11-11-11

So I had this big idea about starting some life-improving changes on November 11, 2011. That date is thought to be really powerful, so I hoped that it would be an extra help in starting some better habits. I want to be a little more organized, especially with meal planning for myself and for Violet. I also want to be more focused and productive. I AM working on some goals, but I didn't do very well at them on 11-11-11 (or the couple days since). I will keep trying to improve and by the end of the year, maybe I'll be perfect.

One thing I'd like to do again is blog more regularly. I also want to write a novel. And I want to finish the Blog Novel that I started. It's hard to write with a baby in my life, but it was hard to write before she existed, too. I'll keep at it and someday I will finish writing a whole novel.

In the meantime, I'm still reading. Here are some more books I've read this year:

39 & 40. Kate Carlisle's The Lies That Bind and Murder Under Cover. These are cozy mysteries about a bookbinder. No complaints, easy reads, entertaining, and kind of silly.

41, 42 & 43. Kate Collins's Mum's the Word, Slay it with Flowers, and Dearly Depotted. Cozy mysteries about a law school-dropout who now owns a flower shop. There are 10 or 12 of these and I'll likely read them all. Fun, easy reads with some humor.

44. Julie Kenner's Demon Ex Machina. Cozy plus demons. Are demons cozy? A soccer mom is also a demon slayer. Lots of bad jokes, but still pretty fun. I could not stand to read more than one at a time due to the author's overuse of the same phrases AND use of the first person. But, this series is fun.

45. People with Dirty Hands by Robin Chotzinoff. I have read these essays about passionate gardeners several times and plan to re-read it in the future. I really like Chotzinoff's style. She talks to rose rustlers (people who take cuttings from wild roses or other people's roses), chili growers, ladybug hunters, urban gardeners, tomato-obsessives, and more. She makes people seem interesting even if they aren't.

More later -- hopefully soon as I intend to make blogging a habit again by the end of the year.