Book Lunch

Today for our book lunch let’s start with lunch!! Food is always the best place to start. (Well, unless we’re starting with kisses, that is!)

Last weekend my husband went to scout camp, and so I mixed him some hamburger. He didn’t need all the meat, so today I used it in my lunch! This is one of the best burgers I’ve ever had! (Just so you know!)

I started with a pound of hamburger and added 2 or 3 Tablespoons of Tastefully Simple’s Dried Tomato & Garlic Pesto Mix seasoning, also about a half cup crumbled feta and an egg (to hold everything together.) I mixed it all really well, shaped the meat into burgers and then I grilled them!!! YUM!!! And instead of using a typical hamburger bun, I had some hard dinner rolls from the bakery that I sliced and used. Added my favorite condiments and had a killer burger!!! (Unfortunately, I used the last of my seasoning and it’s so expensive that I think I’m going to have to figure out an alternative. Or come up with a different combination of something I like!)

Now for my book.

I’m currently reading Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Anyone who knows me also knows that I’m the LAST one to read any kind of series! I hate series! Why? Because I have to read them ALL!!! So I put it off until I have nothing else to read. And then a scarcely come up for air.

I did the same thing with Harry Potter years ago. I didn’t really hear about those books until book 4 (Goblet of Fire) came out. EVERYONE was reading it! Highly annoying! I was in a play that summer, and everyone was reading it whenever they weren’t on stage, and then they were talking all about it. SO annoying. And they were so crazy for the next one to come out. I wanted NO part of that. Then my brother started reading them and somehow talked the rest of my family into reading them. I resisted. I think I made it another year before I gave in. It got to the point where I had no idea what my family was talking about. EVER!! So I gave in, and of course, was hooked. Then I was crazy waiting for the next one to come out!

So you see, I don’t read series. Too much anxiety! I try to wait for them all to come out, or avoid them all together. As a result, I’m usually the last one to read any type of series.

I’d been through the library enough to have seen Inkheart on the shelf more than once. I’d even picked it off the shelf and read the back. I have tried to talk my daughter into reading it more than once. But a couple weeks ago, I was looking for a book for my book club. (We didn’t like any of the one’s on the library book club list.) Well, I was trying to find a book to read where there were either enough books for everyone in the group or almost enough books. Most of the novels with more than one book were number #2+ in a series but not #1. So Inkheart was best thing I could find with enough copies.

Really, it hasn’t turned out to be too terrible of a book. (I’ll probably post a review on it when I’m finished.) I’ve enjoyed the lightheartedness of it. I have about 100 pages left, which is good since my book club is in two days! After reading a bit of it, I discovered there’s also been a movie made. Here’s a clip. So I’m interested to watch it when I’m done. Even though I’m aware that the movies are NEVER as good as the books. Still, I’m curious how they differ from each other.

So there you have it. Our book lunch! I hope you had a great lunch, too and are reading something fun! Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you’re favorite lunch is or share what you’re reading. After all, I’m almost done with Inkheart and am going to need a new book to read!

Book Lunch

One of the best times for me to read is during lunchtime. I usually feed my kids and then after they go down for naps or quiet time, I eat my lunch and read, or check emails, or write, or whatever. So today I’m starting something I’m calling Book Lunch!! (Get it? Instead of a book launch it’s a book lunch? Bad joke? Okay. Never mind. I must spend too much time alone with people inside my head.)

In this section, I will tell you what I’m eating for lunch (or planning to make for dinner or some other favorite recipe) and what book I either finished or that I’m currently reading. Sound fun? Oh well. It gives me something to write about and something for you to read! 

So, I must tell you that I’m writing this while eating. So if you smell something funny, it’s just me! Strangely enough, (and this is a MAJOR aside from my post today) I’m eating leftovers! I know. Not usually my favorite. Well, I guess it depends on what it is. But to top it all, it’s a SALAD! Ach! (Actually, I have always REALLY liked veggies and salad. And I have to add that because someone in my family is bound to read this and I should be at least somewhat honest!  )

So this ‘salad’ is actually quite fabulous! I made a green salad the other night with a spring mix, spinach, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and feta cheese. Today I added taco meat (left over from last night’s – of all things – tacos) and topped it with some of Taco Bell’s Spicy and Creamy Chipotle sauce. (I just discovered this at Wal-Mart and LOVE it!!! They have other flavors too. Look in the taco isle.) Then, another recent discovery, I added chopped, roasted almonds on top!! (I bought a bag of almonds at Costco, placed them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and baked them for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. No longer, because the oils inside them make them cook even after they are out of the oven.)

So that is my DELICIOUS salad!! Healthy? I don’t know. But it’s tasty!!!

Last night I finished reading Divinely Designed by Rachael Renee Anderson. Fun book. It’s also a quick read. This is an LDS novel, so you can expect it to be clean with a bit of religion. I loved the premise for the book. Kennedy gets a flat tire and ‘Mr. Perfect’ stops to help, and she doesn’t appreciate his help! Then he goes on to figure out who she is, but with a first name like Kennedy, he assumed it was her last name, and his plans are foiled. They do meet again due to their common association with Kennedy’s new roommate.

Braxton is a charming hero who has been through trying experiences. Kennedy is a classic, independent woman who struggles with her nasty boss. If you like quick books that are fun and uplifting, you will enjoy this charming story.


Divinely Designed
It all begins with calamity, faith, and a flat tire. Seeking liberation from recent heartache, Kennedy Jackson leaves her hometown and moves to Arizona to work as an interior designer. She thinks she is ready for a new start, but her heart still needs some convincing. When she bumps into a handsome stranger on the highway, she starts the ride of her life on a road of divine design that will lead to her dreams if she only has the faith to follow it. This delightful tale by Rachael Anderson combines wit and romance with the reality that change is difficult, but it can bring about some of life s greatest adventures. Divinely Designed is a sure antidote for gloom and a light-hearted reminder that even the darkest forks in the road can lead somewhere brilliant.

If you enjoy Divinely Designed, Rachael has another book out entitled, Luck of the Draw.


Luck of the Draw
When Brighton's roommates bet him that he can't get three girls to go out with him at the same time, he has no doubt that he's up to the challenge. Besides, the prospect of an entire month of free laundry is just too enticing to resist. Of course, that's before he meets Dani--a girl who's never had a problem turning down a not-so-perfect guy. Soon Brighton realizes that winning the bet might mean losing what really matters most. This fast-paced modern romance is told with wit, sweetness, and a healthy dose of fun. It's a sure bet that Luck of the Draw will keep you laughing to the very last page.

Happy Kisses!!