Front Porch + Sweet Tea

Happy Monday! I am really excited about this post for several reasons: 1) it involves sweet tea (figuratively speaking); 2) I am officially an ambassador for Texas Women Bloggers representing the Prairies + Lakes Region; and 3) it’s just plain fun to sit on our front porch with a Mason jar full of sweet tea and socialize. C’mon, join me for some small talk!

If you were here, and we were sitting on the porch, I’d first hand you a Mason jar filled with sweet tea. If you don’t drink tea, Husband will share his Dr. Pepper 10. Tap water is also available. If these three options don’t suit your fancy, bring your own damn beverage!

Then, if we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d apologize because the porch is a hot mess. It’s not very inviting at the moment. See?

Yes, the grill is on the front porch. The green chairs are stacked and the reclining chaise needs a good power-washing. The flower pots are empty, the rug is misplaced. This is a sad, sad picture.

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d tell you that Husband sprayed this super-duper-awesome bug spray around the house and there are dead bugs everywhere. Including a scorpion! WOO HOO! Now that I know this stuff works, I’m considering buying it by the truckload. I’ll do anything to get rid of those damn scorpions!

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d tell you that my 24-year-old cousin, B, left Louisville, Kentucky last week en route to Afghanistan. He’ll spend a couple weeks in New Jersey before his group (I don’t know the proper military jargon, sorry) heads overseas. I’m praying for him. I want him to stay safe and return home as quickly as possible.

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d tell you that I applied for several full-time teaching jobs at schools nearby and I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d tell you I miss Rev. L. She’s been reassigned to another United Methodist Church in Central Texas, which means Joshua is getting a new senior pastor. It’s a difficult transition, at least for me, but I’m anxious to meet the new pastor. I’m also excited for L’s promotion, she deserves it.

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d tell you that school is almost over for summer break. As excited as the students are, multiply that by a gabillion and that’s my level of excitement! This Friday, I am going on the 8th grade field trip to a bowling alley and arcade facility. Sweet Jesus, am I crazy or what?!

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d tell you that several language arts teachers are having dinner and watching The Great Gatsby next Friday evening. I’m confident alcoholic fruity beverages will be consumed … at least by Yours Truly. HA! =)

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d tell you I’m co-hosting the Preview To Summer Blogger Book Swap with Kimberly. She’s the bee’s knees and I love her to pieces, not to mention she’s the most awesome and organized busy person I’ve ever met! This week, I’m hosting a link-up about judging books by their covers. Are you guilty?

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d tell you Husband went to the post office last Friday to mail several packages for me. It was a thoroughly stressful experience for him. He said, “The lady behind the counter asked me too many questions. I told her that my wife was sending books to her friends. I don’t know nothing else.” Poor guy, what a trooper though!!!

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d tell you that my patience is waning for Entwined With You, the third book in the Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day. I read books one and two (similar to 50 Shades) last July. When I tried to purchase the third book, Amazon said it would be released June 4, 2013. What the hell?! I’ve waited for this damn book almost an entire year! My Inner Goddess and I do not approve of delayed gratification!

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d ask if you need a refill of sweet tea.

If we were drinking tea on the porch, I’d tell you to join Texas Women Bloggers and participate in the Sweet Tea Social too. Just imagine yourself on the front porch drinking sweet tea with your best friends and talking about your week. What would you share with them? Which post would you tell them about? We want you to share your favorite post from the past week by linking up.

don’t judge a book by its cover /// Blogger Book Swap

I’d like to wish all the moms and non-moms a very happy mother’s day. Yes, I include the non-moms because we are awesome and deserving for a variety of reasons too.

Welcome to another great event in the P2S Blogger Book Swap! I’m glad you’re here for this link-up titled Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover. Today’s theme is about book covers and how they impact our decision to buy (or not buy) a book. The cover of a book is, essentially, a mini-billboard. Many times, it is the deciding factor for a person about to make a purchase. The smallest details can make a big difference. I have the great respect for designers, authors, and publishers making these critical decisions!

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Unfortunately, yes I do. It’s easy to forget or ignore the attention to detail — not to mention time, effort, sweat, and stress — that goes into choosing a cover. While I am more likely to choose a book with an interesting cover design, I also consider the summary on the back or inside cover. I rarely let reviews from others affect my decision to purchase/not purchase a book. I like to read and form my own opinions.

How important is cover design to you?

A colorful, visually appealing cover grabs my attention, especially in a brick-and-mortar store. In this modern era of eBooks, most titles are accompanied by a nice image on sites such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads.

Share your favorite book cover.

The Girl Who Fell From The Sky — Heidi Durrow

I bought this book at Half Price Books from a clearance table, even though it was brand new.
It was not only cheap, but, once I started reading, I could not put it down.
It’s definitely a page-turner and I was not expecting the “surprise” at all.

What book surprised you the most, despite its unappealing cover design?

Room — Emma Donoghue

Talk about a surprise, WOW! This story creeps me out, intrigues me,
consumes me, and fascinates me. I’ve shared it with several people and my copy is currently loaned out to a friend. I love this book though. The story is so unique, yet terrifying.
Unfortunately, the cover is boring compared to the contents hidden inside!

In your opinion, what makes a book cover intriguing? Tell me in a comment!

If you’re participating in the book swap, add your post’s URL to the link-up below.

Big City Tales (a link up for the Blogger Book Swap)

This link up was really difficult for me. First of all, I can be am the most frustrating, indecisive person on the planet and it drives Husband crazy. Trying to decide what book(s) to share today was impossible. I cannot choose just one, so I chose four!

Since it is the first weekend of May, I’ll begin with a tribute to Kentucky, my home state. The Kentucky Oaks was Friday, May 2 and The Derby was yesterday (Saturday, May 4) at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Congratulations to Orb, the winner. For the record: if I ever own a horse running in The Kentucky Derby, his name will be SPANK THAT BASS. Don’t nobody steal that name, it’s mine. Get your own. One of my favorite horse racing stories is Seabiscuit. I love the movie, it makes me cry and cheer and scream, even though I know the ending is happy. Heck, I cry like a baby every year when My Old Kentucky Home is sung at The Derby. Speaking of The Derby, you can’t have the world’s most famous horse race without a Mint Julep, and you can’t have a Mint Julep without Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey. If you’ve ever wondered about the history and traditions behind liquid amber gold, this is a great book!

Okay, I admit Texas is growing on me. I’ve lived here since 2003 and I’ve been fortunate enough to live near the Gulf Coast in Beaumont (but it royally stinks and I hated the mosquitoes), the Piney Woods of East Texas, and Husband and I are finally settled south of Fort Worth. Not long after moving here, a friend suggested Same Kind of Different As Me. I don’t want to give too much away, but it is an EXCELLENT book.

Another city I love is Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I’ve been there twice for international mission outreach for post-earthquake reconstruction projects. On January 12, 2010, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and crippled an already suffering, impoverished nation. In Unshaken, Dan Woolley describes the hell experienced when he watched the walls crumble around him in the lobby of Hotel Montana for nearly 72 hours. His story of survival is fascinating and inspiring, while the reality of suffering and death all around him is heartbreaking.

On a personal note, I have met two survivors mentioned in Unshaken: Rev. James (Jim) Gulley, an agriculture consultant and Eric, a Haitian employed by the Methodist Guest House as a driver and interpreter. Minutes before the earthquake struck, Eric dropped off Jim for an UMCOR delegation meeting at the Hotel Montana with Sam Dixon and Clint Rabb, UMVIM and UMCOR leaders who both perished in the earthquake. To read more about Jim and the work he is doing in Haiti, click here.

What city (cities) do you love? Are there books inspired by them?

If you are participating in the Blogger Book Swap, make sure you are communicating with your swap partner and getting to know more about them (i.e. their likes, dislikes, preferences in book genres, etc.) so you’ll know what to send for the swap. Next week’s link up is hosted by Yours Truly and all about your favorite (or not-so-favorite) book cover designs.

Happy Sunday. =)

caption this!

This photo has appeared from the DFW Bloggers Spring Meet Up and I am 1) concerned, 2) scared, and 3) laughing hysterically.

Please, please, PLEASE tell me what I’m doing in this photo by adding your own caption in a comment.

No one in the picture is paying attention to my shenanigans, but that didn’t stop me from acting a fool. Am I holding up an invisible roof? Am I stopping in the name of love? Am I dancing on an invisible pole?

Add your caption to this photo in a comment!

As for the person who took this photo, BAHAHAHAHAHAHA you are pure genius. And evil. But I still love you to pieces!

Dear Mom, Dad, Husband and Jesus, I know not what I’m doing in this picture. Amen.

Resolution Update | April

Four down, eight to go.

BLOG RELATED
meet 5 bloggers in person DFW Bloggers’ Spring Meet Up was Saturday, April 27 in Fort Worth, hosted by Yours Truly =)
build relationships with bloggers Becky, Kimberly, Taylor, Julie, and Becka
host or co-host a link-up
participate in a link-up once a month Oh-So-Pinteresting Sunday Social with Neely @ A Complete Waste of Makeup; Favorite Books for Blogger Book Swap; and All About Me link-up prior to DFW Bloggers’ Spring Meet Up
host a sponsored giveaway
host or co-host a swap   Co-hosting the Preview To Summer Blogger Book Swap
be a guest writer on someone’s blog I created this page to showcase my guest posts.

FOOD & DRINK
make sweet pickles using Neenie’s recipe
make homemade bread {without the bread machine}
make the perfect omelet
prepare and deliver a meal to a local fire station
eat at a celebrity chef’s restaurant
attend a gourmet cooking class
attend a Sushi making class April 8 at Sushi Yoko in Fort Worth

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
participate in the Great Day of Service
serve the homeless at a local soup kitchen
build a home with Habitat for Humanity
go on a mission trip

PEOPLE / PLACES TO VISIT
Holy Land (Israel)
Lisa in Virginia
Jacquelyn in Texas
Margaret in Colorado

THINGS TO SEE
a performance at Bass Hall concert featuring Natalie Merchant with the Fort Worth Symphony on April 13
a midnight movie premiere
movie at a drive-in theater
college football game
professional athletic event

THINGS TO DO
a monthly “date” with Husband April 12 – Husband and I went to the gun range. I shot the .220 Swift really well.
create a portfolio for Three 31 Photography  
journal at least 3 days a week wrote in journal 26 of 30 days
get a full-time job
frame the print from Lisa DeNoia Photography
complete Laity Development Training
write a letter to an editor
go wild hog hunting
attend a baby shower
attend a wedding
attend a religious service different from my own
go to a Texas-specific festival
go to a comedy show
take a course for Photoshop editing
finish my novel
have Girls’ Nights at least once a quarter sushi class, Natalie Merchant concert at Bass Hall, Main Street Arts Festival, and DFW Bloggers Spring Meet Up 
play in a golf tournament
read Gone With The Wind
sell my car

WISH LIST
spa facial every 6-8 weeks microderm Feb 9 + March 2 + April 13
square-toe cowboy boots
unique necklace
Warby Parker glasses
TOMS shoes
a battery for my watch
a pretty camera bag
Oakley sunglasses
Le Creuset loaf pan

MONTHLY RESOLUTIONS

January – organize a group to read Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg Purchased the DVD study.

February – edit photos from Holy Land Done. create, order, and mail a secret project Recipients should receive their gift before Easter (March 31). finalize Wonderstruck small group EPIC FAIL. schedule a paid photo shoot FAIL.

March – share Holy Land photos Partially done. Annual well-woman exam Done. Annual eye doctor (new contacts + eyeglass fitting) FAIL. Begin Wonderstruck small group FAIL. Schedule another Photoshop lesson with Sean FAIL. Schedule/Shoot/Edit/Deliver photos to clients Somewhat successful in that I delivered photos to a group of young ladies, but also somewhat of a FAILURE because I have yet to schedule another shoot with anyone. Mail the “secret project” by March 20 SUCCESS. I created an Easter card with photos from the Holy Land. I did not send Christmas cards last year, so this was my attempt to redeem brownie points. If you received my Easter card, did you like it?

April - correctly choose the winner of the men’s NCAA basketball tournament SUCCESS! The University of Louisville men’s basketball team, coached by Rick Pitino, won the 2013 NCAA Championship. survive STAAR testing days at school Barely, but I did it. practice Photoshop Epic fail. host DFW Bloggers’ Spring Meet Up HUGE SUCCESS and schedule a trip someplace Failed.

May – Honestly, I just want to fast forward to June. At school, I have small group tutoring (all day!) for students who failed the STAAR Reading exam every Monday and Friday until May 13 (which means I am tutoring while another sub is in my classroom); students who are not in tutoring are working on research projects; and the eighth grade field trip is May 17 to an arcade and bowling alley in Fort Worth. I forgot to mention that students who failed the math portion of the STAAR test are in small group tutoring every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until May 14. Essentially, that means that the students who failed BOTH tests will not be in my regular language arts classroom until May 16. Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of teaching and state-mandated testing.

June -
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -

Feeling Lucky?

Bloggers are beautiful people. Not only do they have beautiful blogs, write beautiful posts, and take beautiful pictures, but look at us … bloggers are smoking HOT!!!!

Since February, I’ve been planning the 2013 Dallas/Fort Worth Blogger Spring Meet Up. As soon as I had a date, I contacted Lucky Strike Bowling Alley and Brownstone Kitchen in Fort Worth. Both establishments were wonderful to work with and each provided excellent service. In fact, our entire group enjoyed two hours of unlimited bowling (including the oh-so-posh clown shoes) for free and our waiter at Brownstone brought us bubbly beverages to “toast” our evening!

Our evening began at Lucky Strike and, for the record, there are tons of pictures of us bowling but you will not find them here. I do not want pictures of my backside floating around the World Wide Web, so I won’t publish pictures of others’ booties either. But we did have lots of fun, and drank delicious fruity beverages doing it.

Some bloggers had Lady Luck on their side and got a couple of strikes, but there are others in this group who will NOT be invited to the Professional Bowlers Association. In the spirit of hospitality and offering the talented and not-so-talented a prize, let me introduce you to the winner-winner-chicken-dinners!

Becky — The Java Mama —Lowest Bowling Score Champion
Holli — Holli’s Hoots and Hollers — Most Gutter Balls Champion
Are these the happiest losers you’ve ever seen or what?!

Sarah — A Dash of Sarah — Highest Scoring Bowler
Helene — Helene In Between — Most 10 Pins Champion

As hostess, I focused a lot on making sure every person felt welcome and had a pleasant experience. I tried to greet each person as they arrived at the bowling alley and I wanted everybody to go home with a gift and handwritten thank-you note. Instead of traditional place cards on the table, I put each person’s card on their plate. It was by no means fancy or decorative, but it served a purpose.

In the spirit of hospitality, several bloggers and business owners provided “swag” for gift bags.

Kelli — NOW (No One Without) — canvas tote bags
Lucy — Mary Kay — gift sets
Sarah — Scentsy— warmer + fragrance bars
Jennifer — Homespun Happiness — hand warmers for coffee mugs
Kendra — Simply DARRling — homemade hair ties
Rebecca — Kiki La Rue — infinity scarves
Sushi Yoko — two gift certificates
Taylor — Pink Heels Pink Truck — handmade note cards

Rebecca is an adorable spit fire and fine as frog hair. I call her Wonder Woman, but most people know her as Busy Becka. Besides running a household and taking care of her family, she owns and operates Kiki La Rue, an online retailer of clothes and fashion accessories. We were meant to be friends … she has big boobs and cusses like a sailor! Love that girl. =)

Attending social events for bloggers, at least to me, is important. The networking opportunities are great and I love to meet new people. I considered it a blessing to have met seven new bloggers at this meet up, including Helene and Gayle.

Attending blogger events also allows the opportunity to reconnect with those I already know and love, including Taylor and Sarah. These two petite princess (seriously, they are so tiny!) are cutie-patooties and I love them to pieces!

The Official List of Attendees
Rebecca @ Busy Becka
Heather @ Dallas Single Mom
Gayle @ Grace for Gayle
Sarah @ A Dash of Sarah
Becky @ The Java Mama
Rebekah @ Living and Learning
Lauren @ Enjoying the Journey
Stephanie @ Restyle.Re.Rack
Marci @ Living Through Motherhood
Holli @ Holli’s Hoots and Hollers
Julie @ A Beautiful Day
Helene @ Helene In Between
Taylor @ Pink Heels Pink Truck
Nicole @ Three 31

I’ll end this post with my favorite picture. The private room inside The Brownstone was too dark, so we went outside for our last group shot. I love that everybody’s holding their swag bag full of goodies, Taylor looks like the paparazzi holding multiple cameras, and our waiter is inside the restaurant photo-bombing us!!!!!!

Five Books Every Young Woman Should Read

For the record: creating this list was really difficult. There are so many books I’ve enjoyed and read over and over again, but I finally made my final cut for this list of Five (5) Books Every Young Woman Should Read:

Gone With The Wind — Margaret Mitchell

If you are a Southern Woman, this book should already be on your bookshelf or e-reader. If not, check yourself! Every young woman needs to read this book, because there are going to be days when you are feeling like the spoiled rotten Scarlett and there will be days when you don’t give a damn either, like Rhett Butler!

MWF Seeking BFF — Rachel Bertsche

I don’t remember how I was introduced to this book, but I know I read it after ending a friendship I had had since college. We were at different places in our lives, that’s I will say about it. Needless to say, I read this book at a pivotal time in my life. It was fascinating and enlightening, and I praise Rachel Bertsche for taking on such a commitment (especially as a newlywed!) to “interview” potential friend candidates! It’s a cool concept and I am more willing to step outside of my comfort zone to pursue genuine, more meaningful friendships now. There were several tough lessons to learn and realities to accept: 1) living in a different place than where I grew up, folks ’round here don’t know me so I’m not as popular as I think I am; 2) friendships take time …. and lots of it; 3) you won’t be friends with everyone and this is okay; and 4) Quality is better than quantity ….. it’s better to have four quarters than 100 pennies!

Letter To My Daughter — Maya Angelou

I love Maya Angelou. I don’t love her in a weird, celebrity stalker kind of way. No. I love her as an honorable, grace-filled, intelligent and generous woman who has been through the trenches and mentors every woman, no matter our age, skin color, nationality, or religious belief. I love the way she writes, as if she is writing every word to me. In Letter To My Daughter, Maya writes to the daughter she never had but sees in all women and girls around her. She teaches readers to live well and live a life with meaning and purpose.

The Joy of Cooking — Irma Rombauer

Ladies, even if you don’t like to cook, at least learn a few basic skills. I cannot imagine NOT enjoying the cooking and baking processes, but I know lots of people (men and women …. Husband being one of them) who hate to cook. Fortunately for them, they know my table is open anytime and they will leave my house with a sated belly. But I encourage all women – young and old – to have at least five go-to recipes that they can whip up in a moment’s notice. If you are still hesitant, invest in quality cookware. It’s like wearing your big girl panties and people will take you more serious!

Book of Ruth — The Holy Bible

I saved my favorite for last ….. the Book of Ruth is a tale of two women (one Jewish, one non-Jew) who, through death, drama, and Divine Intervention create a story for the ages. It is an intimate story of family, relationships, and loyalty to both. The Book of Ruth also teaches inclusiveness for all people, Christians and Jews alike, and reminds us all that God can create extraordinary things from the ordinary and anybody can be used as God’s instrument if he/she so chooses. After all, Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David and, ultimately, connected to Jesus himself!

What are some of your favorite books? Tell me in a comment below!