Reading

Since I haven't been spending so much time on my computer I've started reading again in my spare time. I don't have a Kindle, not sure if I want to get one or not. This is the most recent book I just finished.
I like some of the movies made from Nicholas Sparks books (The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, A Walk to Remember, Message in a Bottle, etc.) but I don't like the endings that are usually sad! I was hesitant to read this book because I didn't want a sad ending. I went ahead and bought it since I needed something to read while I was waiting for my husband at the doctor's office. It's a nice story, but I was dreading the ending, the main character was a firefighter and I was just sure he would have an accident! I'm happy to say it had a good ending! Yay! Do you like books with sad endings?

Recently I told you about reading The Help (click here.) I finally saw the movie last week. I liked the movie, but was glad I had read the book before seeing the movie as it filled in a lot of the blanks. I do think the movie was well done. Did you like the book and movie?

Here's another book my daughter gave me for my birthday in May (or Mother's Day.) I have enjoyed it a lot.
It's hardback and has lots of beautiful wedding pictures of William and Kate.

Many wedding pictures

and pictures of the reception

but it is mostly about their life stories, very interesting.

William's childhood
and
Kate's childhood

Their college graduation day:

It also has several other stories and photos of other royal weddings, a brief history of each.

Princess Margaret's wedding, 1960 (above)

Official wedding photo of Queen Elisabeth and Prince Philip and their wedding cake.

Below: Prince Henry and Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 1935
There's twenty-two pages with a brief history of many royal wedding. Photos are in black and white. At first I was a little disappointed about all this in the William and Kate book, but after reading the stories I found it all very interesting, so many heartaches among the royals.

I pray this couple will have a very happy ending!

I also bought these magazines

because they had some different pictures, such as this:

The reading from Romans, chapter 12 titled "The Lesson"

Did you buy any books or magazines about the royal wedding? I was surprised to see some apathy about the wedding in the U.S. I found it all very intriguing! I guess I'm just a romantic at heart!

What books have you been reading lately?

I'm linking to The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sunday's, click here for lots more interesting posts!

Dream Home

I was going to post this last spring, but never did. I received this book for Christmas last year and have thoroughly enjoyed it.
I have enjoyed reading this book as much as looking at all the gorgeous photographs! Barbra Streisand wrote this book about the home (mansion) she built. She also took most of the pictures for the book. Not only can she sing, act, and direct, she is a wonderful photographer and writer. She took most of the pictures in the book. Now she can add design and builder to her talents. I highly recommend this book! It's well worth what it costs!

Since I am going to link to Susan's Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday, I will start with Barbra's dining room

How's that for a tablescape!!

Isn't it all absolutely gorgeous!!


I love this book!

What a view!

She had been looking at the property for years and trying to buy one of the three houses on the cul de sac overlooking the Pacific ocean.

Each of the owners were reluctant to sell their house, but by and by, and one by one they sold their houses to her! Below is the finished result of what she built after tearing down two of the houses!


She loves barns and silos and this is the design she went for one of her buildings. Don't let that farmhouse look fool you!

It is so very elegant!

The other side of the house!

The Mill House is the garage.
The water wheel works!

She tells a very interesting story about the water wheel!

View of the water wheel from inside
the house (notice the curtains)

I love this room!

Her outfit matches the room! Doesn't she look beautiful!

The Cottage

This is where she records!

A few more pictures:

The basement is like a street in a shopping village!

Clothes she wore in many of her movies:

Her doll collection displayed here in "Bee's Doll Shop!"

Barbra Streisand's house is indeed a dream home, and she shares many details of it with us in this wonderful book! I hope she does a second book!! This one has many enjoyable hours, very entertaining! She certainly "has it all!" Just think, all this and that handsome adoring husband (James Brolin) too!

Like I said it is well worth the cost of the book! Or put it on your Wish List like I did! My daughter bought it for me! Thanks, Ashleigh!