First Moomers, now this...

The view from my office window...

I'm never gonna lose weight this summer...

Book Review: How To Write A Book Proposal by Michael Larsen

With more than 100,000 copies sold, How to Write a Book Proposal has been the go-to resource for getting your work published for almost 25 years. This Writer's Digest classic from literary agent Michael Larsen outlines in a clear step-by-step manner how to create an effective nonfiction book proposal. The 4th edition of the book features information about recent changes in the publishing industry, updated trend information, new sample proposals, a completely updated resources section, and a new chapter on online promotion.


Well, that pretty much sums it up - a clear step-by-step manner to create an effective nonfiction book proposal. I loved the organization of this book: sidebars, bullet points, indices, actual examples. It's easy to find the main points, then go back and review them. As an instruction book, it's very easy to read and engaging. 


*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Sneeze program.

TC Beach Bums

For Father's Day, Matt and I took our dads (and moms) to a Traverse City Beach Bums game. Since Matt just got a snazzy new hair cut, I decided to get a quick pic of us.

Here are the happy daddies. Technically Matt's not a daddy, but I think Bucket and Midgie view him as a two-legged father figure.

The weather was great. The Bums won. It was a good weekend.

The Cat that Likes Yogurt by Grace Hales

My friend, Hope, has a 7 year-old daughter, Grace. Grace loves animals, so when Matt and I went out of town, I asked if she would mind stopping by my house and checking on the cats. When I was showing Grace the ropes, I told her stories about how much Bucket likes yogurt.

That was about two months ago. Today her mom called me. Grace's teacher gave each student a scrapbook of the school year, and inside was this book.

Here's Grace's inspiration - my Bucket.

Thanks for the beautiful story, Gracie. Bucket loves you, too!

Finally! 2011 Grilling Season is Underway!

Matt cleaned the grill, but we had to replace the igniter. Then there was this clicking sound when we opened the propane tank, so we replaced it. The click continued, so we replaced the regulator. And finally, we had a clean, working grill! So here it is - my chicken and pepper dinner. Yee haw!

Book Review: A Great Catch by Lorna Seilstad

It is the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa Resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When 22-year-old Emily Graham's meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.

Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer at Lake Manawa, Iowa, before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father. 

When Emily crashes into Carter at a roller skating rink, neither could guess what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?


This is the second of Seilstad's Lake Manawa series and it's absolutely delightful. Emily and Carter's struggles (an over-worked, over-committed woman and a man torn between his heart and his responsibilities), though rooted in the early 1900s, translate well into today's society. It's very easy to relate with both of them.


Add to that an almost dreamlike setting, some interfering (yet lovable) aunts, and a little bit of love and A Great Catch is a great read. If you like Karen Witemeyer, I think you'll enjoy Lorna Seilstad.


*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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WIN THIS BOOK!

Leave your name and email address to get entered to win a copy of this book!! I have a few other books to review this month, and I'll be giving them all away on June 28. Leave a comment on each post and you'll be entered each time.

Good luck!

Reuben: My New Obsession

I don't know why it started, but a few years ago I ordered a reuben sandwich at Arby's. While the Arby's sandwich isn't the best example of any sandwich, it was enough to catch my attention. Since that time, I've made it my mission to find the best reubens out there. I've enjoyed my experiment, but sometimes I want to enjoy one of those sour, salty, sensations in the comfort of my own home.

Quite a while ago, a friend of mine made slow cooker reubens. A yummy, creamy reuben-inspired dip for bread, rolls, or crackers. Heaven. I neglected to get the recipe from her, so I did what any foodie without a recipe does - I went to AllRecipe.com and searched for one.

Mmmm...creamy, reuben bliss. I have to tweak the recipe a bit (it's a little heavy on the cream cheese for my liking), but it sure hits the spot. I'm going to consider this my starter recipe and work on it:

16 oz. jar of sour kraut (drained)
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
2 c. shredded Swiss cheese
2 c. shredded, cooked corned beef
1/4 c. thousand island dressing

Just dump it all in a crock pot: 45 minutes on high, or put it on low and let it coast. Make sure to stir it a few times while it warms. That's it!

I'm not a big fan of bottled salad dressing, so I made that, too. This can definitely be tweaked to your preference. I don't usually eat the stuff (except on my reubens and Big Macs), so I made a basic recipe:

1 c. mayonaisse
3/4 c. ketchup
4 t. evaporated milk (more if you like it creamier)
Garlic powder
Worchestsire Sauce
Sweet relish or diced sweet pickles (as many as you want for your preferred chunkiness)

I enjoyed this fine dip on some homemade bread (a new recipe - it rose!)

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!

Happy Birthday, Dad - I love you!

Come on Summer - We're All Waiting

Matt and I aren't the only two around here who are anxious for summer. The kitties can't get enough of the sun. Midgie even moves from the bed to the floor to catch some rays!

Bucket prefers the chair...

Ikea!

Here it is - the result of 4.5 hours in Ikea! (The lower, white cabinets, not the shelves). Now that we have the cabinets, we're going to move that table. We're also going to take the CDs off of that wooden book shelf (on the left) and stick 'em in the new cabinet. That should open up some space in the living room - woo hoo!

Just thought I'd show you what's going on at the house on Brand Street.

Now Playing: "Moon Over Buffalo"*

Moon Over Buffalo opened to a full house and lots of laughs at the Historic Town Hall in Elk Rapids last night. The Elk Rapids Players performed Ken Ludwig's adult comedy with a mixed cast of veteran and first-time actors. The show included slapstick humor, some sexual innuendo, and lots physical humor at the expense of George Hay, played by Ron Schmidt. Set in a Buffalo, New York theater in 1953, some of the references may be lost on younger audiences, but the acting and delivery help the meaning come through.

This is only the third show by the Elk Rapids Players. Though they've been gaining support throughout the community, they weren't prepared for the sold out show Thursday night. With almost 100 people in attendance, they had to add extra chairs for the overflow.

“We're thrilled,” said Karen Kaspas, a founding member of the Players and lead actress for Moon Over Buffalo. “We have such wonderful community support here,” she said. “We're so thankful.”

Schmidt, who was last seen in Barefoot in the Park said he felt good about their first performance. “This was as good an opening night as I've been around,” he said.

The play continues this weekend and next, April 28-30 and May 6-7 at 8 p.m. at the Old Town Hall. Tickets are $12 per person.

There will be a special Mother's Day matinee on Sunday, May 8. Tickets are $32 and include a full, buffet-style meal catered by Chow Bella. The menu includes stuffed pork tenderloin, crusted whitefish, roasted vegetables, potatoes au gratin, and dessert. Lunch starts at 1 p.m. with the show at 3 p.m. Seating is limited to 50 people.

Advanced ticket purchases are encouraged. Tickets are available by calling 231-620-0415. For more information on the Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall, visit www.ertownhall.org or send an email to info@ertownhall.org

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*From the Elk Rapids Progress.

Easter Weekend

Matt and I just got back from Vegas, and it was a great trip. We especially enjoyed our overnight stay down state with my College Bud and her boy, Matthew. We spent Saturday night with Big Matt and Little Matt watching movies and eating pizza (this is downtown Milan, where we got our pizza).

Sunday morning, Little Matt got some Legos from a giant bunny. He and Big Matt worked hard to put everything together.

One of their creations ...

After breakfast and Legos, Big Matt and I headed to Canton, Michigan for Big Matt's first ever Ikea experience.

Matt with his brand new Tim Horton's travel mug (which doesn't get you any type of discount ... blah), our new(er) car, and the store!

Matt loved this, but I wasn't up for spending $450 on it, so we settled on the $15 pillow.

I didn't realize until we got home that his hand was in front of the food! :) His first Ikea Swedish Meatball dinner. He's a fan!

Pudding Cup Photography

Sorry it took so long to get these posted - it was a fun-filled adventure in Vegas! We didn't take as many pictures as we usually do because we were just too busy to pull out the camera. That didn't stop Pudding Cup, though. She managed to get a few pictures for you to enjoy. It starts with the portraits, then goes to still life :)

Close up of Aunt Karin, post-swimming

  

Babcia at the magic show

PC snuck up on Big Sister...

Big Sis really did enjoy herself :)

PC tried to get a photo of herself with Babcia and Aunt Karin, but with the zoom on, this is what she got!

Still life - she has such an eye for these sorts of things...

Showing off her pruney post-swimming fingers.

Book Review: Tea for Two by Trish Perry

Counselor Tina Milano has been visiting Milly’s Tea Shop regularly for the past several months. She has many friends but no steady man in her life. Zack Cooper is a local farmer who provides Milly with fresh fruit and vegetables. As a single parent, Zack is doing his best to raise his teenage son and daughter on his own.

When the kids get in minor scrapes with the law, Milly gently encourages Zack and Tina to work together to draw the teens back before their rebellious natures land them in even hotter water. At first Tina sees the relationship in only a professional capacity, but soon her friends notice the luscious scent of romance in the air and decide to help things along.

Tea for Two is a faith-filled novel that explores the delight of second chances, warm friendship, and unexpected romantic encounters.

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This book delivers exactly what it promises - a faith-filled novel of second chances, friendships, romance. It's a fun, light-hearted love story full of miscommunications and reconciliations.

As engaging as this story is, however, if you've read any of Perry's other books, as I have, this might disappoint a bit. Something was missing - it didn't pull me in the way her other books did. I felt more like an observer, whereas her other books made me a participant.

My pickiness aside, "Tea for Two" truly is an enjoyable book...but all of the talk of shortcakes and finger sandwiches will definitely give you the munchies!

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

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Now it's YOUR chance to read "Tea for Two"! Leave me your name and email address. On May 1 I'll pick a winner!!

Book Review: Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot

Harriet Kirk is certain that becoming Ladreville's schoolteacher is just what she needs--a chance to put the past behind her and give her younger siblings a brighter tomorrow. What she didn't count on was the presence of handsome former Texas Ranger Lawrence Wood--or the way he slowly but surely claims her fragile heart. But can Harriet and Lawrence ever truly put the past behind them in order to find happiness?

This is book three of the Cabot's Texas Dreams trilogy. I have not read the first two books, but that didn't matter. This story picks up with a different character while giving a glimpse as to what happened in the first two books.

I admit that it took me a few chapters to really get into the story, but once I was hooked I had to know what would happen next. Cabot spares no detail in describing the characters, town, and situations that draw Harriet and Lawrence together. "Tomorrow's Garden" is a heart-warming historical romance, full of intriguing characters and intricate detail. If you enjoy Lori Wick's western romances, I think you'll enjoy "Tomorrow's Garden".

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In an effort to share the experience, I'm going to give away my copy of "Tomorrow's Garden". Just leave a comment and an email address. KEEP READING!!

I noticed that I still have two other historicals that I reviewed but did not give away, so I will actually be picking THREE winners this time! The first person gets "Tomorrow's Garden", the second get "Kaydie", and the third will receive "Love on Assignment". I've linked the reviews so you can see what I'm giving away. 

I'll pick winners on May 1 - good luck!!