The cherry on top of one of the best weekends ever

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I just devoured this book.  Recently, I've fallen in love with checking out e-books from my public library and reading them on my iPhone through the Overdrive app.  It is not only convenient but completely free!

The characters are loveable without being too soft.  The stories are realistic enough to make you a little uncomfortable at the most appropriate points in each story.  A friend recommended this book to me and after months of waiting on the public library's hold list, it was finally my turn.  It is without a doubt one of the best books I've read in awhile.  On to the next one!




As I've said many times before, I'm not great at book summaries.  THIS NYT article provides a great synopsis and critique of the novel.

Downtown Chicago

I love that the city of Chicago loves tulips as much as I do! These are near my office.

Spring has sprung!!

I have been a little down about the weather and work, lately. I'm feeling refreshed after an amazing weekend in NYC, so I am back to blogging!

The weather there was amazing. My husband says that the best thing about marrying me is my massive book collection. I like to think that he's kidding :). One of the things I love about my husband is that I inherited his wonderful friends who happen to feel like family. Seeing everyone at the beautiful wedding and enjoying a couple of gorgeous days in New York made for a great weekend!

This was the view on my street this morning!

Our domestic life . . .

My husband and I are very domestic.  It is not intentional.  I know many people who try terribly hard to be domestic.  It comes naturally -- especially to my husband.  Among many things my parents taught me, I learned to feed people and clean pretty quickly.  I enjoy cleaning, organizing and decorating.  I've always been a list-maker and constant reorganizer.  When it comes to cooking, I am a pretty good baker.  However, when left to my own devices, the menu will typically consist of a fried egg (with a solid yolk), a piece of whole wheat toast and some steamed broccoli.  Lame, I know.  This is an improvement from law school when I could live on Cap'n Crunch and coffee.

When it comes to truly creative cooking, my husband is a pro.  I think that it serves as a means of stress relief or catharsis for him.  (which is why I don't get in his way/watch Real Housewives of ___________ or the Nightly News while he works his magic).  Regardless of how much time he spends working, he comes home each evening and makes dinner and our lunches for the next day. We try to be financially conservative & health-conscious.  I avoid eating out during the day because it cuts into my productivity.  READ: I want to take a nap by 2:00 p.m. when I eat tater tots.  Often, I find that I end up consuming far more calories when I eat out, as well.  The financial aspect is certainly a deterrent when you consider that you can't get out of most group lunches for less than $20.  $20 spent 2-3 times per week can add up quickly.  All that aside, I like knowing that there are only two people who could have prepared my lunch -- and both of them washed their hands first :)  I also love when I get e-mails containing photos of tomorrow's lunch from my husband, who has the day off of work.  On the menu tomorrow: curry chicken salad. Yay!

Before/After - silver edition

 During our stay in KY, we decided to visit the beautiful little town where I attended college.  This area is known for its great antiques -- and its spectacular prices.  Not only did we find a vintage year book from my husband's alma mater but we also found this great 127 year old silver piece.  Real silver.  Not silver plated.
It was $12.50.  I am still in shock.

We spent the afternoon -- when I say we, I mean my husband -- cleaning it up with silver polish/Tarn-X.  Tarn-X smells heinous.  Actually, what you smell is the chemical reaction between it and the tarnish itself.  All of that aside,  GROSS.  It was well worth it when you look at the end-result.

We started with this 

And finished with this! (actually not completely done)
I'll post a finished photo later. 

Now, we are kind of in love with snagging cheap old silver to polish up and use to decorate our home.  For my husband, I think he's more thrilled with the cleaning up part of it.  I've got to admit, I'm a sucker for before & after. Happy Monday!

Beautiful spring weather . . .

Motivated me to break out the Nike+ and get in a quick run before the storms later this evening.

Today was not supposed to be this beautiful!