Still Picking up the Pennies

  Though she hopes for a quiet, uncomplicated life for herself, Dorothy Clark wants nothing more than to stir others up. Specifically, she dreams of writing something that will challenge people as much as Harriet Beecher Stowe's  Uncle Tom's Cabin  seems to have. But in 1850s Mesquite Springs, there are few opportunities for writers--until newspaperman Brandon Holloway arrives, that is. Brandon Holloway has seen the disastrous effects of challenging others and has no intention of repeating that mistake. Instead of following his dreams, he's committed to making a new--and completely uncontroversial--start in the Hill Country. As Dorothy's involvement in the fledgling newspaper grows from convenient to essential, the same change seems to be happening in Brandon's heart. But before romance can bloom, Dorothy and Brandon must work together to discover who's determined to divide the town and destroy Brandon's livelihood. With this second novel in the Mesquite Spr...

Actors Peter Woodward, Dionne Lea, and Tyler Jade Nixon star in the family film titled  DOLPHIN ISLAND . The movie, which is about a teen’s dream life turned upside down when her estranged grandparents return, is scheduled to be released on  March 2nd , according to a  Collide Distribution  press release. DOLPHIN ISLAND promises to give its audience pure joy by bringing the gorgeous Bahamas landscape to them. Mr. Puppy Presents/Entertainment Squad created DI and it is directed by Mike Disa, produced by Shaked Berenson, and written by Disa, Berenson, and Rolfe Kanefsky. After losing her parents, 14-year-old Annabel lives with her fisherman grandfather on an island paradise. She is surrounded by an extended family of loving but quirky neighbors and her best friend – a dolphin named Mitzy. Everything changes when her maternal grandparents arrive with a shifty lawyer to bring her back to New York. It’s up to Annabel and her friends to figure out how to save the day and p...

 My phrase of the year is ' Follow Through '.I have posted only one update  for the entire month of January, so I thought it was time for another. I have always been the queen of great ideas, but lack the discipline to follow through with the plans I worked hard on. I have been working on following through. I have always wanted a cutting machine and to break the cycle of the same old recipes that we have had for years. The month of January was another busy month. I have been experimenting with food and crafts. I finally got my Silhouette Cameo and work area set up. I have done a few projects.  I have watched a few tutorials on facebook groups for the top two projects. I wish I had canvases at home, the painting I did on card stock for practice, and love it. So I will end up repeating this one. I have someone special getting married in July and I hope to build my skills to make a one of a kind present.  This craft came in a subscription kit. I live in the country, an ...

My family used to enjoy going out to eat. We used to do it once or twice a month. With the kids getting older and having a busier schedule, it was usual for us all have the time, at the same time to sit down and enjoy a meal. Of course we picked restaurants and food we enjoyed, but what we really enjoyed is family time. Family time, looking at the people we love the most in the world and having conversations with them. Conversations were light and whimsical, with out the drugery of cooking and clean up looming over anyone's head.  Over the years we tried many different restaurants, and foods.I remember paying top dollar for meal of spaghetti and meatball, that my child refused to eat. Said child loved spaghetti and meatballs, and of course being a frugal parent, I tried to coax him to eat it. I used his fork to cut the meatball; I could not cut the meatball. I was horrified and needless to say we did not bring the food home. After many of alike experiences, we found a style of rest...

I have been following the Money Saving Mom for a number of years. She has been an inspiration over the past decade or so to me. This past year she and her family fostered a newborn and had their own newborn. They have three older children, three teenagers! Anyhow she picks a word for the New Year, this year she chose two Show-Up . Show-Up is perfect for her, and if you read the post I linked you will understand why. I am once again inspired by her so I am thinking of a word or a phrase of the year that is suitable for my new year.  The last year 2020 rocked the world, and my world. The CORONA virus, working from home, uncountable ZOOM meetings, job loss all weighed heavy on me. I am notorious for coming up with great ideas and getting all inspired and excited. I have so many projects started, all started with good intentions and life has gotten in the way, or I lost interest. I make plans and never follow through, hence my phrase for the year 2021 is going to be 'follow-through...

 Living in the country it is normal to see wildlife in our yard on occasion. It is normal to see three or four turkeys on the side of the road a few miles down the road from the house. We have lived in this house for 18 years (as of today, a matter of fact) and we have never seen what we did the other day.  We counted 28 turkeys, but we could have missed a few at the beginning. The turkeys were like a family of ducks following each other. They came from the far side of the garage across the driveway, through the front yard, and into the parcel of pine trees next to the house. I hope we see them more often. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my home to yours. Also, by the way, we are having ham for Christmas dinner. What are you having for Christmas dinner?

Ispy is a $12 per month subscription bag. You get 5 deluxe size samples of makeup, skin, or hair care. Sometimes you get full size products and makeup brushes. Every month you will receive a different makeup bag.  Ispy is one of my favorite subscription boxes.  From the ipsy site:        HEY HONEY Good Morning Honey Silk Facial Serum There’s nothing sticky about this honey-infused serum. Luxurious, lightweight and smooth—it almost feels like an oil. A natural healer, honey speeds up cell growth and leaves our skin soft, bright and glowing. Honey and propolis are super-potent antiseptic and antibacterial ingredients, which help keep breakouts in check while nourishing sensitive skin too.  Not only do hyaluronic acid and silk amino acids deeply hydrate, they work to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles while increasing radiance and firmness.  My Review: It Goes on smooth, it has a light soft scent that I liked. My face soaked it up. I will ...