Teaser Tuesday: XO by Jeffrey Deaver

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

MY TEASER:

"And there were also, Davis could see, only a few windows and all of them shuttered or shaded.  Although he was perhaps more of a target than some politicians; anyone who's run for office instinctively considers security, particularly lines of fire and sniper's vantage points.  Everywhere.  All the time.

Thank you, Second Amendment."

Minionism of the Week: One In A....

Can't you see it?

You're one in a minion!

Sunday Stealing: Unusual Things

This week's Sunday Stealing was stolen from My Random Randomness.

1. Who was the last person of the opposite sex you laid in a bed with? My husband.

2. Where was the last place you went out to eat? Taco Bell

3. What was the last alcoholic beverage you consumed? I had a Mike's Hard Black Cherry last summer.

4. Which do you prefer - eyes or lips? Eyes

5. Medicine, fine arts, or law? Law

6. Best kind of pizza? Thin crust with mushrooms and Canadian bacon, light sauce.

7. Is your bedroom window open? Yes

8. What is in store for your future? Only the stars know.

9. Who was the last band you saw live? Caroline's Spine

10. Do you take care of your friends while they are sick? As much as I can.

11. Any historical figures that you envy? No

12. How many songs are on your iTunes? Only 250 for now.  Everything else is on an external hard drive (over 3,000 song)

13. What brand of digital camera do you own? I think it is a Sony.  It is packed away somewhere in the house because I use my cell phone to take pictures.

14. When was the last time you got a good workout? Two weeks ago.

15. Are you experienced? I am not sure how to answer this.  I am old if that is what you mean.

16. If you need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go to first? Goodwill

17. Are you a quitter? No.

18. What are two bands or singers that you will always love? Aerosmith and Steven Tyler

19. What of the seven deadly sins are you guilty of? Envy

20. Did you just have to google the seven deadly sins to see what they were? No, I know perfectly well what I am guilty of!

Camera Critters: Baby Bunny

A baby bunny hanging out near the bushes I planted earlier this year.  So cute!

**This post is linked to Camera Critters.**

Stuck In My Head: "That Just About Does It" by Vern Gosdin

Every night you go to bed crying.

There's nothing left to do when love is dying.

So before the whole world knows how we're hurtin,

Don't you think it's time we pulled the curtains

So many times I talked you out of leavin'.

And so many times you've tried to fight the feeling.

I guess we've tried and failed once too often.

Now the suitcase down the hallway does the talking

That just about does it, don't it,

That'll just about kill it, won't it

Maybe we should call a truce,

We could but what's the use?

That just about does it, don't it.

It's sad to think that words could come between us.

And what I said, God knows, I didn't mean it.

It's time we realized this time it's over.

It's tearing us apart to stay together.

And that just about does it, don't it,

That'll just about kill it, won't it

Maybe we should call a truce,

We could but what's the use?

That just about does it, don't it.

Maybe we should call a truce,

We could but what's the use?

That just about does it, don't it.

eCard of the Week #93: Said No Husband Ever

Hon, I know where we keep everything in the house.

I live here, remember?

Said no husband ever.

Wordless Wednesday: George The Squirrel

 

This post is linked up to Wordless Wednesday

Funny Face by Donna Fargo

Funny face, I love you

Funny face, I need you

My whole world's wrapped up in you

When the road I walk seems all uphill

And the colors in my rainbow turn blue

You kiss the tears away

You smile at me and say

"Funny face (funny face) I love you"

Funny face, I love you

Funny face, I need you

These are the sweetest words I've ever heard

Funny face, don't leave me

Funny face, believe me

My whole world's wrapped up in you

And when I hurt your feelings as I sometimes do

And I say those mean things that we know are not true

You forgive my childish way

You hold me close and say

"Funny face (funny face) I love you"

Funny face, I love you

Funny face, I need you

These are the sweetest words I've ever heard

Funny face, don't leave me

Funny face, believe me

My whole world's wrapped up in you

Funny face, I love you

Funny face, I need you

These are the sweetest words I've ever heard

Funny face, don't leave me

Kevin...My New Minion

I gave myself a gift today....KEVIN!

I love the Minions.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there and to my dad.

I miss you Dad!

Sunday Stealing: Get It All Down Meme

This week's Sunday Stealing was stolen from My Random Randomness.

Are you a good dancer? No.

Are you a good singer? No.

Are you a good cook? No.

Are you a good artist? No.

Are you a good listener? Yes.

What's your favorite clean word? "Whatever"

What's your favorite swear word? "Asshat" or "fucktard"

What's your least favorite word? "Ideal" and my least favorite phrase is "so be it".

What was the last film you saw? The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

What football team do you support? The Dallas Cowboys

Have you ever been bobbing for apples? Yes.

What's your most expensive piece of clothing? My winter coat.

What's the last thing you took a picture of? My dog.

What's the last thing you drew a picture of? My dog.

Have you ever bought anything from eBay? Yes.

Have you ever invented a fairly unique meal or drink? No.

Do you have any secret family recipes? No.

Queen Shelby and BarkBox Day

As you can tell from the following photo, Shelby is the queen in my house. 

 And I would not have it any other way.

 Earlier this week, Shelby received her monthly BarkBox.

She received two new toys and three new kinds of treats.

I was not able to get a photo of her trying the treats but I 

did get two photos of her playing with the new toys.

 

                                                       **This post is linked to Camera Critters.**

eCard of the Week #92: A Woman's Opinion

When women ask you for your opinion, they don't want to hear your opinion.  

They want to hear their opinion in a deeper voice

Baked S'more = Unhappy Dog

Today for an after dinner dessert I made baked s'mores. 

 (Recipe at the bottom of this post). 

 The s'mores were delicious!

Shelby was not allowed to have any s'mores. 

 This is a photo of the look she gave me when I told her no.

Shelby also did not like the explanation I gave to as to why

she could not have any (chocolate is very bad for dogs).

**SHANNON'S BAKED S'MORES**

1 cup of  Milk Chocolate Chips

12 large Marshmallows

Graham Crackers

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Layer graham crackers in bottom of 9 inch, aluminum pie pan.

Add chocolate chips.

Top with marshmallows

Bake for 5 to 8 minutes (depends on how brown you want your

marshmallows and how melted you want the chocolate.  I baked

mine for 6 minutes.

Serve and eat while hot.

Wordless Wednesday: June Sunrise in Wisconsin

This post is linked up to Wordless Wednesday

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Sundaes

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Sundaes

Quickly warm pineapple in butter and brown sugar, then spoon the softened fruit over crumbled pound cake and dulce de leche ice cream.

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped pineapple or canned pineapple tidbits (juice pack), drained
1 pint dulce de leche or vanilla ice cream
1/4 of a 10 3/4-ounce loaf frozen pound cake, thawed and coarsely crumbled and, if desired, toasted*
Whipped cream
4 maraschino cherries with stems

Directions
In a small heavy skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, honey and cinnamon. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Add pineapple. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes more or until heated through. Remove from heat.
Scoop ice cream into four dishes. Top with crumbled cake, warm pineapple mixture, whipped cream and a cherry. Serve immediately.
Tip

* To toast pound cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees . Spread crumbled pound cake pieces on a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until lightly toasted.

SOURCE: www.midwestliving.com/recipe/pineapple-upside-down-cake-sundaes/

Lake Front Property and Office View

The first photo below was taken by me from my office window on 15 June 2015.
 Storm clouds rolling in!

This second photo I took when I got home.
It seems my neighbors have developed a lake in their yard.
I always wanted my house to overlook a lake.  Hehe

Sunday Stealing: Would You Rather Meme Part Two

This week's Sunday Stealing was stolen from Sign Up Genius.

Would you rather go to a movie or to dinner alone? Dinner

Would you rather always say everything on your mind or never speak again? Never speak again

Would you rather make a phone call or send a text? Send a text

Would you rather read an awesome book or watch a good movie? Read an awesome book.

Would you rather be the most popular person at work or school or the smartest?  The smartest

Would you rather put a stop to war or end world hunger? End world hunger

Would you rather spend the night in a luxury hotel room or camping surrounded by beautiful scenery? Spend the night in a luxury hotel room.

Would you rather explore space or the ocean? Space

Would you rather go deep sea diving or bungee jumping? Deep sea diving

Would you rather be a kid your whole life or an adult your whole life? An adult

Would you rather go on a cruise with friends or with your spouse? My spouse

Would you rather lose your keys or your cell phone? Keys...I can always call someone to help me find the keys.

Would you rather eat a meal of cow tongue or octopus? Octopus

Would you rather have x-ray vision or magnified hearing? Magnified hearing

Would you rather work in a group or work alone? Work alone

In Memory of My Annabelle via PiZap

I have been playing a lot with piZap lately and decided to 

make a few collages of Annabelle (aka Bella).  She passed 

away on 02 August 2012 and I still miss her very much.

Follow Friday Four Fill-in Week 217

Each week, Hilary list four statements with a blank for us to fill in on our own blogs.  My answers are underlined and bold.  If you want to play along click the graphic above!

The statements:
1. ___ tastes like ____
2. ___ makes everything _____
3. If ____ then ____
4. One word to describe _____ is _____

My Answers:
1. Chocolate tastes like a bit of heaven in your mouth.
2. My dog greeting me when I come home from work makes everything tolerable.
3. If it is summer time then why is it only 60 degrees?
4. One word to describe life is challenging.

eCard of the Week #91: I'm Not Arguing...

I'm not arguing. 

I'm explaining why I'm correct.

Wordless Wednesday: Desk Guardians

 

 

                                        This post is linked up to: Wordless Wednesday.

June Julep Box and Mad Shelby

Today I got a package in the mail (my June Julep box).

Shelby was all excited when I came in the house with the box because she thought it was a BarkBox. I let her sniff everything in the box and this is her reaction when she realized it was not a BarkBox.  I had to give her an extra treat to make up for it.

Have I Mentioned That I Love Spring

The hostas are growing fast and the purple irises are blooming!

Sunday Stealing: Would You Rather, Part One

This week's Sunday Stealing was stolen from Sign Up Genius.

Would you rather go into the past and meet your ancestors or go into the future and meet your great-great grandchildren?

I would rather go into the future and meet my great-great grandchildren.  Also, I would love to see what the future world looks like.

Would you rather have more time or more money?

Time.  I would love to live for hundreds of years.

Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life?

A rewind button.

Would you rather be able to talk with the animals or speak all foreign languages?

Talk with the animals.  

Would you rather win the lottery or live twice as long?

Live twice as long.

Would you feel worse if no one showed up to your wedding or to your funeral?

Since I would be dead, I would not know if anyone showed up to my funeral.  And I am already married.  

Would you rather be without internet for a week, or without your phone?

Without my phone for a week.

Would you rather meet George Washington, or the current President?

George Washington

Would you rather lose your vision or your hearing?

Hearing.  I want to be able to still see my loved ones.


Would you rather work more hours per day, but fewer days or work fewer hours per day, but more days?

I would rather worm more hours per day but fewer days.

Would you rather listen to music from the 70’s or music from today?

Music from the 70's

Would you rather become someone else or just stay you?

Just stay me.

Would you rather be Batman or Spiderman?

Batman

Would you rather be stuck on a broken ski lift or in a broken elevator?

Both would make my claustrophobic fears kick in. However, if forced to choose I pick the elevator...too cold to be on a ski lift.

For your birthday, would you rather receive cash or gifts?

Neither.  But if I have to pick on then I choose cash.  I can use the cash to buy things for others.

Camera Critters: Ear Scratches

My Shelby loves ear scratches.  :)

                                                       **This post is linked to Camera Critters.**

eCard of the Week #90: Excited About Friday

I haven't been this excited about 

a Friday, since last Friday!

States I Have Visited

It is time for me to head out west!
Create Your Own Visited States Map

Wordless Wednesday: June Moons and Sweet Shelby

                                        This post is linked up to: Wordless Wednesday.

Dog For Dog - On A Mission to Help Dogs in Need

DOG for DOG is a mission-based dog food and treat company that donates a bag of its all natural, American-made DOGSFOOD to a dog in need with each purchase.

They are taking their mantra, “You Buy One, We Give One” to the next level with a nationwide campaign to get the word out about their mission. "Join the MOVEMENT -- 'helping feed dogs in need' is the mission behind DOG for DOG Just buy a bag of all natural, made in the USA DOGSFOOD™ and an equal bag will be donated to a shelter.

DOGSFOOD™ is a premium, all-natural kibble made in the USA using only high-quality meats, fruits and vegetables; and contains no corn, wheat or soy. It comes in three varieties: Lamb and Brown Rice, Pork and Brown Rice, and Grain Free with Salmon and Ocean Fish. DOGSFOOD™ is available for purchase online at www.dogfordog.com.

CALL TO ACTION To receive a 10% discount toward food and treats that give back sign up for their newsletter: http://www.dogfordog.com/our-mission

About DOG for DOG: Based in Santa Monica, California, DOG for DOG is an all-natural dog food and treat brand with a mission to help dogs in need. For every item sold, one is donated to a dog in need. The company’s philosophy “You buy one, we give one.”

For more information go to DOGforDOG.com. or call 855-448-3225

**Disclaimer: The owner of this blog WAS NOT paid to post this article. It was posted out of the blog owner's love for dogs.**

Playing in the May Moon

There was nearly a full moon last night...the last night of May.

Shelby was outside playing in the dark before bedtime.
I surprised her by taking her photo at night.  Hehe