Best Movie I've seen in Awhile

I know I'm a little late to the game and everyone and their mother has already seen Inception but I FINALLY saw it last night.My husband and I rarely agree on a movie but we both wanted to see this one. Last time we watched True Grit - which HE picked out, we did both agree that one SUCKED.
I'm a Sci-fi nerd so this was perfect for me. 

       Visionary filmmaker Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Dark Knight) writes and directs this psychological sci-fi action film about a thief who possesses the power to enter into the dreams of others. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) doesn't steal things, he steals ideas.

     By projecting himself deep into the subconscious of his targets, he can glean information that even the best computer hackers can't get to. In the world of corporate espionage, Cobb is the ultimate weapon. But even weapons have their weakness, and when Cobb loses everything, he's forced to embark on one final mission in a desperate quest for redemption. This time, Cobb won't be harvesting an idea, but sowing one.

    Should he and his team of specialists succeed, they will have discovered a new frontier in the art of psychic espionage. They've planned everything to perfection, and they have all the tools to get the job done. Their mission is complicated, however, by the sudden appearance of a malevolent foe that seems to know exactly what they're up to, and precisely how to stop them.

This was action packed, deep on many levels, and since I've had a crush on Leonardo DiCaprio since Titanic, momma got some eye candy.
I HIGHLY recommend this movie! We will be buying it to add to our must have collection.

Homemade Sodas

I'm one of those mean mommies that doesn't let me kids drink Coke or Colas unless it's a special occasion like Christmas or their Birthdays.
However I do make them homemade sodas.
So easy and delicious too!
I take club soda and fill up the glass 3/4 and add fresh juice or pulp.
I also like to use the Mango Juicy Juice when it's on sale. This is DELICIOUS, cheap, and a Much healthier version of a soda.
The kids love how the fizz tickles their noses. I also like to add fresh strawberries to it to. Super YUMMY!

For more Great Recipes Check out our Foodies Group on our Community

and the Winners are....

for Wanna Get Lucky & Lucky Stiff.  ( I absolutely love these books!!)

Is Lmbrunken   

and for Island Girl is                              Lissyta

Both winners have been emailed and have 48 hrs to get back with me. Congrats!!

Dark Corners Review & 2 Book Giveaway

      Dark Corners Description

  Ella Reynolds knew from the first moment she walked into the old house someone or something was watching her. Waiting. Her husband's violent murder sent her spiraling into a world of grief and isolation, but Ella isn't alone. Who or what is responsible for her husband's death is still with her. Darkness has engulfed the past year of Ella's life. Everyday reality slips a little more between her fingers as she struggles to break free from her memories. 

     She must look deeper into her past as well as the present to discover truth of her husband's homicide. A string of uncanny events takes place and practical explanations run thin as Ella follows the terrifying road to closure. As the past and present come to a head, Ella must decipher who or what the murderer is before it takes her as well. 

                                                   

Mandie's Thoughts - First I want to say that I wasn't given this book to review but that I bought it. I know you'd think as many books that are sent to me I'd never have to buy a book again. Well this one came highly recommended on a book club I'm in and I figured it was only $2.99 for the kindle version, how could I not get it? As soon as I picked it up I couldn't put it down.

    Ella is so flawed. She's paranoid, crazy, and a drunk but I really connected with her (& not because I'm any of those things). From the very beginning you have to know why she's nuts. You know there has to be much more to it and as you read you see that there is something about her house...

    This book provoked so many emotions in me. I was angry, scared, curious, but most importantly entertained. I couldn't put this book down and it literally had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Dark Corners had me stumped and I'm really good at guessing the end. I was second guessing everyone and everything! I probably guessed every character in the book before it was over and I was still surprised.  
    I honestly think Dark Corners would make the perfect movie, one that even my husband would watch..

                     I loved this book so much I contacted the author and asked if I would offer my readers a copy. She was kind enough to allow 2 copies to give away! Your choice of e-book (international) or print (US)
 Mandatory Entry - Tell me you want it and promise me you won't jump to the end ;) BUY IT HERE or if you go to Smashwords & use code SSW50                                                      It is on sale for $1.50for their big July Sale!
Extra Entries -  +1 Follow Liz's Blog Entering Bat Country  on GFC +1 Follow Liz's Blog 4 Corners Press on GFC
+1 Follow Time 4 Mommy on GFC
+1 Follow Dark Corners Fan Page on Facebook +1 Friend Liz Schulte on Facebook  +1 Follow Time 4 Mommy on Facebook
+1 Follow Liz Schulte on Twitter
+1 Follow Time 4 Mommy on Twitter
+5 Join our Time 4 Mommy Community (we have a book club!)
         Giveaway will end July 19th at 11:59pm. The winners will be chosen by random.org and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S Residents 18+ for the print version or international for the e-book

Summertime Crafts for Kids

Summertime Crafts for Kids

Guest post by Rachel Paxton

ROCK PAPERWEIGHTS

Give each child a rock that has been washed with soap and dried. Have the children decorate the rocks with craft paint to create their own unique paperweights.

MASKS

Cut 8 ½ x 11 pieces of paper in half. Give each child a piece of paper and a crayon or marker. Have each child fold their piece of paper in half and cut a hole that their nose will fit through. Have them cut a small hole first, then adjust the hole to fit the size of their nose. Have the children try on their masks and let them try to figure out where the eyes should go. They can then cut out holes for the eyes. Let the children decorate their masks with different facial expressions.

JIGSAW PUZZLES

Give each child a piece of cardboard, a picture from a magazine, some scissors, and some glue. Have the children glue their pictures onto their cardboard. When the glue is dry, have them cut their cardboard into the shape of jigsaw puzzle pieces. When they have finished, have them trade puzzles and have a race to see who finishes first.

GRAPH PAPER DRAWINGS

Give each child a sheet of graph paper and a pen or pencil. Have each child draw a picture on the graph paper using only the lines on the graph paper. Curved lines are not allowed. Let the children color their creations. Have them share their pictures with each other when they are done.

COLLAGES

Give each child newspapers, scissors, glue, and notebook paper. Have each child cut words and sentences from newspaper pages and combine them to create a unique story. Have them arrange their sentences on the notebook paper and glue them in place. A theme for the stories can be decided beforehand. Let the children share their stories with each other.

FLUBBER

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 cups white school glue
1 1/3 cups warm water
3 teaspoons Borax
Food coloring

Mix 1 1/2 cups warm water, glue, and food coloring together. In a separate bowl, mix 1 1/3 cups warm water and Borax together. Pour the glue mixture into the Borax mixture and take out of bowl to knead until flubber is soft and consistent in form. Store in a zip-lock bag or tightly sealed container. This stuff is really fun! Enjoy!

Originally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For complete resources for the Christian home, visit her web site at www.Christian-Parent.com.

source

Bill Clinton, Keynote Speaker at Walden University, Receives Another Honorary Degree

I was reading on WaldenU.edu today that Bill Clinton will be the keynote speaker at Walden University’s commencement on July 30, 2011. Walden plans to confer President Clinton with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his commitment to civic engagement, youth leadership and education. 


According to Wikipedia, "An honorary degree[..] is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations.".. in other words, the person receiving the degree really has done nothing whatsoever at the university to earn the degree.


Wikipedia goes on to say that "The degree is typically a doctorate or, less commonly, a master's degree, and may be awarded to someone who has no prior connection with the academic institution. Usually the degree is conferred as a way of honoring a distinguished visitor's contributions to a specific field, or to society in general. The university often derives benefits by association with the person in question."


This got me thinking about money. I was wondering if there was any money exchanging hands here. 


Wikipedia does note that "Some universities and colleges have been accused of granting honorary degrees in exchange for large donations. Honorary degree recipients, particularly those who have no prior academic qualifications, have sometimes been criticized if they insist on being called 'Doctor' as a result of their award, as the honorific may mislead the general public about their qualifications."


Walden University isn't the only one handing out fake... I mean honorary... degrees to Bill Clinton. A quick search on Google shows that Bill Clinton has received many honorary degrees, including ones from McGill University, University of Central Missouri, NYU, and Dartmouth, just to name a few.

Sweet Chic: Stylish Treats to Dress Up for Any Occasion Book Review

Sweet Chic: Stylish Treats to Dress Up for Any Occasion


DRESSED TO THE NINES
Today's baker faces a great challenge: With little time and a limited repertoire, she often needs to whip up a delicious dessert that's dressed to impress. Rachel Schifter Thebault, founder and head confectioner of Tribeca Treats in New York City, knows all about making a sweet statement. Combining a confectioner's expertise with fashion sense, she shares a scrumptious cache of popular dessert recipes that can be accessorized to fit any occasion.

What's more, transforming a basic dessert into a masterpiece brimming with personality and flair can be easy, quick, and fun. In the same way you'd plan an outfit, Sweet Chic pieces together a Devil's Food Cake -- the little black dress of delights -- with such irresistible accessories as Caramel Buttercream (think knee-high boots) for ultimate decadence, turns Vanilla Cookies (the crisp oxford shirt) into Strawberry “Shortcakes” ideal for casual or dressy occasions, and blends brownies (the cashmere sweater of confectionery) with a swirl of mint for a showstopping number.

Gorgeous and appetizing color photos throughout reveal how a change of icing here and a substitute topping there can take a simple dessert from Sunday brunch to a date-night treat. Mix and match more than seventy recipes for cookies, cakes, and confections, including Peanut Butter and Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, Brownie Sundae Parfait, Mini S'mores Cupcakes, Wasabi-Black Sesame Truffles, and so much more.

Whether you're a novice baker hoping to master the basics or an experienced one looking to add a little versatility to your existing creations, Sweet Chic is a clever and practical guide for memorable desserts, a one-sweet-fits-all way to make a tantalizing impression.

Mandie's Thoughts - It's a beautiful book with beautiful pictures. I love the fact that it is sturdy and I need that in my kitchen. The recipes are simple yet elegant, like why didn't I think of that?
My favorite - The chocolate mousse! So Easy to make.!

Going Camping at a Spring.

Yay! We are getting ready to go camping. I am so excited because we usually go in the fall since this is our busy time of year (landscaping business) but we're going to steal a weekend away. My husband just bought a new mower for the business and it's HUGE. It is making it to where my husband has more time.

We're going to one of the many springs here in Florida. I think we're going to Salt Springs, or Ichetucknee Springs State Park. 
The girls are so excited and truthfully so am I. We love camping and have a lot of camping equipment. We usually go away for a week and unplug. It's good for the soul.

 This trip will be a short one, maybe 4 days if we are lucky but we plan on swimming, hiking, and sunning. Ichetucknee has a river we can tube down. I've seen turtles, alligators, and water snakes. A little scary!  I've never been to Salt Springs but my hubby has and loved it. I hope we get to go soon. I have to say I need a little time away and a little time together as a family.

My Lipstuff review & 6pk lipbalm Giveaway

I love lip balms. Everyone in my family does.
I always have one on the counter, one in my purse, and another in our truck & car.So I'd say I'm an expert in all things lip balm related. I'm also a lip balm snob. I don't like the ones you buy standing in line at the check out. Nope, those just don't do it for me.
I was super excited when I got my lip balms from mylipstuff.com in the mail.They have over 400 flavors of Natural lip balms and other skin- Earth- Animal friendly productsand they are VERY affordable. Especially for being as high quality as they are.Right now I'm wearing the Mint Chocolate Chip balm. It smells so good and my lips feel silky. You can even customize your own labels if you have a baby shower, wedding, or for your business. Did I mention they are VERY affordable? Only $2.50 each.
They also have room sprays for only $5, I usually pay at least twice that!There is one called "No More Monsters".  Spray this around your room, on your sheets, under your bed, & in your closet to keep monsters away! Soothing Lavender scent to help them sleep. Alcohol Free!Fingertip spray bottle.
They also carry Bath Salts, body butter sticks, and Aloe Vera Spray.
They really have so much so go on over to My Lip Stuff and check it all out!

Now for the Contest!

Homemade Baby food Tips and Ideas

Homemade Baby food Tips and Ideas

Guest post by Rosilind Jukic

Being a mom of an infant is not easy.  Add to that the stress of trying to cook baby meals and adult meals everyday.  As if mom's don't have enough on their plate with cleaning, laundry, diapers, etc.  

Have you decided to scrap the baby food isle and go with homemade baby food?  It is a noble choice.  It saves money, it tastes better, and it is far better for baby.  

Here are some tricks to making your own baby food and saving time in the long run so you don't go insane!

Items you are going to need are:

1. A fork to test  for done-ness
2. A slatted spoon to spoon out your veggies/fruit
3. A hand mixer (or food processor)
4.  A spatula
5. A small tea spoon 
6. And storage containers

You may start by steaming several different fruits in separate pots all at the same time.  This may be done three different ways:

1. Using a steam basket
2. Using as little water as possible (be sure not to burn what you are steaming)
3. By wrapping the fruits or veggies in foil with a bit of water and baking them (this is the most effective way of retaining vitamins in your food.

Once cooked, puree the vegetables one at a time.  There are a couple of storage options to use:

1. one larger container -such as the Avent storage container.
2. Ice cube trays to freeze in smaller quantities. This way you may take out a few cubes of varied fruits and vegetables to make yummy meals.

If you use the ice cube option, once the cubes are frozen, store them in freezer bags.  

Be sure to label the bag or container with a permanent marker with the contents and the date. You may store homemade baby food for up to 3 months (1 month is optimal).

Rosilind Jukic is a Work-at-Home missionary mom of an active toddler and one on the way.  She currently resides in Zagreb, Croatia where she assists in translation and creative writing for her church.

Pandora's Box Tour, Review, & e- Book Giveaway Winner!!

Pandora's Box:

Alyssa thought, after a few months as a vampire, that she’d learned all she needed about the supernatural world. But all that will change when a mysterious package shows up on her doorstep - a Pandora's box. An ancient prison, created by powerful magic, the box was used to trap the most dangerous and deadly creatures on earth.

Once opened, it releases an ancient evil, with an insatiable lust for vampire blood. Within moments of its release it the feeding frenzy begins.

Alyssa must find a way to return the creature to the box. If she doesn’t, it will not only destroy her clan, but the rest of the vampires in existence.

Katie Salidas:The youngest of four children, Katie has always had a desire to entertain. Since, early childhood, she's dreamed fantastical characters and scribbled them into pages of various journals and notebooks. Taking an interest in vampires, she devoured every book, featuring those blood sucking creatures, in any genre she could find.

It was only natural that a love of reading vampire stories, turned into a love to write them.

Katie is also a Las Vegas native, having grown up in the famed City of Sin. She loves to feature it as a recurring setting for many of her stories.

Mandie's Thoughts - I haven't read the first two in the series but that didn't matter, I was pulled in right away and this book easily stood on it's own. (Although I really want to read the others now). I love urban fantasy and Katie Salidas can hang with the big girls (Harrison, Briggs, & Armstrong in my opinion). This book is perfect for any Vampire lover. I can't wait for the next one!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of The Virtual Book Tour Cafe' and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by The Virtual Book Tour Cafe', no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely of my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

                                                          Now for the Giveaway!

Balancing the writer within you against being a mom and wife.

Balancing the writer within you against being a mom and wife.

I am Super Mom!

Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, I can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons.  I can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime... And, I still find time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). I can do all of this and still have time to write my novels.

Sorry… I can't even write that with a straight face.

Lies all lies.

Here’s the reality. I’m a sleep-deprived, overworked, mom who just doesn’t know the meaning of the word balance. I wish I were super mom.  I wish I were super author. I try so hard to do it all, and at the end of the day I fall face forward into the couch.

Yes, you read that right, I tend to sleep on the couch. It’s a point of frustration for my hubby and a thing of comedy for my daughter. There are many mornings where I wake up to the sound of my 7 year old daughter yelling, “Mom slept on the couch again!!!”

Because being supermom (or trying to) means a lot of time devoted to family, writing is often done when said family is peacefully snoozing away. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen asleep with my laptop, on the couch. It just happens. Then, bright and early at 7am either my hubby (on his way to work) or my daughter (getting ready for school) wakes me up.

Writing is my passion. It’s a part of me. More than just a hobby, it’s a compulsion. I have to do it. If I don’t do at least one writing related thing each day I get cranky. But to be able to write, I need a certain type of quiet.  Hence the dilemma.

For my family’s sake, it gives the illusion of balance. While the family is home, they have 100% of my attention. I’m there ready and willing to take care of the things they need.  Daytime is family time. Then, once I have tucked them into bed my real work begins.  And, as many of you writers know, once you have the muse working, it can mean hours upon hours of writing time. Which is why I said that “balance” is illusion. Sometimes those bouts of inspiration and writing turn into an all-nighters. That leaves me so spent that if I don’t end up sleeping on the couch, I end up crashing shortly after I drop my daughter off at school.

We all have to sleep sometime.

Not every night goes this way, but many of them do while I’m feverously working on a project.  So far, I’ve been able to write and publish 5 titles in the last few years. I write a mix of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.  Surprise, surprise, all of my titles involve vampires. There must be some connection there between writing about those creatures of the night and the time of day I use for writing.

If you’re interested in checking out my special brand of vampires, feel free to stop by my website http:///www.katiesalidas.com

Or you can search for me on any of your favorite ebook retailer’s website.
Amazon.com
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

Novels in the Immortalis Series

Immortalis Carpe Noctem
Hunters & Prey (Immortalis #2)
Pandora’s Box (Immortalis #3)

and the winner is...

lag 123 won an ebook copy of Veiled! 

I have emailed her!

Remember this is our book of the month so please join us on the community to talk about it.

 You can purchase it HERE