Teaser Tuesday ~ One More Last Chance ~ 9/5/17

My teaser for this week is from:

 

The day the new owner of the Dip 'n' Dine tried to put line-caught trout dusted with blue cornmeal and lightly napped in a tricolor chile cream on the menu was the day his cook nearly hung up his apron for good.
 

Also linking up to:

 


Happy Tuesday!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 9/4/17

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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Update on Uncle Charlie:

He's still in the hospital.  He ended up having to have surgery on his collar bone.  The had to put in pins and a plate.  The plan is to try to start weaning him off the pain pump and the IV meds and get him ready to possible come home the within a day or two.

Many thanks to all of you who have said a prayer for him!


The weather outside is::::

 It seems like fall has fell upon us in the span of a day's time!  We actually had a fire built in the cook stove this weekend.  It is supposed to warm up a bit this week and I'll take it!
 



On my breakfast plate:

Special K Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar

  

As I look around the house::::

 

The guys have been busy working on the roof of the addition.  The rainy weather over the weekend put a bit of a "damper" (hehe) on the progress but we'll get there eventually.

On today's to do list::::

Picnic
Exercise
Devotions

 

Happening this week::::

 

Monday.... Picnic, exercise
Tuesday...  Work 8am-1pm, exercise
Wednesday... Work 11am-4pm, exercise, Prayer Meeting.
Thursday... Work8am-1pm, exercise, Menu and Grocery List, Tennis Match
Friday...  Work 8am-1pm, exercise, Groceries, Laundry.
Saturday...  Weigh-in, exercise, Veteran's Picnic at Raystown Lake

Currently reading::::



This is the 2nd book in this series by Cathleen Armstrong.  I read the first book a good while ago.  So far I'm enjoying the interaction between the hero and the leading lady.
 

On the TV::::

We finally took some time to watch a movie together as a family.  Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2.  Have you seen it yet?



Listening to:



 

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Labor Day Picnic of Hoagies, Chips and Cookies
Tuesday - Chicken, Alfredo Noodles, Broccoli, Oranges
Wednesday -  Ham Pot Pie, Green Beans, Pears
Thursday - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Peaches and Cottage Cheese
Friday -  Pizza
Saturday - Bacon, Eggs, Toast
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

My cross-stitch WIP is still a WIP...

Bible Verse/Devotional

The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes.

Psalm 119:64 NASB

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Linking up to :What Are You Reading,  Modest Mom Monday,  Art of Homemaking, Soul Survival,   Good Morning Monday, Menu Plan Monday ,  Mommy Monday, Busy Monday, The Scoop,  Homemaking Linkup,

 

Sunday Post ~ 9/3/17

 

This is a post to recap the previous week here on the blog.

The Sunday Post is hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

 

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Happy Homemaker Monday

This is where I plan out the week ahead.

 

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This week's Teaser came from A Lady in the Making by Susan Page Davis.

 

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This week's Hodgepodge was non-existent for me.

 

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This week's Book Review was:

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens

by Colleen Coble

 

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Some of this week's Tea Time smiles were about

September and Family :)

 

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Come see how I did this week on my

Saturday Weigh-In!

 

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Have a great week!  Please leave a link so I can stop by your blog :)



 

Saturday Weigh-In ~ 9/2/17

 

This week was a mixture of great discipline and not-so-great discipline.

Saturday we had a family reunion and while I didn't do horribly with over-eating, I did indulge in the dessert table.  It was glorious!  My family is a family of great bakers!  Seriously.  I didn't even bother tracking that day.

I missed walking a few days, but still ended up meeting and exceeding my WW FitPoints goal.  The weather was gorgeous this week to walk.  The perfect temperature and nice cool breezes.  I heard that next week is supposed to warm up again, but I think it will still be fairly moderate.

I have a goal of trying to lose at least 1 lb a week until my birthday in late March.  (Then, I'll set my next milestone.)  So far, I've been on track and I'm excited!  This week I lost 1.4 lbs for a total loss of 23.6 lbs from my highest weight.  So close to 25 lbs!  Maybe this week I'll hit that goal :)

My week's stats:

Weigh-in: -1.4   Total:  -23.6 lbs.

Exercise: Sat:   minutes
                 Sun:   minutes
                 Mon:   60 minutes
                 Tues:    minutes
                 Wed:    60 minutes
                 Thurs:  30 minutes
                  Fri:      60 minutes
                   TOTAL:  210 minutes = 39/35 FitPoints


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

 

Tea Time ~ September and Family ~ 9/1/17

 

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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~Happy September!  September is one of my most favorite months of the year!  The weather is starting to cool, the leaves are starting to change bit by bit, the sweaters are coming out...  And, Doug and I got married in September!  The 17th will be our 17th Wedding Anniversary :)

~Last Saturday we had a Leister Family Reunion!  It was the first one we'd had in quite a while, so it was really good to see some of the family that I don't see on a regular basis.  We had lots of great food and fun complete with a Corn Hole Tournament :)

~I was down 2.4 lbs last week at my weigh-in!  I was so excited!  Now I have to wait for tomorrow to see how I did this week...I think I can.  I think I can :)

~Kaylee had her last first Tennis match!  And she was in the #1 Spot!  Go Kaylee!!! :)

~Uncle Charlie's surgery went well!  Not so much "happy" about this as RELIEVED.  I mentioned earlier in the week that my Uncle Charlie was in a motorcycle accident.  He's been in the hospital since last Saturday with a broken collar bone, multiple broken ribs and contusions on his lung.  Yesterday, they decided he would need surgery to set the collar bone with pins and a plate so that it would heal well.  There still is no word as to when he might be able to come home, so keep praying!
 

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 ~ Twilight at Blueberry Barrens by Colleen Coble ~ 8/31/17

 

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Blurb:

 

“I need you to keep these girls safe . . .”Kate Mason has devoted herself to caring for her family’s blueberry barrens. But after her fields stop producing fruit, she’s forced to come up with alternative ways to make a living.

Renting out the small cottage on her property seems an obvious choice, but it won’t be enough. When entrepreneur Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it’s almost too good to be true. And maybe it is—because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family.

The more time Kate spends with Drake and the girls, the more difficult it becomes to hide her attraction to him. But a family crisis isn’t exactly the ideal time to pursue a romance.

Meanwhile, Kate learns that her uncle—in prison for murder—has escaped. Add to that a local stalker who won’t leave her alone, and Kate is looking over her shoulder at every turn. With threats swirling from multiple directions, she wonders if her blueberry fields will ever flourish again . . . or if this twilight is her last.

Set on the beautiful coast of Maine, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens brings together suspense, romance, and the hope that one day new life will come again.     

My Thoughts:

 

 Well, I'll just be honest.

 

This wasn't my favorite Colleen Coble novel.

 

The beginning was a bit confusing with at least 4 POVs.  If you hadn't read the previous books, you would be even more confused as the previous main characters had a fairly large part of this book.

 

I also wasn't extremely thrilled with some of the subject matter.  Was it realistic?  Yes.  But...I don't necessarily want all the bad realism of the world in a book I'm reading.

 

I had figured out the ONE "bad guy" about half way through the book.  Yes, there was more than one "bad guy".   There were at last 3 that I counted.

 

The romance was nice, but I don't think I would have kept the little girls around the situations that were arising.  I would have sent them far away until all was safe.

 

Not a favorite :(

If you've read this book, what did you think?

 

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

 

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, The Monday Review.

Teaser Tuesday ~ A Lady in the Making ~ 8/29/17

My teaser for this week is from:

 

"You lied to me, Sam."  Mille Evans peeked out the window from behind the half yard of muslin that served as a curtain.  Outside the shanty they rented behind the feed store, a tall man with thick, dark hair and a week's growth of beard stood smoking a cigarette.
 

Also linking up to:

 


Happy Tuesday!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 8/28/17

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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I'd like to take a minute to ask for prayers and good thoughts for my Uncle Charlie.  He was in a motorcycle accident Saturday and is in the hospital fairly banged up.  We visited yesterday and he is in a good deal of pain.  I'd appreciate your prayers!


The weather outside is::::

 It has certainly cooled off her in Pennsylvania.  It was downright chilly this morning!  I can definitely tell that Fall is right around the corner.

Prayers to all those who are dealing with the hurricane and flooding.
 



On my breakfast plate:

Special K Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar

  

As I look around the house::::

 

The trusses are all up on the addition.  We ordered the metal roofing on Thursday and to our surprise it was delivered on Friday!  We weren't expecting the delivery until Tuesday.  Another week of hard work is on the schedule for the guys!

On today's to do list::::

Work
Exercise
Devotions
Kaylee-Tennis Practice
Visit Uncle Charlie

 

Happening this week::::

 

Monday.... Work 8am-1pm, exercise, Tennis, visit Uncle Charlie
Tuesday...  Work 8am-1pm, exercise, Cats to the Vet, Tennis
Wednesday... Work 8am-1pm, exercise, Schedule for next week, Prayer Meeting.
Thursday... Work8am-1pm, exercise, Menu and Grocery List, 1st Tennis Match for Kaylee
Friday...  Off Work, exercise, Groceries, Laundry.
Saturday...  Weigh-in, exercise

Currently reading::::



This is the 3rd book of the Prairie Dream Series by Susan Page Davis.  I've actually read the first 2 boos of the series and really enjoyed them.  Really, I usually enjoy anything written by this author.

I'm slowly making progress on my Goodreads Challenge!
 

On the TV::::

I didn't get to watch any TV this week.  It was just too busy and I didn't get a chance to sit down and turn the TV on.  We're hoping to have a Family Movie Night this weekend.  There are a couple movies at the Redbox that we've been wanting to see.
 

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Ham, Fried Potatoes, Green Beans, Peaches
Tuesday - Weiner Winks, Mac-n-cheese, peas, oranges
Wednesday -  Cheeseburgers, French Fries, Corn, Apples
Thursday - Ravioli, Garlic Bread, Broccoli, grapes
Friday -  Pizza
Saturday - Bacon, Eggs, Toast
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

Another week went by without even picking up my cross-stitch project.  I'm not surprised because I usually work on it while watching TV, and I didn't watch any TV this week...

Bible Verse/Devotional

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You."

Isaiah 26:3 NASB

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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.

Sunday Post ~ 8/27/17

 

This is a post to recap the previous week here on the blog.

The Sunday Post is hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

 

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Happy Homemaker Monday

This is where I plan out the week ahead.

 

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This week's Teaser came from Twilight at Blueberry Barrens by Colleen Coble.

 

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This week's Hodgepodge was all about THE Eclipse.

 

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This week's Book Review was:

A Wedding Date in Hot Spring, Arkansas

by Annalisa Daughety

 

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Some of this week's Tea Time smiles were about

Angels and Tennis :)

 

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Come see how I did this week on my

Saturday Weigh-In!

 

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Have a great week!  Please leave a link so I can stop by your blog :)



 

Saturday Weigh-In ~ 8/26/17

  

I was so excited for this week's weigh-in.

 

I had done the work.

 

I had tracked the food.

 

And....it paid off!!!!  Whooohooo!

 

I was down 2.4 lbs this week for a running total of -22.2 lbs from my highest weight. 

 

I might have actually done a fight pump!  hehe

 

The plan for this next week is more of the same.  Walking and staying within my point limits each day.

 

I'd really like to lose at least 1 lb a week.

 

Here's hoping!

My week's stats:

Weigh-in: -2.4lbs   Total:  -22.2 lbs.

Exercise: Sat:  50 minutes
                 Sun:  60 minutes
                 Mon:  60 minutes
                 Tues:   30 minutes
                 Wed:   30 minutes
                 Thurs:  30 minutes
                  Fri:      minutes
                   TOTAL: 260  minutes = 52 FitPoints

Food Tracking:  I tracked ALMOST everything this week.

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

 

Tea Time ~ Angels and Tennis ~ 8/25/17

 

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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~Back to School Night was last Friday!  It was a great time of getting new schedules and seeing new classrooms and teachers.  The school did a wonderful job with organizing the evening and even had lots of prizes for the kids to try to win.  I could tell my girls were a bit excited to see their friends :)

~We had the 10th Annual Guardian Angel Picnic on Saturday!  Ten years of adults signing up to pray for students.  10 years of parents signing their student up to be prayed for.  It was a great time of fellowship and revealing who our angel was for last year.  I'm excited to see who my angel will be this year :)

~Tuesday was the First Day of School!  I could tell my kids were excited because they both went to bed early the night before :)  That never happens!  It is Kaylee's Senior year and Laken is in 5th grade.  I couldn't wait to pick them up from school and hear about their day :)

~Kaylee started Tennis practice on Monday!  It is really the ONLY sport she enjoys!  This year they had enough girls wanting to play to have a Girl's Team.  Whohoo!  No more playing against the boys :)

~I crushed my Fitness Points Goal for this week!  WW set my goal as 35 Fitness Points for the week and I had that many done by Tuesday!  So excited!  Come back tomorrow for my Saturday Weigh-In post :)

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 ~ A Wedding Date in Hot Springs, Arkansas ~ 8/24/17

 

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Blurb:

 

   All Violet can think about is how to make sure she has a date for her little sister’s wedding. Online dating, speed dating, blind dates. . .she doesn’t care what it takes. And when that doesn’t work, she hires a matchmaker, only to discover that her “match” is her old college classmate. Violet didn’t like Jackson then and she sure doesn’t like him now. But Jackson has a plan: he’ll be her “boyfriend” at the wedding if Violet will be his “girlfriend” for his high school reunion. There’s just one small hitch—they still can’t stand each other!  

My Thoughts:

 

 This was another fun book to read!  Two fake dating books in a row :)

 

Violet REALLY didn't like Jackson and that made the story line all the sweeter to read.  Jackson seemed really shallow in the beginning of the story, but I loved getting to know him better.

 

Speaking of sweets, I love that Violet follows her dream instead of staying stuck in a career that she hates.  I'm a big proponent of loving what you do for a living.

 

This is the first book in a while that I've read where both the main characters are Christians.  Usually one or the other has spiritual issues that they need to work through.  This time it was just relationship issues :)

 Like I mentioned, this was a fun romance complete with matchmaker, dating contract, and obligatory first kiss!

 

You should check it out :)

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

 

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 ~ 8/23/17

  

 

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

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1. Did you watch the solar eclipse? Your thoughts? Sun Chips, Moon Pies, Starburst candies, a Blue Moon beer, a Sunkist orange, or a Milky Way candy bar...what's your favorite eclipse related snack on this list?


I wasn't really into the eclipse.  I'm not really a sciency type of girl.  However, I work at a local college and the Science Department had a big party with lots of the foods listed here.  My favorite would probably be Starburst Candies.

 2. What are you 'over the moon' about these days? What's something you enjoy doing every 'once in a blue moon'?


I'm "over the moon" about trying to stick to my Weight Watchers plan.  So far I'm seeing some success!  "Once in a Blue Moon" would be going to the movie theater.  I enjoy a good date night every now and then :)

 3. Tell us about something in the realm of science that interests you. How do you feed that interest?

Like I said, not that much into science.  I guess if you call the color spectrum science...????  I feed that with crochet and cross-stitch....and my nails :)

 4. What are a few things you remember about going back to school as a child?

My favorite memories of going back to school were the new school supplies!  I love stationary and a new tablet just sets me over the edge!  I also loved writing my name in the front of a new textbook and seeing who had the book in the years before me.

5. I've seen several versions of this around the net so let's make one of our own...share with us five words that touch your soul and briefly tell us why.

~Salvation:  I'm nothing without it.
~Family:  Love them to pieces.
~Words:  Both reading them and writing them.
~Color:  It brightens the world.
~Water:  I love the sound and peaceful feeling.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

Random thought of the day:  The girls are back in school.  In some ways I'm glad.  In other ways I want perpetual summer vacation.


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

Teaser Tuesday ~ Twilight at Blueberry Barrens ~ 8/22/17

My teaser for this week is from:

 

~"Melissa's breath came hard, and the pressure in her ears built as she sprinted toward the top of the cliffs.  The glow in the east told her she would have to hurry if she wanted to see the sunrise from Mermaid Rock.  Small pebbles skittered away from the soles of her sneakers, and the sound set her on edge."~

 

What do you think?

Also linking up to:

 


Happy Tuesday!