December 28, 2012

I love lists, Friday!

Why Beards Change Everything. HAHAHAA
The dog & piglets are my favorite!
Allison made me this lip gloss. It’s AWESOME. You should make some.
If you have a kid, this might make you laugh. Swiper, no swiping!
8 Mistakes Not to Make on NYE. Good to know.
Sriracha in a toddy?! I love this!!
This soup looks absolutely divine.
Must get me some Yuzu so I can make this drink.
15 Food Blogger Trends that Need to Go. Some good ones in there.
A BIG Congrats to my friend Katie!! Your engagement ring is stunning!
I wonder if my hands are delicate enough for this…probably not.
The Gift of Quiet for Christmas sounds like perfection.
10 Things to Make You Happier at Home. AMEN!
I’m thinking of getting a Kindle. Do you have one? Do you love it? TELL ME.
You excited for GIRLS season two??? I AM!!!

MY BITES AROUND THE NET:

Beckster’s Laboratory adapted my Persimmon & Butter Lettuce Salad.

Bea’s Bites made my Flourless Chocolate Coconut Drops.

Julie Doodles also made my Flourless Chocolate Coconut Drops!

She Wines Sometimes made my Candy Cane Vodka.

Make Great made my Apricot Pistachio Granola.

Domestrocrat adapted my Roasted Rosemary Almonds.

Ellen December 28, 2012

Whoaaa, a sriracha hot toddy. I recently got on the sriracha train (I’m behind on things like that)and this sounds like a good use for it! Thanks for the linkage:)

Reply
Jenni December 28, 2012

I LOVE my Kindle (I have the first version, so my experience is tied to that model and may not be relevant to the newer kinds). I keep it in my purse so no matter where I go, I’m able to read something. It’s way lighter than a hardcover and more compact than even a paperback. If you do all your reading at home then I don’t know if I’d recommend it as strongly, but if you read on your commute, like I do, then I’d absolutely say, “Get one!”. It’s not great for any books where colour and photos are integral to the content, or magazines (in my opinion). Newspapers aren’t bad on it, but novels are definitely its jam. I’ve even sent e-mails on it in a couple desperate situations, but the browser is pretty terrible.
My husband loves his, too – he’s convinced he reads at least four times as much on his commute, because he always keeps his with him.

Reply
- Kristy December 29, 2012
  
  I completely agree, and I also have the first version. I just got my mom the Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas and she’s so stoked over it because now she can read in bed with the lights off while my dad is snoozing.
  
  Reply
Ellen December 28, 2012

why beards change everything…I can’t stop laughing.

Reply
Heidi December 28, 2012

Love your lists! I have a Nook Tablet. I love it. You will love it too! (The Nook or the Kindle) They are light and easy to throw in your bag. If I find myself waiting somewhere I have not only my book to read but also magazines that I get on the Nook. And the BEST part is that when you are lying in bed at night reading, you can just get comfy cozy and read. No more contorting yourself into weird positions so that the bedside light hits the pages. Also, if my hubby is sleeping the light from the Nook does not disturb him like the bedside light might. I got one for Valentines Day and I have read more this year than I have since I was kid=free.

Reply
Kira December 28, 2012

I have a Nookcolor and my boyfriend has a Kindle and we love both devices. If you’re an avid reader it’s a must have.

I also have an iPad but I prefer to use my Nookcolor, or gank his Kindle, if I’m reading at home (or close to home). The iPad is best when I’m traveling long distances (so I don’t have to carry my nook, iPad, and iPhone) because it’s a one stop shop kind of deal.

Reply
Beth December 28, 2012

I love my kindle! Though I have always loved books, on my minimalist days I dream of ditching my wall full of books and having every book I own contained therein!:). (I never would do that, but there are days!). I would stipulate that my love is for the classic kindle with the “paperwhite” screen- it doesn’t strain or stimulate the eyes the way a back lit screen does. And I have enough screens in my life; I’m not interested in an ereader that is also a tablet computer; I just want it to be the repository of my books. (Though contrary to everything I’ve just said, I’ve also used the free kindle app before I decided to invest in a “real” kindle. It’s good for reading emergencies.)

Reply
Jane M December 28, 2012

This last list of 2012 is your best of the year! Thank you! My year was not so good. In fact it sucked. I lost my mother last month and I’m still in a horrible funk. My heart breaks into a million pieces for my father who is struggling to regroup and carry on.

So on that note I am going to try some of the things in this post for 2013 so I won’t be sooooo negative and full of doom and gloom.

Happy and healthy 2013 to you and yours!

Reply
Deborah December 28, 2012

I don’t have a Kindle, but I do have the Kindle app (it’s a free download for your smartphone – Android or Apple). And I love it. You can read the same book on a bunch of different devices if you have them, the books travel with you….TOTAL lifesaver for plane rides, by the way! Happy new year!

Reply
Jackie December 28, 2012

I have a Kindle Touch and really like it. I thought I would miss the experience of turning pages in a real book, but I don’t too much. I read 4 books while on vacation last year and only had to bring my Kindle to do it! It’s so portable and I really like being able to check out library books to my Kindle. They return automatically, so I’ve also reduced late fees at the library by a lot! The one feature that I miss is being able to view pictures or magazines in color. If you want to be able to do that – you’ll probably want a Nook or a Kindle Fire.

This is my first comment, although I’ve been “lurking” for several years now. I love your blog, as well as the JTB podcast. Keep up the great stuff in 2013!

Reply
Christine December 28, 2012

Tracy, the thing is, I love your blog, your recipes, and your banter with Joy on the podcast.

The OTHER thing is, I love my Kindle Paperwhite. I have the model you linked to and it’s perfect. I love that the screen lights up without being back lit, and so does my husband because he can fall asleep without the bedroom being lit up like a Christmas tree. Reading fiction is a breeze, and I love being able to look up words with a tap of the screen. It’s also great because you can download sample chapters before you buy a book and see if you like it before you commit to owning the book. I just read a book that had the “x-ray” feature and that was pretty cool, too! You can search back in the book to find pertinent details about characters and whatnot. I don’t use it for reading cookbooks or other professional nonfiction books that I need for referencing things – I guess I’m old fashioned in those genres! Good luck in your e-reader decision!

Reply
Tiff December 28, 2012

Tracy, I truly love your lists! You always find so many great gems from around the interwebs, just wanted to say thank you!! Have a great weekend!

Reply
Amy December 28, 2012

I’m a big reader & I love my Kindle! The only thing I don’t like using it for is cookbooks because I like to look at photos & open up the book to see the whole recipe. But for novel reading, it’s the best!!!

Happy 2013, friend!!! Looking forward to sharing more carbs together this year 🙂

Reply
Valerie December 28, 2012

I have a kindle and LOVE it! Was kind of hesitant to buy it, but took the plunge last year and haven’t looked back. I am a huge reader and hated getting stuck places without reading material and lugging books around with me. I travel a lot too, so this made a huge difference in the size of my carry on. You really can’t beat the convenience of having hundreds of books in one little device that you can carry wherever you go. And most libraries have a pretty extensive downloadable selection so you can still get free books!

Reply
Kristina December 28, 2012

The fact that I made one of your lists just kicks total ass. Thank you lovely lady!

Reply
Heather December 28, 2012

Okay, I’ll be the only one…I have a Kindle and I don’t love it. I love books. I love the feel of a book in my hands. I love paper. I love dog-earring pages and underlining passages (there’s a way to do this on the Kindle, too, but it’s not the same for me). I just can’t get into my Kindle.

Reply
- Tracy December 28, 2012
  
  Thanks for your honesty! I love paper too. I have stacks of books on my nightstand that are staring me in the face…WHY AREN’T YOU READING ME and I wonder if I’ll feel the same way about a kindle.
  
  Reply
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen December 28, 2012

How much do you want to be best friends with Lena Dunham?? I am so excited for Girls to come back – thanks for linking to the trailers!

Reply
- Tracy December 28, 2012
  
  YES!!!!!!!!!! I’d love that.
  
  Reply
Melissa Marie December 28, 2012

Before I bought my Kindle I had a stack of books I hadn’t read. Things I’ve picked up at the Library book sales, gifts, free stacks… Now I have a virtual “stack” of books I’m not reading on my Kindle. Just as stressful, and just as relaxing to plow through… Plus, I can keep it in my purse and it’s easy to read at the gym or at the office or on a bus… I’m a fan and didn’t think I would be.

Reply
Eva December 28, 2012

I am on my second kindle (had the keyboard, upgraded to the paperwhite) and I love love love love it! I can’t even read real books anymore because they are so much less convenient.

Get one, you will love it!

Also, this case for the paperwhite is perfection!! http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Kindle-Paperwhite-Leather-Persimmon/dp/B007R5YG0Q/ref=sr_1_6?s=fiona-hardware&ie=UTF8&qid=1356736720&sr=1-6

Reply
Nicole December 28, 2012

That list of things that have to go is great! The Kindle…as everyone has already said, “you need it”.

Reply
Katie @ Blonde Ambition December 28, 2012

Abraham Lincoln/Bill Nye and Muppet Louis CK made me LOL.

I was planning to go down the list and comment on all the links you posted that I liked……but that was actually every single one this week 🙂 Great finds!

Reply
Annie December 28, 2012

1. Love the picture of cooper!
2. you do not need that delicate hands harness. Ick! no!

Reply
Greeblygreebly December 29, 2012

I have a Kindle and adore it. My very favorite thing about it- I can check books out from the library instantly without leaving home. Before you pick which one to get you may want to check out your local library’s website and see if they have that available and what kind of e-books they carry. It is also lightweight and portable which is really nice. Plus if you buy books they are rarely more than $10 and again- instant gratification. Also, it’s going to save us a lot of storage space.

Reply
- Tracy December 29, 2012
  
  Thank you!!!
  
  Reply
Dayanna December 29, 2012

I have a Nook and I love it! Use it all the time to download books from
The library, preview books, etc! I remember when I was researching that kindles don’t always work for downloading from the libraries… Something worth looking into if you plan on using the e-library!

Reply
Clara December 29, 2012

I love love love my Kindle!! I also love love love your mom’s sour cream coffee cake :). Posting picks from the recipe soon! xx

Reply
Phylie December 29, 2012

So glad you’re pondering e-readers on your blog. All of a sudden I felt the NEED to have one. Now I’ve been trying to decide whether to Nook or to Kindle. I can’t sleep at night!
I appreciate all of the comments…

Reply
Bev @ Bev Cooks December 29, 2012

Hey thanks for the sriracha love! Every single thing in that list has me dying.

Reply
Jennifer December 29, 2012

hi!
i think i have never written a comment here before but i have been a reader for quite a while and i really like what you are writing. the “love lists friday” is one of my favourite things here because just like you (apparently) i love browsing the web and finding cool, funny, interesting stuff out there!
about the kindle: i really like mine. i got it about two years ago so it’s one of the older not-that-fancy ones but it’s still pretty great. i like reading a lot and it keeps me from deciding which books i’m going to carry around because they are all in there. also it saved me a lot of money as there are givaways and sales pretty often. i still have a lot of old fashion books around here but i just keep moving them from one place to another so i started giving them away and selling some of them to make some space for other things in my tiny apartment. i really love huge bookshelfs but in a small place it just looks messy and i really won’t impress anyone with my choice of books i guess 😉

Reply
Amber December 29, 2012

I have a kindle fire and I absolutely adore it. I do use it for reading a lot which is super nice because it’s saving us a lot of storage space and I can throw it in my bag and it doesn’t get ruined and crinkled. But I use it as a tablet too, which was one of the biggest draws for me. The instant library is free for prime members.

Reply
dayna December 29, 2012

I am SO PSYCHED for the next season of Girls!

Reply
Melissa December 30, 2012

Go for the Kindle!!! As a diehard book lover, I was determined to hate mine…but no…it makes me want to read even more. Who has the energy to actually TURN PAGES anymore?! In all seriousness though, you’ll never look back. I only miss passing a loved book along after finishing it.

Reply
GiGi Eats Celebrities December 30, 2012

My mom got the iPad mini for XMAS… And it’s the same size as the Kindle and you can DOWNLOAD the Kindle App right there and it is essentially the same thing… It might be worth it to go ALL OUT as opposed to just getting the Kindle to read books… Or maybe getting the iPad mini is a mistake because it will distract you from actually READING BOOKS! LOL!!!!

Reply
- Tracy December 30, 2012
  
  I don’t need any distractions. Haha. Seriously!
  
  Reply
Jayne December 30, 2012

No. 13 is excellent. I constantly find myself wanting to make a better home out of my house. It’s only the 2 of us but it’s our own little corner in this big wide world. Worth the effort to make it a little cosier and happier place to be in. Thanks for the share, Tracy.

Reply
sandra December 31, 2012

Hi – I’ve been secretly following your wonderful blog and have made a number of your recipes, namely persimmon and butter lettuce salad and roasted rosemary almonds and maybe more {I am having trouble remembering at the moment}. You inspire me.

Reply
ashley January 1, 2013

i have a kobo (i live in canada) and LOVE it. i HIGHLY recommend getting an ereader. if i had to choose between forgetting my phone or my ereader at home, i’d almost rather forget my phone (and i always feel naked if i forget my phone). i was one of those people that didn’t want an ereader at first because i prefer paper books, but it’s SO convenient and you can have a whole book series on there. definitely get an ereader!!

Reply
- Tracy January 1, 2013
  
  I got a kindle this week! I love it!!! I’ve been reading a lot on mine so far. It’s fantastic.
  
  Reply
karen reid-mogford January 2, 2013

Love your blog!
And
Love my kindle! I have the iPad mini too but the kindle rocks

Reply
Jessica January 2, 2013

Glad you like your kindle! Love mine (though I still love and read paper books too) – like everyone has said, it lives in my book and makes metro rides much faster and of course way better than trying to carry 3-4 books with me on every trip I take (I don’t know how I ever wasted that much carry on room!).

PS -SO excited for Girls! Wahoo!

Reply