Favorite Picture of the Week

So when my daughter was little I took her to the Zoo we had here in Las Vegas. We no longer have a Zoo because it got shut down but back then there was a petting zoo part to it where you could buy some got food and go into the goat enclosure and feed the goats. I thought it would be great fun to take my daughter in there and let her feed the goats and pet them. 

Well, that was a great idea!

At first the goats just laid around and she went up to them and they let her pet them. Then after I bought the food and walked into the enclosure the goats got up really fast and charged me. They kept head butting me with their heads which had small hard horns on them because they wanted the food I had. My daughter tried to feed them and they knocked her down and then attacked me. So I threw the rest of the food down and we got out of the enclosure. 

The woman who gave me the food and who I paid to get into the petting part of the zoo was watching the whole thing from her window and she did nothing. I went to the window and told her that there should be a sign telling people that the goats will attack but she just laughed at me. 

We never went back to that zoo and a few years later it was shut down. 

Review: Dead Men Play The Game by Jacqui Jacoby

Book Blurb

For a hundred years, Ian Stuart has fought the monster controlling his life. Living as a human among humans, he wants to fill the void that has followed him from one empty, lonely relationship to another other. Ashley Barrow is working the worst murder case in Davenport, Oregon's history. She needs a drink to forget the detailed images in her mind. When she walks into Ian's pub, Ian knows their lives are about to change, if only for a short while. Vampire and human, their relationships can only last so long. But an enemy from Ian's past has his own agenda about their future. His sadistic revenge changes Ashley forever, leaving Ian and his long time friends – Travis, Jason, Quinn and Evan -- desperate to ease her into her new life and find a way to defeat their enemy.

My Review

I'm totally reading this series out of order, but it doesn't matter. I loved the other book in this series that I read so I knew I wanted to read the other stories in this series. I'm glad that I read this one too because I really like the characters in this series and I like getting to know them better. 

Ashley Barrows is a detective and she's trying to find a murderer but what she doesn't know is that her case will lead her right into the path of a crazy vampire. 

Ian Stuart is a vampire but he's trying to not let the monster inside him rule his life. He just wants to live a normal life.

After having a really bad day, Ashley walks into the bar Ian works at, they talk and make a small connection. He asks her to come back the next night and she does after another really bad day. They have their first date that night and she flirts with a couple of Ian's roommates texting on his phone while he laughs about it. It was really cute to see them get along so well after knowing each other such a small amount of time. 

I seriously love the banter between all of the guys and how easily Ash fit in and gave as good as she got. 

Dating a vampire is hard enough but when an enemy from Ian's past turns up to make make their lives even worse, all hell breaks loose and Ashley gets the worst of it. 

I'm a huge paranormal romance fan and when the book has vampires, that's just an added bonus for me. 

All of these characters really resonate with me, I really like them and how they act with each other. They've been together for a long time. They're vampires, so long lives and long friendships come with the territory. At first I thought it kinda strange that they all live together but they somehow make it work. I like how the author really made these characters so likable but at the same time fierce when something is done to one they care for. 

If you're like me and you enjoy a really fabulous vampire romance series you can sink your teeth into, then this might just be what you've been looking for. 

If you'd like to buy this book, you can find it here. 

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. 

Happy Raturday!

*Marbles*

"Are you eyeing my treat?"

*Lucky*

"I am so darn cute, I can't contain it." 

*Fang*

"Yes, this is how I sleep. Deal with it."

*Fang and Patches*

"It's nice to have a buddy to cuddle with"

This week I posted pictures of my own past rats. 

Buffalo Bob's Wild Game Jerky- Sampler Gift Pack of 10

Product Description

One taste and you'll understand why our wild game jerky and sausage snack products are second to none. Check out our extensive line of Buffalo Bob's Alligator, Buffalo, Elk, Kangaroo, Ostrich, Pheasant, Venison, & Wild Boar. All farm-raised and USDA inspected Wild Game Jerky. Beef has been added to most products. Buffalo Bob's Jerky is made from prime cuts of meat that have been ground, blended with seasonings and formed into flat strips (no casing). Then, the meat is slow-smoked for as long as seven hours to capture the flavors of the selected hardwoods. To ensure freshness all products are individually vacuum-sealed. Buffalo Bob's Snack Sticks are a ready to eat, pepperoni-sausage product each weighing one ounce. Ground meat is mixed with seasonings, encased in an edible casing and then slow-smoked over selected hardwoods. To ensure freshness all products are individually vacuum-sealed.

My Review

Now I love Jerky and Meat sticks so when I saw this sampler I decided to go ahead and get it because I love trying new things. I've never had any of the meat in this sampler before and I liked all of it. My husband had never had any of this meat before either so each time we opened one, we would cut it in half and share them. 

We both really liked all of them but for the most part because of the spices, they all kinda tasted the same to me. There was quite an assortment of different met sticks and jerky. There was Pheasant, Alligator, Bison, Venison, Duck, Kangaroo, Wild Boar, Beef & Ostrich and Buffalo. 

Because everything tasted much the same, I doubt that I would buy this again but it was definitely worth it to me since it really was good. If you'd like to try this, you can find it here. 

I give this a 4 stars out of 5. 

Favorite Video of the Week

Ok this is to darn cute.

Freebie Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too. Someone asked me why I do a 'Freebie Friday" each week, so I'll tell you.

A while back I listed all the free samples and wins that I had received that previous year and so many people didn't believe that I could have gotten so many free things. So I decided to prove it by taking a picture every week and sharing the sites that I found the links to the freebies at. So now you too can get great free samples coming to your mailbox each week.

  You can find links to samples like these at Hey It's Free and Freebie Shark.
Did you know you can sign up at Tomoson and get free products too. You can also sign up at these sites and get products at a great discount. No Kidding Coupons, AMZ Review Trader, and Elite Deal Club.

This week I received a box of samples from Pinchme. 

I received: 

A sample bag Purina One Smart Blend dog food

4 toddler milk samples

A wine gift card $100 off of the purchase of $160 or more.

Chicken and Bell Pepper Casserole

I was following a recipe I found on Facebook and sent Ken to the store for some mild Poblano peppers. Well they didn't have those and the guy in the produce section said that the Pasilla peppers were the same thing. I tell you emphatically that they are not the same thing. The Pasilla peppers were hot as hell and there was no way I could use them. So I changed the recipe to use bell peppers and took out a few things and added a few things until it didn't resemble the original recipe at all. LOL

At least it tasted good. 

INGREDIENTS: 

1 Bell Pepper cut into bit size pieces

12 oz. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-size pieces

2 T. olive oil

2 oz. onion, sliced

¼ tsp. chili powder 

¼ tsp. garlic powder

1 Can diced tomatoes

¼ c. cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup. diced green onion

8 oz. Monterrey Jack cheese, grated

DIRECTIONS:    Saute onions and peppers until soft, remove from heat.  Heat oil in non-stick pan and saute chicken until meat is no longer pink.  Add all remaining ingredients except the cheese, simmer 4 minutes. Spread all of the ingredients into a baking dish and add 1/2 of the cheese and mix well. Spread remaining cheese on top. Cover and bake at 350º for about 20 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese is melted.  Serve with noodles or rice.

Favorite Picture of the week

This week I decided to post a picture of my brother's pig. He brought Wilbur down with him and his wife one time and he had him here for a few days. This pig let you know with high pitched squeals when he wasn't happy and he wanted a treat or something to eat or to go for a walk. It was interesting to have a pig in the house though. 

Oh and Braine from Talk Supe, here's that picture of my bread maker you asked for last week. LOL

Review: Dead Men Seal The Deal by Jacqui Jacoby

Book Blurb

Too-playful-for-his-own-good, Jason Sullivan keeps himself busy working his job, hitting the gym, and dating the right girl for the right amount of time. He loves romance. He loves treating a woman right. Until he has a chance encounter with Taylor Grant. Taylor escaped Georgia to flee a broken relationship. Her convictions to stay single, stay away from men and give up sex altogether will be challenged when the mischievous Jason gets her in his cross hairs. Jason’s seductions are not only in his romances, but also in his job. When a meeting with a new client brings Jason's human past forefront, secrets and regrets come crashing down around him. He will turn not only to the new lady in his life, but to his ‘brothers’—Travis, Ian, Quinn and Evan—who will unite as an unstoppable force that not even one greedy, vindictive hag can expect.

My Review

Since I love vampires and vampire stories I thought I would give this book a try. I love reading new to me authors and finding new books and authors to love so I'm really glad to have read this because I know I'll be reading more from this author in the future. 

Jason Sullivan loves a good challenge and after meeting Taylor, he's in full challenge mode since he asked her out and she turns him down. 

Taylor Grant tries to keep Jason away and even warned him she's sworn off men and sex but it doesn't stop him from pursuing her. She finally breaks down and gives in to a date. They see each other a couple of times and then he brings her home to meet his family, that's when the real fun begins. 

The emails they send back and forth to each other were fun, playful and made me laugh. You could really see the chemistry between these two and I knew they were made for each other even if they didn't...yet. 

Jason is different, he's a vampire. But the real fun is Jason's family. They are so much fun and I could see myself being comfortable around them as long as they've been fed before I get there. But Jason loves animals and it seems so does his 'family'. I really like it when a story has some kind of animal element to it and this one has more than one and it was too darn cute how the household ends up with not one but several different animals. 

Everything is going great and then something really bad happens and that starts a whole new darker feel to this story. Things happen and feelings are hurt and even I got emotional reading it but in the end we get to find out if a human female will willingly change her entire life to be the vampire of her dreams. 

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. 

If you'd like to purchase this book, you can find it here. 

Product Review: 10 KYNSA Chalk Markers + 40 Chalkboard Label Stickers

Product Description

Who says art has to be messy? Kynsa Liquid Chalk Markers are a fun, refreshing twist on conventional chalk and markers! Each pen is filled with 8g of high-quality ink and features a reversible nib with a bullet tip on one end and chisel point on the other. Unlike traditional chalk, the ink goes on smooth and opaque Create fancy lettering for signs, homemade cards, school projects, crafts, pantry labels and more. Since our chalk markers work on an array of non-porous surfaces, their uses are virtually endless!

These non-toxic, low-odor markers are so KID-FRIENDLY! When you're done, simply cap them and put back in the box. No messy cleanup or chalk-stained hands & clothes. And no airborne dust that can aggravate allergies and cause respiratory issues.

Best of all? Our chalk markers wipe off easily to fix mistakes or create a clean canvas. Just use a dry or damp cloth to start fresh-the ink won't streak or smudge!

Ideal for kids age 3 and up as well as moms, dads, teachers, artists, crafters & store or café owners who create signs for their business. Also makes a fantastic birthday or Christmas gift for that special boy or girl.

My Review

I bought a pack of these chalkboard markers for my grandson and after seeing them I liked them so much that I got a pack of them for myself too. These come with a pack of chalkboard labels that are reusable and all you have to do is wipe them off with a wet cloth and write on them again. I just bought myself a set of plastic storage containers so I knew that these would be perfect for them and I was right. I put stickers on each of the containers and labeled them and put them on my kitchen shelf and love them.

The markers are easy to 'charge' up and get started with. You just open the cap, press the tip down, put the cap back on and shake for 10 seconds. Take the cap off and press down until the tip fills with ink. The chalk goes on wet and you have to let it dry before messing with it but after it dries, it doesn't smudge unless you are really rough with it and are trying to wipe it off. You can also pull the tip out and turn it around in order to get a different edge to write with, which was so cool.

The stickers are really cool because you can take them off and put them on something else if you want to so they can be used over and over.

Disclosure: I was given this product at a discount in exchange for an honest review.

I like that I can label the canisters and if I put something different in them later, can just wipe the chalk markers off and write something else on the labels. 

I give this set a 5 out of 5 stars. 

You can find this product on Amazon. 

Happy Raturday!

*Photo courtesy of Storms rat pack*

*Photo courtesy of Storms rat pack*

*Photo courtesy of @MrRat395*

"I hate Mondays"

*Photo courtesy of @MrRat395"

"Yes, I like being petted."

Review: Innocent Next Door by Shelley Munro

Book Blurb

Adventure is Summer William's mission! 

Life in a small town is comfortable, but living with her loving and overprotective family means it lacks adventure. And forget romance with two interfering army brothers around. It's time to leave the cozy nest. Her grandiose plans come to a grinding halt when she becomes innocently involved with a crime boss, then she bumps heads and lips with her uncle's sexy but very bossy neighbor. 

Special Air Services soldier Nikolai Tarei owes his neighbor a favor, but looking out for his twenty-two year old niece is stretching friendship too far. She’s a virgin and her sex appeal, sassiness and brazen disregard for safety have Nikolai scrambling to protect both her and his battered heart. 

Summer is a librarian who's a whiz at research. Now she's ready to try out the sex toys and sexual positions she's researched. The woman is tying Nikolai in sensual knots and driving him crazy—in and out of bed. But he’s enjoying the journey, and suddenly he's thinking about making his Summer babysitting assignment a full time commitment—if only he can persuade her to see things his way. 

Warning: Contains an alpha army hero intent on offering protection and a virgin, BBW heroine craving action and adventure. Mix and see the hot sparks fly! 

My Review

Summer is a librarian that ends up with the wrong package of books. The package she mistakenly picks up belongs to a bad guy and he will do whatever it takes to get what is his, even if that means hurting or killing anyone who stands in his way. 

Nikolai is in the Special Air Services but after he hurt his knee he is supposed to be letting it heal. So when his next door neighbor goes on his honeymoon, he asks Nikolai if he will keep an eye on his niece while he's away. He does so begrudgingly at first and then because he wants to after she gets herself into trouble and needs his help. 

Nikolai, his two male friends and Summer's brothers are all SAS soldiers, so that really helped the story line when Summer and Nikolai are in need of help. These guys make for the perfect heroes as they are strong, knowledgeable and can get the job done at a moments notice. I hope that the rest of these guys get their own story because I really liked them. 

Now while Summer might be innocent (a virgin) she's got enough sass and spark to make a grown man groan, which he does quite often. Summer is funny, sassy and smart but sometimes does something impulsively which can have its consequences. But she's young so you have to expect impulsiveness from someone so young and inexperienced. All in all I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more stories about these characters. 

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars

If you'd like to read this for yourself, you can find it here. 

Product Review: Secret Deodorant

I received a free box of Clinical Strength Secret Deodorant thanks to Crowdtap. 

My Review

I've been using Secret deodorant for years and when the clinical strength came out I switched to that and have been happy with it. I really like the smooth solid because it goes on like a solid but it's silky smooth and seems to work the best for me. I've never been able to wear the spray deodorant because it makes me itch and break out but I've never had that problem with the Secret deodorants. 

It's not spring where I live and it's going to be getting really hot very soon. Here in Las Vegas we reach temps of 117F in the summer and I need a good deodorant/antiperspirant that is going to work for me. 

The fact that Secret has so many really nice scents is another reasons that I haven't switched to another deodorant. 

This post was sponsored by Secret® as part of a sampling activation for Crowdtap. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

Favorite Video of the week

You may have seen this one on Facebook. That's where I first saw it. How cute.

Freebie Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too. Someone asked me why I do a 'Freebie Friday" each week, so I'll tell you.

A while back I listed all the free samples and wins that I had received that previous year and so many people didn't believe that I could have gotten so many free things. So I decided to prove it by taking a picture every week and sharing the sites that I found the links to the freebies at. So now you too can get great free samples coming to your mailbox each week.

  You can find links to samples like these at Hey It's Free and Freebie Shark.

Did you know you can sign up at Tomoson and get free products too. You can also sign up at these sites and get products at a great discount. No Kidding Coupons, AMZ Review Trader, and Elite Deal Club.

This week I received: 

3 samples of Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent

3 Sample packs of Seventh Generation Baby Wipes

A Phone case and stylus I got for only $2 for my daughter's phone

And two $5 Amazon gift certificate from Crowdtap. 

Did you receive any freebies this week?

Review: The Good, The Bad, and The Vampire by Sara Humphreys

Book Blurb

Book 4 of the Dead in the City series

Beloved author Sara Humphreys' acclaimed paranormal romance series continues with sweltering attraction between two vampires who have all the time in the world to satisfy their desires...

He wants eternity?

Dakota Shelton is a vampire cowboy with a penchant for cinnamon lollipops and Johnny Cash. Though highly skilled and deadly dangerous to his enemies, he's still a Texas good ol' boy at heart. And he has that heart set on wooing Trixie LaRoux-the most badass punk rock chick in town-the old-fashioned way.

Over her undead body...

Trixie is tough as nails and sharp as a silver stake-the last thing she wants is a man to sit on a porch and not grow old with. So it'll take going to hell and back fighting a new threat to vampires before she admits Dakota's courtship makes her blood hum. Turns out chivalry's not dead after all.

My Review

I knew I wanted to read this novel by an author who has written quite a few of my favorite paranormal stories, so when I saw it was available on Net Galley I asked for it and got it in exchange for an honest review. 

I've really liked Trixie and was so glad to see her get her own story. Trixie had a really bad life as a human and in her brief time as an adult she was an addict and did some questionable things, things she's not proud of and would rather not have her vampire coven know about. She is spunky, sassy and seems happy in her vampire like but she has secrets and when Dakota follows her to the pregnant human's house out in the woods, one of her secrets gets found out. 

Dakota is a smooth talking cowboy but he's also a Sentry which is the elite vampire police force.  Dakota and Trixie have feelings for each other but Trixie is not ready to face a relationship just yet. Dakota and Trixie seem to be completely opposite but sometimes opposites attract and it was enjoyable to watch their romance unfold. 

Throw in some gargoyles, witches and a huge lie that was told to Dakota that tricked him into believing things that weren't true and you have a story with a lot of twists and turns. If you'd like to buy this for yourself, you can find it here. 

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

Favorite Picture of the Week

A few weeks ago I dusted off my old bread machine and bought the ingredients I needed to make some bread. This was my first loaf. I forgot how good fresh bread tastes. And it's so easy to make too. You just add all of the ingredients to the bread machine and turn it on. The bread machine does all the work and 4 hours later, you have a hot loaf of bread. 

Recipe: No Bake Eclair Cake

I saw a recipe for this floating around FB and so I decided to try it myself and it came out really good. Ken and my daughter liked it and so did I. 

You will need

2 boxes vanilla pudding mix- make as directed

8 ozs cool whip

1 box of graham crackers

Make vanilla pudding, stir in cool whip. 

The pan should be big enough so that 7 whole Graham Crackers can fit flat for each layer.

Lay one layer of graham crackers down, spread a layer of pudding mixture. Another layer of graham crackers and more pudding. Then one more layer of graham crackers. 

Topping. Mix together 3 TBSP butter, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 TBSP cocoa powder and 3 TBSP milk. Mix well and pour on top of graham crackers. 

Refrigerate 24 hours and serve. 

Happy Raturday!

*Photo courtesy of Storms rat pack*

*Photo courtesy of Storms rat pack*

*Photo courtesy of Storms rat pack*

*Photo courtesy of Storms rat pack*

Product Review- Show You Care Packages (48 Count) Snack Packages

My Review

This would make a really nice care package or to send to someone in a dorm or who has kids because there are a lot of small packs of cookies, crackers, nuts and candy. If you're making lunch for yourself or someone else to take with them each day, this is a great thing to have to be able to pop in one or two different snacks a day with a sandwich. My daughter was making a sandwich for herself to take t work each day and adding a snack size bag or chips, cookies or crackers in her bag and with this she got to pick something different each day without me having to buy large boxes of several different types of snacks to have on hand. The price is a bit high but that's what you pay for the convenience of having so many different snacks on hand. 

In addition to the snack size bags of chips, cookies and crackers, there's also at least 10 individual pieces of candy. My family loved it and it's nice to have a small snack for my grandson when he comes over. As you can see in my photo there's a little something for everyone and I'm happy to say that everything was fresh and not stale at all. 

If you'd like to order this, you can find it on Amazon. When I ordered it, the price was $29.95.