June Goals: Recap

I can't believe how far into June we are already!! Yikes!! One more week of teaching and I'm off for the summer. One little snag is that I'm working on my Master's Degree for most of July in a town 3 hour away, so I have to leave my pups behind with the parentals. *sigh* You win some, and you lose some lol.

Here's a little recap of my June Goals so far:


1. Exercise 3 times per week: Success-- the weather was very nasty at first but then it changed for the better. I've been walking pups at least three times per week. No jogging though. I'm hoping the jogging will pick up once teaching is over and I get some free time. Only downfall with this hot weather is that I have to wait until it's nearly dark and finally cool enough to take the babies.

 2. Try one new recipe per week: Success-- I tried my own guacamole other night. Just an avocado, some plain yogurt and Epicure guacamole mix. It was delishhhh!! Not sure what I'll try out this week.

 3. Get to bed by 10:30 p.m. on work nights: Half success/half fail: I've been getting to bed by 10:30 but certainly not getting to sleep by 10:30. I spend a hour (at least) on my iPhone playing Words with Friends or using Pinterest. Tut tut tut

 4. Tackle at least 5 boxes of packing per week (since school is over I'll be moving to my hometown for the summer): Fail! I haven't even started yet. Next week. Between report cards and finishing my first master's course it has been crazy around here! Not to mention the new puppers I have!

 5. Create three cards per week: Success-- see cards above! Yay-- these are to build up my stash. This is a printable I seen on Pinterest! I wanna make a bunch more with these when I can. I already used one of these for my neighbour's birthday.

 6. TRY to post at least twice a week: Fail!


Overall I've been doing well. This is a crazy month. However, I've accepted a new position for this upcoming year. A permanent kindergarten position--eek. Quite nervous and excited and all emotions! Hope things are well on your end :)

June Goals

Well it seems like FOREVER ago since I last posted (yes, ok, it kinda has been forever ago). I've been so swamped with teaching and then coming home each evening and studying for hours. I'm still trying to get a handle of things. I figured I would create a little list of goals for June to try to keep myself motivated and in the game.

So here goes:

 1. Exercise 3 times per week (aim to have ONE of these as a jog)- chances are the exercise will be in the form of walking my pups (I adopted a 6 month old-- that's for another post).

 2. Try one new recipe per week

 3. Get to bed by 10:30 p.m. on work nights

 4. Tackle at least 5 boxes of packing per week (since school is over I'll be moving to my hometown for the summer)

 5. Create three cards per week to put at the local store in my hometown to sell for this summer

 6. TRY to post at least twice a week

 Now, how's that for some goals? I hope you're having an enjoyable Sunday :)

This is my "little" cousin and my baby Seven at Seven's first birthday (which I still haven't posted about-- oy!)

Book Review: The Fiddler

Here is a brief excerpt: "A wrong turn in a rainstorm leads Englisher Amelia Devries to Michael Hostetler--and the young Amishman's charming Old Order community of Hickory Hollow. Despite their very different backgrounds, Amelia and Michael both feel hemmed in by the expectations of others and struggle with how to find room for their own hopes. And what first seems to be a chance encounter might just change their lives forever." This novel was a very easy read. It was of a very simple Amish life and some struggles that the main characters had to face. I liked that there were a couple underlying "conflicts" in there between Amelia and her musical career, Michael and his family life and then between Amelia and Michael themselves. This novel isn't full of thrills or "oh my goodness I can't put this down" moments but if you are looking for something to read without having to think very much this is for you. It was a lovely book to sit back and relax with and to just enjoy being wrapped up in the lives of Amelia and Michael. "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Book Review: Prize of my Heart-- Lisa Norato

Here is my second, and last, book review of the month. This review is for the book titled Prize of my Heart by Lisa Norato.

Here is a brief description:

An unsolved mystery separates ex-privateersman Captain Brogan Talvis from his lost son--his only living relation, his only family. Shortly before her tragic demise, his wife abandoned their infant to strangers, refusing to reveal the child's whereabouts. Now, three years later, Brogan has discovered the boy at the home of a shipbuilder's daughter, Lorena Huntley.

Lorena guards a dark secret about her young charge. She finds herself falling for the heroic captain who has come to claim his newly built ship, unaware his motive for wooing her is to befriend the boy he plans on reclaiming as his own--until the day anothers evil deceit leaves her helplessly shipbound, heading toward England.

As the perfect opportunity to reclaim his son unfolds, Brogan is haunted by thoughts of Lorena in her dire circumstance, and he is forced to make a heartrending choice between his child and the woman who has begun to capture his heart. But only his unselfish sacrifice can win him the greatest prize of all--love.

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This is another historical fiction book and I do believe you will truly enjoy reading it. The book is based back in 1815 and it reflects the language and dialogue of this time period. This book offers a little for everyone; a little mystery, a little romance, some family issues, and so forth. It is a book that many people would enjoy for different reasons. I really shouldn't spare any more details than are mentioned above in the description, but I truly think that you will enjoy this novel as I did.

I recommend reading Prize of my Heart by Lisa Norato to anyone who desires a little mystery or romance.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Blog Candy

Carla over at My 1/2 Dozen Daily is giving away this gorgeous handmade pouch. All you have to do is stop by and look at the three chances you have to win. I would love to get my hands on this. I think it would be a perfect purse bag to keep those things in that needs to be moved from purse to purse (I'm a purse-a-holic!). So head on over and check things out!!

Book Review: Chasing the Sun-- Tracie Peterson

Here is my very first book review. It is for the Historical Fiction Novel Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson. This is the first in a series of books entitled Land of the Lone Star.

Here is an excerpt:
When her father disappears in war-torn Mississippi, Hannah Dandridge finds herself responsible not only for her younger siblings but for the ranch her father recently acquired on the Texas plains. Though a marriage of convenience could ease her predicament, she determines to trust God for direction.
Wounded soldier William Barnett returns to his home only to discover that his family's ranch has been seized. Though angry and bitter at this turn of events, he's surprised to discover that it is a beautiful young woman with amazing fortitude who is struggling to keep the place running.
Hannah, desperate for help, and William, desperate to regain his family's land, form an uneasy truce. But nearby Comanche tribes, the arrival of Confederate soldiers, and a persistent suitor all threaten the growing attraction that builds between them. Will they be able to set aside their own dreams and embrace the promise of a future together?

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This is the first historical book (fiction or nonfiction) that I have read in quite some time. I was pleasantly surprised at how interested I was when I read the first few chapters. I often found myself deeply entrenched in the life of Hannah; her trials and tribulations somewhat reminded me of my own life but in a more modern version. I felt for the girl and truly admired her bravery. There was something about her determination that I felt drawn to. Of course there was also the underlying love story to keep your attention focused. I love a little bit of love; there's something about wondering how things will turn out in the end that kept me going page after page. I didn't find this book to be action packed or heartracing, which one wouldn't expect from this genre or after reading the excerpt. However, with it's easy reading, unique characters and the reminder of how basic life once was it will surely be a pleaser in the end.

If you enjoy a little romance and a glimpse of the past, then Chasing the Sun is a good book for you!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Pup Birthday Invites Complete!

Finally! They're done. They're nothing fancy but I love them.

I've been reading like crazy this weekend. I'm mentally drained, can't believe I signed myself up for 2 years of craziness that is the Master's Program. Also got my first bill-- $3250 by mid July. I almost fainted. Seriously. I lost my breath and everything!

Anyways, Seven's birthday is 2 weeks away, invites are done, in the envelope, dress is on its way and shopping this upcoming weekend to get other supplies.

Hope you're all doing well out there-- calling for major snow storm tomorrow night here yikes!