Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - Z #atozchallenge

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, we are done! Today is the final day of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. Thanks for sticking with me until the end. To thank you for your readership, I am giving away a $10 Amazon gift card. You can enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter form below. Now, on to today's randomness.

Zymurgy - branch of chemistry dealing with brewing and distilling. Some people might know this one, but not being much of a drinker, I had no idea there was an actual name for this. I also think it's a neat looking word.

Zinnia - I don't have any of these in my garden, but I have seen some once or twice. A genus of 20 species of annual and perennial plants, they are commonly found in the southwestern United States and South America. They can come in a variety of colors and can withstand some serious summer heat.

Zamboni - we are a hockey-loving family, so we are familiar with Frank J. Zamboni, the inventor and mechanic who invented the Zamboni Ice Resurfacing Machine in 1949. Ten years prior, Zamboni and his brother-in-law bought an ice skating rink in California, which proved hard to resurface and required numerous men for the task. In 1942, Zamboni converted a tractor to scrape and smooth the ice in a single pass. To see who purchased the first Zamboni, visit http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/enc/z.shtml My son, who used to work at a hockey rink knows how to drive one of these monsters. It's fun to watch.

Thanks again for sticking with us this month. I hope you'll keep reading along now that you're a fan of visiting. You can see my weekly features in the sidebar. I might even do some changing up in the future, so I would appreciate your input as to what you would like to see here regularly.

Good luck to all who enter the giveaway!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - Y #atozchallenge

We're down to the wire with this challenge--the final two days. Wow! April has flown by. Here's my randomness for the day.

Yegg - a burglar of safes; safecracker. Again, I am amazed by the words we use. Now I want to write a mystery novel with a safecracker just so I can use the term "yegg."

Yucca - I love adding ornamental plants to my garden. The Yucca is a genus of perennial shrubs and trees that includes 40 - 50 species. Native Americans found the Yucca useful for fiber for ropes, sandals, and cloths. They boiled or baked the fruit, ate the blossoms, and chewed the raw leaves. The fermented fruit was used to produce a beverage for rituals. The plant is reported to be beneficial for treating colitis, hypertension, arthritis, and migraine headaches. You can read more at http://www.drugs.com/npc/yucca.html

Ypres -  A Belgian municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The Battles of the Ypres Salient began when German troops arrived on October 7, 1914. The Allies were finally able to push back the Germans in September 1918. For more information, visit http://www.greatwar.co.uk/ypres-salient/battles-ypres-salient.htm

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - X #atozchallenge

I'm doing my happy dance. We are in the last three days of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I've really enjoyed it again this year and made some new online chums. What could be better than that? Well, a million dollars. But other than that....

Here is today's randomness:

Xylotherapy - use of certain kinds of wood in the cure of disease; certain kinds of wood applied to the skin to regain sensibililty to otherwise insensitive (non-feeling) skin. I bet if someone hit you with a 2 x 4 you would feel it. Okay, that's just my crazy, evil twin escaping today. I'll behave now.

Xiphoid Process - This is the lowest and smallest division of the human sternum. Xiphoeides is a Greek word that means sword-shaped. When they were teaching CPR in high school, I remember them saying you feel for the xiphoid process, so you know where to place your hands. Not sure if that is true anymore. On a side note, the xiphoid process is cartilaginous when we are younger and then ossifies (turns into bone or bony tissue) as we get older. My xiphoid process actually pops out on occasion when I am exercising. It's very painful. I was told we don't actually need it. One specialist said some people have them removed for cosmetic reasons.

Xena: Warrior Princess - Did you know they published a bunch of Xena: Warrior Princess books based upon the show from the 1990s? I can't believe I didn't know, because I was a fan of the show. This A to Z Challenge helps keep me posted on all kinds of pop culture stuff.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - W #atozchallenge

We've come to the end of week 4 in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Today are my random thoughts beginning with the Letter W.

Woofits - an unwell feeling, especially a headache; a moody depression; a hangover. Thankfully I have never binged enough to suffer from a woofits.

Water - WebMD made a list of "6 Reasons to Drink Water." From keeping your body fluids balanced, to controlling calories, to helping energize muscles and more, water is something we need every day. You can read the article at http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/6-reasons-to-drink-water

World War II Monument opens - Next Tuesday will be the tenth anniversary of the opening of the World War II Monument in Washington D.C. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can read more at http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/world-war-ii-monument-opens-in-washington-dc

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - V #atozchallenge

I can almost taste the victory. It's a good thing life is cooperating as we come close to the end of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.

Vivers - food; eatables

Verbena - Have you ever planted verbena? I haven't, but I might this year because it attracts butterflies. According to HGTV Gardens, this perennial likes full sun and dry to moist conditions. On a side note, Miss Beadle from Little House on the Prairie used to wear lemon verbena perfume. Whenever I hear the word "verbena," that's what I think of.

Vampire Academy - I just bought the first book of this series for my daughter. It included a poster from the movie, too. Not sure why she likes reading about vamps so much. They don't do a lot for me. I went through my vamp stage about 20 years ago when Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel were on TV. I haven't really bothered with vampires much since then.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - U #atozchallenge

Now I'm really feeling like we're in the homestretch of the Blogging from A To Z April Challenge. If I've made it this far, I'll make it to the end. Here is today's randomness.

Umbriferous - giving or bearing shade. The woods around our house are umbriferous.

UGLI® - these are tangelos from Jamaica. According to the company's website, UGLI was found growing wild in Jamaica over 80 years ago, and then developed into the commercial variety available now. "The original tree is believed to have been a hybrid formed from the Seville orange, the grapefruit and the tangerine families." For more information, you can visit http://ugli.com

Union issues code of conduct for soldiers - On April 24, 1863, "the Union army issued General Orders No. 100, which provided a code of conduct for Federal soldiers and officers when dealing with Confederate prisoners and civilians." The orders established policies for the treatment of prisoners, prisoner exchanges, and flags of truce. You can find out more at http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/general-orders-no-100-issued

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - T #atozchallenge

Less than a week remains in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. It's been another wild ride this year. It's been tough to keep up sometimes, but overall I'm glad I opted to participate again.

Theurgy - magic or miracles by the agency of good spirits. Merriam-Webster gives a slightly different definition: the art or technique of compelling or persuading a god or beneficent or supernatural power to do or refrain from doing something. All I know is that the prayers all my friends lifted up helped me to pass my real estate exam yesterday. It was the hardest test I've ever taken. Thankfully, I never need to do that again.

Tea - I've been a lover of tea since I was a kid. Not all the weird flavors, but the standard orange or black tea. I've stuck mainly to decaffeinated versions for years. One of the things I do with used tea bags is soothe irritated eyes. The Lil' Diva and I have allergies, so watery, itchy eyes are something we deal with seasonally. My eyes can swell up almost to the point of shutting. That's when I make a cup of tea, pull out the bags without squeezing them, cool them, and place them on my eyes. Works every time.

Tea also makes a good natural cleanser. Fox News ran an article titled "49 Uses for Tea." You can find it at http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2011/08/15/4-uses-for-tea/

To Kill a Mockingbird - Can you believe I've never read this classic novel by Harper Lee? I really am bad when it comes to classics. I think being forced to read them in high school turned me off them. I need to change that.

First published in 1960, To Kill A Mockingbird  won a Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was made into a film in 1962 starring Gregory Peck. Atticus Finch (Peck) is a lawyer in the Depression-era South who defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his kids against prejudice.

What are some classics you haven't read yet?

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - S #atozchallenge

Moving right along with the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge, we're up to the letter S--the only letter I know of that is shaped like an animal.


Saccadic - jerky movement of the eye as it jumps from one fixation point to another; twitching.

Soap (as in goat's milk soap) - A few years back, I agreed to review some soap from Happy Goats Soap. Little did I know it would mean I would forever turn away from store-bought soap. I love it because it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin the way other soaps do. In addition, I can choose all kinds of neat shapes and sizes, scented or unscented. That, and I love following the antics of Pricilla, her herd, and the farm cats over at their blog: http://www.pricillaspeaks.com/

Shakespeare - The birthday of William Shakespeare is coming up tomorrow; well they don't really know when he was born, but they place his date of birth as three days prior to his baptism on April 26, which was the custom then. While not a lot is known about his life, his plays have been performed and analyzed extensively. I haven't read as many as a writer probably should, but I recall reading Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet in high school, and having to memorize lines from the latter. Have you read any Shakespeare?

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - R #atozchallenge

Today starts the fourth week of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. We're at the letter R.

Runcation - action of weeding. Really? I've always just called it weeding.

Rosewood Oil - According to Experience-Essential-Oils, rosewood oil rejuvenates the skin. What I like about this website is that it offers a great deal of information and even historical tidbits on essential oils. You can check out what they have to say about rosewood oil at http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/rosewood-oil.html

Rome - According to legend, on April 21, 753 B.C., Rome was founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus. Find out more at http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rome-founded

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - Q #atozchallenge

This ends the third week of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I can't believe we've come this far already. Hope your challenge is going well. Here is today's randomness.

Parvanimity - smallness of mind

Pansy - These have been one of my favorite flowers since childhood. Usually grown as annuals or biennials (requires two growing seasons to complete its life cycle), pansies are hardy, colorful flowers. You can check The Old Farmer's Almanac for how to care for pansies: http://www.almanac.com/plant/pansies

Peace of Paris (1783) - a collection of treaties signed by Great Britain on one side and the United States, France, and Spain on the other. These treaties ended the American Revolution. For details on these treaties, visit http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/443717/Peace-of-Paris

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - P #atozchallenge

Almost at the end of week 3 of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. I'm typing up this post to distract me from working on something I would rather avoid right now. Does that make me bad?

Psychalgia - mental pain or distress. There are days my kids cause me this.

Perennials - Our flowers beds feature a variety of perennials. From astilbes and hostas to liatrises and yarrows, I love exploring with colors in the garden. Now, if my thumb was a little less brown, things would be perfect.

Paul Revere's Ride - Paul Revere and William Dawes set off across the countryside on April 18, 1775 rousing hundreds of Minutemen who armed themselves to oppose the incoming British troops. This ride would become the inspiration for a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. To learn more, you can visit http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/revere-and-dawes-warn-of-british-attack

On a side note, I had to memorize Longfellow's poem in its entirety as a high school assignment. It seemed silly at the time, but I can still recall bits and pieces of it by heart nearly 30 years later.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - O #atozchallenge

More than halfway through week 3 of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. Hope you're enjoying my posts.


Obmutescent - speechless; persistently silent. I doubt anyone would ever accuse me of this.

Oils - as in essential oils and cooking oils. Both are natural cleaning solutions. Essential oils can help clean hair brushes, shower doors, and gum-encrusted items. See here for more uses. Cooking oils can clean cast iron pans, help get paint off your hands, and buff stainless steel surfaces. I use oil olive to season the grates on our gas grill. For more uses, click here.

On the Banks of Plum Creek - The fourth book of the Little House Series, On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder tells the story of life for the Ingalls family on the banks of Plum Creek in Minnesota. They purchased a sod house from Mr. Hanson, but then Pa built a clean new house beside the creek, buying all the materials on credit, intending to pay for them with the fall wheat harvest. But then the grasshoppers came; millions of them descended over the countryside and destroyed the wheat crop.

Though a book filled with many difficulties, it ends on an optimistic note with a satisfied Laura patting her dog Jack's furry forehead. It's Christmas Eve, another blizzard is on the way, and there is no money for presents. But all Laura can think of is how happy she is to have Pa home again now that he has returned from back east where he had gone to find work.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - N #atozchallenge

It's another fine day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Hope all of you are managing to keep up the pace of this exciting and fun blogging event. Today's post was inspired by overnight events.

Névé - granular snow; field of granular snow. According to Merriam-Webster, this partially compacted granular snow forms the surface part of the upper end of a glacier.

Nature (as in Mother Nature) - Imagine the scene. The kids have been in shorts and T-shirts the past several days, as temperatures have been in the high 60s to mid 70s. Tulip leaves have sprouted out of the ground and purple crocus fill the flowers beds. The dwarf cherry tree even has some buds. As I marched down to the mailbox yesterday in a torrential downpour, I kept thinking "April showers bring May flowers." This morning, however, we opened to the blinds to a blanket of white, heavy snow. This past winter was one that had even the girls complaining about how much Mother Nature dumped on us. Definitely not what we were looking for a few days before Easter. The bitter winds this morning sure aren't helping.

Nor’easter - Since we're on the topic of snow today, we'll dedicate this last item to the type of massive storm no one likes to hear about. A nor’easter, given its name from the direction the wind is coming, is a macro-scale storm along the upper East Coast and Atlantic Canada. In February 1978, meteorologists had predicted a large storm for the Northeast. When the pre-dawn flakes didn't appear on February 5, people discounted the reports and went about their day. Later on, hurricane-force winds and whiteout conditions caused gridlock on the highways, forcing drivers to abandon their cars. Lasting through February 7, snowdrifts trapped people in their homes and places of business. Record snowfall left residents of Massachusetts and Rhode Island without heat, water or electricity for more than a week; approximately 10,000 sought refuge in shelters. Severe flooding damaged or destroyed homes on the Long Island Sound and Cape Cod Bay. An estimated 100 people died as a result of the storm. To read more about major blizzards in U.S. history, visit http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/major-blizzards-in-u-s-history

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - M #atozchallenge

Moving right along with the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. Today, I also have a neat post up at The Book Connection blog. It's all about books--or should I say, book decor. You can check it out here.


Missal - book containing complete service for mass. I remember these from the Catholic church I attended as a child and young adult.

Mold and mildew - Talk about yuck. This can ruin a lot of things (like books) and can create health issues for some. Care2.com offers three ways to kill mold naturally in this article. I knew about vinegar, but I didn't know about the others. Mother Nature Network has this article on how to tackle mildew naturally.

Mortal Instruments Series - My daughter just borrowed the first book of this series, City of Bones, from the library. This fantasy series has already captured her attention and she is more than half way through the book. Probably not something I would read, but she and I usually have very different tastes in reading material. Have you read any of these books yet?

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - L #atozchallenge

Week three of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge begins with the letter L. With Palm Sunday yesterday, we entered Holy Week, which is always a busy one here and at church. I picked up some of the supplies for this Thursday's Seder Supper at church. I'll be boiling and peeling 5 dozen eggs for that night. This year, we'll have a Good Friday meditation service that I am looking forward to attending. In addition to my regular daily Bible reading--you can read more about that here--I'm reading a Bible study that focuses on the "Hope of Easter." It's important to me to be in the right frame of mind during this important week in the Christian calendar.


Lachrymogenic - causing tears or weeping.

Lemons - an all-natural cleaning solution that has a variety of uses. From countertops to garbage disposals to laundry and more, this yummy fruit I often use in cooking can help you clean up around the house. This article from Real Simple tells you more - http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/all-natural-cleaning-solutions-00000000011547/index.html Did you know lemon seeds were brought to the Americas by Christopher Columbus?

Lazarus - close friend of Jesus and brother of Mary Magdalene and Martha.  Proving He had power over death, Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave. The story of Lazarus' death and his being raised from the dead as told in the Gospel of John is a powerful story, and one of my personal favorites. Bible trivia: John 1:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible. Jesus had been away preaching when He heard Lazarus was sick. He stays where He is for two more days and then goes with the disciples to Judea. When Mary meets Jesus on the road and informs Him that Lazarus has died, the Bible says, "Jesus wept." These two words that show how much Jesus loved His dear friend, make up the shortest verse in the Bible.

Hope you have a blessed week.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge - K #atozchallenge

My goodness gracious, we are at the end of week two in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Can I get a woo-hoo? Here is today's randomness.

Ked - wingless fly that feeds on livestock. Thinking of my farming friends with this one.


Kigelia africana - a species of tree found throughout tropical Africa. The common name is sausage tree or cucumber tree, referring to the plants' long, sausage-like fruit. Read more here.


Jean-Louis "Jack" Kerouac - an American novelist and poet. A native of Lowell, MA, Kerouac played football at Lowell High School and was awarded a scholarship to Columbia University. He dropped out of college after being sidelined by an injury. His first novel was The Town and the City. His most famous work, On The Road, which was based on a series of road trips he took with Neal Cassady, a major figure of the Beat Generation of the 1950s. Kerouac died on October 20, 1969 at the age of 47. You can learn more at http://www.jackkerouac.com/

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - J #atozchallenge

It's getting close to the end of week two of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. Time sure flies when you're having fun. Here is today's randomness.

Jupon -  sleeveless jacket worn beneath a hauberk. So you know I had to look up hauberk, which is "a tunic of chain mail worn as defensive armor," according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.You can see photos here.

Juniper - Not only is the juniper berry used for medicinal purposes, the berries are also the main flavor ingredient in gin. Who knew? You can learn more at http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/juniper-herbal-remedies.htm

John Paul Jones - Captain John Paul Jones was an officer of the Continental Navy of the American Revolution. More than 200 years ago, Jones and his crew aboard the USS Ranger began dangerous raids along the British coast. A few hours before accepting the surrender of the captain and crew of the British warship HMS Serapis, Jones uttered the famous words, "I have not yet begun to fight." You can learn more at http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-paul-jones-sets-out-to-raid-british-ships or http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/jones_jp.htm

What J words are you sharing today?

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - I #atozchallenge

Another day, and another post in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. How are you doing? Are you moving along swiftly making new friends or struggling to keep up? I'm a little of both.

Iwis - surely; certainly

Iodine - a mineral found in some foods. Iodine helps the body make thyroid hormones. For more information about iodine and what foods contain iodine, you can visit http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-QuickFacts/

Insurgent - is the second book in the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. 

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

The movie of the first book, Divergent, was released last month. You can read my review here. Insurgent is scheduled to be released next year. 

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - H #atozchallenge

Crazy day yesterday that finally ended when I collapsed into bed around 11 because I simply couldn't keep going anymore. The Lil' Princess' Ruby Bridges bottle person is all done and off to school this morning. I'll share a picture once the hubby downloads them off the camera.

On to the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. For the past couple of days I've tried to group my random thoughts together to make some sense. I think tomorrow I'm going back to my totally random ramblings. I find them more fun. Hope you will too.

Hallux - big toe. I had no idea it had a name.

Hindu stone - A Hindu stone can be used to push back cuticles during a pedicure. Organic Gardening has an instructional article on giving yourself a natural pedicure at http://www.organicgardening.com/living/naturally-great-pedicure


Honda wins World Green Car award - On this date in  2009, Honda won the World Green Car Award for its FCX Clarity. This was the first hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicle intended for mass production. You can learn more about it at http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/honda-wins-world-green-car-award

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - G #atozchallenge

It's tough to keep up this week with the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge because of everything else that is going on here. We have rehearsals for Peter Pan, open house, a talent show, and two school projects due this week. I can't wait for Saturday. Here is today's offering.

Galactometer - instrument for measuring specific gravity of milk. I didn't even know they made such a thing.

Going Green - While not a new concept, "Going Green" gained popularity as global warming became more prevalent in the news. The term refers to everyday methods to save the world and its environment. Some people embrace this lifestyle more than others. Around our home, we recycle, use outdoor solar lighting, and grow our own vegetables.

Goals - As I mentioned, we grow our own vegetables, but my ultimate goal is to have a large enough garden to supply our family with fruits and vegetables through the winter. A couple of years ago, we added blackberry and blueberry bushes on the property, and also grape vines. Last year, we added a cherry tree and strawberry plants. This year, I'm hoping to add peanut plants and walnut trees. I purchased a book titled, Landscaping with Fruit by Lee Reich. I haven't read it yet, but my plan is to read it soon, as work on the garden is slowly beginning.

Do you have any "green" goals?