The Library

This is probably my absolute, most prized card:

It's my library card! I absolutely love the concept of a library. I've always been a reader, but have tended to go in spurts where I read a bunch for a while and then just stop until I pick it back up again. In 2007, my friend, Susan, introduced me to the author Karen Kingsbury and her Redemption Series. I fell in love with the characters and Karen's writing style. There have been a few book series that are spin-offs to the Redemption series and I have read all of those, along with all of her stand-alone titles. Her books can get predictable, but they are just so good! I love her writing style and the "Christian Love/Romanace/Feel Good Story" theme in all of her books. I will forever be thankful to Susan for introducing me to Karen!

I love to read, but am not a person to read a book twice. And I don't want to have a bunch of books on hand that just sit on a shelf and collect dust. Now, I do have a few exceptions to that statement. If I read a book that I just absolutely L-O-V-E, then I will buy it. I do own a copy of Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. This is the best book I have ever read! Maybe I'll write more about it later, but for now, take my word for it!

All that to say I rediscovered the library when I found Karen Kingsbury's books. I wanted to read her books, but didn't want to buy any, thus the library was a perfect fit!

The Springfield-Greene County Library has a great online book search system. I can look up books online and with a click of a mouse reserve them, and even chose which location I'd like to pick up my books from! Lucky for me there's a library about a half mile from where I work, so convenient! I receive an e-mail message when my book is ready to pick up, and also get an e-mail message reminding me when the due date is getting close. Most books can be checked out for three weeks, and then renewed for another three if they are not being held for another person. Three weeks is usually plenty of time for me to read a book.

Oh I just love the library! And it's not just good for fiction books, but "hobby" books, too. Last week I checked out three books about sewing and knitting. Sure, I could go to Barnes and Noble or another bookstore to look through the books or buy them, but this way I have time to look through them and decide if I want to purchase them or not.

So yes, I am a BIG fan of public libraries! In fact, I would even like to work there someday! 

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are one of my favorite things to eat. They are just so good, whether eaten for breakfast or a snack anytime during the day. I found a recipe from The Pioneer Woman that is easy, quick, and oh so tasty! You should definitely check out the recipe!

Mandarin Orange, Banana, and Mini-Marshmallow Salad

I have rediscovered one of my favorite fruit salads: Mandarin Orange, Banana, and Mini-Marshmallow Salad. Growing up, my Mom was always good at having some sort of fruit salad or jello item along with our dinner meal, and this one was the best! 

Ross and I most always have a lettuce salad and either mashed potatoes or a vegetable with our chicken or steak for dinner. Last week I decided I wanted fruit along with our meal and remembered this salad. We always have bananas on hand, but never mandarin oranges or mini-marshmallows, so I had to make an extra trip to the grocery store to get the ingredients. The extra trip was more than worth my time!  I enjoyed every bite of my salad and plan to make it more often. Ross wasn't quite sold on the salad, but that's okay. That just means there's more for me now!

Mandarin Orange, Banana, Mini-Marshmallow Salad

• 1 small can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 medium-sized banana, cut into thin slices
• 1/2 - 1 cup mini-marshmallows, more or less depending on taste

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers.

Master Bathroom Updates

We've been talking about painting our master bathroom for a while now and earlier this summer decided it was time to get it done! We knew it wouldn't take that long to do . . . something we say about all of our projects, but find later it usually does take longer than first thought! We joke about this a lot!

The color in the bathroom was a light sage green color. I did like it, but just wanted a change, something a little brighter. We painted it a soft yellow and also updated the hardware using an antique bronze finish. We've replaced the ceiling fan and towel bars, and plan on replacing the faucets this fall. I'm still working on decorating. I just can't seem to find the right pieces for around the tub and the wall to the right of the mirror.

Before

After

 

Before

After

Before

After

I love the wall hanging. To me it just says "happy!"

Two Rice, No Beans. No Rice, Two Beans.

Ross and I got Mexican for dinner earlier this week and I noticed something funny about our order. We both ordered enchiladas that came with one side of rice and one side of beans. I asked the waiter if I could have two rice and no beans. Ross asked the waiter if he could have two beans and no rice. This is funny to me - he takes my beans and I take his rice. :)