Nov 11, 2020

Outdoor Christmas Decorating





Natasha stood outside the front door as the snow fell. There were lights strung 
along the roof and around the posts. She wondered how
they would look when they were lighted. There was a full-size 
Santa on the door, his load of presents making him bend from the waist.
She remembered the witch that had stood there on Halloween.



Taming Natasha





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Make the outside of your home as ready for the holiday season as the inside with these outdoor Christmas decorating ideas.











Nov 6, 2020

Halo

 


A man didn't forget that face. God knows, he hadn't. Timeless. In one of his

youthful fantasies, he'd imagined her as a princess, lost and lovely in flowing silks.

And himself as the knight who would have slain a hundred dragons to have her.


Suzanna's Surrender



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Baby, I can see your halo

You know you're my saving grace








 

Oct 28, 2020

Group Halloween Costume Ideas

 


Amused, he walked over to the booth of superheroes, checked out Clare. She made one hell of a Storm of the X-Men, he decided, in a white punk-style wig and snug black skirt and thigh-high boots.

“Excuse me, ma’am, I’m looking for three boys. They’re about this high.” He used his hand to measure like steps. “They go by Harry, Liam, and Murphy.”

“I’m sorry, I haven’t seen them. I’m Storm, and these are my friends and coworkers, Wolverine, Iron Man, and Deadpool.”


The Next Always



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From macabre to adorable, here are some fun and creative group costume ideas for Halloween — no matter how you and your crew celebrate this year.


Family Handyman

Oct 27, 2020

Easy Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make




On the table there was a papier-mΓ’chΓ© reindeer with only one ear. 
Compliments of Freddie's second-grade art class.


Taming Natasha


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Yogendra Joshi, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons





Kids can show holiday spirit with their own handmade ornaments.






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"Look at that," Ethan murmured, sliding a hand over Seth's hair as the boy bristled. "It's a picture of the house."
"Looks good," Phillip angled it to get a better view of the clever pencil sketch of the two-story house on the bay.
"Really good."
"It's no big deal."
"I decide what's a big deal around here," Cam kept a hand on Seth's shoulder as he studied the sketch. Yes, it was clever. The boy had talent. But more, it meant home. To all of them.
"And this qualifies. This is a very big deal. Who's it for?"


The Quinn's Christmas




Oct 19, 2020

Awesome Backyard Home Offices




Now she pulled open the door of the utility shed. It was a big square building, as wide as the
average barn, with hardwood floors and paneled walls. Uncle Jolley hadn't believed in the primitive.
Hitting the switch, she flooded the building with light.
As per her instructions, the crates and boxes she'd shipped had been stacked along one wall. The shelves where Uncle Jolley had kept his gardening tools during his brief, torrid gardening stage had been packed away. The plumbing was good, with a full-size stainless-steel sink and a small but more than adequate bath with shower enclosed in the rear. She counted five workbenches. The light and ventilation were excellent.
It wouldn't take her long, Pandora figured, to turn the shed into an organized, productive
workroom.
It took three hours.


A Will and A Way





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Tour the personalized studios and sheds Houzz pros designed and built for themselves






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Boyd gave a hoot of laughter and opened the door of the workshop. "What do you think?"
The garage-size room was full of tables, machines, shelves, tools, stacks of wood There appeared to be a number of projects in progress, but Jonah couldn't tell what they were, or what they were intended to be.
"Impressive," he decided, diplomatically. "What do you do here?"
"I make a great deal of noise. Other than that, I haven't figured it out. I helped Keenan build a
bird-house about ten years ago. Came out pretty good. Cilia started buying me tools. Boy toys, she calls them."
He ran his hand over the guard of a skill saw. "Then I needed a place to keep them. Before I knew it, I had a fully equipped workshop. I think it was all a ploy to get me out of her hair."



Night Shield




Oct 7, 2020

Happy Nora's Day

 




_________________ 




“It’s your birthday. And we got cake.”

“Cake.”

John set the box down on the table, flipped up the lid. 

“Double-chocolate fudge with buttercream icing.”


The Witness



_________________ 









Oct 2, 2020

How to Support Your Friend Through Their Divorce






When the doors opened, she closed her fingers around the ring, willed the tears to wait.

"Pilar." Helen took one look. Her lips tightened. "Okay, let's forget the coffee section of today's entertainment."

At home, she crossed to a painted cabinet, opened it and selected a decanter of brandy. 
She poured two snifters, then walked over to sit on the footstool in front of Pilar's chair.


The Villa



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By Cynthia Magana cynthmag - https://unsplash.com/photos/GMLNhaBkCiEarchive copyImage, CC0,
 https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61715079






And if you're watching a loved one cycle through the typical emotions associated with this trying chapter—grief, fear, anger, and frustration—not to mention lengthy legal proceedings, it's easy to feel helpless or concerned that you'll say the wrong thing.








__________________



"Maybe, maybe. I can't see clearly now. I can't see through the next hour much less the next year. God, I didn't even make him pay. Didn't have the guts to make him pay."

"Don't worry, she will." Helen leaned over, kissed the top of Pilar's head. No man like Tony should slip through life without paying, she thought.

"And if you want to scald him a bit, I'll help you outline a divorce settlement that will leave him with permanent scars and one shriveled testicle."

Pilar smiled a little. She could always count on Helen. 

"As entertaining as that might be, it'd just drag things out, and make it more difficult for Sophie. Helen, what the hell am I going to do with the new life that's been dumped in my lap?"

"We'll think of something."




The Villa

Aug 31, 2020

Home Decor Goals


I had new shelves - BILLY @ IKEA what else?! 😏 - put in my home office.

So much fun to be able to rearrange books and trinkets.

Of course Nora Roberts' book are on top shelf and in one I indulged by singling out one of my favorite series paired with a favorite quote by NoraπŸ’“. So happy with the final result.

I intend to make that top shelf an exhibit spot - changing the series or standalone and pairing with other favorite quotes πŸ’“

Enjoy!!!













Aug 4, 2020

Popular Ice Cream Flavors




She considered, debated and studied her choices, 
taking a longer and more serious
deliberation over ice cream on a stick than she had over a
five-hundred-dollar brooch. After weighing the pros and cons,
she settled on chocolate and nuts wrapped around a slab of vanilla.



Loving Jack



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By Slashme - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30505073




It turns out the classics are still as popular as ever.






Jul 31, 2020

"You Are The Reason"



Damn it, he was here, waiting for her.
As the sun set, he braced his elbows on the steering wheel and rested his head in
his hands. That was just what he was doing, he admitted. Waiting for her. And he
wasn't waiting to have a rational conversation, as he'd tried to convince himself
he was over the past weeks.
He was waiting to beg, to promise, to fight, to do whatever it took to put things
right again. To put Morgana back in his life again.
He closed his hand over the stones he still wore around his neck and wondered if
he could will her back.


Captivated





_______________________












_______________________




The sight of her stole his breath. He'd driven through the night, through the morning, 
all the while trying to image how he would feel when he saw her again. 
For once his imagination had fallen far short.


The Perfect Neighbor



Jul 28, 2020

Things Not to do When Your Toddler is Having a Tantrum




As she climbed out to open her trunk, she heard the whine of a cranky toddler and the frustrated muttering of weary parents.
"If you don't stop that right this minute, you won't get anything at all. I mean it, Timothy. We've had just about enough. Now get moving."
The child's response to that command was to go limp, sliding in a boneless heap onto the parking lot as his mother tugged uselessly at his watery arms. Ana bit her lip as it curved, but it was obvious the young parents didn't see the humor of it. Their arms were full of packages, and their faces were thunderous.

Timothy, Ana thought, was about to get a tanning-though it was unlikely to make him more cooperative. Daddy shoved his bags at Mommy and, mouth grim, bent down.


Charmed




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By Chirag Rathod - https://www.flickr.com/photos/chirag/2504941256, CC BY-SA 2.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31411850





Your reaction to a tantrum will drastically influence your child’s reaction



As parents and adults, we are not perfect. And sometimes when our toddler has a tantrum, we can react inappropriately ourselves.









Jul 17, 2020

Women Don't Want Pink Tools




“Personally, I like being able to do minor repairs myself.” 
She caught the smirk, narrowed her eyes. 
“I can and do make minor repairs. Do you think I call you or your brothers over every time something needs a hammer or screwdriver? I have my own tools.”
“Are they those pretty ones with flower handles?”
Now she drilled a hand into his stomach. “They are not.”




The Perfect Hope




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12 Tool Myths You’ve Believed for Way Too Long








Jul 6, 2020

One Batter, Four Muffins



There on her counter, sitting on one of her pretty china cake plates, was a big golden muffin, glistening with sugar. One of her glass bowls sat upside down over it like a dome.
Slowly, carefully, she lifted the bowl. Leaned down, took a little sniff.
Blueberry. He’d found the blueberries she’d bought the other day and used them in the muffin. Though given its perfect proportions it seemed almost sacrilegious, she broke off part of the top, sampled it.
It tasted every bit as perfect as it looked.
He’d baked her a muffin. From scratch.


The Collector



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Make Your Morning

Muffins are a classic breakfast staple. Learn how to make your favorites at home!











________________________




“The muffin, Luke.”
“The meaning of the muffin?” God, she smelled good, and he 
realized the scent of her mixed with the yeasty smell of bread 
would fuse together in his head. 
“Its meaning, in fact entire purpose, is: Eat me. Did you?”



The Collector








Jun 18, 2020

Here’s how to avoid ‘dad jeans’





Hope came back through with a man wearing what Ryder thought of as dad jeans—
though his own had never worn them.

The Perfect Hope






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By David Adam Kess - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77763011





As a catch-all term, “dad jeans” encompasses any pair that’s light blue, higher-waisted, looser-fitting and hypothetically favored by middle-aged men such as Jerry Seinfeld and Barack Obama.

And yet despite being adopted by the cool kids a few years ago as part of the “normcore” aesthetic, “dad jeans” have become a synonym for “outdated.” That’s likely because most men never tossed out their roomier jeans when slim, selvedge denim was in vogue — or learned the difference between old-looking (read: vintage cool) and out-of-date.


Which brings us to how you, sir, can dodge that dreaded buzzword.




Jun 17, 2020

At the store...

... I spotted these mismatched earrings for sale...






Guess who they reminded me of? ✋




_______________



Preston noted that the dangles in her ears didn't match and
wondered if it was a fashion statement or carelessness.



The Perfect Neighbor



She ran back out, her feet in another pair of those skinny heels,
her lips slicked with deep pink and earrings dangling. 
Mismatched again he noted





Jun 15, 2020

Still not sure what to feel about Hideaway? Relax...



...Netflix got you covered:







I watched NETFLIX Sweet Magnolias'1st Season and enjoyed it so much.


It reminds me of Nora's KEY TRILOGY (which is A FavouriteπŸ’“) 
and the standalone THE LIAR (which doesn't make, for me, the top 50 πŸ’”, 
but might return to it now and give it another chance). ~
I even "found" some CiCi  (from SHELTER in PLACEvibes.


Give it a try if you can πŸ’™



Summer Solstice





“Last year I went to Ireland for the solstice,” he told her. “There’s a small
stone dance there, in County Cork. It’s more intimate than Stonehenge. The
sky stays light until nearly ten, and when it begins to fade, toward the end of
the longest day, the stones sing.”


Face the Fire


_______________________





By Herb Roe - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79023974





things to know about the longest day of the year



Why do we have a summer solstice, anyway? Friday, June 21 will be the longest day of 2019 for anyone living north of the equator. If pagan rituals are your thing, this is probably a big moment for you. If not, the solstice is still pretty neat.






May 20, 2020

King of the jungle finds his queen





On the other side of the fence, Boris rose on his hind legs, called to her. She kept low, kept subservient, but approached the fence to sniff at him. When he lowered, she scurried back to stand at the entrance to her cage.
To what, Lil knew, she thought of as safety. He called her again, insistently, until she bellied over to the fence, quivering, trembling as he sniffed her nose, her front paws.
When he licked her, Lil smiled. “We should’ve called him Romeo. Let’s get the cage away, close her in. Boris will take it from here.”



Black Hills




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By Masterwiki1 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32631365




Lions who were both born into captivity have found happiness together 
after their rescuers decided to introduce them to one another.







Apr 6, 2020

How to Make Friends





"Oh, I had friends. Somewhere along the line I'd learned 
that if you didn't try so hard, if you just
relaxed and acted naturally, that there were 
a lot of people who'd like you for what you were."


Convincing Alex




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By Aman dsc - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76911587




It takes effort, but it's not impossible.






Apr 1, 2020

What kind of yoga is right for me?



“Sit down, be comfortable. Take a
couple minutes to breathe.”
“I usually breathe all day. At night, too.”
Her lips curved a little. 
“Conscious breathing now. In through the nose
—expanding the belly like
blowing up a balloon, out through the nose, 
deflating the balloon. Long, deep, even breaths. 
Belly rises
and falls. 
Relax your mind.”


Whiskey Beach



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Knowing which one matches your fitness style 
is a good place to start.





Gausanchennai / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)




There are many styles of yoga to choose from, 
so if you're new to yoga, it might be confusing to 
know what style to try.








_____________________



“On an inhale, lean left. Don’t overstretch, Hester.”
“You’ve got me doing old-lady yoga.”
The annoyance in Hester’s voice made the whole scene 
marginally less weird.
“We’re taking it slow. Breathe here. Inhale, both arms up, palms touch. 
Exhale. Inhale and lean right.
Both arms up. Repeat that twice.”


Whiskey Beach



Feb 7, 2020

Guys Who Love Dogs Make The BEST Husbands






First there’d been lust, she thought, naturally enough. Then interest and several
layers of attraction. She’d been prepared—or had been trying to prepare—to shuffle all
those impulses aside and be sensible.
Now, seeing him with her dog, she felt the warming around the heart that signaled—
uh-oh—personal affection. Add that to lust and attraction and a woman, even a sensible
woman, was sunk.



Remember When






______________________










They're man's best friend for a reason.


Yes, dogs are man's best friend. But they should be you're best friend, too, because they've prepared their owners for being the most amazing husbands ever. So it you're looking for love, you should definitely look for a guy who loves dogs for these reasons.








______________________




His hand stroked up and down her back, the way she sometimes stroked Bert.
No wonder the dog loved it. Her heartbeat slowed to the rhythm, and everything
inside her uncoiled.



The Witness





Feb 4, 2020

"collect moments, not things."





When she’d sold her condo and then in one frantic week, auctioned off
every possession she owned—every stick of furniture, every pot and pan
and appliance—they’d been certain she’d gone over the edge.
Rebecca had never felt saner.
She owned nothing that didn’t fit in a suitcase. She no longer had any
tax-deferred investments or retirement plans. She’d cashed in her
certificates of deposit, and the home entertainment center she’d thought she
couldn’t live without was now gracing someone else’s home.
It had been more than six weeks since she’d even looked at an adding
machine.
For the first—and perhaps the only—time in her life, she was totally
free.


Impulse




___________________



By StockSnap - 
https://pixabay.com/en/people-woman-travel-adventure-trek-2591874/ archive copy, CC0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72553316




Spending Money on Experiences Makes You a Better Person

It can make you more grateful and generous.



You've probably heard about the health benefits of practicing gratitude—how it can boost your mood, help you treat others better, improve physical health, and keep stress and fear at bay. Now, here's a little trick for how to automatically infuse more gratitude into your life: Spend more money on experiences, and less on material objects.






___________________




“Wait.” He held up a hand, wanting to be certain he understood
everything. “You’re telling me that you sold your possessions, all your
possessions?”
She couldn’t remember ever having felt more foolish, and she
straightened her shoulders defensively. “Right down to my coffeepot.”
“Amazing,” he murmured.
“I bought new clothes, new luggage, and flew to London. First-class.
I’d never been on a plane before in my life.”
“You’d never flown, but took your first trip across the Atlantic.”


Impulse






Jan 31, 2020

Hair, I do





She’d done something to her hair, he noticed. 
Some kind of braiding deal at the sides that
merged into one at the back.
Where the hell did she find time to do that stuff ?


The Search






_________________





 

Jan 30, 2020

New Orleans Beignets


Instantly bonded, Cybil grabbed Delta's hand. "My mother talked about Mazie all the time. We visited her once when I was a little girl. She gave us beignets, fresh and wonderful. We sat on the front porch and had lemonade."


The Perfect Neighbor


____________




These sweet, square and holeless French doughnuts are known as beignets. New Orleans’ traditional breakfast always includes a few of these powdered sugar delicacies.





____________




“Yeah, real pretty.” Luke bit into the beignet, scattering powdered sugar.

Honest Illusions