Saturday, December 31, 2016

Stacking the Shelves ~ 12/31/16


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:

17569691

   An unlikely spy discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

As the British and Continental armies wage war in 1781, the daughter of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner feels conflict raging in her own heart. Lydia Caswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but she wavers in her allegiance to the Crown.

On the night the British sail up the James River on a mission to destroy the new capital, Lydia discovers a wounded man on the riverbank near Caswell Hall. Fearing his identity but unwilling to leave him for dead, she secretly nurses him back to health. The man identifies himself as Nathan, a Patriot—and an enemy. But Lydia’s American sympathies grow, and when British officers return to the plantation, Lydia must help Nathan escape.

Privy to conversation among the officers at Caswell Hall, Lydia begins delivering secret messages to the Patriots in Williamsburg. When she overhears a plot to assassinate General Washington, she must risk her life to alert Nathan before it’s too late.
  

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18588426

Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness. His secret traps him in a life that is not his own.

Darbury, England, 1819

Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could expose her disgrace. But soon after becoming a lady’s companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she’s desperately hidden for years.

Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own—one that has haunted him for years and tied him to his father’s position as steward of Willowgrove Hall. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breathe a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he’ll never be free to find his own way in the world. He’ll never be free to fall in love.

When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and fight for a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long kept?

 
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Also linking up to: The Sunday PostMailbox Monday

 
Happy Reading!


Friday, December 30, 2016

Tea Time ~ Christmas and A Baby ~ 12/30/16



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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~Our Aunt Sherry got Laken a WonderLoom to make bracelets!  It made me so happy to see the girls working together to figure it out :)


 ~The kids were off of school the Friday before Christmas!  To keep them occupied for a while we went to see SING :)  (Be watching for the review ;)


~Christmas was great this year!  We're all moved in and had a great Christmas morning opening presents before going to Church :)


~My brother got the girls Dog-opoly for Christmas!  We spent the other evening playing and of course, the hubby was ruthless and beat us all :)



~I saved the best for last!  My cousin Steph announced on Christmas Eve that she and her husband, Cody, are having a baby!!!  :) :) :)

Image result for stork and baby

 
 What made you smile this week?

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


 

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Book Review ~ A Pioneer Christmas ~ 12/29/16

 
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Blurb:
 
The wild and untamed lands of America called to the brave and determined pioneers who desired a new way of life. Faced with primitive lodgings--a cave, a dugout, a sod house, a barn--settlers face their first Christmas in a new land with both trepidation and hope. From the mountains of North Carolina to the woods of Michigan, across the plains of Oklahoma and deserts of Arizona, these settlers soon learned that wherever the heart dwells, Christmas and romance can find a place to call home.

In this exclusive collection of nine Christmas romances, readers will relive a pioneer Christmas with all its challenges and delights as penned by some of Christian fiction's beloved authors, including bestselling authors Margaret Brownley and Lauraine Snelling.

1781 North Carolina - Defending Truth by Shannon McNear
1820 Ohio - The Calling by Kathleen Fuller
1830 Michigan Territory - A Silent Night by Anna Urquhart
1862 Nebraska Territory - A Pony Express Christmas by Margaret Brownley
1867 Arizona Territory - A Christmas Castle by Cynthia Hickey
1875 Dakota Territory - The Cowboy's Angel by Lauraine Snelling
1885 Dakota Territory - A Badlands Christmas by Marcia Gruver
1889 Oklahoma Territory - Buckskin Bride by Vickie McDonough
1897 Alaska - The Gold Rush Christmas by Michelle Ule

Filled with inspiration and faith, each story will become a treasure to be enjoyed again each holiday season.
     

My Thoughts:
 
For me, this has been the year of Christmas novellas.
 
This book contained 9, yes 9, Christmas stories.
 
I have to say that although I enjoyed reading the stories, I wished they were a bit longer.  Maybe I'm just ready to sink my teeth into a full-length novel.
 
 
 
 Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Weigh-In Wednesday ~ 12/28/16

 
My inspiration:
 
Commit whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.
 
Proverbs 16:3

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Last week's meeting was cancelled due to extreme ice.  In my mind, I guess that meant, ahhh, take the week off from tracking and exercise.  Bad idea.

I was so nervous to weigh-in on Saturday.  I thought for sure I would have a gain.  A bad gain.

Instead......

I lost 2.8 lbs over the 2 week period!!!

I guess even though I wasn't physically tracking my food intake, I was paying attention and "trying" to be good even though an insane amount of cookies made their way into my mouth!

My total loss is now 16.6 lbs so that meant getting another 5lb sticker!  Yay!


I was also excited to get another charm.  This charm was for being at Meetings 6/8 times over the holiday period.  It is for "making time for yourself".  I love it :)


This week's meeting was about "Keep Moving!"  I definitely needed the encouragement to get back to exercising on a regular basis.

We talked about the things that being busy kept us from doing in our Weight Watcher journey.  It seemed like a lot of people were having the same issues I did.  Tracking, exercise and eating right were taking a back seat to all the holiday preparations.

It was a great meeting.  Just what I needed to get back at it!

My week's stats:

Weigh-in:  -2.8 lbs.  Total:  -16.6 lbs.

Exercise:  VERY sporadic.

Tracking:  Almost non-existent.  I still don't know how I lost weight...

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Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

 
Linking up to  WholeHearted WednesdayR&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and  Women with IntentionPeaches and Salt, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman, Classical Homemaking.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Teaser Tuesday ~ Missing ~ 12/27/16


http://thepurplebooker.com


 
My teaser for this week is from:

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~"Nikki Boyd slid out of her white Mini Cooper as two bagged bodies were being wheeled from the one-story house nestled in on of Nashville's nicer suburbs.  Her stomach clenched.  Even after eight years on the force, the emotional challenges of the job had yet to make her completely calloused.  It was impossible not to personalize some of what she saw.  The cases she couldn't solve.  The brokenness she couldn't fix."

 
Also linking up to:

http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.co.uk/  http://www.rosecityreader.com/


Happy Tuesday!

Monday, December 26, 2016

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 12/26/16


 
Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.
 
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The weather outside is::::

NOT a White Christmas :(

Doug and the girls are both off all week :)
 


On my breakfast plate:
 
Smart Ones Canadian Ham, Egg and Cheese Muffin
  
As I look around the house::::
 
The presents have been put away but the house needs some TLC after the busy Christmas weekend.

As for the house we are selling, lots to do this week!

On today's to do list::::

Finish emptying out the old house.
Exercise.
Bible reading.

 
Happening this week::::
 
Monday....Pack, Possibly a movie date :)
Tuesday...  Clean, laundry.
Wednesday... Menu and Grocery List, Pack.
Thursday.....Bills, Groceries, Cheer practice for Laken.
Friday....Laundry, Schedule, Finish up at the old house.
Saturday....Weight Watchers Meeting, New Year's Eve!

Currently reading::::

13265065

I've been so busy this week, that I haven't really gotten to sit down with the book.  I'm hoping to get it finished up this week.  Up next is:

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On the TV::::

SING!!!!

Be watching for a movie review ;)

 
On the Radio:::

Christmas music, of course!
 
On the menu this week::::

Monday - Deer Steak, Sweet Rice, Peas, Apples
Tuesday - Kielbasa, Fried Potatoes, Corn, Oranges
Wednesday -  Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, green beans, peaches
Thursday -
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - Oatmeal, Toast, Bacon
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

I've decided not to finish the Holiday Cables Throw.  I took back the unused skeins of yarn and swapped them for colors that were inspired by a Thomas Kinkaid picture I've had in my bedroom for years.

Image result for thomas kinkade keeper of the light

I'm not sure what pattern to use the colors for yet.  I'm thinking either a Beautiful Shells or the new Attic 24 Moorland CAL that is starting on Jan. 6th.  Any ideas? 

 

From the Camera:::
 


Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

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Linking up to :What Are You Reading,   Yarn Fanatic, Art of Homemaking, Make Your Home SingGood Morning Monday, Menu Plan Monday , Yarn Along, Keep Calm Craft On, Linky Ladies, Pieces by Polly , Homemaking Linkup, Homesteader Hop.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Stacking the Shelves ~ 12/24/16


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:

13120366

   Will Annie find treasure in her field of sunflowers? Annie Jamison is the sister who keeps the peace. So when her mother goes missing, Annie's the one sent to retrieve her. There's one problem. It seems the town Willa Jamison (willingly) ran off to--Sunflower, Kansas-- doesn't exist. Sure, it's on the map, but when Annie drives there, she finds herself in the middle of a field. Of sunflowers. In nearby Bonner Springs, Kansas, Annie finds her errant mother...and Joe Kelly, a handsome veterinarian who thinks Annie is part of a team of con artists out to swindle his father. It takes some time, but eventually, Joe's working with Annie instead of against her to bring their wacky parents to their senses. When this unlikely team turns into an unlikely couple, Annie no longer wants to leave her field of sunflowers. She wants happily-ever-after with Joe Kelly. But when evidence of the con resurfaces, will Joe have enough faith in Annie to recognize the truth?

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 13410633

A young woman wants to work in a man’s world.

It’s 1933, the height of the Big-Band era, and beautiful Lake Geneva is already well established as a summertime playground for Chicago’s elite. Local girl Meg Alden works at the town newspaper, but she aspires to be a reporter—a job given only to men. When a position opens up, Meg spies an opportunity to break into the business. That is, until Jack Wallace, the son of a big-city newspaper magnate, is hired instead. Jack is drawn to Meg and suggests they combine forces to uncover a local scandal. But how can Meg work with the man who stole her job. . .and makes her pulse race?
  
 
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Also linking up to: The Sunday PostMailbox Monday

 
Happy Reading!


Thursday, December 22, 2016

Book Review ~ Sleigh Belles by Janice Hanna ~ 12/22/16

 
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Blurb:
 
From Savannah to Montana... In 1916, Southern belle Alanna Lessing travels to Montana on a mission--to rescue her older sister from the influence of suffragettes and bring her back home to Savannah where she belongs. Alanna fears that her sister, Margaret, has allowed herself to be swept away by these newfangled beliefs.
 
The Christmas season is drawing near, and sleigh bells are ringing among the snow-covered peaks. The charming town of Missoula begins to grow on Alanna, and so do a few of its inhabitants--particularly neighboring rancher Tanner Jacobs. Alanna takes it upon herself to turn Tanner into a true Southern gentleman. He plays along, in part because he likes being near her, and in part because he's intrigued by her very different way of life. Will their differences bind their hearts, or forever keep them apart?      

My Thoughts:
 
I've always been a fan of Janice Hanna's stories.  She writes fun, historical romances and those are my favorites!
 
At first, I was a little bit put off by Alanna's "Southern Belle"-ness.  But as the story progressed she came to realize what was important wasn't the outward appearances, but what was in the heart.
 
I liked Tanner from the get-go!  Sigh...  lol  I couldn't have asked for a better hero for this story.
 
I really enjoyed all the descriptiveness of the Montana scenery.  It truly sounds breathtaking. 
 
I do have a pet peeve, though.  The cover shows a girl skating and while they did talk about skating at one point, they didn't actually ice-skate in the novel.  I strongly dislike when the cover doesn't match up with the telling of the story.  Just a little pet peeve.  It wasn't anything that distracted from the story or my enjoyment of reading it
 
Now I have to try to find the other books in the "Belles & Whistles" series!
 
 Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Hodgepodge ~ 12/21/16



Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. What's left to be done on your Christmas to-do list?
 
Just bake a dessert to take to my cousin's for Christmas dinner.  We're pretty much set with everything else!

 
2. The Hodgepodge lands on the first day of winter this year. What's your favorite thing about winter? 
 
Snuggling up with a good book.
 
3. In what area of your life are you immature? Feel free to elaborate or not. 
 
I still like to watch animated movies :)
 
4. What was the most (or one of the most) important lessons you learned in 2016? 
 
As long as I'm with my family, it doesn't matter where we call "home".
 
5. It's Fried Shrimp Day...are you a fan? What's your favorite way to eat shrimp? Will there be shrimp somewhere in your holiday feastings? 
 
Not a big seafood fan....blahhh!
 
6. What sound lulls you to sleep? 
 
I have to have a fan running to sleep.  You could say it lulls me.
 
7. What one word best describes your 2016? 
 
Change.
 
8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I'm so excited that so many people signed up to be a Pen Pal!  It is going to be so much fun :)

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

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Teaser Tuesday ~ Wedding Belles ~ 12/20/16


http://thepurplebooker.com


 
My teaser for this week is from:

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~"Jeb Otis says he's going to jump off Longs Peak and end it all."

 
Also linking up to:

http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.co.uk/  http://www.rosecityreader.com/


Happy Tuesday!

Monday, December 19, 2016

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 12/19/16


 
Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.
 
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The weather outside is::::

Ice, ice, baby!
 


On my breakfast plate:
 
Smart Ones Canadian Sausage, Egg and Cheese Muffin
  
As I look around the house::::
 
The girls are sharing a room.  It has been quite interesting, to say the least!

On today's to do list::::
 
Deadline to sign up for a PenPal for 2017
Pick up fundraiser items for Laken Cheer Squad
Make cut-out sugar cookies
 
Happening this week::::
 
Monday....Cookies!
Tuesday...  Clean, laundry, Laken is cheering at a wrestling match.
Wednesday... Menu and Grocery List, Groceries.
Thursday.....Laken's Christmas Program, Baking Nuthorns with Mom.
Friday....Laundry, Schedule, Making Fudge.
Saturday....Weight Watchers Meeting, Christmas Eve!, Christmas Dinner at my Cousin Steph's.

Currently reading::::

13265065

I recently read the second book in the Belles & Whistles series so when I saw the first book "Wedding Belles" at Ollie's I snatched it up.  I've been reading it while waiting for the girls at school pick-up and I'm loving it!

 
On the TV::::

Other than keeping an eye on the weather, I haven't really watched any TV this week :(

 
On the Radio:::

This week I featured "How Glorious the Love of Heaven" by Stars Go Dim for Songs on Sunday.
 
On the menu this week::::

Monday - Stroganoff, garlic bread, broccoli, fruit
Tuesday - Hamburger gravy, Mashed Potatoes, corn, apples
Wednesday - Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Chicken Noodle soup.
Thursday - Chicken, Cheesy Potatoes, green beans, peaches
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - Oatmeal, Toast, Bacon
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

I've been working on the Holiday Cable Throw using Red Heart Super Saver in "Mushroom".

Part #1


Part #2


I'm debating on whether or not to continue with this.  I'm having difficulties with Part #3 and am growing discouraged.  I'm thinking about returning the unused skeins and getting yarn for a different more colorful project.  What do you think?

 
From the Camera:::
 



 
Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee."

Isaiah 26:3

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Linking up to :What Are You Reading,   Yarn Fanatic, Art of Homemaking, Make Your Home SingGood Morning Monday, Menu Plan Monday , Yarn Along, Keep Calm Craft On, Linky Ladies, Pieces by Polly , Homemaking Linkup, Homesteader Hop.