Guilty Pleasures: Comics

January 11, 2016 by Leave a Comment

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Hello Everyone! Happy Monday. It is so cold out today. The wind is making it much more unpleasant. But the sun is shining so all is really well.

I thought I would start 2016 off with some fun posts. I was recently reflecting on my books I read last year, when it occured to me that I have a lot of other things I spend my time on that I rarely discuss. I call them my guilty pleasures because sometimes I feel like a kid hiding when I am caught indulging in these activities.

For example, this past year has been the union of my oldest son and comic books. I have always been a big reading advocate in our home with weekly library visits, trips to Barnes and Noble to name a few things I do to continue to fuel their love of books. So when my oldest, started reading comics, I had to put my ego in check. I didn’t want to stifle his interests but I didn’t want comics to replace all of the book reading he had been doing. Then I realized that he could love both and then I relaxed. When I did, I decided I would join him on this reading adventure to stay connected.  So when we make our visits to our local comic book store, I searched for one that I might enjoy.  That is how I began reading, “Gotham Academy” which is published by DC Comics, created by Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher with artist Karl Kerschi. Fun fact: In 2012 Becky Cloonan became the first female to draw the main Batman for DC Comics.

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The series follows Olive Silverlock, a teenage girl attending the prestigious Gotham Academy. After distancing herself from her friends and breaking up with her boyfriend over the summer, Olive attends a new school year at the academy after a run-in with Batman. She finds herself bullied at the start of the semester due to word spreading that her mother was instated at Arkham Asylum. At the behest of her friend Mia “Maps” Mizoguchi (who is also her ex-boyfriend’s little sister), the two begin exploring the archaic halls of the academy…

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I even bought a package of comic book sleeves to store our comics inside for safe keeping. I store them in a basket next to my comfy chair in my reading nook. So I can easily sit back and take in the beautiful artwork. I take my time reading each issue to experience both artwork and story. They are definitely on my list of guilty pleasures but I have no regrets.

Now when we go to the Comic Bookstore, I look for my comic and I know that I am connected to this experience with Nicholas. It’s priceless.

What’s one of your guilty pleasures? For I know I am not alone!!

Have a blessed day friends.

Belinda

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Fun Find Friday : Punch anyone?

January 8, 2016 by 3 Comments

funfindfridayJan8_2016a Hello friends!  I just thought I would share a recent find at my local Michael’s. Martha Stewart punches for ridiculously cheap prices. I don’t know about you, but I tend to pass by her punches most of the time because I find them way over priced.  But not this time. I found these beauties that are normally $12.99 for $4.99 each.

Not only that, but each of them store companion stamps inside of them. How cool is that? With Valentines’ coming next, I know the heart will be of use. I can’t wait to use the balloon punch on some birthday cards and the flower punch, oh my…simply lovely.

funfindfridayJan8_2016bIt appears that many of Martha’s Stewarts products are on sale so if you have an interest, you should check out your store and see what you can find.

I will be sure to share upcoming projects that I use these beauties on in the future.

Have a great weekend!

Belinda

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Tea Time Tuesday: Making Loose Tea

January 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment

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Leao bought me a beautiful new tea steeper from Teavana for Christmas and two new loose teas. I drink both bagged and loose tea. I love the idea of loose tea, because it’s fresh and I like the control over loose teas.

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More people in the US drink tea from tea bags, I believe mainly for convenience and the price. But loose tea is not that much more expensive. Especially when you think of the quality factor.

There is, of course, a huge taste difference. Teabags generally contain bits of tea leaves (typically fannings and dust), not whole leaves, and these leaf fragments brew up a nice cup of blah tea. As any tea expert will tell you, one of the essential requirements of brewing tea is giving the leaves enough room to expand so that their flavor is properly extracted. Because space is limited in a traditional teabag, the size of the tea leaf is smaller to compensate. Thus, the quality of the flavor is decreased. Thus, loose tea reigns supreme.

For this reason, tea steepers are ideal. You can actually see the leaves expand while they infuse the water with yummy goodness.

Adagio teas is a site that you can order loose tea and they kindly break down the expense per cup so you know exactly where your money goes.

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A lot of times people avoid loose tea because they think it requires a lot of expensive equipment. You don’t have to buy a fancy steeper from Teavana there are other more economical options but remember it is a one-time buy that will give you access to high quality tea.

If only you could put your nose over this steeper when I finished steeping the tea, the aroma is intoxicating. The cinnamon is heavenly.  Nothing like loose tea so I dare you to try it. It’s fun and there are so many to choose from, I promise you will never be bored!

Happy sipping!

Belinda

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Happy New Year…I’m Back!!!

January 4, 2016 by 4 Comments

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Wow, it’s 2016!! What a great year 2015 was and how fast it went. I think that something we say when we are getting older. Because when I was younger, I don’t remember thinking that. One of my goals for this year is to make every day count. It’s a saying we hear and don’t heed. I am trying to convince the boys after a vacation filled with relaxation and play with family, that returning to school is a good thing, Mondays don’t stink and Fridays aren’t the best day of the week.  Although I have been known (ask my girlfriends they can verify) to do my ‘happy dance’ on Fridays, especially at pickup! I want them to start finding meaning in every day. So I shall lead by example.

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So I am happy it’s Monday and a new year! I returned to the gym on Saturday after my longest break (nine days)! And let me tell you, I was so sore during this morning’s workout that regular groans could be heard from my exercise room!  But I like the soreness because it confirms I worked the areas I wanted and change is happening. I set my workout clothes and sneakers next to my nightstand each night to reinforce my commitment.

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I ate my way through vacation and put on an additional 2 pounds – yikes! But that is the past and today, I put in the work and am moving forward because vacation was meant to be fun and I truly enjoyed myself. We spent 10 days at my MIL’s house and our family from Florida flew in and we all played games, shared stories ate amazing food and had fun. My sister Maggie surprised us on Christmas day and flew in from her MIL’s to spend the holidays with us. My niece and nephew hung out with the boys and great memories were created. It was a nice break to re-charge myself.

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I couldn’t believe how warm it was on Christmas. The picture above is before Leao and I went for a long walk with no coats and only short-sleeved shirts. Yes, it was that warm. I am so happy to have another year with this amazing man at my side.

I am very excited for this year and love the opportunity to re-arrange my work and life to create major changes. In future posts I will share more of my thoughts and goals for this year but I just wanted to check in to say, “I’m back!!” and to send you my warm wishes for this new year.

Have a blessed Monday my friends!

Belinda

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