End of April Linky love

I guess the ad above even created controversy.  Maybe a bit too simplistic but I thought it was way better than the Pepsi ad.

Why do You Ruminate?

This Story Proves Why You Need to Stop Staying, Call Me If You Need Anything - Good Reminder

7 of the Coolest Figet Spinners - this is so totally a thing right now.

April Linky Love

When We Can't Agree to Disagree- I love me some Mavis Butterfield Advice.

6 Great Tips for Getting the Best Instagram Photos of Kids

New Designs Printed Directly from Urban Utility Covers by Berlin Based Pirate Printers - these are really cool.

Spring Fever Book Reviews

Once again, I am linking up to Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit.  This was a better reading month for me.

I was so excited to get the Floret Cut Flower Garden book.  Floret is actually not to far from where I live. I have been following Erin's blog for a bit. This is book is so good.

I am anxious to get out in my garden. I have been talking about how inspired I am to have a cut flower garden this year. Mine will be small. Erin makes a Cut Flower Garden so approachable.  The pictures in this book are amazing. I can't stop gushing about this book.

Loved this article - What happened to traditional floral bouquets?

Rise  by Cara Brookins is another book I tackled this past month.  I think many people may have heard of Cara's house building project using YouTube videos.  This book was brought to my attention through this article by CNN. This is really a remarkable story of a single Mom to 4 kids building a home.  Cara is a domestic abuse survivor and the remarkable behind the story of her journey of rebuilding her life after leaving her abusive husband and prior to that a husband that was a scary schizophrenic. You can't not read this and not admire Cara and her kids.  They are survivors. This book isn't eloquently written but it is raw and real. If you can build a house, you can do anything.

Lastly, I read A Tender Struggle by Krista Bremer.  This book I had the most mixed feelings about. The language in this book is beautiful.  I think the word pictures is what kept me reading.  This is a memoir about Krista's marriage to a Muslim from Libya.  Krista describes herself as a feminist.  This is a true story about a marriage of people from 2 very different cultures. Krista retells her visit to Libya when Muammar Gaddafi was in power. Sometimes it was a bit raw but it was definitely interesting.

linky

Idaho Woman Blames Big Foot for Car Crash - only in the Pacific Northwest

Rescue Dog Goes On Epic Adventures - Got to check these pictures out

Why American Farmers are Hacking Their Tractors with Ukrainian Firmware  - never thought about this but their reasons make total sense

Sharing is Caring- Adventures in Thrifting

I don't know why I am sharing this but it made me laugh.  My local Value Village has started to do little furniture vignettes.  This one really caught my eye.

They actually make the very interesting floral couch work. Honestly,when I walked up on this display the couch wasn't the very first thing I noticed. It kinda all works together in an odd way. My friend thought without the throw pillows it would of been better.

So the lesson is even if you have a hideous couch, you too can minimize it impact in your room.

Autism Linky- Light it up Blue or Not

Here is my latest round up of what I think are interesting links on Autism.  April is Autism Awareness Month or in the words of Autism Speaks - Light it Up Blue. I wrote a post in 2014 - Light it Up Blue or Not and it still rings true.

Psychologist Dig Into Link Between Autism and Creativity

Children with ADHD  have some smaller brain regions

Sesame Street's Newest Muppet has Autism

Asperger's Syndrome and Fatigue

Targeted Treatment and Autism

What I Learned March

I haven't done one of these in a while so I decided to give it a go.

1. RICHARD SIMMONS MISSING?

I have been listening to the podcast Missing Richard Simmons.  I learned how over the top Richard was.  I also have come to the conclusion based on podcast that Richard is not being held against his will.  He simply had something traumatic happen to him and he became a recluse.  Richard doesn't sound like the type of guy who does goodbyes well and it was just easier for him to hide away.  This is 6 episodes and I thought well done. Give it a listen.

2. DAFFODILS

That daffodils excrete a toxic ooze after being cut so don't put fresh cut daffodils directly in water or they won't last. Instead let them sit cut outside of water for a few hours before placing in a vase.

Photo of Nonna's Daffodils
Photo by Nonna

3. BRAIDED SESAME SEMOLINA BREAD

I have been making this braided sesame semolina bread and it is so good and makes two huge loaves. I have been using my stand mixer to mix up.  It was a bit much for my bread maker.  I thought I had a picture but I don't.  You will have to trust me on this one. I buy my semolina and sesame seeds in WINCO's bulk bins. I had an INCIDENT with the sesame seeds at WINCO and I made quite the mess in the bulk bins.  They pour out fast.  Learn from me people.

4. ICE CUBE TRAY BOBBIN STORAGE

Ok, this is so genius.  I wish I had thought it up myself. I literally organized all my bobbin mess in 10 minutes