Five Favorites + WWRW

I've hit a writer's block. Can you tell? I can't think of a lot to write about lately, yet I can't work up the motivation to work on my (stalled) Love Story series or a post about my wedding or honeymoon.

In hopes of kicking the writer's block, at least for today, I thought I would jump on not one, but two bandwagons that I've enjoyed for a long time from afar, but never participated in. (WWRW readers, feel free to skip to the bottom!)

Five Favorites

1. Pinterest is really killing it these days. I've been making a bunch of recipes from my Deliciousness board with stunning success. My sister Cathy came over for tea last week, and we made these brownie-cookie dough-Reese's bites. It was really easy and they turned out better than they sound ... if that's even possible.

Teatime with Cathy // homemade bread // nutella, honey, cookie butter

2. I've been making this sandwich for lunch a lot lately—it's amazing, amazing.

3. This list of one-tray dinners will change your concept of after-dinner clean-up. I made this one last night with some chicken, potatoes, and zucchini we had lying around. The meal was good, and the zucchini may have been the best I've ever had.

4. Ok, last one about food! Frank and I made toasted marshmallow shakes on Monday—highly recommend—they turned out great. And I promised him I will make this dark chocolate Guinness cake some time soon. Maybe next time Cathy comes over? (She's my designated dessert-baking partner).

5. I've been really enjoying my walk to work lately. Hyde Park has some really pretty houses with glorious front porches.

Front porches are kind of the greatest. I dream of having my own wrap-around someday. Porch swing and rocking chairs included, of course.

*Thank you to Hallie for hosting!

What We're Reading Wednesday

I'm reading two books right now, and loving them both.

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Both of these books have been on my "Want to read" list for years. I'm glad I'm finally getting around to them—both are well worth it.

What are you reading this week?

*Thank you to Jessica for hosting!

Cathy graduates!

We spent the weekend down in Urbana-Champaign for my little sister Cathy's graduation from the University of Illinois.

The small ceremony for Cathy's college was really beautiful. She majored in Spanish, and the professors gave a rousing defense of studying the liberal arts. I was impressed.

 ^^Cathy walking in to the ceremony... with Grandma blocking my camera juuuuust a bit.

 ^^Whyyyy oh why did Cathy get all the good hair genes? I ask myself this every day.

 ^^Walking off the stage after receiving her diploma. My baby's a college graduate!

The following sequence is brought to you by People Trying to Look at Five Different Cameras.

 ^^Grandma and Grandpa flew in from Miami for the ceremony.

 ^^Proud parents

 ^^Cathy and her boyfriend, Tom, who graduated the same weekend with a degree in Engineering.

 ^^Sister pic ... please note Angela. I laugh so hard every time I see this one.

On Sunday before Mass, we went to an early-morning breakfast reception at the President's house.

^^The place was decked out in the school colors—I was especially impressed by the blue and orange flower arrangements.

 ^^Cathy plus parents. Isn't she the cutest?

 ^^All the siblings who were there. We missed Lillian!

 ^^(Almost) the whole family!

I'm so proud of my "little" (as the girls in her sorority would say). Congratulations to Cathy and all the newly minted grown-ups who graduated from college this weekend!