tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81722494639169333002024-03-13T18:59:56.329-04:00Dreams And ColourMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.comBlogger1347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-13485358140749974992020-11-11T08:00:00.001-05:002020-11-11T08:00:05.009-05:00Lest We Forget<center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">In Canada, today is Remembrance Day. This is the day that we honour and remember members of our armed forces; those who have served, are serving and, especially, those who have fallen.</span></center><center><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kQfhQX0f7Q/X5XD6_KfiKI/AAAAAAAAC9o/WqamGRz2Y_gIE6x-ToTD2v2pc5Zg5VYKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/Poppy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3kQfhQX0f7Q/X5XD6_KfiKI/AAAAAAAAC9o/WqamGRz2Y_gIE6x-ToTD2v2pc5Zg5VYKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Poppy.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">Today and every day we remember the sacrifices that our brave men and women have made fighting to give and preserve the freedom we share today. They gave their todays so we could have our tomorrows. Thank you to veterans, active military, and our fallen.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">With bravery and strength they serve. With respect, honour and gratitude we thank them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">Lest we forget. </span></div><br /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSsVVvi0bE/VhyNf5yVxlI/AAAAAAAAB3s/e4yFMOQEV44/s1600/sig.png" /></center>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-25896647401749201272020-11-04T08:00:00.001-05:002020-11-04T08:00:03.143-05:00November Thoughts<center><div style="text-align: left;">Well, here we are in November. November is such a gloomy month for me. It's cold, dark, rainy or snowy- you never know here in Canada. It has me missing the crisp October days with the beautiful Fall colours and counting down until the festive December season. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">November is just...It's a stepping stone. It bridges us from point A to point B and give us hope of better things to come. This year, with 2020 being A YEAR, November brings us closer to 2021and the possibilities that a new year will- hopefully- bring. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last November, I found myself in Nashville. It was the first time I had the opportunity to visit and I really loved my time there. I can't wait to go back and have been planning my return since sitting in an airport waiting for my flight home. There is so much more to Nashville than drinking, Broadway and live music. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As someone who travels frequently- or used to travel frequently- the fact that I haven't been anywhere since March is making me nostalgic for past adventures and thinking of where I'll go to next- whenever "next" may be.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">November with all it's dreariness makes me want to stay inside, start to hibernate. I know I'll have to force myself out of my warm home to walk around my community and try and appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer this month. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have a pile of books, plans to stock up on hot chocolate, a new hobby I'm picking up, and some virtual time scheduled with some of my favourite people. And maybe, just maybe, some in person time too. November will be a month of self-care and making sure I have what I need to be my best self so I can continue to support others around me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This isn't the November 2020 I was hoping to have, but that it doesn't mean it won't be a good month- dreariness and all!</div><br /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSsVVvi0bE/VhyNf5yVxlI/AAAAAAAAB3s/e4yFMOQEV44/s1600/sig.png" /></center>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-2451737143631799642020-10-28T08:00:00.001-04:002020-10-28T08:00:03.162-04:00Let's Make...Arugula and Prosciutto Flatbread<center><div style="text-align: left;">I originally made this flatbread a couple of years ago to impress someone. They were so impressed, that every time I offered to cook for them, they requested flatbread. I have since made this really simple and delicious recipe for family and friends with the same response- this is REALLY good!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Ingredients:</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>1 tablespoon of butter</li><li>2 tablespoons all purpose flour</li><li>1 cup heavy cream</li><li>1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese</li><li>6 slices of prosciutto</li><li>Handful of arugula</li><li>Prepared flatbread</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6OhFO9lZkA/X5WzgpzTq9I/AAAAAAAAC9c/OMmChSKQhDQuHYyMe--XwFVeew7oLevWACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Flatbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1183" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6OhFO9lZkA/X5WzgpzTq9I/AAAAAAAAC9c/OMmChSKQhDQuHYyMe--XwFVeew7oLevWACLcBGAsYHQ/w370-h640/Flatbread.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><br /><div><div><i>To make:</i></div><div><ul><li>Preheat oven to 375</li><li>In a small sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in flour for about 30 seconds</li><li>Whisk in cream, stirring frequently until mixture thickens (about 6-7 minutes)</li><li>Add in Gorgonzola cheese until melted</li><li>Remove mixture from heat</li><li>Place flatbread on baking sheet and spoon on Gorgonzola mixture and spread to edge of the flatbread</li><li>Top with prosciutto and arugula </li><li>Bake in oven for 15 minutes</li><li>Remove from oven and cut into pieces, serve hot</li><li>Enjoy!</li></ul><div><i>Notes:</i></div><div><ul><li>Blue cheese can be used in place of Gorgonzola</li><li>Prepared thin crust pizza can be used in place of flatbread</li><li>I break the slices of prosciutto into smaller pieces, but can use whole pieces</li><li>I will sometimes sprinkle parmesan cheese over the prosciutto and arugula before placing in the oven</li></ul></div></div></div></div><br /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSsVVvi0bE/VhyNf5yVxlI/AAAAAAAAB3s/e4yFMOQEV44/s1600/sig.png" /></center>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-11925452827881963182020-10-14T08:00:00.001-04:002020-10-14T08:00:00.765-04:00What the Pod(cast)?<div style="text-align: left;">As a extrovert and social person, the past few months have been a bit of a struggle for me. My social life is not what I'm used to or what I would like it to be. I have gone with the flow and have tried my best to adjust and fill my time in other ways. These "other ways" is reading more (I've read 50+ books since April) and twice daily walks in the picturesque town I'm calling home during these crazy times. I've also taken to listening to podcast while I walk.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Grownups Read Things They Wrote As Kids</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCPGHvE-bg8/X3oUVCx7ySI/AAAAAAAAC8U/lL_Qw18sh4gGQ66sqkW6UhSIU7DWaHDFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1400/grownups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCPGHvE-bg8/X3oUVCx7ySI/AAAAAAAAC8U/lL_Qw18sh4gGQ66sqkW6UhSIU7DWaHDFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/grownups.jpg" /></a></div>This is my favourite podcast! There haven't been any new epsidoes this year- as the are recorded live. But I am going back and re-listening to old episodes and they are just as funny the second or third time around.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Missin' Curfew</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMX51G5i9KQ/X3oVYT0ZAbI/AAAAAAAAC8c/DfeIGurUCWw0UvPvNz16t055Xs2MceqXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1400/Missin%2BCurfew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMX51G5i9KQ/X3oVYT0ZAbI/AAAAAAAAC8c/DfeIGurUCWw0UvPvNz16t055Xs2MceqXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Missin%2BCurfew.jpg" /></a></div>Former NHLers Jimmy Hayes, Shane O'Brien, and Scotty Upshall- who I've loved since he played for Canada at the World Juniors- talk hockey. Fun to hear their take on what going on in the league and hear stories from their playing days. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>You Can Sit With Us</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HiOwfgbgK0/X3oWG_Dq8XI/AAAAAAAAC8o/2--8KnXdHzQmXHjTROKjSHhLDcqc7CizQCLcBGAsYHQ/s328/Sit%2BWith%2BUs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HiOwfgbgK0/X3oWG_Dq8XI/AAAAAAAAC8o/2--8KnXdHzQmXHjTROKjSHhLDcqc7CizQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Sit%2BWith%2BUs.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The TryWives- who you may know from The TryGuys on Youtube- have their own podcast! This podcast is just like sitting and having a chat with your girlfriends. They cover a variety of topics, are relatable and entertaining.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Zack to the Future</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rwPZqg9g-3Y/X3oYT2NJjRI/AAAAAAAAC80/v7_ODtDZRggoKyn8olJU4soISj6mXx0ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Zack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rwPZqg9g-3Y/X3oYT2NJjRI/AAAAAAAAC80/v7_ODtDZRggoKyn8olJU4soISj6mXx0ywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Zack.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mark-Paul Gosselaar is watching Save by the Bell episodes for the first time. Fun to get his reaction and behind the scenes info. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>SimplyPodLogical</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJifncQRziA/X3oZFoOJapI/AAAAAAAAC88/MZfQBGtDXs44-_CLPQF_JwjoIss21xrMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Simply.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJifncQRziA/X3oZFoOJapI/AAAAAAAAC88/MZfQBGtDXs44-_CLPQF_JwjoIss21xrMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Simply.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ben and Cristine of Simply Nailogical have a podcast! My fellow Canadians cover a variety of topics. I've always loved the banter between Ben and Cristine on their YouTube channel, so I'm loving that they have podcast. These two are so down to earth and real. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Steal from the Best</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lh1WSV5Sbqw/X3oblWaDSYI/AAAAAAAAC9I/Tl0GWbe_-v08CTS55ZwRichN8F2y8fB3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s240/Steal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lh1WSV5Sbqw/X3oblWaDSYI/AAAAAAAAC9I/Tl0GWbe_-v08CTS55ZwRichN8F2y8fB3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Steal.jpg" /></a></div>This podcast will inspire you to succeed in business and in life. Highly successful and relatable guests- lawyers, real estate agents, event professionals, etc- share their stories and experiences, and listeners can "steal" their ideas. Love that the guests are relatable and not super successful billionaires that have success that the average person won't be able to attain.<br /><b><br /></b></div><b></b><br /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSsVVvi0bE/VhyNf5yVxlI/AAAAAAAAB3s/e4yFMOQEV44/s1600/sig.png" /></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-90029178569301894862020-10-07T08:00:00.060-04:002020-10-07T08:00:03.459-04:00Hello October<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">Here we are, a week into October. The summer (and September) just flew by. I'm not big on Fall, simply because it leads into November- which along with March is the dreariest, saddest month in my opinion- and Winter. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">I do like the crispy Fall air and the beautiful foliage. Salted caramel everything and hearty soups. Cozy blankets and fleece pullovers. Thanksgiving and family celebrations- birthdays and wedding anniversaries. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">October has a lot to offer.</div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">In Ontario, we are in a second wave and have been asked to pause our social bubbles and only interact with people in our immediate household. While it is discouraging to be back tracking, I'm more than happy to do my part to keep other safe and healthy, to do my part to help eliminate the spread of COVID. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">October will be different. No large family gatherings to celebrate. Even a small family gathering won't be the same, as my brother lives in a different province and won't be able to come home. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">This October- like the majority of the months this year- will be different than any other October. But, I will do what I can to make it one for the memory books. I will live life, embrace this unique time, and do what I can to stay happy. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;">Here's to...</div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Walks on the beach</li><li>Enjoying the beauty of Fall colours</li><li>Weekends wrapped in a blanket reading</li><li>Warm cups of goodness from a local café</li><li>Being thankful <br /></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;">Make the most of October, enjoy it while you can, while it's here.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSsVVvi0bE/VhyNf5yVxlI/AAAAAAAAB3s/e4yFMOQEV44/s1600/sig.png" /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-50031790656237334562020-07-01T08:00:00.000-04:002020-07-01T08:00:03.976-04:00Oh Canada<div style="text-align: left;">
One of my goals in life to travel from coast-to-coast-to-coast in Canada and visit all 10 Provinces and three Territories. I have yet to visit any of the Territories- Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut- but I had had the opportunity to visit a majority of the provinces, and two of the three coasts. </div>
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I have seen the majestic mountains in British Columbia, toured the underground tunnels used by Chinese immigrants and during prohibition in Saskatchewan, visited historic Quebec City, immersed myself in Acadian culture in New Brunswick, watched the Atlantic ocean from Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia, and explored Anne of Green Gables in PEI. </div>
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Technically I've been to Manitoba, as I had a layover there on my way home from Saskatchewan. I would like to go back and experience Manitoba outside of their airport. Alberta and Newfoundland are the other two Provinces I need to visit.</div>
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I'm lucky enough to call Ontario home. Growing up in the heart of the Niagara Region, spending summers on the shores of Great Lakes and in beautiful Muskoka, and visiting numerous cities, towns, villages, and communities throughout Ontario. </div>
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Also, I've had the chance to hear some great stories and experience some traditions of Ontario's Indigenous People. The love and respect they have for our land is amazing and something we should all practice. </div>
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Canada is by no means perfect- we have our faults, our downsides, and our negatives. We're a work in progress. But I am so proud to be Canadian, to call Canada home, and for everything that Canada represents. </div>
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Celebrations for Canada Day will be a little bit different this year- no big parties, crowds, concerts, parades, fireworks... I will still celebrate my country, my home, my native land.<br /><br /><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSsVVvi0bE/VhyNf5yVxlI/AAAAAAAAB3s/e4yFMOQEV44/s1600/sig.png" /></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-52581527198278517442020-06-17T08:00:00.000-04:002020-06-17T08:00:03.178-04:00Blog Tour: The Player Next Door by K.A. TuckerSo excited to be part of this Blog Tour for the newest book by my favourite author!!<br />
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From the international bestselling author of The Simple Wild and Ten Tiny Breaths comes a new second-chance, hate-to-love romance.</div>
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The Player Next Door by, USA Today bestselling author, K.A. Tucker, is now live!</div>
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Scarlet Reed has returned to Polson Falls, convinced that twelve years away is long enough to shed her humiliating childhood identity as the town harlot's daughter. With a teaching job secured and an adorable fixer-upper to call home, things in her life are finally looking up.</div>
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That is, until she finds out that Shane Beckett lives next door.<br />
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Shane Beckett, the handsome and charismatic high school star quarterback who smashed her heart. The lying, cheating player who was supposed to be long gone, living the pro football dream and fooling women into thinking he's Prince Charming. Shane Beckett, who is as attractive as ever and flashing his dimples at her as if he has done no wrong.</div>
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Scarlet makes it abundantly clear that old wounds have not been forgotten. Neighbors they may be, but friends they most certainly are not. She won't allow herself to fall for the single father and firefighter again, no matter how many apologies he offers, how many times he rushes to her aid, or how hard he makes her heart pound.</div>
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But as she spends more time with him, she begins to fear that maybe she's wrong. Maybe Shane has changed.</div>
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And maybe this time she's the one playing herself—out of a chance at true happiness.</div>
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<strong>Download today or read for free in Kindle Unlimited!</strong><br />Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/2B2QTuD">https://amzn.to/2B2QTuD</a><br />Amazon Worldwide: <a href="http://mybook.to/ThePlayerNextDoorKAT">http://mybook.to/ThePlayerNextDoorKAT</a><br />Goodreads: <a href="https://bit.ly/2YJOXRC">https://bit.ly/2YJOXRC</a></div>
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I sigh as I sip the last of my cold, burnt gas station coffee. This is a fresh start, even in an old world full of familiar faces. Besides, it’s been more than a decade since I last roamed the halls of any school here. Those painful years and cruel people are far behind me.<br />The peaceful midday calm is disrupted by the chug of a garage door crawling open, followed by the deep rumble of a car engine starting. A long, red vintage muscle car backs out of the garage next door and eases into the open space beside a blue Ford pickup. I can’t tell what kind of car it is, but it’s old and in pristine shape, the bright coat of paint glistening in the August sun.<br />I never asked Iris about the neighbors. The two times I’ve been here—once during the open house and once after I’d signed the paperwork for the offer—nobody was home on either side. Both properties look well maintained, though. The bungalow with the muscle car has new windows and a freshly built porch off the front. There isn’t much in the way of gardens—some shrubs and trees—but the lawn is manicured.<br />I watch curiously as the driver’s side door pops open and a tall man with wavy, chestnut-brown hair steps out, his back to me as he fusses with his windshield wiper. Coffee pools in my mouth as I stall on my swallow, too busy appreciating the way his black T-shirt clings to his body, showing off broad, sculpted shoulders, muscular arms, and a tapered waist. He’s wearing his dark-wash jeans perfectly—not so baggy that they hang unflatteringly off his ass, but not so tight that cowboy boots and a wide-brimmed hat come to mind.<br />Damn.<br />I hold my breath in anticipation, hoping my neighbor will show me a beautiful face to match that fitness-model body. What a stroke of luck that would be, to live next to a gorgeous man. A single, gorgeous man, I pray.<br />Finally, my silent pleading is answered as he turns and his gaze drifts my way.<br />I struggle not to spew coffee from my mouth as my keen interest turns to horror.<br />Oh my God.<br />Someone, please tell me this is a mistake.<br />Please tell me I’m not living next door to Shane Fucking Beckett.</div>
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<strong>About K.A. Tucker:</strong></div>
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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img alt="" class="wp-image-169" src="http://valentinepr.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/372/2020/04/Kathleen-D-smaller-736x1024.jpg" height="256" width="184" /></figure></div>
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K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.</div>
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She is the USA Today bestselling author of 17 books, including the Causal Enchantment, Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, and The Simple Wild. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, First for Women, and Publisher's Weekly. She has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance 2013 for TEN TINY BREATHS and Best Romance 2018 for THE SIMPLE WILD. Her novels have been translated into 16 languages.</div>
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K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her family.</div>
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<strong>Connect with K.A. Tucker:</strong></div>
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Facebook: <a href="http://bit.ly/2MYEDhK">http://bit.ly/2MYEDhK</a><br />Instagram: <a href="http://bit.ly/2MZEk6A">http://bit.ly/2MZEk6A</a><br />Twitter: <a href="http://bit.ly/2FqzR8K">http://bit.ly/2FqzR8K</a><br />Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/2QPwJZs">https://amzn.to/2QPwJZs</a><br />Goodreads: <a href="http://bit.ly/36Ga0W8">http://bit.ly/36Ga0W8</a><br />Pinterest: <a href="http://bit.ly/2MXBLSf">http://bit.ly/2MXBLSf</a><br />Bookbub: <a href="http://bit.ly/2rZkYXP">http://bit.ly/2rZkYXP</a><br />Website: <a href="https://www.katuckerbooks.com/">https://www.katuckerbooks.com/</a></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-12740227312569463422020-06-10T08:00:00.000-04:002020-06-10T08:00:05.783-04:00Let's Make...Blended Coffee<div style="text-align: left;">
I am not a daily coffee drinker, but I am known to enjoy a coffee based beverage from time to time. I hardly say no to a frappuccino, especially on a hot day. I am currently living in rural Ontario and while I love it here frappuccino and other blended coffees are a bit harder to come by. So, I've spent the past few weeks experimenting and I think I have finally mastered a good blended coffee recipe!!</div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<i>Ingredients:</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<ul>
<li>1/2 cup brewed coffee</li>
<li>1/2 cup of milk</li>
<li>1 tablespoons of white sugar</li>
<li>2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup</li>
<li>1 cup of ice</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4wDRP4j3WE/Xt_kxsFCnTI/AAAAAAAAC7I/F9DJXf02Kz0e6An97KU4Lyl-1LaAQ0WLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4wDRP4j3WE/Xt_kxsFCnTI/AAAAAAAAC7I/F9DJXf02Kz0e6An97KU4Lyl-1LaAQ0WLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Coffee.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>To make:</i></div>
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<ul>
<li>Combine all ingredients in a blender</li>
<li>Blend well</li>
<li>Enjoy!</li>
</ul>
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<i>Notes:</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>I have been using chocolate milk in place of milk and chocolate syrup</li>
<li>I will sometimes add a tablespoon of vanilla extract</li>
<li>I've tried two tablespoons of sugar, but found it too sweet for my personal taste</li>
<li>1 cup of ice cubes works out to be 6-7 ice cubes</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSsVVvi0bE/VhyNf5yVxlI/AAAAAAAAB3s/e4yFMOQEV44/s1600/sig.png" /></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-33428176672061072622020-06-03T08:00:00.000-04:002020-06-03T08:00:04.679-04:00Hope...Anger...Courage<div style="text-align: left;">
There is so much going on in our world right now, and it's not good. You should be aware of the protests and riots happening due to racism. The awareness being brought forward is important and there is a lot of work to be done. But you (should) already know that. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I'm taking steps to be aware, to move forward in a positive and productive way, to be more intentional, to use my voice for good, to listen, to be educated. I acknowledge my white privilege, and I acknowledge that racism- something I don’t personally face- is a serious issue in our society. I acknowledge that I need to take time to listen to those who are personally impacted by racism on both small and large scales. I acknowledge I need to continue to use my voice to show support to those who face racism and to speak out against those who are racist or who do not see racism in our society. I need to use my privilege, my voice to spread support, awareness, and love. It’s not enough to say words, I need to show actions as well. Anti-racism work never stops, I’m committed to not stopping. </span></div>
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My heart hurts for the world, for what's going on, for the innocent people, the families and friends. Justice needs to be served. Racism needs to be addressed and dealt with. Racism is very much still an issue in society, and an issue that we all need to work to eliminate.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
We need to do our part. We need to be aware of situations and circumstance. We need to use our voices for good, to speak up, and help those who are not heard be heard. We need to acknowledge the injustices in the world.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp2YJCPZg-o/XtWKr_0zCRI/AAAAAAAAC64/ZjI0LsGotso-YLb_--6QPUZTnmOR_LGMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp2YJCPZg-o/XtWKr_0zCRI/AAAAAAAAC64/ZjI0LsGotso-YLb_--6QPUZTnmOR_LGMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Quote.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We need to have hope that things will improve. </div>
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We need to use our anger to motivate us into action, to hold people accountable.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
We need courage to do our part to make the world a better and more justice place.<br />
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We need hope, anger, and courage to stand up to racism, to be educated on racism, to listen to those who face racism, to do what we can to eliminate racism. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSsVVvi0bE/VhyNf5yVxlI/AAAAAAAAB3s/e4yFMOQEV44/s1600/sig.png" /></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-42686812312956585492020-05-19T08:00:00.000-04:002020-05-19T08:00:10.671-04:00Let's Make...Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie!<center>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A number of year's ago, my cousins decided to put together a cookbook of family recipes to give to their mom for Christmas. Family members had the opportunity to purchase copies of the cookbook, which of course I did. Over the years I have made a few things from the cookbook, recipes that have become 'go to' for me. I decided that one of my COVID-19 projects would be to make something different from the cookbook, and I ended up making my cousin Angela's Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This was such an easy recipe and just might become my contribution to the next pot luck I attend- if we are every allowed to have pot lucks again!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Ingredients:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>2 1oz squares of semi-sweet chocolate</li>
<li>1/2 cup of butter</li>
<li>1 cup of white sugar</li>
<li>2 eggs, beaten</li>
<li>1 graham or chocolate cookie crumb crust </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECBHbm7abcc/XsLbDUhYMsI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/jo6Q77jTYqYhUCh1iKUJYeiBJOQf_DVSACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Fudge%2BPie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECBHbm7abcc/XsLbDUhYMsI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/jo6Q77jTYqYhUCh1iKUJYeiBJOQf_DVSACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Fudge%2BPie.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>To make:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Prep pie crust according to package directions</li>
<li>Preheat oven to 375</li>
<li>Melt chocolate and butter together in microwave</li>
<li>Remove chocolate/butter mixture from heat, add sugar and mix well</li>
<li>Add eggs and mix well</li>
<li>Pour filling into pie crust</li>
<li>Bake for 25 minutes or until set</li>
<li>Enjoy!</li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>Notes:</i></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>You can also use a 9" unbaked pie crust</li>
<li>Pie can be served warm or cold</li>
<li>Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a little something extra</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSsVVvi0bE/VhyNf5yVxlI/AAAAAAAAB3s/e4yFMOQEV44/s1600/sig.png" /></center>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-90584146979623304702020-05-12T08:00:00.000-04:002020-05-12T08:00:15.841-04:00Hive: Must See, Must Shop<div style="text-align: left;">
One of my all time favourtie stores is <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hive</a>. I've loved...LOVED...this store for years! This is my go-to for gifts for friends, or a little something for myself. Jenn, the owner, has such great style and her store- located in Bayfield, Ontario on the Main Street- is something to experience in person. Full of beautiful products and showcasing Jenn's incredible eye for design, I love visiting this store- I not so secretly would love to move it!!</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
If you find yourself unable to make it to picturesque Bayfield, you can now <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">shop Hive online</a>! Below you will find some of my favourite products in all the categories offered by Hive:</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Home & Cottage</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Flamingo-Salt-and-Pepper-p182597086" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Flamingo Salt & Pepper</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Glass-Anchor-Tumbler-p182597212" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Anchor Glass</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Bike-Wall-Planter-p192230616" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bike Planter</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Glass-Vase-Cracked-&-Sand-p182587391" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Glass Vase</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Yucatan-Rug-p194424455" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yucatan Rug</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Pink-Net-Shopping-Bag-p192224799" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Net Shopper</a> </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Clothing</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsfklpTWRVg/XrcU6L8yFNI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/pySyjmGN6ngVTp8SWB0yZFPxZBqswmZ7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sho%255B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsfklpTWRVg/XrcU6L8yFNI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/pySyjmGN6ngVTp8SWB0yZFPxZBqswmZ7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Sho%255B.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Maaji-~-Emerald-Sunsets-One-Piece-p192268019" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Swimsuit</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Palm-Leaf-Shorts-p182586336" target="_blank">Shorts</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/PJ-Pants-in-a-Bag-~-Pineapple-p193652370" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PJ's</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Pink-Martini-~-The-Fayth-Top-p194125158" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Top</a> //<a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Upcycled-Sari-Cardigan-~-Natalie-p189571179" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Upcycled Sari Cardigan</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Cest-Moi-~-Denim-T-Shirt-Dress-p195313988" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Denim Dress</a><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Accessories</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lc3s30nlKL4/XrcY371KgCI/AAAAAAAAC5k/G3iaIf8dGCk3HlbJFplk5HV1hWM0woKMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sho%255B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lc3s30nlKL4/XrcY371KgCI/AAAAAAAAC5k/G3iaIf8dGCk3HlbJFplk5HV1hWM0woKMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Sho%255B.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Michelle-McDowell-~-Red-Bloom-Earrings-p192486683" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Earrings</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Madagascar-basket-Orange-&-Yellow-p196363797" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Madagascar Basket</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Tamara-Steinborn-~-MEGARA-~-Abstract-Face-Necklace-in-Bronze-p192831284" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Necklace</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Michelle-McDowell-~-Red-Bloom-Earrings-p192486683" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bamboo Poncho</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Megan-Crossbody-Camel-p189187540" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Crossbody Bag</a> // <a href="https://hiveofbayfield.com/Bauxo-~-Brass-Establish-Bracelet-with-Turquoise-Stone-p192271863" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bracelet</a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Bath & Body</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Kids</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">So many amazing products and options. There really is something for everyone, anf for every occasion! Jenn is always getting in new products and will be updating her website as products come in, so be sure to check her website often- you never know what you'll find!</span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-61143430083072054632020-05-07T08:00:00.000-04:002020-05-07T08:00:15.452-04:00Book Club: Rush<center>
<img alt="Rush: A Novel by Lisa Patton" class="product-image__image " data-a8n="product-image__image" src="https://dynamic.indigoimages.ca/books/1250020662.jpg?altimages=false&scaleup=true&width=614&maxheight=614&quality=85&lang=en" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; position: relative; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></center>
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<a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/rush-a-novel/9781250020666-item.html?ikwid=Rush+by+Lisa+Patton&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=185fefd572001412c1b47f83f1591c66" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Image via Chapters Indigo</a><br /></center>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Book:</b> Rush: A Novel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Author:</b> Lisa Patton</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/rush-a-novel/9781250020666-item.html?ikwid=Rush+by+Lisa+Patton&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=185fefd572001412c1b47f83f1591c66" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chapters Indigo Summary:</a></span></b></div>
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<strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Set in modern day Oxford, Mississippi, on the Ole Miss campus, bestselling author Lisa Patton's </em>RUSH <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">is a story about women-from both ends of the social ladder-discovering their voices and their empowerment.</em></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cali Watkins possesses all the qualities sororities are looking for in a potential new member. She's kind and intelligent, makes friends easily, even plans to someday run for governor. But her resume lacks a vital ingredient. <em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Pedigree</em>. Without family money Cali's chances of sorority membership are already thin, but she has an even bigger problem. If anyone discovers the dark family secrets she's hiding, she'll be dropped from Rush in an instant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When Lilith Whitmore, the well-heeled House Corp President of Alpha Delta Beta, one of the premiere sororities on campus, appoints recent empty-nester Wilda to the Rush Advisory Board, Wilda can hardly believe her luck. What's more, Lilith suggests their daughters, both incoming freshman, room together. What Wilda doesn't know is that it's all part of Lilith's plan to ensure her own daughter receives an Alpha Delt bid-no matter what.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For twenty-five years, Miss Pearl-as her "babies" like to call her-has been housekeeper and a second mother to the Alpha Delt girls, even though it reminds her of a painful part of her past she'll never forget. When an opportunity for promotion arises, it seems a natural fit. But Lilith Whitmore slams her Prada heel down fast, crushing Miss Pearl's hopes of a better future. When Wilda and the girls find out, they devise a plan destined to change Alpha Delta Beta-and maybe the entire Greek system-forever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Achingly poignant, yet laugh-out-loud funny, RUSH takes a sharp nuanced look at a centuries-old tradition while exploring the complex, intimate relationships between mothers and daughters and female friends. Brimming with heart and hope for a better tomorrow, RUSH is an uplifting novel universal to us all.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What I have to say:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This books was recommend forever ago by Kathleen from <a href="https://carriebradshawlied.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carrie Bradshaw Lied</a>. I purchased this book as soon as Kathleen recommended it and add it to my To Be Read pile. I FINALLY got around to reading this book!! Set in 2016 at Ole Miss we are introduced to a variety of women- all associated with Alpha Delta Beta Sorority in one way or another. The characters are well developed, layered, and interesting. The characters felt real, relatable, and like real people you could know, and in some cases, want to be friends with. This book is about so much more than Sorority Rush, or Sorority life. It addresses race and socioeconomic issues, female and family relationships. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Full of heart and humour, I've already recommended this book to people, and I can't wait to read it again. </span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-4931709645508581832020-05-05T08:00:00.000-04:002020-05-05T08:00:03.612-04:00Take One Day At A Time<div style="text-align: left;">
It has been a beat or two since I last posted. There was a bit going on with work, family, and my personal life that took priority. Then, I was traveling in early March- the whole COVID-19 thing exploded while I was traveling- I had to cut my trip short and get home ASAP. The stress and anxiety of that last travel day, followed by the isolation of a 14-day quarantine with little human interaction, adjusting to working from home full time and dealing with some major changes at work- and let's not forget the family and personal life priorities...to say it was overwhelming would be an understatement!</div>
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I decided to give myself grace, get comfortable with my new pace of life, figure out how to balance my mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing with my new reality. while also dealing with stressors in my life. I also needed time to mourn things I was looking forward to in 2020 that just aren't going to happen. Blogging, as I'm sad to say it often does, took a back seat to life. </div>
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While I am on week eight of working from home and practicing physical distancing, I'm still facing challenges and figuring out how to adjust. But I also don't want blogging on hold until this whole pandemic is over- I know it'll eventually be over but who knows how long that will be! The truth is I enjoy creating content and I need the outlet that this blog provides for me.</div>
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Everyone is dealing with this crazy situation in their own way. We are all facing different challenges. Some people have set goals and have a laundry list of things to do during this time. Others are aiming to get through each day in one piece. The way we deal with this pandemic- whether it's coming out with a new skill, a well organized home, or just the ability to say "I survived"- is up to each of us individually, and there is no right or wrong way to deal with it.</div>
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Take one day at a time. </div>
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You will figure it out. </div>
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Don't put pressure on yourself.</div>
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Celebrate accomplishments, no matter how small.</div>
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Even if the accomplishment is getting out of bed that day, or finally writing a blog post. </div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-74567066026301937952020-02-18T08:00:00.000-05:002020-02-18T08:00:08.792-05:00Forever In...Watches<center>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">An
ex-boyfriend used to celebrate career milestones by purchasing a new watch.
Every watch he owned was tied to an accomplishment he was proud of...if you
asked about a watch in his collection, he could tell you what he did to earn
that particular watch. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Four
years ago, I accomplished something in my career that I agreed should be
celebrated but didn't consider a career milestone. In retrospect, I still see
it as a huge accomplishment, but not a milestone- it wasn't career defining or
even something I call out on my resume. My then-boyfriend disagreed and bought
me a watch to commemorate the accomplishment. I still have-and wear- that
watch.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I do
think watches are practical and that everyone should have at least one good
watch in their collection. If I were in a the market for a watch, here are a
few I would consider buying:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnDAg3qgvq8/XktTRNvV4iI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/lbXJxSudlWgI8hR38bKsRT9Adn1M1PtiACEwYBhgL/s1600/CK.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="492" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnDAg3qgvq8/XktTRNvV4iI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/lbXJxSudlWgI8hR38bKsRT9Adn1M1PtiACEwYBhgL/s320/CK.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.thebay.com/calvin-klein-mesmerize-stainless-steel-swarovski-crystal-bracelet-watch/product/0600090923499?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025906&R=613352098658&P_name=Calvin+Klein&N=4294967083+4294966339+4294966509+4294962917+4294966605+302025906&bmUID=n1iRbD4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Image via Hudson's Bay</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://www.thebay.com/calvin-klein-mesmerize-stainless-steel-swarovski-crystal-bracelet-watch/product/0600090923499?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025906&R=613352098658&P_name=Calvin+Klein&N=4294967083+4294966339+4294966509+4294962917+4294966605+302025906&bmUID=n1iRbD4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mesmerize Stainless Steel & Swarovski Crystal Bracelet Watch by Calvin Klein</a></span>- I love the stainless steel and black contract...this
is such a classic look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C76SzfMHdds/XktTRO2P2tI/AAAAAAAAC30/jMg0ABVVNhg8B6G715kiN7tbOA0DiZ3LQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Fossil.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="492" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C76SzfMHdds/XktTRO2P2tI/AAAAAAAAC30/jMg0ABVVNhg8B6G715kiN7tbOA0DiZ3LQCEwYBhgL/s320/Fossil.png" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.thebay.com/fossil-riley-rose-gold-watch/product/0600084626727?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025906&R=691464629922&P_name=Fossil&N=4294967083+4294966339+4294966509+4294962917+4294966605+302025906&bmUID=n1iRCxu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Image via Hudson's Bay</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://www.thebay.com/fossil-riley-rose-gold-watch/product/0600084626727?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025906&R=691464629922&P_name=Fossil&N=4294967083+4294966339+4294966509+4294962917+4294966605+302025906&bmUID=n1iRCxu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Riley Rose Gold Watchby Fossil</a></span>- I am a fan of the chunkier band/larger face mens-style
watches. The stones added a feminine feel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArBuMWc2ES0/XktTRJ4AvLI/AAAAAAAAC3w/bc1Xi5q9wmk1tu3kVXG_f5dDACa0URcugCEwYBhgL/s1600/Guess.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="492" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArBuMWc2ES0/XktTRJ4AvLI/AAAAAAAAC3w/bc1Xi5q9wmk1tu3kVXG_f5dDACa0URcugCEwYBhgL/s320/Guess.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.thebay.com/guess-stainless-steel-bracelet-watch/product/0600090382206?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025906&R=91661425639&P_name=GUESS&N=4294967083+4294966339+4294966509+4294962917+4294966605+302025906&bmUID=n1iRbDJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Image via Hudson's Bay</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://www.thebay.com/guess-stainless-steel-bracelet-watch/product/0600090382206?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025906&R=91661425639&P_name=GUESS&N=4294967083+4294966339+4294966509+4294962917+4294966605+302025906&bmUID=n1iRbDJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stainless SteelBracelet Watch by GUESS</a></span>- I love that this looks more like a bracelet
than a watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEck08R4FJQ/XktTRnJQdtI/AAAAAAAAC34/UbfOIX2lqgEP5x_-vZVCeYMjD-zClFiygCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kate%2BSpade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="462" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEck08R4FJQ/XktTRnJQdtI/AAAAAAAAC34/UbfOIX2lqgEP5x_-vZVCeYMjD-zClFiygCEwYBhgL/s320/Kate%2BSpade.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.katespade.com/products/metro-navy-leather-watch/KSW1525.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Image via Kate Spade New York</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://www.katespade.com/products/metro-navy-leather-watch/KSW1525.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Metro Navy LeatherWatch by Kate Spade New York</a></span>- While I like the contrast of the
smaller band with the big face dial, the reason I like this watch is the
cocktail where the five should be. The watch also says "somewhere" on
it. I love adorable details like this that Kate Spade is known to include.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Suv9a3139so/XktTRynbRWI/AAAAAAAAC4A/FCj-fQT1HfsM5a-JKaYprPS5gofQctiEgCEwYBhgL/s1600/RL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Suv9a3139so/XktTRynbRWI/AAAAAAAAC4A/FCj-fQT1HfsM5a-JKaYprPS5gofQctiEgCEwYBhgL/s320/RL.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ralphlauren.com/women-accessories-watches/38-mm-white-gold/260205.html?cgid=women-accessories-watches&dwvar260205_colorname=White%20Gold&webcat=women%2Faccessories%2FWatches%20%20%20Fine%20Jewelry#prefn1=sfccClass&prefv1=Watches&webcat=women%257Caccessories%257CWatches%2520%2526%2520Fine%2520Jewelry&start=1&cgid=women-accessories-watches" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Image via Ralph Lauren</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://www.ralphlauren.com/women-accessories-watches/38-mm-white-gold/260205.html?cgid=women-accessories-watches&dwvar260205_colorname=White%20Gold&webcat=women%2Faccessories%2FWatches%20%20%20Fine%20Jewelry#prefn1=sfccClass&prefv1=Watches&webcat=women%257Caccessories%257CWatches%2520%2526%2520Fine%2520Jewelry&start=1&cgid=women-accessories-watches" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Slim ClassiqueCollection 38 MM While Gold by Ralph Lauren</a></span>- Ralph Lauren as a brand
is known for being timeless (ha!) and classic. This is a watch that will never
go out of style.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j2rX2TgDaQI/XktTSZV4GCI/AAAAAAAAC38/rU4S-M6hleMUEU_aK3FpDf8ipPPKwWafQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Tiffamy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j2rX2TgDaQI/XktTSZV4GCI/AAAAAAAAC38/rU4S-M6hleMUEU_aK3FpDf8ipPPKwWafQCEwYBhgL/s320/Tiffamy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tiffany.ca/watches/womens-watches/tiffany-1837-makers-22-mm-square-watch-68122449/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Image via Tiffany & Co</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://www.tiffany.ca/watches/womens-watches/tiffany-1837-makers-22-mm-square-watch-68122449/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tiffany 1837Makers 22 mm Square Watch by Tiffany & Co</a></span>- Is there a better way
to celebrate than with Tiffany & Co?! Love the pop colour that the Tiffany
Blue adds to this watch and any outfit it's worn with.</span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-33822176722840679912020-02-13T08:00:00.000-05:002020-02-13T08:00:07.278-05:00Happy Galentine's Day<center>
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As Leslie Knope from Parks & Rec claimed, Galentine's Day is only the best day of the year. February 13 is a day to celebrate your favourite gals, the friendships we have and how much these ladies mean to us.</div>
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I am so fortunate to have some AMAZING gals standing by my side, that I can call at any time and for anything. The men in my life are important too- and I have some GREAT guys in my life- but there is nothing like strong, supportive, fun, female friendships. I celebrate my gals year round, but it's nice to have a 'holiday' specifically to celebrate our friendship.</div>
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<a href="https://archive.triblive.com/lifestyles/more-lifestyles/happy-galentines-day-ladies-grab-your-besties-and-celebrate-female-friendship/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Image via TribLive</a></center>
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Reach out to your favourite gal pals and let them know how much you appreciate their friendship. Make plans to meet them for lunch, drinks after work, or Netflix and take out. Send them flowers or chocolate...if you are unable to spend today with your favourite gal, send her flowers or chocolate, or cupcakes, or pizza and let her know you're thinking of her. Do your favourite things, with your favourite gals, make memories and celebrate the fabulous friendships you have. </div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-72493352499416655182020-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:002020-02-11T08:00:01.713-05:00Book Club: Mrs.<center>
<img alt="Mrs.: A Novel by Caitlin Macy" src="https://dynamic.indigoimages.ca/books/0316523763.jpg?altimages=false&scaleup=true&width=614&maxheight=614&quality=85&lang=en" /></center>
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<a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/mrs-a-novel/9780316523769-item.html?ikwid=mrs+caitlin&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Image via Chapters Indigo</a><br /><br /><center style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;">
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<b>Book:</b> Mrs.</div>
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<b>Author:</b> Caitlin Macy</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43811209-christmas-shopaholic?from_search=true&qid=lG88jKVqEE&rank=11" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><br /></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/mrs-a-novel/9780316523769-item.html?ikwid=mrs+caitlin&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chapters Indigo Summary:</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.45px;">In the well-heeled milieu of New York's Upper East Side, coolly elegant Philippa Lye is the woman no one can stop talking about. Despite a shadowy past, Philippa has somehow married the scion of the last family-held investment bank in the city. And although her wealth and connections put her in the center of this world, she refuses to conform to its gossip-fueled culture.</span><br style="letter-spacing: 0.45px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.45px;" /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.45px;">Then, into her precariously balanced life, come two women: Gwen Hogan, a childhood acquaintance who uncovers an explosive secret about Philippa's single days, and Minnie Curtis, a newcomer whose vast fortune and frank revelations about a penurious upbringing in Spanish Harlem put everyone on alert.</span><br style="letter-spacing: 0.45px;" /><br style="letter-spacing: 0.45px;" /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.45px;">When Gwen's husband, a heavy-drinking, obsessive prosecutor in the US Attorney's Office, stumbles over the connection between Philippa's past and the criminal investigation he is pursuing at all costs, this insulated society is forced to confront the rot at its core and the price it has paid to survive into the new millennium.</span></span></div>
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<b></b><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
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<b>What I have to say:</b></div>
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Beautifully written and loved the depth of the characters- so many characters each with their own stories and layers. This is a talented author! As for the plot...I read the entire book and I have no idea what it's about! The summary above does sum up the book in a way...having read the book and the summary, I can say 'yup, I see that'. But when reading the book, if I hadn't known the summary...well, I would have summarized it differently. The books is mostly about mother's who children attend the same pre-school. Two mothers- Gwen and Philippa knew each other during their childhood. They hangout with new mom at school, Minnie. Gwen and her husband Dan knew Minnie's husband John in college.John also knew Philippa before she married her husband. By the end of the book, not only did I not have a clear idea what this book is about, but there are a ton- TON- of unanswered questions. </div>
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<b>Final Verdict:</b></div>
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If you are looking for a nicely written book and/or characters that are well developed, and you have zero interest in whether or not there is a plot- I would recommend this book. If you need your books to have a plot that you can follow, give this book a pass.<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-74802419087221940922020-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:002020-02-06T08:00:01.724-05:0010 Ways To Celebrate A Valentine's Birthday<center>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: inherit;">February is the month that most people
associate with love. It’s all hearts, candy, flowers and romance. Or
disappointment, heartache and tons of ice cream or other comfort food to drown
your lack of love/romance in. Thanks Valentine’s Day.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m not going to go into how much I loathe
Valentine’s Day and the commercialism of this “pretend” holiday. Or even how
I’m bitter that Valentine’s Day overshadows and gets in the way of my birthday,
which happens to be February 14. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead, I’m going to highlight <b>10 ways to celebrate a Valentine’s
Birthday:</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-CA">Have pizza delivered to them
for lunch along with flowers. Everyone loves pizza and pizza, for most people,
was a childhood birthday food staple. As for the flowers, flowers just make
people happy. But stay away from roses…too “Valentine”.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvbxEMILpOY/XjuIl_JUBJI/AAAAAAAAC2c/LU0aAiFYmqQcOcEJfGV_UQsXWCSkI-Q0QCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCF3507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvbxEMILpOY/XjuIl_JUBJI/AAAAAAAAC2c/LU0aAiFYmqQcOcEJfGV_UQsXWCSkI-Q0QCEwYBhgL/s320/DSCF3507.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-CA">If you take them out for
dinner, try and go to a place that will have live music, like a piano player.
Arrange to have the musician(s) play “Happy Birthday” when they enter the
room. Everyone in the room will know someone’s
celebrating a birthday and that things besides Valentine’s Day happen on
February 14.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-CA">Get them a really cool gift
that is in no way related to Valentine’s Day and/or love. I suggest the Beanie
Buddy octopus named Inky. It’s an octopus named INKY! A friend gave me this in
high school and I LOVE it. Especially the name. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-CA">Throw them a surprise party.
Who doesn’t love a surprise party? The birthday person will be beyond touched
that so many people gave up celebrating Valentine’s Day to celebrate the day of
their birth instead.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-CA">Bake a cake. This is a
thoughtful thing. One of my best birthdays involved my roommates making me a
chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and ‘Happy 19<sup>th</sup> Birthday
Melissa’ spelled out in licorice. It doesn’t have to be perfect…it really is
the thought that counts. I don't have a picture of that cake, but I do have a picture of this cake that a friend and her daughter made for me and surprised me with:</span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-CA">Take them out. Blow off
work/school/responsibilities to take them to a bar and do birthday shots with
them mid-day (or right after work). Valentine’s Day hasn’t really kicked into
full gear yet, so they’ll be able to enjoy their birthday without a ton of
couples around celebrating Valentine’s Day. If things get a bit wild, that’s
ok. And let’s be honest…shots really do make things better. </span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">7.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-CA">Spa day. Nothing says birthday
like being pampered. Even if you can’t afford a full spa day, send them for something…manicure,
pedicure, facial even a massage. This really is the best way to spend your
birthday.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">8.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-CA">Dance party. Just make sure
there are no ‘love’ songs on the playlist. Many of my birthdays have included
impromptu dance parties and they are ALWAYS fun. Plus, this is so easy to do!
Turn on some music and start dancing. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDi1HBcemUI/XjuIXwzVWLI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/Gh_JOTFFEZQgvQKjxjXtUpyo21oryeNdwCEwYBhgL/s1600/DSCF4277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDi1HBcemUI/XjuIXwzVWLI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/Gh_JOTFFEZQgvQKjxjXtUpyo21oryeNdwCEwYBhgL/s320/DSCF4277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">9.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-CA">Do something they love but not
Valentine’s related. For example, if their favourite restaurant is having a
Valentine’s special, skip it. They like to bowl and the local bowling alley is doing
rock-and-bowl, this would be good. I
spent a lot of my birthdays at rinks watching hockey games. <br /></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">10.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-CA">Remember their birthday. This
really is just basic. Year round so many people remember my birthday because
it’s on Valentine’s Day. But then, the actual day arrives and no one
remembers/cares because they are so busy and focused on Valentine’s Day. Try
and remember their birthday outside of Facebook- send them an e-mail, text
message or pick up the phone and call them- all are better than a Facebook message (which points out who’s
celebrating a birthday that day). And
for goodness sakes, do not give a combined Valentine/birthday gift and/or
card. Separate the two events.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you know someone who is born on
Valentine’s Day, do something nice for them- forgo celebrating the fake “holiday”
that is Valentine’s Day and instead celebrate the day of their birth. They
really will appreciate it. Trust me.</span></span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-22225161094214083482020-01-16T08:00:00.000-05:002020-01-16T08:00:06.814-05:00McClain Hermes- Swimming By Faith, Not By Sight<div style="text-align: left;">
In July of 2019, I had the opportunity to meet Paralympic Swimmer, World Champion, and World Record Holder, and (at the time) recent high school graduate <a href="https://www.teamusa.org/para-swimming/athletes/McClain-Hermes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">McClain Hermes</a>. McClain was your typical, down-to-earth, energetic teen. She was so funny and a lot of fun to be around. McClain is also one of the most inspiring people I have met.<br />
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McClain started swimming when she was six years old and lost her eyesight at 8 years old. She holds 20 American records, 5 Pan-American records, and 1 world record- all before graduating from high school! She graduated high school with high honors and took the same classes with the same academic rigor as her sighted peers. On top of all that, 10 years ago McClain and her dad started a service project to collect shoes for the homeless and have collected and donated over 27,000 pairs of shoes. She is currently training for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.<br />
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To learn more about McClain's story and to be inspired by her, watch the (short) video below.<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-79566119976913888222020-01-14T08:00:00.000-05:002020-01-14T08:00:03.631-05:00Galentine's Swap Sign Up<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/chalkfulloflove/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chalk Full of Love</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/candelles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Candelles</a> are hosting a Galentine's Swap! I participated in this swap a couple of year's ago, and had so much fun getting to know my partner and putting together a Galentine's package for her! I wasn't able to participate last year, but I am looking forward to this year and can't wait to learn about my partner!!</div>
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You can sign up for the swap <a href="https://chalkfulloflove.com/products/galentines-swap-surprise-box" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>, sign ups close on Friday (January 17). Once sign ups have closed, you will be sent a questionnaire to fill out, you'll be matched with a partner, and then you swap Galentine's packages! Super easy, super fun, and a great way to meet- and celebrate- another gal! </div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-66770338665884895062020-01-09T08:00:00.000-05:002020-01-09T08:00:05.580-05:002019 Book Club Reading List<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Over the past 4+ years, I have been in a Book Club with some friends from high school. I love being in a book club and the variety of books and authors we read throughout the year. Here is the list of books that we read in 2019.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">January: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Becoming-Michelle-Obama/dp/1524763136/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JUQ8ACD0HLMS&keywords=becoming+by+michelle+obama&qid=1578184690&sprefix=becoming+by%2Caps%2C305&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Becoming by Michelle Obama</a>. This was my pick and I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. Interesting read and I definitely was more interested in the parts that dealt with Barrack's political career, where as my book club was more interested in the rest of the book and thought the political parts were boring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">February: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Bossypants-Tina-Fey/dp/0316056871/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZB9TUDJCJO46&keywords=bossypants&qid=1578184886&sprefix=bossy%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bossypants by Tina Fey</a>. Another book that I didn't love as much as I thought I would. I'm Tina Fey fan and I thought this book would be a lot funnier than it was- common thought among my book club. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">March: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Hate-U-Give-Angie-Thomas/dp/0062498533/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1L3T9RNLXRSI&keywords=the+hate+you+give+book&qid=1578184960&sprefix=the+hate+you+give%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas</a>. This was such a good book and a must read. This book hits so close to reality with police killing unarmed African Americans. The book follows Starr from the night of the shooting of her best friend through the aftermath. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">April: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Cry-Dove-Fadia-Faqir/dp/0002008343/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+cry+of+the+dove&qid=1578185196&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Cry of the Dove by Fadia Faqir</a>.This book follows Salma's journey of living in the middle east, going to jail to protect her from an honour killing, the immigration and assimilation of her life in England, and her longing to be find out about her daughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">May: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Girl-Marilyn-Monroe-Unlikely-Feminist-ebook/dp/B075CTF9ZH/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Girl%3A+Marilyn+Monroe%2C+The+Seven+Year+Itch%2C+and+the+Birth+of+an+Unlikely+Feminist&qid=1578185374&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Girl: Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist<span style="font-size: medium;"> by </span>Michelle Morgan</a>. Marilyn Monroe is the most famous women ever, but few people know about her influence in Hollywood that arguable changed the studio star system. This book focus on her career and how she took it back and led the way for other starlets. My review can be found <a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/06/book-club-girl-marilyn-monroe-seven.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">June: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Storied-Life-J-Fikry-ebook/dp/B00IGBE178/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3SP54G0V927X7&keywords=the+storied+life+of+aj+fikry&qid=1578185865&sprefix=the+stori%2Caps%2C219&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin</a>. A.J. Fikry is a widowed bookstore owner and each chapter starts with him recommending a book. The book ends up relating to the plot point of that chapter. This was a cute, quick read and one I really enjoyed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">July: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Unwanted-Novel-Fredrika-Bergman-Recht-ebook/dp/B005JSUZPI/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=unwanted+by+kristina&qid=1578186662&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unwanted by Kristina Ohlsson</a>. A little girl goes missing and the search to find her reveals a connection between other missing children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">August: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Dangerous-Girls-Abigail-Haas/dp/1442486600/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1H0B1C0G0D76Q&keywords=dangerous+girls&qid=1578187103&sprefix=dangerous+girls%2Caps%2C234&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas</a>. High school friends are spending spring break in Aruba, when one of them- Elise- gets murdered, and Anna and Tate are arrested for the murder. Throughout the books we learn how the friends know each other, the complexities of Anna and Elise's friendship, and whether or not Tate and Anna are innocent. My review can be found <a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/11/book-club-dangerous-girls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">September: <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Pick Your Own Book- September is the anniversary of our book club, so we decided to do something a little different this month. Each member got to pick what book they wanted, and then would share their thoughts of the book with everyone else at our September meeting. I read </span><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Book-That-Matters-Most-Novel/dp/0393354091/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+book+that+matters+most&qid=1578187807&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Book That Matters Most by Ann Hood</a>. Ava joins a book club after her husband leaves her. As the book goes on, we learn the importance of the book Ava chooses for her book club to read.Ava's daughter Maggie is living in Paris and goes missing. We learn about Ava and what she gets up to while in Europe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">October: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Truly-Madly-Guilty-Liane-Moriarty/dp/1250069807/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KWAJFGQHQH3P&keywords=truly+madly+guilty&qid=1578187981&s=books&sprefix=truly+%2Cstripbooks%2C226&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty</a>. Long time friends Erika and Clementine, along with their husbands and Clementine's children, head to a BBQ at Erika's neighbour's house. Something happened that puts a strain on Erika and Clementine's friendship, and we learn why everyone feels guilty. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">November: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Annihilation-Jeff-VanderMeer/dp/1443428396/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QGCMWMSJLS7T&keywords=annihilation+jeff+vandermeer&qid=1578188826&s=books&sprefix=annihil%2Cstripbooks%2C214&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer</a>. A group of women travel to Area X as part of a mission. The women are to explore the area and record their findings. One by one, the women leave the mission- for various reasons and circumstance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">December: <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Whered-You-Go-Bernadette-Novel-ebook/dp/B006L8942U/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Where%27d+You+Go%2C+Bernadette+by+Maria+Semple&qid=1578189124&s=books&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple</a>. Mother Bernadette goes missing and daughter Bee is on a mission to find out where she went, what happened to her, and bring her home. My review can be found <a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2015/07/book-club-whered-you-go-bernadette.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My top three books that we read in 2019:</span></div>
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<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dangerous Girls (August)</span></div>
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<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry (June)</span></div>
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<li><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Where'd You Go Bernadette (December) and The Book That Matters Most (September)</span></div>
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</ol>
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<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LNSsVVvi0bE/VhyNf5yVxlI/AAAAAAAAB3s/e4yFMOQEV44/s1600/sig.png" /></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-38678393995018814522020-01-07T08:00:00.001-05:002020-10-04T12:29:08.421-04:00Dreams and Colour Reading List<div style="text-align: left;">
Below you will find a master list of all books mentioned on this blog and my <a href="http://instagram.com/dreamsandcolour" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</div>
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Most Recent:</h3>
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Blog:<span style="color: #000120;"><u> </u></span><a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/06/blog-tour-player-next-door-by-ka-tucker.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Player Next Door by K.A. Tucker</a></div>
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Instagram:<u><span style="color: #000120;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFAHFMEhohC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker</a></span></u></div>
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</u><span style="color: #000120;"></span><span style="color: #000032;"></span><u></u><span style="color: #000120;"></span>Book Club List- Books Read By My Book Club</h3>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/01/2019-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2019 Reading List</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/2018-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2018 Reading List</a></div>
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Blog</h3>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/03/book-club-hundred-summers.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/02/book-club-man-called-ove.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/03/book-ive-always-admired-ali-wentworth.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ali In Wonderland by Ali Wentworth</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2013/06/book-club-american-wife.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/01/2019-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/07/book-song-body.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Au Naturel A Summer On Martha's Vineyard by James Sanford</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/01/2019-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Becoming by Michelle Obama</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2015/09/book-club-becoming-rain.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Becoming Rain by K.A. Tucker</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/01/chapters-hull.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Book of Longing by Leonard Cohen</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/01/2019-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bossypants by Tina Fey</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/2018-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2016/03/book-club-burying-water.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Burying Water by K.A. Tucker</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2016/01/book-club-chasing-river.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chasing River by K.A. Tucker</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/03/book-song-body.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2015/08/book-club-chestnut-street.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chestnut Street by Maeve Binchy</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/12/book-club-christmas-shopaholic.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2014/05/vacation-guide-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/2018-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Confessions of a Domestic Failure by Bunmi Laditan</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2015/06/fave-5-edition-2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2013/12/creating-beautiful-little-christmas.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Creating A Beautiful Little Christmas by Teri Ahlem</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/11/book-club-dangerous-girls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/08/book-song-body_23.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dublin 4 by Maeve Binchy</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/02/book-song-body_08.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Energy Work - Heal, Cleanse And Strengthen Your Aura by Kelly Wallace</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/04/book-song-body_11.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2018/02/currently-february.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Keep Her Safe by K.A. Tucker</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/05/book-club-he-will-be-my-ruin.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2018/02/book-club-how-to-build-girl.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2016/10/book-club-how-to-party-with-infant.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How To Party With An Infant by Kaui Hart Hemmings</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/02/book-song-body_22.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/03/book-song-body_14.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot by J. Randy Taraborrelli</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2013/08/book-club-jane-austen-ruined-my-life.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/09/book-song-body.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/02/book-song-body.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me by Friends and Other Victims, Chelsea's Family</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/05/book-song-body_30.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Live Organic by Lynn Huggins-Cooper</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/08/book-song-body.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mad Women by Jane Maas</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2015/04/book-club-moranthology.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moranthology by Caitlin Moran</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/12/currently-december.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/05/book-song-body.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/02/book-club-mrs.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mrs. by Caitlin Macy</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/04/book-club-my-not-so-perfect-life.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My (Not So) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/05/book-club-my-secret-sister.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Secret Sister by Helen Edwards & Jenny Lee Smith</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/10/book-club-north-of-normal.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">North of Normal by Cea Sunrise Person</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/12/book-club-nujeen.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nujeen by Nujeen Mustafa with Christina Lamb</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/2018-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Only Child by Rhiannon Nevin</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2013/01/book-club-prepa-novel.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2011/11/book-song-body_30.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pretty In Plaid by Jen Lancaster</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/06/book-song-body_20.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Princess Margaret A Life Of Contrasts by Christopher Warwick</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2011/12/book-song-body_14.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2014/05/vacation-guide-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/05/book-club-rush.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rush by Lisa Patton</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/2018-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Salem's Lot by Stephen King</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/01/currently-january-edition.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2016/10/book-club-slade-house.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slade House by David Mitchell</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/04/book-song-body.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">So, You Want to Be Canadian: All About the Most Fascinating People in the World and the Magical Place They Call Home by Kerry Colburn and Rob Sorensen</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/06/book-song-body.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Southern Charm by Tinsley Mortimer</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2011/12/book-song-body.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stuff White People Like: A Definitive Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions by Christian Lander</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2013/09/blogtember-online-shops.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Summer Crossing by Truman Capote</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/08/book-song-body_15.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sweet Life Confidential by Francine Pascal</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/01/chapters-hull.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2014/11/book-club.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2013/03/book-club-ten-girls-to-watch.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ten Girls To Watch by Charity Shumway</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2016/02/fave-5-edition-4.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/01/book-song-body_18.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/01/book-song-body_25.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Book Of Awful by Romi Moondi</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/01/2019-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Book That Matters Most by Ann Hood</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/book-club-broken-girls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Broken Girls by Simone St. James</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/2018-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Child by Fiona Barton</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/2018-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Children by Ann Leary</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2016/11/book-club-circle.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Circle by Dave Eggers</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/11/book-club-city.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The City by Dean Koontz</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/2018-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/01/2019-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Cry Of The Dove by Fadia Faqir</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2016/08/book-club-curious-charms-of-arthur.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2015/05/book-club-da-vinci-code.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/04/book-club-debutante.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Debutante by Kathleen Tessaro</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2018/01/book-club-dovekeepers.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2013/05/book-club-ex-debutante.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ex-Debutante by Linda Francis Lee</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/07/book-song-body_25.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2011/12/book-song-body_28.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2015/01/book-club-flying-troutmans.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Flying Troutmans by Mirian Toews</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2014/03/book-club-friday-night-knitting-club.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/06/book-club-girl-marilyn-monroe-seven.html" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">The Girl: Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist by Michelle Morgan</a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2015/07/book-club-girl-who-was-saturday-night.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Girl Who Was Saturday Night by Heather O'Neill</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2018/05/book-club-good-daughter.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Good Daughter by Karen Slaughter</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2011/11/book-song-body.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/07/book-club-handmaids-tale.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/01/2019-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/01/book-song-body_18.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Help by Kathryn Stockett</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2016/07/currently-july-edition.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Host by Stephanie Meyer</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2013/09/blogtember-online-shops.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Mitfords Letters Between Six Sisters by Charlotte Mosley</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/01/book-club-nest.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Nest by Cynthia D'aprix Sweeney</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/03/book-club-pilots-wife.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Pilots Wife by Anita Shreve</a><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #000120; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><u></u></span><a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/06/blog-tour-player-next-door-by-ka-tucker.html" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">The Player Next Door by K.A. Tucker</a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2017/03/book-club-sound-of-gravel.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/01/2019-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Storied Life Of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2013/09/blogtember-online-shops.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/12/book-club-swimmers-assistant.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Swimmer's Assistant by Amber Myers</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2018/12/book-club-tattooist-of-auschwitz.html" target="_blank">The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/01/2019-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2014/06/book-club-trust-fund-babies.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trust Fund Babies by Jean Stone</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2020/01/2019-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unwanted by Kristina Ohlsson</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/05/book-song-body_23.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Valley Of The Dolls by Jacqueline Susann</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/2018-book-club-reading-list.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2015/07/book-club-whered-you-go-bernadette.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Where's You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/03/book-song-body_21.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">White Girl Problems by Babe Walker</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2012/02/book-song-body_29.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Whiter Shades of Pale by Christian Lander</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2013/02/book-club-30-things-every-woman-should.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30 by Pamela Redmond Satran, Editors of Glamour Magazine</a></div>
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Instagram</h3>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVnrRuBA2L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">A Book About Love by Jonah Lehrer</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDgew9phwwt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); color: rgba(38, 38, 38, 1); display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDgew9phwwt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">A Letter From Paris by Louisa Deasey</a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDgew9phwwt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); color: rgba(38, 38, 38, 1); display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDgew9phwwt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/qH_8C9m5uh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Evita by Christopher Andersen</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/qH_8C9m5uh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Audition by Barbara Walters</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); color: rgba(38, 38, 38, 1); display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="goog_570829765">Belgravia by Julian Fellowes</a></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); color: rgba(38, 38, 38, 1); display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDgew9phwwt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVnrRuBA2L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="goog_570829787">Burying Water by K.A. Tucker</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); color: rgba(38, 38, 38, 1); display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="goog_570829759">Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman</a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); color: rgba(38, 38, 38, 1); display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="goog_570829744">Celebutantes by Amanda Goldberg and Ruthanna Hopper</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/qH_8C9m5uh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Changing My Mind by Margaret Trudeau</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2UhuQh9vz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dirty Rush by Taylor Bell</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVnrRuBA2L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Edmund Campion A Life by Evelyn Waugh</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2rRdm1hiMb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); color: rgba(38, 38, 38, 1); display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="goog_570829758">Evening Class by Maeve Binchy</a></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHsNQbGB_7n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); color: rgba(38, 38, 38, 1); display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCI6cGSB1ZM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent;"></span>Girls on the Verge by Vendela Vida</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCI6cGSB1ZM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCI6cGSB1ZM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell</a></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCI6cGSB1ZM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCI6cGSB1ZM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"></a><br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BSEKNzhgYCl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); color: rgba(38, 38, 38, 1); display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="goog_570829755">Hockey Towns by Ron MacLean</a></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BznhjuhB1NC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2UhuQh9vz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHsNQbGB_7n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Light A Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2UhuQh9vz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Love and Ruin by Paula McLain</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVnrRuBA2L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Micro-Resilience by Bonnie St. John and Allan P. Haines</a><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBVnrRuBA2L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Modern Lovers by Emma Straub</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHsNQbGB_7n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nights Of Rain And Stars by Maeve Binchy</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3DXry_Bf6t/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Offside My Life Crossing The Line by Sean Avery</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCI6cGSB1ZM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); color: rgba(38, 38, 38, 1); display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCI6cGSB1ZM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">Opportunity Rings by Sheryl Stienberg</a></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCI6cGSB1ZM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"></a><br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/xCgSCyG5rc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Places To Go People To See by Kate Spade New York</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2UhuQh9vz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rush by Lisa Patton</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0_JPkbh2x0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Say You Still Love Me by K.A. Tucker</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLZwstVDhn7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slade House by David Mitchell</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2UhuQh9vz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/qH_8C9m5uh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spin by Catherine McKenzie</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="goog_570829784">Summer Sisters by Judy Blume</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFAHFMEhohC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFAHFMEhohC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B7XCsndhCJY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ambassador's Daughter by Pam Jenoff</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/qH_8C9m5uh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath</a></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-33990591773433329572020-01-02T08:00:00.001-05:002020-10-25T14:02:18.274-04:002020 Word Of The Year Is...<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My 2019 word, <a href="http://www.dreamsandcolour.com/2019/01/2019-word-of-year-is.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Value</a>, was the result of something that Graham, aka <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the502kid/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2eb2d4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The 502 Kid</a> aka <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drunk_astrology/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2eb2d4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Drunk Astrology</a>. said to me towards the end of 2018:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Human to human...everyone deserves to be valued."</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And 2019 was the year of value. I valued my friends, family, relationship, and experiences. I went out of my way to let those I interacted with know that I valued them and what they were doing. I was very intentionally about valuing the people and experiences that came my way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2019 was also the year that I was truly valued. My family and friends have always made me feel valued. My work situations have always been a different story. I was always undervalued when it came to my work- the work I was doing, the people (superiors) I was working with, and the organizations I was working for. I was so undervalued that coworkers were going out of their way to comment on how much I wasn't being appreciated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I started working in the private sector in 2019. The company I work for rarely says that they value employees, but they are showing on a daily basis that their employees are valued. I have never felt so valued, appreciated, or respected in a workplace before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When selecting my 2019 word, I wanted a word that I felt I could carry out long term for the year and not short term until a specific goal was accomplished. I felt that 'Value' did that. I want the same thing for my 2020 word:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It took me a long time to come up with my 2020 word. I didn't want to repeat a word that I had used in the past, and I wanted a word that I could carry throughout the year. I also wanted a word that I could apply to myself as well as my relationships with others, and any situations/experiences I found myself in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a lot of thought I settled on<b> Joy</b>. I want to feel joy as I experience life and go through my days. Even if I am doing menial tasks or in a tough situation, I want to be able to find joy in everything. I also want to bring joy to other people's lives. I want people to feel joy when I'm around- whether that means just being in my presence or a shared experience, offering words of encouragement, or a random act of kindness. I want 2020 to be filled with joy for myself and those around me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In November 2019, a long time family friend- Patty- passed away unexpectedly. I reflect back on the last time I saw her, at a local restaurant, and I'm reminded of the animated way she waved to me, her smile, and the expression of joy on her face to see me. Patty was always so happy and excited to see people. Being in her presence was a pure joy. I want to make people feel the way Patty made me feel the last time-and every time- I saw her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2020, I want to be filled with joy for myself and those around me. Cheers to a joy filled year!! </span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-42649341285424008132019-12-31T08:00:00.000-05:002019-12-31T08:00:05.300-05:00You Were So Good To Me, 2019<center>
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Dear 2019,</div>
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It breaks my heart to know that you are leaving me- and in a matter of hours. When we met a year ago, I had so much optimism for us, 2019, and you did not disappoint. You were everything I needed and when I needed it. Things weren't perfect- we had a couple of bumps in the road- but I knew you were by my side and would see me through. </div>
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We got off to a quiet start, which is what I needed. You gave me time to heal from the abuse and negativity of 2018, but were still there to make sure I didn't dwell, and to give me glimpses of what could be. These little bits of encouragement were monumental in my healing. </div>
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2019, you showed me the possibilities of what could be, what I deserved, and as each possibility passed- because it wasn't the right fit- you made sure the next possibility was even better than the last. You showed me a lot of possibilities in a short amount of time, but it really didn't take you long to bring the perfect opportunity my way. </div>
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In March, you were by my side as I started a new job. While this job is one I have been doing for almost 10 years, you brought me into the public sector and a new industry. This is a dream company, with a dream team. Everyday I am excited to make my mark, accomplish goals, and cheer on my teammates. This is a company that rarely says they value employees but on a daily basis shows employees how much they are valued and appreciated- actions speak louder than words, right? I can't thank you enough, 2019, for introducing me to this opportunity and making sure I ended up where I was supposed to be.</div>
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S and I faced some challenges this year, but they made us and our relationship stronger. It helped us put things in perspective and to reaffirm our commitment to each other. We had many happy times together- way more happy than sad. I felt loved, appreciated and cared for. You allowed us to grow together and experience life together. You were there to encourage us as we supported one another through the downs, and celebrate with us through the ups. My favourite moments- a May afternoon by the lake, a summer day by a cornfield, drives down country roads, meals together- were simple ones, but happy ones. </div>
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2019, you made sure I traveled- Kissimmee twice, Toronto, Moncton, Ottawa, Vancouver, Nashville, Anaheim, and Chicago. You took me east to Moncton, New Brunswick and west to Vancouver, BC. It was amazing to experience both provinces and two different parts of the country. I enjoyed learning and immersing myself in Arcadian culture, and seeing the Tidal Bore while out east. The afternoon spent in Stanley Park, including the Aquarium, and seeing the majestic mountains in the west was amazing- plus getting to spend time with my cousin!</div>
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Nashville was a trip of a lifetime. I loved experiencing and exploring the city! Country Music Hall of Fame, RCA Studio B, Hatch Print Shop, Bi-Centennial Park, Marathon Motorworks, Parthenon, Broadway...experienced so much. I truly enjoyed my time in Nashville and had a blast! </div>
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Another fun trip, 2019? Anaheim! While the days were long and filled with meetings, the little extra time we had was so appreciated. It was amazing to be able to kick back and relax for a few hours and and have FUN. No agenda, no timelines, no expectations...just pure fun. We spent this time at California Adventure and Disneyland. Experiencing the magic of Disney at Christmas was the best way to be put in the holiday spirit. The fireworks and light show were amazing! We did so many rides, with Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars as major highlights! I can't remember the last time I laughed so much, had that much fun, or felt that carefree or pure joy. </div>
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2019, Hometown Hockey was another once in a lifetime experience that you brought me. It was so great to go back to my hometown and celebrate hockey and what hockey means to our community. It was three days of hockey and I had a lot of fun being part of it! Being able to chat with Ron and Tara, connecting with former hockey players, and being part of the National live broadcast were truly memorable.</div>
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You really were so, so, so good to me, 2019. You lived up to expectations I didn't know where there, you brought me so much happiness, joy and promise. You took care of me, you guided me, you provided me the chance to explore and experience life, you made sure I ended up where I was supposed to be. 2019, you showed me I was valued, respected, appreciated- that I deserved to be valued, respected, appreciated. </div>
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I really have no words, 2019, to express what you meant to me and how good you were to me.</div>
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2019, I know you are on the verge of leaving me- of moving on. I'm grasping to our last moments together before you introduce me to 2020. There are whispers that 2020 will be just as good to me as you were. I hope that's true.</div>
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<b>Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book.</b></div>
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<b>Write a good one.</b></div>
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<b>-Brad Paisley</b></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-91927108819124595042019-12-26T08:00:00.000-05:002019-12-26T08:00:19.898-05:00A Year In Review- 2019<div style="text-align: left;">
2019 has gone by in the blink of an eye- \I can't believe we are already at the end of the year!! 2019 has been a good year to me. So, let's look back at some of the highlights...</div>
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January and February were two months full of interviews- 13 in total between the two months. I was so busy interviewing and applying for jobs, that I did very little else.<b> January</b> is a good friend's birthday month and she hosted a murder mystery dinner party. It was so fun to dress up and have a night out.<b> February</b> is my birthday. I spent the day with one of my best friends and we had a blast window shopping. The one thing I really wanted was a birthday donut, so we went to a café that makes their own donuts- only they were sold out!! My friend waited with me for about 45 minutes and made sure I got my birthday donut!!</div>
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<b>March</b> is when I got my dream job offer and started working for my dream company. Nine-ish months later, I am still loving every day with the company and the work I get to do. In<b> April</b> my dad and I were at our second home and the weather was awful- cold and rainy. So we went on an amazing road trip in the area- we went to see family friends, before going to see our ancestral home, into a couple of small towns, a craft brewery...a day that started with 'what are we going to do?' to one of the best days!!</div>
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I came home from work one day in<b> May</b>, and there was a surprise piece of mail from Royal Wood- one of my favourite performers!! At the end of<b> June</b>, I went to a see a movie- Mean Girls- in a vineyard with my cousin and another friend- it was so fun!!</div>
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<br /><b>July</b> was a super busy month, as my company hosts a huge...HUGE...conference. This year, we were in Florida. While we had an intense week with a ton of work, the day after our conference we got to live #thecabanalife!! Gaylord Palms, out host hotel, gave us a cabana and the VIP treatment for the day. We had a lot of fun hanging out by the pool. </div>
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My dad and I went on a "Three City, Two Province, One Week Tour' in<b> August</b>. I had the opportunity to visit New Brunswick for the first time and enjoyed my time in Moncton. I got to see the tidal bore- which was so cool! Followed this up by seeing Luke Bryan in<b> September</b>, which was a fun concert!!</div>
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I had a last minute trip to Vancouver, BC come up in<b> October</b>. This was the first time I visited BC. While it was a quick trip and I didn't have much time to truly explore Vancouver, I did have the chance to visit with one of my favourite cousins, who lives in Vancouver. It was so great to spend time with her and her husband!!</div>
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My hometown had the opportunity to host Rogers Hometown Hockey in<b> November</b>. It was a jam packed weekend celebrating hockey and our community. I had the chance to experience all the public events, and had the opportunity to attend a couple of VIP events/experiences.</div>
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This brings us to<b> December</b>, which has been a lot of fun!! I had the chance to travel to California on business, but found myself with 9 hours of free time- from 3pm-midnight. So, I headed off to California Adventure and Disneyland!! I don't remember the last time I had so much fun. We did a number of rides and laughed A LOT!!</div>
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January and February were not bad months, they were just quieter months with not a lot of highlights. I actually started 2019 off by going for a walk with my S.O. and his dog on New Year's day- this was probably my true January highlight, but I didn't have a picture to add to the collage! We have plans to do the same on January 1, 2020...I'm hoping this will become a tradition for us. Looking back on 2019 (with the exception of January/February), there were so many experiences and memories it was tough to pick one highlight per months.</div>
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I am hopeful that I will have just as many highlights in 2020!!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172249463916933300.post-74332294873714117982019-12-24T08:00:00.000-05:002019-12-24T08:00:07.943-05:00Merry Christmas!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>I bring you tiding of great joy, which shall be to all people.</b></center>
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<b>For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.</b></center>
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<b>Luke 2:10-11</b></center>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15562912804147323249noreply@blogger.com0