Utah Book Blogger Social (Put it on your calendars!)

Semi-annual UTAH Book Blogger Party!

For: book bloggers, authors, aspiring authors, book sellers, or publishing type people in the Utah area.

Last year I went. And it was A LOT of fun! Here's the Summer Social and the Winter Social.

Check out Suey's post for some additional info (and more pictures of the past four events).

When: Saturday, March 5 at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Golden Corral (7200 S. and 655 E.) in Midvale.

Cost: Dinner is just under $10.00 plus drinks/tips.

What: We'll be doing a book exchange, so bring a used/loved book to share.

ALSO: If you haven't already joined the Utah Blogger group on the Ning, now is your chance. That's where they are trying to keep track of everyone and it makes for a good central location for all that's happening.

RSVP (to at least ONE of these great gals): Natasha at Maw Books Blog, , Becky at One Literature Nut or Suey at It's All About Books. You can also email them at utahbookbloggers AT gmail DOT com.

Wordless Wednesday: Spring Shadows

(This photo was taken by me February 23, 2011.)

Marriage Monday: Fanning the Flames

"There's nothing complicated about reviving or enhancing your fondness and admiration. Even positive feelings that have long been buried can be exhumed simply by thinking and talking about them. You can do this by meditating a bit on your partner and what makes you cherish him or her. When you acknowledge and openly discuss positive aspects of your partner and your marriage, your bond is strengthened. This makes it much easier to address the problem areas in your marriage and make some positive changes."

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman, Ph.D., and Nan Silver

You can find my other Marriage Mondays here.

Image found on Google Images.

Friday Night Blankets

I've wanted to get back into sewing so the other day I picked up a few things to do one of the more simple projects. But I couldn't just do one, because I have three kids.

So after dinner Friday night I had the urge to make my kids some blankets and I finally pulled out my sewing machine and got to work. The first one took me two tries (I accidently sewed the batting on the wrong side) but after that it was smooth, quick sailing. I still need to tie them but for now, they look good.

My kids were so excited to watch and help me. As soon as I finished each one they'd take it and go snuggle up on the couch. Then they all took them to bed last night. I sure love my little cuties.

Breathless Reads in Salt Lake City

Last Saturday a bunch of my friends and I were at the Salt Lake City Library eagerly awaiting a handful of fabulous authors!

Rachel, Jamie, Jenni, Debbie, Malea, Olivia, Meagan, Heather

(and directly above us-even if they didnt know we were taking a picture, is a few more friends/authors: Sheralyn Pratt, Nichole Giles, Windy Aphayrath, Elana Johnson)

(And a special shout out to Catie (Book Bound for taking the picture!)

Then the wonderful Breathless Reads Tour Authors came out on stage!

Pictured Above:

Ally Condie (Matched), Beth Revis (Across The Universe), Andrea Cremer (Nightshade), Kirsten Miller (The Eternal Ones), Breanna Yavonoff (The Replacement)

And of course some other friends / awesome book bloggers

Emily from Emily's Reading Room, Cranberryfries, Heather from Fire and Ice

(thanks for the photo Heather!)

Here's a fun little video of a few of them answering the question, "Do you have any rituals or things you always do when you write?"

(If you can't see the video you can go directly to my YouTube page here to see it.)

I've read Matched, and loved it! And I picked up Across the Universe and Nightshade to read. I really wish (and seriously just should have) gotten them all!

Have you read any of these books yet?

What'd you think?

Marriage Monday: List Your Five

Happy Valentines day everyone!

This is a fun little activity my husband and I did when we were taking one of our Marriage Enrichment classes in college. We'd only been married a few months then, and still several years later we make new lists. I feel like it is very effective and it's one of my favorite things to tell people about because I think it can be a big eye opener.

List Your Five:

Here's what to do-

~Each of you take out some paper(s) and write

at the top on one side "Five ways I show love to my spouse"

and on the other side "Five ways I want to be loved"

~Fill in both sides.

~Then either read your answers to each other or switch papers.

~Lastly, be sure to talk about it. (Whether for 1 minute or 30.)

I try to do this yearly but honestly I loose track of time. Since I was working on this post last night though I think what I might do is try to do this every Valentines day. I think it'd be an easy day to remember this fun little activity and to reassess.

Be sure to put your lists some place you can review them, tape them to your bedroom wall or tuck it into your sock drawer. (And yes, I realize this is a close idea to the five love languages. I have a post in the works on that too.)

Have you ever tried this?

Do you think you'd be able to guess your partners answers?

You can find my other Marriage Monday posts here.

Sassy Cranberryfries (Vote for me!)

Ok so you know those fun ladies over at Sassy Scoops?

Did you hear they're getting a new Sassy?

So of course I totally had to make a video to be Utah's next top Sassy!

I need your help though! Pretty please?!

Go over there and vote for me! I'd sure appreciate it. (You need to click on 'sassyscoopsutah+others' tab to see my video--you gotta scroll WAY down to see Debbie Cranberryfries.)

'Like' the sassy scoop page to be able to vote/comment. Just 'like' my video to vote! If you feel so inclined you can leave a comment too but seriously I'd love it if you would 'like' it!!'

(In case you can't see it--my blog sometimes cuts the movies in half, seriously go over here and watch it!--then vote)

Voting ends on Valentines day Monday the 14th so hurry and vote. (And tell your friends too!)
EDIT They extended the deadline to Thursday Feb 17th. Please go vote for me!