Sweetgrass Baskets by Charmayne

Check out my good friend Charmayne's beautiful sweetgrass baskets. She hand makes each basket in the beautiful lowcountry of South Carolina. Wonderful for your home and as gifts. There is so much wonderful history in the story of the sweetgrass baskets, that you won't be able to resist!

Visit her site at Sweetgrass Baskets by Charmayne

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Guest Post by Pearce Corbin -- DIYHoliday Decor

The holidays are here and interior designer in-the-making, Pearce Corbin has a few ideas for do-it-yourself Holiday Decor that you can make with your family. ENJOY and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

BIO:
Pearce Corbin is an interior designer in-the-making and a freelance writer for MyProjectorLamps.Com. He’s a lover of vintage furniture and has a special affinity for spooky couches. In this guest post he shares DIY holiday decorations you can make with your kids!

thegoodielife.com

5 DIY Holiday Decorations

With holidays fast approaching, the desire to decorate for this festive occasion begins. Not
all decorations need to be bought and in fact, many beautiful decorations are simple and
inexpensive to make. Even better, many of these do-it-yourself projects can involve the kids
so they can be taught the holiday spirit as the whole family prepares the decorations. Here
are ideas for five easy holiday decoration projects to complete at home.

1. Garland Trees.
Garland trees with the colorful, bright tones of holiday tinsel are easy to make using
a variety of garlands and Styrofoam cones. Depending on the weight of the tinsel, the
garland might have to be glued to the cone with a hot glue gun. Some garlands are so light,
however, that they can be attached to the cone with pins. Each member of the family can
have a different-sized, different-colored cone to decorate and put around the house.

2. Holiday Wreath.
Yarn-wrapped wreaths continue to be popular and they are incredibly easy to make. You
need to have a metal wreath base in the size you want and then enough yarn in a festive
holiday color to wrap around and completely cover the metal frame, at least two times
around so that no part of the metal shows through. You can add a bow or other holiday
item at the end and you have a wreath. The kids can help you wrap the yarn, since this will
be the most time-consuming part of the project. They can even help choose the additional
decorations to finish the wreath. Other materials can also be used to wrap the base and you
can let the kids choose and experiment with different materials and designs. If the base is
not wrapped, hot glue will be needed to attach the other materials.

3. Table-top Candle Decorations.
Choose your favorite tea light scents and place them in a long dish surrounded by painted
beans or seeds to match the colors you have chosen for your holiday décor. This is
an instant holiday decoration that can add to the ambiance of your room quickly and
inexpensively.

4. Branch Centerpieces
Collect simple, large bare branches from the backyard or a hiking trip and then use them
to create a beautiful arrangement in a clear, glass vase. To add to the holiday spirit,
hang tiny “holiday accessories” from the branches. These accessories can be small pieces
such as seeds, painted in holiday colors, tiny wooden ornaments or even very small glass
ornaments.

5. Garlands
Garlands are also easy to make and the possibilities are endless. A star garland involves
cutting out stars from holiday colored poster paper and then threading it through at equal
intervals. The kids can each draw their own set of stars and cut them out. The stars can all
be the same color or you can mix and match and then hang the garland around the house.
Similarly, a snowball garland can be just as easily created, using small Styrofoam balls
and needle and thread. After these tiny balls are threaded through at equal intervals, the
snowball garland is ready to be used in the tree or hanging as decoration.



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My Top Five {Authors, Blogs, Singers and more}

Happy Thanksgiving all!!

My top likes {{as of today since this list changes more often than you'd think}}

My Top Five Seven Authors (in no particular order) ---

1. Karen White
2. Dorothea Benton Frank
3. Amy Hale Auker
4. Rudolfo Anaya
5. Sunday Larson
6. Laura Childs
7. Joseph B. Fussell

My Top Five Singers (in no particular order) ---

1. George Strait
2. Adrian Brannan (Buckaroogirl)
3. Brenn Hill
4. Reba
5. Sade

My Top Five Seven US Cities (in no particular order) ---
BTW I prefer small towns! Once lived in a village with a population of 11 and was quite happy!

1. Charleston / Mount Pleasant, SC
2. Albuquerque, NM (and most all those cities and town south of there)
3. Dallas, TX
4. New York, NY (well, that's where the family reside)
5. San Juan Capistrano, CA (most all of SoCal)
6. West Palm Beach, FL
7. Breaux Bridge, LA (fine people living there)

My top Five Nine Blogs (in no particular order and there are so many more that I love)-- 

1. Deep South Magazine
2. Charleston Grit
3. Frugally Sustainable
4. The Gracious Girl
5. Dirt and Martinis
6. The South Dakota Cowgirl
7. Guard'n The Planet
8. Horses & Heels
9. Fed Well

Places I would like to return to for a holiday (in no particular order) --

1. Italy
2. Sweden
3. Hawaii
4. Penang

What are your top fives, sixes, threes? ... place you want to go back to ... well you get it, I'm sure!

... What should I consider adding to my lists? ... any thoughts!

~Maria

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Keep it local!

I have many friends who run small businesses and this is how they support themselves and their families. I try to go out of my way to shop from them. Why? Because they are my community, they are a part of my economy and because I can put a face and a story to the products.

Consider buying the things you need, and want from small local businesses and self-employed people. Do you have a neighbor who sells online, is there a local craftsperson in the area who makes jewelry or clothes? I’ll bet there is a local indie bookstore in your area. Just look around. I’ll bet there are some local Authors who would be thrilled to sign their book for you. What about that friend from high school who runs a small local floral shop and shows up each week at the local farmers market to sell fresh flowers and crafts? What is she doing this fall and winter, making garland or wreaths? Do you know the local farmers and ranchers or the people down at the feed store? They’d be happy to sell to you.

Then there is that friend or friend of a friend who does shop at home parties? Can’t beat shopping and socializing at the same time! How about that bakery guy with the delish cookies, those cookie sales help put clothes on his children’s backs. The lady that owns the hair salon, I’ll bet she’ll be happy to sell a gift certificate you can give as a holiday present. I’ll bet you keep driving by that little clothing store in the strip mall thinking, “I should stop there one day.” Do it now!

You know these people will treat you right because they are your neighbors, your friends, you see them going down the road.

Support real people, put the money into your local economy and watch it thrive.

From orgreenheat.blogspot.com

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In the dark

You have to get up early. 

When the sky is still dark.

Let the world unfold before your eyes, 

watch the break of day come over the mountain, 

follow the rays of sunshine that spray over the foothills. 

Listen to the wind, to the sounds of the day ahead. 

You have to get up early. 

  © Maria Norcia Santillanes 

ngm.nationalgeographic.com

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Tainted Focus

A degree of confusion has tainted my focus. I've been looking for part-time work in addition to my Contract Sales work with Cowgirl Dirt and I've been putting together a Business Plan for a small retail home show business I am considering.

Today I found a message on my voice mail from the local university stating they would like to offer me a full-time position. Well, that might sound nice but in the same breath the person said the job offer hadn't yet been approved by Human Resources ... say what?

I am really very torn between wanting to following my entrepreneurial instinct, living frugally waiting for 'it' to happen and working for a paycheck with benefits but to build someone else's career.

Sometimes I think being a 'Sagittarius' is just too much mental work ...

What's a girl to do, I say?

From honeyinthesun.com

~~

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Watching the Moon

There will be a full Harvest Moon or as some call it, a Full Corn Moon this weekend, Sept 29/30 so pReParE. This moon corresponds to the fall harvest and is sometimes also called the Barley moon because it is when farmers thresh the ripening barley.

Sweep clean the porches of your home and prepare for the change this full moon will bring! 

"Officially, the crest of the full Harvest Moon will happen on September 29, 2012 at 10:19 p.m. CDT (3:19 on September 30 Universal Time). Depending upon your time zone, the full moon will be September 29 or 30. But the moon will appear round and full on all the nights around this full moon." ~ EarthSky

Photo credit: Harvest Moon by scienceduck from the blog Golempoem 

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I'm walking, yes indeed, I'm talking 'bout ... Race for the Cure

Cancer is such a horrible disease. One I wish could be stamped out for good, but until then I'm walking ... won't you join me by donating to the cause in any amount comfortable for you.

Dear Friends and Family, I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Central New Mexico Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in its efforts to end breast cancer forever. I will also take part in the Komen Central New Mexico Race for the Cure® as part of this program. Please help support me in this important project by contributing generously to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Central New Mexico Affiliate. Your tax-deductible contribution will fund breast cancer education, screening, and research programs. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. More information on Komen Central New Mexico and its programs can be found at www.komencnm.org. Whatever you can give will help, it all adds up! I greatly appreciate your support! Sincerely, Maria To donate online, click here.

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Hey Frangelico, meet me after dinner!!

Sofia has been at it again! This time she sent me a wonderful bottle of Frangelico. I was pleased to learn that Frangelico, in conjunction with celebrity Chocolatier MarieBelle, is set to unveil a limited edition truffle for the holiday season. The indulgent truffle, made with Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, will feature a special design and proceeds will benefit pet charity Bide-A-Wee. The charitable confections, featuring adorable puppy and kitten logos, will be available in addition to the traditional Frangelico truffles.

I wanted to learn a bit more about this liqueur, one that made a home in my Dad's liquor cabinet for years but one that I had never really embraced before this time. "Frangelico is produced in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, its origins date back more than 300 years to the presence of early Christian monks living in the hills of the area. The Frangelico bottle is an immediate reminder of this distinctive history; shaped like a monk’s habit, with a traditional rope belt around its waist. To make Frangelico, local Piedmont hazelnuts are roasted and infused in a solution of water and alcohol. A number of natural extracts – including cocoa and vanilla - are blended with the hazelnut infusion and hazelnut distillate to create the Frangelico concentrate. The mixture is then left to mature in vats for 6 to 8 weeks. The resulting liqueur is pale gold in color, a rich texture, and a pronounced hazelnut flavor with hints of vanilla and dark chocolate. As a classic liqueur, it’s perfect after a meal - either with coffee or in coffee, or pour it over ice in a chunky tumbler." ~ Manga Bene Pasta

Piedmont is a large mountainous region in the northwest corner of Italy, ringed on three sides by the Alps, and also contains one of the country’s most famous lakes. It’s justifiably well-known for its wines and is the region which gave birth to the Slow Food movement. And although it didn’t last long, Piedmont was also home to the first capital of a unified Italy in 1861.

The confections will be available at the MarieBelle chocolate boutique in NYC and online at www.mariebelle.com and the truffles will be on sale beginning November 2012 through January 2013.

It's a winner!!

 As you might already know, Bide-A-Wee is a humane organization that provides shelter, care and compassion to homeless animals. During the 2012 / 2013 holiday season, a portion of the proceeds from the Frangelico Charity truffle will benefit the Bide-A-Wee organization.

   

I enjoyed this liqueur a good deal. It has a nice taste of Hazelnut and chocolate and I think it would make a very fine after dinner drink during the holidays or really, anytime.

Here is a nice cocktail recipe you can try for yourself::

Frangelico Truffle Cocktail

1 oz Frangelico

1 oz SKYY vodka

3/4 oz of espresso

Shake with ice and serve in a cocktail or martini glass.

Dust with chocolate shavings

For those who may not have espresso on a regular basis, you can try this simpler recipe that is really delicious!

Frangelico on the Rocks

- 2 oz Frangelico® Hazelnut Liqueur

- 2 oz Citrus Vodka 

Add both ingredients in a shaker, shake and strain into a sugar rimmed glass filled with ice. Garnish with a sugar covered lemon wedge. 

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Rule # 1

Good morning,

It's not often that I feel I must add a rule to this blog but in the last week I have received several 'odd' comments where it is very obvious the commenter does not read this blog nor do they engage in the particular story for which they are leaving a comment. It seems clear to me, these commenters are making an attempt to post blind links to other websites.

Please know that I will not open the links nor will I approve the comment for publication to not only protect this site but to protect those who do check in on this blog regularly from clicking on a potentially bad link.

~Maria



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Are you interested?

Cowgirl Dirt is expanding into retail stores. If you are a retailer and would like to carry Cowgirl Dirt Cosmetics in your shop, contact Maria @ 505.506.5079 or maria@cowgirldirt.com .

Totally Western ∙ Totally Natural ∙ Pure Cosmetics

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It's a fiasco ...

Well, it's the 23rd and still the moving truck has not arrived. It's a fiasco and I'm getting a bit perturbed.

Sorry for being away so long but it's pretty difficult being without your stuff ...

What would you do if it happened to you?

~M

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Oh Boy!!!

Well, I am in New Mexico ... I'm not quite settled yet ... because ........

I . am . still . waiting . for . the . moving . truck . to . arrive!!!!!!!!!!

Which is making it hard to get anything done. I may not be posting often during this transition but I will return once all is running smoothly.


~Maria 

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I'll be back!!!

I am in the midst of moving from one state to another so I will be away for a bit while I settle in but continue to check back and browse posts ... I'll be back!

Unfinished stories

She woke to the sound of a harsh wind through the cottonwoods. Grayness enveloped her and a tingle of ice crept up her spine. The dream, still present in her minds eye, punching her in her gut. The scream, the deafening sound of hooves beating against dirt, the acrid smell of smoke and the lingering taste of ashes caught in her throat. The familiar name formed on her lips, "Cole." It was always that way. The dreams were always there, time after time since she was small girl. She'd never told anyone about them. As much as the dreams made her weep, they were hers and hers alone. 

Georgia O’Keeffe Cottonwood III (1944) Oil on canvas (49.53 x 74.30 cm.)
Unsigned, The Butler Institute of American Art. 

As she lay in bed, somewhere in that nether region that is dreaming and being awake, her lips formed the name again, "Cole," this time a warmth rose in her stomach and she closed her eyes again to bring the dream back.
...
...

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Where's the party?

The party was at my brother-in-law's last weekend for a combination celebration of my nieces 30th birthday and Father's day and it was a perfect time to have a Cognac Party! Ever have one?
Miss Sophi sent me a very nice bottle of Camus' Cognac Borderies XO to try and review* and that's just what we did as we all enjoyed the warm, sunny day in my BIL's backyard.
If you know a bit about cognac, then you know that it is exclusively produced in the cognac region of France. Think medieval town, cobblestone streets, beautiful Renaissance facades. Five generations of the Camus family, back to 1863 have been producing in the Cognac region. They have a worldwide presence and have won several awards including the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in March 2011 with a score of 93 points and achieving the "Excellent, Highly Recommended" category

It is (in Cognac) that the fabled nectar has been created since the 17" century and that the very air one breathes is permeated by the heavy scent of spirits evaporating from oak casks held in storage: this aroma is referred to as the "angels's share'.  http://www.westernfrancetouristboard.com/cognac.html  . 

Cognac can be enjoyed in cocktails, on the rocks or sipped neat. Although, we had cocktail recipes to try and there are several listed below, it was a unanimous decision to try the cognac sipped neat. This was a good idea because everyone took time to savor and think about the taste in their mouth. They swirled the cognac in their glasses, watched the legs drip, looked at the color, savored the finish. Personally, the thing I thought very interesting was the difference between the genders. The men were so impressed with the physical bottle. It is lovely, large and commanding. The woman were more interested in the drink itself. I would have thought just the opposite. 

The Camus Cognac Borderies XO was elegant. The flavor refined and smooth. The men spoke about "bite." Some said there was a bite and they felt that was a good thing, most said there was no bite and they also felt that was a good thing. Ahhh! The human palate, so distinct, so individualized. I personally enjoyed the cognac. I thought it had a very buttery taste and quite nice for sipping and a cognac that I will certainly have and serve again ... and I'm interested in several of their other products.

Nice color!

The birthday girl! This little lady and her baby to be could not participate** in the cognac tasting but enjoyed the party just as well.

Good friends!

Cheers!!

I enjoyed mine and I love my new nail polish!

Try a .....
CAMUS-Rita

2 oz CAMUS VS Elegance Cognac
1 oz sweet & sour Mix
1 oz Grand Marnier

Combine all in a shaker with ice; strain into a small rocks glass with salted rim. Garnish with a lime wedge

This sounds like a delicious drink to have: 

CAMUS Cosmo

1.5 oz CAMUS VS Elegance Cognac

0.75 oz Cointreau

0.75 oz cranberry juice

0.25 oz lime juice

Combine ingredients with ice and shake..Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lime twist

This is different!

CAMUS Honey

2 oz CAMUS VS Elegance Cognac

0.5 oz honey syrup*

1 oz grapefruit juice

Combine ingredients with ice and shake with ice.  Strain into a short rocks glass fresh ice.

*The honey syrup is a 3:1 ratio of honey and water

and this one ....

CAMUS Passion Fruit Mousse

1.5 oz CAMUS Cognac

0.75 oz sweetened condensed milk

0.75 oz passion fruit concentrate

Combine all ingredients with ice and shake. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with an edible flower.

 I like this ...

CAMUS Sazerac

2 oz CAMUS VSOP Elegance Cognac
1 white sugar cube
3-4 Dashes of Peychaud's Bitters
0.25 oz Lucid Absinthe

Saturate sugar cubes with bitters and gently muddle. Add the CAMUS VSOP Elegance Cognac and stir with ice. Strain into a short rocks glass that has been coated with absinthe. Spray the glass with the lemon peel zest and rest the peel on the rim as garnish.  

This was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to learn more about Cognac and the region in which it's produced. We all enjoyed a little bit of the history and a very nice drink!

Next time you are out, ask to be served  Camus' Cognac Borderies XO and try it for yourself. I think you will like it!

The host of the party ... my brother-in-law!

What are you doing this weekend?

~Maria

* I am not paid to review products marketed by Deussen and my opinions are mine and take into consideration the opinions of those who may have also tried the products.

** “GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems” Underage drinking is prohibited.
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A visit with our newest guest poster ... JoEllen Krauss

I would like to introduce JoEllen Krauss, our newest guest poster. JoEllen is a freelance writer for Providian Medical and a specialist in OB/GYN ultrasounds. She loves to read and write about books she has read.  In the following post she shares interesting reads for moms who need that much-deserved break in the land of pages and letters.

Mamas deserve to Get Lost in a Good Book

Summer is the time when many school-aged kids enjoy not having to pick up a book, but it is the complete opposite for many moms. Without the need to rush children to and from school, lessons, practices, and other late August through June obligations, summer can be a time for moms to relax with a good book or two. Whether reading from the comfort of an air conditioned home or outside on the beach, moms have many choices when it comes to what they select to read. Although every person's preferences are different, the following books are sure to entertain. 

For the romantic at heart, "Crossing the Borders of Time" by LeslieMaitland is a post-war story showcasing a daughter's desire to find her mother's former love. "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by HelenSimonson takes readers back to an English village and tells a very sweet love story at the same time.

At Bookworks

Moms looking for a bit of adventure should pick up a book like "Blonde," by Joyce Carol Oates. About the unseen life of Marilyn Monroe, this book may help those women who feel overwhelmed with their busy lives cope. Another option is "The Magus" by John Fowles. Stuck at home with their kids for the summer, women can easily lose themselves in the story of a man that simply wanted life more interesting. 

Those who want a bit more of a long term commitment in the form of a series of books have their choices between fantasy in the likes of "The DarkTower" series by Stephen King, which is a series of six novels that tell a continuing story, or a gratuitous series that started out as fan fiction with the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy. This trilogy has gained so much popularity over the last few months that there are few who have not heard of it, but it is a quick read, perfect for a long day out by the pool - if you feel comfortable reading it in public, that is. A third trilogy, StiegLarsson's "Millennium" series includes "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," which has already been adapted into more than one successful movie.

Supernatural themes are quite popular these days, but so are autobiographies and memoirs. These exist for  education, like the books written about Presidential candidates like Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Barack Obama. With an election coming up this fall, moms can stay educated during the summer months, or choose to read more frivolous and fun memoirs, like any of comedienne Chelsea Handler's works, Jenny McCarthy's book, or even that of Ellen Degeneres. 

Spending the day outside and relaxing does not mean that a mom has to neglect her duties around the home, because there are books that can provide ideas for crafts, projects, and recipes that can be used in the home long after the summer months have passed. Although cookbooks by The Food Network stars like Guy Fieri and Giada De Laurentiis aren't exactly something that can be read end to end, and "Dress Your Best" by Clinton Kelly and Stacy London may only provide some helpful tips and advice, they can keep even the busiest moms intrigued. 

It simply depends on personal preference, but there are books out there to suit every taste. From fantasy novels to tell-all works about the lives of celebrities, the choices are endless, and with the ease of portable e-readers, books have become as portable as cell phones. Despite having kids home for three months, moms deserve a summer break as well. Though this list is by no means exhaustive, sometimes all it takes is picking one title, and going from there. The subject of one book may be similar to that of another, and moving from book to book can provide entertainment as well as define tastes. Whether falling in love with Christian Grey or learning more about the tragic life of Marilyn Monroe this summer, mamas definitely deserve the right to lose themselves in a good book.

 ~

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Do NOT feed the Trolls ...

Today, after almost four years of blogging, a "troll" showed up on the blog. If you don't know, a troll is someone who comments in an inflammatory way, is completely off topic, their claims make no sense to the posting and who's purpose is ... well, I don't really know what their purpose is at all. Oh! and they are most always anonymous, as this one was today.

The "trollface", first appearing in 2008, is often used to indicate trolling in contemporary internet culture.^[1] Modern usage of the word itself dates from 1980s. From Wikipedia

This troll commented about how awful (say what?) this blog was and then wrote "Check out my website at blahblah dot com" ... it was one of those loan companies that charge crazy interest to people in dire need.

Are you kidding me! This is not even a smart troll! 

I'm sure the whole purpose was to incite me to open the link and most likely be smacked with a nasty virus.

The nice thing about the blog moderation feature is that I don't have to include that comment. I can and do approve comments that contribute something to me, to the post or the blog in general. 

After all, it is my party, so to speak! 

I write this blog because I like to write, because it's a record of what interests me. It's not a serious or intellectual blog ... it's for fun, easy reading. Sure, I want people to read it and if they have constructive criticism, I'd be happy to hear it but I don't have to accept hateful comments. 

Not on my blog, not in my life!

...And this is the max amount of time I will give to this subject ... my "This is Spam" button took care of the problem and now on to fun stuff like my post about our weekend Cognac party coming up soon!

~Maria


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Books now ... let's chat!

What books are you reading now? 
I recently read Wild Penance by Sandi Ault. I've read a few of her books and the stories are always good, always set in New Mexico, always a mystery that takes in a bit of the New Mexico landscape, culture and folklore. Wild Penance, while good was missing something. The book dragged in parts, some subplots and characters could have been expanded upon, and the end was a "hurry up and finish" plus it was obvious who the villain was early on. If I had to rate this book on a 1 ~ 5 scale, I'd give it a 2.5.
Now that won't stop me from reading this author, she does have a style that is engaging and her subjects are always interesting.

I also read Agony of the Leaves by a favorite author Laura Childs. I adore her Tea Shop Mystery books, have read every single one, all set in Charleston SC, and the beautiful Lowcountry, an area of which I am very familiar. Loved the story! The protagonist of the Tea Shop Mystery books always surrounds herself with interesting characters, my favorite is Drayton, and generally places herself in gracious social situations. There is a cast of potential villains that you would least suspect and a typical mystery cozy climax.  However, I was thrown for a loop with the twist at the end of this book which was very abrupt ... so unlike the authors usual style. However, I highly recommend this author and in particular this series. On a 1 ~ 5 scale, I'd give it a 4.75.

Not batting a hundred here ... haven't hit any "love, love, love this book" fuzzy feelings but I don't give up on authors easily.

Just finished Dancing Naked in Dixie by Lauren Clark, a new author for me. I picked it up because how can you not love the title of the book. I liked the story, it was easy and fun, a fast, cozy read. The characters were engaging though not deep and the main characters traits were a bit overdone but overall, a good southern chick-lit read. I don't think you can truly judge an author by one book so I'll probably read more from this author. It's a 4 on my scale.

In my hands now is Sea Change by Karen White. I truly enjoy her books and am always engaged by her style of writing. Her characters are always deeply defined, always working something out, which makes it so easy to identify with the individual characters in some way. The stories are nicely climactic and thus far, I've never been let down. I've met the author several times at book signings and she is a very delightful person, incredibly interesting and engaging. I've only just started the book so I'll have to report later but I expect it will be as good as all her others and I might just get the "love, love, love fuzzy feelings!

On my TBR (to be read) list, I have: 
Unbroke Horses by D.B Jackson

Porch Lights by Dorothea Benton Frank

Unbridled Cowboy by Joseph B. Fussell

And ... Hard Country by Michael McGarrity

Leave a comment and let us know what you are reading so we can all add to our TBR list!

* All photos are from Amazon.com

~Maria

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A proper note for a proper time ...

If you have been following this blog for a while, you have probably figured out that I like to hand write notes and I like all sorts of papers and pens. Well one of my favorite paper companies, Crane & Co has just gone live with their new American collection. A lot of great designs! My favorite is the Land Of The Free Correspondence Card  ... yep, it's a rifle!!! and yes, I'll purchase these correspondence cards!

And for those who like to make a political statement, you can hand write a note to your favorite friend who holds opposing views with the Red State Correspondence Card and Blue State Correspondence Card

Photo from  http://www.crane.com/ 

Photo from  http://www.crane.com/ 

Can't decide or prefer to stay politically correct? Then have a look at the Party Animals Correspondence Card

Photo from  http://www.crane.com/   

Crane & Co papers are really ideal and top my list. I worked for a fine stationer when I lived in CT, Crane & Co was a best seller in all categories. They have a fine and long history dating back to the 1700's and they continue to be the supplier of currency paper for the US Government having been awarded the contract for more than 130 years. Pretty neat huh?? Do you still send hand written notes?

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A fond farewell ... I'll Have Another

I'm really very sad to hear that Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another will not be running in the Belmont Stakes. It could of / would of been the first time I'd have placed a bet on a horse race in years ... since I was in college. I attended school in NY, so a bunch of my college friends and I would get together sometimes at Yonkers where they have the Trotters and where the owners have added a casino in recent years, boy have times changed. We would also ride out to Aqueduct or Belmont, it was all just for fun.
That's when I became enamored of these beautiful sentient beings we call  Horse. I once went to a horse race in St. Croix ... just a track and a few bleachers, most people stood but not by choice and the local ladies would sell cokes and chips. So much fun!
Even so, with so many potential bets on I'll Have Another, the purse would have been pretty small and that would have been okay, it's about the fun and the anticipation.

I'll Have Another developed swelling in his left front tendon which looks to be the beginning of tendinitis. Confirmed by the Vet, the owners felt it best to side with caution. I am actually happy the owners cared enough to consider the welfare of the horse and not just run him into the ground for the chance at fast money.
It will be nice to watch when I'll Have Another leads the post parade today at Belmont ... sort of a fond farewell. I just loved it when his Jockey, Mario Gutierrez said "He'll be my hero forever." I'm sure its hard for everyone involved with this horse to accept he won't be running and won't have the chance at the Triple Crown. It will all be well though, I'm sure. I'll Have Another will head to a nice grassy ranch where there are plenty of good snacks, people who love him and a stable of fine fillies to keep him engaged.
He really was something in the stretch! 

USA Today 

~Maria

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