My Favorite Things: Love My Hair #1

From time to time I am going to share with you some of my favorite things. I guess I believe that if you discover something great...you should share it with others.

I have very thick, coarse, frizzy hair. I have always hated that as my hair dries it gets poofier and poofier. Now, in some areas of the country, poofy hair is the style....but I personally do not like it on myself. Also, as I have gotten older, my hair has become curlier. Right now at this stage in my life, I am mostly loving my hair! I can let it hang dry and wear it curly or I can blow dry/flat iron my hair and wear it sleek and straight. But either way, I always use this shampoo and conditioner that I have discovered. I purchase the product at my local beauty supply store where they carry the Generic Value Products brand. Basically, its an off-brand of a much more expensive product, in this case, Matrix Biolage.

I use the Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioning Balm everyday when i wash my hair. My hair comes out feeling smooth and silky with no frizzy flyaways. I love it and I love my hair!

Movie Review: Wuthering Heights (2009)

I recently started watching this adaptation of Wuthering Heights on my iTouch Netflix app. I've been watching a little at a time. I've heard this book talked about for years but have never read it. I get mixed comments when people talk about it. Some find it depressing, some think it is a truly great read. I have added it to my to-be-read bookshelf simply because it is a classic and all classics should be read.

This adaptation of the book is a two-part made-for-TV series broadcast by PBS Masterpiece Theater. The two main characters are played by Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy as Cathy and Heathcliff. I'm not sure how true to the storyline this movie is because I have not read the book. But so far, in what I have watched, I gotta say....its a bit dark, dreary and depressing. I do like the acting in the movie and feel it is well done. And I am anxious to see how it ends. If you are a big fan of the book, you can purchase a copy of this adaptation here.

Book Review: Lonestar Secrets by Colleen Coble

Book Description from the back of the book:
Five years ago, Shannon Astor left the beautiful high-mountain country of West Texas as a single mother. she was desperate for a fresh start...and a way to keep the secrets of her past buried. It almost worked.

Until a chance to make a better life for her daughter leads her right back home. To the very place of the past betrayals.

But it also leads Shannon to horse-trainer Jack MacGowan -- her handsome high-school nemesis, now a widowed father. His daughter looks so startlingly like her own that shannon can't help but question the circumstances surrounding her daughter's birth. Wary of each other's intentions, Shannon and Jack reluctantly join forces to untangle a deep mystery that swirls around Shannon's parents, a lost Spanish treasure, and a legendary black stallion.

If Shannon can learn to entrust her secrets to the man falling in love with her, the truth just might set her free.

My Thoughts:
Colleen Coble writes intrigue and mystery into the genre of Christian Romance Fiction that makes her books stand out from many of the rest. I actually read this book in one sitting on a lazy Saturday evening. This means that it kept my interest from start to finish. That is always a good sign in a book. I did feel, however, that some of the developments in the characters relationships and storyline were slightly unbelievable, but all-in-all, it was a good mystery and story. This book is the second in the series and I enjoyed reading the main characters from the first book as secondary characters in this one. Sometimes when a book ends, you want to keep reading about the lives of the characters and its a bit sad when a good story ends. I enjoyed seeing how Rick and Allie from the first book, Lonestar Sanctuary, were now living their lives. You can pick up a copy of Colleen's book here. Make sure and read the whole series!

I also just finished reading Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck and will be posting my review of another great read by Rachel soon! It's about a cooking show host who can't cook!!! Imagine the dilemma! Look for it! 







I am getting ready to start reading, Drift, by Sharon Carter Rogers. This is a mystery, suspense novel. I'm looking forward to changing it up in my reading with this book.

One Lovely Blog Award!

I want to thank The Crazy Bookworm for choosing my blog for this award!

This is how the award works:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered.

3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I have chosen the following 15 blogs to receive this award.

These are blogs I have recently found and enjoy reading.

Check them out and make new friends!

Gerber Days

Much More Than Mommy

Bags, Books and Bon Jovi

Kelly's Korner

Life's Recipe

Love Is...

Media Molly

Oh, I Love That!

Potter, Percy and I

Reading Without Restraint

Seahorse Studios

this little book blog

Writing for Christ

Marie Loves Books

Ashley's Bookshelf

Want to Learn How to Make Sushi Rice?

I came across this great article and video on how to make sushi rice at Sushi Vids. The rice is the foundation for the whole meal. Read the how-to here and watch the video below.

Recent Brad Paisley Concert

As you may have guessed from some of my previous posts, I went to a Brad Paisley concert in Daytona Beach with my good friend Rachel Hauck. The opening acts were Justin Moore and Darius Rucker. The concert was fun and full of energy. Here are a few pictures from the event.

Book Blogger Hop

Hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word.


This week's question - How many blogs do you follow?


In my Google Reader, I follow 80+ blogs and am constantly adding blogs weekly. I hope to find some more interesting ones via the Blog Hop this weekend. :-) Have fun Hopping! 

Friday Fill-Ins...

1. Laughter rocks!
2. You are right are the three words that started off the last email I sent.
3. What I'm most looking forward to today is relaxing.
4. ? puts a smile on my face. (For now, shall remain blank ;-) )
5. Where in the world is WALDO???
6. Coffee is just what I needed.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to seeing my nieces and nephews, tomorrow my plans include fun and Sunday, I want to go to the speed boat races!

Teaser Tuesday!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add teh book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers:

""By the way, I think Lyric had a date with a vampire tonight." He tugged his keys from his pocket and motioned to his neck, nodding towards the stairs."

~From Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck~

Book Review: Resurrection in May by Lisa Samson

Book Description from Thomas Nelson Publishers

May Seymour graduated from college with the world at her feet and no idea what to do with it. A mission trip to Rwanda brought her a sense of purpose in loving others. So when the genocide began she chose to remain in the village, which was subsequently slaughtered. Only May survived.

So, May journeyed to heal on the farm of Claudius Borne, a sweet, innocent old man who understood plants and animals far better than people.

Years later, having not stepped a foot off Claudius' farm, May learns an old college flame, now a death-row inmate, is refusing to appeal his sentence. Can she convince him to grab hold of life once again? Their surprising friendship turns the tables, for the prisoner, Eli Campbell, has a deeper faith from which to draw than she. Eli slowly begins to pull May from her cloistered existence. With the help of Eli, their tiny town, and ultimately a renewal of faith, May comes to life once again.

My Thoughts

Lisa Samson's, Resurrection in May is a different type of book than I typically pick up and read. It was a very refreshing read. Lisa has a very captivating voice in her writing that immediately drew me in. I enjoyed the dialogue between Claudius and May and loved their father-daughter relationship that developed. They needed each other. I felt at times, the story dragged a little. I never lost interest in the book, but at times wished it would have progressed a little faster. But on the same hand, it is an average length book, so it is possible the story progresses at a fine rate and it just seemed that way to me.

I recommend this book to anyone and already have people in line to borrow my copy. Resurrection in May will not disappoint anyone who picks it up and reads the story of May and Claudius. Buy your copy here. Resurrection in May

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

WWW Wednesday

Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading

What Are You Currently Reading?
Right now I am reading Resurrection in May by Lisa Samson. Look for my review in the very near future, but for now I will tell you that this is a really good book! Purchase a copy today! Resurrection in May

What Did You Recently Finish Reading?

I recently finished reading Lonestar Sanctuary by Colleen Coble. Read my review here. Purchase your very own copy Lonestar Sanctuary (Lonestar Series, Book 1)

What Do You Think You Will Read Next?

I am very excited to read the next book on my reading list....Dining With Joy by Rachel Hauck! I know Rachel is a phenomenal author and can't wait to read about her latest character, a cooking show host with a secret. Purchase your very own copy today and read along with me! Dining with Joy (A Lowcountry Romance) 

Brad Paisley - Wrapped Around

Countdown to Brad Paisley concert ... 2 1/2 DAYS. I'm super excited. Going with my favorite person, Rachel Hauck. She is excited because Darius Rucker is one of the opening acts. Gonna be fun times ahead in a couple days! MUCHO!!!

Friday Fill-Ins...

1. Life is full of adventures and you never know what is around the next bend.

2. You gotta keep going.

3. My last text message (or IM) ended in these three words: fun runnin errands.

4. Of course, SUSHI is what I'm thinking about for dinner sometime soon.

5. On the 1st day of August I worked, BUT I celebrated with someone special.

6. My niece, Sadie is oh, so VERY lively and energetic.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with special people, tomorrow my plans include hanging out with my mom and my aunt, Lori and Sunday, I want to LAUGH with all my family for my mom's birthday gathering!

Book Blogger Hop

Book bloggers and readers, connect through the Book Blogger Hop. The Hop lasts Friday to Monday every weekend. Click on the picture and it will take you to a list of all different kinds of blogs by book lovers like yourself.

Sushi Review: Toyo Sushi & Asian Grill

A couple weeks ago, a good friend of mine came through town and we met for sushi with a few people. We tried a new spot in Viera, Florida, Toyo Sushi & Asian Grill. The atmosphere was pleasant, modern decor and subdued lighting.

Because its been a few weeks, I have forgotten the names of all the rolls we tried there except for one, the House Roll. As soon as I saw this one on the menu I knew I had to try it and it certainly did not disappoint. It is sort of like a Rainbow Roll in that it has the rainbow of fish curved along the top of the roll. The surprise ingredient inside the roll is banana. Each bite contains just a hint of the banana and it was oh so yummy! (The House Roll is the one in the front of the picture.)

The prices, I feel, are on the average to pricey side. The service was excellent. The atmosphere pleasant. We ordered a total of 5 rolls and it fed 5 people just right.

The pictures are from my cell phone and not so great, but you get the idea. :-)

Brad Paisley With Andy Griffith - Waitin' On A Woman

Countdown to Brad Paisley with Rachel Hauck....10 days!!! YAHOO!!! I can't wait!!!