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When I saw this book on Amazon First Reads, I kept asking myself, “Have I read any J. T. Ellison books?” Her name sounded familiar, but a quick check proved that I had not read any…..now I’m…
When I saw this book…
When I saw this book on Amazon First Reads, I kept asking myself, “Have I read any J. T. Ellison books?” Her name sounded familiar, but a quick check proved that I had not read any…..now I’m asking myself, “WHY haven’t I read any J. T. Ellison books?” Oh my goodness, I’ve read quite a few books this month, but this is the first one I have reviewed because I LOVED it! Let’s talk about A Very Bad Thing ~ A Book Review! The synopsis starts with this sentence: A great writer knows when to deliver a juicy plot twist. But for one author, the biggest twist of all is her ow…
Shelly Latinovich
October 29, 2024 
It’s almost here again….HALLOWEEN! I love everything Halloween….and if you are reading this, that means you do too! YAY! I get mesmerized each year when new and fun decor comes out in the …
It’s almost here a…
It’s almost here again….HALLOWEEN! I love everything Halloween….and if you are reading this, that means you do too! YAY! I get mesmerized each year when new and fun decor comes out in the stores, but I also LOVE making my own ghostly decor so that my house is unique. This year I bring you 3 Ghostly DIY Crafts for Halloween….let’s go! Ghosts in Frames ~Items Needed:Different sizes of frames Black cardstock – plain or glittery Various colors craft paint Craft paintbrushes Scissors Glue stick Black markerEasy peasy guys…you can either trace a ghost on an old book page …
Shelly Latinovich
October 12, 2024 
I know you are probably asking right now, “Mimi, what on earth are you talking about?” Well, follow along as I roll “Compliment Cash – For Kids!”… which is my new fun idea to: Keep …
I know you are proba…
I know you are probably asking right now, “Mimi, what on earth are you talking about?” Well, follow along as I roll “Compliment Cash – For Kids!”… which is my new fun idea to: Keep in touch with the grandchildren (whether you live close or far away) Praise their accomplishments (big or small) Continue “snail mail” fun…as I always say….kids LOVE getting mail!I consider myself very lucky in that our grandchildren all live close! However, I still love to send goodies and such to the grandkids via “snail mail.” Even though we are in a very “tech-savvy” er…
Shelly Latinovich
September 4, 2024 
Choo choo trains….one of the best toys that has transcended time! Our son was obsessed with Thomas the Train (back in the day), so you can imagine how excited I became when our grand, Owen, also b…
Choo choo trains….…
Choo choo trains….one of the best toys that has transcended time! Our son was obsessed with Thomas the Train (back in the day), so you can imagine how excited I became when our grand, Owen, also became obsessed with trains. Of course, once one of our grandkids have a theme they love, our daughter takes off to create a birthday party that they will always remember. Such was the case with Owen’s train themed birthday party!We happen to have Owen and Pappy that share this birthday which doubles the fun! The party is so much more fun if you dress to match the theme….am I right? Tra…
Shelly Latinovich
July 13, 2024 
Shark Week is just a few days away! How many of you like to indulge in all episodes aired regarding the life of sharks in the deep dark ocean? We try to watch as many episodes as we can to learn…
Shark Week is just a…
Shark Week is just a few days away! How many of you like to indulge in all episodes aired regarding the life of sharks in the deep dark ocean? We try to watch as many episodes as we can to learn about these fabulous beasts. Of course, the shark themed food and crafts are a big part of this week for us as well. This year we are going to be making a Moving Paper Shark for one of our Shark Week Crafts! When I first saw this fun paper craft, I knew it was definitely going on the schedule of fun shark week crafts. There are several steps to completing this awesome craft, so I have separ…
Shelly Latinovich
July 3, 2024 
I know…I know….it’s summer…so who is thinking about Halloween? I am! It certainly doesn’t hurt to start planning your new and exciting Halloween projects…especially if you are craft…
I know…I know…
I know…I know….it’s summer…so who is thinking about Halloween? I am! It certainly doesn’t hurt to start planning your new and exciting Halloween projects…especially if you are crafting a fun and unique DIY Upcycled Yard Skeleton. Follow along on how to make your own skeleton using materials you might have normally thrown away! As you probably already know, I am in a Sustainable Craft Challenge Group. Julie, from Sum of Their Stories, gives us a theme each month to create an eco-friendly craft. We are given a date to have it done by and all of our posts go live at the s…
Shelly Latinovich
June 12, 2024 
Southern Girls Always Survive was sent to me to read and provide my honest review. Thank you to Self-Publishing Services for entrusting me with this opportunity. I enjoyed this debut novel by Rock…
Southern Girls Alway…
Southern Girls Always Survive was sent to me to read and provide my honest review. Thank you to Self-Publishing Services for entrusting me with this opportunity. I enjoyed this debut novel by Rocky and Mary Kennedy Yost and am providing my book review below. CHARACTERS IN SOUTHERN GRILS ALWAYS SURVIVE~Cecelia “Hilly” Garland – protagonist, part of lthe “12th Floor Girls” Mary Frances Garland – Hilly’s mother Mr. Allard Aiken – Attorney/running for State Senate Rolle Gilchrest – fellow classmate of Hilly Andrew Gilchrest – Congressman and Uncle of Rolle Julia Larson …
Shelly Latinovich
May 14, 2024 
Do you find yourself looking for something new and different for mom each year when Mother’s Day rolls around? Me too! Let’s face it….you know mom will be happy with whatever you gift her, b…
Do you find yourself…
Do you find yourself looking for something new and different for mom each year when Mother’s Day rolls around? Me too! Let’s face it….you know mom will be happy with whatever you gift her, but sometimes you just need that something that’s a little extra. The good thing is, I think I have hit the jackpot with this one! Every mother is sure to love this unique DIY Mother’s Day Planter! Bonus: while this is indeed a great Mother’s Day gift, it is also a great gift for many other occasions as well. A beautiful flower or plant potted in a moss covered tea cup and saucer…pe…
Shelly Latinovich
March 27, 2024 
Ok….so Easter is nearing….your are hosting….and you haven’t planned everything yet! There is still time to create these awesome and very easy DIY Easter crafts. Whether you try all three o…
Ok….so Easter is n…
Ok….so Easter is nearing….your are hosting….and you haven’t planned everything yet! There is still time to create these awesome and very easy DIY Easter crafts. Whether you try all three of them or concentrate on one, they are sure to spruce up your Easter tablescapes or home decor! Maybe you aren’t hosting….but you want to take a nice hostess gift….I’ve got you covered! These little carrots and bunnies are sure to delight everyone. Best of all….you can say, “I made it myself!” You go girl (or guy)! Easy DIY Easter Crafts ~ Notice the plural on craft(s)! I j…
Shelly Latinovich
March 12, 2024 
Spring is around the corner and that means it is time to start thinking about outdoor decor and flowers! Every year I always feel like I need to buy new things to spruce up the yard. This year, I …
Spring is around the…
Spring is around the corner and that means it is time to start thinking about outdoor decor and flowers! Every year I always feel like I need to buy new things to spruce up the yard. This year, I am working on doing some DIY and upcycling things that we already have around the house. As luck would have it, it is time for our monthly Sustainable Craft Challenge Blog Hop so I decided to try my hand at making upcycled tin can planters. Each month Julie from Sum of Their Stories gives us a theme and challenges us to create a sustainable craft to share. This month our theme is rainbows. …
Shelly Latinovich
March 5, 2024 
I never excelled in history….I just wasn’t that person that enjoyed the subject much. Maybe this is why I enjoy historical fiction so much now…to catch up on everything I missed in a “story-…
I never excelled in …
I never excelled in history….I just wasn’t that person that enjoyed the subject much. Maybe this is why I enjoy historical fiction so much now…to catch up on everything I missed in a “story-like” fashion vs. just memorizing the facts. Kristin Hannah stated in her interview that she wanted to wait until she was a more established writer to write about The Vietnam War. The country was divided about the war so she wanted to be ready to present it well. The Women is the end result and came together fantastically. …
Shelly Latinovich
February 29, 2024 
Whether you are looking for an easy DIY Valentine craft or an everyday heart decor item, this DIY Valentine Rag Wreath Heart is perfect! Changing the color scheme from colorful to neutral can easily…
Whether you are look…
Whether you are looking for an easy DIY Valentine craft or an everyday heart decor item, this DIY Valentine Rag Wreath Heart is perfect! Changing the color scheme from colorful to neutral can easily make this a beautiful decorative piece for holiday or everyday. What’s even better is that it is so easy to make and you most likely have everything you need already. This was perfect timing for the craft blog hop group that I take part in. Julie from Sum of their Stories challenges us each month to a Sustainable Craft Challenge. Each blogger takes the theme and creates a fun craft that i…
Shelly Latinovich
February 6, 2024 Everyone finds themselves in a tumultous relationship at some point in their life…whether with friend, family or spouse. However, not feeling love from a parent has to top the list of most painful…
Everyone finds thems…
Everyone finds themselves in a tumultous relationship at some point in their life…whether with friend, family or spouse. However, not feeling love from a parent has to top the list of most painful. A child is constantly trying to gain affection from a parent…sometimes even when they themselves are now an adult. Dive into this book review of Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah to see how this evolves. The Characters ~Meredith Whitson – mother; daughter to Anya & Evan; sister to Nina, wife to Jeff Nina Whitson – photojournalist; daughter to Anya & Evan; sister to Meredith Evan Whitso…
Shelly Latinovich
December 12, 2023 
Ahhhh….the age old question that sparks conversation all around the world…What would you do? Author Nikki Erlick presents a very thought provoking scenario for this very question. On an otherw…
Ahhhh….the age old…
Ahhhh….the age old question that sparks conversation all around the world…What would you do? Author Nikki Erlick presents a very thought provoking scenario for this very question. On an otherwise normal day, all around the world, every person aged 22 and above receives a little box at their house/dwelling/etc. Each one looks the same and has the same inscription, “The measure of your life lies within.” Would you open it? The Measure by Nikki Erlick is a fascinating story that carefully weaves you into the lives of several different people. Some are “short stringers”, some…
Shelly Latinovich
November 14, 2023 
It’s that time of the month again…the wonderful time that I share a sustainable craft that I have made AND also share with you several other ladies’ crafts as well! It’s a bonus post that is…
It’s that time of …
It’s that time of the month again…the wonderful time that I share a sustainable craft that I have made AND also share with you several other ladies’ crafts as well! It’s a bonus post that is filled with wonderful ideas…and the theme for November is Christmas! I have been very intrigued by string art lately so you guessed it….DIY Christmas Tree String Art is the choice for me! Sustainable: Using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged. Many crafters (myself included) find it so hard to throw stuff away because they are just SURE there is someth…
Shelly Latinovich
November 7, 2023 
Chances are you already have several items laying around that can be used for a DIY Bubbling Cauldron. Whether it is a plastic Halloween cauldron you have purchased or you have a fun bucket of some …
Chances are you alre…
Chances are you already have several items laying around that can be used for a DIY Bubbling Cauldron. Whether it is a plastic Halloween cauldron you have purchased or you have a fun bucket of some sort that can be converted to one. With a few supplies, you can easily convert it to a spooky cauldron filled with a realistic looking witche’s concoction that is sure to be enjoyed by all. Items Needed for DIY Bubbling Cauldron ~clear ornaments – different sizes craft paint – green, orange, yellow, rust/bronze, black (depending on your color scheme) paint brushes/sponge of various size…
Shelly Latinovich
October 3, 2023 
As we start edging toward a new decade in our life, many people find themselves feeling anxious over their past ten years. Where does society say I should be at this point in my life? I say to hec…
As we start edging t…
As we start edging toward a new decade in our life, many people find themselves feeling anxious over their past ten years. Where does society say I should be at this point in my life? I say to heck with all of that jibberish….just enjoy where you are. Every year has highs and lows….let’s celebrate the “death” of one decade and happily move on to the next. That’s exactly what we did when planning the 30th birthday party for our daughter, Karleigh. Death to My 20s ~ Yes, this was the theme for celebrating our beautiful girl. We are not saying death to the 20s because they…
Shelly Latinovich
July 11, 2023 
When you come to the end of your life, which of these do you think will resonate with you the most:REGRETS – There are things you wish you would have done differently. ADVICE – There are some gr…
When you come to the…
When you come to the end of your life, which of these do you think will resonate with you the most:REGRETS – There are things you wish you would have done differently. ADVICE – There are some great things you have learned along the way that you feel are important to share. CONFESSIONS – There are secrets you kept that you feel you should finally reveal.That’s enough to make you ponder for a bit…am I right? You might even find yourself thinking you fall into more than one category. According to Clover, most people really tend to focus on just one when they know they are nearin…
Shelly Latinovich
June 13, 2023 
