Mailbox Monday - April 15

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.

Welcome to Monday! It is tax return day, so the post office will be busy. I am dropping off ours and the in-laws' returns. I don't relish it, but it must be done. The Lil' Diva and I are also wrapping up the college tours today. We think she has already decided, but we want to check out the last one on her accepted list.

This was a nice weekend. I started my barre workout program. They are 10 minute workouts, so I should be able to fit those in. I also planted the early spring vegetables this Saturday. The hubby and I joined his father at the veterans appreciation dinner that night as well. It was Palm Sunday today, so we went to the new church (still not sure if it will be our permanent place) and the pastor gave a wonderful message on how Christ's death and resurrection means the devil is defeated, but he just can't accept it. Spiritual warfare is one of my favorite topics.

I'm not reading as much lately. Partially because work has been busy, but also because I'm tired all the time. I've got an appointment with the pulmonary department now that they have discovered I have mild sleep apnea.

Here is what my mailbox held last week.

I also bought this book with an Amazon credit. 

That's it from my neck of the woods. Hope you'll share what was in your mailbox. Enjoy your week.

Subscription Service Review: Decocrated Curated Home

If I ever came back to life, I certainly hope I will have more decorating smarts than I do now. Give me a picture and I can recreate it. Ask me to come up with something on my own and I will be totally lost.

Not sure if I've ever mentioned this before, but I hate shopping. I don't dislike it. It doesn't just slightly annoy me. I hate it. I would rather vacuum the house fifty times than go shopping once.

But here is the problem: we need stuff. Things wear out. And, as far as decor goes, sometimes it simply goes out of style. I realized a few months ago that I have been using the same fake flowers for at least a decade. Each bundle cost about $2. I think I got my money's worth.

When I saw an ad for Decocrated Curated Home, I figured I would give it a try. Once a quarter, a shipment is sent at a cost of $79. You can sign up to pay as you go or for an annual subscription, which saves you 10%. 

Below is what the Spring subscription looked like. 

It included:

• Two pillow shams
• One set of four cork coasters with fun sayings
• A colorful clock
• A rectangular wooden basket
• One fake succulent in a white planter
• A Things to Remember chalkboard
• A two-sided sign with an inspirational quote on one side and cute saying on the other
• An inspirational saying printed on card stock 

Prior to receiving my Spring shipment, I received a FREE wooden shadow box frame with a clip inside as a gift. Perfect for using that card stock item above. 

I used some of the items from the shipment to change my mantle over from winter to spring. I also used pillow forms I already owned to add the black and white pillow sham to the family room sectional and the floral one to a chair in my mother-in-law's bedroom. 

Advantages of this service:

• I don't have to go shopping
• The items coordinate easily 
• Changing themes each season is simple
• The included booklet provides design ideas
• You can cancel at any time

Disadvantages of this service:

• No control over what is shipped
• It might be necessary to supplement with decor items you already own (like I did in the picture above)
• No returns or substitutions allowed
• If you receive damaged items you must contact them within 24 hours and take photographic evidence to receive a replacement

In this first shipment, the clock didn't work right. I had to fiddle with the battery compartment to get  the metal clip to align correctly so it would work. In addition, a liquid chalk was provided with the chalkboard. You were supposed to be able to wipe the chalk off. You can't. By the time they sent me the email telling me not to use the liquid chalk, it was too late. They could only offer me a credit on my account. They could not replace the chalkboard. 

Overall, I am satisfied with my first Decocrated Curated Home box. I didn't sign up for an annual subscription because I wasn't sure what I would think. Considering the number of items shipped, it is an average value. I see this as a way to keep our living areas looking fresh and new each season.

They also offer decorating tips, DIYs and inspiration if you subscribe to their email list. I'm looking forward to my next box.

This review contains my honest opinions, which I was not compensated for in any way.

Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet from NeighborFood

A few weeks ago, I made this delicious and easy meal with ground beef from my Butcherbox shipment. The recipe can be found on the NeighborFood blog.


1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 lb. ground beef
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cups diced yukon gold diced potatoes
3 carrots, diced
3 ears corn, cut off the cob
1 cup beef broth
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

Truly, the most time consuming part of the recipe is chopping up the vegetables. After that, it comes together easily.

The ground beef from Butcherbox comes in a vacuum sealed packaging. The beef and steaks were our favorite parts of our first shipment. 

Reading the comments on the NeighborFood blog, it seemed some people had challenges getting the vegetables to soften in the allotted time. I cut my potatoes fairly thin, but I also decided to cover the meal for 5 minutes to help soften the potatoes and carrots. This was the only alteration to the recipe. 

This came together so easily and my family loved it. I'll definitely be making it again. 

Task it Tuesday - April 9

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

We have come back around to Tuesday again. It was a good week and I managed a few things on my list. Everything feels a bit off, though, because we haven't found a new church. Sunday used to be my favorite day of the week, but now nothing seems right. I keep praying for guidance. I'm sure it will come when the time is right.

So, what did I accomplish last week?

• Stayed ahead of schedule with reading the Bible
• Had a great coaching call on Thursday that left me with some new ideas
• Finished Chapter 21 of Amelia's Mission and presented it to my writing group yesterday

The tasks I didn't get to will go back on the list for this week. Here is what the list looks like:

• Daily Bible reading 
• Stick to my 5-5-5-5 plan for reaching out to more people: 5 calls, 5 texts, 5 emails and 5 handwritten notes every day 
• Time block my calendar 
• Send out Spring cleaning letter
• Find two agents for Clever Tom
• Write query letter for Clever Tom
• Set up ballet barre in bonus room
• Set out bag of donations for Wednesday
• Schedule appointments

That's it for me. What are some tasks you're looking to accomplish this week?

Interview with Rachel Marie Martin, Author of The Brave Art of Motherhood

Rachel Marie Martin believes in the power of the human spirit to overcome, to thrive and to find deep joy and because of that she pours out her heart via these platforms: she is the writer behind the site FindingJoy.net, partner of BloggingConcentrated.com, co-host of the Amplify Podcast, and a featured writer for The Huffington Post. Her top blog post, "Why Being a Mom is Enough" has surpassed 1.9 million Facebook likes and she has had her articles translated into over 25 languages. Her site reaches millions of visitors and has a robust, engaged Facebook community. Her articles have been featured in The Huffington Post, iVillage, The Today Show, Star Tribune, iVillage, Stuff New Zealand, PopSugar, Parents, What to Expect, Mamalode, NBC Parents, Dr. Greene, and many more. Her first book, "The Brave Art of Motherhood", published by Penguin Random House, was released on October 9, 2018.

She speaks worldwide about a variety of empowering topics ranging from motherhood to social media marketing to website strategy to writing to creating an authentic community. She believes in living each day intentionally and loves working with others to cultivate a vision, realize their potential and see their dreams become a reality.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Where did you grow up?

We are from St. Michael, a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. We moved to Nashville just over two years ago. My folks were church planters, among other things, and are retired now. My extended family still lives in Minnesota, but have grown to love having family in the South to visit during the long winters. The lack of snow been quite a change for the kids, but they have acclimated and look forward to school getting cancelled for the tiniest of reasons.

When did you begin writing?

I’ve always been drawn to computers. I have a memory of my dad purchasing a TI99 desktop computer and teaching me to code. Fast forward to college years and the AOL floppy disk to Yahoo! Groups to the start of blogging. The internet has always been a place for me to connect and became a vessel for my thoughts and words. As stated above, I started writing Finding Joy just about ten years ago. In the beginning, it was a bit of a hobby, but as time went on and it began to grow I gradually made the pivot from hobby to career. And honestly, for the last six years, this has been my full time job for myself, my partner Dan, as well as several others who are part of our team.

What is this book about?

Your heart matters and it’s easy to forget yourself in the middle of motherhood and think that “I’ll take care of myself” tomorrow. But life is short and there is no greater gift to yourself, your family and your friends when you are brave and fight for your heart, purpose and happiness again.

How is it similar to other books in its genre? How is it different?

Well, I think it’s similar in the fact that most motherhood books embrace how much motherhood matters. I can’t think of one book that would ever negate that universal truth. I would say that it differs in the way that it’s not about motherhood as in making a better pot roast or organizing, but is rather about your own heart in the midst of motherhood. It’s a reminder of strength and bravery and is the friend in the motherhood ring with you believing in all you can do and showing you what you have already done.

What is the most important thing readers can learn from your book?

You are a given a choice every day - wait to live fully or dare to live fully - and when you decided that every single day is a gift the decision to fight for that day becomes easy.

Where can readers purchase a copy?

All the usual places of course (ie. Amazon, Barnes&Noble, BAM, Target, Kindle, Audible) and I have autographed copies and special bundles at BraveArtofMotherhood.com

What is up next for you?

Finding Joy is a full-time job and I’m grateful that it’s my life. I will continue writing and continue developing programs that motivate and inspire. I’m hopeful to also continue to speak, to write another book when the opportunity presents, and to start a podcast.

Task it Tuesday - April 2

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

I was determined not to miss Task It Tuesday two weeks in a row. Even though it is late in coming, it is done.

The last couple of weeks have gone to hell in a handbasket. Leaving the church has left me unsettled. It was the right thing to do--especially in light of what I'm hearing is going on there now--but I feel like I have no home. I'm just so sad to see the church I have loved for over two decades go in the direction it is. We have gone to another church closer to us, but it's not the same and not even close to what I loved about our old church. This weekend we will miss service because the Lil' Diva and I are spending Sunday touring colleges. Maybe that will give me a new perspective.

Work has been ridiculous--listings coming, which is good--so that's why I haven't been blogging as much. I made a bit of time for writing last week, so I am happy about that.

Here is what my list looks like:

• Daily Bible reading - Ahead of schedule
• Stick to my 5-5-5-5 plan for reaching out to more people: 5 calls, 5 texts, 5 emails and 5 handwritten notes every day - Haven't tracked this in the last two weeks
• Time block my calendar - Haven't done this in the last two weeks
• Coaching call on Thursday
• Finish Chapter 21 of Amelia's Mission
• Find two agents for Clever Tom 
• Write query letter for Clever Tom

What's on your list this week?

Mailbox Monday - April 1

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.

Welcome back to Monday. It's April Fools' Day. Any good plans for that?  I just hope no one pranks me. I am so gullible.

Last week I missed blogging here. There were just too many things going on. I had listing appointments; my mother-in-law is with us;  the Lil' Diva had physical therapy for her back because it's really been bothering her; and I had meetings like crazy. Oh.and we saw KISS in Boston on Tuesday. They always put on a good show.

Paul Stanley visits the crowd

I also finished a chapter of my middle grade novel and started the next one. Hopefully the next chapter will be done before writing group meets next week. Changed my hair too!

In my book world, my physical mailbox held two presents:

Then I picked up this Kindle freebie. Young adult contemporary romance isn't my usual fare, but it sounds interesting.

What did your mailbox hold?