Guest post and giveaway!

Allison over at Oopsey Daisy is hosting a baby week and kindly asked me to do a guest post, go on over to read it and be sure to visit her blog each day....I am offering a giveaway and I know that other guest posters are as well! Be sure to tell Alison hello!

I'm giving away these sweet little booties, 2 pair in your choice of pink, white or blue! So go on over and check it out! You have to enter at Oopsey Daisy

Book Review: The Girls from Ames

The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship, by Jeffrey Zaslow is a story about 11 girls who have been friends for 40 years.   What is extraordinary about this book is how such a large group of women could continue their friendship over a 40 year time period and across the United States.  Many people are lucky to keep their friends throughout high school much less 40 years!

The concept of this book is interesting, to learn the story of each girl, what makes them click, what makes them clash, but overall this book tended to get a little long and drawn out for me.  While each of these women have been friends for 40 years they have not accomplished any more or less than anyone I may have known, all in all their lives seem pretty ordinary.  There are parts of the book that will make you laugh, some that will make you cry but this was not one of those books where I couldn't wait to read the next page. This book does have some redeeming qualities, hearing about how the girls learned to work through their differences is something we can all benefit from, and just the fact that such a large group has continued their friendship is heartening as well.  If you're looking for a story about friendship then this is the book for you as this is a very inspiring book about friendship!

To learn more about The Girls From Ames, see their photos, watch a video and read an excerpt go here!

*I was given this book to review from Penguin group, and I have written my honest opinion.

Misfits in the laundry

I'm curious about something....what do YOU find in the laundry? Besides the rolled up dirty socks that come off of boys, the crumpled up tissue left in pockets, or the stray pen that totally ruins your clothing, what crazy items have you found?

This week I have found:
3 arrow inserts
1 pocket knife
Strands of hay
and a safety pin

...in past loads I have found horse treats, dog treats, and of course, a lot of money!

Book Blogger Hop 5/28-5/31

Do you love to read? Are you looking for some great book blogs? The perfect place is the Book Blogger Hop! Come join in the weekly fun over at Crazy For Books!

While you're here, leave a comment, say hello, and enter a book contest or two!

Life, In Spite of Me, ends 5/31 enter here
The Last Christian, ends 6/6 enter here

Contest for homeschoolers!

Litfuse Publicity group is sponsoring a contest that I thought I would share with you!



THE PRIZE:
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and Amanda Bennett Unit Studies have teamed up to celebrate the successful launch of Download N Go™ with a Sweet Treat Prize Package in The Adventure Begins ... Giveaway!

They're offering one lucky winner the SWEET chance to go EXPLORING this FALL!

The entire FALL curriculum lineup of Download N Go™ (Wow! That's 19 studies!).
A $25 gift certificate to Baskin-Robbins (yummy ice cream).
A $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com (for those back-to-school supplies).
A $15 gift certificate to Starbucks Coffee (a special treat just for the teacher).
A full year's subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (encouragement and resources all year long).
A "sweet" blue and brown Homeschooling With Heart tote bag (THE must-have accessory for FALL!).

For more information just click on the icon above! Contest will run May 24 and through June 12!

It's a social parade! 5/28 Linky!

This week I'm going to try a new linky for some fun, if you're visiting, thanks for stopping by, please leave a comment and I'll comment back, likewise for new followers!

Most of all...HAVE FUN!

How it works:
* Follow Smart and Trendy Mom’s blog and Grab the link-up button and post It’s a Social Parade!.
* Follow the blog in the first spot
* Link-up your blog post for “It’s a Social Parade” that you made on your blog
*  remember to link up each  week you wish to participate
* Follow the blogs you like, leaving a comment is great, that way they can comment back!
* Make a post to link up to, that way your visitors will have a place to comment!

**If you like book giveaways you can enter here and here!

What's blooming in your garden?

I love this time of year, when I can plant my garden and watch my flowers grow. It's been pretty hot so far this summer, so my entire garden is not planted yet, the lettuce and beans are already sprouting though, as well as many flower seeds! Hopefully I'll finish planting this weekend, how about you, do you have a garden, what do you plant? Do you eat it, or do the deer get to it first? I have a serious deer problem, any tips?

Tuesday Tag-Along

Welcome to this week's Tuesday Tag-Along blog hop, hosted by Twee Poppets Review and Giveaway! This is a great way to discover new blogs while increasing the number of followers for your own blog. Please feel free to grab the TTA button for your blogroll to help bring more bloggers to this blog hop!  If you're here for a TTA visit, say hello, and thanks for stopping in!

Blog tour and giveaway: The Last Christian, by David Gregory

 

The Last Christian by David Gregory is a book that will make you wonder, what will happen in the future? Are we ready for the future?  Beware, this is a futuristic, thought provoking and deep read!

Imagine a time, A.D.2088 to be exact, when Americans no longer believe in Christianity, brains are after a disease wipes out her entire village.  As a missionary child Abby has a strong belief in Christianity and receives a 16 year old message from her deceased grandfather begging her to keep Christianity alive.

One woman against a technologically advance world, can she do it, can she survive?  Just on the brink of trouble Abby meets Creighton Daniels who agrees to help her.  Together, can they bring back Christianity in a world where marriage no longer exists?  Where people are more interested in advancing scientifically than their souls?

This is a thought-provoking book, I don't usually read sci-fi books, but this one is fast paced and interesting, and at times a little scary.  How important is advancement, and what price are we willing to pay?

Read the first chapter here! Read the author interview here! Or watch the video here!

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

One lucky person is going to win this book

Here's what you can do to win!!!  (be sure to leave your email in each comment)

Mandatory:
Follow my blog via GFC, and leave a comment telling me why you'd like to win!

Extra entries:
+1 follow me on twitter
+1 tweet about the contest
+1 grab my button and tell me where to find it on your blog
+2 blog about the contest with a link back
+1 subscribe to my email feeds
Contest will close on Sunday, May 6th at midnight, I will choose the winner via random.org, and the winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email or a new winner will be chosen.

DVD Review: The History of Christianity

I was given the opportunity to review the Episode 1 in the 6 part series: A History of Christianity, by Diarmaid MacCulloch.  At first I wasn't sure if this was going to be interesting or just another BBC documentary.  Once the story got going I couldn't keep my eyes away from it, this episode was packed full of information on early Christianity, Diarmaid shows where the true origins of Christianity lie.  If the origins had begun elsewhere Christianity would be very different.

I enjoyed hearing about the origins of Christianity, but it was also an incredibly powerful seeing places such as Rome, Jerusalem, etc.  The buildings and ruins are beautiful and Diarmaid keeps the story interesting instead of turning it into a story about himself.  I would love to watch the other 5 Episodes!  If you are interested in learning more about the roots of Christianity or would like to see where it all began, you should get yourself this series!

I was given this DVD to review by tbb media group, and have not been compensated for my honest review.

Horse Show!

                   

Yesterday, my daughter and I got up at 4am so we could attend a WSCA Horse Show. This is the first show my daughter has competed in with the new horse she's been riding. They've only been together for a month, and they did pretty well! It was a lot of fun, but WOW were we tired! Thought I'd share a couple of photos with you!

Indivisible Winner!

Amanda is the winner chosen by Random.org as my winner for the book Indivisible! I have contacted Amanda and she has 48 hours to respond or I will chose a new winner! Thanks to everyone who entered and good luck on the next contest!  **Amanda has contacted me**

CSN Stores

I have been spending some time, way more time than I should be, looking through CSN stores. They have so many items, and every time I search I find more! Did you know they sell Sofas? Shoes? Housewares?  Greenhouses?  I have found several items that would make great gifts....now for the best part!  I will be hosting a review/giveaway with CSN soon, so watch for more!

I'm in love with this pitcher

...and wouldn't this frog look cute in your flower bed?!

Book Review: Chosen, The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther

Ginger Garrett writes an excellent story based on Queen Esther's life. Chosen, The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther is a wonderfully written book.  As I read this book I was enthralled, it was as if I was in the story myself and I couldn't wait to where each page would take me!  This is truly a book that I will treasure.

Esther, an orphan was living a simple life, selling her wares at market, growing beautiful roses, and she fell in love with Cyrus, one whom she thought she'd never have.  Cyrus did want to marry Esther, and his father agreed, saying he would work it out....in the midst of their happiness, Cyrus and Esther did not realize the drama that was going to unfold right before their eyes.  King Xerxes had banished his wife and was on a quest for a new Queen, taking all young girls of his liking into his harem to be trained for the possibility of becoming Queen.  Of course, Esther was chosen, on part due to Cyrus' father.  As Esther faces a new life in the palace among hundreds of girls vying for the King's attentions she becomes not only more lovely, but strong as well.  She challenges Xerxes, and the outcome leads to a web of deceit, love and fear.

Chosen in the first book in the Lost Loves of the Bible series, and I am anxiously waiting for the next story to be published!

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther (Lost Loves of the Bible)


This book was given to me for review by the B & B Media Group, I was not paid or compensated for my honest review.

Welcome Wednesday!

Today I am going to join in the Welcome Wednesday blog hop again...I would love to write a bunch of great posts, but I'm sick. I went to visit my family in WI last weekend and seem to have caught my grandparent's colds. Wasn't that nice of them to share with me? Aargh, nothing worse than a summer cold, and I have about 30 packets of seeds sitting on my counter looking at me, waiting to be planted! We'll see how that goes.

Anyway, if you're here visiting from Welcome Wednesday, thanks for stopping by and looking! If you're looking for the book contests, here they are:
Life In Spite of Me
Indivisible

Tuesday Tag Along

Come join me for some Tuesday fun! Twee Poppets is hosting a Tag Along again this week, I've met some great people and found some wonderful blogs, come check it out!

If you're visiting from Tag Along, don't be shy, post a comment, if you're following let me know and I'll follow you back!

Just click on the icon to get to the linky!

Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway!

Dear reader,
This is my story. Sometimes it gets a little crazy…you’ll see, but my guess is that in many ways my story and yours are not that different. Between some of the chapters you will find personal notes from me to you. These include things I wish I had known, things I wish someone had told me back then. I hope you will find what I’ve shared encouraging.

I am praying for you.
Kristen

To read more click here  To view a video clip click here

Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson and Tricia Goyer is a true story written about a decision that could have ended a life and changed the lives of many people forever.  Kristen, a troubled teen had fallen into drinking and smoking, had been raped at a party and grounded by her parents, and had a history of family depression.  Writing a note, she crawled out of her bedroom window and ended up laying down on nearby train tracks.

How many people can survive being run over by a train?  You would think no one, but Kristen did.  Her survival is a miracle which leads her and her family to God.  This is an amazing story about love, joy and the gift of life.

Depression is something that is not always diagnosed and those suffering it can have an extremely difficult time, those around a person with depression may not always understand, Kristen's book not only tells about a miracle but also about the pain of suffering from depression.

This was truly an extraordinary book, it was very sad, but uplifting as well, it's not too often that we hear of life after an attempted suicide.  The title of this book is so perfect, life does tend to go on in spite of ourselves and it's what we do with our life that determines how good it is.  Kristen has a deep down strength, a will to survive and she is using her life to help others, it's truly amazing how her near death experience turned her life around.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Would you like to win this book?  Here's what you can do:

***Please, please, leave your email address in your comments so I can contact you if you win, if you don't leave your email your comment will not be included as an entry!

Mandatory:
Follow my blog

Extra Entries:
Leave a separate comment for each entry
+1 subscribe to email feeds
+1 follow me on networked blogs
+2 blog about the contest w/ a link back
+1 grab my button and tell me where it's posted
+1 follow me on twitter
+2 tweet about the contest and leave me the tweet link, you can do this daily
+5 Join swag bucks through the little swag buck box on my blog

Contest will end at midnight on Sunday, May 30th...GOOD LUCK!

Radical Winner!

....And the winner of the book Radical is:

#5 Steve C. (who definitely did his research!)

Congratulations Steve!!!

I have sent Steve an email and he has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen!  Thanks to everyone who entered!

Birthday Cake!

Here's the cake I made, I used fondant, I don't really like fondant and the fact that the box I bought had the hardest fondant ever made it worse! The cake was delicious and my niece loved it, so that's all that really matters, right?!

Here's the worst part of it all....so I made the cake, took forever with the hard fondant, then when it was done I boxed it up and put it in one of those grocery store cooler bags for the 4 hour road trip. It was sitting on the kitchen table and my daughter thought she'd help and picked up the bag by the handle, turning the cake from it's nice horizontal position to a vertical position. I freaked out a bit, well, a lot really, but all in all, the cake was pretty sturdy. All it did was slide to the back of the box and the flowers on the backside smashed into the cake. I had a few bad moments though before I was brave enough to open the box!!!

Do you have any terrible cake mishaps? I'd love to hear them!

Baby model!

My little niece does NOT like anything on her head, but my cousin's little girl made the perfect model for my knit headband!  Ok...so she's not smiling in this one, she warmed up after a while!