It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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I love being a part of this and I hope you do too!  As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. Fair warning… this meme tends to add to your reading list!

Last week I was in Florida for a fun weekend with my college son. Thank you to Vicki at I’d Rather Be At The Beach for hosting while I was away. 😀

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Since I came back Monday evening last week, I was able to put up a couple posts…

A little bit of the Florida recap

City Of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

A chance to feel like I was on on e of those “Picker” shows….

City Of Glass By Cassandra Clare

You may see a pattern in my reading… I am devouring the Mortal Instrument books!  As for what else I am reading/listening to…

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Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.
6aGrace Stanton’s life as a rising media star and beloved lifestyle blogger takes a surprising turn when she catches her husband cheating and torpedoes his pricey sports car straight into the family swimming pool.  Grace suddenly finds herself locked out of her palatial home, checking account, and even the blog she has worked so hard to develop in her signature style.  Moving in with her widowed mother, who owns and lives above a rundown beach bar called The Sandbox, is less than ideal.  So is attending court-mandated weekly “divorce recovery” therapy sessions with three other women and one man for whom betrayal seems to be the only commonality.  When their “divorce coach” starts to act suspiciously, they decide to start having their own Wednesday “Ladies’ Night” sessions at The Sandbox, and the unanticipated bonds that develop lead the members of the group to try and find closure in ways they never imagined.  Can Grace figure out a new way home and discover how strong she needs to be to get there? 
9In David Vann’s searing novel Goat Mountain, an 11-year-old boy at his family’s annual deer hunt is eager to make his first kill. His father discovers a poacher on the land, a 640-acre ranch in Northern California, and shows him to the boy through the scope of his rifle. With this simple gesture, tragedy erupts, shattering lives irrevocably.
 
In prose devastating and beautiful in its precision, David Vann creates a haunting and provocative novel that explores our most primal urges and beliefs, the bonds of blood and religion that define and secure us, and the consequences of our actions—what we owe for what we’ve done.
Thats what is  happening here.  What are you listening to?  Please add your Monday What Are You Reading post where it says click here. 😀

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For those of you that read mainly middle grade and childrens books, be sure to also link to the younger version of It’s Monday by using the link below!

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City Of Glass by Cassandra Clare

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Book 3: Clary’s mom has been in a coma for a long time and answers are finally starting to fall into place as to why she will not wake up.  To get to the bottom of what is going on with her mom, Clary, Jace, Alex, and Isabelle must go to to the City Of Glass which is said to be an unwelcoming place and dangerous.  Simon must stay behind because vampires are frowned upon and one that can withstand daylight would be all the more insulting to those who dwell in the City. 

As Clary works to try to figure out her past, a friendship comes in the form of Sebastian, a good looking Shadow Hunter who seems to understand Clary.  Downworlders and Shadow Hunters class are required to work together on what seems to be reaching epic battle proportions – but the underlying questions is can these two groups come together when they are worlds apart?

And can Clary stay strong as Jace moves on with another girl leaving her to come to face to face with the fact that is all she can ever have of him is his friendship. 

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City Of Bones party – New York May 2013

So mid series I am still at a WOW level.  I simply love the characters and Jace… well…. see the City Of Bones movie and tell me if you can think of Jace any other way.  😉  (Just saying…).  Simon is as always a great addition to the books (way to go Cassandra Clare!)  He adds that mix of dorky loyalty that levels out the book from all the hotness those Shadow Hunters provide!  But stay tuned future Mortal Instrument readers, Simon also comes into his own and this book is an excellent example of that. 

Get ready to join in the battle as it is a GOOD one!

Morning Meanderings… A bit like a “picker”

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Good morning everyone!  I hope your weekend was (and is still) FAB.  I had a pretty sweet Saturday with a little adventure with my hubby.  If you do not know, we own an excavating company.  My hubby recently won a bid to tear down an old cabin that was condemned.  I had heard that there was some old furniture in the cabin and I tagged along yesterday morning to go and salvage (pick?) what was savable.  We left yesterday at 6 am, the cabin is about an hour away, and then went cautiously inside as the roof has caved in, the chimney had fallen through and there was a big hole in the middle of the large entryway which was probably once a cool three season porch.

The sight of the cabin was actually a little sad as by the looks of all the dishes in the cupboards, papers on the table, etc… it clearly looked like they had intended to be back.  A sign hung outside the shed that said “Olson’s Oasis”.

Everything for the most part was in really bad shape.  There was an old gate leg table that had warped and split because of the rain that has drizzled on it for years. A few of the key pieces I pulled out were:

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This is possibly my favorite find. The table was covered with a plastic cloth so did not become damaged like the other pieces. The bottom needs a little work and of course a whole refinish job but my mom and I used to work on antiques together and I am kind of excited to have the opportunity to do this again.

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I love the feet!
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Not sure what I will do with this but it was worth cleaning up and not being demolished.
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I think this could be fun to put some love back into as well.

This is some of the highlights.  There were a few other lamps, some dishes, chairs, etc… might be something to work on this winter or early spring.

This would normally have been a great post for Saturday Snapshot (which I am linking to anyway even though I am a day late 😀 ), but of course I was out “picking” yesterday morning and didn’t want to wait to post until next Saturday.  With my life, you never know what might be new and exciting next.

For those who want to know, I did inquire about the family who once owned the home.  Apparently there is only the wife still around and she is in a nursing home out of state. I am hopeful that by perhaps breathing life back into some of these pieces in a way it brings back some of the love they once had.

Enjoy your day!  I have a full morning and lots of house cleaning projects to do this afternoon. The weather looks decent – I may try to get a run in as well.  And I am reading the book club book, Ladies Night by Mary Kay Anderson and really enjoying it.

 

Ciry Of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

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Life… once resembled normal for Clary.  She was a typical teenager hanging out with her best friend Simon.  But now everything seems goofy.  Simon, now seems to be more than a friend… and of course that is because Jace, who really holds her heart… has been relieved to be her brother.  Clary wishes it would all just go back to what life was…

but not really. 

At least Jace is part of her life, even if it can not be in the way she wishes.  And the Shadowhunter world is both strange and exhilarating all at once.  With her mom still in a coma, and Downworlders being murdered by who knows who or what, there is not a lot of time to dwell on what was…

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Cassandra Clare and I – City Of Bones Party New York – May 2013

In a word: Yippy! 

I moved on to this book not after reading book one (City of Bones), which was an “eh” audio listen for me, but instead, after I seen the City Of Bones movie.  Yowza.  Once I could see what was happening I could not wait to dive into this book and give the Mortal Instrument series another go. 

Results?  Fantabulous!  (*My word.) Seeing the movie gave me the kick-start I needed to visualize what was happening in this world of Shadow Hunters, Downworlders, Demons, and other things that go bump in the night.  I flew through this book loving the world that Cassandra Clare has created and thirsting for more.  I do not think I have been this excited about a fantasy series since dare I say…. Harry Potter? 

My recommendation:  dig in.  There are 5 books in the series but they are so engrossing you will fly through them.  I have.  And loved every minute of it. 

Morning Meanderings…. Quick Florida Recap!

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Good morning!  I am back and I had a blast with College Son in Florida!  We came back LATE Monday night, I think I hit my driveway about midnight.  We had three full days in Florida and here are a few pictures for recap:

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Me outside Harry Potter World at Universal Studios Orlando.

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Justin and I having the butter beer

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On the Dr Suess Carousal.

I dont want to give all the pics away as I may use them for Saturday Snapshot, but you get the picture… we had a blast! 

As for reading, yes, you will be happy to know I did read – book 4 of the Mortal Instrument series and I am hooked HOOKED HOOKED!  Starting book 5 tonight and I have reviews to catch up on… especially since when I read book one of this series and reviewed it I said in my post,

While I found City of Bones to be interesting and well written, I don’t see myself diving into the rest of the series.  It was good, but didn’t hook me to the point I need to go and get the second book right now!  (I don’t quite want to dig out the Spoiler page for this one but did anyone else get a Harry Potter vibe on this one?  They are looking for the Mortal Cup…. there is a bad guy trying to get to the cup first named…. Voldermort, I mean named Valentine.)

 

Mmmmmm hmmmm…. we will be discussing what changed my mind. 😀  That ever happen to you?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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Hi everyone!  I am currently in Florida with my College Son enjoying sunny weather, Harry Potter World, great food, and a Pirates Show.

On Sunday evening, Vicki from I’d Rather Be Reading At The Beach has graciously offered to host for me this week.  Please stop over there to connect all things It’s Monday!

I will be back in town Monday night.

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Morning Meanderings… And I am Off!!!

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Good morning all!  Happy November and all that comes with it… the scent of pumpkin, cool walks and runs, baked goods and we break out the crock pots for soups and chili.  Just last night I made white chicken chili that was oooooh so good!

 

I know I have been quite the absentee blogger and I am working on getting back in gear.  I have reviews to post, and fun things to share, I just seem to have booked myself pretty solid lately and that is where I am trying to learn yet another step to time management.  😀

What have I been doing?  Working out in the early mornings, working on my home when I am not working at my job, volunteering, and training for a half marathon again – now aiming for April.  Oh, and today I am excited to say that I am leaving this afternoon to go to Florida with College Son for a fun weekend of hanging out and Harry Potter World (SQQUUEEE!!!!!) will be back Monday evening to Minnesota.

For this week, I have asked Vicki from I’d Rather Be Reading At The Beach to post and host It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading?   She has graciously offered before and if she says yes, I will post a link on Sunday to connect with her for the meme, and if she can not do it this week, I will post the link up here as usual. 🙂

ANyhoo – enjoy your weekend!  My life should slow down a bit once I return.  Winter is always my slow time as I do not like cold, wet, and snow.  Yeah yeah… I totally live in the wrong part of the world.  😛

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

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I love being a part of this and I hope you do too!  As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. While I am no longer offering up the giveaway incentive, I do hope you will still see the value of visiting other participants and seeing what they are reading- be warned though… this meme tends to add to your reading list!

Hi all!  Hope your week was WONDERFUL!  Mine was pretty sweet!  A couple dress up events (costume style) and a fairly relaxing weekend. Which has been awesome!  Here is what I posted this past week:

Pics from the above said dress up event (one of them anyway!)

 

Things I Have Recently Learned in Books

 

Still Fooling ‘Em by Billy Crystal

 

This week I have started some new reads and I am excited to move on them:

2bThe Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her—his mother just found out that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

This is my current guilty pleasure read.  Having races first the first thee in this series now I am ready to see what happens in book 4!

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This document, dear friend, will shatter the Church…..

Reading these words in a letter in a dusty archive, Thomas Kelly is skeptical. The papers to which they refer have vanished, but Father Kelly, a Jesuit priest, doubts that anything could ever have had that power—until the Vatican suddenly calls him to Rome to begin a desperate search for that very document.

Meanwhile, standing before a council of her people, Livia Pietro receives instructions: she must find a Jesuit priest who has recently arrived in Rome and join his search for a document that contains a secret so shocking it has the power to destroy not only the Catholic Church, but Livia’s people as well.

As cryptic messages from the past throw Thomas and Livia into a treacherous world of art, religion, and conspiracy, they are pursued by those who would cross any line to obtain the document for themselves. Thomas and Livia must race to stop the chaos and destruction that the revelation of these secrets would create. Livia, though, has a secret of her own: She and her people are vampires.

In a sprawling tapestry that combines the religious intrigue of Dan Brown with the otherworldly terror of Stephenie Meyer, Blood of the Lamb is an unforgettable journey into an unthinkable past.

I have started this one… with a little Davinchi feel… this could be interesting.

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Since the publication of A Mile Down (2005), a true account of Vann’s misadventures at sea, his highly acclaimed works have won 15 awards and been translated into 18 languages. Yet perhaps none have drawn more deeply on Vann’s own violent family history than this latest novel about an unnamed 11-year-old boy on a hunting trip with his male elders. While camping with his grandfather, father, and family friend on their ancestral 640-acre northern California ranch, with Goat Mountain looming above, the foursome stumbles on a poacher whom the boy, on an inexplicable impulse, shoots and kills. Recounting the incident decades later, the boy, now a man, describes the harrowing aftermath of his actions, from his father’s decision to hang the corpse in full view of their camp, to a hellish night on the mountain alone after snagging his first buck.

Egads right????

So moving on… I need to get this post up 😀

Add your what are you reading to the link below!

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For those of you that read mainly middle grade and childrens books, be sure to also link to the younger version of It’s Monday by using the link below!

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Morning Meanderings… A Look At Girls Night Out – Halloween Style!

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Happy Saturday!  I have about 30 minutes before I am leaving for the Monster Dash in Crosslake Minnesota.  My friend Amy and I did this one last year – a 5k in full costume.  Last year she was wonder woman and I was a zombie bride, it was crazy fun.

This year…. well… you will see.

On Thursday of this week we fall our October Ladies Night Out.  Twice a year businesses hold this event.  You (girls only!) pick up a punch card at a participating business up to the night before the event.  Then the day of you have a set amount of hours that you can go these businesses and get your card punched acknowledging that you were there.  You have a certain time to turn the card in to a specific business – this fall it was 8:30 pm with as many punches as you can.  You trade in your card for one ticket per punch and the next day they announce winning numbers on a local radio station and if your number is called you can win, among other things $1000.00.It’s local and community and fun.  Many of the businesses offer horduerves, snacks and wine.  Some have samples of products and others have coupons to bring you back into the store. 

The October one offers a bonus:  a costume contest.  Ooh we were all about that.  Here are our pictures (thanks Saturday Snapshot!)

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That’s me!

 

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My friend Amy as Medusa (she really gets into her work!)

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My friend Kerri “Legs” The Flapper!

We had a blast!  We didn’t win in the costume contest but it was still a great time and there are still a couple other contests going on so we will see 🙂

I posted these delightful pics today for Saturday Snapshot, click the link and check it out. It is a lot of fun! 

Have a great Saturday!

Morning Meanderings… Things I Have Recently Learned In Books

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Good morning all!  At least it is morning here at the time of this typing in Central Minnesota.  We have had the heat on for a couple weeks now and as much as I dislike the cold and really do not like the upcoming snow… I am trying to embrace the season.

I have dived into some good books as of late and wanted to share what I have been learning, a few fun facts from the books.  I believe you can learn something from all books – fiction and non fiction alike.

Fascinating to me, I just recently finished listening to Dr. Sleep by Stephen King.  I had to give this one a try as this is the continuing story of The Shining.  What I learned was that Danny (the little boy in The Shining and the now grown up protagonist in Dr. Sleep was a character that stayed with King all of these years, nagging at him with the “what ever happened to him?”… 

 

In Anything That Moves by Dana Goodyear I learned about Kopi Luwak, the expensive coffee that is made out of Civet poop.  Mmmm hmmm…. I couldn’t make this stuff up.  I have also learned that we live in a strange STRANGE world where “extreme eating” is a thing and the more unusual the better…. I think I will pass on the cricket tacos and live octopus.  😉

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In Billy Crystal’s Still Foolin ‘Em, I learned about his incredible relationship with his wife and daughters, his love for baseball, and his ritual before doing the awards shows. 

 

From The Mortal Instrument series (my current guilty pleasures) I have discovered I really really like the name Jace…. AND I wish I had powers like the Shadow Hunters. 😛

 

In other news… I have recently been added as part of the awesome Bloggers Recommended group!  This is a group of Bloggers headed by Nicole from Linus’s Blanket and Jen from Devourer Of Books.  They put out a monthly newsletter of hot titles coming out that month that great bloggers have recommended as must reads!  I am new to this and just getting my feet wet.  I submitted my first recommendation for the November edition.  You can subscribe to receive it here and you can check out the website here. 😀

 

What have you learned in books recently?