Fall Into Reading 2011 ~ My Goals

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Somehow…I’m not sure how it happened, the official jump into fall managed to sneak right past me and along with it, the start of Fall into Reading 2011. I’m always reading and have books that I want to read, but for some reason I’ve been having a hard time nailing down an official list of books to read this fall.

Essentially, I’m just not feeling the desire to set any goals.

BUT, Lindsey reminded me that I needed to link up and since I’ve participated for the past 3 {or is it 4???} years now, I figured I needed to get in gear and pull one together.

I’ll keep it simple for you:

Goal #1: Re-read the entire O’Malley series by Dee Henderson. It’s been YEARS since I read the seven books in this series, but I loved them when I did.

Goal #2: Read at least five of the books that I’ve downloaded for free on my Kindle. I have a huge pile of books sorted into my “to read” folder.

Goal #3: Read some more great books {and review them} from some wonderful companies like Bethany House and Barbour. I just finished a whole bunch and need to get busy writing some reviews.

Goal #4: I’m kicking around the idea of also re-reading the entire Mitford series by Jan Karon. I read them about three years ago and my family lost me for about a week, so we’ll have to see if I actually manage to pull this one off without losing a child or something.

That’s it in a nutshell. Now the fun part will be keeping track of the books that I do read over the next three months. Do you have any fun reading plans or suggestions for me?

Don’t forget to visit the official launch post for Fall Into Reading 2011 to check out all the other participants!

 

Because I NEED a Scarf Tutorial {no really, I do!}

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Pinterest has become a wealth of information for me lately. I have decorating boards, craft ideas, recipes out the wazoo and even a ‘fashion’ board…just in case I ever feel the need to get trendy.

The other day I came across this video tutorial on 25 ways to Tie a Scarf and had to share it, because frankly, it’s PURE GENIUS.

 

Combs and Mohawks

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The boys have both been begging for me to make their hair look like a mohawk. I keep forgetting to buy gel whenever I go to the store, but when Grandma was here this past weekend, she had some handy and let the boys use it.

Kaleb and Zachary both wet their hair down and had me fix their hair and were running around. After a few minutes, Kaleb came running up to me and asked,  “Mom, can you check my comb and make sure it’s ok?”

Think that the boy has been around roosters enough?

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Surrender the Dawn {Book Review}

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Cassandra Channing is desperately trying to help her family during the War of 1812 and decides to hire a privateer. Because she is a woman, no one will take her seriously. She is forced to work with Luke Heaton, a man with a less than shining reputation.

Luke agrees to captain the Channing’s ship in hopes of spending more time with Cassandra. As their relationship begins to develop, something from Luke’s past threatens to disrupt not only his future with Cassandra, but his entire life. He is blackmailed and forced to supply the enemy ships, but sees no way around the situation.

What Luke doesn’t know is Cassandra has stowed away on his ship in an attempt to discover what is really going on with Luke ~ putting her life and the lives of many others at risk.

A video clip introduction of Surrender the Dawn…

My Thoughts

Surrender the Dawn is the third book in the Surrender the Destiny series by MaryLu Tyndall.  The series is not one that runs in a time order, but rather one that runs parallel time-wise to the other stories. I have read the other two books in the series {both as equally wonderful} and throughout the stories you have glimpses of characters from the other stories as they interact.

I have loved this look into a crucial point in our American history and have really enjoyed the Surrender the Destiny series overall. The fact that the books can also be read independently without missing any story line plots from the other books is an added plus {although you really want to read the rest!}.

Truthfully this book has given me a renewed interest in our country’s roots and history and I love the perspective that they have provided. I received this book in Kindle format to review, but will also be purchasing the book to have in paperback to complete the series that I already own. :)

Find Out More

~ Visit Mary Lu Tyndall’s website

~ Buy Surrender the Dawn at Amazon.

This book was provided for review by Barbour via Net Galley. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

The Shunning ~ DVD Review & Giveaway

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If viewing in a reader, see the video clip for Beverly Lewis' The Shunning here

From the website release:

Before she succumbs to cancer, the dying wish of Laura Mayfield-Bennett is to be reunited with the daughter she never knew. Unfortunately, that daughter, Katie Lapp, is a member of the Amish order. Katie is about to be married, but uneasy about the path ahead.  Now she discovers the secret her parents have kept from her: she's adopted.
The film is based on the celebrated first novel of the best-selling "The Heritage of Lancaster County" book series from author Beverly Lewis. Stars Danielle Panabaker & Sherry Stringfield.

My Thoughts

I have read so many of Beverly Lewis’ books and was excited to see this come to video. This video more than met my expectations and is truly a wonderful production! The filming and acting were more than I expected and I was so glad to hear that they are currently working on the screenplay for the next book in the series {The Heritage of Lancaster County series was three books}.

While some viewers may be disappointed in the ending, it is a part of a series and they did not cram all three story lines into one movie ~ which I am grateful for. There are a few things that would be inconsistent in the Amish society {the wearing of makeup, for instance}, but I understand the world of making people look good on film! :)

The film is listed as unrated, but I would give it a PG rating, although I do not recall any language or other material in the film. One of the main characters does talk about her past when she was an unmarried, pregnant 16-year-old, but everything is handled really well and would be suitable for older children to watch. This is definitely a movie I’ll be holding onto!

Film Specifics

This film is unrated and has a running time of 88 minutes.

The Giveaway

Would you like to win a copy of The Shunning on DVD?  Fly Propeller has offered a copy to one of my readers! Leave a comment on this post ~ be sure there is a way for me to contact you. The giveaway will be open until Monday, September 26th at 8pm.

This movie was provided for review by FlyPropeller. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

Life at this Moment

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The last two months have seemed so chocked full of activity. We’ started back with school at the beginning of August and had what seemed like a non-stop array of visitors during those first few weeks.

Rick has been working like crazy to get our bonus room finished above our garage so we can have a separate space for our schoolroom. It’s been a work in progress over the last few months and we’re just about finished!!

Painting is just about done and we’re finishing up trim and moving everything into the room. And organizing.

We had this past week off from school and are starting back up on Monday ~ and the kids and I are so very excited to be in the new room!! Can’t wait to share the finished room and give you a tour around.

We Choose Virtues ~ Developing Positive Character in Kids

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So very excited! I just downloaded the Teacher’s Handbook from We Choose Virtues and am waiting for a few more pieces of the program to arrive so we can start using it with our kids. We Choose Virtues is a program that focuses on developing positive character in children.
From the website…

Need some Patience? Or maybe the kids in your life do? How about Perseverance, Honesty, or Kindness? We make Virtues super simple to teach so YOU can inspire your own kids or the students in your class every day!  How? Virtue becomes more than just “big words”. Each one comes to life through our positive catchphrases and fun demonstrations.

You have to admit…the cards and characters that are part of the program are pretty cute ~ and catchy! Until the end of September, We Choose Virtues is offering a few discounts:

~ 15% off your entire order with the code VIRTUE15 {no expiration}
~ 25% off the Teacher’s Virtue Cards for Families or the Home School Kit using code Virtuemom {expires 9/30/11}

Can’t wait to start using these with the kids!

My Influence on My Children…

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I’ve been reading Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson {yes, the same author from Ministry of Motherhood ~ have I mentioned how much I love her?}.  There was a passage that I underlined and highlighted and wanted to share…

“Because God has blessed me with a husband and children, a part of His call to me is to follow His plan for families. And that means I am to shepherd the hearts of the children whom He has providentially placed in my care. I am to care for them tenderly and to partner with God and my husband in leading my children to know and love His Word and to follow His will.

This design doesn’t mean I have to lose myself in my children’s lives. On the contrary, following God’s design for living is the true key to finding myself – to becoming the person He had in mind for me all along. And saying yes to the mission of motherhood has certainly not meant giving up ministry. To a great extent, it is my ministry….

…my influence on my children is limited only by the smallness of my dreams and my lack of commitment to the Lord and His purposes.”

~ Sally Clarkson, p 15 & 16

 

Our ‘New’ Little Boy

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A little over two weeks ago we took Kaleb to the doctor’s after a strange rash began showing up all over his body.  Truthfully, he hadn’t been feeling well for awhile, but nothing seemed to make sense. Our doctor had him tested for Lyme disease and it came back with a BIG fat positive.

Enter the antibiotics.

We’re now almost at the end of treatment and can I just tell you ~ oh.my.word. The difference in the boy is nothing short of amazing. Where we once had a little boy who complained about how tired he was, we now have a little boy FULL of life and energy. The little boy who hardly ate a thing on his plate is asking for third and fourth servings.

It’s like we’ve had a new little boy deposited into our household.

In short ~ it’s wonderful and we are so happy to have him here.

Hidden Affections ~ Book Review & Giveaway

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Annabelle Tyler is reeling from the death of her mother and the recent betrayal from her now ex-husband ~ not something that is spoken of in polite society in the early 1800’s. Although she had no part in any of the scandal that has shaken her world, she hopes for a new start where no one is familiar with her situation.

When her carriage is overtaken by highwaymen, she and a fellow traveler are put into a compromising condition and forced into a marriage neither expected.

Harrison Graymoor is one of the most eligible bachelor’s in Philadelphia society with a reputation that is not impeccable. He has no desire to marry and when forced into the situation, quickly scrambles to find a way out.

Although the situation is less than desirable, as they begin to spend time together in their sham marriage, affections quietly come to the surface that neither expected to face. Will they continue the course to resolve their marriage or will their affections lead them elsewhere?

My Thoughts

This was truly one of my favorite reads lately ~ and one that I’ve already passed along to several others to read. I absolutely fell in love with both characters in this book and the relationship that developed between them. Out of all the character though, the meddling housekeeper, a true gem of a woman, was probably my favorite though. Through her gentle {and often not-subtle} nudging, emotions are uncovered and relationships developed. This is one book that I’ll be keeping on my bookshelf for some time!

The Giveaway

Would you like to win a copy of Hidden Affections by Delia Parr? Bethany House has offered to give away a copy to one of my readers!

Leave a comment on this post ~ be sure there is a way for me to contact you. The giveaway will be open until Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 {US residents only}.

About the Author

~ Visit Delia Parr’s website

~ Buy Hidden Affections at Amazon

~ Keep up with the latest book releases from Bethany House

This book was provided for review by Bethany House. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

BUNCHES of New Kindle Freebies

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Many of you know that I keep {usually} current list of Kindle freebies linked in my sidebar.

Today I had to share that there are a BUNCH of new freebies added to the list, so be sure to click over and check them out! There are over TWENTY current freebies!! Here are just a few of the new ones:

A Daughter’s Inheritance by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

No Place for a Lady by Maggie Brendan

The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund

The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

Check out the full list of current Kindle freebies here:

http://www.noordinarymomentsblog.com/p/kindle-freebies.html