it's in the news folks!

one of these days i will learn how to take video from one site and put it in here but until i do, you just have to go where i tell you. this time it is here. everything is bigger in texas...even stupidity...is this too serious or what? giggle time!

we can help feed people!

kraft is really trying and we can help. all you have to do is go to

http://brands.kraftfoods.com/sharealittlecomfort/

and click on the big blue button. easy peasy! know what neat? just for clicking on a button, you can get a couple of kraft coupons! what a deal.

i won ravens

by

george dawes green

and i have Isalys at book soulmates to thank for it! if you want to see what she is read, what she thinks of what she just read, or you want to win a book, you just need to click on her name or the blog's name, and you'll be there. after i finish reading it, i'll come back and give you my thoughts about it. meanwhile, the following was lifted from her blog about this book:

The Boatwrights just won 318 million dollars in the Georgia State lottery. It's going to be the worst day of their lives.

When Shaw McBride and Romeo Zderko pull up at a convenience store off I-95 in Georgia, their only thought is to fix a leaky tire and be on their way again to Florida-away from their dull Ohio tech-support jobs. But this happens to be the store from which a 318,000,000 million dollar Jackpot ticket has just been sold -- and when a pretty clerk accidentally reveals to Shaw the identity of the winning family, he hatches a ferociously audacious scheme: He and Romeo will squeeze the family for half their prize.

That night, he visits the Boatwright home and takes the family hostage, while Romeo patrols the streets nearby, prepared to murder the Boatwrights' loved ones at any sign of resistance. At first, the family offers none. But Shaw's plot depends on maintaining constant fear-merciless, unfaltering terror-and soon, under the pressure, everyone's sanity begins to unravel . . .

At once frightening, comic, and suspenseful, RAVENS is a wholly original and utterly compelling novel from one of our most talented writers.

have you seen the newest from KnitPicks?

knitpicks for you not in the know has my favorite needles and yarn and stuff. don't believe me? go here for yourself and find out! this is the latest they have come up with in the name of needles. looks like glass (never in my house) but they are not (maybe in my house). 'sure are pretty! (do you want me to tell you now or later about the 40-50% off sales. ok, i'll let you look for yourself...i love their sales on yarn and books and equipment.)

Thursday Thunks!

i just joined this group. i thought it was fun. the problem is, i can't see what the questions are in the draft. so you read and think about your answers would be while i figure out how to answer so i can see what i am typing. if you want to play, go here.

Welcome to the July 30th version of Thursday Thunks!

(which we always seem to post on Wednesday)
Where we make you think a little bit before you blog!

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by

Kimber, the number 14 and the color of life. (2 questions by Ber, figure out which 2.)

1. You are in an enclosed space with a group of friends. Elevator, auto, small room, etc.. You fart and it really stinks. Do you take credit for it or do you play along with the questioning of who did it?

2. You are locked in a room sitting at a desk with just a piece of paper and a purple crayon. What do you draw?

3. Do you ever pee in the shower?

4. Have you bought, sold or got rid of something on Craigslist?

5. You are in a convenience store. In the line in front of you is adrunk guy trying to purchase more alcohol. The cashier tells him they cannot sell it to him because he is obviously already intoxicated. He gets belligerent. The cashier is scared. What do you do?

6. While shopping for produce, do you "sample" before you buy (i.e. grapes)?

7. You are walking down the street and there is a toddler sitting on a bench by themselves in front of a store - do you just keep walking?

8. Have you looked up an old friend and/or lover online?

9. You are nearly in a car/auto accident. Do you freak out, follow the person who nearly caused it & talk to them or just keep going?

1. are you kidding? i would look up at charlie with an accusing eye!

2. draw a purple horse, of course!

3. have done. but never in the bath tub!

4. no. i've never even visited.

5. hmmmm. he is probably between me and the door...i think i will find a place to hide! i'm too little to be very confrontational.

6. don't have to if you know how to pick em. with grapes you look for the greenest stems.

7. i think i have to talk to the kid and if i can't find a parent, i am calling 911. i will stay there until someone comes to be responsible.

8. i am as curious as the next person.

9. are you nuts! i'm in texas! people carry guns in their cars. no, i think i will concentrate on my breathing...you know, getting it back to normal... and just continue on my way; thank you very kindly.

granola

i've never tried to make it myself but susie shepherd has! she calls it "terribly inconvenient granola". (o, if you want to see cute critters and learn about her farm or you just like a good read, give her a visit...also if you like yarn stuff.) even if you don't want to try and make it, reading the recipe is just a whale of a lot of fun! just click on the title of the recipe and you're there!

baby!

now this is a wee alpaca over at jacob's reward farm. i just had to share this picture of him 'cause i think is such a cutie! you ought visit the farms some time and say hi to cindy. tell her what you think of one of her critters, mighty micha.

they are at it again

my friends, krafty max and the eclectic element, are joining together in another giveaway. i do so love krafty max's stuff. i mean, look at what they are giving away this time! click on krafty max's name to go directly to her etsy site and the same to get to the electric element to giveaway site.

help feed rescue dogs

as you can tell by my avatar, i love dogs. both oscar wild (see above) and mystery puppy are both rescue dogs. so when i saw this, i had to share it. if you go here, and click on the button that says "click here to give, it's free" (big purple button), you can help feed shelter dogs. and it costs you nothing but a minute of time. so please, give some critters a moment of your time!

ok, my links won't work so i am posting what i got in my email:

Click on the purple button at The Animal Rescue Site and
give food to an animal living in a shelter or sanctuary... at no cost to you.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/tpc/ERA060509ARS

but wait...i figured it out! spaces! i got rid of them and now the links work! another v8 moment! and the first time i didn't check my links after posting!

north star alpaca yarn giveaway

i so want some of this! is there anything as lovely and soft as this! we all have a chance to win some!

Phat Fiber Sample Box: North Star Alpacas Yarn Giveaway!

vogue knitting contest

Win a copy of Iris Schreier's Reversible Knits!

Modular, reversible, lacy, exquisite. No matter which adjective is used to describe Iris Schreier’s compelling designs, the creative force behind Artyarns’ hand-painted luxury fibers is always at the forefront of what’s next in knitting. Enter VK's giveaway for your chance to win a copy. Submissions deadline is October 1, 2009. Click HERE to enter.

Win a copy of Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers!

From the fertile mind of Nicky Epstein, one of today's most celebrated knitwear designers—a book devoted entirely to the infinite possibilities of the knitted flower. Inside, you'll find a pretty posy for every mood and in every hue, from lazy daisies to moody blues, buttercups to trumpets. Submissions deadline is October 1, 2009. Click HERE here to enter.

did you notice the difference?

if you are like me, there are some days when you just can't get through all your emails to get to the rss feeds. so, to make it easier on you, i have added the email feature for you. i hope it make things easier for you too.

have a great day while i see if i can get through all my email and some of the rss feeds before my body requests sleep!

i won soap...UPDATE

not just any soap! it from ozark scents in celebration of leslie's 27th birthday. she celebrated by giving others (me among them) gifts.

her site is live love laugh with leslie. oh, and she doesn't just give away stuff on her birthday, she does it all the time. don't believe me? well you just click on her name or her blog name and you'll see for yourself. but watch out! she has recipes too...with pictures you don't want to see if you are on a diet!

what? what happens if you click on ozark scents? why, silly, you get to see all the goodies they have there.

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY SOAP

i just got my soap! before i could even open the mailer envelope, i would smell it...think sudden salivation and hunger pain along with a sudden desire for chocolate! out comes a bubble wrapped package. the scent is stronger, as are the desires for chocolate covered cherries. off with the bubble wrap. now we have a sweetly covered yellow tissue paper wrapped package tied up with hemp... that's twine for the unknowedged. i pulled the bow string and there, encased in a wee bag tied up with a bit more twine is what you see above! i'm so hungry for chocolate and strawberries, i could almost (well, i did say "almost") eat the bar instead of taking a bath with it! guys, i really think i will have to visit this amy again for more soap...but this time no foody smells...too hard for the brain to dissociate!

Tamed by a Laird

(2009)el by

Amanda Scott

National bestselling author Amanda Scott sweeps readers back to the turbulent fourteenth-century Scottish Borders, where valiant men and women risk everything for their land. Jenny Easdale is ready to accept her fate. She's agreed to marry a man she will never love - yet not before slipping away for one last adventure. Following a traveling minstrel troupe, she's whisked into a world of intoxicating freedom. Then, all too soon, she finds herself in danger - from a vengeful political plot against Scotland and from the man who has come to take her home. Dutybound to return with his brother's wayward bride, Sir High Douglas is not prepared for how her quick wit, courage, and laughing eyes touch his warrior heart. Now, as the merry minstrels play matchmaker and passion sparks between Hugh and Jenny, the conspiracy against Scotland builds...and threatens all they hold dear.

From its start with a map and a note to the reader, to end with another note to the reader, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed this view into the past. I loved the sweetness and intelligence of Jenny. The determination and cleverness of Hugh. The crassness of Reid. The canniness of The Joculator. All the members of the troupe and Archie the Grim. What a great cast of characters!

If you want a good read, I highly recommend this book...but keep your dictionary handy for some of the arcane words and do enjoy the dialect. I sure did!

scotland in the gloaming

this is for all of you who love photography as much as i. especially those with a fondness for scotland. a new site for you to visit when the need arrises. it's here. i hope it delights you as much as it did me.

spooky tree, originally uploaded by DonMique.

woop an audio book and i won it

Hachette Audio Book Giveaway: THE CHOICE by Nicholas Sparks

Book Info

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Hachette Audio; Abridged edition (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600246699
• ISBN-13: 978-1600246692

Purchase from Amazon
Publisher’s Website

Synopsis

Set amid the austere beauty of the North Carolina coast, Nicholas Sparks tells the story of Travis Parker, a small-town veterinarian who's perfectly content with the active and exciting life he leads. Since he uses his spare time bungee jumping and swimming with the dolphins, he can't shake the belief that a woman would simply slow him down. That is, until Gabby Holland enters his life.

Gabby, Travis's new neighbor, is in love with her boyfriend of three years, and wants nothing more than to start planning the wedding she's always dreamed about. However, there is a story within a story and the connection between Travis and Gabby is just a beginning. As their tale unfolds, their relationship becomes something different--with much higher stakes. With echoes of THE NOTE BOOK abound, listeners everywhere will fall in love.

do you see me doing the happy dance??? i mean a book with critters and a love story...gotta be good.

so i thank hachette audio books and j kaye of j kaye book blog. you really ought to visit her site. her reviews are good and i like most all of the books she reviews!

so good to win my name is will

i followed contests all over the web to win this book and now i have! i have to thank book soulmates who writes good reviews and, fortunately for me, likes lots of the same books i like.

if you like books, you really ought to visit her. she has several giveaways going...but watch out...she has good recipes that you can gain weight just by reading...i know!

looky what i won

this came complements of my little corner of the world ..she does great review and book giveaways, too! currently she is doing a giveaway on "my name is will" here. it looks really good, which is why i already entered it.!

i got it! and it is now on my to be read list! yea me! it may take some time to get to it but, when i do, i will review it for sure!

do i like jewelry

you better believe it! so what, you say. so two of my friends are trying to give you a chance to get something pretty! like this

Brown - Nut - Necklace Set

or this

Pink to Melt Your Heart Set

so what do you have to do? easy peasy. go vist the eclectic element here. enter her contest to see what my other friend, Max of Krafty Max Originals has done and is offering! jewelry lovers will be soooo happy!

i like george even in a commercial

I still don't know how to get videos in here so I just have to tell you to go here and watch for yourself...gave me a smile!

Giveaway - The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells - 5 Winners - Ends 7/30/09

where? here. who's blog? sweeps4bloggers. why? 'cus she has some of the best giveaways going and because i want to win this book! if you don't want the book, look on the right hand side of her page. if you can't find something you want to enter, put on your glasses so you can see better!

Flory: A Miraculous Story of Survival By Flory A. Van Beek

Narrated by Kirsen Potter

Flory and her husband, Felix, endured the sinking of a ship bound for safety in the New World, the increasing danger of the occupation, and finally a life in hiding. There, cut off from the outside world and their families, they faced the hunger and stress of daily life in confined quarters along with the ever-present threat of discovery and certain death.

This inspiring account vividly captures the terror of the Holocaust while telling a poignant story of love and courage.

©1998 Flory Van Beek; (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What the Critics Say

"I have always believed in survivor's testimonies: they are unique. It is impossible to understand the Holocaust and its meaning without becoming acquainted with their experiences, which they alone can tell with true authority." (Elie Wiesel)

I have to agree with the critic. Hearing this read, I felt she was right here beside me. I started this book late at night when I could not go to sleep. I then found myself fighting sleep to hear her story. It is not just about what happened to her and her family but about the people around her, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Like my worn copy of Ann Frank, this will be a story I will want to hear again and again.

The human will is amazing

The Painted Veil By W. Somerset Maugham

Publisher's Summary

read by Kate Reading (Unabridged)

First published in 1925, The Painted Veil is an affirmation of the human capacity to grow, change, and forgive. Set in England and Hong Kong in the 1920s, it is the story of the beautiful but shallow young Kitty Fane. When her husband discovers her adulterous affair, he forces her to accompany him to a remote region of China ravaged by a cholera epidemic.

Stripped of the British society of her youth and overwhelmed by the desolation around her, she is compelled by her awakening conscience to reassess her life. She takes up work with children at a convent, but when her husband dies, she is forced to return to England to her father, her one remaining relative, to raise her unborn child. Though too late for her marriage, she has learned humility, independence, and how to love.

My husband picked this one out. He is a great fan of Maugham's. I was only aware of him from old movies made from his books. I liked this pick. I found his characters real and relatable even from this time period. Kitty is very believable as are her situations. It's not a light read (or listen) but definitely well worth your time!

ps As a rule i only listen to unabridged books as i have found i don't like the way some things are cut in the abridged versions (plus i want all of the author's words...his/her voice)!

Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory

From Margaret’s website:

FEARLESS IN BATTLE

His surcoat still bloody from battle, William FitzAlan comes to claim the strategic borderlands granted to him by the king. One last prize awaits him at the castle gates: the lovely Lady Catherine Rayburn.

TENDER IN BED

Catherine risked everything to spy for the crown. Her reward? Her lands are declared forfeit and she is given this choice: marry FitzAlan or be taken to the Tower. Catherine agrees to give her handsome new husband her body, but she’s keeping secrets and dares not give him her heart. As passion ignites and danger closes in, Catherine and William must learn to trust in each other to save their marriage, their land, and their very lives.

Thanks to Anna at Hachette, i got to read Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory.

I liked the book, not just for the fun story, but also for the history lesson about a piece of time involving the English kings Henry IV and V. It is a time of war between the Welsh and the English. What? I've read lots of novels about the Scottish vs the English but the Welsh. So i had to go from the light reading for pleasure into some quick on line research into the two kings and the Welsh Tudors. Those side line bits made the reading even more fun for me.

If you are like a good love story with your bits of history (or you just like the trials a tribulations of a love story), go get Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory.

Next up Jennifer Haymore's A Hint of Wicked.

Win The Entire Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray

where? at the book butterfly. so if you like historical fiction,you better get on over there. go on. scoot. you don't want to miss the chance, do you?!

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (Gemma Doyle Book #1)

Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle Book #2)-

The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle Book #3)