2013 May Bookmarks

*Bookmarks is an online book club hosted at Creative2xmom. Here we discuss the books we've read in the past month as well as the suggested reading. Our suggested reading for May was Girl Meets God by Jennifer Winner.

These are the books I read this month:

The Christian Parenting Handbook by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller-- See my review here.

The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall-- See my review here.

The Guardian by Beverly Lewis-- See my review here.

Our suggested reading for May was Girl Meets God by Jennifer Winner--  I've been wanting to read this one for awhile, not really knowing much about the content.  Really the title just appealed to me.  Winner takes us on this journey of how she sees the Lord woeing her all throughout her life.  Born to a "Christian" mother and a "Jewish" father, she fully embraces her Jewish heritage and eventually converts to Judaism.  And she takes it on with her whole heart.  As time goes on, she feels the Lord moving her to Christianity and there too, she eventually settles into an Episcopal church.  What I loved about this book was that it was messy.  Messy books don't usually appeal to me.  I like sound writing structure and the ability to see where the storyline is going.  But with Winner's writing, the style absolutely fit the subject matter.  Christianity, religion, finding out where the Lord would have us, ... it's all messy.  It's a messy journey.  We're human.  We misread.  We misturn.  We don't understand.  And sometimes we do understand, but the Lord takes us through twists and turns 'cause that forms us better into what he has in mind.  Winner does a fantastic job of laying out Judaism, Christianity, and the leap from one to the other, which really turns out to not be that far.  If you're looking to learn more about either religion or the messiness of the journey, this is a great book.  I can't wait to read more of Winner's work.

So what are your bookmarks this month?

Tell us in the comments about the books you're chewing on. Or link up a review from your own blog. Let's share the books we're finding, good and bad. And give us your thoughts on Girl Meets God by Jennifer Winner.

Don't forget to come back June 28th as we discuss In The Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham and any other books you're reading.  Can't wait to see you then!

Happy Memorial Day

May be continue to give thanks and pray for those who serve,

both now and in our history's rich past.

10 Things This Week

Here's how I did on my goals this week:

Marriage and Parenting:

*Read 5 chapters in Little Women

*Make Summer Bucket List

*Schedule May dates

Blogging:

*Finish review book

*Get a week ahead on posts

*Make a DIY vlog

Homemaking Goals:

*Keep working on brownies

*Prune back roses

Personal Goals:

*Exercise 4-5 days/including 5 days of core challenge (did 2x)

*Get 8 hrs of sleep each night (nope)

These are my 10 goals for the week:

Marriage and Parenting:

*Read 5 chapters in Little Women
*Look up scripture to memorize

*Prep Summer Journals

Blogging:
*Finish review book

*Stay one week ahead on posts

*Research Light box ideas

Homemaking Goals:

*Make and hide an extra key for the house

*Prepare final grades

Personal Goals:

*Exercise 4-5 days/ including 5 days of core challenge

*Get 8 hrs of sleep each night

What are your goals this week?

Weekend Links

Homemade Vanilla Wafers

Summer Reading Teepee Tutorial

Crab Stuffed Tilapia

Binky Leash and Carrying Bag

Simple Yet Beautiful Summer Table

This Week:

What I Made: Some stunning peanut butter chocolate brownies.  Yummy!

What I'm Reading: Victim of Grace by Robin Jones Gunn.  I'm working on a review of this one so you'll be seeing more soon.

What I'm Doing: Listening to my son and company play scrabble.  He's not doing half bad.

What I'm Watching: Texas Ranch House from PBS.  This is only the second historical reality series I've watched from them (along with Frontier House).  I don't like it as well as Frontier House, but once I started I wanted to finish it.  You can find it on Youtube.

What I'm Enjoying: Fresh Strawberries.  Love all the fresh fruit that's coming out this time of year and loving the simplicity of this Strawberry Orange Sorbet.

What are you up to?

Sensory Bottles for Toddlers

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #8: Bubbles at the Park

Sorry guys,
I was going through my blogging calendar a few days ago and realized it's been ages since I posted an Intentional Acts of Kindness challenge.  I've had a few ideas running around in my head, but they just haven't made it here to Creative2xmom.  But we're back on the challenge bandwagon.  Ready for the next one?

For this challenge we're going to brighten a stranger's day.  And a little one at that.  This time around let's leave a bottle of bubbles in the park for a child to find.  The weather is warming up and more and more kids are spending the afternoon at the park.  The dollar store sells the small bottles in a three pack.  So pick up one... or two... or three.  Write a note for each one and leave them where the kids can find them.  Take your kids along to hide them around the playground and then sit back and watch till someone finds them.  What a great way to bring a special little surprise to someone's day!

Will you join us in this challenge?

10 Things This Week

Here's how I did on my goals this week:

Marriage and Parenting:

*Read 5 chapters in Little Women

*Do a book craft with kids

*Schedule May dates

Blogging:

*Finish review book

*Start a second book

Homemaking Goals:

*Work on dinner conversation questions

*Work on a brownie recipe

Personal Goals:

*Exercise 4-5 days

*Get 8 hrs of sleep each night (FAIL!)

*Finish financial application

These are my 10 goals for this week:

Marriage and Parenting:

*Read 5 chapters in Little Women
*Make Summer Bucket List

*Schedule May dates

Blogging:

*Finish review book

*Get a week ahead on posts
*Make a DIY vlog

Homemaking Goals:
*Keep working on brownies
*Prune back roses

Personal Goals:

*Exercise 4-5 days/including 5 days of core challenge

*Get 8 hrs of sleep each night

What are your goals this week?

While You're Waiting: Choose your friendships wisely

Our world today is filled with billions of people.  Take a second and allow that to sink in. BILLIONS!

There are individuals populating our world from every walk of life.  Every background, every family structure, every interest, striving toward hundreds of different dreams.  We are a global society of diversity and connected by the human need to be known.

And I know you share in that need as well.

While you're growing up, and into your adulthood years, I would encourage you to choose your friendships wisely.  There will be those acquaintances who will appear exciting and interesting, but when you look deeper, you may find that the heart issues they struggle with aren't compatible with who you want to become.  I'm not saying to shun them.  Love them.  But choose your heart friends with good judgment and discretion.  

Your heart friends will influence you either in a forward direction or they can hold you back from becoming who you were meant to be.  When you open the deep recesses of who you are, you're opening yourself up in a very intimate way.  Choose friendships that will love, value, and cherish you in the way that your Father and I do.  In the way that your Heavenly Father does.  Choose friendships that will grow you in humility, gentleness, and joy.  These are the characteristics that you want to display.

As you walk through this life, I'll be praying that the Lord brings you good friends, true friends.  Friends that will walk with you through all the joys and trials that this world offers.  And I know He will.  But it's up to you to prayerfully consider the opportunities that are laid before you.  And to listen to His voice as you choose wisely.

I know you will.  And I'm so proud of the woman you are becoming.

The Guardian {Review}

The third in Beverly Lewis' series Home to Hickory Hollow, The Guardian follows the journey of a lost little girl back to her home.  And yet, that's only the beginning of this tale.

Sweet little Sarah falls out of her family's wagon one night on their way home.  While the men search all night for her, it's an outsider, an Englisher, who finds her the next morning.  And despite the language barrier, this Englisher stumbles upon the child's home and returns her safely to her family.  But it is the child's quickly growing attachment to this woman that propels the story.

Jodi, a young teacher, has recently lost her sister and sorrowfully found herself distanced from God.  Struggling to find peace in an upside down life, she discovers Sarah and is able to return her home.  But in this unusual world of the Amish, Jodi continues to be drawn in and opens her heart to new people and new ways.

Through The Guardian's twists and turns, we encounter characters we grown to love through this series. While this book can certainly be read on its own, it's been a delight to know these characters through The Fiddler and The Bridesmaid as well.  Although this book wasn't as much of a page turner as the two former in the series, The Guardian continues with true to life characters and compelling emotions.  It's a sweet homecoming story.  One that certainly engaged this Beverly Lewis fan.

*Disclaimer: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers for review.  All opinions are my own.

Weekend Links

How to Save Money on Children's Clothing

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Granola Bars

How to Make the Most Out of a Homeschool Convention

DIY: Eczema Salve

Armoire Closet turned Computer Cabinet

3 Overnight Oatmeal Ideas

Strawberry Orange Sorbet

We live in a crazy part of California that is absolutely stunning and we love where we live.  But one of the drawbacks to where we live is that it's already in the high 90's.  So summer comes fast and it lasts long.  

And what's one of our favorite family treats?  Homemade Ice Cream.  I love experimenting with new flavors as the summer marches on and I couldn't wait to make this refreshing combination.  It's sweet and light.  And a great flavor to usher in the season.

Strawberry Orange Sorbet

*Originally from Delicious Shots

4 c. strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 c. water

1 c. orange juice (approx one large orange)

1/2 c. sugar

1. Place water, orange juice, and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Boil until sugar dissolves.

2. Add strawberries and return to a boil.  Boil for about 8-10 min.

3. Allow to come to room temperature and puree.  Chill.

4. Freeze in ice cream freezer according to directions.

5. Enjoy!

10 Things This Week

Here's how I did on my goals this week:

Marriage and Parenting:

*Finish reading Ralph S Mouse with kids/ start Boxcar Children (we started a different one)

*Do a book craft with kids

*Write a love letter to hubby

Blogging:

*Start new review book

*Finish May's book for book club

*Mail out prize

Homemaking Goals:

*Work on jewelry organization

Personal Goals:

*Exercise 4-5 days

*Get 8 hrs of sleep each night (sort of; I had sick kids and tried; also why I didn't workout)

*Finish financial application (need a page I didn't know about)

Here's my goals this week:

Marriage and Parenting:

*Read 5 chapters in Little Women

*Do a book craft with kids

*Schedule May dates

Blogging:

*Finish review book

*Start a second book

Homemaking Goals:

*Work on dinner conversation questions

*Work on a brownie recipe

Personal Goals:

*Exercise 4-5 days

*Get 8 hrs of sleep each night

*Finish financial application

What are your goals this week?

2013 Scrapbooking Retreat

Every year my mom and I try to get away and spend a weekend scrapbooking together.  It's a great opportunity for us to catch up, get some work down, and just have a fun girls' weekend.  We always have a great time together.  It's a wonderful break from the kids andjust a whole lot of fun.

This past January we spent a weekend in Napa, scrapping our time away.  It was a weekend full of laughter, good food, great memories, and scrapping months of photos.  We arrived on Friday afternoon and settled in.  It was hosted at a nice hotel and we had a large table to work at and spread all our photos out.

I'm such a night person that it didn't take much to keep me up most of the night, despite being tired from taking care of three kids.  I got in the zone right away and spread out my photos.  I was on a mission!

It's so much fun for me to work on photos of our family.  It's one of those acts of love that I do for my loved ones.  And for me, it's just a chance to create something beautiful.

My mom and I had two tables together.  That's always fun 'cause it gives us a lot of time to talk and we use each other's ideas.  It's not uncommon for us to be scrapbooking photos from the same family event and come up with completely different layouts.  Plus, if I get stuck, I have someone to bounce ideas off of.  Or go on a coffee run with.

When my in-laws found out what we were doing, they signed up too and were in a room next to us.  It was fun to take a break, stretch my legs, and go see what they were working on too.

One of the mornings we were there, we drug ourselves out of bed after a long night to go get manicures and pedicures.  It was so relaxing to sit down without someone asking for a snack.  :-)

This is my mom and I taking a break to have our pedicures.  We were so relaxed; we almost went back to bed.

While we were there, we ate a lot of good food too.  There was a restauarant in the hotel that served some yummy lunches.  This was the house chopped salad that was refreshing and so yummy.

And these Lettuce Wraps were incredible.  I've had it on my list to try and recreate them soon.  So good!

 

There was games and prizes all throughout the weekend, including a layout contest.

This is the page I entered of my sweet baby girl, Lydia.

And I got second place!

All in all, we had so much fun.  I look forward to this weekend all year long and it was fantastic.  We have a lot of fun just being together and doing something we enjoy.  Packing up on Sunday was bitter sweet.  I missed my babies, but had such a great time.  I can't wait till our weekend away next year.



Weekend Links

For When It Seems Too Hard

10 Ways to Ensure Homeschool Burnout

Wine Night Appetizers

Jersey Knit Bracelets

Teaching Greater Than & Less Than

The Winnowing Season {Review}

In Book #2 of the Amish Vines and Orchards series, Rhoda finds herself called before the Amish board on the eve of her move to Maine.  Instead of clearing up the incident with her attacker, Rhoda is instead thrust into the hot seat as suspicion swirls around her premonitions.  Whispers and rumors abound as she and the Kings set out to start a new settlement and a new life.

And while Rhoda seems to be escaping her past, Jacob King's past is just catching up to him.  Instead of standing by his love, he finds himself helping an old friend go into hiding.  And why does he help her?  Because his own past mistakes are wrapped up in the mystery as well.  He finds himself hiding in the shadows, praying that his past doesn't catch up to him.

In Maine, trouble follows Rhoda wherever she goes.  Visions and voices appear again, a dangerous coverup haunts her, and her new business partner, Samuel King, quickly distances himself from her upon Jacob's disappearance.  Can these three escape their demons and start a new settlement?  Or will their pasts destroy every chance of happiness?

Cindy Woodsmall has done it again.  More than a love story, more than a mystery, Woodsmall creates an engaging page turner that keeps you guessing till the last page.  This book goes beyond the typical Amish love story to deliver a story filled with complicated characters, both relatable and endearing.  If you've read the A Season of Tending, you'll find that Woodsmall continues to do justice for their wonderful characters and storyline.  If not, go back and read the first book.  It's fantastic.

In true Amish Vines and Orchards fashion, this book leaves you wanting more.  More than more.  I, for one, will be anxiously awaiting the third installment in these characters lives.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review.  All opinions are my own.

10 Things This Week...

Here's how I did on my goals last week:

Marriage and Parenting:

*Start memorizing a new scripture with the kids

*Finish reading Ralph S Mouse and Upstairs Mouse/Downstairs Mole with kids

*Do scavenger hunt with kids

Blogging:

*Finish review book

*Read 100 pages in May's book for book club

*Mail out prize

Homemaking Goals:

*Work on jewelry organization

Personal Goals:

*Exercise 4-5 days

*Get 8 hrs of sleep each night (except the night the kids were sick)

*Finish financial application

Here are our goals for the week:

Marriage and Parenting:

*Finish reading Ralph S Mouse with kids/ start Boxcar Children

*Do a book craft with kids

*Write a love letter to hubby

Blogging:

*Start new review book

*Finish May's book for book club

*Mail out prize

Homemaking Goals:

*Work on jewelry organization

Personal Goals:

*Exercise 4-5 days

*Get 8 hrs of sleep each night

*Finish financial application

What are your goals this week?

Spring/Summer Meal Plan

With the change of the seasons, I love refreshing our meal plan.  It gets so hot here.  I just can't think anything about eating soups or heating my oven.  While our menu will likely vary from week to week, these are a few staples that we'll return to again and again.

Mondays-Crockpot:
Pulled Pork
Korean Beef Tacos
Honey Sesame chicken

Tuesdays- Main Dish Salads:
Power Salad
Southwestern Salad
Taco Salad
Chopped Salad

Wednesdays-Sandwiches:
Various Wraps
Grilled Veggie Sammies
Greek Salad Sandwiches


Thursdays-Fish:
Cheesy Fish
Fish or Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp Stirfry


Fridays- Pizza Night:
Homemade Veggie Pizza
Individual Pizzas on the Grill
French Bread Pizza

Saturdays-Mommy's Choice or BBQ:

Sundays-Quick and Easy or BBQ:
Baked Potato Bar
Smoothies and Sammies
Thai Chicken Wraps

Weekend Links

10 Tips for Party Planning on A Budget

Safari Birthday Party

Frog Prince Baby Shower

Circus Themed Birthday Party

Candyland Themed Birthday Party

How We Wash Our Cloth Diapers