Friday Favorites: Handless Mugs

That's right,you heard me. Handless mugs. They're great. There's just a good vibe to them, ya' know? I'd much rather drink out of a mug without a handle, than one with one. A wierd quirk perhaps, but a fact. Now, I know this favorite probably doesn't help you much...but just wait. I'll get there.


I bought these little lovelies in Taiwan. Small, in the style of most Asian tea cups, but wonderful.


I bought this awesome cup at the thrift store and I love it. I used to use it all the time, and still use it often, but, well...here's the deal.


DOUBLE.BARRELED.HANDLESS.MUGS. Reason #53 why I love Starbucks. Ingeniuos really. Now, you can hold the mug, and the hot liquid doesn't get the cup hot and burn your hand. Pointless, I suppose, if you're enjoying a hot drink to warm your hands, but wonderful besides that. These cups are really great. And, they come in a variety of colors, and don't cost too much.

So to all you faithful readers, a prize! Okay, not to ALL you faithful readers, just one lucky one. Leave a comment, and one random winner will get a wonderful Starbucks Double Barreled Handless Mug. I'm off to San Fran for the weekend with my honey and my baby, so Tuesday or Wednesday I'll pick a winner. I wish all ya'll a good Memorial Day. Make it memorable.

Accomplishments

I just feel like I need to read a book. Do you guys ever feel that way? Like, I need to accomplish something, so if I read a book it fulfills my goal, broadens my horizons, and helps me fill my time with something enjoyable. These are the best times to just bust out a kids book and haul through it in a day or so. I mean, I could clean my ever messy bedroom (why do my clothes always avoid the closet and dressers, choosing to lounge on my floor, bed, oh, anywhere really...), sew something in the hopes of one day actually STARTING that Etsy shop I always talk about, bake some bread for a healthy and nutrious breakfast item...I mean honestly, there's tons I COULD do. But, yes, I think a book is in order for today.

And yes, it will be one that I own. (Although I really want to start that Royal Diaries Series...thanks a lot Ruth.)

Sorry, for no Friday post last week, I was out of town enjoying the San Diego sunshine and family. Friday Favorites post coming tomorrow with *gasp!* a give-a-way! Tune in then. Ciao.

Friday Favorites: Lonely Planet California Trips

Welcome to a new weekly series on my blog. Friday Favorites. Every Friday I'll show you something that I'm a huge fan of, in hopes that it's something you may find useful, and also, as a way to encourage others to blog about their favorite things. Because honestly, if Amy hadn't told me about the Chocolate Croissants at Trader Joes, where would I be?

This week, we start off with a book. Surprise, surprise. Even more of a shocker? It's a book about travel.



Introducing Lonely Planet's California Trips. It's been at our Costco for awhile now, and Jon and I decided to finally take the plunge and spend the whole $12.47 to check it out. Oh, and we are so glad we did. At first, I laughed. A travel book for just California? Then my brain kicked in and I realized that CA is bigger than most European countries. Heck, most countries for that. A guide to help us navigate it is certainly in order.

This book is wonderfully organized. It's filled with 68 roadtrips, designed around themes. And I tell you, whatever it is you like, CA's got it. My favorite trips I've read about so far? A Burrito Odyssey, It's a Small World: Ethnic Food Tour, Pick It Yourself Tour (Can you guys tell I like to eat?), The Mission Trail, Apples & Antiques in Sebastopol...oh, there's so many more. And it's wonderfully well organized. Each trip gives you a time guideline, total miles, ideal time to go, and then it links you up with other trips that visit the same areas. Honestly, it's genius.

So, I've done my research for when we head to Kirst's graduation next week (Hooray Kirst, we're so proud of you!) in San Diego. I know where the best burrito shop is, and a 50's diner that serves a marshmallow, peanut butter and banana Elvis Milk Shake.

The best $12.47 I've spent in a long while.

Top Five...

Jon and I often play the 'Top 5' game. Top 5 movies, books, famous people you want to meet, favorite big cities, foods...anything really. However, the other day I came up with a top 5 question we had never discussed, and honestly, it baffled me.

If you could only go five places in your life, what would they be? I have thought over this time and time again and I can't decide. I mean, I could name a zillion places I want to go, but what would the non-negotiables be? Days later, I only have 2 decided on, with the other 3 changing hourly. What's made the list so far?


Israel. No doubt about it, I have to see the Holy Land. This is certainly #1 on the list.


Peru. The main point of this is really Machu Picchu, but the country itself seems to have a lot to offer. I just want to see this place, hike it, walk through it, live it.

But beyond that...I'm lost. I name 3, but then I think of one that suddenly seems more important. I CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT.

So, question time. What are you top 5?

(Photos courtesy of National Geographic)

Summer Reading List

Do you guys remember Summer Book Clubs at your local library? Mine always had this huge list of books to read and prizes for how far you got. I enjoyed that. I think they should have that for adults as well. A free Starbucks for every 10 books you read? Anway, I know it's not quite summer yet, but with stinkin' 90+ degree weather, it might as well be. So, I've put together my list of books to read this summer. It is, as follows:

1. Drums of Autumn by Diane Gabaldon
2. The Fiery Cross by Diane Gabaldon
3. A Breath of Snow and Ashes by, surprise surprise, Diane Gabaldon
4. Little Women by Louise-May Alcott (Rumor has it, each one of us Coulter sisters corresponds to a sister pretty accurately. Excited to see.)
5. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
6. On the Banks of Plum Creek by Wilder
7. By the Shores of Silver Lake by Wilder
8. The Long Winter by Wilder
9. Little Town on the Prairie by Wilder
10. These Happy Golden Years by Wilder
11. The First Four Years by Wilder
12. Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
13. Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver
14. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (Reading the Classics Book Club Selection)
15. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Another RTC book, one which I've already read, but will gladly read again. Who doesn't love the story of Darcy and Lizzie?)

Well, there you have it. Any other books I read must, MUST, be books I own, because I own a lot I haven't read (Stupid thrift stores and library with cheap interesting books.) Yes, that's a lot of books, but honestly, 7 are kids books, I'm halfway through the 1st one, and well, let's just put it this way...about 7 times a day I sit down for around 30 minutes with not a lot that I actually have to do. There you go. And sorry for the lack of pictures, but time is money people (okay, not my time...but somebodies...) and anyway, I've got some reading to do!

Okay, response time. What's on your summer reading list? (Oh, and who's buying me a Starbucks after I read 10 of these?)

The Secret Garden

Do you remember that movie? Man, that was a favorite of mine. Anyway, I now am owner of my own secret garden, which, while not hidden behind old ruins and filled to the brim with lovely trees and flowers, is just as wonderful and exciting.

Introducing, the Coulter Family Garden. (Official, eh? Oh, and click on the pics for close ups and descriptions.)





It's a lovely little space. I like to hang out there and just relax and sip tea and stare at the plants. Jon and I will start eating dinner out there once we get a little table. The garden's doing quite well so far, and the herbs and arugula have already been used in my kitchen. Wonderful. So, in around two months, we'll be sprouting veggies around here like it's nobodies business. How fun is a garden?!?!? SO.FUN.

I hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend celebrating our Risen Lord with friends and family, good food, and plenty of joy and thankfulness. We certainly enjoyed ourself over here. Even Sweet Adelaide had a good day.



Wishing you all a wonderful week!

One Month!

Today Miss Adelaide is one month old. I know it's not much in the scheme of things, but it's a big deal to me. I know this is lame, but that already feels so old!


Adelaide is a very fun and sweet baby. Her favorite things include riding in the car, taking baths, sleeping in the corner of the couch next to mama or daddy, and her owl mobile on her swing. She likes to settle into the crook of my neck, and especially likes sleeping on daddy. She gave us her first smile on Monday, but seems to be pretty exclusive about it because Daddy, Aunt Amy, and Aunt Brittany have all tried, without success, to see the smile. (Although who got a smile this morning? That's right, the owls.)



My favorite things she does? Her streches. Oh, they make me smile.


We love you Adelaide and are so happy you're here!