Almost Wordless Wednesday: Waterlogue

For people like me with no painting talents to speak of, I've found a very cool app that turns my ordinary pictures into beautiful watercolor paintings.  It's called Waterlogue Photography, distilled by TinRocket, LLC. 

Just look at these beautiful watercolor paintings.  They look nice enough to print and hang on the wall...which I just might do.

 

 

 

It doesn't do so well (just like real watercolor paintings) with detailed pictures, but I love the results of these. I wasted away over an hour running many of my favorite pictures through the app.  It is really fun watching the process as it happens. 

You can purchase this at for $2.99 either through the iTunes website or visit the Waterlogue website. I wish is was available for android products too, but I love using it on my iPad.  Maybe if you don't have an apple product you could visit their facebook page and ask them about creating an android version.

Well I just wanted to share this fun app...now I'm off to play with more pictures!

Keeper of 1 husband, 3 dogs, 
3 cats, and 17 Chickens!

*This was an unpaid, unsolicited post about the products shown above that I have purchased myself.  Neither the owner of this app nor iTunes have asked me to include links to their products in this post.  There are NO Affiliate links in this post, please see my Full Disclosure here. 

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The Chicken Lady's Pick of FREE eBooks! -Books for Tweens (09/09/14)

There is a definite theme to today's list of Free eBooks...they are all geared towards kids in their 'tween' years.  I am setting up a Kindle book for my 'little sister' (as in Big Brothers, Big Sisters - I'm much too old to actually have a 12 year old little sister).  I found lots of awesome books that I think she will enjoy, and I hope you will too.

If you are new to this series, each Tuesday & Saturday I will be posting the Chicken Lady's Pick of FREE eBooks!  I will include books that I am personally purchasing, in my favorite genre's like non-fiction, books based on a true story, or fiction that seems non-fiction, self-help, autobiographies, true-crime, cook books sometimes, and children's books.  I will also be including some books that are not necessarily my kind of books, like sci-fi, romance novels, and books about sports, as long as they have very high reviews on Amazon.  Sometimes I will include books that are not free to all, but will be Free for you if you have a KindleUnlimited subscription. [Learn more about it & get a Free 30 day trial here.] Please leave me a comment if you like this series of posts as it will encourage me to continue bringing you a new list of FREE eBooks!

You don't have to have an Amazon Kindle to Read Kindle eBooks.

Here are today's 'Chicken Lady's Pick of FREE eBooks'

[*BEFORE PURCHASING* Please look at the price of the book before you purchase it.  These books were listed as $0.00 at the time of this post, but as I mentioned earlier, this is usually a short term promotion and then they go back to the full price.] 

Can we overcome our past?
Katie Parker is about to get a new life—whether she wants one or not. With her mom in prison, and her father AWOL, Katie is sent to live with a squeaky-clean family who could have their own sitcom. She launches a full-scale plan to get sent back to the girls’ home when she finds herself in over her head...and heart. When Katie and her new "wrong crowd" get into significant trouble at school, she finds her punishment is restoring a historic theater with a crazy grandma who goes by the name of Mad Maxine. In the midst of her punishment, Katie uncovers family secrets that run deep, and realizes she's not the only one with a pain-filled past. Katie must decide if she'll continue her own family’s messed up legacy or embrace a new beginning in this place called In Between.

~~~~~~~

Look No Further! All Of The Best Fall Craft Ideas Are Right Here In This Book!

Fall is an incredible season to share with your kids. Take advantage of the awe inspired by changing leaves and cooling temperatures by giving your little ones (and yourself too!) a chance to express their creativity!

A compilation of craft ideas from the nation's most inspiring hobby blogs, this book will excite you and your child with beautiful and fun to make projects. From traditional fall keepsakes to autumn themed home decor projects, your child will love the process and you will love the result -- so much you might want to make them on your own!

With craft ideas accessible for every age, this book is your one stop shop for fun fall crafting!

~~~~~~~

A voyage for buried treasure spells trouble for cabin boy Jim Hawkins, who finds himself in the middle of a mutiny with some of the nastiest pirates to ever sail the seven seas.

"What I didn't anticipate was the power of Stevenson's prose. His ability to bring everything vividly to life is still astonishing. It was probably the first time for me that reading became as exciting as messing about. The pirate has a dangerous glamor to him, a degenerate dandy-ism, something, once I was in my teens, that I would admire in people like David Bowie." --Jake Arnott, author, " The Long Firm"

~~~~~~~

Rafe Khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he's got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off: With his best friend Leonardo the Silent awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school's oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class-5,000 points! Running in the hallway-10,000 points! Pulling the fire alarm-50,000 points! But when Rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding.

Blockbuster author James Patterson delivers a genuinely hilarious-and surprisingly poignant-story of a wildly imaginative, one-of-kind kid that you won't soon forget.

~~~~~~~ 

After sixth grade, the very worst year of his life, Rafe Khatchadorian thinks he has it made in seventh grade. He's been accepted to art school in the big city and imagines a math-and-history-free fun zone.Wrong! It's more competitive than Rafe ever expected, and to score big in class, he needs to find a way to turn his boring life into the inspiration for a work of art. His method? Operation: Get a Life! Anything he's never done before, he's going to do it, from learning to play poker to going to a modern art museum. But when his newest mission uncovers secrets about the family Rafe's never known, he has to decide if he's ready to have his world turned upside down. (Includes over 100 illustrations.)




NOTE ABOUT KINDLES & AMAZON: Buy the way, you do not need a Kindle device to read Kindle books, you can download the Kindle app to your Laptop, Desktop, Smartphone, iPad and just about any smart devices.  You will need an Amazon account to purchase the free books.  Sign-up is super easy if you don't already have one.  To get a Free book you have to go through the purchase process even though the price is $0.00.  You will need a method of payment on file with Amazon, but they will not charge your card to 'purchase' a free ebook. 

*This was an unpaid, unsolicited post about the products shown above that I have purchased myself.  Neither the authors nor the publishers have asked me to include their books in this post.  The first image in this post today is courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.  I have included Affiliate links in this post, please see my Full Disclosure here.

Keeper of 1 husband, 3 dogs, 
3 cats, and 17 Chickens!

 .

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The # 1 Spice I Use In Just About Everything I Cook...

I don't have just a single spice rack in my kitchen, I have a Spice Cabinet!  I love cooking and I enjoy experimenting (because I can't follow a recipe for the life of me) with different spices to create different dishes.  Because of all of this experimenting I tend to collect lots of different spices.  Some are used often, others are only used on rare occasions.  Here is a peek into one (of 3) sections of my spice cabinet (not including my swiveling 5 tier spice rack on the counter-top).  Many of these are my primary go-to spices.

Of all the spices I use, my #1 spice is 'Mrs Dash Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend' 

I sprinkle Mrs Dash into just about everything I cook, other than desserts of course. I use to be able to buy it in a bulk shaker from Costco or Sam's Club but I cannot find it in any size but these small shakers that are very pricey for the size.  (If you know of a bulk source, please do share!)   I love it so much that I'm willing to fork over the dough anyway.  I also like some of the other of Mrs Dash's blends, but this is by far my favorite one.

I like to use Mrs Dash because I don't use salt in my cooking.  Well, now that isn't totally true, I do add a teaspoon of course kosher salt to my bread dough, but that would be it.  I have a little 2.5 oz sized salt travel shaker that I've had for at least 2 years.  I keep it in the house for dinner guests who feel the need to add salt to their food.  Even though it makes me crazy when someone covers their food in salt before they have even tasted it!

Perhaps I need one of these, for when those guests come to dinner!

[I actually bought this at Amazon for $9.97 + s&h]

Do you have one spice that you use in just about everything?  What spices do you never use? 

Keeper of 1 husband, 3 dogs,

3 cats, and 17 Chickens!

 

 .

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The Chicken Lady's Pick of FREE eBooks! (9/06/14)

If you are new to this series, each Tuesday & Saturday I will be posting the Chicken Lady's Pick of FREE eBooks!  I will include books that I am personally purchasing, in my favorite genre's like non-fiction, books based on a true story, or fiction that seems non-fiction, self-help, autobiographies, true-crime, cook books sometimes, and children's books.  I will also be including some books that are not necessarily my kind of books, like sci-fi, romance novels, and books about sports, as long as they have very high reviews on Amazon.  Sometimes I will include books that are not free to all, but will be Free for you if you have a KindleUnlimited subscription. [Learn more about it & get a Free 30 day trial here.] Please leave me a comment if you like this series of posts as it will encourage me to continue bringing you a new list of FREE eBooks!

You don't have to have an Amazon Kindle to Read Kindle eBooks.

Here are today's 'Chicken Lady's Pick of FREE eBooks'

[*BEFORE PURCHASING* Please look at the price of the book before you purchase it.  These books were listed as $0.00 at the time of this post, but as I mentioned earlier, this is usually a short term promotion and then they go back to the full price.] 

Not only will Tony have you laughing out loud while he reveals the secrets behind
weight loss and how the human body functions, you will also learn how to look at
your own body chemistry to understand the underlying cause of YOUR weight issues. Since the reasons for weight gain vary from person to person, once you
understand what is going on with your chemistry, this book will help you
understand what foods, supplements, or lifestyle changes could eliminate your
need to continue buying bigger pants.

** This book is also available for Free with your KindleUnlimited subscription. Learn more

~~~~~~~

‘Whoever did this wanted to make very sure no one lived to tell the tale.’ Money, murder and love on the high seas. In the world of international shipping, the rules are blurred and the oceans lawless.  When instinct tells maritime claims investigator Angus McKinnon that a wave of frauds must be connected, he thinks it’s just business as usual. Instead, he uncovers a ruthless conspiracy born of greed and the lust for power.

As he starts to unravel a trail leading from the post-Soviet drabness of a Black Sea port to a sweltering anchorage in the Gulf of Thailand, a devastating explosion in the Indian Ocean changes everything.

Facing down terrifying childhood memories, torn between two very different women and doubting old friends, McKinnon must navigate a precarious path between secretive government agencies, shady syndicates and avaricious crime lords towards an unpredictable endgame.  Gambling everything on his faith in one man, can McKinnon beat the odds and come out on top?


** This book is also available for Free with your KindleUnlimited subscription. Learn more

~~~~~~~

Have you ever wanted to write a story, but you didn't know how? Or are you good at writing stories, but stuck for ideas? Are you currently writing a story, but you have writers block? Well, have I got the book for you friend. I can call you friend because we've just built up a rapport with my rhetorical questions. This is a book chock full of writing prompts. These are little things that will help you along to writing some amazing stuff that spills out of your mind.

You're wondering: "But what kind of prompts are they? I've seen writing prompts before, but they're all lame." That's a good thing to be wondering, friend. I've crafted and homebrewed only the finest of prompts for your pleasure. You won't be confined to any one genre, you'll find a limitless amount of prompts ranging from comedy to serious to horror. I say limitless, but I meant 1,000 prompts precisely. I said 1,000 precisely, but there's slightly more if you count the introduction. Listen, friend, I promise not to fib from this point on.

** This book is also available for Free with your KindleUnlimited subscription. Learn more

~~~~~~~

All children of the world count. In their native dress children from China, Holland, Israel, Finland, Indonesia, Spain, Egypt, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, Tibet, Turkey, France, Germany, Siberia, Scotland, England, Nicaragua, and Ethiopia dance along in rhyme creating a wondrous tongue-twisting adventure.

32 delightful illustrations of children in their native costumes, having fun.
Children who love the books by Dr. Seuss, the Berenstains, Suzy Spafford, Mo Willems, Sandra Boynton, Felicia Bond, Laura Numeroff, and P.D. Eastman will love CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.


** This book is also available for Free with your KindleUnlimited subscription. Learn more


NOTE ABOUT KINDLES & AMAZON: Buy the way, you do not need a Kindle device to read Kindle books, you can download the Kindle app to your Laptop, Desktop, Smartphone, iPad and just about any smart devices.  You will need an Amazon account to purchase the free books.  Sign-up is super easy if you don't already have one.  To get a Free book you have to go through the purchase process even though the price is $0.00.  You will need a method of payment on file with Amazon, but they will not charge your card to 'purchase' a free ebook. 

*This was an unpaid, unsolicited post about the products shown above that I have purchased myself.  Neither the authors nor the publishers have asked me to include their books in this post.  The first image in this post today is courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.  I have included Affiliate links in this post, please see my Full Disclosure here.

Keeper of 1 husband, 3 dogs, 
3 cats, and 17 Chickens!

 .

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

You Know Why Women Were Born With the Ability to Have Multiple Orgasms?

WARNING: This post contains discussion about orgasms, menstrual periods, and menopause ....if you are uncomfortable talking (or reading) about such things, then close your browser window right now, because I need to rant.

You know why women were born with the ability to have multiple orgasms? 

...It's a trade-off for all the other hormone related crap we women have to endure throughout our lives. 

It starts with monthly bleeding that begins at about the age of 12 and continues well beyond our typical child bearing years.  It brings along its constant companions, cramping, crabby moods, and water retention.   Oh, and acne too!

Then there is morning sickness that we feel the first several months (and the last several months) of pregnancy.

Pregnancy might be considered one of the trade-offs as well, but I was happy to be pregnant, other than the morning sickness part.  It was the pain of giving birth that I felt was the trade-off.

And then after some 40 years of menstrual cycles we get to do it in reverse for another 2-10 years during peri-menopause.  This lovely time of our life is when we 'begin' to have memory loss, mood swings, grow random chin hairs, and our body loses it's ability to maintain proper lubrication...in every part of our body where it is truly needed. (If you are not there yet, I won't scare you with those details.)

Is it just me or does these reproductive organs look kind of scary?

We begin to suffer hot flashes and night sweats, Oh Joy!  How in the world did women of the 'olden days' survive without an adjustable thermostat they could turn up or down every hour (or quarter hour) as needed to keep from freezing to death or burning alive, for no apparent reason?  Oh, wait, they didn't live as long back then...maybe that was a good thing.

Just yesterday I woke up with my hands and fingers feeling like someone filled me up like a water balloon.  My pants that fit me fine the night before were so tight now that I could hardly breathe.  I found comfort in my loose fitting tan capri pants that I decide to wear out to lunch with the hubby.  Then an hour later I regretted not choosing my black ones, because I realize I've started my period while out to lunch.

Then this morning I wake up with a terrible hormonal migraine.  They come on every time my hormones make a drastic fluctuation...which is often these days, but almost always the day-of or day-after my period starts.  So here I sit here in the unlit rooms of our home, with no TV or radio playing, and the dogs are forbidden to bark.  I've even placed a post-it note outside the front door with a warning note threatening anyone who pushes that doorbell button.
  

About this time I'm thinking about this 'trade-off' we women were given.  And I'm thinking that the next time I'm feeling a wee bit selfish for enjoying myself too much while my poor husband only gets to reach 'the prize' once before the game is over...I'm gonna cash in on this 'trade-off' and just keep on 'having too much fun' until this poor old body of mine just crashes from exhaustion.

Keeper of 1 husband, 3 dogs, 
3 cats, and 17 Chickens!

Image Credits: The images in this post were courtesy of (in the order shown): FreeDigitalPhotos.net 1)  by luigi diamanti, 2) by dream designs, 3) by stockimages, and 4) by FrameAngel.

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The Chicken Lady's Pick of FREE eBooks! (9/02/14)

If you are new to this series, each Tuesday & Saturday I will be posting the Chicken Lady's Pick of FREE eBooks!  I will include books that I am personally purchasing, in my favorite genre's like non-fiction, books based on a true story, or fiction that seems non-fiction, self-help, autobiographies, true-crime, cook books sometimes, and children's books.  I will also be including some books that are not necessarily my kind of books, like sci-fi, romance novels, and books about sports, as long as they have very high reviews on Amazon.  Sometimes I will include books that are not free to all, but will be Free for you if you have a KindleUnlimited subscription. [Learn more about it & get a Free 30 day trial here.] Please leave me a comment if you like this series of posts as it will encourage me to continue bringing you a new list of FREE eBooks!


You don't have to have an Amazon Kindle to Read Kindle eBooks.

Here are today's 'Chicken Lady's Pick of FREE eBooks'

[*BEFORE PURCHASING* Please look at the price of the book before you purchase it.  These books were listed as $0.00 at the time of this post, but as I mentioned earlier, this is usually a short term promotion and then they go back to the full price.] 

Boxed Set of 5 Gardening Books:
1) The Ultimate guide to Raised Bed Gardening for Beginners.  2) The Ultimate Guide to Vegetable Gardening for Beginners.  3) The Ultimate Guide to Companion Gardening for Beginners.  4) Greenhouse Gardening for Beginners.  5) Container Gardening for Beginners. 
 ** This book set is also available for Free with your KindleUnlimited subscription. Learn more

~~~~~~~

From the Author
This book is for you if:

1. You're sick and tired of worrying about money
2. You're sick and tired of having the lack of money control your emotions
3. If you're depressed, drained or anxious about your financial situation
4. If you're ready to stop wasting money and want to see a fat bank balance instead
5. If you're ready to start accumulating and creating REAL wealth
6. If you're ready to create the life, money and relationships that will make you feel rich
7. If you want to find out the real reasons and trigger points that cause you use money in ways that sabotage your success
8. If you want to become a magnate for all things positive
9. If you want to be a better partner, parent or friend
10. How we roll in one area is pretty much how we roll in general. Cleaning up your financial act can be the magic beans you need.

 ~~~~~~~

SEVEN SILENT WITNESSES - Finding FREEDOM Through the Power of Forgiveness.  Written in novel form this book is Inspirational, Motivational, gives specific direction in Spiritual Healing, practical information on healthy relationships and will captivate the reader from page one. 

Inspiring! Compelling and deeply moving, Seven Silent Witnesses is the story of one girl's emotional journey from extreme brokenness to remarkable wholeness.
Oh Darn! This one dropped off the Free List just hours before this post went live. That's why you have to Act Fast!  If you have a ** subscription you can still get it for Free. Learn more

~~~~~~~

Pinkerton doesn't understand his owner’s commands. When told to come, he jumps out the window. When asked to fetch, he destroys the slippers instead. Pinkerton’s desperate owners take him to obedience school, but he flunks out in record time. Then one night a burglar breaks into their house, and Pinkerton is able to put his bad habits to good use.

This silly charmer of a story was included on the Booklist and Horn Book best of the year lists and inspired four sequels about the impossibly clueless but irresistibly sweet Pinkerton. Now, in honor of its 35th anniversary, Steven Kellogg has updated the art and text (most notably removing the gun that appeared in the original edition), and has written an introductory note about the book’s history.
**PRE-ORDER -Available September 4, 2014.

~~~~~~~

At a critical juncture during brain surgery, Alex Dixon, age 12, had a stroke. . .

Alex was a normal, bright, and healthy little girl, when the sudden onset of a mysterious illness began to take over her life.  Months of physical therapy and medication failed to provide relief from acute pain and muscle spasms. Doctors across the country were at a loss for answers. A last-ditch attempt at treatment—brain surgery—ended up stopping the spasms but with unexpected, dire consequences.

A Stroke of Luck is the remarkable true story of a close-knit family that meets challenge after challenge with resilience, hope, and love.

** This book is also available for Free with your KindleUnlimited subscription. Learn more



NOTE ABOUT KINDLES & AMAZON: Buy the way, you do not need a Kindle device to read Kindle books, you can download the Kindle app to your Laptop, Desktop, Smartphone, iPad and just about any smart devices.  You will need an Amazon account to purchase the free books.  Sign-up is super easy if you don't already have one.  To get a Free book you have to go through the purchase process even though the price is $0.00.  You will need a method of payment on file with Amazon, but they will not charge your card to 'purchase' a free ebook. 

*This was an unpaid, unsolicited post about the products shown above that I have purchased myself.  Neither the authors nor the publishers have asked me to include their books in this post.  The first image in this post today is courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.  I have included Affiliate links in this post, please see my Full Disclosure here.

Keeper of 1 husband, 3 dogs, 
3 cats, and 17 Chickens!

 .

reade more... Résuméabuiyad