Tuesday, October 30, 2012

More reviews tomorrow

I'll have two more book reviews for you tonight. I have six books to read in the next two weeks for review. I also have a shelf full of great books I have won this month. I'll have to read those during our Christmas break to MI.
I love to read so hopefully I'll get them all read. Have a great day everyone.
I am also working on getting my Studio in order so I can get back to sewing and quilting. I have so many projects I want to finished and start. My sewing supplies need to be in their new home though, which means I have to get five pieces of furniture painted soon. Better go sleep for awhile. I have been up all night again. Time for me to rest. God bless.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Re: Sara's 15th Birthday

 Credits:
Crisp Days by FranB Designs and Dandelion Dust Designs
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Culin...-Full-Kit.html
So Blocky Template Mini by Jen Yurko
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/So-Bl...late-Mini.html
Font: Japperneese


Credits:
Lemon Meringue 1 by Cornelia Designs
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Lemon...a-Designs.html
Ain’t She Sweet by Jen Yurko (white paper, ricrac, frame)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Ain-t-She-Sweet.html
kando-tekina te by Jen Yurko (papers, red flower, butttons, kids)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Kando-Tekina-Te.html
kando-tekina te alpha by Jen Yurko   (15)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Kando...-Te-Alpha.html
Spring Cleaning Journaling Cards by Jen Yurko
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Sprin...nal-Cards.html
May Memories by Jen Yurko (papers, buttons, word art)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/May-Memories.html
Make A Wish by Jen Yurko  (ribbon, papers)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Make-a-Wish.html
Make A Wish Alphas by Jen Yurko (@)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Make-a-Wish-Alphas.html
It’s July!  {mini kit} by Jen Yurko (papers)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/It-s-July.html
iScrap Add-On by Jen Yurko (brad, papers, felt tag)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/iScrap-Add-On.html
Font: Angelina
Credits:
Big Picture VI by M & M Designs
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Big-Picture-V1.html
Drop Me A Line by Jen Yurko (dark green, orange & gray flowers)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Drop-Me-A-Line.html
Ain’t She Sweet by Jen Yurko (ricrac)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Ain-t-She-Sweet.html
iScrap Addon by Jen Yurko (papers & brads)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/iScrap-Add-On.html
May Memories by Jen Yurko  (green print paper,paper clipped to leaves)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/May-Memories.html
Make  A Wish by Jen Yurko (brads, heart sticker & light green flowers)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Make-a-Wish.html
kando-tekina te by Jen Yurko (small red flower)
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Kando-Tekina-Te.html
Fonts: Owah Tagu Siam NF and Japperneese
 
Credits:
Big Photo VI by M & M Designs
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Big-Picture-V1.html
Make A Wish by Jen Yurko
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Make-a-Wish.html
Make A Wish Alphas by Jen Yurko
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Make-a-Wish-Alphas.html
May Memories by Jen Yurko (pink & green papers, attached to flowers & leaves; flower, buttons )
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/May-Memories.html
kando-tekina te by Jen Yurko
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Kando-Tekina-Te.html
kando-tekina te alpha by Jen Yurko
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Kando...-Te-Alpha.html
Font: Pea Melissa
 
I finally got Sara's 15th birthday scrapped and she will be 16 in just 6 short weeks. She is now a Sophomore and she is such a mature, responsible and smart young lady. I love you, Sara.
I can't wait until your Alice party so we can see Grandad as the Mad Hatter and you as Alice.
Hope I don't get cast as the catapiller.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

A Voice In the Wind by Francine River


 My review:

 Amazing!! This is a book that will stay with me for a lifetime and I will forever be changed having read it.   A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers is indeed a true classic that I will keep and treasure in my personal library. Time and time again, I could see that there is truly nothing new under the sun. People since the beginning of time have either lived of God (Jesus) or lived their lives for the devil in the form of other gods. Throughout the book I was able to see the wicked get more wicked and the Christians grow in faith.

The book takes you on an amazing journey from Jerusalem to Rome where you come to know Hadassah, a young Jewish women who is taken captive and brought to Rome as a slave.  Hadassah's
father and mother had taught her from birth that Christ had shed his blood as an atonement for the sins of the world.  Her humble spirit was a perfect example of what I want to strive for in my own life.

The research and character development in this book was so wonderful that I could feel what the characters felt and see what they saw. I find myself as I write this review not wanting to give away the story that Francine so perfectly executes. To do so would not do justice to the impact this book will forever have on those who will read it.  Amazing? yes, absolutely!  A Voice in the Wind is the first book in the Mark of the Lion Series and should be required reading for high school students everywhere.  I can't wait to purchase, An Echo in the Wind and As Sure as the Dawn the other books in this series.  Thank you, Francine, through this book God has planted seeds in me that will continue to grow.


Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

Visit Francine Rivers website:
Francine's FB page




You can purchase A Voice in the Wind at:
Barnes & Nobles
Amazon
Christianbook    you can buy the whole Mark of the Lion Series of buy each book separately

Monday, October 15, 2012

Another book review tomorrow

I finish another review book on Saturday and have my review ready to be posted for the blog tour tomorrow.  I loved this book. It is not a light read, but so worth it.

My daughter is in the hospital awaiting the results of her many test.  Please pray for her and her family and keep them in your thoughts this week. I talked to her several times today and her spirits are up, but she was pretty groggy from the meds they gave her so she could stay calm during her second MRI. They gave her two pills and should have given her a half of one pill.  lol
 She has titanium in her back like I do and it was heating up on her and she felt a pulling sensation
during the brain MRI they did yesterday that thank God was normal.  She and her wonderful husband are raising three of our 7 grand daughters.  They are such an awesome and loving family. Sending love their way.
Off to bed. I was up a lot last night praying for her.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books.  A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured.  The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between!  Enjoy your free peek into the book!




You never know when I might play a wild card on you!









Today's Wild Card author is:







and the book:





CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (August 26, 2012)




***Special thanks to Karen Mueller Bryson for sending me a review copy.***

My review:
I enjoyed this book and was made aware that Asperger's Syndrome effects different people to differing degrees.  The characters in the book are very likable, except for the school bullies (of course) and Principal Winters. The book was written in a way that made me feel like an outsider looking into the story instead of being a part of the story, which I found confusing at times. But there were very good lessons to be learned in The Mustard Seed, about friendship and not judging others because they are different. I plan to share this story with my grand children and feel this would be a good book to share with children.
I rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I received this ebook for review purposes from Karen Mueller Bryson. I was not paid to review this
book and give my honest opinion on all books I review.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:








Dr. Karen Mueller Bryson is an award-winning/optioned screenwriter, produced playwright and published novelist. Karen has been writing since she learned to read and fell in love with books! When she's not at her computer creating new stories, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds. Karen is the founder of Short on Time Books, fast-paced and fun novels for readers on the go. Karen is also an Associate Professor of Psychology and Human Services at Ottawa University.





Visit the author's website.





SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:





After his mom’s sudden death, Elliot White, a 16-year old musical savant with Asperger’s Syndrome, is forced to leave his performing arts high school in New York City when he relocates to Winslow, Arizona to live with his eccentric aunt, and must attend a school with no music program.





Product Details:

List Price: $6.95

Paperback: 128 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (August 26, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1478189746

ISBN-13: 978-1478189749

My Review:
I enjoyed this book and was made aware that Asperger's Syndrome effects different people to differing degrees. The characters in the book are very likable, except for the school bullies (of course) and Principal Winters. The book was written in a way that made me feel like an outsider looking into the story instead of being a part of the story, which I found confusing at times. But there were very good lessons to be learned in The Mustard Seed, about friendship and not judging others because they are different. I plan to share this story with my grand children and feel this would be a good book to share with children. I enjoyed reading this book.

I rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.


I received this book from Karen and was not paid to review it. I give my honest opinions of all books that I read.



AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:








Sixteen-year-old Elliot White wriggles in an ill-fitting black suit and adjusts Buddy Holly-like glasses as he stares at a sign in front of him. It reads: Discount Funerals (Includes Free Lunch Buffet). Although it should be a somber occasion, all he can think about is his recital later in the afternoon. He finally gets to play the solo piece he has been painstakingly practicing for months. Why did his mom have to die right before his big show?


Elliot’s aunt, 38-year-old Amaryllis Long, adjusts the straps of her black sundress then straightens the substantial crucifix around her neck. She’s not sure she’s ready to bury her only sister—her only sibling. Now she is truly alone in the world. Well, except for Elliot. Amaryllis takes a deep breath, then grabs her nephew by the arm in an effort to lead him into the shabby funeral home.


Elliot flinches as soon as Amaryllis touches him. Touching is not something he prefers to engage in. The act feels painful and foreign. He avoids it whenever possible. It’s one of the many things he avoids because they overwhelm his delicate sensory system.


Inside the funeral home, Elliot and Amaryllis take seats in two of the few folding chairs in the back of the small room. They both stare silently at the closed pine casket, which takes up most of the front part of the room. Finally, Elliot clears his throat. “I have to get back to school in one hour. I have a solo in the spring musical extravaganza.”


“Your mother always did have awful timing,” Amaryllis replies.




♫♪♫




A short time later, Amaryllis and Elliot make their way into the auditorium of his elite performing arts high school. It’s one of the best in New York City. Amaryllis feels very out of place amongst the instrument-toting teens and their well-dressed parents. She hasn’t stepped foot in a high school since her own graduation twenty years ago. And she certainly doesn’t make many trips out of the Arizona desert.


Amaryllis takes a seat in the packed audience and listens contently as the orchestra plays a rousing medley of classical favorites. In the middle of the final piece, Elliot, still in his funeral attire, stands and plays a stunning solo on his viola. She is amazed at the talent of her own flesh and blood. Although she hasn’t seen him in at least 10 years, her only nephew holds a special place in her heart. And now that her sister’s gone, Amaryllis will be his guardian and caretaker. She shudders slightly at the thought. What does she know about raising children? Or raising any living thing, for that matter. She can’t even keep a houseplant alive.


At the conclusion of Elliot’s solo, the audience erupts in applause and gives the young musician a standing ovation. Elliot simply bows and takes his seat with the rest of the orchestra.


Once the performance is over, there was a small reception for Elliot in the school’s foyer. Elliot finds himself standing awkwardly under a sign, which reads: Farewell, Elliot, We Will Miss You. Next to Elliot is a small folding table with a punch bowl, papers cups and a small tray of butter cookies. Mr. Grubb, the school’s portly orchestra director, stands on the far side of the table, rubbing sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. Both Mr. Grubb and Elliot wait patiently for well-wishers but none are forthcoming. Finally, a little boy with a red Kool-Aid mustache runs up to the table and giggles. He snatches several cookies, shoves them into his mouth and dashes away. Mr. Grubb holds out some hope when a group of teens carrying instruments approaches and it looks like they might stop at the table, but the kids continue down the hallway laughing amongst themselves.


Mr. Grubb glances over at Elliot, who was now picking lint from his suit jacket. “We’ll certainly miss you,” he says warmly.


“I know,” Elliot responds without making eye contact.




♫♪♫




The next morning, Amaryllis and Elliot, each carrying several packing boxes, approach a shabby-looking brownstone row house with a FOR RENT sign in the front window.


When they enter the home, Amaryllis is shocked to find the living room in complete disarray. She was not aware of the extent of her sister, Iris’s, mental illness or the fact that she dealt with major depressive episodes for most of Elliot’s life. When Iris got depressed, she holed herself up in her bedroom, sometimes for days at a time, and Elliot was forced to fend for himself.


“You can pack whatever’ll fit in these boxes,” Amaryllis says matter-of-factly. “The rest’ll have to go to Goodwill. The landlord, bless his soul, said he’d get some friends from church to help him clear the place out.”


Elliot merely grunts in response and heads into his bedroom. Amaryllis follows her nephew into his room, which she’s surprised to see is immaculate. It’s a bit of out of place compared to the chaos of the rest of the house.


Elliot immediately opens his desk drawer and fills the first box with sheet music that packs the bottom drawer.


“What is all that?” she asks.


“My music,” he says and snorts.


Amaryllis raises an eyebrow.


Elliot continues, “I have to have my music.”


She watches curiously as he moves to his bookshelf, removes a miniature viola and carefully places it in his second box. She opens the small closet next to her and notes the few shirts and pants hanging there. “Don’t you think we should pack these clothes?”


Elliot snorts in response. He grabs a framed photo of his mother and him and stares at it for a moment.


“She’s in a better place,” Amaryllis says as she glances at the photo.


Elliot grunts again, then places the photo in his box.


On their way out of the house, a book lying on the sofa catches Amaryllis’s eye. It’s titled Asperger’s Disorder: A Beginner’s Guide. She grabs the copy as they head out the door.




♫♪♫




They carry filled boxes toward her beater pick-up and load them in the truck’s cab. Amaryllis gets into the driver’s side and Elliot hops into the passenger’s seat. He places a black urn containing his mother’s ashes in his lap and the two began their trip across the country.


“So, what did my sister tell you about me?” Amaryllis asks, trying to make conversation.


“My mother? She never said a word about you,” he replies.


“No surprise there.”


After an awkward moment of silence passes, she says, “Your mother mentioned something about Asperger’s Syndrome.”


Elliot snorts in response.


“Is there anything I should be aware of?” Amaryllis knows even less about the disorder than she does about raising teenagers.


Elliot tugs nervously on his earlobe then says, “I’m not like everyone else.”


Amaryllis shrugs. “Neither am I.”


“Aspies’ brains are wired differently. We think differently than neurotypicals.”


“Neurotypicals?”


“That’s everyone who’s not on the autism spectrum. Which are most people.”


Amaryllis nods. She certainly understands what it feels like to not be like other people. Since she finally has Elliot talking, she tries another question. “Arizona should be quite an adventure for you.”


“I don’t like adventures,” Elliot replies flatly. He turns and looks out the window as the big open country passes by.


Amaryllis realizes the moment has passed and the conversation is now over.




♫♪♫




It takes several days, but the pair finally makes it to the Arizona border. Amaryllis gives a little hoot as her pick-up rambles past a sign that reads: Arizona - The Grand Canyon State. As they drive through the barren land of northern Arizona, Elliot watches as a lone tumbleweed blows by. His first time out of New York is not yet proving to be eventful.


“We should be in Winslow in no time,” Amaryllis says, breaking the silence that has lasted since Colorado.


“Everything looks dead,” Elliot notes.


She chuckles. “Welcome to Arizona.”




♫♪♫




As Amaryllis’s truck rambles down Second Street, she breathes a sigh of relief that they are finally back home. The tired old town of Winslow has seen better days, but its familiarity is a welcome site. As they drive past the ‘Standin’ on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona’ site made famous by the Eagles, a haggard man with a collie walks by a life-sized male statue marking the place for tourists.


“There it is,” Amaryllis says as she gazes out the window. “The famous corner.”


When Elliot looks out the window, he sees the haggard man’s collie lift his leg on the statue. Elliot looks puzzled. “What’s so famous about that corner?”


“I guess you’ve never heard of the Eagles.”


“The birds of prey?”


“The rock band,” Amaryllis replies, immediately feeling older. “Standin’ on the corner in Winslow, Arizona. That doesn’t sound familiar to you?”


Elliot shakes his head.


“And you say you’re a musician,” she teases.


Elliot remains stoic and Amaryllis wonders if he is able to take a joke.




♫♪♫




About ten miles out of town, Amaryllis pulls into the Desert Dream Trailer Park. Seven well-worn double-wides mark the otherwise desolate landscape. One of the double-wides also serves as a make-shift office. A sign over it reads: Welcome to your Desert Dream.


She pulls her truck up to her trailer and they hop out. They both take a much-needed stretch after the long ride.


“We made it,” Amaryllis says.




♫♪♫




Elliot just stares at the sight of his new home. It’s a big step down from his mother’s row house.


“I know it doesn’t look like much, but it’s paid for,” she says. “We best get your stuff unpacked before nightfall.”


Inside, Elliot glances at the well-worn furniture. He notices religious iconography surrounding the room’s centerpiece—a massive velvet Jesus painting. Even though his mother never took him to church, he loves to read about the world’s major religions.


Amaryllis points to a small room off of the living area. “That’ll be your room. Used to be my sewing room.”


“Where will you sew?” Elliot asks.


“Austin’s got some space for me.”


He looks puzzled. “Austin is one thousand twenty miles from here.”


She gives her nephew a huge grin. “Nope, right next door.”


As if on cue, 45-year-old Austin Young, a burnt-out hippie, enters the double-wide. “Did someone mention my name?”


Amaryllis leans over to Elliot conspiratorially and says, “The walls have ears. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”


Elliot quickly glances around the small room looking for signs of ears on the walls. How could a wall have ears, he wonders? So far, Arizona is an extremely confusing place for him.


Austin puts out a hand for Elliot to shake, but the young man seems oblivious to the gesture and does not reciprocate. He tugs on his earlobe instead.


Austin tries another tactic. “How was your trip?” he asks.


When he doesn’t respond, Amaryllis pipes in, “Tiring. Elliot must be exhausted.”


“I’m not tired,” Elliot interjects a little too loudly. “I slept for 22 of the 35 hours we traveled and I slept in both of the motels in which we stayed. Day one was a 14-hour trip with two gas breaks and a lunch break. Day two was similar. Today, we only had to travel for 7 hours.


“That’s precise,” Austin says with a smile at Elliot. Then he says to Amaryllis, “You’re welcome to come by my place for dinner. I’ll fire up the grill.”


“I think we’ll take a rain check.” She pats her friend’s arm. “Elliot has to get ready for school tomorrow.”


“Gotcha. Dinner’s an open invitation.”


“I know,” Amaryllis says, giving Austin a warm smile.


Austin heads for the door, but turns back before exiting. “I’ve got a new recipe for chipotle steak sauce. Bet it’d taste awfully good with those baby potatoes you love so much.”


“Good night, Austin,” Amaryllis says as she lovingly nudges him out the door. She smiles as the door closes behind him.







Saturday, October 6, 2012

Fantabulous Fall by Kim Jensen and Kate Hadfield

Credits:
Fantabulous Fall Collaboration by Kate Hadfield and Kim Jensen
http://www.the-lilypad.com/store/product.php?productid=8692
Font: Caflisch Script Pro

My last layout for Kim Jensen's creative team. I love working with Kim's kits because her elements are so unique and her paper make me drool. Just kidding on the drool part, but she is the paper queen.  She collaborates with Kate often and together they are incredible. Yep, incredible is the word.
I'll fix my blog another day. for some reason my pages are not linked anymore and I don't need the headache of fixing them on a Saturday night. Off to read my review copy of A Voice In the Wind by Francine Rivers. I have over 500 pages to read by the 16th, which is not a problem for me except I have my scrapping CT duties, dinners to cook and a house to clean. See ya! :) 

Friday, October 5, 2012

Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof

Gideon only ever cared about himself. Now that Lonnie is his wife,
will he ever be worthy of her heart?

Coming October 2, 2012 from WaterBrook Multnomah 

You can read about Be Still My Soul on Joanne Bischof's website.

 My Review:

"Be Still My Soul "is set in the Appalachian hills of Virginia. . Having been raised by an abusive father Lonnie Sawyer is looking forward to her 18th birthday, when she plans to move in with her Aunt Sarah. Lonnie is very shy and is made to marry Gideon O'Riley after her father thinks she has been compromised.  Gideon has a lot of growing up to do and finds himself in situations that could have been avoided. Can he learn from these life lessons? 

"Be Still My Soul" is a coming of age look into the lives of Lonnie and Gideon. They meet Elsie and Jebediah, an elderly couple who find the time and patience to take them in. Lonnie holds tight to her faith throughout the book. There are many lessons to be learned in their story. I would love to have my grand daughters read this book and plan to buy them a copy. 

Lonnie was comforted by God's word many times.  Examples of these are:

"Fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called they by thy name; thou art mine."

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers; they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned."

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 and look forward to Joanne's next book in The Candace Of Grace Series. I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 14.

Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers provided me with a complimentary e-book for review purposes. I was not paid to review this book and give my honest opinion for each book I read. 

You can purchase "Be Still My Soul" at:  

B/N  Amazon  

Christianbook.com

Thanks to all who rate my review. :)





Thursday, October 4, 2012

Oct 4th new release layouts for STO

BigSisLilSis_Alina&Maya-Oct2011

Kelley Inspired by M & M Designs
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Ct-inspired-Kelley.html
October 2012 Culinary Specialist Collab by STO Designers
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Octob...ts-Collab.html
Font: Synchro LET


Color Me Stacked Vol 1 by Dagi’s Temp-tations
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Color...ed-Vol.-1.html
Dipsy Doodle by dancing princess designs
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Dipsy-Doodle.html
dipsy doodle artistic mess by dancing princess designs
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Dipsy...stic-Mess.html
dipsy doodle labels by dancing princess designs
http://scraptakeout.com/shoppe/Dipsy-Doodle-Labels.html
White Alpha 3 Way by FranB Designs
Font: Angelina
That's it for today. Off to read my book and review two more for the blog.
Thanks for much for looking at my layouts.