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"
 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:

~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!

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...

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.

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.

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

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:

Happy Reading!

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?

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!

~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!

Five on Friday ~ 8/30/13

Five things that made me smile this week :)

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1.  First day of school with an 8th grader and a 1st grader :)

2.  Going to Delgrosso's Amusement Park Saturday with the girls' Youth Group :)

3.  We had a great time at the Area Church Picnic on Sunday.  Great fellowship :)

4.  Taking the girls out to lunch on the last day of Summer Freedom :)

5.  Dropping the girls off at school and coming home to take a nap in a quiet house! :)

What made you smile this week?

WWW Wednesday ~ 8/28/13

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

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• What are you currently reading?

I'm just getting ready to start this book.  Hopefully this evening.

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• What did you recently finish reading?

Wow!  I gave this book a 5/5 rating!

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• What do you think you’ll read next?

This book looks as good as Critical Care.  It will probably be my next read.

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Have a great Wednesday!

Chats on the Porch ~ 8/27/13

This week's questions are:

1. Do you remember your first day of school?

I actually do!  I remember the dress I wore and standing to have a "first day" picture taken.

2. Do you decorate for the different seasons? If so, have you decorated for fall yet?

Not really, except for Christmas.  I do, however, notice that I change the scent of candles that I burn with the seasons.

3. What food do you associate with fall?

Pumpkin!

4. Do you order books online, buy books in a bookstore, download books to a device, or frequent the library? If not interested in books, how do you get your music?

All of the above.  Anyway I can get my hands on books!

5. When was the last time you realized that you had just been talking to someone really special?

Hmmmm......???

Let's chat and get to know one another!

Homemaker Monday ~ 8/26/13

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

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The Weather...

A sunny 84F.

Right Now I Am...

Sitting down to take a break from cleaning.

Thinking...

About the school Open House for the girls tonight.

On My Reading Pile...

I'm getting ready to start reading The Inn at Rose Harbor.  I just noticed there is a crochet shawl pattern in the back of the book.  So excited!  lol

I need to catch up on a few days of my Bible-in-a-Year schedule.

On My TV...

I've been having a Major Crimes marathon while crocheting this week.  I had almost the whole season DVR'd and am down to the the season finale.  I'll probably finish it tonight or tomorrow evening if I get time.

What I Found While Surfing the Net...

Peanut Butter Chocolate Éclair Cake

1 box chocolate graham crackers (there will be a few graham crackers left over)
2 (3 ¼ -ounce) boxes vanilla instant pudding
1 cup peanut butter
3 ½ cups milk
1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip
1 can chocolate frosting

Spray bottom of 9 x13 pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with whole graham crackers. In a bowl using an electric mixer, mix pudding with milk, peanut butter; beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping. Pour half the pudding mixture over graham crackers. Place another layer of whole graham crackers on top of pudding layer. Pour over remaining half of pudding mixture and cover with another layer of graham crackers. Heat the container of prepared frosting, uncovered for 1 minute. Pour over top of cake. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours before serving

On the Menu This Week...

I can't seem to stay on the menu lately.  Again I'll be keeping it the same and hopefully use up these groceries before I go shopping again on Friday.

Monday:  Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, apples w/PB
Tuesday:  Homemade mac-n-cheese with ham, green beans, grapes
Wednesday: Fellowship (Spaghetti, garlic bread)
Thursday:  Bacon, eggs, home fries, toast.
Friday:  Pizza
Saturday:  Out
Sunday:  Fellowship

On My To Do List...

Today:  Laundry, Floors, school open house
Tomorrow:  Kaylee's Orthodontist appt
Wednesday:  1st day of School!, babysit
Thursday:  Bills, babysit, parade
Friday:  Groceries, laundry

In the Craft Basket...

I'm making a zebra set for a baby girl.  It will be trimmed in light pink instead of orange.

Looking Forward To This Week...

This is going to be a busy, busy week but I'm looking forward to some quiet time once the girls go back to school.

Looking Around the House...

The girls and I have been working on getting the house straightened up.  We're in a holding pattern until the washer/disherwasher are done running.

From the Camera...

Nothing new this week :(

On My Prayer List...

Commitment to get healthier.
All the kids and teachers getting ready to go back to school.
Mike, my nephews father is in the hospital with complication due to his diabetes.

Bible Verse, Devotional...

"Creat in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me."  Psalm 51:10

Spiritual Sunday ~ One Drop ~ 8/25/13

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"O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. "
Psalm 30:12

Have a blessed week!

     

Five on Friday ~ 8/23/13

Five things that made me smile this week :)

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1.  Edy's Butterfinger ice-cream :)

2.  I walked 12 miles this past week :)

3.  Watching Kaylee FINALLY learn to ride a bike!!!!

4.  I sold a quilt top on Etsy :)

5.  Getting my reading groove back :)

What made you smile this week?

WWW Wednesday ~ 8/21/13

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

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• What are you currently reading?

So far this is promising to be a good read.  Very fast paced and dramatic.

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• What did you recently finish reading?

Wow!  This book was amazing!

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• What do you think you’ll read next?

This book is in the mail and I should be receiving it soon.  It goes straight to the top of the pile :)

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Have a great Wednesday!

Chats on the Porch ~ 8/20/13

This week's questions are:

1. My oldest daughter has returned to college for her second year. Could I get you to give her some good wishes here? Please?

Have fun, work hard, be good!

2. Summer is about to move on, what will you miss the most? And the least?

I'm actually ready for fall :)  I'll miss the girls being home.  I'll least miss the unbearable heat.

3. Are you currently working on any craft, sewing, DIY home, or any other creative project?

Besides working on orders for my Etsy shop, I've been crocheting a shawl for a friend's birthday.

4. If you could have any treatment at a spa for free, what would it be?

I've only ever had a manicure and a pedicure, so I'd like to try a massage.

5. What's your favorite kind of pasta?

I'm a plain old spaghetti kind of girl :)

Let's chat and get to know one another!