RRT: What's in a Name?

Have you ever wondered who owns or makes the products you buy at the store?  I was surprised by how many rival products were owned by the same company.  It doesn't show up here but what used to surprise me was that Starbucks owns its rivals Seattle's Best & the Teavana Stores, but that is a subject for another day!

For those of you that are my regular readers, you might remember that my name is "Shanna." Recently I entered my name into a website that does a historical name Analysis.  I had to laugh at the graphs that showed up for my name.  Among them is a graph that shows the peak of the popularity of when children were named "Shanna" at birth.  You may notice that is there is not a large range as perhaps the name "Mary" would be if you looked it up on the site HERE.  That is because I happen to be named after a romance novel my mother found in the waiting room; the book was published in 1977.  (I don't recommend if if you are curious! ;-D)

Have you ever done a Google search on your name before?  My favorite thing to come up was a comic book!  I mean that is totally me, right?!

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to stop by Really Random Thursday to enjoy some more randomness!

*\0/* Cheers
Shanna
Linking to: Really random Thursday @ Live A Colorful Life

Murder Simply Brewed: A Book Review

Murder Simply Brewed

By Vannetta Chapman
Published by Zondervan

Publisher Book Description:  What will happen when two amateur sleuths, one Amish and one English, combine forces to solve the string of crimes happening in the Amish Artisan Village? Spring has arrived in Middlebury, Indiana, and Amber Wright can see profits in sight for her collection of Amish artisan shops—until she receives a call that Ethan Gray is dead. Hurrying over to A Simple Blend, she finds a single hole in the front window and Mr. Gray dead from an apparent heart attack. All the money is still in his register. Hannah Troyer takes over the shop’s duties, and she and Amber become fast friends as well as amateur sleuths. The police believe Gray’s death to be a by-product of vandalism, but Amber and Hannah aren't so easily convinced. Old Testament clues that don't add up, a neighbor who is pulled into the midst of the investigation, a town with secrets to hide, and blossoming romance—all will combine to push Amber and Hannah into unfamiliar roles in order to solve a mystery and bring peace to the Amish community.

My Thoughts:  This is the second Amish themed book I have picked up this month, so being more familiar with the culture from my last read, I was able to get into the book right away.  I am a big fan of mysteries in books, so I was rather delighted by how well the author continued the mystery without making me feel like it was dragging on.  I liked that the mystery was the main bit of the story, but built upon the friendships between several of the characters.  There was a bit of a romance weaving through the story, but not in a way that detracted from the story as a whole, nor did it seemed tacked on like some mysteries has been guilty of in the past.   Personally the story made me think of my interactions with both my friends and my acquaintances; how quickly one can go from only ones name to someone you would depend on & trust.  I would recommend this sweet story with a Mysterious bent; as for myself, I will be looking for more stories from this author.

*\0/* Cheers

Shanna

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Ten Years!

It has been 10 years since I married my husband...sometimes it is surreal how fast the time has flown by!

(Only Wedding picture I can get to--Hubby in middle, and I am the bride on the right!)

We have Lived in 2 States,
3 Cities
5 Apartments
4 cell phone providers

We have owned 3 cars
2 cats
1 digital camera
2 sewing machines

We have given birth to 1 child (Ziona)
and lost 6 children (Aaron, Bethany, Charlotte, David, Elinor, & Franklin)

My husband is about to obtain 1 Master's Degree (In A Month *\0/*)

We have had our struggles at times in the past 10 years, but there is no one else I would have wanted to walk this journey with than my Husband and partner!  I look forward to many more years together!

*\o/* Cheers

Shanna

A Step Further

I have done a little more work on my quilt blocks from yesterday.  It's my favorite Jacob's ladder block of course!

I need to still add an inner & outer border, sandwich, quilt, and bind and it shall be completed!  Do you think I can get it completed by Friday?

We shall see!  Stop by the Hive to Bee a little social...
*\o/* Cheers
Shanna

The Kissing Bridge: A Book Review

The Kissing Bridge

By Tricia Goyer
Published by Zondervan

Publisher Book Description:  In the third book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series, award-winning author Tricia Goyer introduces a surprising new resident to West Kootenai as a young woman escapes from her stifling conservative Amish community to find a new life. Rebecca is an Amish woman whose pained past compels her to leave everything to become a nurse—abandoning her family and community. Caleb is an Amish man who is counting down the days until hunting season. At a crossroads in his own life, the excitement of hunting game is all he looks forward to. All the while he wonders what to do with the rest of his life. Even though he likes the Amish lifestyle, what good is an Amish man without faith in God?

My Thoughts:  I wish to say right off that I have not read the first 2 books in this series, nevertheless I think the book can stand on its own so I shall review it as it's own entity.   I ended up liking the main character of Rebecca right from the beginning;  I felt she had layers to her personality and real flaws I could Identify with.  Right from the start you are along Rebecca's journey with her as she makes decisions and wrestles with her relationship with God.  Though it is fiction I think it makes one turn inward to look at their own heart.  I have to admit that my heart is uplifted when an author can capture with their words a self-reflection of the reader's own heart.

I don't actually know how much of the Amish community characteristics are correctly portrayed, but it didn't seem that outlandish what was described.  This book was very enjoyable, so much so that I am looking forward to purchasing the first two books so I might be able to follow this series from the beginning.  So I would say that I would highly recommend this book.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  If you check back tomorrow I will have an update to the project I was working on earlier today!

*\0/* Cheers

Shanna

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Design Wall

It has been a while since I have shown you what I am working on, I have a couple items to show you today. When I was picking up fabrics to add to the birthday boxes, I found a lovely tan fabric with Pink flowers on it.  While you recover from my remarking on anything P.I.N.K. as being lovely I shall share with you that I went back and picked up about 5 yards along with a couple yards of a dusty Marble PINK and a cream print that I actually like so much I am planning to grab a couple more yards to help with my neutrals.

Okay, this is not the best picture in the world as my phone is dying, but hopefully you can see the contrast between the two fabrics.  I am making a pile of Jacob's Ladder quilt blocks, but I am still thinking about how I am going to lay them out.  My goal is for this to become a baby quilt for a little girl.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

I am linking up to:
Design Wall Monday with Judy@ Patchwork Times
BOM's Away with Lyn @ What a Hoot Quilts

*\o/* Cheers
Shanna

What am I working on?

I am working on an Irish Chain Quilt, this may end up being a Double Irish Chain Quilt; I am still working out the design I want to see for the finish.  My husband suggested the fabrics you see here, so far they are cut into 2.5" Strips, we will see where it goes from there!

*\o/* Cheers

Shanna