Five Minute Friday--Forget

Joining Five Minute Friday today.  I haven't done this one in a while.  It's a topic drivin linky party with a twist.  Write on topic 5 minutes.  Set a timer and write.  No over thinking it or worry about editing etc.
Here goes . . .
Start
There are many things a person might want to forget.  I know 
I could make a really, really long list. 
But what's more important I think are things you don't want to forget.
Things like holding your child for the first time.  Or holding your grandchild.  Things like being the day care provider for your grandson his first 18 months.  
Things like your wedding day. Your honey moon.  hmmm (clearing my throat).  Boy the stories I could tell you!  Nothing private I wouldn't share that!  But suffice it to say it was interesting.  
As a person gets older they seem to forget things sometime. 

My mother is 89 this year.  She seems to forget.  The Cowboy teasers her. He tells her things like 'We took you to Disney land last year you don't remember?'  She'll start to answer and then she'll think about what he's saying and she'll say something smart.  Or if she's close enough she'll clobber him.  Sounds mean but it tends to 
help her from being frustrated if she has forgotten something. 

Forgetting can be frustrating.  I'm constantly forgetting something. 
I'll walk into the kitchen planning to do something and have to stop and think about what I had planned. 

It's scary getting older and realizing that forget is an important word in your life all of a sudden. 

I don't want to forget Bible verses.  For some people remembering verse is difficult.  It takes lots and lots of practise.

Yes there is a long list of things I don't want to forget.    

Things link not linking a post. HeHe. 
Stop.

Linking with Kate at 5 Minute Friday.

                                Or forgetting to add the cute little slippers to your post!
                              
                                                          

How I Roll In The Sewing Room Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone

So the other day I wrote a post about a crazy inspiration to make heart shaped
Log Cabin blocks.
Here is one of the first  blocks . . .

I made 4 with just random scraps.

And then my mind did what it usually does and I had this idea to do them in all pink . . .

Love them!  I'm not completely happy with the white so I've stopped.  That is how I roll.  

                 I end up changing projects mid stream.  Or should I say mid stitch. HeHe.

But while I was working on the blocks I noticed that I had all these fabulous little teeny tiny scraps.
                 
And I couldn't part with them so.  I did this . . .
         
This isn't a great pic.  I actually had it attached in the middle of the mantle but I wanted you to see the
lights showing through so I took it down.
Here's a closer shot . . .
       
I started this on Friday.  Our dinner was on Sunday.  I didn't get it as thick as I wanted but it looked good.
Here you can see parts of the string of lights not attached.  I took the fabric off for you to see.
My lights were 3 times as long as the mantle.  So I attached to both ends and then  laid them back across the mantle until I had the entire length attached.
I had already tied about 1/4 of the length so then I just went down my shorter measured length and started tieing on more strips

I love how it turned out.  It really added to this garland I did a couple of years ago . . .
          
Here's a shot of the entire mantle . . .

           
I put the mantle together for a Valentines Day Dinner  click Here to see that post.

And now back to how I roll and what I'm doing in the sewing room because I'm not super happy with that white fabric.  I'm going to Hobby Lobby tomorrow to see what I might find.

I  saw this today at Red Pepper Quilts . . .
                          

And I was inspired to try and use up all those 5" squares I have cut.  Here are a few of the squares I'm working with . . .

I have a 3 stacks of reds and navys.  And about that many or more of pastels.
I am so totally stepping out of my comfort zone here.   Putting reds, navys, pinks, greens, yellows together.

But if my quilt looks anything like this . . .
 
                I'll be super happy.  Did you notice the mix of not only colors but the mix of theme?
                                                                 I'm steppin' out!

                                                         In my slippers that I found!

                                  I hope you have a Happy Day whatever your doing!
                                             
Linking with Roses Of Inspiration Linky Party,  Pink Saturday, A Burst Of Beautiful

Wordless Wednesday

                                                      

                     

Linking with Wordless Wednesday, Warm Heart Wednesday at Jenny's, Camera Critters, Eileen's Critters. Make My Saturday Sweet

Just Sayin' . . .

. . .  I AM NOT A HAPPY CAMPER!
Forgive me I'm not yelling at you!
Let's all yell together at Google.  Which thinks it's really cool to change things all the time so that we bloggers loose our followers.
And now how about Shelfari and Good Reads!  They've decided it would be real cute to combine.  And so now we have to get rid of our Shelfari shelf and get a new widget with Good Reads.  Which by the way they don't tell you before you start the whole process that you have to have an email app.
SERIOUSLY yes I'm yelling again.  They can do all this fancy smansy stuff  and combine  (insert curse word) but they can't make it even a little user friendly.

I mean seriously.  Have you pinned lately.  It's so high tech it knows what your pinning and puts up the board they think your going to pin too.

Again I say SERIOUSLY.  These things are really annoying me.

I'm over here minding my own business trying to build my blog.  Make it more interesting to you.
And trying to build my readers so I can review more books and they do all this stuff.

I've had these plans to make some changes to the blog.  Changes that I think you'll like.  Nothing that requires anything from you.

And they do all this and sets me back.

It's not like I have all the time in the world.   I'm planning on getting a job soon so my time is limited to get all this done.

But the good news is.  The whole job situation is in God's hands.  And I'll get something in his timing.

Right now I'm enjoying working 2 days a week from 9-11.  And I'm making $5.00 more than I would if I was working at my previous job from 7:45 to 1:00.

So, there are things that this camper is happy about!  

And something else!  I'm going to yell again.  But it's from happiness.  I hope you don't mind!

                 I FOUND MY SLIPPERS!
                       
                 Awe... I feel so much better!

Tomorrow I won't be ranting and raving.  I promise.  I'm joining Leah at The Loft with a post about
Content.  Come by and go over and visit Leah or join in the discussion!  Click here to visit Leah.

one more thing before I go.  Do you see the grey boxes that I can't get rid of.  They got here when 
I tried to cut and paste my slippers.  I didn't realize the stuff that Good Reads wanted me to copy was still on my whatever you call it.  All the books I've posted about and a bunch of other technically stuff related to changing from my Shelfari widget to their widget.  I won't yell this time I'll only growl! Grr.

 toolbar)

Valentines Dinner Date

We have a tradition for Valentines Day at our house. 
For the last few years The Cowboy and I have hosted a special dinner for our daughter and grandson. 

We decorate the house and cook a really nice dinner.   
        


 We had a wonderful time.  It's a special evening for some very special people . . . 
             
                         I always wish I'd gotten more photos! 
In the past The Cowboy has been the waiter and I've been the chef. 
This year we teamed up in the kitchen . . . 
       
I cooked our grandsons meal of Baby Bird meatballs on an 
angel hair pasta nest.  A hotdog and green beans.  I wasn't sure he'd eat the meatballs.  He didn't Daisy enjoyed them this morning! 

The Cowboy cooked our daughters meal . . . 
       
I felt bad this one came out blurry.  She enjoyed a Salmon straight from Alaska.  The Cowboys co-worker just returned from a fishing trip.  We found crab legs on sale.  So we included a couple to make a nice presentation.  

        We enjoyed a special evening and a special dinner date!

Tomorrow I'll be sharing a few more pics of this sweet date.
And a few pics of my decorations.  
Come back for part two.

I'll be linking my post on my Dinner Date party.  I'd love you to join me and link your date posts!  Come by and join the party!

Also linking at Classical Homemaking 
linking at Roses of Inspiration Linky Party





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Blue Ribbon Trail Ride--Book Review

                                       
                                                     
This Y/A was a fun read for me. (even as an adult) I was super impressed with the authors knowledge about horses and riding disciplines.  She did an excellent job propelling the reader into the story.  
The story is about Kate and her friends Tori and Colt and their plan to host a Trail Ride to raise money for autistic children to go to a special camp just for them.  
Everything is going well until the money box disappears just before the event!  The three decide the only thing to do is try to find it kind of Hardy Boys style as suggested by Colt.
I loved the story because it reminded me of my years of reading Trixie Belden. 

I expected the other books in the series would be 'mysterish' storylines but they are not. 

What I enjoyed most about the book(s) besides the horse theme was that the author brought into the storyline some other themes/life struggles that the youngsters learned to cope and deal with. 

This book includes Autism (Kate's younger brother is autistic) as well as the struggles of the elderly.  (the neighbor is a hoarder)

Kate learns to trust God and to ask him for direction in many situations.  Sometimes only after making a few mistakes on her own. 

I loved the the additional 'A Little More' follow up at the end.
And the 'Secrets for your diary' questions. 

This was an easy read.  I would love to share these books with my grand children when they are a little older.
I think these would be excellent books to read together as a family. 

This series would be a great addition to a school library.

I highly recommend this series Horses and Friends by Miralee Ferrell 5 Blue Ribbons

Buy yours today at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Christian Book(dot)com 
(click on the bold for a direct link to purchase)

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review.

This post is linked at
Blue Monday, The Art of Homemaking, Titus Tuesday at Cornerstone Confessions,Titus 2sday
at Time Warp Wife

A Valentine For You

. . .
   
        
                                                                     Source 

Simple Sunday

Blessings

May your weekend be Blessed.
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. The will take great delight in you, he will
quiet you wiht his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Pink Saturday

I stumbled across a couple of photo's today that I couldn't help but 
play around with. 
Here's a little pink . . . 

Made these already adorable photo's even cuter at Pic Monkey.
I chose the heart since it was Valentines.  I chose Pink since she is wearing Pink!
PicMonkey is super simple to work with.  Even I can do it.  The size of the heart and the background color can be changed.
The have lots to choose from.  Check it out.
                               
                                 
                         Happy Valentines Day

Are you having a special Valentines Date?  I'm hosting a fun 
party it begins On Valentines Day.    
Write a post about a Special Date Night or Date Day and link 
up!

Linking with Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound, Camera Critters, Eileen's Critters and Good Fences , Marigold's Loft.


And before I go a little sneak peek at my Valentines Dinner Date
Decorations . . . 
       
         Lot's more to share in another post.  But I wanted to share a little sneak preview.
The darling heart at the top is my grandsons handprints from last Valentines Day.  He was 6 at the time.
I used powder temper paint I borrowed from school and mixed it with handlotion. It was much easier to wash.
The smaller hearts or glued to wooden skewers.  We made them when he was three.I just realized I haven't dated these items.  That's another tip be sure and date your art treasures!
It's a little hard to see but he stamped heart shapes onto the white paper and then I cut and we glued
ever so carefully to bigger red hearts.  He used a toilet paper roll that I bent to the shape of a heart.

Date Night Linky Party Starts Sunday

Let's celebrate our Valentine and share our special dates.  
A few years ago I ran a linky party in the Fall for Date night.
But why not celebrate during the month of Love . . .
                                   
Feel free to share any post old or new.  Tell us all about your date special date ideas.  Frugal or over the top!  
The link will be open on Valentines Day and run till the end of the month!  
Come over and join the party. 

This is a no rules party well maybe a couple . . .
Please stay on topic 
Please only include family friendly posts. 
And a little fine print.  Please be advise if your post is linked that I would like to repost including your photos or share your post for a future Date Night post.  I will either email or comment on your blog if your post is chosen.

Good Fences/Sorta

Sharing some of my Sunday friends.  Each week I see this herd 

of cows as we go to church. 

Some days they are on the road.   This is why . . . 

                        

A little fence work needs to be done.  I guess the farmer isn't too

worried this road goes straight through his property.

They are always very curious when we stop.  I'm sure they are looking for a little snack.

I don't want to meet this guy on the road. 

Occasionally they manage to get to the grass on the other side of the fence.   

And if the timing is right we see the farmer in his old battered truck with a couple of  youngins'  walking behind the truck carrying a feed bucket luring them back in. 

And btw.  It's ok. to drive down the road.  But don't pull up to the gate.  I hear he comes out with a shot gun.   

                      It is Texas after all 

Linking with Good Fences, Camera Critters, Eileens Camera Critters 

The Pirate Queen--Book Review

                                     
                                       
Treasure is found in the most unlikely places.
The envy of all her friends, wife and mother Saphora Warren is the model of southern gentility and accomplishment. She lives in a beautiful Lake Norman home, and has raised three capable adult children. Her husband is a successful plastic surgeon--and a philanderer. It is for that reason that, after hosting a garden party for Southern Living magazine, Saphora packs her bags to escape the trappings of the picturesque-but-vacant life. 

Saphora’s departure is interrupted by her husband Bender’s early arrival home, and his words that change her life forever: I’m dying. 
 
Against her desires, Saphora agrees to take care of Bender as he fights his illness. They relocate, at his insistance, to their coastal home in Oriental—the same house she had chosen for her private getaway. When her idyllic retreat is overrun by her grown children, grandchildren, townspeople, relatives, and a precocious neighbor child, Saphora’s escape to paradise is anything but the life she had imagined. As she gropes for evidence of God's presence amid the turmoil, can she discover that the richest treasures come in surprising packages?

This seemed like an interesting read to me.  A little bit of a departure from my typical choice.    I was offered this book to review and so in order broaden my horizons I accepted it.  

It was as I expected a little hard to keep up with.  For me it wasn't a fast or an easy read.  
The  Pirate Queen is a story that weaves together forgiveness and grace.  

Here are a few editorial reviews . . . 
“The Pirate Queen is a poignant, inspiring tale of finding faith, hope, and love in the midst of loss. Patricia Hickman, you owe me a box of tissues!”
—TAMARA LEIGH, author of Leaving Carolina and Nowhere, Carolina
 
“The Pirate Queen drew me in from the first page and surrounded me. Hickman breathes life into her characters as they experience some of life’s greatest joy and greatest sorrow. Through it all, Hickman reminds us the God of hope is in control.”
—RACHEL HAUCK, co-author of The Sweet By and By and author of Dining with Joy
 
“Patricia Hickman’s The Pirate Queen took me by surprise. At the start, I thought I was reading a Southern-style Danielle Steel. Then I found I was settling into a one-of-a-kind family drama. Tender, compelling, outstanding. A book you’ll want to share with your friends, your best friends.”
—LYN COTE, author of Her Abundant Joy

The book is available at Amazon.  You can read more reviews there. 
It is also available at Barnes and Noble and Family Christian Book Stores. 

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my review. 

Warm Heart Wednesday/More Than A Friend

                                      
A few years ago I wrote a few posts called More Than A Friend.
I enjoyed writing about a few blog land friends.  
Now a few years later I have many more friends.  I'm so thankful for you guys that come by every week and visit and comment. 
                  
Iwish we could get together in 'real life' and visit and eat, have a glass of wine and go shopping.  

                  Just like we girls do with our girl friends.  
                                
              But, this group of girl friends are long distance.  

I enjoy visiting you guys each week.  Sometimes your better friends than I am.  You visit me and I miss coming by your sweet little blog homes.  I really need to get more organized.    I' m working on visiting more.  It's not that I don't want to I just actually forget.  
                                                        I need a list.  And so with all that said I'm making a few changes to the blog.  I've been thinking about this for awhile.  

The thing is.  I write to reach you.  To share myself with you.  
To meet you and get to know you so we can be friends.  
                                                      So over the next few days you'll see some changes.  I hope you enjoy them.  One of the things I'll be changing is adding my friends list back to my sidebar.  I haven't decided exactly how but soon you'll be seeing your blog listed on my blog!  

I've always enjoyed the bloggers that have friends lists.  That's how I've found some great friends.  Like Daisy's friends Mitch and Molly.  I found them over at Becky's at Sweet Cottage Dreams.  I'm so glad I clicked on the link.  They've been sweet friends!   I love visiting them each week.  And love their visits and comments.  
Thank you Mitch and Molly for being great friends!

Do you have a special blog friend you want to acknowledge and share a little love?  
     
I found some darling vintage Valentines to share with you and your friends.    Grab couple and share the Love.


                        Happy Valentines Day 

Linking with Jenny for Warm Heart Wednesday
Linking at The Loft

Kissed by a Cowboy--Book Review

                                          
I had to giggle when I was offered this book for review.  
All my readers know that my husband is referred here on the blog as The Cowboy.  

I enjoyed the story line in this fun little book.  It's a little bit of the typical story of boy meets girl.  Boy runs from girl/romance.  
Girl gets married/divorced and comes back to town and that's kind of where the typical ends . . . 
The story of Rancher Jarrod and Cassidy's budding long overdue 
romance is charming, funny and eventful.  
Jarrod's character is strong, stoic and exasperated with Cassidy's 
stubbornness.  Her quirkiness keeps him on his toes.
Their romance is woven around her plans to open a Bed and Breakfast and Jarrod's own struggle of running the family ranch while his cattle are being rustled. 

I loved this modern day Cowboy romance.  

I was a bit sad to see that this is the 3rd and last installment in The Four Of Hearts Ranch series.   I'd love to read books 1 and 2.

It's setting in Wishing Springs, Texas was pure romance for me. 
I'd like to see more of the characters in Wishing Springs.  

On a side note: This book is published as a Christian novel yet it isn't overly 'church ie' feeling which I think might appeal to someone who doesn't normally read this genre.  

And I think that is a good thing. 

Overall this was a fun 4 star read.  

This book is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and
Christian Book (dot) com.

Fine Print:
I received this book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review--A Son's Vow

                                         

Book One of   The Charmed Amish Life a series taking place in Charm, Ohio a fictional little town.  The book is complete with a fun little map in the front.  I caught myself looking over the map as the story progressed. 
Book One is the story of a romance between Darla and Lukas. 
They've known each other all their lives growing up as best friends but when a tragedy strikes the town they drift apart. 
The author wove a sweet little romance together with the drama of 
domestic violence.  
This wasn't a story that I felt 'I knew what was going to happen'.
In fact I was pleased and surprised.  I had it all figured out based on the title and boy was I wrong.  
                     Isn't that what makes a good story?
I thoroughly enjoyed this installment and I look forward to the 
opportunity to read more.  
I want to know what happens with the sub characters like Hannah that worked as a nanny for an 'English' couple.   And the dog Rose that lived in the neighborhood where Hannah worked. 
                                   I look forward to the installment that tells Hannah's story!

On the negative side.  Yep there is one.  It's personal but I still want to include it. Get it said and be done with.  Personally I thought the inclusion of the Amish words was annoying.  Whew I said it. 
I might be the only one that feels this way.  But I personally didn't think it added to the story or to the realization.  I haven't been around the Amish and I might be totally off here.  But I think one word here and there was just annoying.  Personal opinion. 

One more negative for me. And it's not really negative exactly . . . 
 There was one point in the story.  A little mystery that was hinted at but didn't get solved and isn't really mention as if it will be solved in follow up stories.   
I don't want to give the storyline away.  But I'm just wishin' to find out what happened! 

All in all.  This was a great book.  I started it couldn't put it down. 
                              To me that's a good read.  

So here's my 4 stars for A Son's Vow. 

This book is widely available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and
Christian Book(dot)com
Here's the fine print . . .
I received this book from the Litfuse Publicity Group for my honest review.

CPR Training

                                                             
Today I want to share with you a different kind of post. 
As a childcare worker I'm required to have CPR.
                                                                   
I've taken the course many times.  Always offered through my work, at my work during working hours. 
                                          

Now that I am a Nanny I'm required to obtain trainings on my own.
I was in need of re-certification. Honestly I hate to admit it.  I was dreading dealing with the whole idea of going to class and spending an afternoon and the money. 
                                                          
As I was dreading this whole course thing I looked at classes and locations and the cost.  I began to dread it more.  A normal class is around $35.00-$40.00.  (I dreaded it because since making the decision to nanny I haven't really gotten a job.  So I've had no income for 3 weeks.  I have had a few temp jobs but not enough to 
pay the bills)
 I got to thinking maybe there is an on-line class.  Sure enough there was.  I called the nanny office to find out if the class was acceptable.  And it was! 

Standard – CPR / AED

Only $15.95 

Was $17.95

CPR - Adult / Pediatrics
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Begin Course

And on sale!  I took the class today.  I'm finished and now current for 2 years.  

Let me encourage you if your like me and you dread taking a class please consider an on-line course.  
                                   
You never know when you might be put in a situation where you can save someones life!

My husband is a drivers education instructor. Just before Christmas his co-worker had a heart attack while teaching a class. He was the passenger in the car.  The student a 15 year old was driving.  Another 15 year old student was in the back seat observing.  The instructor realized they were in trouble and managed to tell the student to pull over.  The student in the back seat was trained and immediately jumped to the aide of the instructor.  

I was fascinated with this story.  Can you imagine being the parent of that student?  To have the knowledge and be able to make a decision so fast to save someones life!
                               
                If you've never taken CPR may I encourage you to consider a course?  

Just google it.  It's simple to find a course in your area.  Some programs offer groups.  Why not get a group together.  Consider getting your church small group or Ladies group.  Maybe just get your family together.  Do you have teenagers?  

I would suggest if this is your first time take a class.

And, if you've been trained and are in need of re-certification check out  National CPR Foundation.  Click here.  This was a simple 
and fast refresher course.  I finished the course.  Took the test and paid and within moments I had already receive an email confirmation.  A wallet card is being mailed to me.  
                                            

Linking this post with Link Parties this week.
                                 

Happy Homemaker Monday

                                      
The Weather . . .
The sun is shining.  It's a little chilly but it'll warm up nicely. 
It's been a very nice beginning of the year here. 

Right Now I Am . . . 
Sitting at the computer in the living room drinking a Dr. Pepper.
Daisy is at my feet the Cowboy is laying on the couch with his kindle. 

Thinking. . . 
I'm happy I am sitting at my computer at 9:12 in the morning and not on a job.  

On My T.V. 
The Cowboy has been recording movies.  We watched the Wind in The Lion the other night.  It had been a long time since we'd seen it when we were dating.  I feel old. 

On The Menu . . . 
I'm not making a menu this week because I'm trying to clean out my freezer.  
But I know today we are having Beans and Cornbread.  Had some mixed beans in the freezer I pulled out last night.  Oh and ham. 
We got on on sale the other day.  I'll cube some up and put in the beans.  

On My To Do List . . . 
Not working this week so have a lot planned.
Cleaning freezer of left overs/ cooking the leftovers
Painting some frames for Valentines Dinner
Planning and preparing for Valentines Dinner
Work on Heart Quilt blocks
Planting onions and Kale in pots on patio
Tidying, re-arranging etch.

In The Craft Basket . . .
I started this quilt on Friday 
s
I made two scrappy blocks then remembered I had some fabulous 
pinks.  Got them out and got to sewing.  It's going to be pink. 
Don't know how many I'll make.  We'll see.    

Looking Forward To This Week . . .
Being home.

Looking Around The House . . .
It's about as clean as it ever really gets.  I do need to vacuum
but that could be done 3 times a day!

From The Camera . . . 

My dog is so hard to take pictures of.   She'll stand still for 
Chick Fila and a bowl of milk.  I had to laugh she left a little in the  milk bowl to go back and lick her plate.  Which btw there wasn't anything on the plate the chicken was in the box.  

On My Prayer List . . . 
Praying for Sandra

Bible Verse or Devotional . . . 
                                         

                                               Small is the gate and narrow is the road

                                                 that leads to life and only few will find it.

                                                                     Matthew 7:13-14

Shared this one on Sunday.  I loved the verse with this photo.

Well that's my weeks plans.  What do you have planned?

                    Have a Happy Week

Linking with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday.  Click here to visit and/or join.