Author: Kathy Harriott

My husband, Mike, and I moved from NJ to Southwest Florida in September 2006. I currently work for the local county Facilities Dept. and fill my free time with crafts, reading and my experiments in the kitchen.

One Hit Wonders

I often take a recipe I find and embellish it with my own touches.  Unfortunately, I tend to forget to write down what I added to the existing recipe.  This ensures that my hubby, Mike, loves it.  Thus it becomes a One Hit Wonder similar to “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred.   The barbecue sauce I made this week has become my latest.  While I try to figure out what exactly I put it that delicious sauce, let’s listen/watch this.

To sell or not to sell…

What do you do when the byproduct of your stress relief activity, crafting, leaves you with a bunch of finished crafts? I currently have cards, tea light holders, luminarias, explosion boxes, iron on designs, wooden and slate signs with sayings on them, cute coffee mugs, beer glasses, and Christmas ornaments – EVERY WHERE! Normally, I would do a craft show, but I work every Saturday at the library and can’t participate in those. So…should I sell on Etsy? Do I want to have to ship things? How does one ship something like this:

And what would one charge for one of these:

That is where I am stuck today. Thinking about selling my crafts.

If any one would like to, please share your thoughts on my dilemma. Thanks.

My Zen Zone

If you know me, You know that I am not svelt and lanky. I am fat. I can say that and smile because all of my other health parameters are excellent (cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.). I am also one of the least flexible people I know. In an attempt to lose some weight and gain some flexibility, I began taking a chair yoga class at North Port Yoga and Wellness in the beginning of May. I love it and have seen a change in my body. I have lost 5 pounds and, so far, kept it off.

Last week I was sad to find out that the chair yoga class was being changed to a gentle and restorative yoga class. After emailing back and forth with my yoga instructor and the studio owner and reading a Yoga Journal article about this practice, decided to give it a try.

When I arrived at the studio yesterday morning, my instructor, Martha, explained a little about what we would be doing. She immediately put my mind at ease and assisted me with the worst part of the practice, getting on the floor. After some stretches, we entered rest and digest and began the gentle postures. Propped up with bolsters, bricks, and blankets, Martha put me into 5 poses that I remained in for 5 to 10 minutes each. I could feel the stress and tension completely leave my body. It was blissful.

I’m looking forward to next weeks class.  Speaking of classes, how did I find this yoga class? My employer signed up with a company called Peerfit. Each month employees get 16 credits to use towards different physical fitness opportunities. Gyms and studios who participate have classes you can sign up for using your credits. That is how I found North Port Yoga and Wellness and I’m so glad I did.

Namaste.

Book lover Q & A

Book pet peeves

Bad editing. Bad fan fiction (Fifty Shades of Dreck anyone?). Books without a character to root for.

Perfect reading spot

ANY PLACE I CAN!

3 bookish confessions

I don’t read from the New York Times bestsellers list unless I have to.

I can’t get to sleep without reading.

I usually have 4 or more books being read simultaneously.

Last time you cried while reading a book

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton. It is a must read.  I read it BEFORE it was on Oprah’s book list!

Number of books on your nightstand

None.  Just my Kindle.

Favorite reading snack

I don’t normally eat while I’m reading but I love a nice cup of coffee.

3 books you would recommend to anyone

Wonder by R. J. Palacio, The Shoemaker’s Wife by Andriana Trigiani, Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan (make sure you listen to the audiobook)

Picture of your favorite bookshelf

Since I mostly read on my Kindle…

IMG_1095

How much books mean to you in 3 words

Love my books!

Biggest reading secret

I love to read juvenile picture books out loud, with voices.

If you decide to participate, don’t forget to tag This {____}life so I can see your answers.

Review – Bring Me Back

Bring Me Back Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was given an advanced copy of Bring Me Back from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

WOW! A great psychological thriller/mystery. Where did Layla go? There has been no sign of her and no body has been found. Twelve years later, Finn is getting ready to marry Layla’s sister, Ellen. But wait, there are now signs that Layla may be alive. The book will keep you guessing right til the end.

Even though I had pretty much figured out what was happening, the twists and turns of the plot kept me on my toes. If you like a good psychological mystery without any gore, you should try Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris.

Thanks for reading.

View all my reviews

SaveSave

Review – The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton

I received an advanced copy of The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a gut-wrenching book. It’s hard to explain how a book about an innocent man’s time on death row was life affirming and hopeful, but Anthony Ray Hinton’s story is just that. I will be mentally and emotionally processing this book for the rest of my life. In a world where so many horrible things are happening, where there is so much hate, this book gave me hope and a lot to think about.