

  • Not blogging regularly OR keeping up with your blogs. 
  • Admitting that I'm not very good at read-alongs. Anna Karenina, The Winter Sea, Stardust and now The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. I've not kept up on a single one of them, although I at least eventually finished The Winter Sea and Stardust, even if not on schedule. Currently working on Wind-Up, which I am determined to finish this month. It's long. And weird. And of course the read-along is over already.
  • I haven't written reviews for some really good books I've read lately. Unless you happen to visit me regularly on goodreads, you probably have no idea of what I've even been reading! 
  • I've barely participated in weekend cooking at all this year. I miss it! 
  • I've stopped chiming in with Joy's Reader's Workouts. I haven't even been logging my workouts on my little fitness journal blog, See How She Runs very well lately, either. 
  • I still haven't written a post on my fabulous little trip to Iceland back in March. 
  • It looks like I'm not going to get around to re-establishing my backyard vegetable garden AGAIN this year. And the deer are already munching the perennials that are barely a foot tall. Do I even want to battle them for a few handfuls of tomatoes? I don't know if it's even worth it. 
  • Finally, I'm not happy with my body image lately. I exercise all the time and eat healthy foods. Unfortunately I also love sinful foods such as baked treats and ice cream. Even homemade and made with natural ingredients, these foods do not promote weight loss. Duh. I know this. I even know what to do. I just need to find the discipline to put my money where my mouth is and practice what I preach. I'm really tired of being in this place. 


My girls had haircut appointments one evening last week. By the time we got out of the salon, a few of the streets downtown were closed to traffic for a car show. As we walked to our car, we spotted this darling little girl walking her dogs. So incredibly cute! (Her mom is just outside the frame of the photo.)
Just out walking her dogs
at the car show downtown. 
Things that I'm psyched about lately: 

  • Numerous exciting milestones for my girls this season--some have taken place already, but most are upcoming over the next several weeks. For Anna, my 14 year old: being awarded her Girl Scout Silver Award--the highest award a middle school aged scout can earn; her first semi formal dance; an overnight school field trip; her dance recital; and 8th grade graduation. For Maria, my 18 year old: her last school orchestra concert ever (she's been playing the violin since 4th grade!), senior prom, high school graduation and then off to college in September! 
  • Our upcoming summer vacation to some very faraway places. Excited but also a little nervous. More about our destinations soon. 
  • My Bingo card is filling up nicely (one of my 2013 Reading Challenges). I don't know why this makes me so happy, but it feels really good to check off those squares. I've checked off a few more since my update in April and the next update will be around July 1, but I'm making progress! Such a fun challenge. You guys should join in.. if not now, definitely next year. 
  • Speaking of reading, I've decided to re-read a favorite series of mine. Well, re-read the first couple of books in the series that I already read several years ago and then catch up with all the other books before the final book in the series comes out in August. Any idea what this series is?
  • I started using Feedly for following blogs. So easy to use, organized AND best of all? Everything is synced between my laptop and phone so I always know where I left off reading blog posts. I don't accidentally read stuff twice or miss anything! I mostly use it on my laptop, but it's the most fun to swipe and read on the iphone. What reader are you using these days? 
  • Instagram love. I'm having so much fun documenting my days with daily photos and it's also become another social community through which I've met so many fun and interesting people from all over the world. You know how blogging has connected you with people with whom you have stuff in common but you would have never met otherwise? I'm finding the same thing through instagram. It's been great.      
  • Spring has finally sprung around here! I love the warmer and longer days this time of year brings. More time to play outside.. for me this is primarily in the form of biking but also in yard work. I wish I could say I've been playing in the dirt planting and growing things, but at this point, it's mostly been more of the work variety--mowing the lawn and doing some residual clean up from last fall and winter.


So what's new with you? 

Go ahead and share something that's bugging you lately AND one thing that's got you excited too. 

I want to know!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Library Loot LXVIII

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries! 

Well it appears my blog has turned into a simple string of Library Loot posts. I guess it's time I admit to myself that I'm a horrible juggling act lately. There's only so many bowling pins one gal can juggle--especially an uncoordinated one like me---before letting a few drop, I suppose. I need to think of a plan to get back into the groove because I miss it. Got any ideas?

In the meantime, here's a quick look at what I brought home from the library this week:




Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.
This is May's book club pick. One that has been on my tbr list for quite some time, but at the same time, not the one I voted for. Only because it is a long one. I'm still working on The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle which is very long and one in which I'm very much behind for the Read-Along. I worry that I won't finish it at all and that will leave me unsettled. However, I will still make a valiant attempt at finishing both of these books this month.





   

The Dark-Hunters, Vol. 1, 2 and 3 by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
I spotted these manga-style graphic novels of Sherrilyn Kenyon's first couple of Dark Hunter novels at the library and just had to borrow them. I read through all three in 24 hours and had so much fun revisiting this series that I read years ago when I first discovered romance novels. Sadly, my library doesn't have Vol. 4, but I will try to hunt it down at another library. Or just buy it and then donate it to my own library so they have the complete set. It doesn't look like any other volumes have been published in a couple of years. Too bad. They're a cute PG-13 version of the Dark Hunter stories.

Have you read any of these books? 

What have you borrowed from the library lately?

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Library Loot LXVII

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries! 



My turn on the holds list finally came up so I got my hands on Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and am reading that now for April's book club. Oops. Kind of late to the discussion, but I expect to finish reading it in a day or two. I'm about halfway through right now. It's not this superb piece of suspense but it's not terrible either. I think I have what's going on figured out and if I'm right, both Nick and Amy are liars, cheaters and manipulators. Not exactly compelling characters.


Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi caught my eye on the new books shelf (yet published in 2009) in part because of the yummy title, but also because her award winning graphic novel Persepolis has been on my to-read list for ages. So I should really be picking up that novel, but this one is shorter so I thought I'd be more likely to read it right now amidst a busy spring.

The Gardener & The Grill by Karen Adler and Judith Fertig. This delicious cookbook caught my eye at the library at the end of the gardening and grilling season.. . why it's still on the new bookshelf at the library, I'm not sure, but at least it was where I'd spy it again and this time I borrowed it. I've only casually flipped through it as of yet, but upon my cursory review it looks like a winner with a bountiful collection of fabulous recipes for all kinds of dishes to make with the grill. I cannot wait to read it more carefully and make some of the recipes. I would love to review this book for all of you before Memorial Day weekend so you can get inspired with grilling this season.

The 2nd Law by Muse. I fell in love with their single "Madness" the very first time I heard it. I haven't downloaded a Muse song in a while, so when I saw this CD come in to the library, I couldn't resist the opportunity to listen to all the tracks. I'm actually listening to it while I type this! So far "Madness" is my favorite track.

What have you borrowed from the library lately?

Monday, April 29, 2013

In Death Series Reading Challenge: April 2013.

Interested in joining the Challenge? Anyone is welcome to join in at any time of the year at wherever in the series you currently are. See the sign up post HERE and join the fun!

Did you read any In Death series books this month?

I debated posting a link-up this month since once again I failed. I have Kindred In Death on my nightstand, but alas did not get to it at all. Besides.. just because I missed this month, doesn't mean you all didn't read an In Death book in April! So if you did, spill! Which one did you read and what did you think?

CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS:
Link up any In Death posts you made this month here. If you made a post on your blog, whether it be a review or commentary, please grab the link to your post and link it up with Mr.Linky below so we can find each other's latest In Death posts easily. You can also just use the link to your goodreads or other virtual bookshelf as well.

BOOK REVIEW:
Alas, none. I did consider re-reading Naked in Death at one point during the month, but really.. how many times does a girl really need to read the same story over and over again? Okay, you're right! Once more is never enough! :)

SERIES DISCUSSION:

Do you have a favorite book in the series?

My favorites are Naked in Death (#1), Survivor in Death (#20), Innocent in Death (#24), Promises in Death (#28). I have to admit I have a little trouble remembering details from the earliest books, so there is that.

Don't forget to link up any In Death posts you made this month!




Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Library Loot LXVI {book sale}

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries! 

It's been a whole week since my last post. I'm still not finding (making?) as much time as I'd like to blog. I have been reading a lot, which is definitely good, but unfortunately I'm just not juggling my time well and so I'm not sharing my thoughts on books, food, exercise, anything really. I have a few projects going on at home that are consuming a lot of my time and mental focus. While the idea of writing up a blog post is there, when the end of the day rolls around, I'd rather just decompress with a book. I'm sure many of you can relate.

This month's book pick for my online book club is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Have you read it? I feel like I'm the only one who hasn't. Anyway, my library has seven copies of this book. Yes, seven. I've been at the top of the holds list since the beginning of the month and still don't have this book checked out. I see on the online system that two people are overdue returning their copy. Driving me nuts. I should have just bought the book by this point, but now that I've waited three weeks and I'm next, I'm determined to get it from the library. You know as soon as I buy it, the library will call me and tell me they've got it waiting for me. Especially since it looks like the other five people all need to return theirs within the next couple of days. By the way, have you read it?

Last Friday I went to a used book sale at a local library and came home with this short stack of books:


I think it's a fairly eclectic mix of books, although it does reveal my love of romance novels.

The Honey is Bitter by Violet Winspear
The Lost by J.D. Robb et. al.
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn
First Impressions by Nora Roberts
Swimming Home by Deborah Levy
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeiser
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

Have you read any of these? 

That little book at the top - The Honey is Bitter by Violet Winspear is a 1967 Harlequin romance! I couldn't believe it... older than me! I just had to have it. Paid 50 cents for it. I flipped through it and read a few passages. Not sure I can bring myself to read the whole thing. So archaic.. the language and the stereotypes. Ugh. But an interesting find, nonetheless.

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn. Kind of serendipitous that I spotted this one because I was actually reading the pre-cursor to this novel, The Lost Duke of Wyndham (which I adored!), at the time. Of course, I came home to discover that I already had this book on my to-be-read shelf. A signed copy, no less. Ah oh well. Another 50 cents to a good cause. (I finished reading this one, now, too. Not as good as The Lost Duke).

That's about it for my library looting. How about you?

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

REVIEW: Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson

Published April 2011 by Avon.

The theme for this month's TBR Challenge hosted by Wendy the Super Librarian is 'New to You Author.' At first, I had planned to read a different book for the challenge, but ended up picking up Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson off my TBR pile instead, completely on a whim. I'm glad I did--it was a quick and entertaining read. I bought Any Man of Mine at the 2011 NJ RWA book sale and literacy signing where Ms. Gibson signed my copy. I don't know why, but I always feel extra-accomplished when I read a book that I own that was signed by the author.

Any Man of Mine is the sixth and most recent book in Rachel Gibson's Chinooks Hockey Team series. I haven't read any of books 1-5 in this series, but I can assure you that Any Man of Mine can be read as a stand alone novel. On a series side note, a prominent secondary character in Any Many of Mine goes on to be the leading guy in Rescue Me by Rachel Gibson, the third book in her Lovett, Texas series.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS . . .
DOESN'T ALWAYS STAY THERE.

Several years ago, Autumn Haven treated herself to a much deserved vacation in Las Vegas to catch some shows and play the slots. What she didn't expect was to meet the sexy and charming Sam LeClaire. He relentlessly pursued her and over several days they have a great time together experiencing the thrills of Vegas and heating up the sheets. On a slightly drunken impulse, they get hitched at a chapel, only for Sam to be long gone by morning. Dazed, confused, and heartbroken, Autumn heads home and is shortly delivered divorce papers through a lawyer. Soon after, she finds out she's pregnant. Despite their tense and pretty much non-existent relationship, Sam owned up to his responsibility, pays a generous child support and visits with Conner as much as his busy hockey schedule allows, which isn't really all that much.

Conner is now five year old when Sam and Autumn bump into each other at a wedding where Sam is a guest and Autumn is the wedding planner. They try to avoid each other as a rule, but it's not so easy. By the end of the evening, Sam actually helps Autumn out by taking Conner that night when Conner's sitter has to bail. Sam starts to realize that he hasn't been the most attentive father to his son, just like his own father behaved towards him, so he becomes determined not to do the same to his own son. This change in attitude brings Sam more into Autumn and Conner's lives, which at first is a little awkward, but soon turns out to be so good for all of them. They start to function as a family and there's no denying that Sam and Autumn really do belong together. It's a rocky road getting there, but what a sweet ride it is!

This is a reunited lovers story that worked well for me because it came across so realistically. The struggles Autumn faces as a single mom rang true - both as a mom and simply as a 30 year old single woman. I have to admit Sam came across as an arrogant jerk most of the time. Charming and sexy, but definitely selfish and cocky. He comes around, though, and does get more grounded as the story progresses. As he starts to prioritize his relationship with his son, he also discovers that there's still something about Autumn that makes him want to be with her. He's still attracted to her - not just physically, but emotionally, too. It takes him a little while to figure out the emotional part, but the same goes for Autumn. Thank goodness Conner gave these two reason to come together again happily ever after once and for all.

4 out of 5 stars

GRADE: B

Have you read any of Rachel Gibson's books? 

If yes, what's your favorite? 


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Library Loot LXV

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries! 

It's library loot time, again. As always, I brought home more books than I can reasonably read over a couple of weeks, but oh well. I'm happy to have them on my shelf and hope to squeeze them all into my April reading list. Here's what I have out from my local libraries right now: 
My current library loot
Top 10 Iceland
A DK Eyewitness Travel Book
This is a colorful and informative guide to the 10 Best of Everything in Iceland. Yes, yes, I know.. you're thinking "Didn't you just get back from there? Shouldn't you have borrowed this book before your trip.. not two weeks after the fact?" Absolutely. BUT I just wanted to look at more pictures and read more about this lovely island country that I fell in love with. Now I can make a mental list of the places to go and things to do on my next trip there.

French Milk by Lucy Knisley 
Inspired by Beth F's review of Knisley's most recent book, Relish, for last weekend's Weekend Cooking post. I've never heard of this author before, but she sounded interesting. The library didn't have Relish but did have French Milk, so of course I grabbed it. 

Mirror Mask by Neil Gaiman & Dave McKean 
Found myself in one of the local libraries browsing their graphic novel shelves for the first time and had to bring this one home. It's a novella graphic novel based on the film MirrorMask of which I have no idea what it's about. I'll find out, though! 

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami 
Reading this one for a Group Read-Along hosted by Ti who blogs at Book Chatter. Visit her blog HERE for more information. This will also count for one of my big books for orannia's Big Book Challenge 2013. I need to get cracking! ;) 

Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs
A graphic novel prequel story to her Mercy Thompson series, of which I'm a huge fan. I started reading this book as soon as I came home from the library and didn't stop until I finished it. I loved it. If you're a fan of the series, you'd probably like it, too. 

Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan. 
It's Shaun Tan. That's enough of a reason, right? This, too, is a graphic novel. 

And that's about it! I've got bookmarks in four books right now.. reading bits and pieces from each one every day and not progressing nicely in any one of them. Time for me to focus and make some headway in the list of books I want to read this month! Wish me luck. :) 

What are you reading right now? 
Have you read any of my library books?

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

My Book Bingo Scorecard

Remember the super-duper cool Book Bingo Reading Challenge I joined in the beginning of the year? Would you believe it's time for the first quarter check-in already?! Well it is!

Below is my Book Bingo Scorecard so far. I used buttons in the spaces I've completed. Beneath the scorecard, I list the categories by column and the books I've read for those categories so far. Participants can browse my list of books that I've read for this challenge so far for ideas of what to read for the center FREE SQUARE on their board--which is technically not a free space. This space gets crossed off when you read a book that someone else has already read for this challenge. So listing our books is critical for every one's success here.

Books highlighted below in BLUE are completed squares.

Read From Your TBR Pile: [15] [see 1st column]
ONE book:
1. Surrender At Dawn by Laura Griffin

TWO books:
2. Promises in Death by J.D. Robb 
3. A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

THREE books:
4.
5.
6.

FOUR books:
7.
8.
9.
10.

FIVE books:
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Read Books in a Series: [15] [see 2nd column]
ONE Book in a Series:
1.

TWO Books in a Series:
    The Works Series by Marie Harte 
1. Bodywork by Marie Harte 
2. Working Out by Marie Harte

THREE Books in a Series:
   The Princes Trilogy by Elizabeth Hoyt 
1. The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
2. The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
3.

FOUR Books in a Series:
   Elemental Assassin Series by Jennifer Estep 
1. Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep
2. Thread of Death by Jennifer Estep [novella]
3. By A Thread by Jennifer Estep
4.

FIVE Books in a Series:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Read 2013 Releases: [12] [see 3rd column]
ONE book:
1. Sins & Needles by Karina Halle

TWO books:
2. Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas 
3. On Every Street by Karina Halle

THREE books:
4.
5.
6.

FOUR books:
7.
8.
9.
10.

FIVE books:
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

FREE SQUARE: [middle square]
Read ONE book someone else has read for this challenge
1.

Read Books Everyone Else Has Read: [15] [see 4th column]
ONE book:
1. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

TWO books:
2.
3.

THREE books:
4.
5.
6.

FOUR books:
7.
8.
9.
10.

FIVE books:
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Re-Read books: [15] [see 5th column]
ONE book:
1. The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

TWO books:
2.
3.

THREE books:
4.
5.
6.

FOUR books:
7.
8.
9.
10.

FIVE books:
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.


If you'd like to join Book Bingo, it's not too late! Sign up with Kristilyn & Anne HERE and start filling your board. Come on... you know you want to!

Sunday, March 31, 2013

In Death Series Reading Challenge: March 2013

Interested in joining the Challenge? Anyone is welcome to join in at any time of the year at wherever in the series you currently are. See the sign up post HERE and join the fun!

First I have to ask.. did anyone notice that I didn't post an In Death post in February? It was the first month since starting this challenge in January 2010 that I didn't post a monthly discussion post. I remembered late in February.. but since I still hadn't read a book, so I kind of didn't feel like posting. I'm back this month, however, because guess what?!? Yep! I finally read an In Death book this month. Phew! So glad I got over that hiatus. I hope to stay on track from here on out. I really want to finish this challenge once and for all in 2013.

Did you read any In Death series books this month?

CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS: Link up any In Death posts you made this month here. If you made a post on your blog, whether it be a review or commentary, please grab the link to your post and link it up with Mr.Linky below so we can find each other's latest In Death posts easily. You can also just use the link to your goodreads or other virtual bookshelf as well.

BOOK REVIEW:


Promises In Death by J.D. Robb
Book #28

Promises was a really great installment to this series. I liked the crime story and police procedural in this one .. the crime of which hits close to home for Eve's team. The victim is a fellow cop who also happens to be the lover of chief medical examiner, Li Morris. It turns out the victim has a roundabout connection to Eve & Roarke's past so that makes things pretty interesting as the story unveils. I liked the little twists and turns that popped up in the investigation but even more so, I adored the personal story going on in this one, namely the bridal shower the women are hosting for their friend Louise. Hilariously fun and endearing. Of course, it was also lovely seeing Eve comfort Morris in his time of grief. In fact, I got choked up and shed a tear or two not once, not twice but thrice! Okay so to those of you know me may think doesn't mean much because I'm often brought to tears reading a book, but three times is still a lot even for me.      GRADE: B+

SERIES DISCUSSION:
Eve and Roarke have both made a lot of progress expanding their circle of friends in the two years they've been married and things are coming a little more naturally to them regarding these relationships. I think Eve in particular, has finally come to consider some of her closest friends the closest thing to family she's ever had. I loved this realization for Eve. It reminds me of the sentiment about the best families being the ones you pick yourself. For those with broken families, I believe this is the absolute truth. Can you relate to this new sense of family that Eve and Roarke are experiencing? In other words, do you have a friend or friends who are like family to you?

Don't forget to link up any of your In Death posts below!



Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all my peeps! I hope you're enjoying the day whether you celebrate Easter, Passover or nothing at all this time of year. Easter Sunday has always been a reminder to me of the hope and joy that spring brings as everything in nature begins to come to life again around now. Although you wouldn't guess it this particular chilly, gray day here in the NY metro area.

My apologies to those of you who already follow me on instagram. All of the photos in this post come from there except for one.

crocuses
rhubarb
We've seen snowdrops and crocuses blooming over the last several weeks and while the daffodils have been sending up green leaves, I haven't seen any blooming yet in my neighborhood. I did spot the rhubarb crowns in my garden pushing up, so there is that! I'm hoping to have enough for a strawberry-rhubarb tart later this spring.  Do you like rhubarb? 

I don't have a lot of memories of Easter celebrations from my childhood, although I do remember dying Easter eggs with my family the day before Easter for an egg hunt in the morning. I have vivid memories, however, of one particular Easter Sunday that we spent at my Oma and Opa's house. I remember an Easter egg hunt in their backyard, where eggs were hidden among the long, long rows of white and yellow daffodils lining their vegetable garden fence. I think it was one of the only outdoor Easter egg hunts of my childhood and for that alone, it stands out in my memory. Well, that and that it was spent at my Oma and Opa's house on Eastern Long Island. It was a special place. :)

As an adult, I have colored Easter eggs the evening before Easter, too, ever since I was living on my own. In the beginning, it was just my husband and me but of course our girls have participated every year since they were born even if just as a spectator on our laps when they were babies. Now at ages 14 and [almost] 18, they still color Easter eggs and hunt for them in the morning. This year, the girls hid the eggs for my husband and me to find. What a fun change of events!

I have to say, our egg decorating gets more and more creative every year. Here is a photo of a creative egg that my oldest made last night:
A Mike Wazowski Easter egg
It's Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc.! Ha!

She also made this one that she calls her "galaxy egg." I love it!
"Galaxy Egg" by Maria Alba
photo credits: Maria Alba
I filled the girls' baskets with jelly beans, robin eggs [malted milk balls], marshmallow peeps, a peanut butter egg, a few Dove coconut creme filled chocolate eggs, a chocolate bunny and a Starbucks and iTunes gift cards. Lucky bunnies!
Yummy Easter basket
What's your favorite Easter basket treat?

What are some of your Easter food traditions? 

Not exactly a #WeekendCooking post, but I'm linking it up there anyway because it is somewhat food related and I'm anxious to break my very long Weekend Cooking hiatus! It's been way too long since I've participated..

Wishing you all a wonderful day! xo
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Weekend Cooking, a weekly blog event hosted by Beth Fish Reads. Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food related post to share--a food related book review (fiction or nonfiction), cookbook review, movie review, a recipe, random thoughts, gadgets, food quotations, photographs, etc. Please visit Beth's blog for more information and join the fun! 

Note: your post does not have to be posted on the weekend, but do visit Beth's blog over the weekend to link up your post.