You have no idea how good it feels to be home.
And not just in my house with my stuff, a big desktop computer, fresh food. But back in Charlottesville. I never expected to, but I love this town with all of my heart.
Coming home was like coming seeing your parents for the first time in months (hi mom and dad!). Or jumping into a down comforter on a cold morning. Or a standing ovation at a concert. I well up with emotion when I think about living here forever! I guess I just love that we chose to live here, and in some ways, I think Charlottesville chose us back.
But I do also love my stuff. And this house!
Our coffeepot
Mr. Frog
Sonoma painting from our honeymoon
The heater in the bathroom
Our porch
My PERFUMES!
My hair smoother from Sarah
The other two Bears
xoxo. I’m home to stay (till my next trip!)
After tea party while we unpacked and cleaned (how does the house get so dirty while we’re gone!?)
And we owe Karen big time for bringing over a feast so I didn’t have to grocery shop or eat canned soup!
We made spaghetti (I was still craving tomato sauce!)
And a big salad with chickpeas, tomatoes, veggies and avocado
The spaghetti was whole wheat angel hairhair and the sauce was jarred and mixed with sauteed eggplant and mushrooms plus garlic gold oil and basil
Topped with some grated parm
I ate up my greens!!!
For dessert we each had a square off of this delicious dark bar
And then it was 7PM. Matt and I had an itch to go out walking. Had it been summer we would have gone without a second thought. A goal of ours is now to do more winter evening walks. No reason you can’t bundle up and walk in a public place (our destination was the UVA grounds)
An hour walk later, we were ready to turn in for the evening.
POLL
Should I continue the thriller of Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which I am deep into and don’t want to put down
OR
Should I put it on hold and re-read Harry Potter 7 (at least the first half!) before I see the movie! I read the HP series 5 years ago and barely remember the plot!
Tonight I am reading Dragon but tomorrow night I may switch. Thoughts!?
Goodnight!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Hmmmmm – That’s quite a big question. I would have to say it depends on how far along you are in your Dragon book! I would vote to finish the Dragon book. You’ll be distracted when reading HP7!
Question: I know you don’t eat onions – why? Do you have an allergy to them? I think onions are a culprit to some of me :ahem: digestive problems and I was just wondering!
Kath says
Because I have a super keen sense of smell and I will smell/taste them on my breath for HOURS if I eat one. I also don’t care for the strong grassy taste, so that doesn’t help!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
haha! Well, lucky for you THAT’S the problem and not a digestive upset! I have the digestive system from hell, so I feel like everything causes problems!
Judy says
Definitely stick with the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo…It only gets better;)
Katie says
Harry Potter! Harry Potter! Not gonna lie, before each new book came out…I’d re-read all the previous ones ( except the 2nd. Chamber of Secrets is the weak link in my opinion)
Christine says
I did that too! Very same thing down to the “skipping book #2” part.
Amy says
Hmm… I’d say switch. I need to re-read HP before I see the movie as well and am going to give my current read a break so I can do so. Glad to see you’re enjoying your first night back home. 🙂
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Its such a great feeling to love where you live! So glad you’re back 🙂
As for the book… I couldn’t get into Dragon Tatoo 🙁 So I would switch to Harry Potter 🙂
But thats just me 😉
Amanda says
I totally identify with your feelings about coming home, there’s really nothing better!
I’ve learned to not reread the Harry Potter books right before seeing the movie because it makes me more aware of the things they change and they bother me more.
Katy says
Agreed! I try and to enjoy the books and movies separately, because of the divergence in their plots.
Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up says
My vote is Harry Potter! 🙂
mindy @ just a one girl revolution. says
Finish Dragon!!
laine @ beets, butter and mountaintops says
I love evening walks. And my orange reflective vest that keeps me visible and safe!
And I love being home! I was traveling almost every weekend since the beginning of October. I was so so glad to just be home this weekend. In my own bed, with my own stuff, and my own routine. Heaven!
Amanda says
Finish the book! I love Harry Potter, but this way when you see the movie it will be more enjoyable (ie. you won’t know what’s going to happen all the time).
Jess @ atasteofconfidence says
Hm. I’d say reread HP, but I reread the books before the last movie- and it kind of ruined it a bit! I think it will come back to you when you are watching!
Shannon says
Switch to HP!! Then when you’re done reading book 7, go back to Dragon Tattoo, finish it, and then watch the film! It was made in Sweden and is AWESOME. It’s available on Netflix as a play instantly so you can watch it right away on your computer or TV if you are able 😀
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
We wear a lot of the same perfumes! I’ve worn Burberry Brit for ages.
Alaina says
That meal is definitely my comfort food. I love pasta with veggie sauce and side salad. And I noticed the Burberry perfume; have you ever tried the Burberry Weekend? That’s my fave. 🙂
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
So glad you’re home safe and sound. The clouds in your second and third photos in this post are stunning!!
Katie Didit says
Don’t re-read the Potter! I did that before the last movie, and all the things they changed in the movie annoyed me! So much that I didn’t even enjoy the film!!!!
Vivi says
Harry Potter! Your travels were exciting, but you seem so happy to be home. I don’t blame you, it looks nice!
Katie (The Boston Marathoner) says
Coming home after a long trip really is the most incredible feeling – your pictures make me want to see Cville!
Kevin says
I enjoy movies more when I forget every little detail from the book.
Silvia says
Well, if you CAN put down dragon tattoo?! what’s wrong with [email protected]! Kidding…. 😉 I completely get the feeling of being HOME..
Rachel says
no question – keep reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. The whole series is one of the best things I’ve ever read and you’ll be missing out if you see any of the movies before you read the (much better!) books.
faith @ gracefulfitness says
I love winter after dinner walks! It is definitely harder to get motivated out of the house but so lovely once I do.
My girl-friend and I used to say “I love Portland and Portland loves me”, it’s great that you feel that way about C’ville!
shannon says
I don’t know how you can even THINK about quitting The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo! Once I got into it I could. not. put. it. down!
Laura I. says
Charlottesville is a wonderful town and it’s great you feel that way about your new home. That feeling will probably only deepen with time!
I feel the same way about Roanoke. Can’t believe I live in such a wonderful place surrounded by such beauty:-)
Read the Dragon Tattoo book! I agree with the people who say the differences between book and movie would only be distracting right now.
Emma says
I am about 1/3 of the way into The Girl Who Played With Fire, am currently trying to put it down so I can go to sleep. Once you get into the books they are definitely hard to put down…I say stick with Dragon Tattoo;)
Lauren says
HARRY POTTER! I have loved harry potter since it came out – harry & I were around the same age when it came out. I always get excited for the movies even though they’re not as good as the books. You can always return to the other book after the movie!
bloomingbuzz says
I’m gonna say HP7, but only because I put the Dragon Tattoo book down after about 30 pages…I couldn’t get into it! You’re inspiring me to maybe give it another shot though…it must’ve gotten better after I left off!
Pat Kilmain says
Ah, glad to hear someone else did that! I think I’m about 70 pages in, and I’ve started at least 3 times. I will finish – sometime – but it hasn’t “grabbed” me yet.
I’d say if you’re close to being done with GWDT, then finish. I love HP and will be going to see the movie PDQ after it’s out. I haven’t decided whether to reread, or go in cold. 🙂
Amanda (Eating Up) says
I don’t like rereading HP before the movies. They’re so different from the book, and then I think about all the things I wish they would have included in the movie but didn’t when the plot is fresh in my mind!
Amanda says
Harry Potter hands down. I (re)started it a few weeks ago then the busy-ness of life made me put it away. But luckily I joined my husband in San Diego for the tailend of his business trip this weekend….5 hours traveling Friday and 4 more today-I am almost done with the book now!! Forgot how emotional it was. sooooo excited for the movie now 😉
Meagan says
Stay with the current book, if you switch you might be tempted not to go back!
Amy says
I have the same coffee pot, AND I felt the same sense of happiness driving back home to Cville this afternoon. I love this town!
I won’t vote in your poll because I didn’t like HP7 and have never reread it (unlike the other 6 which I’ve read over and over!). 😛
Christa @ O, Cake! says
I actually just started re-reading Harry Potter 7 last week, so I’m ready for the movie this week. The Dragon Tattoo books are great, though, so I can understand your dilemma, but I would put them on pause and read some of HP.
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
HARRY POTTER! 😀
So excited to see the movie! We have tickets for next Saturday night!
Allie says
Glad you’re home! You made me LOL with the random pictures from being home 🙂 I vote Harry Potter all the way!!!
marie says
You know, I don’t think you should re-read HP before seeing the movie. If you do that, all the bits and pieces that they are bound to leave out of the movie are more likely to nag you than if its been a while since you have read it. If you are worried about not remembering what’s going on, just re-read a summary of the 6th book and you will be good to go.
Alison says
Hi! I haven’t commented on a post before, but had to on this one. 🙂 I vote for finishing Dragon Tattoo! I feel that it had so many back stories and details that if you put it down, it might be hard to remember all of them.
giordin says
hi! i’m new to your blog, but i wanted to chime in on your poll!
i think you should scramble to finish dragon because you have momentum and its one of those page-turners and THEN you should pick up HP7 and scramble to read it before you see the movie because its also a page-turner. i seriously think you could knock them both out before the weekend! sleep can wait!!! hehe, enjoy!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I’d say finish the book — only because when I start a book and then take a break from it I tend to forget most of the story — I end up starting over 🙁
I am totally with you on loving a heater in the bathroom — Jason and I were in Vegas over the weekend and our bathroom was so cold without a heater 🙁 Good to be home!
Susan says
I say finish Dragon. The beginning was slow, but I got to a point where I couldn’t put it down. And like someone mentioned, there’s so much back story and detail, you might forget some things.
Chelsea @ Strawberry Sweat says
I would finish the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I find that if I read the HP books before I see the movies, then I get upset with all the stuff they left out. You could just find the HP 7 summary somewhere online if you really don’t remember any of it!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
i always get the itch once a week for something italian made with tomato sauce…it’s just so good! glad you’re finally home 🙂
Lindsay says
finish the book! its such a crazy, unique and suspenseful book, I would hate for you to lose out on any of that when you’ve come so far 🙂
have a great night!
Christine says
Switch to Potter!
Wine Girl @ Kitchen Doesn't Travel says
Harry Potter. Definitely Harry Potter. My hubby and I always either re-read them before the movies or if we have a long car trip we rent the cd’s from the library and listen to them on the trip. That makes long care trips go much faster. We are so pumped about movie #7. We’ve already got our tickets for the midnight showing! Mischief managed!
Halley (Blunder Construction) says
So many perfumes! You must have a very dynamic astro sign (wait, I know this one, 10/26, Scorpio of course!) I like to pick one and stick with it, my body doesn’t respond well to variability in scents. Glad you are back home, must feel great.
Chelsea says
My vote is for Harry Potter! 😀 But I may be a bit biased seeing as it is my favorite series ever!! ;p
Maddie (Healthy Maddie) says
Harry Potter!
Hannah says
Oh, I mss endangered species chocolate! At least I can make a chickpea salad here in Australia just like you can 😀
kate says
gotta reunite with harry and the gang!
S @ extremebalance.net/blog says
I’m totally in the same Harry boat—I’d like to read it, but I feel like I actually need to go back and re-read it all… Maybe stay the course and just don’t see the movie instantly?
Hannah says
I say stick with Dragon…then again, I’m about to start on the HP tonight. Here’s my reasoning though: Every time right before the new HP movie comes out I reread the book, and then of course I am upset and disappointed by the discrepancies and the important stuff they leave out of the movie. So each time I’m totally disappointed by the movie because I reread the book. But yet I’m going to do it again because, gosh darnit, HP is the greatest!
Erin @ the office appetite says
Ohhh Definitely stick with the girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It’s one of those books where if you don’t keep at it, the characters might get a bit confusing and you’ll forget more the next time you pick it up. Plus, (and I’ve read the whole trilogy)it gets INSANELY better! It will drive you NUTS and you won’t be able to put it down. Harry Potter will come back to you as you watch the movie :).
Meg says
Keep reading about Lisbeth Salander (love those books!). HP is my fav but I’m always disappointed in the movies when I read the book right before. I wait until after. If I read it before, I see all the things they left out of the movie and am bummed about it.
[email protected] says
I have really been wanting to read the Dragon book, so my vote is that you finish it out! 🙂
JenATX says
awww i just loved this post 🙂 i’m glad you’re loving your home town so much!
I would approach the Harry Potter question in a few ways. 1. if you’re going to analyze the movie the whole time comparing the books, then maybe its good to be a little fuzzy on the details. I tend to think about the book during the movie & i really think it takes away from the movie. 2. if you think it’ll get you into the “Harry Potter” mood & more excited about the movie, then read the book! 3. you could always watch the movies leading up to this one & that’ll get you excited as well.. just bought my tickets for the movie!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I made a non-stuffing version of your Fig and Wild Rice Stuffing tonight (added onions…). OMG – it was so good!!! Posted it with a shot out. 🙂
Oh, and I say finish Dragon. Just because I have book-OCD and it would drive me nuts to stop half way through. Ha!
Em says
Love Charlottesville! We just got back from there today and I miss it already 🙁 And haha, I can see the reflection of you taking a pic in the window 🙂
Annie-Rose says
Stick with Dragon Tattoo! And once you’re done with that, you’ll immediately want to start the next in the series, which was my favorite of the three!
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) says
What a sweet heart Karen is 😀 Healthy and delish!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie says
Aww, I love home too and I’m so glad you found a place that you can appreciate enough to call home.
I want your salad!
maya @ finding balance in tokyo says
I would say it depends on how soon you want to see the new movie! If you don’t mind putting it off a little bit then finish up your book and then reread Harry Potter 7, and see the movie. But if you anxious to see the movie sooner it might be best to reread it ASAP.
Anja says
Oh, stick with the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo!! And then read the other two of the triology!! They are my favorites! And then rent the Swedish movies and watch those. Much better than Harry Potter!
Sana says
Hpizzle. The boy and I are watching HP7 and I DEF need to refresh!
Carrie says
Choosing between GWTDT and HP7? Might as well choose between food and water. Or maybe air and water…it is possible to go without food for a bit longer.
I loved both series. I’ve read all three “Girl” books, and each one was like crack. But then so were the HP books. And don’t get me started on the Twilight books…
What would bother you more, not knowing what’s happening next in “Dragon,” or watching HP and trying to remember what happened in the book? I sometimes like NOT having recently read a book when the movie comes out…I can get distracted with thoughts of “Oh, interesting that they cut THAT part out.” If it’s been a while since I read the book, I can just go with the flow of the movie.
I would say that I don’t envy your choice, but then there are much worse things to have to do than choose between two great reads! I would vote for sticking with “Dragon,” though.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’m a big fan of reading HP right before seeing the movie. it makes it extra exciting for me!
so wonderful to love your home and everything about it. i love my house’s bathroom heater too – but be careful b/c i once backed my naked ass into it. and i still have a scar on my butt that looks like a waffle iron attacked me. i wish i was joking.
Camille says
Re-read HP 7! I re-read it recently and was surprised at how much I had forgotten about!
Michelle says
Stick with Dragon! I just finished it and it was sooooo good!
Coramie says
Harry Potter for sure…..love that series!!
sarah (the SHU box) says
welcome back!!!!
i can’t believe the align got its own shout-out 🙂
Mary says
I vote for the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Loved it, but the first half sucks (as soon as you get roughly past the halfway point it gets really good, promise!). I’m on the third book in that series already.
Lauren says
Ah, it does feel so good to be home after long weekends away. I’m sure the bears missed you too! 😉
Kath (Eating for Living) says
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is great. I’ve read all three books within two weeks because I couldn’t put them down. 🙂 If you need to catch up for the HP movie, you can find a summary of the books on wiki.
Your house is lovely, and you live in a beautiful environment! I can understand you love to come home, I’m the same. Coming home is always the best in the end. 😉
Mrs says
Finish the Dragon Tattoo!! And then read the other two- they are amaaaazing!!
Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com says
OMG you have to read HP. Girl with a Dragon Tattoo can wait 😉 I am a Harry Potter FANATIC. I reread them every summer and Christmas, although this past summer I told myself not to so I could read more new books, so I am majorly dying to start the series over AGAIN.
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Reread HP!!! I’m so bummed I forgot my copy at my parents’ house so I can’t reread it before seeing it on Friday. You just can’t go wrong with Harry Potter 🙂
MelanieF says
I love evening walks! Me and my husband always gor for a walk after dinner even in the winter time. We just put on out snow pants and coat (I’m in Canada) and go for our walk. It’s even more fun when it snows a bit and the weather is not too cold. 🙂 It’s just relaxing and I sleep much better afterwards. And, it’s a plus to our workouts.
janine says
I loved The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. I vote for that. Plus…I find I enjoy the HP movies more when I don’t remember every detail. That way I am not critical of what they changed or left out.
Katie says
Dragon Tattoo is a great book..but I would hold off and re-read harry potter because after you finish the dragon book I promise you won’t be able to wait to read the second in the series. I am going to re-read Harry Potter too!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
There’s nothing like the feeling of being home. 😀 And Charlotteville is so gorgeous – I can see why you love it so much!
I say reread HP! It’s always nice to refresh your memory before seeing the movie.
Robin says
OH, definitely finish Tattoo girl!!!!! It is great andthe second one is even better….haven’t read the 3rd yet! Read on, x Robin?
Mariah says
My vote Is Harry all the way!
Amanda says
I would finish the dragon tattoo book because book movies are always better when you dont remember every detail but the details start to come back to you during the movie! Thats how it was for me and the Twlight series!
Marika says
I’m on the Harry Potter bandwagon! I started re-reading Deathly Hallows this weekend and can hardly put it down (again)! And I already have tickets to the movie purchased for Saturday evening :-).
Anne Marie says
I’ve been debating the same thing! I think I’m going to break down and read HP again. I’m with you and totally don’t remember the plot. But I also love the book I’m reading right now “The Pilot’s Wife.”
kristen says
I’m currently re-reading HP7 in anticipation for the movie release…the only problem is that it is really hard to put down. I stayed up way too late reading it. So my vote would be to re-read Deathly Hallows- it won’t take you long and you’ll be back to the Dragon Tattoo in no time!
Jennifer says
I got so sucked into the Tattoo series, that I couldn’t put them down until I was done. You could watch an HP flic and refresh that way. The franchise is all over tv right now, and the latest one is on On Demand.
ri'chele says
If you choose to put down “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, in order to read HP, you will be able to remember the story. All three Stieg Larson novels in the Millenium series are great. I mourn him.
Maritza says
Go back to Harry.
Colleen says
I put my current book on hold to re-read Harry Potter too 🙂
claire! says
Keep reading Dragon!! I LOVED it, then immediately read the 2nd book (Girl Who Played with Fire), LOVED it, and am now about 1/2way through the 3rd book (Girl Who Kick the Hornets Nest). I don’t know what I’m going to do when it’s done! BUT – a movie is coming out in the U.S next yr!
wendy sue says
every time I drive back down 29 to cville, I marvel at the beauty of the blue ridge mtns and thank my lucky stars that I live in cville!
Shannon (A Better Me) says
Welcome home! The scenery is beautiful & inviting 🙂 Dinner looked yummy! Sorry, I can’t help with book question (confession…I’ve never read any of the Harry Potter books). XOXO
Alana says
Hi Kath- Hope your enjoying your first morning back at home. I have to ask..where exactly did you get that painting, did you find it at a gallery in Sonoma? It’s beautiful! We’re planning to travel to that area for our first wedding anniversary next Summer. I’d like to find something to put on our walls while we are there!
Kath says
It is from a gallery, but I don’t remember where! Let me go look at the back of the painting…hmmm nothing there. I’m pretty sure it was in Healdsburg near the Dry Creek Kitchen.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I think you better get on the Harry Potter book – before the movie. I hear they are making a movie out of the Dragon book too. I also love to come home after traveling. I recognize those roads as I have traveled them many, many times on our way home to Fredericksburg. Have a great week – and thanks for the pasta idea – it was simmering somewhere in my sub-conscience and now it has bubbled to the top!
Carrie says
That dinner looks soooo good!! Salad especially. And I love the little Breakfast at Tiffany’s picture in your bedroom! Where did you find that? It’s good to be home 🙂
Catarina says
Harry Potter no doubt! OMG I’m so excited for the film… 😀
Kristin says
Girl with a Dragon Tattoo!
stacey-healthylife says
Your town just sounds perfect and amazing.
Creative Sprite says
Hi Kath – I was wondering…. in the pictured salad (which looks so yummy) what kind of a dressing did you use? Or did you simply add a few spices to it?
Kath says
I used the Garlic Gold Lemony Vinegarette
Stacia says
I say get the audio book for HP, download it to your MP3 player of choice and listen to it while you work out, clean, etc. Then continue reading Dragon Tattoo. That series is awesome, the second book is the best!
KellyC says
I was debating reading the book before seeing the moving also, but have decided to see the movie then re-read the book so that I won’t be comparing too much and can just enjoy the movie for what it is. Although I have a suspicion this one will be really good.
JavaChick says
I reread the entire Harry Potter series in October. 🙂
I don’t think it’s essential though, I just do because I love the books. Also because there were things that were changed/left out of the last couple of movies that come into play in the last book, and I’m curious to see what they will do in the movie(s).
I don’t think you need to re-read the book to watch the movie, but stopping in the middle of Dragon Tatoo may ruin the flow a bit.
Alaina says
I vote for you to stay with GWTDT. Not only is it an amazing book (and trilogy), but I find that when I reread the HP books right before seeing the movie I spend more time focusing on the details the movie left out or got wrong and I don’t really end up enjoying the movies; that shouldn’t be the case because the movies are GOOD! Plus, when you don’t remember all the details from the book, the movie can offer up surprises and info you forgot.
MLT says
Stick with dragon tattoo! It has a slow start and is a bit complicated so if you put it down you might end up having to reread the beginning. Plus,I think the HP books are SO MUCH better than the movies that re-reading right before viewing will only make you dissatisfied with the movie. Just my personal opinion.
emily says
Girl with dragon tatoo gets really really dark but sucks you in! good story! Potter has too many big names lol
Also, I see that you are liking Charlottesville! I am glad! I grew up in Lynchburg for a bit and we always went to Charlottesville, its such a great college town! And I mean, Dave Matthews is FROM there so… how bad could it be?! 🙂 VA is so so pretty. When I moved from NC to VA that was one of the first things that I noticed – the rolling hills and the gorgeous highways – they really take care of their state! Glad you are happy there!
Jeni Wood says
As much as it makes me mad when they change things I vote for rereading Harry potter (totally just got distracted in the middle of my comment because of a Harry potter trailer…had to explain the sudden screeching too)
It’s totally worth it.
Katy T says
I know exactly how you feel about Charlottesville. I lived there for 4 years during college and could not love a place more. Ten years later I still squeal with excitement at the city limits sign! So jealous you get to live in C-ville, but happy I can live there vicariously through your blog.
Suzanne says
I vote for HP! I have to read the first half too. The movie comes out this Friday! yikes!
I’ll probably watch it later to avoid the crazy crowds on opening weekend.
Charlottesville looks so beautiful. I live in northern NJ, it’s more suburban than rural.