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I'll be honest, I judged this book by its cover. I think it's stunning, ESPECIALLY the inside cover! 💖 I already love Marie Lu, her Legend series is a standout story when I think of truly great world building and heroism. The synopsis: "In a world broken by war, a team of young warriors is willing to sacrifice everything to save what they love. The Federation has conquered a dozen countries, leaving Mara as one of the last free nations in the world. Refugees flee to its borders to escape a fate worse than death—transformation into mutant war beasts known as Ghosts, creatures the Federation then sends to attack Mara. The legendary Strikers, Mara's elite fighting force, are trained to stop them. Robbed of her voice and home, Talin knows firsthand the brutality of the Federation. She finds comfort only with a handful of fellow Strikers who are determined to push back at all costs. When a mysterious prisoner is brought from the front, Talin senses there’s more to him than meets the eye. Is he a spy from the Federation? Or could he be the weapon that will save them all?" I truly enjoyed the characters, they way they were all so diverse and their lives intertwined so authenticly. The connection between Talin and Red evolved into one of my favorite parts of the book, but the side characters were so well developed that each would be missed had they not been there. The world building was detailed but written in such a way that you could read quickly and still feel the world unfold within the story. This is the 1st book in a duology, and I believe the story really benefited from not having that "middle book" that has the potential to drag out and chop up the story. I feel like it took 100 pages or so for the actual plot to really take hold, so for that reason I would say I enjoyed the Legend series a little more. However it didn't slow the book down, as much as give you more world building and bonding to the MC. With the dramatic cliffhanger that it ended on, I'm so excited for the 2nd book to come out THIS TUESDAY! I already know I'm going to love it 💜 https://www.instagram.com/p/CUO05D9AdSk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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September 21, the last day of Summer. I've never been sad for a Summer to end before. As a kid, I loved Summer. We went camping, we swam in kiddy pools, we ran through creeks, we fought over our favorite color of Otter Pops. As a teenager, I loved Summer with my friends. I went to Summer camp, I had bonfires, I counted down days to the County Fair, I spent the night at friend's houses playing guitar and watching movies. I met my husband, and I still loved Summer. We had bbq's with our friends, drove around the lake with the radio blaring, parked at Vista points to eat Chinese takeout, went to drive in movies and played frisbee with our dog on the beach. Everything changed as an adult, it became just a season that was too hot, with too many fires, where the road construction interrupted my commute. Both of us working in hospitality for years, Summer vacations or even weekends off were not an option. EVER. Summer faded away. 2021 was different. No more hospitality. It was like being a teenager, but with no curfew 💙 road trips, afternoons laughing with friends drinking iced coffee, beaching with my sister, vacations with friends, going fishing, weekly family dinners, reading in my garden, tubing down rivers, Going out for ice cream, traveling to concerts, enjoying life. You were not made to pay bills and die. Go see the people and places that make your life worth living. Time for a new chapter. Happy Autumn y'all 💙 (at Kelseyville, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUHRrp3Lz1b/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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One of my favorite things to do when we travel is to find local favorites that are so special to each town, and the @carltonbakery is no exception 💙 We had to try their homemade mocha syrup, so we each had a delicious mocha and a few favorites that were SO amazing I still think about them: -Their Chai Shortbread -Trablit Coffee Macarons -Bacon and cheese croissant Absolutely worth the visit!!! https://www.instagram.com/p/CT57B-vFmN3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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"The key to success is to start before you're ready" I cannot keep a house plant alive. Ever. So when I decided to start a quarantine garden, the thought was laughable. But seeds were easier to find than fresh groceries, so I had to try! When my kitchen garden overflowed and I had to ask for help to transform my yard into a victory garden, that was pretty hilarious too. But I persevered, and read books and researched, transplanted and watered and failed my way to success. I just finished my 2nd annual garden! I know what I like to grow, what does well (and what doesn't) in Northern California soil, and how to cook more fresh veggies than we had tried before! So if you've been thinking about trying something that you know absolutely nothing about -jump in! You never know what can happen! https://www.instagram.com/p/CT3vRELLAW4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I wish I was at the ocean today. 6 years ago my Hometown saw the worst wildfire that it had ever seen to that point. The Valley fire in Lake County, CA. A fire that burned 76,067 acres. For reference, the entire bay area San Francisco peninsula is 35,260 acres. I remember being at work an hour from home & thinking wow, this fire is bad. Less than 30 minutes later I was driving home and stuck in traffic with the fire engulfing the mountains & rushing up to the road I was stuck on, calling my friend to get out of her home because she was in the fire's path & didn't know. I watched homes burn while I was trapped. I made it to my parent's house & we all watches, concerned that it would hurt so many people. Then 15 minutes further to my own home. I offered for my friend & her grandparents to stay because they had to evacuate & my home was logical, there was no way the fire would get to me 30 miles away. We were woken at 6am by a sheriff's deputy, with less than 10 minutes to evacuate. I'd never evacuated before, & my husband was stuck at work. I was alone. I panicked, I loaded my dogs into my truck & grabbed garbage bags to fill with clothes, essential paperwork & my guitar. I'd never been so grateful for a full tank of gas. The smoke was so thick you couldn't see more than 6 feet in front of your vehicle when driving. It took over 4 hours to make a usual 2 hour drive to my Grandma's house to meet up with my family. We were evacuated for over 2 weeks. I didn't know how to evacuate so we had to buy hairbrushes & toothbrushes & blankets. Every day we all watched the news and held our breath. I couldn't sleep properly for more than a year, & the community we went home to was not the same one we left. I feel for my community who lost everything, their home and way of life. Every year the fires get worse, we have less rain and permanent go-bags "just in case" It's a hard day, if your loved ones have lost their homes, hold space for them. They need it. (at Lake County, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTyY7v9LkAH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Ones of my favorite parts of Autumn is that idea finally cool enough to use the oven and start baking again! Ingredients: -3 cups regular ap flour OR gf flour blend (I used a high protein Lupin variety) -1 cup sugar -1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce -3 teaspoons baking powder -1 teaspoon baking soda -2 teaspoons cinnamon -1 teaspoon Ginger -3 eggs or egg replacer to be vegan -1 1/2 cups almond milk Strudel filling/topping: -1/2 cup sugar -1/3 cup gf flour -1 tablespoon cinnamon -1 teaspoon vanilla -1 tablespoon butter or olive oil Mix all dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients -batter will be lumpy, but don't overmix it! I used a 12" enameled cast iron skillet, but you could use a casserole dish or make muffins instead. I layered half the batter, half the strudel, then the remaining mixture, and topped with remaining strudel. Bake at 400 for 50 minutes! 25 minutes for muffins. So fluffy, so cinnamon, and makes 12 servings! Tell me, what's your favorite part of Autumn?? (at Kelseyville, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTvish9L_Fz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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It doesn't feel like 20 years. I remember where I was, I remember the look on my parent's faces, I remember trying to comprehend it with my friends. We lost 2,977 people that day. It's strange to witness a world before 9/11, and a world after. Moreso to know that an entire generation only knows of the After. Never forget. #911 https://www.instagram.com/p/CTsnaxGroCV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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If you're a bookworm in and find yourself in Portland, Oregon -you MUST visit Powell's City of Books 📚 "Powell’s City of Books is the largest used and new bookstore in the world, occupying an entire city block and housing approximately one million books. Located in downtown Portland’s Pearl District, the City of Books has nine color-coded rooms and over 3,500 different sections, offering something for every interest, including an incredible selection of out-of-print and hard-to-find titles. Dozens of acclaimed writers, artists, and thinkers visit each month to read in the Basil Hallward Gallery (located upstairs in the Pearl Room), and a one-of-a-kind Rare Book Room draws bibliophiles from near and far to browse an impressive collection of autographed first editions and other collectible volumes." Personally I found some beautiful journals, books, and book bags for my sisters and a lovely hardcover signed edition of Six of Crows book for myself 💙 it's absolutely mind boggling to see (It takes up the entire downtown block!) And I highly recommend the experience. (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTohfrhLo8V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Music has always been one of my favorite parts of life. I could tell you that my first CD was LeAnn Rimes on my 7th birthday I could tell you where I was when I heard a song for the first time 15 years prior I remember winding the cassette tapes to to replay my favorite song again I was inspired to play guitar by Billy Ray Cyrus' Achey Breaky Heart music video I've been playing guitar for 17 years and still remember sitting on my bedroom floor trying to memorize my favorite chords Music unlocks parts of your brain that can stop you in your tracks. It's been a hard 18 months, and I encourage you to pull out your favorite playlist from 2019 or before and remember pieces of yourself that you've forgotten. I attended my first live music concert since before the Panorama and it reminded me so much of how it felt to unite with people who feel all those songs just as deeply as you do, with their own memories to every song. We're all in the same boat, it's time to remember some of that joy. (at California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CToIODzrtmd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Let's get to know each other! Here's 5 fun facts about me: Happy place: at the ocean! Favorite hobby: playing guitar -I've been playing for 17 years I can be found shopping at: Oak Boutique in downtown Kelseyville! Currently reading: Morning Star by Pierce Brown and Skyhunter by Marie Lu Go-to coffee order: Salted Caramel White Mocha with extra Espresso! Let's be friends -pick a question and answer it below in the comments! PC: @beneath_the_desk_drawer (at Fort Bragg, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CToD726L2Nm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Welcome to Fernweh & Haven, my reimagined space for travel adventures, home spaces, recipes, day to day musings and more from a small town on the West Coast! I can't wait to share this new journey with you all 💙 (at California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTn4Dm-LwSa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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My mom got me hooked! This handmade soap is amazing, and I couldn't resist trying out a ton of new ones with my first real order. I totally recommend! Go check them out! www.parsonagesoap.com #soamazing #squeakyclean #allthewayfromvirginia

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Always think about your actions. #someoneslookinguptoyou

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#sunrise #calistoga

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I may have a bit of a problem... #butimjustsonice #isendmyselfgiftsonroughdays #iloveshopping #bargainhunter

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My neighbors came to visit me this morning before I left for work. #ohdeer #waitingformetoleave #threwapartyonmylaw #brought6oftheirclosestfriends #didntinviteme #sorude