Book 9 ...

"Meghann Dontess is a woman haunted by heartbreak. Twenty-five years ago she was forced to make a terrible choice, one that cost her everything, including the love of her sister, Claire. Now, Meghann is a hotshot divorce attorney who doesn’t believe in intimacy-until she meets the one man who can change her mind.

Claire Cavenaugh has fallen in love for the first time in her life. As her wedding day approaches, she prepares to face her harsh, judgmental older sister and their self-absorbed mother. It is the first time they have been together in more than two decades. Over the course of a hot Pacific Northwest summer, these three women who believe they have nothing in common will try to become what they never were: a family.

Tender, funny, bittersweet, and wonderfully moving, Between Sisterscelebrates the joys and heartaches that can only be shared by sisters, the mistakes made in the name of love and the healing power of new beginnings-all beautifully told by acclaimed author Kristin Hannah.

I bought this one at the same time as buying the Last Song, so it was also at the pharmacy for 25% off. I’ve never read or heard anything about her books before, so this will be a first. I will tell you what I think about it when I am done! You will be able to find my review under the 50 books tab."

Book 8 ...

“Seventeen year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father… until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story about love in its myriad forms – first love, the love between parents and children – that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that deeply felt relationships can break our hearts… and heal them.”

Although I am a big fan of the movies that go with his books, this is actually the first book I will have read by him so I am very excited to start. I just happened to see it at the pharmacy for 25 % off, and it is one of his newer novels. Apparantley Sparks actually wrote the screenplay for this novel before he wrote the novel. As far as I have read on the internet, the movie for this should be coming out near the end of March with Miley Cyrus as the main character.

Cabbage Stir Fry

Last night for dinner I made a recipe called Cabbage Stir Fry. I got the recipe from my mother who got the recipe from a friend. It wasn’t anything spectacular but made a good warm winter meal. However, I didn’t really put a lot of thought into it when I was reading the recipe, but it makes enough to feed like 6 people. I have soooo much leftovers, next time I will make sure to halve the recipe when I make it.

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped

2 lbs beef or pork or combo

1 28 oz can of chopped seasoned tomatoes

1 7 ½ oz can of Hunts tomatoe sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp vinegar

1 tbsp Costco Spaghetti seasoning

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp thyme

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

1 green pepper, chopped

1 454 g pkg coleslaw (or ½ cabbage shredded)

2 cups uncooked basmati rice

Directions

1.)Lightly oil frying pan, on med-high heat, add onion and meat

2.)Cook rice in another pot at the same time as the meat

3.)Add remaining ingredients except the pepper and cabbage

4.) Stir and simmer for about 5 minutes

5.) Add green peppers and cabbage and simmer for about 5 minutes or until cabbage is tender.

6.) Serve over cooked rice

# 4 - Eat something totally new...

So today, Valentines day, Ryan and I went to eat at The Keg for our first time, which was really good, I was quite impressed and will be going back to eat there again for sure. As an appetizer, Ryan decided to order calamari (squid). Now anyone who knows me, will vouch that the only seafood I like is fish, and it will take a lot for me to eat any other kind of seafood. But knowing that on my list one of my goals is to try eating something new, I decided to suck it up and eat the squid, yuck, haha . No, it was actually really good, whether or not I admit it is a different story.

Book 7 ...

I came across this book online while looking for books to add to my “to read” list. The reviews all claimed that it was a very good story, hard to get into but worth the read.

‘The children of a once-brilliant playwright and a struggling actress, the four Haas siblings grew up in chaos—raised in an environment composed of neglect and glamour in equal measure. When their father dies, they must depend on their intense but fragile bond to remember what it means to be family despite years of anger and hurt. These brothers and sisters are painfully human, sometimes selfish, and almost always making the wrong decisions, but their endearing struggles provide laughter through tears—something anyone who’s ever had a sibling can relate to.’

Another new restaurant

So last Friday (Feb. 5) Ryan and I went to dinner with my mom and Greg. Our plan was to go to the Keg, but when we called to make reservations we were told that on a Saturday it is first come first serve. We got there around 6 only to find out that there was a hour and a half wait, and no seats to wait in. So we drove around, and called a few places and finally came across the Prime 360; a fancy restaurant downtown that is well known for there steak. It was delicious! I can’t remember the last time I had a steak that tasted so good! The atmosphere of the place was great as well, and I would go back for sure!

Book 6 ...

Trust me, you will see a lot more of her books on my list. Just started reading it today and so far am enjoying it, mind you I always enjoy her writing style. Check out the 50 books tab to check up on my reviews of the books I have read so far for 2010, this one will be up shortly!

Book 5 ...

So my last book took me a while to read, so hopefully this book will have me hooked from the beginning. A girl at work was reading it and lent it to me when she was finished. She said it was good, nothing great but still a good book. It is quite popular, as many people I work with seemed to have read it and enjoyed it. It is about a women who has alzheimers. I am hoping it has a somewhat happy ending and isn’t too much of a tear jerker for me.

Tortellini with Tomatoes and Spinach

Yet another new recipe…. and it was delicious! It’s called Toretellini with tomatoes and spinach. It was super easy to make, and tasted like it came from a professional chef! Ryan isn’t really a pasta eater, he likes his meat, but he had seconds and loved it just as much as I did!

Ingredients

14oz frozen cheese tortellini

140z canned diced tomatoes

1 cup fresh chopped spinach

2 cloves minced garlic

2 tbsp. flour

1/2 cup milk

3/4 cup heavy cream

Directions

1.) Cook pasta as directed. While the pasta is cooking, put tomatoes, spinach, and garlic in a pan and heat up to a simmer.

2.) In a small mixing bowl, whisk together milk, cream and flour. Add to tomato mixture, and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick and light pink colour.

3.)Drain the pasta, and stir into tomato mixture. Voila!

Apple Scones

Ryan invited his parents over for a Sunday lunch, so I decided to make my moms keish recipe, which I have had but never made before. It turned out really yummy! I forgot to take a picture, but will surely be making it again. I made apple scones to go with tea and coffee for a desert. Theses turned out really well and I will be making them again. Will post the recipes up in the 25 new recipes tab as soon as I can!