Menu Plan Monday 8/27

I am soo happy to be on track with Menu Planning. I was so less stressed last week then the past 4 months of no menu planning. We stayed on menu and didn't sway too much. I have this week planned, just have to go shopping for a few things tomorrow when hubby gets paid.

 Here is our menu for this week: Weekly Menu Plan 8/26-9/1

For more Menu Plans and Recipes visit:

 

Menu Plan Monday 8/27

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LitFuse Blog Tour: The Stars Shine Bright Sibella Giorello

About the Book:

After the FBI suspends her for bending its rules, Special Agent Raleigh Harmon is looking for a chance to redeem her career and re-start her life.

Sent undercover to a thoroughbred horse track, Raleigh takes on a double life to find out who’s fixing the races. But when horses start dying and then her own life is threatened, Raleigh realizes something bigger—and more sinister—is ruining Emerald Meadows.

She’s never felt more alone.

Her one contact with the FBI is Special Agent Jack Stephanson, a guy who seems to jump from antagonistic to genuine friend depending on the time of day. And she can’t turn to her family for support. They’re off-limits while she’s undercover, and her mother isn’t speaking to her anyway, having been confined to a mental hospital following a psychotic breakdown. Adding insult to her isolation, Raleigh’s fiancé wants them to begin their life together—now—precisely when she’s been ordered not to be herself.

With just days left before the season ends, Raleigh races to stop the killing and find out who’s behind the track’s trouble, all the while trying to determine if Jack is friend or foe, and whether marrying her fiancé will make things better—or worse.

Raleigh is walking through the darkest night she’s faced, searching for a place where the stars shine bright.

Buy the Book

About the Author:

Sibella Giorello grew up in the mountains of Alaska admiring the beauty and nature that surrounded her. She majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts hoping to learn more about the landscape she loved back home. From there Sibella followed a winding path, much like the motorcycle ride she took across the country, which led to her true love, journalism.

She found herself in Seattle writing for rock-n-roll magazine and earned a journalism degree from the University of Washington before heading south to the land of great stories.

In Virginia, Sibella became a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. It was there she also met her husband and would hear Jesus whispering her name at a tent revival.

Sibella started writing about Raleigh Harmon as a way to keep her love of story-telling alive while staying at home with her young sons. As a journalist and author, her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. The Stones Cry Out, the first Raleigh Harmon novel, won a Christy award for debut novel in 2008. Sibella now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons.

Visit Sibella Giorello online 

My Thoughts and Review:

CAPTIVATING and WONDERFUL is the best way to describe this book!! I really didn't know what to expect as I began reading this book, as Mystery and Suspense is normally not a Genre I read. I usually steer clear from this Genre, but I have felt the need to "Branch out" lately and explore other Genre of books that I normally don't read. I am VERY glad I decided to choose this book as it really was filled with suspense and mystery which kept me intrigued and interested.

The main character, Raleigh Harmon, really makes the book inticing. Raleigh is a woman who has lots of "spunk" and really has no fear. Because she is undercover for her job, she learns how to be "sneaky yet professional". I am very impressed with the authors ability to really bring out the characters of this book and show the many wonderful traits about the characters.

The Stars Shine Bright is the fifth book in the Raleigh Harmon Series and now I want to go back and read the first 4 books! I thought that it would take me forever to finish this book which is just about 400 pages long, but it was so intriguing and well written, that it took me only a couple of days! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book as part of my participation in the LitFuse Blog Tour Program. I was only required to give an honest review. I received no other compensation and my opinions are my own. 

LitFuse Blog Tour: The Stars Shine Bright Sibella Giorello

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Simple Woman's Daybook 8/21

Outside my Window: The Sun is brightly shining and the temp is just PERFECT! Looking forward to going for a walk with the boys in a bit.

I am thinking: I really hope the Drs. figure out what exactly is making my Dad's foot swell massively. He has been dealing with this since Mid-May and even spent 2 months in a rehab facility.

I am THANKFUL: My brother! He has been HOME for almost 2 weeks now after being away for 16yrs! He has a lot of adjusting to do, but he is adjusting quite well in these 2 short weeks! He is living with my parents and being of a help to them.

In the Kitchen: Tonight is Taco Tuesday night! See the rest of our menu for the week: Menu for 8/19-8/25

I am wearing: A pair of red cotton gym shorts and a black tank top. I will change to shorts and a t-shirt when the boys and I go for a walk.

I am creating: I am working on getting things in order for our 2012-2013 School Year. Lesson Plans, schedules, and printing a ton of stuff. This will be on-going all this week.

I am going: The boys and I have to take a walk to go get a few things and I will let them play in the park. I also have to go down to my parents place later today to fill in for my dad at his Tuesday night job. He works at a local neighborhood paper and is in charge of making sure his delivery staff is getting out on the streets for delivery. It is for a few hours!

I am wondering: How to get our family back on a better routine?? We have been soo busy all summer helping my parents out that our routine has been LONG gone! Need to fix this fast!

I am reading: I have a stack of books from the library, but haven't had any time to read lately. Hoping to get back into reading within the next week! I am an AVID reader and this year I haven't been able to get much reading done, except for book reviews. Been a very busy year!

I am hoping: The boys adjust to a routine soon and that they have better attitudes toward our Homeschool Curriculum and Homeschooling in general this coming year.

I am looking forward to: A WONDERFUL and Productive 2012-2013 Homeschool Year. We will begin on September 4th, the day after Labor Day.

In the Learning Room:  Nothing right now! We are finally getting a relaxing break after a long, busy summer.

Around the house: I have done a MAJOR declutter and cleaning of our entire apartment over the last week. I took 1 room a day and just went to town. I tend to be a "saver", packrat, and I actually threw a TON of stuff out this time! I have one more room to accomplish, which is the Kitchen. Hubby and I are going to tackle that room this weekend.

I am pondering: A LOT!! I have had a lot on my mind lately and my mind has been racing wtih lots of thoughts of different things.

A Favorite Quote for Today: I saw this quote online over the past couple of days and had to create a mini poster for myself. This is ohhh soo true in our household. Matter of fact, as I was creating it one of my boys came up to me and asked me to find their DSi.

One of my Favorite Things: PicMonkey  PicMonkey is still quite new, but I LOVE IT! I used to use Picnik, but Picnik was closed in April as it was purchased by Google products. PicMonkey was created by a few former employees of PicNik and I actually like it better then I ever did PicNik. Very user friendly, lots of different and fun features! A blogger that has some nice tutorials on using PicMonkey.

A few plans for the rest of the Week: Wednesday the boys and I are taking the van and going down to my parents to help my brother with a few things. We are also going to the Museum of Science and Industry. Thursday-Saturday we will stay close to home and depending on the weather those days we will go out to parks or stay in and get things done.

A picture to share: 

My New Smile from Full Mouth Dentures

Simple Woman's Daybook 8/21

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Menu Plan Monday 8/20

WOW, it has been about 4 months since I last did menu planning. I just haven't had to the time to do menu planning or very much of anything else. I have been taking care of both of my parents who had foot injuries. My parents are feeling better and for the past 2 weeks I haven't been so busy, except for catching up on things in my household. A Major Deep Cleaning/Decluttering happened last week and now this week is cathcing up on my blog and homeschooling planning! Here is our menu for this week: Weekly Menu Plan 8/19-8/25 For more weekly Menu Plans and Recipes visit:

 

Menu Plan Monday 8/20

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LitFuse Blog Tour: Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan by Melanie Dobson

About the Book:
As the Gilded Age comes to a close, Elena Bissette's once-wealthy family has nearly lost its fortune. The Bissettes still own a home on fashionable Mackinac Island, where they will spend one last summer in the hope of introducing Elena to a wealthy suitor. But Elena is repulsed by the idea of marrying for money.

Quickly tiring of the extravagant balls, Elena spends most evenings escaping back into Mackinac's rugged forest. There she meets Chase, a handsome laborer who shares her love for the night sky. The two begin to meet in secret at an abandoned lighthouse, where they work together to solve a mystery buried in the pages of a tattered diary.

As Elena falls in love with Chase, her mother relentlessly contrives to introduce her to Chester Darrington, the island's most eligible bachelor. Marriage to the elusive millionaire would solve the Bissettes' financial woes, and Elena is torn between duty and love.

 Buy the Book

About the Author: 
Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside's Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense).

Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years.

Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.

When Melanie isn't writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

For more about Melanie Dobson and her books, visit Melanie Dobson.

My Thoughts and Review:

I LOVE Historical Fiction and this book was no exception! I am from the Midwest and although I have never been to Mackinac Island, I now feel that I have after reading this book. I really enjoyed the Storyline which is one that proves that the Characters are given tough choices and in the end make a choice of the heart rather one of greed and desire. The many twists and turns in this book really capture my attention and I couldn't put the book down.

I am so glad that this was part of my Summer Reading, seeing that I LOVE Summer and LOVE settings as are in this book! GREAT read! 4.5 stars out of 5!! I am now very interested in reading more of the Love Finds You series!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as part of my participation in the LitFuse Blog Tour Program. I was only required to give an honest review. I received no other compensation and my opinions are my own.  

LitFuse Blog Tour: Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan by Melanie Dobson

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MOMumental by Jennifer Grant (Book Review and Giveaway)

Do you ever feel that you "HAVE" to be the Perfect Mom? Do you ever find yourself "trying to keep up with Joneses" in fear of being judged? Well, MOMumental- Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family" by Jennifer Grant is a must read book for you!

I recently had the oppurtunity to read this book and I throughly enjoyed the book! The book is comprised of "real life" parenting situations from Mrs. Grant's family life and her experiences as a MOM. Jennifer tells of how growing up she dreamed of being a wife and mother and had the idea of a "perfect family and MOM". Jennifer soon realizes that God's plan for us is the better plan of trying to be the "PERFECT MOM". Jennifer's writing is humorous, encouraging and wonderful.

I know I struggle with "Doing things right" so that I am not judged by others, but I also know that I have not allow "standards" to rule me and my parenting style. I really enjoyed MOMumental, as it is a book that doesn't leave you feeling like you are doing everything wrong. I was actually able to relate to many of the stories and it left me encouraged and realizing that many families are just like my family, we all have our "moments" and though those times can try to create havoc, if we just sit back and relax it will all be fine. Even through all our "failures" parenthood also brings about many joys. The most important thing I took from reading MOMumental was that saying YES to our kids when we really want to say NO can actually build the family up and the family can enjoy fun times together! I give this book 5 out of 5 Stars!!

About the Author

Jennifer Grant is mother to four children and author of Love You More: The Divine Surprise of Adopting My Daughter (2011). For more than a decade she wrote for papers in the Sun-Times newsgroup. Currently she freelances for the Chicago Tribune and is a regular contributor to hermeneutics, Christianity Today magazine's blog for women. Grant is a Wheaton College graduate who received her master's in English and Creative Writing from Southern Methodist University. She lives outside of Chicago, IL.

You can read the first Chapter and see a glimpse of the great humor and candidness in the book: Chapter 1

MOMumental is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever books are sold.

The publishing company, Worthy Publishing, has provided me with a copy of MOMumental to giveaway to one lucky blog reader. Here is your chance to enter a copy:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book FREE of charge from Worthy Publishing via HandleBar Marketing. I was only required to give an honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.

MOMumental by Jennifer Grant (Book Review and Giveaway)

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Kregel Publications Blog Tour: Legacy Road by Graham Garrison

Publishers Description of the Book:

Wes Watkins’s journalism career took off  when he was asked to eulogize Michael Gavin, a stranger to Wes but a hometown hero to the humble folks of Talking Creek, Georgia. While researching Gavin’s life, Wes was confronted with an estranged relationship of his own that he wasn’t prepared to address, having ignored for years the occasional letters from his imprisoned father. Wes has chosen to focus instead on his growing career and his budding relationship with Emmy. His life is looking up . . . until his marriage proposal to Emmy goes south.

Left to wonder if he can reconcile with Emmy before she is deployed to Afghanistan, Wes can no longer avoid the other reconciliation that troubles him. But when Wes uncovers a painful truth about his parents’ past, patching things up with his father may prove impossible. Wes’s life is close to spiraling out of control. Will Wes learn to forgive? Or will the best year of his life turn into the worst?

Set against the haunting backdrop of several Civil War battlefields, Legacy Road is a grace-full exploration of hidden secrets—and what happens when they are revealed. Th rough the ups and downs of human relationships, of family ties lost and found, southern fi ction fans will ponder the age-old question: How do you forgive others—and release yourself—from a past that threatens to destroy you?

About the Author:

Graham Garrison is the author of Hero’s Tribute and has published articles in six newspapers and eight magazines, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, America’s Civil War, Georgia Physician, and Boating World.

Buy the Book: Legacy Road by Graham Garrison

My Thoughts and Review: 
Legacy of Road is the sequel to a Hero's Tribute. I did not read the first book, but I was able to enjoy this book alot! I really enjoyed the main characters and their interactions. Graham Garrison really bought up a good theme in this book and that is the forgiveness and also the bond between father and son. I was reading this book and it really "hit home" for me as my husband had a "rocky relationship" with his Dad and it wasn't until 5 months before my husband's dad passed away that there was forgivness and a small step in repairing a broken relationship. I am glad, that just like the book, my husband had the oppurtunity to forgive his dad! I think this book is a great book for all, but is especially good for men and boys to read. The Father/Son bond is one that I really think is missing in today's world and I think this book does a great job on stressing the importance of that bond. 

I must admit it did take me some time to really engulf this book, but once I got past the first couple of chapters, there was no stopping me!! I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars!


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book FREE of charge for my participation in the Kregel Publications Blog Tour Program. I was only required to give an honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own. 

Kregel Publications Blog Tour: Legacy Road by Graham Garrison

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