The One with 2024, Quarter 3: Books and Baking

Book tally for the quarter: 26

Book tally for the year: 77

The third quarter was full of good reads, and I surprised myself with how many Rom Com books I read - and liked. The below are some favorites (Rom Com and otherwise) from the quarter, in no particular order.

This far into the year I found myself particularly unmotivated to bake unless I had to. The most baking I did for fun was when the nephew was visiting, and we went camping at the Roaring River. We had campfire donuts, Dr. Pepper Peep s'mores, burgers, etc. etc. 

Oh! And there was tons of reading time whilst camping at the river.

Here's to finishing the year with baked goods and good reads. 

The One with Remington Gregory

Yesterday, on what would have been my grandpa's 102nd birthday, we surrounded our freckle-footed Remy for a warm and comfy send off. In the days and moments leading up to yesterday we made sure to fill his days with some of his favorites. A final fire night (he was so cozy he stayed out longer than the rest of us), some of his favorite humans, and lots of snacks including spray whipped cream near the end.

We chose to do in-home euthanasia, and it was the kindest, tenderest, most dignified experience. So much gratitude to the organization Lap of Love for making it so gentle and easy for our little man.

It wouldn't be a trip down Remy Lane without gobs of photos... 16 year's worth. 

Oh yeah, remember that time we hurt our feet at the same time?

I'll be forever grateful to my cousin for entrusting me with Remy's care all those years ago. He sure changed my life. 

Remy and Dharma - together again.

"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." 

- A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

The One with 2024, Quarter 2: Books and Baking

 Book tally for the quarter: 22 

Book tally for the year: 51

Before I list my favorite reads of this quarter (in no particular order), I want to showcase my most nostalgic read. I unearthed some notebooks that I shared with a friend in middle school and reading through them was cringeworthy and laughable. The banter back and forth was mostly "KU vs MU", the best and worst teachers, and boy drama (or lack thereof). Oh, and the code names we had for everyone in our lives was most definitely decodable. 

Now for my favorite (officially published) reads for the quarter.

Also, there was a Bookcation with my cousin-friend.

There was Independent Bookstore Day, complete with cookies. 

Speaking of cookies…

There were some tasty attempts and some failed attempts in the kitchen. Pictured first is my failed attempt at scrambled pancakes.

The cookie dough rolled in puff pastry turned out quite yummy and I made it multiple times.

This caprese pizza is on an inconsistent rotation around here, but it's always a win.

These Ritz Churro Bites were a first but not a last! So easy and so tasty.

My Best Favorite and I found this cottage cheese bagel recipe and gave it a try. It was easy enough to make but so sticky. I have an aversion to the powdery feel of flour (I know, not ideal for the likes of baking) so my Best Favorite had to step in while I was having a mini melt down while trying to make the dough less sticky. He saved the day, and the recipe, and we eventually had tasty high protein bagels to enjoy. 

Here's to continued adventures in reading and in the kitchen!