Stacking the Shelves ~ 2/25/17

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:

In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father's estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar's daughter, Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.

Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward's path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it's a temporary reprieve. Hayward joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.

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Avery Baker was once a New York designer, but inheriting her aunt's old Maine cottage has led her down a new career path-home renovation. Now, with help from hunky handyman Derek Ellis, Avery starts learning the ABCs of DIY. But when the designer-turned-renovator finds clues that lead to a missing professor, she wonders if she can finish the house-without getting finished off in the process.
 

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Also linking up to: The Sunday Post, Mailbox Monday



 

Happy Reading!

Blogging Break

Hello, Everyone!

I have a lot going on right now and don't feel like I have the time to spend on blogging the way I want to.

So, I'm going to take a blogging break.

I'm also going to put the Favorite Color Swap on hold.  Maybe for my 40th Birthday!

I do have some posts that I already have schedule that will run but other than that, I'm not sure when I'll be back.  Hopefully, I'll still be checking out YOUR blogs, though :)

Until we meet again....


Colletta

Teaser Tuesday ~ Fatal Fixer-Upper ~ 2/21/17

 

My teaser for this week is from:

 

~The letter from Aunt Inga arrived, as the saying goes, a day late and a dollar short.  Or not a whole dollar, exactly, but Aunt Inga must have missed a few of the recent postal increases, because the stamp was short by several cents, and that was probably why it had taken the letter almost two weeks to get from Maine to New York City.~

 

What do you think?

Also linking up to:

 


Happy Tuesday!

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Don't forget to sign up for the Favorite Color Swap by 2/28/17!!!

Songs on Sunday ~ Even If by MercyMe ~ 2/19/17

 

 I'm loving MercyMe's new song "Even If"!

 

Enjoy :)

 

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 .



Stacking the Shelves ~ 2/18/17

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:

Special Forces operator Salvatore “Falcon” Russo vowed to never again speak to or trust Lieutenant Cassandra Walker after a tragedy four years ago. But as Raptor closes in on the cyber terrorists responsible for killing two of their own, Sal must put his life—and the lives of his teammates—in her hands. Despite his anger, Cassie is ill-prepared for his resistance and the fallout when she must protect the one asset who can end the attacks. As allies become enemies and hostiles become unlikely partners, Raptor fights for its very existence.

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An East-coast socialite embarks on a journey to the Wild West, and her life will never be the same.

A setting populated by hundreds of common laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general’s daughter from the nation’s capital. But Josephine Cain is determined to accompany her father as he oversees the day-to-day work involved in the greatest undertaking of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the dangers of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents chose for her and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose…and the love of her life.  
 

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Also linking up to: The Sunday Post, Mailbox Monday



 

Happy Reading!

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Don't forget to sign up for the Favorite Color Swap by 2/28/17!!!

Tea Time ~ Valentines and Cozies ~ 2/17/17

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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Last week was a not so good week for me.  I didn't even do a Tea Time post because I just couldn't find much to smile about.  A visit to the doctor and a tweak to my antidepressant and things are starting to look up :)  So how about some smiles!

~Valentine's Day!  Doug and I had our Valentine Date on Saturday.  We had a very nice time eating out and talking about all that is going on in our life right now.  On Tuesday, I had a meeting, so Doug took the girls out for a Daddy/Daughter Valentine Date to McDonald's.  They had their hearts set on a Shamrock Shake but they were all out!  Poor things :)

~The other morning I made the girls their breakfast and as they were eating I started packing their lunches.  I looked over at Laken and saw her reading a book while eating her egg!  Girl after my own heart :)

~As I wrote about in my Family Time post this week, the girls and I made chocolate chip cookies as Valentine gifts.  I always enjoy spending time with my girls, especially when we bake :)

~Laken's Cheer Pep Squad worked really hard to raise enough money to get new uniforms.  They finally were delivered and the cheerleaders were so excited!  Here's a picture of MY little cheerleader in her new uniform :)

~Cozy mysteries have been making me smile lately.  This week I read a book called "Buried in a Book" by Lucy Arlington.  I loved it!  Be watching for a review and giveaway soon :)

What made you smile this week?

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 , Diary of a Real Housewife and Tricky's Five , Friday's Fave Five. Life in Leggings, Fresh Friday Finds, Weekend Wind Down.

 

Book Review ~ LFYI Annapolis Maryland by Roseanna M. White ~ 2/16/17

 

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Blurb:

 

 In 1784 peace has been declared, but war still rages in the heart of Lark Benton. Never did Lark think she'd want to escape Emerson Fielding, the man she's loved all her life, but then he betrays her with her cousin. She flees to Annapolis, Maryland, the country's capital, and throws herself into a new circle of friends who force her to examine all she believes. Emerson follows, determined to reclaim his bride. Surprised when she refuses to return with him, he realizes that in this new country he has come to call his own, duty is no longer enough. He must learn to open his heart and soul to something greater... before he loses all he should have been fighting to hold.    

My Thoughts:

 

This book was so much fun to read!

 

I live about 15 minutes from Western Maryland so it was interesting to read about Maryland and some familiar places.

 

I hadn't read a book set in this time period for quite a while and I really enjoyed learning more about the United States following the War for Independence while the Nation's capital was Annapolis.

 

I was extremely entertained by the characters!

 

Emerson was a complete jerk in the beginning of the book and I loved to hate him.  I also loved seeing him change and learning to like him.

 

Lark led Emerson "merry chase" to winning her heart and didn't give it freely at first.

 

I enjoyed reading as their story played out.

 

I can't say that there has been a bad book in the entire "Love Find You In" series.  I look forward to reading another one soon!

 

 

 

For the Biblical "Way of Salvation" please see my header or click HERE.

 

 

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Don't forget to sign up for the Favorite Color Swap by 2/28/17!!!

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

  

Linking up to:  Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Literacy Musings and Saturday Situation, Booknificent. Party at My Place , Saturday Review of Book , Book Nook, Hearts for Home

Hodgepodge ~ 2/15/17

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. What do/did you call your grandparents? If it's something unusual tell us the story behind the name. If you're a grandparent what do your grands call you? Who chose your moniker?

This is an interesting question in my family.  On my mother's side, my grandparents were Gram and Pap.  Now on my father's side, his parent were divorced so we had to have a way to differentiate between everyone.  There was Grandma and Pap on the Hill.  You guessed it, they lived on a hill.  And then there were Grandma and Pap in the Hollow.  Again, you guessed it, they lived in a hollow :)

2. Ever taken a road trip along the California Coast? If so what was the highlight of your trek? If not, any desire to do so? If you were to take a trip along the California Coast what's one attraction you'd have on your must-see list?

I live in Pennsylvania and haven't been farther west than Ohio!  So no trip up the California Coast for me.  As for the desire, Yes!  I'd love to.  I don't really have a must-see though.  I want to see everything!

3. What are three things you don't know how to do?

Make coffee.  Shoot a gun.  Parallel park.

4. Tom Peters is quoted as saying, 'Celebrate what you want to see more of.' If that's true what will you celebrate and more importantly, how will you celebrate?

Love everyday and not just on Valentine's Day.  It is a good start though :)

5. Thursday (February 16) is National Almond Day. Do you like almonds? Which would you prefer-an Almond Joy or a macaron? What's something you make that calls for almonds?

I've never eaten a macaron but my Paris-loving 10 year old is obsessed with making them some day.  I love Almond Joys!  The only thing I can remember making that called for almonds was an Almond Joy Cake.  It was scrumptious!

6. What does Saturday morning look like at your house?

Sleep in a bit.  Have breakfast.  Try to wake the children.  Maybe a little housework.

7. Share with us a favorite book you've read this winter.

Click the book to see my review!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

There is absolutely nothing playing at the theater to see for Valentine's Day!  P.S. We're not into Fifty Shades!

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Don't forget to sign up for the Favorite Color Swap by 2/28/17!!!

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

Family Time ~ Valentine Fun! ~ 2/14/17

 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

 

We had a lot of fun preparing for today!

 

The first thing that needed completed was Laken's Valentine Box for her school party.  A lot of planning and pinteresting went into deciding what to make and how.  Even then there were some changes made mid-way.

 

I hope the completed project looks like a fox to you, because that is what it is supposed to be!  lol  A fox with a mustache that is!

Last evening the girls decided they wanted to make chocolate chip cookies.  Laken was making them for her teacher and Kaylee was making them for her boyfriend.

Again, a lot of debate took place as to what to put Laken's cookies into.  Finally, she decided to decorate a Christmas Card box.  She made sure to put some googly eyes on it.

While Laken was decorating, Kaylee was baking.  She did a great job.  I only helped minimally.

She had planned ahead what to put the boyfriend's cookies in, so she had a pretty Valentine container all ready to go :)

 

As for the hubby and me, we celebrated Saturday night with a "Date Night"!  Instead of gifts we usually go out for the evening.  There really wasn't anything playing at the theater that we wanted to see so we only went out to eat and will save our Movie Night for another date.

 

I did get him a Valentine's Card, though.  I'll let you know if he gets me one!

 

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Don't forget to sign up for the Favorite Color Swap by 2/28/17!!!

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

Linking up Totally Terrific Tuesday,  Titus 2sdays, Unite, Share Your Stuff, Treasure Box, Do Tell Tuesday and Titus 2 Tuesday, Hearth and Soul, A Spirit of Simplicity,  Tuesdays with a Twist  , Inspire Me , Tuesday Talk , The Scoop.

Teaser Tuesday ~ Buried in a Book ~ 2/14/17

 

My teaser for this week is from:

 

~I thought I'd be writing articles about church bazaars and Girl Scout cookie sales until I retired, so you can imagine my surprise when, at forty-five years of age, I was handed my very first pink slip.~

 

What do you think?

Also linking up to:

 


Happy Tuesday!

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Don't forget to sign up for the Favorite Color Swap by 2/28/17!!!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 2/13/17

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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The weather outside is::::

We had a snowstorm this past week where we got about 6 inches.  That is the most we've gotten at once so far this year!  I really can't believe that.  I'm waiting for the shoe to drop or should I say "feet" (of snow, that is) to drop.  We can't be going to get off this easy!

All that snow has basically melted due to the 60+ F weather we've had this weekend.

 



On my breakfast plate:

 

Cheerios
  

As I look around the house::::

 

Once again, with all the snow melting, there is mud everywhere.  We're trying to figure out the best time to get some more gravel for in the parking lot and driveway.  Until this, we have mud!

On today's to do list::::

Exercise
Bible reading
Blog writing/visiting
Crochet
Laken's Cheer for the Girl's Basketball game

 

Happening this week::::

 

Monday.... Cheer
Tuesday...  Clean, laundry, Cheer.
Wednesday... Menu and Grocery List, Schedule for next week, Prayer Meeting.
Thursday... Groceries.
Friday....Laundry, Elementary Sweetheart Dance.
Saturday....Weight Watchers Weigh-In.

Currently reading::::



At this point, I'm still reading the Curiosity Keeper.  I'm hoping to get it finished up and start on Buried in a Book by Lucy Arlington, a cozy mystery :)
 

On the TV::::

Kids Baking Championship
Chopped
Cupcake Wars

 

On the Radio:::

This week for Songs on Sunday, I featured "I Wanna Go Back" by David Dunn.
 

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Ham, Green Beans, Potatoes, Grapes
Tuesday - Hot dogs, French Fries, peas, Apples
Wednesday -  Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Oranges
Thursday - Chicken Gravy and Biscuits, Broccoli, Apples
Friday -  Pizza
Saturday - Oatmeal, toast
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

I'm working on something top-secret this week.

I'll share a little glimpse:

 

From the Camera:::

 

 

 

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

 

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Don't forget to sign up for the Favorite Color Swap by 2/28/17!!!

 

 

Linking up to :What Are You Reading,   Yarn Fanatic, Art of Homemaking, Make Your Home Sing,  Good Morning Monday, Menu Plan Monday ,  The Creative Gallery, Tuesday Pin-spiration, Yarn Along, Keep Calm Craft On, Linky Ladies, Pieces by Polly , Homemaking Linkup, Homesteader Hop.