Monthly Reflections ~ August 2015

Books read in the month of AUGUST 2015:

1.  "Dying to Read" by Lorena McCourtney:  This book was so entertaining!  I loved Cate Kinkaid's character and the PI aspect.  I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and can honestly say that I didn't have it figured out at all :)  And, there was just enough hint of romance to make it interesting on that front as well.  You can read my full review HERE.

2.  "Prize of My Heart" by Lisa Norato:  I read this book in one evening and a morning in between cleaning and household chores.  Once I started, I didn't want to stop!  The storyline was intriguing and mysterious with danger and action with just the right blend of romance.  The ending had a very surprising twist.  Lisa Norato was a new-to-me author but I'll definitely be reading more of her books!  You can read my full review HERE.

3.  "A Penny for Your Thoughts" by Mindy Starns Clark : I enjoyed the mystery very much and can honestly say I did not see the ending coming.  That being said, I didn't care for the outcome.  I wish I could go into my reasoning but I don't want to give it away and ruin it for those who might be going to read it!  Even though I didn't like the outcome of the mystery, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book an look forward to the next book of this series on my shelf.  Especially, finding more out about "Tom" even though I have a few theories :)  You can read my full review HERE.

Homemaker Monday ~ 8/31/15

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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On the weather front:
 

It was a bit rainy this morning but is supposed to reach the 90's in the next few days.    
  

On my bedside table:
 
 
On my TV:
 

I'm finishing up Rizzoli & Isles that I have on my  DVR while crocheting.  Lots of Pirates' baseball games and Steelers' football.

 
On the menu for this week:

Monday - Chicken pasta, garlic bread, broccoli, grapes
Tuesday - Kielbasa, fried potatoes, peas, apples
Wednesday - Dinner at my brother's house
Thursday -Stuffed shells, grean beans, grapes
Friday -Pizza Friday!
Saturday - leftovers
Sunday - ????
 
New Recipe I tried or want to try:
I'm going to be baking something on Wednesday but haven't decided what yet.

On my To Do List:
 
Devotions
Clean kitchen, dining room, family room, laundry room and sewing room.
Laundry
Dishes
Walk
Dr. appointment
Make Supper
Help with homework
  
In the craft basket:
 
African Flowers, Bree's Granny Stripe
  
 
Looking forward to:

Being a SAHM again and all it entails!!  Yay!

 What I plan on doing for myself this week:
 
I want to spend more time reading for pleasure.
 

Lesson learned the past few days:
 
Nothing is set in stone.
 
Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:


"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."  John 14:14


Happy Monday!!!

Make it Monday ~ African Flowers Part 3 ~ 8/31/15

 

(I'm using the pattern for African Flowers that I found over at  Made in K-Town . ) 

 

To see Part 1 go HERE.

To see Part 2 go HERE.

 

This is Round 3 and Round 4 from last week's post.

 

Round 5 I've done in Daffodil.  It really sets off the "petals".

To break up the tedium, I alternated between petal colors until they were all done.

The rest of the rounds take a bit of time.  I'm about halfway through, so hopefully I'll be able to show you some completed blocks next week.

 

Please leave me a comment with a link so I can return the visit!!

Linking up to Making Memories Monday, Much Ado About Monday,  Making Your Home Sing , Inspire Me Monday, Merry Monday , Motivation Monday, Made By You, Creative Mondays, What'd You Do this Weekend and Pieces by Polly Block Party,  Monday's Musing and Making Monday, Stitch It Up and Hooking on Humpday, Yarn Along , Yarn Fanatic , Keep Calm Craft On.

Songs on Sunday ~ At the Cross (Love Ran Red) ~ 8/30/15

 

Where Your love ran red and my sins washed white.  I owe it all to You! 

 

              


Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

I'm also linking up to Spiritual Sunday and Counting My Blessings , Faith And Friendship , Grace And Truth , Dance with Jesus, Sunday Stillness, Give Me Grace , Sundays Down Under and The Weekend Brew.



Tea Time ~ 8/28/15

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~I'm being featured on High Five for Friday!!!  How fun is that?!?!?!  :)

~My last day of work was yesterday!  I'm a SAHM again :)

~My coworkers took me out for lunch to celebrate my last day!  What a great bunch :)

~VBS was last weekend!  The kids (and adults) had a great time :)

~I finally got a pedicure!  I was overdue :)


How's your week been?

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday and OhHeyFriday

 

Hodgepodge ~ 8/26/15

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1.  It's hard to believe, but next week's Hodgepodge will find us in the month of September. What's one thing you want, need, or hope to do still before summer officially ends?
Go swimming one last time.

 2.  When were you last at 'your wit's end?'

Today :(  Friday is supposed to be my last day at work but I just couldn't stand it today, so I came home early.

 3. Describe a time you were figuratively thrown into 'the deep end'?

Somehow, one year I got roped into doing coordinating VBS.  Definitely felt like the deep end!

 4.  Does the end always, ever, or never justify the means? Explain.

 No, I don't believe it does.  I think it is how we accomplish things that matter.

5. What makes your hair stand on end?

Snakes!!!

6. I read an article on the website Eat This! Health, that listed 11 foods we can eat to help end bad moods. Basically it's a feed your brain so you're less anxious, grouchy, and lethargic. The foods are-mussels, swiss chard, blue potatoes, grass fed beef, dark chocolate, greek yogurt, asparagus, honey, cherry tomatoes, eggs, and coconut. Which of those do you think would most help end your own bad mood? Which do you fear, if forced to eat, would put you into a bad mood?

Dark Chocolate would definitely be my favorite.  Mussels=yuck!

 7. What project around your home, office, or life in general feels like there is 'no end in sight'?

Laundry and dishes... 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm "almost" officially a Stay-at-Home-Mom again.  I CANNOT wait!!! :))

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I'd love to return the visit!  Please leave a comment and a link!

Teaser Tuesday ~ 8/25/15

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. 

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My teaser for this week is from:

 

~Taylor dropped to the floor and scrambled for Dale's gun, her fingers probing under his body.  Blood pounded in her temples.~

Page 20

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Happy Teaser Tuesday!

Make it Monday ~ African Flowers Part 2 ~ 8/24/15

 

(I'm using the pattern for African Flowers that I found over at  Made in K-Town . ) 

 

To see Part 1 go HERE.

 

This week Round 3 and Round 4 are completed in the same color.

 

I enjoyed that half are one color and the other half another.

All lined up in a row :)

 

All 35 circles are complete up to Round 4!  Make sure you come back next week for Round 5!

 

Please leave me a comment with a link so I can return the visit!!

Linking up to Making Memories Monday, Much Ado About Monday,  Making Your Home Sing , Inspire Me Monday, Merry Monday , Motivation Monday, Made By You, Creative Mondays, What'd You Do this Weekend and Pieces by Polly Block Party,  Monday's Musing and Making Monday, Stitch It Up and Hooking on Humpday, Yarn Along , Yarn Fanatic , Keep Calm Craft On.

Stacking the Shelves ~ 8/22/15

 

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!

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This week I added the following to my shelf:

  

 

Allie Kirkland has never been one to take wild risks. But when she’s offered a costuming assistant’s job on a docudrama in the hills near Moses Lake, she jumps at the chance. She’s always dreamed of following in her director-father’s footsteps, and the reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement of Wildwood is a first step. The family expectations will have to wait.

But in 1861, the real Wildwood held dangerous realities. Town founder Harland Delevan held helpless residents, including young Irish schoolteacher Bonnie Rose, in an iron grip. Mysterious disappearances led to myths and legends still retold in the folk songs of Chinquapin Peaks.

 

Eventually, the entire site was found abandoned.
When strange connections surface between Allie and the teacher who disappeared over a century ago, everyone in Wildwood, including Allie’s handsome neighbor on the film set, Blake Fulton, seems to be hiding secrets, and Allie doesn’t know who she can trust. If she can’t find the answers in time, history may repeat itself . . . with the most unthinkable results.

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Happy Reading!

Tea Time ~ 8/21/15

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~On Monday, I gave my two week notice at work!  I'm going to be a stay-at-home-mom again :)!!!!

~I sat down with my calendar to figure out a new schedule for my daily routine!  I'm going to be a stay-at-home-mom again :) (Can you tell I'm excited?)

~The girls started back to school on Wednesday!  Pictures are still on my camera :)

~We had the "Guardian Angel" Reveal Picnic at our house on Saturday!  It was so much fun to have everyone over :)

~Sunday evening before Church I got the best neck and shoulder massage from a friend!  She really has a talent :)


How's your week been?

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday and OhHeyFriday

 

Hodgepodge ~ 8/19/15

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. Way back when (the Hodgepodge bicentennial to be precise) several of you submitted questions as part of a giveaway I was hosting. I went back to that list for inspiration today and found a question  submitted by Marla, who blogs over at Marla's Musings. Thanks Marla!

She asks-At what age did you feel like a 'grown-up'? What keeps you young now?   
Sometimes I still don't feel like a grown-up!  My kids keep my young and riding the rides at amusement parks :)

 2. When did you last buy a vehicle? Was this by design or because you had no other option? Was the car/truck purchased for your own personal use or was it bought for someone else to drive? On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being delightful and 1 being 'pass the Excedrin') how would you rate the experience?
Exactly one year ago because we needed a dependable car.  I would rate the experience a 10 because it was so easy!

 3. Corn bread, corn chips, corn pudding, corn on the cob, cornflakes, corn chowder-your favorite of the corn-y foods listed? What needs to be served alongside your selection?
Corn on the cob with a burger from the grill!

 4. What's something in your life that regularly requires you to 'put your thinking cap on'?
Writing out the bills :(

 5. Share a favorite movie set in a school or classroom, or whose theme relates to school days in some way.
School of Rock!  lol

 6. Reading, writing, and 'rithmatic' are commonly referred to as the three R's. What are the three R's in your life right now?
Reading, redding, and resolving.

 7. What's something you've learned or tried recently you can say was as 'easy as ABC'?
The African Flowers crochet pattern.

 8. Insert your own random thought here.

My kids start back to school today.  Hope they do well this year!

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I'd love to return the visit!  Please leave a comment and a link!

Teaser Tuesday ~ 8/18/15

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. 

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My teaser for this week is from:

 

~Black roses last week, now spidery words scrawled on a scrap of paper with "Meade Funeral Home" printed across the top.  Someone was stalking her, and they wanted her to know it.~

Page 7

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Happy Teaser Tuesday!

Tea Time ~ 8/14/15

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~We went to Delgrosso's Amusement Park on Saturday!  Always a good time :)

 

~Can you say "Minions"???!!!  What a cute movie :)

 

~We have tons of zucchini from the garden!  Chocolate Zucchini Cake, yummmm :)

 

~Even though I haven't been feeling the best, I've been plugging along!  Thank God for meds :)

 



~I made it through the week!  TGIF :)

How's your week been?

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday and OhHeyFriday

 

In the Kitchen ~ Chocolate Zucchini Cake ~ 8/13/15

This recipe is adapted from www.allrecipes.com

 

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups chocolate chips
2 cups zucchini, shredded

Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 13X9 cake pan.

Cream butter, oil and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, vanilla and milk.  Beat until smooth.

Mix in cocoa, baking soda, and cinnamon.  Add flour and mix beat well.

Stir in zucchini.

Pour into pan and sprinkle top with chocolate chips.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Enjoy!


Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday, Inspritation2 , Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Create It Thursday, Your Turn to Shine,   Project Stash  Homemaking Linkup and Home Sweet Home, Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Think and Make.

Teaser Tuesday ~ 8/11/15

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. 

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My teaser for this week is from:

 

~If you roll a seven, sweet one, I'll take it as a sign.  We'll get hitched tonight and you'll be stuck with me for life." He placed all his chips on the pass line.~

Page 8

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Happy Teaser Tuesday!

Make it Monday ~ African Flowers Part 1 ~ 8/10/15

 

Surprise!  I started another project!  I'm using the pattern for African Flowers that I found over at  Made in K-Town .  First, I worked up a sample.  I love how it turned out so I'm going to make an afghan of 35 blocks (5X7).

 

I'm using the following colors from Red Heart with Love.  (Which I do love!)

For the first time ever, I'm making my granny squares one round at a time.  Up first was the yellow center.  35 of these babies worked up in no time.

 

On round 2, I'm alternating the Boysenberry and the Peacock.

 

 

I'm having so much fun making these little guys!  Be sure to come back next week for African Flowers Part 2!

 

Please leave me a comment with a link so I can return the visit!!

Linking up to Making Memories Monday, Much Ado About Monday,  Making Your Home Sing , Inspire Me Monday, Merry Monday , Motivation Monday, Made By You, Creative Mondays, What'd You Do this Weekend and Pieces by Polly Block Party,  Monday's Musing and Making Monday, Stitch It Up and Hooking on Humpday, Yarn Along , Yarn Fanatic , Keep Calm Craft On.