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Favorite Books of 2013

Here’s everything I read in 2013. In no particular order, my… Five Favorite: OH, this was tough. I read some great books this year, especially right at the end. Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal – … Read More

Lifestyle

5 Favorite Outfits of 2013

Now that I’m on a 2013 review streak, I can’t stop. Sickness. Look for books and recipes to come. Also, this obviously only includes the outfits that were blogged. Which was…not many. With that rousing intro! 5 My beloved stretchy pencil … Read More

Gift Guides | Gifts | Lifestyle

5 Super Simple Bottled Gifts

I kind of have a thing for jars (who doesn’t?). Baby food jars, mason jars, little Boston round bottles…total sucker. Here’s a list of 5 easy bottled gifts that take a couple minutes each, max. 1. Homemade Vanilla. There are … Read More

Christmas | United States | Washington DC

Washington DC Christmas: 10 Amazing Holiday Activities

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in December 2013 and was updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in October 2023. Will you be spending Christmas in DC either as a tourist or as a local? The holidays in Washington DC … Read More

Lifestyle

DIY Ultra Healing Lip Balm

I have majorly dry skin. Especially every year when the weather starts to turn cold, my hands turn into total alligators, and my lips get all flaky and cracked; they even started bleeding a bit last week. Most chap sticks … Read More

Lifestyle

Crockpot Chipotle Four Bean & Butternut Chili

(Foreward: chili never ever photographs well. End.) For a long time, I’ve been wanting to figure out an easy crockpot chili that uses dry beans. They’re cheaper and better for you and I far prefer the texture, especially after they’ve … Read More

Christmas | Lifestyle

A Christ-Centered Advent for Toddlers

(Disclaimer: I realized after writing this that it maybe sounded like I was dissing (pretty sure that’s geriatric-speak by now) other advent calenders, or ones that are more “fun”-focused? Because I’m not at ALL. This is just what works for … Read More

Lifestyle

Maple Pumpkin Pie Bars

I am extremely picky about pumpkin pie. It has to be not too thick, creamy but not goopy, pumpkin-y but not bland, creamy and not rubbery, THE CRUST CANNOT BE SOGGY, etc. etc. I have issues. I’ve been making hacking … Read More

Food | Recipes

5-Minute Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)

Both slow cooker and Instant Pot friendly, this creamy tomato soup recipe will surely become your go-to comfort meal. It’s flavorful, uses simple ingredients, and takes only 5 minutes to make. Add in some frozen tortellini or serve with grilled … Read More

Food | India

Indian Coconut Cabbage Curry

Our CSA lately has provided us with mass quantities of greens. As in, my entire bottom shelf of my refrigerator is filled with them. This recipe uses none of them, but it did make a dent in the head and … Read More

Lifestyle

One-Hour Astronaut Costume

N’s been saying he wants to be an astronaut for Halloween for a couple of months now. I mostly ignored him for a while because I’m the sort of mother who values listening to her child. But really, there was … Read More

Lifestyle

Mascarpone & Mushroom Mac

Usually I’m pretty domineering about what we eat for dinner. My way or the highway, fam. But I figured I could allow N to choose his own birthday meal. (I know you are v. curious for my tips on how … Read More

Here’s everything I read in 2013.

In no particular order, my…

Five Favorite:

OH, this was tough. I read some great books this year, especially right at the end.

Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal – the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon – How could this book NOT be on my list? Dan and I read it together and both loved it. I made a bunch of my friends read it and THEY all loved it. It’s just fascinating stuff that’s not usually told written in a really gripping way. A total winner. (Sidenote: I also loved Sheinkin’s book about Benedict Arnold.)

Code Name Verity – Another super popular one that deserves the hype. Historical fiction and terrific.

The Willpower Instinct – Fascinating pop psychology on the science of willpower.

Chasing Lincoln’s Killer – James Swanson, I love you. I’ve always been fascinated by Lincoln, and this was perfect to listen to right before our trip to Springfield, IL.

Snow Flower & the Secret Fan – I just thought this was gorgeously written with really excellent characterization. Couldn’t put it down.

Bonus! Bossypants. I bandwagoned and laughed a lot. Often while I was going on long runs in prep four our half marathon so there was lots of gasping both from being out of shape and it being hilarious.

Five Least Favorite:

State of Wonder – Eight months later and I’m still rolling my eyes at this book’s plot/characters/inaccuracies/etc. I’ve decided I just really don’t like Ann Patchett. No bandwagoning here.

The Shoemaker’s Wife – This started out SO good, so maybe part of my low rating was overly high expectations. It just had so much potential, and then just petered…not that long in. The characters just kept doing dumb things and I was annoyed with the plot and it went on foreeeeever.

Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture – Again, had high hopes. Again, they were wasted. Just was not very tightly written, and needed a lot more research backing. The author’s voice was very clear, and it was not a voice I particularly enjoyed.

The Family Fang – Read for a book club and was just…so weird.

Rules of Civility – I didn’t HATE this book, but I just really did not love it. I did not like basically any of the characters, and I also didn’t like the person reading it on the audio version. Perhaps I should shy away from the adult bestsellers and stick with the YA ones? Whatever that says about me.