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It is interesting to discover commemorative calendar days, but this one really inspired me. I have been writing for as long as I can remember. In lieu of National Grammar Day, here are my thoughts on wordsmithing.

I can honestly say that writing is not easy. The words in your head don’t necessarily translate well on paper. It takes time and effort to really communicate clearly. Although it may seem effortless, it take a lot of mental energy and you are required to follow grammatical rules.

There are even different kinds of writing like academic writing, journal writing, fiction, non-fiction, creative writing, and business writing with separate rules. I’ve learned and enjoyed various types of prose but find myself making a few common writing mistakes.

Missing Hyphen

The first error that I’m often reprimanded for is not using a hyphen. This just doesn’t seem that important, but according to grammatical rules words like good-hearted and post-apocalyptic are not correct without the hyphen.

Quote This

Another common mistake is the inproper use of the comma. Does it go after or before the quotation mark? I’m wondering, “Does it go like this?” Comma rules vary based on the sentence and structure.

Wrong Word

This one always gets me! Is it complement or compliment? Is read and read the same in present and past tense?

Writing can get very fanciful, but it never stops me from falling in love with words in general. There is nothing more interesting than (then?!) when someone pops in a random word like hirsute or compendius.

Valentine’s Day is all about romance. It’s the day when couples around the world shower each other with candy, balloons, giftS, and love. Whether you are planning for a first date or a 15 year anniversary celebration one important thing to think about is that magical moment.

I’m talking about the big pucker up…the sucky face ….you know the KISS!

There is no better way to get ready for the smootch of all smoothes than to find the right lipstick. I don’t have any plans this Valentine’s Day, but I can suggest a couple of lipsticks that I would wear if I was planning for a special dinner date.

My favorite lipstick color is Covergirl Katy Kat Colorlicious Pink Paws. This color gives me just the right amount of sass and looks really flirty without going over the top.

My most recent lipstick purchase was Mamastarrr by Patrick Starr. This is a top pick too. I was surprised to find that this color is great neutral color that is good for date night or even a lunch date.

So cheers to all of you couples out there. I hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!

One quick question for you – do you take off your lipstick before dinner and then put it back on immediately after you finish eating? Do you use a compact and put it on at the table or step away? Or do you eat with the lipstick on?

😘

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Today has to be recognized as the equivalent to Christmas for pizza lovers. Pizza and I have history. On today I commemorate the many moments we’ve shared, slices, cheese, garlic and all. I’m reminded of Friday afternoons with my son, either going to my favorite local pizza restaurant or making homemade pizza.

My weekly treat used to involve a microwave pizza with custom toppings like mushrooms, onions, and peppers. I fell in love with Digiorno’s, California pizza kitchen, and Papa Johns. Now, I’m really interested in trying out this new cauliflower pizza crust that I saw on Live with Kelly and Ryan. I found this amazing recipe on Allrecipes.com. Has anyone tried this yet?

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Okay, I admit it. I am a foodie. One of the main highlights in my week is finding something new to eat. My palate does not require exotic foods and fanciful delicacies, but it does like high quality basics like subs, pizza, and pancakes. It’s usually a weekly treat because my digestion system is not all that swift, but I have found one thing that I can enjoy within getting puffed up.

Soup has become a staple item in my diet. I have not taken the next step to cook a soup from scratch, but I have found a few that are delicious. In lieu of National Homemade Soup Day, here is my list of top soups that have that home cooked taste from brands like Campbell’s, Progresso, and Marie Callendar.

Tomato Soup

My absolute favorite is Tomato Soup. I completely love Campbell’s Slow Kettle Tomato and Sweet Basil Bisque soup. It is a bit pricier, but I have not found many soups like it. Campbell’s canned tomato soup with basil has a similar taste. The difference is that the slow kettle soup is made with no preservatives.

My treat is to have my soup with Goldfish or Cheeze-Its. I know it probably adds a lot more calories, but the combination is delicious. I even recently found out that the Cheeze-Its are available in reduced fat, whole grain, pepper jack, extra toasty, white cheddar, and hot & spicy flavors.

Chicken Pot Pie

This soup is one of my favorites. Who doesn’t love a chicken pot pie! The soup has a very similar taste. I can enjoy the potatoes, carrots, chicken, corn, and peas without feeling hungry afterwards.

Penne Soup

I have only discovered the creamy tomato with penne soup once. I was pleasantly surprised. There were just enough noodles and the cream wasn’t too soupy.

Chicken Tortilla

Lately, I’ve gotten into Latin flavors. The chicken tortilla soup has the perfect blend of rice, beans, corn, peppers, and chicken. It makes me feel like I’m actually eating my favorite wrap.

Chicken Noodle

In spite of all of the soups in the world, there is still nothing better than good ole fashioned chicken noodle soup. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Campbell’s soup still tastes just like I remember from back in the day.

Next, I’ll try buying my own ingredients to make homemade soup. For now the canned option is super convenient, cost efficient, and easily digestible.

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