The Weather Outside is Frightful, But Reading is so Delightful!

Brrr....Ya'll!   Yes, I am from Texas and yes, it is actually COLD here!  While trying to stay warm in this unseasonably cold weather, I decided to catch up on some NetGalley reading and reviewing.  If you are not a part of the NetGalley network and do  not know what I am talking about- do read on.  If you already know & love NetGalley, then you know what I am talking about when I say that it is a great opportunity for readers to get free copies of great books, all while helping the authors and publishers. All in all, it is a Win, Win!

Visit NetGalley for  more information.

I am also trying to stay ahead of the game with my 2014 Reading Challenge on Goodreads.  As of this morning, I am 2 books behind schedule. I set my reading goal a little higher this year, with a goal of 60 total books read. I'm not one to come short of my goal, so this prompted me to choose a few books to read this past week that would be easy to get into and that would grab my attention to the point where I would not put them down.  I chose The Silence of Six by E.C. Meyers and the first two e-novellas in The Whispers series by Lisa Unger.  I am happy to report that these were GREAT choices!  I devoured these 3 books and was eager to review.  If you do get books from this site, please read them and review them. I know it is easy to get into the trap where you select as many Read Nows as you can click on and then never get around to ever downloading them. Do it- you will be glad you did!

Here in Texas, we are bracing for a colder than normal winter.  Temps are around 30 degrees cooler now, than they typically are in November.  I am excited to say, that this means even more reading time for me!  There is nothing like plugging in my electric throw blanket and curling up in the corner of the sectional couch with my Nook in hand.  Don't forget the occasional cup of coffee or sugar-free hot cocoa.  Ahh...life is good.

No More Pencils, No More Books...

It's official- Summer is here! The 100 degree Texas weather proves it. Kids are all out of school, the days are longer and the weekends are all about BBQ's, pool parties and just LIVING OUTSIDE!

This summer I want what most moms want- My family to have fun, relax from all the hustle & bustle and make memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately all this has to be done on a budget.  Activities are scheduled around fairs, fests and as being guests to invited parties & events.  The backyard pool is a wet cool sanctuary that the kids will live in.  Hours will be spent on the computer and watching Netflix.  It's during the summer, that the kids will participate in reading challenges at our local bookstores and learn new hobbies. This year its going to be cross stitch!

This Fun won't make front page on Instagram and the pictures of the kids wetting the trampoline down with the water hose probably won't get very many likes on Facebook.  But as a busy mom of three, there aren't major vacations for weeks on end to Cancun or Disney World.  A 20 mile distance camping trip will be our getaway. We will spend our weekends at our local lakes swimming, fishing and hanging out with good friends.  There will be many nights in the backyard gathered around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and listening to country music.  Mom & Dad will get up and go to work most days and the kids will sleep till noon and stay up all night. It's Summer after all.  Bedtimes are out the window, rules are few & far in between and we just enjoy life. That doesn't come with a price tag or travel agent.

Chi, Chi, Chi Chia

By now you have all probably heard about eating Chia seeds for health/diet benefits.  I believe the first time I heard about this new fad, I was lounging by the pool last summer watching the kids argue in the pool, when the overly chatty life guard divulged her dieting secrets to me.  Needless to say, I thought she was crazy.  I mean, honestly...who wants tiny green fuzz growing out of them?  Not me. So that was the last thought I gave to the crazy idea.  Then hearing about it earlier this year on a rather popular talk show gave me another pause- for craziness.  This all changed however today while searching the health food aisles at the grocery store for some protein bars.  I came across a bag of Chia seeds (Enter the Chia Pets song here).  Hmmm...this is what I had heard about and had been ignoring for the last year.  Thirty minutes later I purchased my first $15 dollar bag of Chia seeds.  I can not wait to get these puppies in my system and see just how full they make me feel.  The added promise of energy and shiny hair couldn't hurt either.  My goal now is to just figure out creative ways to incorporate them into my diet!