Catching Fire

Catching Fire is the next in the Hunger Games Series. I bought the book about a week after I had read the last book.
I just finished the book last night and I have to say it is really good, but it doesn't really have an ending like the first book. It pretty much sets you up for the next book. Which means... I need to go to the bookstore today and get the next book! I have to say I wasn't really expecting what happened in the second book but I feel like I'm left hanging right now.


I suggest the closer you get to the end of the second book you may want to order or pick up the third book of The Hunger Games series, Mockingjay.

Other than reading this weekend I had a pretty good weekend. I watched the movie Letters to Juliet and I really liked it. I enjoy almost every movie that takes place in Italy. I thought the characters were endearing. I actually decided to write my own letter to Juliet, is that corny of me?

I didn't watch the Academy Awards last night because I just don't have the patience for award shows. But I'm glad to hear that Meryl Streep won an Oscar for Best Actress, she is one of my favorites. Although I thought if she didn't win I wanted Viola Davis, because I just love The Help. I'm glad to hear Octavia Spencer won for Best Supporting Actress. That's another book I definitely recommend, The Help.

I did watch Celebrity Apprentice, I like so many people on this season. I think I like more of the celebrities on the men's team so I always end up rooting for them in each task that they do. I was kind of upset to see who got kicked off last night because I wanted to see more of who she was and what she was like, I think she is intriguing. Maybe I can just read her book...or watch about her on the History Channel.

Checking out Bloglovin

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I just came across this way of keeping track of the blogs I read and getting new updated posts. Just signed up for it so I don't know if I like it yet, but I like the concept!

Check it out if you like

My Mornings on the Weekend.

My book is ready to go. I make my coffee with a touch of sugar free hazelnut creamer and sometimes I heat my coffee in the microwave to make it a little hotter.

I like my coffee hot, I can't drink cold coffee, unless of course it is supposed to be an iced coffee! As you can see in the picture I use K cups, it's a newer thing for me. I have to say it's a lot easier for clean up and also just pop it in and it's starting to brew. However, I am a multiple cup of coffee person so if I ever get more counter space I may get a coffee pot. But I think for my birthday I want a french press. Can you tell I like my coffee?? Oh I almost forgot about my cute mug. It's from Salem, Massachusetts...did I spell it right I hope? I went to visit my friend in Rhode Island and we went to Salem for a day. It's a cute little town and it was around Halloween time, but I think that's the type of town where it is kind of Halloweenish all year long, but I'm just guessing. I love to collect mugs from places that I have been.

Another thing on the weekends that I do is I make yummy breakfasts. This is one of my favorites and it reminds me of what my mother makes.

These are from a box and I absolutely love them. Cheese Blintzes with some light sour cream and it's so yummy. I haven't tried any of the other kinds of blintzes because I just can't get over how yummy the cheese blintzes are. These are 80 calories each, I've never seen another brand so I can't comment on them. I find these in the freezer section, if you try them I hope that you like them!

Rainy Friday

It's a rainy Friday here in New Jersey. I have to say I love rain. It makes the air feel so fresh. Although I have to say it's been getting warmer and warmer and I was enjoying the beautiful day yesterday.

I remember when I was in college my roommate and I ran around in the rain and danced around and the campus police thought we were drunk, haha. Even to this day we talk about that, it's such a fun memory. I remember my jeans sticking to my body and weighing down. I definitely recommend dancing in the rain one day of your life.

And I just found this quote...

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain. ~Author Unknown

So I guess since spring is coming upon us soon I should probably look into some rubber boots and a good umbrella I'm liking the way these boots look...

I'm having a difficult time finding an umbrella I like. Everything that I've found is from London. Maybe I just need to take a trip across the pond to get a new umbrella...no? not a good idea? Jolly good time! And then I can practice my British accent. I could really go for a spot of tea. Speaking of tea, Starbucks used to have a drink called London Fog that I loved. I'm sure you can still order it, it's probably not up on the board though. It's an Earl Grey Latte with vanilla syrup. I personally ask for fewer pumps of vanilla syrup because I just don't like my tea too sweet. It's a great drink for a rainy day. I may just have to make a short trip to Starbucks.

While I was doing a google search for a picture of an Earl Grey Latte, I came across a picture of an Earl Grey Macaron. Macarons are my favorite, I especially love the pistachio flavor. Unfortunately the place is in Los Angeles and I'm not planning on going to LA anytime soon. (The place is called Bottega Louie in case you find yourself close to LA and want a macaron.) (FYI every time I write macaron the spell check wants to change it to macaroni...sometimes spell check is not your friend.)

Another rainy day thing that I like to do is watch one of the Harry Potter movies. I don't know why but I just love the mood of those movies on rainy days.

So what are your favorite rainy day things to do? What is your go to outfit on a rainy day...or what would you like it to be?

My Instagrams

I love the App Instagram, it's so fun to give effects to pictures I have taken. These are some of my favorite Instagram pictures.

This is in New York near the Flat Iron building and it's called the Met Life Tower. I love the clock on it and the moon was right next to it so I had to get a picture.

This is last summer on a beautiful lake in Minnesota. I spent a lot of summers there and I have to tell you there is nothing better then being on the lake in the summer.

This was taken in Philadelphia when I was visiting my friend. This is a picture of City Hall with a bronze statue of William Penn on top.

These are the trees in the winter near where I live and the sun going down before 5 o'clock.

Statue of Liberty at sunset. I love Lady Liberty, I take a picture of her every time I go to Battery Park.

This was dusk in a parking lot and the sky color was so pretty.

This was down the shore on the board walk, makes me think of fun times on the boardwalk.

The Hunger Games

I read The Hunger Games last week. I had heard about the book about 2 months ago but really didn't think anything of it because it was labeled a teen book. More recently I heard there was a movie coming out about The Hunger Games and it made me take a second look. I figured then that I did, after all, read every single Harry Potter book even though that was considered a children's book. I loved each Harry Potter book and every book just kept getting better. That's when I decided to buy the first book of The Hunger Games series. I have to say as soon as I started it I couldn't stop reading and finished the book in less than a week.

I love the main character, Katniss, she's a protective older sister and I can definitely relate to that being an older sister myself.
The story is about Panem, where the Capitol controls all 12 Districts. Two teens from each district are put in the Hunger Games, one boy and one girl, where they must battle to survive. It's action, suspense and a little romance as well. I don't want to give too much of the story, but check it out next time you're at the book store. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.

I have started the next book, Catching Fire, and I'll let you know what I think of the second book. I am a few chapters in and I am impressed with the story so far. I'll keep you posted.

Mardi Gras!

Happy Fat Tuesday! I've had my Fat Sunday and Monday, so today I'm back to healthy. I love long weekends, however this one wasn't as good on my waistline! I don't really celebrate Mardi Gras, but if I was in New Orleans I would have the fun mask with feathers and green and purple and tons of beads. Although I'm not a flasher, so I'd have to probably buy my own beads, haha.

I am not Catholic, however I do want to give up something for this Lent time. (Lent is the time between Ash Wednesday, which is tomorrow, and Easter Sunday. During this time Jesus was in the wilderness and fasted for 40 days. This is the 40 days Christians today use to give up something. In ancient times they would give up all animals products except for fish. But today it is much more relaxed, it would usually be something like alcohol, dessert or red meat. I usually like to revisit my New Year's resolutions as well as give up something that is a little more difficult for me.) I will let you know tomorrow what I plan on giving up, I still haven't decided. Are you giving up anything for Lent or would like to?

Even if you're not a Christian during this time you can devote a little alone time to meditate or do some calm breathing and a couple of yoga poses for a month. It can't hurt!
By the way, I personally love yoga, it is so calming and centering and the breathing brings down your blood pressure and can help reduce your heart rate.

Whatever you plan to do in the next month and half I hope you are physically, mentally and spiritually healthy.

Box of Dog Toys

Back in December I found the website of one of my dog's favorite toys. The good thing about his favorite toy was that he couldn't tear it apart! He's a boston terrier (sometimes terror) and loves to pull apart toys and take the squeaker out.
On the website they were giving away toys to those that entered the contest and I thought I might as well try. Rocky could definitely use some toys that he couldn't destroy. I signed up for the contest and then forgot about it.

Less then a week went by and I got a box and thought nothing of it because it was Christmas time and I thought it was a gift. Then when I actually looked at the box I realize it said Rocky's name on it and I still didn't put two and two together. I open the box and it is FILLED with dog toys. I was so excited! Rocky got a couple toys at first and I have to say he did destroy 1 or 2, but there are some that continue on!

It always excites me when I win things and makes me try again for more contests. You never know if you're going to win! And even if it's not something you need, it could be your best friend's lucky day!

If you want to check out these dog toys the company is JWpet.com.

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Decadent Mini Treats

I read blogs with many pictures of delicious food, especially sweets! I have to tell you that I am in the process of losing weight and so far have lost 10lbs! (yay for me!) However, this poses a problem for me because I can't bake for myself, not because I can't bake, but because I will probably have a lot more then I should! This is why I have to find small portions out in the world and not keep a costco size quantity of sweets, especially chocolate, in the house.

The other day I had a coupon for a starbucks cake pop so I had to try it. I got the raspberry truffle cake pop and it was divine! The cake was so moist, the dark chocolate on the outside was wonderful and the beautiful raspberry powder on top looks like pretty red snow sprinkled on top. It was a perfect portion and it wasn't too bad in terms of calories or points plus if you're a weight watcher like me. (160 cal/5p+)

I'm not sure if this is just a valentine's day cake pop or if it's going to stick around. If you're in need of a little something sweet, don't want to go too crazy with calories, and you enjoy delicious chocolate raspberry combination this is a treat you should check out!