A new Shimelle class starts on Monday and it's all about the pretty paper!
I'm a big fan of Shimelle's classes and this one looks like it's going to be lots of fun. Now I just need to clean off the work desk and get ready for the party! Hope to see you there.
At the beginning of the year I gave myself a goal to read 40 books. As the year has gone past I’ve found myself a little behind in reaching that goal and with the last few months of the year looming I figured I’d better get caught up so I can reach my goal.
I did really good over the summer and managed to get about 16 books read, then I went into a little slump but was able to pick up again towards the end of September. I ended up reading 5 books last month.
Envy by J.R. Ward- This was the third book in the Fallen Angels series and I think the best one so far. I’m a big fan of her Black Dagger Brotherhood series but I have to admit this series isn’t as good. It still enjoy reading them and am looking forward to seeing what she does with the rest of the series.
Dreams of Joy by Lisa See-This was a continuation of the book Shanghai Girls, I don’t think I was as caught up in the book as I was the first one. It took me a while to get into it and at times I had to make myself sit down and read but once I got past the first few chapters the book became much better. The book is set in China during Mao’s Great Leap Forward and I found it interesting to read what was going on in the country at the time. Especially how it impacted the country side and how the government tried to cover up all that was happening to the people.
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz- I don’t know how I came across this book, I think maybe because I’ve read the Stephanie Plum novels this was recommended to me. It’s a book about a woman who comes from a family of private investigators. The family is a little book kooky, every once in a while the Mother feels the need to do servalince on the daughter to find out what going on in her life and her younger sisters hobbies includes recreational servallince on random strangers. The book was a quick read and I enjoyed it, this is the first in a series of books and I plan on reading the rest of them soon.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins- I read The Hunger Games in June and really enjoyed it and Catching Fire did not disappoint. For the most part I avoid YA novels but to me these books don’t really read as YA, I think just about anyone would enjoy them. And that’s probably all I can say without giving away the plot for people that haven’t read it yet.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins- This was the last book in The Hunger Games trilogy and while I know a lot of people were disappointed in it I thought it was a great ending to the story. I’m glad I read the trilogy after all three books have come out and didn’t have to have that long wait in between each one.
Books in the to-read pile for October:
Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. DuBois
A Dangerous Mourning by Anne Perry
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
for Week in the Life
Ali Edwards is doing Week in the Life starting tomorrow and I plan to follow along. My camera is charged and ready for lots of photo taking for the next 7 days. Looking forward to documenting my everyday, no matter how boring and monotonous it may be.
Hope to be back tomorrow with pictures and words.
A new online class has started over at Shimelle.com called Explore.
I've been a fan of Shimelle's classes for a long time. They always have great content and there is never any pressure to finish the class on time. You can join in anytime you want and finish when ever you want. Which is perfect for me since I never seem to be able to finish a class on time.
Here's a little bit from Shimelle's site to tell you about the class:
Throughout this four week course, we’ll be exploring the world, even if you’re not going anywhere. Each prompt covers a different aspect, from days when we’ll focus on photography to videos that cover crafting techniques to do something new with your existing supplies. We’ll be taking pictures, making journaling easy and stretching ideas so you’ll keep creating long after the final prompt appears in your inbox. If you’re worried about being too busy for the next four weeks, then the workbook is your answer! You can print it from day one and follow along in a quick format then come back to the full prompts when you have a bit more time to explore those ideas.
Are you going to sign up? Hope to see you there?
Random image that has nothing to do with what I'm posting about today.
Shimelle has offered up a challenge to make a list of ten things on the tenth of each month. This month's ten things are ten recipes I plan to try in the coming months.
1. Southwest Pasta Salad with Chili Lime Dressing
2. Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta*
3. Chicken and Cheese Lasagna Rolls
5. Spring Salad with New Potatoes
6. Grilled Steak and Onion Salad
8. Lemon Roasted Chicken with Arugula Salad and Dilled Orzo
9. Lemonade Raspberry Popsicles
10. Fish Tacos with Lime-Cilantro Crema
* I find it kind of funny that I am not a big PW fan but when I saw this recipe posted on Pinterest I didn't know who it was from. My nieces will be over a lot this summer and I'm thinking this will be a good dinner for them.
I didn't get a chance to post this last weeks since it was a kind of crazy week. I had jury duty which was not fun and will probably stay with me for the rest of my life. So for me Valentine's Day kind of came and went but I did get a chance to pop these cards in the post for my Sister, Brother-in-Law, and two Nieces.
I used stamps and product from Papertrey Ink, I love that place and could drop a bundle of money in a blink of an eye. But I "try' and limit myself when a buy from them. Notice I said "try".
Here's to the start of a new week and some new blog post. And did you know that tomorrow is National Margarita Day!? I'm practicing today to make sure I get it right tomorrow. ;) Have a great week!
Took this earlier in the month when we had some cold weather. I work across the street from a cemetery and I noticed that the fountain was frozen one day on my way to work.
Basic Grey released their new collections over the weekend. I can't decide which one I like more, they all look so good.
Two of my favorites..
Kelly Goree has images of each collection up up on her blog and Kristina Werner has a video for each collection up on her blog showing all the papers and embellishments.
I'm making a list and checking it twice!
This week has been all about the CHA sneaks. Here are few of my favorites
Holy Cow do I love this new line from them!
This pattern paper is a favorite and I will need to get my hands on it as soon as it hits the stores.
Sassafras has two new lines that I really like.
Sweetly Smitten
Starters
And Pink Paislee has a new line with House of Three
CHA starts tomorrow and I can't wait to see what all the manufactures come out with. Better make room for some new stuff!
