A Time to Meet James

Hi Blogger friends!

I hope you all caught my friend James Farmer on The Today Show on October 25th! He was fabulous!

If you aren't already, become a follower of his blog, All Things Farmer, and check out his website, JamesFarmer.com.

I work part-time at Heery's Too in Athens, and we'll be hosting James for a book signing on Friday, November 11th from 4pm to 7pm. We'll have a few things to nibble on, and you'll have the opportunity to get a signed copy of James' fantastic first book, A Time to Plant.

If you'll be in Athens for the UGA/Auburn game, please be sure to stop by! If you can not make it and would like a signed book, please call the store at 706.552.3886 to pre-order!

Here are a few of James' gorgeous arrangements! His book is filled with gorgeous images of his plantings, landscape designs, floral arrangements, seasonal menus, and family anecdotes.

 

Summer Reading List

I love to read. Since I was old enough to read a book, I would get in trouble in school for having books in my textbooks and reading them during class. Super nerdy, I know. I go in phases though...I will read books in a series (2010 was solely devoted to the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy), to not reading anything but US Weeklies for a few weeks, and then pick up steam again. Well right now, I have no less than 5 books on rotation. Some of which I have in hardback, some on Kindle. The Kindle changed my life. I mean, how cool is it that in mid-flight, one can finish a book and have another in seconds? On any given night, you can find me and my hubbs with Kindles in hand before falling asleep. Gone are the days of us waiting on Chelsea Lately.
Now that Spring is here, and the weather so delightful, I wanted to pass along a few recommendations for you to grab and read while enjoying this nice weather.

If you're not into history, then maybe skip onto my second recommendation. However, I love reading about this fascinating female. The author did a phenomenal job in her research culminating a life from thousands of years ago into this book.

The Help follows several black housekeepers and a few of their white bosses in the 1960's. Its eye opening. The 1960's doesn't seem like that long ago, but here, it seems like centuries.

Go. Out. And. Buy. This. Now.
Its just the most fun read....the story of The Pioneer Woman finding her Marlboro Man. My best friend Amy pre-ordered this for me for Christmas, and when it finally arrived on my doorstep a few weeks ago, I finished it in three days.

Books I've enjoyed

I have just completed the last book in Nora Roberts' Bride Quartet, Savor the Moment then Happy Ever After. I loved every girly, indulgent, feminine word on the page. If you're up for it, these are total chick-lit!

David and I both read the Stieg Larsson trilogy over the summer. The books are very long and very detailed in their story-telling, but totally worth forging through. The title character, Lisbeth Salander, will have you on the edge the whole time! These books are more conducive for men, while the Nora Roberts books are for us girly girls only!

I love picturing characters and who Hollywood would cast in their parts. For the Bride Quartet, Lauren and I have talked a little about who would play who...they're all supposed to be really attractive, so A-listers for sure! David and I have seen the Swedish version of The Girl Who Played with Fire - and loved every minute of it; subtitles and all. So having seen that movie, it made it easier to picture the players while reading the third book. I am searching for a few new books to sink my teeth into over the holidays....any suggestions? I have The Help and The Shack lined up on my Kindle, but welcome any other recommendations!

Rainy Day Reading

My girlfriends and I have fantasized for years about starting a wedding planning business, and upon discovery of Nora Robert's Bride Quartet I was just too excited! I read Vision in White first then Bed of Roses, and now Savor the Moment has come out. Each book follows one of the 4 friends who began Vows, a wedding planning company in Greenwich. The first, Mackenzie - a photographer, then Emma the florist, now its Laurel their resident pastry chef; lastly, Parker, the coordinator, will come later.

I really want to read this before the new movie comes out!

And to all of you who have heard me go on and on about last summer's Fine Cooking special publication, this is the 2010 version on sale now. Its got a lot of last summer's recipes in it, but some new ones to enjoy too!

I know I have posted a lot today, but just one more thing....you have to read this if you're a fan of Chelsea! I watch Chelsea Lately religiously every night. She's hilarious, and her other two books are so funny too - My Horizontal Life and Are you there vodka? It's me Chelsea

Also, everyone's favorite nugget, Chuy, has a book out too - Little Nuggets of Wisdom

Weekend Reading

I know we all love a book recommendation, and I read this one in about 24 hours. When David and I were in Florida a few weeks ago, I had plenty of time to read and this definitely held my attention. Enjoy!