Do you ever feel like you've reached the end of your frugal repertoire and try as you might, you just can't come up with any good tips? Or maybe the tips are there, but they're buried beneath the fog of cold-addled brain?
You know what you should do if that situation ever arises? You should turn the frugal advice giving over to your 4 year old son. Because that's not being lazy, it's just making frugal use of your time and brain power.
So for your viewing pleasure, I present Alex, the boy with 10,000 toys who still knows a thing or two about frugality. (Please excuse his sniffling. We are sharing this cold right now.)
Ah, the financial wisdom of my 4 year old. Definitely a Finer Thing!
Stop by Amy's blog for more Finer Things Friday and then stop by Life As Mom for more Frugal Friday advice, although I bet you'll be hard pressed to find any advice better than Alex's.
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This picture speaks volumes to me. I remember every detail of when this picture was taken and how I was feeling at the time. Overwhelmed, afraid and in love. That about sums it up.
In the picture, Alex is 11 months old and Olivia is 2 weeks old.
At the time, I did a fairly good job of covering up my fears and insecurities and acting like I had my act together. On the outside, I was organized and staying on top of everything. But inside, I was scared. I didn't know how to mother 2 children less than a year apart. Isabelle and Alex were almost 5 years apart. That was a piece of cake. But this new situation? I was clueless.
Throughout my pregnancy, every where I turned someone was telling me how hard it was going to be having two babies. They said I'd have my hands full. They said I would be overwhelmed and changing diapers non-stop. They said it would be hard to give each of them the attention they deserved.
After a while, I started believing all of them and doubting myself.
Every once in a while, someone would say we were blessed. I believed that too and I wanted to cling to those words. That was so hard to do when all these other voices were drowning out my mommy instincts.
This fear gripped me for a few months, compounded by a choking incident or two Alex had before his first birthday.
But eventually, I won. The fear subsided. The voices went away. I realized I really did know what I was doing (at least most of the time) and I really did have my mommy act together (as much as can be expected). The laughter and babbling of my babies covered everything else.
Stop by Cheaper Than Therapy for more Thousand Words Thursday. And because I am hooked on the wisdom of hindsight, I'm also linking this post to Hooked On... at Hooked On Houses.
In our house, we have a long-standing date with our library every Thursday afternoon. This works for two reasons. First of all, we just love it! Eric and I are thrilled that each of our kids have inherited our love of books. A trip to the library is almost as exciting as a trip to Disney World for them. And secondly, Eric's Thursdays are difficult days that involve running on about 4 hours of sleep. So our library trip coincides nicely with some quiet nap time for him.
Isabelle usually gets as many books as she can carry and the younger three are each allowed 3 books a piece. This is a new regulation. I've started that rule so that we (umm...I) can keep track of all the books without losing track of them and paying late fees.
Here are the top books from this past week's stash:
Yoyo's Animal Friends This was one of Gracie's picks. I liked it because of the simple illustrations and bright colors. Gracie loved it for the same reason and had fun pointing out all of the animals.
Hair For Mama One of Alex's picks. This was a beautiful story! It was so touching and led to some great conversations that I never realized I'd be having with an almost 5 and 4 year old. Isabelle also read this with Alex one night and she really enjoyed it and learned a great lesson.
That Special Little Baby Olivia's favorite choice. What a fun book with beautiful pictures. We had such a blast reading this book together and chanting "and grew...and grew...and grew" together.
A Wrinkle In Time I remember loving this book when I was a child and Isabelle loved it too. She loves stories like this and she really got into this one. I think she read it all in one night.
The World Almanac for Kids 2008 Isabelle is a trivia and random fact buff. This is probably the 10th time she's checked this out from the library. (She also got the 2006 edition too.) She can spend hours poring over these books. I love all the little bits of knowledge she picks up too.
Betty Crocker Cookbook I've devoured this book! I haven't tried any of the recipes, but they all sound great. However, the thing I most enjoyed about this book was all of the useful tips and hints scattered throughout the pages. Good stuff for sure!
Stop by my friend Toni's blog to see what her family, and lots of other families, have been reading this week.
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My Thoughts: This was a fun read! I really enjoyed the main character and her struggles, both inward and outward. I was rooting for her within the first few pages and definitely appreciated following her on her journey.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.
Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon
ABOUT THE BOOK
In A Vote of Confidence, the stage is set for some intriguing insight into what it was like during 1915 to be a woman in a “mans’ world.”
Guinevere Arlington is a beautiful young woman determined to remain in charge of her own life, For seven years, Gwen has carved out a full life in the bustling town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, where she teaches piano and writes for the local newspaper. Her passion for the town, its people, and the surrounding land prompt Gwen to run for mayor. After all, who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?
But stepping outside the boundaries of convention can get messy. A shady lawyer backs Gwen, believing he can control her once she’s in office. A wealthy newcomer throws his hat into the ring in an effort to overcome opposition to the health resort he’s building north of town. When the opponents fall in love, everything changes, forcing Gwen to face what she may have to lose in order to win.
Olivia's hair is beyond wild. I've posted about it previously and provided plenty of pictures as evidence. In fact, just over a year ago I wrote a backwards Works For Me Wednesday looking for suggestions on what to do with her hair. And it has gotten more wild and out of control as time has gone on. Apparently she is used to it and could care less what it looks like. And I assume she is used to looking at the world through a filter of hair. I am constantly telling her to get her hair out of her face or making that sweeping-my-hand-across-my-forehead motion.
Ponytails and barrettes work for the most part, but they bother her and she is always taking them out or they get loose and fall out on their own.
So you can imagine my excitement when Family Review Network presented me with the opportunity to review LemonHead hair products. Trust me, excited probably doesn't begin to describe it. I would gladly try anything that could possibly tame Olivia's hair. When I received the LemonHead products, I was instantly impressed with their quality. I received one bandeez headband and one clipeez hair clip. They are both meant to stay in hair, which I so appreciate. The clipeez stays in place thanks to magnets and the bandeez has a row of fine velcro that keeps it on the hair but doesn't pull when coming off.
I think one of the coolest things about both of these products is that they can be worn by any of us girls in the house. The bandeez is adjustable so it fits everyone from Gracie to me. And for Olivia, the bandeez works. It may not tame the wildness, but it keeps her hair out of her face, which is more than I can say for other things we've attempted. Plus, it stays in place and she doesn't take it off within 5 minutes of me putting it on. That definitely works for me.
You can find out more about the LemonHead products here.
And don't forget to stop by We Are THAT Family for more Works For Me Wednesday.
I have dreamt of having a huge garden for as long as I can remember. Our current home doesn't provide much opportunity for that though. I think the association would frown on us tearing up common areas to plant a garden. Although I've considered trying to get all of our neighbors on board with a community garden, I know that's unrealistic.
But I know I could do a container garden and still be able to yield lots of produce. I just don't know where to start with that or all the logistics involved. I think I might have to stop in at Home Depot on May 14 to take part in their free gardening workshop. I bet I could learn all kinds of useful information.
Anyone want to join me? Just click on the picture to sign up.
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Last week ended on an interesting note. On Friday, we had no running water for most of the day due to a well issue. Then on Saturday, we were hit with a horrible storm that knocked our power out in the middle of the day. It stayed out for over 7 hours.
Neither of those things were all that bad, it's just that they happened one right after the other. Needless to say, all of my household duties ended up way behind. It's funny how much we take for granted these days.No water on Friday meant that I could not do laundry or wash dishes. I usually start the dishwasher before I go to bed each night. Unfortunately, I forgot to do that on Thursday night. So not only could I not wash the dishes we dirtied during the day, I also could not wash any of the dirty ones from the day before.Saturday's power outage put me another day behind on doing laundry. It also meant I could not get on the computer to check email or do any of the other extremely important things I do online every day.
But we survived, and we actually had a fantastic time in the process. As a result, there is a whole list of things I am grateful for today.
I am grateful for all of the modern conveniences that, when working, keep my life humming along and lessen the amount of actual "work" I need to do.
I am grateful I make dinner during stolen moments throughout the morning. On Friday, I didn't need running water to prepare anything for dinner since it was already waiting in the fridge for us. All I had to do was reheat everything.
I am grateful for the time I got to spend curled up on the couch reading books with my children on Saturday.
I am grateful those kids were excited when the power went off and made the whole day feel like an adventure.
I am grateful we were able to go out for dinner on Saturday night. And I'm grateful that it proved to be such a neat experience. There was only one restaurant within a 10 mile radius that had power. So you can imagine how packed they were at 6:00 pm on a Saturday night. I am grateful we live in an area that is truly a community and that our children got to see the neighborly actions of others during what could have been an extremely stressful and frustrating time.
I am grateful our power was restored so quickly. Everything in our refrigerator and freezer was salvageable. Others in our immediate vicinity weren't so lucky. In fact, some people had to wait over 48 hours to have their power turned back on.
I am grateful the only physical result of the storm was a few shingles flipped up on our roof.
I am extremely grateful that God can use a small situation to have a major impact on me and remind me of all the things in my life that are truly important.
Muffins are an integral part of our breakfast routine. We typically have muffins for breakfast at least once a week, and there are usually at least another dozen or so muffins waiting in the freezer. You would think that would mean that I've figured out all the tricks to muffin making. But...you'd be wrong!
The biggest muffin trouble I run into is that my muffins usually turn out with peaked tops. They still taste good; they just don't look very nice. I have never understood why that happens. So I was excited when I found the answer in the Betty Crocker Cookbook I checked out from the library last week. (This cookbook is a fantastic resource. It's filled with tons of recipes and lots of kitchen tips.)
For anyone else that experiences muffin trouble occasionally, here is the list of "muffin cures" from the book. (In this format: what happened - why)
Pale muffins - Oven too cool
Peaked & smooth tops - Too much mixing
Tough & heavy - Too much flour and/or too much mixing
Uneven texture with long holes or tunnels - Too much mixing
Dry - Too much flour, oven too hot and/or baked too long
When you have four kids and only one main spot to sit in the house, chances are that spot will take a pretty good beating. If you are fortunate, that spot will be very easy to maintain and keep clean.
But if you're me, the likelihood is that that spot will be nearly impossible to clean. It will require at least two people and at least an hour or two of dedicated work.
Such is the case with our couch. It's a wonderfully comfortable sectional. The whole family can pile on it together and have plenty of room. And it's brown. You'd think brown would be a good color for covering up stains, but it really isn't. Either that or our kids are just exceptionally good at making messes.
In order to get the couch really clean, we have to take the covers off all the cushions and throw them in the washing machine. Easy enough, except for the back cushions that are just stuffed with filling. That is where it gets really tricky.So Eric and I worked together to get all of the covers off. He took the difficult job of pulling all the filling out of each cushion while I just unzipped and pulled out a whole piece.Can you see all those stains?
I had no idea that the insides of couches were so unappealing.
It took two loads, but we got all the covers washed. They turned out great too. Almost every stain came off, thanks to whatever magical formula Eric whipped up for the washing machine. Sometimes it's better not to ask.
Then we had the fun job of getting all of the insides stuffed back into the covers. When Eric was on his last cushion, we realized there was a whole lot of filling left over. So we both stuffed more into the "finished" cushions until it was all used. For some reason, Eric didn't really like my idea that we just throw the leftover filling in the garbage. He was probably right to feel that way.
This was definitely not a fun tackle, but it really was a needed one. And hopefully it's not one we'll need to repeat any time soon.
Stop by 5 Minutes for Mom to see what others are tackling this week.
This past Friday and Saturday were interesting days. On Friday we had no running water most of the day due to a well issue. Then on Saturday, we lost power in the middle of the day for about 6 hours. That definitely threw a kink into our ordinary days. Fortunately I was able to spend much of the on Sunday getting caught up.
So I'm excited to be starting this new week. I have a very easily doable menu planned, with a few special things thrown in here and there. I'm going to be working on a new schedule for myself and the kids this week too.
Breakfast
M - Apple-spiced oatmeal
T - Sunshine toast
W - Waffles
Th - Breakfast bread and scrambled eggs
F - Muffins (not sure what kind yet) and smoothies
How about some more random linkage for your weekend reading pleasure? This week I'm going with an inspiring theme. So all of the following links have inspired me in one way or another over the past week. I hope you enjoy them!
Filthy Rags at We Are THAT Family. I love Kristen's perspective and the way she can turn a cute story into a powerful message.
Insomniatic Thought at Pensieve. Robin's post is powerful and her insomnia-related thoughts are admirable. Just good stuff!
It's A Jam Session at My Blessed Life. I honestly have never canned in my life. But believe me, it's not for a lack of wanting to, more like a lack of supplies and space to store the supplies. But seeing Lora's post about making jam with freshly picked strawberries has me really wanting to make homemade jam. Maybe, just maybe, this will finally be the year I take the plunge.
A Grandmother's Legacy at Like Merchant Ships. I so admite Meredith's ability to write so simply and yet be so profound. Do not miss her italicized thoughts!
Now I am off to check out some bathing suits online to inspire me to STOP eating these chocolate chip cookies. Have a great weekend!
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My Thoughts: I love the subject matter of this book. It's like nothing I've ever read before, mainly because of how narrow my reading habits have been. My interest was piqued within the very first few pages, and the storyline kept my interest throughout the entire book. Aside from the main story, I was very drawn to watching the progression of the main character's faith, which was worked into the story seamlessly.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Don Hoesel was born and raised in Buffalo, NY but calls Spring Hill, TN home. He is a Web site designer for a Medicare carrier in Nashville, TN. He has a BA in Mass Communication from Taylor University and has published short fiction in Relief Journal.
He lives in Spring Hill with his wife and two children.
Elisha's Bones is his first novel.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Every year, professor of antiquities Jack Hawthorne looks forward to the winter break as a time to hide away from his responsibilities. Even if just for a week or two. But this year, his plans are derailed when he's offered almost a blank check from a man chasing a rumor.
Billionaire Gordon Reese thinks he knows where the bones of the prophet Elisha are--bones that in the Old Testament brought the dead back to life. The bones of the prophet once raised the dead to life... but they vanished from history in a whisper.
Bankrolled by a dying man of unlimited means, Hawthorne's hunt spans the globe and leads him into a deadly conspiracy older than the church itself. A born skeptic, Jack doesn't think much of the assignment but he could use the money, so he takes the first step on a chase for the legendary bones that will take him to the very ends of the earth.
But he's not alone. Joined with a fiery colleague, Esperanza Habilla, they soon discover clues to a shadowy organization whose long-held secrets have been protected . . . at all costs. And he soon discovers those sworn to keep the secret of the bones will do anything to protect them. As their lives are threatened again and again, the real race is to uncover the truth before those chasing them hunt them down.
We put our house on the market one year ago. At the time, we were completely optimistic that it would sell quickly. So we did all the preparation work we could. We took down all of our pictures and decorations. We painted all of the walls white. We cleaned our carpets and laid new carpet in the master bedroom. We were so proud of ourselves.
Now a year later with no signs of our house selling anytime soon, our pride in our accomplishments has definitely diminished. Eric and I are a little tired of living in such a sterile environment that doesn't feel very homey.
So we've decided that we want to some decorating.
We don't want to spend a lot or invest in anything big because we already have some things in storage and we want to wait until we are in a new house before we start with any involved decorating styles.
We also don't want anything that will take to much time to take down or cover over when we move.
On top of that, we also need things that will look nice enough to show our house to potential buyers.
That's a pretty hefty list, isn't it? It's enough to make my head spin when I stop and think about it. Or worse, it's enough to make me not want to bother. But I know I won't be happy if that's the option I choose.
So that's why I'm opening up to you all. I'd love some of your tips or ideas. And my husband and children will thank you!
Stop by Life As Mom for more Frugal Friday, where you can definitely find some more solid frugal advice than what I'm offering. Also stop by Hooked On... at Hooked On Houses where you can see some beautifully decorated houses.
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One of the coolest parts of parenting my four children has been watching them develop friendships with each other. Sometimes I almost feel privileged for this little glimpse into the private lives of my kids and their forming of relationships with each other. These bonds that they are building with one another are sure to last throughout their lives. Without even knowing it, they are creating themselves a support system and a safety net that will always be there. It truly is incredible to witness.As Gracie has gotten older, it's been great watching her merge into that fold. She and Olivia have become nearly inseparable. I love watching her look up at Olivia and say "hand, hand." And then Olivia grabs her hand and the two run off together to create some magical world together. I could repeat stories like this with all the kids and all their various pairings. I'll spare you pages and pages of cute stories about my kids though.
Watching my children play together and create amazing friendships is definitely one of the finer things in life!
Back in pre-blogging days, I used to spend a lot of time sitting down with paper and a pen to write. I'd write anything and everything - lists, letters, notes, ideas, book outlines, basically anything that popped into my head. I felt lost if I didn't have a pen and paper close by.
Nowadays, I feel lost if I'm not in close proximity to a computer, specifically one with internet access. I love all this computer stuff, I really do. (In case you couldn't tell.) But sometimes I miss just rambling on paper.
Part of that reason is that I've always enjoyed the process of longhand writing. I like the flow of ink onto paper. I like seeing words form as my mind and hand work together. And I know it's a little dorky, but I like my own handwriting. I should; I spent years perfecting it.
I spent many hours with my grandma while she taught me the Palmer method. We'd sit at her kitchen table and draw sloping circles for hours. I never did get the hang of that entirely, yet I never lost that feeling that my handwriting could be like my own miniature artwork.
Everything is on the computer now though, from my grocery lists to my ramblings. I gave in a while ago and now have notebooks and a pen with me at the computer desk. I get a bit of both worlds that way. But that doesn't entirely take away my desire to write by hand, especially when I find a wonderful writing pen. Blue ink, fine tip, non-smudging - I could write a post just on my favorite types of pens, but that might be best written in my notebook.
My Thoughts: This was a fun and touching read. I enjoyed the multi-faceted struggles of the characters. Christine Lynxwiler did a remarkable job of creating three dimensional characters that you just couldn't help but care about and want to see succeed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chrisitine lives with her husband and two precious daughters in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains in her home state of Arkansas. Her greatest earthly joy is her family and, aside from doing God’s will, spending time with them is her top priority.
She recently took a break from writing romance to pen a Christmas story with a twist. Her Mom Lit novella, My True Love Gave to Me, is part of a 2 in 1 anthology from Barbour entitled All Jingled Out. It’s also included in Simply Christmas, a 4 in 1 Barbour anthology. One of my holiday highlights was seeing Simply Christmas at Sam’s Club a few weeks before Christmas.
She has written two other novellas, both romance, which are included in Barbour anthologies, City Dreams, and Prairie County Fair and a serial for the Heartsong Presents book club newsletter – The Carousel Horse. The Carousel Horse can be read in its entirety on the Heartsong website, and you can read excerpts from all of her other books on her website, HERE
In 2003, Christine was honored by being voted #2 Favorite New Author by the Heartsong Presents Book Club members!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Actress Crytal McCord gave up the closeness of her big family in order to make a name for herself on the New York City stage. But when life in the Big Apple turns sour, she follows a country road back to her parents Arkansas ranch.
The last thing she expects to find in cowboy country is a new leading man. Still, she can't help but imagine handsome rancher Jeremy Buchanan in the role.
Unfortunately, Jeremy's been burned by Crystal's type before. Or has he? Every time he thinks he knows her, the multi-faceted woman surprises him. Will the reluctant pair allow their hearts to guide them, or will their common stubborn pride keep them miles apart?
Due to the size of our home, we do not have a kitchen or dining room table. We had to decide which was more important - giving the kids a place to play or having a table where we could sit and eat together. The decision was obvious.
And you know what? Even without a table, we still all sit and eat together for every meal. Creativity is easy to come by when a situation calls for it.
Up until a week ago, our dining always took place on the couch. Sometimes we would use tv trays if the meal required a steady surface. Other times the youngest three would sit at their kiddie table while Eric, Isabelle and I sat on the couch. And still other times, we'd all eat on the floor together.
So I bet you can imagine the messes that were sometimes inevitable. Our couch and floor are not shy about showing off their stains.
It may have taken us awhile, but Eric and I finally got smart. We knew we had to do something to protect our furniture and carpet. Eric remembered what the parents of some of his friends did when they were growing up - they used a vinyl tablecloth on the floor.
Genius!!
He rushed out to the store and purchased us a large vinyl tablecloth. As an added bonus, it was on clearance for $2.50. It folds out quickly, wipes clean with just a wet rag, and folds up to be stored out of the way in seconds. The tablecloth stands up to all kinds of abuse and our carpet and couch are breathing a sigh of relief. Yep, this table-less tablecloth definitely works for us.
I know I've mentioned in the past that date nights out of the house are a rare treat for Eric and I. Rarer than that is a night out without the kids and some other adults. It just doesn't happen. In fact, the last time we remember actually going out to dinner with another couple was way back when I was pregnant with Alex. Needless to say, we've been really looking forward to dinner out with friends - adults only!
I am so grateful to say that we tackled that this weekend, finally.
We had a fantastic time filled with good food and great conversation. In fact, the conversation was so great that three hours flew by before we knew it. We touched on a bit of everything, but thankfully work and kids took up very little of the conversation time.
On the drive home, Eric and I laughed about the fact that we felt like grown ups. We've decided that this needs to become a regular part of our lives. Eating with adults, talking like grown-ups - who knew it was so much fun?
As always, I am so grateful that my brother-in-law willingly watches our kids for us whenever we ask him too. The kids don't get upset when we leave anymore. In fact, they almost push us out of the door so that they can have fun with their uncle. And they really do have fun! It's such a joy to watch this relationship build between my brother-in-law and my kids.
Eric and I have date nights frequently, sometimes as much as twice a week. Because of his work schedule, any time just he and I eat dinner together counts as a date night for us. And then there are those rare occasions when we actually go out and have a family member watch the kids for us.
So because of that, I'm always looking for new ways to feed the kids when Eric and I are not eating with them. Here are a few of the tips I use:
I try to plan ahead as much as possible. I usually know at least a few days in advance when Eric and I are having a date night. So when I can, I'll try to plan for leftovers. That way, I can just heat up those leftovers for the kids and not worry about fixing something new for them.
If leftovers aren't an option, I'll usually just throw together something quick that I know the kids will really enjoy. It could be spaghetti, easy mac & cheese, or tuna casserole.
If neither of the above options are workable, I can usually find a meal that I froze earlier in the month for them. This is a last resort because my freezer meals are usually sized for the whole family. But there are certain things that work well for this, like meatloaf cups or frozen chicken fingers, because I can just pull out as many as I need without cooking an entire meals worth.
When we are actually going out, I always make sure I have a nice meal to feed our baby-sitter too. Our baby-sitters are either my in-laws or my brother-in-law and I view this meal as a way to thank them for watching the kids. So I try to make something special that I know will be enjoyed. Sometimes that means I have to prepare most of the meal a day ahead of time, but it is so worth it.
How does your family handle feeding the kids when your not eating with them?
There's not very much going on this week. I'm excited for a non-busy week. I'm still planning to keep things fairly easy in the kitchen this week though because there are other things that I want to focus on. Right at the top of that list is doing some re-decorating and just getting our house ready for summer.
S - Fondue of some kind for family movie night, popcorn & orange soda floats
Su - TBD
Are you in need of some new recipes? You should check out the Virtual Great American Bake Sale ebook. It is filled with 170 delicious recipes from bloggers and non-bloggers alike. It is available for any donation of your choosing (25 cents...10 dollars...whatever you'd like to donate) and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the Great American Bake Sale program from Share Our Strength. You can get all the details and info on purchasing the ebook at my foodie blog, Cooking During Stolen Moments.
My Thoughts: Oh - this book was fantastic! I spent a few nights up way too late because I couldn't stop reading. The story just pulls you in and will not let go. The dilemmas faced by the main character cause the reader to stop, ponder, consider and imagine what they would do in that situation. It was incredible.
One element of this book that really stood out for me, aside from the outstanding plot, was the way Ted Dekker wrote with a different voice for different characters. This made all the characters seem that much more real, which at times made the book that much more chilling.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.
After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.
Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. Dekker's body of work encompassing seven mysteries, three thrillers and ten fantasies includes Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child, A Man Called Blessed, Blink, Thr3e, The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White), Obsessed, Renegade, and Chaos.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Would you kill an innocent man to save your daughter?
They call him BoneMan, a serial killer who’s abducted six young women. He’s the perfect father looking for the perfect daughter, and when his victims fail to meet his lofty expectations, he kills them by breaking their bones and leaving them to die.
Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, on the other hand, has lost all hope of ever being the perfect father. His daughter and wife have written him out of their lives.
Everything changes when BoneMan takes Ryan’s estranged daughter, Bethany, as his seventh victim. Ryan goes after BoneMan on his own.
But the FBI sees it differently. New evidence points to the suspicion that Ryan is BoneMan. Now the hunter is the hunted, and in the end, only one father will stand.
If your an avid Dekker fan, and would like wallpaper and counters for your blog, go HERE.
Here are a few link-worthy stuff I've come across this week. I realized recently that I rarely share links. I'm on a mission to change that now.
Have you heard that the original Bloggy Giveaways site is now closed? I was so sad when I heard this news, until I found out that Laura at Heavenly Homemakers has stepped in to fill the void. She is going to be hosting a Spring Giveaway Carnival from April 27 - May 1. Make sure you stop by Laura's blog for all the details. And then get ready for the giveaway fun!
Ever since starting Cooking During Stolen Moments, I've developed a possibly unhealthy fascination with photographs of food. Taking pictures of food has become my favorite new hobby. Looking at well-photographed pictures of food is a close second for sure. If you enjoy "food porn" as much as I do, check out Foodgawker and Tastespotting. I could seriously spend hours drooling over the pictures and clicking through to all the recipes.
Isabelle loves to write and she especially loves to write on her blog. When I recently stumbled upon Homeschool Kids Write I was so excited! There is a weekly writing prompt and a Mr. Linky posted for homeschooled kids with blogs. Awesome!!
Can you seriously grow 100 pounds of potatoes in 4 square feet? According to this article you can. That's something I'll definitely be looking into this summer!
And one more very important one - have you checked out the Virtual Great American Bake Sale yet? There are so many yummy recipes to be found by clicking the links and the ebook has 170 recipes. All of the money raised through the sale of the ebooks, which can be purchased for any dollar amount of your choice, goes directly to Share Our Strength.
My Thoughts: Can I admit something a little shocking? This is the first Beverly Lewis book I've ever read. But now I can honestly say that it won't be my last. I really enjoyed The Secret. The plot just pulls you in and carries you along through the book. Turning the last page was difficult, especially because I knew this was the first book in a series. I will be waiting anxiously for the next book!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Not until her own children were well into middle school did Bev seek to publish her work, first in magazines such as Highlights for Children, Dolphin Log, and Guideposts for Kids. Her first book followed in 1993—Mountain Bikes and Garbanzo Beans—presently retitled Big Bad Beans (book #22 in the popular CUL-DE-SAC KIDS series of chapter books—see list of Bev's children's books).
Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, THE HERITAGE OF LANCASTER COUNTY, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."
Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Bev's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."
A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and playing with their three grandchildren. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."
ABOUT THE BOOK
In the seemingly ordinary Amish home of Grace Byler, secrets abound. Why does her mother weep in the night? Why does her father refuse to admit something is dreadfully wrong? Then, in one startling moment, everything Grace assumed she knew is shattered.
Her mother's disappearance leaves Grace reeling and unable to keep her betrothal promise to her long-time beau. Left to pick up the pieces of her life, Grace questions all she has been taught about love, family, and commitment.
Heather Nelson is an English grad student, stunned by a doctor's diagnosis. Surely fate would not allow her father to lose his only daughter after the death of his wife a few years before. In denial and telling no one she is terminally ill, Heather travels to Lancaster County-- the last place she and her mother had visited together.
Will Heather find healing for body and spirit? As the lives of four wounded souls begin to weave together like an Amish patchwork quilt, they each discover missing pieces of their life puzzles--and glimpse the merciful and loving hand of God.
My organizational skills are questionable. I tend to go through seasons of organization where I have everything completely organized and things run smoothly and by the book. And then there are those other times. I wish I could say the highly organized times far exceeded the others, but honestly, it's probably only 50/50 at best.
So with that in mind, I am speaking from personal experience here.
Disorganization and frugality do not go hand in hand. Sure there are areas where it won't matter, but for the most part, being disorganized costs more money. Here are a few examples for which I have first hand knowledge:
Without organization, it is harder to keep track of library books or video rentals and to get them back on time. Result - overdue fines.
Disorganization in the kitchen makes it difficult to keep track of food that you do or do not have. Result - leftovers are forgotten about and go bad and/or you buy too much or not enough at the grocery store.
Paperwork (or even electronic inboxes) that is disorganized means things get misplaced. Result - bills get lost and not paid on time, offers or coupons get forgotten about, and worst case scenario, a check gets throw away.
I'm sure there are lots of other examples, but I guess my mind is not organized enough to come up with them right now. I bet some of you might have some examples for me, right?
I am currently revising some of my organizational methods that clearly need an overhaul. So unfortunately, I don't have many suggestions for you there, although I'd love to hear some ideas of what you use. The only tried and true organizational tools that I can say work without failure for me are my master monthly menu plan list and my master monthly grocery shopping list. Those are gems that have saved us hundreds if not thousands of dollars on groceries.
Today was a beautiful day - the kind of day I've been waiting weeks for and was so ready to welcome with open arms. It finally feels like spring and I am thrilled!
We tend to hole up in our house throughout winter, only going out when necessary or when the beckoning of the snow and sledding hill is too loud to be ignored. Frankly, bundling up the kids just to run a quick errand is not my idea of fun.
But today when I took the kids to the library, we were able to leave the coats, hats, mittens and boots behind. We made our trip sans-jackets, and sans-socks too. Aside from the fact that we couldn't find any when we were getting ready to head out, we really didn't need them. So we did without. I love it!Warmer days ahead means more outings and playing and walks and bike rides and park trips. So many fun things. It means open windows and meals on the patio. It means ponytails and sandals, and countless other things. I am so hooked on warmer weather right now.
I am definitely adding spring time, and all of its accompaniments, to my list of finer things!
Stop by The Finer Things In Life and tell Amy what finer thing you're celebrating today. And then stop by Hooked On Houses to see what others are hooked on this week.
We've heard it many times throughout our lives, and if you're anything like me, it's something that you try to teach your children - you should never judge a book by its cover.
Personally, I know it's not always easy. After all, we are only human and are initial tendencies aren't always the best. We tend to be quick to judge and quick to dismiss. It really is a shame, isn't it?
If a picture is worth a thousand words, than a video, especially this one, must be worth at least 10,000. Please watch this, turn your volume, call your loved ones over, and prepare to learn an incredible lesson.
Sorry I can't embed it so you'll have to click over, but trust me, it is more than worthwhile. So click here, and then come back and share your thoughts with me.
Eric and I have watched this at least a dozen times since we first found it last night - definitely a thing I love this Thursday!
And for that reason, I'm going to share what really worked for me today.
I had another post planned for today. In fact, I had already begun typing it up but my heart just wasn't in it. Maybe next week.
On a day like today, after struggling through some tough emotional issues, there is nothing that works for me quite like a hug from my husband. The security and love I feel when he wraps his arms around takes my breath away. There is no place I'd rather be.
It amazes me how I can let go of hurts or anger, even towards Eric, with a simple hug from him.
And that's all I have for today. Because quite simply, I can't think of anything that works better.
This past week was so off-kilter for me. So you might say I tackled a crazy week. That would be pretty accurate. But, I'm breaking it down into a few random thing because this post should probably be longer than one sentence.
I tackled a week without a menu plan, and I lived to tell about it. I had some fun experimenting in the kitchen (like this Moroccan chicken & lentil dish) and some days of falling back on our freezer surplus. It felt like coming home to plan again for this week.
We signed Isabelle up for her very first week of sleep-away camp, courtesy of my in-laws who are paying to send their 4 oldest grandchildren this summer. This is such an exciting thing for me. Some of my favorite childhood summer memories are from sleep away camps. I can't believe I have a child old enough to be going now.
We had a very simple Easter, and an extremely simple Easter dinner, and I was okay with that. I let go of my desire to prepare an outlandish meal when I realized that all Eric and the kids really cared about was ham, ham, and more ham.
I somehow managed to tackle NOT tackling my laundry for almost a week. Right now there is a pile of clean clothes that reaches the top of our bookshelf. Tomorrow, I am planning to spend the day folding laundry. Time off from chores comes at a price, that is for sure.
Oh yeah, I also tackled putting together 5 ebooks for the Virtual Great American Bake Sale. I spent every night last week working until about 3 am, but I think the efforts paid off. I'm very happy with how they turned out, and I'm even more excited to see the funds being raised for Share Our Strength.
Are you ready for the fun and deliciousness of the Virtual Great American Bake Sale? Head over to Cooking During Stolen Moments for a list of the VGABS participants and check out what everyone submitted.
Then, do something good and make something delicious. Or combine the two and buy one to the ebooks.
Remember, 100% of the proceeds raised through the selling of the ebooks will go directly to Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale program. All of the ebooks may be purchased for the donation amount of your choosing.
The Complete 2009 VGABS Recipes Ebook
Features all 170 of the submitted recipes. Many of the recipes include pictures.
On the checkout page, manually change the amount (USD) field to your donation amount.
Because we know file size may be an issue for some, the below ebooks have split the 170 recipes into 4 categorized ebooks so that you can choose just 1 or 2 of your favorites, if you'd prefer. Just like for the Complete ebook, many of these recipes include pictures. And again, they are available for purchase based on any donation amount of the buyer's choosing.
Muffins & Breads
Features 24 recipes.
On the checkout page, manually change the amount (USD) field to your donation amount.
Cookies, Candy, Cakes, Bars & Brownies
Features 50 recipes.
On the checkout page, manually change the amount (USD) field to your donation amount.
Desserts
Features 49 recipes.
On the checkout page, manually change the amount (USD) field to your donation amount.
Beyond Baked Goods (Appetizers, Breakfast, Main Dishes, etc.)
Features 47 recipes.
On the checkout page, manually change the amount (USD) field to your donation amount. Read more...
I freely admit to consistently using improper grammar in the following areas: 1. I like run-on sentences. 2. I have a tendency to end sentences with a pronoun. (I really do. I can't help it.) 3. I always seem to use passive voice in my sentences. (See?)
I've been trying to break this habit, unsuccessfully, for years, so now I just accept that as my writing style, and since I'm not writing for grades anymore, I embrace it. (Again, see?)
Hence, I invoke Blogger Artistic License for this blog!
Copyright 2008. A Simple Walk. All Rights Reserved.
This was one of Gracie's picks. I liked it because of the simple illustrations and bright colors. Gracie loved it for the same reason and had fun pointing out all of the animals.
