CSFF Blog Tour, Starlighter, Day 1

This month’s selection for the CSFF blog tour is Starlighter, by Bryan Davis. A novel aimed at young adults, it follows young swordsman Jason Masters, who has grown up hearing legends about a world where humans have been enslaved by dragons. But if the legends are based in truth, then he is determined to do whatever it takes to bring the slaves, called the “Lost Ones”, home.

At the same time, young slave-girl Koren is just discovering that she has a gift – one that could help not only herself, but all the humans under the dragons’ yoke. But is this gift really a blessing or a curse?

There will more to follow in the next two days. In the mean time, visit Bryan Davis’ blog here, and also his website here.

Disclaimer: In conjunction with the CSFF blog tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

See what others have to say about the book so far:

Brandon Barr Beckie Burnham Jeff Chapman R. L. Copple CSFF Blog Tour Stacey Dale D. G. D. Davidson Jeff Draper April Erwin Andrea Graham Tori Greene Nikole Hahn Ryan Heart Becky Jesse Cris Jesse Jason Joyner Julie Carol Keen Krystine Kercher Dawn King Leighton Jane Maritz Rebecca LuElla Miller John W. Otte Donita K. Paul Crista Richey SarahFlan Chawna Schroeder Rachel Starr Thomson Steve Trower Fred Warren Dona Watson Phyllis Wheeler Jill Williamson KM Wilsher

Small Successes Thursday, July 15th

“It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.”

1. Had a great week at CVS. I didn’t get a picture, but I got $50 of products for under $3. I multiplied my ECBs AND I remembered my re-usable bag! I think the latter is the real success.

2. More shopping – I managed to actually hit all the stores on my shopping list this week. That can be difficult with two kids sometimes, but this week it worked out!

3. I made fondant. More about this later, as I haven’t actually put it on the cake yet. I hope it all turns out well for Veronica’s birthday party on Saturday!

What were your small successes this week?

How Do You Talk?

Today my nephew asked me how I talk. So I gave him my best British accent. Which would probably make British people laugh. It made my nephew laugh, too.

“What is that?”

“It’s a British accent.”

“Oh. What is an American accent?”

“That is how we always talk.”

“Oh.”

“So, how do you talk?” I asked him. To which he responded:

 

“Hellooo. Goood Mooorning. I’m speaking Spanish!”

My other nephew got in on the fun, too.

“How do you talk?”

 

“Like a dragon!”

Rar.

Small Successes Thursday, July 8th

1. I made Grandma’s Meatballs and Mushroom Sauce on Tuesday. It is one of my favorite recipes, but I don’t often make it because I don’t like making meatballs. But it turned out so tasty! Thank you, Grandma and Mom, for passing down that recipe. I’ll have to post it here some time.

2. Monday was a day off for both Paul and me, and while we did get to relax some, we also got some things done around the house. Perfect combo of rest and projects.

3. I caught up on sleep this weekend. Monday was the first time in a long time that I didn’t feel like I either needed caffeine or a nap to make it through the day. Of course, I haven’t gotten enough sleep the past few nights already, so it was a temporary success.

What were your successes this week?

Fun and Food on the Fourth

My parents had a big party at their house for the 4th.

 

My brother was in town for the weekend, but he had to leave before the party. So sad!

 

Here he is again with his fiancé, Bridget. Aren’t they sweet? Awwww.

 

There was swimming.

 

Jumping.

 

Cannonball-ing.

 

Flipping.

 

Even Veronica was brave enough to go off the board.

 

Some people chose to hang out inside and watch “Life”.

 

Some chose the finer things.

 

Some remained near the food…

 

…and drink.

 

The kids made a fort downstairs.

 

While the swimming continued outside…

 

…(complete with more jumping)…

 

…meat was being grilled.

 

Lots of meat.

 

The dogs were hopeful that something would fall their way.

 

Outside looking in. I don’t think she was ready to be done yet.

 

But she was tired.

 

She wasn’t the only one.

 

There was no shortage of food. Everyone contributed.

 

And there were plenty of fun things to drink.

 

Beef cross-ribs. Yum.

 

These didn’t last long. Mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar – on top of a generous cracker.

 

Another favorite.

 

Brian made chili before he left. Thanks Brian! Tasty, but spicy.

 

All dried off and ready to eat.

 

In addition to all the snacking I did, I also had this plate full of meat. Although I did split the cheeseburger with Paul. Really.

 

Can’t forget dessert! My mom made Strawberry Shortcake. Shortcakes!

 

And I made these cupcakes. 

 

After dessert, the guys needed to smoke cigars and discuss things.

 

Jacinta preferred to stay inside.

 

Veronica noticed that the babies were getting some attention. She had to get in on the action.

 

And all the while, still there was swimming. I don’t think the pool was ever empty the entire time we were there.

 

We had to go before it was fully dark in order to get the girls to bed on time. We caught glimpses of a couple fireworks on the way home. With the new law, maybe next year we will get to set some small ones ourselves! It was a great party…but I don’t envy whoever did the dishes.

Patriotic Cupcakes

(Check out some other Tasty Tuesday recipes by clicking the chef)

 

For my parents’ party on the 4th I wanted to try a cupcake technique I had seen somewhere online, where the cupcake ends up being two or three different colors inside. I started with Bakerella’s Red Velvet recipe, which is my current favorite. It is divine! Here it is modified for cupcakes.

 

So I whipped up the batter, and then divided it in two, one batch slightly larger than the other. The larger batch I dyed red, and the smaller batch blue.

 

Then I put the blue batter into a ziploc and cut a hole in one of the corners. Sticking the corner into the red batter, I squeezed a little blue into the middle of each cupcake.

 

Or tried to. The hole I cut was a little big, so it got a little messy.

 

I don’t even know what’s up with this one.

 

Here they are baked. The blue isn’t entirely hidden in the middle, but that’s okay because they’ll be frosted.

 

Like this. I love cream cheese frosting. And the colors turned out really fun, perfect for Independence Day!

Now go make these cupcakes and bring some over to share with me. You won’t regret it!

Small Successes Thursday, July 1st

All of my small successes this week are due to Paul being out of town from Saturday until today.

Wait, that sounds bad. Let me start over.

All of my small successes this week are related to the big success of making it through the week with Paul out of town. I definitely don’t like being apart, and having two kids just makes it that much harder. Thankfully he doesn’t travel often. Anyway, onto my successes!

1. I remembered to feed the dogs every day. That is usually Paul’s job, so I’m glad I didn’t let them starve.

2. During the five nights that Paul was away, Veronica was bathed three times and Jacinta twice. Paul usually bathes Veronica every night since I am frequently attached to Jacinta at that time, but I managed to keep both of my girls from getting too stinky while he was gone.

3. I kept the house relatively clutter free by doing a 15 minute pick-up nearly every night. It’s amazing how much cleaner the house stays when you (read: I) keep up with it regularly.

So now Paul is back and I can sleep soundly again, without the help of a night light.

What were your small successes this week!