Demotivators

D is for Demotivators!!

Let's face sometimes life is taken too seriously and we just need to laugh. Bad mood cures below!!









For the coming holidays:


Also, I wanted to send out a heartfelt thank-you to everyone that has been reading, leaving comments, and following. I'm touched by how many new people I've met so far through this challenge. I'm trying to return the favor and visit/follow all of you blogs too! Have a Delightful Day!

Coffee and Chocolate

C is for Coffee and Chocolate

Source

Source

Source

Two of my favorite things start with "C"! Honestly, I'm not aware of anything else that starts with the letter "C" and is as important as these two dietary must-have. Why yes, I can write a whole blog post on just coffee and chocolate, lol.

Coffee
I've been drinking coffee since I was about 10. At 5'3.5", I could be used as a sample in effort to prove that coffee really does stunt your growth. When I first started it was only to pair with after dinner desert and on special occasions. By high school, I was bringing my own thermos every morning. When I hit college I was making a half pot in the morning and another in the afternoon. Now as a busy mother and community volunteer I average a cup of half in the morning and most often a pricey Caribou drink in the afternoon. However, in effort to save money on coffee I was introduced to the most awesome Mean Bean's by Java Monster. They're divine.


Chocolate
I prefer dark chocolate which is good because I can use the excuse that it is lowering my blood pressure, a malady that runs in my family. When my husband's grandma was still alive she used to always make sure I was stocked up on chocolate. She would send home those large bricks of Hershey's dark chocolate. I would keep them in the fridge and break off small pieces here and there. Now, my husband brings one home every now and then to surprise me. Love.

I suppose we all have our vices, yes?

Bonnaroo

Bonnaroo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bonnaroo is a music and arts festival that takes place every summer in Manchester, TN. I've been wanting to go for years now and with the announcement of Mumford & Sons, my favorite band, playing again this summer I decided this was the year. On the morning of tickets sales, I sat by the computer counting the minutes to 12pm EST. When the clock struck 11:00 (I live in CST) and the internet doors opened I raced along with many other cyber hippie friends to the ticket sale webpage. I've never been so happy to have a fast internet connection and mad typing skills in my life. The loading bars spun and my heart rapidly pumped with each keystroke.

Finally, I had the confirmation of our tickets and camping arrangements. Oh happy day!

My husband and I have not been away together since our honeymoon, six years ago this summer, so we are both excited for the happy love fest that awaits us! Other bands that I am excited to see: Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, Florance + the Machine, The Black Keys, Robert Plant & Band of Joy, Scissor Sisters, etc!!

We're doing the "Tent City" experience so we're roughing it...which reminds me, we should really start shopping for tents and an air mattress asap. I plan on writing up many articles and guides when we are finished with the fest as well, so look for that late this summer.

So have you gone? Know someone that has? Are you going?

To celebrate the occasion Ben & Jerry's has come up with a new ice cream to pay homage to the 'Roo

A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Series

Yay! The first day of the A to Z Challenge has begun! Today, I'm cheating a bit with my letter but that's okay because I'm a rebel and here's me having a rebellion...


Day 1: A Song of Ice and Fire

In a land where seasons span years and summer has lasted far too long...Winter is coming...

Source

A Song of Ice and Fire book series is written by George R.R. Martin. It is a fantasy series unlike any you have read before. It's raw, real, and completely head turning. Currently there are four books: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows. Last month we received the release date for the long awaited, A Dance with Dragons!

What first turned me on to the books was not only the depth of the story, but the amazing ability of GRRM to write in various voices. From a coming of age young lady to a stunted and disgruntled dwarf and back to a protective mother of five and on to a father just trying to live his life honorably and prepare for the coming winter, GRRM gives them all a uniqueness all their own. Instead of being broken up by chapters the books switch narrative and as the series progresses readers gain access to a growing number of characters which causes viewpoints and truths to shift and twist.

If the bookworm in you still isn't screaming to pick up these books, perhaps this will persuade you. If you haven't heard, HBO has picked up the story for their show "Game of Thrones" on April 17th. To say I'm excited for this show is putting it lightly. What I'll Be Looking for in HBO's a Game of Thrones. (no book spoilers in link) The network has put in a large chunk of cash into creating this world and has come up with some of the most creative marketing strategies I have ever seen. You may not have time to finish the books before the premier, but it's never too late to start reading!

Also, I always feel like I should warn people before picking up these books. They are not for the faint of heart. If you love fantastical romance where nothing bad ever happens, you may not take to this story. These books capture the reality of the politics of war and the fight for power while also bringing in an element of magic and fantasy. I've enjoyed them for their truth and for the underlying social statements that are portrayed, but that's not to say I've been frustrated by several plot twists.

If you happen to pick them up or have read them, let me know what you think!!
(Also, welcome to all my new followers! I hope you like it here!)

Awesome deal for all four books:
George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 4-Book Boxed Set: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire)

Calling all bloggers!!

Do you want to increase traffic to your blog, but are out of creative ideas to write about?

I just signed up for the A to Z Challenge for the month of April. I'm number 703 so there are a ton of bloggers involved with this. The challenge is to post each day (except Sunday) about something starting with the letter of that day. It sounds like a great challenge and I think it's a great way to increase followers.

Let me know if you sign up and I will make sure to follow you if I already don't!

Have a fantastic day! Peace.

Vacation Review

Seriously guys, we had so much fun! Here are my reviews of Three Bears Lodge!

Three Bears Lodge

Water Park Review

Restaurants

...

"...with silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair." -Bob Dylan


"Someone told me there's a girl out there with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair." -Led Zeppelin


"If you're going to San Fransisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair." -Scott McKenzie

Some pictures are not mine so, yeah not claiming ownership or anything. They're just pretty.