Monday, January 31, 2011

Blue Monday


I am Blue today. Photo found on Yahoo story yesterday warning of a winter weather advisory. I want to go back to my photo the other day that showed spring!
So today I am Blue.
And, I am kinda Blue for another reason. My computer crashed yesterday. Don't know when I'll get another one. It was the computer
we use for our ministry.
We were setting up for church yesterday morning and it just crashed. We had a computer guy look at it and he said it is a goner.
So I am really, really Blue today. Would you say a prayer for us. I need a new computer by Thursday so my drama team can practise for a performance next week. For more info. about our ministry check out our blog. Click here.
Sally has lots of Happier Blue posts today click here to visit.
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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Things to do on a Sunny Saturday Afternoon

I thought about things like I am doing today: laundry, cleaning the house, posting.
But then I thought this is supposed to be my fun blog. The place where I write about fun things and the place where sometimes I write about dreams. Here's a few dreamy things to do on a Sunny Saturday afternoon.
BTW all the photos were found through Google Images...none are my own!











I am hoping your getting to spend this beautiful afternoon with your husband doing something fun! If you are come by my other blog on Tuesday and check out my month long event!
Here's some info...

I did this last year and it was so fun I wanted to do it again this year with some changes. I am asking you guys to leave comments on my blog about what you and your man do for "Date Night". It doesn't have to be on a Friday. It doesn't have to be at night. Just give me ideas of great ways to spend quality time with your man.
Go over here to My Journey Back and click the Friday Date Night button on the sidebar and leave a comment on the Date Night Post. Or, if you don't have enough time to look around for the right place to comment. That's o.k. just leave one on any post that works too! Let's all get together and come up with some great ideas! And, share them with each other!




Friday, January 28, 2011

The Beginning Reader's Bible--Reviw

I can't wait till my grandson is old enough to read to and then to read this on his own!

The darling cover illustration is the invitation to more wonderful stories from the Old and New Testament.

In addtion to the Old and New Testament stories is a section titled: Resources to Guide Your Children... a few of the included resources are The Ten Commandments, The 23 Psalm, The Lord's Prayer Songs about Jesus and a Prayer of Salvation.

The back cover explains a little more of the features:

"Remember God's Word" memory verses for every story, so kids can hide Scripture in their hearts

"Do God's Word" fun activities to help kids learn to live the Word

Pray God's Word short, meaningful prayers that teach boys and girls how to communicate with God

Only one negative that I have to say is I think maybe the title is a little bit confusing. I think a better tittle would have been A Young Reader's Bible. Because, I was thinking Kindergarten, 1st grade age. But, I think it is really more geared to 2 or 3rd graders maybe even 4th graders. The font is a little small I think for a beginning reader.

Would this particular negative (in my opinion) keep me from purchasing this book. Absolutely not. I think it is wonderfully put together and recommend it for anyone. It would make a great Valentines Day present for your child.

I also think that it is a good value. You can purchase at Christian Book (dot)com


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.











Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I got stuck in this book! The Search

Thanks for stopping in. Read any good books lately. I have one to share with you . . . .



Great story. I really enjoyed this one. It is book 3 in series. But you don't have to read the other two. They all stand alone and each one draws you in and you want to stay in Lancaster County awhile. That's what happened to me. Not convinced? Watch the trailer . . .

Here's the synopsis from the back cover. . . Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision. She couldn't have known that her choice would impact so many. Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past.
Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a flirty and curvaceous older girl.
Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.
"Beautifully written, 'The Search' is a skillfully woven story that takes readers through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Fans both old and new will find themselves immersed in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with the past."

I have to agree it is beautifully written. The are twists and turns in the story that surprise and keep you interested. For this reader I am drawn into the story and wanting more. I was happy and pleased with the ending but I wanted more! I said the same thing about the other two books.

I checked to see where you can buy it. Here's a few options . . . .Amazon, Borders and Christian Book (dot)com

And, there is also a giveway going on to celebrate this one!


Click here to enter. Here's a link to the authors blog for more info. about The Search and her other books.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from LitFuse as part of their bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.




Monday, January 24, 2011

Love Food & Live Well a Book Review

For this reader the author had me at the title! Love Food & Live Well . . . Yes!
This was my first introduction to Chantel Hobbs. But, after reading this book I want to read her first.
This book was filled with personal stories. It is humerous from the first chapter to the last. Mrs. Hobbs shares her journey with God and encourages the reader to . . .
'Grab hold of the hand of God. No matter how many times you have let go in the past, tightly hold on to it today. Feel His grip. He wants you to know you don't ever need to let go again. With Him, the liberty to love food is yours.'
These are words I needed to hear!

From the back cover:
Go ahead. Get passionate about the food you eat. You don’t have to hide it. You can love food and lose weight at the same time! The secret, which you’ll learn about in Love Food and Live Well, is to know when to have carrot cake and when it’s time for just a carrot. For most dieters, food is the daunting factor that trips up our best intentions to lose weight and get fit. Let Chantel Hobbs teach you that food is not the enemy! It’s our attitudes toward it that defeat us. Losing weight does not require being deprived of the foods you love and being forced to eat boring, tasteless meals, and left feeling hungry most of the time. Turn food into your ally by following Chantel’s 80/20 rule: A full 20 percent of the time, splurge on the foods you love and incorporate them into celebrations and social occasions. The remaining 80 percent of the time, choose food on the basis of delivering maximum fuel for your body and ultimate health. Simply by having freedom in what you eat, you can train yourself in self discipline and achieve sustainable weight loss, being free from food anxiety. Using personal inventories, original recipes, food plans, and new, detailed exercises for strength training and aerobic fitness, Chantel will inspire you to live well in every area of life. What are you waiting for? Start the pursuit of a life lived well and healthy: body, mind, and spirit.

Here's a link so you can read the first chapter: Click Here.

About the author:
Chantel Hobbs is a life coach, marathon runner, personal trainer, wife, and mother of four. Her amazing story of losing two hundred pounds and keeping the weight off has been featured on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Life Today with James Robison, The 700 Club, and Focus on the Family Radio—and in People and First magazines. Hobbs hosts a weekly radio show and is the on-air fitness expert on the WAY-FM radio network. She is also a regular guest on the KLOVE radio network. Hobbs is a frequent speaker to women’s groups and makes personal appearances at fitness conventions. The developer of The One-Day Way Learning System and the author of four books, including Never Say Diet and The One-Day Way, Chantel lives with her family in south Florida.

Authors site: Click here

Product Information:
List Price: $19.99
Hardcover: 240 page
Publisher: WaterBrook Press 1 edition (December 14, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0307457842ISBN-13: 978-0307457844

Available at: Amazon and Christian Book (dot)com


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from B&B Media as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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 for visiting!






Sunday, January 23, 2011

Blue Monday Varooooooom

My Cowboy watched Barrett Jackson all weekend and dreamed Hot Rods.
Here's a few he would love to have and a couple of ours. Enjoy!


Dreamy ride for a guys . . .
Reminds me of high school . . .


If you can't have a four legged one. Why not 4 wheel's.


One more hot rod. And next a favorite shot.




Yes the go cart is blue. The driver is pretending! And last . . .

I had to add this one! This was our ministries first project car. The boys built the engine. We took it to shows for 2 years before we had to sell it.
Our next project is 72 camero. But I won't be able to show it here because it isn't Blue.


Thanks for stopping by don't forget to stop over at Sally's and see more Blue posts!



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Saturday, January 22, 2011

It's Saturday hmmm What Should I do Today . . .

Let's see . . . Maybe a little house cleaning.


Or maybe go for a ride? That's sounds like fun!

Or maybe spend some time getting some work done. Nope don't think so.
Or maybe get caught up on some reading
So what do you think. What cha' doin today?
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Thursday, January 20, 2011

So What Would Your Table Say?



So, do you ever wonder if your dining room table could talk what it would say?



Crazy idea. But . . .



. . . stop and think about it?



How many family dinners have been set at your table?



Today I am sharing two dining room tables and tablescapes . . .






Posted by PicasaThis one set simply with paper plates, plastic ware and paper napkins

Does it make you wonder the story behind it?
Click Here to read the story.
And, here's another (story included)


This simple little spread was my grandsons 2nd birthday party. Cupcakes, PB&J, Quesadilla's and juice boxs for the kids. And some munchy food for the adults.

The table that you can't see here has many, many stories to tell.

Our family stories and many, many stories from before we acquired the table. It is an amazing old table we bought many, many years ago at an antique auction. We have never seen another table like it. It has two leaves that are stored inside. To put the leaves in you have to crank the table. It has really fat carved legs that have tiny wheels on the bottom. As you crank it open or closed the little wheels move it across the floor.



This table has been in our family a long time. There are many stories. And if you look closely at the top it was well used. It is in bad need of refinishing. Something I always wished I could do. But, I no longer own this treasure. It has moved on. But, I still get to see it. I still get to sit at it occassionally and probably I'll be taking many more photo's. You see my daughter managed to talk me out of it! It now sits in their little kitchen. And each night her little family sits around it.


Wow I wonder what sweet stories it could tell now?

So what stories will your table tell?

Wanna see some amazing tablescapes? Go over at visit Mary for Tablescape Thursday. Click here.






Wednesday, January 19, 2011

White Wednesday #1 2011

Welcome to my first White Wednesday post of 2011! This year I made the commitment to myself and you to make it a priority to post everyday. My poor house over here seemed to get so dusty and neglected in 2010.

Today I am dusting off a photo that I have posted before. But it has been a loooooooong time and so I figured it would look new to you. This is a favorite of mine and it is all chippy and white!



I love this little vignette I put together. The black lines you see are places where the white paint chipped away. My attempt at making a pine chiferobe (sp?) chippy white. Since then I have found some great tutorials and when I get this piece back out of storage I am going to try and redo it. The urn isn't old but I think it fits the chippy category.


And a few other white things. Not really chippy. I hope you don't mind. Just some of my favorites.

Of course always a horse. I have collected snow photo's for my other blog. And there always has to be a horse. This is a photo I found on the web.


Another google found photo. I think it was from Birds and Bloom magazine.



One I chose because it is so pretty to look at! You guys know I am from Texas! This is an image I only enjoy looking at from a far. Or maybe possibly from a chair that happens to be sitting by a blazing fire. And, I would holding a steaming mug of something!



And lastly a little snow covered mailbox to remind you to let me know you stopped in!

Come by tomorrow because I promise there will be a Tablescape here!


BTW you can find more chippy white posts over here. And if you go over to my other blog you can see how I used the snow photos. Click here.





Tuesday, January 18, 2011

On The Lookout For



. . . For something to write about. But I have some help in my search.
And we left you something to enjoy while we look . . .
. . . The light is on.

We left a few books for you to enjoy.





And some cake in case you get hungry. And here's you . . .


Some place to sit and enjoy the sunshine! And just in case your interested I did write a post over here already. Go over to My Journey Back and visit. But finish your cake first!




















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Monday, January 17, 2011

Mosaic Monday Got Mail?

Psst. . . I gotta secret. Just because there isn't any mail today doesn't mean your mailbox is empty!



Posted by PicasaThere just might be something really cute inside!
For more Mosaics go over here!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Welcome to Happy Homemaker Monday. . . it looks like blogger isn't going to let me load photo's but here's my post anyway. You can join Sandra over at Family Corner!
The weather in my neck of the woods: Drizzle rain off and on. But much warmer! Yea! The sun is out!

Things that make me happy:
The opposite of Sandra’s when my fridge is empty because it is so clean. And free of leftovers that we never eat! But I really do love it when the pantry is full and the fridge and freezer are full. It is so much easier to make meals.

Book I'm reading:Passport Through Darkness by Kimberly Smith (for review)

What's on my TV today Video:
And old favorite with some amazing photo’s.


On the menu for dinner:
Something simple still thinking on it. I have meat in the freezer but not much of anything else!

On my To Do List:
Finishing Laundry. Giving both bathrooms a good scrubbing. Vacuuming. (that’s what I said last week! LOL. Broken record I am!

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:
My sweet friend Melanie answered my call for comfort food recipes. Here’s the link to her Chicken and Dumplings.

In the craft basket:
Maybe I should change this one too! I am so borrowing. Or maybe I should list the craft things I want to do? No there’s an idea!

Looking forward to this week:
My drama team performs tonight then Thursday is practise and we are having pizza.

Tips and Tricks:
I don’t always do this but it helps me to have a template of HHM in a word document. Then during the week I can fill in some of it. Like favorite blog posts or new blog. It helps me then I don’t forget where I found stuff.

My favorite blog post this week:
Is over at Sweet Cottage Dreams.
Loved this one because I loved the photo. I want to post it over at My Journey Back waiting for the photographer to give me an o.k. Go over and check it out.

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
Sweet Bee Cottage . . .
“Things are always buzzin' around the cottage. Worker Bee, Baby Bee, and I welcome your visit. I'd be happy to make you a latte if you can stay awhile.....”


No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):


Lesson learned the past few days:
That I am way too busy. I need to be more organized. I have too many random things to do. I need things scheduled. I am a scheduler at heart.

On my mind:
The above.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands for there I find delight. Psalm 119:34

Blue Ribbons on Monday

Updated Monday night . . . disclaimer:All the images below were found at google images except the very last one of my daughter and horse.

Welcome to Blue Monday hosted by the always Smiling Sally today I have a few lovely images.


Enjoy




I wish this image was larger. Isn't it just beautiful.



Because my daughter just started working at her dream job. I was thinking about how she got there and the steps it took for her.



Here's a couple of images that reminded me of her journey . . .



An image from the web.


Another web image . . .



And another image from the web. The best for last!




The above images of the ribbons were found on the web. She does have a bunch of blue ribbongs I just don't have any digital photo's of them!
One of the last photo of my daughter with her horse Buck. He was an amazing horse! And the two of them won lots of Blue ribbons!(sorry no digital photo's)

Thanks for stopping in! Go by and see Smiling Sally and visit the other Blue photo's. (Click Here to visit Sally today) and visit my mosaic monday post too! (Click Here) There happens to be just a little blue there too!