FREE Summer Reading on Kindle

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I love reading, but let's face it ...life is extremely busy, books are expensive and bulky.  At a time when I am trying to live simply, de-clutter and enjoy the entire 'less is more' attitude; I rarely found time to read.  As the weather warmed up and we were spending time by the pool, I missed diving into the world of escape while reading someone else's story.  Trust me when I tell you...I need the escape in my life right now.  I'd be happy to share the details, however I should probably write a book about it or you would think my extended family needs to apply for a Jerry Springer episode.

Did you know you do not have to OWN a Kindle in order to download ebooks from Amazon?  Maybe some of you did, but I didn't until several weeks ago.  I stumbled across the free Kindle for PC app at Amazon.

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 My cheap frugal self couldn't believe I hadn't read it on a blog or heard about this already.  Have I been living in a cave?! I quickly downloaded a free Kindle to my laptop, then I went over to Amazon and found myself several free ebooks to read.

Some of these books may or may not still be listed as free!  I have found out that Publishers list various books at different times as free ebooks.   Since none of the above authors are familiar, I did read the reviews and/or book description before 'one clicking' them on Amazon.  The great part about the free ebook listing...books from every genre.  Above includes a historical, plus regular and Christian Romance novels that I have recently added to my collection.  Yes, collection, as in more than these, as in... I need a month at the beach to finish what I have downloaded for free.

On the Amazon Kindle discussion board there is a wonderful lady who researches the free ebooks daily and posts them in the forum.  Everyday I zip over and check for the free book posting by  Happy Reader "Joyce".   This week there was an entire series posted as free ebooks.  Wasn't my thing, but several readers were thrilled at the offering.  The daily freebies offer up everything from cookbooks, short stories, business, self help and tons more.  Or if you are on Facebook, there is a Free Books for Kindle page that also posts free ebooks.

Lugging the laptop poolside isn't really as easy as a paperback, but downloading the Kindle for PC did give me the opportunity to try out kindle at no charge.  Imagine my surprise and appreciation when I was given the gift of a REAL Kindle!  What about all the books I had downloaded free to my pc kindle app?  They transfered over to the real kindle.  Easy Peasy!  

The best part of discovering the free app?  My summer reading list is long and all the books were totally FREE!   

Am I the last one to know?  Really?  

***DISCLAIMER:  I was not paid or compensated for this post in any shape, form or fashion.  Just passing along information because I love sharing freebies!  All photos belong to Amazon.com

My Fairy Garden

Dance in a land of enchantment with fairies in your garden.

My newest addition to our backyard/walk/pool area.  A miniature fairy garden.
What a fun family project!  One from our summer list.

We shopped together for all the items to put together our mini garden.
 3 succulents and the fake mushrooms at Home Depot.

Next was a stop in a local gardening greenhouse, where I picked up Scotch Moss and Doone Valley Creeping Thyme (which blooms with tiny pink flowers and the foliage turns red in the winter) and a 'Green Velvet' mini Boxwood to trim into a tree.

The 'pot' is an animal trough from Tractor Supply, with holes drilled into the bottom.  I picked this because the price, size and depth suited the space and what I had in mind.  You can transform almost anything into a miniature garden ~ the children's old wagon, a homemade raised bed, washtub, birdbath, basket, etc.  Here are a few ideas I found on pinterest.com -  

source - pinterest

I wanted our garden large enough to change up and low enough for tiny tots to enjoy. 

We also made a stop in Hobby Lobby for miniatures (pots, bench and frog) and Tinkerbell is a garden pick that I picked up 50% off.  The fairy 'house' is a bird house.  The stones came from the Dollar Tree.  Tinkerbell's bridge is really meant to be fish tank decor.  The 'pond' is a plastic ice cream bowl with stones tossed in the bottom. 

I loved playing outside as a child.  Heck, back then that is all we had to do in the summer!  However, I don't really have a rep for having a green thumb.  Hopefully I picked out hearty foliage for my mini garden.  At least there is only a little to replace and restyle.  I have to admit I love rounding the corner to our back porch every afternoon and being greeted by such a cute sight in our lantana flower bed.

Booger Bear and I are watching for a garden full of butterflies and hopefully fairies.  So use your imagination and build a little enchantment for your garden!

Do you have a green thumb?  or a Fairy Garden? 

Linking in to these fun parties!  Check out my PARTIES tab at the top for more listings.





Outdoors Wednesday  , Feature Yourself Friday,  Simply Sweet Home's Friday Favorites , Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap up Party

Transportation Theme Boy's Room - part 1

Finally!  After the clearing out of the junk room guest room and initial toddler bed purchase; I have been on the hunt for items to create an inexpensive, fun and functional 3 year old boy's room.  Transportation became the theme because Booger Bear loves trains, airplanes and trucks.  I've been able to find some great pieces to pull this room together via yard sales and thrift stores.  A few weeks ago I scored a small solid wood bookcase at my local Goodwill store. 

Since I am trying to work on my tan and enjoy our pool, I hauled the bookcase poolside in a swimsuit to sand it down.

The before just wasn't doing it for me.  Exactly what you would have said about me in my swimsuit.  Thankfully I saved your eyes from the shock featuring the bookcase today.  This is a family friendly blog after all.  Plus I don't want my photo circulated around the net as examples of what NOT to wear.  You'll just have to trust me or better yet thank me.

I used Rust-oleum Chinese Red spray paint.  Kinda reminds me to apply sunscreen.

Yep, it's hanging over the pool's retaining wall.  I didn't want to spray it on the concrete plus this kept me close enough for a lightening fast rescue of said 3 year old.   Along with the fact it was HOT, so a quick dip in the pool between sanding and painting, made this project bearable.

After the paint and my swimsuit dried, it was time to place my paint project back in Booger Bear's room.  

Perfect size for little hands to reach his books.  Above the bookcase I added two adorable wooden plaques found at a local yard sale for $5 each.  They remind me of something from Pottery Barn.  Anyone recognize them????

A is for Airplane and B is for Boat!  Both modes of transportation and facination for Booger Bear. 

The two tiny 'bins' were picked up from the Dollar Spot at Target.  I worried if they would fit inside the shelf.  They did!  These also match the color theme and help little hands with quick clean up of his room.   Most of the books on the shelf were finds at different Goodwill stores. 

The other side of the room holds his toy 'corner'.  I hope to snap a few photos and share that in an upcoming post.  I still need to hang a few yard sale finds on the wall to complete it.  So stay tuned!

Sharing my thrifty scores at the following linky parties:  Southern Hospitality - Thrifty Treasures; Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday;  Domestically Speaking - Power of Paint;

You can find their charming blog buttons on my Parties tab at the top of my blog.