Friday Finds...

Some good reads....

My good friend Nichole gifted me with The Forgotten Garden some time ago.  I just now finished it and it was so good.  I love historical fiction, especially when there is a cross over between the present day and the past.  My problem is, once I get into a good book I am good for nothing else.  I have to keep on reading.  

Definitely a good find....

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.  

A few others from Kate Morton that I think I'll check out from the local library....

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton.  

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. 

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton.  

Are you into historical fiction? I'd love for you to let me know your favorite books and authors, just leave me a comment or shoot me an email.  Perhaps I can create a post with some favorites.  Also, do you like to just check out books or do you like to purchase your own?  I'd love to purchase the books so that I can read at my own pace but the thought of creating the space for a small library adds thoughts of hoarding to my already cluttery piles.  

I'm finding myself drinking more water.....

These Mio water enhancers have helped me with more water consumption.  It's a flavor boost in the form of a liquid that you just squirt into your glass of water.  I've also tried the Walmart brand and Crystal Light has some flavors too.  Some of our favorite flavors are Strawberry Watermelon, Blueberry and Pineapple Coconut.  The girls keep a bottle in their locker so they can freshen up their water bottles during the day.  I try to keep them from drinking at the water fountains at all possible measures, especially during the flu season.  

A big hit at the bake sale...
This Popcorn Cake was a bit hit at the bake sale that Jordan's softball team sponsored at the last basketball game.  I added sprinkles to the top and we offered it up as a raffle item for $1 a ticket.  A very unique food item that got a lot of looks.

Food finds.....
I've some more interest in my crock pot recipes and freezer meals.  I don't post every recipe I've tried but I do have a ton of pins on my Crock Pot Recipes Pinterest board.  I'm trying to find more recipes that don't use so many "cream of" soups.  I think this from scratch Creamy Mushroom Soup sounds so hearty and rustic.  Maybe not any more healthy because of the cream but I love the thought of making it from scratch.

Regarding the freezer meals,  I haven't done this as much as I'd like because my little cooking partner has decided she doesn't really have a need for so many meals on hand.  Her husband is out of town a lot for work so she doesn't want the meals to sit in her freezer for too long.  It was more fun when I had a cooking partner so the plan kind of dwindled.  But I do miss having those meals in the freezer and need to plan another cooking day.  I have pinned a lot of recipes and blog posts about freezer meals on my Freezer Meals Pinterest board.  There's some great information there.  I've also found that crock pot cooking is really pretty quick to assemble.  I keep many of the same meal ingredients that I would use for a freezer meal on hand and it all comes together quickly.  I'm definitely still loving my crock pot though and use it probably 2 or more times a week.  My mom doesn't cook much anymore so I've been adding in an extra can of beans or more meat and then will take my folks enough leftovers for a meal.  They love it and look forward to what I create next. My girls love to have breakfast type items in the freezer.  Breakfast burritos are a favorite.  I think these Breakfast Pockets sound pretty good too.  I may have to try them out soon.

So do you have some good crock pot recipes or freezer meals?  I would love your links so that I can add them to my Pinterest boards.

Okay, I'm outta here for now.  The girls have another snow day.  At 13 degrees, I don't think they'll be out in the snow today so it could get interesting around here.  They love the days off but the boredom sets in pretty easily.  Me, I'm never ever bored.  I'm thinking about rearranging my craft room so I can sit with my sketch pad for quite a while and dream about finding the perfect vintage storage piece.  I must start purging more items.