Happy Homemaker Monday

My Dear Friend,

I do hope this day finds you happy and well, and enjoying this lovely month of March.  

This month I doing alot of Cozy Mystery reviews along with my regular posts.   Each

of my regular posts will appear at 1:00 a.m. followed by the book review at 8:00 a.m.

If you arrive later than 8:00 you can find the daily post over at the side bar 'featured' 

just click the link and see what I am up to.  Today is Monday and my regular feature

joining sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday

The Weather...

I live in Texas.  The weather changes everyday.  Cooler and rainy on Sunday with a high of 63.

Today it is cloudy.  Our high is predicted 83. 

 On My Reading Pile..

And a whole mess of cozy mystery's.  This month I am working with Great Escapes to feature a great collection of mystery's.  I'll beposting a bunch of reviews.  Come by and check out these great reads. 

Favorite Blog Post (mine or other) 

I don't usually write reviews or posts on Sunday.  This book really spoke to me.  Check out my review here. Please leave a comment.

Blog Hopping (a newly discovered blog)

Not really new.  This blogger I lost when I changed computers. 

I love visiting Poppy at Poppy's View.  Poppy lives on the island of Crete.  Her blog is a delightful place to visit.  Click here.

One Of My Simple Pleasures

Gardens. And gardening.  I love visiting gardens.  I love beautiful 

plants and flowers.  I dream of a beautiful garden.

On My To Do List

1. Finish junk journals. One for a giveaway just ended another for a precious blogger friend.
2. Glue a puzzle that my grandson just finished.  I'll display on the mantle with my spring decor.
3. Laundry and clean house
4. Switch my industrial stainless shelf.  I have two one in garage and one in dining room.  The one in garage is smaller.

On My Wish List a new prompt added by me

I/we are looking for a cabinet for below the t.v. so I can move the library table to 'my' room.

I am hoping to find a buffet for the dining room and sofa table for behind the couch.

More energy and time to cozy up the place.

In The Craft Basket...

Junk journals

Looking forward to...

A road trip with my daughter.  We are going to visit 

the Pioneer Woman's store.  

Looking Around The House

Things are slowly coming together.  I am slowly switching from winter to spring.  Bunny's are coming out.

From The Camera

Man and boy in The Cowboys room.  AKA the man cave.

Verse/Devotional

Available on Etsy. Click here.

So that's a short view of my weeks plans. 

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Linking with Happy Homemaker Monday

The Priority Unit-Susan Page Davis-Book Review

This is the first time I have posted a review on Sunday

About the book (provided by Amazon)

A missing man. 
A mysterious computer program – 
Even the people constructing it don’t know what it will do.
On the worst night of Harvey Larson’s life, his partner is killed and his wife, Carrie, walks out on him. Ten years later, the Portland, Maine police detective has learned to cope with his grief and depression. When he and the Priority Unit investigate the disappearance of software designer Nick Dunham, he meets a young woman who will change his life. Jennifer Wainthrop was the last person to admit seeing Dunham alive.
Harvey and his partner, Eddie Thibodeau, stay a step ahead of a bomber and put together the clues that tell the truth: Dunham’s kidnapping and the bombings are one case, and Jennifer is caught in the middle. News that Carrie has committed suicide may plunge Harvey back into despair. Harvey turns to God for help untangling his complicated life. He finds strength in his faith as he attempts to save Jennifer from the same grim fate that claimed Nick. But Jennifer must depend on her own wits and God alone when the killer gets too close

About the series 

Police detectives in Portland, Maine solve mysteries while getting their own lives in order and falling in love.

Meet Detective Harvey Larson, a world-weary genius of criminal investigation, and his brash young French-Canadian partner, Eddie Thibodeau.

Harvey’s life has taken several turns for the worse–until he meets the intriguing Jennifer Wainthrop, a witness in his challenging case in Book 1,The Priority Unit.

Everyone around him is suddenly in danger because Harvey dug too deep. Join him in serving up Maine Justice.

 One of Maine’s most famous authors is murdered the night after his class reunion, and Harvey and his partner, Eddie Thibodeau, must solve the crime. A cold case burglary that became fodder for Martin Blake’s first novel is somehow related to his death. While Harvey and Eddie look for answers, Jennifer plans the wedding. She’s working for the summer in the police department’s records office, and she manages to hand the detectives some important clues. Can a visit to the park at Fort Point answer some questions? Everything threatens to fall apart when the Priority Unit learns the police chief has had a tragic accident. The mysterious, romantic, and spiritual journey continues.

Available

Amazon click here. I wish this book was available in retail stores. 

Visit the author.  Click here

And I thought...

I did some thinking about this one.  The Priority Unit is a Christian Romantic Suspense title. 

The thing that had me thinking was that the main characters were not 'Believers'.  They were 'Seekers'.  I have never run across a book 'Christian' or 'Inspirational' book where the main characters were not already Believers.  Most of the stories I have read have had the characters at least one in more of a  fallin' away type of existence.

It took me awhile to decide how I really felt about the 'Seekers'.  

I don't say this in a bad way at all just a questioning manner much like the characters are seeking answers with their questions about God.  

The more that I've thought about this I feel like The Priority Unit

is a wonderful story and possibly one of the best approaches to introducing someone to a 'real' relationship with Christ that I've ever seen/read. 

I enjoyed the characters.  I enjoyed the plot.  It was a bit slow in the beginning (the first few chapters) but once it picked up I was drawn in for a fast and furious ride.   The ride takes the reader through car bombing(s), missing persons, espionage and drug dealers.  

All the plots and subplots worked together for a suspenseful

story with twists and turns and a happy ending!  

I especially enjoyed going to church for the first time with 

Harvey and Jennifer and seeing their eyes open as they are introduced to God.  

The Priority Unit was a great book.  I am anxiously waiting to read more in the series. 

Coffee With A Character...

The character that I would most like to have coffee with is 

Harvey.  His character starts out lonely and sad after his divorce.  As the story unravels and he begins 'investigating' God 

he begins to learn to be happy and basically return to 'real living'.  

He is a 'real' good guy before God.  And then after.  We'll have to wait for Book 2.  

The Character I want to meet again ...

This is a new prompt/topic for my reviews.  I enjoyed 

Carrie's (Harvey's ex-wife) grandmother.  She is delightful character.  In a few short pages she captured my heart.  I am sure we will capture yours. 

I received a complimentary copy from the author.

Thank you Susan Page Davis for introducing me to your world

This review will appear on Amazon, Good Reads and 

My Reading Journeys. 

This review will be linked with blog parties, tweeted and shared and pinned.  

Simple Sunday

Source

Have a Blessed Day

What I Got Done Today-Laundry Room Mini Makeover

It may not sound like much.  But to me I accomplished wonders!

And I didn't spend a dime!

My goal was to tidy the laundry room and figure out something or someway or someplace to store my everyday purse.

I know why is that a big deal?

I come in everyday through the garage.  The first thing I see is the laundry room and bedroom. 

My purse ends up on the bed.  

Which is not necessarily a bad thing. 

But

My spring bedding is very light.  White, grey and pale blue.  

Have you ever seen those stories about what is on the bottom of your purse.  If your interested in the ugly story click here.

 Without further ado here's what I did

Brought this set of drawers in from the garage.  Couldn't sell them in a garage sale.  They were collecting dust.  Now they are useful 

A place to sit my purse and lunch bag.  And a place to store my work shoes.  My slippers waiting for me when I walk in.  2 extra drawers for who know's what.   Here's another shot showing what is on the wall above . . . 

 I've always wanted one of those nifty ironing boards in the wall.  Another thing we loved about this house!
Since I was tidying I cleaned the laundry room really good.  I was amazed how much dust was on the dryer!

I think I will move the chicken to the kitchen.  But at least for now there is something on the wall. 
Besides the place for my purse I am most happy about this.
 
This was the other free find.  This greenery was in the garage too.
Just beside the door.  It hit me in the face very time I walked by!
I want to put it in the garden room but I'm waiting for a pot or basket to sit it in.  The base isn't too pretty.  But it adds some color and texture to the laundry room.  The trash can hides the base.

    

I am happy with my little laundry room redo!  Something simple 
that accomplished a whole lot!

Do you have a project to on your to do list?  Shop your garage maybe you'll find just what you need!

Happy Garage Shopping! 

Linking with the favorite parties 

Easter/Spring Link Party

Click Here

Come over and join the party.

The link will change on Sunday.  

Link your Spring posts!

Have a wonderful weekend

Tight Ropes and Teeter-Totters by Lisa Pennington-Book Review

About the book  (provided by Litfuse)

Do you wonder if you will ever find balance?

Lisa Pennington knows how to get up after losing her balance, even with a full house, a not-so-full bank account, and never enough energy. In her latest book, she offers readers:

-Strategies for finding balance in marriage, motherhood, and bad moods
-Playful yet biblically based tips for turning hard days around
-Inspiration for shaping obstacles into opportunities
-Ways to respond to irritations with gratitude
-Enthusiastic encouragement for living out God's purpose.

For every woman who wonders if her satisfaction in life will ever match her dreams, Pennington has real-life answers full of hope and humor.

Available

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * CBD * Books-A-Million * Parable

About the author 

Lisa Pennington is a homeschooling mom of nine who shares her life-one laundry load at a time-on her blog, The Pennington Point. She is a sought-after speaker at conferences and women's groups and is the author of "Mama Needs a Do-Over." Lisa and her family live near San Antonio.

Find out more about Lisa at thepenningtonpoint.com.

And I thought...

Most women are looking for a way to get it done and find a little balance in their lives and have probably felt they were walking a

'tight rope' or holding on to a 'teeter-totter' at one time or another.

Lisa Pennington shares a delightful resource with strategies and steps to follow to overcome stress, find balance and inspiration. 

The books 13 chapters are filled with topics like:

Being Married,  Motherhood, Home Sweet Home, Money Matters,

The Blessings of Friends and more. 

Some of the chapters are longer than others but all are broken up with stories and humor.  

This is a book that all women can enjoy.  

I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse.

This review will appear at retail sites where available and 

Good Reads.  

I enjoyed visiting the authors website.  Click here to visit.

To read more reviews visit Litfuse.  Click Here

Frugal Friday

 Welcome to my Friday Feature

Source

 I try to share on Fridays what I've done during the week to be frugal.  I was inspired by Laura who writes a weekly frugal post
on her blog Harvest Lane Cottage

I/we have made some frugal purchases the last few weeks. 

• When I delivered donations to our favorite resale shop I found seeds for .10 cents.  I have cucumbers, tomatoes, basil and spinach already sprouting in my green house room
• I don't buy books.  I read books for free for review.  Super frugal!

• One of our biggest expenses is food.  We are foodies.  I love finding a bargain at our grocery store. Here are a few . . .  3# crawfish     I will get at least three meals out of this ground beef. 
•   Pies for the neighbor who mows our grass I pay in pies.  I will make a quiche for us.  I bought 4 packages.
•  I used the recipe found  here for Olive Garden Salad Dressing.  I checked the price at our store today it is $5.29 for one bottle.  
• We buy puzzles at the resale store for $3.00 sometimes they are on 20% off 
•  A client gave me an orchid she was going to throw away because it was 'done' blooming.  Such waste.  In a few months with care it will bloom again. Today I saw orchids marked down at the grocery for $4.99.  I am waiting till they mark them $1.00 hopefully I will be there on the right day. 

It's fun for me to look back and see all the ways that I've provided meals, decor and entertainment while being thrifty and frugal. 

So have you been thrifty or frugal this week? It's much easier than you think.  Keep your eyes open and watch for bargains. 

Linking with a few favorite parties.

Complete list on my parties page.

Share Your Cup

The Art Of Homemaking

Let's Be Social 

Create With Joy

Share It One More Time 

Kill And Run-Lauren Carr-Book Review With Giveaway

About the book(provided by I Read Book Tours)

Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers together only to be killed.

Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton, USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims, then he can find their murderer.

The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night shift on the turnpike.

In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in Crime join newlyweds Lieutenant Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to sift through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning killer?

Available...
 Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble  ~  Add of Goodreads

And I thought...
I just keep repeating myself where Lauren Carr is concerned. 
I haven't read one that I didn't like love.  

Kill And Run is no exception.  I loved it.  

With each book Lauren takes the reader on a twisty and winding road of mystery.  

As with all of her books Lauren gives you a multitude of characters to develop the story line.  And she gives you a great cast of characters in the beginning to help you as you delve into the mystery(s).  

Kill And Run brought together the main characters from the 

Lovers In Crime Series Cameron (Murphy's stepmother) and Joshua (Murphy's father) and Jessica and Murphy.  

When Murphy is assigned to investigate the murder of a Navy 

Petty office and 4 other women he takes on the task with determination when he realizes that the Petty Officer left behind a young daughter Izzy who is immediately sent to a foster home that is a less than cozy and safe place to be.  

To keep her safe Murphy takes Izzy home.  I loved her character. 

She is tough and strong.  But she is just really a hurting little girl that loves animals.  Every animal in the Thornton household ends up adoring Izzy. 

When Joshua's father is brought into help with the current murders

Murphy and Jessica and Joshua and Cameron work together to   solve the crimes.     

The book ends with everything all wrapped up with all the crimes solved and a little bit of a cliff hanger leading toward the next book in the series.  

Kill And Run is fast paced keep you on the edge of your seat mystery.  It was a book that was hard to put down!   

I am on pins and needles waiting for the next one!  

Lauren's characters just beg to jump of the page and come and sit and chat with you over a cup of coffee.  At least I want to meet them.  
The character I wanted to chat with was Izzy.  Maybe not over coffee or tea.  More likely we'd have to share an ice cream 
Sundae!  

I received a complimentary copy from I Read Book Tours.

This review will be posted on retail sites where the book is available. 

This review will appear on Good Reads and My Reading Journey.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thankful Thursday

It's been a few weeks since I've been able to share a Thankful 

post. 

Today I am thankful that I have the time and energy to write a post.  I am thankful for my schedule settling down so I can post more.  

Today I am sitting in my creative space listening to a lawn mower. I am thankful for my neighbor.  He mows our grass.  I only have to pay him in 'sweet's and 'left overs'.  Cakes, pies, cookies.  Anything sweet and he's happy!  

I am thankful for our neighbors. 

I am thankful that the Cowboys job schedule is improving. We've struggled since he changed jobs the end of Oct.  He has begun 

'testing' now.  He enjoys it much better than teaching and he makes considerably more.  He teaches drivers ed.  His hours have

been 5-9.  I hate it.  Soon he will start working days. 

I am thankful for spring.  I can hear birds outside now that the mowing is over.  I took a picture of a robin today.  Welcome spring.  

I am thankful that the Cowboy is 'off' on Tuesday and makes dinner.  

That is the 'short list'.  

What are you thankful for today?

linking with Michelle for Thankful Thursday

Click here to visit or share your Thankful post

Wordless Wednesday-Add A Caption

Add A Caption

linking with 

The Wordless Parties

Camera Critters

Eileen's Camera Critters.