Classics for a Summer Book List

I LOVE reading.

And I LOVE classics!

And I have many on my reading list this Summer.

{Laddie by Gene Stratton Porter}
Haha, I already read this last Summer, but the writing is pure poetry, and I loved it so much...it deserves a second time around!

{North and South by Elizabeth Glaskell}                      {Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth  Glaskell}

My motto is, "Read the book before watching the movie". But unfortunately, as was the case with these two books, the movies got to me first. ;) Now, why didn't anybody tell me they were by the same author? Hmm? And Cranford? Ooh, I'll have to get to Cranford. Sometime.

{The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett}

I have heard of this book all my life, know the story backwards and forwards, but never read the book. So it's time!

{Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen}

Just so I can say that I read all of Jane Austen's books (or at least her six published novels).

I also thought that Catherine Morland sounded like a really sweet heroine. The downside? She loves Gothic novels {shudder}. We'll see. :)

I also would like to read (either) Little Dorrit, Great Expectations, or Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

I'll probably end up reading Little Dorrit. Yeah, probably! :)

Also on the "maybe" side of the booklist (or rather, the books that I'll read if I ever GET to them!) are The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe (I know, totally against my non-Gothic novel stance, but, just, uhm, call it curiousity!), Evelina by Fanny Burney (that's curiosity as well!), Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, and The Time Machine by H. G. Wells.

What are you reading this summer?

with love,

Finished

And THIS is how I feel right now!
Freedom, anyone?
There's nothing like stacking up the books and storing them away for two and a half months!
After three, stress filled weeks of cramming in last minute get-done-before-evaluations-things... *sigh*. Finished.
After three, stress filled weeks of trying to slightly entertain myself by listening to my {favorite soundtrack} and {Rhapsody in Blue} while spending hours coloring timeline figures...*sigh*. And now those songs don't quite hold the charm that they used to. :)
Oh well.
I hope you have a wonderful Summer. As well.

with love,

Mint Brownies

                

            

*Sigh*

I love mint.

A lot.

I tried these yummy Mint Brownies in honor of my sister's homecoming.

I now love and adore them.

Unfortunately, I found out that big sister doesn't like chocolate and mint combinations.

 But no worries!

Between me and my little sisters...it's all taken care of. ;)

with love,

You Are

{Andrew, me, Sarah, Mariah, and Rachel}

You are the cheese to my macaroni  

You are the horizon to my sky  

You are the bacon to my eggs  

You are the laces to my sneakers  

 You are the jelly to my peanut butter 

  You are the smile to my face  

You are the gravy to my mashed potatoes  

You are the bubbles to my bath  

You are the milk to my cookie  

You are the ink to my pen  

You are the ketchup to my French fries  

You are the water to my ocean  

You are the icing on my cupcake.

Made me smile. :)

with love,

French Toast Bake

{tasteofhome.com}

How about blessing your lovely mother with a special Mother's Day breakfast this Sunday, hmmm?

This recipe is awesome because you can prepare it ahead, so no rush on Sunday morning!

French Toast Bake...

12 slices day old French bread (1" thick)
5 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

Place bread in agreased 9x13 pan.

Combine eggs, milk, 3/4 cup sugar, and vanilla; pour over bread.

Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Remove from regfrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Sprinkle pecas over mixture.

Combine butter and 1/4 cup sugar; drizzle over top.

Bake uncovered at 400 for 25 minutes.

Sprinkle blueberries and bake 10 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.


My favorite baked french toast recipe. :)
I make an extra portion of the brown sugar syrup, just becuse I didn't think one portion was enough! Smile.
Then people can drizzle it over to their hearts desire.

  with love,