Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Snowed In? So Read Giveaway Hop ~ Ends 1/15/14


  No snow for us right now here in Southern PA, but there is some in the forecast.  I have seen that some parts of the country are getting some major snow.

For this giveaway you have the chance to win the following book:

It Happened at the Fair


"It Happened at the Fair"
 by Deeanne Gist

To enter the giveaway:

*Mandatory-  Leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about being snowed in.  Also leave your name and how to reach you if you win.

*Extra - Follow my blog and leave a second comment telling me that you do.

The giveaway will run until 11:59pm EST, January 15, 2014.  The winner will be emailed on January 16th.

For more chances to win great bookishness,
check out these other giveaway hoppers :







Teaser Tuesday ~ 12/31/13

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 
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Here's my teaser for this week is from:

The Sum of All Kisses (Smythe-Smith Quartet, #3)

~Lady Sarah Pleinsworth, veteran of three unsuccessful seasons in London, looked about her soon-to-be cousin's drawing room and announced, "I am plagued by weddings."~

"The Sum of All Kisses"
Series:  The Smythe-Smith Quartet Book #3
Author:  Julia Quinn
Page 25
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Happy Teaser Tuesday!

Monday, December 30, 2013

Homemaker Monday ~ 12/30/13

Come join Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday.
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The Weather...



Right Now I Am...

Trying to get back  into my early morning routine even though the kids don't start back to school until Thursday..

Thinking...

That it is still really dark outside!


On My Reading Pile...
The Sum of All Kisses (Smythe-Smith Quartet, #3)

I'm going to be starting "The Sum of All Kissess" as part of the First Read of the Year party over at A Book Journey.

1a



On My TV...

We got really behind on watching our shows during December so our DVR was FULL.  We've slowly been catching up one show at a time.  So far we've caught up on Bones, NCIS, NCIS LA, and Elementary.  We still have Grimm, Agents of Shield and maybe one other that I can't think of at the moment.


What I Found While Surfing the Net...

Peanut Butter Brownies!  I'll be making these for New Year's Eve and will hopefully be sharing my thoughts on them for Full Plate Thursday.

Peanut Butter Brownies

On the Menu This Week...

The plan is to use up what we have in the pantry and freezer this week and then get back into the routine of menu planning.  So this week might be a bit hodge-podge.

Monday:
Tuesday:  Game Night at Church with Finger Foods
Wednesday: Aunt Donna's for New Year's Dinner
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:  Church Fellowship


On My To Do List...

Today:  Clean refrigerator and our bathroom.
Tomorrow:  Bake, Menu Grocery List, New Year's Eve Game Night at Church.
Wednesday:  Sleep in, New Year's Dinner at Aunt Donna's.
Thursday:  Get the kids back to school, Bills.
Friday:  Groceries.

In the Craft Basket...

Nothing at the moment.  I need to start a project.

Looking Forward To This Week...

Fellowship with Family and Church Family

Looking Around the House...

We've been working on organizing the house before I start my new job on January 7th.

From the Camera...



On My Prayer List...

My new job and adjusting.
Commitment to read the Bible through in the new year.


Bible Verse, Devotional...

"You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness."  Nehemiah 9:17








Saturday, December 28, 2013

Stacking the Shelves ~ 12/28/13


Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!


This week I added the following to my shelf:

The Governess Of Highland Hall (Edwardian Brides, #1)

The Headmistress of Rosemere (Whispers on the Moors #2)

Happy Reading!


Friday, December 27, 2013

2014 TBR Reading Challenge

To help me get back into the swing of reading daily, I'll be joining one (and only one) 2014 Reading Challenge.
I decided that the 2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge at Bookish is the challenge for me.  To sign up go HERE.
I decided on this challenge because:
1.  I have a massive TBR Pile.
2.  They are having lots of fun challenges and games throughout the year.
3.  The above-mentioned fun games will help me remember to actually participate in the challenge.
4.  I can choose my reading level that I'm comfortable starting with and up it later if I decide.
5.  They have a mailing list reminder (another good tool to help me remember the challenge)
So, without further ado, my reading level is going to be:
21-30 First Kiss
(doesn't that sound sweet?)
1.  The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn ~ 1/2/14
2.  The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky ~ 1/6/14
3.  How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back by Sophie Barnes ~ 1/12/14
4.  A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean ~ 1/19/14
5.  The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd ~ 1/21/14
6.  One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean ~ 1/21/14
7.  The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E. Ladd ~ 1/22/14

Wish me luck!

Five on Friday ~ 12/27/13



Five things that made me smile this week :)

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1.  Snow on Christmas Eve :)

2.  Being too excited to sleep on Christmas Eve :)

3.  Laken RUNNING to the family room the minute she woke up on Christmas morning :)

4.  Family visiting for Christmas Dinner :)

5.  Sitting in the dark watching the Christmas Tree :)

Some extras:

6.  Christmas Caroling :)

7.  Christmas Cookies :)

8.  Eggnog :)


What made you smile this week?


Thursday, December 26, 2013

Merry Christmas, 2013! and Where I've Been



How has it been 4 months since I've posted?

How has it been almost that long since I've read a book?

I think I hit burn out with blogging and reading after my marathon run at review books.  I loved receiving and reading them but I went overboard and got overwhelmed.

Moving on...

What's new?  Thanks for asking :)

~I got a JOB!  Yes, a job.  I start working at our local community college on January 7th as a secretary for the Nursing Faculty Staff.  I'm really excited!  With both girls in school and me being on book and blog burnout for the past few months, I've been getting really bored throughout the day.  Everything fell into place so nicely for this opportunity!  I'll be working 9am-1pm which is perfect for getting the girls off to school and back home before they get off the bus.

~I just signed up for "First Book of the Year 2014" over at Book Journey.  I really want to get back into enjoying a good book.  I saw this "party" and decided that it would be the perfect way.  The book I picked to start reading is "The Sum of All Kisses" by Julia Quinn, my very favorite author.  I still can't believe I've had this book since October and haven't read it yet!

1a

~I'm going to be creating a new blogging schedule.  I haven't given it a lot of thought yet.  I'm sure I'll have some old favorites and maybe some new favorites.  If you have any great ideas for me, please let me know!

I'm really looking forward to a great, fun-filled New Year.  I'm so ready!