Mary Quast's Blog, page 56
December 7, 2015
Find Quiet Time as a Couple During Holidays
Work. Shopping. Parties. Travel. Special Events.During the month of December, there will be many demands on your time. Stress levels may rise. At the end of the day, exhaustion sets in.
Even Santa and Mrs. Claus make time for alone time.
Here a few tips to "keep it together" during the holiday season.
* Try not to schedule to many events right after each other. Give yourself time between each one.
* Take time to sit with your honey and make a list of things you enjoy the most about the holiday. This will not only give you quality time together, but also help keep you in the Christmas spirit.
*Schedule certain things from your list to do together. Yes... write it down! Make a date of it.
*Speak with family members in advance. Schedule family meals, parties and limit gift giving.
*Help each other. Help a friend make cookies. Help a relative wrap gifts. Spending time together and taking care of a "chore" at the same time.
*As a couple make a new family tradition.
Even Santa and Mrs. Claus make time for alone time.Here a few tips to "keep it together" during the holiday season.
* Try not to schedule to many events right after each other. Give yourself time between each one.
* Take time to sit with your honey and make a list of things you enjoy the most about the holiday. This will not only give you quality time together, but also help keep you in the Christmas spirit.
*Schedule certain things from your list to do together. Yes... write it down! Make a date of it.
*Speak with family members in advance. Schedule family meals, parties and limit gift giving.
*Help each other. Help a friend make cookies. Help a relative wrap gifts. Spending time together and taking care of a "chore" at the same time.
*As a couple make a new family tradition.
December 1, 2015
Her Undercover Christmas
Let's kick off December with a holiday themed book from Decadent Publishing and Gina Wynn.
Blurb: Christmas is approaching and Phil is a girl out to get what she wants—the life of her choosing. She wants it all: a good looking man, his money, and the respect he commands. She just needs to throw her lot in with her criminal cousins for one day. Long enough to pull off a theft and come to the attention of the man she desires. But the job goes wrong.
Bastian is a man on the run—from a lifestyle he never chose and can’t seem to escape. One last favour before he disappears for good, and then he can start afresh somewhere new. But the favour balloons into more than he anticipated, and suddenly there are two of them on the run, and two of them snowed in and hiding out in his one last safe place.
Can a woman who thinks she knows where she belongs help a man who has never really belonged anywhere?
Excerpt: He shrugged her off his shoulder and stood her close to his body, hand clamped firmly across her mouth.
“What are you doing?” She’d get them both discovered, and the boys after him left Joe looking like a pre-schooler who’d missed naptime.
She shook her head and he loosened his grip as her teeth grazed his skin. “My mother told me stories about you.”
“Well, well. I didn’t know I was quite so widely known to have become part of London lore. That must put me in the same league as legends like the Tooth Fairy and Father Christmas. I’m honoured.” He kept his arm wrapped around her waist.
“More like Wee Willie Winkie or that thing lurking under the bed.” She bent her leg and stamped on his toe.
“Try harder,” he whispered into her ear. “Not only do I have boots with superior grip, they have steel toe caps. And, if you recall, you have bare feet.”
She wriggled, grinding her body against his. He looked into her eyes, focusing on the confusion he found there.
“If you do that again, I’ll kiss you.”
She stopped, and he would have plucked his words from the air to shove back down his throat…but the thought of her lips teased him, still. He let his hands fall away from her as sudden need pulsed through him.
“You’re free to go. Tell your mother you met her bogeyman, her personal Pitch Black, whatever. You won’t see me again. And I won’t hurt you.” He turned to go. “Or kiss you, so don’t worry.” His last words were a regrettable afterthought.
“I…I can’t. I don’t know how to get home. My cousins brought me.”
He held his sigh in his chest and faced her. “There’s a bus stop over there, and busses stop at it all day long.”
She cast a glare in his direction that almost had a look of Rosa, and huffed out a determined breath. “Well, good. I didn’t want you to carry me about, anyway, like some abducting, murdering, debauching Neanderthal. Yet, now you expect me to conjure a bus to get home, in a strange place, when it looks like we’re expecting snow. Some gentleman you are.”
“I never claimed to be that, JB.”
She closed her eyes and let out a low groan. “Stop calling me that stupid name. Phil. I’m Phil.”
He swallowed hard and took a small step away before recovering himself. Bollocks, and shit and bollocks again.Of course, Rosa didn’t have son. She had a daughter…with eyes so full of fear as they peered out from her darkened bedroom, until Rosa noticed her watching the adults talk and sent her back to bed, that the memory haunted him when he slept. He’d always lurked in the shadows of Rosa’s life, unwilling for anyone but Rosa to see him, especially anyone so scared. But…he juggled his thoughts. Time had moved on. He’d grown older…so had Rosa’s daughter. Twelve years had passed. She wasn’t eleven anymore, that much he could tell from her bad attitude, with no need for some of the more appealing visual cues. His gaze took her in once more, lingering a little longer than necessary on her curves. Rosa’s “beautiful” comment made a little more sense with the new information. He clenched his hands into fists, counting off the reasons not to embroil himself in the situation further—too young, Rosa’s daughter, and he’d think of a third.
He reached for her again, drawing her back into his arms and cradling her against his chest. “Well then, that changes everything. I thought you’d stood me up.”
Buy Links:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Undercove...http://www.bookstrand.com/her-undercover-christmashttps://www.smashwords.com/books/view/594487https://www.allromanceebooks.com/prod...
About Gina:From a magical land of castles and kings (Okay, it’s England), Gina doesn’t feel as old as she looks, owns three children (aged 2, 5 and 7) who can’t be tamed, and writes in spare – usually stolen – time. She sometimes bakes—not always with quite the desired results, and has found the only solution to keeping the characters in her head quiet is to placate them with lots of other lovely books and worlds. As well as Her Undercover Christmas, Gina has written two other books. Her Dollmaker’s Desire is also published by Decadent Publishing, and What You Wish For is published by Three Worlds Press.
Blurb: Christmas is approaching and Phil is a girl out to get what she wants—the life of her choosing. She wants it all: a good looking man, his money, and the respect he commands. She just needs to throw her lot in with her criminal cousins for one day. Long enough to pull off a theft and come to the attention of the man she desires. But the job goes wrong.
Bastian is a man on the run—from a lifestyle he never chose and can’t seem to escape. One last favour before he disappears for good, and then he can start afresh somewhere new. But the favour balloons into more than he anticipated, and suddenly there are two of them on the run, and two of them snowed in and hiding out in his one last safe place.
Can a woman who thinks she knows where she belongs help a man who has never really belonged anywhere?
Excerpt: He shrugged her off his shoulder and stood her close to his body, hand clamped firmly across her mouth.
“What are you doing?” She’d get them both discovered, and the boys after him left Joe looking like a pre-schooler who’d missed naptime.
She shook her head and he loosened his grip as her teeth grazed his skin. “My mother told me stories about you.”
“Well, well. I didn’t know I was quite so widely known to have become part of London lore. That must put me in the same league as legends like the Tooth Fairy and Father Christmas. I’m honoured.” He kept his arm wrapped around her waist.
“More like Wee Willie Winkie or that thing lurking under the bed.” She bent her leg and stamped on his toe.
“Try harder,” he whispered into her ear. “Not only do I have boots with superior grip, they have steel toe caps. And, if you recall, you have bare feet.”
She wriggled, grinding her body against his. He looked into her eyes, focusing on the confusion he found there.
“If you do that again, I’ll kiss you.”
She stopped, and he would have plucked his words from the air to shove back down his throat…but the thought of her lips teased him, still. He let his hands fall away from her as sudden need pulsed through him.
“You’re free to go. Tell your mother you met her bogeyman, her personal Pitch Black, whatever. You won’t see me again. And I won’t hurt you.” He turned to go. “Or kiss you, so don’t worry.” His last words were a regrettable afterthought.
“I…I can’t. I don’t know how to get home. My cousins brought me.”
He held his sigh in his chest and faced her. “There’s a bus stop over there, and busses stop at it all day long.”
She cast a glare in his direction that almost had a look of Rosa, and huffed out a determined breath. “Well, good. I didn’t want you to carry me about, anyway, like some abducting, murdering, debauching Neanderthal. Yet, now you expect me to conjure a bus to get home, in a strange place, when it looks like we’re expecting snow. Some gentleman you are.”
“I never claimed to be that, JB.”
She closed her eyes and let out a low groan. “Stop calling me that stupid name. Phil. I’m Phil.”
He swallowed hard and took a small step away before recovering himself. Bollocks, and shit and bollocks again.Of course, Rosa didn’t have son. She had a daughter…with eyes so full of fear as they peered out from her darkened bedroom, until Rosa noticed her watching the adults talk and sent her back to bed, that the memory haunted him when he slept. He’d always lurked in the shadows of Rosa’s life, unwilling for anyone but Rosa to see him, especially anyone so scared. But…he juggled his thoughts. Time had moved on. He’d grown older…so had Rosa’s daughter. Twelve years had passed. She wasn’t eleven anymore, that much he could tell from her bad attitude, with no need for some of the more appealing visual cues. His gaze took her in once more, lingering a little longer than necessary on her curves. Rosa’s “beautiful” comment made a little more sense with the new information. He clenched his hands into fists, counting off the reasons not to embroil himself in the situation further—too young, Rosa’s daughter, and he’d think of a third.
He reached for her again, drawing her back into his arms and cradling her against his chest. “Well then, that changes everything. I thought you’d stood me up.”
Buy Links:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Undercove...http://www.bookstrand.com/her-undercover-christmashttps://www.smashwords.com/books/view/594487https://www.allromanceebooks.com/prod...
About Gina:From a magical land of castles and kings (Okay, it’s England), Gina doesn’t feel as old as she looks, owns three children (aged 2, 5 and 7) who can’t be tamed, and writes in spare – usually stolen – time. She sometimes bakes—not always with quite the desired results, and has found the only solution to keeping the characters in her head quiet is to placate them with lots of other lovely books and worlds. As well as Her Undercover Christmas, Gina has written two other books. Her Dollmaker’s Desire is also published by Decadent Publishing, and What You Wish For is published by Three Worlds Press.
November 28, 2015
Support Small Business Saturday
American Express launched the first Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27, 2010. It encouraged people across the country to support small local businesses. In 2011, the day was officially recognized by the US Government. On the Saturday following Thanksgiving in 2012, 73.9 Million people shopped at small local businesses.I'm a firm believer of supporting locally owned and small businesses. Please spread the word and support those in your community.Many local chapters of groups such as Special Olympics, National Honor's Society and Girl/Boy Scouts will have gift wrapping booths set up.
Grab a friend or your honey and make a day of it!
* Order/pick up holiday flowers & arrangements from your local florist. *Purchase gift certificates/cards from local restaurants and inns for gifts.*Many local shops are offering special holiday gift baskets.*Visit local beautician for gift certificates to pay for cuts, styles, products or tanning sessions.*Find your neighborhood Avon dealer and place an order.*Visit a holiday bazaar at your local church or school.*Family owned grocery and pharmacies often have special promotions with local products.*Find treasures at second hand shops.*Visit that small coffee shop and book store!
Visit Small Business Saturday on FACEBOOK
November 27, 2015
Friday Night Fun With Food
Black Friday. Many were out all night and most of the day searching for the best deals. By the time one gets home, their feet hurt and romance is a distant thought.
Come on... it's Friday Night! Who says it has to be a party though. Put on your comfy cozies and fuzzy slippers. Tonight is not the night you need to get all dolled up and put your sexy on. Unless you did your Black Friday shopping at Lover's Lane.
Have food delivered or make a meal out of yesterday's leftovers. If you are "turkey-ed out" order pizza.
Curl up on the couch. Share a blanket and watch a movie to get into the Christmas spirit. Our favorite is A Christmas Story.
Roast marshmallows in the fireplace, drink wine and listen to soft music.
Bake a batch of favorite cookies together. Feed each other warm cookies fresh from the oven.
November 26, 2015
Happy Thanksgiving
I'm thankful for family and friends. I'm thankful for my ancestors who came to this country, allowing me to be born with freedom.I'm thankful for the service men and women who protect our freedom every day.I'm thankful for the creative talent God gave me.I'm thankful for my readers who keep me inspired.
November 25, 2015
Coffee with a #HumpDayHottie
Coffee with Thomas is perfect any time of the day.November 24, 2015
First Snow Brings Birds
My mom loved birds. Dad made special feeders for her to fill and she'd watch her feathered friends daily. My boys have been raised enjoying the fun that comes with having feeders. We call them Feeding Stations since they are designated to hold certain food/seed combinations to attract particular critters. Living in the woods has provided us with unlimited visitors.
Son #3 and I filled the feeding stations as the first snow began to fall. It didn't take long for the critters to arrive.
A Chickadee and finch come in for breakfast.
A blue-jay decides which seed feeder he wants to visit.
Tufted Titmouse is just hanging around.
A Tufted Tit and Finch wait their turn.
Son #3 and I filled the feeding stations as the first snow began to fall. It didn't take long for the critters to arrive.
A Chickadee and finch come in for breakfast.
A blue-jay decides which seed feeder he wants to visit.
Tufted Titmouse is just hanging around.
A Tufted Tit and Finch wait their turn.November 22, 2015
It's Been Awhile, Stop for Tea
Like many authors, I have a "day job". Back in June, I left my comfortable "retirement" and took a J...O...B. Balancing time between the new adventure and kids, aging mom, volunteer work, home, yard...etc...became difficult. Needless to say, I still search for the balance.
So many times I've stated "you have to make time"... I'm determined to make time to write, relax and stop to enjoy life.
Hubby travels the world, often bringing me wonderful teas from the countries he visits. Every day I try to time to enjoy one of these delights.
On a recent stop in Anchorage, Alaska dearest hubby found a shop in one of the downtown historical buildings where the quaint meet the cool. There at The Kobuk he purchased what is now one of my favorite teas. The Samovar Tea is a black tea with a blend of cinnamon, orange, cloves with a hint of lemon. The aroma alone is amazing! (Hubby carried it in a bagged tucked within his travel bag; even his dirty clothing smelled good.)
I've tried it strong and weak, hot and cold...loving it ALL ways! The only way I can describe it is as COZY. Every time I sip a cup, I relax and intimately enjoy the flavors.With a cup of Samovar tea in hand, I sit at the window watching the birds visit the feeding stations. A few simple minutes of peace to restore my soul.
So many times I've stated "you have to make time"... I'm determined to make time to write, relax and stop to enjoy life.
Hubby travels the world, often bringing me wonderful teas from the countries he visits. Every day I try to time to enjoy one of these delights.
On a recent stop in Anchorage, Alaska dearest hubby found a shop in one of the downtown historical buildings where the quaint meet the cool. There at The Kobuk he purchased what is now one of my favorite teas. The Samovar Tea is a black tea with a blend of cinnamon, orange, cloves with a hint of lemon. The aroma alone is amazing! (Hubby carried it in a bagged tucked within his travel bag; even his dirty clothing smelled good.)
I've tried it strong and weak, hot and cold...loving it ALL ways! The only way I can describe it is as COZY. Every time I sip a cup, I relax and intimately enjoy the flavors.With a cup of Samovar tea in hand, I sit at the window watching the birds visit the feeding stations. A few simple minutes of peace to restore my soul.
September 7, 2015
Book Event with Mary Blocksma & Her Dog
Calling all dog lovers, would-be and could-be dog adopters, and supporters of Michigan artists!
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Please come help writer/artist, Mary Blocksma and Gracie celebrate their new memoir that describes their awkward early adventures and relationship. Both of them, largely untrained, had a lot to learn, but they found ways to adjust to each other.
The book is dedicated to all persons who help abandoned animals and, in particular, to Shawna Guiett of Amazing Grace Animal Rescue, (also on FaceBook) where Gracie and Mary found each other.
Drop by any time between 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. (maybe even later)THIS FRIDAY, September 11, 2015,at SUPERCHIC DESIGNS, 108 3rd St, Bay City, MI 48708 (across from Intermission Deli)
Please come meet Gracie, check out thr book.
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View the original art Mary did for the book and more.
You can even gift your pride and joy (or someone else's) with a handmade dog coat (Mary loves to make dog coats, but please don't bring your dog--just his or her measurements!)
[image error] If you live too far to party in Bay City, you can find the book or order a custom-fit coat on Mary Blocksma's Beaver Island Arts Etsy page.
I have been a fan of Mary Blocksma for years. I've been lucky to visit her studio, hold inspirational conversations and even party with her!
Many of her watercolors of Lake Michigan and Michigan wild life grace my walls. She is a wonderful writer, a talented artist and a beautiful person.
CLICK HERE for more information regarding Mary Blocksma.
[image error]
Please come help writer/artist, Mary Blocksma and Gracie celebrate their new memoir that describes their awkward early adventures and relationship. Both of them, largely untrained, had a lot to learn, but they found ways to adjust to each other.
The book is dedicated to all persons who help abandoned animals and, in particular, to Shawna Guiett of Amazing Grace Animal Rescue, (also on FaceBook) where Gracie and Mary found each other.
Drop by any time between 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. (maybe even later)THIS FRIDAY, September 11, 2015,at SUPERCHIC DESIGNS, 108 3rd St, Bay City, MI 48708 (across from Intermission Deli)
Please come meet Gracie, check out thr book.
[image error]
View the original art Mary did for the book and more.
You can even gift your pride and joy (or someone else's) with a handmade dog coat (Mary loves to make dog coats, but please don't bring your dog--just his or her measurements!)
[image error] If you live too far to party in Bay City, you can find the book or order a custom-fit coat on Mary Blocksma's Beaver Island Arts Etsy page.
I have been a fan of Mary Blocksma for years. I've been lucky to visit her studio, hold inspirational conversations and even party with her!
Many of her watercolors of Lake Michigan and Michigan wild life grace my walls. She is a wonderful writer, a talented artist and a beautiful person.
CLICK HERE for more information regarding Mary Blocksma.
August 27, 2015
#ThursdayThirteen - 13 Fun Sex Facts
While searching the internet for some fun stuff to feature on Monday Mojo, I found these fun facts I had to share. I admit to trying a few... not telling which though.
1. Snuggle with him while watching TV at night. Couples who cuddle regularly are eight times less likely to get depressed than those who kiss only during intercourse.
2. Athletic women say their sexual performance is better...
3. ...and maybe that’s because female pro athletes have both better clitoral blood flow and higher sexual satisfaction than women who don’t exercise.
4. Furthermore, one study found that just 20 minutes of exercise before going at it will improve your sexual response.
5. Take time to really figure out your feelings—it could help you in the bedroom. See, women with high emotional intelligence experience more orgasms.
6. Almost 53 percent of women have used external stimulation. If you haven’t tried it, start with a small one that won’t overwhelm you.
7. A study of college students found that over a two-year period, both men and women had twice as many hook-ups as first dates.
8. Worldwide, only 30 percent of men are circumcised. Dating an uncut guy? Keep in mind that the tip of his penis may be more sensitive because it’s not always exposed. So you may need to use a slightly more gentle touch.
9. Having sex once a week can improve your immune function by 30 percent.
10. A woman has a better shot at climaxing during sex if the walls of her vaginal canal are stimulated. A study found that penis length doesn’t help accomplish this—girth does. Make him feel girthier by keeping your legs together during sex. It creates more friction.
11. Still, that doesn’t stop men from seeking out enhancements. A handful of new gadgets on the market claim to help men add length and possibly girth to their penis.
12. If that doesn’t work, he can try dropping a few kilos. For every 16 kilos an overweight man loses, his penis appears to grow one inch.
13. Scientists believe that some women have a more active G-spot than others. Trying various positions, like leaning back while you’re on top, may help him stimulate it if yours isn’t as active.
