Book Review: The Longest Ride

 

Barnes and Noble Overview:

In the tradition of his beloved first novel, The Notebook, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks returns with the remarkable story of two couples whose lives intersect in profound and surprising ways.

Ira Levinson is in trouble. Ninety-one years old and stranded and injured after a car crash, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together - how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can't possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local bull-riding event, a Wake Forest College senior's life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death - loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he's keeping doesn't destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart. 

My thoughts:

My best friend bought this for me for my honeymoon, and she did me proud.

It started out slow in my opinion (which is unlike Sparks), but it had my attention in no-time. 

I had trouble seeing where it was going, but you had to keep the pages turning to find out.

He is one of my favorite authors, and this is definitely my top 3 from him.

You can't help but fall in love with the characters, and want to know what happens next!

I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you love Sparks.

Watch out for the movie, coming next February!

 

Book Reviews

Some may not know that I absolutely love reading.

A few bloggers have inspired me to do some book reviews of my own.

It will take awhile to post the majority of books I have read, but I am pretty excited to go back and revisit ones in the past. 

Check back every week or so for a new review! I am working on one right after this!!

Five on Friday

Friday is always my favorite.

But this Friday is REALLY my favorite.

We were originally leaving for Destin on Tuesday.

Surprise... we are leaving Sunday!! 

Helllllllllo heaven on earth.

Destin is by far my favorite place in the world.

I have traveled to many cities and even countries, but Destin has my heart.

[besides home, Nashville]

It is hard to pick just 5 things I love about it, but here is my attempt.

one.

Duh.

The view from our family condo. Pelican Beach Resort.

If you are looking somewhere to stay-- this place is awesome!

 

and a little bit of this too........

two.

Destin Boathouse.

A hole-in-the-wall joint that is SO much fun.

 

We try to stay away from the "chain" restuarants down there.

The local joints are always the best, anways.

 

three.

Shopping. From the Silver Sands Outlet to the Commons.

So many happy things.

 

four.

Our day trip to Seaside. Every time we are in Destin, we always take a day to go to Seaside.

Our favorite spot here is Bud & Alley's Taco Bar.

Yum.

five.

We have decided to go to one nice [aka fancy] restaurant while we are there.

Here is the top contender:

Henderson Park Inn's Beach Walk Cafe

 

Get me to Sunday! 

Have y'all ever been to Destin? What are some of your favorites?!

Wednesday Wish List

Can we just talk about all the things I want, but cannot have, but will probably have to get next week while in Florida?

Shew.

Here are a few wish list items that I am definitely loving lately!

wish list by sara-lumley featuring striped scarves

Chicken Burrito Bowls

A new favorite in our house is this Chipotle knockoff:

Chicken Burrito Bowls

This meal is really light, but so filling! 

You can get the full recipe/steps here.

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 8 hours

Total time: 8 hours 10 mins

Total Cost: $10.66

Cost Per Serving: $1.33

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs. chicken breasts $2.90
• 1 (16 oz.) jar salsa $1.99
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained $1.19
• ½ lb. (8 oz.) frozen corn $0.57
• 1 Tbsp chili powder $0.15
• ½ Tbsp cumin $0.07
• ½ Tbsp minced garlic $0.10
• ½ tsp dried oregano $0.03
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper $0.02
• ¼ tsp salt $0.02
• to taste cracked pepper $0.02
• 2 cups dry rice $0.66
• 8 oz. shredded cheddar $2.49
• ½ bunch cilantro (optional) $0.45

Instructions

1. Add everything except the rice, cheese, and cilantro to the slow cooker along with ¼ cup of water (for good measure). Give everything a good stir and make sure the chicken is covered in the mixture.
2. Secure the lid on your slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hrs.
3. Near the end of the cooking time, cook the two cups of rice according to the package directions (Bring the rice and 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot with a lid in place, as soon as it reaches a boil, reduced the heat to low and let simmer for 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving).
4. After 8 hours of cooking, carefully remove the lid of the slow cooker. Stir with a fork to shred the chicken (it should be super tender and will shred easily). Build the taco bowls by placing rice on the bottom, then the taco chicken mix, shredded cheese and fresh cilantro.

The last time I made it, I replaced the spices with Taco Seasoning.

It was still just as yummy!! 

Weekend Recap

This weekend was full of happiness.

Saturday we got alllllllll of our furniture. 

We had a good laugh trying to figure out where to put our TV.

[I had a good laugh--- as I directed Pat from the couch]

Above the fireplace or mounted on the wall.

Decisions.

 

 While Patrick directed the delivery men, I stopped by one of my friend's houses for her graduation party. 

Later that night, we were going to take the celebration downtown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We seriously had an absolute blast!

We sang so loud and laughed so hard that I could barely talk Sunday. 

My feet may have hurt, but my heart was so full.

Mother's day was spent with my sweet Momma.

I love that woman more than words, and I am so thankful that she is all mine.

 

Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend!

Happy Monday!

 

Five on Friday

TGIF.

Friday is my favorite day of the week.

I am ready to focus on getting our new house looking like we live there instead of boxes/suitcases busting at the seams!

I also cannot wait to celebrate my momma on Sunday. 

She rocks.

Here are the random shenanigans that I sometimes refer to as my life...

one.

 

We are finalllllllllly getting our furniture.

Long story short, we had the absolute worst customer service experience not one but SIX times, and cancelled our order with them.

The company was going to send in 3 different shipments over a 3 week time period.

No thanks, we will pass.

We ordered from a different company on Thursday,

and it will get here Saturday! Woohoo.

two.

One of my dear friends graduated with her Master's degree, specializing in Special Education.

That girl has a serious passion for what she does, and I love it.

We are celebrating her tomorrow, and I am so excited!!

three.

Recently, I cut 4 inches of my hair off. And I want to cut 1-2 more. 

I am getting brave these days with my hair.

four.

I am seriously counting down the days until May 20. Aka Destin. 

11 days. 

We. Can. Make. It.

five.

I am a traveler at heart. If I could do one thing for the rest of my life, that would be it.

As much as I love-love-love being home,  I have to see new places.

I guess that is why I love change so much.

Anyways, after that random tidbit....

I found out that I am going to San Diego June 1-4th for work.

SUPER Pumped. I have never been to California before. 

Hope y'all have a great weekend!!

When you lose something you cannot replace

I have been avoiding my weekend recap.

You see, I guess I think if I don't type it, it won't be real.

For anyone that knows me [us], knows that we have a serious love for our two dogs.
They truly are our first "kids".
I do not say that to diminish the seriousness of having actual humans for children, but they are ours for now.
Saturday morning, we woke up at 5:15 to realize our sweet Hersh wasn't going to make it
for our first official night in our new home, which was that night.
At 14 years old, with severe arthritis, she had held on as long as she could.
Sparing the horrific details of that next hour, we rushed her to the vet immediately, knowing what would happen next.
Our sweet girl had a massive stroke, followed by two awful seizures.
I heard sounds and saw her in a way I never want to experience ever again.
An emptiness and brokenness came over us.
We stood there loving on her, knowing she was gone, and knowing there was nothing more we could do. 
Life literally changed drastically in a matter of one hour.
I will never forget the events of that day, and honestly how traumatic they were.
In that moment, I cried because of what I was seeing and hearing.
The tears literally did not stop for hours.
You see, that dog loved my husband, unconditionally, for 14 years.
Through his mother's death.
Through middle school and high school and college and marriage.
Through his brother moving to China.
Through living in four different states with him.
That dog was a part of him.
And she became a part of me too.
Though I had only had the privilege of loving her for a few years, it was like she had been a part of my life forever. 
She has been there since the beginning of us [Pat and I].
Literally.
She has been my pillow to cry, my constant snuggle partner and selfie taker, and the sweetest thing in our lives.
My heart hurts in a way that it never has before.
While the sting of that day is slowly wearing off, I catch myself tearing up because we just miss her.
 I miss her in ways I didn't think were possible.
But I am happy. I know that sweet girl doesn't have to hurt anymore.
And for that, I am so thankful.




 

Five on Friday

Happy Friday!

We are still patiently waiting for our furniture/mattress to arrive.

Apparently, one of the pieces was held up-- extending delivery until after 5/19.

Problem.. we will be on our way to Florida. 

So, hopefully they can rush it to us soon!!

I will take the lagging piece later!

Anyways... I am so ready for the weekend. We plan to move all our stuff completely!

Whoa!!

Here are some things I have purchased/want for the house!

And y'all know I love a good deal. 

one.

I snagged us an awesome deal at Kohl's this week.

Three throw pillows, a king sheet set, and king down comforter.

All for $91. 

Steal.

 

two.

This candle. My second favorite next to Pumpkin Vanilla. 

I am desperately trying to find where I can get this. 

The little shop by my house stopped selling it!

Capri Blue Candles: Blue Jean

three.

I know I mentioned this a few days ago (is that cheating?!), but I am seriously in love with this duvet. 

I cannot wait to get it on our bed!!

four.

 I love these cute little decorative jars. The pops of color is just what we need to bring our neutral lives to life!! They come in red, turquoise, yellow, green, and white.

five.

Exactly 18 days until we are on our way to this spot right here.

Have a great weekend everyone!