Someone is trying to turn Portland High into a school for scandal with a gossipy website called Dirty Laundry. The latest target of ruinous rumors is newly elected PTA president Sandra Wallage. After a heated meeting with outraged parents, Sandra runs into fellow school mom and private investigator Maya Kendrick, who’s discovered the person behind the website. But when the women storm into the venomous gossip columnist’s office they find a lifeless body—along with a confession.
Although the police rule the death a suicide, Maya suspects an injured party hung the Dirty Laundry creator out to dry. Maya already has a PI partner—but she’s pregnant, and sonograms and stakeouts tend to conflict. So when Sandra volunteers for a crash course in sleuthing, Maya accepts the help. But as these unlikely partners study the clues, a killer plans to teach them a lesson . . .
Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis is the debut of A Maya and Sandra Mystery series. This book takes the time to establish the main characters and their families. The story deals with scandals, teenage drama, money problems, a boy with a drug problem, and a death. The mystery is not complex. There are a couple of suspects and good clues. I found it a cinch to solve this whodunit. But a great start to a new series…… Lisa
Houseplants and indoor gardening have been undergoing a renaissance in the last few years, particularly among people keen to introduce greenery into rented apartments and houses. As well as being affordable, nothing helps more to instantly create a lively and inviting interior than houseplants.
It is possible to start small and build a plant collection as confidence develops, and they can be transported easily when moving to a new home.With this newfound popularity, every plant’s individual needs must be taken into consideration, particularly if they have been chosen on impulse for their beauty or sculptural shape. While some plants are easy to care for – particularly cacti, succulents and Snake Plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) – some of the most spectacular may need a little extra love.
42 of the most popular houseplants are represented in the pages that follow, with all the information you need to help them thrive, including advice on pests and diseases, illustrations to help identify problems and an easy care guide, as well as the plant’s common names and the varieties available.If you are not experienced in caring for plants, the easiest method is to watch the plants and listen to what they say, otherwise the rules are straightforward – in time you will learn to trust your intuition and common sense.
Doctor Houseplant provides all you need to know about the maintenance and care of your favorite houseplants, from watering, feeding, and temperature to treating diseases, choosing healthy plants, and getting rid of harmful pests and insects.
Keep your plants in optimum condition all year round with:
Extensive care charts that serve as a vital reference tool
Photographs of damaged leaves or flowers that help you identify specific problems
Solutions tailored by issue
Illustrated with photography showing the life and beauty that plants bring to a home, this guide is your key to thriving houseplants. COvering the most popular 50 houseplants including Aechmea, Aglaonema,Anthurium, Aspidistra eliator, Azalea indica, Begonia, Bulbs and corms Cacti and succulents, Calathea makoyana , Chlorophytum comosum , Cissus, Codiaeum, Cyclamen persicum, Cyperus, Dieffenbachia, Dracaena, Euphorbia pulcherrima,Ferns, Ficus, Fittonia, Hedera, Heptapleurum, Herbs, Hoya, Jasminum, Monstera deliciosa , Musa, Orchid, Palms, Pelargonium, Peperomia, Philodendron, Pilea peperomioides, Sansevieria trifasciata, Schlumbergera x Buckleyi, Scindapsus, Sparmannia Africana, Spathiphyllum, Stephanoti, floribunda, Syngonium podophyllum, Tradescantia , Yucca elephantipes,
Net Galley : A great book filled with amazing photographs of plants. And a tons of suggestions on way to make your houseplants happy and healthy. I am a novice houseplant grower but I just inherited some and this book will help me with the care of them. Pick this book up and keep your plants happy…..Lisa
Backyard Pharmacy: Plants as Medicine – Plant, Grow, Harvest, and Heal
This compact yet complete guide to herbal medicines shows you how to transform common plants into remedies that heal. While using herbs as medicines can often seem complicated or costly, the Backyard Pharmacy gift edition offers a way to learn that’s simple, effective, and low cost.
Plants you once believed were just seasonings for sauce in the kitchen or scents for your home are in fact medicines that can help heal and soothe, if you know what to do with them. This book shows you how easy it can be to make your own herbal remedies for life’s common ailments. Profiles of common healing plants offer advice on growing, harvesting, preparing, and using these herbs in healing tinctures, oils, and creams.
You’ll find all-natural, low-cost herbal solutions for a range of common ailments, such as:
Learn how to grow and craft a poultice to soothe mosquito bites.
Make an herbal tincture to fix sluggish digestion.
Brew up some lemon balm iced tea to ease a stressful day.
Craft echinacea drops to support immune system health.
Use elderberry to ease cold and flu symptoms.
Blend a cayenne salve to relieve inflammation.
Steep chamomile tea to aid with insomnia.
From the common cold to a nasty scrape, headache, or digestive issue, simple, all-natural home-grown ingredients can make you feel healthy and happy. With guidance from this useful yet beautiful book, you’ll be able to match properties of each plant to your own medicinal needs. And with this new, more compact gift edition, you can share the soothing essence of herbal remedies with everyone you love.
Net Galley : Great new book on home remedies that you can grow at home in your backyard. This is an old custom here in Louisiana as in days past traiteurs grew there own medicine to help heal people in there yards . This moderon take can have anyone growing items that can help heal common aliments we all suffer from. Take a read and grow in knowledge …. Lisa
Simple Lessons to Make Your Creative Practice a Daily Habit – 3 Simple Tools, 21 Lessons, Infinite Creative Possibilities (Art is for Everyone)by Kateri Ewing
Watercolor Is for Everyone guides you through 21 intuitive, process-based painting lessons that help you discover your own unique artist-within while creating works of beauty you will joyfully send out into the world to share.
In this beautiful book, artist Kateri Ewing, author of Look Closer, Draw Better, guides you through a series of simple creative projects using a soulful, meditative, and reflective process. Whether you’re picking up a paint brush for the first time or are an experienced artist, you’ll discover and deepen your creative potential through these exercises, because everyone can make art. Each project results in two art pieces: one to keep for yourself, and then another one, such as a postcard or mini painting, to share with someone else or send out into the world, to spread their color, creativity, and joy in new places.
With Watercolor Is for Everyone, you can learn how to build a daily practice and how to set intentions and create, even if you have just 10 minutes a day. The projects draw inspiration from poetry, music, literature, and the natural world, and invite experimentation with a variety of sources, from tarot and oracle cards to rocks and feathers. You’ll pursue your personal passions through accessible projects as you build your artistic skills, confidence, and creativity.
From the Book:
LESSON TWENTY FREE FLOW
The element of chance is something to celebrate when it comes to watercolor. No other medium can capture the fluid magic we can achieve when we allow the paints to run together, dance, and mingle. In this lesson we are going to use a new tool, the common drinking straw. I keep a drinking straw in my jar of paint brushes for when I want to breathe the winds of change into my paintings. I think you will find a beautiful sort of freedom in this technique.
Net GalleReview : Do you love watercoloring ? Want to learn more in a free spirt way in a short period of time. This book will inspired you to get started or improve your talent. Anyone after reading this book can pick up the basic supplies ,read the short lessons and get painting. This book will change your mind about watercolors in 21 lessons – that are simple and intutive for everyone …. Lisa
Will Gold Valley’s most honorable cowboy finally claim the woman he’s always wanted?
For as long as brooding cowboy Ryder Daniels has known Sammy Marshall, she has been his sunshine. Her free spirit and bright smile saved him after the devastating loss of his parents and gave him the strength to care for his orphaned family. Only Ryder knows how vulnerable Sammy is, so he’s kept his attraction for his best friend under wraps for years. But what Sammy’s asking for now might be a step too far…
Something has been missing from Sammy’s life, and she thinks she knows what it is. Deciding she wants a baby is easy; realizing she wants her best friend to be the father is…complicated. Especially when a new heat between them sparks to life! When Sammy discovers she’s pregnant, Ryder makes it clear he wants it all. But having suffered the fallout of her parents’ disastrous relationship, Sammy is wary of letting Ryder too close. This cowboy will have to prove he’s proposing out of more than just honor…
Net Galley Book
Maisey Yates writes realistic stories about living in the Oregon countryside. Her characters are real, funny and caring.And this book is no different as two friends find love that has been there already. Lisa
Kat Martin is back with another thrilling Maximum Security novella filled with danger, suspense and one smoldering road trip to the mountains of Mexico!
When her best friend’s son is kidnapped, private detective Lissa Blayne drops everything to focus on the missing boy. Julie and Lissa have been close for years, so when Julie’s friend Colt Wheeler joins the investigation, Lissa bristles at the former ranger’s take-charge attitude. Lissa doesn’t need a man calling the shots, even if there is something about Colt’s protective side that has her tough exterior melting away. As Lissa and Colt take their search on the road, the tension between them slowly morphs into trust and understanding—and they’ll need both in order to outsmart the dangerous abductor they’re tracking. The only thing hotter than their attraction is the heat of the Mexican sun, but this road trip is no vacation…
Net Galley Review:
It’s a novella; it’s a kidnapping of a child; and, it’s investigators to the rescue! The story-line is quick action; meeting the right people; and, getting the job done. The writing is excellent and made for a great afternoon read. Perfect read for any Kat Martin fan… Lisa
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These are the featured posts from Traffic Jam Weekend #244…
Michelle chose Quilled Silhouette Self Portrait from The Answer is Chocolate. “Besides being a lovely piece of art in general, the quilling aspect is both pretty and fascinating.”
Kimberly chose Back to School DIYs from Chas’ Crazy Creations. “Love the DIY tips in this post for helping kids get organized for school.”
Laurie chose Not Back to School from Jennifer A. Lambert. “This pandemic has changed so many things. This is a good idea of how to continue those school days traditions with kiddos in our lives who may not be physically returning to school outside of their homes. Remote learning and homeschooling are both very different right now than they were a year ago. This post helps with ideas to create new traditions for the new school year.”
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These are the featured posts from Traffic Jam Weekend #214…
Natasha chose Respectful Parenting During the Holidays by Jennifer A. Lambert. “I love this post!!! We always consider what should be done during the holidays, but we rarely consider what our children need during the holidays. This post is a clear reminder of how we should step back from what we want and make sure to always focus on our children’s needs, not only during the holidays but in general.” Antionette chose DIY Holiday Potpourri by Keeping It Real. “I love the smell of slow cooked potpourri and there are some great combos in this post.”Sonni chose Upcycle Dollar Store Ornaments by Chas’ Crazy Creations. “I’ll be hitting the holiday clearance sales for Christmas gear this week. The post has some great ideas for upcycling my finds.”Kimberly also chose this post. “I have gotten bored with the Christmas ornaments that I have used in recent years. This post gives awesome ideas for creating my own. Fabulous, Chas!”Laurie chose Changing Your Mindset Changes Everything by Luna Wellness. “Though the story is different I have found that over the years as I have worked hard at changing my thoughts and mindset has really had an effect on my life for the better. You can do this whatever it may be, don’t let anyone or anything tell you otherwise. You are stronger than maybe even you believe. Have faith and believe in you.” Michelle chose FASHION IS ADDICTIVE & FANCY FRIDAY LINKUP by Nancy’s Fashion Style. “I love her bright and feisty outfit. It just exudes ‘fun’.”Lisa chose Bottle / Jar Cap Christmas Ornaments by The Little Treasures. The post with the most views was How Content Marketing Can Grow Your Business by our very own Being A Wordsmith.Thank you featured bloggers for sharing! Your posts will be pinned to the Traffic Jam Weekend Linky Party Pinterest board. Please grab a special Traffic Jam Weekend featured button below to display on your blog.
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The $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway in honor of the New Year is still being sponsored by Being A Wordsmith and the Traffic Jam Weekend Linky Party Co-Hosts!Enter through 12:00 am CST December 31, 2019 for a chance to win an electronic gift card to celebrate 2020.We will be on hiatus next week, so this is the last TJW party of 2019. Be safe!
WELCOME TO TRAFFIC JAM WEEKEND
LINKY PARTY #214
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These are the featured posts from Traffic Jam Weekend #213…
Lisa chose Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake from Kiku Corner. “My son’s home from college on break and he loves coffee cake. This looks like a great Christmas morning treat.” Michelle chose Joy in Hard Places… from our very own co-host Tracy at View From the Beach Chair. “I am in awe of the author’s fortitude and grace in extremely difficult circumstances.” Laurie chose Include Yourself in Your Schedule from our very own co-host Evelyn at Eclectic Evelyn. “I find that we tend to all be so busy that we don’t take care of ourselves. We need to remember to put on our own oxygen mask first so that we can have what we need to take care of others. Taking care of yourself is important not selfish.” Sonni chose Jalapeño Popper Chaffle from The Hungry Mountaineer. “Okay – the title got me. I had to find out what a chaffle was. I am going to make some for my dad. He loves jalapeño peppers.”Tracy chose Christmas M & M Cookies in a Jar from our very own co-host Lisa at Lisa K Creative Life. “I love these mason jar gifts. As a teacher, I am all about getting consumables. As a mom, I am all about getting things I don’t have to dust. As a woman, I love anything chocolate…need I say more! Great gift idea!” Kimberly chose Gift Wrapping Ideas from The Little Treasures. “I am the worst when it comes to gift wrapping presents. This post gives some ideas for sprucing mine up.”The post with the most views was Easy Christmas Yard Decor by Chas’ Crazy Creations.Thank you featured bloggers for sharing! Your posts will be pinned to the Traffic Jam Weekend Linky Party Pinterest board. Please grab a special Traffic Jam Weekend featured button below to display on your blog.
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• This giveaway is open to everyone worldwide age 18+• One winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card• Starts Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 12:00 am CST• Ends Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 12:00 am CST• Winner will be randomly selected using Rafflecopter• Winner will be notified via email• This giveaway is void where prohibited• No purchase necessary
Return to Lancaster County with the first installment of Amy Clipston’s charming new Amish Marketplace series.
Christiana Kurtz loves to bake, but when her bake stand becomes too busy, her mother encourages her to move her business to the local market. Her new bake shop becomes so inundated with customers that the line blocks the leather and woodcraft shop next door, which is run by Jeffrey Stoltzfus. When Jeffrey complains that her stand is driving away business due to the lines, she complains to him that his personalization machine smells. Though their relationship starts off on bad footing, they eventually forge a friendship.
When Christiana’s father makes a surprise visit to the market, he is upset to find that Jeffrey uses the building’s electricity to personalize his items. He tells Christiana that Jeffrey is too modern for her, and she’s forbidden from dating him. Christiana is crushed, but she knows she must obey her father.
When Jeffrey’s shop catches fire one day, he puts the entire market in jeopardy—including Christiana’s bake shop. Christiana, however, can’t deny how she feels about Jeffrey despite his mistakes. Though the odds are against them, can two young people find a way to rebuild both their businesses and their relationship?
I really enjoyed this book. What a lovely story!
Net Galley Review :
It was so much fun to read and remember abut living around the Amish that I caught myself smiling through most of it. The characters were enjoyable, particularly her family members.. I loved the way the author developed and played out the relationship between Jeff and Christiana. I became extremely frustrated with Christiana’s father in particular. His inability to listen to reason. Like many other religions Amish have many different beliefs about things like the use of electricity. They may not use it in the house but some find it okay too use at work or even in the barn to power machine I. cannot wait for the rest of the Marketplace novels be released so that I can see who is next to fall in love. Lisa
