" Welcome to Lavender Dreams "

What can I say! I read like some people watch TV. I pick up my book when I sit down during the day. And then I always read for a couple of hours before I go to bed. It’s interesting and relaxing. I check out books from my library and read most of them on my iPad Pro.

I like to read mysteries….they are my favorite genre. But reading mysteries is a little tricky. You can get some very scary psychological thrillers and some story plots that are downright disturbing. So I decided to read a couple of OLD books featuring Sherlock Holmes.

I read The Seven Per-Cent Solution by Nicholas Meyer  and thoroughly enjoyed it. Easy to read….classic Sherlock Holmes.

Then I went back to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and read A Study in Scarlett. It seemed very slow and plodding to me but it was short and easy to read. Interesting to read the first book in the series and find out how Sherlock Holmes met Dr. Watson. I will read more of this series. I’ll just add one from time to time.

AND THEN….I read something that had GREAT reviews.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes 

I don’t always care that much for a book that gets such great reviews with a cover that makes it look ‘chick lit’! But I was surprised! It really is THAT good! I won’t divulge any many details. It has lots of sad parts but it’s SO worth the read. I’m reading the next one in the series, After You and it doesn’t have as many good reviews but I’m going to ‘find out what happened next’. I fell in love with the main character in this series.

Don’t laugh….hubby came around the corner and caught me with 2 IPADS open and my phone in my hand.

So what’s on your nightstand?

Any mysteries you would like to recommend? I need a good ‘who done it’!

I’m joining the 5 minutes for books party HERE

and I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

I thought this was a Geode but now I’m wondering if it is an Agate. Does anyone know? I’m sure someone will read this and have an idea! I picked up the large blue ‘rock’.

(the inside)

(outside)

And my hubby bought these small thin pieces (for ME).

Whatever they are….they are gorgeous!

And here’s my new Navajo jewelry and leather bracelet.

I was wearing a Zuni ring that I’ve had for years and when I chose the Navajo ring, it nested right next to the ring I was wearing. AMAZING!

Out of all the rings I had to choose from, I got the perfect ring.

And the necklace is Navajo too. I have quite a few pieces from years ago but it’s always fun to get something new, or in this case… vintage!

The watch and bracelet I ALWAYS wear!

I’ve been working on some cards (or tags) that are about twice as wide as bookmarks to give as gifts.

What do you think?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

I like to choose a word to focus on for the new year but this year, I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. And then when I put out a few decorations over the weekend, I found it.

Follow your heart!

That’s what I’m going to focus on this year. I have some ideas. And it will definitely mean stepping out of my ‘comfort zone’ to accomplish some of them but I’ll let you know as the year goes by what I do that’s different.

I’m just like everyone here….I have a lot of good things going on in my life…I am very blessed…. but there are little hurts and heavy losses all along the way. I lost 2 loved ones this month that made me sad. And I had some hurtful things said to me that made me ….let’s see? Would the word be MAD? Well, upset might be a better word.

So I’ve been thinking…..and probably thinking too much!

Now I need to change my focus and decide to ‘follow my heart’.

The whispers of your heart…oh I like this from Princess Sassy Pants!

It’s funny how you see your word or phrase used after you’ve chosen it. It’s all around me now…in books, on tv and even in a movie we are watching.

I’m still going to work on my altered books (or junk journals).

Here’s a couple I am working on right now.

And we are taking hikes this month to take advantage of the beautiful weather. (we have 5 hikes this year already!)

What can you do this year to ‘follow your heart’?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

When I was much younger….years and years ago….I was privileged to hear Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong give a sermon on the ‘give way of life’ versus ‘the get way of life’. It made an impression on me that would stay with me my whole life. And it’s helped me live a more positive way of life.

We all feel sad and even overwhelmed in life and when that happens, it’s a good time to look beyond your own problems and see what you can do for someone else.

It can be a gift of your time or something you know someone else would like and appreciate. Most of you know that I love books so that has become a favorite gift that I give…and give often.

And it’s more fun to sew or craft when you’re making something for someone else. I like to make my friends and family ‘homemade’ gifts and many of you sew for charities too. There’s always someone in need.

So that’s my little contribution to the PERK project!

It sounds simple….and maybe it is!

Learn to live the GIVE WAY of LIFE!

You’ll be blessed!

And spreading happiness!

(all photos taken on Hike #2 at the Florida Trails)

Are you taking part in the PERK project too?

I’m joining Stacey and Jemma today HERE

and I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE .

It was a good month for reading. I set my goal this year for 55 books (I read more last year) and so far I think I’m on target. I don’t usually do book reviews but I wanted to share what I’ve read and recommend them…one and all! I write reviews in Goodreads and it’s in my sidebar if you are interested.

I read Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen. My rating, 7 out of 10.This is a new series for me and I loved the characters. I jumped into the series but now I will go back and start with the first book and read them in order. I love mysteries!

Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal. My rating 7 out of 10. I liked this mystery series too and plan to read all of them this year. Love the time and place. (a bit of fictionalized history)

A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny, 8 out of 10. I LOVE this author and had somehow missed #4 in this series. Now I’ve read them all and HIGHLY recommend them! I am SO in love with Inspector Gamache! Read them…you’ll LOVE them too but remember, I have dibs on Armand Gamache! heehee!

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabriella Zevin 8 out of 10. Such an interesting story. Not my usual genre but once I started it I could not put it down. Reminds me a little of a Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman 9 out of 10, that I read last year.

The Whole Town’s Talking by Fannie Flagg 8 out of 10. You just can NOT go wrong with a book by Fannie Flagg! Many of you have probably read or seen Fried Green Tomatoes by this author. Filled with interesting characters and LOADS of good humor! You will be laughing OUT LOUD! Very FUN!

So that’s what I’ve read this month. Do you have a good book you’ve read this month that you would recommend?

As part of my birthday celebration, my sweet hubby wanted to take me to my MOST favorite place on earth, Canaveral National Seashore. The weather was in the 70s with light winds and abundant sunshine. So we packed a picnic lunch and headed to the beach.

There is something so calming about the sea…

everything about it!

It wasn’t crowded at all and there were plenty of seashells along the edge of the water.

We also drove to the Visitors center and saw some amazing sights on the Intercoastal Waterway.

Dolphins at play!

They were splishing and splashing and have a fun time!

Here’s a map to give you an idea of where it is.

Seagull

Brown Pelican

It was a fabulous day! Can’t wait to go back again soon! How many day trips do you think I can get out of one birthday? heehee!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Did you ever wake up and think you had a post scheduled and realize it’s not there? It’s still ‘all in your head’? haha! And of course it’s the day you need to get an early start.

So I’m on Plan B already today! But so far the day is proving a good one. I start every Thursday by driving over to the Farmer’s Market! I know I’ll find all kinds of wonderful fruits and veggies, all organic and incredibly fresh!

So how did it get better this week?

We have a new vendor that sells wonderful fresh baked bread!

The Flour Pot

And they have a loaf just for me…lots of whole grains and NO sugar! Thank you beautiful lady!

But what did I eat first? (I can only eat half so I have enough to share!)

Next I’ll slice the bread!

Lunch may be a little early today, come on over!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays today!