Thyroid Healing by Anthony William – My Story – Update and Results #2 – Hiatus

On By MischenkoIn Healing Autoimmune Disease, Health, Mental Health, Reads, Self-Help Books54 Comments

On January 12th, I shared my book review for Thyroid Healing by Anthony William and I also shared my story about how I’ve struggled with anxiety and autoimmune disease. If you haven’t seen the original post and would like to read it, you can find it HERE.

On February 23rd, I shared my first update. You can find it HERE.

Today is August 2nd, 2018 and I’ve been on the protocol now for 7 months. I haven’t strayed at all and I’ve remained obedient with my supplements and my foods. Here’s what I’m doing now:

34324421.jpg Continue reading “Thyroid Healing by Anthony William – My Story – Update and Results #2 – Hiatus” →

Shabby Sunday: Bittersweet – Stories and Poems from Scholastic Writing Awards 1926-1960 – Jerome Brondfield – 1962

On By MischenkoIn Poetry, Reads, Shabby Sunday, Short Stories, Vintage Books40 Comments

Shabby Sunday

I have a lot of old vintage books and one of my plans when I first started blogging was to do a post every week or so that shared one of my cherished vintage books. Then I thought there might be other book bloggers out there that have some vintage books, heirlooms, or maybe some old books from childhood that they might want to share. I decided to start a weekly meme titled ‘Shabby Sunday’ for those who would like to participate and share some of their old vintage books. Do you have some shabby books you’d like to share? If so, please feel free to participate as anyone can join. Feel free to use the picture I’ve provided if you’d like to. If you decide to do this meme, please consider linking back to me so that I can see the book you’re sharing.

Today’s Shabby Share is:

Bittersweet: Stories and Poems from Scholastic Writing Awards, 1926-1960

by: Jerome Brondfield

20180729_083057.jpg

This is a book from my childhood that I know I’ve mentioned before on tags, but haven’t shared for Shabby Sunday. I’ve had this book since I was in 5th grade. Continue reading “Shabby Sunday: Bittersweet – Stories and Poems from Scholastic Writing Awards 1926-1960 – Jerome Brondfield – 1962” →

Flower Friday: Slideshow ~ Sunflowers – Zinnias – First Tomatoes

On By MischenkoIn Flower Friday, Plants and gardening40 Comments

I discovered Flower Friday last year while visiting Lorilin@Bugbugbooks and have been having a blast sharing some flower pictures and information. Please check out Lorilin’s blog if you haven’t already for book reviews and more!

The zinnias and sunflowers are blooming like crazy. Not only that, I was able to can a few jars of tomatoes already which is nice. This year we grew a few different types of tomatoes like Ukrainian yellow and galaxy. I thought for today I’d share a short slideshow of some of my favorite pictures this week, including a few butterflies in the greenhouse. I also added in a song I enjoyed this week by Arborea titled “Wayfaring Summer”. Hope you all enjoy!

Continue reading “Flower Friday: Slideshow ~ Sunflowers – Zinnias – First Tomatoes” →

Throwback Thursday: The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

On By MischenkoIn Fiction, Movies, Reads, Romance, Throwback Thursday45 Comments

Throwback Thursday is a weekly meme created by Renee @ It’s Book Talk. This meme is an awesome way to share old favorites that were published over a year ago or even books that you’re finally reading after much time has passed. I have plenty of those to share! If you have your own Throwback Thursday recommendation feel free to jump on board. Please link back to her by using the link above.

BeFunky Design

Today’s Throwback:

The Best of Me

by

Nicholas Sparks

 

20180726_085922.jpg

Continue reading “Throwback Thursday: The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks” →

Tag: NetGalley Book Tag

On By MischenkoIn Reads, TAGS36 Comments

Hi everyone! I found this tag over at Dani’s blog@mousaibooks.com. I enjoyed reading through her answers and thought this would be a good tag to do this morning because I won’t be doing Breakfast and a Book. I wasn’t tagged for this one, but please check out her blog and post at the link above.

Rules:

♥ Link back to the tag’s creator Kourtni at Kourtni Reads.
♥ Thank and link back to the person who tagged you.
♥ Answer the questions the best you can. If you don’t use NetGalley, you can substitute other sites or places where you get books!
♥ Tag a few people to do this too.

Continue reading “Tag: NetGalley Book Tag” →

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree by Michael A. McLellan | Book Review | Author Interview | Signed Giveaway Including a $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card! #HistFic #BookReview #Giveaway #Fiction

On By MischenkoIn Author Interviews, Fiction, Giveaway, Historical Fiction, Reads26 Comments

HiIn the Shadow of the Hanging Tree

by Michael A. McLellan

From Goodreads:

In 1865 a shadow hovers over the nation: the shadow lingers still…

Born into slavery, Henry’s young life is spent working in tobacco drying sheds on Missouri plantations. Freed at the onset of the Civil War, he’s alone, starving, and on the run from Confederate militiamen.

Five years later, Clara Hanfield, the daughter of a powerful New York shipping magnate, escapes her tyrannical father and travels west in pursuit of John Elliot, the man she loves. John, a U.S. Army lieutenant, was sent to the Dakota Territory where he discovers a government conspiracy to incite an all-out war with the Indians; a war meant to finally eliminate them as an obstacle to the westward expansion.

Henry finds himself caught in the middle.

Aided by Clara, John, and his native ally, Standing Elk, Henry must battle hatred, greed, and the ghosts of his past during this turbulent and troubling time in American history.

Continue reading “In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree by Michael A. McLellan | Book Review | Author Interview | Signed Giveaway Including a $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card! #HistFic #BookReview #Giveaway #Fiction” →

Music Monday: Chris Rodrigues & Abby the Spoon Lady “Mean Old Mrs. Jones”

On By MischenkoIn Music, Music Monday21 Comments

-Music Monday-

This meme was created by Drew @ The Tattooed Book Geek. You pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday.

musicmonday

I’ve always been fascinated with spoon players. Abby’s story is quite interesting. Hope you all enjoy.

Continue reading “Music Monday: Chris Rodrigues & Abby the Spoon Lady “Mean Old Mrs. Jones”” →

Already Here: A Doctor Discovers the Truth about Heaven by Leo Galland

On By MischenkoIn Education, Memoir, Reads, Spiritual20 Comments

Already Here: A Doctor Discovers the Truth about Heaven

by Leo Galland

35488854.jpg

Blurb from Goodreads: 

Already Here tells of the death of Leo Galland’s son, Christopher, at the age of 22; the direct visual evidence Christopher showed him that our souls do go on; and the communications he received from Christopher’s spirit that dramatically changed Leo’s understanding of life and its meaning.

In life, Christopher was a brain-damaged special needs child who challenged everyone he knew with his unpredictable behavior and uncanny insights. After his death, he revealed to Leo the real purpose of his life, as a spiritual guide who taught others by confounding their assumptions and expectations. And he began to share with Leo a new perspective on everything from the nature of good and evil to the concept of timelessness—“God’s moment”—to the notion that the universe is, fundamentally, an act of love. Continue reading “Already Here: A Doctor Discovers the Truth about Heaven by Leo Galland” →

Flower Friday: Common Milkweed

On By MischenkoIn Flower Friday, Plants and gardening43 Comments

I discovered Flower Friday last year while visiting Lorilin@Bugbugbooks and have been having a blast sharing some flower pictures and information. Please check out Lorilin’s blog if you haven’t already for book reviews and more!

Today’s Flower is:

Common Milkweed

20180620_153857.jpg

I just adore these large spherical pink/purplish flowers. They have a wonderful smell too, so if you happen to stumble upon one of these beauties, don’t forget to take a whiff.  Continue reading “Flower Friday: Common Milkweed” →

The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events #3) by Lemony Snicket ~ Book Review

On By MischenkoIn Children's Books, Fiction, Reads, Series25 Comments

The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events #3)

by

Lemony Snicket

Illustrations by Brett Helquist

20180718_080926.jpg

From Goodreads:

Dear Reader,

If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know this: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted; but their lives, I am sorry to say, are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched, and this one may be the worst of them all. If you haven’t got the stomach for a story that includes a hurricane, a signalling device, hungry leeches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain, and a doll named Pretty Penny, then this book will probably fill you with despair. I will continue to record these tragic tales, for that is what I do. You, however, should decide for yourself whether you can possibly endure this miserable story.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket Continue reading “The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events #3) by Lemony Snicket ~ Book Review” →

The Doggie in the Window: How One Beloved Dog Opened My Eyes to the Complicated Story Behind Man’s Best Friend by Rory Kress – Book Review – #NGEW2018 #TheDoggieintheWindow #Edelweiss

On By MischenkoIn Edelweiss, Memoir, Pets, Reads, True Stories39 Comments

The Doggie in the Window: How One Beloved Dog Opened My Eyes to the Complicated Story Behind Man’s Best Friend

by

Rory Kress

51+5aq0NTSL.jpg

From Goodreads: 

When Rory Kress began to wonder where her beloved Wheaten Terrier, Izzie, had really come from, she had no idea of the horrors she would uncover. With stunning insight and tenacity, Kress launches an investigation into the harsh realities of the American dog-breeding industry, exposing troubling ties to factory farming and big agriculture.

From a pet shop on Long Island to the puppy mills of rural Missouri, from the author’s own living room to a ride-along with a dog rescue organization, The Doggie in the Window is a must-read for all dog owners and a call to action for improving the lives of man’s best friend. Continue reading “The Doggie in the Window: How One Beloved Dog Opened My Eyes to the Complicated Story Behind Man’s Best Friend by Rory Kress – Book Review – #NGEW2018 #TheDoggieintheWindow #Edelweiss” →

Music Monday: Casting Crowns “Voice of Truth” – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats “You Worry Me” – Coldplay “Paradise” – Fleetwood Mac “Don’t Stop”

On By MischenkoIn Mental Health, Music, Music Monday32 Comments

-Music Monday-

This meme was created by Drew @ The Tattooed Book Geek. You pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday.

musicmonday

Occasionally I get hit with anxiety and depression and it really kicks me down. The scariest thing is not knowing how long it’s going to last or how I’ll get through it again. The goal is to fight it and get back to living as quickly as I can. I feel that music is an integral part of mental healing (for me). Here are four songs (and albums) that helped me tremendously in this last few weeks in no particular order.

Casting Crowns – Voice of Truth

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats –

Continue reading “Music Monday: Casting Crowns “Voice of Truth” – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats “You Worry Me” – Coldplay “Paradise” – Fleetwood Mac “Don’t Stop”” →

Shabby Sunday: The Bremen-town Musicians – Ruth Belov Gross & Jack Kent 1974 (Including Audio)

On By MischenkoIn Children's Books, Fairy Tales, Reads, Shabby Sunday, Vintage Books20 Comments

Shabby Sunday

I have a lot of old vintage books and one of my plans when I first started blogging was to do a post every week or so that shared one of my cherished vintage books. Then I thought there might be other book bloggers out there that have some vintage books, heirlooms, or maybe some old books from childhood that they might want to share. I decided to start a weekly meme titled ‘Shabby Sunday’ for those who would like to participate and share some of their old vintage books. Do you have some shabby books you’d like to share? If so, please feel free to participate as anyone can join. Feel free to use the picture I’ve provided if you’d like to. If you decide to do this meme, please consider linking back to me so that I can see the book you’re sharing.

There’s a new participant this morning with a shabby share from her childhood! Please check out Jennifer @ jennifertarheelreader.com!

Today’s Shabby Share is:

The Bremen-Town Musicians

by

Ruth Belov Gross,
Jack Kent (Illustrator)
20180715_065643.jpg

Continue reading “Shabby Sunday: The Bremen-town Musicians – Ruth Belov Gross & Jack Kent 1974 (Including Audio)” →

The Creature of the Pines (The Unicorn Rescue Society #1) by Adam Gidwitz Hatem Aly (Illustrator) #Book Review #UnicornRescueSociety #TheCreatureOfThePines #AdamGidwitz

On By MischenkoIn Children's Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Reads19 Comments

The Creature of the Pines (The Unicorn Rescue Society #1)

by

36497525 (1)

From Goodreads:

Elliot Eisner isn’t exactly excited about starting at a brand-new school in a brand-new town; he’d much rather stay at home and read a book. But things take an unexpected turn when he finds out his weird new teacher, Professor Fauna, has planned a field trip for Elliot’s very first day. Along with a new friend–brave, outspoken Uchenna Devereaux–Elliot gets caught up in a secret group of adventurers, The Unicorn Rescue Society, whose goal is to protect and defend the world’s mythical creatures. Together with Professor Fauna, Elliot and Uchenna must help rescue a Jersey Devil from a duo of conniving, greedy billionaires, the Schmoke Brothers. Continue reading “The Creature of the Pines (The Unicorn Rescue Society #1) by Adam Gidwitz Hatem Aly (Illustrator) #Book Review #UnicornRescueSociety #TheCreatureOfThePines #AdamGidwitz” →

Flower Friday: Bird Seed Sunflowers, Orange King Zinnia & Kitten

On By MischenkoIn Flower Friday, Plants and gardening28 Comments

I discovered Flower Friday last year while visiting Lorilin@Bugbugbooks and have been having a blast sharing some flower pictures and information. Please check out Lorilin’s blog if you haven’t already for book reviews and more!

Today’s Flower is:

Bird seed sunflowers!

20180713_083320.jpg

My young daughter was out in the driveway waiting for me to load the bird-feeders and decided to throw some of the seed in an old pot that I hadn’t planted yet. I guess she thought the birds might visit the pot. The flowers sprouted and this is what we ended up with.

Continue reading “Flower Friday: Bird Seed Sunflowers, Orange King Zinnia & Kitten” →

Throwback Thursday: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

On By MischenkoIn Fiction, Movies, Reads, Throwback Thursday24 Comments

Throwback Thursday is a weekly meme created by Renee @ It’s Book Talk. This meme is an awesome way to share old favorites that were published over a year ago or even books that you’re finally reading after much time has passed. I have plenty of those to share! If you have your own Throwback Thursday recommendation feel free to jump on board. Please link back to her by using the link above.

BeFunky Design

Today’s Throwback:

The Light Between Oceans

13158800

I read The Light Between Oceans in 2016 right around the time the movie was about to be released in theaters. The blurb pulled me in and after I picked it up the story quickly felt real to me. I’m really happy to have discovered this author and I’m looking forward to reading more by her.  Continue reading “Throwback Thursday: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman” →

Music Monday: P.O.D “Youth of the Nation” & Blestenation “Cruel Summer” from “Blue Crush” [movie]

On By MischenkoIn Movies, Music, Music Monday14 Comments

-Music Monday-

This meme was created by Drew @ The Tattooed Book Geek. You pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday.

musicmonday

This week I chose a few songs from the movie “Blue Crush” with Kate Bosworth and the ever so awesome Michelle Rodriguez. In the movie, Anne Marie (Bosworth) is living with a few roommates and her younger sister who she’s responsible for. Anne Marie has plans to surf in the Rip Masters surf competition, but she has some underlying fears she’s dealing with. Then she meets Mat, a professional quarterback and begins to lose track. Between work, making rent, keeping her sister in school, training, and a new romance, she struggles to stay the course.

I love the cast and there are real-life professional women surfers in it. The movie’s always been a favorite and these songs remind me of the beach and summer which we’re in the middle of right now.

P.O.D

“Youth Of The Nation”

Continue reading “Music Monday: P.O.D “Youth of the Nation” & Blestenation “Cruel Summer” from “Blue Crush” [movie]” →

Shabby Sunday: Grizzwold by Syd Hoff – 1963

On By MischenkoIn Animals, Children's Books, Education, Reads, Shabby Sunday, Vintage Books29 Comments

collage-2017-08-10-5

Shabby Sunday

I have a lot of old vintage books and one of my plans when I first started blogging was to do a post every week or so that shared one of my cherished vintage books. Then I thought there might be other book bloggers out there that have some vintage books, heirlooms, or maybe some old books from childhood that they might want to share. I decided to start a weekly meme titled ‘Shabby Sunday’ for those who would like to participate and share some of their old vintage books. Do you have some shabby books you’d like to share? If so, please feel free to participate as anyone can join. Feel free to use the picture I’ve provided if you’d like to. If you decide to do this meme, please consider linking back to me so that I can see the book you’re sharing.

Today’s Shabby Share is:

Grizzwold (An I Can Read Book)

by
Syd Hoff

 

20180708_075616.jpg

Syd Hoff is one of my absolute favorite illustrators and this story goes way back to my own childhood. It’s an “I Can Read” book from 1963 that my children still enjoy reading today.  Continue reading “Shabby Sunday: Grizzwold by Syd Hoff – 1963” →

Flower Friday: Pandora’s Box Daylily

On By MischenkoIn Flower Friday, Plants and gardening41 Comments

I discovered Flower Friday last year while visiting Lorilin@Bugbugbooks and have been having a blast sharing some flower pictures and information. Please check out Lorilin’s blog if you haven’t already for book reviews and more!

Today’s Flower is:

Pandora’s Box Daylily

I love the colors of this daylily — creamy with a deep purple eyezone. The contrasting colors really catch your eye.

20180706_081622.jpg

Continue reading “Flower Friday: Pandora’s Box Daylily” →

The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events #2) by Lemony Snicket ~ Book Review ~ #UltimateReadingChallenge June

On By MischenkoIn Children's Books, Fiction, Reads, Series28 Comments

The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events #2)

by
Lemony Snicket &
Brett Helquist (Illustrator)
20180703_081802.jpg
From Goodreads:

Dear Reader,

If you have picked up this book with the hope of finding a simple and cheery tale, I’m afraid you have picked up the wrong book altogether. The story may seem cheery at first, when the Baudelaire children spend time in the company of some interesting reptiles and a giddy uncle, but don’t be fooled. If you know anything at all about the unlucky Baudelaire children, you already know that even pleasant events lead down the same road to misery.

In fact, within the pages you now hold in your hands, the three siblings endure a car accident, a terrible odor, a deadly serpent, a long knife, a large brass reading lamp, and the appearance of a person they’d hoped never to see again.

I am bound to record these tragic events, but you are free to put this book back on the shelf and seek something lighter.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

Continue reading “The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events #2) by Lemony Snicket ~ Book Review ~ #UltimateReadingChallenge June” →

Flower Friday: Maroon and Pink Asiatic Lilies

On By MischenkoIn Flower Friday, Plants and gardening30 Comments

I discovered Flower Friday last year while visiting Lorilin@Bugbugbooks and have been having a blast sharing some flower pictures and information. Please check out Lorilin’s blog if you haven’t already for book reviews and more!

Today’s Flower is:

Asiatic Lilies

20180622_092425

I’m assuming that these are Asiatic and not hybrids because they are very short and never get above 2-3 feet. I believe mine are maroon and pink, although the maroon almost look purple.

Continue reading “Flower Friday: Maroon and Pink Asiatic Lilies” →

Throwback Thursday: Broken Music by Sting

On By MischenkoIn Memoir, Music, Reads, Throwback Thursday, True Stories14 Comments

Throwback Thursday is a weekly meme created by Renee @ It’s Book Talk. This meme is an awesome way to share old favorites that were published over a year ago or even books that you’re finally reading after much time has passed. I have plenty of those to share! If you have your own Throwback Thursday recommendation feel free to jump on board. Please link back to her by using the link above.

BeFunky Design

Today’s throwback is:

Broken Music

by
Sting
277412.jpg

Continue reading “Throwback Thursday: Broken Music by Sting” →

Wednesday’s Breakfast and a Book: Gluten Free/Dairy Free/Egg Free Cherry Pancakes – The Doggie in the Window by Rory Kress

On By MischenkoIn Animals, Edelweiss, Education, Pets, Reads, True Stories, Wednesday's Breakfast and a Book31 Comments

Hello! How’s everyone doing this week? I’m amazed to be back this Wednesday with another Breakfast and a Book post. I found this wonderful recipe for gluten free pancakes that I tweaked up a bit and had to share! The original recipe is from Chef Rosa on YouTube (be sure to check her out), but I changed this one up quite a bit and used what I had on hand. These came out like French toast! I hope you guys are ready for a delicious gluten free, dairy free, egg free pancake!

dog

Gluten Free/Dairy Free/Egg Free Cherry Pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup gluten-free flour
  • 1 TB baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 TB sugar (I used brown)
  • 1/4 banana
  • 1/2 to 1 TB coconut oil
  • 1 TB vanilla
  • 1 1/4 cups almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • A scant handful of cherries

Continue reading “Wednesday’s Breakfast and a Book: Gluten Free/Dairy Free/Egg Free Cherry Pancakes – The Doggie in the Window by Rory Kress” →

A Mother’s Goodbye by Kate Hewitt – #Book Review #NGEW2018 #NetGalley #Amother’sChoice

On By MischenkoIn Fiction, NetGalley, Reading Challenges, Reads21 Comments

A Mother’s Goodbye

by
Kate Hewitt
39752303

From Goodreads:

‘My arms ache with the need to reach and hold my precious child, and then to never let go. But I can’t. I know I can’t.’

Heather is devastated. There’s no way she can keep her baby. She can barely pay the bills as it is. But when she meets Grace, a wealthy, single career woman, who wants a baby more than anything, Heather believes she has found the perfect adoptive mother.

As Grace and Heather’s lives become entwined, they are tested to breaking point, though neither can deny the other’s love for the child. But just when they think they are learning how to live with each other, they receive devastating news that turns their fragile world upside down.

Will either mother know what is the right thing to do for the child they both love?

An absolutely gripping, emotional drama with a tear-jerking twist. If you love Jodi Picoult, Kelly Rimmer or Diane Chamberlain, this will warm your heart, make you cry, and stay with you forever.

Continue reading “A Mother’s Goodbye by Kate Hewitt – #Book Review #NGEW2018 #NetGalley #Amother’sChoice” →