Just Another Tuesday

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to post here and let you know I have been fighting a nasty "bug" since Saturday. 

I think I have finally gotten him on the run and should be back here tomorrow feeling much better!

Don't forget to enter the giveaways and sign up for the JUST FOR FUN READING CHALLENGE 2011.

See you all tomorrow!

Dollycas

FEELS LIKE A COZY GIVEAWAY DAY WINNER!!!!

KAREN A.

Winners were chosen using Random.com

Thank you to all who entered!!!

Please come back soon for more 

Book Reviews, Recommendations, Random Thoughts & Giveaways!!

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY!!!

Hosted by: Erika, the girl next door grows up

Welcome to

Feel Good Friday!!!

Erika had found that a lot of her bloggy friends reading posts about being positive, so she thought she might try her very own meme. She just wanted everyone to feel good and have some happy thoughts as you begin the weekend.

Ericka is on vacation this week so this is just for you!

I can't wait to read about what made you

Feel Good this week!!

The Caswell's had a pretty good week, the
highlight of which was having our whole immediate family get together
for Thanksgiving, our way.

 Lasagna, Buttery Bread Sticks & Pumpkin Pie

Jeff did the cooking with an assist by Kaden on the Bread Sticks!!

Followed up a a few games of "chickenfoot" dominoes, then we moved on to "Disney Scene It", which the girls totally rocked.  Then the kids went downstairs to play more "Scene It" and the old people went to bed, me with a book(trying to stay on schedule) and Jeff to sleep as he had to work today.  Some of the kids work today too, but not at 7 a.m.

I hope you all had a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!

I will be praying for all you Black Friday Shoppers.  If you don't want to venture out, try some of my Holiday Sponsor Links in the right sidebar.  A book or a gift certificate from Amazon.com is always nice. Maybe something from Build-A-Bear or a nice gift basket.  
No lines, no chaos, click, click, enter, done.  :)

ENQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW - Week 13

 

  Easy Questions This Week Due To The Holiday 

For My U.S. Followers

No, I am not a new Tabloid Reporter, but it is a feature so 

that we can all get to know each other better.  

This feature will be open from Thursday at 12:01 A.M. and close on Monday at 11:59 P.M. to allow those that want to participate over the weekend the opportunity to do so when they have more time.  So you may want to check back on Tuesday or check the previous week's link on Thursday to view everyone's answers.

Links to all previous weeks at the bottom of the post for those who missed a week or two and want to catch up on everyone's answers.  To do that please link up using the actual post link  instead of the link to your entire blog so people can find your "Enquiring" posts easier. 

If you are just joining this feature 

WELCOME!!!!! 

We all become friends/followers but most of us will never meet in person, this feature is to help us all get to know each other better.

Each Thursday I will post 3 questions for you to answer that you can copy and post on your blog with your answers. 

You don’t have to be a blogger to participate either. I will be using a Linky List for the blogs to use to participate and follow each other around to get to know each other, but if you are not a blogger just answer the questions in the comment section following the post on your favorite blog. Please feel free to click on the links and visit other blogs too. 

This way we not only get to know other bloggers, 

we get to know our followers too.

I am really excited about this meme 

and hope many more people will join the fun!!!!!

Are you interested?

WEEK 12 QUESTIONS

 

1. What is your favorite vegetable?

2. What is your favorite fruit?

3. Do you grow any of your own fruit and vegetables?

 Now be sure to copy and paste the information and your answers into your blog, then come back to link up, so we can come to your blog and read your answers.

I hope you will come back to this meme every week and tell your friends so we can all get to know each other better and get the answers to all the questions 

Enquiring Minds Want To Know!!  

MY ANSWERS:

 

1. What is your favorite vegetable?  Sweet Corn

2. What is your favorite fruit?  Strawberries

 

3. Do you grow any of your own fruit and vegetables?

Early in our marriage we always had a vegetable garden, then just a strawberry bed, and hit a bunch of farmer's markets, but now we just plant shrubs and flowers and most of our produce comes from the grocery store.

 

Now it's your turn! 

Let's get to know YOU!!

This Enquiring Mind Wants To Know!

WEEK 12

WEEK 11 

WEEK 10
WEEK 9
WEEK 8
WEEK 7
WEEK 6
WEEK 5
WEEK 4
WEEK 2
WEEK 1

2011 CHALLENGES # 1

I have found some other challenges that sound like fun so decided to post the information for your consideration.

Use the link below to go to the original blog to sign up.

The first one is:

What's in a Name 4: Information and Sign-Up 

SIGN UP HERE!!  Hosted by Beth Fish

Welcome to the fourth What's in a Name Challenge! This challenge was originated by a young blogger named Annie, who hosted it for two years. When she decided to give up on being the host, I took over the challenge.

I credit this challenge with being one of the prime reasons for my becoming a blogger, so I am thrilled to be its new host.

Here's How It Works

Between January 1 and December 31, 2011, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a number in the title: First to Die, Seven Up, Thirteen Reasons Why
2. A book with jewelry or a gem in the title: Diamond Ruby, Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Opal Deception
3. A book with a size in the title: Wide Sargasso Sea, Small Wars, Little Bee
4. A book with travel or movement in the title: Dead Witch Walking, Crawling with Zombies, Time Traveler's Wife
5. A book with evil in the title: Bad Marie, Fallen, Wicked Lovely
6. A book with a life stage in the title: No Country for Old Men, Brideshead Revisited, Bog Child

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

2011 CHALLENGES #2

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
hosted by The Book Vixen

Details:

• Runs January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 (books read prior to 1/1/11 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. You can Sign Up Here on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2011 than you did in 2010. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
• Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine.
• You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. It is not required that you review the books you read for this challenge but feel free to do so.
• Post this reading challenge on your blog so you can keep a list of the books you’ve read for this challenge. Please include a link back to this post so readers can join the challenge too.
• You do not have to be a book blogger to participate. You can keep tabs on books you’ve read for this challenge on Goodreads or LibraryThing if you’d like (maybe make a shelf for “Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge”). If you are not on either of those sites then you can list the books you read for this challenge in the comments on my wrap-up post, which will be up at the end of 2011.

Levels:

• Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books  
• Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books      
• Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
• I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

My challenge for 2010 was 140 books and have read 167 books so far this year.  Right now I am going to choose the Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books level, because there may be some changes coming in the new year that may effect my reading, but it's a good thing. 

If this Challenge interests you please use the link above to visit The Book Vixen and Sign up!

 

Bedeviled Eggs by Laura Childs

Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

A Cackleberry Club Mystery

3rd Book In The Series

Release Date: December 7, 2010

Suzanne, Petra and Toni bonded together in friendship after losing their husbands, one to death, one to Alzheimer's and one to another woman. Together they opened the Cackleberry Club that not only has a cafe but has a Book Nook and a Knitting Nest.  The cafe serves the most wonderful egg dishes and recipes are included in each book.  Afternoon Tea is also served daily.

In the latest installment, the ladies are hosting a Read Date event (like speed dating), gearing up for Halloween, a big election and a Quilt Trail Tour in addition to running the club. Saying their plates are full is putting it mildly.

The Read Date event seemed to be quite successful with the exception of one of the mayoral candidates having an argument with one of ladies during their time together.  He escaped to the Book Nook to calm down and she left the club.  After the event, Suzanne and the candidate were leaving through the back door of the club, when he suddenly collapsed next to her, and "all hell broke loose." He had been murdered right before her eyes.  Then another dead body is found on the Quilt Trail.  There is a murderer on the loose and Suzanne is bound and determined to find out "eggzactly" who the murderer is before anyone else is "fried, scrambled or poached."

I read all three books in this series last week and each book was better than the last.  I would love to have Suzanne, Petra and Toni as friends in real life, but there are also the characters you love to hate like the local "famous" romance author.  I also love the fact that the Book Nook carries Laura Childs mysteries.  These books were a pure joy to read.  I would love to live in Kindred and make The Cackleberry Club a regular stop, without the murders, of course.  The residents, the events and the food are fabulous. The setting, plot and characters are all perfect.  I can't wait to visit with Suzanne, Petra and Toni again soon and find out what is happening at The Cackleberry Club!

This is only one of three series written by Laura Childs. All three are featured below. Check out her web site http://www.laurachilds.com/ to find out more about the author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received these books free from Berkley Prime Crime, a Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

JUST FOR FUN READING CHALLENGE 2011

As bloggers we are all on timetables to read books, get reviews posted, host giveaways, etc. But we also travel around to other blogs and see books we would just like to read because of the bloggers recommendation or the cover or title catches our interest. The Meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” adds more books to my Wish List and To-Be-Read pile every week.

As followers you get our recommendations, win books from us, pick up books at the library or purchase them from a store.

But our lives are so busy these books sometimes sit in our To-Be-Read piles for months or even years.

This year I am hosting this challenge to encourage you to read some of those books.

12 books in 12 months.

The Rules:
1. Sign up to participate. Fill out the form below. Sign-ups will close at 11:59 p.m. CST on January 31, 2011.

2. Bloggers, please grab the button and put it on your blog to show your participation and provide a link back so others can join. Also, please add your blog to the Linky List so everyone can see at a glance which blogs are participating and visit you if they wish. 

Followers, you just need to fill out the entry form.

3. Read 1, yes, just 1 book for fun each month. Bloggers if you feel compelled to review the book you can but it is not required. You may want to list what books you have read under the button on your blog.

4. All book formats are allowed, printed, audio, e-book.

5. Before the first day of the next month, return to the Jun For Fun page here at Dollycas’s Thoughts. 

Just click on the picture or on the JUST FOR FUN READING CHALLENGE 2011 page listed in the Pages section near the top of the right sidebar. Fill out the form there for the proper month. You will have until the 3rd day of the following month to enter your information before the form will be closed. (A 3 day grace period.)

6. A form must be filled out for each month.

7. These books can be counted in your total books read for the year challenge but hope you don’t cross them over to any other challenges. They are supposed to be read JUST FOR FUN!

8. Everyone that completes the Challenge, 12 books in 12 months read JUST FOR FUN will be entered in a drawing for a $25 dollar Amazon.com Gift Certificate or $25 at The Book Depository for International Participants.

There will also be one lucky winner that will 

win all 12 of my books read 

JUST FOR FUN!!
(US Participants Only for this prize.)

More prizes may be added depending on the number of participants.

You Must Read One Book For Fun Each Month.

You can only fill out one form per month.

I hope you enjoy this challenge
and hope I help you clear at

least 12 books from the rising stacks.

It's Monday!! What Are You Reading???

This great meme is hosted by Sheila at
"Book Journey".

It's a great way to start the week and

find out what other bloggers are reading.

My To-Be-Read pile has grown to an

unbelievable number thanks to this meme.

FINISHED

 

Rescue

by Anita Shreve

Release Date November 30, 2010

 Eggs in Purgatory

by Laura Childs

Eggs Benedict Arnold

by Laura Childs

Bedeviled Eggs

by Laura Childs

I will review it this week. 

Really good reading last week!!

CURRENTLY READING

It's Sheila Connolly and The Orchard Mystery Series Week!!

 

One Bad Apple

by Sheila Connolly

ON DECK 

 

Rotten To The Core 

by Sheila Connolly

 

Red Delicious Death

by Sheila Connelly

A Killer Crop

by Sheila Connelly

Release Date: December 7, 2010

I am so excited about this series because I have been wanting to get at it for such a long time and with the new book coming out December 7, that was sent to me for review, I now have to read this series.  That is the great thing about this blog I get to catch up on books I have had screaming at me from my To-Be-Read stacks for too long!!! 

I also have a 

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

coming this week!!

Details will be announced tomorrow.
This is a challenge you will not want to miss!!

I also hope you will vote for Dollycas's Thoughts in 

 JUST CLICK HERE!

Voting Ends November 29, 2010

Don't forget to enter the giveaways in the left sidebar!

I wish you all a WONDERFUL WEEK and a 

VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING 
to everyone here is the U.S.

 

JUST FOR FUN READING CHALLENGE 2011

DETAILS COMING SOON!!!!

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY!!!

Hosted by: Erika,  the girl next door grows up 

Welcome to 

Feel Good Friday!!!

Erika had found that a lot of her bloggy friends reading posts about being positive, so she thought she might try her very own meme.  She just wanted everyone to feel good and have some happy thoughts as you begin the weekend. 

It is never too late to join!!! 
Go Here For The Details!!!!

I can't wait to read about what made you

Feel Good this week!!

It has been a quiet normal week around here. 

Monday night everyone got together to celebrate Kaden's birthday which was actually last Friday.
  

Wednesday, Jeff and I attended what will probably be the last high school parent meeting we will attend with Jayme. 

We are still looking for a vehicle for Betsy.

The biggest excitement of the week happened Tuesday night when Brandy and Maks were voted off of Dancing With The Stars. We were shocked! Of course we weren't quite as upset as this man Man Shoots TV After Palin Dance.

The one thing that really made my Feel Good this week was Found Guilty 30 Years After Murder.  This murder happened in my hometown the year after I had graduated from high school.  The murdered woman's family including her son, who was just an infant at the time can finally get some closure with this man behind bars.  He was always a suspect but he left town right after the murder and because he finally told another person what he had done and that person came forward. 

Neither of these incidents show my home town or home state in a good light, but from terrible incidents there comes some good.  The first man will get the proper psychological help he needs and the second man is finally where he belongs even after 30 years.

I hope you all had something to Feel Good about this week.  Please tell me all about it!!