UPDATE: The winner is…Kerry!
*~*~*

Tonight, be sure to step outside, and weather permitting, you’ll see a “super” blue moon!

What is that, you ask? Well, first, a blue moon isn’t actually blue. What it refers to is the appearance of a second full moon within a single month. What makes tonight’s “super?” A super moon occurs when the moon is closest to earth, and it makes it appear larger. So, tonight is a SUPER BLUE moon.

I’m a Cancer according to the astrological chart, so the Moon is my ruling planet. I pay attention to its phases, and I love to follow the pagan lore about the names of the full moons throughout the year. So, today’s puzzle, to commemorate the special moon tonight, is filled with the names of the year’s full moons.

Enjoy the puzzle! For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me whether you’ll step outside to view the blue moon tonight! If you “practice,” be sure to leave a clear jar of water outside in the moonlight! You’ll know what I mean. 🙂

Word Search: Names of the Full Moons

UPDATE: The winner is…Linda Rhoden!
*~*~*

For those who read this blog often, you know I love movies. I also cyber-stalk celebrities whose work I love. I was thinking about Julian Sands yesterday. You know him. The actor who disappeared while hiking in some California mountains and whose body was found recently. Such a lovely-looking man, and what a voice! So, on a whim, I bought the movie Warlock, which I hadn’t seen since the 90s and settled in to watch. Yes, the special effects were awful in comparison to what can be done today, but I really enjoyed his performance and that of his true-life friend, Richard Grant. (I follow Richard Grant’s Instagram because he’s been so open about grieving the loss of his wife.)

I have another Julian Sands’ movie, Arachnophobia, on my list to watch this week as well because I want to honor him in my small way for the hours of enjoyment he provided me, personally. Arachnophobia is one I watch maybe every five years, and it holds up well.

When I was thinking about a topic for today’s word search, I thought about those two nostalgic titles and realized they have one-word titles, then I looked through my extensive DVD collection for others I own, and now you have a list of movies I love so much I had to have a physical copy of them in the puzzle below.

Today’s challenge for you for the chance to win a $5 Amazon GC is to add a one-word movie title to my list! 

UPDATE: The winner is…Rachel Blackburn!
*~*~*

Today’s the 1st! The kids go back to school on the 14th. We’re ready, I think. We’ve bought new clothing, and in the absence of a school supplies list (because our district doesn’t publish their lists—you have to wait for orientation!), we have purchased items we’ve bought in the past. All of it’s in a huge tub, ready to be parsed out, with lots of extra items for resupplies.

Our kids are picky eaters. They despise cafeteria food because mom’s a good cook! They love homemade food, and we believe in making enough dinner to have leftovers for lunch bags. So, of course, we also have containers to keep food hot and cold. I’m the meal packer. I love putting lentil soup in thermoses, fruit in baggies, and adding yogurt and utensils. I fill water bottles with ice and filtered water. My mornings are chaos during the school year because not everyone likes the same items, but I know them well enough I don’t make many mistakes. I give apples to the 14-year-old, orange slices to the 9-year-old, for example.

Yes, I’m gearing up for the morning rush.

This year, I’d like to add something special to their lunchboxes. I’d love suggestions. Also, if there is a special school supply that might make them feel special or loved, I’d love suggestions for that. For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, share any ideas you have for making their back-to-school adventure a happy experience!

UPDATE: The winner is…Sandy Kelly!
*~*~*

It’s another game day, Word Nerds! Today’s topic is romantic things couples can do together.

Solve the puzzle, then add some of your own ideas in the comments for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…BN!
*~*~*

I haven’t been this close to a deadline in forever, but here I am, typing my little fingers to the bone this week to make sure Jackson is ready to load tomorrow afternoon! Wish me luck! I’ll be sprinting to the finish!

It’s a good thing I’m having fun with the story or this would be torture. My hero and heroine, Jackson and Rachel, have been a joy to “get inside.” And whoo-ee, the story’s hot!

I thought it might be fun for you to get ready for the release next Tuesday, too. So, as part of my countdown, here’s a puzzle with some words related to the story. I’m a word nerd and love crosswords and word searches. If you’re anything like me, these little challenges are a great way to keep your mind sharp. Calisthenics for the brain! (I’m using a lot of exclamation points so I can “use them all up” before I head back into the story. 🙂 )

Word Search Puzzle: Jackson

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon GC, let me know whether you’ve read some of my bounty hunter stories, and where you might like to see hunters hunt in the future! Do you have any ideas for adventures? Have fun!

UPDATE: The winner is…Diana Sallens!
*~*~*

School ends tomorrow, but we’re letting the kids play hooky today. We planned on taking them to see The Little Mermaid on Saturday, but the matinee today has it in 3D, sooooo… We’re going today!

It’s an all-girls outing, and I’m not sure who’s more excited. Our age ranges: 9, 14, 18, 38, and 64. Yes, we’ll all likely be singing along.

I thought it would be fun to make today’s word search about Disney movies we love. Here are some of mine. (My absolute favorite is MOANA!)

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me your favorite Disney “princess” movie—plus, tell me which you’d love to see as a live-action movie that isn’t already! (I can’t wait for MOANA!)

UPDATE: The winner is…ButtonsMom!
*~*~*

This week is all about LaLa! Our graduate has so much going on that the entire family is involved. Today, there’s an award ceremony and a “signing” ceremony where she declares her college of choice. We’re all looking forward to Saturday’s commencement. So, I thought I’d devote today’s puzzle fun to her.

Solve the puzzle then share a memory about your graduation day or a family member’s day for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Open Contests

1. Story Cubes: Tell me a story (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
2. IN ONE PICTURE: RHONDA LEE CARVER’S “BROKEN TRUST” (CONTEST) — Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Saturday Puzzle-Contest & Open Contests — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. IN ONE PICTURE: AVA CUVAY’S “SNAFU—SITUATION NORMAL, ALL F***ED UP” (CONTEST) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. All About the Bass — No, that song’s just stuck in my head (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. IN ONE PICTURE: SUKIE CHAPIN’S “CLEAR TO ENGAGE” (CONTEST) — Win a FREE book!
7. IN ONE PICTURE: NATASHA MOORE’S “WEATHERING THE STORM” (CONTEST) — Win an Amazon gift card!