Locus Focus: Middle-earth Day!

A good setting is more than just a backdrop!

This is my first time to join Enbrethiliel's  Locus Focus meme. I've enjoyed reading Locus Focus for months and feel like a slug for not participating sooner.  Actually, settings typically don't make me swoon in particular but when E announced Middle-earth Day, I knew I had to join. (E, are you surprised? Shocked?  Like Gandalf said: Expect me when you see me!)

Out of all my favorite books, Tolkien created the one bookish locale where I would dearly love to dwell: Middle-earth!  

Oh, how I wish I could pop right into one of the tales. Can't you see me as a hobbit?  I would positively make a hunky dory hobbit-- and not just because of lack of stature and a fondness for second breakfast-- but because I would be right at home in the rustically rural cozy Shire.  So bucolic!  So verdant! My garden would be out of this world!

But the Shire isn't the focus of my locus today.

Nope, it is Fangorn Forest.

Huh? What kind of bizarre segue is that, you ask? 

Well, if you think about it, what is more rustic than a forest?  And certainly verdant in a sylvan sort of way. And bucolic if you recall the tree shepherds of Fangorn Forest, the Ents. Next to the hobbits, I feel the most affinity with ents and the lost ent-wives.  So not such a stretch in my mind to yearn for both the Shire and Fangorn Forest. 

When E first announced Middle-earth day, Fangorn was the first setting to pop into my mind.  

Wandering among gigantic primeval trees.  

Clambering over gnarly roots and craggy boulders. Listening to the whispers of rustling leaves. Inhaling  earthy woodsy scents.

Seeking the sources of crystal clear streams.

Seeking out hidden waterfalls and secret meadows. And communing with Treebeard the Ent. Ah, my soul would soar...


I've always felt a connection to Fangorn Forest and imagined it so vividly that I was surprised to find that there are no major descriptions of Fangorn Forest in the book. Just little snippets here and there.  E always includes evocative descriptions from the book in her Locus Focus posts-- So what to do?

I considered switching to another beloved setting and, as I pondered, it occurred to me how many of my favorite settings provide respite from the character's harrowing adventures.  When the characters are exhausted, distressed or afraid, a haven of comfort and security is always fortuitously near at hand. 

Hobbit/Man/Elf-made havens such as: Frodo's new house at Cricket Hollow, Tom Bombadil's house, the inn at Bree, Rivendell and Lorien. 

And natural havens such as: the woods above Woodhall in the Shire where Frodo and Sam spent an evening with the High Elves or the Window of the Sunset where they spent a night of peace with Faramir on the border of Mordor. 

All Locus Focus worthy settings but my heart was set on Fangorn Forest. Then, my lightbulb moment!  Wellinghall, Treebeard's house! Merry and Pippen's haven following their escape from the Orcs. 

And here is Tolkien's description of the entrance to Wellinghall:

Suddenly before them the hobbits saw a wide opening. Two great trees stood there... like living gate-posts; but there was no gate save their crossing and interwoven branches...  Beyond them was a wide level space, as though the floor of a great hall had been cut in the side of the hill.  On either hand the walls sloped upwards, until they were fifty feet high or more, and along each wall stood an aisle of trees that also increased in height as they marched inward.


At the far end, the rock-fall was sheer, but at the bottom it had been hollowed back into a shallow bay with an arched roof... A little stream escaped from the springs above, and... fell tinkling down the sheer face of the wall, pouring in silver drops, like a fine curtain in front of the arched bay. The water was gathered again into a stone basin in the floor between the trees, and thence it spilled and flowed away beside the open path, out to rejoin the Entwash.

Sound's lovely, doesn't it. How wonderful it would be to visit Treebeard: sharing a draught, listening to the old tales and learning woodlore. And I would definitely stand under the gentle waterfall, wouldn't you?

And so my first Locus Focus draws to a close.

 Hello? Are you still here? 

Good, because I'm about to reveal a deep dark secret and wouldn't want you to miss it. Here it is: 

Anything Middle-earth transports me. I could talk about it for hours. I may even be a Tolkien geek.

Thank you, Enbrethiliel, for hosting a Locus Focus Middle-earth Day! 

And don't forget:  Havens can be found in unlikely places...



Locus Focus is a fun way to write an insightful post about a book without writing a review.  If you would like to celebrate a favorite setting, visit Enbrethiliel at Shredded Cheddar to check the specs!

What to read when you are sick...

I have a cold. It's not a flu, as Aussies are apt to label anything that involves sniffing or sneezing. But I am resting in bed with a calendar mostly cleared for the next two days. And what does a book worm do when she has a cold? She puts chicken soup in the crock pot (check) and she reads and she blogs about books.



What do you read when you are sick? When I am sick I want to read easy, short-story type texts. Nothing too challenging or taxing. I found a wonderful book that's just right for girly reading whether you are sick or well.

I've just finished Dreaming of Dior by Charlotte Smith. She is a shameless name dropper who lunches with princes and sultans, a clothes horse who 'would rather dazzle than underwhelm'. Despite the vast chasm that separates our lives (what with me currently in bed wearing a daggy t-shirt and clutching tissues) I did warm to her.



Charlotte Smith currently lives in Sydney, so we can call her an Australian author, but she was born in Hong Kong, raised in the US and lived in Europe. This is a globe-trotting author and a globe-trotting, time traveling book.


Smith inherits from her godmother a priceless collection of vintage clothing from many different eras. And she decided to turn her gift into a book. Each outfit gets two pages, one for a fabulous illustration by Grant Cowan, and one for its story. Through the garments, the reader gets glimpses into the lives of women. We meet not just Charlotte, her godmother and family, but also American pioneer women, flappers, Edwardian adventuresses, brides and socialites.



This book would make a great gift for a clothes horse friend. You really can't go wrong here.



I loved the stories and vibrant images, and the book made me want to dress better. Right after I get over this cold...

Storytime: LEGO DUPLO On the Farm (DK READERS)

This is a really fun series for LEGO fans! And who isn't a LEGO fan? It's especially great for us parents - the fun of LEGOs, without the pain of stepping on them in the middle of the night. Or is that just me??

OUCH!

These books come in different reading levels. We read "Around Town", and my little boy liked it so much, I checked this one out as well.

Basically it is a simple story of the farm and the animals, and it spends a sufficient amount of time talking about tractors and combines (more on that later). Machinery! Oh yeah! That was the highlight! 

The illustrations are photographs of farm-y stuff that some grown up children constructed (could you imagine that job?).

The stories are simple and easy to follow. There is a lot of repetition of words, which is good, but sometimes the choice of words to be stressed is, in my humble opinion, odd!  

For example, "combine harvester" was used in three consecutive sentences. Yes, combine harvester. The story goes from "Cows go 'moo'." to "combine harvesters". There! I've used combine harvesters thre-, no, FOUR times! Just thought it was a leetle odd.

So, what does my motivationally challenged 6 year old think? 

"Good." 

Um, could you expound on that, darling? 

"I like the, uhhh, farmer. And the horses. The animals have to eat. Yeah. Heh. Yeah."

Alrighty, folks! You heard it here first! It is "Good." Check it out!

So what books are you reading little ones tonight?

Win A Kindle Bloghop Giveaway! Two Kindles Up For Grabs!

Wow! Wow! Wow! Author, Moira Rogers  (a bestfriend writing duo, isn't that cool), is sponsoring a bloghop giveaway to promote her latest book, Wilder's Mate, a western paranormal romance.

Want to win a brand new Wi-Fi Kindle 3? Two up for grabs!!  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and you can have your chance! For more chances to win, visit the main contest page.  Every participating blog you visit gives you another chance to win!

The contest ends March 31, 2011. There are 69 possible entries so far so get to hopping and entering! 

Good Luck!

This post is part of Moira Rogers’ Wild Web Adventure Promo. For full rules and disclaimers, or to hold your own kindle contest, visit the contest post. Winners will be chosen during the first week of April.http://www.moirarogers.com/blog/archives/3473

Keep on Truckin'...

Look what pulled up to my school last Thursday...

 The Scholastic Book Fair truck! Yippee!!  Isn't that the coolest truck ever?!

   For me, this is like the circus coming to town! I'm as jazzed as the kids on the truck.

The book fair can't fit into the library because of a new computer lab taking up library space. Guess where it will be instead?!  In the classroom right across the hall from my classroom!! Yee--freakin--haw!!

Can't wait till the book fair officially opens! Friday, while the librarian was setting up, I slipped in for a whiff of new book smell and a little reconnaissance. I spotted some interesting titles already. 

Click here to see the books I bought at the Scholastic Book Fair last spring. Consider visiting your local school's book fair-- there are usually cookbooks and other adult books too. Plus, buying helps the school get more books.

If you are into photography, photo meme linky parties are fun. I frequently participate in photo memes over at my everything else blog, Dusty Us Diaries, but this week it is Mrs. BG's turn.

Click the buttons to see more colorful photos from around the world.

Click here  for Ruby Tuesday

click here for Rednesday

Bargain Book Bonanza (4)

BBB is a linky party to showcase all the great books (new, used, vintage, electronic, audio) that we book lovers score on sale.

Each Monday through Thursday, all book lovers are invited to carouse, make merry and revel with bargain book abandon!

Want to join the party? Just visit the Bargain Book Bonanza page for the particulars. 

Leslie's BBB

"I got you something. It's a book. Ey! I got you a book. It's a cookbook. I want you to make something from it."  That was what my dear hubby, Manuel, told me when he got back into the car. "There are lots of books inside. You can go check while I wait with the kids."

I had been waiting and waiting for him while he talked to his client. His client was holding a garage sale at the same time and Manuel was browsing. He always checks through any books because he knows how much I love books. I would have gone in, except that the kids by this point were very squirmy and whining pleading to go home.

I eagerly snatched the book. What could have caught his eye? It must be good! 

I burst out laughing. But pretty soon, I got engrossed...and in some cases, grossed out...with these recipes!

This book was printed in MCMXL. Right? So long ago the years weren't numbers! Oh wait. After Googling extensive research, I discovered it is 1940. Sheesh. Couldn't they just put that in the first place?

Anywho. This is supposedly the best and most typical dishes from each of the 48 (!) states.

Each state starts with a little intro about the cultural influences of the local cuisine. It's actually very interesting and enlightening. The authors seem to really enjoy these multi-cultural references.

I have to say, I have a sneaking suspicion they "exotic-fied" up the names of some recipes to make them seem more, I don't know, unusual. For example, basic bean recipes were given Native American names.

So, some recipes I found under Texas:

"Sweet Potato Chiffon Pie"...Chiffon...ooh la la! 

"Ground-Cooked Calf's Head": Buy a head with the skin on. Dig a hole wide enough to hold the head and all its wrappings, and at least 3 feet deep...

Like I said, fairly typical.  

Other recipes have some interesting instructions as well. "Hack meat slightly...";  after washing 2 cups pinto beans, "Put in a bucket which has a tight-fitting lid..";  and oven temperatures are never given - just moderate oven, medium oven, etc.  I guess temperatures were added for later "spoiled" generations!

And some recipes call for things the cook should just know, like "1 bowl standard fritter batter" - no actual ingredients listed!

Ample amounts of lard AND butter in many recipes, heavy creams, and sugar! Fantastical dishes like, Schuylkill Dandelions, Elderberry Blossom Cakes, Braised Antelope, and Midnight Cake. It almost sounds like Alice in Wonderland, doesn't it?

While I will probably never use this book, it has been a lot of fun to look through. These people ate everything! And it is fascinating what a history lesson you can receive from cookbooks. The world wars and the depression greatly influenced how Americans cooked and the food that was available. This is like stepping back in time!

  

The book was torn and not very pretty, no photos or pictures. It's actually a very ugly book, and an olive drab color. I am surprised my husband even noticed it. But I am glad he did. It's been a hoot! 

So...how much was this little gem? Well, the asking price was a DOLLAR...but somehow my dear hubby got it FREE. Yes. He did. He has no shame. He askeths and usually receiveths. 

So, my dear little Muttonettes (that's another recipe), my apologies for un-colorful pictures, but the treasure here, truly, is in the words!

Do you enjoy reading funny old cookbooks?

Can't wait to see ya'lls Bargain Book Bonanzas!

That Black Sheep and Where is the Green Sheep

I have written about Where is the Green Sheep before, but I'd like to revisit it. Because there's something in our national news and something in Lesa's recent posts that remind me of the book. And, I like it and Lesa said I could write about whatever I like. So...

Has the 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' debate been reported in the US media like it has in the Aussie? Some nursery schools are changing the lyrics because of (IMHO) an over-wrought sense of political correctness. Rumour has it that the rhyme alludes to the slave trade, and some people are taking matters into their own hands by changing the words to a childhood classic. Our Black Sheep becomes a Rainbow sheep in the new version.

Wikipedia (the oracle of all truth) dismisses the assertion that 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' has anything to do with that nefarious time in history, which makes any debate seem ridiculous.

Aussie author Mem Fox created a classic when she wrote Where is the Green Sheep. It's repetitive and it rhymes, which Lesa says is great for children. It's also simple and funny, with all different kinds of sheep; a plethora of multicultural sheep. There's Train Sheep, Music Sheep, Brave Sheep and Near Sheep. Surely no-one will be offended by the Near Sheep, especially when she gets equal billing with the Far Sheep.

Look, there's even a bi-lingual version for all our bi-lingual bloggy families!

So, don't sing an old-fashioned nursery rhyme to your kids: read Where is the Green Sheep, and you'll be safe from the PC Police.

Linking to the Picture Book Challenge
hosted by There's a Book.

Bargain Book Bonanza (3)

Welcome to the third edition of Bargain Book Bonanza!

This week BBB is linking up with Mailbox Monday hosted this month by I'm Booking It and In My Mailbox hosted by The Story Siren. Both are terrific book haul linky parties and great places to mingle and meet some new friends!

BBB is a linky party to showcase all the great books (new, used, vintage, electronic, audio) that we book lovers score on sale.

Each Monday through Thursday, all book lovers are invited to carouse, make merry and revel with bargain book abandon!

Want to join the party? Just visit the Bargain Book Bonanza page for the particulars. 

Lesa's BBB 

What a glorious spring break week  (with actual spring temperatures, for once)! The whole week has been wonderfully rejuvenating but this is the last day-- which is sad but it also means only nine weeks are left in the school year. Yippee!!

One day of spring break, we went to Muskogee to prowl through the antique and thrift stores in search of a bookcase/hutch combo thingy for my little boy's room. 

No luck but one store had tons of books in every nook and cranny so, naturally, I perused at my leisure 

 scanned quickly before my family could begin moaning and groaning in agony. 

 Bending for a glance at a bottom shelf, I spotted the book--  lying horizontally on top of the standing books completely hidden from view!

Squeee!! Actually, I was too astounded to 'squee'.  

This is the book that the 1945 film of the same name is based on--  I first saw the film four years ago and just discovered it was adapted from a book this past January.  Never having heard of the book or author, I never in a million years expected to find it so easily.  And for only $1!! Wow Wow Wow! 

Have you heard of this book/author? Ever seen the film? It stars Gene Tierney as a beautiful but obsessively jealous psychopath. She jilts her lawyer fiance (Vincent Price in a non creepy role) to marry an author who reminds her of dear old dad--- then proceeds to do away with any competion for her new husband's attention. She is one scary lady!

The film has one of the most chilling murders ever. And that isn't just my opinion: the dapper little fellow who introduces films on the old movie channel thinks so too. ;o)

 So excited to find this book and can't wait to see your Bargain Book Bonanzas!

Storytime: iBaby: Goodnight, Baby illustrated by Ana Martin Laranaga

My mother gave Miss Nina the sweetest board book. 

 

The sun has set, the stars are out, the animals are in the barn.

Time to say goodnight to all the babies on the farm.

As you read each page, your little one tucks all the babies into their beds.

My little girl is about 2 1/2 and just loves this book. Each baby animal is attached to the book with a ribbon and she has to find the right baby and put it in the right place - piglet, chick, puppy, lamb, and a baby. That's her favorite - the baby at the end. (It looks like a boy, but he is in yellow, so you could get away saying it's a girl if it is important to your little one. Maybe scribble on a bit more hair?)

Nina absolutely does not let me help her find and place the babies. She squeals at each page, "Ohhh, the baby is so cute, Mama. Aww, look at the baby, Mama. Babies sleeping. Shhhhh, Mama. Babies sleeping."

Which brings me to my one complaint with the book. It states on the back that it is "perfect for bedtime." In our case, not so much. She gets too excited looking at the babies and the animals and squealing and oohing and awing...it's a bit hard to get her to wind back down again. I save this for during the day!

This is most appropriate (and recommended for) under 3. Maybe you could stretch it to 4 years, but I think an older child would get bored too quickly with this one.

All in all, we enjoy the book. It has a sweet little rhyme on each page. Nina is so happy to put the babies in bed over and over, and it doesn't drive me crazy reading it a few times each day. It's a win for us!

Check it out if you have little ones. I think you will enjoy reading this one to them too.

 

Bargain Book Bonanza (2)

Welcome to the second edition of Bargain Book Bonanza! 

Many thanks to last week's BBB participants.

 BBB is a linky party to showcase all the great books that we book lovers score on sale. 

Each Monday, all book lovers are invited to carouse, make merry and revel with bargain book abandon!

New and used books welcome!

BBB book(s) do not have to be current purchases. If a past book bargain did not get the bravo it deserved from your real life friends/family, claim your bragging rights now!  

 To join the party:

  

1. Grab the BBB button

2. Post your own BBB post

 3. Come back and link your BBB post to Mr. Linky (open Sunday-Thursday) 

4. Say Howdy! We will howdy back!

5. Mingle with other BBB guests! Make some new friends!

  

Easy as buying a bargain book!!

Lesa's Bargain Book Bonanza

Do you recognise this display?

It is at Big Lots!  Do any of you shop at Big Lots?  It is a closeout retail chain which basically means it is  just a high falutin' pallet store or bent can store. 

Big Lots sells a little bit of everything even furniture but the only items I usually purchase are toys, garden items, imported foods and... BOOKS!

New books for three dollars! Now that is a bargain book bonanza!!

The book bin varies from visit to visit. Sometimes it contains more fiction; other times more nonfiction. Sometimes I don't find any books appealing enough to buy even for three dollars but it is always fun rummaging through the bin.   

Here is one of my BBB finds from Big Lots...

Isn't it lovely?  My Guardian Angel may actually be one of the prettiest book  I own. And don't worry the price tag peels off with no sticking.

 I don't buy a book just for the cover though. The synopsis has to capture my imagination as well. 

 Crusaders are burning Jewish homes in 1096 Troyes, France.  Elvina, the feisty twelve year old granddaughter of the great Rabbi Rashi, can read and write and speaks with her Guardian Angel constantly.  On a day when she is alone three soldiers pound at the door. One is wounded. Elvina has only a moment to make a difficult decision that could put the entire community at risk.

Ooo, sounds like a good story to me. Have any of you read it?  I'd never heard of it but the inside cover says it won the Prix Sorcieres, France's most prestigious award for children's literature.

The beautiful cover and synopsis sold me completely but when I peeked under the dust jacket...

I was doubly and triply sold! Sold to the nth degree! 

Is that not the coolest cover ever for a story set in the 11th century?! 

Love both covers and I'm so excited to read Elvina's story.

Be sure to scope out Big Lots for a book bargain!

Can't wait to see everyone else's BBB!

A Guest Review by Dellylu: The English Roses by Madonna

The ladies of Mrs. BG are tickled pink to present a guest review by Dellylu!  

Dellylu says:

I am crazy about Clarice Bean, writing, fashion, books and my best friend. I also like Alice in Wonderland but not nearly as much as my sister (Izzy).  I utterly love using the word utterly.

Dellylu is DeLynne's youngest daughter so, of course, she is an amazingly talented and delightful young lady.  Yes, we are biased but it is true! 

Dellylu is nine and her new blog,  I think...,  is a welcome addition to the blogosphere. She plans to write about  books, games, clothes, school, and other girl stuff.  The pillow she posted of her first sewing project is too cute.

If you have tween girls in your life, please direct them to Dellylu's blog.

Without futher ado, Dellylu's review:

My Grandma sent me a Angus and Robertson gift card for Christmas. I ordered The English Roses by Madonna and with pictures by Jeffrey Fulvimari.

It finally came and when it did I was utterly thrilled. The illustrations are sooo pretty. I also liked the bright colours. This book is so perfect for 9 to 12 year old girls.

This book is about 4 girls who do everything together.

But, there is a new girl named Binah and the English Roses are jealous of her.

Binah is very very beautiful, she is an excellent student and very good at sports,  she is very kind too.

 But Binah is lonely, she has no friends.  The English Roses are avoiding and ignoring her. This book tells a story of how The English Roses become friends with Binah.

Linking to the Read to Me Picture Book Challenge hosted by There's a Book!

Books As Decor: Thinking Outside the Bookshelf

Recently, I posted links to 'how to make beautiful book covers' tutorials that I discovered on two terrific decor/diy blogs. 

The consensus from readers: 

What lovely bookcovers! But I'm just not the crafty type! 

Well, bloggy bookworm friends, here is book decor idea that ab-so-dang-lutely requires no crafting!

The only requirements are old books and an aesthetic eye.  Old books, check. Aesthetic eye... hmm... don't know...

  But surely even we can think outside the bookshelf and arrange books in an aesthetically pleasing way.  (not sure about the fork though-- I'd probably place it on a stack of cookbooks but maybe that would be too themey)

Kim at Savvy Southern Style has a penchant for old books and frequently uses them in her decor.  And she doesn't rip the covers off!  Three cheers for Kim!

As a newbie to the Nifty Thrifty Tuesday linky party at Coastal Charm, Kim's books made me feel right at home.  Especially when I saw this:

Two cool old dictionaries and the Complete Shortstories of Somerset Maugham! Have you read any Maugham? I read and liked his Razor's Edge four years ago and would love to find a haul like this.

 Can you believe Kim found these at a thrift store for one dollar each! Wow! 

Kim, you are officially invited to join in Mrs. BG'a Bargain Book Bonanza linky party anytime! 

 Since Kim is a decor blogger who decorates with books, I had to ask if she is also a bookworm.

What is your guess? Yea or nay?

I guessed yea but Kim said:

I wish I loved to read, but I don't. My mom is an avid reader and some how that gene was left out of me. I think I took after my dad on that one.

Not a bookworm yet she appreciates the beauty of old books.  And did I mention that she rescues old books.

 Did you hear that Restoration Hardware? 

Rescue not torture!

Please visit Kim at Savvy Southern Style for more delightful decor ideas.

So what do you think, bookworms? More appealing than pretty bookcovers?

A big thank you to Kim for letting me share her photos and spotlight her blog! 

Bargain Book Bonanza (1)

Welcome to the first edition of Bargain Book Bonanza! 

 BBB is a linky party to showcase all the great books that we book lovers score on sale. 

Each Monday, all book lovers are invited to carouse, make merry and revel with bargain book abandon!

New and used books welcome!

BBB book(s) do not have to be current purchases. If a past book bargain did not get the bravo it deserved from your real life friends/family, claim your bragging rights now!  

 To join the party:

  

1. Grab the BBB button

2. Post your own BBB post on Monday

 3. Come back and link your BBB post to Mr. Linky 

4. Say Howdy! We will howdy back!

5. Mingle with other BBB guests! Make some new friends!

  

Easy as buying a bargain book!!

Lesa's BBB haul

Folks, I'm about to reveal my deep dark shameful secret: I'm a two-timer!  A library two-timer, that is! 

 In January, I posted about getting a library card from the library in the next county.  I still love my home county library but the new library's little bookstore keeps tempting me to stray over the county line.

Look what I found on the hardback/trade paperback table:

This haul of four hardbacks and two trade paperbacks in like new condition cost $5.  What a BBB!!

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding: I like the movie and can't wait to read this!

A Room with a View by E. M. Forster: I read Forster's book Where Angels Fear To Tread in 2009 and quite liked it. I've been meaning to read more of his works.

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier: Du Maurier popped up on several blogs last year making me want to dabble.

Washington Square by Henry James: I've been wanting to read this since seeing the 1949 film adaptation The Heiress starring Olivia de Havilland last year. Also, my friend,  Kathy The Literary Amnesiac recommends Henry James' novels and I trust her judgement.

 The Wind Singer and Slaves of the Mastery by William Nicholson:  These are the first two books in the Wind on Fire fantasy trilogy.  The synopsis and first few pages sounded a bit dystopian so I bought both on spec. Plus, the author is from the UK and I like authors from the UK.

   I have a good feeling about these books.

Have you read any of these? 

Can't wait to see everyone else's BBB!

SJ at Homemaker on a Dime featured Mrs. BG and Bargain Book Bonanza in her current Swap Followings linky party post!  Thank you, SJ, for the shout out and kind words! 

SJ is hosting her monthly Swap Follow Party today! She is a lovely lady with a fun diy decor blog. Plus, her blog tutorials are very informative. SJ is also a bookworm so go say hello and link up to Swap Follow.