More Books I have Read

Here are a few more books I have liked reading this year and want to share with you.

The Lake House
The Secret Keeper (not shown in picture)
The Forgotten Garden
The Distant Hours
The House at Riverton
By Kate Morton
 
I read The Lake House by Kate Morton earlier this year and loved it so much that I had to read all of her books. There is not a single on of her books that I did not like. Go and read them all!

 Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

Just when Glennon Doyle Melton was beginning to feel she had it all figured out—three happy children, a doting spouse, and a writing career so successful that her first book catapulted to the top of the New York Times bestseller list—her husband revealed his infidelity and she was forced to realize that nothing was as it seemed. A recovering alcoholic and bulimic, Glennon found that rock bottom was a familiar place. In the midst of crisis, she knew to hold on to what she discovered in recovery: that her deepest pain has always held within it an invitation to a richer life.
Love Warrior is an inspiring account of how we are born to be warriors: strong, powerful, and brave; able to confront the pain and claim the love that exists for us all. This chronicle of a beautiful, brutal journey speaks to anyone who yearns for deeper, truer relationships and a more abundant, authentic life.

I loved the complete and brutal honest of this memoir. 

 
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Despite their differences, sisters Vianne and Isabelle have always been close. Younger, bolder Isabelle lives in Paris while Vianne is content with life in the French countryside with her husband Antoine and their daughter. But when the Second World War strikes, Antoine is sent off to fight and Vianne finds herself isolated so Isabelle is sent by their father to help her.

As the war progresses, the sisters' relationship and strength are tested. With life changing in unbelievably horrific ways, Vianne and Isabelle will find themselves facing frightening situations and responding in ways they never thought possible as bravery and resistance take different forms in each of their actions.

I couldn't put this book down. 

Return From Tomorrow by George G Richie 
At the age 20, a soldier George Ritchie died in an Army hospital. Nine minutes later he returned to life. What he experienced would change him forever.

This was a really quick read (like less than a day) with a really great message.  
 

Books I Have Read Recently

 Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

 Two misfits.One extraordinary love. 

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor. 

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

I really liked the characters in this book and enjoyed reading it but most would be turned off by the language. 

 The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips
London, 1672. The past twelve years have brought momentous changes: the restoration of the monarchy, a devastating plague and fire. Yet the city remains a teeming, thriving metropolis, energized by the lusty decadence of Charles II's court and burgeoning scientific inquiry. Although women enjoy greater freedom, they are not allowed to practice medicine, a restriction that physician Hannah Devlin evades by treating patients that most other doctors shun: the city's poor.
But Hannah has a special knowledge that Secretary of State Lord Arlington desperately needs. At the king's Machiavellian court, Hannah attracts the attention of two men, charming courtier Ralph Montagu and anatomist Dr. Edward Strathern, as well as the attention of the powerful College of Physicians, which views her work as criminal. When two influential courtiers are found brutally murdered, their bodies inscribed with arcane symbols, Hannah is drawn into a dangerous investigation by Dr. Strathern, who believes the murders conceal a far-reaching conspiracy that may include Hannah's late father and the king himself.

This book has it all! Part mystery, historical fiction, romance, and more. If you like historical fiction then you need to read this book.

Driven to Distraction by Edward M Hallowell MD and John J Ratey MD

If you or anyone you know suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder I highly recommend you read this book!


What books have you read recently? 

Halloween 2016

You could say we like our treats at our house.

This year Brody wanted to be a Slurpee and Sammy and Sadie little birthday cakes. 

Summer Fun

So far this summer my kids are really into:

Pete the Cat. We can't stop singing some of his songs from the books.

They have also been crazy about Traffic cones we got from Oriental Trading Company. They love making bike trails and obstacle courses with them.

They also have added selling candy to their lemonade stands but of course they end up eating most of it themselves.

Oriental Trading always has the best products for summer fun!

What have you been up to this summer? 

More Play and Imagination with Hide-a-boo Hideouts

Have you noticed that kids these don't seem to play and use their imagination like we did as kids? With the ever increasing technology, gadgets and growing schedules playtime just isn't what it use to be. If you want to change this then check out Hide-a-boo Hideouts!

Hide-a-boo Hideouts are here to encourage play for all kids. Hideouts are forts that slip over a card table for easy set-up and are a home base for adventure. Created with a puppet backdrop on one side and on top, an aerial view map that's also a play mat. Hideouts are incredibly versatile, giving kids endless opportunities for creative and imagination inspired play.

Included with the Hideouts are printables called Teachables. They give busy parents on the go a built in and pre-planned way to encourage play and learning. Simply print out the Teachables from the website and Hide-a-boo provides lots of fun activities to keep kids imagining.

If you want a Hide-a-boo Hideout hurry and head over to Kickstarter and place your order because they will only be available there for the low price of $29 until July 14th.

How to Cook Ribs

Here is the quick, easy way to make ribs according to my husband (Trav the Butcher). He thinks this is the best way to make them.

First season your ribs using your favorite rub.

We were excited about trying this new
Smoky Bourbon Spice Set. It comes with three different seasonings. Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt, Bourbon Smoked Paprika, and Bourbon Smoked Pepper.

Cover ribs and bake in the oven for 2-3 hours at 200-250 degrees. Temperatures and time vary based on your oven. Then brown the ribs on the grill on medium for about 10 minutes.

Easy right?
 

Make Your Own Olympics T Shirt

Since the Olympics are just around the corner I thought I would share this free printable so you can make your own Little Olympian t shirt. Brody and I made this one for the last summer Olympics and he loved it!

All you need is a printer, iron on transfer paper, a shirt and an iron. Simply follow the instructions that come with your iron on transfer paper.

Download the little Olympian shirt template here