Over the Edge by Mary Connealy {Book Review}

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Seth Kincaid found his way home to his brothers, but somewhere along the way forgot he was married. His wife, Callie, didn’t forget though and doesn’t take the news too kindly.

Callie manages to track Seth down and has a few surprises for him. Seth’s memories since the Civil War are sketchy and Callie isn’t sure what to believe – or how patient to be with him.

Seth is trying his best to remember and win Callie back, but will he remember enough to keep her with him? Or will Callie decide enough is enough and let Seth go?

My Thoughts

Over the Edge is the third book in the Kincaid Bride series by Mary Connealy. Seth has been the ‘crazy’ brother since the series began, haunted by nightmares since his return from the Civil War. His brothers and wives are mostly patient with his many quirks, but no one knew he got married sometime after the war.

Many of Seth’s quirks are better explained in this book dedicated to his story and he is shown as so much more than the crazy younger brother that he appeared to be in the other books. Connealy develops Seth’s character deeply in Over the Edge, revealing parts of Set that only his relationship with Callie help explain.

Over the Edge wraps up the Kincaid Bride series nicely and with the introduction of a younger character, it opens the door for a follow-up where readers can see the Kincaid family in the future. {That may be a total guess on my part – but a definite possibility}.

Find Out More

~ Buy Over the Edge by Mary Connealy in paperback or Kindle format {currently only $2.99 on Kindle!!}.

Be sure to check out the entire series by Mary Connealy: Out of Control, In Too Deep, and Over the Edge

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

Tracking Medicine Doses

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Believe it or not, I actually put into practice something that I saw on Pinterest. Although I may wish it wasn’t this one in particular, it has been VERY handy since our youngest is on a 30 day run of antibiotics and I have to remember to give them to him twice a day and also call the pharmacy to check on refills since they are dispersed in 10 day supplies.

The concept is so amazingly simple…but has truly been a HUGE help to my tired brain every day. I used a Sharpie to draw a quick grid on the side of the bottle for the days and times that our son needed a dose of his medication. Each time I give him the meds, I check off the dose.

With one quick look at the bottle, I am able to see if the medicine was given that day. A star next to another day reminds me to call the pharmacy to ensure they have the medication in stock for the upcoming refill.

It’s been working like a charm – and will definitely be used again when needed!

Celebrating and Savoring a Simple Christmas

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Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom has released a new ebook called Celebrating and Savoring a Simple Christmas to help readers slow down and SAVOR the Christmas season. For the first three days {through November 15th}, you can grab a copy for your Kindle for only 99 cents!!

Do you want to have a meaningful, memorable, relaxed Christmas this year. Do you really want to be able to savor and enjoy this season–not just rush through it feeling overwhelmed and behind.

In Celebrating and Savoring a Simple Christmas you'll learn to:

• Organize your Christmas list
• Make and stick with a Christmas budget
• Freezer cook for the holidays
• Make memorable family activities
• Simple and inexpensive homemade gifts
• Get your home in order
• Savor the meaning of the season

…and much more.

You can pick up your copy at Amazon today by clicking on the graphic below. Starting Friday, the book will be $4.99 ~ so grab a copy during the 3 day sale!

No Matter Who Wins…

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Today the kids went to the polls with me and walked through the 2012 presidential election process. They took a sample ballot from both parties so we could talk about the different issues that we were voting for.

After our ballot was counted, there were stickers.

Tonight as the kids got ready for bed, Zachary’s prayer just made my heart smile – and is a good reminder for all of us:

“Dear God, help us remember that no matter who wins tonight, you are still in charge.”

Amen.

The Four Footed Family Member

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There’s a new little someone who has quickly wiggled his way into the hearts of family members. We tried to keep him at arm’s length until we knew that Rick wouldn’t have any allergy issues with him, but really…that was a lost cause.

For a week he has been wandering the house, getting into kitty mischief and remained unnamed while we made a list of different names that might fit him.

And the list was getting long: Mittens. Mitt {Romney}. Caramel. Butterscotch. Pumpkin. Peanut. Butternut. Cinnamon.

Perhaps you notice the food trend??

Yesterday we finally settled on a non-hunger inducing name.

Toby. Short for Toby Cat…a name that is a throwback to one of the kids’ favorite singers – Toby Mac.

{I’ll admit that I am really already in love with the little stinker cat}.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

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With fall in the air, the decorations are popping up all over our house and the only thing missing was the smell of fall.

The quickest way to remedy that was to pull out some pumpkin and experiment a little bit. The result – a recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

Ingredients:

 

~ 3 cups of flour {I used whole wheat pastry flour and it worked great}

~ 1 tsp. salt

~ 2 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

~ 1 tsp. baking soda

~ 1 cup butter or butter-flavored shortening

~ 5 Tbsp. pumpkin puree

~ 2 eggs

~ 3/4 cup sugar

~ 3/4 cup brown sugar

~ 1 tsp. vanilla extract

~ 1 bag of mini chocolate chips

 

Directions:

1. Cream butter/shortening with sugar. Add eggs and vanilla when mixed well.
2. Add in pumpkin puree.
3. Mix dry ingredients together and slowly mix in with wet ingredients.
4. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto a cookie sheet. {I use a small cookie dough scoop and it works great!}
6. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or till browned and cooked to your liking.
7. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes and then enjoy!

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Need help meal planning? Don’t miss the editable main dish menu planner and the monthly meal planner ~ both FREE downloads.

 

A Lady in the Making by Susan Page Davis {Review}

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Available October 2012

One of the last things that Millie Evans stole was a Bible. Ironically, that Bible has been by her side since and she wants nothing more than to right the wrongs that she has committed.

On a stagecoach to start a new life for herself, she runs into David, the man she once tried to swindle ~ and stole the Bible from. He is returning to his home in England to claim his family title and wary of the ‘new’ Millie. When an accident leaves him needing medical attention, Millie volunteers to help.

David’s heart is guarded when it comes to Millie, but she is determined to prove that she has changed with God’s help. Will the changes be evident to David and will his heart be softened toward Millie ~ or will he return to England without seeing a difference in her?

My Thoughts

A Lady in the Making is the third book in the Prairie Dreams series by Susan Page Davis. My initial reading of the first book in the series, The Lady’s Maid, left me a bit frustrated, but I am so glad that I decided to read the next book ady Anne's Quest, I couldn’t wait to read the last book in the series.

Millie’s character was introduced in Lady Anne's Quest and she is one whose story you want to learn more of. Page does an excellent job developing the character from one the reader is not fond of to one that you are rooting in just the first few pages of the latest story. Her redemption is one that you witness as the story unfolds and is believable and heartwarming.

Watching the The Prairie Dreams series is wrapped up very nicely with A Lady in the Making {even though there is one other character in the story line that I would love to see a book about!}. While this book can be read as a stand-alone, I would definitely recommend reading the other two books in the series first so that the broader storyline can be understood.

Find Out More

~ Visit Susan Page Davis' website

~ Buy A Lady in the Making ~ Prairie Dreams Book 3 by Susan Page Davis in paperback or Kindle format.

Be sure to check out the entire series by Susan Davis….

This book was provided for review by Barbour and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

Favorite Bible Stories

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What were your favorite Bible stories when you were young? David and Goliath? Queen Esther? Jonah and the Whale?

The other night before bed, McKenna was reading her Bible. She had recently picked up one of our one year Bibles to use and was reading in the book of Genesis.

As she closed her Bible, she sighed and said, “I just love that story.”

Not sure how far she was into the story, I asked her what one she was talking about.

“Cain and Abel. I don’t know why I like it so much. I just do.”

What?!?!? I’m really not sure how to interpret that one – should I start putting aside money for therapy now? Anyone??

A Camping We Will Go…

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This summer we’ve done a little more camping than last year, which is a great thing. We’re finding more of a ‘groove’ when we go {i.e. we don’t throw every random thing into the vehicles to bring}. Unpacking and setting up is much easier too, which gives us more time to enjoy the time together – and time to relax.

The last few trips may have been even more relaxing because wireless wasn’t available either. Ahem.

Last summer we met a really great couple that we immediately grew to love {and their kids}. So far this summer we’ve managed to spend a few weekends with them and it has been MUCH fun.

Our favorite trip this year {because it was longer and fun} was to Westmoreland State Park – great campsites, clean and well kept-up. The park is just off the Potomac River and not far from George Washington’s birthplace {something we’ll have to check out next time we visit!}.

The best part of the weekend for the kids {other than being with each other} was digging for shark’s teeth on Fossil Beach.

Everyone spent time digging and sifting or walking the beach looking for teeth. There were even a few teeth that ‘got away’ after kiddos dropped the newly discovered teeth right back in the water. We won’t tell WHO dropped the teeth…

One more trip planned for us this year. Have you been camping lately??

Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson {Book Review}

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Special Agent Paul Falcon has been chasing a hired killer for year, with few leads. When Ann Silver appears in his office, years after the killer’s trail has gone cold, she brings clue that could potentially bring the case to a close.

Neither Paul nor Ann expected the case them closer together – and also past secrets to light. Will their newly developing relationship be able to withstand the things that Ann has held tightly inside for years?

My Thoughts

Dee Henderson has long been one of my favorite authors. In her newest novel, Full Disclosure, readers will not be disappointed with the story or her writing. True to her writing style, Henderson develops a depth of characters, provides multiple intense story lines, and takes the time to tackle tough questions and work though the answers.

Faithful readers will also have brief glimpses into the lives of characters from past series by Henderson {O’Malley and True Heroes} and new readers will be left searching Amazon to complete their library with books they have yet to read.

Full Disclosure was a stand alone novel, but it was wonderful to see past characters appear in the story line and see their relationship to the new characters in this story. I loved ‘meeting’ characters that I hadn’t read the stories of before and immediately after finishing, bought the entire True Heroes series to get a little more.

Overall, Full Disclosure is a FABULOUS book that I would recommend to those who enjoy suspense novels and a deep plot line with various twists and turns. You definitely won’t be disappointed!

Find Out More

~ Check out the Facebook page for Full Disclosure. Dee Henderson has been answering reader questions, is sharing excerpts from the book, and has some fun pictures and trivia to share with readers.

~ Visit Dee Henderson's website

~ Buy Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson in paperback or Kindle format.

 

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

English Teacher Fun

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The English major in me finds this hilariously funny…

via Pinterest

Come on…admit you snickered just a little bit!

Dear Pinterest Pinners

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I realize that there are so many yummy recipes available, but must you all pin such fabulous pictures and recipes of what appear to be the best desserts ever?

It’s making my resolve to not continually shove sweet yumminess in my mouth crumble like the topping on that apple crisp recipe I just saw.

Melt like the gooey chocolate that is oozing out of that death by chocolate brownie cake.

I do believe that I am gaining weight just looking at the pictures. And that is really not good.

Last night I caved and made the oreo cheesecake cupcakes and they were {sadly} fabulous enough to lick the bowl clean of any remaining batter. I will not remind myself that there are still some sitting in the fridge calling my name.

Please help a girl out. Salads would be a really nice option although I realize they don’t speak quite as loudly to the masses. Be kind to a girl.

Please?

The Start of the School Year

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This year marks our seventh year homeschooling. Without the school photographer on hand to take pictures of the kids, I get to have the fun job.

And by fun…well, you know how it is trying to take pictures of your own kids. Near water. And bridges. That kind of fun.

We did manage to document how the kids have grown and kick off the school year with dinner out to celebrate.

Laurianna, age 11	McKenna, age 9
Zachary, age 7	Kaleb, age 5

 

And because a picture is worth a thousand words, this one definitely sums up a few things…