Celebrate the small things

Celebrate the Small Things is the fun weekly meme hosted by Viklit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, where bloggers share things they wish to celebrate, and then hop around to other bloggers to rejoice in their celebrations, too. :) Go HERE to sign up and join the celebration!

**Last week, one of my sons turned 11! :)
**Went to an art class with Dani and my son. It was so much fun! I can't draw or paint or anything of that nature, but the instructor went step by step with the painting process so that helped!
**My hubby's bday is this weekend!



What celebrations do you have to share for the week?

Express Yourself: dish to share

It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. Please join us HERE!


Topic for the week: When you attend a get-together, what are you likely to bring as a dish to share?

For me, it depends on the occasion, whether it be a holiday or just a group of friends hanging out. 
Some of my favorite things that I like to share would be:
Sweet potato casserole, veggie or fruit tray (I like to make them myself instead of going the store bought route), and finally, taco dip. 
The cool thing about the taco dip is my hubs side of the family as well as my side both use this recipe, with just a tad difference. 
Either way, both recipes are yummy.

4 cans of bean dip
2-3 packets of taco seasoning
Mix those together, then layer with:
1 16 oz. sour cream
shredded lettuce
tomatoes, chopped
shredded cheese
(OR add cooked ground beef to the bean dip and taco seasoning, then bake at 350 for 10 min before adding the rest of the ingredients.) 
Serve with tortilla chips 

What dish do you like to share with others?

Express Yourself

It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. Please join us HERE!


Topic for the week: List something you look forward to this time of year.



DECORATING! Whether it be trees or cookies, I'm in! 





Every year, the week of Christmas, my sons and I make lots of cookies. Homemade even! :) We have fun baking and listening to music, and just chatting away.


I love when we put up our tree and decorate our home for the holidays. The joy on my sons faces as they help and create makes me happy. 

I also love decorating the trees at the shop because I can let my imagination run wild... sort of like when I'm writing a story.  


What do you look forward to this time of year?

Express Yourself and Celebrate the small things

My EYM is late again, and I missed IWSG, Blitz, and commenting on blogs. :(
It's been a not-so-fab week for me, but I'm still trying to think positive, and I hope to get back on track next week. *fingers crossed*



It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. Please join us HERE!

Topic: What holiday film/s do you plan on viewing this season?

We always watch A Christmas Story (1983) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. (2000)









Celebrate the Small Things is the fun weekly meme hosted by Viklit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, where bloggers share things they wish to celebrate, and then hop around to other bloggers to rejoice in their celebrations, too. :) Go HERE to sign up and join the celebration!




*Went to the gym three times this week. Not only did I get to spend time with my BFF, but I also achieved some great work-outs. And two of those days, my family went, too, so it was a fun time!
*Hubby's work party is here.
*Basketball with my sons! Woot!





Have an awesome weekend!!!

EYM and Celebrate the small things

Hello, Express Yourself-ers! It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves. 
Also, I find that it helps me to stay accountable with my blogging. Please join us in the linky below!




Topic: Who do you look up to?

Jesus - amazing sacrifice.
My hubby - soulmate.
My sons - blessings galore
My sister - the bravest person I know.
My BFF - inner and outer strength
My betas - rockstars.
Troops - so grateful for their service
and of course, without a doubt, my soultwin...
We balance each other out, craziness and all.

Celebrate the Small Things is the fun weekly meme hosted by Viklit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, where bloggers share things they wish to celebrate, and then hop around to other bloggers to rejoice in their celebrations, too. :) Go HERE to sign up and join the celebration!

*Family time for Thanksgiving dinner
*Great shopping deals
*Sons basketball games. I love going and cheering them on!
*Those that I shared in my EYM list above.

Any celebrations you'd like to share?

Celebrate the small things

Celebrate the Small Things is the fun weekly meme hosted by Viklit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, where bloggers share things they wish to celebrate, and then hop around to other bloggers to rejoice in their celebrations, too. :) 

Go HERE to sign up and join the celebration!




Celebrations:

• Girls night out this weekend. A lot of the time, I decline, because I'm a home-body and like to be with my family, but I know it's important to hang out with friends and decompress, too.
• I finally started Mina Lobo's That Fatal Kiss. I won this book the end of Sept, but haven't been able to delve in until this week. I'm totally digging it so far...and Hades.... *shivers* .... yeah. :D
• Yesterday, my sis gifted me with the ebook Hold on Tight. It was such a nice surprise! 

What are you celebrating this week?

Express Yourself: What's in your wallet/purse?

Hello, Express Yourself-ers! It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves. 
Also, I find that it helps me to stay accountable with my blogging. Please join us in the linky below!

This week's topic: What do you carry around in your purse or wallet? (Pics would be fun to see!)



This baby is heavy. No, really. Ask Dani. We were out shopping, and my purse was hurting my shoulder, which happens a lot. I usually end up switching back and forth, wishing I'd take some things out. 

Anyway, I said to her, "This thing weighs a ton." Then, I handed it over to her to show her, and she said, "What the heck do you have in here? Bricks?"

So, I went home and weighed it... 7 lbs 2 oz. That is the size of a newborn! 

I dumped it out onto the floor and sorted through it, thinking that the items in this purse are more like a survival kit. I arranged it here, so you can see the items better instead of leaving it in a big heap.

Hand sanitizer
Tissue packet
Ibuprofen
Lotion
Bandaids
Carmex
Floss
Toothbrush w/ holder and paste
Invisalign red case
Kindle
Hairspray
Notepad and pen for my writing ideas - I fill these things up fast.
Trail mix - a girl's gotta eat!
Hair bands - I should buy stock in these things.
Gum
Cough drops
Face moisturizer
Dryer sheet (to ward off static electricity, especially when trying on clothes)
Eyeglasses with case
Sunglasses
Wallet
And the best part.... my youngest sons toys,which you can see below: Han-Solo, Batman, The Joker, Two-face, and a few Lego's. Hey, they come in handy in those emergency situations when I'm stuck in some long line and instead of a meltdown, he plays with the toys. 

What's in your wallet? .... Or purse? Join us in the linky below!

Express Yourself - TV shows

Hello, Express Yourself-ers! It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves. 
Also, I find that it helps me to stay accountable with my blogging. 
Please join us in the linky below!

This week's topic: What are the top 5 TV shows you currently watch?

My DVR is packed with shows, not just mine, but my hubby's and kiddo's, too.
So it was difficult to choose, but my top, for this season, and not in any particular order, are:

 

The Walking Dead - Zombies aren't the only hardships in this amazing comic book series made into a TV show. The relationships of the survivors, as well as, trying to stay alive in an apocalypse is awesome to watch.

Modern Family - comedy at its finest. And there is stuff in this show that Claire and Phil do that is me and my hubby to a T. 

The Vampire Diaries - two brothers slash vampires make this series addicting. I love it when Damon is brooding and sarcastic while Stefan is romantic and loyal, but the show changes stuff up so you never know what's going to happen next.

American Horror Story - every season is a new location and theme, but a lot of the cast members get recycled into other seasons so it's fun to watch them morph into different characters. Plus, the show is creepy!

The Voice - I get to watch Adam Levine. That's all that needs to be said. Okay, Okay. There are some amazing singers on the show, too. :D

Two new shows that I've added to my DVR list, but haven't made the favorites list yet, because I'm worried they'll get cancelled are below. Sometimes, that happens when I invest in show, but I really hope these two shows stick around for the long haul:

The Originals - these "original vampires" made their appearance on The Vampire Diaries. Siblings who are ruthless, kickass, and gorgeous. They're trying to stay true to themselves and their family, but struggle daily. Who wouldn't when you've lived over 1,000 years? 

Dracula - I love how this dracula is quirky and sarcastic, yet beautiful and has feelings. Make no mistake, though, he's far from passive. Don't look at him or his love cross-eyed, or you'll regret it.

Do you watch television? Is there a show that you're a fan of?

Celebrate the small things

Celebrate the Small Things is the fun weekly meme hosted by Viklit @ Scribblings of an Aspiring Author, where bloggers share things they wish to celebrate, and then hop around to other bloggers to rejoice in their celebrations, too. :) Go HERE to sign up and join the celebration!




My celebrations....

**My 16 year old is helping my husband coach basketball for fifth graders, which my 10 yr old is on. I'm so excited because this will give my son coaching experience as well as grow stronger bonds with his dad and his brother. Awesome!

**Slippers. Sound like an odd thing to celebrate, right? Well, in the early morning, they are a lifesaver, because bare feet on cold hardwood....shivers. 

**Now that my 1st grader knows how to read, he took over the "before bedtime" reading and reads to me. I'm so proud of him and how he loves to read. He's doing a great job! I do hope to sneak in reading to him here and there because I love that! Especially his facial expressions when I try to do different voices to match the characters in the story. :)

What are your celebrations for the week?

Insecure Writer's Support Group

It's Insecure Writer's Support Group time, hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh!!!
IWSG is a place to share/write/vent/blog about writing or whatever we feel the need to. Then, hop around and visit other writers, offering support, help, ideas, and so on. It's an amazing group!
There's also the IWSG website HERE that has loads of helpful info.


Last month, I'd discussed how I was 3/4 done with my current manuscript, but an idea for another story had filtered in and wouldn't leave me alone. I'd tried different things to tame this idea and put it on hold, but nothing worked. My thoughts were a chaotic mess! 

I finally figured out why... this idea was the missing link to the WIP I'd been finishing up! I always knew something was off, and it's happened with other manuscripts, but I usually figure it out during revisions. 
This time, it happened early, and I'm happy with how it's coming together. 

At times, I get discouraged. I think every writer does. It's natural. But it's times like the above that helps me to appreciate the writing process. Thank you, IWSG bloggers, for listening and coasting me through it. You guys are the best!

"Strong characters are brought out by change of situation, and gentle ones by permanence." - Jean Paul 

~ Have a great rest of the week!

Express Yourself: School Subjects

Hello, Express Yourself-ers! It's EYM time ... the weekly meme that I co-host with Dani. We come up with a question/topic of some sort for other bloggers to share. The goal is for all of us to get to know one another better by expressing different things about ourselves.Also, I find that it helps me to blog more consistently. Sound fun? Join us in the linky below!

This week's topic: What was your favorite subject in high school and/or college?

First and foremost, I loved History, specifically Western Civilization/World Religions in college. I enjoyed learning about the pasts of those before us. Also, my prof would give pop quizzes quite frequently, and I loved it! In fact, when there wasn't a pop quiz, I was disappointed.

I took Creative Writing in high school as well as my freshman year of college. It was in high school that my teacher encouraged me with my writing and had faith in me. 

What was your fave subject in school? Join the linky below and share with us!

Masked Love Blog Tour

Hello, blogging buddies! Nicole Zoltack is celebrating the release of her novella, Masked Love. She was kind enough to let Lord Adrian stop by my blog for an interview. How cool is that?
But first, the book description...

Masked Love by Nicole Zoltack

Isabelle is content being a maid, and will do anything for her lady, even accompany her to a masquerade ball. Lady Theodosia needs extra support and encouragement on this night, for tomorrow she will meet the man her parents have pledged her to.

Isabelle has never had occasion to attend such an event, and is at first ill at ease. But meeting an enchanting young man during the course of the evening makes her wish for a life she can never have. Thinking she will never see him again, she returns his flirtation and even reveals her face. Imagine her shock when he shows up the next morning, announcing his claim on Lady Thedosia.
Isabelle does all she can to avoid Lord Adrian Wingave, but then he not only sees her, he recognizes her. To make matters worse, Isabelle fears her feelings are not one-sided. Torn between duty and desire, Isabelle hopes for something more this Christmas.

Title: Masked Love

Author: Nicole Zoltack

Genre: Holiday/Christmas Regency Novella

Publisher: Swoon Romance

ISBN: NONE

Publication Date: November 1, 2013
Formats: eBook (mobi and ePub)

Hello, Lord Adrian. What about Isabelle, captured your attention first?
She had a quietness about her, a gentleness. I was watching her before I approached to compliment her mask. Most of the other ladies were so busy flirting, hiding behind the safety of the mask to give them the excuse to say things they never would have said without that mask. And then I started to talk to her and her quick wit and gentle touch… That dance was one I will always remember.

Describe her in four words.
Full of surprises. Lovely.

If you could take Isabelle on a surprise date, where would you go?
I would arrange for us to go out on a fox hunt, just the two of us. It might not sound romantic, and it isn’t, but it’s something she would never experience otherwise, not as a handmaiden.

What of Lady Theodosia, your betrothed?
I will never do anything to dishonor her, or our marriage, should we be forced to fulfill the agreement our parents pledged us to when we were both babes. However, I will not stop trying to find a way out of it, nor will I stop loving Isabelle. I can’t. I tried and I just can’t.

You sound torn.

I do not wish to harm Lady Theodosia, and had I met her first, I do not know if I would have been so swept up by Isabelle. No, of course I would have been. It might have taken me longer had I known Isabelle was a handmaiden from the beginning, but love still would have found us. Love will find a way. I hope. And I wish for love for Lady Theodosia, for I do not think she loves me either.

Thanks for visiting, and thanks to Nicole for writing such a great story!

Head on over to Cover Girls to see who Nicole chose for her dream cast of Masked Love.

Nicole Zoltack

Nicole Zoltack loves to write fantasy/paranormal, romances, horror, and historical, for all ages. When she isn't writing about girls wanting to be knights, talking unicorns, and zombies, she spends time with her loving family. She loves to ride horses (pretending they're unicorns, of course!) and going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, dressed in period garb. Her current favorite TV show is The Vampire Diaries.

PUBLISHER LINKS

www.myswoonromance.com

@swoonromance

Facebook.com/SwoonRomance

AUTHOR LINKS

http://www.NicoleZoltack.com

http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/authorNicoleZoltack

http://twitter.com/NicoleZoltack

Spooktoberfest Winner and Runner Up's

Happy Halloween!!!

Spooktoberfest is over, and it was amazing! You writers made this a terrific blog hop! Thank you so much for participating. Dani and I had fun organizing this, but had a difficult time choosing the winner and runner up's because you all had wonderful stories.You all were THAT good. 

Dani and I both loved what each other picked, but we wanted to spread the wealth so we picked different ones. Why? We have another little surprise... the Runner-Up's will be receiving a little something special as well, and we didn't want any duplicates. 

Okay, I will quit babbling...

My choices for Spooktoberfest 2013 Runner Up's (Click on the badges to read their entries):

My choice for Spooktoberfest 2013 Winner (Click on badge to read her entry):

To read Dani's choices for Winner and Runner-Up's... go HERE

We will email you with details on getting your prizes to you and all that good stuff. 
Thanks again to all of you for entering and sharing your wonderful talents with us. Dani and I are blessed to have you all as blogging buddies! 
We heart you!!!