I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year!  2009 has been full of challenges and blessings.  Whenever I've thought we weren't going to make it, the Lord has shown me the way.  He has blessed us way more than we deserve. 

So, on this last Thursday of 2009, I would like to share a few things I am thankful for.  I am thankful my husband still has a job while many others do not.  I am thankful for my church and my family for helping in so many ways.  I am especially thankful for our best friends, they always lift me up when I am down.  I am also thankful for all of you who come to visit my blog.  Your friendships mean so much to me! 

I hope we are all blessed in 2010!

 Plain Promise is the third book in the Daughters of Promise series by Beth Wiseman. This book is about Sadie, a young, lonely, Amish widow who makes her living running a store and sometimes renting out a cottage. She ends up renting the cottage to a wealthy Englischer named Kade. While living there, he is forced into having to take care of his son, who he doesn't really know that well. Through his son they are brought together.

I think a lot of us long for a simpler life like the Amish have.  That is one of the reasons I enjoyed this book.  The characters were likable and fun to get to know.  It's really interesting to see the characters grow in friendship and love.  Even better, we get to see the character's spiritual growth as well.  If you enjoy reading Amish fiction, I think you would like this book.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a review.

I hope y'all had a Merry Christmas and were able to spend it with the ones you love! We spent Christmas Eve with some of my family. There were about 19 of us, I think, all stuffed into my cousins home. We had a lot of great food and family time. I am so thankful they welcome us for the holidays!


We spent today at home. It was like a monsoon outside, so I'm glad we didn't have anywhere to go. I cooked a turkey, which was wonderful. I love turkey! We had some sweets too. My cousins gave us a pecan pie and a nut and coconut cake and I had made Treasure Cookies. They are quickly becoming one of my favorites!


 Sadly, Santa didn't bring me a camera for Christmas, so my pictures are still off of my video camera.  The kids, however, were well-taken care of.  Mitchell said his favorite things were a Nerf gun and a transformer he got from Santa.  Hunter really loves his toy CD player his dad got him and a truck given to him by his cousin.


We also discussed the importance of Christmas and how God gave us the best gift ever, Jesus!  Hunter doesn't really understand yet, but he did ask all day if we were going to church.  It's so cute, he'll say 'wanna go church'. 

Tomorrow our best friends are coming down to visit.  I didn't think we would be able to see them, since our van has been broken for over a month now.  I'm so glad they are coming, I have missed them!

The winner of the Black and Decker 3-cup chopper is comment #28 Jennette.  Thanks to everyone who entered!  Congratulations Jennette! 

Bear loves to sleep behind my neck.  He's so precious!


My giveaway for a Black and Decker chopper ends at tonight at midnight.  If you haven't entered, you can enter here.

 Tonight, I cut my husband's hair.  I do this all the time, so we can save money on cuts.  We also cut my older son's hair too.  It's cut with a guard, so it's really easy to do.  Sometimes my husband will trim my hair also.  Usually it's just the ends. 


But, tonight, I was really sick of my hair being tangled all the time, so I told him to really cut it.  He said how much, and I said shoulder length.  My hair was wet when he was cutting it, and I guess we never thought about it shrinking up when it was dry.  So, it ended up being very short.  A couple inches less than what I originally wanted.  However, it feels so much lighter and I'll get used to it.  So what do y'all think, is it too short, or is it okay?

There's A Song In The Air

There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

There’s a tumult of joy o’er the wonderful birth,
For the virgin’s sweet Boy is the Lord of the earth.
Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;
And that song from afar has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing
In the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!

We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song
That comes down through the night from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,
And we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!

 My daddy was born on December 19, 1909.  Yep, you read that right.  Today would have been my daddy's 100th birthday!  He was born in the same town we now live in.  You might be able to tell from the pictures that he had a lazy eye.  His father died when he was young, so he had to quit school at a very young age to help support his mother and brothers and sisters.  During the depression he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps.  He helped build parks, roads, buildings, and things like that.


My mother moved to NC for work in the mill, eventually my father married her and moved also.  When I was born my dad was already 60 years old.  My mother couldn't have children, so they adopted me.  I was a daddy's girl, I always wanted to do everything with him.  He taught me to drive when I was 10.  He also bought me my first car, a station wagon, when I was 10.  It was pretty funny, because at that time, I really thought station wagons were the coolest.  By the time I was 16 and could legally drive, it wasn't quite as cool, lol!  Since I was an only child, I was spoiled way too much.  They did everything for me and bought me everything they could afford.


 My daddy didn't have a good education, but every night you would find him sitting by his bed reading the Bible.  He had a great faith in the Lord which I am so happy he shared with me.  By the time I was in my late teens, my dad was in and out of the hospital all the time.  He started having to take shots of insulin one of those times.  He was failing, but I didn't really want to admit it.  He died two days before my 20th birthday and was buried on my birthday. I really wish he could have met my husband and my sons.  One day he will, up in Heaven!


Happy Birthday Daddy! 

As promised, I have a giveaway today from CSN Stores.  CSN Stores has over 200 different websites such as Toys and Games, Bedding and More, and Dining Room Furniture.  They have something for everyone.


I was sent a Black and Decker Ergo 3 cup Chopper to review.  My husband usually chops things up for me, and a lot of times I freeze them, so I will have them for later.  Only problem is, when I'm trying to fix supper and there isn't anything already chopped up for me, then, I have to wait on him to come home to chop it up for me.  This makes for a late supper.  I am a little dangerous with a knife, I tend to cut myself and I never can seem to get the onions chopped up enough.


My husband was so excited about getting this, as soon as it came, he had to try it.  The instructions say to cut up the onions into about 6 pieces and you can put two onions in at one time.  It has two speeds, chop and mince.  After pressing the button the onions were chopped into very small pieces in about 6 seconds.  Wow, that's fast.  A lot faster than hand chopping!


The handle is soft and comfortable to use.  As the name implies, it can chop up to 3 cups at one time.  It's great for chopping nuts, eggs, cheese,  herbs and lots more.  The base is non-slip and can also be used as a lid.  My husband is in love with it!

Would you like to win one for yourself?  CSN Stores is letting me give one of these to one of my readers.
 
First, leave a comment on this post with what you would chop up with the chopper.
You can get extra entries by doing any of the following:

• Follow me on Google Friend Connect for an extra entry.
• Follow me on Twitter & tweet this giveaway for an extra entry.
• Put my button on your sidebar for an extra entry.
• Blog about this giveaway for 2 extra entries.

You must leave a separate comment for each entry! Giveaway is open to US residents only.  Giveaway will close December 23, Wednesday night at midnight.  Good luck!

CSN Stores provided me with this product in exchange for a review.

This video makes me smile, listening to my 2 year old laugh with his brother. This was taped yesterday when it was around 67, now they are talking about a wintry mix this weekend. The weather has me so confused, lol!

Have you ever had to cook for a large group of people and had no idea what to prepare?  Usually I fix the same old stuff every time.  Mainly because I know the recipe won't let me down.  Well, next time I have a church gathering, or a homeschool dinner to go to, I have help.  It's called Potluck Survival Guide, the care and feeding of the athletic supporter.

Written by Cherie Kimmons whose children played sports for 20 years.  Over time, she learned what dishes were loved and what dishes were hated.  These are recipes that work and  you won't find too many unusual ingredients.  Which is great for me, because I don't have them and don't know how to use them.

These are some of the recipes that I will be trying soon:

• Frankie's Fried Chicken
• Overnight Company Potatoes
• Chocolate Wax Cake
• Crispy Parmesan Toasts
• Congo Brownies

I love the helpful notes that are included with each recipe.  They include such things as how to adapt the recipe for younger kids, things to avoid, and serving suggestions.  Another great feature is The Numbers Game where she breaks down how much ingredients are needed for 1, 25, and 50 people.  Kimmons also has great ideas for buffets and decorating tips.  This book is colorful and illustrated, but doesn't include pictures.  I really wish they had pictures of the dishes.  

Potluck Survival Guide is on sale right now for $18.96 from Five Star Publications.  You can buy it here.

This book was provided to me by Five Star Publications in association with Mama Bzz in exchange for a review.

It will be Christmas in less than two weeks.  Wow, where has the time gone?

I just watched one of my favorite movies, It's A Wonderful Life, and heard this song.  So, I am sharing it today.


Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

1. Hark! the herald angels sing, 
 "Glory to the new born King, 
 peace on earth, and mercy mild, 
 God and sinners reconciled!" 
 Joyful, all ye nations rise, 
 join the triumph of the skies; 
 with th' angelic host proclaim, 
 "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" 
 Hark! the herald angels sing, 
 "Glory to the new born King!" 

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored; 
 Christ, the everlasting Lord; 
 late in time behold him come, 
 offspring of a virgin's womb. 
 Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; 
 hail th' incarnate Deity, 
 pleased with us in flesh to dwell, 
 Jesus, our Emmanuel. 
 Hark! the herald angels sing, 
 "Glory to the new born King!" 

3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! 
 Hail the Sun of Righteousness! 
 Light and life to all he brings, 
 risen with healing in his wings. 
 Mild he lays his glory by, 
 born that we no more may die, 
 born to raise us from the earth, 
 born to give us second birth. 
 Hark! the herald angels sing, 
 "Glory to the new born King!" 

 It's that time of year again when I try to keep my power bill as low as possible.  Our central heat and air is electric, so I do what I can to keep our bill low.  Also, my husband works outside, so his paycheck is usually lower this time of year, so I try to conserve power.

Back in the summer our highest power bill was $260.  I know, you are shocked, right!  My friends say that is extremely high.  I can cover up to get warm, but I have a hard time getting cooler.  Believe it or not, but I kept my A/C around 74 degrees most days.  Our home is fairly large, so I guess it does take more to keep it cool.

Since that crazy power bill, it has went down, month by month.  From $191, to $160.  I am most proud of our upcoming power bill which will only be $139.  Wow, what a difference!  I have been keeping our heat set to 65 degrees.  We have been dressing warmly and using fleece blankets around the house.

Y'all know I have been wanting a Snuggie, well, I finally broke down and bought a knock-off version, called a Cuddler, from here.  They were on sale for $9.99 when I bought mine, but are now even cheaper at $5.99.  My hubby likes mine so good, he wants me to buy him one too. The sleeves are really long, which is cool, because I can use my mouse and still have my hands covered up!


So, what about you, what do you keep your thermostat set on?  Do you have any helpful hints for me to get my power bill even lower?

Have you finished Christmas shopping yet?  I'm about half way done with mine.  It seems I always forget something!  I was recently contacted by CSN Stores to do a review for them.  I was amazed to find out they have over 200 different websites featuring all kinds of products from toys, to cookware, to dining room furniture.  On their sites, if an item has a snowflake beside it, it can be shipped to you in time for Christmas.  That saves you from having to click on each individual item to find out if it would arrive by Christmas.

Check back for a review from CSN Stores.  I will also have a giveaway coming up soon!

I recently received Stories From History a set of 11 graphic novels to review from Timberdoodle.  These books are a great way to introduce kids to different historical characters and events.  Each book is 48 pages and is illustrated like a comic book.  They aren't thin like comic books, though.  The books are fairly sturdy and well-bound and since the stories are so short, they are guaranteed to keep your child's attention.

Included in this set are the following books:

• Pizarro and the Incas
• The Life of Anne Frank
• The Building of the Great Pyramid
• The Life of Julius Caesar
• The Life of Christopher Columbus
• The Race to the South Pole
• Gladiators and the Story of the Colosseum
• The Life of Alexander the Great
• Elizabeth I and the Spanish Armada
• The Life of Leonardo Da Vinci
• The Discovery of T. Rex

* Page 13 of Gladiators and the Story of the Colosseum and page 26 of The Life of Leonardo Da Vinci may need a touch of white-out depending on your family's modesty standards.

Each book starts out by introducing you to the characters in the book.  There are maps and background info needed to help you understand the time and place each event happens.

My son, who gets bored very easy, loved reading these books.  He even kept asking me questions to see if I knew the answers.  If I didn't he would reply with the answer and show it to me in the Did You Know? section of the book.  He liked that each one has a timeline, that way he could refer to that if he forgot when something happened.

I like that he wanted to read this without me having to make him read them.  I also like the glossary at the end, where he could look up anything he didn't understand.  He had more questions, so were able to discuss things and learn more about them. 

Stories From History is available from Timberdoodle for $16.95, so I think they are very reasonably priced.  These books are recommended for children 8-14.  I think you could also use them for younger children, if you are reading it to them.

Stories From History was provided to me at no cost from Timberdoodle and Mama Bzz in exchange for review.

It's time for Magical Disney Sunday with Heidi from Fairy Footprints in the Sand.  Since it's the Christmas season, I thought I would show some of the ways they decorate Disney World. 


The picture above is from a parade during the Christmas season.


The next few pictures are from the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  The lights dance to the music and it even snows in Florida!


The family had put up lights every year and added more each year, until they had millions of lights.


By then the neighbors were tired of it, but Disney World welcomed them and now hosts their light display every year.  There is even a Nativity scene.


They decorate the Disney Resorts too.  This is a picture from The Grand Floridian.  I've never stayed there, although I would love to.


This picture is from Epcot.  It's magical walking under the archway.


On special nights, they have Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom.  There are parades, hot chocolate and cookies, Christmas music, and snow on Main Street.


Finally, Cinderella's Castle is all decked out for the holidays too!  It doesn't get much more magical than that.

Have a magical day!