The Luckiest: a good read

Day Five of the Third Annual Half-Birthday Bash is brought to by the generosity of the author of the fledgling blog, The Luckiest. Shannon came on board the half-birthday boat last year, before she had a blog to link to, before she was able to get the courage up to write her words for ALL to see. And now, she needs you to go discover her well-kept secret of a blog waiting to be read by many. She writes about home and family, baking, writing, and whatever else suits her fancy. Head on over and take a peek.

In celebration of this purple blog making it into its toddler stages, Shannon has offered a location-specific prize, for the LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN AREA ONLY, of two dozen of the best pumpkin cookies ever.

Please enter for your chance to win, and don't forget to hop over to her blogsite http://luckbethislady.blogspot.com/.

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A slice of half-birthday cake?

As I take a brief breath to recognize this slice of life, I find myself in the midst of a grand mess. I am supposedly celebrating my blog's third half-birthday while recovering terribly from a tonsillectomy while boldly taking full-time university credits while blindly yet daringly being a super single mom to four children while "patiently" continuing to wrap up an allegedly already decided divorce. To me, that just sounds like way too much going on for one person. And yet, here I am doing it. Actually, it doesn't sound quite so bad written in such a neat little package, but trust me--there are some seriously bad days. Like last week, for instance.

I have been slicing every single Tuesday for over a year. I'm pretty sure it will be two years in January. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. Well, it would have been almost two years straight if I hadn't forgotten last week. I spent last Tuesday struggling to juggle my heavy load of coursework, kids, and preparations for surgery. I was so busy that I hadn't even thought of writing my slice at all--until 1 a.m. technically on Wednesday morning. I felt a twinge of disappointment because I had set a goal for myself to always take time to slice, but my pure exhaustion overcame me, and won. I don't feel too badly about it a week later, but it did highlight my limitations for me: no one can do everything, especially not all at once. And I am decidedly okay with that.

So anyways, I did mention a certain blog's half-birthday celebration happening right now. It has been going on since Friday the 13th and will continue adding new things throughout this week, with all the giveaways closing this Sunday night. There are books and treats and even a healing crystal for this half-birthday bash's party gifts, so I hope you will take a minute to celebrate this occasion with me and enter to win some lovely things.

The party thus far:

Third Annual Half-Birthday Bash

Blackmoore Review and Giveaway

Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor's Secret Review and Giveaway

Amethyst Healing Crystal Giveaway

Gourmet Cupcake Giveaway -- NORTHERN UTAH ONLY

Upcoming Fun:

The Best Pumpkin Cookies Yet Made Giveaway -- LAS VEGAS METRO AREA ONLY

Drawing Out the Dragons Review and Giveaway

The Janitors trilogy (including the brand-new Curse of the Broomstaff) Review and Boxed-set Giveaway

Silver Spoon Catering: Delish!

Cupcakes in photograph by Chef Darcy

I have one contributor to my half-birthday whims who has been here each of the three years now. She went by just Darcy before, but has decided to put her accredited chef's hat back on, so please be sure to remember it's now Chef Darcy of Silver Spoon Catering located in Northern Utah. She has an eye for elegance, a knack for the whimsical, and a truly artistic hand. I can personally vouch for her excellent skill level in making perfectly tasty meals on the family level, catering, cakes (from birthdays to formal weddings), cupcakes to die for, and many other delicious dishes and treats.

I am truly grateful for the continual support Chef Darcy gives my creative endeavors by sharing her own creative talents. It is a pleasure for me to have this opportunity to point you in her direction, and I hope you will take a bit of your time to check out what she has to offer.

If you want to treat your guests (or yourself) to something truly delightful, you'll want to bookmark her blogsite http://chefdarcysilverspooncatering.blogspot.com/ so you can catch up on her goings on, place an order, or book a catered event.

In celebration of Day 4 of the Third Annual Half-Birthday Bash, you have the chance to win (1) custom order of one dozen gourmet cupcakes by Chef Darcy.

PLEASE DO NOT ENTER UNLESS YOU LIVE IN SALT LAKE OR UTAH COUNTY.  This prize is location specific and cannot be shipped.

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Friendship's Binding Ties

I have this friend and her name is Kat. It wasn't always Kat, but as time goes by, I become more accustomed to her transformative name.

We met at Video Park, like Denise and I (related link from 2011 Half-Birthday Bash). However, one of the big differences in my friendship with Kat is that we used to go gallivanting around town together in the middle of the night. Now that I think of it, gallivanting is a generous word to describe what we did--quite the euphemism. But anyways! We became so close, but then, life split our paths in two.

Since our younger years, she has become a mother and a bona fide chef, and despite the many years without contact, Kat wants to share the purple love with you in honor of my blog's half-birthday. I feel so honored to have her support for my writing and purple shenanigans. It means the world to me.

So for Day 3 of the Third Annual Half-Birthday Bash, you are invited to enter for a chance to win an amethyst healing crystal, as pictured below. 

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Cragbridge Hall, The Inventor's Secret: Innovative

 

 For Day Two of our Third Annual Half-Birthday Bash, I hope you will enjoy this review and giveaway of Cragbridge Hall, book 1: The Inventor's Secret.

Cragbridge Hall, Book 1: The Inventor's Secret by Chad  Morris

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The first book in a series has the heavy responsibility of introducing an entire world of characters and, sometimes, a literally new world to us. In The Inventor's Secret, Chad Morris is able to hook the reader with the quirkiness of Abby, not so unique genius of her twin brother, Derick, and a secret-laden plot that twists and turns in unexpected directions for these two teenagers.

My favorite aspect of The Inventor's Secret:  The ability to learn from the past by literally going there to seek knowledge and solutions. In today's world we might not be able to literally go between past and present, yet we can make a study of the past in order to solve some of the challenges we face now.

The story draws upon fantasy, historical facts, and futuristic (on the brink of dystopian) reading interests. Because of this fact, I recommend the first Cragbridge Hall book to lovers of all these areas, ages 10 and up.

As an adult reader, I was pulled into the innovative concepts and found it a very entertaining read. The sequels can't come soon enough, for I am curious to see what the author will bring to the table next time.




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