My Gratitude List for October 2019 #GratitudeCircle

This is my Thank you note for the last month which has been wonderful. We had a birthday celebration at home and I got a lot of free time, especially Me time. 

Here are the things that I am grateful for in October :

Birthday Celebration :

We celebrated the birthday of our younger son at home. Earlier, I used to feel nervous arranging parties at home and talking to guests, but now-a-days, I am enjoying these parties more.

Kids enjoyed playing with play-doh and I enjoyed arranging everything for the play-doh party. I shopped various tools like cutters, shapes to mold the play-doh to different shapes. 

Netflix :

I had an amazing time in October watching many shows and movies on Netflix. I took a break from work and so, got more time to enjoy the quality shows of Netflix.

Here is a post about our favorite shows on Netflix to watch with kids.

I loved 'Dark' which is a mystery, 'The Haunting of Hillhouse' which is an emotional drama and horror, 'Riverdale', a drama and many thriller movies like 'The Ritual'.

Me time :

I could blog more in October and read books. Here are some of my recent reviews:

Hallowed Ground is a mystery and fantasy, which I loved. 

The palace of Illusions is the best book that I have read recently as I love mythology. Chitra Banerjee is my favorite author from the time I read her book "Before I visit the Goddess".

I have learnt a lot about social media strategies in October and experimented with Pinterest and Instagram more. Thanks to the tips from Shailaja V, I have also improved on creating graphics with Canva.

I couldn't travel anywhere though and couldn't get time to paint. 

Teaching Dance :

This time of the year is our Annual Diwali event in Colorado Springs. I took this opportunity to teach Dance to 8 year old kids' group a Odisha folk song. It was a lot of fun of course. 

Kids looked amazing in the final event and everyone danced without forgetting anything. 

Cooking :

Even though I don't enjoy cooking, I had nice opportunities to love it in October. I bought an instant pot and experimented a lot. Biryani, Pasta, Ghee, Spinach Dal, Mutton curry - the list goes on.. and my experiments are continuing. The Instant pot is worth the money and Iam thankful to all the cooking videos available on Youtube to cook with instant pot.

I have also started OPOS method of cooking and I am experimenting with this style as well. Read more about OPOS cooking here.

So, that's it about my October. How was yours? 

Happy November to you all. 

In the next week, we have Thanksgiving break here, so more family time and fun for us. I am not much interested in shopping, but if you are, check this post on Black Friday shopping tips. 

Until next time,

Linking this post to #GratitudeCircle hosted by Vidya Sury.

Chimney Rock, Nebraska #WordlessWednesday

Until next time,

Linking this post to #wordlesswednesday hosted by Natasha and Esha.

The Last thing she said by Lauren Carr - [Book Review]

"Too many twists and turns to easily share about this book. Nevertheless, Carr has pulled off another "hit" that kept me reading in one setting until the clues were so well together that the villain fell into our laps...or Chris's, LOL Carr has put a lot into the book beyond the mysteries this time...Characters enjoyed chocotinis, visited book stores...and even blundered into getting engaged (the ring had been purchased 4 months ago)... But, for me, a special thank you for the political spoof at a time when politics at the national level is devastating, gave me a laugh and lightened the load of it all!" - Review by Glenda Bixler, Book Reader's Heaven 

 

Book Details:



Book Title:  The Last Thing She Said (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #3) by Lauren Carr

Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  386 pages

Genre:  Mystery

Publisher:  Acorn Book Services

Release date:   July 22, 2019

Formats available for purchase:  paperback, ebook, audiobook (audible & itunes)

Tour dates: October 7 to November 15, 2019

Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

Book Description:

“I’m working on the
greatest mystery ever,” was the last thing noted mystery novelist
Mercedes Livingston said to seven-year-old Chris Matheson before walking
out of Hill House Hotel never to be seen again.

For decades, the writer’s fate
remained a puzzling mystery until an autographed novel and a letter put a
grown-up Chris Matheson on the trail of a cunning killer. With the help
of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist
in their own field of investigation, Chris puts a flame to this cold
case to uncover what had really happened that night Mercedes Livingston
walked out of Hill House Hotel. Watch out! The clues are getting hot!

Buy the Book:

Amazon.com *
Add to Goodreads

My Review

"The Last thing she said" is a crime investigation thriller. I am not much interested in crime thrillers but the author has led this story in a unique way which I liked.

In the beginning of the story, Shannon writes a letter to Chris (who investigates cold cases )to solve the mystery in her life and find out the culprit who murdered her ex-husband. 

Investigating a 40- year old crime is not easy with all evidences wiped, many witnesses dead or unavailable. But the team of investigators - Chris, Helen, Francine, Doris, Elliott, Jacqui, Mac Faraday come together and collect all the information about the case from multiple sources. 

They talk to multiple people associated with the case, gather important information and at last find the murderer. 

The plot is complex and involves many characters, but the author could connect the dots logically at the end. The way mystery is revealed bit by bit made this novel interesting and intriguing till the end. The pace of the story is good. The suspense and logic are great.

I would recommend this Book to all suspense and crime thriller lovers.

My Rating: 5/5

PS: I have received this book from iread book tours in exchange of a review and this is my honest opinion of the book. 

Meet the Author:  

 Lauren
Carr is the international best-selling author of the Thorny Rose, Mac
Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries—over
twenty titles across four fast-paced mystery series filled with twists
and turns!



Book reviewers and readers alike
rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery,
suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.



Lauren is a popular speaker who has
made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at
conventions. She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German
shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

---

Connect with the author:   Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram

BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE:

Oct 7 – Working Mommy Journal – book review of The Last Thing She Said

Oct 7 - JB's Bookworms with Brandy Mulder – book review of Ice / giveaway

Oct 7 – Bookriot – audiobook review of Ice / giveaway

Oct 7 – Just Another Reader – book review of Ice

Oct 7 - Rita's Reading Room – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Oct 7 - Viviana MacKade – series spotlight / guest post

Oct 8 - Just Another Reader – book review of Winter Frost

Oct 8 - JB's Bookworms with Brandy Mulder – book review of Winter Frost / giveaway

Oct 8 – Amy’s Booket List – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Oct 8 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review of The Last Thing She Said / guest post /

             giveaway

Oct 9 - Cuzinlogic - series spotlight / giveaway

Oct 9 - JB's Bookworms with Brandy Mulder – book review of The Last Thing She Said /

              giveaway

Oct 9 – Just Another Reader – book review of The Last  Thing She Said

Oct 9 - The Voracious Bibliophile – book review of The Last Thing She Said

Oct 10 – Librorum in Sempiternum – book review of Ice / giveaway

Oct 11 – It's All About the Book – book review of The Last Thing She Said

Oct 14 – b for bookreview – series spotlight / author interview

Oct 15 - Buried Under Books - audiobook review of Ice / giveaway

Oct 15 – Pause for Tales – book review of The Last Thing She Said

Oct 16 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said /

                 guest post / giveaway

Oct 17 – Library of Clean Reads – series spotlight / giveaway

Oct 18 - Library of Clean Reads – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Oct 19 – Bookriot – audiobook review of Winter Frost / giveaway

Oct 20 – Librorum in Sempiternum – book review of Winter Frost / giveaway

Oct 21 - Hall Ways Blog – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Oct 21 - Words And Peace – book spotlight / giveaway

Oct 22 – Kristin’s Novel Café – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said

Oct 23 – Mystery Suspense Reviews – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said /

                 guest post

Oct 24 – Haddie's Haven – audiobook review of Ice / giveaway

Oct 24 – FUONLYKNEW – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Oct 24 - My Journey Back - series spotlight / guest post / giveaway

Oct 25 - Blooming with Books – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Oct 25 - StoreyBook Reviews - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway

Oct 26 – Bookriot – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Oct 28 – Sefina Hawke's Books – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said

Oct 29 - Buried Under Books - audiobook review of The Last  Thing she Said / giveaway

Oct 29 – My Reading Journeys – book review of Winter Frost / giveaway

Oct 30 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – book spotlight of The Last Thing She Said /

                 giveaway

Oct 31 – Dab of Darkness Book Reviews – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said

                 / giveaway

Nov 1 – Life as Leels – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Nov 4 – Books for Books – audiobook review of Ice / giveaway

Nov 5 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Nov 6 – fundinmental – book review of Winter Frost / giveaway

Nov 6 - My Reading Journeys – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Nov 7 – Haddie's Haven – audiobook review of Winter Frost / giveaway

Nov 8 – Literary Flits – series spotlight / giveaway

Nov 11 – The Avid Inspri – book review of Ice / giveaway

Nov 11 - Books for Books – audiobook review of Winter Frost / giveaway

Nov 12 – Librorum in Sempiternum – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Nov 13 – Celticlady's Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway

Nov 13 - A Fountain of Books - book review of The Last Thing She Said / guest post / giveaway

Nov 14 - T's Stuff – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said / author interview /

                 giveaway

Nov 15 - The Avid Inspri – book review of Winter Frost / giveaway

Nov 15 – Nighttime Reading Center – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Nov 18 – Laura's Interests – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said / guest post /

                 giveaway

Nov 18 - Books for Books – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Nov 19 – JBronder Book Reviews – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said

Nov 19 - Shalini's Books & Reviews – book review of The Last Thing She Said

Nov 20 - fundinmental – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Nov 20 – Haddie's Haven – audiobook review of The Last Thing She Said / guest post /

                 giveaway

Nov 20 - I'm All About Books – book review of The Last Thing She Said / guest post /

                giveaway

Nov 20 - Svetlana's reads and views – book review of The Last Thing She Said /

                giveaway

Nov 21 – Books Are Love – book review of The Last Thing She Said / author interview /

                 giveaway

Nov 21 - The Avid Inspri – book review of The Last Thing She Said / guest post /

                 giveaway

Nov 22 - Adventurous Jessy – book review of The Last Thing She Said / giveaway

Nov 22 – SammieReadsBook – book review of The Last Thing She Said / author

                 interview / giveaway

Nov 22 -  Jypsylynn – book review of The Last Thing She Said

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

Ends November 30th, 2019

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time,

5 Best Qualities to learn from Children

I am a mom of 2 boys. I have learned a lot by parenting these 2 kids and observing them over the last few years. Since Children haven't experienced this world like us yet, they are open-minded, curious, ready to learn new things, have more courage to take risks than adults. 

We mature as we grow, but we also forfeit some good qualities in the process of growing. Here are a few Qualities that I feel we, adults should learn from our children.

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Curiosity :

Kids have a lot of questions as they are trying to learn new things day by day. They are curious, ready to explore new places, talk to new people and try new things. As we grow, we may be social , but do we really explore new places, talk to people from our heart and make new friends as easily as them? I am not sure.

When it comes to trying new things, we definitely will be far behind, right? We might have tried new tastes/ new adventures when we were kids than now. We should really learn to be more curious about things around and shouldn't stop learning.

PC: www.pixabay.com

Patience :

I am not talking about toddlers who lose patience very quickly and whose attention span is less. But, when they cross that stage, they improve their patience when they do crafts or play with building blocks. They involve themselves completely in the activity and try multiple times even after failing.

Iam not sure if all kids are like this, but my sons play with building blocks and legos for hours and hours to build something complex even after multiple failures. 

We, adults have pre-conceived notions before we start something, 
like -
 Dance doesn't suit my body
 or
 I am not creative enough, etc., 

These notions make us lose our patience when we hit a small failure. May be it's time for us to learn having patience and try again.

Loving Unconditionally :

In childhood, we also loved our parents unconditionally and trusted our friends blindly and supported family and friends without expecting anything in return. 

But, as we grew up, we saw that people change, friends become foes, people become close for some needs and leave when they get what they want. After all these, it becomes tough for us to love unconditionally like in childhood.

PC: www.pixabay.com

Loving our family without any expectations is the important factor for our happy life which we can always learn from our children. 

Excitement and Fun :

Kids get excited for every small win, they enjoy their little successes, right? They feel happy for just painting something new or creating some good craft or eating their favorite dessert!

As we grow, we stop enjoying these little things as we get busy with our work, managing home and other tasks. But, without excitement and fun, life becomes routine and boring.

Trying New things :

As children grow, they learn a lot of new things and try new hobbies if they are introduced to them. They are not afraid of failing and will put their efforts sincerely. 

I think, while growing, we slowly lose this good quality of trying new things. That's why many people believe it's easy to learn arts or martial skills early. 

But, it's not true. Acquiring a new skill is not impossible at any age if we are passionate towards it and spend more time working hard. Check this post to find out your hidden talents and work on them.

So, what do you think? What can we learn from our children? Do let me know in comments.

Until next time,

This post is written for Children's Day blog train hosted by Prerna at www.prernawahi.com and Vartika at www.vartikasdiary.com.

The trees in the dusk #ThursdayTreeLove

This pic was taken a few years ago in Coorg.

Until next time,

Linking this post to #ThursdayTreeLove blog hop hosted by Parul.

A Road that goes far #wordlesswednesday

This road goes to Monument valley park in Utah.

Until next time,

Linking this post to #wordlesswednesday hosted by Natasha and Esha.

The Ultimate Colorado Holiday Gift guide

Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday season is here. It's time to choose best gifts to our loved ones, right? Isn't it a great experience to choose a local Colorado gift? 

Here is the Ultimate Colorado Gift guide featuring some hand-picked unique local Colorado gifts. 

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Cooking classes :

Do you have a friend or family member who loves cooking or baking? Then, it makes sense to gift them a cooking class. To add spice, think of gifting a couple cooking class. 

When I think of cooking classes, Monika Celly of Polka dots and Curry is the name that comes to my mind. Monika offers cooking classes focused on healthy, plant based recipes in Colorado Springs. Not only the cooking classes, you can also gift her special Spice blends and meal kits.

Check out her website for upcoming classes or follow her Facebook page so that you don't miss any upcoming cooking events. 

Paintings and home decor :

Paintings and home decor are always the best gifts for anyone. Who doesn't love a unique painting adorning their living room? I feel fortunate, if my friends can gift some home decor. 

When I first saw Bindu's paintings in her Facebook page - Shades of color, I was speechless. Bindu's paintings are expressive with a spiritual touch. 

Follow her Facebook page to contact Bindu Jackwin to order a great painting to gift your loved ones. 

One more good news, Crafted Colorado Handmade Studio in Old Colorado city is showcasing her work along with the crafts of 20 other local businesses. This store is open till Dec 31st, So what are you waiting for?

Handmade Jewelry:

Who doesn't love unique handmade jewelry showing the culture and heritage?

Sougandhika Jewelry is owned by Meena, who exquisitely crafts jewelry with great quality. She gives her special touch of craftsmanship to her designs being a diploma holder in Jewelry designing. 

I bought a pair of lovely jhumkis (ear rings) from her and cannot wait to wear them for the next function. 

Follow her Facebook page so that you don't miss her latest holiday collection. I am sure you will buy many wonderful jewelry pieces  from her collection to wow your friends and family. 

Essential oil classes and gift sets :

These days, we want to live in a toxin free environment and use products which are harmless, environment friendly and healthy, right?

I attended Michelle Wilson's Essential oils class a year ago and I am inspired to know how useful are essential oils in our every day life. 

Visit her Facebook page and know for yourselves the benefits of gifting an essential oil and diffuser kit. 

Traditional Apparel and, jewelry gifts:

It's tough to get authentic Indian traditional outfits, jewelry and shoes in USA, right? Mio Mora solves that problem by bringing Indian traditional jewelry, apparel and shoes to USA through their boutique in Colorado Springs owned by Anu Kochhar. 

Here is the link for their Facebook page which gets updated with the latest collection to order your gifts in the festive season. 

Donuts :

Who doesn't love donuts? This sweet snack is a great dessert and the best gift option to both adults and kids. 

Amy's Donuts in Colorado Springs is serving the fresh donuts of various types - seasonal, gourmet, traditional, frosted, filled etc., 

Donuts are always special, Is it because they are cute with little holes in the middle or the sprinkles or the fillings or colors? what can I say, I don't know. I love them as perfect gifts.

Children Clothing :

Kids grow faster. As parents, we buy new clothes to our toddlers more times than necessary. So, It makes sense to gift fashionable clothes to our friends' or relatives' kids or even to the children in our family, right?

Navira is a children apparel store with unique and stylish designs. This store is owned and managed by Nisha who says that her specialty is kalamkari designs. Kalamkari is a type of hand printed /  block printed cotton textile and they use only natural dyes, thus it's good for our little ones.

Here is a link to their Facebook page. 

Books :

Do you have a friend/ family member who is a book worm? We will have atleast one such person, right?

There are 2 Colorado Authors that I admire of. 

Simi K Rao writes about cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and relationships. I love her romantic novels like Milan and The Accidental Wife. Here is her Amazon profile with all the links of her books.












Recently, I came across the book "The 30-minute Ayurvedic Cookbook" by Danielle Martin. This book is wonderful to know about the basics of Ayurveda and some simple recipes to improve our health.

So, those are my suggestions for Holiday gits from our local Colorado businesses. How do you like it? Do let me know your opinion in comments.


Until next time,