Friday, January 22, 2016

Celebrate: They Go in Threes & Giveaways

This week marks the passing of Glenn Frey at age 67, the co-founder (along with Don Henley) of the Eagles, one of the best-selling groups in history. Glenn wrote or co-wrote 107 such fantastic hits as Hotel California, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Take it Easy, Desperado, Lyin’ Eyes, New Kid in Town, and The Heat is On (from Beverly Hills Cop). The Eagles are one of the best groups ever to come out of the US, with beautiful melodies, memorable lyrics, and amazing vocal harmonies. I was a professional singer for many years, and there are few songs to rival the power and the love people have for Hotel California, even in Europe and the Middle East. 

Glenn Frey, Rest in Peace

As I mentioned last week, it's odd how big stars seem to pass away in threes. Bowie, Rikman, and now Frey. All too young and who've left our world a bit dimmer for their passing.

On the good side, the plasterer and painter have come and gone from my apartment. I'm exhausted from doing a huge deep clean of the kitchen (ceramic walls from floor to ceiling that haven't been fully cleaned in ... ahem ... a long time), but as soon as I finish the stove, I've done everything and my kitchen will look like the it's all brand new! Low cost, beautiful ceramic tiles and granite countertops -- one of the great percs of living in Egypt!

My kitchen's not as big or 
beautiful as this one--but it's close!


My kind and wonderful co-hosts of Celebrate the Small Things are:
L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge
Tonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog

Celebrate The Small Things Linky:



Grab the Linky html-code here:


** To see who’s posted for the hop look at my Celebrate The Small Things Blog Roll, left sidebar bottom **


 Celebrate the Small ThingsTo be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is visit the Celebrate page on Lexa's Blog for the rules, and then post every Friday about something you're grateful  for that week.  It can be about writing or family or school or general life.  This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! (Originated by VikLit)



Foxy's Friday Freebies!

Foxy has been nosing around the net
When she finds great FREE STUFF, she'll feature it on Friday Freebies posts -
  • Free short stories, novellas, and novels
  • Giveaways for books and swag
  • Free services for authors


Here are Foxy's suggestions for Jan 22, 2016:

Free Contemp/Woman’s Fic Paperback – Win The 6:41 to Paris (a bestseller in France and Germany) by Jean-Phillipe Blondel, about a Parisian women coming face to face with the man who broke her heart 30 years before and spending a train ride with him. Enter via Entry Form on the France Book Tours blog. (US only; ends Jan 31) 

Free Mystery Paperback – Win Late Harvest Havoc by Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noel Balen, a new book in the long-running wine expert/detective series now a French TV serial, by entering the giveaway via Entry Form on the France Book Tours blog. (ends Jan 31)

Free (4) $5 Amazon Gift Cards – To celebrate the release of A Beauty Dark and Deadly (re-telling of Beauty and the Beast), the author Heather Myers is giving away (4) $5 Amazon cards. Enter via rafflecopter on the Mythical Books blog. Few entries = good chance to win! (ends Jan 27)

Free $15 Gift Card to Any Retailer – To celebrate the release of Sketch (Romance), author Laramie Briscoe is giving away a $15 gift card to any retailer the winner wants. Enter via rafflecopter on the Mythical Books blog. (ends Jan 25)

Free $20 Amazon or B&N Gift Card – To celebrate the release of Desert Heat (Romance/Native Indian Occult), author P.H, Turner is giving away a $20 Amazon or B&N card. Enter via rafflecopter on the Romance Novel Giveaways blog. (ends Jan 30)

Free $30 Amazon Gift Card - To celebrate the release of A Duchess in Name (Regency Romance), author Amanda Weaver is giving away a $30 Amazon card. Enter via rafflecopter on the Romance Novel Giveaways blog. (ends Jan 25)


Free $50 Amazon Gift Card – To celebrate the release of Killer Pursuit (Crime/Thriller), author Jeff Gunhus is giving away a $50 Amazon card. Enter via rafflecopter on the Mythical Books blog. (ends Feb 5)


For Foxy's other Freebies, go to the Freebie page.

If anyone has a FREE short story (for download or online at a free ezine), novella, novel, special giveaway, or author service, please let Foxy know so she can plug you here!  Write to: laura.6eg(at)gmail.com

40 comments:

Sue Bursztynski said...

Now you mention it, you did say something about these things happening in threes. And all of them way too young! :-(

Glad to hear your kitchen is ready to go. I've had my own headaches this week. Not as big as yours, but still... I finally got around to doing something about my oven and discovered that not only is it not fixable - too old - but I can't even buy a new one because regulations require a range hood no lower than 60cm above the stovetop and mine is 55cm, with cupboards above. Even if I was willing to get in a carpenter to remove and replace them, I'd have to climb on a chair to put away my gadgets! So, I'm looking for a small oven that will allow me to bake, not just make a pizza or toast sandwiches. And for a measuring tape to see if my bench top will accommodate one. Groan!

Laura Clipson said...

Glad your kitchen is all sorted, it's a pain getting things like that done but it's so worth it in the end. Have a great weekend :)

JeffO said...

Other recent "notable" deaths include Dan Haggerty (TV's Grizzly Adams), Dale Griffin (drummer, Mott the Hoople, and also67), and René Angélil (Celine Dion's husband). Surprised to learn also that Patrick MacNee (Steed, The Avengers) passed away earlier in 2015). It is funny, however, how we do look for them in threes.

Have a great weekend, Lexa!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

All three men died too young.
Glad the kitchen is almost done!

Anonymous said...

I love The Eagles. I was sad to hear about Frey.

I'd love a new kitchen. I'm glad yours is going to look amazing.

Cathrina Constantine said...

It's so sad to see these greats leave us so soon!! I absolutely loved the Eagles!!! They recently played here in Buffalo and my niece came all the way from Florida to see them and I didn't. :(

Glad to hear about you kitchen!!! Have a nice weekend.

Ann V Friend said...

Enjoy your day and have a blessed weekend Lexa (smile)

cheerfuloptimistic said...

Good to hear your kitchen is cleaned up. Have a good weekend.

stephen Hayes said...

Glenn Frey was a huge talent and he will be missed.

Leandra Wallace said...

Ooh, I love kitchen remodels. Wish I could do one myself!

L.G. Keltner said...

Congrats on having a finished kitchen! That's always a good thing. Have a great weekend!

Yolanda Renée said...

Huge losses, and so sad. Lets me know I'm also on that downhill slide to oblivion. :(

So glad the kitchen is almost new and you doing the cleaning - such satisfaction in knowing it's done and done well!

Anonymous said...

It was sad to hear about the passing of David Bowie, Glen Frey, and Alan Rickman. I still enjoy the Eagles music, and Severus Snape is my favorite character of the Harry Potter series. Rickman played him so well.
I'm glad you were finally able to get your kitchen cleaned up. I read back over the last two posts I missed and saw the photos. What a mess! Your kitchen must look beautiful now.
Have a great weekend!

Tanya Miranda said...

In Argentina, in the rural provinces, everyone has marble/granite floors, kitchen counters, bathrooms fully lined in marble. It's in the local mountains and dirt cheap. I looks so expensive but it isn't. It's expensive here in the U.S.

Hotel California, easily one of the most generation-transcending songs of all time. My daughter knows it, and she's 14. She is a musician so maybe that's the reason. :-D

Favorite Roles by Rickman, Metatron from Dogma and Alexander Dane from Galaxy Quest.

Who doesn't love Bowie? Even my 8-year-old son loves The Labrynth. That's right. My kids are deeply educated in 80s pop culture.

Cathy Kennedy said...

Lexa, yep another star extinguished. Our loss is heaven's gain! Nice tribute for Glenn Frey. Your kitchen looks fabulous! Cooking again in a newly remodeled kitchen will feel great. Have a good weekend, my friend!

Birgit said...

Hey was a shocker too. it is so very sad that this happened and now we have the 3rd (If you don't count Celine Dion's husband). So glad your kitchen is done. Despite all the mess etc..., when it's done, it feels so worth it. Now lets see a picture of your actual kitchen:)

messymimi said...

Hooray for your redone kitchen! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I didn't know you were a singer. That's awesome. It is sad for the loss of these men.
Happy to hear your kitchen is all polished and shiny. Enjoy.
Have a good weekend.

Tonja Drecker said...

Yay to getting the kitchen done. Now, you can bake and cook (and let someone else do the dishes ;) ). We're going to have to redo our counter tops this year. Granit would be lovely.

T.F. Walsh said...

So glad you've got your kitchen completed and under control. I bet it feels more inviting now to cook in:)

Kate Larkindale said...

Glad the kitchen drama is finally sorted! But on the downside, now you don't have an excuse not to cook...

Dianne K. Salerni said...

I know the pain of kitchen remodeling, and I'm glad to hear it is almost over for you!

This Friday I am celebrating being able to walk (even in a brace) after 3 weeks of immobility -- while still having a ready-made excuse from shoveling snow dumped on us by Winter Storm Jonas.

Cathy Keaton said...

OMG, that kitchen is amazing! You are so lucky to have yours almost finished and ready to blow you away every day. Congrats on it!

Unknown said...

When I saw the picture - and before reading the caption - I thought GORGEOUS KITCHEN! I love ceramic tiles and granite countertops. :D

Hope you get some rest this weekend, the words "deep clean" sound exhausting. Have a beautiful week ahead.

J.H. Moncrieff said...

I was all excited about that gorgeous kitchen until you said it wasn't yours. Would love to see the real thing!

It is really sad about everyone who's died this month. Natalie Cole passed as well. I think Bowie hit me the hardest.

Hotel California is such a sad song, but I've never really been able to figure out why, or what it means.

DMS said...

The world definitely lost three bright stars! Such talent! In high school we had to analyze Hotel California in English class. We spent a lot of time listening to the lyrics and dissecting them. :)

Yeah! So glad your kitchen is just about where you want it to be and it is almost completely clean. What a great feeling.

Happy weekend!
~Jess

klahanie said...

Hey Lexa,

Indeed, so many influential people have passed away over the course of the last week or so. I know that they were an important part of my life. The memories will inspire the future.

Time to enjoy your kitchen. Coffee, no sugar, thank you! :)

Gary

SENCO Cat Herder said...

Super news on the kitchen front and I also think you should try to take a photograph so we can see it in all its glory :) The Eagles were a fantastic group - the radio stations over here in the UK have all been celebrating Glenn's work too. It was also lovely to find out a bit more about you through your blog post - I hadn't realised you actually live in Egypt!! Have a fantastic time this weekend in your new kitchen :) Special Teaching at Pempi’s Palace

Michelle Wallace said...

By the sounds of it (and judging by the picture), your kitchen will be AMAZING!
I'm sure you'll show us the real one, once it's up and running...

Denise Covey said...

Lexa, if your kitchen is like the one in the picture, how cool! You'll never want to leave! Gourmet meals coming up!

Unknown said...

Glad to hear your kitchen is almost finished! Now you can enjoy it :)

Catherine Stine said...

Yes, a very interesting perk of living in Egypt! Lots of great low cost tiles and granite. Who knew?!

cleemckenzie said...

I have a severe case of kitchen envy. Of course, I realize that your newly completed one comes with a price, so that helps lessen my greenish tinge.

Three notables passing about the same time does seem to be what happens. And these were some wonderful talents.

Julie Flanders said...

Very exciting about your kitchen! I'm sure you are thrilled to have it finished and looking so beautiful.
I love so many songs by The Eagles. I think my favorite is probably Tequila Sunrise.

I'm trying to get back to blogging and I think joining your hop again will be a great way to start! Looking forward to taking part this week.

Kelley said...

Indeed, what giants of art to go all at once. Sobering, that.
I'm glad your space is getting back in order. It makes such a difference! Yay kitchen!

kimlajevardi.com said...

The deaths are shocking.

Glad to hear your kitchen is back to functionality.

Ninja Girl said...

You're right, the world is dimmer without them. I wore my Lily/Snape earrings and just couldn't stop thinking about Alan Rickman's wonderful voice. Your kitchen looks great, and I hope 2016 is treating you well so far!
Ninja Girl

Misha Gerrick said...

I love the warmth and texture those tiles give. I hope your kitchen turns out as beautifully as you planned. :-)

Annie Neugebauer said...

Wow, how did I miss the news on Glenn Frey? I, too, was a huge "Hotel California" lover. How very sad.

Crystal Collier said...

Ooh! How lovely. Your kitchen must be gorgeous now! I always go for the darker colors in counter top, not sure why.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...