I like cozy mysteries. This was my first cozy mystery set in Denmark, and I throughly enjoyed getting to know the folks of Strandvig. What makes cozy mysteries appealing to me are the characters who populate the stories. Strandvig has plenty of characters that quickly felt like old friends. Lea is a young woman who is part of the Viking Swimmers Club: a group of folks young and old who take dips in the icy waters all year round. Bent Bang is a saucy senior citizen who doesn't lack for female companionship. Together Bent and Lea have a sweet friendship that forms the center of the story. But of course small town life is fraught with the history of past relationships, gossip, and intrigue. You never really know your neighbors 100%. Someone in Strandvig is a murderer. Who could it be? And why? There are plenty of suspects and secrets. The people of Strandvig are having a hard time believing one of their own could be capable of murder. I don't want to give anything away, so you'll have to read the book to find out what happens. You will quickly become invested in the people of Strandvig; their romantic entanglements and friendships will draw you in and make you feel like part of the community. Rating: 7/10 for a promising first mystery in a series. It's refreshing to read a mystery set in a completely different country. Diane does a great job of infusing her writing with the best of Denmark. I look forward to returning to Strandvig soon! Available in paperback and e-book.
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When I met a veteran real estate investor a few years ago, that was when I learned that’s NOT about the price. Unlike the typical real estate buyer or the so called “investor” who cares about lowballing and buying below tax assesssed and getting the property at below market value, the Veteran Real Estate Investors don’t always think like that.
They think differently. They think outside of the box. They think about terms.
What? What do you mean? Isn’t it about the price?
That’s what I thought too. But, often veteran real estate investors are willing to pay market value or EVEN ABOVE MARKET VALUE if the terms are favorable.
What do you mean if the terms are favorable?
What if you could get the seller to give you a mortgage at an incredibly low interest rate? That would be called a vendor take back mortgage, a term that describes a seller giving you a mortgage so you if you can’t your banks to give you money or give you a good rate, the seller would give you that mortgage and you’d be making your mortgage payments to the seller, either weekly, bi-weekly or monthly or whatever you guys agree to.
Like it or not, school do need policies and guidelines, whether it be for how we go about assessment, giving homework, dealing with academic dishonesty, or matters pertaining to the safeguarding of children.
Writing the policy, guidelines or procedures, is the easy part. The challenge comes in the implementation. If we decide to share a policy with staff in a meeting, those present may find it boring and wish to be elsewhere, as the policy does not, in some way, apply to them or it is not relevant, at least for now until something happens and leaders in the school are asked, what should we do now?
Perhaps, that is not fair on teachers, as the style of delivery of policy items in many instances is mundane at best, so it’s no wonder why teachers are looking for the exit door or a reason to skip the meeting.
Well we could always send out the policy document, as everyone will read it, as a true professional should. If you are detecting some cynicism in the previous sentence, then you would be correct. If a policy or procedure document was emailed out to staff in your school, how many would read it? I expect that the answer would be significantly below 100%.
So, how do we engage teachers better with our important policies, so that we can ensure a good level of implementation in the interest of our students, parents and fellow colleagues?
I have found that using scenarios is a great way to have teachers discuss specific situations that they may encounter during their time in our schools. Scenario meetings are great to get teachers to refer to policies, guidelines and procedures to discuss a school’s preferred response to a given situation. Of course, there can be debate over the policy, though that is not the point, as we so often struggle to reach consensus on how we should handle certain issues and problems. The benefit is that through scenarios, you will get teachers looking at the documentation that we struggle to get them to read or listen to when we have meetings where teachers are passive participants.
Scenarios get teachers active and passionate about how we deal with some of the more common problems in our schools and those that are less familiar. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Scenario 1 – Describe a situation where a student has submitted plagiarized work and have teachers discuss what action should be taken.
Scenario 2 – Describe a situation where there has been a change in a child’s attention and performance in class. Discuss what action the teacher should take.
Scenario 3 – Describe a bullying incident between two students. Discuss the appropriate action to take.
*Note: It good to let people discuss without the policy documents first and after some discuss allow them to then refer to the school’s stance on the issue(s) / problem(s)
By describing the scenario, get the teachers to determine which policy, guideline or procedure they should be referring to and taking action from. It is great way to make a number of those uninspiring policy meetings, at least, a little more exciting and relevant.
Following the success of Intracorp’s One River Park Place, we are pleased to bring you and your clients the newest addition to Richmond’s riverfront Oval Village. RPP II will be Richmond’s brightest new neighbourhood and will feature the most sought-after amenities within minutes, while paving the way with progressive and illuminating technological details.
RPP II will feature 127 vibrant one, two and three bedroom homes. Views of the mountains, the river or the city centre will celebrate both the natural setting to the north, and a bustling epicentre of amenities to the south. Without even leaving your front door, Intracorp’s quality and industry-leading excellence is proven with state-of-the-art recording and practice rooms, a business centre, games and study rooms – all within steps – and all part of the luxury amenities at RPP II. Also enjoy a peaceful yoga room, an innovative gym space, and the ultimate car wash.
Moving between homes can be a very exciting time. However, you are more likely to be burgled before and after your move. Here are some security tips to consider when moving, including: replacing the current locks, bolstering sliding doors and establishing a safe haven.
Continue reading to learn more about these 3 security tips to consider when moving:
Replacing the Current Locks The first thing you should do when you move into a new house is to replace the current locks to your home using a vetted, inspected and qualified locksmith.
Ideally replace locks with a patented or a restricted locking system, do make sure you pick the correct lock though. Patented keys carry legal protection, preventing copies being made without providing proof of ownership, while restricted keys are unlikely to be copied due to their unusual design and unique mechanical features. This means that extra keys can’t be made without your knowledge and previous owners or tenants do not still have access to your home.
In addition, when patented keys are stolen or go missing, the existing key can be deleted from a locksmith’s key code database, the lock re-configured and new keys issued, ensuring that lost or stolen keys no longer work. Source:Locksmiths
Bolstering Sliding Doors Balcony doors are great for sunshine and views, but they can pose a hazard if they are not properly secured. An unsecured sliding door can provide an intruder with a relatively untraceable and quiet entrance to your place. While it’s important to always lock your balcony door when it’s not in use, many sliding doors have inadequate locks and come off their tracks with just a nudge. For optimal security, make sure to arm your sliding door with an inside bar lock or a pole on the track. You can also install a secondary locking mechanism with a metal pin inserted through the doorframe and into the sliding door. Source:SafeWise
Establishing a Safe haven Follow three basic steps in setting up a safe-haven in your home:
Designate an internal room;
Install a two-way communications system or telephone; and
Furnish the safe haven with an emergency kit.
It is highly unlikely you would spend more than a few hours in a safe haven; however, the supplies listed below are suggested for your maximum safety. Your security officer can tell you more about how to select and secure your safe haven. Source:State
Here I am, again with the food writing memoir. I can't help myself. I've undergone a bit of a change regarding how I look at food lately, but I don't think it will keep me from reading foodie books.
Yes, I started to exercise. And with that exercise comes a new way of eating. Minimal if no grains, sugar, and dairy. I look at food and instead of saying "Get in my belly now!" (any Austin Powers fans out there?), I think about where the food came from, and how far from its natural state it has morphed. I'm sticking to a high protein/low carb way of eating. Lots of veggies, fruit, and meat/fish. Struggling with the fish thing, since I'm not a huge sea creature person. After 5 weeks eating this way, my guts feel better, and I've managed to stamp down my cravings for sugar and breads. I will continue to eat this way for the foreseeable future because it is working for me. I'm losing weight and I feel good about the choices I'm making when I eat. Drinking lots of water, too. I'm an emotional eater, and I didn't really discover that until I was in my late 20's. Until then, I could eat what I wanted and nothing ever stuck. Grief from losing loved ones, as well as a work schedule that had me working all sorts of hours made my eating a mess. Now I've finished school, have a routine work schedule, and the time to work on undoing the mess I've made of myself. It's not easy, but I've seen a change and that is motivation to keep going.
But--I still admire people like Jessica Fechtor who have such rich memories of cooking with family and associating dishes with special times. I think we all have that--those cookies Grandma made; the special dishes Mom made at the holidays and only at the holidays. Those memories and that food brought Jessica back from a horrible medical situation that could have killed her.
Jessica was healthy and in shape. She was at a convention, and running on a hotel treadmill when she had a sharp pain in her head and found herself lying on the floor next to her treadmill. A trip to the hospital and a stay in ICU turned into a nightmare: she had experienced a brain aneurysm, and had a bleed in her brain. Surgery was required.
Jessica's journey to health was a rocky one. Even though that surgery was a success, she had quite a few setbacks: partial blindness meant a return to surgery within the day to fix her skull; an infection a few weeks later meant another major surgery on her head. Through all of this, Jessica's husband Eli and her family kept her company, encouraged her to eat, and willed her to get better. She never gave up, and neither did her family. She shares recipes in her memoir for dishes that have a special place in her heart, and helped her heal. Some are as simple as roasted chicken, biscuits, and pasta with morels and peas. Others are a bit more work, such as the Cleveland Cassata Cake.
It got me thinking about dishes that I hold dear to my heart, and are the ultimate comfort for me: chicken soup, scalloped potatoes and ham, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. We all have our favorites. And they can heal our physical selves and soothe our battered souls.
Jessica's tale is amazing and a lesson in perseverance, faith, and the healing comfort of home. She's a food blogger, and you see the birth of that as well. Visit her blog Sweet Amandine to get some great recipes and see Jessica's life today.
Rating: 7/10 for a tale of food, medicine, and home.
Available in paperback, hardcover, audio, and e-book.
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Strawberry Cinnamon Roll Muffins are everything you love about a fruity, sweet cinnamon roll, but in a fraction of the time.
Hello! I’m Allison from Some The Wiser and I’m guest posting here on My Baking Addiction today to share a recipe for delicious Strawberry Cinnamon Roll Muffins.
I’ve had a loving, if not obsessive, relationship with homemade muffins for a long time now. Hardly a week goes by that I’m not whipping up a quick dozen Whole Grain Banana Muffins for a breakfast on the run. They are my go-to snack for the kids’ lunchboxes and my favorite treat to drop by a friend’s house when they need a bit of cheering up. Yep, muffins and I go way back.
Real hands-on locksmithing class designed to teach engineering or maintenance employees for small or large facilities (School, Hospital, Corrections, Policing, etc.) and is a good start for beginners to help you become a locksmith or start your own locksmith business.
In this training you will:
Cut over a hundred keys on key duplication machines as well as computerized key code machines
September 19-22. 2016 (9am – 4pm Monday to Thursday 200 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, United States)
October 03-20, 2016 (9am – 4pm Monday to Thursday 200 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, United States)
November 7-10, 2016 (9am – 4pm Monday to Thursday 200 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, United States)
December 05-08, 2016 (9am – 4pm Monday to Thursday 200 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, United States)
BRITISH COLUMBIA
June 06-09, 2016 (9am – 4pm Monday to Thursday 10499 University Ave. Surrey BC)
September 06-09, 2016 (9am – 4pm Tuesday to Friday 10499 University Ave. Surrey BC)
Victoria, BC TBA September 2016 (email me if you are interested in attending a class in Victoria BC)
ALBERTA
September 12-15, 2016 (9am – 4pm Sandman Hotel Edmonton 17635 Stony Plain Rd., Edmonton, AB T5S 1E3)
SASKATCHEWAN
September 26-29, 2016 (9am – 4pm Sandman Hotel & Suites Regina 1800 Victoria Ave, Regina, SK S4N 7K3)
MANITOBIA
October 10-13, 2016 9am – 4pm (Sandman Hotel & Suites Winnipeg Airport 1750 Sargent Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0C7)
ONTARIO
October 17-20, 2016 (Holiday Inn Mississauga)
October 24-27, 2016 (Holiday Inn / Hotel IndigoOTTAWA DOWNTOWN CITY CENTRE 123 Metcalfe Street , Ottawa , ON K1P5L9
QUEBEC
October 31-November 3, 2016 (Holiday Inn / InterContinental MONTREAL 360 Saint Antoine Ouest , Montreal , QC H2Y3X4)
NEW BRUNSWICK
TBA Email me if you are interested in attending (Holiday Inn / Crowne PlazaMONCTON DOWNTOWN 1005 Main Street , Moncton , NB E1C 1G9
NOVA SCOTIA
TBA Email me if you are interested in attending (Holiday InnHALIFAX HARBOURVIEW 101 Wyse Road , Dartmouth , NS B3A 1L9)
NEWFOUNDLAND
TBA, Email me if you are interested in attending (Holiday Inn Express & SuitesST JOHN’S AIRPORT 5 Navigator Avenue , St. John’s , NL A1A 0R5)
OTHER CANADIAN and USA CITIES TBA
Note: All students must pass a security clearance from your local Police Force. Also, if you want to purchase lock picks and join the “Penetration Expert: Locksmiths Always Get In” Lock Picking Club you must pass a Police security clearance. Note: The following do not need an extra security clearance but must show ID (Police, Licened Locksmiths, School and Hospital Employees)
Spring time is not only busy as we finish out the school year, but also it is often a busy time for hiring new teachers or staff.
Even with the pending cuts in state funding, we were excited to be able to fill a couple of openings for the coming school year.
As I’ve looked for strong candidates this spring, I’ve kept in mind some lessons I learned from Jimmy Casas earlier this year (see previous post on Tips for Hiring for Excellence). Jimmy’s advice has been spot on with tips on reaching out to candidates ahead of time, having multiple conversations, and rallying around a common vision.
If I could add anything to Jimmy’s suggestions, it would be some feedback I received from a candidate today. When I asked him what initiated his interest in our school, he said, “Well, I saw your YouTube video alert introducing yourself and announcing the opening. Then I watched your ‘First Days’ video on Youtube. I had a good sense of what your school was like, and I wanted to apply.” I was both surprised and pleased.
Sometimes I’ll receive a little teasing from others for my video appeals to prospective candidates. But it works. This is not the first candidate who has told me he or she saw an appeal via social media. It’s not difficult either. If you’re looking for strong candidates, or you just want to spread the word to a larger audience, here are 5 steps you can follow to maximize finding excellent hires via YouTube:
1. Open a camera on your laptop or desktop and record a short greeting.
My videos are so amateur, and if you are into cool cameras, I’m sure you would have some good suggestions on tools. But a simple video is better than no video. Consider your visual setting, what other items you want in the frame, and test your audio to make sure you have good sound. If it helps to write out short script, do so. The main goal is to look directly into the camera and convey the kind of passion and commitment you have to finding great candidates for your school. Click here for sample of one of my videos.
2. Add captions via MovieMaker or whatever video editing program on your computer.
Each program is different, but I use MovieMaker because it’s on my desk computer. It has easy edit features that allow you to pick segments of the video and add captions. This allows you to place in important information like a web link or phone number.
3. Upload to YouTube.
Creating a YouTube account is easy, and it’s free. Once you’ve created an account, you can upload videos from your desktop, laptop, or mobile device. When you do, be sure to choose to make your video “public” so it’s easy for anyone to view.
4. Copy the YouTube link into your job postings.
Once your video is uploaded to YouTube, copy the html link so you can share it out.
5. Use social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook), email, and regular job ad venues.
We use Teacher-Teacher.com, our own district website, and then I email an alert out to teachers. They are eager to have strong colleagues so they share it out as well. Don’t forget your social media connections. You can past the YouTube link into Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook to share with others.
Conclusion
It may seem a little odd to market your search for new hires via social media. But it works. Young educators are especially apt to click on a Youtube link, check out your website, and investigate your school. This spring I also did a final interview for the first time via conference video. It saved the candidate a second long-distant trip, and she’s now a part of our team. Try new technical venues in your search for new hires. You may be surprised how those small efforts attract people who are like-minded in their willingness to take risks or to teach using digital tools as well.
Now It’s Your Turn
What are some other digital tools that you use for reaching out to new hires? Share with the rest of us!
“Don’t judge a book by it’s cover,” my dad use to say. The same goes when buying a custom Log or Timber Frame Home. It’s important to do a full log home inspection, inside and out so you can assess and address any potential problem areas. The exterior logs may not look perfect but that doesn’t mean you should turn your back on a once beautiful home. Some log homes just need a little tender love and care to bring them back to their original beauty. Log homes have some characteristics that are very different from conventional homes, so here are a few things to look for when shopping for a log house.
Log Home Settlingand Shrinking
First off, full scribe log homes are the most prone to settling but all log homes have a bit of settling and shrinking. Settling typically occurs over the first few years as the logs dry, lose their moisture and shrink. A properly built log home will take this shrinkage into consideration when building to ensure you don’t have major cracks or structural damage. Here are some signs to look for that may indicate the home didn’t settle properly.
Logs inside and outside the home:Logs shrink in diameter due to loss of their natural bound water over time. As they dry out, they may naturally crack. Some cracks are not a concern but larger cracks more that ¼” in width should be repaired or have some caulking applied.
Windows and doors:Log homes should be built with settling space above the doors and windows in order to prevent the weight of the walls from bearing down on them. If you notice bowing or the doors sticking when opening this may be the result of not enough space left for settling.
Staircases:If walls lose height, anything connected to them does as well, and this includes the stairs. Inspect stairs to ensure they are level and still properly connected to the home.
Electrical and pipes:Vertically installed plumbing pipes and rigid conduit may accumulate stress in two or more storied homes if not properly installed for shrinkage. It’s important to work with an electrician and plumber that has expertise with log homes as the procedures are slightly different compared to traditional log homes.
Log Home Exterior
It’s not uncommon for log homes to look a bit dirty and have some flaking on their finish, but if you notice black spots on the exterior surface, this could be a sign of mold or mildew. If possible, use a hammer to tap the logs. If you hear a hollow sound, this could be a good indication of rotting within the logs.
Log Finish Stains and Coatings
Logs can easily become deteriorated by weather. Different stains and coatings are designed to protect log surfaces from UV damage, while some also prevent destruction from wood-loving insects and pests. To test the effectiveness of your log home’s finish, spray the logs with water – if the water beads on the surface, all is well, but if it is absorbed by the wood, then the finish is no longer functioning properly.
Insect Infestation
Fortunately, most wood-destroying insects tend to leave behind little clues of infestation. The entry and exit holes can tell you what species of insects you are dealing with, while sometimes you may actually see the insects themselves. Both termites and carpenter ants shed their wings and burrow into the wood when they reach a new location, leaving behind tell-tale piles of wings and small bits of sawdust-like particles around holes. Be sure to research what damage-causing insect is in your area, as well as any tips on how to prevent infestations.
Proper Drainage
We talk often of the perimeter of your home having proper drainage, and it is crucial that no logs are touching soil or grass. As beautiful as your landscaping can be, it can cause serious moisture issues and bug infestations, when it resides too close to the exterior logs of your home.
Deck Flashing
When installed correctly, decks look amazing, so make sure the proper flashing has been installed and that there are no huge gaps between the exterior wall and the deck. When water drips off the roof and onto the deck it tends to splash back onto the house, so keep an eye out for water damage.
Gutters
Though not all that aesthetically-pleasing, gutters prevent water from running down the exterior walls and causing water damage to your log home. The downspouts also direct water away from the foundation, preventing water from going directly into the basement.
Overhangs and Exposed Logs
Overhangs keep snow and rain from saturating the foundation and off the exterior walls. They should be no less than 24 inches and at least 36 inches on a two story home. Logs that have been exposed to natural elements can turn grey and begin to rot over time creating huge structural damage to the home.
Missing or Messy Chinking or Caulking
Look for any spots where the chinking or caulk is missing or appears messy and unappealing. This could be an indication that other areas of the home may not be up to par care. The repairs should not be done with a “good enough” attitude and shouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb.
If you do notice there are some areas of the home that need some attention and repair, you can hire an experienced log home builder or trades person to help you in most cases. This article will provide you with a good overview of what you should be looking for and we recommended having someone who is familiar with log homes to accompany you, even a log home trained inspector, as log homes have different behaviours compared to traditional homes.
If you have purchased a log home and are looking to have some repairs or renovations done feel free to contact us info@artisanlog.com.
I traveled to Australia this week to visit Tumbledown Manor. A perfect beach read (or front porch read) that was a refreshing change of locale for me. I haven't read too many novels set in Australia but I certainly plan on changing that soon. Lisa lives in New York City, a mother of two adult children, and happily married. The story opens on her 50th birthday. Her husband arranges for a surprise birthday party at their apartment, and so thoughtfully has a massive flower arrangement delivered to the party. When Lisa reads the card, she discovers that the flowers were mistakenly delivered to her--and that they were meant for her husband's mistress. Awkward! Lisa is a successful author struggling through the second book in a trilogy. This whole divorce isn't helping at all. She decides to leave New York City for her native Australia. She's starting over and leaves New York City with no regrets. Once in Australia, she resists buying a townhouse in Castlemaine and instead buys Trumperton Manor, a falling-down house surrounded by neglected grounds and a spooky stable. She has a connection to the house; her grandfather's family built the place and lived there. In this space she will write her novel, and figure out her new life. There are plenty of characters in this novel that make it a fun read: the Grey Army; a group of retirees who descend on the house to paint, rebuild, and refinish the home; Lisa's sister Maxine who is constantly bossy; Scott, the very handsome and slightly goofy landscaper who sets Lisa's heart racing; Lisa's son Ted and daughter Portia. And of course her ex-husband Jake makes an appearance. Lisa is surrounded by a great family and community. Tuck this one into your beach bag or your purse when you take your vacation. Rating: 7/10 for an enjoyable read with likable characters and a beautiful setting. Available in paperback and e-book.
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JELL-O CREATIONS OREO Dirt Cups are about the cutest thing you ever did make with your kid. And one of the easiest!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of JELL-O CREATIONS/Kraft Heinz Foods. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make My Baking Addiction possible.
You guys know it’s been a priority for me to have Elle in the kitchen with me since she was a tiny babe. Some of my favorite memories are from when she still couldn’t even sit up, but was there in her bouncer next to me, watching me whisk away at some new creation. Her little blue eyes so intent on Mama’s task.
I wanted her to see me being passionate at something – hoping that a little of the joy that comes from being in the kitchen might rub off on her.
Now that she’s almost two and a half, I think we can say it worked. She absolutely adores hanging out with both Eric and me in the kitchen, helping crack eggs, stir, whisk, and taste to her heart’s content.
Making home security upgrades doesn’t have to cost you tons of money or time. Here are some tips that could help you along the way.
Below are 3 tips for a home security makeover.
Door Guardian Reinforcing Latch
Far more effective than the old-fashioned chain latch, this device screws into your door frame above your doorknob and is easy to install yourself. It has a small hinged bar that keeps your door firmly shut and provides an extra point of resistance if someone tries to force it open. Slim and unobtrusive, the Door Guardian comes in several finishes, including brass. Source: RealSimple
Deadbolts
Every door that provides access to your home should have deadbolt locks. If your doors don’t, it’s time to install deadbolts. There are a few things to look for when buying deadbolts.
Make sure the screws are at least three inches long. Screws attach the lock’s strike plate to the doorjamb, and longer screws will reach into the doorframe as well. This will make the door more secure if someone tries to push through it.
What grade is your deadbolt? Choose one with a grade 1 rating from The American National Standards Institute. A grade 1 deadbolt has a bolt that is inserted into the doorframe at least one inch, and has been tested with 250,000 open and close cycles. A grade 1 lock can also withstand 10 blows from a hammer before giving way. Avoid buying cheap locks without ratings, as these are less likely to stand up to an entry attempt. Source: AlarmRelay
Landscaping
If your home has hedges and bushes that are cloaking windows or other entry points, trim them down. High hedges and bushes provide the perfect concealment for burglars and can increase the odds of a break in.
If you have tall trees that could provide access to second story windows, these should be trimmed as well to help prevent would-be intruders from scaling a tree and entering your home through a second story window. We also recommend placing some high gauge gravel around areas surrounding windows. If a burglar steps on this, it creates a lot of noise and acts as a further deterrent. Source: Safewise
Banana Nutella Cupcakes combine rich chocolate Nutella frosting with light and fluffy banana cakes. The perfect combination!
Your new favorite flavor combo has arrived…Banana Nutella Cupcakes! As if we need another excuse to buy Nutella!
It’s Lizzy from Your Cup of Cake and I’ve brought you another fabulous cupcake recipe as well as a few cupcake tips! Are you ready? Alright, lets get started…
Sometimes a girl just has to read a romance. And this romance, book 2 in the Blue Plate series by Rachel Goodman, has a prickly heroine and a super hot hero. It was a really good contemporary romance. Margaret lives in Dallas, and is a party planner for the very wealthy. Her mother is quite possibly the most unpleasant woman I've come across in a story in quite some time. Margaret can never do anything right. Ever. She's bruised from a recent breakup and unhappy with life. She decides to get away from it all by traveling to her grandmother's bed and breakfast for a vacation. Enter Ryan. He's pretty impressive, and the sparks fly between him and Margaret. Margaret is quite a pill and snippy with Ryan, who owns a vineyard next door to her grandmother's B&B. She's uptight and unhappy, and Ryan's upbeat personality pushes her to examine her life. Margaret's grandmother keeps her busy around the B&B changing sheets and cleaning the place, but Margaret has plans to make over the B&B and promote it to help her grandmother through a financial pinch. But she's determined to go back to Dallas, even with her feelings for Ryan growing deeper the longer she stays. I didn't feel I missed anything not reading the first book in this series. I liked knowing Margaret from this book and not coming to it already knowing Margaret, especially because in the first book, Margaret is the girlfriend who isn't the "one". Her pain from this breakup pushes her to make changes to her life in Sour Grapes, and her past comes full circle at the end of this romance. Rachel Goodman writes a lively, engaging, and fun romance. There is a definite big wallop of chemistry between Ryan and Margaret, and you can't help but cheer them on to a happy ending. I hope the author writes more romances in this series and includes a glimpse of Ryan and Margaret. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for a review copy of this romance. Make sure you have a bottle of wine while you read this in your summer reading space! Rating: 8/10 for an entertaining romance with a not-so-perfect heroine, a super hot hero, engaging secondary characters, and the mother from hell. Available as an e-book the week of May 23rd.
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It is important to know what type of security services you need in order to hire a locksmith that can tackle your problem. There are some common types of locksmith services, including: automobile services, residential services, and commercial services.
Below is more information on 3 common locksmith services:
Automobile Services Automobile locksmiths are likewise available. These are also considered to be the rarest kind in the locksmith industry and that they have a special edge in their services. This is true because automobile locksmiths do not have an easy task to handle and that they handle different kind of brands and also have different complicated lock mechanisms which they need to learn. Source:LocksmithGuideInfo
Residential Services Residential locksmiths have a greater demand in the market as they secure the property and the in mates from break-ins and thefts. Majority of them are certified also. Many a times, people lock themselves out of their house, and in this regard, residential locksmiths are of great help. Apart from quick and reliable services, they are also amiable in nature. Taking their huge demand into consideration, many locksmiths nowadays are also offering 24*7 services. If even at the midnight you sleepwalk and lock yourself out of your house, there’s no need to worry, your local locksmith can help you get inside without letting you in much embarrassment. Source:SlideShare
Commercial Services Locksmiths offering commercial services have much more knowledgeable on different types of locks used for commercial structures. The locks used in offices, shops and schools are usually more sophisticated than those used on homes since they come with a variety of options such as timekeeping, attendance registering, personnel identification, and many more. These locks are also programmable for more secure after-hours measures. Since commercial services involve the installation, repair and modification of these locks, only companies trained in more complex jobs will be able to handle the requirements. Source:RonaldFerguson07
Thinking about installing an outdoor security camera? These article will introduce you to a number of popular outdoor security cameras, such as: ADT, Foscam and Loftek cameras.
Below are 3 best outdoor security cameras:
ADT Camera ADT offers the OCR-810 day/night wireless security camera, compatible with the company’s Pulse home automation package. The ADT Pulse® package provides one indoor and two outdoor cameras, but you can connect up to 10 cameras to your system. The OCR-810 requires a solid, secure wireless connection to speak to the Pulse system. An ADT monitoring Wi-Fi extender may help to increase the range of your wireless signal. The camera also requires an AC power source.
The motion-activated camera records clips in 30-second segments and stores them on ADT’s secure WPA2-encrypted server for 30 days. You can also select preset recording times and take advantage of 24/7 monitoring through ADT monitoring’s fully staffed monitoring centers. Source:Safewise
Foscam Camera This Foscam camera has one of the easiest connection setups. All you do is scan the camera’s QR code with your smartphone and it is connected. You have the option as to how you’d like to store your video footage: on a hard drive or using the Foscam Cloud service for remote storage. Included with your purchase is a free trial of Foscam Cloud so you can see if you like it before you pay for it. The camera is weatherproof making it a great fit for the outdoors. Source:Asecurelife
Loftek Camera Loftek focuses on the development, design and manufacturing of consumer surveillance and security product, including a range of high-quality security cameras that are designed to withstand outdoor environments and deliver exceptional day/night video performance even in complete darkness.
Wired and wireless models
Motion detection can be integrated into and alarm/alert system
Wide angle lenses and distance viewing Source:Safesoundfamily
If you want to know more about outdoor home security cameras, please give us a call or contact us here.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make My Baking Addiction possible.
It’s finally starting to feel a little like summer here in Ohio. After weeks of cloudy skies and rain, the sun is starting to make an appearance on a regular basis and the temperatures are on the rise. We’re even beginning to see our freshly planted grass poke through the soil.
If you’re a regular reader of My Baking Addiction, you might remember me complaining about issues that prevented us from landscaping our property last fall, forcing us to wait until this spring. It’s been a long, dreary, muddy time.
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water over time. As they dry out, they may naturally crack. Some cracks are not a concern but larger cracks more that ¼” in width should be repaired or have some caulking applied.
