*The Alpine Scandal* by Mary Daheim

This is another Emma Lord mystery. I began this series years ago and am now committed to read each new book that comes out. Emma is not my favorite character. I don't like her morals....that said however, there are no graphic details about her escapades in the books.....just illusions.

I do like the setting of NW WA in these books. I do love Vida. What I'd really like to find is a GREAT mystery series (not suspense) written by Christian authors.....great plot lines, wacky characters, good morals....any ideas?

I really prefer Daheim's Bed and Breakfast series - all main characters are married, they are fun and wacky, I like the cousin/family relationships.....and I just realized that there is a newly released book in THAT series too. Hmmm....I should check and see what's up at the Penn Dutch Inn too.....Ah man....keeping up with these older series while reading newer series is certainly a challenge. ::snort::

Blogger Awards.....

It's always fun to wake up and see that you've been given something fun. I DO have a weakness for cute graphics in the sidebar. ::snort::

Thanks to Sheryl for sending me the "Creative Blogger Award" (details from the creator of the awards). I must admit that I don't feel my blog is especially creative, but I'm honored to be given the logo nonetheless. ::snort:: Thanks again, Sheryl.

The rules for this one are simple (click here for full rules):

1) If you have received an award simply choose either the dark or light background image and save it to your files, then post it proudly on your blog!

2) Pass the award on to five other people, you can choose any of the awards from the series, you do not have to pass out the exact award you received. Choose whichever of the awards below that you'd like to give out. You can give out one of each or five of the same one, whatever you prefer.

4) Please link back to this post so that people can read these rules and so that the meanings of the awards will not be lost.

Without further ado - my list - I could have chosen about 10 blogs in each category...but here are 5 to get you started. FIVE - that's tough to pick 5, and so many could be nominated in several categories depending on how their blog communicates to a variety of readers....hmmmm....maybe they'll be nominated later for the other awards....ah the decisions....OK don't count to closely.... if I'm nominated in a different category I have 30 or so more ideas in my "list". LOL

"For those who answer blog comments, emails, and make their visitors feel at home on their blogs. For the people who take others feelings into consideration before speaking out and who are kind and courteous. Also for all of those bloggers who spend so much of their time helping others bloggers design, improve, and fix their sites. This award is for those generous bloggers who think of others. "

Emily from Emily's 5 Blessings has got to be one of the most thoughtful bloggers I've run into. She sets the bar for quickly and graciously responding to blog comments.

"For those bloggers who inspire others through their words and actions. With a positive attitude, and an uplifting spirit these bloggers make the blogosphere a better place, and encourage others to do the same. This award is for bloggers who rise up to set an example but continue to reach out and support others. "

Lisa from Lisa's Homeschool Circus inspires me to make menus (and sometimes actually follow them) and to clean up my house rather than read the summer away!

Trish from An Ordinary Life Artist really could have/should have been given the Creative Blogger Award (maybe someone else will give you that one). Trish is the creator of the Fruit of the Spirit Graphic and the host of Fruitful Fridays. While this is certainly creative, it is also inspirational and her blog constantly inspires me in a variety of ways; this is the award I will give her.

Debbie from Following the Narrow Path inspires me with her green thumb, her sense of fun and love of nature, her darling children....her blog is always FRESH and pretty to look at, her family is real and fun, her adoption story inspires not only myself but many others who are in the process or considering the process of adoption. It's been a joy to watch your family become a family over the past year plus. You inspire me for having taken on so much and handled it step by step in a very gracious manner!

"For those who bring unique and creative elements to their blogs. For those who incorporate art, music, creative writing, photo's, and other beautiful visual effects into their website. For those who put a unique spin on things and come up with new ideas. This award is for the artsy, the funky, the inventor, and even the rebel. This award is for those creative individuals who stand out from the crowd."

Jen from Ancora Imparo has a FLARE for desktop publishing. Creativity oozes from her fingers.

Cindy from Life is Good is the creator of the Project 365 webring and the Scrapbook 2007 challenge. Her blog is full of photos and I think that certainly qualifies her for this award.

Kathleen from Lookin for the Good Stuff has created a stunning visual delight on her blog. Her photos are amazing. I love her blog's URL - maybe that would qualify her for the inspirational blogger award. ::snort::

Practically Perfect Family Day

Mike had our day planned today. We got up and I went to Curves. He changed the oil in two or three vehicles.

We found a perfectly formed exoskeleton in our front yard.

We had lunch and then we went to the pool.

We chased a storm.

The older two boys worked - different schedules.

We got ready for a busy day of chapel tomorrow....well I guess it won't be busy....we are having a "unity service" - so there will only be one service. We'll have a potluck beforehand. Mike will be preaching. Actually, it will be much less busy than the typical Sunday.

Jared and Mike are out running "The Trail of Tears". This is a running route that Jared has created....we'll see what Mike thinks when he returns.

I'm going to go read through the afternoons SHS mail and then settle down to read.

Friday Highlights:

Produce co-op - how can two little words take up such a major part of a day? Do they communicate the fun, the friendships, the yummy fruit?????

Mike had the day off. We got a call that one of our chaplains was at the ER. For a bit of time it looked like there may be surgery. This led to discussions on the fact that lately one of the staff or family member's seems to end up in the ER on every day off Mike has, therefore, Mike should fore go days off for the foreseeable future. Ch. B turns out not to need surgery and is home with meds and such.

We took the children swimming. Jamin worked last night; Josiah had the night off.

Bre called. Krista and Nicholas have been at high school camp all week. They reported SIX new students interested in starting Master's next year. Bre leaves today for Jr. High camp.

I'd forgotten to prep for pizzas - Jamin's done that so many months. We had to order Papa John's - oh the shame. ::snort::

We watched a netflix movie and an episode of Hogan's Heroes and Red Green.

Summer Reading Challenge Book Giveaway

Congrats to Sheryl, last week's winner. Your book is being mailed today. This week I'm offering two used books. These are easily available at the library, but if you'd like to save yourself a trip to the library or skip the library fines.....request one of these. ::snort::

*The No 1. Ladies' Detective Agency* by Alexander McCall Smith. This is a quick and fun read. For a complete review of this book, click here.

*Midwives* by Chris Bohjalian. I found this book to be interesting, haunting, and thought-provoking. I've reviewed it here.

If you would like to own one of these books post a comment below. Please let me know how to contact you (either a blog link or an email address). I'll select a winner sometime on Wednesday - to be safe comment by Tuesday midnight if you want to be considered.

You must be a participant in the challenge - defined by having added your link to Mr. Linky or commented to the original post. It doesn't matter WHEN you sign up - you just need to be a participant. If you aren't a participant now, and would like to be, click above and go sign up. ::snort::

I'll mail either book domestically or internationally.

Thursday???? Shew....Thank God Friday is Coming!

This has been another very hectic week - for us as well as for Mike. We're all really looking forward to his day off tomorrow. He works until 9:30 every Thursday night. I envisioned reading tonight, but needed to read SHS mail, email, paperwork, write a newsletter...... I'll update the blog and then maybe read a book yet! Maybe.

I hit 50 Curve workouts today. My goal is 100 by the end of October...but for sure by the end of the year. The trainer talked to me about my workouts. I've been watching and seen that some ladies really work it - and I figured out what they were doing differenly than I. I go in 5 - 6 times a week....so today they said if I want to keep doing the more intense workouts I need to do those only 3 times a week...and then the other pace the other days. OK. LOL My hip is still giving me trouble (evidenced by the tumble into the cactus and the stiff a.m.'s) but I find that working through the pain in the a.m. DOES help me throughout the day.

Kristine - here's my first thing in the a.m. shot...any hints of makeup are because I forget to wash it off the night before. ::snort:: Can you believe I go to Curves like this every a.m.? ::snort::

Here I am with Heather - my hair stylist......she called to ask if it was about time for me to come see her. ::snort:: I couldn't remember if I'd made an appointment to see her when we got back. She has been on my list for two weeks to call...I'm glad she called and then came in early today so that Arielle and I could get our hair done before SHE went on vacation next week. Yes, she's young, but her prices are good and her work is GREAT. And SHOOT I simply like talking to a 19 year old girl from time to time.

Arielle wanted to go short again. She watched me having my eyebrows waxed and decided that is one beauty treatment that doesn't need rushing. ::snort::

I called around to get the final scoop on how a person gets a driver's license in this state. Jamin thought that he'd studied the manual and could just go in and take a permit test. That's how it works in AK. Not here. I was told that you HAD to go to a driving academy and after the 3rd class you could take the permit test. The class is $340. Finally, Heather (not Heather above) told me that there is a Parent Taught Driver's Ed that the state sells for $20. After the first module - they can test for their permit. It's the same stuff that the Driving Academy uses....so.....$60 for the material, permit, and license or $340? I think we'll do Parent Taught.

I also made a couple of my calls....I really, really, really try hard to touch base by phone but the phone doesn't work well with this active house.

In fact, today, when I went to put the baby down for a nap all "whatever" broke loose in the living room. I haven't a clue what was going on - or didn't at that time because I was determined to get her down for a nap. The mailman and two produce baskets were dropped off during that time - God only knows what they heard! It sounded like someone was being murdered from where I sat.

I got my vacuum back! Yippee! I came home and thoroughly dusted and vacummed. What a good feeling. They told me that I had no choice on the high repair bills because "Kirby has you" and I told them that Kirby doesn't have me for much longer. This is getting ridiculous.

Late afternoon found me ironing a uniform that looked suspiciously like an Air Force uniform. I SWORE I would not ever do that again about 12 years ago....when Mike didn't like the way I ironed. Today went no better. ::snort:: BUT eventually we did manage to get Jared into his CAP uniform and out the door for his meeting.

I will admit that as he walked away from the van I realized I'm not sure I want to be a military spouse and a military mom - he may have to rethink his life's ambitions. ::snort::

Horizon Organics (click link)

5 Minutes for Mom is sponsoring a $300 giveaway of Horizon products. The competition is stiff but we can dream of being selected. Thanks, Jen for the heads up on this one!