This Perfectly Imperfect Life

I have a surprise that may brighten what has been a rough Winter for so many, especially those fellow gardeners who are chomping at the bit for Spring, or those just looking for a fun read!  I have one beautiful paperback copy of Norman Draper 's novel, Backyard , to give away thanks to Mr. Draper and his publisher, Kensington Publishing Corp. !  Here is the synopsis from the back cover: "Livia is a nice little suburb in the upper Midwest - but behind the manicured lawns and pristine hedges seethes a ruthless desire to be the greatest green thumb of all... George and Nan Fremont have created a paradise in their backyard, complete with the semi-hallucinogenic exotics and a comfy spot for drinking their favorite merlot. Marta Poppendauber's garden is a pleasantly haphazard as she is. And Dr. Phyllis Sproot, Livia's self-styled and cantankerous gardening expert, has determined the exact formula for the only correct garden possible. But, once Burdi...

I hope you have a lovely day, no matter the weather! 

For another installment of The Mono Diaries! I would like to say I'm finally getting better, again, (knocks on wood) but I'm afraid to think that because I felt like I was turning a corner a couple of weeks ago, and then caught cold-flu bug and went back down hill. (To the point the Hubbs was genuinely worried about me, emotionally as well as physically). As a result, I haven't been retested for mono yet, so I don't know if I still have it or not. (I'm hoping not!) I have to touch base with the doctor tomorrow or Wednesday and go from there. So it's February! How in the heck did that happen already?!  I did finish reading two novels in January: A Fall Of Marigolds by and The Invention Of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. Both had me feeling like I had been on incredible journeys by the time I finished each! Highly recommended.  Have you read anything good so far this Winter? We've had winter storm after winter storm, although we are faring bet...