Saturday, June 28, 2014

Children's Book Review: If You Were Me... Books by Carole P Roman

I have a great Book Blogger/Author relationship with Carole Roman.  She is so generous in sending me her books and items to go along with them.  I have since donated all these books to our local library so that as many kids as possible can access these wonderful, educational and fun books.  Be sure to check out all of Carole Roman's books, HERE.

In all of the IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN.....books, Roman gives simple educational explanations about the country's language, customs, people, food, and places. These books answer the kinds of questions kids are wondering about when meeting someone from another country, learning about it in school, or traveling there.  Forget about searching "Google" or "Wikipedia" and just get these books for your kids. Even a grown-up can learn from these books!


IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN RUSSIA
By Carole P Roman
Published: May 14, 2014
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Did you know there were nine different time zones in Russia?  I didn't and I bet there are other neat things you would learn about Russia by reading this book with your child.  I know that I would really like to try some Russian food described in the book. It all sounds delicious!


IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN AUSTRALIA
By Carole P Roman
Published: March 26, 2014
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Reading about Australia just makes me want to visit there even more.  They have such a long history, being separated from the rest of the world for so many years.  I can only imagine the beauty and various creatures to see in the Great Barrier Reef. Share a bit of Australia with your kids by reading this book and learning together.


IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN PORTUGAL
By Carole P Roman
Published: May 28, 2014
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing Platform

I didn't know much about Portugal before reading this book.  There were lots of interesting facts and tidbits about their culture that I never realized.  I appreciate that the author isn't just choosing the obvious countries to write about but the ones we may not know much about as well.

Children in early elementary school will really enjoy these books and not even realize they are learning about other cultures and countries.  These books are engaging with bright illustrations that fit the country and culture being written about.  A truly excellent series of books!

Carole P Roman

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is a former teacher turned businesswoman. She has successfully run a family business with her husband that employs close to five hundred people. Her most favorite job is being grandmother to her many grandchildren. Roman has two wonderful sons and hit the jackpot in the daughter-in-law department. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband. For more on Carole P Roman, check out her website, HERE

To purchase any of the above books, just click the photo of each book.



I will be linking up with Booking Mama's Children's Book Linky, Kid Konnection.  To read about other great children's books each Saturday, click HERE.


Thanks to the author for sending copies of each of these books for review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase a book through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Olive Oil Spray Review Featured

I am excited to share with you that I have been reviewing products for another website, AWG Brands.  They will then be posting my reviews on their site and when they appear, I will share them with you here. 



I will be comparing the Best Choice brand product with another more common brand of the same product and giving my honest opinion as well as that of our family.  It has been a lot of fun and so far I have reviewed 8 products for them.  In our area, we can find the Best Choice brand of products at Alco Stores and smaller independent grocery stores.  I think you might be surprised by our results.  Stay tuned to see all the great products we've reviewed. Brand name may not always be worth the price!



I recently reviewed Crisco Olive Oil Spray vs Best Choice Pan Coat Olive Oil Spray.  

Click HERE to see which spray won in our product test! 

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Book Review: In the Mirror By Kaira Rouda

IN THE MIRROR: A Novel

By: Kaira Rouda

Published: March 5, 2014

Publisher: Real You Publishing Group

Women's Fiction






As part of the book tour with PUMP UP YOUR BOOK, I'm featuring IN THE MIRROR by Kaira Rouda.  For more stops on the tour including reviews, interviews and first chapter reveals, click HERE.

First, check out the praise for IN THE MIRROR through this short book trailer:



In the short time IN THE MIRROR has been on the market, it has already made Amazon's #1 Bestseller list.  I think most people are intrigued and a bit voyeuristic with the premise.   A thirty-four year old wife, young mom, and professional businesswoman is stricken with cancer, and it is terminal. We hear these stories all to often and each one breaks our heart.  Thankfully, we also see miracles in these lives and IN THE MIRROR reminds the reader that you can't give up.

Jennifer decides in the midst of her treatment for cancer to throw a party.  A kind of "pre-funeral" party where she can reconnect with all the people from her past and present.  While living in Shady Valley and receiving treatment she contemplates her life and seemingly upcoming death.  When her first love comes back to town and drops by the treatment center, old feelings and memories come rushing back. Can she say no when he is right in front of her? Can she really turn against her husband and kids in her final days? What Jennifer goes through in this story will make every reader stop and think about the "What ifs" of life, the people who molded us, and those we love most.

This is not a happy story, even though there are funny moments.  Death and it's looming presence is on each page and cancer isn't pretty.  I struggled with my emotions at several places in the book.  I think most people reading this would place themselves in Jennifer's position and try to contemplate their options.  I enjoyed the fast pace of the writing,  I think with a storyline like this one, you need to keep it moving or the reader will get bogged down in the sadness. There were a few distractions and characters that brought some excitement to the story and kept the reader guessing.

I recommend this book as a way to encourage you to think about your own life and the people who have been a part of it.  I think everyone should have a party like Jennifer's.  Lastly, this book will remind you to cherish the moments, love the people in your life, and take every opportunity to celebrate the big and small things. You will definitely want to keep the kleenex box close by.


Kaira Rouda is an award-winning and bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction. Her books include: Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women EntrepreneursHere, Home, HopeAll the Difference;In the Mirror; and the short story,A Mother’s Day.  She lives in Southern California with her husband and four children and is at work on her next novel.  For more on Kaira, visit her website, HERE.  You can also find her on Facebook, HERE, and Twitter, HERE

To purchase a copy of IN THE MIRROR, click the photo below. It is just $.99 on Kindle at this time.





Thanks to Pump Up Your Book for sending a copy of this novel my way.  This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews. 

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Book Review: Tracks By Robyn Davidson


TRACKS
One Woman's Journey Across 1,700 Miles of Australian Outback

By: Robyn Davidson

Published: May 30, 2995

Publisher: Vintage

Non-Fiction, Memoir

US Movie Release: September 19, 2014



If you read and loved WILD by Cheryl Strayed, you will like TRACKS too.  Both books share a woman who impulsively decides to take on a thousand-plus mile hike without previous knowledge or experience. Check out my review of WILD, HERE.  In Davidson's case, she decides to trek across the deserts of Australia with four camels. Davidson had no previous experience with camels or hiking across the desert. Yet, she decides to take on this challenge and does it with great fortitude.

In TRACKS, Davidson states,
  " The lunatic idea was, basically, to get myself the requisite number
 of wild camels from the bush and train them to carry my gear, 
then walk into and about the central desert area."

When describing the camels, Davidson talks about them saying,
"They are affectionate, cheeky, playful, witty, yes witty, self-possessed, patient, 
hard-working and endlessly interesting and charming. 
They are also very difficult to train, being of an essentially undomestic 
turn of mind as well as extremely bright and perceptive.
 This is why they have such a bad reputation."

I read this book over a period of six months because I didn't really have a deadline and at times the pace of the story was a little slow for me.  Davidson fills in lots of detail regarding the care and training of camels, their caretakers, and her challenges with obtaining the camels.  At times there was information overload, but her stories of the people, especially the Aboriginal people, were interesting and written with much love for them.  I appreciated the progression of Davidson's character through her journey.  She was meek and people pleasing at the beginning and by the end her eyes were open, her opinions were shared and she found a way to experience true joy. Davidson gives us a unique view of the beauty of the Australian land and their people. Her journey is physically and emotionally grueling, heartfelt, and real.  You will be captivated and inspired.

The movie version of TRACKS will hit US theaters on September 19, 2014.  It is already available in other countries.


"I had learnt to use my fears as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks, and best of all I had learnt to laugh. I felt invincible, untouchable, I had extended myself, and I believed I could now sit back, there was nothing else the desert could teach me. And I wanted to remember all this. Wanted to remember this place and what it meant to me, and how I had arrived there. Wanted to fix it so firmly in my head that I would never, ever forget." Robyn Davidson in TRACKS

Robyn Davidson made this trek across the Australian desert in 1977.  She was born on a cattle property in Queensland, Australia. She went to Sydney in the late sixties, then spent time studying in Brisbane before moving to Alice Springs, where the events of this book begin. Since then, she has traveled extensively, living in London, New York, and India. In the early 1990s, she migrated with and wrote about nomads in northwestern India. She is now based in Melbourne, but spends several months a year in the Indian Himalayas.

To purchase a copy of TRACKS, click the photo below:




Thanks to the publisher for sending a ebook to me for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase a copy of this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews.


Monday, June 23, 2014

A Little Monday Motivation



Photo Source - HERE


Start somewhere today. Don't put it off. You can do something, no matter how "small" you think it is in terms of your long-term goal. Every step you take is one you'll be thankful for when you get there. Remember: You're lapping everyone who's still on the couch.    Caressa Sharp, runner


As part of my Runner's World #RWRunStreak, I've been doing a mile a day for 40 days from Memorial Day to July 4th.  Sometimes that mile is a run, other times it is a walk.  It really depends on what I have time for and how my body feels.  That is why I love this quote.  It doesn't matter how fast I do the mile, just that I did it.  It doesn't matter whether I did my mile in 7 minutes or 27 minutes or somewhere in between.  I'm moving my body. I've made a commitment to this challenge.  I'm going to finish.

I've actually already done 50 miles as of Day 28.  Does that mean I can stop?  Since I've done my 40 miles I can quit?  NOPE! I've committed to 40 Days and I'm going to give it my 40 Days.  The extra miles are just a bonus!

Get off that couch and get your mile in today! 

Friday, June 20, 2014

Winner of THE NEVER NEVER SISTERS

I have a winner for THE NEVER NEVER SISTERS giveaway. The winner is..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Darlene.

Darlene, check your email and reply within 48 hours.

Thanks to all of you who entered.  You can purchase your own copy by clicking the photo below:



High Five Friday 6.20.14


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I'm sharing my High Five Moments from our week.  To see other great moments in other blogger's lives, click the buttons above.  Take a moment to reflect on your High Five moments from your week.

Meet our newest family member, Stormy
1.
On Sunday morning, our family went to go out to eat for Father's Day and as we walked into our garage this cute little kitten jumped out of our trash can.  It was much too scared for us to catch it so we just left and hoped we could find it once we got back.  Our daughter spent all afternoon sitting in the garage patiently waiting and talking to the kitty and finally that evening, she came over to Reagan and let her pet and hold her.  Each day she has gotten more trusting of us and on Tuesday, we decided we could keep her.  After 15 months of no pets, (our cats Buddy and Baxter died in 2012 and 2013) I think we are ready. So, I took her to the vet for a complete check up.  She is a healthy, frisky, and adorable 2 month-old kitten. Her name is Stormy and she is just so much fun to have around right now. A cute kitten that jumps out of our garbage can just has to be the kitten for us!  Welcome to the family, Stormy!


2.

My mom is 75 and went Ziplining.  I wasn't able to go along, but it has been on her "Bucket List". So, my niece and sister took her to THIS PLACE.  She said it was scary in a few spots and she had to keep telling herself not to look down.  But, she is so glad she did it! I'm so proud of her! My niece sent me this photo of Mom ready to take off!  If you are local to Dubuque, Iowa, be sure to check it out, HERE.
3.
Have you seen the Birthday Cake Oreos? They are de-lish-ous! When I saw this recipe on Pinterest for Birthday Cake Chocolate Chip Cookies from Cookies and Cups, I knew we had to try them! I made just a few changes...using a White Rainbow Chip Cake Mix that already had the sprinkles in it and using Chocolate Chunks rather than Chocolate Chips. They were a HUGE HIT! The worst part of making the cookies was waiting for the dough to chill in the fridge before we could make them.  The bonus? The left over Birthday Cake Oreos. YUM! 
4.
Thursday was going to be a hectic day, but due to lots of rain, we ended up having the whole day and night at home.  I love watching our boys play baseball, but after this busy week, I was ok with a day at home. Unfortunately, many are getting too much rain and areas are being flooded.  Not the kind of day off anyone wants. But, I'm grateful our basement has stayed dry.

5.
I love it when a book captivates me and is all I want to think about. When the characters seem real and the story grabs my heart, I can't seem to put it down.  DON'T GO by Lisa Scottoline is just that book. I'm wrapped up in it.  It is one of those books that I want to race through, yet I don't because then I know it will be over.  I love it when a book grabs me and reminds me of why I love to read! 

I hope you have had a week full of High Fives and find a way to celebrate the small moments in each day! 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Book Review: The Fever By Megan Abbott

THE FEVER

By: Megan Abbott

Published: June 17, 2014

Publisher: Little Brown and Co

Fiction




Deenie is a normal teenager attending high school. Her brother, Eli, is a star hockey player and their dad is a teacher at the high school.  Life for Deenie is idyllic until her best friend, Lise, has a seizure at school.  Chaos ensues and rumors of a virus, a reaction to the HPV vaccine, or maybe even a hazard from the nearby lake are to blame.  More of Deenie's circle of friends start having seizures and Deenie wonders if the connection between all them and their symptoms is her.  Parents in the close-knit school become hysterical and the national news even picks up the story.  Deenie, her brother, and her dad are determined to figure out what is really going on in their community.  What they find is the real cause of the hysteria will shock all of them, as well as their community.

Abbott truly has her pulse on how teenagers think and act.  The story focuses mainly on the teenagers and their conversations and actions.  Never once did I question what they said or how they reacted to something. Their feelings, thoughts and reactions were authentic to today's teens. The story is set in current time and gives a glimpse into how technology and social media is at the center of a teen's life and how teens use it to communicate and share every moment of their lives with everyone.

This is a fast read, but a bit choppy at times.  Teenagers tend to jump from conversation to conversation and this book tends to do the same thing, which actually makes it more of an authentic and frenzied story.  The characters are believable and well-scripted.  The cover gives you a glimpse of the first seizure and paints that image in your mind during the scene.  The author leaves you guessing and wanting more chapter by chapter.  I wasn't completely shocked with the conclusion to the mystery illness, but appreciated the way she put the pieces together.

Even though the book has a YA feel, due to some adult situations, I would recommend it for high school age and up depending on their maturity and life experiences.  As the mother of a teenager, it left me feeling uneasy and more urgently aware to stay on top of their social lives.


Megan Abbott
Megan Abbott is the Edgar® award-winning author of the novels The End of Everything Queenpin, The Song Is You, Die a Little, Bury Me Deep and her latest, Dare Me (July 2012).

Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Salon, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, The Believer, Los Angeles Review of Books, Detroit Noir, Best Crime and Mystery Stories of the Year, Storyglossia, Queens Noir and The Speed Chronicles. 

Born in the Detroit area, she graduated from the University of Michigan and received her Ph.D. from New York University. She has taught at NYU, the State University of New York and the New School University.

She is also the author of a nonfiction book, The Street Was Mine: White Masculinity in Hardboiled Fiction and Film Noir, and the editor of A Hell of a Woman, an anthology of female crime fiction. She has been nominated for many awards, including three Edgar® Awards, Hammett Prize, the Macavity, Anthony and Barry Awards, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Pushcart Prize. 


Click the photo below to purchase this book:





Thanks to the publisher for sending me an eBook version to review.  This review is my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any way for this review. 

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Book Review: Secret Daughter By Shilpi Somaya Gowda

SECRET DAUGHTER: A Novel

By: Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Published: March 9, 2010 

Publisher: HarperCollins

Fiction




In a small village in India, Kavita is about to give birth.  She is praying this second child with her husband, Jasu is a boy.  If it is a girl, like her first born, she will not be able to bare the consequences. Sadly, this second child of theirs is a girl.  Kavita will not allow what happened to their first daughter, happen to this one, so she makes the choice to give her away.  This decision will haunt Kavita for the rest of her days.

We are then taken to California and introduced to Somer and Krishnan.  Somer and Krishnan are doctors and have tried everything to have a child, but finally decide to adopt. They travel to Krishnan's home, Mumbai to visit an orphanage and bring home their baby.  Somer, an American, hopes her love will be enough to overcome all the obstacles in their path.

The story continues going back and forth between the two couples and their lives starting in the 1980's and continuing all the way through 2009. The interconnecting lives of Kavita and Somer and their struggles with motherhood, with their marriages, and with their future will give you an emotional ride.

The daughter that connects these two women across the world grows up as the reader travels through the book.  As she becomes an adult, she struggles with the two worlds that she is part of, those of her father's family in India and her mother's family in America. By searching for where she fits in, she finds that maybe where she belonged was right in front of her all along.

The author had no trouble placing me in the heart of the tiny village of India or in the large city of Mumbai.  Her descriptions of the people living in the slums of Mumbai and their daily struggles were heartbreaking to read, but I'm sure all too real.  The traditions of Krishnan's family and Kavita's family opened my eyes to a whole new way of living. I'm just thankful our American culture realizes it is the man that determines the gender of a baby and doesn't value boys over girls.  I wanted to scream at Jasu and his ignorance.

This was our book club choice last month and was loved by all of us. As moms we found this book to be quite emotional as we read both Kavita's and Somer's struggles with giving up their child and with not being able to have childen.  We sympathized as they raised their children and confronted frustrating moments.  We empathized as their marriages weren't as they originally dreamed they would be.  This was a book full of feelings, relationships, traditions, and most of all, love.  It is a story you won't forget.

This is Shilpi Somaya Gowda's first novel and I can't wait to read her next one. The novel is also planned to hit movie screens in the future.

Shilpi Somaya Gowda - Source

Shilpi Somaya Gowda was born and raised in Toronto to parents who migrated there from Mumbai. She holds an MBA from Stanford University, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1991, she spent a summer as a volunteer in an Indian orphanage, which seeded the idea for her first novel,SECRET DAUGHTER. A native of Canada, she has lived in New York, North Carolina, and Texas. She currently makes her home in California with her husband and children. For more on Shilpi, check out her website, http://www.shilpigowda.com/. You can also find her on Facebook, HERE, and Twitter, HERE.

To purchase a copy of SECRET DAUGHTER, click the photo below:



Monday, June 16, 2014

A Little Monday Inspiration


Run when you can, 
walk if you have to, 
crawl if you must; 
just never give up. 
Dean Karnazes, American Ultramarathon Runner


This has been a good quote for me as I am participating in the Runner's World RunStreak Challenge to complete 40 miles in 40 days. From Memorial Day to July 4th, runners just run one mile/day. It sounds pretty simple, just one mile a day.  But, it has been more difficult that I thought.  Some days I just don't have time for even 1 mile.  So, a few times already, I have had to add it on to the next day or even the next day.

But, as the quote above says, I'm not giving up.  I'm getting those miles in whether I'm running, walking or crawling (haven't resorted to that one yet). I will finish this challenge!

What race, challenge, goal, milestone do you need to finish? It doesn't matter how you get there, but just that you finished! Enjoy the journey, get back on track, and finish that race!

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Recipe: Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp


I want to make sure you are using up all those great strawberries and the excess rhubarb from your patch ( or in my case, my neighbor's patch).  This has the perfect sweetness/tartness flavor and the crunchy topping makes it one of my favorite desserts.  Best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

RHUBARB STRAWBERRY CRISP

Grease an 8x8 square baking pan.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3/4 Cup Sugar
3 Tbs Cornstarch
3 Cups rhubarb, diced
2 Cups Strawberries, sliced

In large bowl, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add rhubarb and strawberries. Toss to coat. Place into pan.

1 Cup Old-Fashioned Oats
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Butter, melted
1/3 Cup Flour
1 tsp Cinnamon

In a small bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and butter with a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the fruit in the pan.  Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.  Best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Click HERE for a printable version of the recipe.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Summer Reading and Writing Opportunity for Kids from Wigu Books


"The more you read,
the more things you will know, 
the more you learn,
the more places you will go."
Dr. Seuss




Wigu Publishing is the publisher of those great children's books, WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE..... that I keep raving about here on the blog.  They have introduced a Summer Reading and Writing incentive for children that you will definitely want to be a part of.



For the summer reading:
All you need to do is go to www.WhenIGrowUpBooks.com/SummerSuperstars. Once there you can enter your child's minutes of reading for each week.  Winners will be chosen each week from the children who read 100 or more minutes.  
TO ENTER WEEKLY DRAWINGS (or enter your child’s submission):
  • Read 20 minutes a day (a minimum of 100 minutes per week)
  • In the form below, submit the number of minutes you’ve read (daily or weekly – we will track your total minutes).
  • To qualify for weekly drawing, you must read a minimum of 100 minutes per week.
  • Follow @WiguBooks on Twitter and/or Facebook and check our weekly drawing for $20 Amazon gift card and Wigu Book – simply type in #WiguWednesdays for the latest winners
  • Two Grand Prize winners of $100 Amazon gift cards!
  • Kids, you may enter every week as long as you keep reading and tracking your minutes.
*First weekly prize to be given away Wednesday, June 4th followed by each consecutive Wednesday, through August 27th.
**Grand prize winners will be selected based on top number of minutes read through the summer in 2 age divisions: 8 and under and 9 and up.  Grand Prizes will be announced Friday, August 29th.

If your child is more of a writer than a reader:
Click on the same website as above. Once you are there, you can enter your child's original essay on their dream career.
TO ENTER (or enter your child’s submission):
  • Share your career dreams with us via the form below
  • 10 finalists will each receive a $100 Amazon gift card and Wigu Book
  • Grand prize winner to receive an additional $250 Amazon gift card and a $1,000 donation to his or her school or library of choice.
  • Winners will be notified via email and social media. Make sure to follow us @WiguBooks on Twitter and @WhenIGrowUpBooksbyWigu on FB
*Submission accepted through August 30th
**10 finalists to be announced on Friday, September 5th
***Grand prize winner to be announced Friday September 12th

Even if you are a little late getting started in your summer reading, don't delay any longer. Get your child reading and enter those minutes.  You just might be a winner! 



I'm linking up today with other bloggers at Booking Mama's Kid Konnection.  Find other great children's book reviews and book-related posts as well as those for middle-grade and young adults every Saturday morning.


Friday, June 13, 2014

Winner of HERE AND AGAIN By Nicole R Dickson

I have a winner of a copy of HERE AND AGAIN by Nicole R Dickson! Thanks for being patient with me today while I ran my kids around.

The winner is.................................................................................Rhonda!

Check your email Rhonda!

Thanks to all of you who entered to win and visited my blog.  Be sure you enter my other giveaway for THE NEVER NEVER SISTERS by L Alison Heller!

If you were not the winner, you can still purchase your own copy by clicking the photo below:



High Five Friday 6.13.14



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I wasn't able to do a High Five post last week, so this will be a combination of High Fives from the last two weeks, which have been our first two weeks of summer!


1.
Monday, June 2nd,  was our last day of school. The kids are thrilled to get our summer started. We will be busy with baseball games, a few camps, a family vacation, and hopefully moments of spontaneous fun!


2.

Our son, Bennett, was confirmed.  We are certainly proud of the young man he is becoming and know that his faith will always be an important part of his life.  






3.
Baseball season is in full swing...literally! Patrick is playing for both the high school team and our town team pony league.  Bennett is playing in the town team league as well and Pat is coaching that team.  Some days we have three baseball games in one day.  At least I love watching them play and I can work on my tan.  I even try to read a bit between innings! 


4.
I have finally gotten all the flowers planted that I wanted to get planted.  It took me awhile to find the time to do it.  Now I have the joy of watering them. I also have two tomato plants that are producing tomatoes like mad.  These cherry tomatoes are delish! I don't have a garden any more, so I buy our tomato plants in pots and I just love it.  They are right on my deck for easy access to watering and picking.  Plus, no weeding! I highly recommend.  I got our Big Boy plant at Home Depot and the cherry tomato plant at a local green house.


5.
Vacation is planned.  We know where we are going and the general route we are taking.  Now I just need to find the time to actually book our hotels and rentals.  I am getting worried that I am running out of time.  Must get to it this weekend!  We are going to travel through Michigan along the UP and then along the western border.  If you have any must see areas, let me know.  I already have the Sleepy Bear Dunes and Mackinac Island on our must do list! 

Thanks for joining me in my High Fives from the last couple weeks.  Join me on Fridays and visit the other bloggers who have linked up for this week's High Fives.