Book Review - Sleeping with Anemone

As I'm reading right along, I almost forgot to share the latest installment the Flower Shop Mystery series by Kate Collins, Sleeping with Anemone. 

As usual, Abby finds herself in the middle of a mess.  Only this time though, there are three attempted kidnappings, vandalism and the issue of stolen merchandise to heat up the situation.  While Abby is hot on her soapbox of stopping animal cruelty, she ends up unknowingly in the possession of something someone wants pretty badly.  Badly enough to kill for.  Marco, her hot bar owning boyfriend, is there to serve as her 24/7 bodyguard until they can figure out who's determined to get their hands on her.  Loved it!  Fun, fast paced page turner. 

Happy Reading!
Mandy

Playing Dead

Some days I'm torn between overwhelming joy in watching my girls and others overtaken by exasperation.  Tonight was a mix of both.  Our youngest usually has me rolling with her "say it like it is" matter of fact personality, but the homework thing frustrates me to no end.  Here's the thing, there are two competent, able bodied adults living in this house, but when it comes to homework other than math, she refuses to ask her daddy for help.  There have been a number of nights that I'm coming in late with our oldest from volleyball practice to find her at the table patiently waiting for me to help with reading homework.  My question is always the same, "Did you ask your dad?", and her response is always the same, "Daddy's not good at reading.".  That's not true, he reads just fine, but because it's not something he enjoys for "fun", he's not good at it.  I've done this before, but tonight it worked better because everyone was in the room.  "What would all of you do if I up and died tomorrow?".  Daughter #2, "I'd ask Daddy for help with my homework."  "Well then, pretend I'm dead and ask your dad."  Remarkably enough, she took the science page across the room and they figured it out.  They even enlisted big sister.  That freed me up to finish up dinner.  After she was done, she came in for a hug and a quick kiss and I told her I was glad I wasn't dead; she told me she was too! 

So, for about ten minutes tonight I played dead.

Aromatherapy Herb Garden

Amongst getting the pool put up and backyard organized, I jumped right into getting my herb garden set up.  I think I posted last summer about wanting to do an aromatherapy garden this year, so it's really more geared to the yummy smells instead of practical uses. 

Mrs Burn's Lemon Basil, Orange Thyme, Aussie Sweet  Basil

Lemon Verbena, Cinnamon Basil, Curly Leaf Parsley

Beebalm Red, Sicilian Oregano, Munstead Lavender

Pineapple Sage, Purple Bush Basil, Creeping Thyme, Lemon Balm

Chocolate Mint

There's an Italian Oregano sitting all alone that was put in a pot like the Chocolate Mint on the other side of the blocks.  I'm going to try to find recipes to use them, but my favorite thing is just smelling them.  The Lemon Balm and Pineapple Sage...oh and the Lemon Verbena are by far the most delicious!   The Cinnamon Basil is scrumptious too and I really stumbled on that one.  Shelby's guinea pigs will appreciate the Curly Leaf Parsley, as that's like Catnip for them.  The chairs are going to be painted red and then it will be perfect!  It's the perfect spot to read or visit with a friend while mussing the leaves to stir up the delicious smells. 

My Vick's Plant is close, but since she's quite happy in her spot I don't want to push my luck with her.  I'm on my second or third try from Amy's cuttings and am finally growing one!

Vick's Plant

I wish I could put the smells through the Internet, but you'll just have to go to your local garden nursery in the meantime.  Everyone should own the Lemon Balm and Pineapple Sage! 

Mandy

Five Question Friday

It's Friday, and the girls and I had the day off!  Today is kind of a citywide holiday because of Fiesta celebrations.  Today was the Battle of Flowers Parade, and schools close as well as certain parts of the city.  My office is at the starting point for the parade, so good luck getting in and out of there for work when the roads are baracaded off!  They actually use our office for the parade headquarters for the Battle of Flowers and the Fiesta Flambeau (Saturday night) parades.  Employees can bring their families to watch the parade from bleachers within the fenced parking lot, but I opted to have the pool installed instead.  The girls and I might go down tomorrow night, but I'm not 100% certain on that just yet.  It is a lot of fun though, and any reason is a good reason to get a day off! 

1. What is your favorite sign of spring?
My favorite of sign of spring is when the green starts popping up around the dried brown branches of my plants.  You can usually find me outside this time of the year poking around and looking to see if there were any slight changes from day to day...love it!

2. What was your best birthday ever?
My best birthday ever was the year my friends kidnapped my house and did room redo's for the livingroom and kitchen.  One of my best friends, Toni, is an interior designer and she wrangled the rest of the girls, got a house key from my hubby and they went to town.  I had been going over paint colors for both rooms and Toni used the exact ones I had chosen.  I had asbolutely no idea until I walked in the house that evening and started bawling!   We finished the night at my favorite Thai restaurant. 

3. What is your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert was fried cheesecake with vanilla/cinnamon icecream, but the restaurant that served it closed.   Delicious doesn't even begin to cover it!  Home desert is always warm brownies with vanilla ice cream.  I'll stop because I have a favorite desert for just about every mood, kind of day, etc.! 

4. What is the best excuse you've ever used to get out of a ticket?
I've only gotten one ticket at this point in my life and there was no getting out of it.  I'm sure it didn't help that when the officier asked me if I had contact on, my response was, "I sure hope so.  If I didn't, you would probably be pulling me out of a tree."  Sometimes I just have no control over what pops out of my mouth, I was also 18 at that time!

5. Do you wake up before your alarm, with your alarm, or after hitting snooze several times?
I either wake up with my alarm or before it.  Usually I wake up singing and moving my foot to whatever song comes on.  The snooze button would only get me in deep trouble, so I've never gone there!

To join in, stop by Mama M's at My Little Life. 

Pool Happenings...A Giant Sandpile

They're in the backyard now putting up the new pool...wahoo!!  One of the things we had to do was have 7 yards of sand delivered prior to them coming out this morning.  We had the sand delivered yesterday afternoon and I had forgotten how much fun my girls had in the sand.  I thought, who needs the coast when you can have a giant sand dune in your own driveway!

I didn't realize I downloaded this, but it works so hey...here's a video.

Daughter #2 stayed out until 9 and made herself a little dugout!

She was back out this morning before the guys needed the sand for the backyard.  She's concerned that there won't be any left and wants to stow away a bucket!

Dottie had to walk over and check it out too.  She made the mistake of coming across the street and Amy tossed her up on top to see if she liked it.  She layed for a while with the attitude "This is the biggest litter box ever and it's all mine!"...she's the only cat I tolerate in case you're wondering if I jumped off the deep end!  She's a trip though and recently we were appointed "God Parents" for the two dogs and Miss Dottie in case something happens to their people parents. 

More on the pool to follow, they're out they're digging and leveling away!

Days 14 & 15

Day 14... A Photo I Love

Our oldest is a blooming photographer and this is a photo she took of our youngest at the piano a few summers ago. 

Day 15...A Bible Verse

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will reoice over you with singing."

Something about knowing that my God sings over me makes me feel pretty stinking special, and I like it!

Mandy

Days 12 & 13 Wrapped Into One

Day 12 comes with a loaded question...What I believe?  As far as religious beliefs, I've said before that I'm a born again, spirit filled believer.  I grew up in a pretty strict, over the top religious setting and grew up where pants were out of the question for girls as was cutting your hair and makeup.  Hallelujah my parents came to their senses and introduced us to a non-denominational church when we were in our mid-teens!  It sounds like we belonged to a cult, not so...just grew up in the United Pentecostal world.  It's amazing how much one thinks they know when they really don't know much at all.  Before I offend anyone, if that hasn't already happened, I still have friends in that religion...family as well, so my intent is not to offend at all.  We're all entitled to our beliefs and I wouldn't trade for the way I was raised because some of my core beliefs come from that, but I'm thankful for the freedom we have now. 

I believe that inside each of us, God has planted a seed for success.  It doesn't matter how you were brought up, what kind of family you come from or your financial situation.  Each one of us has the ability to make something of ourselves and be the person that God envisioned from the beginning.  Too often, people get hung up on circumstances and never reach their potential, this hurts my heart.

Now on to something a little lighter, Day 13...My Goals.

They're really pretty simple.  I'd like to be debt free (ok, I can dream can't I), and to work because I enjoy it and not because I have to.  I'd like to see my girls grow up, loving Jesus and living lives of their own that they're proud of.  I'd like to one day rid my house of all the clutter that seems to overtake it more often that I'd like.  For being a planner, you'd think I'd have more to say!