Category: FREE

What Book Jumble Quiz *with giveaway

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I used leftover decorations from the weekend party to disguise these books.  There are two parts to this quiz.  List the title of each book.  Take the 1st letter of each title (The’s excluded) and rearrange them for a two word phrase that is appropriate today 🙂  6.25 for each correct title and 19.75 points for the two word phrase.  You have until noon on Saturday to submit your answers as a comment.

Please play along with us.  For everyone who plays an extra $ goes to the winner and the everyone is entered for a special prize.  Just leave a comment with your guesses and don’t google the answers.

Rules & Leaderboard here.  Last week’s 40 Quiz here.

EDIT-I goofed on a title, so an O title should really be a B.  Thanks for the catch Jennifer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.Remarkable Creatures  2.American on Purpose  3.Posed for Murder  4.Heartsick  5.Italian for Beginners  6.Dogshead  7.Practical Magic  8.The Angel’s Game  9.Yesterday I Saw the Sun  10.Time of My Life  11.Hello,Goodbye  12.Of Bees & Mist  13.The Year of Fog

Giveaway

Jason and I both enjoy products that bear our names.  Both of these are staples in our house so I’m giving one random quiz participant 3 small bags of Stacy’s pita chips and a 16 oz. pump of JASON Pure, Natural & Organic Cranberry soap.  You only need to leave your guesses for the quiz as a comment to be entered.

My 40 Bucket List

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It’s my last day in my 30’s and since I’m posting a quiz on my birthday tomorrow I’m posting my bucket list today.  These are things I’d like to do before I die and I figure at 40 I’ve got at least 40 good years to accomplish them.  Plenty of time.  Maybe I’ll find a place on the blog to keep track of it.

1. Write and publish a novel.

2. Open my own bookstore.

3. Spend a night in an English castle.

4. Visit Ireland.

5. Meet a US president. (Jimmy Carter came to Cleveland last year for a book signing but couldn’t do it because of a health scare.  So close!)

6. Learn to start a fire without matches. (this probably comes from watching too many seasons of Survivor)

7. Learn to play the piano.

8. Raise a happy and successful son.

9. Celebrate my 50th anniversary. (13 in)

10. Make exercise a daily priority. (never has been but I need to start taking care of my health)

11. Get back to my wedding weight, just once.

12. Try a vegetarian diet for a year.

13. Drive across country.

14. Visit all 50 states.

15. Stay in an overnight car on a train trip.

16. Fly first class.

17. Take Gage to Italy.

18. Ride a boat down the Mississippi River.

19. Trace ancestry to when all branches entered the US.  (we’ve been here a long time so this will take many more years of research)

20. Spend a week touring Napa Valley.

21. Live somewhere warm year round. (As a midwestern girl I love my seasons but I’d like to see if I’m missing anything :))

22. Volunteer on a political campaign.

23. Sit on a jury.

24. Buy only American for 1 year.

25. Have a library with wall-to-wall built-in bookcases.

26. Write and mail 1000 letters. These can include cards if I include a personal note.

27. Be an extra in a movie.

28. Watch a play from backstage.

29. Go skiing.

30. Attend a murder mystery dinner.

31. Volunteer weekly.

32. Read all the books I own.  (I’d like to have no TBR pile just once.  I can give away books to reach this goal)

33. Start my own book club.

34. See all 4 tennis majors. (2 down, Wimbledon & Australian Open to go)

35. Give blood.

36. Sleep under the stars.

37. Have a hammock.

38. Fire a gun.

39. Make a daily goal list and use it.

40. Do a random act of kindness every day. (and keep a journal for it)

Birthday Photo

Jason and I have attended the US Open a few times.  This was in 2005.

I’m not a tennis player but Jason is very good.  I like to watch.  Rafa Nadal is my current favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

Giveaway

I’m giving away new copies of Reading Like a Writer by Francise Prose and Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman.  Just leave a comment telling me which one you’d like to win (or both!).  I’ll draw a winner October 19.

Favorite Actors A-Z *with Giveaway

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My favorite actors and actresses from A-Z.

A  Jennifer Aniston

B Sandra Bullock

C  John Cusack

D Robert Downey Jr.

E  Aaron Eckhart

F Colin Firth

G Cary Grant

H The Hepburns (I refuse to choose between the graceful Audrey and the sassy Katherine)

I  Jeremy Irons (is there another I actor?)

J  Samuel L Jackson

K  Diane Keaton

L Diane Lane

M Steve Martin (it was tough to leave off the sexy Viggo Mortensen)

N  Paul Newman

O  Timothy Olyphant

P  Joaquin Phoenix

Q Aidan Quinn

R Keanu Reeves

S Ben Stiller

T Marisa Tomei

U  Blair Underwood

V Milo Ventimiglia

W Kate Winslet

X  I tried, but I don’t think there is one!

Y  Sean Young (is there ANYONE else? She’s here by default)

Z  Billy Zane

Giveaway

I’m giving away my copy of Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin, a makeup artist, emphasis on artist.  He transformed these actresses into icons and then tells you how he did it.  This book is so much fun to look through.  Julia Roberts as Julie Christie, Julianne Moore as Twiggy, Winonah Ryder as Elizabeth Taylor.  It’s an oversized hardcover.

Who is that as James Dean?  Go ahead and guess and I’ll tell you if you’re right.

Let me know if you’d like to win it.  I’ll draw a winner October 19.

Birthday Photo

I spent two summers working as an Orientation Guide at Ohio State.  I loved it.  We all lived on the same floor in the Towers and had lots of downtime together.  You can see how we liked to spend that time 🙂  Okay, this 60’s themed party was the only one we had, but we did have lots of fun those summers.

I’m the little shrimp in the middle (I bought that outfit at the thrift store that day.  Those shorts are so big!).  I was 20. Hey, we’re halfway to 40 (but more than halfway to my birthday)!

Old posts and Bon Jovi *with giveaway

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Is anyone else surprised at the old posts that get hits day after day?  I don’t know exactly how the search engine searches work, but I get at least 25 hits a day on my Italy posts from 2008, with generic searches like Rome, Venice, and parking.  The posts are just photos.  Feel free to check them out. Rome, Venice, Parking in Rome.  I think it’s interesting that after all these years and all the views no one has ever left a comment.

In 2009 I read Second Son by Charles Sailor because a friend put the book in my hand and told me I had to read it.  I did and posted my review here.  I didn’t realize at the time how little is written about the book and its author and the dedicated and loyal fan base it has.  You can see that comments have been left on the post as current this month.  And I receive emails with questions from people about book every few months.  I can never answer them because my sum total of knowledge was in that review and in the comments.  But I did receive an email from Sydney, Sailor’s daughter, telling me you can now get Second Son on Amazon and that there would finally be a second book coming out in October or November, The Man Who Rode the Tiger.  And there is a page on Facebook that Sydney has started to keep all fans updated.

As for the post that gets the most hits for whatever reason, that would be my 5000 piece puzzle of Florence I posted about in 2008.  The post is here.  I swear that post gets at least  few hits a day-today it’s had 6!  I don’t know how long it will be before I have the time for another puzzle.

The post announcing my pregnancy has been the one with the most comments.  I was overwhelmed by all of the good wishes.

So, do you have old posts that continue to generate interest or comments?

Giveaway

In honor of all of the Italy hits I get I am offering one new copy of Four Season in Rome by Anthony Doerr, a memoir.  I loved this book (my review here) and if you love Italy or great writing you will too.  Here’s the B&N link.

Just leave me a comment telling me you’d like to win.  I’ll draw a winner October 19.

Birthday Photo

Let me start by saying that I am not a stalker.  I wasn’t even a huge Bon Jovi fan when one of my best friend’s dad got us VIP & backstage passes to the Slippery When Wet tour in 1987.  Not a stalker you say?  Isn’t that me draping myself on an unhappy Jon?  Yes, yes that’s me and I have no excuse. 

He was sick that day so in all of the pictures taken he didn’t look all that happy in any of them (and no, I don’t think it was me!). 

This photo is so embarrassing, but I’m putting it out here for you.  I used to have about 20 different shots of this 10 minutes in time, but I kept giving them away to friends and this is the only one I have left!

I also got to meet the group Cinderella and have a much more flattering photo, but that’s no fun.  I know know the photo is a little dark, I’ll see if Jason can fix it later.

Favorite Authors *with giveaway

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I love lists so thought I’d try a few this week.  I have to admit that there are a few there by default. It’s fairly easy to be my favorite X author when I’ve only read one!  My favorite current authors from A-Z.

A Sarah Addison Allen

B Elizabeth Berg

C Harlan Coben

D Jeffery Deaver

E Janet Evanovich (although I’m taking an extended break from Stephanie Plum)

F  Fannie Flagg

G Diana Gabaldon

H Carl Hiaasen

I Greg Iles

J Brenda Joyse

K Dean Koontz

L  Elizabeth Lowell

M Judith McNaught

N  Carla Neggers

O  Yoko Ogawa

P Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Q  Amanda Quick

R Les Roberts

S Anita Shreve

T Anne Tyler

U Lisa Unger

V John Verdon

W Kate White

X   Xinran

Y  Karen Young

Z Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Giveaway

I read this one and loved it (reviewed it here) so I picked up a hardback for one lucky reader.  If you like thrillers or mysteries I think you’ll love this one.

To enter just tell me you want it. I’ll draw a winner on October 19.

Birthday Photo

I grew up about 5 minutes from my grandparents (a proximity my parents still share with my grandmother) so when I went to prom my sophomore year they came over for the big night.  My grandma would often come over to stay with me when I was home from school, sick and my grandfather was the night janitor for my school system (sometimes my school) until he retired.

I went to prom with my friend, Dan and had fun.  I remember loving this dress.  I was so skinny then. (sigh) 

40 Quiz – guessing closed

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I mentioned a few famous folks who turn 40 with me this year, let’s see of you can figure out these actors turning 40. A hint?  All of these actors are currently on TV.  10 points each.

Please play along with us.  For everyone who plays an extra $ goes to the winner and the everyone is entered for a special prize.  Just leave a comment with your guesses and don’t google the answers.

Rules & Leaderboard here.  Last week’s Head Shot quiz here.

1. I remember him from Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, but I much prefer him in his current role as mystery writer/detective.  You can give me his real name or character name.  Nathan Fillion/Richard Castle (3-37-71)

2. As a new mom I’m loving her new show about life with a new baby, but she’s probably best known for playing a ditzy blonde on Married with Children.  I’ll accept her name or the name of her new show.  Christina Applegate/Up All Night (11-25-71)

3. This serial killer of bad people has been a staple on Showtime  for years and he’s already beaten cancer by the age of 40.  I’ll take his real name or his character name.  Michael C. Hall/Dexter (2-1-71)

4. This Cleveland native plays Kristina Braverman on one of my favorite ensemble dramas.  I’ll take her real name or the name of the show.  Monica Potter/Parenthood (6-30-71)

5. He’s Don Draper to millions but when I see him now I can only think of the opening scene from Bridesmaids.  Jon Hamm (3-10-71)

6. I remember him from Dead Poet’s Society but he’s on a hit show that started with public infidelity.  I’ll take his real name or the name of the show.  Josh Charles/The Good Wife (9-15-71)

7. He first came on my radar when I saw How Stella Got Her Groove Back and now he’s on Private Practice. Taye Diggs (1-2-71)

8. I loved him in Band of Brothers and the two seasons of Life, and now he’s got a new series on Showtime playing an Iraq vet.  I can’t wait. Damien Lewis (2-11-71)

9. He was a long-running character on the long-running series ER, but this summer he was trying to survive an alien invasion on TNT.  Noah Wyle (6-4-71)

10. He plays my favorite gay dad on tv and won an Emmy for it.  I’ll give you half points for the name of the show.  Eric Stonestreet/Modern Family (9-9-71)

Giveaway

I’ll be randomly selecting one lucky guesser to win 2 Godiva chocolate bars, one dark, one milk.

Get your guesses in by Saturday at noon.

Birthday Photo

This should have been yesterday’s picture, but I looked all day for it and finally gave up.  Woke up this morning and found in Gage’s room. 

Is there anything that doesn’t scream 70’s in this photo?  That’s my mom and dad, making me laugh when I look at it now.  I know I’ve mentioned quite a few times that I’m an only kid, so I share a close relationship with my parents, who are 42 years married.

Aren’t the leaves great?  It was taken at Dawes Arboretum, a park I spent a lot of time in growing up.

I think I was in second grade here.  I hated that short haircut and thought I looked like a boy.

Challenges *with giveaway

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When I join a challenge I plan to finish it.  Last week I mentioned that my dad had a stubborn streak and I think that plays a part for me.  I have 5 books left over from a 2010 challenge, plus a few other challenges to finish this year and I’m determined to do it.  I need your help with two challenges.

I signed up to read, review and give away 12 books this year and I’m offering up the 3 books I have left to finish the challenge.  Skinny Legs & All by Tom Robbins (trade paperback), Emma by Jane Austen (trade paperback), Emerald Dreams by Carolyn Bourne (hardcover)and they have all been read one time by me.

I also need your help to finish the States challenge.  This is the 3rd year I’ve tried this one and I’d like to check it off this year.

Please recommend a book from the blank states for me and the shorter the better 🙂  Here’s the challenge page for the 21 states I have left.

Giveaway

Tell me which book or books you’d like to win.  I’ll give you an extra entry for every book you recommend in the States challenge above. 

I’ll choose winners on October 19th.

 

 

 

Birthday Photo

I grew up surrounded by family and we spent a lot of time together.  My cousin Amy and I put on lots of “shows” that I’m sure everyone just loved 😉  That’s me on the left and my cousin Sarah between us.  Amy was actually a good dancer.  I took two years of something called acro and remained terrible. 

Amy and I did not go to the same school but we were roommates at Ohio State and maid/matron of honor at each other’s weddings

Maybe I was in 5th grade or so here?  I really don’t know.

 

 

 

 

Win a B&N gift card here.

Win a journal and chocolate here.

 

 

Sundays with Gage- Motherhood *with giveaway

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Motherhood has not been what I thought it would be.  I didn’t even have that many expectations, so that’s surprising.  In honor of my 40 years here are the 40 Best & Worst things about being a mom.

The Best

1. That first smile greeting me in the morning is my favorite one.

2. But the rest of them are pretty good too.

3. Baby toes are the best.

4. Little fingers gripping mine.

5. Seeing myself and Jason in him.

6. Grandparent visits.

7. Naps!

8. Watching Gage chase Max.  Poor Max.

9. Bedtime kisses.

10. Clean bill of health doctor visits.

11. Knowing that after 28+ hours of labor I can pretty much do anything.

12. Hearing Gage say mama (even though he has yet to actually say it to me).

13. Watching Gage learn new things.

14. Dancing with my little man.

15. Hearing Gage laugh with Jason.

16. When he falls asleep in the car seat.

17. Watching Gage brighten people’s day when he chats them up as we’re out running errands.

18. Seeing that Gage loves books and reading to him when he takes the book out of his mouth long enough.

19. Having a closer relationship with my mom.

20. I’m not nearly so concerned with my own crap anymore.

21. Sleeping all night with no interruptions.  This does happen sometimes.

22. Saturday mornings when Jason takes over and I get to sleep in.

23. As a genealogy nut it’s nice to see another branch added to the family tree.

24. The pressure of having a perfect body has melted away (as the pounds have packed on).

25. Being able to stay at home with Gage is a blessing (but I still need mom mental health days)

26. Gage hugs.

27. Showing him new things.

28. Listening to his nonsense babble.

29. Having the best baby-rearing partner in Jason.  He’s an awesome dad.

30. Knowing that the 1st year is hardest and it will get easier (if I am wrong on this, please don’t tell me!)

31. Buying baby clothes, even for boys, is more fun that I thought it would be.

32. Taking Gage to My Gym and library storytimes are fun for both of us.

33. Finally!  Someone who likes my singing.

34. The love.

The Worst

35. A baby really cuts into reading time, LOL!

36. The constant need to change my clothes and his.

37. The knowledge that most of what’s happening is really out of your control.

38.  There are no sick days for mom.

39. Those cute teeth are sharp and he’s not afraid to use them! (He’s up to 8 teeth :))

40. Feeling like a big failure at least once a day.

The Giveaway

Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win this beautiful journal and Godiva truffle bar.  It really is a beautful lined journal-I have one myself.

I’ll draw a winner on October 19th.

Birthday Photo

I’m 5 1/2 here and have the 1970’s hair flip (think Charlie’s Angels) and denim outfit going on. 

40’s not so bad, right? *with giveaway

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So, what do I have in common with Mariah Carey, Taye Diggs, Winonah Ryder, Ewan McGregor, Mark Walberg, Sandra Oh, Lance Armstrong, Amy Poehler?  We all turn the big 4-0 this year.  I know it’s just a number but it has caused me some reflection in the past few weeks and you all have to pay for it!

This month I celebrate my 40th birthday, Jason and I celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary, and Gage turns 1!  That’s a full month of celebrating and I want to do some partying here too!

I plan on doing a self-indulgent post with giveaway and a bonus picture of me (that’s the self-indulgent part) everyday until my birthday. You won’t know when my birthday is until I post it so you’ll have to come back every day to see what goodies I’m offering and to see the this-is-Stacy’s life photo.  Just so you know I did finally find the very embarrassing photo of me hanging all over Jon Bon Jovi and I’m going to post it.

Giveaway

To start the month off right I’m offering a $20 B&N gift card to one lucky reader.  Just leave a comment telling me one good thing about turning 40 and you’ll be entered.  

I want to have lots of people stop by and help me celebrate this month so if you tweet about it you’ll receive an extra entry, just let me know who you are on Twitter.  Open until October 19th (Gage’s Birthday!)

Photo

This is how it all began 40 years ago.  I am somewhere around 4 months here.  Gage obviously has my hairline 🙂

A Winner & Free Books for September – closed

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The winner of a copy of All For Love: A Romantic Anthology ( number chosen randomly by my husband) is… #12 Maya!  Congratulations 🙂  An email is on the way.

In my ongoing quest to keep books moving out and not just in I give away a few books each month.  Leave a comment, tell me which book you want and I’ll get the book to you for FREE either by mail or personally if I’ll see you soon.  The first one to request each book wins. Once you’ve ‘won’ the book I can get your shipping address if I need it.  Also, you can come back and get a free book every month if you want.  These have all been read a time or two.

Since this is Thrill Week I thought I’d offer up some thrillers.

1. Open Season by CJ Box. First Book in the Joe Pickett mystery series. 278 pages. published 2001. for Margie

2. Easy Prey by John Sandford. Eleventh book in the Lucas Davenport series.  387 pages. published 2000.  for Mystica

3. Carrie by Stephen King. This is the 1975 edition with pictures from the movie.  245 pages. for Gautami

4. The Pelican Brief by John Grisham. Published 1992. 436 pages. for Kim

Happy reading!