Scripture Memory Verse Challenge ~ 10/31/10

Memory Verse ~ 10/31/10-11/6/10

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom." 

2 Corinthians 3:17

Hide these Words in your heart and they will be with you always.
     

Movie Review: "You're So Cupid"

Description:

Year:  2010
Rated:  G
Run Time:  93 minutes

Twin sisters (Caitlin E.J. Meyer and Danielle Chuchran) who neither look alike nor act alike share a similar fondness -- and an innate skill -- for matchmaking in this romantic family film that demonstrates why even Cupid himself might be hard-pressed to succeed in love today. The sisters' Cupid credentials are put to the test when they find themselves competing for the same man while trying to save their parents' crumbling marriage.


Cast:  Lauren Holly, Brian Krause, Jeremy Sumpter, Caitlin E.J. Meyer, Danielle Chuchran, Amanda Gallo, Malese Jow, Chad Hively, Jessica Jackson, Nikola Clark
 
Director:  John Lyde
 
Genres:  Romance, Romantic Dramas, Fantasy, Family Dramas, Ages 11-12
 
This movie is:  Romantic
 
My Thoughts:
 
We watched this movie last Friday for Family Movie Night.  A cute family movie was on the rotation.  We try to mix it around here.  lol
 
We watched it on our XBOX through Netflix.  Here is the link for the Netflix page.
 
My overall impression was of a cute pre-teen/teen movie.  It dealt alot with high-school issues and a Sadie Hawkins Dance.  There were also some all too real issues, mainly divorce and siblings being separated.  Heartbreaking.
 
There is a bit of a twist in the "Cupid" part of the title.  I don't want to tell you, because that would ruin it.
 
I do have to point out that Lauren Holly HAD to have had some work done on her face!  I had last seen her on NCIS playing the Director.  She looked so weird!  My mom and I kept trying to guess exactly what she had done.  Definitely her nose/mouth area.  Very noticable.
 
I'm not sure what this week's Family Movie Night movie will be.  We'll have to come to a decision on what genre's turn it is.  I'll let you know next week...
 
Have you started a Family Movie Night yet?  Or a Game Night?  Start now, you won't regret it!
 

TSMSS ~ He Knows My Name

I didn't have a specific idea for today's TSMSS, so I did a search on youtube for "contemporary Christian"  This was the first song on the list of results.  Not a coincidence, I think.

Between watching this video and PMS, I'm sitting here in front of the computer wiping away tears.  I'd heard the song before but had not seen the video.  O my!   So touching.

{this moment} ~ Laken After the Book Fair

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Lightly Spiced Raisin Cookies--Yuck!!!!

Cookie # 8 in:

Lightly Spiced Raisin Cookies

I'm not even going to post pictures or the recipe!  See Results...

Results

Yuck!  Yuck!  Yuck!!  This recipe must have either had a misprint or someone has no taste buds.  When putting the ingredients in the bowl, I tought"  Wow!  3 teaspoons of baking soda!?!  Ok."

They smelled really good.  My mom and I sat down with some tea and a cookie fresh from the oven.  Anticipation!  I don't like raisins so I picked them out.  The cookie itself looked promising.

One bite.  That was all it took.  It tasted like straight baking soda!  They were completely inedible.

How disappointing!  Oh, well, better to find out now than 2 days before Christmas.
DON"T try these! 

Feel Good Friday ~ 10/29/10

"Just make a list. List 5 things that made you really happy this week. No matter how bad or boring you think your week was, I bet you can find 5 things."

1.  Volunteering at the School Book Fair!


2.  Kaylee got great grades for the 1st 9 weeks of 5th Grade!

3.  Working as a family on the Pumpkin Contest!

4.  Getting new yarn and fabric!  because of...

5.  Payday!

"Queen of the Castle" Reminder

If you are joining in on the reading of this weekly devotional, we'll be starting the first week in January.  I think I'm going to be posting on Tuesday, because that seems to be a good day for me.

If anyone has any suggestions on the read-a-long please let me know.  Do we each want to do our own post about our thoughts from each chapter?  How would you like to do it?  Leave a comment with any ideas!

The book contains "52 weeks of encouragement for the uninspired, dometically challenged or just plain tired homemaker."

Does this sound like you?  Would you like to do this study with me? 

Here's the book description from Amazon:

Being a keeper of the home demands that women possess a wide range of skills, from knowing what to do with a pound of ground round to being able to corral a rampant toddler and manage the carpooling schedule. Says author Lynn Walker, "By the time most of us realize we're a few towels short of a load in our homemaking skills, we're up to our thighs in dirty little soccer uniforms and don't have time to read a different book for each part of the job." Now the training, skills and tips every woman needs are all here in one delightful-to-read volume. From mothering to marriage, gardening to grilling, family vacations to flea markets, time management to Thanksgiving meals, chores and chocolate breaks, spiritual reminders and stress relievers, Walker presents "I've been there, sister" advice, recipes, ideas and funny stories for every woman who, like her, is NOT Homemaker of the Year. Five minutes a day, 52 weeks a year is all a woman needs to get the most of this inspiring, helpful read.

A few chapter titles are "Housework, Done Correctly Can Kill You" and "Trippity Doo-Dah:  The Family Vacation".

I've paged through the book and it looks great!  It contains quotes, specific prayer ideas, and key Bible verses.  There are even "Chocolate Breaks"!

So, if you'd like to follow along with me there's plenty of time to get the book.  Here is a link to buying it on Amazon or you can click the picture of the book at the top of the post.  You can buy it for as little as $0.90.

What do you think?  Are you in?  Do you want to be the Queen of Your Castle?  I know I do.

"Fiesta" Shawl and Books Now In My Store

I decided to list the "Fiesta" Shawl in my store.  You can click on the picture to go straight to the listing.

I also listed some books:

-First Impressions by Debra White Smith
-A Promise For Spring by Kim Vogel Sawyer
-Distant Heart by Tracey Bateman
-Along Came a Cowboy by Christine Lynxwiler
-The Perfect Blend by Trish Perry
-Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater
-Seasons in the Mist by Deborah Kinnard
-Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsynlvania by Cerella D. Sechrist
-Magnolia by Ginny Aiken

You can click on my store button on the sidebar to see all my listings.

Rich Date and Walnut Cookies

Cookie # 7 in:

Rich Date and Walnut Cookies

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped dates
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 egg
Preheat oven to 350.

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Add softened butter and eggs.  Beat until thoroughly mixed.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Remove cookies from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to cooling rack.  (Makes 2 1/2 to 3 dozen.)

Results

Up until I made these cookies I would have said, "Dates.  Ewww!"  I had never tried them because I didn't THINK I liked them.  They looked too much like raisens.  For the sake of this project, though, I thought I'd try out these cookies.  They smelled wonderful!  And guess what?  They tasted WONDERFUL!  Yummy!  What have I been missing all these years?

Let me know if you try these out.

Linking to:

Made By You Monday

Making Your Home Sing

Homemaker Monday

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Tuesdays at the Table

Raising Homemakers Link-up

Strut Your Stuff Thursday

Foodie Friday

Potluck Sunday

Scripture Memory Verse Challenge ~ REVIEW

Last week was the final memory verse from "The Power of Hope" First Place 4 Health study book.

Next Sunday, I'll be starting "Walking In Grace" and we'll have new memory verses.

This week is a review week in the study book, so I thought we'd also review the memory verses from this unit.

See how many you can remember.

  

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." Romans 5:5

"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more."  Psalm 71:14

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we possess, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

"Why do you call Me "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him." Psalm 62:5

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

"He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1: 13-14

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42: 5-6

     So, how'd you do?

Book Review: "The Last Storyteller" by Diane Noble

Book Description:


One Woman’s Choice, One Family’s Legacy

Taite Abbot has always been a free spirit, and she has the tattoos and piercings to prove it. So when her boyfriend, medical student Sam Wellington, leaves for a fellowship thousands of miles away before he knows she is pregnant, Taite is unwilling destroy his chance of becoming a doctor. Completely unprepared to face parenthood alone, she decides to get an abortion. But without any emotional or financial resources, Taite first seeks solace from her Welsh grandmother, Naini.

“Do you remember the stories I once told you, Taite? About the family? …
There were some I didn’t tell you…. Some were too hard to tell.”

From the moment the disillusioned young woman arrives, Naini knows that time is running out, both for Taite and for herself. The aging woman must make her granddaughter understand the heart and soul of their family’s ancient legacy. But for Taite to discover the passion and faith that can keep love alive, Naini must tell the hard stories, one last time.

Interweaving a medieval adventure with the dilemmas of contemporary romance, The Last Storyteller draws ancient grace into modern lives through the powerful telling of stories.

My Thoughts:

This book was riveting!!  There were many controversial issues brought up in this book.  Some may be offended and yet the beauty of the book is that it is used as a beacon of light to shine the light of God onto these issues.  So don't shy away.

I was so captivated by Taite's story as well as the other sideline stories throughout the book.  I read the whole book within 24 hours.  I stayed up a lot later than I should have that night but I couldn't wait to find out how the stories would turn out.

The mix of contemporary and historical storylines was so interesting with just the right blend.  This book also is written with several viewpoints which was very interesting.

If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it!

TSMSS ~ The Old Rugged Cross by Alan Jackson

My husband, Doug, picked the song for this week's Then Sings My Soul Saturday.  I found Alan Jackson's version to share today.

Movie Review: "Toy Story 3"

Movie Description:

As Andy gets ready to leave for college, Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang wonder if this is the end of the line. But, when a mix up lands them in the Sunnyside Day Care Center where they meet 14 new toys, they soon discover that a wild new adventure is just beginning!

Take an amazing journey with some of the most beloved characters in movie history and discover what being a friend is truly all about.


My Thoughts:

This movie was great!  It might be my favorite Toy Story movie.  We watched on a Friday Family Movie Night.

The kids loved it!  The adults loved it!  We had a great time watching it together.

Some of the season at the daycare were hilarious!  The concept was so original and I laughed and laughed at the "Mafia".  Ken's wardrobe was so funny and I love how Barbie tricks him.  You've got to see it to get the full effect so I'll leave it at that.

If you haven't seen this movie, put it on your To Watch List.  Even if you're grown and don't have any little ones to watch it with, you'll still enjoy it.  Better yet, borrow some little ones and make a night of it.  You won't be sorry!

If you don't have a Family Movie Night, I encourage you to do so.  It is a great way to connect with each other.  Invite extended family members too, not just your nucleus.  Make it a family tradition.  I'm all about family traditions!

{this moment} ~ Grandma and Kaylee

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Feel Good Friday ~ 10/22/10

"Just make a list. List 5 things that made you really happy this week. No matter how bad or boring you think your week was, I bet you can find 5 things."

1.  Went to the chiropractor and my neck feels MUCH better!

2.  Doug took yesterday and today off!

3.  Kaylee got a 100% on a Science test and an English test!

4.  Laken's hair is finally growing out!

5.  New followers and great comments!

Orange-Sugar Cookies

Cookie # 6 in:

Orange-Sugar Cookies

1 cup sugar
3 cups flour
3 Tablespoons dried, ground orange peel
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup finely ground almonds, toasted
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
Optional:  Sprinkles, colored sugar, etc.

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Add softened butter, vanilla, milk and eggs.  Beat until thoroughly mixed.

For drop cookies:  drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

For rolled cookies:  refrigerate dough fora  couple hours to chill.  Roll out on lightly floured surface to 1/4 thick.  Cut with cookie cutter and place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Optional:  You can add sprinkles or colored sugar to the top of the cookies before baking.

Bake for 10 minutes.  Remove cookies from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to cooling rack.  (Makes 3 1/2 to 4 dozen.)

Results

These cookies were a favorite of my 9 year-old.  She took them in her lunch to school and shared with her friends.  I loved the roasted almond smell filling the house.  I'll probably make these again.
Let me know if you try them!

Linking to:

Made By You Monday

Making Your Home Sing

Homemaker Monday

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Tuesdays at the Table

Raising Homemakers Link-up

Strut Your Stuff Thursday

Foodie Friday

Potluck Sunday

Book Review: "Jillian Dare" by Melanie M. Jeschke

Book Description:


Jillian Dare leaves her Shenandoah Valley foster home behind and strikes out on her own as a nanny at a large country estate in northern Virginia. She is delighted with the beauty of her new home, the affection of her young charge Cadence Remington, and the opportunity for frequent travel to the Remington castle in England.

She is less certain about her feelings for her handsome but moody employer, Ethan. In spite of herself, Jillian realizes she is falling for her boss. But how can a humble girl ever hope to win a wealthy man of the world? And what dark secrets from the past is he hiding?

This contemporary story, inspired by the well-loved classic "Jane Eyre", will capture readers' hearts.

My Thoughts:

I loved how this book travels from Virginia to England and back again.  The description of the settings were amazingly detailed and easy to picture.

Being  based on Jane Eyre, I pretty much knew what the concept was going to be.  That being said, this story was different enough to keep my interest and make me want to see what was going to happen next.

My only complaint was that the story would skip weeks at a time.  It was Christmas and then the next chapter it was Spring.  this wouldn't have been so bad but there were blank weeks during the romance part of the book.  It left me wanting more details.

My overall impression was that this was a good read and well worth the time.

Book Review: "The Reluctant Cowgirl" by Christine Lynxwiler

A McCord Sister Romance

 

 

 

Book Description:

Enjoy a front row seat as two reluctant lovers take center stage in award-winning author Christine Lynxwiler's latest riveting romance. New York actress Crystal McCord puts her career on hold to return home to Arkansas to help take care of her family's ranch.

When she meets cowboy neighbor Jeremy Buchanan, sparks fly. But when Jeremy's never-before-mentioned family appears on the scene, he drops out of the picture.

Will Crystal's country road home turn out to be a dead end? Is it time for a U-turn back to the Big Apple? Or will Jeremy manage to book her for an unlimited engagement?


My Thoughts:

This is the first of the McCord Sister Romance series.  I enjoyed getting to know all the family members and the town where the setting is.

This story was full of heartache.  It is also full of romance and suspense.

I enjoyed reading as Cyrstal and Jeremy get to know one another as friends and then as their relationship deepens and tough choices have to be made.

This book also has a variety of homecomings including reluctant, sad and joyful.  After all, "Home is Where the Herd Is".

Word Filled Wednesday ~ Psalm 71:14

Two More Bookkeepers

I had an order on my ebay store for 2 of the Bookkeepers.  There's a button on my sidebar that will take you to my store.  I really need to make some new items and add them.  Maybe some Christmas crafts...

I used scrappy strips with a decorative stitching on the seams.

I love that they fit a larger book.  I used "Remember to Forget" by Deborah Raney as a model.

I had to use two different fabrics for liners.  I ran out of the yellow and decided to use the floral to mix it up a bit.

Otherwise, the same.  I even had two of the same color buttons.

I'm looking forward to using some different fabrics and patterns to make some variations of this Bookkeeper.  If you'd like to purchase one, let me know!

Linking to:

Homemaking Link-up
Strut Your Stuff Thursday
Made By You Monday
Making Your Home Sing
Homemaker Mondays