Friday, May 30, 2014

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Hello, hello! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Fridays are fun because this is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week here at Serenity Now, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!


*Please be sure to read my guidelines below before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there. Features will be up next week!

I did have a post with some Mini Book Reviews of my Spring Reading List. I'd love for you to check it out!


Time to link up your best post of the week!

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Spring Reading List 2014: Mini Book Reviews

Back in March, I shared my Spring Reading List for 2014. With Harris being a real night sleeping champ, I surprised myself by finishing almost every book on my list. I thought it would be fun to do a little mini review today...I can't wait to share my Summer list with you soon. Get your library cards and Kindles out, readers!



What Alice Forgot- Liane Moriarty

A++++ I was so bummed when only one other Book Club member was able to make it to our meeting last month, because we both really enjoyed this one and had some great discussion. Alice wakes up with no memory of having three kids and assumes that her marriage is on the right track. She assumes wrong. This was a great mix of light moments with some real food for thought. I had to think about what I might go back and tell myself if I could travel back in time ten years. Marriage, sisters, motherhood, friendship...this one had it all.

Orphan Train- Christina Baker Kline

So, soooooo sad. It had a bittersweet ending, but was preceded by some "what the heck?!" moments where you feel really awful for the main character. Follows the story of a misunderstood foster kid finishing up her community service hours. She bonds with Vivian, who was once one of the children sent west on the orphan train. Vivian's story is told in flashbacks and there were some shockers in this story.


War Brides- Helen Bryan

I really liked this one! A poignant story of friendship and courage, set in the World War Two era. Great characters.


Balancing It All: My Story of Juggling Priorities and Purpose- Candace Cameron Bure

DJ Tanner Candace Cameron Bure gives readers a bit of insight into her life as a child star and life after Full House. I liked reading about her journey with her faith and family. I don't know that I experienced any earth shattering light bulb moments reading this one, but she is a very encouraging personality. Cameron seems to be a truly genuine, unpretentious woman...I appreciate that she comes across as down to earth in this book.

I was able to read a few other great books over the past few months, and I'll add them to the Summer list so you can enjoy them too! Stay tuned....

Do you have a book club you participate in? Read any good books lately? Leave me a comment with your favorite recent titles; I am all ears!

*Bloggers, don't forget to swing by Serenity Now tomorrow with the link to your best post of the week. Bloggers from all over will be showcasing cool project ideas {crafts, home decor, DIY, recipes, party ideas, organizing tips, and more}. Party opens at 8 am EST...be there!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Hello, hello! I hope you had a great weekend off. We finished up a DIY project that's been on my "list" for a few years; felt so good to have it completed! I've got some creative inspiration for you, and today I'll be sharing some Features from the weekend link party. If you're new to the blog, I take a couple of days each week to let other bloggers showcase their project ideas here, and I take a day to feature a few of my faves. We have crafts, home decor, DIY, recipes, party ideas, organizing, tips and tricks, seasonal projects, and more!

Here are some projects that caught my eye this week:

~DIY Window Flower Box via The Scrap Shoppe

~Nutella Black and White Mousse Pie via Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


~Patriotic Paper Cone Wreath via Down Home Inspiration

Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day

We talked about Memorial Day a bit yesterday in our adult Sunday School class at church. A friend who is in the service mentioned (I am paraphrasing his words) that today isn't about thanking our current armed service members, though we do appreciate them. Today is about remembering the men and women who left home to fight and didn't return. Today is about remembering and being grateful for their sacrifice. I love my Memorial Day sales, barbecues, and time off from school schedules as much as the next girl...but I felt like writing it out myself today. 



May you have a blessed day, and God Bless America!

I'll be back tomorrow with some Features from the weekend link party, and I hope to share some reviews from my Spring Reading List this week. 

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Showcase YOUR Best Post of the Week- Link Up!

Hi there! Have you enjoyed your weekend so far? I'd love to see you at this week's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Hop on over to showcase your creativity if you're a blogger. Not a blogger? Don't miss all the cool "Pinable" projects! Today's the last day...it ends at 10 pm EST tonight!

If you haven't joined the fun yet, please hop over to the party and add your best post of the week. We have Home Decor, Crafts, DIY, Recipes, Tips and Tricks, Party Ideas, and so much more! Lots of fun ideas to Pin and tuck away for future use.

If you've already linked up, be sure to browse some of the other projects. If you haven't added a link back to me within your post, please take a minute to do that if you'd like your project considered for a feature. It's good for both of our SEO, guys!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Follow on Bloglovin

Friday, May 23, 2014

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Hi there! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Fridays are fun because this is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week here at Serenity Now, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!

*Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.

Did you miss any of this week's posts? Features went up on Monday, and I also shared How to Remove Sharpie Marks from Wood and Your Walls on Tuesday!
How to Remove Sharpie Marks from Wood and Your Walls


**Also, the Best of the Blogosphere will be up at Centsational Girl some time today! Kate and I have rounded up some fab DIY to share with you. Head over to see the BOTB after you link up here!**


Time to link up your best post of the week!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

How to Get Sharpie Marker Out of Wood or Off the Wall {Life Hack}

It is my fervent hope that you never need this life hack, but in the event that your home is the victim of a Sharpie marker attack, this post will come in handy. I'm going to show you the quick and easy way to get Sharpie pen out of wood or off of the wall. 



To give you a wee bit of background, my children apparently have very poor hearing. That is to say, they did not hear me tell them never to ever touch my Sharpie pens on penalty of banishment. Or loss of television privileges. 

Our first Sharpie attack came a year or so ago when my then seven year old (?!) Natalie decided it would be super fun to draw a tiny smiley face on a prominent spot of the wall in our living room. With a navy blue Sharpie. Yay. At the time, I tried scrubbing it with some warm, soapy water to no avail. I was sure her graffiti would remain on the wall forever and all times. Or until I decided to paint the room again. You know, whichever comes first.

Sharpie attack number two was just this past weekend. Michaela Byrd decided to write and illustrate a story while I fed her brother in the other room. 

How sweet, you must be thinking. She enjoys being artistic.

The artistic flair didn't bother me so much as the fact that she chose to write and illustrate her story on a napkin. With a black Sharpie.

Seriously.

The marker bled straight through the napkin onto the surface of my wood kitchen table, as evidenced here.


Yes, it says "The bog is wet." Clearly this was Pulitzer prize winning material. Maybe it was wrong of me to erase it.

I will admit that this was not my proudest parenting moment. I'm certain steam blew out my ears and I'm willing to bet they could hear me yelling from the Hubble telescope.

After I returned to my body and calmed down, I decided to Google home remedies for Sharpie issues. I saw lots of different "how to" websites claiming various products. The only two I had on hand were toothpaste and isopropyl alcohol. I was wary of using the alcohol on my kitchen table, so I chose to start with the toothpaste.


Wow.


I didn't even have to resort to using the alcohol, as the toothpaste removed almost every trace. I don't know if it worked so well because the stain was brand new or not. I decided to try it on the dry wall, and it removed enough of it that there are only faint traces of Natalie's graffiti:


The wall marking had been there so long that I was really shocked that much of it came up. So, kudos to you, Crest!

To complete the story, I apologized to Michaela Byrd for losing it, but we both agreed that she ought to keep her distance from Sharpies from now on. And probably also write her stories on art paper.

The End.

Have you ever had a stubborn stain or marking somewhere in your home?

*Please be sure to test a small area of your surface before you try any home remedy!


If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

Follow on Bloglovin

Monday, May 19, 2014

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Hello, hello! It's so much fun to start the week off with creative inspiration, and today I'll be sharing some Features from the weekend link party. If you're new to the blog, I take a couple of days each week to let other bloggers showcase their project ideas here, and I take a day to feature a few of my faves. We have crafts, home decor, DIY, recipes, party ideas, organizing, tips and tricks, seasonal projects, and more!

Here are some projects that caught my eye this week:

~Stenciled IKEA Bookcases via Lovely etc.


~Banana Pudding Pie via The Kitchen is My Playground

~Painted Water Bottle Vases via Petticoat Junktion


Sunday, May 18, 2014

Showcase YOUR Best Post of the Week! {link up}

Hi there! Have you enjoyed your weekend so far? I'd love to see you at this week's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Hop on over to showcase your creativity if you're a blogger. Not a blogger? Don't miss all the cool "Pinable" projects! Today's the last day...it ends at 10 pm EST tonight!

If you haven't joined the fun yet, please hop over to the party and add your best post of the week. We have Home Decor, Crafts, DIY, Recipes, Tips and Tricks, Party Ideas, and so much more! Lots of fun ideas to Pin and tuck away for future use.

If you've already linked up, be sure to browse some of the other projects. If you haven't added a link back to me within your post, please take a minute to do that if you'd like your project considered for a feature. It's good for both of our SEO, guys!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Follow on Bloglovin

Friday, May 16, 2014

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Hello, hello! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Fridays are fun because this is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week here at Serenity Now, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!


*Please be sure to read my guidelines below before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there. I'm currently on "maternity leave" to enjoy our baby boy, so this party is all about you guys! I will be doing my best to keep up with weekly features until I am "back in the game."

Time to link up your best post of the week!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Better late than never, right? I know I'm a day late, but I wanted to be fair to my fellow bloggers and show off some features today. **I do have a quick note at the bottom of this post for my regular readers!!** It's so much fun to share creative inspiration, and today's features are from the weekend link party. If you're new to the blog, I take a couple of days each week to let other bloggers showcase their project ideas here, and I take a day to feature a few of my faves. We have crafts, home decor, DIY, recipes, party ideas, organizing, tips and tricks, seasonal projects, and more!

Here are some projects that caught my eye this week:

~Bird's Nest Themed Table via An Extraordinary Day

~Pastel and Gold Mantel via The Happy Housie

~Cherry Lemonade Popsicles via Organizer by Day


Friday, May 9, 2014

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Hi there! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Fridays are fun because this is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week here at Serenity Now, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!

*Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there. I'm currently on "maternity leave" to enjoy our brand new baby boy, so this party is all about you guys! I will be doing my best to keep up with

**Also, the Best of the Blogosphere will be up at Centsational Girl some time today! Kate and I have rounded up some fab DIY to share with you as we kick off a new year full of inspiration. Head over to see the BOTB after you link up here!**


Time to link up your best post of the week!

Monday, May 5, 2014

Inspiring Project Ideas {link party features}

Hello, hello! It's so much fun to start the week off with creative inspiration, and today I'll be sharing some Features from the weekend link party. If you're new to the blog, I take a couple of days each week to let other bloggers showcase their project ideas here, and I take a day to feature a few of my faves. We have crafts, home decor, DIY, recipes, party ideas, organizing, tips and tricks, seasonal projects, and more!

Here are some projects that caught my eye this week:

~Dry Brushed Storage Crates via The Happy Housie


~DIY Revamping Kids' Pants via Titi Crafty

~Healthy Blackened Chicken Fajitas with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice via From Everyday to Gourmet

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Showcase YOUR Best Post of the Week!

Hi there! Have you enjoyed your weekend so far? I'd love to see you at this week's Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Hop on over to showcase your creativity if you're a blogger. Not a blogger? Don't miss all the cool "Pinable" projects! Today's the last day...it ends at 10 pm EST tonight!

If you haven't joined the fun yet, please hop over to the party and add your best post of the week. We have Home Decor, Crafts, DIY, Recipes, Tips and Tricks, Party Ideas, and so much more! Lots of fun ideas to Pin and tuck away for future use.

If you've already linked up, be sure to browse some of the other projects. If you haven't added a link back to me within your post, please take a minute to do that if you'd like your project considered for a feature. It's good for both of our SEO, guys!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Follow on Bloglovin

Friday, May 2, 2014

Weekend Bloggy Reading :: Link Up!

Hello, hello! Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Fridays are fun because this is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week here at Serenity Now, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects!


*Please be sure to read my guidelines below before you add a link--I've had to bypass so many great projects lately because they didn't include a link back to my blog in the post!

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there. I'm currently on "maternity leave" to enjoy our baby boy, so this party is all about you guys! I will be doing my best to keep up with weekly features until I am "back in the game."

Don't miss the Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting post from earlier this week!


Time to link up your best post of the week!

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