Books I Recommend Your Read [December]

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Read my Disclosure Policy.











White Bodies by Jane Robins

This was a very interesting read about a sister who is worried that her twin is in an abusive relationship.  She's a snoop by nature and she uncovers some scary things about what's really going on in her sister's relationship.  Then someone ends up dead and as you read you feel like anyone could have done it! Great twist at the end too!

The River at Night by Erica Ferencik
This was a great and easy read about 4 women that decide to go on a treacherous white water rafting excursion, wreck, and end up stranded. There are a few horrific tragedies that occur while they are stranded and it's a fight for survival.   Great thrilling book by an author I never heard of before this book. 



When We Were Worthy by Marybeth Whalen

This book was about a town named Worthy and follows the different stories and viewpoints of several people involved in a tragedy, a scandal, and some other really sad but realistic things.   Everyone seems to intersect in some way and it shows how they are all impacted after the main tragic event.





The Child by Fiona Barton
This interesting read covers the lives of several people as an infant's body is discovered in their town.  One of them is the mother, one of them is a reporter, and one of them has a special involvement. I love how this book twists and turns.


Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
This book is amazing and there's even a Netflix movie about it. It's a book that tells the story of a white family back in the 40's when black people were still disrespected.   Two brothers butt heads and everything comes to a big explosion when one of them gets too friendly with a local black man.  This is a great book about racism and poverty and struggling to make ends meet with back breaking work. 


When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
This book kind of takes place in a distant future where there is no longer a line between religion and politics.   It's like everyone is brainwashed by religion.  And if you commit a crime like Hannah, the main character (She had an abortion after having an affair with a married priest), your punishment is that you are stained red all over your skin for a certain duration of time.   Hannah and her friend Kayla are trying to find a new world and a better life.






GIVEAWAY DETAILS
Prize: $200 Amazon Gift Card
Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 1/17 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.
Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

 photo ScreenShot2014-06-25at102225PM_zps4fdda517.png



Christmas 2017 Recap

Tuesday, December 26, 2017




I had a grand old time this Christmas and I have some fun snapshots to share with you.











Of course the dogs were in their festive outfits.  

 
 
Christmas Eve my parents, brother, and grandma came over for cheese balls and Christmas cookies made by my mom.    I gave my mom and Grandma both a wedding album of photo prints of our special day.  



The dogs set out cookies, milk, and a note for Santa. 












And the next morning....

They got gifts! 
 



 
 Then it was time to prepare a Christmas Feast!


 I love my table setting this year!



 I got Sperry Winter boots, Narcisco Rodriguez perfume, a lap desk, gift card for getting my nails done, curling wand, and pepper spray!!
 













Then the day after Christmas (aka today) Stella went to the vet with me because she's been limping really bad the past few days.   Turns out she has what is comparable to a torn ACL in humans.   It needs to heal.  So after $300 some dollars in x-rays and medication she has to rest for the next 8 weeks, lost about a pound, and I bought a ton of random rugs to go all over the hardwood floors for her. OH MY!  Never a dull moment. 

How was your Christmas? What did you get? 








 photo ScreenShot2014-06-25at102225PM_zps4fdda517.png



Merry Christmas from My Family to Yours (+ a J. Crew Giveaway)

Friday, December 22, 2017







 I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all of you.  I love my readers and I have big plans for this blog in 2018.  I need to step my game up and post more and post BETTER.


Thanks for sticking with me this long and I will be signing off until Wednesday when I come back with another giveaway!






GIVEAWAY DETAILS
Prize: $150 J.Crew Gift Card
 
Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 1/12 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.

Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!














 photo ScreenShot2014-06-25at102225PM_zps4fdda517.png



Things to Remember This Week & Target Instagram Giveaway ($150)

Wednesday, December 20, 2017






Before we officially jump into the holidays I figured I'd remind everyone of some things to keep in mind as we enter the chaos the next week or so will bring.



One cheat week won't hurt// Seriously live it up and eat all the food! People go to great lengths to make delicious food for you to enjoy so live it up!


You don't have to LIKE your family// So your racist uncle is going to be sitting near you at the dinner table this year....take a deep breath and remember that just because they're your family doesn't mean you have to like and agree with them.


Teach children to be grateful// Between sessions of intense present opening, make sure you remind your little ones to be grateful and to thank anyone and everyone who got them a gift.  Also try to have them watch as other people open gifts, so they understand that it's not just about THEM THEM THEM.


Be kind and slow down// Take a few extra moments to take it all in and enjoy it.  It'll be over before you know it.






And now.....


GIVEAWAY DETAILS
Prize: $150 Target Gift Card
Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!
Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Giveaway ends 1/10 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.
Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!










 photo ScreenShot2014-06-25at102225PM_zps4fdda517.png



How My Dogs Celebrate Christmas








Obviously I don't have children but that doesn't mean I don't have "kids" celebrating Christmas in my house every year.   Yes, that's right the dogs get gifts for Christmas!    So anyways, in case you were wondering - here's how my pups celebrate the holidays.

Santa Photos
This is a tradition that started when Pixie was just 2 years old.  She enjoyed visiting people and pets at the local pet stores and I'd always get her photo taken.  Over the years Grace has basically let it be known that she isn't a fan of photos with Santa so I usually just take Pixie and Stella.  However, this year we may have to skip it altogether because I'm just too darn busy on the days Santa's in town for them.

Stockings Hung
My pups each have their own stocking complete with a photo of themselves on it.  Every year on Christmas morning I make them open the gifts inside.  They seem to enjoy it even though they get confused and try to open each others. 

Gifts Galore
I also give them several wrapped gifts.  This year their gifts mainly include treats.  I'm especially excited about Tylee's Jerky from Chewy. These are 100% pork sirloin and they are great when I have to give the dogs something to occupy them and keep them out of my way if I'm cooking or cleaning or have company over. Sometimes I tear them into little pieces and use them as training rewards. These are human-grade too which means I basically would enjoy them if I decided I wanted a snack. LOL! ;-)   The dogs already love jerky type treats and I just want to keep them happy and healthy!





Christmas Dinner
My gang LOVES eating different during the holidays.  I usually spoil them by giving them different food and this year it's Victor Canned Food from Chewy! I went with the beef and veggie entrée in this all natural food. It's packed with vitamins and minerals so I know my gang will have a nice nutritious dinner. Rocky is my pickiest eater and I am confident he'll have no issues devouring this.   I tested some out with them and mixed it in with their regular food and it was gone in 10 seconds!

How do your four-legged kids celebrate the holidays?



 photo ScreenShot2014-06-25at102225PM_zps4fdda517.png



My Festive (& Funny) Weekend

Tuesday, December 19, 2017






Ohhhh man, so this weekend was interesting. Let's start with the important part.  I got to see my blogger bestie Monica from Jersey Girl Texan Heart again.  She lives in Jersey so every couple of months we meet up halfway at a restaurant.  This time we chose one called Apollo Grill in Bethlehem.   Now remember neither of us are from around there.  So it's like a whole new world for us. Well of course it's so close to Christmas so traffic in the city was nuts but we both somehow found parking in a garage and met up and walked to the restaurant. Apparently it was some Christmas weekend thing in the city because Apollo was backed and it was only lunch time!  So we asked if there were any seats and the girl showed us to 2 seats at the bar. 
I ordered a salad which was okay but a little soggy.
For dessert I got chocolate peanut butter cake!



But I noticed we weren't getting served as quickly (maybe because we were at the bar but didn't order drinks? I don't know).  The girl asked us if we needed forks with our dessert and I said yes, thank you.  And she said You're welcome.  Then walked away. No utensils.  So we waited almost 5 minutes for her to notice us waving her down to get utensils.  Then they seemed annoyed that we were still there (It was honestly an hour TOPS!) so we hurried up and got our check which was asked her to separate.  When she brought it to us she had literally just divided it by 2.  So even though one of us got more food, we both had to pay. No biggie because I don't mind but it's the principle of it.  But yea, they seemed super annoyed with us still being there. So we got our stuff and left but not before taking a goofy selfie in the bathroom mirror (the first pic in this post) and giggling to each other saying "We are sooo not hyperlinking this place on our blog".

Now I know it's a busy time of year but we both drove over ninety minutes to get there so it would have been nice if we had a little bit better service.   





After we left we walked back to the garage which was freezing cold and did our gift exchange there. Thanks a lot Apollo Grill, you suck! Yes I'm petty and bitter, lol! Anyways my gift from Monica was a Chihuahua mug and a Chihuahua ornament which was neatly wrapped inside the mug.  The funny thing is my gift to Monica was a blanket and a mug with an ornament inside!  We are seriously cut from the same cloth!

So after I got home I started to make a gingerbread house.  Yea, I know, I don't have kids but hey I can still act like one right?   This was my first time and man was I impatient so I kind of half-assed it.







At first I cared a lot and then I was like ehhh I'm gonna eat it this week anyways so it doesn't need to be perfect.  So here's my gingerbread house from every angle.
















Next year I think I'll make one much earlier in the month and I'll really put my all into it.

Do you guys make gingerbread houses? Do you use them just as decoration or do you tear them down to eat?




On a more fun note, I went and got a Powder Dip Manicure from a new nail spot in Camp Hill called Sally Nails. I'm feeling lazy so if you want to know what that kind of manicure is, GOOGLE IT! Just kidding, but I'll try to explain a little bit. So apparently these are better for your nails and last much longer!  I'm hoping for 5 weeks.  They cost a little more (This French manicure set was $40) and take maybe an extra 15-20 minutes to do.    Oh and Sally Nails is an adorable place and they gave all their clients Christmas gifts.  Inside my gift bag was a bottle of olive oil lotion. Smells so good!

Okay anyways... 














So the powder dip thing...basically they paint your nail with this stuff then dip your finger into powder, shake it off and wait a couple minutes for it to dry.  They do it several times repeating the process and then boom you're done.  I seriously had a great time getting it done and I'm hoping it lasts a long time so stay tuned!  


What did you guys do this weekend? I saw a lot of people baking Christmas Cookies so if you did, send me some!






 photo ScreenShot2014-06-25at102225PM_zps4fdda517.png