Tag Archive | Mother’s Day

A Mother’s Day Murder… A book review

Well, it may not be Mother’s Day coming up but I picked up A Mother’s Day Murder by Dee Ernst as a lucky free find all the same. This is the first in a series – Mt. Abrams Mysteries. And was an interesting read. Dee Ernst wrote this book around a more mature main character – Ellie Rocca, a divorced mother of two who now works from home running her own business as an online editor of books that would otherwise be self published. With a grown daughter trying to find her way and an elementary aged daughter just starting to grow she is a busy woman in a rather traditional suburban town where “nothing happens”.

That is, until something DOES happen. I found this contemporary mystery book to be a rather fun read, though I agree with other reviewers in that there are a lot of new characters coming at you very quickly. While I did not write out a cheat sheet to keep track of them all I was sorely tempted.

The love interests are interesting, the main character honest about her confusion and feelings and a total trouble magnet. There is some suspense, a touch of romance, some tongue in cheek reflections on suburban life and characters I would definitely like to learn and read more about. At only a little over 2 hours suggested reading time I would probably consider this a novella, and happily there are more available in the series.28228211._UY2250_SS2250_

This entry was posted on 19/06/2016, in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day to the mother, step mothers, grandma’s god-mommies, great grandmas…. to all the women who are instrumental teachers in our children’s lives. I don’t think I can ever truly show the appreciation I have for ALL the people who are significant in our lives here and abroad. I could not ask for a better network for loving, true and vital women to show my sons and daughters the possibilities there are in life, the potential for love and the joy that can be felt in relationship with women (and men) of all walks of life. But I am going to try… IMG_20160508_120548

We had a wedding the day before so Ken’s planning time was cut down to little or no (he does like to do his Saturday before prep for Mother’s Day) but between him and the kids they managed a terrific day. We started off at church where the kids sang in the choir and I was given a flower. Then over to Caribou for a fancy coffee for mom…IMAG3063

Zander and Ken made me lunch – a Kale salad kit I picked up at Sam’s club… yum! And then came the centerpiece of the day… KEN took them to the park and I got a NAP! An uninterrupted, silent house nap! BLISSIMG_20160508_114810

Our evening was spent at the YMCA where I wore my swim cap and enjoyed some quality time with Echo and her friend from down the road Sophie. After swimming I had a wonderful chat with her parents. 

With photos and quiet time, just me and my personal crochet project and another flower gifted from the YMCA I had a day to remember.13094133_10154200276731151_966295869300258893_n

My family means the world to me, I have been privileged to have found a man who truly understands me, children who love so honestly… I may not be where I expected to be but I am definitely where I NEED to be. I wish the same joy to you… that we can all be surrounded by love and affection, truth and acceptance… Happy Mother’s Day everyone!IMG_20160508_120648

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Gavin

Gavin

Zander

Zander

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May We Reflect on the 5th Month of 2015?

Yup slowly but surely we are working our way to current life… it has just seemed like the year has slipped away before we could truly grasp it! But on I go… May…DSCN0021

Well, what happens in May? Mother’s Day… that is the big one.DSCN0034

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Mother's Day dinner with Nana and Baba

Mother’s Day dinner with Nana and Baba

But we had so much more going on… Spring means sunshine and park days! We do have a couple nearby.DSCN0057

DSCN0007It also means (in Texas), roses are big, gorgeous and mailable… Gammie has always sent us beautiful blooms from her garden that seem to make it in record time for the most part, smell and petals intact!DSCN0012

Garage sales have started back up as well. A goldmine for books, toys and the odd piece of clothing… especially when they are walking distance.DSCN0018

DSCN0084The hot find for this year – LITTLEST PET SHOP pieces! Trinity and Echo are now addicted to them. Odd little bobble head things.DSCN0049

Miss Trinity completed a couple workbooks, as did Emanuel.DSCN0014

DSCN0036DSCN0038We dressed up fancy for church, especially when there was singing to be done for the Cherub Choir!DSCN0026

DSCN0028DSCN0030Scouts figured highly in our activities around the month of May… anything to fulfill Emanuel’s arrow points. This is a game where you throw washers into a pie plate. All the kids enjoyed that one! Noisy though.DSCN0040

One of Trinity’s birthday presents was a knot it yourself fleece blanket with a Hello Kitty theme. Trinity was such a go getter with this one – her goal was to finish in time for the Family Night movie at the YMCA… she made it!DSCN0043

Miss Echo was gifted a lovely selection of shoes thanks to the Schwartz family’s neighbour! What a blessing!!DSCN0062

We took the whole family for a special outing to the carousal at one of the smaller malls.DSCN0064

DSCN0065The kids rescued some free chairs from the end of the neighbour’s drive as well. Decent condition and rather comfy!DSCN0072

May also marked the beginning of this year’s straw bale garden. Nana and Baba are gone so much now they figured they would set it up and let the boys go with it. The results were… varied… but they did enjoy the process of setting things up, planting and such.DSCN0073

DSCN0074It is surprising how quickly winter melts away around here. The kids are always quick to embrace that change, really they are quick to embrace each and every season with a great deal of enthusiasm.DSCN0054

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Cousin Robbie even found the time for a visit! A college student now we see a lot less of him but the visits we do have are terrific!DSCN0083

IMAG2654We ended the month with a trip to the zoo (Como) with Aunty Shandai and Uncle Ravyn. Sometimes a place takes on a whole new experience just by adding some amazing company. So sit back and enjoy the inevitable photo overflow!!!! Happy May!!! (belatedly!)

We picked a busy day and had to park away and take the shuttle which the kids LOVED

We picked a busy day and had to park away and take the shuttle which the kids LOVED

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Sea Lion

Sea Lion

this little guy was all over the place within arm's reach!

this little guy was all over the place within arm’s reach!

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Bonsai!!!

Bonsai!!!

You can find the rest of the month’s images (many from the zoo) HERE. Can’t resist sharing these!!!

And of course we spent a lot of time with the Schwartz family! Even met the neighbour’s baby.  Now that we have snow it is fun to look back at all this green warm sunshine!IMAG2399

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Don’t forget Home Depot with Daddy and Baba!IMAG2422

And our time with Kites and the Wind (resources HERE).

IMAG2395And tons more but instead… a few more pics and then bop up to that link at the zoo section and see the overflow! Bask in the warm images with our cold winter just beginning!

Trinity's birthday party (note Novak boys)

Trinity’s birthday party (note Novak boys)

Two new blue bracelets!

Two new blue bracelets!

Feeding the Starving Children with Scouts

Feeding the Starving Children with Scouts

Easter shoes thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Mike!

Easter shoes thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Mike!