Books, Reading Lists

Easy Fall Reading List

A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
Worth a Read
Yes || Length 336 

Quick Review This really is a beautifully written work of fiction, depicting an often overlooked period of history as Americans. The Spanish Civil War raged on as two people are pushed together into a marriage and escape from Spain to Chile on a ship, chartered by Pablo Neruda. Highly suggest.
Memorable Quotes
“Her beauty intimidated him: he was used to women prematurely marked by poverty or war.”
“She was discovering it (the world) was nothing like the descriptions in books or photographs. It was much more complex and colorful, much less frightening.”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

Anywhere for You by Abbie Greaves
Worth a Read Eh || Length 368 

Quick Review I really hated this book. It was written fine, but the whole plot. I don’t get the point. Like why? Mary stands in a tube station with a sign saying, “Come Home Jim” because her boyfriend disappeared on her seven YEARS ago. Everything goes to shit when a reporter befriends her and makes it go viral. The relationship was toxic and unhealthy… So it feels like it’s just perpetuating the idea that a good woman will, in the words of Tammy Wynette, Stand By [Her] Man even when he’s shit and doesn’t deserve it. 
Memorable Quotes
“Comfort never encouraged anyone to spread their wings.”
“”When you meet the right person, you need to be with them, no matter what.””

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston
Worth a Read Eh || Length 288 

Quick Review Not my usual read, but it’s a cute rom-com for teens about two nerdy kids falling in love in the midst of their own problems. If you can’t tell, books are at the heart of their love story. You can also guess the plot from the title. No surprises. At all.

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Everyone Is Beautiful by Katherine Center
Worth a Read Yes || Length 256 

Quick Review I had low hopes for this, but it turned out to be a beautiful story about a wife and mother, yearning to reconnect with herself and passion again. It’s an earnest depiction of making life work on a limited income and even less sleep. Life, marriage, and motherhood is hard, but it’s even harder having to do them all at once. Center creates a compelling look into womanhood and marriage in the time that comes after the “happily ever after” or wedding because life doesn’t stop with a ring or an “I do.” This is a small book that really gets the messiness and stress of motherhood and marriage without being bitter or resentful.
Memorable Quotes
“I hate to say it, but I will. Children, despite their infinite charms, are an absolute assault on a marriage.”

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Gimme Everything You Got by Iva-Marie Palmer
Worth a Read Yes || Length 400 

Quick Review I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I don’t usually read YA, but it was accidentally sent to me, and I thought why not? Set in 1979, a school gets their first girls soccer team and sexism ensues. The girls learn how to balance their budding love of sports with their desire to be feminine and find those two things are often at odds in society’s eyes. Setting the piece over 40 years ago, allows readers to draw parallels between the world of the past and today to see what has changed and all the ways it has not budged.  
Memorable Quotes
“Then, this summer, I realized maybe the shorts meant something bigger. Like that I was a feminist. Not one who didn’t shave her armpits, but a sexy one.”
“Wasn’t the point of having a sibling that you had to endure your parents together?”

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Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
Worth a Read No || Length 240 

Quick Review I understand Rachel Hollis and this book are beloved by so many people, but I just couldn’t get on board. I had a hard time getting past the God aspect, great, have your religion, but for so many people that’s not a driving force in our lives, but what got me the most about it was her constant need to reinforce the idea that she’s a “good Christian.” There are really great nuggets and words of wisdom in there, but there’s also a kind of toxic “pick yourself up” and “you’re unhappy because of you” and “EVERYTHING is in your control” attitude. As someone who is completely self-made, I get that. As a survivor of abuse, so much of my life is circumstance and dealing with the aftermath and consequences of other people’s actions. The themes and attitudes are just not relatable for me at all. It falls so flat.  

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

Little Deadly Secrets by Pamela Crane
Worth a Read No || Length 384 

Quick Review For me, this is one of those not-much-of-a-mystery mystery; it’s very easy to guess. I really did not like any of the characters. I found so many issues with the parenting and rape. So much rape. Rape, rape, everywhere. As a rape survivor, I don’t mind rape, but this felt more like rape porn than rape for literary or even human experience reasons. There’s also a lot of toxic masculinity passing as acceptable. It was just written poorly and in poor taste. A hard pass for me. 
Memorable Quotes
“Friends are the flowers you pick to beautify your life.”
“We’re trained from an early age to value beauty. What a handsome little boy, we say. Or What a pretty little princess. So we grow up believing that if we’re not beautiful enough, we won’t be loved. Then someone comes along and loves you anyway, and you make him God over you. Even when he is in fact the devil.”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

Little Wishes by Michelle Adams
Worth a Read Yes || Length 400 

Quick Review This is a really sweet love story about two people reconnecting in their twilight years. It’s sweetly written to match the tone of the story. Adams writes in an overly flowery way to try and paint a picture of Cornwall, but it’s a bit over the top. She also does a whole bunch of equating love and fire, but I guess that’s what readers like. There’s a hint of mystery, but if you’ve done much reading, that and the ending are quite expected. Overall, this is one of those books you want to read on the beach or snuggled up in a porch chair.
Memorable Quotes
“Perhaps that was what love was, the thought to herself, when nothing that came before or after seemed to matter anymore, when the world could be on fire, but you didn’t fear the burn.”
“Losing a parent did that, made you question your existence for the first time in your life. Human morality paraded before you, utterly unavoidable, the world changed.”

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Live A Little by Howard Jacobson
Worth a Read Eh || Length 288

Quick Review I really enjoyed the writing, but the story itself was lackluster for me. I can’t even remember the plot, except for the part where I couldn’t care less about the characters. The female characters in particular were… shallow. It’s an excellent example of why I don’t like reading female characters written by men. The narrative style is humorous and interesting.
Memorable Quotes
“I was more of a man than any of my men were and I don’t doubt I will prove to be more of a carer than my carers.” 
“What they call dementia, she has decided, is nothing but a failure to maintain a comprehensive filing system. And what they call losing your mind is forgetting to use it.”

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The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli
Worth a Read Yes || Length 496 

Quick Review Waffling between an art conservationist in the midst of WWII and a young woman in a Milanese court of the fifteenth century, this historical novel traces the history of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, Girl with the Ermine. I get a bit tired of historical novels set during WWII, but I did enjoy this one. I love strong women at the heart of a well written narrative. 
Memorable Quotes 
“Like most inspired ideas, it comes to me in the middle of the night.”
“And Edith had to face the fact that she was part of the giant network that enabled these men to aggrandize themselves, at the expense of so many innocent lives.”
“Edith had a difficult time reconciling the man who, by day, was responsible for the devastation around them, and by night, doted on his children.”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

The Red Daughter by John Burnham Schwartz
Worth a Read Eh || Length 288

Quick Review A historical novel focusing on Svetlana, Stalin’s daughter, and her life in America after fleeing the Soviet Union. Told from two perspectives, that of Svetlana and that of her lawyer, Peter Horvath. It’s a well told story, but largely forgettable. Getting nit picky, as a Russian speaker, when Svetlana is writing, it doesn’t feel like a Russian speaking. She also lacks emotional depth, when Peter does not. I would say that’s due to a man trying to write from a perspective he does not understand or identify with… a woman’s. Peter is the far more compelling character; even though his section of the novel is far smaller. In a lot of ways, this is a lovely story, but it also falls very short of being great.
Memorable Quotes
“Governments will always lie. It is the job of artists and intellectuals to tell the truth.”
“There is a kind of drunkenness one finds only in Russia. The Irish don’t know it, the French, the Greeks. An ecstasy of melancholy… A sadness that has no limits and is so very close to joy, but never reaches it.”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Book Depository

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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11..., Lifestyle

11 Reasons I’m Glad I Went To The Texas State Fair But I Never Need To Go Again

 

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Enjoying a leisurely stroll around a pond. | Shirt | Jeans | Sandals | Purse | Watch | Sunglasses

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Posing with some of the art around the Texas State Fair Grounds.

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Even the pavers on in the shape of Texas.

I grew up going to the Iowa State Fair. There are very few years I didn’t make it. Even when I moved out of state, I tried to head to Des Moines for the fair. Sadly, I didn’t make it this year, but it lives on in my heart. 

Dylan and I have been wanting to go to the Texas State Fair pretty much since we moved to Houston. We assumed it would be spectacular because everything’s bigger in Texas, right? Wrong. The Iowa State Fair set my expectations high for all fairs over the past three decades. There was quite the emotional fall when I went to the Texas State Fair… 

  1. The fair grounds are beautiful, but there isn’t much substance. 
  2. Why can’t I pet the damn animals??? Seriously fairs are for farm animal petting, and they kept the animals far away from me. 
  3. Also where were all the animals?!? Fairs are supposed to be full of cows and sheep and pigs and horses and goats and all other farm things. Nope. The barns were all but empty.
  4. Speaking of farm stuff, where were the tractors and farm equipment… I mean Texas is a hugely agricultural dependent. Where’s the goods? The fair sure didn’t have any.
  5. Farm equipment was lacking, but boy could you find any kind of car you wanted. 
  6. The African American Museum of Dallas is an amazing museum. It brought me to tears. Absolutely worth the trip. 
  7. I did not find a single washable tattoo. What kind of fuckery is that?
  8. No one seemed terribly excited to be at the fair. There wasn’t a hum of anticipation. 
  9. The fried food was not in the kind of abundance I have come to expect from fairs. 
  10. Overall there was a complete lack of entertainment, music, and halls filled with food/flowers/pies/photography/4H/quilts lined up with blue ribbons and all the other colored ribbons. 
  11. No big slide. 

I don’t know if it’s because Iowa’s State Fair is just that incredible (I mean, it is listed in a lot of lists of things you need to do in the U.S. and the world before you die.) or Texas has to epically fail at something or the Texas stock show culture is so prevalent. I’m glad I went to the Texas State Fair, but honestly, I never need to go again. It was kind of a bummer.  

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Enjoying the mandatory ice cream cone at the fair. | Jeans | Shirt | Sandals | Purse | Watch | Hat

11..., Lifestyle

11 Reasons I Can’t Give You Autumnal Vibes on Instagram

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Having a gourd time at Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, Texas. | Skirt | Bralette | Blanket |

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These photos were taken at Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, Texas, where there were lots and lots of cute pumpkins, so I took some pumpkin pictures.

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I love autumn. It’s my favorite season. Pumpkin spice isn’t my jam, but apple cider sure is. After moving to Houston, fall is one of the things I miss about my Northern life. Fall here in humid Houston regularly visits the 90s. Yay.

  1. I keep it real. My Instagram is a reflection of my real life, and my real life takes place in Houston. Instagrammable fall doesn’t exist here, so unless I’m traveling, I would be lying to you if I posted all the autumnal vibes.
  2. Beach photos almost never end up looking anything but warm and tropical. 
  3. Other Houston bloggers, mostly of the fashion variety, are posting fall outfit inspo pictures, and I feel like I’m going to die for them. It’s hot. I’m not putting on a sweater for a picture. Nope. 
  4. Changing of the leaves is beautiful, but non-existent here. If I find myself somewhere it’s occurring, you’ll see it. Until then, you’re gonna see skirts, green grass, tank tops, pools, and bright blue skies. 
  5. I hate pumpkin spice. I took a taste of the Starbucks drink when they first came out with it or I first became aware of it, and I hate it. 
  6. Pumpkins are amazing. I have nothing against them; other than the spice capitalism and consumers have forced upon it. The pie is delicious. Roasted, soup, puree, and stuffed is all up my alley. I just don’t post them because everyone else is, and I’m here to be different. 
  7. Mood often sways the way my pictures turn out, and it’s hard to be in the autumnal, sweater, scarf, and cozy socks kinda mood when it’s 90 degrees and as humid as Satan’s crotch after hot yoga.  
  8. Houston winter feels like a casual fall to me, and it doesn’t come until after the new year, so you’ll see cozy from me for three weeks in mid-January or February, then it’s back to your regularly scheduled shorts and tees. 
  9. Being uncomfortable in a sweater or scarf in Texas is not worth a cute picture. I’ll do a lot for pretty photos but not that. 
  10. Houston
  11. Houston

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Shirt | Bralette | Skirt | Shoes | Sunglasses | Watch | Blanket

Baked Goods, In The Kitchen

Pumpkin Scones

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Pumpkin Scones are the perfect fall treat for breakfast or afternoon.

Pumpkin Scones

It’s that time of year. Pumpkin time. They’re everywhere. Is it just me, or do they increase in popularity annually? Not that I mind. I live and breathe for the three months a year pumpkin pie is an acceptable dinner option… Is that just me? Whatever, I’m gonna keep consuming whole pies.

As much as I love pumpkin, I am actually really picky about the pumpkin pie alternatives. I hate Pumpkin Spice Lattes. They’re not my jam. I want to show you a few of my favorite fall pumpkin recipes, which I have fine tuned over the years. They’re not super pumpkin punchy, but they’ll get you in the spirit.

The first of many recipes to come is a fabulous breakfast option to go with your morning coffee or PSL or cocoa or apple cider. Fall options are the best options. Anyways! Here’s my quick and easy pumpkin scone recipe. The glaze is not necessary, but a yummy, sugary addition. I made my own pumpkin puree, but canned pumpkin is just as good. I suggest chilling it in a container, so it doesn’t get that metallic flavor.

Ingredients
Scone

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter* – cold and grated
  • 3/4 canned pumpkin puree – chilled (don’t chill in can)
  • 4 Tbsp buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extrac

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp half and half , then more as needed
  • 1 tbs pumpkin puree
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ginger
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg

*Note on butter. I like to freeze the butter and grate it frozen. It takes a lot of the effort out of cutting it into the flour mixture, in my opinion. Keeping the butter cold is important because that’s what gives the scones a flaky texture. So the faster you work the better! Also if it’s frozen, it stays colder that much longer.

I hear Starbucks has a seasonal pumpkin scone, so why not save some money and impress your friends by making it at home!

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°
  • Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly in a large mixing bowl.
  • Grate frozen butter. If you want to follow tradition: Cut butter into 1/2 inch cubes.
  • Mix butter into the dry ingredients. Work quickly to incorporate, so the flour holds together without being wet. Don’t overwork. There will be very small chunks of butter incorporated thoroughly.
  • Make a well in the dry ingredients. Crack the cold egg, cold pumpkin puree, cold buttermilk, and vanilla into the well.
  • Mix all the ingredients until combined. It will be a firm dough that will hold its shape. It shouldn’t be very sticky.
  • Form dough into a a 1 ½ to 2 inch thick disk. Cut into eight equal triangles.
  • Place on baking sheet.
  • Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.
  • While the scones are baking…
    • Whisk all the ingredients for the glaze in a bowl. It will be a golden brown color flecked by the spices.
  • Pull the scones out and place on cooling rack.
  • Dip the top of the scone into the glaze. OR drizzle the glaze on top of the scones. I like to dip them when they’re still a little warm; this allows the glaze to have a smooth top that drips down the sides.
  • ENJOY!

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I would love to hear all about your favorite pumpkin recipes! Let me know in the comments!