Singalullaby

Hi! The coffee is brewing, let's talk!

 

My Ruby Red Slippers

The perfect gift for me, the girl who, as a new bride, walked down the aisle to "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"! 

Thank you, hubby, for giving me grace when I presented you with my own gift.

Zappos

Mom's Million Dollar Fudge

My gift to you:  the yummiest Christmas treat, ever! 

 Ingredients :   4 & 1/2 cups sugar, 1 stick butter, 1 can evaporated milk
 Melt these items over medium heat in a 3qt. pot.  Bring to a boil.  When the mixture  begins to boil, set a timer for 8 minutes.  Stir constantly! 

 More Ingredients:  12 oz. Hershey's chocolate bar (it really must be Hershey's), 12 oz. chocolate chips (vary the flavors for interesting fudge), 1pt. (I use 14 oz.) marshmallow creme

When the timer dings, remove the pot from burner.  Add the chocolate bar pieces, chocolate chips and marshmallow creme.  STIR.  The fudge will be creamy, sliding out of the pot.  (Grab a spoonful; warm and gooey, it is the best!)  Pour the fudge into glass dishes, prepared previously with a slick of butter (the stick paper works great in this case).  

This recipe will fill a 9x13 inch pan and an 8x8 inch pan.  To store, cover the dishes tightly.  Fudge may be cut before gift wrapping.

Yummy!

"Twitter" is the top word of 2009

According to the Global Language Monitor, Twitter snagged the #1 spot in a list of the top words in 2009.
The top fifteen words included Obama, H1N1 (no vowels...is that a word?), Stimulus, Healthcare, Unemployed, and Vampire.  Truly, a snapshot of our culture at the end of this decade.  

Hmm.  I voted for a different candidate, H1N1 hit 30% of our family, we didn't see any money from the stimulus, our healthcare costs are over $1000/month, one of us may soon be unemployed, and, *cringe*, I saw New Moon by myself and enjoyed every minute.  At first glance, I thought the list was far removed from my life, but I guess I was wrong.

Hindsight provides better adjectives and nouns, by which to remember my '09:  Wicked~the musical, competition trophies, sixteenth birthday, first job, baseball, tournaments, dance team, New York, family vacation, cousins, movies via books, teaching, friends & concerts, Psalms, songs, reconciliation, love...

What words describe your life experience in 2009?  

PS:  I Twitter, do you?!

Book Nook~ "Treasured..." by Leigh McLeroy

When I unwrapped "Treasured...Knowing God by the Things He Keeps", I knew this book was going to impact me on a personal level.  I tend to 'save' things in random boxes: my children's newborn clothes,  high school yearbooks (I need to prove to myself that I was once that thin!), letters from former students, books that have shaped my life.  These things are part of my story, my truth.  As I read "Treasured...", I was captivated by the way Ms. McLeroy wove her memories together with treasures from God's word.   She is a master story-teller, creating teachable moments from ordinary life.  "Treasured..." brought many things into focus for me while wrapping me in the warmth of God's love.  This book would be a wonderful gift!  I suggest pairing it with a cozy blanket, or a treasure box; the perfect present for the thoughtful reader.

Leigh McLeroy provided a Facebook link where you can share what is in your box of treasures! 

 This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Give Presence: Advent Conspiracy 2009

More Books To Give Away! Shadow Government & Wisdom Hunter

Winners will be chosen on Friday, November 6!

Due to H1N1 in our family, I was not able to provide a personal review.  If you'd like to be considered for these giveaways, in comments, note the book you'd like to receive.  Please provide an email where you can be reached.  

"Wisdom Hunter" Summary:

Propelled into a quest for the granddaughter no one wants him to find, Jason Faircloth discovers that knowing it all could cost him everything he has. A fast-paced suspense novel, Wisdom Hunter explores what it means to break free of Christian legalism—and why grace can mean the difference between life and death. 

Author Bio:

Randall Arthur is the bestselling author of Jordan’s Crossing and Brotherhood of Betrayal. He and his wife have served as missionaries to Europe for over thirty years. From 1976 till 1998, he lived in Norway andGermany as a church planter. Since 2000, he has taken numerous missions teams from the United States on trips all over Europe . Arthur is also the founder of the AOK (Acts of Kindness) Bikers’ Fellowship, a group of men who enjoy the sport of motorcycling. He and his family live in Atlanta , Georgia .

"Shadow Government" Summary:

Grant Jeffrey reveals biblical prophecies that describe Satan’s work at the end of the age, as the evil one installs the Antichrist as the world’s unrivaled leader. The Antichrist will use technology to record the beliefs and loyalties of every person alive, in order to force their allegiance upon penalty of death.  

Author Bio:

Grant R. Jeffrey is the internationally known prophecy researcher, Mideast expert, and author of Countdown to the Apocalypse, The New Temple and the Second Coming, The Next World War, and twenty other best-selling books. He is also the editor of the Prophecy Study Bible. His popular television program, Bible Prophecy Revealed, airs weekly on TBN. Jeffrey earned his master’s and PhD degrees from Louisiana Baptist University . He and his wife, Kaye, live in Toronto .

 

 These books were provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

 

A WINNER!

Congratulations to Shelly, who won (with the help of a random number generator) the copy of "The Sound Of Sleigh Bells"!  

I'll be giving away more books from Waterbrook Press; keep reading!

"The Sound Of Sleigh Bells" Review and Giveaway!

"We take what is and trust God is making things we can't yet see."

In "The Sound Of Sleigh Bells", Cindy Woodsmall carefully carves a story that warms the heart.  Beth Hertzler is a young Amish woman, hiding a hurt that she feels is beyond anyone's understanding.  When she encounters Jonah, a gifted wood carver, something in his eyes touches her soul.

The traditions of the Amish are woven throughout the plot, allowing the intimacy of old-fashioned letter writing to play a major role.  I found myself racing through the pages, eager to read Beth's words, hoping that she would share the truth of her pain.  And in Jonah, the author has given us a character worthy of affection.  As Beth wrestles with her past and ponders her future, readers will hope for a happy ending.

This Christmas, I will be decking my halls with sleigh bells!

I have a complimentary copy to give away from Multnomah Press!  If you'd like to enter (chosen at random), please tell me what will deck your halls this season....and leave an email address where you can be reached!  This giveaway will end on Friday, Oct. 23, at midnight.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Quoteable

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia" (Charles Schultz)

Homecoming '09

Homecoming fashion has come a loooong way since the '80s.  BigBro invited his pals (22 in all + parents) to our house for pre-dance pictures.  I'm still not sure who was here!

LilBro snuck into the mix with his own (too small) suit jacket....