I’ve been waking up consistently at 7:30 – but it seems the rest of the crew doesn’t rise till closer to 9.
In an attempt to wait to enjoy breakfast as a group, I started my day with coffee and a new book.
I’ve been reading Nicholas Sparks’s books since The Notebook. I’m not the biggest fan of his writing, but given that he’s a North Carolina author, I am loyal. This one is set just across the Cape Fear River in Southport!!
When it was [finally] breakfast time, I made a great yogurt creation!
Featuring plain yogurt, pumpkin, Ambrosial muesli, banana, cinnamon, Nutty’s Butterscotch, a few Quaker Oatmeal squares.
Proof of pumpkin’s presence
Had two of these – one before, one during, both half decaf so I’m not up all night tonight!
The weather looks like it’s calmed down a bit – our annual Bald Head Boot Camp is scheduled for later this morning!
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m a loyal reader of his books too. They aren’t extremely great writing or innovative stories, but they always are captivating. I don’t think he will ever do another as good as The Notebook though.
Looks like a beautiful sunny morning down there
Hope you’re enjoying your holiday vacation!!
I am not a huge Sparks fan but I have heard a few books are better than others, so I might check them out. Have fun at boot camp
I have never really gotten into his books, though I did really enjoy the movie the Notebook.
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Rena from Texas
I am with you on the Sparks books. I do think The Wedding is my favorite though even more so than The Notebook. Have fun with your family today!
Don’t you hate when your body doesn’t let you sleep in? I woke up consistently at 830a last week even though I didn’t have to work.
Delicious-looking breakfast bowl!:)
looks like you are having a great vacation so far! i always wake up early and have to eat breakfast before everyone else… i always try to wait but it just doens’t happen.
Yeah, I can’t get into Sparks books either. He writes so many though, that I like a few of the plot lines!
Ohhh, the Notebook – love it.
I’m very envious that you and your family enjoy the same foods and activities! Is that luck or careful planning? It looks like a fun time!
I thought I was the only woman in the world who wasn’t a huge Nicholas Sparks fan! I love the film of The Notebook, but that’s about it.
Plus, I once read an interview where Nicholas Sparks compared himself to Hemingway and basically made himself out to be a giant self-absorbed tool. Ever since then I am 100% anti-Sparks.
Camille – I can’t stand him either! I read ‘The Notebook’ and ‘Message in a Bottle’ way back in the day… but that’s it. You’re definitely not the only woman who doesn’t do Sparks. I’m a bit of a book snob, and just can’t get behind something that is so formulaic and the same every. single. time.
But, to each their own. He’s just not for me.
~
Im a sucker for a good love story, so I enjoy books by Sparks!
Kath….you won’t like the book. Just finished it and I’m not sure what is up with NS. I’m from NC too and continue to read for loyalty reasons and keep hoping for another gem like The Notebook. It has some good parts but is very predictable.
Sparks is a hit or miss with me. I like some of his books and others I can’t stand!
I don’t like Nicholas Sparks, but I love yogurt!
Even though I live in NC, I’ve only seen the Spark’s movies, and just a couple of them. He just seems so…formulaic to me. But I did enjoy the movie the notebook, and I do appreciate knowing the spots where the books take place.
Your family does so many fun things
I am reading the Notebook right now too!! Loved the movie and although I think his writing can be a little cheesy, I needed a good chick flick read in my life right now. Although the bookstore only carried the copy of the book with the movie cover that makes it even better to carry in public. Haha.
That’s very cool that while in NC you are reading N Sparks, a fellow NC author! I love Southport, Bald Head, Wilmington, and all the quaint little beach tows up and down the coast. We loved living on Wrightsville Beach…it was truly magical and we loved it when we were there.
stay warm and enjoy your book!
I have never read any of Sparks’ books, and reading most of the opinions in the comments makes me not want to start, lol.
I like when his books are turned into movies– I can handle 1.5 hours of cheeeeeeesy cheesiness, but entire books of it kind of wear me down
That morning time before everyone rises is my favorite time of day. It sometimes feels like I get more done in that time than the rest of the day. Well, depending on how long they sleep, lol
I’m the same as you with Nicolas Sparks, but I did read something of his last summer that was really good. I believe it was called Three Weeks with my Brother. It is the true story of his childhood (whoa, you won’t believe what he’s been through) and an amazing trip around the world that he took with his brother. The story goes back and forth from present to past and gives you perspective on where some of his stories have come from and it also gave me a lot of respect for him as a person.
I’ve read it!
I don’t know if you’ve read it, but I thought that The Guardian by NS was BEAUTIFUL!
Read that too
I’ve read 6 of his books! I LOVE his writing! Your crazy girl!
My favorite one was probably Dear John!
i feel like i’m always up before others too on vacation. why IS that?
I’ll never forget my eighth grade English teacher recommending “The Guardian” to me. I was so shocked by how risque it was!! I have to say that A Walk to Remember is his favorite book of mine. So hopelessly romantic
A walk to remember is my favorite too! I was suprised how different the movie was from the book but I love both!
I am sad to say I have never read a Nicholas Sparks book or even seen the Notebook! I have to get on that ASAP. I heard the Notebook is a great book & movie…
I love the movies based off of his books but I can just never get INTO his books!
I like his books, but I agree with you that the writing isn’t the best. They make for a nice, easy read though! My favorite has to be “The Notebook”.
I agree… wasn’t a huge Sparks fan until I read Safe Haven. I loved the book and I couldn’t get through it quick enough. I’m letting a friend read it but I’m about to ask for it back so I can read it again
The story starts off a little scattered but once you get a quarter of the way through it gets good. I don’t know how he knows women so well, it’s scary lol.
The clarity and shadows of these photos is great! Looks like a perfect morning near the beach
Yogurts the best – what kind do you use?
Mostly Stonyfield Oikos plain greek – but this was some off-brand plain from the island store
I’m not the biggest Nicholas Sparks fan either. I don’t say this often, but I’d actually just rather watch the movies of his books!
I don’t read much fiction, so I’m not familiar with Sparks’ writing. Plain pumpkin must be an acquired taste, because I just can’t imagine loving it as much as you do, LOL.
i’m not a huge nicholas sparks fan either.
your breakfast creation looks fantastic!! makes me want to eat breakfast again
Looks like a crazy fun breakfast, what a wild creation. Have fun with the boot camp!
It looks sooo pretty! I needed more coffee to get this day started right!!
I used to be a big Nicholas Sparks fan in high school, but I’ve gotten away from his writing as of late.
The book is so much better than the movie!
I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan! I’ve loved his books way before he became popular and his books were turned into movies. There is something about his writing that is just so incredible. I cannot get enough of his books.
I love the shell. Whenever I’m at the ocean, I take numerous photos of shells on the sand, in shops, in the water. They’re the essence of peace and the constancy of change.
Breakfast looks tasty!
I read The Notebook and A Walk to Remember just so I could say I’d read the book when I went and saw the movies, but I don’t think I’ve read any NS since. There’s something about his work that’s just too twee for me.
But the soundtrack for A Walk to Remember is still some of my favorite soothing music.
Oooh I want your breakfast! If you can believe it, I’ve never read nor seen The Notebook, but all I’ve heard its that it’s a major tearjerker! I’m not normally one to cry in movies at all, so it sounds like this is the ultimate test. Hope you’re having a great day Kath!
How fun– I’m currently reading, “The Wedding” by Sparks. So far so good!
I’m usually the first to rise in my home too
That’s a gorgeous spoon by the way
Yummy breakfast bowl!
Have you ever read Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson? I though it was good.
I always have half decaf when I’m at my parents place, so I completely understand your desire to sleep
That yoghurt creation looks insanely good!