Ways for Busy Moms to Start the Year Right

This has been an overwhelming year for a lot of people I've spoken with. It has been for me as well: too much to do, not enough time to get it all done. This is the time of year people consider changes and it's no different around here.

Last January, Business Insider published an article that stated 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by the second week of February. As a goal-driven person, I don't like those odds. Here are a few tips to help busy moms--and others--start the year off right.

Write Out a Year End Review

It's important to give yourself a starting point for the new year. That's hard to do if you haven't considered what you accomplished the year before. What worked? What improvements did you make? What do you wish you made more time for?

Tie Up Loose Ends

I spend the last week of the year tying up all the loose ends I can: write outstanding book reviews; purge my contact list; compile documentation for taxes; finish holiday clean up, etc. Why start off the new year being bogged down by last year's unfinished chores? This will give you a great sense of accomplishment.

Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

One of the best ways to stay on track is by setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Vague goals won't get you where you want to be. Aim high, but not so high you'll get discouraged when you can't accomplish your goals.

The past few years I've created a vision board. Have you ever tried that? My vision board hangs in my office to keep me focused. I'm thinking of creating one for my writing this year because it is helpful to visualize your goals.

If you have other ideas on how to start the year off right, please share them. Let's work to achieve our goals for 2018 together.

Mailbox Monday - Merry Christmas!

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I'm posting this late because I was making merry and cooking up a storm on Monday. Hope you all had a nice holiday.

Set a new record this year--only up to 2:30 AM wrapping and getting gifts under the tree. 

We woke up to our first white Christmas since 2002. I'm not sure who was more excited: me, the girls, or the dog.

Last week I swung by the library to renew my card and also grabbed a few books to kick my writing into gear for 2018.

Then the family was kind enough to gift me some books I wanted for Christmas along with a few CDs. 

Hope you'll share some of your gifts with us too. Here's moving onto 2018 and more mailbox Mondays. 

Book Spotlight: 10 Things You Need to Eat by Dave Lieberman and Anahad O'Connor

New York Times health columnist Anahad O’Connor teams up Food Network chef Dave Lieberman for The 10 Things You Need to Eat—a hip, straightforward, and appealing guide for understanding and incorporating the 10 most healthy foods into your diet, with more than 100 easy and delicious ways to prepare them. A fun and unintimidating approach to Super Foods—filled with mouth-watering, user-friendly recipes—The 10 Things You Need to Eat is ideal for foodies and non-foodies alike who want to be healthier, look better, and live longer without having to sacrifice when it comes to taste.

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks; Original edition (December 29, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061780278
ISBN-13: 978-0061780271

Order here!

The digital version is on sale at online retailers for only $1.99!

Seasonal Non-fiction: The First Christmas by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan

In The First Christmas Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan—top Jesus scholars and authors of The Last Week—help us see the real Christmas story buried in the familiar Bible accounts. Basing their interpretations on the two nativity narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Borg and Crossan focus on the literal story—the inner truth rather than the historical facts—to offer a clear and uplifting message of hope and peace. With The First Christmas readers get a fresh, deep, and new understanding of the nativity story, enabling us to better appreciate the powerful message of the Gospels.


File Size: 726 KB
Print Length: 274 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0281060045
Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (October 13, 2009)
Publication Date: October 13, 2009
Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
Language: English
ASIN: B000WPXTJ2

Order here!

Christmas Goals Update

It is the Christmas countdown. After a lovely service at church that included a video by Max Lucado, we had a light Christmas Eve lunch at our home with the in-laws. I'm not where I wanted to be with my goals for this weekend, but I'm not stressing over it because the important thing this time of year is family.

Here is where we are:

• Friday night: Start wrapping gifts and put aside dancing teacher gift so kids take it tomorrow. DONE
• Saturday: Get up by 8; pick up and put away things hanging around the house; go to dance with the girls; finish wrapping gifts; put up the second tree and more decorations and bake a pie. Pie and cookies baked; house mostly picked up; most of the wrapping done and additional decorations are up in the dining room, family room, and living room.  
• Sunday: Get up by 7; get ready and attend church; have lunch with the in-laws; get the Lil' Diva to work; bake cookies; vacuum house; and put gifts under the tree. Church and lunch over; our girl is at work; cookies already done. 

Starting at four o'clock, the rest of my day will look like this:

• Get the father-in-law back to the facility
• Finish wrapping
• Have supper at the restaurant where the Lil' Diva works so she doesn't feel left out
• Finish wrapping
• Vacuum house
• Put gifts under tree

Staying focused will get the job done. 

Holiday Weekend Goals

The Christmas holiday weekend is upon us. Now is the mad dash to get everything ready before Monday. LOL!

It's been year of being overwhelmed here, so you know I have to get organized and set some goals if I will accomplish anything. In preparation, I finished Christmas shopping on Tuesday and grocery shopping on Wednesday. I've delegated some dinnertime tasks and menu items. I've even pushed off real estate appointments until Tuesday, December 26 (are you in shock?). The turkey is defrosting in the refrigerator.

Here's my plan for the rest of the weekend considering it is after 5 pm EST on Friday night.

• Friday night: Start wrapping gifts and put aside dancing teacher gift so kids take it tomorrow.
• Saturday: Get up by 8; pick up and put away things hanging around the house; go to dance with the girls; finish wrapping gifts; put up the second tree and more decorations and bake a pie.
• Sunday: Get up by 7; get ready and attend church; have lunch with the in-laws; get the Lil' Diva to work; bake cookies; vacuum house; and put gifts under the tree.

I'm usually up until after midnight on Christmas Eve, but I love playing Santa for my family. It will be a busy weekend, but it will also be a fun one. Not sure if I'll have time to blog, so please know I wish each and every one of you a blessed Christmas day.

Book Spotlight: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat

Saw this in my Simon & Schuster newsletter and knew I wanted it. Santa, are you listening?

A visionary new master class in cooking that distills decades of professional experience into just four simple elements, from the woman declared “America’s next great cooking teacher” by Alice Waters.

In the tradition of The Joy of Cooking and How to Cook Everything comes Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, an ambitious new approach to cooking by a major new culinary voice. Chef and writer Samin Nosrat has taught everyone from professional chefs to middle school kids to author Michael Pollan to cook using her revolutionary, yet simple, philosophy. Master the use of just four elements—Salt, which enhances flavor; Fat, which delivers flavor and generates texture; Acid, which balances flavor; and Heat, which ultimately determines the texture of food—and anything you cook will be delicious. By explaining the hows and whys of good cooking, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will teach and inspire a new generation of cooks how to confidently make better decisions in the kitchen and cook delicious meals with any ingredients, anywhere, at any time.

Echoing Samin’s own journey from culinary novice to award-winning chef, Salt, Fat Acid, Heat immediately bridges the gap between home and professional kitchens. With charming narrative, illustrated walkthroughs, and a lighthearted approach to kitchen science, Samin demystifies the four elements of good cooking for everyone. Refer to the canon of 100 essential recipes—and dozens of variations—to put the lessons into practice and make bright, balanced vinaigrettes, perfectly caramelized roast vegetables, tender braised meats, and light, flaky pastry doughs.

Featuring 150 illustrations and infographics that reveal an atlas to the world of flavor by renowned illustrator Wendy MacNaughton, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will be your compass in the kitchen. Destined to be a classic, it just might be the last cookbook you’ll ever need.

File Size: 139757 KB
Print Length: 480 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (April 25, 2017)
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
Language: English
ASIN: B01HMXV0UQ

Mary, Did You Know?

This post originally appeared at Christian Children's Authors. I thought it most appropriate for this blog and wanted to share it with you. This also ties in nicely with our focus on the family theme.

During this time of Advent, I can't help but think of Mary. As a mother, I relate more to her now than when I read the Christmas story as a child. Perhaps that's why Mary, Did You Know? is one of my favorite Christmas hymns.

Mary, Did You Know? is an insightful song. Every mother has hopes and dreams for her children. She imagines their future. Mary could not have known what her Child's future looked like, but she knew her Child wasn't like any other baby that had been born or would be born after.

We read in the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke that after the shepherds ran off to tell everyone what they had seen, Mary "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." What mother doesn't ponder the actions of her children or treasure events her children are involved in? She knew something amazing had just transpired.

Fast forwarding years later, we find Mary is frantic when twelve-year-old Jesus is lost on the way back from Jerusalem after Passover. She and Joseph search for him and the first thing she does when she sees Him--in typical mother fashion--is scold Him for treating them so badly and telling Jesus how distressed they were.

Like any dedicated mother, Mary followed her Son's ministry and was with Him even until His earthly death. How her heart must have broken watching the way He was tortured and killed. For while Jesus was the Savior of the world, He was also: the Baby she carried, the Child she nurtured, and the Man she had to let go of in order to see God's promise fulfilled.

This Advent season, I encourage you to consider Mary. Think of the wonderful Gift she brought into this world and shared with this us by accepting God's plan for her life. May the Gift of Christmas fill you with hope, joy, and peace.

Then Mary said, “I am willing to be used of the Lord. Let it happen to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38)

Mailbox Monday - December 18

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Happy Monday! Hard to believe this is the second to the last Monday of 2017. Where has the year gone? For those of you out shopping, I hope you're almost done. I'm in the home stretch now...just a few more things.

Tree is finally up. May not get the other two put up this year. We'll see. The funny thing is that the tree has been in the living room for weeks now and the dog has pretty much ignored it. Put some ornaments and ribbon on it and he chases the cat underneath it every chance he gets.

I'm in the middle of considering my personal and professional goals for next year. I'll be posting them when I get them finalized. More reading is definitely going to be on the list.

Speaking of books, nothing new in my mailbox this week but I picked up the following at a tag sale.

Drawing on the latest research in archaeology, human genetics, and environmental science, After the Ice takes the reader on a sweeping tour of 15,000 years of human history. Steven Mithen brings this world to life through the eyes of an imaginary modern traveler--John Lubbock, namesake of the great Victorian polymath and author of Prehistoric Times. With Lubbock, readers visit and observe communities and landscapes, experiencing prehistoric life--from aboriginal hunting parties in Tasmania, to the corralling of wild sheep in the central Sahara, to the efforts of the Guila Naquitz people in Oaxaca to combat drought with agricultural innovations.

Part history, part science, part time travel, After the Ice offers an evocative and uniquely compelling portrayal of diverse cultures, lives, and landscapes that laid the foundations of the modern world.

From the organization that has encouraged over two million women at its conferences nationwide comes the Women of Faith New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs in the popular New King James Version. This handy-sized Bible is packed with 24 full-color devotionals from the well-known Women of Faith conference speakers.

Parents work very hard to give their children what they desire. Whether it be the newest video game or the latest fashion, they strive to make their children's lives better, Reveals the one thing children need the most is often in the shortest supply - their parents' time. Encourages parents to make time for the things that are truly important.

After a storm strands her overnight in Will Slade's cabin, Blythe Granville's reputation is in shambles. The townspeople doubt that she was innocently nursing him back to health after saving his life. Now Blythe must accept Will's proposal: a marriage in name only to save her good name. But the former socialite is determined not to fall for her new husband…even if she's drawn to the gruff stranger who's vowed to stand by her, in sickness and in health.

Will never wanted to remarry after his ex-wife betrayed him. But now he finds himself hitched to a city girl who has no idea how to keep a house…but is somehow chiseling her way into his heart. As Blythe melts Will's crusty facade, though, they're discovering that this most unexpected union might just lead to true love.

That's it from me today. I pray you have a blessed week.

Day 12 - 12 Days of Clean Romance - Cami Checketts

How to Kiss a Billionaire by Cami Checketts

Sassy meets swoon-worthy in this fast-paced contemporary romance.

Miriam Salisbury escapes to Oregon to avoid a boyfriend who won't take no for an answer, killing her beloved cat to prove it. When her father sends Clay Browning to protect her, she's certain he's lost his mind. As far as she's concerned Clay's experience is limited to posing for the camera, charming women, and making fun of her. He's been teasing her since they were children and she's never gotten over the way he threw crawdads at her at church picnics.

Clay retired from the military and entered the world of private security. When he gets the call to protect Miriam he's excited to be around his lifelong crush. As expected, he teases her nonstop and the only thing he takes seriously is her security. He knows she'd never give him a chance and he can't help but give her a hard time.

After Miriam is dumped in the freezing ocean on a crabbing expedition and Clay saves her from drowning and freezing to death, she takes a second look at her hired gun. But opening up to him is more terrifying than facing her stalker.

As events escalate to a frenzied climax, Miriam and Clay must put aside past grudges in the hope of finding a lasting love for their future.

* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *

Praise for series:


"Cami Checketts is an expert at sending a flurry of butterflies straight to the heart! If you love the beach, a dash of suspense, and some toe-curling, swoony romance, then the Billionaire Beach Romance series is definitely for you.” Katie Watkins, Book Reviewer, Katie’s Clean Book Collection

"I LOVE these sweet romances! I love that each of them is a mini escape. You almost feel as though you've traveled to a warm destination even though it's cold and snowy where you live. I love that I can pass them to either my daughter or my grandma and never have any concern about the content. And the characters in these are amazing! I love them all!” Cathy Jeppsen, Book Reviewer, My Book a Day

* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *

Miriam closed her eyes as Clay’s arms came around her and held her tight.


“Whoa, darling, if I would’ve known I’d get this reception, I would’ve broken into your house years ago.”

Miriam pushed away from him, stumbling from the realization that he hadn’t changed. Clay was a vicious flirt and never took anything seriously. She shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge. He was real and he was here, and unfortunately for her unsteady nerves, it didn’t look like he was going away. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.

“Your daddy hired me.”

“My daddy … hired you?” She glared at him. “For what? A pinup model?”

He smiled and tilted his head to the side. “I know I look good, but I actually have a few skills in protection too.”

“You do not. All you’ve ever been good at is spending your billions of dollars and getting women to simper at your feet.” She knew he’d been in the military for four years after high school, but after that, he appeared to be the ultimate player. At least, it looked that way in the online photos she’d seen, when she’d googled him. Okay, it was pathetic that she’d googled him, but he was Clay Browning, a.k.a. Miriam’s dream man.

He spread his arms, and she couldn’t help but notice the definition from his forearms and biceps up through his shoulders and chest. Maybe he should find a shirt that wasn’t so … form-fitting. “Hey, I’ve got lots of talents. What can I say?”

Miriam pushed out a huffy breath. “You are not here. This is all some kind of crazy fantasy.”

“I know I’m the stuff fantasies are made of, but I really am here.” He sauntered a step closer, and that spicy cologne made her stomach heat up. “You want to enact some of those fantasies you’ve been having about me?”

She put a hand on his chest to keep him from coming any closer. Those muscles were real. Yikes. She dropped her hand and stepped back. “For one second, just for one, be serious. Why are you here, and how did you get in my house?”

Clay rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest. Sheesh. What did he do with biceps that defined? Wrestle bulls?

Focus, Miriam!

“Your daddy called me, said Greg was threatening and stalking you and I had to find you. So I found you, and now I’m here to watch over you.”

Watch over you? She would not survive with this man in the same town, let alone the same house. Her throat was dry and all those daydreams she used to have about him rotated through her mind.

“How did you get in?” she demanded.

“I told you: I have skills.” He smiled and finally admitted, “I was special ops in the Army and I’ve worked in private security since then.”

“You’re being serious now? This isn’t some bull crap line that Clay Browning is giving me?”

He smirked. “You can believe whatever you want, sweetheart.” He took a step closer, and her legs betrayed her by not backing up. “But do believe that I’m here and you I and are going to get real cozy.”

Miriam looked over his gorgeous face. She clenched her trembling hands together and swallowed hard. “I’m not one of your flavors of the week, Clay.”

He leaned in and sniffed her. “Ah. Yeah, I think you are. Vanilla with a hint of chocolate. My favorite flavor this week.”

* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *

Author Cami Checketts

Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. She and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.

* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *

Also by Cami Checketts

Don't miss the rest of the Billionaire Beach Romances:

Shadows in the Curtain

Caribbean Rescue

Cozumel Escape

Cancun Getaway

Trusting the Billionaire

Onboard for Love

* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *

Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 12/31/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day 11 - 12 Days of Clean Romance - Lucy McConnell

Marrying Miss Kringle: Lux by Lucy McConnell

Christmas Magic is changing and the Kringle Family scrambles to keep up in this fun and entertaining, sweet Christmas romance from Author Lucy McConnell.

A normal electrical substation takes two years to build; but, Lux has 365 days to install one at the North Pole or Christmas Magic will overload the factory and send them back to the Dark Ages.

The one man on the planet with the know-how, the education, and the time to help Lux finish the substation before her Noel deadline, is also the one man who sends sparks through her heart and surges through the power system.

If Lux kisses Matthew Quik—again!—she could blow up Santa’s workshop before she has a chance to save it. If she doesn't kiss him, she may lose him forever.

* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *

Praise for the book:

"For getting me in the mood for Christmas, and the romantic aspect of this holiday even before Thanksgiving, I’m happy to give Ms. McConnell the 5 STARS I’ve given her book."

"Marrying Miss Kringle: Lux is a funny, tender, magical adventure into the sparkles of Christmas Magic and the sparks of human love."

* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *

Lux’s cheeks dusted pink. With her red hair and fair skin, she should have flushed bright red, but only this sprinkling of pink appeared, like she’d been dusted with pink powdered sugar. Why did this woman bring to mind sweet things like powdered sugar and chocolate and kisses at sunset? He gave his head a mighty shake.

 “You fell in the water.”

“I know.” At least, he thought he knew. Everything had happened so fast. He’d fallen asleep and woken up when the ice cracked. He plopped his feet to the floor only to have them land in several inches of water. His stove had tipped over and the hot metal had melted clear through the ice. There must have been a crack in the ice nearby.

“We pulled you out.”

“We?” Quik adjusted the blankets over his arms. He could only imagine Lux and Ginger and Frost tearing his clothes off. Lux made to adjust her glasses, but they weren’t there. She looked around like they’d fallen off and she didn’t know how. So he wasn’t the only one thrown off by all this. Quik’s eyes traveled lower to find her bare shoulders and her skintight tank top. He jerked his eyes back up to her face, hoping she hadn’t caught his wandering eye.

“Me and Dunder.” She chewed her lip. “My reindeer.” “Of course.”

The situation was going up in weirdness. Having used up all his ability to care about propriety, Quik leaned back against the seat. He was in the bottom of a fancy velvet-lined sled. Yep. Weird. His eyes dropped shut.

 “You cut my pants?” he asked.

 “I’ll get you new ones,” offered Lux.

“Did you cut my shirt too?”

“No!” She was offended. That was kind of cute.

“Too bad. I needed a new shirt.” He half smiled.

* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *

Author Lucy McConnell

Award-winning author, Lucy McConnell, loves Christmas, romance, chocolate and Elvis.

She started out as an editor at an advertising agency before moving on to teach in the marketing department of the local community college. She loved teaching and often misses the academic environment.

Lucy retired from teaching and began to write articles and sweet romance novels. She has been published in national magazines, newspapers, short story compilations, and she writes cookbooks under the name Christina Dymock.

If she's not at the computer, you can find her trying to keep up with her husband and four kids on the ski slopes, in a boat, in the kitchen, or on a horse.

* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *

Also by Lucy McConnell

* – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – * – *

Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 12/30/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



a Rafflecopter giveaway