All about that BEEF!

This month it's all about the beef, 'bout that beef, no turkey! (anybody else singing with me now?)

That's right, I know you're used to hearing about turkey on this blog, but May is Beef Month!

Since I started working for the Iowa Cattlemen's Association last fall, I've learned a LOT about cattle and beef production. And when I say a lot, I mean, a lot. Don't tell my boss, but when I interviewed for the job, I had a hard time remembering the difference between a steer and a cow. Now, I'm able to actively participate in conversations about best weaning practices and cattle handling and feed efficiency and pasture management. I'm not an expert, by any means, but like I said, I've learned a lot.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (Blogger Book Club)

This month, we did Blogger Book Club a little differently. Instead of reading the SAME book, we all read a different self-help book. Because of my transition back to a full-time job, I chose The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo (aka #konmari) with hopes that it would help me get organized before my new job began. And I’m happy to say that it worked.

I began reading the book a few weeks ago, and as soon as I read the chapter on clothing, I started in. At first, I counted the items I discarded, but after getting rid of more than 200 articles of clothing (all mine! And not including socks or accessories) I lost count. But it doesn’t matter, because my bedroom and closet are the visual proof of my “tidying-up” and they bring me more joy than ever before.

After tidying up my clothes and the boys’ clothes (3 garbage bags of hand-me-downs to Bart’s cousin!) I moved on to the books. Again, I was able to discard hundreds of items, and the boys helped me with the children’s books. Many of the kids’ books I owned were from my classroom and meant for kids much older than my own. I always thought it was good idea to save them in case the boys liked them when they were older. But now I realize that being able to easily locate favorite books brings the boys and I much more joy. (We donated the books we discarded to some of my teacher friends.)

Next comes “papers” – I’m still working on that. #konmari is a process, one that may take months. But as the momentum builds, so does the joy.

Marie Kondo’s positive attitude towards “tidying up” makes a huge difference in the process. By focusing on joy and thanksgiving, “tidying up” becomes something to look forward to. That’s important if you’re starting with a house as full of clutter as mine is. Kondo says, “I believe that tidying is a celebration.” I’m definitely celebrating the success I’ve had so far!

I will admit, however, that some of Kondo’s suggestions seem a little wacky.  For example, I don’t believe that my belongings or house will actually respond to my declarations of gratitude, but I do believe that my attitude may change because of them. I feel less guilt when I acknowledge an item’s purpose before discarding it, and thanking my house for providing me with shelter helps me keep things in perspective.

Kondo suggests “tidying-up” by category, starting with clothing because it’s the easiest and leaving mementos for last, until you’ve really honed your “tidying-up” skills.  One part of my clutter issue is toys, and the #konmari method doesn’t really address the issue. So I am waiting to tackle them. I want to work on my own clutter first, and model tidying-up for my boys before I ask them to help me tidy-up their toys.

If you are a messy mom like me, struggle to keep the house clean or keep up on basic chores, or just feel overwhelmed by stuff, this book may be just what you need. I’ve read other books about getting rid of excess, and this is the first that has really made a difference in my life. It has changed my house and changed my attitude – truly life-changing magic! (I do suggest you actually read the book, though. There are some great videos and explanations of #konmari, but I don’t think you will really “get it” unless you read the whole thing.)

I plan to do more blog posts about my #konmari progress, so stay tuned!

Now, be sure to check out the other Blogger Book Club book reviews. Remember, we all read different self-help books in June!

Cassie @ Primitive and Proper
Kirby @ KirbAppeal
Jessica @ Gourley Girl and Guy


And for July’s book: First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen by Charlie Lovett. The author is Kirby’s neighbor, and I am SO EXCITED to read this!

My Summer Reading List

 

I just finished two loooong books, so it’s time to start in on some new ones!

Home Is Where My People Are: The Roads That Lead Us to Where We Belong

First up, Blogger Book Club is reading this in May. Feel free to join us!

 

 

 

 

Nobody's Cuter than You: A Memoir about the Beauty of Friendship

I read “The Antelope in the Living Room” by Melanie Shankle earlier this year and loved it, so I’m adding this memoir of friendship by the same author to my summer reading list.

 

 

 

 

You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal About You

You may not know this, but I’m kind of a nerd for pyschology.  And I’m sort of obsessed with capsule wardrobes.  I’m excited to read this one.

 

 

 

 

Easily Amused

According to the book description, this is a “light-hearted romance.” Sounds like perfect summer reading to me.

 

 

 

 

Wreckage

A man and woman survive a plane crash and are rescued two years later, but there is some mystery surrounding the fate of the other crash victims. This one piqued my interest.

 

 

 

 

White Picket Fences: A Novel

Life is not as it seems.  Isn’t that always the truth? This book delves into one family’s hidden secrets.

 

 

 

 

 

Have you read anything good lately? What should I add to the list?

Blogger Book Club: Girl on the Train, Bright Side, The Detective and Mrs. Jeffries, Buried in a Bog

I drive a lot – more than 8 hours between Monday and Friday – and I like to listen to books on tape while I drive.  I check them out from my library through the Overdrive app and have heard some great ones that way.

But earlier this month, I discovered podcasts.  I downloaded PocketCast and most of my “listening” time has been spent trying out new podcasts, instead of “reading.”

So I don’t have as many reviews to share this month, but they are all good reviews!

 

The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries (Mrs.Jeffries Mysteries Book 1)

Mrs. Jeffries, the housekeeper for The Inspector, sneaks around with the other household servants to solve a mystery for their employer, and then gracefully lead him to the correct conclusion, and he doesn’t have a clue (pun intended.)

The story was a light-hearted mystery, with interesting characters brought to life by the reading of Lindy Nettleton (I listened to the audiobook) and I really enjoyed it.  It was part “Nancy Drew” and part “Downton Abbey” and mild enough that I didn’t mind if my 6 year old overheard it. “Mrs. Jeffries” is a good pick if you’re looking for something that won’t make you cry your eyes out or question humanity.

(By the way, I much prefer the cover for the audiobook, don’t you? Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have chosen the book if I’d seen the cover the for the paperback instead.)

 

 

Buried in a Bog (A County Cork Mystery)

When Maura Donovan returns to her grandmother’s homeland, Ireland, she gets more than she bargained for. 

I enjoyed Buried in a Bog, despite the painfully obvious title, probably because of the setting and fantastic reading of Amy Rubinate (again, I listened to the audiobook.) But this wasn’t a mystery, really.  The mystery played in the background as Maura’s journey of self-discovery took the main stage. Like The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries, this book was a nice break from the deeper novels my blogger book club chose.

 

Blogger Book Club Reviews:

 

(March’s pick) The Girl on the Train

Rachel, a divorced alcoholic who commutes by train to London, finds herself daydreaming about a couple who lives along the train tracks. After studying them from afar, she becomes more involved in their lives than she ever though possible.

Dark and unpredictable, this was definitely a page turner like Gone Girl, without as many loose ends or such a disappointing ending.

 

 

(April’s Pick) Bright Side

When Kate Sedgwick leaves her home in California to attend college in Minnesota, she brings with her a secret – er..secrets. And she thinks she knows what the future holds for her, until she meets (and falls in love with) Keller Banks, who has secrets of his own.

I didn’t expect to like this book, because I’d heard a bad review.  But, I found myself pretty heavily invested by the time I was 1/4 way through, and couldn’t put it down after that.  The main characters were almost too good to be true, and the push and pull of Kate and Keller’s relationship was perfect. I will say, however, that this book is probably written for a slightly younger audience, but I’m at the stage where I look back fondly on my college years (and wish I could go back!) and Kate and Keller’s story reminded me of the excitement of falling in love with my own tall, dark, and handsome college sweetheart (who is now my tall, dark and handsome husband.)

 

Next month we’re reading Home Is Where My People Are by fellow blogger Sophie Hudson (which has the most beautiful cover I’ve ever seen.)

Be sure to check out the reviews from my fellow book clubbers:

Carmel

Kirby

Jessica

Cassie

Blogger Book Club: The Tipping Point, The Domestic Diva Mystery Series, Small Blessings, The Secret Life of Book Club, I’m Having So Much Fun Here Without You

 

Amazing, I read a lot last month!  And my house was a mess most of the time.  I wonder if there’s a correlation. Surely not.

Anyway…here are this month’s book reviews (The Blogger Book Club book is at the end of this post.)

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference 

Very interesting, not very helpful.

This non-fiction book appealed to the psychology and sociology lover in me.  In it, Gladwell outlines several examples of epidemics and what led them to become so.  I listened to the audio book, and was pleased that it was relatively short.  However, the book did not include much in the way of actionable suggestions for anyone trying to create an epidemic.  (Like, say, for example, how to push my blog over the tipping point so that I can be the next Pioneer Woman or Young House Love.)

 

The Diva Runs Out of Thyme (A Domestic Diva Mystery)

Nancy Drew for Martha Stewart Wanna-be’s

This book was not life-altering or thought provoking, but I loved it.  It was a fun mystery (as in, not gruesome or really scary) and I loved the setting.  The main character is a “domestic diva” and she reminded me of all my DIY blogger and food blogger friends.  I’m definitely planning on reading more in the series.

 

 

Small Blessings: A Novel

Title didn’t fit, but the book was great.

This was an interesting book, full of interesting, almost unbelievable twists.  But somehow, the characters were  believable, and really made the story come alive.  It was, in essence, a story about how we’re all crazy in way or another (or maybe 3 or 4 ways) and that we all have obstacles to overcome.  Happily, all the characters came out okay in the end.

 

 

*I received a copy of this book from the author, a fellow blogger, to review.  All opinions are my own.

The Secret Life of Book Club

Slow start, but worth the read

After a slow, sort of confusing start (I had trouble keeping the four main characters straight) I loved this book.  As each chapter went on, we learned more about the characters and their problems. My favorite plotline at the beginning was Kate’s, as it was a bit romantic.  But Paula’s story really surprised me, and Iove the way it worked out!  I was really impressed by the depth and breadth of knowledge that the author must have, because there were so many unique experiences in the story!

Official Blogger Book Club Pick:

I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You: A Novel

Sort of depressing.  Wonderful setting.

So…I sort of missed that this book was a novel.  And thought that it was a memoir.  An odd memoir.  Once I figured out it was a novel, it was much more digestible, and a lot less depressing.  And I came in to it expecting chick lit, which this was not.  It’s sort of like the time I took my cousin to see Rent and she thought it was about a big, happy Italian family.  When your expectations are so far off base, it’s hard to reconcile it all.  But, I do LOVE Paris.  And all of France, really.  And I’m not going to lie…I totally pictured the Parisian townhouse as one of the condos I shared last week.

 

Be sure to check out the reviews from Kirby, Carmen, Cassie and Jessica!