Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 2/28/2022

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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Hello, and Happy Monday!

The weather outside is:

It is almost March and it appears to be coming in like a lamb.  What do you think?  Lion or Lamb?

On today's to-do list: 

Other than the normal Monday tasks, I have a visitation at the Funeral Home to attend in the evening.  The father of a good friend from school and Church passed away Friday and I want to pay my respects and support my friend.

Happening this week:

Tuesday, I have an appointment with the vet (more on that to come!) and the Kindred Readers Book Club will begin discussing "What the Wind Knows" by Amy Harmon.

Wednesday the 7th Sweet Dreams quilt block pattern will be coming out!  Laken has a dentist appointment in the morning also.

Thursday is Bills and Bank day.  I'll also work on a menu and grocery list.

Friday is grocery day and "catch-up on housework before the weekend" day :)  In the evening is Friday Night With Friends.

Saturday is Family Day, which we don't really have anything planned as of today.  Maybe we'll have a Game Night...

Currently reading:

I'm going to be reading "You and Me" by Becky Wade.  It is a Misty River Romance novella that I'm hoping to get finished in order to post a book review on Tuesday.

On the TV:

Gilded Age Episode 5 -  HBO MAX

Aristocats - Disney +

Listening to:

This week for "Songs on Sunday" I featured "Jesus is Coming Back" by Jordan Feliz.  I hope you'll check it out :) 

On the menu today:

Pork Chops, Au Gratin Potatoes, Broccoli, Oranges

In the Craft Basket:

This past week I worked on the "Sweet Dreams" sew along by Pat Sloan at www.ilovetomakequilts.com .  I finished block 7 called Pie, Pie, Pie!  You can read more about it on my Sewing Saturday post :)

Picture from the Camera

Little Audrey Belle turned 2 months old on February 23rd.  She's so sweet :)

Memory Verse

"And  whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Colossians 3:17

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

Songs on Sunday ~ Jesus Is Coming Back by Jordan Feliz

People, get ready!!!

Enjoy :)

Colletta

Sewing Saturday ~ 2/26/2022 ~ Pie Pie Pie!

I'm going to be featuring my sewing, crocheting and crafting projects on Saturdays.  Some weeks this will include a finished project, a FNSI or FNWF or just a WIP.

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I'm going to try to sew at least one block a week in the Pat Sloan sew-along called "Sweet Dreams". I'm using the fabrics below:

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Here is my version of the 7th Sweet Dreams Block:  Pie Pie Pie!

It was fairly easy to plan out the colors and piece it together.

The center of the quilt is going to be the first 9 (9.5 inch) squares.  I can't wait to sew them together to see how they look!

My favorite pie is probably PECAN Pie :)  So good!

You can find the patterns at www.ilovetomakequilts.com .

Colletta

My Weekly Bookishness ~ 2/25/2022

All things bookish!

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What I Read:

I didn't finish anything new and I even kind of didn't finish this one!  If you want to read my review CLICK HERE.

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What I'm Reading:

Blurb:

Elle Brook

I’m pretty sure heartthrob Zane Masters is sabotaging my business, and I’m going to prove it.

It’s no secret that the big-shot CEO of Got Cake? wants to buy my bakery but I declined his offer––even though it was presented to me on a notecard with a triple chocolate donut.

For the record, I did not eat his over-priced donut... I threw it in the trash.

Off the record––I totally ate it, and oh my heck, it was finger-licking delicious.

Just as I get ready to release something new, Got Cake? announces something suspiciously similar.

Not forgetting the time three crates of fish got delivered to my shop. Dead fish.

It took me DAYS to get rid of the stench.
And Zane is my number one suspect.

The only way I’m gonna find the proof I need to stop all this nonsense is to get close to him. Real close.

He’s a man’s man with a hunky smile and a smolder that can melt any heart, I know exactly what an alpha male like him wants in a woman.

My friends think I’m playing with fire. But I'll do whatever it takes to unravel his dark secrets. And the only way I'll get hurt is if I let my heart get involved. That's not gonna happen.

Besides, there’s zero chance I’m gonna fall in love with my enemy.

Flirting with my Enemy is a cozy mystery romcom. Packed with swoon-worthy romance, heart-warming characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and an exciting mystery.

First Lines:

{SAME BOOK/NEW LINES}

"Preparing for an interview in front of the mirror is a new low for me."

56%/Page 56

"Maybe working together might bridge the gap between us, taking away the animosity..."

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What I'll (Probably) Read Next:

Blurb:

One decision changed his life. 

Nathan Hollister nearly died in a war zone and the experience made one thing crystal clear—breaking off his engagement was a terrible mistake. He arrives at his ex’s ranch to make amends, but gunfire erupts before he can. 

Someone wants her dead. 

Cassie Miles is used to being abandoned, first by her mother and then Nathan. But when an attempt is made on her life, she can’t protect herself and the horses she’s rehabilitating. Accepting Nathan’s help is the only answer.   

A hazardous mission. 

Nathan won’t let anyone harm Cassie. Convincing her to give him a second chance, however, is impossible. As the danger creeps closer, the risk heightens. One critical error could cost Nathan everything…again. 

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Book Haul:

 

   ~~~~~~~~~~

Book Blogger Hop:

Q.   Do you acknowledge publication days for books you have read with a blog or social media post? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

A.  Not sure I really "get" this question.  I do add the publication date to my reviews, though.  Is that what this means or am I being obtuse?

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Bookishly Yours,

Linking up to: 

   

  

 The Sunday Post, Sunday Salon,  Mailbox Monday

Tea Time ~ 2/24/2022

 

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things about my life lately...

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~Last Friday my blog hit 1200 followers!  It had been dancing around the 1200 mark for a while.  Someone would follow then someone would unfollow...  Finally, I woke up Friday morning and the number actually hit 1200!!!  That might seem paltry to some of you but it is a milestone for me :)

~Laken has been wanting to make "Oreo Bombs" aka "Oreo Truffles" since Christmas.  Finally, for Valentine's Day, we got them made.  They are super easy to make, but the chocolate covering can get quite messy for us messy bakers :)  It must run in the family!

~Now that Valentine's Day is over, the puppies needed some St. Patty's bandanas.  I got a simple green fat quarter at the "Big W" and cut in from corner to corner.  And voila two bandanas for two Labradors.  I didn't get a picture of Lilah, but I couldn't resist adding this picture of Kona mid-yawn!  :)

~Thursday evening the hubby and I got our taxes done.  Not very exciting but I am glad to have that done and out of the way for another year...

~Laken, who just turned 15 years old, has decided that she wants a hippie van when she turns 16 and gets her driver's license!  The hubby found this puzzle and and told her that is as close as it is going to get!  She was NOT amused but put the puzzle together anyway.  Laken loves puzzles!

~Laken was exercising and left her yoga mat out.  Lilah decided that the yoga mat is much more comfortable than her expensive orthopedic dog bed!  If only we had known :)

 

How was your week?

 

Colletta

Book Review ~ Mischief, Mayhem, and Marriage by Rebecca Connolly

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Title:  Mischief, Mayhem, and Marriage by Rebecca Connolly

Series:  Supposed Scandal

Pages:  248

Date Published:  November 29, 2021

Publisher:  

 Blurb:

One good scandal deserves another...

Lady Alexandrina Lawson has never minded her widowhood. After the disaster that was her first marriage, she found it rather enjoyable, despite the pity she received. What the public saw as devoted mourning to a respected man was, in fact, a complete disinterest in participating in anything Society could offer her ever again. When an invitation to a cousin's London event proves disastrous for Alexandrina, her reputation, and that of her child, her choice becomes simple: rescue or ruin.

Enter Taft Debenham, Earl of Harwood.

Taft could not have less interest in Lady Lawson or her cold manner, but neither could he stand by and let her suffer a forced marriage to a drunken idiot. Sacrificing himself on the altar of Society, thinking how his own reputation might benefit, he provides a rather clever solution: marry the woman himself, and claim outrage for the offenses against her. Over the protests of his bride, and those of his own sanity, Taft begins the greatest scheme he could ever imagine. Nothing surprises him more than beginning to discover that his wife has a heart beneath her icy exterior.

And that he would do almost anything to claim it.

My Thoughts:

My thoughts on this book are very ho-hum!

In fact I quit reading with 50 pages left to go!  I know I should have just finished it but I found myself putting off reading and that just is not a good sign.  That is the sign of a reading slump and I don't want that when I'm doing so well with my 1 book per week goal for 2022.

I'm going to count it a finish even though "technically" it was a DNF.  But I was so close!!!!

You may be asking why it was just a ho-hum book for me.

Well, the characters were just not very likable!  I thought the leading lady was just plain mean at times and the hero was a bit insipid.  There just wasn't much depth to either character.  At least that is how I felt.

I feel terrible when I have to write a not-so-favorable review.  Maybe it was just my mood as I'm a mood reader at heart.

I downloaded this book to my kindle through Kindle Unlimited.

Onto the next book!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 2/21/2022

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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Hello, and Happy Monday!

The weather outside is:

It looks like it is going to be a great week to maybe get outside for a walk!

Did anyone else have a crazy snow squall Saturday?  I got the alert on my phone but didn't think anything of it.  Then the squall hit and we couldn't see out the windows!  Crazy weather!

On today's to-do list: 

I'll be spending the day doing my normal routines plus cleaning.  I've been trying to keep up with the housework, so it shouldn't be TOO bad.  I hope.

Happening this week:

Tuesday I have an appointment to get my Rogue inspected and the oil changed at our mechanic's.  The inspection runs out at the end of the month.

Wednesday the 7th Sweet Dreams quilt block pattern will be coming out!

Thursday morning I have a cleaning scheduled at the dentist.  Then in the afternoon, Laken has a follow-up appointment with her gastroenterologist.  It will be the first we've seen him since her scopes, so hopefully he'll have some insight into how to proceed with her treatment for abdominal migraines.

Friday is grocery day and "catch-up on housework before the weekend" day :)

Saturday is Family Day, which we don't really have anything planned as of today.  Maybe we'll have a Game Night...

Currently reading:

I'm getting ready to start reading "Flirting with My Enemy" by Laura Burton.

On the TV:

Gilded Age Episodes 3 & 4 -  HBO MAX -  I love period pieces!

Listening to:

This week for "Songs on Sunday" I featured "Weary Traveler" by Jordan St. Cyr.  I hope you'll check it out :) 

On the menu today:

Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Veggie and Fruit.  (We still have the turkey that my hubby got from work in the freezer and need to use it.)

In the Craft Basket:

This past week I worked on the "Sweet Dreams" sew along by Pat Sloan at www.ilovetomakequilts.com .  I finished blocks 4, 5 and 6 and am caught up until the new block comes out on Wednesday morning!  whoohoo!

Picture from the Camera

Memory Verse

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

Songs on Sunday ~ Weary Traveler by Jordan St. Cyr

Carry on, Weary Traveler.  Carry on!

Someday soon we're going to make it home!

Enjoy :)

Colletta

Sewing Saturday ~ 2/19/2022 ~ Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sugar Cookies and Cake

I'm going to be featuring my sewing, crocheting and crafting projects on Saturdays.  Some weeks this will include a finished project, a FNSI or FNWF or just a WIP.

~~~~~~~~

I'm going to try to sew at least one block a week in the Pat Sloan sew-along called "Sweet Dreams". I'm using the fabrics below:

~~~~~~~~~~

I took some time and finally got caught up on blocks 1-6!

Block 4 -- Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I like my Chocolate Chip Cookies with walnuts in them :)

Block 5 -- Soft Sugar Cookies

I like my Sugar Cookies with pink icing!

Block 6 -- Cake

My favorite Cake is hard to pick.  Some of the top contenders would be:  Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Icing, Oatmeal Cake, Texas Sheet Cake or Coconut Cake!

I'm hoping to stay up-to-date from here on out but sometimes life happens :)

Here are my blocks so far:

You can find the patterns at www.ilovetomakequilts.com .

Colletta

My Weekly Bookishness ~ 2/18/2022

All things bookish!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What I Read:

Review to come soon!

~~~~~~~~~~

What I'm Reading:

Blurb:

Elle Brook

I’m pretty sure heartthrob Zane Masters is sabotaging my business, and I’m going to prove it.

It’s no secret that the big-shot CEO of Got Cake? wants to buy my bakery but I declined his offer––even though it was presented to me on a notecard with a triple chocolate donut.

For the record, I did not eat his over-priced donut... I threw it in the trash.

Off the record––I totally ate it, and oh my heck, it was finger-licking delicious.

Just as I get ready to release something new, Got Cake? announces something suspiciously similar.

Not forgetting the time three crates of fish got delivered to my shop. Dead fish.

It took me DAYS to get rid of the stench.
And Zane is my number one suspect.

The only way I’m gonna find the proof I need to stop all this nonsense is to get close to him. Real close.

He’s a man’s man with a hunky smile and a smolder that can melt any heart, I know exactly what an alpha male like him wants in a woman.

My friends think I’m playing with fire. But I'll do whatever it takes to unravel his dark secrets. And the only way I'll get hurt is if I let my heart get involved. That's not gonna happen.

Besides, there’s zero chance I’m gonna fall in love with my enemy.

Flirting with my Enemy is a cozy mystery romcom. Packed with swoon-worthy romance, heart-warming characters, laugh-out-loud humor, and an exciting mystery.

First Lines:

THE INTERVIEW

"Hey there.  I'm Elle Brook.  You must be Sonia from Crumbs magazine..."

56%/Page 56

"Is it so wrong that maybe I wanted to spend more time with you?" he whispers into my ear.

~~~~~~~~~~~

What I'll (Probably) Read Next:

Blurb:

One decision changed his life. 

Nathan Hollister nearly died in a war zone and the experience made one thing crystal clear—breaking off his engagement was a terrible mistake. He arrives at his ex’s ranch to make amends, but gunfire erupts before he can. 

Someone wants her dead. 

Cassie Miles is used to being abandoned, first by her mother and then Nathan. But when an attempt is made on her life, she can’t protect herself and the horses she’s rehabilitating. Accepting Nathan’s help is the only answer.   

A hazardous mission. 

Nathan won’t let anyone harm Cassie. Convincing her to give him a second chance, however, is impossible. As the danger creeps closer, the risk heightens. One critical error could cost Nathan everything…again. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Book Haul:

 

   ~~~~~~~~~~

Book Blogger Hop:

Q.   What genre do you refuse to read and why? (submitted by Cheryl @ I Heart Fictional People

A.  There are two genres that I turn my nose up at.

The first would be Science Fiction.  It just does NOT appeal to me at all.

The second would be horror!  I get scared too easily whether it be a movie or a book.  Creeps me out for days so I stay away from them!

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Bookishly Yours,

Linking up to: 

   

  

 The Sunday Post, Sunday Salon,  Mailbox Monday