Old Friends, New Posts...

Wow!

I spent Wednesday scrolling through my blog reading list and tried to visit as many of you as I could. It's been forever since I have read any IWSG posts! (Insecure Writer's Support Group). I will certainly be signing up again for that.

It was great to hear from some old friends. It was amazing to catch up and see how things have been going. I've been gone for a very long time. Longer than I expected.

It's getting easier to get back into this habit of blogging. Especially after reading posts and leaving comments. I felt MUCH more like my old self. I missed you guys!

But it is Friday! And now I will leave you with something else a little familiar:

Funnies and Favorites!

You can find this book by clicking here

So, I have certainly found some new favorites over time.

If you ever saw any of my book reviews for Jill Nojack, you'll know she's now a favorite author. I love her Bad Tom series.

And this book here

And the third one here

I have done reviews for all of them on here. But if you'd rather just take my word for it, there you go!

She's got a very clever wit, the books are pretty well paced and the story is just purrrrfect!

Sorry, totally could not help that AT ALL!

All right, now on to another favorite. I have discovered a love for (and this has nothing to do with books!) recycling in my crafts!!

I'm not kidding. I have taken making my own paper clay to a whole new level. I've been doing a lot of things lately that have been really cool!

And my final favorite thing today: my new place. We found a house last April that hubs and I just fell in love with. It had good, solid bones and structure, so we talked the owner into a sweet deal. We've been doing a lot of the remodeling on the place ourselves. We took it all the way down to the bare bones and built it back up again. I can't begin to tell you... that's a lot of damn work! But well worth it. That, of course, has been the biggest reason for me to not blog these last few months.

But now I'm back. I'm rambling as usual and I know you all just want to get to the funnies. So here they are! Have a super weekend and see you soon!

Friday Faves & Funnies...

Ooh yeah, it's Friday! It's Friday! Do the happy dance! You know you want to. Well, then again, you probably did it on WEDNESDAY!

Am I right?

'Course I am.

So I have a couple new fave authors. I got sucked into a book so bad Wednesday night I didn't go to sleep until like, well, let's just say early morning. Like, 7 a.m. kind of early. It was actually two novellas that I read. The first was decent, but this was the one I could not put down:

"Waiting Fate" by W. B. Kinette

This was an awesome read. Have to say, it sort of hit close to home for me as well. Granted, my situation was NEVER this bad, but still. There were a couple of things that really resonated and I made a connection to the main character, Ivy. It was free when I downloaded it, now it is $2.99. Not a bad price.


I also finished "Gravity's Revenge" by A. E. Marling. I will be putting up a review of that soon, along with "Waiting Fate" and "Witch Weigh" by Caroline Mickelson. Another good novella.

And at the risk of sounding like some boring infomercial, you can sign up for Amazon's Prime and get a free 30 day trial. Then you can borrow some good reads for free. I've got a link up there to the right. And yes, I get something for each sign up. I'm currently unemployed and have to supplement my income for awhile by pimping out my blog. Which is better than the alternative, because, frankly, I don't like to ask for help.

So enough of that! On to the funnies! This is what you all wait for with bated breath...

No. Not really. You just like a good laugh at the end of the week like I do.  So here's a couple for the holiday! I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July and continue to have a safe weekend.

Friday Faves & Funnies...

It's Friday! Woohoo!

I know lots of you get the weekends off. If you don't, you have my sympathies. I hate working weekends, but hey, gotta do what you gotta do.

Sadly, I'm still looking for work. Meh. Wouldn't be so bad if I had some editing jobs. Ahem.

Yeah, that was my lame attempt at soliciting work. It's Friday, what do you expect, enthusiasm?

Anyway, found a couple of new favorite authors these past couple of weeks. One of them being Diane Darcy. I did a review of her story, 'The Princess Problem'. Very good story! I hate calling any story cute, but this certainly fit the description. And you all know I don't read romance much, unless it's got a good story.

My other new fave is Tamara Hart Heiner. I wrote a review for 'Inevitable'. Now, this is a YA book I would recommend to my nieces.

I'm working my way through a couple more books. 'Gravity's Revenge' by A. E. Marling is so far, splendid! Enchantress Hiresha is like a close personal friend. I expect to devour this book rapidly. I am also loving the illustrations within. I can't wait to share my review with all of you.

All right, on to the funnies! I know this is what you truly come to see on Friday. Can't fool me!

First some cats:

 

And 'cause I know you ALL don't like cats, here's some dogs:

 

And this isn't funny, it's just cool. I mean, come on, it's a SHIP!!!

And there you go. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! What are your plans?

Fave Friday & Funnies...

Hooray for Friday! Woot! Woot!

Gaming night! Er... um, Friday faves and funnies, uh day. Yeah, that's it. And NO, I won't be gaming, I'll be um, revising. Yes, absolutely.

Before I forget, there is also this going on, Sunday:

Ahem.

Hope you all had a good week. Mine was part taking it easy and part running around trying to get paper work done.

And downloading Scrivener. Yes, I gave in and stopped trying to become part of the soil with the other dinosaurs.


So Scrivener is becoming a fave of mine rather quickly. I have to use it sparingly until I can afford to pay for the full program.

I also have been doing some reading. I read this:





I have to say I loved it. I'll do a review of it later. I got it while it was free, but you can get it for your Kindle for $1.49. That's like, what, a cup of coffee? Make your coffee at home, buy the short story.

I'm also loving GIMP these days and learning how to do stuff with it. I'm looking at making some animation so, yeah, watch out. I might get all 'hi-tech' on ya. Uh huh. Pfft.

Sorry, I'm also a little loopy. I get goofy (er) when I get sleepy. And sleep and I have not been on speaking terms the past couple of days. Tell the Sandman he's fat, just once, I dare you. Won't sleep for days...

All right! On to the funnies you so patiently wait for. Either that or you just bypass my gibbering mess and go right for 'em. Who can blame you? It's Friday, you wanna have a laugh.

Ninja kittehs! Attack! Have a great weekend everyone! What are your plans?

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

It's Friday! And not just any Friday, my friends. The Friday before April 1st!

That's right, April 1st will be upon us before we know it and then we're off like a shot to do the April A-Z Blog Challenge.

I've participated before. It was very fun! I even managed to post a favorite movie and a musical group that coincided with the letter du jour. I think that is where I got the idea to do these Friday Favorite posts.

Now that I have wound my way through all my favorite books, movies and music groups, I find I need new favorites. So now I post some 'new to me' favorite authors I stumble upon.

However, today's favorite is going to be food: My old favorite food used to be pizza, but now it is a yummy salad with lots of greens and other veggies. I've started juicing at the beginning of the year and Hubby and I have lost some decent weight. We even got a juicer for our anniversary! Sadly, it's that time of year where work is slow and it's cold outside so we have to choose between fresh veggies to juice or heat. I pick heat.

Reason #532 why I can't wait to move to Washington.

Okay, so enough about that, let's get on with the rest of this post! Here is your Fantasy Art for the week:

This is called "Flight Path" by Daren Horley:

And the funnies:

There, I gave you three for missing last week. Have a good weekend!

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

Ruh roh, it's Black Friday. Don't know how many of you are camping out at home and avoiding leaving the house. If you are, cool! You can read this post.

Favorite Books/Authors:

Okay, as usual I am late to the party, but I have finally ... FINALLY ... picked up the first of George R. R. Martin's books, 'Game of Thrones'. I'm halfway through and it is already a favorite!!!  I can't seem to put the damn thing down but I have to. I need to sleep and be able to function the next day. I'm really, truly loving this book, but I am sad I can't pick up the rest in the series just yet. Maybe if someone buys a book trailer from me...

Ha!

Favorite Movie:

Last Holiday with Queen Latifah is such a cute movie. I figured since the holidays are on the horizon, why not pick something like this. It's a good, clean movie without a lot of gratuitous crap. And I like Queen Latifah. I've liked just about every movie I've seen with her in it. She's one talented lady.

Favorite Music:

Black Eyed Peas. I have to state I like this group. I like all sorts of music, especially music that moves me. There are some groups I don't like, trust me, but you'll be hard pressed to find one.

Fantasy Art:

This is by John Howe just because Michael Offutt got me looking at artwork from LotR, lol!

And the funny, obviously due to it being Black Friday:

Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving! Have a great rest of your four day weekend!

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

It's Friday! These days, I've never been so happy to see a Friday in my life. And sorry for the past couple of goofs. While trying to post and schedule some of these blogs, my fingers got ahead of my brain yet again and jumped the gun. Sorry 'bout that.

On with it!

Favorite Books/Authors:

I have to say, ever since reading 'Build A Man' by Talli Roland, I've been hooked on her books. I have now read 'Construct A Couple' and have the rest of her books sitting in my Kindle, waiting for me to turn the virtual pages. Sometimes, my personal reading list takes a hit when I do reviews, but I don't mind! So Talli, you are now on my favorites list! Woohoo!

Favorite Movies:

One movie I saw with my daughter right about when it came out on DVD is quickly becoming one of our 'chick flick' faves. 'Whip It'. Roller Derby at its finest. I've always thought that I could do roller derby, it'd be fun, but now I'm worried about how it would affect my hands should I fall. I know, I'm a wuss. But I love this movie and really enjoy watching it with my daughter. During one of my mom's summer visits, all three of us watched it together and we all liked it. So there, three generations give it a thumb's up.

Favorite Music:

I'm going with the B-52's today. Rock Lobster! And don't forget about that Chrysler that's as big as a whale. It's about to set sail. (WoooOOOooo!) I have my juke box money. I just need the damn juke box!

Fantasy Art:

I will never tire of watching Lord of the Rings. I watched it again recently because my son had never seen the extended versions. Gah! But I have had this wallpaper on my computer before and thought, what the hell, so here it is!

And the Funny:

Can't recall if I have showed this before, but it is worth repeating anyway!

May the Walnut Force be with you! Have a great weekend! What are your plans?

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

It's Friday! Once again. Funny how the closer we get to the end of the year, the faster it seems to go. Elections are out of the way and hopefully most people can get back to being civilized human beings again instead of the rage monkeys they were portraying during campaign.

BUT that's neither here nor there, let's get on with it, shall we?

Favorite Books:

This is a graphic novel, but I still say it counts as a book. Elf Quest. I read all the books in high school and even found a few of them on Amazon.com. I got one for Christmas from my husband, I was thrilled! I love the artwork in the books, yes, but I also love the story. I love how one little band of elves, who think they are alone in the world, suddenly find other tribes and grow. Finding the place they all came from. Skywise is my favorite.

Favorite Music:

Enya. Yup, Enya. When I need to relax and get my mind off of things, I sit and listen to Enya. My kids used to fall asleep to it when they were little. They loved the music. They still sort of do. Now, soon, I'll be able to play it for my grand baby. Wow, that sounds weird. lol!

Favorite Movie:

'O Brother Where Art Thou?'  I've watched this recently. I never saw it before this and I'm sad I missed out, but I corrected my error. I love this movie, it's very cute and funny. Well done. Then again, I've always sort of been a Clooney fan. He seems to be a pretty down to earth kind of guy.

Fantasy Art:

And the funny:

That's it folks! Have a super weekend. What are your plans for the weekend?

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

It's Friday! I'll wait 'til the cheering dies down...

I am not participating in NaNo this year, but that does not mean I'm not supporting participants. I try to do a Shout Out on Twitter every so often as well as on Facebook.

Alrighty! With that said, let's get on with the Friday fun! And again, sometimes I repeat myself in these posts. I have a list, but it is hard to remember what I've added before.

Favorite Books/Authors:

Today, I'm going to list one of my favorite authors I discovered some time back. K. C. May and her 'Kinshield Legacy'. It had been a long time since I read any good fantasy. So when I came across these books, I gobbled them up like freakin' candy! Sort of like some other books I have come across. So that's this favorite. The link is to her blog, feel free to drop by if you like fantasy.

Favorite Music:

Sir Elton John. Yep. The Rocket Man himself. I used to like his music when I was younger, then sort of fell off the groupie wagon. Of course I had a moment where I thought he was lame and groaned whenever one of his songs came on the radio. Now, of course, I appreciate it more.

Favorite Movie:

Even though it has been done and DONE, I have to go with the latest King Arthur. The one with Kiera Knightly. Even though I don't care much for her and her whiny-ness. That's just me. But the movie was very good, very inspiring and I loved the different take on it.

Fantasy Art:

This is one of my favorite computer wallpapers. I have lots of these.

And now for the Funny:

I love this show, just gotta say! Have a great weekend, everyone. What are your plans?

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

It's Friday!! But wait, what makes this Friday more special than the last?

I'm done with my paper route!

Woohoo!

Okay, I did my happy dance the day after I was done, so I will spare you all from that. So let's get on with the usual post, shall we?

Favorite Books/Authors:

Jennifer Roberson. I devoured her 'Sword Dancer' books with Tiger and Del the moment I read the first book. The woman can write! I don't think there was ever a dull moment in those books, at least for me. I have read other books where the story tends to drag on and I have to stop, put the book down and then continue on the next day. You know, break up the monotony of it all. But I don't remember doing that with Roberson's books. I pretty much sped right through them beginning to end and boy did I hate when they had to end.

Favorite Movie:

Dragon Heart was one of my favorite movies and I remember my kids liked to watch it when they were little. Sean Connery's voice is sexy enough, of course add the man and get a double dose of Scottish hotness. Lol! But I'm a huge fan of dragons to begin with. I didn't even see the entire second movie before I decided it was crap so in order to preserve my love for the original movie, I never attempted to watch it again.

Favorite Music:

Loreena McKennit has been in my music library since I first discovered her. I don't exactly remember when that was, but I do know it was quite some time ago. I love her music. It reminds me of Estrella Wars in the SCA with the drums ringing throughout the campgrounds, the fires burning in everyone's encampments. The laughter, the shouting, the drinking. Oh yes, the drinking... people wandering around with 'War Juice' and offering you a sample of it. I swear, my first war I got drunk on my way to the privies... heh. Her music also triggers images in my head and that is why I play her albums while writing.

Fantasy Art:

I have to say, this is one of my all time favorite pieces of artwork. I remember playing Cosrin, the online RPG and using this pic as reference to Kayta because in the game, she was a half elf, half demon ranger. Now in my books, she's human and all spiffy.

And the Funny... I figured I would share this one. I found it again, cleaning out my folders on my computer:

Hehe!

Okay, have a great weekend everyone! What are your plans?

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

It's Friday... again! Wow. I'm counting down on my paper route. 5 DAYS LEFT!! I can't freakin' wait. I've had nothing but car trouble the past month or so and I've spent more than I have made, I swear. Things are already tight...

But enough about that, let's get on with things, shall we?

Favorite Books/Authors:

Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown. I love these books. I love how Rita Mae makes the animals talk. What is my fascination with talking animals? I have no clue. But I talk to my own animals like they can understand me and I swear they are more intelligent for it. I have to have someone to talk to, sheesh!
These books feature a character named Harry or Mary Minor Haristeen. Harry's pets, Mrs. Murphy, Pewter and Tucker all help her solve the mysteries, even if Harry can't understand them completely. All her pets keep a sharp eye on their mom. And there is usually a little note from Sneaky Pie at the end of each book. I'd have to say that Rita Mae is right up there for me along with J. A. Jance and the author of the 'Cat Who' books, Lillian Jackson Braun.

Favorite Movies:

For movies this week, I'm choosing 'The Boondock Saints'. Both movies! I love those movies and I can't get enough of them. I even have a t-shirt, which is unusual for me. I like wearing t-shirts, but I am not a big fan of concert t's or one promoting movies. I don't know why, I really don't. But I do have one from the Boondock Saints. My fave scene... well. Let me just quote it, "Is it dead?!" If you know the movie, you know what I'm talking about.

Favorite Music:

Violent Femmes. That's another favorite I have to find music for all over again. I used to have so many CD's and with my iPod, well, I just have to find more music. I'm already looking for a larger capacity iPod because the one I have is only 8 gigs. I don't have enough ROOM!!! Gah. As soon as I get a new one, Violent Femmes will be all over it!

Fantasy Art:

 

And the funny! Seriously, this is how I feel over on Facebook these days:

 That's it, folks! So what are your plans for the weekend?

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

Well, things are getting back on track. While I still have a TON of things to do and prep for my book release, it doesn't mean I'm any closer to getting those things done. Seems like I finish one thing and several more pop up that I forgot about. But that doesn't mean we can't get back to our regularly scheduled Friday Fun, right?

Right! So here we go!

Favorite Books/Authors:

You know me. I LOVE pirates. Adore them, emulate them on occasion and have to get my pirate speak on every 'Talk Like a Pirate Day'. I had fun this last time around posting pirates tips on my Facebook feed. So this next series of books won't come as much of a surprise. It's the Young Adult series, 'Bloody Jack' by L. A. Meyer. This series follows Jacky, a young girl orphaned on the streets of England and avoiding the corpse seller, Muck. Muck doesn't just look for the newly dead, he'll kill to get his coin. Jacky soon finds herself dressing as a boy and hopping aboard HMS Dolphin and getting into lots of trouble. She soon earns her name, Bloody Jack, and the adventures just keep coming from there! Excellent book and series. I think I have one more left to read and I'll be done.

Favorite Movies:

And keeping in line with the book, of course, my favorite movies will be all of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Gotta love Jack Sparrow! ::Swoons::





Favorite Music:

Flogging Molly, of course. Who wouldn't love that band if they love pirates!

Fantasy Art:

And the funny:

And before I am accused of talking too much, I'll just say have a great weekend! See you all next week.

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

It's Friday, it's Friday! Well, doesn't mean much for me since I work 7 days a week with the paper route. Okay, 5 since Larry gives me two days off.

Still, Friday!

All right, I'll get on with it, oh, impatient ones...

Favorite Books/Authors:

Well, I only read one of her books in her series. The one in the middle, no doubt, but I absolutely fell in love with her book and characters. Seriously, book love at first sight, who'da thunk it? (Ha! Nails on a chalkboard to editors, that last sentence.)

Of course I am talking about Julie Kagawa and her Iron Fey series. The book I read was 'Iron Queen'. Totally. Epic. Book. 'Nuff said. I am fascinated with the Fey as it is. I love all the folklore, the stories behind the Veil. There are several books I have absolutely cherished and devoured several times over. One of them being 'War For The Oaks' by Emma Bull and the other being 'Faerie Tale' by Raymond E. Feist.

Favorite Movie:

Any of the Indiana Jones movies will do. I first saw Indy in the movie theater with my brother when 'Temple of Doom' came out. My brother thought I'd have nightmares and didn't want me to tag along because our cousin Paul had come to town and was taking him to the movies, but I begged and Paul agreed to let me go. I fell in love with Indiana Jones and wanted to be an archeologist. *Sighs* Good memories tied to that movie. It also impressed my brother who then made it his life's mission to make me into as big a horror movie buff as he is. Horror extended into all genres throughout the years and when I am looking for good music or movies, he's the one I go to.

Favorite Music:

All right. Here is a shocker for you. Ready? 80's flashback warning ensuing in 3... 2... 1...

Prince. Yep. Purple Rain. There are still quite a few songs of his I like, but Purple Rain is by far my favorite album of his. Again, a brotherly influence.

Fantasy Art:

This is called 'Edge of the World' and it is a wallpaper. Freakin' cool!

And the funny!

Yes, sweet kitty, yes it is...

 

You all have a great weekend! We'll see you on Monday.

Friday Favorites, Fantasy Art & A Funny...

Hey all! It's Friday! This is one of those weeks that I wish I could go hang out at the bar for Happy Hour, but Homer, Alaska doesn't have just an hour of happiness...

Oh well. On to my favorites!

Favorite Books/Authors:

I absolutely love and adore the 'Cat Who...' books by Lillian Jackson Braun. 'The Cat Who Tailed a Thief', 'The Cat Who Smelled a Rat', "The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern'. Yeah, those books. Quilleran is one of my most favorite characters. He's calm, he's cool and he's a journalist living in a small town on his trust fund. He's friendly to everyone and he has two kitties who help him solve murders. Koko and Yumyum are the best feline dynamic duo. And it helps that Koko is a bibliocat. I have one of those. She knows what my Kindle is, she rubs on it when I pick it up to read but ignores it any other time. She loves to nose around my bookshelf as well. I think, if I were to ever have a murder mystery on my hands, Gir would be my furry little sidekick.



Favorite Movies:

I was sitting here thinking about movies the other day. I have a whole long list of movies I like. The one I have on the list for this week is one I recently watched again with my kids. 'Grown Ups'. Yep, another Adam Sandler movie. One that made us all laugh our butts off while watching it. Dunno what it is, it just tickles our funny bones.




Favorite Music:

The Bangles is what I am going to list this time around. Not that I am a huge fan of this all girl rock band from the 80's but they had some good tunes. Seemed like the three girl bands of the 80's that were dukin' it out were The Bangles, The Go Go's and Bananarama. I wasn't  much of a fan of the Go Go's and the Banana girls seemed to only have a couple of hits. Then again, I really didn't keep up with that kind of music. I was a heavy metal girl who had to hide my love of other music in order to keep from getting my ass kicked. Tell that crowd I listened to Classical music in high school? H E L L no.

Fantasy Art:

This is a very sweet picture. I love fairies!

And now for the Funny!

Have a great weekend!