Saturday, February 28, 2015

Easy Italian Meal of Stuffed Shells #Recipe

I don't know about you all, but cooking for a big family can often be time consuming and frustrating. You feel like you are in the kitchen almost all day, right? We try to do a special meal at least three times a week and it normally involves spending more time in the kitchen but dinner is a time where we all sit around the table and converse, chat about the day, spend family time together, and so on. One of my favorite meals to make would have to be Stuffed Shells. It is basically like Manicotti, but in my opinion, easier to throw together on a busy day but still looks like you made a lot of effort. Definitely a favorite in our house!



I will start off with ingredients needed first. Then the directions along with pictures. This is my first time posting an actual recipe so leave a comment and let me know what you think I could do to improve, what you liked, etc. Also if you want me to post more recipes I would be glad to start doing that more. This recipe fed our family of 8 plus a friend, and we had a little bit of leftovers. I also had a salad and cheesy toast with it.



INGREDIENTS-

Pasta shells-2 lbs
Cottage Cheese-large tub
Ricotta Cheese-medium tub
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese-16 oz
Eggs- 1-2
Italian Seasoning(basil, parsley, etc)- 1 tbspn
Parmesan Cheese-8 oz
Pasta Sauce-Large jar


DIRECTIONS-
I always start out with getting all my ingredients on the counter, bowls, pans, etc so I have them ready to use. It is so much easier than having to search for something while I am in the middle of mixing the cheeses, or stuffing shells, etc.



Start water for the pasta as described on package. While the water is heating, stir together your italian seasoning, eggs, cottage, ricotta and a handful of mozzarella cheese.



This will be your stuffing to go into the shells once they are done. Make sure to preheat your oven to 350* while you are fixing the shells. Drain your pasta once it is finished cooking, al dente is best so they are still firm enough to handle without falling apart, and now comes the fun part of filling them.



You want a good amount of filling inside, but not too much or they will fall over and overflow. Get your pans ready, I use a 13x9 but I also use at least two pans for our family, and put a layer of pasta sauce in the bottom of the pan.



This acts as an oil almost so the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom when you go to pull it out. Continue filling all the shells until your pan is full. The oven should be done heating by now.



Once your shells are in the pan, layer pasta sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan on top. Do these in order over all the shells or it won't turn out right. Bake this at 350* for 25-30 minutes. Just watch as oven temperatures vary and your cheese on top might burn. You can put foil over the top if you would like for the first 20 minutes and then take it off for the last 5-10. And then voila!



You have a meal that took you about an hour or less to prepare and cook. As I said above, I also put together a salad and did some cheesy toast to round out the meal. This is also an easy meal to make up and freeze, send to a neighbor, etc. Everyone who has tried it has loved it.




**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Friday, February 27, 2015

The Trouble With Patience Book #Review

THE TROUBLE WITH PATIENCE
BY MAGGIE BRENDAN


Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with restoring a dilapidated boardinghouse in order to support herself.

Despite Patience's desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local marshal with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life. It seems like such a simple arrangement: She needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse. He needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners. But as she gets to know this "hanging lawman," Patience finds there is far more to him than meets the eye--and it could destroy their tenuous relationship forever.

With a keen eye for historical detail and a deft hand at romantic tension, Maggie Brendan invites you to a Montana gold rush boomtown, where vices and virtues are on full display and love is lying in wait.


MY THOUGHTS- I have to tell you, I think this was my favorite book ever by Maggie Brendan!! I like her other books, even enjoyed them. But not like this one. I totally fell in love with this sweet story and the people I found within the pages.

Patience is one of those characters that makes you laugh out loud. The first time she meets the sheriff, he is confronting a man over stealing a saddle, she gets into an argument over how he is dealing with the man. At that point I almost wanted to slap her. But then when she is at the office and telling him off? Oh boy was it funny. I was grinning from ear to ear imagining the look on his face! Needless to say I did have my problems with her but I know she meant well.

Jedidiah was a conundrum for me. He is quite a mystery and it was interesting to see his character develop. You know he has things in his past he regrets and church has no attraction for him but as everything comes together I felt his pain, his despair of a God who loves someone like him and the fun appeal that Patience had for him. Don't get me wrong, this book is not a down in the dumps story. Yes, people have things in their past they don't exactly want coming to light, but it is a story of redemption, friendship, and even some love.

I really enjoyed the relationships of the townspeople. Many of them were quirky but I totally liked them, at least most of them:) This is a book that will catch the attention of those wanting a fun romp in the wild west and has the flair of romance to boot. Loved it!



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Ice Cold Suspense From Elizabeth Goddard with #Review




NO WAY OUT


On a daring mission, search-and-rescue specialist
Heidi Warren and her team step onto an icy Alaskan mountaintop. . .and
right into a trap. A stranded gang of thieves holds them at gunpoint,
forcing them to serve as guides along the treacherous path. Menaced on
all sides by dangerous weather, deadly terrain and murderous criminals,
Heidi desperately needs someone to trust. But her rescue partner, Isaiah
Callahan, is keeping secrets from her. Secrets that ended their chance
at a relationship before it could even begin. Yet her survival depends
on finding a way to trust Isaiah when a blizzard starts closing in and
her options start running out.

Mountain Cove: In the Alaskan wilderness, love and danger collide.



MY THOUGHTS-
You know how sometimes a book just grabs your attention from the beginning and you don't want to put it down? That is exactly how I felt after starting this new book, Untraceable, by Elizabeth Goddard. I read it in roughly 2 hours, it was that enthralling.

This is the second book in a series and I would urge you to read them in order, otherwise it might be difficult trying to figure everyone out. It opens with a trio of people climbing down a mountain to rescue someone who is injured. These are the main characters in the series and include Heidi and Cade Warren who are brother and sister, but also Isaiah Callahan, the man who is hiding a secret. The only bad thing is, they all end up hostages in a crazy trek across the mountain through a blizzard, and they only know that some of them could die before it is over.

My personal favorite in this suspense filled novel would have to be Heidi. She has been burned before and is cautious when it comes to guys. Isaiah is a troubled hero who will do anything to keep Heidi from getting hurt, except that her feelings are already hurt after he befriends her and then puts up a wall. I felt a connection with Heidi as she sorts through her feelings about Isaiah but also has to prove to herself that she is a good Search and Rescue member.

This book is filled with suspense and you don't know from one minute to the next who will die, if they make it through the night, or if the people holding them hostage will kill each other. The author does an excellent job making bad guys that you really, really don't like! Zach, the head bad guy, is so creepy he made me shiver. And don't get me started on Rhea. Needless to say I only have one problem... How long til the next book!!!! A wonderfully thrilling novel!

I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are 100% mine.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Sharing Your Faith With Shirts #FCblogger + $10 Family Christian Certificate #Giveaway

In the world we live in now a days, it is very hard as a Christian to share your faith with others. People don't slow down and take time to talk much anymore, and when they do, it is rushed. Personally I like giving out literature to others but even that is hard to do many days. One way I like to be bold about sharing my faith is wearing apparel that gives a message of hope or a Bible verse, etc. I am always on the lookout for new ones and when I saw the Christian shirts Family Christian had coming out, these struck a cord with me. Check out my favorite one here!!



This warm brown shirt has a cross stretched across the front with the words, Jesus Paid It All, and the reference of Isaiah 53:5.  I received one for review and absolutely love it! The fit is good, the colors are nice and appealing but the design is what caught my eye. I think the cross and crown of thorns will catch the attention of those walking by. I have worn it many times since receiving it and every time I get people noticing it. Some just look at it while others give me a thumbs up or a nod of agreement. Either way, it was a subtle witness that allowed many people to see my stand for the Lord.



For those of you interested in purchasing a shirt like this, I want to tell you about the great deal Family Christian is having right now. Many of these Christian shirts are $16.99 normally. But through April 23rd, a lot of them are on sale for $7.97!!! You can't beat that price! These would make great gifts but also to wear any time. I love mine for sure and plan on picking up a few more when I go next time.


Readers, I am hosting a giveaway for one of you to win a $10 Family Christian gift certificate. This would allow you to buy one of these shirts for yourself!! The certificates can be used in store or online. Giveaway will end 3/11. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. USA ONLY!!

Monday, February 23, 2015

Devotions for Juniors #Review with $10 Family Christian Certificate #Giveaway #FCblogger

I received a copy of this book from Family Christian. All thoughts are 100% mine. 

For many adults, we don't realize what the teenagers in our lives go through. The struggles they deal with on a regular basis, or the temptations they have which are far different than when we were younger, let alone finances, peer-pressure and the stress that comes with being in high school. It is a hard world out there. God's Word is often skimmed over so they can get on with school or the chores for that day. That is why I love a book like this one here, Junior: Making Sense of It All. This is a 30 day devotional book by Lars Rood that makes it easy to spend time in the Bible.



I personally read through most of this devotional myself. But I also had my younger sister, who is 16, read some of it and give her thoughts. Her little info is below:)  I really liked the format they used for this book and how it is split up for the day. It is sectioned into parts such as Do You Know Who You Are(at school, church, home, etc), Who Do Others Say You Are(your classmates, coaches, teachers, siblings, pastor.) and Who Does Jesus Say You Are(you are redeemed, forgiven, etc)? There is a small section for each day that has a lesson in story, questions for you to answer and think about, as well as what the world thinks about that subject. Then it ends with an act(a small assignment to apply for that day) and a Bible reading.



Personally I see a devotional book like this as being helpful for teenagers. Some might not feel comfortable doing their own reading and I think the teachings would be great as an extra tool.



M's THOUGHTS-I like having a book like this which gives some explanations to certain things. I found it to be easy to read and understand. My favorite part would be the act area. This draws the lesson into your everyday daily life in a way I haven't seen in other devotional books. It deals with the younger people on a different plane and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

One of my readers will win a $10 Family Christian gift certificate. This can be used in store or online. You could buy one of these books if you wanted! They have great deals and I love shopping at their stores.  This is USA only and will end 3/10. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be picked.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Liz Tolsma’s ‘Remember the Lilies’ Author Chat Party and Kindle Giveaway



Remember the Lilies (Thomas Nelson, February 2015)
Can Irene and Rand stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom?
Interred by the Japanese, missionary Irene Reynolds comes across a mysterious note while working at the censor’s office. She memorizes the parts she must black out and delivers it to wealthy nightclub owner Rand Sterling. Before she knows what’s happening, she’s drawn into a web of secrets and danger.
Rand Sterling wants nothing more than to reopen his nightclubs once the war ends. But slimy Frank Covey wants his hand in the till—and has news that could threaten Rand’s reputation if it became public. More importantly, beautiful and intriguing Irene Reynolds cannot discover this information if he expects to persuade her to become his wife.
When Irene is attacked by a sinister Japanese guard and their secrets are exposed, they must learn the true meaning of forgiveness—if they can stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom.


MY REVIEW-I have been pleasantly surprised by this author again with her new book, Remember the Lilies. The war era is not one of my favorites to read about as I often get bored in the details and for some reason can't find the stories interesting. But not so with Liz Tolsma!

The story begins in Manila Philippines before the war starts and jumps right into the thick of it. We see both main characters as they meet for the first time and then are snatched away from each other as the hero gets thrown in a POW camp. It then fast-forwards a couple months as he tries to escape. The plot is excellent with plenty of twists thrown in that I definitely did not see coming. We see people and the way human nature reacts to tough situations, and the fight for survival. My favorite aspect though? The forgiveness shown. I love a book where we see betrayal or hurt and then forgiveness as God gives. Again, an excellent story!!



THE KINDLE GIVEAWAY DETAILS!!

This gripping new tale from Liz Tolsma, Remember the Lilies, is a must-read for fans of WWII-era fiction. When Irene is attacked by a sinister Japanese guard and their secrets are exposed, she and Rand must learn the true meaning of forgiveness—if they can stave off starvation until the American troops bring freedom.


Help Liz celebrate the release of Remember the Lilies with a Kindle Fire giveaway!





rememberthelilies-400 



One grand prize winner will receive:


  • A Kindle Fire

  • One copy of Remember the Lilies



Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 2/19. Winner will be announced at Liz's Remember the Lilies Facebook author chat party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Liz and WWII fiction fans, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!   





rememberthelilies-enterbanner






{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}


RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 19th!





**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Return to Exile With Lynne Gentry Book #Review!

About the book:

Return to Exile (Howard Books, January 2015)

How far would you go to save the ones you love?

Six years ago, impossible circumstances forced Dr. Lisbeth Hastings to leave behind the love of her life, not just in another country, but in another time. Her work as a top-notch epidemiologist and parenting her little girl helps alleviate the pain, but at night when her exhausted head hits the pillow, images of her beloved Cyprian haunt her sleep.

Cyprian Thascius returns from political exile a broken man. He's lost his faith, the love of his life, and his purpose. He attempts to move on, to face the danger that is looming over Carthage, but when Cyprian's true love suddenly reappears, his heart becomes as imperiled as the fledgling church he seeks to save.

Have the years that kept Lisbeth and Cyprian apart created too wide a chasm to bridge? In the midst of a new epidemic and rising oppression, will their love be the most costly fatality? Filled with gripping action and raw emotion, this spell-binding adventure of star-crossed lovers captivates with every turn of the page in this electric continuation of The Carthage Chronicles.
Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1wSugdd   

About the author: 

Lynne Gentry
 has written for numerous publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director, and playwright. Lynne is an inspirational speaker and dramatic performer who loves spending time with her family and medical therapy dog.

Find Lynne online: websiteFacebookTwitter






MY REVIEW-Lynne Gentry has done what no other author has been able to do for me. Get me interested in fantasy Christian fiction. I had never read a story like this before reading her first one and I knew from the start that I would be anxiously awaiting the second book in this series. So when it arrived, I devoured it. And yes, I mean that:)

The heroine is one that I liked a lot. Lisbeth has a strong character and she knows what she wants in life. The hero I had a little difficulty with in this one. The first book I really, really liked him. He stands strong in his faith and is a perfect hero. But this one shows him as wavering, unsure of his faith and so on. Which I know happens in real life, but it was almost too much of a change for him. Believe me though, that minor part didn't deter me from reading straight through this book in one day. Excellent research that shows in the details. Loved it!!




**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Michael Phillip Cash + Instacandi #Giveaway!! #MichaelPhillipCash #Instacandi




Hey everyone! Got a super exciting giveaway for you all here. Talk about a great prize! And there will be 5 winners so please, get your entries in every day. 

Do you like candy and books? Most people do. What might even be better is if you can eat candy while reading a book or two or three.


Here is something great! Award winning author, Michael Phillip Cash is teaming up with Instacandi to give you what you've been craving. He is giving away to five, YES 5, readers his Darracia Trilogy on paperback along with a box of candy from Instacandi. How cool is that!

About Instacandi:

Sample box only/may not be actual box won


1. Shipping package.  They use colorful padded envelopes to ensure your INSTACANDI does not get crushed during delivery.

2. The INSTACANDI ranges from old-time favorites like Mary Janes and Tootsie Rolls to Snickers, Milky Ways or Jolly Ranchers.  They stock 100's of different INSTACANDIS!

3.  All INSTACANDI is wrapped up in a nice clear package, accented with themed confetti, depending upon the occasion.

4. 
They will also include your custom message hand-written on a themed card that you add at checkout.


5. Best yet, each yet is the same price no matter how many boxes you order.





Award winning and best-selling author, Michael Phillip Cash has eight novels to date. Stillwell, won Honorable Mention for the Book of the Year Forward Review 2014. BroodX was the Book of th Year for Reader's Views and Rebecca's Reads. Cash loves writing about Lond Island, its rich history and ghostly inhabitants. He currently lives on North Shore with his wife and two children.



So, what are you waiting for? Enter in the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win. Good luck!

Dislcosure: This giveaway was arranged by Away We Go Media on behalf of Instacandi and Michael Phillip Cash. Giveaway Lady was asked to promote this giveaway and received a promotional item for the post.
There will be 5 winners for this giveaway. All will be drawn at random by Rafflecopter.org. You must be 18+ years to enter. The giveaway will run from Feb 17- March 6, 2015 begging at 12 AM MST. All entries will be verified.
This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media outlet.



a Rafflecopter giveaway




**DISCLOSURE:  Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Friday, February 13, 2015

SinfulColors Flirt With Hearts Line plus #Giveaway!!

Hi ladies!! I know this post is a little late for Valentine's Day, but there was a slight mistake in shipping so they didn't arrive until earlier this week. Needless to say, I do have a giveaway but you will obviously not be getting them in time for the special day tomorrow. SinfulColors is one of my favorite companies to work with and I just love their products! And this time around, I think they have outdone even themselves:)



I received four colors to review but I kept two of them for giveaway. I absolutely loved the colors available in their line for Valentine's Day!! Especially the Love Sprinkles:)



The colors are very flirty and feminine looking. The line includes several more colors but the ones I received were  Dream On, Love Sprinkles, GoGo Girl and Daredevil. I kept back Dream On and GoGo Girl for my giveaway so make sure to enter after you see my pictures. The design for this set here is to apply two coats of color, and then apply a coat of the Love Sprinkles. I loved it!!! I used it with a red from my previous collection and another family member used it with the Daredevil color. It came out really, really cute. Our only problem? Not enough hearts in the Love Sprinkles:)

LOVE SPRINKLES WITHOUT THE UNDER COAT







For the giveaway one reader will win both colors, Dream On and GoGo Girl. USA only as I am shipping. These have not been opened at all and would make a great gift! Enjoy ladies:)  Giveaway will end 3/2 and winner will be chosen through Random.org. They will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Where Rivers Part by Kellie Coates Gilbert


Success too often comes with a price. Juliet never imagined it could be so high.

Dr. Juliet Ryan has devoted her considerable scientific acumen to corporate America, providing safe drinking water for millions--and affording her plenty of perks along the way. It's not the path her estranged father would have her take, but then Juliet finds it difficult to maintain respect for a man she cannot trust. She's on her way up in the world, and she's not going to let anything drag her down.

But when a fast-moving disaster sweeps Juliet into a whirlpool of corporate scandal, lives are at risk--including those of some of the people closest to her. As she scrambles to find answers, Juliet must face her deepest wounds and join forces with the one who has hurt her most in order to expose a far-reaching conspiracy.

Like a mighty river with twists and turns and hidden rocks, this engrossing story will sweep you relentlessly along as it fearlessly explores the seduction of success, the fear of giving up control, and the redemptive power of learning to forgive.


MY REVIEW-I was very impressed with my first read by Kellie Coates Gilbert and I was anxious to see how the next one was. Sometimes I like a series start but not the finish and vice versa. Needless to say, Kellie writes a captivating story that I found myself plunging into last week. And I had to struggle to put it down and do my other daily chores:)

Juliet is one of those characters that you like but at times you want to shake her and ask her what her problem is. She is a mature adult but there were areas that she still acted like  a child. I think it made me like her more as I see that in myself and while it is a shortcoming, it endeared her to me. Her father kind of threw me off. We see that he wants to become close to his daughter but yet when they are around each other, they are like oil and water. Mainly him irritating her.

One aspect that Kellie includes in her books is the spirituality. It is getting harder and harder to find fiction novels that still teach lessons and give Gospel. Carol, Juliet's mother, is the real backbone in her family. I loved her presence and though something happens about halfway through that I definitely did not see coming, her faith is strong and yet sweet. Some great sections are found in this book but one of my favorites would be when Carol is talking to her husband about God. He doesn't understand how the Gospel can be scientifically sound but wow, the lessons are straight on. An intense look into a hard subject but an excellent novel. Now comes the hard part of waiting for the next installment:)




**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Saturday, February 7, 2015

A Fun cat Caper Mystery!! Plus #Giveaway



Buckley and Bogey, Cat Detectives, find their next big case with the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Agency to be their most complicated ever! It all starts when someone hides a mysterious package in their Mom’s antique store – in the middle of the night! Of course, the boys find it, and put it in a nice, safe place, until they can open it . . . and, find the rightful owner. But that’s when a whole bunch of suspicious people show up in St. Gertrude, and every single one of them seems to be after that package! Holy Catnip! Plus, everything happens just when a priceless, jeweled statue collection goes on display at the St. Gertrude Museum. Missing from that collection are two jewel covered cat statues that disappeared almost a hundred and fifty years ago.
But soon Buckley and Bogey wonder how long those statues will stay missing. Because this is one case that really keeps them on their paws! From a trip to the Museum, and to an old church for the Blessing of the Animals; and from dinosaurs to diamonds, they end up dodging shady suspects the whole time. It sure helps to have their friends with them, especially when the bad guys make a beeline for boys. That’s because it becomes very clear, very quick — the priceless cat statues aren’t the only cats those crooks are after! Holy Mackerel!

MY REVIEW-This is a book I had fun reading through. It is for younger ages, my 14 year old sister read it and loved it, but even at my age I thought is was a cute read. I have never read a book before where the animals are the detectives and solve cases faster than the humans:)

This is not the first book in a series so if you haven't read the others, like me, you might be a little bit lost at the beginning. But I quickly got up to speed on who the characters were and what was going on. And yes, the main characters are kitties. Smart as a whip, able to use computers and patrol like nobodies business, house cats. They are hilariously funny and I found myself laughing out loud at their antics because I can see my own kitty acting in the same manner. There were two things I didn't care for. They are totally personal but at one point I almost put the book down because I got frustrated. The older and wiser cat is forever calling the younger one kid. And I understand why, but 6 times on one page was a bit much. The other thing was the "holy" exclamations. Almost every chapter ends with it and almost every chapter begins with it. I am cautious with that word anyways but the author seemed to overuse it at times. Again, nothing major, but these things did get annoying.

Overall a fun book that I think the younger generation will love. Also makes me more suspicious of my kitten and what she is actually doing at times:) Entertaining and cute!








**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Praying With Your Children? #FCBlogger #Pray + $10 Family Christian Certificate #giveaway

I received free product from Family Christian to facilitate this post. All thoughts are 100% mine. 



Can I ask a kind of personal question here? How many of you spend time to pray with your children every day? I know we all pray at meal time and we often pray at night as a couple, but how about with your children?  I realized recently that this is a subject very critical to our families but not often brought up or talked about. When I saw the new book compiled by Max and Denalyn Lucado, I felt like it was a conversation opener and something any family would love. I present to you, the Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers. This includes prayers for not only bedtime but any time you want to be thankful or just say a simple prayer with your child. Maybe they will even learn these prayers to say on their own?



The first time I saw this, I was amazed. It is a big hardcover book that just asks to be held and opened by little hands. A nice size for them to handle and read, or even to look at the pictures. And let me tell you, I enjoyed reading this. There is something so simple and innocent about these prayers that I found myself repeating some throughout the day and meditating on them at night. Children have such a trusting spirit and the prayers found in this book allow them to express their feelings as such. The prayers inside are from different sources and authors.



The drawings are very well thought out and I love how innocent and childlike they are. This draws the attention of your little ones and keeps it as they flip through the pages. I will be passing this on to a friend who has three younger children but I would urge any parent or grandparent, friend or neighbor, to look at this for children. What better way to get them praying through adulthood than to start them out at 2 and 3. Excellent book!!



Somebody will be able to pick up this book for their own child, or maybe another item from Family Christian, when you win this $10 Family Christian Gift Certificate. Giveaways ends 2/23 and winner will be chosen through Random.org. They will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

23 Blast DVD Review & #Giveaway #Football #23Blast

Alrighty friends, who out there likes them some football?? Personally I like watching games and movies like this that are about football. Needless to say, the guys in the house like this type of thing as well. 23 Blast is based on a true story about a blind football player. Check out my review but also enter the giveaway at the bottom!




Rated PG-13 (brief drinking of alcohol on school property)  / 1h 42m

As a typical teenager, Travis Freeman (Mark Hapka) is a local hero both on and off the high-school football field in his small Kentucky town, but in 1997, Travis contracts an infection that destroys his optic nerve and renders him blind overnight. With the loving help and concern of his parents, physical therapist, coach and best friend, Travis demonstrates what true bravery is: He continues to compete on the gridiron and helps his team advance to the state finals.

Now I was anxious to watch this after it came in but didn't get to it for a bit. Life happens and I was busy but we finally sat down for a family night and turned this on. I knew ahead of time that there were a few things I would either turn down or skip. The premise of the film sounded promising and I always like when movies are based on true stories. I mean, who can resist the story of a blind football player? We sure didn't:)

The filming was a tad bit choppy at first but thankfully it seemed to go smoother after the halfway point. The movie starts out with a little league group and shows the coach doing his best with the younger guys. It then fast-forwards to present day where the two younger boys, Travis and Jerry, are now in high school. The cheerleaders all gather around Travis who is a star. At a party Travis gets a pounding headache and is rushed to the hospital, only to wake up and find he has lost his sight. At this point his spirits are okay, he hasn't really thought about how different his life will be. But once it sets in, he spirals downwards and basically resides in his bedroom all day. It takes a few dedicated people to push him beyond himself and see what he can really do.



I mentioned above that this was rated PG-13. Now most of this rating is given because of the underage drinking portrayed in the film. Jerry Baker, best friend of Travis, is shown as a partying teenager who drinks several times. At first I seriously had a problem with this. After reading up on the story behind the film, I understand why they put this in, but I still think for a family movie it could have been shown in a more vague manner. My other problem was the swearing. We have a TV guardian that takes out language, but I read what is in it and I don't think that any family movie needs to have swearing to get the point across. Because of the things mentioned above, I would urge every family to preview the film before showing it to your children and teenagers.



The ending scene is spectacular and we really enjoyed the real footage shown near the credits area. It is truly amazing to see how God can use a person who chooses to see troubles as an opportunity, not as a disability. If you like a good inspirational film, this is a good one. Anyone ready for a giveaway?? One winner will receive a copy of this DVD. USA AND CANADA ONLY! Giveaway will end 2/23. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be picked. I am not responsible for the fulfillment of the prize but I will do everything on my end to make sure you get it.


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. 

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Laundry Mishaps and Purex PowerShot Review & 3 Winner #Giveaway!

Good afternoon everyone! I apologize for not being on here as often as I should have the past couple weeks. It is always hard getting back into the groove of things after Christmas and the New Year and this time around I was in a definite slump. But I am back and will be posting several fun things. Today I have a review if a nifty new product from Purex called PowerShot. I completely fell in love with this laundry detergent!



Purex is a great company that I enjoy working with on a regular basis. They often come out with new products that I like to try out but I think with this new one they have outdone themselves! The PowerShot laundry detergent is my new favorite. Flip, dose and done!! I know all you mothers out there are thinking, yeah...right. But believe me, it is really that simple. I found that it took less time to start a load of laundry and I didn't make any messes. Many times when I am doing laundry I have to take the extra time to make sure my detergent doesn't drip down the side. Anybody else have that problem?? Please tell me I am not the only one:) This bottle contrivance allows you to eliminate that spillage and also, it regulates the amount of detergent that gets used. I have absolutely fallen in love!





To celebrate the release of the NEW Purex® PowerShot™ detergent, Purex will be hosting an amazing giveaway!
Share & enter the sweepstakes & get a $1 off coupon.
Three grand prize winners of a Whirlpool washer & dryer set. 300 second-place winners will receive a bottle of PowerShot.
Purex® PowerShot™ detergent will be in stores soon! Watch the video to see how it does the measuring for you!
Watch the video HERE
ENTER HERE!!



Now for the giveaway, I have three coupons for a free bottle of Purex PowerShot. Good until 12/31/15. So I will draw three winners for one coupon each.



The giveaway will end 2/19 and is for US ONLY!! I am not responsible for these once I have shipped the prizes.
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