This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Random.org winner Jennifer W. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

So Valentine’s Day… do you love it or kind of hate it? I personally think we could all do with a few more holidays celebrating love…but without the roses and mushiness. I’d like to see more of a focus on loving gestures, accepting others, and giving others the gift of time. In fact, celebrating THAT kind of love every day would make me happy!

One of my favorite parts of every week is when my husband (who is rarely here in the morning because he goes to work super early or is traveling) and I get to sit down, enjoy a cup of coffee, read the paper and catch up with each other on the happenings of the week. Coffee connects…there’s no doubt about that. My friends at Starbucks want to celebrate that special connection over coffee with a fun, flash Valentine’s Day giveaway! …

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Hi all! Just a little housekeeping post this morning. I recently found out that with some recent blog changes, I accidentally messed up my RSS subscriber feed and unintentionally dropped most of my subscribers. This means, if you subscribe to Dine & Dish via RSS feed like Google Reader, it’s possible you haven’t been getting my updates.

I’d love it if you’d re-subscribe to Dine & Dish via RSS. You can do so by clicking here… I promise not to tinker around with anything else without a professional at my side!

While we’re at it, did you know that you can subscribe to Dine & Dish updates via email? These include a weekend recap as well as post updates during the week. It’s my favorite way to stay in touch, simply because I love the beautiful email template Alison with Polish Your Blog created for me. Subscribe HERE to email updates and check it out. Allison is super talented, so if you are looking for someone experienced in email template design, I highly recommend her!

Of course, I’m also on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Let’s connect there as well if we haven’t already!

Oh! If you are a brand or business interested in partnering or advertising, I have a new media page (also designed by Alison) I’d love to share with you. Email me at kristen <at> dineanddish.net or contact me through the form above.

As always, I truly appreciate your support of Dine & Dish. I hope some day, we can connect in real life… wouldn’t that be fun?
Thanks again!

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When I set out at the beginning of 2012 with the goal to read more, even if it was just a few pages each day, I never knew that I would re-ignite my passion for reading and good books in such a fervent way. I have fallen head over heels in love with books again and have been incredibly inspired by an amazing lot of authors this past year. I’ve recapped my thoughts on each of these books in previous Connect Through Reading posts, but thought I’d share a brief post on my top favorites from 2012.

My new favorite way to read these books is with my Kindle Paperwhite. I have an old Kindle, a nook, plus an iPad with the reading apps on it but this new Kindle Paperwhite blows reading with the other devices out of the water. I love how it’s compact, backlit, easy on my eyes, and convenient to use. It’s a simple e-reader, without the distractions of email, facebook, twitter, etc. If you are looking for a fairly inexpensive (currently $119 on Amazon), yet wonderful e-reader, I have to recommend giving the Kindle Paperwhite a try.

Now, for my top six reads of 2012…starting with my favorite and in order from there (although it was hard to stop at 6!)…

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Since I took some time off at the end of 2012, I’m a little bit behind in sharing some of my most recently read books. This Connect Through Reading post contains so many good ones… I hope you find some books that will peak your interest!

I’m starting with a book that pushed to the top of my favorite books of 2012 list (which I’ll share soon!). Heft, by Liz Moore is a read you’ll connect with and you won’t want to let go when the book is over. Heft is about a 550 pound man, an alcoholic single mom and her son, a young house cleaner and a cast of additional characters that all weave together in a story of overcoming fear and obstacles, finding family and learning to love life. I closed the book on the final page and then immediately began scouring the internet wanting to know more about the author and not wanting to say goodbye to these characters. They had quickly become people I cared deeply about. Heft by Liz Moore is definitely a 5 star read!

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Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn is a book I normally wouldn’t probably pick up, except it was by the same author as Gone Girl, which I really liked. Sharp Objects was shocking and dark, like Gone Girl, but took on a subject that I still haven’t quite figured out if I want to read about as the mom of 3 girls… young teenage girls spiraling down the path of drug use, hatefulness and sex. The relationships in this book are so twisted and beyond unhealthy, but Flynn crafts a story that despite all the reasons it made me uncomfortable, kept me wanting to turn the page and read more. I gave Sharp Objects 3 stars on Goodreads.

Once I finished Sharp Objects, I knew I needed something less dark, so I turned to a memoir by Theresa Weir titled The Orchard. I picked this book up on a whim at Target. Memoirs are one of my favorite genres, and I can happily say The Orchard did not disappoint.

Friends, this book will change the way you look at farming and the food you eat. Not in a shocking “Supersize Me” kind of way, but in a real, eye opening, kind of light. The Orchard is an honest and open look at how farms (particularly, orchards) were run in the 60’s and 70’s, and at what price there was to pay to get the “perfect” piece of fruit. You’ll think about organic farming in a whole new light and shudder at the glimpse of coverups and lengths farmers have gone through over the years to give us the food we eat today. This is a touching, raw and sometimes sad memoir of family life on the farm and the growing dangers surrounding what we feed to our families. I gave The Orchard by Theresa Weir, 4 stars on Goodreads.

I really enjoyed this next book… Shelter Me by Juliette Fay. This was a debut by this author and I’m anxious to read more as she does a great job with storytelling.

Shelter Me is about a young woman (Janie) with two children who became suddenly widowed when her husband was killed in a bike accident. Fay takes readers along the journey of how Janie endures her first year without her husband. The cast of characters seem so real, with tormented family dynamics, complicated relationships and all. Shelter Me made me laugh, ache, long, and cry… there were times when my heart actually hurt for the main character. I gave Shelter Me, by Juliette Fay, 4 stars on Goodreads.

How Lucky You Are, by Kristyn Kusek Lewis, was a “fluff read” compared to the other books I read this go around. Don’t get me wrong, it had depth and interesting characters, but the storyline was a fairly typical “chick lit” one surrounding three best friends and their various, completely diverse lives. You know how many times you’ve said to someone “You don’t know how lucky you are!”? Well, How Lucky You Are is about just that… three best friends who perceive each others lives to be easier and less complicated when in reality, they each have their own drama going on behind the scenes. I would recommend How Lucky You Are by Kristyn Kusek Lewis to anyone looking for a quick, easy and entertaining read. I gave How Lucky You Are 3 stars on Goodreads.

Up next for me is…

Carry the One by Carol Anshaw. I am actually almost half way through with this one and am finding it to be very interesting!

Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten

And, at the glowing recommendation of my trusted friend Kate, I’ve moved The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman up in my To Be Read pile.

Now it’s your turn! What are you reading these days? Make sure to tell me and remember, you can always keep up with what’s on my bookshelf over on Goodreads as well as see what my latest read is in my sidebar. For past Connect Through Reading Posts, check out my Book Review category. Can’t wait to hear your current recommendations!

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Connect Through Reading 2012 – 4 Book Reviews appeared first on Dine and Dish.

CONNECT is my focus word for 2012 and I had another opportunity to do just that this past week.

Blue Bunny, the makers of fantastic ice cream and novelty treats, recently sent me a cooler with a variety of ice cream goodies in it (don’t I have one of the greatest jobs in the world?). The plan was to host an ice cream party and share the treats they sent! Days passed and then weeks and I couldn’t get my act together enough to get my house in “tip top” shape to have people over. For some reason I had it in my head that everything had to be perfect before I could have friends over.

The last day of Christmas break came and I looked in my freezer and saw all of the ice cream, sitting in there, hoping to be used. I looked around my house – still in dissarray from hosting several holiday parties. My wood floors were in desperate need of scrubbing. My windows were streaked and in need of cleaning. So many things needed to be done before I could feel comfortable having people over.

Then I thought…”Wait, Kristen… your word for 2012 is Connect. Open your home more, despite the fact that your floors may not be in the most pristine condition.The people you care about aren’t going to give a flip about your floors!” So, I did just that. At almost noon I put a post out on Facebook letting friends and neighbors know we’d be having an impromptu Blue Bunny Ice Cream party at 3pm. Come one, come all.

We ended up having about 30 guests that afternoon, all enjoying the different options and flavors Blue Bunny has to offer. Ice Cream Sandwiches, Fudge Bars, Ice Cream Cones… you name it, we had it and it was gobbled up and enjoyed by kids and adults alike. And you know what? Not one person said a thing about my floors!

I discovered a couple of things by hosting this event. 1) Your true friends aren’t going to judge you by whether your wood floors are scrubbed. Time with them is more important than saving it until everything is perfect…if you wait for perfection, it won’t happen. 2) Ice cream parties are an easy way to connect with others. Toss out a few of your favorite Blue Bunny treats and let everyone go to town, indulging on what flavors they love the most. 3) People love ice cream! I suggest stocking up on some Blue Bunny treats and inviting friends and neighbors over for a party of your own. What a simple and delicious way to connect with others!

Thank you, Blue Bunny, for giving me another opportunity to CONNECT with others this year!

Blue Bunny provided the supplies and ice cream for our party. All opinions expressed are my own.

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