~What I Love About You! List~

It’s summer and time for my beautiful daughter to go off to camp for a week—I’m actually dropping her off today. Most parents relish the break but honestly I miss her sooooo much when she is gone and absolutely look forwarded to the day I go pick her up.

I always sneak something in her suitcase …this year I’ve decided to write a, What I Love About You list…

What I Love About You

1. Looking at you makes me smile.

2. You love your family, friends, & pets.

3. You love to climb trees and swim in the pond.

4. You laugh at all the silly things I say and do.

~type you soon~

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Too Funny Not to Share!!!

Well, I was going to blog about something totally different...then I stumble upon this... I couldn't stop laughing!

I do believe these girls are my long lost sisters. You really MUST read this it’s hilarious!

http://thebloggess.com/2011/06/and-thats-why-you-should-learn-to-pick-your-battles/

I love it when women "teach" their hubbies to choose their battles!

~type you soon~

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Why Not? with Shania Twain

I was channel surfing yesterday…and stumbled upon Why Not? with Shania Twain, on the OWN channel.  I don’t watch reality tv at all. I’m one of those people who have never seen the Survivor, Top Model, Amazing Race, The Bachelor, Jersey Shore, The Real Housewives, The Apprentice…you get the picture…but I landed right as Shania is speaking about how nervous she is to sing with Lionel Richie. I was very surprised to see her insecurity. I mean, Shania has broken damn near every record there is, she’s incredibly talented, and she’s unbelievably beautiful.  I couldn’t believe a woman of her caliber was questioning herself—I guess we are all human no matter how rich, talented, or beautiful we are.

I love strong women—just read any of my books and you’ll know that—and Shania is an amazingly strong, courageous, and remarkable woman. Her show is about overcoming fear, healing, perseverance, finding love, and fortunately it ends with a happy ending.  Shania’s journey reminded me of Amber in Across Eternity…

If you get the chance to watch an episode I encourage you to do so—it’s (she is) very inspiring.

~type you soon~

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~Second Hand Store Treasure~

This skirt has it all, there’s a little sequin, embroidery, and beading. I think it’s super cute! And it was only a buck!

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~Win A Copy of Across Eternity

The amazingly beautiful Trisha Wolfe is giving away a copy of Across Eternity! Head on over and check it out!

Trish Wolfe

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~From The Garden~

We have so many Strawberries. With the crazy weather I wasn’t sure how they would turn out. They are so sweet and delicious!

Here is the recipe for my favorite homemade shortcake.

Shortcake

2 cups of flour

½ cup sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ tea spoon salt

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold, and cut into pieces

1 large egg

¼ cup milk

5 tablespoon of cream or half & half—plus 1 tablespoon for brushing the shortcakes.

1 tablespoon of Raw sugar (for sprinkling over the top)

Preheat oven to: 375 degrees

In medium bowl sift flour,  ½ cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir with a fork to blend. Cut butter into the dry ingredients until butter is about the size of peas. If the butter seems to be getting warm, pop the entire bowl into the frig for a few minutes.

In a small bowl, lightly beat eggs; stir in milk and 5 tablespoons of cream.  Add to flour mixture. Use your fingers to incorporate wet ingredients into dry. The dough will be very sticky. Once the dry ingredients are evenly moistened, turned dough out onto lightly floured surface. Gently pat into 7 inch square about ¾” thick. I use a drinking glass to cut the shortcakes. Transfer rounds to an ungreased baking sheet, spacing the about 2” apart.

Brush tops with reserved cream and sprinkle with raw sugar. Bake for about 14-18  minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

~type you soon~

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~Walking~

This summer I’m making a valiant effort to walk more—a whole lot more. I walk a lot just around my house—gardening, cleaning, playing with the kids, but I’d love to set time aside for a nice stroll. Starting today, I will pick the farthest parking space, walk to the mailbox, and take my dogs to the river where I can walk as they play.

I was listening to a local Cardiologist on the radio and he said that he feels walking briskly is the BEST form of exercise for all ages. He broke it down very nicely. If you want to maintain your weight—walk 30 minutes a day. If you want to lose weight walk 1 hour a day. He then suggested if you’d like, every 5 minutes or so do a brisk/fast walk for 2 minutes. He said really that’s all the average person needs to do to improve their personal health or maintain health. I like the simplicity of it.

There is a huge trend to walk barefooted: check out this article….

You want to see how walk friendly your town is… Get Your Walk Score: http://www.walkscore.com/

~type you soon~

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~Win a Copy of Across Eternity~

Cheryl over at  CMash Loves To Read  is hosting a giveway of 2 copies of Across Eternity so head on over and enter....you just may be a winner!

~type you soon~

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~La Jeune Martyre (The Young Martyr)~

I saw this print a few weeks ago and I just can’t stop thinking about it. I LOVE looking at her! I'm on the hunt for a beautifully framed and matted print!

 It’s called The Young Martyr and it is by Paul Delaroche. It was painted in 1855. The painting is a depiction of the death of a young female Christian Martyr in the 3rd Century A.D during the reign of the Roman Emperor Dioletian. This painting is sometimes referred to as the Christian Ophelia because of its resemblance to Shakespeare’s character Ophelia in Hamlet. The similarities lie in the assumption that both characters drowned. One difference is that Ophelia took her own life while The Young Martyr had her life taken from her.

The painting, although undoubtedly beautiful is also disturbing. It is disturbing not only for its subject matter, but because there is something so life-like about the girl despite the obvious fact that she is dead. When looking at the painting, it feels as if she has only just died. The feeling evoked is so strong; one almost feels that if only one could have been present a few seconds previously one might have been able to prevent her death. There is a dark figure in the upper left hand corner that appears to be a man on a horse riding away. Presumably, he is the instrument of The Young Martyr’s untimely demise.

~type you soon~

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