Birthday Week!

March is a really big birthday month for our family. I have aunts, uncles, cousins, my grandpa, my dad and my sister who've all had their birthday in the last two weeks!
The only two I've actively celebrated are the birthdays of my sister and dad, because they're the only ones I live even remotely close to.

My dad's birthday was on the 20th, and we had a really fun time. We went and saw the new Dreamworks movie "The Croods" - which was super fun and really sweet.

Dad

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Same Kind of Different as Me - 52 books in 52 weeks

2013 Reading Challenge

Tessa has read 10 books toward her goal of 52 books.

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10 of 52 (17%)

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March is winding down and I can hardly believe how fast this year is flying by!  I'm tracking my progress on Goodreads, an awesome website that you should definitely check out, and maybe start your own reading challenge!

One of the things I was hoping to do while embarking on this year's challenge was to broaden my horizons as far as book genres go. I'd like to think I'm an adventurous reader who's up for anything, but really the majority of what I read is fiction written in the last 25 or so years. While I often love the biographies and more historical novels when I do finally read them, I tend to gravitate toward the familiar when picking up a new book to start.
This was one of those "branch out" books that I included on my list, and it turned out to be a little bit of a disappointment. First of all, I feel like I should give a big heads up that this is a definitely a 'Christian' book. I'm a believer so most of what was written lines up with my word view, but there's a good amount of spiritual content, so be thusly aware! Honestly, the parts that were full of angels and miracles and the like were the least engaging and well-written sections.
The book is written from two points of view, and I really only enjoyed one of them. The life story of Denver was heartbreaking and enthralling - I loved every minute. The other half however was much less enjoyable. I just didn't ever end up liking or sympathizing with the author and his story. The end of the book was disappointing as well, it kind of dissolved into a sad and narrow account of the death of a main character's loved one.


3/5 Stars

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Scrappy Bits and Pieces - Treasury Thursday

Each Thursday I feature a fun treasury I've found thats been curated by a creative Etsy member. Hope you enjoy browsing and remember how important it is to support small business!

'Scrappy Bits and Pieces ' by KathyKinsella

Creative twists on ways to use scraps ...

Fiber Art Fabric Bowl S... bungalowquilts $28.00	Cotton Crochet Soap Sav... CountryFolkSoa... $4.00	Boho Scrap Quilt, Wall ... KarenGriskaQui... $375.00
Boys Scrap Hat (upcycle... NannyDebsTotSh... $9.95	Quilted Wall Hanging, L... MoranArtandQui... $158.00	Original Love Collage 5... essimar $16.00
Marble Paper Scraps RedCottage $4.95	T-shirt Selvedge Table ... TheWeavingGuys $26.00	Sari borders, Sari Scra... RibbonsAndSilk $19.00
taupe olive and peacock... SouthDakotaRug... $49.00	Pouch made from upcycle... KlintDesign $30.00	Diagonal Selvedge Quilt... ForQuiltsSake $10.00
Ghosts of Paintings Pas... ElementalEncha... $50.00	Scrap Scarf with Tons o... tessacotton $40.00	Fabric Squares Gift Car... LilaRubyKingSh... $7.00
Scraps of Fun Purse TWIGLERYjewelr... $48.00

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Goodwill Jeans - WIWW

Sooo, I guess I take back what I said last week about spring. It froze last night and is still in the 30s this morning. Bummer! As a heliophile, I'm dying a little bit to be cooped up indoors all day. Maybe we'll brave the cold later and go on a walk or something!

Last weekend was still bright and beautiful when I wore this outfit. If there's only one thing I love about the south, it's that we're at least not buried in snow right now!

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Painters Tape Relief Coloring

Using painters tape to block out a name for a kid's DIY craft. 

Perfect for a school project, easy stay-at-home activity, or even DIY wrapping paper, this simple craft will get your little one involved in making something unique and super fun!

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China Doll Crackle Manicure

Hey there! Welcome to my fourth and final post in the new Oz-themed manicure set I'm doing. Please check out the other posts, I've done one every week this month.

I saw Oz a few weeks ago and really loved it. If it's still in theaters in your area, I'd recommend seeing it. Although my family did go see The Croods today and it was SO cute. We laughed hard and I even teared up a little. Great clean family film. 

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Hunter Boots Giveaway @ Through the eyes of the Mrs.

Hello there lovelies. Today sponsors and supporters of Through the Eyes of the Mrs. have a treat for you! The opportunity to win a pair of Hunter Boots valued up to $135.00. The best part is if you win you get to pick the style and color.  Enter below through Rafflecopter! Lots of luck to each of you.

Please Note that you should be a follower of Through the Eyes of the Mrs.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Basic Eight - Daniel Handler

Book review of Daniel Handler's The Basic Eight

2013 Reading Challenge

Tessa has read 9 books toward her goal of 52 books.

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9 of 52 (17%)

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Yay for March! This is a month full of my favorite celebrations - such fun spring holidays and so many birthdays in my family. 

So far so good on my new years resolution to read 52 books (one per week!) this year. I'm tracking my progress on Goodreads, an awesome website that you should definitely check out, and maybe start your own reading challenge!

Warning: I may be in love with Daniel Handler. That's not to say that this was my favorite book or anything (it's actually my least favorite of his I've read) I just wanted to get that out in the open. Because I love him.
This book is clever - crazy clever. I loved the narrative! The premise alone is great, it reads as a diary of a girl in prison for murder who is currently editing the diary to tell her story to the press. I really enjoy the kind of book where the 'shocking finish' is told from the start and the real question isn't the ending but how we ended up there.
The dialogue was witty and the unreliable protagonist herself was an intriguing narrator to keep up with. Where the book fell apart for me was the plot/plot twist. I didn't really buy the situation and I didn't find the ending to be fulfilling or even make that much sense. I would have happily read and loved this book without the last few chapters taking an abrupt and baffling turn.


3/5 Stars

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Incentives - Treasury Thursday

Each Thursday I feature a fun treasury I've found thats been curated by a creative Etsy member. Hope you enjoy browsing and remember how important it is to support small business!

'Incentives' by cibpup

work hard to get these

The Dark Knight Rises J... ReaderandtheGe... $4.00	Batman Earrings , Engra... LaserCutJewelr... $9.95	Reading Is Sexy Set One cheyschmidt $14.00
Love Knot Earrings - Go... DaisysTreasure... $12.00	500 Days of Summer with... sparklelab $15.00	Perfect Headbands - Far... ThePerfectHair... $16.00
James Bond Live and Let... Unbeige $30.00	Dark and Weathered Ince... bytestobits $21.99	007 NECKLACE Algerian L... BaneTDKR $39.90
Bourbon Room Camisole T... HandmadeMockin... $17.00	Joseph Gordon Levitt T ... TeeTwice $17.99	Coffee Cozy Crochet - T... tessacotton $25.00
Crescent Moon Necklace ... GlitzGlitter $36.00

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Spring is here! - Copy Cat Closet

I'm so excited for spring! As much as I love layers in the fall/winter, give me short sleeves and sunshine ANY day. This past weekend had us here in Jackson loving the weather at over 80 degrees. I could be happy forever with this - not a cloud to be seen, a gentle breeze, and buckets of glorious sunshine. I'm in heaven.

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$80 Target Gift Card Giveaway @ Annie One Can Cook

Kristine, Melanie, Christina, Dara, Stephanie, Dara, Tessa, Annie are ready to party like it's 1990--are you?!

Annie (Annie One Can Cook), Melanie (Van Wynsberg Nest), Stephanie (Never the Same Spice Twice), Dara (Not in Jersey), Dana (Lil Family Blog), Tessa (Tessacotton), Kristine (Heart Shaped Sweat) & Christina (Juggling Real Food and Real Life)

All of the lovely ladies listed above have pitched in for an $80 gift card to Target! That's an adorable new wardrobe! Or new home decor! Follow the Rafflecopter below to enter! 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Green Cookies

I'm pretty late on the St Patty's Day bandwagon to be posting this recipe! I made these cookies ages ago but never got around to posting these pics. The kids I keep loved these - we had a blast working with the green dough, and I cut way down on the butter/sugar so they're not too crazy sweet.

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Theodora's Chevron Manicure

Hey there! Welcome to my second post in the new Oz-themed manicure set I'm doing. Please check out the other posts, I'll be doing one every Monday in March. 

I finally got to see the movie "Oz: The Great and Powerful" this past week - and I really loved it! I think it's one that should be seen in theaters because of how beautiful it looked on the big screen. The colors and design were just gorgeous. Often after seeing a movie I'll think that I should have just saved my money and Redbox'd it later, but this one left me happy I'd spent the extra $5 on a movie ticket!

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Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children - 52 books in 52 weeks

2013 Reading Challenge

Tessa has read 9 books toward her goal of 52 books.

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9 of 52 (17%)

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Here I am in the middle of March, and so far I've kept up with my New Years Resolution to read a book every week this year. In fact, I'm a little bit ahead! I'm not going to get too proud, because I know once summer comes I won't have the same curl-up-and-read feelings that this dreary weather gives me. I'm tracking my progress on Goodreads, an awesome website that you should definitely check out, and maybe start your own reading challenge!

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Troy and Abed - Treasury Thursday

'Troy And Abed On My Tee Vee....Tonight!' by OhDiane

Community poster WilliamHenryDe... $20.00	PATTERN - Community - T... WistfulBird $4.00	Troy & Abed in the Morn... RogueAttire $18.99
1" Pinback Button ... PushButtons $1.49	Inspector Spacetime Com... TheRaspberrySo... $4.00	Coffee Cup Cozy Crochet... tessacotton $25.00
Community Abed-Evil Abe... tjbocch813 $10.00	E Pluribus Anus // 1.2... PixelPopDesign $2.30	Darkest Timeline Goatee... aliciawatkins $20.00
Troy - Community kalifontecchio $10.00	Giant British Telephone... Walkingdeadpro... $44.99	8 Community Valentines ... jmarchitto $16.00
Theatre in Spacetime Pr... khallion $32.00	Felt Goatee (Community) GothLyfe $6.00	Super Emo Starburns SuperEmoFriend... $15.00
Community - Abed quote ... pixystitches $3.50

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

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