Fall Reading List

Last week I took my National Board Dental Exam Part II, so I am now refilling all the time I was spending studying.  Of course a lot of that time is spent with my wonderful husband.  The other time I am using to try and work out more often and start my fall reading list.  Here it is:
1. The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova ( I have started this one before but life happened and I never finished it.  I was really enjoying it so I have picked it back up.  The story has a neat twist between history, folklore, and fiction.)
2. Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins (This one is actually waiting for me a the library.  Pretty excited to read it.  I heard it is what you should read if you miss Harry Potter. haha)
3. Power in the Pulpit - Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix and The Supremacy of God in Preaching - John Piper (These two are the reading assignments for the IDM class Ryan and I are taking at Brook Hills with our pastor, David Platt. Should be challenging but a really good way to help me learn best how to teach the bible to my college girls small group.)
4. The Help - Kathryn Stockett (I know I am behind since the movie is already out and it seems everyone has already read this book, but my mom lent it to me and I have heard it really is great.)

What I'm listening to...

Such a fun song, love it!

Recipe: my favorite fancy coleslaw

Since the new school year has begun, Ryan and I are trying to stop of summer trend of eating out way more than we should.  Last night, for the first time in several weeks, I tried a new recipe.  I found it on Cooking Light's website, which I think is a great place to look for healthy, new recipes.  Here is are the recipes I tried last night, Apricot-Lemon Chicken with a Sweet Lemon-Mint Pear Salad.  Very yummy!

But for today's recipe I will share what Ryan's grandmother calls "the famous slaw".  Most of the time Ryan and I join his extended family for dinner I am asked to bring this slaw, which is great because it is yummy and easy to make.  In reality, I can take no credit for this recipe!  I found it in a Paula Dean cookbook I own. So here it is, "the famous slaw"...

Rene's Coleslaw
Source: Food Network, Paula Dean

Ingredients

• 5 cups shredded cabbage (I buy the chopped, washed, ready to eat slaw)
• 1/2 cups almonds, toasted
• 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup celery, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions, white and green parts
• 1/2 cups chopped green bell pepper

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use light mayo)
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon honey mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Combine cabbage, almonds, cranberries, celery, green onions, and green pepper in a large plastic bowl with a snap-on lid. Combine all dressing ingredients, adding salt and pepper to taste, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour dressing over slaw just before serving. Stir well.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my wonderful husband's 26th birthday.  This is the 10th birthday we have celebrated together.  I hope he knows today that I love him more everyday.  I love my life with him and I look forward to the future adventures we will have together.

Taken during the first couple months we were together, 2002.

I also want to say Happy Birthday to my lovely sister, she is turning 30 today!  And she will be a mom in less than 2 months!  Wish I could see her to today to celebrate.  Luckily I will see her next week, probably the last time I will see her before baby Elizabeth is ready to come!