Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Over 40 and Boost my Blog Hops and Book Review Friday
Welcome to any one stopping from the Blog Hops
Fridays on Always Look up is the day I highlight some of the books I reviewed on my book Blog A Room without Books is Empty
This past Week:
Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry
Tandem by Tracey Bateman
Crestmont by Holly Weiss
Sorry couldn't get pictures of the last two as blogger isn't working well for me this morning
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
TV Tuesday Christmas Prep Edition
Last Week I highlighted the Little Drummer Boy as my favorite Christmas Special. This week I am going to highlight a few more.
Muppet Family Christmas
This is part 1 of 5. The rest can be seen on Youtube.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer this is the song Silver and Gold
Frosty the Snowman
Of course Charlie Brown Christmas. I still hear Linus' voice whenever I read this portion of the Bible.
Muppet Family Christmas
This is part 1 of 5. The rest can be seen on Youtube.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer this is the song Silver and Gold
Frosty the Snowman
Of course Charlie Brown Christmas. I still hear Linus' voice whenever I read this portion of the Bible.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Veggietales Christmas Album FREE
Christmas Movie
White Christmas Starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Allen
What a great movie musical.
HomeFires offers a Holiday Curriculum to meet education requirements. Lots of great ideas here.
EasyFun School has a whole page for Christmas ideas from recipes to crafts. In the past we have used the unit studies A blessed Christmas where you study the symbols of Christmas,The Christmas Carol Activities, Good Christmas Men Rejoice studying various Christmas Carols, Names of Jesus unit study plus there are tons of other goodies here.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Blog Hops, Christmas Reading Challenges and book review Friday
Click on the above buttons to join in on these blog hops
I have decided to join in on two Christmas Reading challenges this year.
This one starts on November 15th and ends December 31
This one Starts November 26 and ends January 6
Look for My list of Christmas Books that I will try to read coming up.
For any one new stopping by, Fridays are Book Review day where I highlight some of the book that I have reviewed on my book blog A Room without Books is Empty
This week
Finding Becky by Martha Rogers first chapter peak here
Everything Christmas by David Bordon and Tom Winters First chapter Peak and review here
Joy to The world by Kathleen Basi First chapter Peak and Review here
Also this week I have been posting on Thanksgiving and Christmas with links and crafts and recipes on this blog so check them out.
The Perfect Blend by Trish Perry (firts Chapter Peak)
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button(in the sidebar). We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
Trish Perry
and the book:
The Perfect Blend
Harvest House Publishers (September 1, 2010)
***Special thanks to Karri James of Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Trish Perry is an award-winning writer and editor of Ink and the Spirit, a quarterly newsletter of the Capital Christian Writers organization in the Washington DC area. She has published numerous short stories, essays, devotionals, and poetry in Christian and general market media, and she is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group.
Visit the author's website
Product Details:
List Price: $9.99
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (September 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736930159
ISBN-13: 978-0736930154
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
Trish Perry
and the book:
The Perfect Blend
Harvest House Publishers (September 1, 2010)
***Special thanks to Karri James of Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Visit the author's website
Product Details:
List Price: $9.99
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (September 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736930159
ISBN-13: 978-0736930154
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Steph Vandergrift was jilted in a truly beautiful place.
She focused on her surroundings so she wouldn’t break down and openly sob in front of people passing her on their way to work. Eyes blinking and chin quivering, she desperately sought distraction in the old stone buildings, lush spring greenery, and fragrant wisteria and lavender from the well-tended landscape nearby.
Rick told her she would love Middleburg, one of the most charming little towns in northern Virginia. When he proposed—
She breathed deeply against the urge to wail as if she were at an ancient European funeral.
When Rick proposed, he said she would even love his law firm’s stately, historic building. This was where she sat now, her dark bangs in her eyes. Despite the warm spring air, she huddled outside on the front steps, certain her brain—or surely her heart—would burst if she didn’t stop and collect herself.
A sudden leave of absence. That’s what the receptionist told her. Rick had taken a sudden leave of absence. And Steph knew she was whom he had suddenly left.
She swallowed hard. She stood and dusted off her short flared skirt in an attempt to look nonchalant while she sized up her situation. Where was she going to go? Where? She wiped away a tear, but another one swiftly took its place. She needed to not do this here, in the middle of this quaint old town.
God, what do I do now? Please tell me.
Distraction. She needed another distraction right now.
Across the street a middle-aged woman stepped out the front door of a small building, the white-painted stone of which was gorgeously weathered. She bent to lift a watering can, and her loose blond curls fell forward. She tended to the flower boxes that hung, moss-laden, from green-shuttered front windows. Then she seemed to sense someone watching her. She turned around and smiled at Steph before calling out to her.
“Good morning, dear. Are you all right over there?”
Steph took a few steps away from Rick’s building and tried to look purposeful. She managed to say, “Yes, I—” before her throat seized and then released a torrent of weeping and incoherent babbling.
So much for her stoic resolve.
Within seconds the woman was across the street and at Steph’s side. She smelled like vanilla and strawberries.
“You poor girl. Whatever is the matter?”
Steph tried to speak between heaving sobs. “…were s’posed to elope…left everything…job, family, friends…he’s not here…leave of absence…what…gonna do?” And then full-on wailing obliterated any further at-tempts at communication.
The woman enveloped Steph with her free arm, the other still holding the watering can, and steered her toward the little stone house across the street.
“You just come with me this instant. You mustn’t stand out here all alone like this.”
Yes. That was it. She was all alone. Rick had lured her away from everyone she loved. Everything she knew. She had left them all to marry him. It seemed like such a romantic notion, to elope after her parents had expressed their disapproval of Rick. And then what did the dirtbag do but desert her here?
The enticing smell of fresh-baked bread wafted all around them when they entered the little shop. Despite her anguish Steph sensed a rumble in her stomach. She thought she must be more beast than damsel to actually harbor hope for a pastry or two in the middle of this catastrophe.
“You have a seat right there.” The woman coaxed her into a wicker chair at one of the lace-covered tables in the dining area. “What you need is a nice, soothing cup of chamomile. Just give me a moment.” Before she went too far away, she stepped back to the table and placed a box of tissues within Steph’s reach.
Once Steph was alone again, reality descended. What was she going to do? Granted, she hadn’t walked out on a stellar career. She could get another job selling men’s suits in just about any department store, she supposed. But she didn’t know anyone here in Middleburg. Should she hang her head and drag herself back home to Baltimore? Why had she made such a scene before leaving? She hadn’t quietly sneaked away. No, she had to pull an all-out, in-your-face confrontation with her parents. A dramatic disconnect with her friends and roommates. And all of them had simply been trying to save her from exactly what just happened.
As she had always feared, her judgment was completely whacked. She had forgotten plans for any long-term career once she and Rick became serious. She thought she would spend the rest of her life married to an up-and-coming real estate attorney and raise their two perfect children and faithful dog in this adorable, classy town. Why had she believed that would happen simply because Rick said it would?
“Here we go, dear.”
It finally dawned on Steph that the woman had a faint accent. British? That would fit with this cute little shop, with its delicately flowered wall-paper and elegant china cabinets. The small, framed paintings hanging here and there looked like scenes of the British countryside.
The woman set a serving tray on the table and placed each item in front of Steph. A white porcelain china pot, painted with miniature violets, from which she poured tea into a delicate rose-covered cup and saucer. A plate with a couple of triangular biscuits on it. They smelled like butter and sweetness. And two dainty bowls: one holding strawberry preserves, and the other holding what looked like sour cream.
Steph realized she was able to stop crying as long as she stopped focusing on herself for a moment. She looked up and pressed a tissue against her nose. “Thank you so much. You didn’t have to—”
“No need for that. Go on, now.” The woman gestured at the food and tea and sat down across from Steph. Her gentle blue eyes reminded Steph of her mother during better times. “You’ll feel better if you have a bit to eat and some nice, relaxing tea.”
As soon as Steph lifted one of the biscuits, the woman said, “I’m Millicent Ashford Jewell. Everyone calls me Milly.”
“Steph.” She spoke around an absolutely delicious bite. She rubbed crumbs from her fingers and shook Milly’s hand. “Steph Vandergrift. Thank you for being so kind.”
Milly smiled and put a spoon of the cream on Steph’s plate for her. “Clotted cream. One of God’s great gifts, in my opinion. Marvelous on the scones.”
Clotted cream. Now that sounded downright nasty. But Steph was a self-admitted people pleaser, and she had never been one to ignore God’s great gifts. So she put a little of the cream on her next bite of scone. And then nearly moaned, it was so fantastic.
“But that’s just really thick whipped cream!”
Milly said, “I think you like it, right?”
“I love it.”
Milly stood. “I have a few matters to tend to in the kitchen. Feel free to walk back and get me if you need me. We don’t stand on ceremony around here.”
The shop door opened as Steph swallowed a sip of tea. She followed Milly’s delighted gaze toward the door and took another nibble of scone. Mmm. “Absolutely yummy.”
A crooked smile spread across the face of the young man who walked through the door. He looked directly at Steph and acted as if her comment were all about him. With a lift of his eyebrows and a tilt of the head, he said, “Well, thank you very much.”
Milly laughed and approached him. They hugged each other.
“Welcome back, stranger,” Milly said. “How was vacation?”
Steph didn’t pay much attention to their conversation after that. The man seemed to be in a hurry, which was fine by her. Otherwise she feared Milly might want to introduce them. She’d rather a man that attractive not look at her too closely right now.
Steph watched his warm brown eyes, which never seemed to lose their smile. She noticed he never once messed with his short, tousled blond hair or fussed with anything else about his looks. Yet, when he walked with Milly toward the kitchen, Steph saw how perfectly, yet casually, he was dressed and groomed.
Her heart was broken, thanks to Rick’s wimpy, childish retreat from her life. But Milly’s chamomile tea and warm scones made her feel a little better. And despite her circumstances and the many question marks in her immediate future, she was still able to appreciate a good-looking man. She leaned sideways to watch him at the kitchen door until he disappeared from view. He and Milly were out of earshot, so Steph surprised only herself when she whispered it again.
“Absolutely yummy.”
She focused on her surroundings so she wouldn’t break down and openly sob in front of people passing her on their way to work. Eyes blinking and chin quivering, she desperately sought distraction in the old stone buildings, lush spring greenery, and fragrant wisteria and lavender from the well-tended landscape nearby.
Rick told her she would love Middleburg, one of the most charming little towns in northern Virginia. When he proposed—
She breathed deeply against the urge to wail as if she were at an ancient European funeral.
When Rick proposed, he said she would even love his law firm’s stately, historic building. This was where she sat now, her dark bangs in her eyes. Despite the warm spring air, she huddled outside on the front steps, certain her brain—or surely her heart—would burst if she didn’t stop and collect herself.
A sudden leave of absence. That’s what the receptionist told her. Rick had taken a sudden leave of absence. And Steph knew she was whom he had suddenly left.
She swallowed hard. She stood and dusted off her short flared skirt in an attempt to look nonchalant while she sized up her situation. Where was she going to go? Where? She wiped away a tear, but another one swiftly took its place. She needed to not do this here, in the middle of this quaint old town.
God, what do I do now? Please tell me.
Distraction. She needed another distraction right now.
Across the street a middle-aged woman stepped out the front door of a small building, the white-painted stone of which was gorgeously weathered. She bent to lift a watering can, and her loose blond curls fell forward. She tended to the flower boxes that hung, moss-laden, from green-shuttered front windows. Then she seemed to sense someone watching her. She turned around and smiled at Steph before calling out to her.
“Good morning, dear. Are you all right over there?”
Steph took a few steps away from Rick’s building and tried to look purposeful. She managed to say, “Yes, I—” before her throat seized and then released a torrent of weeping and incoherent babbling.
So much for her stoic resolve.
Within seconds the woman was across the street and at Steph’s side. She smelled like vanilla and strawberries.
“You poor girl. Whatever is the matter?”
Steph tried to speak between heaving sobs. “…were s’posed to elope…left everything…job, family, friends…he’s not here…leave of absence…what…gonna do?” And then full-on wailing obliterated any further at-tempts at communication.
The woman enveloped Steph with her free arm, the other still holding the watering can, and steered her toward the little stone house across the street.
“You just come with me this instant. You mustn’t stand out here all alone like this.”
Yes. That was it. She was all alone. Rick had lured her away from everyone she loved. Everything she knew. She had left them all to marry him. It seemed like such a romantic notion, to elope after her parents had expressed their disapproval of Rick. And then what did the dirtbag do but desert her here?
The enticing smell of fresh-baked bread wafted all around them when they entered the little shop. Despite her anguish Steph sensed a rumble in her stomach. She thought she must be more beast than damsel to actually harbor hope for a pastry or two in the middle of this catastrophe.
“You have a seat right there.” The woman coaxed her into a wicker chair at one of the lace-covered tables in the dining area. “What you need is a nice, soothing cup of chamomile. Just give me a moment.” Before she went too far away, she stepped back to the table and placed a box of tissues within Steph’s reach.
Once Steph was alone again, reality descended. What was she going to do? Granted, she hadn’t walked out on a stellar career. She could get another job selling men’s suits in just about any department store, she supposed. But she didn’t know anyone here in Middleburg. Should she hang her head and drag herself back home to Baltimore? Why had she made such a scene before leaving? She hadn’t quietly sneaked away. No, she had to pull an all-out, in-your-face confrontation with her parents. A dramatic disconnect with her friends and roommates. And all of them had simply been trying to save her from exactly what just happened.
As she had always feared, her judgment was completely whacked. She had forgotten plans for any long-term career once she and Rick became serious. She thought she would spend the rest of her life married to an up-and-coming real estate attorney and raise their two perfect children and faithful dog in this adorable, classy town. Why had she believed that would happen simply because Rick said it would?
“Here we go, dear.”
It finally dawned on Steph that the woman had a faint accent. British? That would fit with this cute little shop, with its delicately flowered wall-paper and elegant china cabinets. The small, framed paintings hanging here and there looked like scenes of the British countryside.
The woman set a serving tray on the table and placed each item in front of Steph. A white porcelain china pot, painted with miniature violets, from which she poured tea into a delicate rose-covered cup and saucer. A plate with a couple of triangular biscuits on it. They smelled like butter and sweetness. And two dainty bowls: one holding strawberry preserves, and the other holding what looked like sour cream.
Steph realized she was able to stop crying as long as she stopped focusing on herself for a moment. She looked up and pressed a tissue against her nose. “Thank you so much. You didn’t have to—”
“No need for that. Go on, now.” The woman gestured at the food and tea and sat down across from Steph. Her gentle blue eyes reminded Steph of her mother during better times. “You’ll feel better if you have a bit to eat and some nice, relaxing tea.”
As soon as Steph lifted one of the biscuits, the woman said, “I’m Millicent Ashford Jewell. Everyone calls me Milly.”
“Steph.” She spoke around an absolutely delicious bite. She rubbed crumbs from her fingers and shook Milly’s hand. “Steph Vandergrift. Thank you for being so kind.”
Milly smiled and put a spoon of the cream on Steph’s plate for her. “Clotted cream. One of God’s great gifts, in my opinion. Marvelous on the scones.”
Clotted cream. Now that sounded downright nasty. But Steph was a self-admitted people pleaser, and she had never been one to ignore God’s great gifts. So she put a little of the cream on her next bite of scone. And then nearly moaned, it was so fantastic.
“But that’s just really thick whipped cream!”
Milly said, “I think you like it, right?”
“I love it.”
Milly stood. “I have a few matters to tend to in the kitchen. Feel free to walk back and get me if you need me. We don’t stand on ceremony around here.”
The shop door opened as Steph swallowed a sip of tea. She followed Milly’s delighted gaze toward the door and took another nibble of scone. Mmm. “Absolutely yummy.”
A crooked smile spread across the face of the young man who walked through the door. He looked directly at Steph and acted as if her comment were all about him. With a lift of his eyebrows and a tilt of the head, he said, “Well, thank you very much.”
Milly laughed and approached him. They hugged each other.
“Welcome back, stranger,” Milly said. “How was vacation?”
Steph didn’t pay much attention to their conversation after that. The man seemed to be in a hurry, which was fine by her. Otherwise she feared Milly might want to introduce them. She’d rather a man that attractive not look at her too closely right now.
Steph watched his warm brown eyes, which never seemed to lose their smile. She noticed he never once messed with his short, tousled blond hair or fussed with anything else about his looks. Yet, when he walked with Milly toward the kitchen, Steph saw how perfectly, yet casually, he was dressed and groomed.
Her heart was broken, thanks to Rick’s wimpy, childish retreat from her life. But Milly’s chamomile tea and warm scones made her feel a little better. And despite her circumstances and the many question marks in her immediate future, she was still able to appreciate a good-looking man. She leaned sideways to watch him at the kitchen door until he disappeared from view. He and Milly were out of earshot, so Steph surprised only herself when she whispered it again.
“Absolutely yummy.”
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Thanksgiving and Christmas Prep day 4
Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. ~Edward Sandford Martin
Favecrafts.com is offer a free e-book that has Thanksgiving decor items that you can make . You can find it
here.
Craft
Recipe
This Brownie pie looks absolutely delicious. Of course it has pecans. I will dfeinelty be trying this.
You can find the recipe here
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Thanksgiving and Christmas Prep
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Not Really Thanksgiving Related but In a way it is
The Christian Homeschool Hub has a free unit study for Veterans Day. There are also alot of neat things free to download for your homeschool.
I have had my children read A Christmas Carol in the past during December. This site has a quiz that you can give your kids about this story.
Disney's A Christmas Carol is really close to the book.
It is coming out on November 16 on DVD.
I have a few links for other things about The Christmas Carol in my posts here and here.
Christmas Craft:
I love all things snowman and Kaboose has a cute snowman made out of jinglebells
Recipe:
This recipe is from All Recipes and can be found here
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Thanksgiving and Christmas Prep
Thanksgiving quote:
Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude. ~E.P. Powell
Here you will find some Thanksgiving Crafts to do with your Kids
Jingle Bell Fudge
12 oz Butterscotch chips
1/2 c Chunky peanut butter
2/3 c Sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c Walnuts (chopped)
Combine butterscotch chips and peanut butter in top of double boiler on medium heat.
Cook until butterscotch melts; remove from water. Stir until blended; add milk and
stir just until blended.
Spread in foil-lined 8-inch square pan.
Press chopped walnuts into surface, if desired, and chill until firm. Cut into 1-inch
squares.
Craft, Gift idea:
CHOCOLATE LIP GLOSS
1 tsp grated cocoa butter
1 tsp coconut oil
1/8 tsp vitamin E oil
1 tsp grated chocolate or 3 small chocolate chips
(Can use milk chocolate ones)
In a double boiler or the microwave oven, heat the cocoa
butter,
coconut oil, and vitamin E oil gently until melted. Stir in
the
chocolate and keep stirring until melted and well blended.
Pour into
a small lip- gloss container and allow to- cool completely
before
using.
(I got this from a group I use to belong to. Posted by Kathi Rose)
Christmas Tv Special Highlight
On of my Favorite Tv Christmas Specials of all Time!! The Little Drummer Boy
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thanksgiving and Christmas Prep
The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. ~H.U. Westermayer
Here are some great ideas for Thanksgiving centerpieces
Christmas
We always take a more lax approach to school During December so we can focus on Christmasy things and of course the true meaning of the whole season.
Hear are some scavenger hunts that deal with Christmas around the world.
Movie of the Day
It's A Wonderful Life Starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed
Our Family watch this every year after we decorate the tree.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
My Disney Fix Saturday
I just signed up to follow this great blog Walt Life which is about all things Disney . It gave me the idea that since I haven't had time recently to do the great posts that I would feature a Disney clip or cartoon on Saturdays. Enjoy.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Over 40 Blog Hop, Boost My Blog Hop and Book Review Friday
the Over 40 Blog Hop is hosted by Java at Never Grow Old click on the button to join in.
Boost my Blog Hop is Hosted by Design It Chick click on the button to Join in.
Welcome anyone who is dropping by.
Friday's is my Book Review Friday when I highlight some of the books that I have reviewed on my book blog A Room without Books is Empty
This Past Week :
Review of the audio version of
Don't Blink by James Patterson and Howard Roughan
Review of
The Mackenzie Blue series by Tina Wells
First chapter Peak of
Highland Blessings by Jennifer Hudson Taylor
First Chapter Peak of
The God Hater by Bill Myers
Thanks for stopping by!!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)