What’s on your reading list for 2014?

Time for the next challenge. 
What’s on your reading list for 2014?

That is always a big question because I read quite a lot of books. Last yeas was one of my slow years I only got to about 60 books for the year read. I keep track at Goodreads with their yearly challenge. Best year so far was almost 300 books for the year in 2012. With so many book coming out that I want to read this year I will just focus on a few here. 

This first series I got the tip on from the pod cast Geek Chic. This is a great pod cast go check them out! http://geekchic.prismatictsunami.com/  
 I just read the first book in this series and LOVED IT! I will be reading the rest this week.

Magnificent Devices series 

 

The Magnificent Devices novels are set in an alternate Victorian age where the combustion engine has been a flop and steam-powered devices are capable of sending the adventurous to another city, another continent … or even another world. Society is divided into Wits (those who make their way using their intellect) and the Bloods (those who have inherited what they have).

Lady Claire Trevelyan has been born a Blood, but she has the heart, soul, and mind of a Wit. And therein lies the problem 

Next up on my to read list is the second book in the Throne of glass seires

Crown of Midnight

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice.

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

 I will return with more recommendations soon!

 

Challenge Day 1

 Challenge Day 1

    So I broke my own Idea of trying to blog twice a week already. No excuses much, other than school started back this week for me, that in itself is pretty big for me right now because of the major health issues I am currently still dealing with.

   With that in mind, it relates to my first challenge, (What are your 2014 goals? Blogging, relationships, financial, fitness or any other goals you have.)

 I am taking some advice.

 Set one BIG goal and break it down into 3 small goals.

 

    My big goal is to be heather. No matter how I have to go about it. I expected to be a lot better than I am by 2014 but as I do not currently make much money and the many health problems..ie I almost can not walk at all most days. I had Medicaid last year and then I lost it when it was time to reapply. Due to new health care requirements. (thank you obamacare).

    So small goal number one. Reapply again and hope for a different outcome. If not pay what little money I have for some kind of super cheap insurance, and hope for the best. 

Small goal number two. Go back to what I studied for more than 10 years, herbal and holistic healing. I am not ruling out that I need to be under doctors care but at the same time I know that good holistic health care can supplement western medicine and in many cases are better.     

    Small goal number three. Do everything thing I can to get a lap band or the best alternative to it. I know this is controversial for many. However in my case where the very excessive weight has nothing to do with food intake it is needed as it is the the cause of 50% of my medical issues.  

    So that is my first challenge point, I am open to advice or any other comment you may have. Also let me know if you decide to do this challenge as well. I posted it in my previous blog post. 

writing prompts challenge

 

Writing Prompts Challenge

   Blogging in 2014 is more than about the random thought that spill forth from our minds. Blogs in the beginning were nothing more than glorified diaries of individuals wanting to share with the world. Today there is a blog for everything. Want to see the latest trends in fashion, there is a blog for that. Want to know the latest on the Eco-friendly front, there is a blog for that too. Want to know if there is an app for that thing you want to do, there is a blog that will tell you that too. Today if you want to blog, and want people to read your blog, you either have to be very interesting, or specialize in what you write about. 
    That is one of the many things I am doing wrong with my blogging. I don't particularly specialize in anything in my blog. However I also do not specialize in anything in particular in life either. I am a Jane of all trades so to speak. I am an artist, I paint, do digital art, make jewelry, wire sculpture, write, crochet, ect... 
I am a mom and an herbalist. A collage student and a wife. A gamer, a geek, a whovian, a gourmet cook, the list just go's on and on. There are just so many thing to talk about, and so many things in life that interest me, I can never narrow it down. 
   Since I cant narrow it down I must try to be interesting, which so far I have not accomplished very well. So I am going to challenge my self to follow a list of writing prompts, to see if anything interesting pops out..lol. I found them here http://www.thesitsgirls.com/blogging/january-writing-prompts/
Now I know I cannot write oin here every day with going to school, the kids ect... However I am going to shoot for twice a week at least and if I accomplish more then Huzzah! 

Here is the list If any of you are interested in trying this yourself.

31 Days of Writing Prompts

Feel free to pick and choose which prompts work well for your site.

1. What are your 2014 goals? Blogging, relationships, financial, fitness or any other goals you have.
2. What’s on your reading list for 2014?
3. What is the one piece of advice your parents gave you that still sticks with you today.
4. What is the one thing you wish you knew how to do?
5. How do you get your kids to try new foods?
6. Where would you go on your perfect dream vacation?
7. Write a post inspired by this one word: Marriage
8. What is the most memorable gift you have ever received?
9. If you could donate a large sum a money to any charity, which one would it be and why?
10. What made you smile this week?
11. What makes you feel beautiful?
12. If you could stay one age forever, what age would it be and why?
13. Parenting moment you regret.
14. 10 things you wish people knew about you?
15. What are your 5 guilty pleasures?
16. What job did you dream about having when you were a growing up?
17. What is the one kitchen utensil you could not live without?
18. What do you love most about your spouse?
19. What’s the best date you have ever been on?
20. What is the earliest memory you have?
21. If you could meet any celebrity dead or alive, who would it be?
22. What is the worst job you have ever had?
23. Favorite winter activity?
24. National Compliment Someone Day – Today’s writing prompt is all about making someone else feel good! Write a blog post about why this person is so special.
25. Your view on dieting/exercise. Something you love, don’t do or try to do?
26. Top ten foods you could eat for the rest of your life.
27. What songs are on your play list?
28. Top 5 social media tips. 
29. Best vacation you have ever been on?
30. Goals for February
31. 5 style trends you hope never come back into style.

 

Onwards and Upwards, Happy New Year!

   As we leave 2013 behind us and move into 2014, we look back and reflect on how our year has been. 2013 was not my best year, neither was it my worst. And for some of you, it wasn’t yours either. Nevertheless, a new year is upon us. At the end of each year we look forward to what is ahead of us and hope that what is behind us has taught us how to be better, and how to live better.
  We find ourselves new looking into that light at the end of the tunnel of 2013. Leaving the past and looking toward the future, with hope for the coming year. Hope for what the unknown might bring, and as long as we have hope we can keep moving on. "Hope guides me. It is what gets me through the day and especially the night", I remember this quote for a movie I watched ages ago, and it is the truest words I can think of tonight. So we will take those lessons we have learned and apply them to the New Year. We will Do better and Be better and be thankful for having the chance to do so. I will leave you with a favorite poem tonight. The poem describes a young man passing through a town bearing the banner "Excelsior" (translated from Latin as "ever higher", also loosely but more widely as "onward and upward"), ignoring all warnings, climbing higher until inevitably, "lifeless, but beautiful" he is found by the "faithful hound" half-buried in the snow, "still clasping in his hands of ice that banner with the strange device, Excelsior!"
This poem always remind me to keep moving forward, keep climbing, Onward and upward.

Excelsior! Happy New Year!

The shades of night were falling fast,

As through an Alpine village passed

A youth, who bore, 'mid snow and ice,

A banner with the strange device,

Excelsior!

His brow was sad; his eye beneath,

Flashed like a falchion from its sheath,

And like a silver clarion rung

The accents of that unknown tongue,

Excelsior!

In happy homes he saw the light

Of household fires gleam warm and bright;

Above, the spectral glaciers shone,

And from his lips escaped a groan,

Excelsior!

"Try not the Pass!" the old man said:

"Dark lowers the tempest overhead,

The roaring torrent is deep and wide!"

And loud that clarion voice replied,

Excelsior!

"Oh stay," the maiden said, "and rest

Thy weary head upon this breast!"

A tear stood in his bright blue eye,

But still he answered, with a sigh,

Excelsior!

"Beware the pine-tree's withered branch!

Beware the awful avalanche!"

This was the peasant's last Good-night,

A voice replied, far up the height,

Excelsior!

At break of day, as heavenward

The pious monks of Saint Bernard

Uttered the oft-repeated prayer,

A voice cried through the startled air,

Excelsior!

A traveler, by the faithful hound,

Half-buried in the snow was found,

Still grasping in his hand of ice

That banner with the strange device,

Excelsior!

There in the twilight cold and gray,

Lifeless, but beautiful, he lay,

And from the sky, serene and far,

A voice fell, like a falling star,

Excelsior!

 

 

Unique New Years Traditions Worldwide.

It is almost that time again. Time to usher out the old and ring in the new. Some will be sharing a kiss at midnight and drinking champagne. Some will be at party's watching the ball drop and singing Auld Lang Syne. All of this followed by eating all of the lucky food on New Years day ( greens, black eyed peas, cornbread, ect...) . But what about other traditions around the world. Here is a list of New years traditions from around the globe.

1. Chile
Chileans families celebrate the New Year with deceased members by setting up chairs next to their graveside.This is a way to include all family members in the New Year's festivities for eternity.  

2.South Africa

In downtown Jo-burg, locals throw old appliances out the window. Look Out Below!

3.The Philippines 

 

It has been long noted that most culture's have found something to be inherently sacred about circles. But in the Philippines is most poignant during the start of the New Year. From wearing polka dot designs to stocking up on round fruits, eating grapes (12 exactly), and tossing coins around a pan as they march around the house, Filipinos keep everything round for the New Years. They do this because it's believed to bring good luck to every one in the home.

4. Denmark

Throughout the year, Danes save their old dishes only to throw them by the dozen at the doorsteps of family friends on New Years. In theory, the bigger the pile of broken dishes you find on your door steps, the bigger pile of friends you have. 

They also stand on chairs and then jump off them together at midnight. Leaping into January is supposed to banish bad spirits and bring good luck. 

 

5. Colombia

Hoping for a travel-filled year, residents tote empty suitcases around the block.

 

 6. Central and South America

 

In many Central and South American countries, the color of your underwear can either bring in love or money in the new year. Bolivia is perhaps most known for the tradition of wearing bright yellow undies to increase fortune for the the new year. In Mexico, red is most popular for bringing in love and happiness after midnight.  

 

7. Finland
It’s a longtime Finnish tradition to predict the coming year by casting molten tin into a container of water, and then interpreting the shape the metal takes after hardening. A heart or ring shape means a wedding in the New Year; a ship forecasts travel; and a pig shape signifies plenty of food. 

 

8. Scotland

 

During the New Year’s Eve celebration of Hogmanay, “first-footing” is practiced all over Scotland. The custom dictates that the first person to cross the threshold of a home in the New Year should carry a gift for luck (whiskey is the most common). The Scots also hold bonfire ceremonies, most notably in the small fishing village of Stonehaven, where townsmen parade while swinging giant fireballs on poles overhead (supposedly symbols of the sun, to purify the coming year.

 

So that is my top 8 New Years traditions from around the globe.  What special traditions do your family and friends uphold during this festive holiday?  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

 

 

 

 

Do you give Handmade for Christmas?

This is my dilemma every year. Should I make something for someone or not. For one it is what I do for a living, I am a craftswoman and an artist. However some people just are not very appreciative of handmade gifts be it crochet, sewing, a painting or jewelry. I tend to buy straight out of the store for most of the people I know because, in my experience I get "the look" when I give handmade.You know the one I mean, the "oh so your being cheap this year look", even if it is made well or even if the materials were costly. Most of the time those gifts I give like that end up never seeing the light of day again after Christmas. I am always amazed with I sell the same items to enthusiastic customers that others snubbed there noses at getting as a present. Granted saying that I am sitting here making a scarf to send to someone for Christmas. I will not give up, I will continue to make for a few and buy what I can afford for other. Do any of you have this problem, I would love to hear about it. 

Trend Spotting

Upcoming 2014 Trends

Looks like 2014 may have a bit of the steampunk style to it's look.
 More to come as the trend spotting continues.....