Bookmarks for June 2012

*Bookmarks is an online book club hosted at Creative2xmom. Here we discuss the books we've read in the past month as well as the suggested reading. Our suggested reading for June was The Table Experience by Devi Titus.

These are the books I read this month:

20 Things Adoptive Parents Need to Succeed by Sherrie Eldridge--I was torn by this one. Having found it while glancing through the parenting section of the library, I was looking for something a bit meatier. But instead, it almost read like a gift style book. There were good ideas, but they weren't as thoroughly explored as I had hoped. The biggest take away for me was that the family will look different, but different is to be celebrated. Different can be good. Overall though, there was a pessimistic attitude about attaching with the adopted child. While I don't want to go into adoption blissfully ignorant, I also have to believe that we can jell and bond as a functional family unit. The author's perspective was very negative and ended up being a turn off.

Mindset for Moms: From Mundane to Marvelous Thinking in Just 30 Days by Jamie C. Martin--Made of 30 short sections, this is a good book for remembering your priorities.  While the material and ideas are nothing new, they are presented in a fresh manner which caused me to pause nearly every time. This is a great book for new moms or even those seasoned moms who are looking encouragement.  Each day only took a few minutes making it perfect for every busy mom.  It's a book that I would love to reread in July.

The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis-- See my review here.

Our suggested reading for this month was The Table Experience by Devi Titus--I have to be honest in saying I didn't read this one. I was really looking forward to it and for months I've been watching for a used copy or one on half.com. But nothing. I haven't been able to find it anywhere. So the more I looked at it, I wondered if I wanted to read it that bad. And while I still really want to read this one, I wasn't willing to fork over $15. I'll keep a look out for it still, but for now, I'm passing. Did anyone else read it?

So what are your bookmarks this month?


Tell us in the comments about the books you're chewing on. Or link up a review from your own blog. Let's share the books we're finding, good and bad. And give us your thoughts on The Table Experience by Devi Titus.

And come back Friday July 27th as we discuss Crazy Love by Francis Chan and other books you're reading.  Where you able to get the ebook for free a few months ago?


*Linked to these Parties

What's In My Diaper Bag?

Monday Muddle

Hey Everyone,
How was your weekend?

I'm posting late 'cause we were at my mom's for the weekend.  It was my cousin's 40th birthday so we went home for a family BBQ.  The kids and I packed up on Friday morning and away we went.  I'm used to traveling with the kids on my own, but the baby sure gave me a run for my money this time.  It seemed like every time we got started, we had to stop.  It was ... a test of Mama's patience.

But we had a fun weekend.  The cousins were all around and Noah was riding the quads with them.  It's not something he gets to do very often so he had a great time.  And I loved the cousin/family time as well.  Most of my family lives near each other so we really miss them being several hours away.  Plus this is the cousin that we've been doing more and more vacations with so the kids have a great time together.

We came home today.  I have my laundry going and dishwasher is running.  Dinner was a trial as I didn't want to cook after being in the car earlier.  But for some reason the kids insisted on being fed.  :-)  So it's nice to be home and settling back into the routine.  Back to a regular bed time and reading with Mama.  Back to swimming at the Y pool.  Back to snuggles and leisurely mornings.  And back to planning our meals and grocery list.  Here's what we're planning for the week:

Breakfasts:
Cereal and bananas
Oatmeal and fruit
Healthy Baked Oatmeal
Skinny Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Scones

Lunches:
Easy Healthy Lunch Ideas

Dinners:
Monday: Find it and Fix it???
Tuesday: Sack Dinner (T-Ball Practice)
Wednesday: Greek Orzo Stuffed Peppers
Thursday: Skinny Alfredo, pea salad
Friday: Homemade Veggie Pizza, marinated tomato and cucumber salad
Saturday: Jerk Shrimp Kebabs, jerk salsa and chips
Sunday: Grilled Veggie Sammies, salad

Extras:
Homemade Granola Bars
Kids' Choice cookies
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

What's going on in your world?

Lee's To Do List

Buttermilk Cranberry Scones

Paper Rosettes

Pretzel Cookies with Chocolate & Peanut Butter Chips

Framed Custom Birth Announcement

Fairy House Kits

Jolly Holiday Cafe Review

During our May trip to Disneyland, I really wanted to find some great eats.  I had determined that I was going to be adventurous and try new things.  So when we rounded the bend from Adventureland onto Main Street, I knew I had to try this place.

The Jolly Holiday Cafe is based on a Jolly Holiday with Mary Poppins.  Only recently open, their menu focuses on sandwiches, salads, and soups, as well as an extensive variety of baked goods and treats.  Plus there's a Cupcake of the Day. 

Everything on the menu looked incredible.  Pictured below is (clockwise) the Caprese Sandwich, the Tomato Basil soup, and the Deli Turkey Sandwich.  Sandwiches were served with homemade chips as well.  The sandwiches were good size.  In fact, my husband and I split a sandwich and soup, and the kids split the turkey sandwich.  Everything was fresh.  The foccacia bread on the Caprese Sandwich was very soft and the Tomato Basil Soup was rich and velvety.  We devoured every last bite.

Since it was our last night there, I decided to splurge on that Cinnamon Roll I had been talking about for three days.  This was my biggest indulgence at Disneyland and it did not disappoint.  Hot and fresh from the oven, this Cinnamon Roll was the best treat I could have asked for.  And it was as big as my head.  Just kidding, but only a little.

The staff was very friendly and knowledgable, answering our questions about the menu and their favorite items.  And the food was the best thing I put in my mouth while at Disneyland (Dole Whip excluded).  If you're planning a trip to Disney, put this on your list of places to eat.  You won't regret it!