Google Reader No More

Have you heard?  Google Reader is retiring!

My first reaction was WHAT?!?! What am I going to do now?  I have countless blogs in my Google reader feed.  It's unbelievably convenient, efficient, and I love having the option to preview a post within reader rather than having to click every post open for comment.  

So...what's up next?  I've been hearing about a few alternatives on other blogs, including feedly and bloglovin', but I haven't done my research yet to know which is best. 

What are your thoughts?  Where are you storing your blog shortcuts next?

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Read Any Good Books Lately?

If you've read my blog before, you know I love to read.  I can devour a book in a week, weekend, or day, depending on how much it piques my interest.  In the last few months, I've been keeping myself occupied with pregnancy research and reading, so I haven't been reading much for leisure.

I'm anticipating the day (not so far off) when I won't have the time (or energy) to read for pleasure, so I'm trying to take advantage of the 24 weeks I have to go until the baby arrives.  My mom just bought me this book, which is wetting my whistle for now, but I'm eager to stock my shelf for some reads for the next few months.

So...read any good books lately?  Do tell!

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Last Weekend

Last weekend, my sister got engaged!  

Her fiancé planned quite the production, an elaborate plan that about 40 people were in on, and managed to keep secret for a month, a feat in itself!  On Friday afternoon, he picked her up from work in a stretch limo, proposed with a gorgeous ring, and then drove to a rustic hotel to "celebrate with a drink."  Little did my sister know, that a surprise party of 40+ close family and friends were waiting in the wings to surprise her yet again.  My mom and I were a big part of the surprise, since all of the other guests live in LA (we had flown down early Friday morning, unbeknownst to her).  

The best part, my sister called me from the limo, squealing "Guess what? I'm engaged! AHH!!"  Of course, at this time, I was waiting in the dark, crowded amongst 30 of her closest friends and family.  After some "subtle" shushing, and maneuvering into a quieter room, I relayed my excitement and congratulations, without her getting suspicious.  Assuming I was still in Seattle, she sent me a picture and described how they were celebrating the rest of the evening, or so she thought... A few minutes later, the limo arrived, and he led her up the candlelit stairs.  When the lights were turned on, everyone shouted "SURPRISE!" and "CONGRATS!"  She was totally stunned (there might have even been a few mascara tears)... 

After the champagne celebrations at the hotel, we celebrated across the street at their apartment, where earlier in the day we had laid out a beautiful spread of appetizers, snacks, and beverages.  All in all, it was such a happy day, and my sister was beaming ear to ear throughout.  I'm so glad I was there to partake in their special day.  Can't wait for the wedding!

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Weeknight Baking: Strawberry Banana Bread

I was immediately charmed by this recipe the second it popped up on my pinterest screen, strawberry banana muffins, two of my favorite flavors together in one!  

I happened to be petsitting my parents dog, and knew my mom (who always keeps a stocked fridge) had fresh strawberries on hand.  Perfect!  I gathered together all the ingredients and started mixing.  However, my parents are in the process of moving, and I only realized after I had three bowls of mixed liquid and dry ingredients that the muffin tin had already been packed.  Whoops!  So much for planning ahead.  

No problem, I improvised.  I luckily found a 9 x 13 bread pan, alone and perhaps forgotten during the packing process in a dusty cupboard.  I did end up baking it significantly longer that the muffin recipe suggests.  Every few minutes I did a toothpick test, and when the top was golden brown, the toothpick emerged clean. I wasn't sure how this recipe would translate to a bread, but it was delicious, flavorful, and most importantly moist (there's nothing worse than an over dry bread!).

Definitely making this bad boy again!  Glad to find a banana bread recipe that includes strawberries for some seasonal baking delights.

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An Announcement

So guys, I have some news.  

Hopefully this will explain my recent lack of posting and why I've been M.I.A. from the blog world recently.  Can you guess? 

 I'm pregnant!

My husband and I are over the moon!  I'm currently a few weeks into the second trimester.  We're so excited to welcome a little one into our family in late August!  Thanks for sticking with me through my blogging silence, I'm hoping to pick up the posting now that my secret is out!  We don't know the sex yet, but are finding out in April. 

Stay tuned...

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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Sorry I'm a week behind on my favorite things posts, my bad.  There's been a lot going on around here, stay tuned for a follow up post to explain...

In the mean time, here's another one of my favorite things, Origins Drink Up face mask.

I've tried many a mask in my hey-day, what girl hasn't?  Many slumber party memories include "beauty sessions" involving many a drug store face mask paired with cucumber eye patches.  I would consider my skin combination, oily at times, dry at times, but temperamental to unsuspecting breakouts as a result of trying out new products.  As a result, I'm a bit wary to try anything new on my face, especially a face mask, which has the potential of mobilizing into a break out machine.  

However reluctant I was, I inevitably tried this mask at the recommendation of the make-up artist who did my wedding make-up!  This 10-minute mask isn't aimed to deep clean or exfoliate, it's sole purpose is to rehydrate your skin.  And I can honestly say that after using it, my skin feels soft and supple, and very hydrated, believe it or not!

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Weeknight Baking: Grapefruit Olive Oil Poundcake

I'm a little behind on blogging this week, but I have a baking adventure to share.  Another Smitten Kitchen recipe complete.  With a few spare grapefruits on hand, it seemed the perfect time to try this recipe, Grapefruit Olive Oil Poundcake from the Smitten Kitchen cookbook.  Plus, I just purchased a new portrait lens for my camera this week, a 50mm 1:1.8 G, which turned out to be ideal for pound cake close ups.  :)

While I love grapefruit, I found this cake was almost too grapefruit-y, if that's even possible.  The syrup, glaze, and poundcake all are infused with grapefruit juice and/or zest.  However, having said that, the glaze really added an delicious oomph I appreciated.  I also used Trader Joe's gluten-free all purpose flour for the first time, which worked nicely.  While I probably won't be baking any grapefruit cakes again anytime soon, I may try using this recipe, but substituting in oranges or blood oranges for the citrus component.

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