scraptherapy

Tis the season

2009-12-22T11:11:00.002-05:00

Cole hasn't even really "gotten" Christmas before this year. I'm still not positive that he really understands exactly what is going on but I do know that he loves the Christmas tree (of which we have 3) and the lights decorating the neighborhood houses. Next year we'll have to decorate outside just for him. Target clearance here we come.

We've had several people ask us if we are "doing" Santa and my answer is yes. But when I think about it, right now there is no difference. There will be presents under the tree on Christmas that weren't there the day before. If they are from Santa or from Mom and Dad it doesn't matter right now. They just want their presents.

I'm so sad that I didn't buy a Little People Christmas Story Nativity Scene Playset at Target when I had the chance. There were several on shelves and I thought that I'd just buy one later. Then they put the darn things on sale and were wiped out. We'll get them one next year for sure!

A Coversation with Cole...

2009-12-21T14:46:00.002-05:00

Cole is testing every boundary and after being with me all the time, he knows just which buttons to push. Recently he was doing everything he could to get on my last nerve. I'd had enough and said, "You're pushing my buttons, aren't you?"

His reply...

"All of them!"

I couldn't help but smile. You just never know what is going to come out of that child's mouth.

Sunday Salon - December 20th

2009-12-20T11:05:00.002-05:00

It seems so long since I last posted, much less posted a Sunday Salon. This past week I finished the absolutely delightful Howards End is on the Landing by Susan Hill. It was a book that I spent time just savoring. I'll post a complete review soon.

I just started American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. One of my favorite book bloggers, nomadreader, lists this as her favorite book of all time. And although I'm only 70 or so pages in, I can see why.

(I am an Amazon Associate which means that if you click on one of my links and buy something from Amazon, I'll receive a small commission).

Mailbox Monday

2009-12-14T11:43:00.004-05:00

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Marcia at the Printed Page. Visit here to see what others received last week.

I received 3 books and a wonderful bookmark all the way from South Korea! They were wins from the read a thon.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

Seesaw Girl by Linda Sue Park

When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park

And last but certainly not least, Howards End is on the Landing by Susan Hill. This hasn't been published in the US yet so this one is direct from the author all the way from jolly old England. It's an autographed copy that is so delicious to read that I don't even mind that I'm actually READING the autographed copy! Gasp! I don't usually read the autographed copies but this one is too good not too.

(I'm an Amazon Affiliate and if you purchased anything - books or otherwise - but clicking on my links, I will receive a small commission)

Grandmama

2009-12-05T15:07:00.003-05:00

The picture above is coming off the bridge into Apalachicola. This scene used to mean that I was about to see Grandmama. Now it is the point at which the tightening in my chest and the lump in my throat are at their very worst. It's the point at which I wish I could just turn around and head back to Tallahassee.

Every year on the anniversary of her death, I (and now the boys) drive to Apalach to take her flowers. She loved flowers. And angels. And her grandbabies and great-grandbabies. And Christmas. She always gave every grandchild a present for Christmas, until they got married anyway and then you weren't supposed to get one. I always did though, right up until the end.

To be honest, I don't remember much from her funeral. I remember there were a ton of flowers because everyone in town knew who she was and how much she loved flowers. The main thing I remember is that whoever was talking about her up on that stage said that when she was in the hospital she was saying that she needed to get the kids presents for Christmas. All of us cousins were sitting together and there wasn't a one of us who didn't choke back a big sob when we heard that. It was so very Grandmama.

So every year we make the trip back to give her flowers to let her know that we'll never ever stop missing her. I'm sad for myself that I lost someone who was so kind and loving but I hate it the most for my boys. That they never got to know her. That they never got to see her waiting on her front porch with her arms wide open and a huge smile on her face just waiting until you ran to her for a big, huge hug. They'll never get to hear her call them "little darlins." But I can guarantee you that when we were telling her hello today she was up in heaven with a huge smile on her face saying "aren't they just the sweetest little darlins you've ever seen?"

Ack, I forgot!

2009-12-04T20:05:00.001-05:00

Oops, in the fun of yesterday I forgot to pick a winner for the copy of the Love Finds Me...book. Only 2 people were interested and I plugged #1 and #2 into random.org and it said...#2 who is Barbara. Sending you an email to get this book to you soon! Hope you enjoy it!

April Showers Blog Design

2009-12-02T20:38:00.001-05:00

April Showers Blog Design is having a HUGE giveaway and celebrating her OPEN waiting list that starts January 1st! April not only does blogs - but also invitations, announcements, calendars, cards, business cards, custom illustrations, and so much more! Just by pasting this paragraph on my blog I'm a winner!

Amazon Associate

2009-12-02T17:20:00.002-05:00

I like to link things I talk about here to other sites so that you can see the item and learn more about it. Several of the book blogs I read have small notices on the bottom of each of their reviews saying that they are Amazon Associates. If you use one of my links to purchase something (not just what was linked) from Amazon, I will receive a small commission. You'll pay what you would normally pay - not more - but would be helping me out just a tiny bit.

I'm not expecting to earn much but if you are planning to purchase from Amazon and will use my link I would greatly appreciate it.

Thoughts on The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

2009-12-02T11:58:00.003-05:00

Title: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
Author: Allison Hoover Bartlett
Pages: 288
Source: library
Rating: 4/5 (I really liked it)

Even after reading the tag line "the true story of a..." I continued to think that this was fiction. Although I was interested in the story from the opening I did get a bit bored when Bartlett would add an antidote instead of focusing on just the story.

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much is the story of book thief John Gilkey and self appointed "detective" Ken Sanders. When Sanders gets word that Gilkey has been stealing rare books, he takes it upon himself to alert rare book dealers and to find a way to put Gilkey in prison.

It was hard for me to dislike book thief Gilkey. Although I wouldn't turn to taking books I can understand a bit how he thought. He couldn't afford the rare books he wanted so he just took them through lots of interesting means and convinced himself that he wasn't doing anything wrong.

This book was part funny, part suspense and part a book lover's paradise. I especially loved the peek into the world of rare and collectible books. After reading Larry McMurtry's Books: A Memoir, I knew a bit about that world but thought that Bartlett did an excellent job of showing what it was like to collect and sell.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or who loves books about books.

Love Finds You blog tour

2009-12-01T07:03:00.003-05:00

Title: Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana
Author: Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
Pages: 348
Source: This book was provided for review by the Litfuse Publicity Group.
Rating: 4/5 (I liked it alot)

Set in 1889, Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana is the story of Julia Cavanaugh. Once she turned 18, Julia stayed on at her orphanage to help with the younger girls whom she had grown to love and think of as her own. When the head matron remarries, Julia takes the charges by orphan train to different families who've agreed to adopt them. Her last stop is Lonesome Prairie, Montana.

There she thinks she must not only say goodbye to her favorite girls but finds out she is also someones mail order bride. A kind pastor steps in and saves the day in this sweet love story.

I loved reading something different. It has been a while since I've read any historical fiction and even longer since I've picked up historical Christian fiction. I loved the characters and thought that the authors did a great job of setting the correct atmosphere for the book. Although I thought that the dialogue was a bit too sweet sometimes, I did enjoy this book. Thank you, LitFuse, for providing a copy for me to review.

EDITED to add: you do not have to read these books in any order. The only tie is the title "Love Finds You"

Want to win an awesome prize package from author Tricia Goyer?

To enter, fill out the entry form on her website. The winner will be announced on December 14. The basket includes:

winter fleece throw
huckleberry chocolate bar
Paula Dean candle
Montana ball cap
Montana apron
Montana greeting card set
and more!!

And as always, leave a comment if you'd like to have my copy. I'll draw a name (if more than one person is interested) on Thursday, December 3rd.

Clear Off Your Shelves Wrap Up

2009-11-30T14:09:00.005-05:00

I had signed up to do 50%. For the months of October and November I challenged myself to read 1 book I own for each library book I read.

Books read October
The Last Song by Nicolas Sparks (library)
My Life on a Plate by India Knight (mine)
Belong to Me by Maris de los Santos (library)
Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish (mine)
The One Minute Mother by Spencer Johnson (library)
Shelf Life: Stories by the Book edited by Gary Paulsen (library)

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruden (mine)
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (library)

Books read November
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (mine)

The Summer Kitchen by Karen Weinreb (mine)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (library)

This is the first challenge that I've actually completed! Go me!

Christmas Season + a birthday

2009-11-30T08:17:00.000-05:00

The Christmas season officially started at my house yesterday. I usually start putting up the Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving but since the boys and I were not at home most of the day, I didn't start until today.

I try to do a little bit at the time since I get, well, bored before I get finished. But this year I had a little helper. Cole was jumping up and down saying "Christmas tree!" and handing me the next piece. Pictures to come soon!

And a very happy birthday to Christi! I hope your day is as fabulous as you are!

Sunday Salon - November 29th

2009-11-29T10:18:00.003-05:00

It's hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner. I thought it would be fun to list a few books that I have on my wishlist. In looking through my list to make this post I was amus0ed to see how many books I've added since reading Eva's blog. I don't think she has had a multibook review where I haven't added something to the wishlist after reading her review. And her Library Loot vlogs are my favorite!

On a sidenote, I was able to see my friend's Kindle and although I don't think that I could ever read books just on there, I must admit that I'm a bit jealous. I wish I had one. I love that you can wirelessly connect to the internet.

Here are just a few of the books that I have on my wishlist:

The Haunting of Hill House (Penguin Classics) by Shirley Jackson
The Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, No. 1) by M. C. Beaton
A Suitable Boy: A Novel (Perennial Classics) by Vikram Seth
The Missing Ink: A Tattoo Shop Mystery by Karen E. Olson
Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande

Wake by Lisa McMann
Everyday Food: Great Food Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine
Dead Is the New Black by Marlene Perez
How to Be Totally Miserable: A Self-Hinder Book by John Bytheway

Scrapbook Page Maps: Sketches For Creative Layouts by Becky Fleck
How to Boil Water by Food Network Kitchens
Let Go of Clutter by Harriet Schechter
One Thing At a Time: 100 Simple Ways to Live Clutter-Free Every Day by Cindy Glovinsky

And for the boys:

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
One Is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale by Judy Cox
Smash! Crash! (Jon Scieszka's Trucktown) by Jon Scieszka
Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Smash That Trash! (Jon Scieszka's Trucktown) by Sonia Sander
Melvin Might? (Trucktown) by Jon Scieszka

What is on your wishlist?

Grateful

2009-11-26T08:44:00.000-05:00

Today, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I am counting my blessings. Just a few of the things that I am grateful for:

1. the 2 most adorable sons in the universe.
2. a husband who provides enough so that I can stay home with said adorable sons.
3. wonderful parents who would give up the world for their "babies"
4. books.
5. Taylor Lautner shirtless in New Moon.

6. That I have a few years before either of my sons could possibly look like the 17 year old pictured above. Yes, he.is.17! Good heavens.
7. scrapbooking.
8. good friends.
9. A roof over my head.
10. cold Diet Cokes.
11. Vin Diesel.
12. Christmas is coming.
13. Winning Cathy's class.
14. the internet at my house.
15. awesome sales at Publix.
16. Pandora.
17. blogs.
18. blog readers.

Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful.

Instant Win Games

2009-11-24T14:43:00.002-05:00

Target currently has a contest where you can win a $10,000 Target gift card or instant win prizes. Have your printer ready because if you are like me you'll win a free drink from the Target Cafe. Go here to play.

Then play to win prizes from Arby's. They are giving away a $10,000.01 gift card as a grand prize and smaller gift cards as instant wins. Go here to play.

The Summer Kitchen giveaway winner is...

2009-11-23T19:46:00.002-05:00

Only 2 people wanted my copy of The Summer Kitchen so I had Cole throw up a coin and it landed on tails...nomadreader you're the winner! I've sent you an email for your address. Happy Reading!

Oh Shocking part 2

2009-11-23T10:30:00.002-05:00

Did anyone notice that THE CATHY ZIELSKE commented on my blog post below? Michael thought that someone had died, I gasped so loud! I'm working on a couple of book reviews and also want to share the projects that my Stampin Up group made Saturday night.

Oh shocking!

2009-11-22T08:00:00.004-05:00

Last weekend I participated in a couple of days worth of challenges over at The Studio, a cool little scrapping site that I found recently. I participated in 13 of 25 challenges and would have done more but I spent all day Sunday with my Daddy for his birthday. The last challenge was issued by none other than scrapper extraordinaire Cathy Zielske, who is affectionately known as Cathy Z. in the scrapping world. She is 1 of my top 3 favorite scrappers ever.

Each challenge had a different prize associated with it and though they were all really good, Cathy Z.'s was the best. It was a "seat" in her upcoming BPS class "Design Your Life" - a 12 week course in which she teaches basic graphic design for scrapbooking. When she first ran this class I was still figuring out how we could keep the boys from going to daycare and there was no way I could allow myself to spend the $99 to register for this course.

So I read other people's blogs who took the course. And pouted.

I was so hoping that she would teach it again and early this year when it was announced that she would be teaching it in January through March of 2010, I immediately put it as my number one - only one - thing I wanted for Christmas. I figured that my parents could give me $50 and Michael could give me $49 and I'd be set. Unfortunately we found out recently that we wouldn't have the extra funds and once again I couldn't responsibly pay that much for a class. Even a class as awesome as this one should be.

So this weekend I did all the challenges that I could, was gone for the start of Cathy's and kind of forgot about it. Early Monday morning I was checking in on the challenges that I missed and I saw hers. It was to do a layout about a day in your life. I spent a few minutes scraplifting (copying) hers and uploaded it.

Later, I received a system email from The Studio letting us know that the winners had been posted. I read through the list with my bottom lip poked out - pouting - that my name hadn't been chosen for any of them when I got to Cathy's challenge and it said...

Wait for it...

Can you guess?

Yep, it said...Dana!

My mouth dropped to the floor and then....well then I burst into tears. I can't tell you how excited and shocked and elated and overjoyed and all those awesome words I was to find out that I had won the one thing - the only thing - that I wanted to get for Christmas. For free. For not one single cent out of my pocket.

I happened to be emailing back and forth with Christi during this time and knew that she would "get" why I was so excited. And she did. And she was happy for me which made me even happier. Have I mentioned that I am really, really, really excited?

Have you ever won anything that you've been really excited about? Share so that we can be excited together. (and if you made it this far...wow, go get a snack and a drink...you've got to be tired.)

New favorites added...

2009-11-21T20:33:00.007-05:00

I hope you've had a chance to check out some of my favorite blogs (listed in the sidebar to the right). I was telling Christi that I have a hard time sharing my favorites. For some reason I don't want to share! But I've added a few more book blogs that I missed my first go round (I have 119 blogs listed in Google Reader!) and those listed are the cream of the crop and are my must reads. I wanted to note that I haven't listed anyone I know locally...it's a privacy thing. I might change my mind in the future though because some of my good friends have great blogs!

I love finding new to me blogs. Have any that are must reads?

Don't forget to enter to win The Summer Kitchen by looking at the post right below this one! Since more than one person wants it, I'll draw a name on Monday.

The Summer Kitchen by Karen Weinreb + a giveaway

2009-11-20T14:06:00.005-05:00

Title: The Summer Kitchen
Author: Karen Weinreb
Pages: 328
Challenge(s): Clear Off Your Shelves
Read because: win from Book Club Classics
Rating: 3.5/5 (I liked it alot)

This was another book that I made myself finish but didn't enjoy until the end. Her writing style is quite hard for me to read. She prefers long sentences filled with excessive descriptions. That made it hard for me to get into any kind of reading rhythm. Also, several times throughout the book the perspective changes from Nora, the main character, to one of the other characters which usually doesn't bother me. Here is was so infrequent that it was a bit jarring though.

THE GOOD:

I thought the plot was well paced and the characters were well developed. As a matter of fact, it seems to me that children are usually used as props in books but it this one her sons are very thought out. I would have liked to have heard more about them instead of Nora, actually.

This peek into the ultra rich might leave you a bit on edge. When someone has nothing better to worry about than which chef to fly in from Paris, you get a bit annoyed shall we say? But Weinreb's treatment of Nora's coming into her own is quite interesting and the ending is well done.

And my opinion? The final sentence is perfect.

Want another perspective? Read Kristen's review here.

I'd like to pass on my copy so if you'd like to read it leave me a comment. If more than one person wants it I'll pick a name on Monday and send it out shortly thereafter.

Walking Around

2009-11-19T10:59:00.003-05:00

Photo by D Sharon Pruitt

Cole, Ian and I went on our (mostly) daily walk this morning. I love seeing things through their eyes. The things that grab their attention along with the things that they completely ignore.

I notice people's houses and wish I could peak inside to see how they are decorated. I also notice different leaves that are in the road as we walk.

The boys notice mostly notice birds and squirrels.

This morning I noticed that the same several houses have their garage doors up every morning. It's interesting to see what people keep in their garages. I try to open mine only by cover of darkness, preferably around 2 or 3 am when I know that there is little chance of anyone seeing the mess that is my garage. Seriously though, one of the houses we passed by this morning had nothing but a car and a few boxes in theirs. Amazing.

If you have a garage do you have space to actually park in it? Whenever Michael is in the car with me and we pass by a house with someone pulling into their garage I always tease him by saying that we should have gotten one of those parking holes in our house too!

Excuse the dust

2009-11-18T12:43:00.002-05:00

Excuse the dust...I'm tying to update the look of the blog.

Coming soon...a new 3 column template with room for adding the Cream of the Crop - my favorite blogs.

Enter to win Gone

2009-11-18T11:37:00.002-05:00

Lisa McMann, the New York Times bestselling author of the WAKE trilogy (WAKE, FADE, GONE), is running an awesome contest on her blog. She's giving away 3 advance copies of Gone and a "dream" necklace. Go here to enter to win. I'd love to win since Wake has been on my wishlist for a while now.

Blog Hop Winners...

2009-11-16T13:30:00.003-05:00

I had 46 comments on the Operation Write Home blog hop this weekend. I must admit that I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't get the over one hundred I had last time. I'll be making 46 cards for OWH because of all your comments though! So thanks for participating

The winners of the blog hop blog candy are...

Mary said...
Gorgeous cards!! hugs, Mary

Christi said...
Your cards a wonderful. I still have the one you sent with my book out on my shelf. Great cause to support. :)

And a little side note to Christi who says she never wins anything...this is number 2! I need you to pick me some lotto numbers, friend! ;-)

Operation Write Home Blog Hop

2009-11-14T07:07:00.009-05:00

Welcome to your next stop on the Operation Write Home Blog Hop. OWH is a wonderful organization that collects handmade cards from crafters all over and sends them overseas to servicemen and women to write home to their families. You can get involved by sending in cards, giving donations to cover postage and by spreading the word.

This is the second blog hop I've participated in. If you want to start at the beginning, go here.

I'm once again participating in honor of Jimmy, the husband of one of my favorite scrappers...the incredible Stephanie.

OWH asked us to make an Any Hero Card and a Valentine's Day card. An Any Hero Card is a card that you write in that is sent to one of our troops serving overseas. That card wasn't a problem to make. The Valentine's card threw me for a loop since I'm thinking Christmas! Both cards are super simple.

For each person who comments on this post before Monday, I've pledged to make a card for OWH, so please comment away! And 2 random commenters will win an envelope of scrap goodielicousness.

Next stop is Carmen at Carmen's Creative Chatter.