9 Months

E turned 9 months old today :)  She still loves to crawl creatively as I like to say.  She does not really crawl on her hands and knees but scoots everywhere using her bottom and legs.  It is quite interesting to watch.  And she loves water!  Bath time used to be a little let's say difficult.  After a few months at the pool, this is a whole new baby when it comes to water.  In fact, she dove under the water tonight for her bath - I am really going to need to watch her now.

Hanging out with Daddy

Writer's Cave

Remember how I am a part of The Forgiven Duke blog tour?  Well, I have a special post from Jamie Carie herself about her Writer's Cave.  But First, a little about Jamie.

Jamie Carie

Jamie Carie writes novels about fierce, passionate women; their dreams; their fears; their triumphs. Her deepest desire is to see her readers find that same passion as they follow their destiny and discover deeper intimacy with Jesus.

She lives in Indianapolis with her husband and three sons.

Writer’s Cave –

I have a laptop and tend to move around but I’ve attached two photos of my “work spaces.”

 

 Office

 Kitchen Table Office

Sometimes, when I can see the screen well enough, I work outside in my backyard.

My Writer’s Cave – I do love working at night so the word “cave” is very apt. I usually write in my corner office (a corner of my bedroom – lol), in my kitchen at the table, in my living room on the reclining sofa or, when the weather and lighting is right, outside on my deck.

 

 Deck View 1

 Deck View 2

When I’m on a tight deadline, I tend to write off and on all day and in the evenings, but when I have the choice, I am most creative at night. I hope you enjoy the photos of some of my writing spots!

 Deck View 3 - At night

Thanks so much Jamie for allowing us to see your writing spots!  I love getting to know Jamie and interacting with her on her facebook page.  Be sure to check it out right now :)

The Forgiven Duke Review & Giveaway

Remember my review of The Guardian Duke?  Well, I am again excited to tell you about the next book in the series, The Forgiven Duke.  I am reposting this review as part of The Forgiven Duke blog tour!  Check out the complete tour here.

About The Book:  The Forgiven Duke
Tethered by her impulsive promise to marry Lord John Lemon - the path of least resistance - Alexandria Featherstone sets off toward Iceland in search of her parents with a leaden heart.  A glimpse of her guardian, the Duke of St. Easton - the path less traveled by - on Dublin's shore still haunts her.  Will he come after her?  Will her drag her back to London, quelling her mission to rescue her treasure-seeking parents, or might he decide to throw caution to the wind and choose Foy Pour Devoir: "Faith for Duty," the St. Easton motto.  The Featherstone motto Valens et Volens "Willing and Able," beats in her heart and thrums through her veins.  She will find her parents and find their love, no matter the cost.  The powerful yet wing-clipped Duke of St. Easton has never known the challenge that has become his life since hearing his ward's name.  Alexandria Featherstone will be the life or the death of him.  Only time and God's plan will reveal just how much this man can endure for the prize of love.

As with the first book in the series, The Guardian Duke, I really enjoyed this book!  The Forgiven Duke picks up right where we left Alex and Gabriel.  I was excited to get back to the story and see how unfolds.  Alexandria and her "Duke" have only glimpsed each other, yet their feelings run strong from the letters they have communicated back and forth.  I love the idea of falling in love over letters.  I remember when David and I were in college and one summer we were in different cities.  I cannot tell you how much I treasured his letters to me.  I truly love the way that Carrie creates and sustains their romance.

Alexandria's first goal is to find her parents at whatever the cost may be, she just cannot bring herself to think that they are dead.  And that is how Alex finds herself engaged to Lord John Lemon.  I love the twists and turns that Carrie weaves into this book.  I hesitate to say too much because I am not one for "spoiling" books.  Carrie's character development continues to amaze me as I care for many of them and not so much for a few!  I cannot wait to finish the series out...

Would you like to read The Forgiven Duke yourself?  Enter the giveaway below for a signed copy!


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Happy 4th!

Hope everyone is having a safe and wonderful 4th!  We kicked off celebrating by grilling in our small group on Sunday.  We ended up having a kabob theme and it was so much fun!  We made beef kabobs - sirloin chunks, onions, bell peppers (orange, yellow, red and green), cherry tomatoes, and pineapple - yummy!  Our friends made fruit kabobs (grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon) and dessert kabobs (angel food cake, blueberries, strawberries - served with ice cream).  We are going to be eating the last of our leftovers tonight and hopefully we will be able to see some fireworks!

 Our Beef Kabobs

 On the grill.  I loved grilled food :)

Remember to stay hydrated and have fun today!

Plasmacar Review & Giveaway

Have you heard of PlaSmart?  They are the makers of the Plasmacar.  This is seriously one of the coolest toys we own!

 Look at the pure joy on B's face!

The Plasmacar is an ingenious ride on toy.  Plasmacars require no batteries and have no pedals.  What makes it go then?  The rider and the steering wheel.  We all know that kids have amazing amounts of energy, what a great way to use it!

Plasmacars are geared for ages 3 and older and they can withstand 220 pounds on a smooth, flat surface!  That means, David and I can ride it as well.  And I can tell you that our family has really been enjoying our car!  In fact, our neighbors think it is pretty awesome as well.

 A going for a ride

The Plasmacar design is pretty sleek and creative.  It allows for speeds up to 6 mph.  We have also found it really fun to spin the wheel backwards and go in reverse!

C taking our Plasmacar for a spin

David took maybe 10 minutes to assemble the Plasmacar - we are impressed by the quality of the parts and the simplicity of putting it together.  A big plus in my book.

I honestly can't think of anything negative to say about it.  Plasmacar is a super cool, super fun toy! 

Would you like to purchase your own Plasmacar?  You can find a store locator here.  Plasmacars come in five different color combinations: yellow, blue, purple, red, and pink.

I love looking at my kids' expressions when they are riding around.

And just for fun, here I am cruising around.

Would you like to win your very own Plasmacar?  Keep reading...

Now, onto the giveaway!  One of you will win your very own Plasmacar!  The winner's car will be a gender neutral color.  Enter the rafflecopter form below and be sure to read the terms and conditions.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I was blessed to receive a red Plasmacar to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

The Forgiven Duke Releases Today

The Forgiven Duke by Jamie Carie is now available in bookstores and online stores nationwide today!  The Forgiven Duke is the 2nd installment of The Forgotten Castles Series by Jamie Carie.

You can buy it now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Book Depository.

Be sure to connect with Jamie on her facebook page here (you will find me on there!).  And stayed tuned for more about Jamie and The Forgotten Castles Series, including an upcoming giveaway!

Sue's Bracelet Helper Review

Have you heard of Sue's Bracelet Helper?  Sue's Bracelet Helper is a pretty, wire-wrapped bracelet aid.  It is in essence, a helping hand for anyone who struggles with their bracelet clasp and needs help putting it on by themselves.

I think this is an ingenious product.  How many situations can you think of when you wanted two of yourselves or possibly more hands?  The Sue's Bracelet Helper serves as an extra hand!  It works on a variety of bracelet closures and clasps.  It is available in 8 different wire colors: rose red, peridot, kelly green, baby blue, navy blue, purple, lavender, and pretty pink.  And there are five different charms to choose from: kitty cat face, leaf, half moon, love, and rose.

 My Sue's Bracelet Helper with the love charm and my bracelet.   This particular clasp isn't extremely difficult to put on by myself but I wanted to try out my new helper!

 Just Clip

 Grip

 And Flip!

 Finished...

Sue has a great video on her website that you can view here for further instructions - clip, grip, and flip!  I am wondering if this will become a handy tool when teaching A to put on her own bracelets.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.