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Friday, June 30, 2017

The glory of a good tale...

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I LOVE this quote from Stephen King! I also happen to agree with it. In addition to a good tale belonging to each reader, I believe the tale can speak to a reader differently each time she or he reads the tale. This has been true for me on more than one occasion.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Words are magic

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This week twenty years ago Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released in the United Kingdom. I, for one, am so, so grateful for the magic that J.K. Rowling created with her Harry Potter series. I clearly recall hearing all sorts of excitement and buzz about a Harry Potter book. When I did the second book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was either about to come out or just had. So of course I grabbed the first book and read it. I have never looked back and waited with excitement and some impatience for the release of each new book. I went to midnight release parties and introduced many friends to the books.

My husband and I were coming home from our honeymoon when Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was released. He immediately drove us to Borders so I could get my book and we enjoyed the midnight release together. Our kids attended the last two release parties with us. They don't remember that, of course, but they do remember going to the midnight release party of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child last summer. So yes, Harry Potter has meant the world to them through their childhood. In fact, my oldest is currently reading through the books on her own and loving it. To say this franchise has been important in my life over the last twenty years would be an understatement. I am eternally happy and grateful for the fact that J.K. Rowling created a series of books about The Boy Who Lived and shared him and his friends with the world.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Teaser Tuesday: Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas



Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas:

Nick Gentry, risking his life for someone else... it was difficult to imagine. How much easier it would have been to think of Gentry as purely a villain. One could ruminate about him for weeks and still not come to a definite conclusion - was he a good man acting as a bad one, or a bad man acting as a good one?

Monday, June 26, 2017

Reading equals breathing

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Musing Monday: Poolside reading

 Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by The Purple Booker that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:
  • I’m currently reading…
  • Up next I think I’ll read…
  • I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
  • I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
  • I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
  • I can’t wait to get a copy of…
  • I wish I could read ___, but…
  • I blogged about ____ this past week…


This week's random question: What is your favorite spot to read during the summer?

I love to read poolside during the summer! I thoroughly enjoy reading whatever book I'm engrossed in - either before or after I swim - while still being with my family and hearing their continued joy. It's peaceful and I feel quite content while reading outside by the pool.

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Sunday, June 25, 2017

A new way of editing

I have heard time and time again that it is helpful to print out a physical copy of something when editing. I was reluctant to do this for a long time because of the cost involved. However, this past week, thanks to a friend sharing her discount, I printed out my entire manuscript, had it three-hole punched and put it in a binder. When I sat down to revise I started at the beginning again rather than about one-third of the way through it where I was. It's amazing but I immediately found things I wanted to change that made the story better and perhaps even stronger.

I've heard that the eye sees things it misses while reading a paper copy rather than reading and trying to edit on a computer screen. I have absolutely no idea why that is and the opinions about it seem to be varied. However, I can say that editing on paper is definitely working for me. Even more of a revelation to me is that I am actually enjoying the editing now. Hopefully that continues and I can get through the revisions more quickly then get this manuscript finally submitted.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Journal supplies

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There's a stationer's store in Seattle called J.B. Welly. They sell incredible journal and art supplies. Someday when I go up to visit my family I am going to visit their physical location, as well. In the meantime I order from them online store. Their supplies are gorgeous and I've gotten Leuchtturm1917 journals and Pilot Metropolitan pens. The customer service is amazing, the prices are fair and my orders have arrived quickly. As a bonus, they always wrap their products in beautiful, luscious paper! It is like Christmas morning or my birthday each time I receive a package from them! It's not a necessary detail but it is one that I appreciate SO MUCH! If you're interested they have an online store at http://www.jbwelly.com

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Color play

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I had way too much fun playing in my yarn this afternoon. I was deciding on the colors I want to use for the Attic24 Summer Harmony Blanket. I've started making the little first rounds of each square already and can't wait to get back to this bright and cheerful project!

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Teaser Tuesday: The Wicked Duke



Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from The Wicked Duke by Madeline Hunter:

Then it was over and he was kissing her. The bright fog disappeared, leaving her in front of a crowd of strangers being kissed by a duke who was, unbelievably, her husband. 

Monday, June 19, 2017

Musing Monday: The Wicked Trilogy

 Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by The Purple Booker that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:
  • I’m currently reading…
  • Up next I think I’ll read…
  • I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
  • I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
  • I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
  • I can’t wait to get a copy of…
  • I wish I could read ___, but…
  • I blogged about ____ this past week…


Over the past couple of weeks I have been reading historical romances by Madeline Hunter. I've read her in the past so I knew I liked her style. However, for some reason it had been a long time since I'd read a historical romance. I decided I was in the mood for one but didn't know which one I wanted to read. So I went to the library and came across The Wicked trilogy by Madeline Hunter. I've now read the first two books in the series: His Wicked Reputation and Tall, Dark and Wicked. They were both fantastic, entertaining reads for me. In fact, I gave Tall, Dark and Wicked a 5 star rating on Good Reads. Now I have begun the third book in the trilogy The Wicked Duke and I am already enjoying it.

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Stairs

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.These stairs - and two other sets similar to this one - are at a park near my house. My husband has been climbing up and down them as part of his exercise regime for a couple of weeks now. He challenged me to do them and I accepted. It's 416 steps round trip. I walked from our home to the park, went up and down theses stairs and walked home. It was a heck of a workout that I am still feeling the day after! I can't wait to do this again - probably tomorrow. 

Happiness

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I love this quote. I know sometimes it can be hard - like when my kids are having their umpteenth fight of the day or traffic is so hideous I want to pull out my hair or someone I love is having a scary health issue - but I do think it's possible to find something positive in every day. I think the positive and often the small things make for the big and happy. That makes life enjoyable. Don't you think?

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Quiet the mind

Colorful geometric mandala with quote

Iwas looking at images of mandalas earlier because honestly I'm a little bit addicted to them right now! They are all so gorgeous and intricate! I wish I could draw one but that is not where my talent lies - at all. I am happy that I can crochet them, though. While I was looking at the images I came across this one with this quote and I love it! 

"Quiet the mind and the soul will speak."

I believe this to be true even if it's a somewhat difficult thing for me to achieve. I have been on a journey of mindfulness - for a while really but intentionally for about eight months. I have a ways to go but am happy to make progress each day. 

Mandala progress

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I love this mandala more with each round that I complete! Part of me is tempted to finish it right at this point because I love it so but I am going to finish it. I love the look of the finished mandala. It'll probably be done in the next couple of days because I am a little bit addicted to making this right now. Plus, I want to make another one for a special person as a gift and I'd need to get on that rather quickly. Have a lovely weekend everyone! 

Friday, June 16, 2017

New bookcase

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My husband bought me a new bookcase. He even put it together for me! Then I organized my books and loaded this case with my favorite books and favorite authors. There's also a shelf on the bottom that has all of my writing resource books, crochet books and biographies - basically nonfiction. 

Now I can see exactly which books I have by my favorite authors and which ones I still want to get. Yay, for organization and books. All the books! 

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Dead Men Tell No Tales

We saw the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie today and it is awesome!

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Teaser Tuesday: Tall, Dark and Wicked by Madeline Hunter



Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from Tall, Dark and Wicked by Madeline Hunter:

"Miss Belvoir, I am not here for anything having to do with me. I am concerned for you. There may be more to all of this than either of us knows."

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Friday, June 9, 2017

Moon

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I took this picture of the moon this evening. I thought it looked so haunting yet beautiful. 

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Beautiful mandala

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I am so in love with this gorgeous mandala and this is only one-fourth of it! I'm kind of addicted to making it at he moment! I'm already imagining it in other colorways (although this one is perfect as it combines my favorites colors along with those of my daughters!). I'm also playing with the idea of making gifts. I'll be sure to share it again.

Sunday, June 4, 2017

A billion bad words

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I love Ray Bradbury! He has/had awesome writing advice that agree with. This quote helps me to remember to persevere, to hang in there. I'll keep going, keep following my path and chasing my dream. I will succeed!

Saturday, June 3, 2017

I finished a square

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LOL! This is the first twelve inch crochet square I've completed since January. I love it!

Thursday, June 1, 2017

June

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HOW is it June already? Seriously, 2017 is flying by! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE June and I am happy that it is here. It means summer vacation, trips to the beach, a more relaxed schedule, my wedding anniversary, lots of swimming and sleeping in. Summer means a more relaxed schedule and the vibe is pleasant. Oh, June also means a lot more reading for my kids and I. I'm happy June is here it just seems like it happened REALLY fast!