It's already December?

Wow, I can't believe it's December already!! I've been reading and crocheting more as well as cooking.

The news:
I am now down 228 lbs. I can't believe it! I am feeling so much better and have been doing so much more! I am so grateful to my surgeon for giving me my life back! Here's a recent photo of me, but this was at 313, I am now 280.


The crocheting:
I've been busy finished WIPs (works in progress) and it feels great! Here's the latest off my hook!

I made this one for my father and mother-in-law for Christmas. My father-in-law was a professor at BYU and this is their colors.


I made this one for a friend who is expecting her first baby girl in four months!


I made this afghan for my dear friend Karen for Christmas.


I'm still trying to decide who gets this one!! Haha But, I love how it turned out!


This one was a kit that came from Herrschners. I love the colors. I just need to wash it to get rid of the puffiness.



The reading:
I've also been busy reading! I still have six books to read to make my 2012 reading goal so I've been reading a lot at night instead of sleeping. I know, not wise. LOL

Catching Moondrops by Jennifer Erin Valent. What can I say about this book? The final one of the trilogy, was absolutely the best one. This book touched me in so many ways and I learned some really valuable lessons from reading it. I feel blessed to have read this book.

Seek Me With All Your Heart by Beth Wiseman. This book was recommended to me by a friend. From page one, I was totally engulfed in it. I loved the story and the characters and I love how Miss Wiseman painted the scene of Amish living. This is a good book that was a quick read for me and one that has made me feel like a better person for having read it.

Lost In Your Time by Elle Amberley. This book is something that I could totally relate to. It's about lost love, regret, and new love. I love how it developed and found myself wanting for more when it was over.

Kansas Troubles by Earlene Fowler. At first, Benni's immaturity was a little annoying, but as the story progressed, those impressions went away. I love this series, and the spark that Benni and Gabe have.

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeannette Winterson. I really didn't get this book. I understand it was an autobiographical novel about a gay woman's upbringing and coming out, but I just didn't care for it. The interspersed fairy tales made no sense to the story, and at times it seemed like it was jumping around like random thoughts that pop into your mind.

The Remarkable Soul of a Woman by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. This was exactly what I needed to read today. This is an inspirational book about women and what we do to make the world a more beautiful place.

Created for Greater Things by Jeffrey R. Holland. This is a wonderful little book with inspirational quotes and beautiful photos.

Real Food, Real Frugal by Susan Godfrey. This is a comprehensive book about food. It is divided into three parts, the first part defines what food is. This section is awesome and discusses some of the preservatives and additives in food and what some of those factors their consumptions can mean to the body. The second part discusses how to make the most of your food budget. It's the largest section of the book and the most informative. The last part is the recipes section that contains many recipes that I plan on trying.

Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich. I love this series and this one was just as funny and suspenseful as the rest. When does 20 come out?

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. I wanted to read the books versus watching the movies. This one started the series and how enchanting it was. I can't wait to read the next one.

The baking:
I have been busy baking as well. I won't post photos here because I didn't take any. LOL But, I made pumpkin spice cupcakes, apple pie cupcakes, carrot cake cupcakes, Reese's peanut butter cup cupcakes, poppy seed bread, and banana bread for a young lady for a bake sale. She sold everything and managed to raise the funds she needed to go to a medical camp next summer.

I plan on posting again, but if I don't manage to before the holidays, I want to wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a very happy new year!! Let's hope 2013 is a fantastic one for us all!