A Flower Garden Dream

Posted by nicóle on Apr 19, 2012 in Random | 22 comments

I love flowers. I really do.

One day I dream of having my own Secret Garden (that won’t be all that secret) bursting with flowers and plant-life. I picture, hydrangeas, lavender, roses, gardenias,lilies, plumeria, freesia, and daisies, bursting everywhere. In some versions of my floral fantasy there’s a little pond or creek flowing through it, in other moments there’s a tree swing, or a bench. Most times I picture myself journal in hand sitting under a big beautiful tree writing. I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the sound too. Of course in my water version of the garden you’d have the sound of flowing water, but you’d also have chirping birds, fluttering butterflies, buzzing bees and maybe, just maybe some fairy song. C’mon, I’m a writer, what do you expect?

My imaginings alone put a smile on my face. Flowers do that. They make you smile. They can help you express your feelings towards another person, love, friendship, heartache, and apologies…all can be better said, with a flower. Even if you don’t say it, certain flowers have special meanings and even if you find yourself at a loss for words, with a flower you may not need them. They are one of nature’s perfect gift to us and in turn, they are a wonderful gift to give. I love sending and receiving flowers. Perfect holidays for sending flowers are International Mother’s Day or Valentines Day of course, but I like to send them just because. I especially like “just because” occasions. One simple “just because” gift of flowers can turn a regular mundane day into something special, magical even.

love & secret gardens,

nicóle

photo: weheartit.com/gabbagabbagorg.tumblr.com

The preceding was a partnered post.

ilovehimhelovesme imisshimhemissesme

Posted by nicóle on Apr 18, 2012 in marriage, Military Life | 23 comments

We’re smack dab in the middle of a two year remote tour. It’s a small world, until the one you love is on the other side of it.

It’s been 1 year, 2 months, 11 days since his first flight took him towards his duty. 10 months, 4 days later he flew home for three short weeks of  R & R.

It’s been 3 months, 3 days since I waved good-bye (again).

It’s been 94 days since I’ve seen his face (in person). (Thank God for Skype!)

13 weeks  since I kissed him.

2256 hours since I’ve fallen asleep to his lullaby snores.

135,360 minutes since I whispered I love you’s in his ear.

8,121,600 seconds I’ve taken it one moment at a time.

At least 295 days remain in this tour (probably more.)

Who’s counting?

xxoo

Fearless -The Story of Adam Brown – Son, Husband, Father, Friend, Hero

Posted by nicóle on Apr 18, 2012 in Books, Military Life | 4 comments

This book was brought to my attention -it’s now on my “must read” list. Had to share.

Fearless is the story of Adam Brown, a man of extremes, whose courage and determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It’s about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the US military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice.

Blue October On Tour

Posted by nicóle on Apr 16, 2012 in Music | 8 comments

A few weeks ago I went to see my favorite band, Blue October. They played in Ft. Lauderdale at The Revolution and I was thrilled to not have to drive anywhere, or rent a hotel for once to see them!

The Revolution was a great venue and I had a perfect spot right up front at the bar!
I am of course totally annoyed with myself because I didn’t bring my good camera!

But here are a few pics I took with my iPhone.

Here they are singing “The Chills” off of their latest album, Any Many In America (which is amazing!)

Nerd Girl Problems…

Posted by nicóle on Apr 15, 2012 in typography | 13 comments

Sigh.

photo: weheartit.com

Until Next Time -Amy Lignor The Angel Chronicles Book I Review

Posted by nicóle on Apr 12, 2012 in Books | 12 comments

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the ‘life’ they’ve been assigned. What they don’t realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz’s establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel’s path and a warrior’s plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that’s ripping them apart.

Novel: Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles, Book 1 by Amy Lignor

Published: September 29, 2011

Stand Alone or Series: Series – This is the first book in the ‘Angel Chronicles’ series.

How I Got it: I received a copy in e-book format from the publisher.

What made me want to read it: The premis -totally intrigued me.

What I thought…

Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles, Book 1 has a bit of a slow start, but once things began happening and the pace picked up, I
couldn’t wait to turn the page.

Matt & Emily “are the ultimate angel/warrior team” who get sent down on a mission to Earth in order to inhabit the bodies of Daniel & Liz who live in a remote village in Ireland; Liz is alone in the world till she meets her best friend and together they run a quaint little pub once owned by Liz’s deceased family.

My first thought was why did they have to possess two bodies? Why not just come on down Highway to Heaven style? The way I understood it was, the souls inhabiting the bodies have given up hope but because these people have stuff they need to do the original souls get taken up to heaven and Matt & Emily take over, but they don’t remember their Matt & Emily because they’re living the life of the people they took. They have their memories and experience their complex human emotions, which they don’t fully understand at first.

I have no issue with angel possession, but this idea didn’t entirely sit well with me. If the soul is gone then wouldn’t the memories be too?

Once I figured out who’s who I did grow to care for these characters, which, honestly I wasn’t sure I would. I began to care because buried underneath a bit of fluff there lies a story that left me contemplating love, friendship, humanity, and the loss there of. Amy Lignor has a good thing going here, and I hope in the future she doesn’t shy away from exploring these rich ideas.

What I would like to see less of in future Angel Chronicle stories are characters using a cliché like “take time to smell the roses” and remarking that they’d hope this saying would “catch on one day”.

What I would like to see more of is a deeper exploration of the relationships and themes with less telling and more showing. I really want to find out what happens to Emily & Matt, and where their angelic souls will take them next time.

I received a free e-version of this novel to facilitate this review.

I must…

Posted by nicóle on Apr 10, 2012 in Writing | 4 comments

Life has been a bit hectic lately. My son became ill, and when I’ve had a moment I’ve either been reading, or writing. After all, I must…

photo: weheartit.com

Horizon Dream(s) [Typography]

Posted by nicóle on Apr 4, 2012 in Photographs, typography | 24 comments

Photo: Taken Using a Nikon D3100 18-55 mm lens. One Sunday morning at Crandon Park, Key Biscayne, FL
quote: That was me too.

Vanilla Rice Crispy Treats -Barnes & Noble Cafe

Posted by nicóle on Apr 3, 2012 in Books, Uncategorized | 25 comments

Last Sunday after a day at the beach with my boys we came home showered and went out for frozen yogurt. Before the frozen yogurt we stopped in to Barnes & Noble to get some new books.

While we were there I picked up a a coffee at their cafe (hello Starbucks) and in amongst their treats was a delectable rice crispy treat.

My son Evan loves marshmallows and when he asked if he could have a treat I obliged, because he’s not so much of an ice cream eater.

It was such a cute little treat sprinkled in were whole marshmallows. More importantly it tasted good.

Yesterday he asked me if I could make him some more, like the one he had and I told him I would. A quick stop in to the supermarket and ten minutes at the stove resulted in a delicious treat.

The recipe I used was for a Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Rice Krispy Treat I discovered last summer. The only thing I did differently was add in some whole marshmallows just before I poured the mixture.