The Promise Winner

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway for The Promise DVD!  Here is the winner that random.org picked:

Congratulations Carla!  You will have 48 hours to get back to me or I will have to pick a new winner.




Blessings,

The Sound of Music Live!

 Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

One of my favorite movies is The Sound of Music.  I enjoy so many of the songs from it and it is such a great family movie.  So I was pretty excited to hear about the upcoming new LIVE version of this classic movie!  Coming this Thursday, December 5 at 8/7c, The Sound of Music will be shown live on NBC.  I can't wait to watch this with my family and hope that you all will be able to as well!

From executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Smash," "Hairspray," "Chicago") comes an instant holiday classic: "The Sound of Music," based on the original Broadway musical. Carrie Underwood and Stephen Moyer star as Maria and Captain von Trapp in this beloved story of the young novice who falls in love with Captain von Trapp and his seven children, set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Austria. The jewel in the Rodgers and Hammerstein crown, "The Sound of Music" contains some of the most famous songs ever written for the stage, including "The Sound of Music," "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," "Climb Every Mountain" and "Edelweiss."

This new version of "The Sound of Music" will be a faithful adaptation of the original stage musical, to retell the story for a whole new generation. And more than that, it will be broadcast LIVE, adding a whole new level of immediacy and excitement. Get ready to reintroduce your family to the most joyful, most emotional and most musical family adventure of them all.

This post is part of the Faith & Family Viewing Party featuring THE SOUND OF MUSIC, live on NBC.  As a participant in this party, I will be receiving a $25 VISA gift card for pizza and snacks.

Blessings,

The Promise {Review and GIVEAWAY!}

We recently received a really great Christmas DVD called The Promise.  It is a musical about the first Christmas, Jesus' birth.  We loved watching this together as a family.  The kids liked that it is animated, but I really like that it is not a typical cartoon animation.  It is beautifully done!  We all enjoyed the songs, but it wasn't all singing and the story came through very nicely.  I think this would make a great gift for someone this Christmas season and highly recommend it!  Here is a trailer of it for you to enjoy:

The Promise: The Birth of the Messiah is an animated musical celebration of one of the most pivotal events in all human history, the birth of Jesus Christ.

This beautifully crafted musical is a faithful adaptation of the birth narrative from the Gospel of Luke in both story and song. The animated production leverages optical motion technology to blend traditional animation techniques with the performance talents of ballet dancers and dramatic stage actors. The result is a unique and worshipful story experience that will inspire audiences young and old for years to come.

And now for the giveaway! One of you lucky readers will receive your own copy of The Promise!  To be entered, please leave me a comment letting me know your favorite Christmas movie.  Please be sure I have a way to contact you if you are the winner!  This giveaway will end Monday, December 9 at 8 pm when I will pick a winner using random.org.

I received this DVD for free for review from FlyBy Promotions.

Blessings,

Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas Winner!

 Thanks to those of you who entered the Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas giveaway!  I wish you could all win so that your kiddos could enjoy it as much as mine do!  Here is the result from random.org:

Congratulations Regan D!  You have 48 hours to respond to me or I will have to pick a new winner.



Blessings,

Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas {Review and GIVEAWAY!}

Since having kids, I have come to realize how hard Christmas can be to keep the focus on Christ's birth and on others instead of on ourselves.  With all the decorating, parties, and gifts, Christmas can become a rather selfish time, especially if you are a young child.  So I was very excited when I was contacted about reviewing the new Veggie Tales DVD Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas.  My kids have always loved Veggie Tales and more recently have enjoyed watching the TV series Duck Dynasty.  Well, this new DVD brings both of them together and my kids couldn't have been more excited!

Here is a quick overview from the Veggie Tales website:

 Larry The Cucumber is a Christmas elf at the Spring Valley Mall who just wants to spread joy at the holidays. When he meets a little girl with a big heart whose only Christmas wish is to help a friend in need, "Merry Larry" sets off on adventure that will light up the holidays like never before and show the town of Spring Valley what Christmas is all about - "Christmas shines most bright and true when you give the love God gave to you!" Featuring Si Robertson as Silas the Okra!

My kids were not disappointed watching this one, they LOVED it! They couldn't help laughing every time Uncle Si's character was on! I really enjoyed this movie too.  I thought it did a very nice job of showing that Christmas is much more than making a list and getting gifts. It is a great way to start kids thinking on what they could do for others for Christmas (or anytime of year!) instead of being so focused on themselves.

Here is a trailer of the movie to give you a little taste of it:



To purchase Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas, you can head over to the Veggie Tales website  While you are there, you can also check out some behind the scenes with Si Robertson or download some really cute coloring pages for your kiddos!

And now for the giveaway!  One of you lucky readers will receive your own copy of Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas!  To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment below with one way you try to keep the focus of Christmas on God's love for us and others.  Please make sure I have a way to contact you if you are the winner!  This giveaway will end in one week on Saturday, November 30 at 8:00pm PMT when I will draw a winner using random.org.

I received this DVD for free for review and all opinions are my own.

Blessings,

Linked up with:
Raising Homemakers
Far Above Rubies
The Better Mom
Teach Me Tuesdays
Titus 2sday
Women Living Well
A Delightful Home
Raising Arrows
The Modest Mom
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

A Couple New Patterns

 I've been working on a couple new patterns lately that I wanted to share with you all!  First up is an adorable sock monkey hat!

 Next I created this cute chunky infinity scarf that I think turned out really well!

 After making an adult sized scarf, my girls decided they each needed a scarf, so I whipped up some patterns for them too.

If you are interested in purchasing one of these or like one of these, please head over to my post all about my crochet obsession.  Maybe you will find some cute Christmas gifts while you are there! :) Thanks!

Blessings,

A Bride For Keeps {Review}

I really like sticking to authors that I know and enjoy because I'm never quite sure what to expect from a new one.  I recently read Melissa Jagears debut novel A Bride For Keeps, and boy, am I glad I found this new author!  I loved her book and had a hard time putting it down!

From the back cover:

Everett Cline will never humiliate himself by seeking a mail-order bride. Not again. He's already been jilted by three mail-order brides and figures a wife just isn't in his future. However, a well-meaning neighbor hasn't given up on seeing him settled, so she goes behind his back to bring yet another woman to town for him.

Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. A mail-order marriage in faraway Kansas is a last resort, but she'll do anything to leave her life in Massachusetts and the heartbreak she's experienced there.

Although Everett doesn't see how a beautiful, cultured woman like Julia could be happy sharing his simple life, he could really use a helpmate on his homestead. Determined to prove she's more than just a pretty face, Julia agrees to a marriage in name only. Faced with the harsh realities of life on the prairie and hesitant to explore the tentative feelings growing between them, can Everett and Julia ever let each other in long enough to fall in love? 

If this is Melissa Jagears's debut novel, I can't wait to see what else she writes!  Her characters and story were very well written.  I have often wondered who would ever be or ask for a mail order bride, but Everett and Julia's story makes it very easy to understand why someone would go to such lengths for a spouse.  It is also a great story of how some of those marriages could even end with true love.  I thought everything flowed together nicely and had a very sweet ending!

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

 

Blessings,

Rebellious Heart {Review}

 I have to say that this was one of my favorite books to read!  I couldn't put it down!  In Rebellious Heart, Jody Hedlund does a great job of keeping your attention with a story full of suspense and romance.  I've read and enjoyed a few of Jody's books, but this one was definitely my favorite!  The story is set in the revolution era, so if you enjoy that time period along with a great story, you will love this book too.  Even if you don't particularly love that I era, I still highly recommend reading Rebellious Heart!

From the back cover:

Massachusetts, 1763
A Love That Would Shape History Forever
Because she's a woman, higher learning was always closed to Susanna Smith. But her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. And she's determined to marry well, so she'll be able to continue her work with the less fortunate.

Growing up with little to his name, poor country lawyer Benjamin Ross dreams of impacting the world for the better. When introduced to the Smiths he's taken by Susanna's intelligence and independent spirit, but her parents refuse to see him as a suitor for their daughter.

When the life of a runaway indentured servant is threatened, Susanna is forced to choose between justice and mercy, and Ben becomes her unlikely advisor. But drawing closer to this man of principle and intellect lands her in a dangerous, secret world of rebellion and revolution against everything she once held dear.

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Blessings,

The Secret Keeper {Review}

Although I am finding a few authors of Amish books that I really like, I still think that Beverly Lewis is my favorite!  After reading the first two books in the Home to Hickory Hollow series, I was really excited to be able to review another one! The Secret Keeper is just as good as the other ones.

From the back cover:

Come home to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania--the beloved setting where Beverly Lewis's celebrated Amish novels began--with new characters and new stories of drama, romance, and the ties that draw people together.

Jennifer Burns shocks her family and friends when she bids farewell to her modern life in favor of the Old Order Amish world, settling in with Samuel and Rebecca Lapp.

The people of Hickory Hollow are curious about the beautiful young seeker among them--one handsome Amishman in particular--and Jenny faces many challenges in the Proving time the brethren set for her...challenges of the heart, as well as the spirit.

This was another of Beverly Lewis' sweet Amish stories but had a different twist with an Englisher wanting to become Amish.  I really enjoyed this different perspective and found it interesting that Jenny wanted to be Amish despite growing up with a very modern family.  I also really enjoyed that Beverly included some familiar characters from past stories.  Although the conflict seemed a bit rushed to be resolved at the end and everything worked out a little too neatly, I still really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it or any other of Beverly Lewis' books.

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Blessings,

Tasty Tuesday: Buttermilk Pancakes

I recently shared a couple posts about making homemade baking mix and making your own buttermilk.  In this post, I will combine those two ingredients into one of the best tasting pancake recipes you will ever try!  These are by far some of the best pancakes we have ever had, they are so fluffy and tasty!  I double this recipe for our family of 6.

Ingredients:
2 cups baking mix (or Biquick)
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg

Directions:
Stir all the ingredients together.  Pour 1/4 cup scoopfuls on heated griddle or skillet and cook until edges are dry.  Turn and cook until golden.  Serve with your favorite pancake toppings!

Blessings,

Linked up with:
Raising Homemakers
Far Above Rubies
The Better Mom
Teach Me Tuesdays
Titus 2sday
Women Living Well
A Delightful Home
Raising Arrows
The Modest Mom
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Tasty Tuesday: Homemade Baking Mix (Bisquick)

Since I prefer making my meals from scratch, I don't often buy mixes like Bisquick anymore.  Most of the time I don't mind, but once in a while I miss the ease of using it, especially in the morning when making pancakes or waffles.  Recently I came across a recipe for homemade baking mix, so I thought I would give it a try.  It works wonderfully! As easy and as tasty as recipes using Bisquick!  I made up a huge batch of this and am storing it in the freezer so it is all ready to go when I need it.

Ingredients:
5 cups flour, all-purpose or whole wheat (I use my freshly ground soft white whole wheat and it works great!)
1/4 cup baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar or sucanat
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup butter

Directions:
Mix all the dry ingredients together.  Cut in the butter with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture is fine crumbles.  You can use it in any recipe that calls for Bisquick or baking mix. It can be stored at room temp for up to 2 months or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Blessings,

Linked up with:
Raising Homemakers
Far Above Rubies
The Better Mom
Teach Me Tuesdays
Titus 2sday
Women Living Well
A Delightful Home
Raising Arrows
The Modest Mom
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Tasty Tuesday: Homemade Buttermilk

Buttermilk is super easy to make at home.  Even easier than homemade yogurt, but similar in that you need to culture the milk.  First you will need some buttermilk culture.  You can order some from places like Cultures for Health or go the easy way like me.  I just buy some cultured buttermilk from the store.

If you start with the cultures you will need to follow the directions your receive for your first batch.  After you have some cultured buttermilk, you can use some of that to make future batches.  Place about 1/2 cup of the cultured buttermilk in a quart jar and fill the rest of the way with milk.  Put a lid on and give it a gentle shake.  Then let it sit at room temp for 24 hours. Store in the fridge.

 Here's a jar of half used buttermilk that I currently have in my fridge.

The culture kits at Cultures for Health say that some can be used again up to 8 times and some indefinitely.  I have found that using buttermilk from the store usually only works for 4-5 times for me, but I usually am buttermilked out by then and need a break from finding recipes to use it in anyway. :)  Someday I may need to invest in the starter kit and keep it going though.

Blessings,

Linked up with:
Raising Homemakers
Far Above Rubies
The Better Mom
Teach Me Tuesdays
Titus 2sday
Women Living Well
A Delightful Home
Raising Arrows
The Modest Mom
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Into the Whirlwind {Review}

I've read a few of Elizabeth Camden's books and have really enjoyed each of them.  When I had a chance to review Into the Whirlwind, I knew I would enjoy it as well. Ms. Camden does a great job including history, suspense, and romance in her writing.  I really enjoyed getting to learn more about the Great Chicago fire and how it really affected the people whose homes and businesses were destroyed. The main characters, Mollie and Zach, were very likable, but the side characters were also interesting and all combined for a great story.  I found myself constantly wondering what would happen next and couldn't put the book down!

From the Back Cover
As owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, Mollie Knox's future looks bright until the night the legendary Great Chicago Fire destroys her beloved city. With her world crumbling around her, Mollie will do whatever it takes to rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek, an influential attorney for one of Chicago's finest department stores, is a force to be reckoned with among the city's most powerful citizens. Bold and shrewd, he's accustomed to getting exactly what he wants--until he meets Mollie Knox, the beguiling businesswoman just beyond his reach.

In the tumult as the people of Chicago race to rebuild a bigger and better city, Mollie comes face-to-face with the full force of Zack's character and influence. Zack believes this may finally be his chance to win her, but can Mollie ever accept this man and his whirlwind effect on her life, especially with her treasured company on the line?

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Blessings,

Stealing the Preacher {Review}

Last summer I had the opportunity to review Short-Straw Bride and I loved it!  I couldn't wait to read more from Karen Witemeyer and recently had the chance to.  In Short-Straw Bride, we met the four Archer brothers.  Stealing the Preacher continues their story by following Crockett as he begins his preaching career.

From the Back Cover

A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw's daughter who wants to change his mind.

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can't believe it when he's forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He's determined to escape--which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.

I loved Stealing the Preacher as much as I loved Short-Straw Bride!  It was full of action, great characters, humor, and a sweet romance, all of which made it hard to put down.  I highly recommend Stealing the Preacher and I am hoping that Karen Witemeyer will do another book about the remaining unmarried Archer brother soon!

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Blessings,

The Confession by Beverly Lewis DVD {Review}

BEVERLY LEWIS’ THE CONFESSION

The Heartwarming, Romantic and Inspirational Drama

From Director Michael Landon Jr.

Starring Katie Leclerc and Sherry Stringfield

Available on DVD June 11^th 

Synopsis:

Raised by an Amish family, Katie Lapp (Katie Leclerc, TV's "Switched at Birth") always felt the call of another life. Now, her quest to find her birth-mother, Laura Mayfield-Bennett (Sherry Stringfield, TV's "ER"), has drawn her into world of the "Englishers." Along the way, two very different men try to help her overcome a devious scheme to steal her rightful inheritance. Business-minded but kind-hearted Justin Wirth (Michael Rupnow) reaches out to discover Katie's hidden secrets, while her childhood companion Daniel Fisher (Cameron Deane Stewart) sacrifices his own happiness for her future. Katie's heart is divided between two worlds as love reveals the truth in the moving saga based on the hit novel from New York Times bestselling author Beverly Lewis.

Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite authors, so when I was given the opportunity to review the DVD version of one of her stories, I couldn't say no!  I have read her series that The Confession is part of, so I already knew the story, but still loved being able to watch it instead of just read it.  The Confession is another great, clean family movie.  I really appreciate having movies like this in my home, so I don't need to worry that my kiddos will see or hear something inappropriate.  I thought the actors did a great job with each role and it was a well made movie.  Although this movie can be enjoyed by itself, you might like it even better if you watch the first one in the series, The Shunning, before this one.  My only complaint is that the ending does leave you really wanting more, so I can't wait for more of the series to be made into DVDs!

BEVERLY LEWIS’ THE CONFESSION has a running time of approximately 88 minutes and is not rated.  It will be available on DVD June 11th.

I received this DVD for free for review from Edify Media, Inc. 

 Blessings,

Gone South {Review}

I recently read Gone South by Meg Moseley.  I enjoyed it and found the story interesting and different. 

From the back cover:

Leaving frosty Michigan for the Deep South was never a blip in the simple plans Tish McComb imagined for her life, dreams of marriage and family that were dashed five years earlier in a tragic accident. Now an opportunity to buy her great-great-great-grandparents’ Civil War era home beckons Tish to Noble, Alabama, a Southern town in every sense of the word. She wonders if God has given her a new dream— the old house filled with friends, her vintage percolator bubbling on the sideboard.

When Tish discovers that McCombs aren’t welcome in town, she feels like a Yankee behind enemy lines. Only local antiques dealer George Zorbas seems willing to give her a chance. What’s a lonely outcast to do but take in Noble’s resident prodigal, Melanie Hamilton, and hope that the two can find some much needed acceptance in each other.

Problem is, old habits die hard, and Mel is quite set in her destructive ways. With Melanie blocked from going home, Tish must try to manage her incorrigible houseguest as she attempts to prove her own worth in a town that seems to have forgotten that every sinner needs God-given mercy, love and forgiveness.

I thought it was a great story about forgiveness and giving second chances.  Meg Moseley does a very nice job writing about the characters and drawing you into their lives.  While I enjoyed reading it, I did find some of it a little unbelievable.  I'm not sure a whole town would hold a grudge against a family for a hundred years. Or that Tish would be turned down for jobs simply because of who she chose for a roommate. I also expected a little more at the end from Mel.  She never really seemed to change but in the end her brother suddenly had a change of heart about her and accepted her into his home. It just felt a little rushed and unresolved.  Overall, I enjoyed it, but it was not a stay-up-late-to-keep-reading kind of book.  Gone South will be available on 5/31/13.

I received this book for free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah.

Blessings,

Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in my Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up {Review and Giveaway!}

To be honest, I wasn't sure what to think about this book, Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in my Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up, when I first received it.  It seemed a little...I don't know...cheesy?  But after reading it, it turns out to be a cute kids story.  The kids enjoyed reading it with me too.  They thought it was funny and loved the bright, colorful illustrations.  It has some great lessons about trusting and obeying God, even when we don't want to.  In the back there is a "Parent Connection" page that adds scriptures and questions to really help your kids understand and apply this to their lives.

From the publisher:

Oh sure, we'll all heard the story of Jonah and the Whale a hundred times. But have we heard it from the perspective of the whale who experienced that history-making event?

Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! imagines how that great sea creature from the incident might tell his side of the story, helping kids ages 4 to 8 discover a creative way of learning about that guy who was supposed to go to Ninevah.

The "Parent Connection" feature will help moms and dads take the story further with scripture references and tips on how to talk with their children about what really happened. There's even a free online app to make this bright retelling even more animated and interactive.

 

Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in my Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up by Troy Schmidt will be available May 1, 2013 from B & H Publishing Group.  For more info, check out their Facebook page also.

Now for the giveaway!  Flyby Promotions has generously offered a copy to one of my readers!  To be entered, just leave me a comment below telling my your favorite Bible story.  Please also leave a way for me to contact you if you win!  This giveaway will end on May 13, 2013 at noon and I will pick a winner using random.org.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Blessings,

Unrivaled {Review}

Unrivaled is the first of Siri Mitchell's books that I've read.  When I received it, I was really excited to read it, because the cover is beautiful!  And I did stay up a little too late a night or two because I couldn't stop reading!

From the back cover:

Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe's best confections, she's sure she'll come up with a recipe that will save her father's struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager--a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy's skin.

Charlie Clarke's new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he's never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She's making his work life miserable...and making herself impossible for him to forget.

I thought this was a really cute romance.  Although the romance aspect of the story was predicable, I thought Siri Mitchell created a very unique story to set it in. It was very interesting to learn about the candy industry in the early 1900s. One thing I had a hard time getting used to was that the story is written in first person, one chapter as Lucy and the next as Charlie, switching back and forth throughout.  But it wasn't hard enough to ruin the story for me.  One thing that could have made the story even better would have been some candy recipes!  If you are looking for a sweet and unique romance, I highly recommend Unrivaled!

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Blessings,

Shattered {Review}

When I was offered the chance to review Shattered by Dani Pettrey, I thought it sounded like a good book.  I noticed that it was the second book in a series, but I was hoping that it would still be good by itself.  It wasn't quite as good as if I had read the previous book first.  There were a few people and relationships that I couldn't figure out how they fit in, but they were pretty minor and didn't detract from the main story too much.  While I did really enjoy the story, I thought a few parts were a bit unrealistic. Like Piper, the main character, digging herself and an unconscious Landon out of an avalanche and dragging him to safety.  And that a group of people (only one being a police officer) would really be able to investigate and question so many people about a murder.  The romance aspect of the story was pretty predictable, but there were enough twists to the story that I didn't figure out the murderer until the end. While Shattered was a good read, it wasn't great.  If you like suspense and romance, I would recommend starting at the beginning of the series and then reading Shattered.

From the back cover:

When her prodigal brother Reef's return to Yancey, Alaska, is shattered by his arrest for murder, Piper McKenna is determined to protect him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. And he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth puts Landon's career in jeopardy.

When Piper launches her own investigation, Landon realizes he must protect her from herself--and whatever complications await as the two follow clues deep into Canada's rugged back country. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step. 

 I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Blessings,

Congo Dawn {Review}

Congo Dawn, by Jeanette Windle is not my typical light reading that I usually stick to.  When I read that it was about Africa and missionaries, I decided to review it since we were right in the middle of studying Africa and some of it's missionaries in our school studies (although it is not something I would read with my kiddos!). I thought it was off to a slow start but it did get much better then farther I read.

Book Description:

While former Marine lieutenant Robin Duncan is no stranger to corruption or conspiracy, she has always been able to tell the good guys from the bad, and the Congo jungle at first seems no different. But as her security team tries to track down an insurgent killer, Robin has to face a man who broke her trust years ago, and she discovers the gray areas extend farther in this jungle wilderness than she anticipated.

A ruthless global conspiracy begins to surface, run by powerful men who can’t afford to leave any witnesses. Her life at stake, Robin doesn’t know who to trust and wonders how she can help protect innocent people. Why is God silent amid all the pain and injustice? And how do these people of faith continue to rejoice in their suffering?

Despite the slow start, I ended up really liking Congo Dawn.  It was suspenseful and informative with a bit of romance thrown in.  I learned quite a bit about life in the Congo and the suffering of those living there.  A large part of the book was about how the people could still rejoice in the love of Jesus and be a light in the darkness despite their suffering. Overall is was a great read and I highly recommend this book!

I received this book for free for review from Tyndale House Publishers.

Blessings,

Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to all of you who entered my giveaways for the Veggie Tales DVD and the Prayers for Everyday book.  Sorry I didn't get the winners picked yesterday, Buddy had his first Pinewood Derby and we spent the morning there and I forgot all about the giveaways!

I used random.org to pick the winners and the winner for the Veggies DVD is #3, Diddlepoyner!

Update 3/21/13: I have emailed Diddlepoyner twice and haven't heard back, so I am choosing a new winner and this time random.org picked #6, Jessica!  I will be emailing you soon!

And the winner of the Prayers for Everyday book is #6, Celine!

Congratulations to both of you! I will be emailing you soon!

Blessings,

Caps For Sale!

I love to crochet.  It is very relaxing to do in the evening after the kids are in bed.  I also love the challenge of a new pattern.  I usually give most of my hats away as gifts, but lately I've been making more than I have needed.  So I have decided to try and sell some of them.  As most homeschoolers know, curriculum can get pricey, so hopefully this is a way we can help offset some of our costs.  Below you will find most of the current hats I have on hand listed with their color, size, and price.  If you see something you like but want a different color or size or it is sold, let me know and I would love to whip it up for you! :)  I am willing to ship to those of you who are not local to me, please add $3 for shipping. I have only used free patterns or made my own up, so if possible, I will link to the pattern for those of you who might want to crochet your own. My email is tolsmamm at juno dot com.  Thanks in advance for any of you who choose to help us out and purchase a hat!

Black, white, and pink cow hat: 6-12 months, $18 *SOLD*

Button flap beanies: newborn purple, newborn white, 6 months light green, $12 each (find pattern HERE)

White cluster stitch beanie, white and purple scalloped beanie, both 3-6 months, $12 each (find scalloped beanie pattern HERE)

Light green and white scalloped beanie, 2-3 years, $12 *SOLD*

Brimmed beanie: all 3-6 months white, soft navy, light green, $12 each (find pattern HERE) *green is SOLD*

Pink and white Granny Stitch Sun Hat, 3-6 months, $12 (find pattern HERE)

Pink, brown, and white owl hat, 3-6 months, $18 (find pattern HERE) *SOLD*

Purple, brown, and white owl hat, 3-4 years, $18 *SOLD*

Purple and white cloche, 6 months, $12 (find pattern HERE)

Pink and white cloche, 5-6 years old, $12 *SOLD*

This cloche pattern is one of my favorite and here is my girls wearing theirs and I even made one for Sweetie's American Girl doll.

Textured brimmed beanie: both 3-6 months, brown with white flower, brown with pink flower, $12 each (find pattern HERE)

Textured brimmed beanie: 5-7 years old, brown with pink flower, $12

I attempted shoes one time, but not sure they were worth the work.  These are for sale, but I don't know if you can convince me to make them again! :)

Brown and white beanie and shoes, newborn, $25 (together)

Pink and purple cluster beanie, 12 months, $12 *SOLD*

Pink, brown, and white bow beanie, 12 months, $12 *SOLD*

Side Knot Beanie: pink, 3 months $12

Purl Stitch Beanie: grey and purple, 3 months $12

 Brown, orange, and white beanie: 18 months $12 *SOLD*

Orange pumpkin hat: 0-3 months ~ $18 *SOLD*

 Grey and pink earflap beanie: 3-6 months ~ $15

 Hello Kitty hat, pink and white: 2-3 years ~ $18 *SOLD*

 Sock Monkey Hat, red, grey and cream, (can add a flower or pompom if desired) 3-6 months ~ $18

 I've even branched out a bit from hats and made these cute sandles! Pink and white: 3-6 months ~ $12

 And this cute owl baby rattle ~ $18

I've also expanded to scarves for the coming cool weather!
Chunky Button Infinity Scarf, cream ($38 inches round, 7 inches high) ~ $22 *SOLD*

Pink girl's scarf (48 inches long) ~ $15 *SOLD*
Brown and white long skinny scarf (82 inches long) ~ $18 *SOLD*

Here are some pictures of other hats I've made for my kiddos for other ideas of what I could make for you!

Despite the sad face, he really does like his hat! :) (He was probably just mad about someone taking his toy!)

Buddy's Angry Birds Hat

Blessings,