Mmmm… Homemade vanilla extract Back in January, I decided to make some of my own homemade vanilla extract. Part of the whole process is allowing it to sit – for a long time – in a dark place. It’s when of those fix it and forget about it type of things. Well, finally, the time came when we could start using it. It’s so much better than store bought vanilla extract. I am so glad that I decided to go ahead and make it. My problem was that I wanted some cute storage containers for the extract, and I…
Today, D drove for the first time since his surgery. Since he really enjoys driving, this is a big deal for him. We didn’t go very far, and I was there “just in case”. Gradually, we’ll build him back up to his normal driving and what not. It’s a slower process than he would like, but he’s doing well. When it comes time for him to head back to work, it looks like he’ll actually be ready this time around. Last time, I had a few text messages from a Marine saying the I needed to get him back to…
The Barber Who Wanted to Pray is an imaginative tale by R.C. Sproul which is based on a true story. Mr. McFarland was leading family devotions one evening when his daughter asked him how to pray. He weaves a wonderful tale about a barber who learns how to pray from an outlawed Monk. This outlawed Monk is non other than Dr. Martin Luther. The Barber Who Wanted to Pray is a beautifully illustrated story which teaches children (and adults) how to pray using models such as the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostle’s Creed. The book contains the…
It’s no secret that I really enjoy Christmas music. For whatever the reason, it just lightens my spirits and makes me smile. Every year I add at least one new album to my Christmas music collection. Now, that we have mp3 players, pretty much all of our music goes onto those and/or onto our smartphones. D has a rule that I’m not allowed to start listening to Christmas music until Thanksgiving. Well, thanks to the fact that I am reviewing a new Christmas album, I was given an exception this year. **grin**
I’ve been enjoying listening to a nice selection of Christmas songs from FFH:
Baby It’s Cold Outside
Jingle Bell Rock
One Silent Night
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
The Birthday of the King
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Winter Wonderland
Glorious Impossible
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Heaven and Nature Sing
One Silent Night contains many old Christmas favorites as well as a few new original songs. FFH has done a great job with their renditions of the classic songs, and the original songs are sure to become new favorites around here. I personally enjoy the upbeat, contemporary Christian sound of FFH. Obviously, by glancing over the songs, you can see that FFH chose to include some “secular” songs as well as Christian songs on this album. I think the song choice is fun, so I don’t have an issue with it.
Once again, I’m happy to be able to offer up a copy of the album to one of my readers. This will be a download and not a physical copy of the album. The giveaway is open to ALL of my readers.
It’s time for another great family movie night movie. Yes, I know that it’s a little early for Christmas movies, but the reality is that Thanksgiving is not that far away (next week). It’s time to start pulling out those old favorite Christmas movies and adding a few new ones to the collection. We’re happy to add The Christmas Lodge to our Christmas movie collection.
The Christmas Lodge is a heart-warming story about family and making wonderful memories that last.
During a weekend getaway in the mountains, Mary comes across an old lodge which looks quite familiar. When she realizes that it’s a special lodge, The Christmas Lodge, from her family’s past, she decides that she wants to find a way to help Jack restore it to its former glory. Jack, while a proud man, realizes that this is his opportunity to bring is family’s heritage back to life, so he hesitantly accepts Mary’s offer of help. When Mary tells her ailing Grandfather of the task ahead, he lights up and begins to tell stories from the past which gives Mary the extra motivation that she needs to continue to push through all of the trials. The question is – will they be able to complete all of the work on The Christmas Lodge in time for one more family Christmas?
We enjoyed watching this Thomas Kinkade Christmas movie together. It was a clean, heart-felt story that stresses the importance of faith and family.
As Christmas is a time of giving, it’s only fitting that I am able to give away 1 copy of Thomas Kinkade’s The Christmas Lodge to one of my readers. Giveaway is open to ALL my readers even international readers.
