Mary Ann

"Mary Ann"

This is the name of the book I just finished reading.
Its also the name of one of my best friends Mother.
Who is also The main subject of this book.

I kept seeing this book advertised on Mary Ann's face book page and just had to ask about it.
Written by: Jack Darnell
He was a friend of Mary Ann and her family who are also mentioned in the book. He offered me a signed copy and within a week, I was reading it.

(source)

Let me start by saying, I am not big on reading. I am a slow reader. I always had a reading disability growing up. That's one reason I started blogging and also probably why a lot of my stories do not make much since. But Im learning. Im trying to strengthen my reading/ understanding skills. So, I choose a book or two to read each year. Im finding the more I read, the easier it is. I actually enjoy it when I can find a quiet spot to curl up in.

Mary Ann was a great book. It had me in suspense from the start. This book was printed in a larger print which I was thrilled to see. It made it so easy to read.
I quickly got wrapped up in this book as I was reading it. I can usually guess the end of a book or movie from the beginning but not this time, as soon as I thought I had it figured out, the story would shift. It was interesting and I could not wait to get to the end. What also made this book fun for me to read were the places and names within in the story. They were familiar as the story takes place around the city in which I live.

I've had the pleasure of meeting the real Mary Ann a few times and even had small talk with her while I visited her at her camper on the beach. She often camps in the same travel park that we do.
I will not tell you what the book is about or how it ends but I will say while the story of Mary Ann was fiction, he describes her sweet personality to a "T". Having met her, I could imagine her facial expressions as I read through her dilemma.

I recommend this book to anyone that likes mystery and suspense . If you like the law and order type TV shows, you will enjoy this book.

MaryAnn (the book) can be purchased  HERE on Amazon or for Kindle. You can also purchase the book from createspace  HERE .
Jack also writes in his blog Shipslog  where he shares his journey through life with his lovely wife.

Wine Gummy Bites

Move over gummy bears and Jello, now adults can enjoy some gelatin fun. If you like wine that is. This treat actually has health benefits both in the wine and the gelatin.
Health benefits of wine can be found  Here. Benefits such as lowering the risk of heart disease, type2 diabetes, cataracts, colon cancer and more.
Health benefits of gelatin can be found Here. Benefits such as clearing cellulite, stretchmarks, arthritis, wrinkles and more.
So see, there ya go, you can have a healthy heart and smooth butt by eating these. ♥. ha!

Now I'm going to share how to make some of these little chewy giggle jiggles. With the same texture as a gummy bear, they would go great at a party next to the cheese. Why drink wine when you can eat it? They do not have to be refrigerated. You can actually pack them up and take them with you to a party. They will not un-gel. Just remember, be sure to keep them away from children.

Wine Gummies

1 cup wine

4 Tbsp. clear gelatin

2 tablespoons honey (add more or less depending on how dry or sweet the wine is.)

• Heat wine in a pot on the stove top (low). You just want it a nice warm about 90 degree. Do not boil or it will burn off all the alcohol.
• Add the gelatin one tablespoon at a time. stirring until dissolved.
• Add honey
• pour into molds or dish and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

They are suppose to get stiff as a gummy bear and will not melt.

Cut into approx. 1 inch squares.

(10 squares will equal about 4 oz of wine so be careful not to over do it while snacking on these).

Enjoy.

Warning: (1)Women should not drink alcohol while pregnant because of the risk of birth defects.(2)Consumption of alcohol impairs your ability to drive.(3)Drinking to much alcohol may impair your thinking and make you stupid


Ive shared this at:
craftsalamode.
.inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy
snickerdoodle-sunday at 2crochethooks
be-inspired-features-and-link-party at elizabethandco
party-under-the-big-top-linky-act-1 at welcometomycircus

EKG ♥ Bracelet

I'm excited to share with you something Ive been working on the past few days. Well, It didn't take a few days to make, but the idea swirled around in my head for days until I finally came up with the style that worked for me.

It's an EKG Bracelet. You can call it a heartbeat bracelet or pulse rate bracelet too.
 

This bracelet is special to me. Its delicately made using my daughters heart rhythm. She had a minor surgery two years ago. When she came out of surgery, she had a copy of her EKG laying beside her. I snatched it up quickly with the intentions of getting a tattoo that mimicked this design. Well, I can throw that idea out of my mind because this bracelet is far less painful and a whole lot prettier.

It took some patience to bend and twist the wire until it was just right. I will say, I am definitely not a jewelry maker. Look close, you will see many flaws.  I don't have the tools I need to perfect it. I made this using only some needle nose pliers.

I think Ill stick to crochet for now.

Ive shared this at:
create-link-inspire-linky-party at thecraftyblogstalker
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy
tuesday-pin-spiration at thestitchinmommy
worthwhile-wednesdays at craftyallieblog
craftsalamode
snickerdoodle-sunday at 2crochethooks
 

Nutrisystem Week 4- Cravings are Less

Wow! Its been a a whole month now that I've been on the Nutrisystem Diet plan. I'm loving that this is something Ive stuck with.

Nutrisystem Pizza with added onions and olives

The truth is, Its not even diet food, Its just proportioned meals to keep me on track.  Hard to believe that four weeks ago I sat down for my last fatty meal of a Big Mac and Large fry! I ate it all! Loved it too.

The best thing is I can talk about foods and it does not faze me anymore. I can ride past the doughnut shop or Chinese restaurant without the urge to order something to take home. 

The cravings are not completely gone but the strength to walk away from them is a piece of cake easy. 

Nutrisystem Beef tips and Mashed Potatoes

With Nutrisystem, I get to eat pizza, chocolate, potatoes, muffins and more! The portions are small but the way I'm feeling now is worth it all. I'm excited each week to see how many inches or lbs Ive lost.  Even if it is just a pound, it's a pound less than last week.

I'm going to keep going. 

Here are my results at the end of week four.

Ive lost 2 lbs this week puting me from 168 to 157lbs.
Total for the month....11 lbs. That's exciting to me.

I plan to stay off the scale and wait to weigh in at the end of February. I also plan to post about my journey every two weeks now so I don't bore everyone. So check back Sunday the 15th.
 

Now on to week five!

DIY Sail Boat

We finally had a nice enough day to go for a walk. It was a Sunday afternoon and I needed to get out of the house. I decided to go with my husband for a brisk walk around the neighborhood. He does this every morning and not too often do I have the time to go with him.

As we were walking, I spotted a stick. I actually spotted a lot of sticks but this particular one caught my eye and an idea popped into my head. Yea that happens sometimes. I stopped in my path to pick it up. My husband gave me a look. I was like, "what? I need this stick". He shrugged his shoulders as he never removed his earphones, only lip reading my response. I'm sure he knew I was up to something because when I get an idea, its gonna happen. He saw just a stick, I saw a sailboat.


I still needed a smaller and straighter stick. So, the next day when I got home from work, he had me a little pile of straight sticks. I grabbed them up and immediately took off to my craft closet and played.

The result of my natural finds is this sail boat.

It was fun to make and plan to display it either in my office or beach place. It's quite possible I will make another one soon. I love sail boats or anything nautical for that matter.

Now get a stick and make your own.

You will need:

1 thick stick

1 straight branch for the center rod

hot glue or Elmer's

cloth for a sail (any piece cloth will do)

eye hooks

kite string or yarn to tie it all together.

I cut the sails and in each corner, I clipped a small hole for the string.

I made a hole in the center of the stick for the center rod to fit into.

I screwed the eye hooks into each end.

Then just put it all together.

Here is another sail boat I made a while back the same way except I used drift wood I found on the beach, which is my favorite and this one will actually float.

I love making these. So easy and fun.


Ive shared this at:
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy
amaze-me-monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome
tuesday-pin-spiration at thestitchinmommy 
mix-it-up-monday flourmewithlove  
monday-handmade-linkup at judyscardmakingandpapercrafts  
link-and-share-wednesday at oombawkadesigncrochet
weekend-bloggy-reading at serenitynowblog
dare-to-share at pamspartyandpracticaltips
submarine-sunday at usscrafty
nifty-thrifty-sunday at niftythriftythings
craftsalamode.
july-craft-challenge-something-from-nature at 2crochethooks.
snickerdoodle-sunday at 2crochethooks

Nutrisystem Week 3- Noticing Changes

Just finished my third week on Nutrisystem. I'm starting to feel the changes my body is taking on this diet.

I know, I know, it seems like all im going to blog about now is Nutrisystem. Nope. I plan to get back to blogging on other things soon but this diet just has me excited and its helping me out by blogging my results. Just keep following me, Ill have some new things popping up soon. 

I usually suffer acid reflux and heart burn on a regular basis. This started about 4 years ago. Anxiety will trigger it but most of the time it was my eating habits. I would either eat too fast, too much or eat the wrong things. I never could really pin point what caused the episodes because it would be different foods at different times.

Well, I'm here to tell you that since I have been on this Nutrisystem diet, I have not been suffering from the heart burn, and acid reflux. I think the foods im taking in are more healthy and balanced. I'm still enjoying all the meals they provide.

Nutrisystem- Chicken Alfredo

 

Nutrisystem - Chicken Noodle Soup

Im going for another week!  This is the longest I've ever stayed with a diet. I never would have thought I'd be doing it this way but its working for me and im getting used to the portions. Still just buying the 5 day boxes at Walmart. Im just afraid to take that step of ordering a month supply delivered at my door. Im comfortable taking it a week at a time even if it means I have to eat the same meals over again.

Im excited to say I've lost an inch and a half! My pants do not know that yet but the measuring tape told me so. My belly bulge is shrinking slowly. I hope by spring time, I can wear a fitted t shirt and not worry about the spare tire or muffin top around my waist band.

But....

Im disappointed to see I only lost one pound this week. I have to keep going. Maybe up my exerscise a bit. Its just so hard when I work in an office all day and its dark by the time I get home to do any walking. Im hanging in there.

Follow my journey here

Nutrisystem Diet Week 2 - Its Getting Easier

Week two was easier than week one. I'm seeing results already! Last week I lost 6 lbs in just my first week! I'm sure every week will not be as successful, but who knows? I hope so. Id love to be able to lose 30 lbs and get into a new Easter outfit this year.

Again, I bought a five day kit from my local Walmart. It has the same foods as the last kit with the exception of about four different meals. Ive had no complaints so far. All the food has been really good. OK, let me stop right her for a moment and just say, Nutrisystems popcorn is the best ever!!! I would love to just buy the bags alone!! 

I still get a little hungry between meals but there are snack options. I would eat things like almonds, baked kale chips or fat free yogurt. I also bought some of the shakes that are to be used between meals.
 

I like them. They taste pretty good. I'm not going to say they are absolutely delicious, but they taste better than the Carnation Instant breakfast, Slim fast or the Ensures. Yes Ive tried them all.

I would do things like add a cup of lettuce with my Italian dinners such as lasagna, pizza or rigatoni.

Nutrisystem  Meat Lasagna

I would add a tablespoon of fat free or lite dressing on the side and dip the lettuce into it as a I ate it.  I didn't over do it that way. I'm one of those that like a little salad on my dressing. 

So, incase your wondering what I ate on Saturday and Sunday. You know, those two days between my five day diet? Well, for breakfasts I would eat a pack (about 1 cup) of the Quaker oatmeal granola cereals with warm Almond milk. For lunches I would have one piece of toasted wheat bread with peanut butter and a drop of honey or some Tuna with Jalapenos on top. For Dinner one night I had a sushi roll and for dinner the next night I had fajitas from my favorite Mexican restaurant. This was such a treat! I controlled myself. I only ate half of the plate served and ignored the tortillas, rice and beans. That was sooo hard because I love the rice!

Each week I make sure to add some exercise and drink lots of water.

Here are my results after week 2!

When I first started this diet plan I weighted in at 168lbs
At the end of week one I was down to 162lbs.
At the end of week two I am down to 160lbs.

The weight loss was not as much after the 2nd week but everyone tells me that happens. They say thats why you need to stay off the scales while you diet.
Wish me luck as I start my 3rd week and dont forget to check back on Sunday afternoons for my diet updates. follow my journey here.