To Have or To Hold by Josi Kilpack was a really fun read. Here's the description off of the author's website:
"All my life I had dreamed of changing the ordinary girl’s world of fashion by designing modest formal gowns—ones that you’d actually want to wear. With my super-hero stitching I would save you mothers and daughters crying in dressing rooms over yet another “the straps are just too small” prom dress. Don’t worry, I even thought of a catchy tagline for my brand: “Modest Is Hottest.” I told you I was good!
So I moved to New York and am finally living that dream . . . well, almost. I am at one of the top fashion companies, and my designs are definitely modest— but let’s face it, when it comes to outerwear, would you want to buy a skimpy trench coat? Didn’t think so.
Even though I don’t have my dream job, my family is a mess, and my love life stinks, I have a feeling things are going to change. I mean, they have to soon, or I’ll be forced to marry Jace. I did promise to become his wife only if I turned thirty and was still single, but I honestly didn’t think it was possible. Now twenty-nine, I’m cutting it way too close.
Right now I’m flying back to Utah for our Butterfly Girls reunion. And since it is the Mormon Mecca, I might find myself a modest proposal. Utah engagements can take mere weeks. Never mind, I’m not that desperate.
Really.
But maybe the girls can help. We’ve been best friends since high school. We Butterfly Girls are not the typical Pink Ladies, although we’ve definitely had our share of drama. We’ll laugh and cry over memories, from pageant glory to tragic endings, but the ones stored inside our butterfly box will surprise you most. We only open it when we’re all together, and our lives never seem the same after."
MY REVIEW: A cute LDS fiction book that I listened to while driving in the car. I heard it was a long book, but it went pleasantly fast while listening to it. The whole "meet me at the temple at noon on this date" thingy was a little too sappy for me and overall, the book wrapped up a little too nicely for me. I feel there wasn't ever a real conflict, sure she has a few job issues but nothing huge. I think this will be part of a series as I never found out what her friend put in the box. A good read for listening to in the car.
"There is a saying that everyone has a double. In Maggie McKenzie’s case, the saying is not only true, but the starting point for a troubling—and deadly—mystery.
Maggie has just begun her first job as a full-fledged newspaper reporter. It’s a dream come true. But soon the young journalist finds she is captivated by what should be old news—a girl who vanished years ago. Intrigued by what she has heard about the missing girl, Maggie takes advantage of her travels for another assignment to try to solve the mystery of Alyssa Lawson’s disappearance. While on her cross-country quest, Maggie meets psychologist Dr. Flynn Ford, who is interested in helping her solve the puzzle—and in getting to know Maggie better. But as the pair inches closer to the truth, witnesses begin turning up dead. And it appears Maggie and Flynn could be next. Could the woman Maggie thinks might be her sister be trying to kill her?"
MY REVIEW: I LOVE this book! Maybe not as suspenseful as the Emeralds and Espionage series, but still kept me wondering the whole time. I love the (sometimes cheesy) romance. I can not wait until I get my hands on the next book!
"No one ever said motherhood was a walk in the park, but Juliet Applebaum is doing her best. She's been showing up (more or less) on time to pick up her daughter from preschool. She's trying (in vain) to discourage her two-and-a-half-year-old son's interest in firearms. And between planning playdates and playing dress up, she's even managed to fit in some much-needed kid-free time, working out with a personal trainer at the local health club. It's going well. She's losing weight. She's even happy—until her trainer commits suicide.
A charming, cheerful aspiring actor, Bobby Katz seemed to have it all—and Juliet just can't believe he died at his own hand. She suspects that there's a much more sinister explanation—and that it may lie with Bobby's parents, who never told him he was adopted. Or with his grieving fiancé, a recovering addict who just fell off the wagon. Or with his birth mother, a woman he had recently started to look for—who had gone to great lengths to ensure that she would never be found. Always up for a task that will get her out of the house, Juliet keeps running down secrets—until, at last, she runs into the truth…"
MY REVIEW: What a "blah" book. Sure there are twists and turns, but really there's no action, just some plot you have to figure out, that of course you can't with the information you've been given, until the very end. Let's not forget the whole " I am woman, I can juggle everything" theme that seems be very prominent through the entire book. Overall, not a big fan and I don't plan on reading anymore from this author. It was fun and interesting to randomly pick a book though!
| 2 cup(s) | (peeled, pitted and diced ) peaches, about 3 medium |
| 1/2 cup(s) | (low-fat) Milk |
| 1 cup(s) | vanilla ice cream |
| 1 tablespoon(s) | (fresh) lemon juice |
| peach slices, for garnish, optional |
.JPG)
1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt | 4 (6 ounce) salmon 2 tablespoons butter 4 lemon wedges |
| 1. | Stir together the garlic powder, basil, and salt in a small bowl; rub in equal amounts onto the salmon fillets. |
| 2. | Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat; cook the salmon in the butter until browned and flaky, about 5 minutes per side. Serve each piece of salmon with a lemon wedge. |
Here's a better look at the ingredients:
It turned out very tasty! My husband gave it 5 stars and he doesn't do that very often. It was my very first experience with Ricotta cheese and it turned out great. I did use dried basil instead of fresh basil since it costs an arms and a leg, but other than that I followed the directions. It took me about 50 minutes to make, which was pretty good considering Rachael Ray said it should take about 40. This one's going into my recipe box for sure!
I decided I needed something quick and easy to make tonight since my husband hadn't eaten dinner and was getting home late. I saw a bag of italian flatbread and decided I could base a meal around them.
I think they are lovely! The total cost at the craft store was $10.09 (not including the pens). It will make around 12 depending on what kind of flowers you get. Yay for me!
My Dear Husband ate it and said it was good. He usually gets fed much better than cream of chicken but he is grateful for anything. He's so wonderful!
