XOXO!

9/29/10

Wordless Wednesday: Raised in a Barn


LOVE those living together in harmony...



"All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it." 
Samuel Butler

Lovely Photo - Wordless or Not-So-Wordless Wednesday at Aspire

Photobucket



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9/28/10

Feeling blue...


Pretty sure this will be the last tomato from our garden in 2010.



Sweet Shot Day






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9/26/10

"D" is for...



dishes



devilish



decorate



disaster



dogs



Dina







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9/25/10

A hint of PINK!

This week, The Paper Mama's challenge is "a hint of color" and Mandy at a sorta
fairytale chose "snoozing".  And, so, here is sweet Molly looking pretty as usual...



To see more hints of color...or play along, click HERE!

The Paper Mama



To see more snoozing babes...or play along click HERE!







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Book Review: A Friend in the Storm (plus Kindle giveaway details)



I was asked to review A Friend in the Storm by Cheryl Ricker.  Honestly, this book could 
not have come at a better time!  It's full of Christian-based poetry, as well as Scripture...and 
as many of you know, I have a dear friend who's definitely going through a "storm" with the 
loss of a child.  I immediately thought, "I'm gonna review it, then give it to Sherry!"


So, I'm happy to say, that I loved all that this book has to offer.  A "storm" is so difficult to 
handle for friends and family, and I feel that this book offers gentle comfort and support.  I 
also LOVED all of the scripture.  Several of which are my faves. This is an amazing book 
for those in pain...and to keep on hand...just in case.


Cheryl was recently asked a few questions about the book:

1. How does your relationship with God play into your writing?

He’s my reason to write. God helps me love people and want to make a difference in their
lives. I get my best ideas when I spend time with Him, reading His Word and pouring out 
my heart in my journal. God gives me unique word pictures that help me reflect His truth 
in fresh ways. He’s my writing partner and my best friend.

2. What is your passion and why?

I’m passionate about helping hurting people grow closer to God. Everybody needs Him, 
but when things are fine, we tend to forget that. Jesus said, “It’s not the healthy that need 
a doctor, but the sick.” I love helping hurting people because they’re open to God’s 
healing truth.

3. How would you describe your book?

A Friend in the Storm is a personal conversation between God and a hurting person. It’s 
a healing treasury of quotes, Scripture and poetry that leads to lasting hope. It covers 
forty-five hope-related topics and takes readers on a healing journey through the stages 
of grief before it crescendos with the splendor of Heaven.


And, now for the Kindle giveaway details...


Cheryl Ricker is hosting this great contest over at her website during the blog tour for A Friend in the Storm, Zondervan’s latest innovative gift book of quotes, Scripture and poetry that leads to lasting hope!

Since this book covers matters of the heart, Cheryl wants to hear from YOUR heart! In the midst of any type of loss, grief or crisis, A Friend in the Storm takes you on a healing journey where you experience Christ’s love in a fresh, memorable way. Now she invites you to submit an original poem, story or snippet about a time when someone was a friend in your storm… and she's giving you the opportunity to win a KINDLE to do it!

Head on over to her Contest Page on her website to find out how to enter!

On October 3rd, she will randomly select one winner to receive a brand-new 
KINDLE! She's also choosing 5 more names at random to receive a signed c
opy of A Friend in the Storm! The winners will be announced at her Facebook 
Party on October 4th. The party will take place on Cheryl's Facebook "A 
Friend in the Storm" Page - go here for all the details.

The Facebook Party will be a blast!  Not only will she be announcing the
Share Your Storm Kindle Giveaway winners, but she'll also be chatting with party goers, hosting 
fun trivia contests, and giving away even more prizes every 10 minutes – including signed 
copies of A Friend in the Storm, and gift certificates to Amazon.com and Starbucks.com!

Oh, and check this out - Cheryl is also giving away a $50 Amazon gift certificate! Simply 
help her spread the word about the contest; Facebook Party. Interested? It’s easy to 
enter! Here’s how:

Share this on FACEBOOK: Want to help someone who’s hurting? “A Friend in the 
Storm,” Zondervan’s latest gift book of quotes, Scripture and poetry, is helping 
thousands find lasting Hope! Go here http://ow.ly/2BYiN to enter to win a KINDLE!

Post this on TWITTER: A Friend in the Storm by @cherylricker heals hearts in tough 
times. Enter 2 win a KINDLE http://ow.ly/2BYiN here! #litfuse  (You must use hashtag 
#litfuse to be entered.)


Another way to ‘share’ the contest is to add this button to your blog or website.  
Adding the button is worth ten entries into the contest!

Simply copy and paste the code in the text box below into the html screen of your 
blog/website, then send Amy an email letting her know that you added it along with 
your URL and she’ll toss your extra entries into the pot.


Share Your Storm Kindle Giveaway









Share this as many times as you like – just email amy@litfusegroup.com by October 4th 
and let her know how many times you tweeted/shared on Facebook, twittered or blogged 
about the contest. Each ‘sharing’ represents one entry into the contest.


***I received this book free of charge, in exchange for an honest review.  My words are my own and were not influenced in any manner.**





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9/24/10

Friday Fragments and Fotos



This week was Fall Break for us, so we had Sam around each day.  (Our school 
system gives a week in September, a week at Thanksgiving, 2 weeks at Christmas, 
a week in February and a week in April. It's awesome!)  Luke loved it, and we got
in some fun events...


We had lunch at Dave & Buster's.  Their food is always so good and you can't beat all
those games!  Sam had a ton of tickets and managed to cash in on a HUGE dodge ball,
a HUGE water-gun and a soft, little CareBear for Luke.




We did much Halloween shopping and decorating. Then we ate birthday cake for
no real reason...





Sam also went to work with his Daddy one day...donning his Cub Scout uniform and
equipped with the popcorn order form!  He was able to earn an "elective" and some
money in his scout fund.  Can't beat that combination.



We have our 1st Den Meeting this Sunday.  Neil is the leader so we are hosting,
and I can't wait to meet everyone.




I'm hoping we can pull our big scarecrow out of the attic this weekend.  Sam and I
made him a few years ago and he still generates smiles in our neighborhood.



Our temps are dropping...and we actually have a chance of rain.  Woohoo!
Hope you enjoy your Fall'ish weekend.  Click HERE for more fragments.


Mommy's Idea




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9/23/10

100 Bible Stories: review



100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs is a Bible-based book & CD by Stephen Elkins.

The most familiar Bible stories and characters are presented in 2-page chapters - featuring 
one paragraph and animation. This book comes with a CD containing a song for each chapter.
I liked this book, but felt like it was best suited for younger children...maybe ages 2-4.
Though the stories and songs are clever, they were totally lost on my 6-year old.  Still, this 
would make a great gift for a new mom!


100 Bible Stories





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CSN Wooden Toys: Review and Giveaway!


****CLOSED****

Congrats to #42, Liz!


I love wooden toys, probably b/c I like all-things retro/vintage AND I have 
destructive boys.  So, when CSN Stores gave me the opportunity to review a 
product, I knew exactly what to get.

Have you seen one of these?

Smart Gear Classic Wooden Training Bike


It's a "balance bike" and helps a child learn to ride a regular bike faster, plus it's for 
ages 2-5.  Luke is so into things with wheels that I knew he would really love it...once 
he gets it...on his birthday.  (He's sort of timid these days, so I think his 3rd birthday 
will be perfect.)  In the meantime, we did build it, which was super easy, and rolled it 
around our bedroom.  It's so super cute and made REALLY well.

And, when you buy it from CSN Stores, it ships for FREE!




CSN has so many amazing toys that I had to get something for you, too.  Which 
means this is the part about the GIVEAWAY.  Are you ready?  Hope so b/c I'm 
giving away 3 wooden toys to one of my readers.

Want to see them???






They are so cool and perfect for kids 3 years and older.  Don't ya wanna win??? 
Well, just leave a comment telling me what you like about these items and you'll be 
entered.  If you follow me, you can have a 2nd entry by leaving an additional 
comment saying "follower".
I'll pick a random winner on October 6th at 9PM.




***I was provided these items free-of-charge for review and giveaway purposes. 
The thoughts expressed above are my own and were not influenced in any way.***



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9/21/10

Wordless Wednesday: Flower Power



As Summer 2010 ends, I wanted to share the remaining blooms from my 
garden...my beloved Hydrangeas.  It's been so hot and soooo dry here in GA, tho, 
that their color has faded.  They are still big and beautiful...and Sam liked
pretending they were pom-pons....much to his father's dismay.  Tee hee hee...



"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
Pablo Picasso




Lovely Photo - Wordless or Not-So-Wordless Wednesday at Aspire









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