Key Harvest- Game Session and Review

The newest game to my family's game collection is the Rio Grande version of  Key Harvest. We picked it up recently for $15-$20 at a local comic book store during free comic book day. Board Game Geek  rates the game 6.87/10. It is a 2-4 player game ages 10 and up.  Though I would say more 12 and up unless your child is a seasoned board game player. Seasoned meaning has played games more complex than monopoly, life, chutes and ladders etc.

We decided to give it a whirl Monday night. Unfortunately we didn't get to finish the game but managed to get down most of the basics. Some of the mechanics of it is similar to Vegas Showdown where you need to bid on a piece of land and place it on your territory. However there are two added elements of having workers and harvesting your land. The game is estimated to take 60-90 minutes. I would say closer to 90 especially the first few sessions. The game is not overly complex and my 13 year old stepdaughter who sleepy at the time was able to pick up on the basics. This is the type of game that requires a few times being played to get all the mechanics and to understand the strategy. That being said it was fairly enjoyable and I can see my family putting this into our normal rotation of games.  If you are new to board gaming I would suggest only playing this with someone who has played it before and can help and explain it. If you are a seasoned player you should have no problem picking up the mechanics of the game.


Now then what to rate this at...well since I haven't played a full session of it yet it is hard to rate. I would have to put it at a  3 out of 5. Not an instant hit but still very enjoyable. After a few more game sessions I'll update my opinion on it.

Etsy Finds-Procrastination Station

As you all know I'm a huge Etsy fan. Well my all time favorite team on etsy is the Procrastination Station team. What's the Procrastination Station you ask...well it is exactly as it sounds. It is a place to play word games and have fun with some of the nicest and funniest ladies I've ever met. I want to honor these great ladies by posting some of their shops. Unfortunately, I can't put up everyone so I tried to put in as many as I can. Maybe I'll do a part two post to get in even more. Come check out The Procrastination Station. Play a few games or start one of your own! All are welcome you just need to be friendly and willing to play :) 

 OurTimeCapsules Shop is an eclectic shop filled with wonderful vintage items. This shop is owned by husband and wife duo Ivy and Bill

UUEndy&Friends shop is owned by Wendy and her two cats. You'll find afghans and baby blankets in her shop but where she really shines is her play earrings. She has such cute earrings that it was hard for me to narrow down to three examples. She can make them as either clip or post. and the prices are so reasonable and the shipping is already included in the price!

EllenRay's Shop based out of Indiana is filled with her watercolor creations. She also crochets and sews. I'm totally in love with her original watercolors and her candlestick holders are just adorable.

                                               

MeiGuiDesigns shop is run by the ever friendly Julie. I literally want to own everything in her shop. I mean everything! I just spent 45 minutes going through her shop and just could not stop looking. She has some of the most beautifully crafted jewelry I've seen on Etsy. It was so hard to pick just 3 items from her shop since again I love it all!

   

                                                     

TheMusesCall Shop is filled with items perfect for the book lover. The store is full of handcrafted cards, bookmarks and book thongs. Using inspirational quotes on her items makes them stand out from the rest. Her items are so pretty and so connected with nature and the world around us.

                                                      

Been a Month

Ok so it has been exactly a month since my last post. I had a hard month last month and this month. A number of illnesses and family emergencies coming one after the other. I just couldn't drag myself on here. But I realized that I really miss posting. I've evaluated what I want to do with this blog. At the moment I'm going to hold off on giveaways though I've had a few very thoughtful offers from sponsors. I just want to get back into the swing again before I do any giveaways. I plan on continuing book reviews. I'll also be doing product reviews a few sponsored but mostly unsponsored reviews. Also as my family is very heavy into boardgames I really want to start posting reviews of the games we play. I also want to do more features on etsy shops as I truly love them and want to give the only kind of support I can currently afford. Since there are so many items I would love to buy on there but simply can't afford I'm going to support those shops I love by featuring them on here. Thank you so much to my fellow book bloggers who have continued to inspire me and motivate me to try. I want to especially thank  BookGeek from ReadingUnderTheInfluence who never hesitates to comment on my reviews and fellow reader and boardgamer Carol from CarolsNotebook

The Winners Are

First I would like to apologize for my long absense. I've had a number of family emergencies and Sunday night I came down with the flu which is still kicking my behind. But  seeing as I have not picked winners yet I thought it best to do that right now. Winners have 48 hours to respond or new winner will be chosen

Old Navy $35 GC- ninajoleisa
Old Navy $25 GC- coriwestphal
Sports Authority GC- Kolpin
Coconutty for Earrings- Brooke
Crochetted necklace- Lucky's Luna
Lattice Scarf Pattern- Elizabeth
Pillow Pattern- Mary Lee
Paiges Pretty Bowtique- Lindsay's Lovely Candles
Twinkies Moonshadow- 1st place- Marija 
                                      2nd place-Elizabeth
                                      3rd place-Falon H. 

Review: The Body Finder- Kimberly Derting

I had heard some good things about this series so I decided to give it a try as I needed to read more mysteries for my hogwarts reading challenge. I'm really glad I did pick this up and I look forward to the other books in the series.


In the book the main character Violet has a strange ability. She can find dead people. Their bodies call to her till they are properly buried. She can also see auras on people who have killed other people. Only her family and her best friend Jay know about her ability. Girls in her town have suddenly gone missing and it is up to Violet to help the police find not only the poor girls bodies but the killer.


Wow this book was just great. There are great moments of suspense and romance. The ending is not obvious like you find in some books. I really really loved this book and already have the next book in the series lined up to read. This is great for anyone who enjoys young adult mysteries with just a tinge of the paranormal. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Review: Nancy Drew- The Secret of the Old Clock- Carolyn Keen

When I was a little girl I adored reading the Nancy Drew novels. I read all of the old classics when I was in the 4th grade. I devoured them like BBQ potato chips. One after the other. I was obsessed with them. I remember being in class and rather than doing math I just had to read what Nancy was doing and how she was going to solve her next mystery. She was a heroine that was a good influence on young girls. I decided to give Nancy a try again now that I'm and adult.

In this book Nancy meets a family who have hit hard times. They tell Nancy how old man Crowley had promised to put them in his will but after his death there were no signs of a new will. His old will stated that a very nasty family the Topham's were to get all of his money. After some investigation Nancy finds out that th newer will is hidden inside of an old clock. Nancy eventually is kidnapped by some burglars. (spoiler but come on really you can figure out what will happen). Of course Nancy ends up finding the clock and the Hoover sisters inherent the much needed money. 

Sadly I have to admit I didn't enjoy this book. It was well very predictable and kind of hard to get through. I'm honestly surprised that younger me could so easily devour these books. Perhaps the other books are better and easier to get through. I had to struggle to get through what really is a very short book. Ah well I'm not giving up on Nancy I may just have to find a later written one. I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.

Been a While

It has been a while since I've done any updates. I've had a few family emergencies that have kept me from being able to post. Hopefully I'm out of the woods. I have been reading the whole time though! So I have a bunch of reviews to post. I've also been reading for fairy tale Fridays and will double or triple up on my reviews till I'm caught up.


I'm still really happy with my Literati. In fact I don't think I would survive if it dies on me. I've read a number of reviews of unsatisfied people who ended up returning theirs or them never able to get them working.As it seems you can't find them anywhere now I'm worried about it breaking down. When I was younger I always wanted to be able to read with all of the lights out but thought I was just being silly. Now I know I was just waiting for an ereader. Because I know I can read in the complete dark before I fall asleep. It is great I put it into night reading mode and it does not disturb my husband nor is it so bright that it hurts my eyes.  OK well I have a few reviews to write!