Summer reading, s'il vous plait.

All right, I realize there are still two weeks of school before summer officially starts, but that hasn't kept me from making (and even starting in on) my summer reading list.

1. Life of Pi, Yann Martel


2. Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen


3. What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us,
Laura van den Berg


4. The Help, Kathryn Stockett


5. The Shipping News, E. Annie Proulx


6. Running with Scissors, Augusten Burroughs


7. An Abundance of Katherines, John Green


8. Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris


9. The Glass Castle, Jeanette Walls


10. Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote


11. People Are Unappealing: Even Me, Sara Barron


12. Hole in My Life, Jack Gantos


13. Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides


14. The Bag Lady Papers: The Priceless Experience of Losing It All,
Alexandra Penney


I must say I'm surprised at how many memoirs made the cut.
Anything you think I ought to add? This is by no means a complete list...

P.S. What are you reading this summer?

Friday Favorites: sparkling things, et al

1. Sparklers





2. Rompers -- not to be confused with jumpers.
It's my understanding that rompers are shorts and jumpers are pants. Anyone know the real difference? Eh.




Oh yeah. I posted a picture of Nicole Richie.

3. Lorina Sparkling Lemonade




4. Grosgrain ribbon




5. Mr. Sketch scented markers



Aren't these things like crack?
I can smell the blueberry one just typing this. Also a big fan of the black licorice.

Did you know that they even have skinny ones? Using these as an adult is just as much fun as using them as a kid, I promise.

Do you remember these dolls?

I had a set when I was little. Wikipedia says they're commonly known as Matryoshka dolls or Babushka dolls, although I'm pretty sure I called mine my little Russian dolls (which perhaps isn't the most politically correct?).

I may have to order these measuring cups, just for nostalgia.



In searching for this old-school Sesame Street video,



I ran across this lesser-known Matryoshka Doll video, featuring Mrs. Tubbypot et al.



I suspect this little videographer was trying her hand on a Flip video camera, and may or may not have gotten permission from her parents to post this video on the internet. It takes a surprising turn around the 58 second mark. I can see a brilliant future cinematographer in the making.

In case you didn't already know that Pixar was the coolest,

take a look at these faux commercials they've made to promote the new Toy Story movie, featuring a new character, Lots-o-Huggin' Bear.



When my husband first showed this to me, I didn't get that it was fake. That's how good it is, right?! He found this goodness on CNET.



Geniuses at Pixar: You set a new standard for brilliant.

A typical weekend in the life of the Russells

We've fallen into the most wonderful weekend routine.

On Friday nights, we stay home and cook dinner or order in.
Make that: Nathan cooks or I order in.



We watch movies.



On Saturdays, we have a photoshoot.

Or two.

On Sundays, we sleep in, followed by brunch with friends.



Then, a Sunday afternoon nap.



The only drawback to this fabulous weekend routine is Monday morning.



Which is how I feel today.
Sad.

To cheer up, I'd like to list my five favorite Sunday brunches:
1. East Side Cafe -- Blue Plate Special, a.k.a. a smoked salmon and shrimp cake/eggs benedict with a side of their homemade fries and fresh strawberries
2. Alamo Drafthouse -- Bacon Cheddar Scones and the Mimosa Duo
3. Blue Star Cafeteria -- Quiche Lorraine w/ a side of homefries or fruit
4. Santa Rita -- Spicy Jalapeno & Bacon Pancakes - I seriously would like to kiss the chef who created these.

and what we had yesterday:
5. El Chile -- Huevos Motuleños - Two eggs over black-bean purée on a corn tortilla, topped with
ranchero sauce, plus a side of tomatillo-roasted potatoes.

Mmmmm. Just thinking about all that weekend yumminess takes the edge off Monday a little bit.

Do you have a weekend routine? And more importantly, what's your favorite thing to do on the weekend?