Music Monday

This morning feels like an Enya morning. Don't ask why, it just does. Enjoy!

Sunday Spotlight

Yes, I know what you're thinking. (At least, I know what Ben will be thinking when he reads this.) In any event, I'm signing up for another book challenge! *gasp* But Jenn, you've just started one? However will you manage two reading challenges with all of the things you're doing around the house, plus making fabulous soap and bath goodies? Never fear, I've got it under control. :) I read while the paper shredder is resting so I don't burn out the motor, or in the evening before bed, or in the car (while Ben drives, not if I'm driving, duh).

This challenge is the 2010 Summer Romance Challenge. Romances are some of my favorite books to read. And if I happen to read a romance, it can count towards my other challenge too. Two birds with one stone!

The challenge started back in June, but since it goes until Sept. 30, I think I can still manage. The challenge: read 8 romances by the deadline. Woo hoo! Come join me, it should be fun!

Book Review - Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

For those of you who may not remember, I had entered myself in the 2010 Summer Beach Reads Book Challenge. My personal goal is to read 8 books by the end of the contest, August 30th.

Marked (House of Night #1) P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Young Adult

Book Number: 1 (Summer "Beach Reads" Challenge)

Summary: The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: I've read this one before, but it's been a while. And here's where my brother in law would laugh at me: I'm rereading this series in order to get to the latest book in the series, which I haven't read. And now that Cliff knows, I'm sure he'll give me a hard time. :) Anyway, I decided to reread this series because I have read so many paranormal/vampire books since I first read these, that I didn't really remember any details about the books.

As the first book in a series, some of this book is setting up characters and filling you in on Zoey's world. Although, since she's Marked as a vampyre in the beginning of the book, you're learning about it right along with her. In Zoey's world, there have always been vampyres, but that doesn't mean that they're socially accepted by humans. Zoey's step-dad is an elder in the People of Faith, which is the super-conservative mainstream human religion, and he, along with most of Zoey's human friends and family, think of her as a monster after she's been Marked. What's interesting to me is how Zoey is able to combine what she learns at the House of Night with her grandmother's Cherokee ways.

If you like vampire stories blended with some supernatural goings-on, definitely take a look at this book. It's a fast-paced, quick read that will have you wanting to read more, to find out what exactly is going on at the House of Night.

And the Winner is...

First of all, thank you to all who entered my Birthday Giveaway Blowout! I was excited to have so many contestants. But on to the part that everyone is waiting for -- the winner. With the help of impartial judge random.org to help me select the winner, here we go.

Congratulations goes to...

Kylie!

Thanks again to all of the contestants, I hope to see you back at the next giveaway!

Happy Birthday to... Me!

Well, it's July 7, which means it's my birthday (yay!), but it's also the last day to enter my Birthday Giveaway Blowout. The contest closes at midnight tonight, CST, and I'll announce the winner tomorrow morning when I wake up. Oh, and don't forget to vote in the poll at the top right of the page. Thanks! :)

And now, since it's Wednesday, how about some Hump Day Humor? This kitteh can come over to my house. I've been de-cluttering our house room by room, and yesterday I finally started on the dreaded office. Seriously, it has been the room where we just stick things that we don't know where to put them, which means there was a little pathway (sort of) from the door to the printer and Ben's computer. Oy. I cleared away about half of the room yesterday (yay!) and now can get to the shredder to start on the two boxes of things that need to be shredded or filed. So really, sad kitteh can come over here. :)

Music Monday

I hope you all had a fun and safe 4th of July! Mansfield put on a pretty good fireworks show this year, and the best part is that it's fairly close to our neighborhood, so we just walked down the block to our neighborhood pool and watched from the playground. We could watch the pretty fireworks without having to deal with all of the traffic and people like we would have if we'd actually gone to the fireworks show. Nice!

Ben found this song on YouTube and showed it to me the other day. It's pretty funny. Ben's favorite part is the bear at the back, but keep your eye out for the Swedish Chef. :) Enjoy!

Oh, and if you're looking for the giveaway, it's right here!

Sunday Spotlight

Are you looking for the Bohemian Rose giveaway? Click here!

I'm currently included in a great Fruit Salad Treasury on Etsy, along with other talented Etsy Fort Worth artisans. I'm also featured in a great Old Fashioned Treasury with some talented EtsyVeg artisans. Come take a look!

Today's Sunday Spotlight is a bit different. Instead of spotlighting a handmade artisan's shop, I'd like you to take a look at another blog... A Fanatic's Book Blog actually. Jessica posts great book reviews and book giveaways. Definitely browse through her blog. I know every time I do, I have more books to add to my Amazon wish list!

Currently Jessica's blog is co-hosting the 2010 Summer Beach Reads Challenge. It's easy peasy to sign up for the challenge, and the giveaway prizes at the end of the challenge are a cute crochet buddy, Mr. Octavio the Octopus, and a copy of Low Red Moon.

Now, I had just recently started reading Mists of Avalon, which so far is good, although I'm really not that far yet... But to me it doesn't fit the description of "beach read" so I'm going to postpone this one. I've been told that it's a great book, so I'll definitely come back to it, but I'll start with some "beach reads" first. Vampire books and paranormal romance, here I come!

Keeping in mind that I'm still de-cluttering the house, and next week am actually starting on the dreaded office, which will soon be the baby's room so everything has to go out of it, I don't think I'll reach the level of Shark in the challenge. I think I'll aim for Minnow. I know, sounds like I'm not aiming high, but Minnow is 8 books read by August 31. Considering all the stuff I've got to get done around the house between now and then, I'd say Minnow is a good goal for me. :)

Birthday Giveaway Blowout!

Today is my mom's birthday - happy birthday, mom! :) So I'm giving away all of her favorite Bohemian Rose products. You don't have to get them in her favorite scent (which is Tir na Nog, by the way), but instead I'll let you choose your own.

Since she's my mom, I'm pretty sure she's tested just about every product that I've made, back from the very beginning with that first batch of soap. So she has a lot of experience in what makes a favorite Bohemian Rose product for her.

Now, on to the part I know you're waiting (patiently) to hear. What you'll win:
-one bar of soap, in your choice of scent
-one sugar scrub, in your choice of scent
-one facial scrubbing mask
-one lip balm, in your choice of flavor

Wow!
How to enter: Visit either my Etsy or 1000 Markets shop and leave a comment here telling me your favorite item in my shop. And please make sure I have a way to contact you if you win.

Extra entries:
-1 extra entry if you follow my blog
-1 extra entry if you follow me on Twitter
-1 extra entry if you fan me on Facebook
-1 extra entry *each time* you mention the giveaway on your blog, Facebook page, or Twitter. Just send me the link for each one to get credit.
-4 extra entries for each item purchased from me during the giveaway. Just be sure to put "Giveaway" in the notes to seller at checkout to get credit.

The Birthday Giveaway Blowout starts today (July 1) and ends on my birthday (July 7) at midnight CST ('cause that's my time zone!). Good luck!

Hump Day Humor

I came across this photo from a post on Twitter. So funny!

Harry Potter!!!!!

I just watched the new trailer for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movies, and let me tell you, I can't wait to see them!!! Gotta be patient for November.......

Sunday Spotlight

Before we get on with our usual Sunday Spotlighting, I'd like to direct your attention toward a treasury that my Oatmeal, Milk and Honey soap is included in - Sweet Like Honey Treasury. Thanks for including my soap, Sincerely Serenity!

Today's Sunday Spotlight is Robyn's Art! I know Robyn from a great BNS thread on Etsy. But not only is she a sweet lady, she also sells wonderful photography and handmade journals.

It was so hard picking just one photograph to include here; there are so many that I love. Vintage Daisies 5"x7" photo print, $12.00

Robyn also makes great journals. I just ordered a custom journal, and can't wait for it to get here! The flower on this particular journal is so cute. Bloom - a 6"x9" Leather Journal, $25.00.
Robyn will also be hosting a 6-week long artist empowerment class, beginning July 5. For more details, be sure to stop by her blog.

Friday Five

Today seems to be a cloudy, gloomy day, with scattered rain and storms. So today's Friday Five is all about rain. Enjoy!

Let's start with a fellow Etsy Veg teammate, 3 Am Art - Dark Stormy Skies Looming Overhead, $20.00

I love doggie raincoats, but my own pup would never wear one. Like Ben says, he barely tolerates his collar. :) Acme Couture - Wet Look Dog Raincoat with Hood, custom made, $25.00
Space Oddities - El Paraguas Pocket Mirror, $7.00
MichelleDigital - Aqua Rain, $36.00
And finally, perhaps the most unique rain-themed item I came across this morning. ClayZ - RainDrop Ocarina Trio, $145.00

Test Soaps

Tuesday afternoon I made two test batches of soap with hemp oil and new fragrances. I don't know that I'll keep the fragrances around, but I can't wait until the soap cures a bit so I can test it out. The two soap logs are still sitting in the molds, I'll take them out and cut them into bars today so they can go on the curing rack.

Hump Day Humor

One of my favorite funny websites to go to is Totally Looks Like. Usually it's two people who you might never think of that actually do look alike. This one is a bit different. :)


see more Celeb Look-A-Likes

Music Monday

Well, we're back from our anniversary vacation down to Lakeway and Austin. The hotel we stayed at in Lakeway was really nice, and had an adult only pool with swim-up bar (I enjoyed that Ben would swim up to get me an iced tea or water), and a family pool with a giant water slide. Our room had a gorgeous lakeside view, complete with a family of deer wandering underneath our balcony (which I didn't get to see, I was in the shower).

And what trip to Austin would be complete without stopping by the Czech Stop in West on the way home? We picked up a couple of kolaches for my mom as a thank you for watching the dog while we were gone, and a box of jalapeno cheddar biscuits for me. Ohmygosh, let me tell you, those are the best biscuits EVER. I just finished one that I toasted in the oven for a couple of minutes, with a soy sausage patty in the middle to make a yummy, spicy breakfast sandwich. Soooooo good.

Enough about my breakfast I suppose. This morning I woke up with a Flogging Molly song in my head. Not sure why this particular song, but here it is. Enjoy!

Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight is... Bohemian Rose! If you're scratching your head in confusion, two of my products are currently included in some great Etsy treasuries, and I wanted to share them with you.

First, my Carbon Soap is featured in this wonderful soap treasury.

You can also find my Honeysuckle Nectarine Lip Balm in this beautiful summertime treasury.

Thank you Forest Creations and BPR Designs for including me!

Friday Five

Since we're out of town down in Austin for our anniversary trip, what else would this week's Friday Five be about than the grooviest city in Texas?

We'll be back tomorrow afternoon, so any orders that have been placed while I was gone will ship Monday. Thanks for your patience!

Accessorize Your Style, $5.00
Victoria Camp Designs, $25.00
Izzy Skully, $10.00
Byron Dubreuiel, $139.00 (This sign makes me smile every time we drive down to Austin. How could I not include a painting of it?)
Artisans A G0-Go, $10.00

Hump Day Humor

Please note that I will be out of town Wednesday through Saturday of this week (we're celebrating our anniversary!). Any orders placed during that time will be shipped Monday morning. Thank you!

And now on to our regularly scheduled programming, with a ridiculous hat and pie chart from Regretsy.

Music Monday

Last night we went with a couple of friends to see the Riders in the Sky at the Botanic Gardens in Fort Worth. I'd never been to a concert in the garden, but it was a lot of fun! You can bring a cooler and picnic dinner, then sit and enjoy the concert, and watch fireworks afterward. Casey reminded me that when we were kids the Riders in the Sky were on Pee Wee's Playhouse. I used to love that show!

When they played "Woody's Roundup" from Toy Story 2, the baby started moving around. I think she's going to be a Disney fan just like her momma. :) Oh, and the girl who sings the part of Jessie in the song is apparently from Fort Worth, so she came up and sang a couple of songs with them later on in the concert. Neat!

Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight is... AJ's Country Cottage! Since my house is always scented from all of the soaps I have, I don't light a lot of candles. But I do enjoy a candle on the window ledge when I take a bath in the evening. And AJ's candles smell great!

One scent I have and love is Midnight Rendezvous. Definitely a must try! AJ's candles are 7 oz. of soy wax with cotton wicks, and their burn time is 55-60 hours. Wow! (Midnight Rendezvous Soy Candle, $7.95)
AJ also makes tarts, which are great if you want to scent your room without having something burning. (Like if you have cats or small children around.) You can buy soy or paraffin tarts individually, or grab a 3 pack of your favorite scents to save some money! (Choose 3 Packs Soy Tarts, $10.50)