Surprise, here I am!
I have a new blog. A new address, actually, so please do update your feeds if you read this little blog on a feed reader. Today is my 36th birthday and my blog’s 1st birthday, so I decided to treat myself with a new look. Didn’t Nicole do a great job?� There is one kink we’re working on–I can’t seem to double space and my post is looking a bit crowded.� I’m sorry if it’s hard to read, but I promise it will only be temporary.� If you notice any other problems, please let me know.
In true keeping with my indecisive self, I have a rotating picture up in my banner. Every time you refresh or come back, a new picture of mediocre quality will greet you happily! I also had installed a fun (and popular) little plugin called comment luv. From now on, every time you comment here (if you have a blog) your last post title and link will show up for everyone to see and click. I’ve discovered great posts using this feature on other blogs, so hopefully you’ll have the same luck.� I still need to finish the about page, move over the blogroll, and update my book page. All in due time.
I have plenty of room for advertisers, so if you have a shop you would like people to know about, please send me a 120×120 banner to jules [at] pancakesandfrenchfries.com and I will put it up, gratis, for a period of time yet to be determined–although I’m thinking 3 months sounds good. Obviously, I have only so much room so this is a first come first serve offer.� {Becky, I still have your banner and you’re already on my list!}
What I love the most about my new blog is that it uses Word Press and that handy scheduling feature. Right now, as you read this, Kara and I are at one of those free Pottery Barn decorating classes where they try to get you to buy product on the sly. Later, I will go to my parents for some yummy lunch, and then after that it’s the inlaws for more of the same in the form of pot roast birthday dinner. All this talk about food reminds me, remember my pledge to lose 36 pounds before my 36th birthday? I think I gained 6 pounds instead. Oh well, 37 pounds before my 37th birthday it shall be.
I may not be able to give myself the gift of health this year, but I can give all of you who read this blog something! When I posted asking to know more about you, the overwhelming majority mentioned a love of books. I guess it’s only natural that book lovers would happen across the blog of another book lover, but for me it gave me a sense of comfort knowing most of you would completely understand staying up all night to finish a good book, and why sometimes I can’t be bothered with writing because I am too busy reading. So, I came up with what I think is a great giveaway idea, and what I hope will turn into a Pancakes and French Fries tradition. I’m going to give away a new copy of my favorite book of the year. My favorite book of the year, actually, is one recommended to me by Jen when I asked for a vacation reading list. One person will get a brand new copy of Winifred Watson’s Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. There is a movie based on the book, but I haven’t seen it. I made a point to buy the Persephone Books edition because I can’t abide by movie poster book covers. Blech.
I am sometimes accused of reading only “dark” books. I disagree. I am drawn to books with religious themes, yes, but for the most part I just enjoy books that make me think. I don’t equate thoughtful subjects with a dark personality, but so be it. Don’t worry, though, because this book is not dark. In fact, it’s lighthearted, fun, and a very easy read. Perhaps I loved it so much because I didn’t have to think? I don’t know. I just know once I started reading it I couldn’t stop. It’s an old book, first published in 1938, and I know at least part of the allure for me was reflecting on the cultural changes that have occurred since then. And trust me, some of the decidedly un-P.C. dialog will have you simultaneously laughing and cringing.
So my favorite book of the year is fun and easy. Hopefully, if you like the idea, we can do the same thing next year or sooner. In order to win, comment once with your favorite book–of the year or of your life–by Saturday, December 6th. I’ll use a random number generator to pick one book lover out of the bunch.
And hey–thanks again for stopping by and reading my blog. I mean it.
Kara says
I love the new look (Great Job, Miss Uber-talented Nicole).
Happy Birthday sweet BFF!!!
XOXO -K
Susannah says
It looks beautiful! Happy Birthday dear Jules!
Tristan says
Jules! Happy Birthday my dear! I hope you are enjoying Pottery Barn! The Blog looks FANTASTIC, it already has brightened my day. I too can not buy a book with a movie poster on the cover, blech is right! Hey how did Kara get a pick in her comments? Is that some sort of techy magic? Yes, Nicole did a gorgeous job (how could she not?) and I think you are a great photographer! I love the images, mine came on as the flowers and they looked stunning with the design, I love it!
Reluctant Housewife says
Love the new look!
Melissa M. says
Happy birthday!!! The blog looks fantastic! My agent-lady recommended that I read Yes Man, but they took it out of stores because the movie-cover version was coming out. So the only one I could eventually find had an ecstatic Jim Carrey on the front. I feel a bit cheesy holding it. It’s okay so far. I really enjoyed A Year of Living Biblically, which I finished a few months ago. I’d recommend that!
Kendra says
Happy Birthday my dear Jules! The new blog is too fab. ;)
I’m going to step outside of my box here, and go from my usual Stephen King spiel to a chldren’s book.
When I was younger, I happened across a book called “Behind the Attic Wall” by Sylvia Cassedy. I’ve read it at least 100 times since. It’s one of my absolute favorite books ever … and that’s saying a lot. I can’t wait to share it with my girls.
seleta says
Look at your new blog. It’s so fly. Most importantly: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Oh look, you’re right, the picture just changed on your header. Again. Love that.
Did you just say light hearted and easy to read on this book? I must snag a copy. Of course I haven’t finished any book since 1999 when my first child was born. Sigh.
Again, Happy Birthday Jules!!!! xoxo
seleta�s last blog post..dominating the dawgs…
Making it Lovely says
So happy to see the new blog up and running.
Happy birthday!
Making it Lovely says
Oh, and my favorite book (of my life) is Charlotte’s Web. That’s the book that taught me to love reading.
Kristen says
Happy Birthday Jules!!
I hope that you are having a fabulous day! I love the new look! Very chic!
Hmm my favorite book…there are so many. I will pick my favorite book club book from the last year. It was The Last Lecture – so many lessons to learn there. Happy Birthday again!
Becky O. says
Drat! I was out of town at a show and I missed your birthday. Oh well, 36 was a great year for me, I hope it is for you as well!
So, I love “The Name of The Rosa” by Umberto Eco have you read it? I liked Foucault’s Pendulum by him as well. Eco has Religion and a love of language.
Another favorite is “The Baron in the Trees” by Italo Calvino so many good memories of that one…
Love the new look!
Toi says
Well Happy Birthday (a day late) and the new blog is just beautiful! I feel the same way about movie poster covered books. Who wants that? I want the classic cover. Glad I’m not alone in this. I thought I was weird. My favorite book of all time is A Moveable Feast. I get completely lost in that book. Just mentioning it makes me want to go home and start reading it again.
justagirl says
Happy Birthday, and I really love winn-dixie
Gina says
Happy Birthday!! to you and your blog!!, I love your writtings…..
I remember whaen I was a teenager love to read “Flowers in the attic””
Cheers…….gina
patricia says
I’m sorry I missed it! Happy belated birthday! I hope it was a good one.
Great looking blog! Congratulations. :)
becoming-mom says
It looks great! Funny, I knew before I read it that this was Nicole’s work ;)
Jennifer says
looks great!
Bridget says
ooohhhh I love your fancy new blog! You’re getting advanced here, I’m certain I’ll be floundering with blogger pretty much forever :)
One of my favorite books is Great Expectations – I was “forced” to read it in High School and was quite taken with Ms. Havisham
Happy Birthday!!!! xoxo
Julie says
Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to your blog & congratulations! You’ve been a busy girl. :-)
Jen says
Happy Birthday and thanks for writing a great blog! One of my favorites is The Secret Life of Bees, though I didn’t care for the movie version recently. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time to read lately.
LL says
Happy Birthday! :) Your new blog home looks gorgeous, I’m very jealous!!
My fave book would have to be My Friend Leonard by James Frey. I still don’t care if he made up 99.999999% of it, it’s still one of my fave reads. :)
darla says
Happy Birthday Jules
Love the yellow
I hate to admit it but after hearing all the hype about Twilight I bought the book. I am now obsessed. It is a four part sage and I am almost done with the third. I love it.
Bridget says
Angela’s Ashes – Frank McCourt: I knew there was another one I loved and it was bugging me b/c it wasn’t coming to mind earlier also The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wall. I’m a sucker for a triumphant underdog :)
Bridget�s last blog post..Stocking Stuffer
Zak says
Happy Birthday, Jules!
I love your new pad!
Emily says
Happy Birthday and congrats on the beautiful new blog – I especially love the rotating photo. Brilliant.
I’m always shy to suggest books in case the person to whom I’m suggesting hates it and therefore doesn’t trust me ever again. Jane Eyre, though, is a tried and very true classic – my lifetime favorite (along with Roald Dahl’s BFG). And I’ve had wonderful luck suggesting Water for Elephants which is my favorite of the year. Even my boyfriend liked it. :)
maggie, dammit says
Happy Belated Birthday!
I love the new look.
I’ve updated my blogroll.
(and Water for Elephants, mentioned in the above comment, is one of my favorites.)
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