Family gatherings, cookies, and red shoes!

I have some random pictures on my phone that I wanted to remember.

In the middle of July, my brother, Nate, was on a work trip in New York (he lives in northern California) and decided to make a little detour to D.C. to see us, siblings, that live in the area. It was fun to have him here, even if it was for only two days! 

I got to meet my newest nephew, Benjamin a couple of weeks ago! He is soooo cute! (Matt and Karey are visiting from England for a few weeks.)

I made some M&M pudding cookies awhile ago for a charity bake sale and they turned out pretty well. :)

I went on a walk early one morning and I saw this bird out on the water and the lighting was perfect and I just had to capture this shot.

I got new red shoes. You have no idea how hard it is to find cute, flat, and the right color of red shoes. I found these shoes at DSW and they were calling my name as soon as I walked in the store. They were on sale, they fit nicely and they were the right color. (I actually did look around at other red shoes, just so it wouldn't be an impulse buy, but these were definitely the best ones.) :)

Harry Potter

I was 13 when the first Harry Potter book came out. Although I heard people talking about it, I never got into it. Even after the second and third and fourth etc came out, it just never really interested me.

It has now been 18 years since the first Harry Potter book came out and I am just now reading them for the first time. Many people, throughout the years, have told me that I should read Harry Potter, but it was my 10 year old niece (who is currently reading the books too, but she's farther along) that was the one that finally convinced me that I should read them.

I have now finished the first four books and have started the fifth book and I love them! J.K. Rowling is an excellent writer. Every time I pick up one of the books to read, I feel as if I am transported to the world of Hogwarts and Privet Drive and that I am experiencing what Harry is going through with him.

I think out of the four books I've finished so far, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite, although Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a close second. Basically what I'm trying to say is that if you've never read Harry Potter, you should. They're well written and you will experience the magical world of Hogwarts with Harry.