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,

Tasy Tuesday ~ Blueberry Honey Scones

I am normally not a huge fan of scones, I think they are just a little too dry.  But these blueberry honey ones are amazing!  The kids loved them and were begging for more the first time I made them.  Since then, I have doubled the recipe so we can have more!  They are also really quick to make in the morning since they taste best fresh, but can be made the night before. 

Ingredients:
 2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, chilled, cut-up
3/4 cup fresh or frozen  blueberries
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 egg

GLAZE
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
Heat oven to 375ºF. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until butter is the size of blueberries. Stir in blueberries and lemon peel.  Stir 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup yogurt and egg in small bowl until smooth. Using fork, stir into flour mixture until moistened. On lightly floured surface, pat dough to 1-inch thickness. I usually shape into a circle or square  (2 if doubled) and cut into triangles or squares.  You could also use a biscuit cutter to make circle shaped scones.  Place on baking sheet.  Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes.
Stir 2 tablespoons yogurt and 1 teaspoon honey in small bowl. Slowly stir in powdered sugar. Spoon over warm scones and let stand 5 minutes. Serve warm.  Enjoy!
 
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: Cinnamon Popcorn

We love popcorn around here.  It is a favorite snack for movie night, but really it is good anytime.  A while back I found a recipe for cinnamon popcorn and the kids have been begging for it ever since! I do a lot of reading aloud to the kids and one of the frustrating parts about that is getting the kids to mostly stay quiet and still enough so everyone can hear.  Well, putting a bowl of popcorn in front of them usually does the trick! :) If you have a stove top popper, those work the best for this recipe, but you could probably use just a regular pan on the stove also. I don't think you would be able to make this with an air popper. If you like kettle corn, you will love this because I think they taste very similar!

Ingredients:
1/4 cup coconut oil (butter would probably work too, but I haven't tried it)
1/2 popcorn
1/8 cup sugar
1/2-1 tsp cinnamon
salt

Directions:
Put oil and 2 kernels of popcorn in your pan on medium heat. (If using a regular pan, keep a lid on while popping or you will have popcorn everywhere!) Once the 2 kernels pop, add remaining ingredients except salt.  Stir until all kernels have popped and then sprinkle on desired amount of salt.  Enjoy!

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

Little Angels Prayers for Every Day {Review & Giveaway!}

As we train up our children to know their Savior, one of the things we want them to be able to do is talk daily with Him.  Unfortunately, praying has not come easy for some of our kids.  I think it is hard for them to understand that they are talking to God since they can't see him or they are unsure what to say, especially when praying out loud with others around them.  We have a few prayers that we have taught them to recite in order to help them as they start out.  I was very thankful to receive Roma Downey's Little Angels Prayers for Every Day as it is a whole book of short prayers to recite with my kiddos.
Here is a description of it:

Little Angels Prayers for Every Day features more than 50 simple rhyming prayers that cover a typical day and the typical worries of a young child. From waking in the morning to going to sleep at night, from thanking God for a meal to praying for His comfort when afraid, the prayers here will help little ones to see that any moment is a good moment to talk to God. Relevant Bible verses are scattered throughout the book as well! 

There are prayers for many different situations and it is helpful to read through some of them with my kids to give them more words to pray.  Even if they don't have the exact one from the book memorized, they can still remember most of it and it is helpful for them in starting out their prayer, making it easier to add things in their own words. My kids and I have enjoyed reading and using this book together.

FlyBy Promotions has graciously offered one of my readers a chance to win a copy of Little Angels Prayers for Every Day!  Please leave a comment telling me something about praying with your kids, maybe if it has been easy or hard, their favorite one to recite, your favorite time of day to pray together, etc.  Please also leave a way for me to contact you if you win! This giveaway will end Saturday, March 16 at noon when I 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. Thanks FlyBy Promotions!

Blessings,

The Little House That Stood {Review and Giveaway!}

Since there is rarely anything good on TV, our kids usually end up watching a DVD when they are allowed some TV time.  Some of our favorites are the Veggie Tales ones.  And we have quite a few of them!  The kids love the Silly Songs with Larry and I even enjoy watching them for their humor.  We love that they use stories that parallel Bible stories and teach our kids some great lessons about God.  I was excited to hear that a new one is being released on Tuesday and was even more excited when I received a copy of it to review! Here is a trailer and description of The Little House That Stood.

When the Three Little Pigs roll into Cabbageville looking to build some new houses, they meet one builder with a plan and two without a clue! Larry builds with hay, Mr. Lunt with bricks, but only Bob builds his houses on a firm foundation - following the wise plans from the Master Builder's Handbook! Will the Little Piggies make the right choices when it comes to building their houses - and their lives - on solid ground? Find out in this parable that shows kids when they follow God's blueprints, then can stand strong when the storms come! 

We loved The Little House That Stood as much as we love the rest of Veggie Tales!  I highly recommend this DVD for your kiddos!  And if you would like a chance to win a copy, Flyby Promotions has graciously offered one to one of my readers!  All you need to do is leave a comment below letting me know your favorite Veggie Tales DVD or if you have never seen any, take a look around the Veggie Tales site and let me know another one that looks the most interesting to you. This giveaway will end Saturday, March 16th at noon when I will pick a winner using random.org.  Please leave a way for me to contact you if you are the winner!

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. Thanks Flyby Promotions!

Blessings,