Ketch-Up Day

 

How are you?

Not a lot going on here, at least on the exciting scale:) 

I sent the HH out for a kitchen sponge and this is what he brought back. I thought the smile was just for 'cute' factor, but the eyes are for putting your fingers in if you need to swish the sponge down into a glass and the mouth is for cleaning silverware.  Have you ever seen, had or used one?

 

 

AND the Eternal Garden pics.

For me the four seasons are: daffodil season, iris season, day lily season and mum season. Right now my garden is between seasons:)

 

So far the little grape vine is doing fine.

 

My current project: widening my garden walkway:) If you look closely, you can see I've got more potatoes growing from the mulch bin again this year;) Well, maybe you can't.

 

These sneaky roses escaped through and over the fence:)

Well, that's it, blogger buds.  Have a great week and let me know how you're doing.

Weekend Wishes

 

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know

 What's your word, example or sentence for:

Example: I told my sister not to drive while drinking. As usual, she didn't listen and ended up spending the night in the hoosegow.

AND

 Did you know, a bristlecone pine in California, named Methuselah is over four thousand years old?

 

For more information: Meet The Methuselah Tree, The Oldest Tree In The World (allthatsinteresting.com)

Ketch-up Day

 

How are you? Hope the wonderful moms out there had a special day.

Saturday we went to meet the youngest grand's service dog.  I'm more of a cat person than a dog person, but oh my gosh. This girl is the sweetest thing and unbelievably gentle.

Then Sunday the HH and I lunched at Shelton Vineyards.

 

AND

My new toy a duel compartment compost bin, from me to me;)

 

As you can see, my old tub that I used for a compost bin literally fell apart.

 

AND

From California, The Northern Lights

Thanks, Denise

And from  Greece

Thanks, Julie

Happy Mothers Day Weekend AND A Mom Journal

 To the moms out there:

Weekend

AND

Just in time for your mom or grandmother's special day:

Mom’s Memories and Reflections on Motherhood is adorned with bright yellow sunflowers and created with pages to chronicle mom's unique journey, capturing the laughter, tears, and growth that define motherhood.

 

Each topic is thoughtfully designed with prompts that inspire reflection on daily joys and challenges, accompanied by insightful quotations that resonate within a mother's heart.

Use the topics and writing prompts:

·        to sketch scenes, pets, or persons who are important in your life,

·        scribble notes and memories you want to be reminded to write,

·        ask questions,

·        recall snippets of conversations,

·        and reflect on new understandings revealed during the writing.

·         

Whether it's a personal purchase or a heartfelt gift for mom on any occasion, this journal promises to be a timeless heirloom, safeguarding memories and reflections for generations to cherish. So grab a pen and dive into this keepsake that promises to be as cherished as that macaroni necklace you can't bring yourself to throw away.

Available at Amazon

 

Writerly Wednesday and Did You Know

 What's your synonym, definition or sentence for:

Example: A fogbow reminds me of an albino rainbow. 

 

AND 

Did you know, that Peter the Great established a tax on beards?

 

For more information: Why Peter the Great Established a Beard Tax | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine

Ketch-Up Day

 

How are you?

As you can see, it's another 'not-much-going-on-here week.' 

It rained all day Saturday. It makes the flowers happy so I don't complain...until I have to mow:)

My amaryllis:

The HH gave me a grapevine for an early Mother's Day. It was bare roots, which I'm not a huge fan of. But this guy seems to be doing well.

 Last year he gave me a blackberry bush.

Do you have blackberry bushes or grapevines?

AND

May calendar pics.

AND

From California

Thanks, Denise

That's all for today.

Weekend Wishes

 

IWSG Wednesday and Did You Know

 

 

The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG 

The awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional

May 1 question - How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

Yup, pretty much derailed. You?

April/May Reviews in no particular order.

* Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factor them into my review.

 

A FESTIVE VERISIMILITUDE by Paul Stanton

A captivating take on Christmas…and the devil

 

This is the second in the Festive Series and I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first.  The author gives a unique perspective on the role of the devil, especially on the days before Christmas as he goes through London and gives people who are on the edge of eternal damnation a chance to change their ways, showing them what awaits them if they don’t.  And in some cases, just spreading magical goodwill. From an old man at Charing Crossing to a good Samaritan at St. Paul’s Cathedral, each narrative holds its own charm.

I found these stories to be well-written with fascinating bits of London’s history sprinkled throughout. Each tale held a hint of dry humor and a dollop of goodwill and hope.

Recommended reading that’s not limited to the Christmas season.

Available at Amazon

 

 

THE SHADOWSPELL ACADEMY: THE CULLING TRIALS, Book 1 by Shannon Mayer and K. F. Breene

Wild, a young woman growing up poor on a ranch, must face the culling trials of a magical school, if she wants to save her family.

A great read for YA fantasy fans. Highly recommended.

THE SHADOWSPELL ACADEMY: THE CULLING TRIALS, Book 2 by Shannon Mayer and K. F. Breene

The culling trials begin and Wild must save not only herself but her group as well, that includes a goblin, a necromancer, and a shapeshifter.

THE SHADOWSPELL ACADEMY: THE CULLING TRIALS, Book 3 by Shannon Mayer and K. F. Breene

In book three, kids are going missing and it’s up to Wild to find them and save them.

THE SHADOWSPELL ACADEMY: YEAR OF THE CHAMELEON, Book 4 by Shannon Mayer and K.F. Breene

The Culling Trials are over, but the danger remains.

THE SHADOWSPELL ACADEMY: YEAR OF THE CHAMELEON, Book 5 by Shannon Mayer and K.F. Breene

The Shadowkiller and Frost, both chameleons, are both after Wild.

THE SHADOWSPELL ACADEMLY: YEAR OF THE CHAMELEON, Book 6 by Shannon Mayer and K.F. Breene

Wild has learned a shocking discovery about the Shadowkiller. Now she must figure out who is friend and who is foe AND save her family, the academy and the students and teachers in it.

Available at Amazon

 

 

MARTIN VAN BUREN     by Ted Widmer

Van Buren was the eighth president of the United States and I knew absolutely nothing about him before this read. He was a professional politician and an architect of today’s Democratic Party. Those two items were my main takeaways. I really would loved to have known more about his wife and family. They were barely mentioned, except for his son John who he had high hopes would someday be president. Oh, and the other take away, the term OK came from Old Kinderhook, Van Buren’s nickname. 

Available at Amazon

 

ZODIAC ACADEMY: Book 4 SHADOW PRINCESS by Caroline Peckman and Susanne Valenti

When the twins, Orion and Darius enter the shadow world they make a stunning discoverDiy.

ZODIAC ACADEMY: Book 5 CURSED FATES by Caroline Peckman and Susanne Valenti

The stars are definitely not aligning for the twins and the men they care about.

I am very torn about this series. The authors have done an amazing job with it. The emotion is raw and elemental. There is conflict aplenty. Great characters. And the action just keeps on coming.  Definitely my kind of read, EXCEPT its erotic and I just don’t do erotic. Just let me say that by the number of reviews they’ve received that plenty of folks do and that’s just fine, it’s just not my thing. So, I find myself flipping through a huge number of pages without reading them. Also, I feel the e’s are priced a bit high. By the time you’ve read the whole series, you’ll have spent some coin. That said, I’m still hooked 😊

Available at Amazon 

 

NEW RELEASES

POETRY TREASURERS 4: IN TOUCH WITH NATURE

WordCrafter Poetry Anthology compiled and edited by Kaye Lynne Booth and Robbie Cheadle

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOM’S MEMORIES AND REFLECTIONS ON MOTHERHOOD - A guided journal - by J.Q. Rose

Available at Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

AND

Did you know, among many others, the phrase 'in a pickle' came from Shakespeare?

For more information:

List of Phrases Shakespeare Invented (thoughtco.com)