book reviews & leprechaun treats

one of my new years resolutions was to read more. i think i have done well so far since i also have academic reading i have to do for my classes. i have recently finished two books which were both superb! i definitely would recommend them both!

• The Great Santini by Pat Conroy: Pat Conroy is one of my favorite authors and though his books can be a bit dark, they are always great works of fiction. this one follows a marine family through the trials and tribulations of growing up with a marine father in south carolina. i really enjoyed reading it and want to read the new follow-up novel, The Death of Santini, next.
• Zelda: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler: i love any novel set in the roaring 20's so this one has been on my reading list for quite some time. though it is fiction, the characters and much of the story is based on the actual lives of the famous Fitzgerald family. it provides great insight into the troubled saga that was the life of f. scott fitzgerald and his wife, zelda. 

i always like to make festive meals and fun treats for holidays. since i won't be home on st. patrick's day this year, i decided to go ahead and make a fun dessert tonight in honor of the upcoming holiday! these are super simple and all i really did was take skinnytaste's low fat rice krispy treat recipe and changed a few ingredients!

st. patrick's day lucky charms treats

2 tbsp light butter spread

4 cups or 10 oz marshmallows

6 cups lucky charms cereal

1. spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside. 
2. heat a large saucepan over medium heat. melt butter and be sure to coat the bottom of the pan (spraying it with cooking spray wouldn't hurt either).
3. once butter is melted, add in marshmallows and stir until completely melted. remove from heat.
4. stir in lucky charms until completely coated. do this fast before the marshmallows cool! press into casserole dish and allow to cool before cutting (but they are super good if warm and gooey!)

tomorrow mom and i are off on our spring break adventure! we fly out of nashville tomorrow and will board the boat on sunday! i can't believe it is finally here! i am packed and ready to go and counting down until takeoff tomorrow. i promise to share our trip stories when i return home next weekend! here's to safe and happy travels! 

xoxo,

clp