Books

I was once, in my former life, a book club member.  I loved book club.  Once a month, I got together with a group of highly intelligent, and somewhat intimidating women for fun, fellowship and fabulous food.  It may come as a surprise, but our book club actually had wonderful discussions about the books we read - we weren't posers using "book club" as a cover for a night away, like so many book clubs out there.  The discussions, quite honestly, were my favorite part of the evening. 

Well, 3 babies later and a traveling husband seemed to be the demise of my book clubbing.  My life became increasingly crazy and I. Simply. Stopped.  Reading.  I was just keeping my head above water, reading seemed a superfluous luxury to me.  I barely had time to shower, let alone read a lengthy book, without illustrations, I might add.  Books became a distant memory, 

and I sadly said, "Goodbye," to my beloved book club.

One of the things I loved, loved, loved about book club was that it exposed me to many books I would've probably never picked up otherwise.  It's always fun to walk through a book store and be able to point at a few books that I have read - such a feeling of accomplishment. 

As my life has settled down a bit, and my coping skills increased, so has my ability to read again.  I have been able to sneak a book in occasionally, and it makes me so happy.  My love for reading began at a young age and I hope to instill this same passion in my 3 little ones.

I was posed with a question a few weeks ago.  What are your top 10 books of all time???  Wow.  What a complex and thought provoking inquiry.  One that has made me stop and really think.  I have done my best at compiling a list of 10 of my favorites.  I thought I'd share them with you.  They are in no significant order (that was too difficult of a task).  Just 10 books that I have loved and have recommended to many.

Hope you enjoy...

 

 

Well, there you have it.  I had such a tough time choosing just 10.  I have many more that I have loved and promise to share with you another time.  Thanks book club.  I owe you more than you'll ever know.

Spring Break - Day 1

Nothing like a week off from work to inspire a spring cleaning at my house.  

Look at what I did today.

Our Utility Room, or A.K.A. 

The Pit That We Have To Walk Through Every Time 

We Come Home From A Long Day...

(Utility Room has a better ring to it)

overflowing hooks and recycling 

scarves, scarves and more scarves hanging on the right

how many scarves does a family of 5 really need anyway???

catch all rack - everything from pine sol to our trusty margarita machine

just plain sad

oh, cool,  i spy an empty sack of dog treats - why doesn't anyone throw empties away at my house? 

do you have this problem too? 

it's the same person who doesn't replace the empty toilet paper roll

curses...

a picture is worth a thousand words

this one makes me want to cry-

you too?

i have no idea what the white tubs hold-

and do you think i have enough target and tom thumb bags?  

way to clean up the planet, katey

so embarrassing to let you see this mess

my pride just packed a suitcase and left

my poor boy, sick on the couch today

missed out on the cleaning session

ok, enough of the befores, let's get to the good stuff...

i don't think the after pics do the room justice

trust me, the room is simply breath taking - ok - that might be overselling it a bit

it does look mucho better though

HAPPY SPRING CLEANING!  

next stop, my closet

wish me luck

The Library

In every house we've owned it seems like there was a special little something that sold the house for me.  In this house, it was... a closet.  Not just any closet, though.  A magical, transformable, full of potential space for me to tackle and change to meet the needs of our ever-growing family.  I had a vision for this closet.  Instead of using it to store overflow Christmas and Halloween decor, bicycles, board games, small pets and pantry items, I decided to use this space as a library for the kiddos.  A coat of paint and a few decorative items later, this space went from storage to a truly usable room.  Here are a few pictures, what do you think???

Well, that's that.  This room gets used everyday.  I'm so glad to share our little space.  I wonder what that special little something will be in our next home?  It doesn't take much to spark my interest - i.e. a dark, dingy little closet???  Really?  Really.

Paying Homage to the PW

I have decided to turn to my good friend, Ree Drummond of Pioneer Woman blog fame for this week's menu inspiration. 
This is what I've come up with...

MONDAY:  MM Sandwiches (http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/01/the-mm-sandwich-pw-style/)

doesn't this look deeee-lish?

TUESDAY: Chicken Parmigiana (http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/10/chicken-parmigiana/)

 

bon appetit!  oh wait, that's french.

WEDNESDAY:  Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika (http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/01/beef-stew-with-beer-and-paprika/)

comfort food to the max.

THURSDAY:  Chicken Spaghetti (http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/chicken_spaghet/)

 low cal?  i think not.

FRIDAY:  Big Steak Salad (http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/10/big-steak-salad/)

detox?  i think not.

Anyway, I'm super excited about dinner this week.  I love that I have a plan and I love that it all looks so incredible.  I hope I can pull it off and be the hero of the kitchen.  Happy cooking!

my new bestie

Do you have one of these???  It is my new favorite thing.  Santa graciously gave it to me.  

It is constantly playing sweet, sweet music all day long in my kitchen.  I can tune into any radio station in the world, that's right people, the entire world! 

I can log into my Pandora account and let those tunes play too.  

The musical world at my fingertips.  

 This new love makes doing dishes so much more tolerable. I find myself making excuses to spend more time in my kitchen.  Those of you who have seen my kitchen know how truly remarkable this is.

If you don't have one, run, don't walk, or you can walk, whatever floats you boat.  

Anyway, my point is...

YOU MUST GET ONE OF THESE WONDERFUL INVENTIONS!  

Enjoy!

Christmas 2010 part 1 and part 2

Santa must really like the Arnett's.  He faithfully visits our undeserving family twice, twice I tell you, every year.  He completely understands our travel schedule and accommodates.  So here are a few pictures from Santa's first visit to our home in Dallas, followed by a few pictures from his visit to our Colorado Christmas.  Enjoy!

 

GK proudly showing off her new PINK kitchen.  

Cole received a shotgun this year.  Watch out cute little furry wildlife!

Crazy ipad LOVE!

Bedazzled GK among all the Christmas carnage.

Christmas part 2 - Colorado

Say cheese, please just cooperate people.  This won't take long.  Don't close your eyes, smile for goodness sake!  C'mon now, act like you all like each other.  Whew, this is the best we can do!

Cole got to hit the slopes for a day.  

Looking good, GK!

Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters.  Does anyone else know this song???

FINALLY...SNOW!!!  The day before we left, it decided to really snow!  These Texans have only seen snow a handful of times.  

Well, a good time was had by all.  So glad that Santa loves us all so much. 

Here's to a wonderful 2011

December - The Race Is On

Dearest December,

     Why, oh why do you sneak up on my every year?  Why, oh why do you insist on catching me off-guard, pants down, under-prepared?  Why, oh why can't you give me a head's up, say in mid November, that you are coming?  Quickly?  Like really quickly?  Every year I promise to be more prepared.  Decorate, bake, shop, gift wrap, celebrate and enjoy the season.  Instead, I don't really decorate, I buy store bought cookies, Christmas shop in a mad, last minute frenzy, use tacky gift bags, and loose focus on what the season is all about.
     Well, guess what?  Not this year, I tell you!  December, I refuse to let you get the best of me this year.  I will make every effort to prepare, enjoy and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in a lovely setting surrounded by delicious baked goods with beautifully wrapped presents under my awe-inspired tree.  December, you don't know who you're dealing with.  Look out December, game on.