Taking Time for Mom Thursdays

This week's post really should be called Taking Time for Mom and Dad Thursday. It's school vacation week here and I've been running around with the girls almost non-stop since Saturday. My in-laws graciously agreed to let the girls sleep over tonight, so I figured I would do something special for Dad and me.

Right after they left, I picked up the main areas of the house: kitchen, living room, and family room. Then I planned a special dinner. This was a spur of the moment idea, so I had to work with what I had on hand. Luckily, I had bought a box of Mini Beef Pot Roast from Schwan's last week. We only eat beef once a month and I haven't been to the butcher in a while, so this was a nice substitute for tenderloin steak.

I set the kitchen table for two--which never happens. I usually dish it up right from the stove. With a side salad, bread, and mashed potatoes, we had a nice meal. I bought myself some extra time by calling the hubby at work and asking him to pick up wine on the way home. That allowed me to hop in the shower, put on a fancy dress and heels, and surprise the heck out of him when he walked in.

We had a nice leisurely dinner followed by coffee (him) and tea (me). Then we sat on the couch by the fireplace and watched the Bruins game (they won).

Have you ever cooked up a special meal for your spouse or significant other? What do you enjoy most about him/her?

Taking Time for Mom Thursdays

I haven't watched a prime time television show in years. I'm not into reality TV, and I have little time to watch anyway. I'm sitting here typing and watching How I Met Your Mother on Netflix. I had heard it was hilarious. I guess I left my funny bone packed in my dresser drawer. Some of it made me laugh but a lot of it was just vulgar. I also find Neil Patrick Harris's character, Barney, annoying beyond words. I made it through two episodes before I had to shut it off.

I've watched a few episodes of Blue Bloods with Tom Selleck and Bones with David Boreanaz. I liked them, but not enough to set the DVR and make sure I saw them each week, and the new Hawaii Five-0 has way too much angst.

I guess not much appeals to me these days, so I don't bother turning the set on when the family isn't around. What I enjoy are older shows like The Golden Girls, Little House on the Prairie, Quantum Leap, The Rockford Files, and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. I've been known to goof off for a morning by popping in a DVD around breakfast time and watching until I feel guilty about not working.

What are some of your favorite shows? Do you watch a lot of prime time TV? What is one show you used to watch that you miss?

Taking Time for Mom Thursdays

Taking Time for Mom Thursday is here. Thanks goodness because I need the stress relief reminder. I've had an overwhelming schedule this week and next week will be busier. Ugh.

I'm really not much into exercise. I know I should be, especially at my age, but man, if I have to cram one more thing into my schedule right now I think I'll lose it. Each year about this time, I say to myself, I will make a plan once the weather gets warmer to walk three mornings a week. It never happens. I manage for the first week, but after that the hermit in me takes over and I sit at my computer and work all day.

I was just whining about my schedule to one of my writing friends, but I honestly have no one else to blame but me. I started two new blogs. I'm posting five days a week at two of them. I have virtual book tours to work on. I run two critique groups and I volunteer at church.I'm trying to squeeze in a bit of writing too--when I'm not playing mommy and wife, that is. What was I thinking? No really needs to be more a part of my vocabulary.

But, back to exercise. The benefits are numerous. It:

• Controls your weight,
• Combats health conditions and diseases,
• Gives you more energy,
• Helps you sleep, and
• Improves your mood.*

Exercise, like any other life-changing activity, requires time to adjust. If I decided on January 1st to begin a regular exercise routine (at least 15 minutes, 5 days a week), I know I am going to fail. Why? Because I'm not currently doing anything in the way of exercise. Committing to that big of a change is crazy. So, here's what I'll do. I will agree that on March 1st, I will walk twice a week for a minimum of 20 minutes. This will allow me to choose days where the weather is nicer and also will get me more exercise than I am getting now. If it works out, then I can increase the length of my walks or the number of days I walk. Once I am comfortable with this, I should be able to add other forms of exercise to my schedule.

How about you? Do you have an exercise routine? Did you make a New Year's resolution in 2012 to exercise more? If you did, how has that been going?


* This list taken from an article by the Mayo Clinic staff.

Taking Time for Mom Thursdays

Taking Time for Mom Thursdays is back. This topic is almost like cheating considering my profession, but I have to admit I find reading, writing and editing relaxing. Now, part of the reason reading is relaxing to me is because most of my book time takes place in the tub, but there is nothing like sitting anywhere with a fabulous book you simply can't put down.

I've been an avid reader my entire life, but my years of experience--good and bad--have allowed me to become a character driven reader and now I appreciate dissecting every aspect of my characters' lives. How else could I write fan fiction stories if I didn't consider other parts of characters I have come to know and love from my favorite TV shows.

I'm not an envious writer. I don't get jealous over another writer's success or wish his success could be mine. I do, however, appreciate a great book that captivates me so completely I am willing to push aside my responsibilities to read just one more chapter. Here are a few of those books:

Defending Jacob is a book I will review next week for William Landay's virtual book tour through Pump Up Your Book. In the interest of full disclosure, Bill is one of my clients. This is the first book of his that I've read or helped promote, but now I want to pick up his other two books:  Mission Flats and The Strangler.  Defending Jacob was just released on January 31st and it's already claimed the number 2 spot for Amazon's legal thriller category for printed and Kindle book sales, and is also #3 for printed book sales in the psychological thriller category.

This is the story of a district attorney's son who is accused of killing a classmate. D.A. Andrew Barber unfolds this story for us showing how he struggles to clear his son's name while his past is coming back to bite him in the rear end. Also considered a family drama, the reader gets a chance to witness the terrible impact Jason Barber's trial has on his family. This is without a doubt one of the best books I've ever read.

Kathi Macias has been a client of mine over the past four years. This amazing writer releases multiple titles a year. In October, I helped her promote two of them. While I enjoyed A Christmas Journey Home more, Deliver Me From Evil truly captured my heart.

Years ago, Maria was sold by her parents in Mexico and smuggled across the border into San Diego where her name is changed to Mara and she is forced into sexual slavery.

Jonathan is eyeing graduation with anxiety. His dream of a professional baseball career gone, he is unenthusiastically planning to attend Bible-college. When Jonathan's and Mara's paths cross, their lives are changed forever. Unable to forget the girl whose face haunts him, he is pulled back to the place where their eyes met.

Across the world in Thailand, another young woman in captivity is mysteriously connected to the young people of San Diego.

As a mother of two young girls, this story is frightening. To think one day your daughter could be abducted and used as a sex slave is sickening. This is definitely a story that will make you want to hug your children more often.

The House on Tradd Street was the first book by Karen White that I read. I haven't missed one since.

Real estate agent Melanie Middleton visits with elderly Nevin Vanderhorst just days before his unexpected death. When she inherits Vanderhorst's historic Tradd Street home she is less than thrilled, but Nevin's letter about the mother he is sure would never have abandoned him encourage her to restore the house at 55 Tradd Street and try to unravel the mystery surrounding Louisa Vanderhorst's sudden disappearance.

True crime writer Jack Trenholm is obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He believes the diamonds from the missing Confederate Treasury are stashed inside Melanie's house. Using Louisa's story, Jack is able to convince her to let him help with the restoration in exchange for allowing him to perform research for his next book.

Neither of them quite knows what they are getting into. An evil ghost also resides in the house on Tradd Street and it doesn't want Melanie or Jack telling Louisa's story.
This one captured me right away. As a Civil War buff, I was drawn to it for the plot, but the mixture of family secrets, love, legends, and the charm of the South, create an emotional tale that turned me into a Karen White fan.

I read Finding Chandra by Scott Higham and Sari Horwitz a few months before Ingmar Guandique was put on trial for her murder.

Based upon a request from the investigative editors of the Washington Post, Higham and Horwitz revisited the cold Chandra Levy case six years after her disappearance, compiling a thirteen-part series for the paper, which focused on the prime suspect the police and FBI had passed over years before. In Finding Chandra, readers are witness to their investigation: interviews with police, the FBI, Chandra's parents, the man who discovered the remains that were later identified as Chandra Levy's, former Congressman Gary Condit, people who knew Guandique--the man serving time for stalking and assaulting women in Rock Creek Park around the time of Chandra's disappearance--and more.

Finding Chandra reminds people of the young promising intern, a congressman's fall from grace, the crimes against women that occurred in Rock Creek Park, and that two parents sought justice for their beloved daughter.

It's an excellent piece of investigative journalism.

Inspired by Dickinson's letters and poetry, this novel blends fact and fiction in a seamless way that allows the reader to believe every word author Jerome Charyn has written is how it occurred.

The book opens in 1848, with a young Emily Dickinson as a seminarian at Mount Holyoke, where she falls in love with a fictional handyman known as Tom. Dickinson serves as the narrator of this tale, and Charyn emulated her voice to tell the story.

The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson portrays a passionate, witty woman who lived life fully, despite the confines of the society and times within which she was born and lived.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my library. What are some of your favorite books? What did you love most about them?

SPAroma Spa Fragrances Benefit You and Your Spa

The history of aromatherapy is believed to go back a thousand years, but it wasn't until the 20th century that this word cropped up in modern language. Aromatherapy--the use of aroma to enhance a feeling of well-being--has impacted many products: shampoos, lotions, and candles to name a few.

As I mentioned in my first Taking Time for Mom Thursdays feature, a relaxing bath is part of my nighttime routine. If I don't soak in the tub for an hour or so each night, I have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep. When we built the house, we installed a Jacuzzi® tub so I would have more room to stretch out. My girls like it too.

The one down side to using the tub so much is the need to clean it often. As a busy mom, I don't have time to scrub the jets every week. Looks like I've found a helpful solution.

SPAroma Spa Fragrances blend aromatherapy with the added benefit of enzyme technology to keep your water clear and maintenance to a minimum. With floral/fruity scents like Cherry Blossom, Citrus Blast, Florida Mango, Gardenia, Lavender, and Pear Delight, and a line of fragrances to make you think of an Island Escape--Vanilla Creme, Pina Colada, Forest Glen, Tropical Paradise, and Spring Mist--you're sure to find the right fragrance for you.

These time-release capsules are convenient and easy to use. Drop them into your spa or hot tub and enjoy the lovely spa fragrance. The best part is you can use these capsules over again until the contents are gone.

SPAroma Spa Fragrances are available at PoolGear Plus®. A 3pk of any SPAroma Spa Fragrances is only $15.99. They also offer a Lowest Price Guarantee: Find a lower price on a same-item SPAroma Spa Fragrance and receive a 12-pack SPAroma Spa Fragrance Assortment FREE with your order!

Enhance your spa experience with SPAroma Spa Fragrances.

This post is sponsored by PoolGear Plus, the fastest-growing catalog and internet company in the U.S.

Taking Time for Mom Thursdays

We're back for another Taking Time for Mom Thursday. I just put the finishing touches on a guest post for The Steady Hand Blog that will appear tomorrow. I'm one of those moms who enjoys her time in the kitchen and I love trying new recipes. My mother-in-law is kind enough to share her Greek recipes, but like me, she seasons to taste, so when asked for one of her recipes it usually looks like "a dash of this, a sprinkle of that."

Cooking and baking for your family can be relaxing if you enjoy it. Even if you don't like spending time in the kitchen, when you have a new recipe to try it at least makes cooking fun. Here is my mother-in-law's recipe for pork chops. If you try it, I would love to hear what you think.

Ingredients

4 - 6 bone-in pork chops
Olive oil
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Oregano
1 Clove of garlic, minced
Lemon juice

Step 1: Saute chops in large pan on the stove in olive oil and butter. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, oregano and garlic while browning.

Step 2: Sprinkle with lemon juice and cover tightly. Allow to cook on low until done. See recommended temperatures from the USDA here.

Like I said, "a dash of this, a sprinkle of that." When I make this, I use 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter to saute the chops. I use very little salt because pork is salty anyway. I probably add a 1/2 teaspoon of oregano. I am liberal with the lemon juice and my husband usually adds more once they are cooked because much of it burns off. It's important to keep the chops covered tightly so they retain moisture.

I serve this with rice and green beans. I make rice at the beginning of the week in  my steamer and then just reheat what I need during the week. I use the microwave to steam the green beans, then add a touch of butter and salt.

Taking Time for Mom Thursdays

My how time flies when you're a busy mom. This post would have been up earlier, but I had to take the truck to the mechanic for some regular maintenance today, clean house, and do laundry. Yawn.

I was wondering what are some of things you do to relax. One of the things I used to do a lot of is cross-stitch or needlework on plastic canvas. I had forgotten how much I used to craft until I saw Ellen's post about Embroider Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp over at Confessions of an Overworked Mom.

My mémère, or mémé as we usually called her, first introduced me to printed cross-stitch when I was around ten or eleven. I still have the tin container she gave me to carry my wooden hoop, needle and floss (I'll dig it out of my craft closet one day soon and take a picture of it so you can see it). I worked on printed cross-stitch kits for years before I felt comfortable switching to counted cross-stitch. With counted cross-stitch, you have no pattern, just a blank piece of Aida cloth. You fold the cloth to find the middle and begin stitching from the middle out to the edges.

While I was a single parent, I often had to rely on homemade gifts for family and friends. Counted cross-stitch certainly came in handy back then.  I subscribed to magazines so I could find new patterns. The Lil Diva was just a toddler and the Lil Princess still crawling around when I stopped cross-stitching. Blogging, writing and reviewing books have taken its place. I miss it. I'm hoping once the girls are teenagers and I have a bit more time to myself I'll be able to pick it up again. We'll see.

Do you like to craft? What is your area of interest? Do you give handmade gifts for special occasions? How many--if any--unfinished gifts do you have in your craft closet? I have to admit to at least two.

Taking Time for Mommy Thursdays

Right now it's hard to think about gardening. Last night the sleet came down in heavy sheets and around 4:30 AM it turned to snow. Now that the temperature has risen we have a couple of inches of slush that is being turned slushier by the pouring rain. Hopefully the trees and their branches stay where they belong, because that blustery wind is blowing things everywhere.

Gardening, while hard work, is also very relaxing. Now, before you get to thinking that I have a way with flowers, let me tell you I have the brownest thumb of anyone I know. And while I am a creative person, I need a garden plan to make my yard look decent.

In 2010 I won this great book from The Complete Idiot Series titled, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Year-Round Gardening. It's also available in Kindle format now, but this is one of those books I like to have in paperback. It opens with a discussion on how you can fool Mother Nature and grow flowers year-round. I'm not sure I'm up to that task, but Part 2 of this book caught my eye. It talks about starting with healthy soil. The soil around here is awful. The one year I put in a vegetable garden, I couldn't grow root crops because of all the rocks. Even after I tilled the land and removed many of them, the soil remained too rocky--and therefore too wet--to grow root crops properly. Without proper aeration I have spots that stay mossy most of the year.

I've been composting for years, but I wonder if I am doing it right because I can't say that I have added much to my soil. There's a section that gives me the basics on that too. The book is full of information about growing from seed, feeding and fertilizing, maintaining outdoor covered gardens, gardening indoors under lights, growing with greenhouses--would love to try this, and even the basics of what to do after the harvest and storing crops in a root cellar (I grew up with one of those).

I haven't read all of it yet, but I think I'm going to do my best to get through it by March. I want to put in a vegetable garden this year using raised beds. I have a perfect spot for them. The Lil Diva wants her own plot too, so raised beds seem to be the way to go. I also have big plans to change the bushes in the front of the house for something that will make Christmas decorating a bit nicer and easier.

Do you have a flower garden or a vegetable garden? What is your favorite flower? Do you have any gardening tips to share?

Taking Time for Mom Thursdays

Here's the next new feature I'm starting for 2012. For busy moms, it seems like there are never enough hours in the day. If you're not at the office, taking care of the family, volunteering, or running errands, you're asleep. If you're lucky, you get five hours of rest before dragging yourself from your bed and starting the mad rush all over again. When is there time for you?

I got sick right before Thanksgiving and I couldn't shake it. I'm not talking an annoying sniffle. I spent almost two weeks in bed, and until two days before Christmas I didn't feel like my normal self. Not only had I allowed myself to get run down, I created a schedule that didn't allow for any "me" time.

I've decided that can't happen again. After numerous doctor visits, two rounds of antibiotics, steroids, and forced bed rest, I know I need to make a change. That's why I'm starting this column. Yes, I hope other busy moms can use these posts to inspire them to create their own "me" time, but I also need this to serve as a reminder to myself that I need to slow down and take a break at least once a week.

No matter how crazy my day has been, I start my getting ready for bed routine by turning on the hot water and filling the tub. Since I have sensitive skin it's usually just me and the water, but every once in a while I'll added sea salts or bubble bath. Scents like lavender and chamomile are very relaxing. When the Lil Diva was a baby, I would use Johnson's Baby Bedtime Bath, Lavender & Chamomile to soothe her. She always had a hard time settling down for bed, but this bath wash along with lotioning her up afterwards made a huge difference.

I usually read in the tub. Most times I find myself falling asleep mid-chapter. That's okay, a paperback can recover even if it looks a bit worse for wear after. I don't think it would be good to drop my Kindle in. I also find bath time to be the perfect time to give myself a manicure or pedicure since my cuticles are soft.

Do you taking relaxing baths before bed or is it a shower in the morning? Do you use bubble bath, scented oils or sea salts? What is your favorite scent?