Inspiration CAN be found EVERYWHERE!

Gardening with Little Miss Greenfingers

2012-01-27T17:51:00.000-05:00

I was given a copy of "Gardening with Little Miss Greenfingers" by Anja Koch to review and I have to say it is a wonderful find for anyone that has that "itch" to do something with dirt and have something to show for it when they are done, other than a mess.

This is a wonderful ebook about Growing Culinary Herbs In Containers that are Healthy & Delicious! This is a must read for anyone that wants to successfully grow herbs in either a garden or a container (my choice). So now there really is no excuse - no reason to not grow your own herbs anymore. Container gardening with herbs is just as fulfilling as in the "outdoors". You can put your containers pretty much anywhere, including inside your home .....

Inside this book, there are discussions on 17 popular culinary herbs, like Basil and Oregano and Mint, just to name a few, so I am sure you will find at least a few that

you know
you use in your cooking or
have seen in recipes but never thought it was easy to grow your own.

Another thing I loved about this ebook was that it showed me where I went wrong in the past. I have tried to grow my own herbs in containers on my deck but they never really "took hold" or if they did ... I never really got to use them more than once or twice, if that.

I got to see that either my dirt was too wet or too dry depending on the herbs I chose or I tried to put the wrong ones together. You know what I mean - one that likes LOTS of sun and one that needs at least part shade. Or one that likes moist soil or one that needs to be watered from the bottom so the roots don't sit in wet soil for too long or the stems are too delicate for moist soil.

I've even picked up a few plants (mint and oregano) to make my own new containers for my kitchen sill. I am looking for a couple of more (basil and maybe thyme) to "round" out my selection, but I have started and know that this time it will work!

I really enjoyed this ebook. You can see that growing culinary herbs really isn't something to afraid of. It really is something that makes you feel good, you get to "play in the dirt", as my mom use to say, and have something really useful when you are done, that lasts a long time.

The ebook is also available on Amazon for your Kindle

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Friendship Friday 3 – Inspiration

2012-01-27T11:19:00.001-05:00

Friendship Friday Blog Hop

Question Of The Week

What Has Inspired You Most This Week?

(Submitted by Stacy at Scrap With Stacy)

I am amazed sometimes on what can inspire both me and others, sometimes its a picture or a joke (yes it does happen) or a quote. I am always looking for something that will make someone THINK.

This week I have been “jumping around” to some of the places that are on others blog rolls and I really have to say that there are some people out there that are really excelling in both survival and kindness. I don’t mean that in a bad way – its as if I have found folks that no matter what is thrown in their way …. they will survive and make US better for it.

I think I spent over an hour last night reading about the problems that have been going on with children and “undiagnosed” illnesses. And as sad is it was (thankfully they are still with us and still fighting) it showed me just how strong the parents and grandmoms are. And just how much faith can move mountains. And just how much better I have it … no matter how difficult things are at times – by comparison, I am in heaven already. I just hope that my subscriptions worked so that I don’t have to “find” them again (but I will if need be) because now I feel like those little children and their parents are part of my family too.

Now if you click on the link below the cute Friendship Friday Button, you can jump on over to Create with Joy and join in on the fun. You can enter your answer to this great question from Stacy and link up your blog to the list and find new friends as well. I know I will be there .... How about you?

This blog hop will be open all weekend so that you have plenty of time to post, link and mingle! Have fun making friends and be sure to join me next week for Inspire Me Monday and Wordless Wednesday! Both of which are also being hosted by Create with Joy! - She is just so good to us allowing us to link up with some great new friends.

Walk with Me by the Water.

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

I hope this poem has the same effect on you as it did on me.

Walk With Me by the Water

well worth the read...

A BEAUTIFUL POEM ABOUT GROWING OLDER:

Oh Crap!

I forgot the words.

Solar Lights.

2012-01-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

Do you have solar lights in your yard? If not, you might want to pick up a few after reading this. Here's a whole new way of looking at those outdoor lights that help line your driveway or are pretty/cute little figurines in your garden.

I will be keeping a few relatively close to the house so that I can easily bring them into the house if we lose power this winter (shhhh I don't want to think about that scenario)

I have a friend who used her solar lights inside at night when her current was off during the hurricane. She stuck them in a jar or bottle and said they gave off plenty of 'free light'. She put one in each room and would put them back outside in the daytime and bring them in at night as long as the current was off. They are safe to use and cheaper than batteries. Bring in a solar light one night and test it.

Due to a thunderstorm, we lost power for about 5 hours. We were scrambling around in the darkness, looking for matches, candles, flashlights, etc. We looked outside, and noticed our solar lights shining brightly all around our patio, stairs, dock, etc. They were beautiful. My wife walked outside, and brought several of the solar lights inside.

We stuck the solar light pipes into plastic drink bottles containers and they made the nicest, brightest, safest, lighting you could ever imagine.

We put one in the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, etc. There was plenty of light. There are all types of solar lights available. We bought ours at Harbor Freight. We put them all around our yard. They look nice and they do not attract flying bugs like the outdoor lights around our doorway.

The lights we have fit into the small (20 oz) water bottles and they also fit into most of the larger liter bottles. If you need a weight in the plastic bottle to keep them from tipping over, you can put a few of the pretty colorful "flat marbles" that they put in aquariums, and vases. (you can also use sand, aquarium gravel, etc., whatever you have available).

The lights we have were perfect inside our home. They burn all night long if you need them.

The next day, you just take your solar lights back outside and they will instantly recharge and be ready for you to use again any time you need them.

Perfect for power outages, hurricanes, etc.

I never thought of it and now you don't have to.

Maxine and the Umbrella

2012-01-25T13:38:00.000-05:00

S6VQXE244PWB

Ok then, I'm thinking that Maxine will be carrying her umbrella EVERYDAY ..... how about you? Is your umbrella your new "accessory"?

But you know Max .... you could "kill them with kindness" or drive them absolutely crazy trying to figure out WHAT you are smiling about..........

My Dear Diet Letter

2012-01-25T13:00:00.003-05:00

Its a real good thing I didn't make a New Year's Resolution that was centered around Diet ...

Or I would be sending this out .......... but thankfully I didn't make any resolutions .. but I guess I should be doing something about my diet - seriously doing something!

S6VQXE244PWB

3 Things times 2

2012-01-25T07:35:00.004-05:00

Things you need to think about.

Things that you can't recover .....

or things you need to do.

See sometimes you just have to take a few minutes to reflect on what you are doing or what you aren't doing before you start your day.

S6VQXE244PWB

Give Me - A Tale of Wyrd and Fae

2012-01-24T19:44:00.000-05:00

I just finished the BEST book! What book you ask? It was Give Me - A Tale of Wyrd and Fae
by L. K. Rigel. I had stumbled upon the Facebook page and then website/blog site of the author last week because of a Facebook friend.

This book is part romance and part adult fairy tale. It deals with both possession and magic and the never ending belief in a forever love. It was very well written and just drew you in. I think some will be a little confused if you try to "analyze" what is going on, but if you just allow the story to take you ........ it will all make sense. But be forewarned - it will be difficult to put down until you are finished.

It is a romance/love story that crosses to and fro the centuries because of a part fairy/part human woman in the present who becomes the bridge to righting a spell gone wrong. Yes, I said fairy, but you will also learn of wyrders and fae and spells and love never-ending.

I have to say that when I first downloaded the book to my Kindle App, I was reading another book, but thought I would get to this one soon. Well soon was last night. No I haven't finished the other book, but it was a feeling that I just NEEDED to read Give Me NOW.

I really am glad that I listened to that little "nudging" feeling I had - but of course now I am hooked and have to find the sequel Bride of Fae, that is noted as "coming soon". I sure hope "soon" really is soon.

Meal Planning Made Easy

2012-01-24T13:52:00.001-05:00

That's right, Food on the Table makes Meal Planning Easy for all the Busy People you know.
Yes that means YOU!

Food on the Table is an easy meal planning service that is based on sales at local grocery stores. With Food on the Table, users will be able to: -

find thousands of easy, healthy recipes -
save money by knowing the items that are on sale -
simplify your shopping experience with a well organized grocery list.

It's free if you do 3 meals of less a week,

for more than 3 meals a week and more recipes, the member can upgrade to the premium version for a low introductory rate of $5/month

I'm Crispy!

2012-01-24T08:55:00.002-05:00

Here's another one from my friend Elaine, she really does have the BEST emails in the morning!

I woke up,

I lifted my arms,

I moved my knees,

I turned my neck......

Everything made the same noise:

'CrrrrrraaaaaacccccK!'

BUT, THANK THE GOOD LORD, I DID WAKE UP.

So .... I came to a conclusion:

I am not old,

I am just crispy!!!

Google+ Follow us Monday Morning

2012-01-23T12:11:00.001-05:00

Hey Hey don't forget what else today is. It's .......

Increase your G+ followers - especially if you are not a "blogspot.com" blogger.

I'm following all those on the list ... how about you??
Come on its fun

The Year of the Dragon

2012-01-23T10:30:00.002-05:00

Chinese New Year 2012 - The Year of Black Water Dragon

View some of the interesting things that are believed to be in store for us in 2012

Chinese fortune calendar

Today is 'love u day'

2012-01-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

You Go Girl !!!!

You can deal with stress and carry heavy burdens.
You smile when you feel like screaming,
and you sing when you feel like crying.
You cry when you're happy and laugh when you're afraid.
Your love is unconditional.

There's only one thing wrong with you. Yes, there really is.
You see, YOU forget what you're really worth!

Today I am passing this to every beautiful woman I know (hello beautiful lady).
You see, I am reminding you that YOU ARE unique.

I love you girl.

Maxine on things to say

2012-01-21T10:07:00.012-05:00

I really love Maxine, just in case you haven't figure this out already. She just comes up with some of the best things ........... the stuff we all want to say but because we have to be PC (oh wait I already apologized because I'm not PC) we don't say it. As you can see - I don't have that problem. I just let it all go. It took me many years to be able to do that ..... but now

Oh you are still talking? Then I think you are thinking ........ VERY GOOD. Keep it up. Do NOT let others stifle your creativity or your ability to think for yourself. It is only when we take responsibility for our actions and our thoughts that we are able to excel both as ourselves and as a nation. IT IS TIME.

ThredUP - a place to buy & sell kids clothes

2012-01-20T16:22:00.000-05:00

I really wish this was around when my kids were small. I know how much I spent on kids clothes and toys and since mine were the "oldest" of the group - we were always buying new things and then being the one to do the "hand me down" thing ........ but we never got to be the "hand me down " receiver!

This looks like a fantastic way to always be able to be both the hand me down "er" and the hand me down "ee"

Brother in Texas

2012-01-20T15:52:00.000-05:00

Today we have a guest post from: Kent Lara

My brother-in-law is a pilot in the air force, and he has served for the past eight years.

Four years ago he was transferred to a base in Texas where he has served as a flight instructor for the past two years. He teaches new pilots how to fly smaller jets.

My husband is his brother, and both my husband and I are extremely proud of him. There is tremendous honor in serving our country in the capacity that he does. He works long hours, and I know he and his family have made many sacrifices as a part of the military lifestyle.

They do like being stationed in Texas. I think they like the community in which they live, and they bought a house three years ago. He recently switched his home to fixed-rate energy by looking into TXU Energy information from Texas Electricity Provider, and he has saved some money on his energy bills for the year. One good thing about living in a military community is that the real estate market does not dip as bad as in other places during hard times because there are always people moving in and out. Our home has dropped in value quite a bit, but my brother-in-law and his wife have not had the same experience. The transient nature of the military has kept housing prices fairly stable around the base.

Maxine on Rap Music and Tattoos

2012-01-20T09:09:00.002-05:00

Theme Party

2012-01-19T14:41:00.000-05:00

I had the privilege to review the Theme Party Planning Checklist from Sandee Lembke, who has become to be known as the theme party queen.

If you are having a kids party this is the best "guide" for making sure you have everything covered BEFORE the big day.

If you are having any kind of Theme Party, and yes this is possible for adults too, think Super Bowl Parties? Those are coming up really soon, and those ARE Theme Parties. The Theme Party Queen has the perfect place to make sure you aren't running out of things during the party and have to leave and miss the "winning" touch down!

Follow Sandee on Facebook.and/or Twitter. She's even on Pinterest, that has some FANTASTIC pictures! I've joined or followed and I have to say I am really glad that I did. She is so great. There are so many different theme parties available, I bet you could find one for just about any occasion!

You can get your very own free copy of the party planning checklist from Sandee too, just by providing your email address, or liking on facebook. I hope you will enjoy this as much as I have. I'm thinking that a Super Bowl Party is still possible - all because of The Theme Party Queen!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

No Child (I mean Parent) left Behind ??

2012-01-19T12:30:00.002-05:00

NO PARENT LEFT BEHIND.....

These are real notes written by parents in the Memphis school district. Spellings have been left intact......

1. My son is under a doctor's care and should not take PE today. Please execute him.

2. Please exkuce lisa for being absent she was sick and i had her shot.

3. Dear school: please ecsc's john being absent on jan. 28, 29,30, 31, 32 and also 33.

4. Please excuse gloria from jim today. She is administrating.

5. Please excuse roland from p.e. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip.

6. John has been absent because he had two teeth taken out of his face.

7. Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part.

8. Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins.

9. Chris will not be in school cus he has an acre in his side.

10. Please excuse ray Friday from school. He has very loose vowels.

11. Please excuse Lesli from being absent yesterday. She had diahre dyrea direathe the shits.

12. Please excuse tommy for being absent yesterday. He had diarrhea, and his boots leak.

13. Irving was absent yesterday because he missed his bust.

14. Please excuse jimmy for being. It was his father's fault.

15. I kept Billie home because she had to go Christmas shopping because i don't know what size she wear.

16. Please excuse jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday. We thought it was Sunday.

17. Sally won't be in school a week from Friday. We have to attend her funeral.

18. My daughter was absent yesterday because she was tired. She spent a weekend with the marines.

19. Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well.

20. Please excuse mary for being absent yesterday. She was in bed with gramps.

21. Gloria was absent yesterday as she was having a gangover.

22. Please excuse brenda. She has been sick and under the doctor.

23. Maryann was absent December 11-16, because she had a fever,sorethroat, headache and upset stomach. Her sister was also sick, fever an sore throat, her brother had a low grade fever and ached all over. I wasn't the best either, sore throat and fever. There must be something going around, her father even got hot last night.

Now we know why parents are screaming for better education for our kids.

I was laughing so hard I had tears running down my face .... So much for the No Child Left Behind ... we need to work on some of the Parents too.

Ok OK I know I'm going to take a hit for this one ... but really it sure does show how far our education has "fallen" over the years. No wonder our country is far down on the list of "well educated" citizens.

Tom & Jerry ...

2012-01-18T19:36:00.000-05:00

or ... Brothers and Sisters?

I know that Tom would be lost without Jerry but what do you think about brothers and sisters? Think they might be lost without the other ?? I know, no matter how much they "protest", my kids miss each other now that one is 7+ hours away .

Always Say A Prayer

2012-01-18T12:00:00.009-05:00

Please do not break.
Just 32 words,
Will YOU take these words and make them YOUR prayer?

"God, our Father,

If it is your will,

walk through my house

and take away all my worries and illnesses

and please watch over and heal my family

in Jesus name,

Amen."

Maxine and Ben Franklin

2012-01-17T08:57:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Ben. Hope it is a good one to ............

Voice YOUR Opinion

2012-01-16T18:50:00.002-05:00

You know that you have an Opinion.
But do you KNOW that there are places that actually WANT you to express your opinion? I mean really want your opinion. And they pay you for your time and opinion.

Check out

Where YOUR opinion COUNTS!

New Area Code Scams

2012-01-16T15:30:00.003-05:00

I don't always pass on things like this - unless its been verified and it does appear that this is true. Please PLEASE be aware of the latest SCAM so that you can protect yourself.

New Area Code - PLEASE READ Be sure you read this and pass it on.

809 Area Code

We actually received a call last week from the 809 area code. The woman said 'Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed you- get back to us quickly. I have something important to tell you.' Then she repeated a phone number beginning with 809. We did not respond. Then this week, we received the following e-mail:

Do Not DIAL AREA CODE 809, 284, AND 876

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T. DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809

This one is being distributed all over the US ... This is pretty scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call.

Be sure you read this and pass it on.

They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc..
In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.

If you call from the U.S., you will apparently be charged $2425 per-minute.

Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges.

WHY IT WORKS:

The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic .
The charges afterward can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.

Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam.

AT&T VERIFIES IT'S TRUE :http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045

SNOPES VERIFIES IT'S TRUE: snopes.com: 809 Area Code Scam

Heart Smart Recipes

2012-01-16T11:49:00.000-05:00

Do you have Diabetes?
Or are you bordering on Type II Diabetes?
Many of us may be because we have become a very "overweight" society.
Or do you have anyone with Diabetes in your family?

Are you just looking for some really awesome, healthy and delicious recipes that work well whether you have diabetes or not?

One of the reviews I saw for this book pretty much says it all .... (and no I didn't write it)

"If anyone’s struggling with Diabetes, knows someone or just plain wants to cook and eat healthier, this cookbook will be your heaven sent too."

I have found a wonderful place for you to enter to win this exact book AND a 2012 Recipe Calendar. You need to head on over to Recipe Lion Blog. Giveaway for Heart Smart diabetes kitchen cookbook to enter. There will be one winner ..... I would really like to be that one BUT if I can't be the winner I would LOVE it to be YOU!

The giveaway begins January 16th, 2012 at 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Time and the deadline to enter is January 29nd, 2012, at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Once you have entered, check out some of the great recipes they have available. I have found some really great meals (and desserts and snacks) like Quick Chicken and Noodles.

WHAT are you waiting for? Get on over to Recipe Lion and enter! I just did.