A few long awaited wedding pics

The "official" wedding pictures of The Accountant Son # 2 whom we shall call Ryan and his wife, my daughter in law whom we shall call Kara still haven't come back from the photographer yet but I spent Christmas with Kara's family who adopted me and they have some Most Excellent Photographers in their family. Kara's mom and I spent some excellent hours going through the photos she has and she emailed me some. I don't often post family photos - specially of me - but in this case I'm such a darn proud mama, I'm making an exception..

(That went well I thought, enough for the day)

They had taken dancing lessons for months and this is them after they rehearsed their dance the day before


(Sands through the hourglass)

Kara is really into symbolism so this is their sand pouring ceremony. Kara's mom and I both carried a vase of different coloured sand in with us. During the ceremony, Kara and Ryan each poured them into a bigger vase to symbolize that once mingled together, it was impossible to separate.

(Before he is ringed and after. Now he is mine)

When I saw these pictures, I thought they were so beautiful even though you don't see their faces.


(A man and the two women in his life)

I hate having my picture taken with a passion, but am including this one - just cause you can see me dress I guess. Also, Kara and her mom arranged to have a couple of hairdressers and a makeup artist come to her house before the wedding so the two mothers and wedding party and bride could all get ready together. It was great fun and the first time I ever wore false eyelashes. They took a while to get used to though :-)

(The Queen's Speech)

I had to give a speech. Whey they asked beforehand if I thought I'd be able to do it, I said it depended on if it was me or Krisite giving the speech. Ryan said if I got up there and started referring to myself in the third person like that, well, he would make me sit down. I practiced and practiced and practiced. In the end it was me and I was indeed a nervous wreck. My oldest son - the one I shall call Brent is standing behind me as well as Kara's uncle who was the Master of Ceremonies

(My brand new daughter in law can be "saucy". I like that)

Kara also had an adorable little red bolero that matched her flowers perfectly that wore it after the wedding.

(Taking a moment's rest before the festivities begin)

Here she and Ryan are sitting on this old fashioned love seat. They had everyone sit in it and have their picture taken with a Polaroid camera. They are going to include the pictures in the thank you cards

(Getting their groove on)

As I said, Ryan and Kara took months of dancing lessons preparing for their first dance. I was thinking "Way to Go Kara!!" for talking Ryan into them. The did the fox trot and did it beautifully. I and everyone else was most impressed. But Kara was worried about ruining her wedding gown so she had a short, back up gown. Here they are during their first dance, a Michael Buble remix of an old Nat King Cole song L.O.V.E.

(This has to be the mother of all cupcakes!)

Kara had a number of unusual ideas for their wedding and Ryan, being a laid back kind of dude who realized his bride (and my wonderful daughter in law) had some great ideas, let her have her way in many of them. So instead of the typical wedding cake, Kara being a love of cupcakes, had a cupcake wedding tower. This is the two of them after the wedding cutting into the top cupcake.

My Reading Year in Review

With my handy dandy, love it to pieces, work of art spread sheet, there are all kinds of things I can track. I don’t know how many are into numbers and things but for any interested but I find it fascinating so here goes.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so here’s a visual of the number of books I’ve read this year compared to the previous 7 years ago when I first started tracking the number read. As you can see, this is my best year ever with 135 read!

(if you click on it, it's magnified)

Another interesting graph is a comparison of the genre read this year and comparing it to previous years. Again as you can see, by far the highest number of books read were contemporaries, followed by Westerns, then RS, then Historicals and so on. Although it looks like Contemporaries has always been the most read, there has been a real turnaround in the number of Historical European set romance over the years.

Now here are a few more interesting (to me) tidbits about my 2011 reading year. I’ve seen other readers say they don’t read on anything except their ereaders. I didn’t think I would ever be that reader, but statistics don’t seem to bear that out! Of the total of 135 books that I read in 2011, 110 of them were ebooks. I knew I’d read a lot but I was actually shocked at how many of them.

I reread 16 books. I think that’s down a bit; I usually reread more than that. I guess that doesn’t hold much hope that I’ll get around to rereading many of the over 2,000 books I have (once again) boxed up.

I got a lot tougher grading this year. I only gave 5’s to 5 first read books this year

Mayberry, Sarah The Last Goodbye

James, Julie A Lot Like Love

Wolff, Veronica Devil's Own

Ashley, Jennifer The Many Sins Of Lord Cameron

O'Connell, Ellen Dancing On Coals

I’ve listed all the books I’ve read below, but in case one doesn’t feel like going through them month by month, the two authors I glommed the most were Felicity Heaton who wrote a number of quite well done Sci-Fi novellas and Ingrid Weaver. I discovered Ms. Weaver when I read Delaney’s Shadow and was delighted to see she had quite a backlist of Harlequins I scooped up and read. I still have a few more of hers to read.

There were 2 books I read twice this year and interestingly enough, both by the same author

Dancing on Coals and Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold – both written by Ellen O’Connell

And if you aren’t bored yet, here’s the promised list of books read in each month.

No. of books read in Jan/11 – 7

Howard, Linda Now You See Her

Fraser, Susanna The Sergeant's Lady

Blake, Toni Whispering Falls

Bliss, Karina Here Comes The Groom

Gray, Ava Skin Heat

Janzen, Tara Cutting Loose

O'Connell, Ellen Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold

No of books read in Feb/11 – 8

Howard, Linda Midnight Rainbow

Shalvis, Jill Messing With Mac

Shalvis, Jill Animal Magnetism

Ware, Joss Night Betrayed

Sylvan, Dianne Queen of Shadows

Talley, Liz A Little Texas

Kelley, Inez Sweet As Sin

Robb, JD Treachery In Death

No of books read in March/11 – 11

Janzen, Tara Loose And Easy

Milan, Courtney Proof By Seduction

Shalvis, Jill Roughing It With Ryan

Eden, Cynthia Hotter After Midnight

Mayberry, Sarah The Last Goodbye

James, Julie A Lot Like Love

Force, Maria Everyone Loves A Hero

Admirand, C.H. Tyler: The Secret Life of Cowboys

Renzi, Rae River Time

O'Keefe, Molly His Wife For One Night

Lee, Jade Wicked Seduction

No of books read in April/11 – 9

Ashley, Jennifer Primal Bonds

Sorenson, Jill Stranded With Her Ex

Clare, Tiffany Surrender of a Lady

O'Connell, Ellen Sing My Name

James, Julie Something About You

Weir, Theresa Amazon Lily

Boyce, Kelly The Outlaw Bride

Ranney, Karen A Promise of Love

Wolff, Veronica Devil's Own

No of books read in May/11 – 12

Wolff, Veronica Devil's Highlander

Lang, Emma Ruthless Heart

Walker, Shiloh No Longer Mine

Burton, Jaci Dare to Love

Jacobs, Delle Loki's Daughters

Clare, Pamela Breaking Point

Colgan, Jennifer Flight of the Valkyries

Tenorio, Dee Midnight Sonata

Walker, Shiloh Always Yours

Tenorio, Dee Betting Hearts

Jacobs, Delle Fire Dance

Heaton Felicity Heart of A Prince

No of books read in June/11 – 15

Warner, Kaki Chasing The Sun

Rogers, Moira Freeze Line

Roberts, Lynne Creative License

Heaton Felicity Runaway Hearts

Barnett, Jill Wonderful

Kernan, Jenna Moon Shadow

Barrett, Jo McCormick's Prayer

Tenorio, Dee Midnight Temptation

Mazzuca, Debbie Lord of the Isles

Tenorio, Dee Midnight Legacy

Heaton Felicity Heart Of An Assassin

Heaton Felicity Sons of Lyra: Stranded

Heaton Felicity Sons of Lyra: Slave Princess

Heaton Felicity Daughters of Lyra: Heart of an Emperor

Heaton Felicity Daughters of Lyra: Heart of a Commander

No of books read in July/11 – 15

Burrowes, Grace The Heir

Brown, Carolyn One Lucky Cowboy

Warner, Kaki Heartbreak Creek

Milan, Courtney Unlocked

St. John, Cheryl Child of Her Heart

Black, Liza Curtis Salvation For Three

St. John, Cheryl Her Wyoming Man

MacLean, Julianne Taken By the Cowboy

Lane, Soraya Soldier on Her Doorstep

Grant, Susan The Last Warrior

Burton, Jaci The Perfect Play

MacLean, Julianne Prairie Bride

Lovelace, Merline Somewhere in Time

Shay, Kathryn After the Fire

St. Claire, Roxanne Edge of Sight

No of books read in August/11 – 10

Bliss, Karina Stand-in Wife

Hale, Deborah Whitefeather's Woman

Gideon, Nancy Bound By Moonlight

Agnew, Denise A Before the Dawn

Holland, Debra Wild Montana Sky

Ashley, Jennifer The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie

Ashley, Jennifer The Many Sins of Lord Cameron

Lane, Soraya The Army Ranger's Return

Mayberry, Sarah One Good Reason

Evans, Misty Soul Survivor

No of books read in September/11 – 15

Mayberry, Sarah All Over You

Agnew, Denise A For a Roman's Heart

Mayberry, Sarah Take On Me

Graves, Jane Black Ties And Lullabies

Kery, Beth Liam's Perfect Woman

Willingham, Michelle A Wish to Dream On

Shalvis, Jill The Sweetest Thing

Weaver, Ingrid Delaney's Shadow

Spencer, Lavyrle Morning Glory

Hardy, Kristin Always a Bridesmaid

Weaver, Ingrid Eye of the Beholder

Weaver, Ingrid What The Baby Knew

Robb, JD New York to Dallas

Andersen, Susan Playing Dirty

Weaver, Ingrid The Angel and the Outlaw

No of books read in October/11 – 12

Howard, Linda Prey

Weaver, Ingrid Loving The Lone Wolf

Graves, Jane Heartstrings And Diamond Rings

Wind, Ruth In The Midnight Rain

Weaver, Ingrid Engaging Sam

Dahl, Victoria Good Girls Don't

Samuel, Barbara Heart of A Knight

Samuel, Barbara Dancing Moon

Goodman, Jo Kissing Comfort

Croft, Nina Tiger of Talmare

Styles, Michelle The Perfect Concubine

Jacobs, Delle Siren

No of books read in November/11 – 8

Canham, Marsha Swept Away

O'Connell, Ellen Dancing On Coals

Gideon, Nancy Midnight Enchantment

McCall, Mary Reed Secret Vows

O'Connell, Ellen Rachel's Eyes

Devon, Summer Futurelove

O'Connell, Ellen Dancing On Coals

O'Connell, Ellen Eyes Of Silver, Eyes Of Gold

No of books read in December/11 – 13

Harper, Dani Changeling Moon

Gideon, Nancy Let Me Call You Sweetheart

Plumley, Lisa The Bride Raffle

Michaels, Kasey The Taming of the Rake

Fredrick, MJ Star Power

Agnew, Denise A Love From the Ashes

James, Judith The King's Courtesan

James, Judith Broken Wing

Calhoun, Anne Liberating Lacey

Katz, Ali Damon's Price

Ashley, Jennifer Bodyguard

Canham, Marsha Under the Desert Moon

Rice, Lisa Marie Fatal Heat

I am amused by odd things sometimes

Sometimes I think we live in a bizarro world; a bizarro city in particular. I was on my way to work this morning, listening to the radio when there were two stories that rather tickled my funny bone.

The first one: as with many a city throughout Canada and the US, we had a Occupy (fill in the blank) group occupying our main park. Now while I certainly appreciate their passion, I think their focus is pretty nebulous. They planned to stay there until…..until what they were never quite sure. I think, at least according to local news reports, our city was the first to turf them peaceably. They did in the middle of the night and nary a soul was injured. The excuse the city used for removing them was the group was breaking a civil by-law by camping in the city park where overnight camping is not allowed. Needless to say, the group did not take their evacuation well.

They were protesting don’t you know. Well, now they have a "plan". They put out a newspaper – I’d love to read it since as I said they or any of the other “Occupy” groups don’t seem to have any real achievable goals – so it would be interesting to read their ‘manifesto’.

But what really tickled me is they plan to take their paper and protest against the by-law enforcer for breaking a by-law himself. The crime; nailing a copy of the by-law the protesters broke into a tree in park they were illegally demonstrating in. Again, they are calling this guy to task for nailing a piece of paper into a tree.

The second one: Apparently there is a school in our area that expelled a young student, well, they didn’t expel him exactly, he could still attend class but he had to sit in a room all by himself and do his schoolwork but not interact with his fellow students. What did he do wrong you wonder? Well, it was his dress or more specifically a bracelet (or whatever guys call it) a “boobie” bracelet to be exact.

It seems this is a fundraiser for awareness of breast cancer aimed more for the younger set. But I gather the school thought it crossed the line of decency. I guess wearing a bracelet for cancer with the word Boobie on it is too stressful for high school students to bear.

I’m not sure what I found funnier/ironic, the fact that 14, 15, 16 etc year olds should be protected against ‘that’ word, or listening to the news jockeys’ telling the story.

Thought for the day

I have a lot of apps on my IPad now. I love many of the apps. One of my favourites is IMDb where one of the many features is upcoming movies for quite a few months in advance. I love watching movie trailers and this one really caught my eye!



Does it look like a romance book based movie or what?? The thing is, it's based on a book by Nicholas Sparks and I don't consider him a romance writer. A writer of romantic stories yes, but I'm still, many years later, still trying to get over the ending of Message in a Bottle. And I haven't seen the movie (even though both stars are from the city I call home) or read the book, The Notebook since I'm not sure, but I think they die in it too.

So although this one, The Lucky One looks very good, I dunno if I'll go see it or not. I'll have to hear how it ends first. If it's a typical Nicholas Sparks ending - not a chance!

Recent Read

The Taming of the Rake by Kasey Michaels

Why this one: It was an impulse purchase. I’ve read her in the past and quite enjoyed her books but I’m not reading as many historicals these days so she kind of slipped my radar

Steam Level: Nice and toasty warm

Blurb: Charming, wealthy and wickedly handsome, Oliver "Beau" Blackthorn has it all…except revenge on the enemy he can't forget. Now the opportunity for retribution has fallen into his hands. But his success hinges on Lady Chelsea Mills–Peckman—the one woman with the power to distract him from his quest.

Desperate to escape her family's control, Lady Chelsea seizes the chance to run off with the notorious eldest Blackthorn brother, knowing she's only a pawn in his game. But as Beau draws her deep into a world of intrigue, danger and explosive passion, does she dare hope he'll choose love over vengeance?

My Thoughts: While I was reading this book I wondered why I hadn’t been reading as many historicals in recent times as I really enjoyed this book – everything about it. From the stubborn but not annoying (to me) heroine Chelsea Mills-Beckham, to the scrumptious hero Oliver (Beau) Blackthorn to the well drawn secondary characters, this book was such a pleasure to read.

Beau and Chelsea first meet years earlier when he is coming to call on her older and very spoiled sister. But alas, his suite is not at all welcome as he has the unfortunate stigma of being a bastard born. Not only is he thrown out of the home, he is whipped like a dog by the older brother.

Fast forward to years later and Chelsea is all grown up and about to be married against her will and wishes to a wet-mouthed dour reverend who has a secret hate on for women. Her brother, still a nasty piece, has changed his ways after a real scare with chicken pox and embraced the horrid man of the cloth. In order to escape this farce of a wedding,

Chelsea high tails it to the home of Beau and suggests they elope to Gretna Green, she to avoid marriage and to Beau’s benefit a way to get back for the humiliation done to him years ago. Beau agrees to the scheme to ‘get even’. Beau is currently being visited by his devil-may-care brother Puck and the three of them set off on a road trip to Gretna Green.

I found this book charming. I loved the character of Chelsea. I can see why she might get on some readers nerves, she’s quite bossy, but Beau or Oliver as she kept insisting on calling him, thought she was a ‘character’ and when the readers sees her through his eyes, well, I thought she was one too.

And Beau makes for a most fine hero. Although he’s been limited in society by his bastard status, he’s still managed to make a good life for himself. He made good friends when he joined the army after being treated so cruelly years earlier. He’s making a successful living looking after his fathers estates even though he can’t inherit them. While not wild about his situation and he does hold a certain anger at his parents because of their selfishness, especially his mother, he doesn’t hold any bitterness.

I also love the character of Puck, the youngest brother. He is with Beau and Chelsea much of the time and seems to be a real hoot. His book is out now too and although it didn’t get that high a grade at AAR, I still think I’ll give it a go if only to read more on the third rather mysterious black sheep brother Jack.

With books like this one out there, I think I’m going to have to rethink my reading habits and take up reading more historicals.

Grade: 4.75 out of 5

It's been a while - but it's that time again

It's time to answer my email again so I bring you

Spam Time!

Well, it’s that semi-annual spam time again, the time when I take one post to answer much of my spam e-mail. So here come the email and my answers.

Penis Growth Promo says “Vids from yacht party

To which I say: Since you didn’t bother to invite me to your damn yacht party, I really don’t want to see the videos of the great time I missed ‘cause I wasn’t invited

Penis Growth Free Trial says “So hard you can break an egg”

To which I say: Huh???? Why would anyone with one want to break an egg on their penis? That makes no sense. Those shells are sharp and the rim of a bowl would work ever so much better I would think.

Penis Growth Free Trial says “She will surely pounce on you.”

To which I say: I don’t really like it when my cats pounce on me. I like it much better when my ‘girls’ just jump and purr rather than pounce and bite and scratch. And right now The Little Shit is pouncing all over the living room. I can hear her. And I can hear things she's pouncing on falling.

Penis Growth Free Trial says “Increase your level of confident”

To which I say: Confident what??

Penis Growth Free Trial says “Funny Naked Girls”

To which I say: that’s not really a clear statement. Do you mean they are funny people in general who just seem to be of the female naked gender, or do they look funny naked. I can think of a better word or two to replace “Funny”

Enlargement supplement Sample says “Attain you desired proportion and size.”

To which I say: First off, why is Sample capitalized and supplement not? That seems odd. And your first word Enlargement doesn’t go along with my particular desired proportion and size. I prefer to be minimized not enlarged.

Sample Men’s Supplement says “Crazy girls gone wilder.”

To which I say: I wonder if they know the funny naked girls?

Penis Growth Free Trials says “Portugal regrets not bring herbal supplements

To which I say: No problem. Spain brought more that we needed.

Trevor Lewis says “Your job application is pending

To which I say: Liar, liar pants on fire!! I never sent you a job application. I’m quite content where I am.

I dunno – it seems like I got a lot of enlargement, growth, sample type spam this time. What’s up with that I wonder?