Posts

Bout of Books 27 - Progress Tracker

Image
Day 5 - in progress Current Read:  On the Come Up by Angie Thomas Reading:  in progress  A couple books within books favorites: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - WWII/Historical Fiction; YA The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin - Contemporary Adult Fiction The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - Historical Fiction; Mystery; Fantasy Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - Contemporary YA; Romance If on a winter's night a traveler by Italo Calvino - Magical Realism; Literary Fiction Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov - Literary Fiction; Mystery; Poetry The Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff - Fantasy; Adult Fiction What are some of your favorite books within books...within books? Day 4 Current Read:  On the Come Up by Angie Thomas Got some reading done: 84 pages A super quick sketch of a recent scene for today's challenge: A rap battle - drawing is not always my forte! Day 3 Current Read:  On the Come Up by Angie Thomas Finally got some rea

Bout of Books 27 - Intent to Join!

Along with my intent to get back into blogging more frequently, it just so happens that one of my favorite reading events in beginning on Monday!  Bout of Books is heading into its 27th round (!) and I have every intention of participating for this round - it's been a while!   Here's a little about the challenge: The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, Twitter chats, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional.  For all Bout of Books 27 information and updates, be sure to visit the  Bout of Books  blog.  - From the Bout of Books team I have no intention of setting outlandish goals aside from reading every day and participating in the daily challenges.  There's still time to join if you'd like; head over to their

Ringing in 2020 by Getting Back in the Swing of Things

Whew...long title!  Sorry for the EXTENDED absence, friends.  This particular year has been one that has been trying and has most definitely gotten in the way of me doing things I love.  I have put aside a lot of my creative outlets to focus on things that had nothing to do with my personal fulfillment and, in doing so, may have lost a little bit of what I loved about me.  While I don't really do resolutions as I find they don't tend to stick, and why would I only declare that changes can be made in January instead of year round, I am going to make a heartfelt effort to get back into doing the things that I love.  So...as 2019 winds down and 2020 gets ready to greet us at the door, I am currently making lists of things that I want to do with this platform.  While none of those things include revenue (I don't have the time or luxury to commit to that much in the blogosphere at this point in my life), they do include posting with more regularity and variety - features, revi

J is for...JT's Food Truck

Image
Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! JT's Food Truck A traveling truck through Marion and Polk counties, you can find JT 's at various locations on various days.  One day, you'll find him serving up food at the state capitol in Salem.  The next day you might find him outside the trucking repair shop on the side of the highway in Independence.  Another day might find you visiting the Barrel and Keg or Vagabond Brewing or another Salem establishment.  Yet another might find you dressed in your finest wedding attire while he feeds everyone at a reception.  Wherever you stumble across JT's, be prepared to eat some tasty food.  Sometimes you'll even catch him pulling his homemade smoker behin

I is for...Ixtapa

Image
Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Ixtapa I am a huge fan of Mexican food and Ixtapa does a tasty job of providing that.  A traditional sit-down restaurant with a few locations throughout the state, the location I'm most familiar with is in Lebanon.  Their portions are HUGE, so there's at least two meals for the price of one.  The location is easy to get to and family friendly.  Mmmm.  Via TripAdvisor Recommendations:  The Daniel Special (skirt steak, grilled chicken, fried shrimp, rice, beans, guacamole, and tortillas on the side), Fajitas, Margaritas! You can check out their menu here .   What are some of your favorite I eating establishments? Come back tomorrow for the next installa

H is for...Hasty Freez

Image
Join me for the moth of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Hasty Freez HF is an Albany institution!  They used to have a second location in Lebanon, but that one was closed years ago to make way for a Dutch Bros.  However, the original is still holding strong and is a hot destination for anyone who knows the wonders of the drive-thru/walk-up burger/shake stand.  Everyone who spouts off about how good In-n-Out is has CLEARLY never experienced the glory that is Hasty Freez.  It's all about that American Cheese and special sauce!  And the milkshakes?!  Oh man, the milkshakes!  Via the Democrat-Herald Don't let the exterior or the fact that you might wait a hefty minute to order fool you, this place is a culinary gem! Re

G is for...Grain Station Brew Works

Image
Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Grain Station Brew Works With two locations within 30 minutes of each other, GSBW is making a name for itself as a great gathering spot with pretty good brews and some killer food.  Originally located in McMinnville, GSBW has recently opened a second location in the small college town of Monmouth and business is booming.  The vibe is welcoming and you can't go wrong with a visit!  McMinnville location via Yelp Recommendations Brews:  Danksta's Paradise IPA, House Money IPA, Tarrazu Coffee Stout, Haystack Gold Ale Cocktails:  Pear Tree Food:  Cambazola Mushroom Burger, Grilled Chicken Burger, Jalapeno Poppers, Hummus Plate Check out the menu here! Wh