A Homemade Christmas

This Holiday Season was difficult for me, more so than last year even. I just didn't want to do anything.

Which is one reason I decided to make gifts this year, instead of buy them. I worked on homemade gifts all of December and even opened an Etsy shop to sell some items. I had over 14 sales so I was happy. :) Anyhow, I didn't take as many photos of the gifts before giving them so will sneak over to my mom's house and snap some photos and write a whole post of my new venture very soon, including a link to my Etsy shop once I get it organized! (Hint: It's hand stamped and it's jewelry!)

I wasn't the only one that was a busy little elf this December. My sister Rachel made these awesome books...out of bricks!!! This picture doesn't do them justice as they really, really look like actual books! A spine, cover, and back cover (and pages on opposite side of spine!). She made a collection of the Pooh books for me, with my favorite quotes on back, and a huge Star Wars Trilogy book for Ben. So many options with these...outside in a garden, used for a doorstop, a pile on the porch, etc.  

My sister Emily used these small boards that she had gotten from my Grandma's scrap bin after she had passed away to paint a special Bible verse. Double special.

My brother made a lot of special homemade gifts, such as car emblems, drinking glasses, and t-shirts. Another brother gave out gift certificates to our favorite local restaurant. My mom got me the perfect mug with my favorite Bible verse. It was such a special, personalized Christmas. Not because of the gifts, but because of the gift of each person present. The love. The I totally get you and what you like awareness. LOVE.

And as Amy rocked on her new horse and the kids built their new toys, and as I drank coffee on the couch and took it all in I obviously felt the immense empty spot that Jacob leaves.  

 

But I also felt the stillness. The peace. The presence of God. Jacob is with Him and HE is with us...which comforts me greatly. So as we celebrated Christmas I thanked God for his greatest gift of all - the chance to all be together again someday. 
 

Nature Girl

My 11 year old daughter has always been the "nature girl", it's even what my mom called her after finding out that she would play outside for hours in the summer, carrying around her bird identification book and pretending to be a bird. When I saw the book Nature Girl by Karen Whiting and Rebecca White I knew it would be something she loved.

What I like best about this book is that it isn't just about caring for the earth, but about caring for God's earth. It brings to light an environmental as well as a moral concern. As a homeschooling mother I wanted to incorporate this into our science lessons immediately upon receiving it.

It's a fun book. Filled with facts, projects, and crafts you barely know that you are learning because you are too busy having fun. Becca was spouting the fun facts off to me from another room and pointing out several projects that she hopes to do. It got her even more excited about nature and she has learned a lot from this book. Even I read through it when it arrived, finding it interesting though I am well above the age group this book was written for (mainly tweens). I think it would be great for a whole family to read together as it isn't exactly "girly" to me.

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

  

U.S. Cellular Hottest Apps

This was the first year that I've had a smart phone (iPhone 5s) during the holidays. What's strange is that it actually does make things simpler at times! For example, I've been using it to take and store my photos. Then I use the app Chatbooks to order an adorable little bound book of my Instagram photos. For $6 shipped! So much cheaper than printing photos and buying an album and much cuter, I think. Amy even has her own book that she looks through over and over and over again.

Have you ever thought about giving apps or accessories as gifts though? It never crossed my mind until this holiday season. The majority of the population (yes, even teens and younger) have phones and ipads and it there are products that are both beneficial as well as educational that can be gifted. 

*Beats Solo HD 2 Headphones are all the rage these days, it's no longer the mini earbuds!

*An app for those that love grilling?! Yes, seriously! iGrill gives you tips, ideas, and helps you while you are grilling. The customizable alarm even lets you know when your steak is perfectly done.

*You no longer need game consoles when you can use a controller to play games with your smartphone! Moga Pro Power not only lets you play, but charges your phone as you play!

*For those who don't have a mobile device yet but are begging for one, U.S. Cellular has all the season must-haves including the Samsung Galaxy S5, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and iPad Air.

Why not think of gifts that keep giving throughout the year? What is your favorite app? Why?

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by U.S. Cellular Blogger Brigade but all opinions and thoughts are my own.  
 

Little Lace Box December Review

After hearing about the Little Lace Box and their awesome November box, I had to subscribe! 

I haven't been feeling PopSugar Must Have anymore. While some of their boxes this year were great, most items seem more general now and not extra special. So I decided to switch over to the Little Lace Box, which is the same price ($39.99 a month) to see how I liked them. I also was able to use a discount code so got this box for $29.99. 

My box arrived later than other bloggers so I had already seen spoilers before opening the box today. I wasn't too impressed from the spoilers but still thought it looked worth the $29.99 I had spent. Included in the December box was:

*Three Sisters Apothecary soap ($3.99). Different scents were in different boxes and I received the Lemongrass, which smells amazing!!!! It's a tiny bar of soap, probably something I wouldn't buy on my own, but certainly a little special item that I'm loving!

*Fresh Water Pearl Bracelet by Stia Couture ($34.99) This bracelet is made of 14-carat, 18-gauge, gold-filled wire and fresh water pearls. 

*Fresh Water Pearl Necklace by Susan Meier Jewelry ($48.99). It features freshwater pearls in a classic, simple oval shape with two single gold plated pyrite stones. the chain is 14-carat gold-filled. I honestly wasn't too stoked to get two pearl jewelry pieces in my box, which is why the spoilers didn't excite me. They seemed too delicate to be the type of jewelry I wear.

After receiving the box today I changed my tune. They are delicate pieces, but holding them I realized they can be heirlooms for my girls. I plan to wear them on special occasions and then pass one to each of my daughters either when they turn 16 or get married (whichever comes first...haha...I kid!!). Because every girl should have some pearls.   

*Whitney English Mini Day Designer ($48.99). I'm not sure why this is considered mini as it is a good size (think large cookbook sized). I've been wanting an Erin Condren planner for the past year but did not want to pay $60+ for a planner! This Day Designer seems to be almost the exact same, yet scores bonus points for not being dated (unlike the EC ones that are for 365 days in a particular year). I like it undated much better...I can either use a page a day, or a week, depending on how much I have planned. 

I'm actually quite excited about this planner and love the sturdiness, the envelope in the front cover to store important papers, and the way the pages/notes are laid out, along with an encouraging quote on each page. I would have been happy with just this for $29.99!!

So after receiving my box today I am much happier than I was when seeing the spoilers. I love this box! I love how this box is curated by three sisters and seems to put that special touch in their selections. These are not items that I have ever seen in another subscription box! Total value of this box (including the Priority shipping), was $148.76!! Total score for the $29.99 I paid.

The January Little Lace Box theme is out and it is....drum roll..."The Dining Car", to commemorate the beginning of the fifth season of Downton Abbey. It's all about vintage and beauty and you. Be still my heart, this sounds like my type of theme! I can't wait to see what it includes! I hear that it's sold out on the monthly program (though those signing up for a yearly plan can still receive it) but if you subscribe soon you can ask to be put on the waiting list for this box and keep your fingers crossed that you get one of the Dining Car boxes. And if you go here and use the code LLB10 you can get $10.00 off your first box, making it just $29.99. That's an incredible value for the type of items this box has been sending out!

Disclaimer: Referral links included in this post. 

Old Fashioned

Old Fashioned by Rene Gutteridge (based on a Screenplay by Rik Swartzwelder) is the first book I have read based on a screenplay. It's a bit different, because while reading it you totally see it more as a movie than a book. But in a good way. 

"Turning his back on his reckless lifestyle, former frat boy Clay Walsh has settled down to run an antique shop in a small Midwestern college town...and to pursue lofty and outdated theories on love and romance. But when Amber Hewson, a free-spirited woman with a gypsy soul, rents the apartment above his shop, Clay can't help being attracted to her spontaneous and passionate embrace of life."

As the interview with Rik in the back states, "I'd say I believed there was a story that wasn't being told at all and I felt compelled to try." THIS sums the book up perfectly. In a day when sex and lust is in every story, every movie, every aspect of our life it was refreshing to read a book that showed love and not lust, purity instead of sex. 

With that said, it seems the ball was dropped in normalizing purity. The fact is, sexual abstinence and old-fashioned romance is rare these days, but making the main character so weird in his ideas almost pokes fun at the idea of purity. Going to a marriage counselor on a first date? A financial adviser on a second date? It seems more like a spoof than a story of a man wanting to do right.

I love the idea of a person changing from a wild life to a more chaste one. I love the idea of a book showing a couple who decides to wait for sex until marriage. Or even a couple being careful with how far they will go while dating.

But this book seems so far fetched. One, without giving a big piece of the plot away, is I don't believe that Clay's previous girlfriend would have dated him at all when she was waiting until marriage to have sex, yet he was a complete creep (once you find out what his "job" was you will understand). I know good girls often go for the bad boys but that part of the story didn't jive at all.

Second, the ending was too romanticized. I get it, it's based on a movie where you either have to go big or go home, but it was quite unbelievable. I didn't even understand why or how the "sand" at the end got in the story (again, you'll have to read it to understand this reference). 

With all the negatives said, I did enjoy the book. I liked how different it was than the typical love stories. I just wish it has normalized purity instead of turning it into an extreme case of weirdness. I do look forward to the movie and think it's kind of neat that it will be opening the same weekend as "Fifty Shades of Grey". Two extreme views competing against each other. 

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.    
 

Novel Interiors

What is better than reading a novel? Living in a house decorated around one! Novel Interiors by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti is a beautiful book highlighting rooms/homes that are inspired by literature.  "You don't just read a good book, you inhabit it."

This book is filled with gorgeous photographs. Also quotes from over sixty works of literature, which help tie in even the smallest decorating element.  

Can't you just imagine what the room from Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence should look like with this passage from the book: "He was rather proud of his home...The chairs were only wooden, and the sofa was old...{but} there was a simplicity in everything and plenty of books." 

What about "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers...Look at these maple branches. Don't they give you a thrill- several thrills? I'm going to decorate my room with them." Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

This is the perfect coffee table book for any book lover and designer. Such original, classic ideas tying our love for reading into a relaxing home in which to read. :)

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest review.

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
 At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.
 But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.
 As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself—her—is suddenly in danger of slipping away.
 The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

   I'm a sucker for chick-lit, especially one with such a delicious cover and dealing with one of my favorite topics...cupcakes! I instantly gravitated to this book. Reality tv cupcake competitions are another delight of mine so the book seemed like a perfect score.
    I was pulled in from the beginning and thoroughly enjoyed the book until about half way through. While I knew this book would be a bit fluffy, as are many chick-lit/romance, I begin to get frustrated with the characters, as well as with the author herself. She took two loveable characters and made them seem less naive' about love and a little more like stupid. Both have feelings for each other yet both don't want to ruin the friendship by bringing it up in case the other does not feel the same way. This continued throughout much of the book to the point that I wanted to roll my eyes. "Just friends" don't sit there brushing hair out of each others eyes, or having tickle fights, or having so much touching going on. The mystery of their attraction was too forced and too present for either of them not to notice.
   The end, having to tie up loose ends, seemed to move too quickly for me. Suddenly the reality show airs on television within a few days of the taping? Things with the cupcake shop get heated and settled within a few days time as well? It wasn't realistic and I felt as though the middle of the story could have been dragged out less which would have allowed for more closure in the end.
   With that said, it still was a lovely book and since one does expect a little cheesy aspect to chick-lit romance I won't fault this book for that. I liked the story-line and appreciated that the romance in the book stayed pure, something one would hope with a Christian book. I actually hope that the author decides to do a sequel so that we can follow these characters into their future.
   This book would appeal to any chick-lit/light romance fan. This is a quick read which may be a bit predictable but is fun nonetheless. 

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  

In the Heart of the Dark Wood

"Almost two years have passed since twelve-year old Allie Granderson's beloved mother, Mary, disappeared into the wild tornado winds. Her body has never been found." In the Heart of the Dark Wood by Billy Coffey

And so begins the adventure of a girl, her friend, and her dog who follow the compass, given to her by her mother shorty before her disappearance, which suddenly begins working again two years after it stopped.

This is such a hard book to review. It kept me riveted to it's pages, yet I disliked the ending. 

It's a very supernatural book, with a Christian slant. Yet, I didn't get the feeling at the end that the story was Christian at all. The main focus didn't seem to be "good" at all (really I could say so much more on this but don't want to give away the plot!).

I loved the boy in the book. He reminds me so much of my Jacob that I rooted for him throughout the whole book, whereas I really started to dislike Allie. 

The tromp through the woods soon became quite tedious. It seemed too drawn out, too repetitive. 

I suppose I was looking for a symbolism that just never came. In the end I was like "what?!" Had it just been a supernatural book, and not Christian, I would have been perfectly happy with the ending. I was looking for more.

With all those negatives I still was pulled into this book and had to know how it ended. That is the sign of a good book to me. :)

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.    
 

Laundry Routine

Laundry is a bit of a no-brainer and I doubt you need a tutorial on how to do yours. But since it's basically the only part of my housework that I have down to an exact science I felt like sharing my routine with you. :)

It's the one chore that I enjoy (except for the putting it away part). 

I have a nice sized laundry room right off the kitchen, which makes this job a little easier. We throw our dirty clothes in a hamper in the bathroom and upstairs, which then gets sorted in a separated hamper in the laundry room. All kids clothes together, all my clothes together, all Ben's clothes together, and then all towels together. I do not separate by color and so far have had no problems because of this.

When one part gets full I do a load of laundry (it averages 1 to 2 loads a day). I wash on cold (except for towels, which gets hot).

In the summer I try to hang out everything on the line, weather permitting. In winter I hang as much as I can on a garment rack which is right across from the dryer in the laundry room. I do this for two reasons. One is that it saves money, by cutting my dryer use in half. Two, I buy certain brands of clothing that just fare better without being in a dryer. Some resale pages I belong to specify no dryer so I get more in return when I do not dry these specific pieces.   

The rack is right in front of a heating vent so these items dry within 12 to 24 hours.

I fold the clothing in the laundry room, pile into a basket, and then get them put away sometime within the week. :) My linen shelf is in the laundry room so towels go directly from the dryer to the shelf, all fluffy and warm. 

Stain control is done in the laundry room. I experiment with different stain removers. Right now my favorite is a squirt bottle with a bit of blue Dawn dish detergent, a bit of peroxide, and the rest water. This seems to get most stains out when spot treated. For ink stains (which we get a lot of around here with a pen loving toddler) my aunt told me about using a bit of hand sanitizer on the spot. It works like a charm!!! I'm loving that tip.

That sums up my laundry routine. What is yours?     
 

Christmas Decorating

A glimpse into my Christmas decorations. I don't go all out and usually try to use items that I already have, occasionally picking up something cute at Goodwill.

My first stop was Jacob's Ladder, where we hung a flannel JOY banner that we assembled, bought at 90% off last year at Target. After snapping the photo I realized it was time to take his Halloween toys down. :) 

Next was our tree, which we call our Charlie Brown tree. It's a very sparse artificial tree, which is what you get when you buy one of the cheapest. But I kind of like it better this way. It's cute. We put fuzzy owls throughout the tree this year which gives it a bit more of a woodland feel.   

And it's been knocked down once already by the cat.

Here is a photo where I am just keeping it real. While I'm busy decorating the kids were busy making a mess. Luckily, in black and white it looks more artistic than just plain messy!

This is the first time we put the big tree up since Jacob passed away. We found some ornaments that he made on it, which was very bittersweet. 

I'll post more holiday photos from around the house as I get things out and organized.

I'm following the Come on In series on Christmas Decorating!
 

Blast From the Past

I saw a recipe on Facebook that I just had to try. It must be from the 70's, when JELLO and JELLO molds were all the rage. 

Buy a can of sliced pineapple (in 100% juice) and a box of Jello (I used lime). Drain the juice from the can of pineapple, reserving it. Make the Jello as directed on the box, but instead of using cold water use the pineapple juice from the can.

Pour the Jello over the pineapple while it's in the can (there will be lots of Jello leftover so just put that in a bowl in the fridge for an afternoon snack!). Put the can in the fridge until set up. Slide a knife around to loosen it and invert it onto a plate.

Then slice each pineapple slice and eat. It's disgusting. Disgustingly good! The kids loved it and I even enjoyed it. A simple, different dessert.
 

U.S. Cellular Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday

With Black Friday behind us and Cyber Monday right around the corner it makes one wonder how to find the best deals. After all, Black Friday is no longer Black Friday when most deals now start on Thanksgiving. Not only that, but most deals can now also be found online on Black Friday, making one wonder why there is even a Cyber Monday at all (which also seems to start on the weekend beforehand)!

So where does one start to maximize the savings potential? Are Black Friday deals the lowest of the low or are those found on Cyber Monday?

I've found, personally, that Cyber Monday tends to have better deals. The reason being that what didn't sell on Black Friday is now reduced in price. Stores start to get desperate to unload these items and out price other stores, resulting in some pretty good sales for us consumers. This wouldn't apply to those big ticket items (large screen television for $198, anyone?!) but often the stores only have one or two of those in stock anyhow, meaning you just waited in a mile long line for nothing.

Your smartphone can actually assist you in finding the best price for an item. When out and about you can check the app Slickdeals to find the best deals, voted on by consumers around the country who found the items featured to be the bottom line best deal.

 ShopKick will help will help you find the best deals at a particular store right when you walk in. With stores such as Target and Old Navy, you will receive more points the more that you frequent these stores. And your ShopKick points can be redeemed for gift cards and more.

For those with a keyring full of store discount/reward cards you can save time, and money, by using the app Key Ring, which will scan and store all your store cards at the tip of your fingertips.

For those shopping from home, Amazon Mobile can help you locate the best deals online and help you find exactly what you are looking for.

And don't forget that during this season of Thanksgiving and celebration, it's important to keep our kids safe and smart with their usage of a smartphone. Be sure to download the parent/child agreement to learn ways to speak to your child about the rules of cellphone use.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by U.S. Cellular Blogger Brigade but all opinions are my own.    
 

Thanksgiving After Loss

Thanksgiving isn't an easy day when you are missing a part of your family. While you are counting your blessings their absence is quite apparent.

                (A picture of Jacob and I taken at Chuck E. Cheese in 2005)

It's hard. Yet I keep reminding myself of

1 Thessalonians 5:18

which tells us to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

 As hard as it is to understand that God knew Jacob would be with us for a short 8 years when He formed him and placed him in my womb, there IS a reason. Probably a reason that I will never know this side of Heaven. Yet I know that in his 8 years of life he touched more people than some do in 80 years on the earth. Jacob's life was worthwhile, was planned out by God.

I'm thankful that God chose me to be Jacob's mama.

I'm thankful that I had 8 years with my sweet boy.

I'm thankful that this little soul was a part of my life and taught me so much about the true meaning of life.

I'm thankful that Jacob is enjoying his rewards in Heaven. That we have a special angel watching over us.

So while his absence is ever present, so are his fingerprints on our life.

 As difficult as it may be, I shall try to "give thanks in all circumstances."

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Give thanks for your family and friends today and count your blessings - even when they hurt.   

The Thankful Heart

What is better to read the week of Thanksgiving than a book about "thanks-giving"?!The Thankful Heart by Richard and Linda Eyre is about a Thanksgiving tradition that they started and have improved upon.

One Thanksgiving Linda got out a roll of calculator paper and the whole family listed items that they were thankful for. The next year they managed to list over 600 items.

It makes you stop and think. Obviously things like "freedom" and "parents" were listed, but the kids expanded it to items like "doorknobs". And when it comes down to it, doorknobs are important...how would one open a door without one? 

The point is that we need to become more thankful. Not once a year, but daily. This book lists each month and gives us a thought to ponder and a challenge to do.  Because often gratitude has to be deliberate, and it can change our whole outlook (as well as those around us).

This is a beautiful book. The layout is wonderful, the pictures are spectacular, and the quotes fit in perfectly throughout. 

This is a book that should be on the coffee table or bedstand as a daily, beautiful reminder of all we have to be thankful for.

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by Familius in exchange for my honest review. It can be purchased through Amazon.
 

Into The Canyon

Forget the sappy Christian romances or the "in your face" Bible thumping novels, Into the Canyon by Michael Neale is a wonderful mixture of faith, adventure, and life issues.

I didn't realize that it was a sequel until the end; this being book two and the first being The River. I don't think that one has to read the first book to get the gist of the second, which is nice when it comes to a series.

Gabriel Clarke lost his father to The River at age 5. Throughout this book he comes to love The River himself (something that terrified him for years after the accident) and learns to forgive the man who lived who his father died attempting to save. This book touches on love, faith, forgiveness, and most of all...HOPE.

There were a few things I didn't like about this book (though I did start it and finish it within one evening...so it proved to be an interesting read!). The journals within the book (thankfully, there are just tiny experts) are contrived and frankly quite annoying. You aren't sure WHO the journals are for - they read like words of wisdom for someone else and yet also seem so vague while trying to appear wise. I hated the journal entries.

"The River" seems to be an entity of it's own. To the point that it almost seemed to replace God and become "the life-source of all". The way "The River" is described, especially in the journal entries, are  puzzling. For example, on page 227, the last sentence of the journal entry is "Therefore, what The Great River has put together, nothing on earth will tear apart." This is typical of how "The River" is described throughout the book. I waited for it to just turn to a metaphor, something relating to God, but it never happened. This doesn't seem to fit in a Christian book.

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. 
 

Motherless

Looking back through my Goodreads account I see that I have read two other books by Erin Healy, and marked them both fairly low in stars. I remember why now.

Motherless starts off very confusing. You aren't even quite sure what you are reading about. It's very other worldly, and delves into the spirit world throughout. But in such an odd way. This book is not religious at all, until the very end when there is one page mentioning God. Which means that this book will appeal to everyone, and yet maybe make sense to no one.

Yet, towards the middle of the book it takes a complete one eighty and turns into something that you are least expecting. That was interesting. That makes for a good suspense book and does throw in the mystery. 

I did stay up past midnight to finish this book, which means it was suspenseful. Yet I didn't really like it. So I'm not sure how to rate it because it was good enough to feel strong feelings for it - one way or the other but not necessarily one I would recommend!

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. 
 

The Divorce Papers

I was thinking that The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger would be a fun book since it is almost like my kid's graphic novels. The whole book is a compilation of "papers" within a divorce file at a firm. E-mails, forms, letters, etc. Surprisingly enough, you actually learn about the characters and their lives through these papers and parts were quite interesting.

Unfortunately, the parts that weren't interesting were all the legal papers, and there were a lot. While they may have made this "file" more factual, they are literally mind numbing to read. I found myself flipping past so many pages that about half way through the book I got tired of the work this book involves. I feel like I am actually reading through a divorce file and as one would imagine, the majority of it all is just not interesting.

The back cover states that this is "smart, affecting, and funny to the bone." I didn't find this book to be funny or laugh-out-loud at all. I quit a little half way through this 460 page book. I think it would have been a good story had it not been chock full of actual (boring) legal documents.

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest review.
 

I'm Back!!

Gosh, I finally am able to get back to my blog! My computer took a hiatus, and is only temporally fixed (not only did Amy actually break the on/off switch but it seems to have a virus and freezes up every minute or so, making typing quite tedious!) But for now things are on so I will work on updating some posts, putting up some reviews, and more this week. So check back often! :) 
 

Calm

I decided to start the week out with a mellow day. No hurries, no hustles, no get 'er done type stresses.

We ran errands, slowly. We went to speech class. We then stopped at the library where some of us took a nap and others worked on the computers or read.

Then it was time for play.

And more reading.

A whole two hours spent nicely at the library. Home to a simple pasta supper and then some peaceful play and writing.

An all around simple. perfect. day.