Archives for February 2015

Dandelion Field takes a tough subject and makes it a God thing

Disclosure: I received this book to review. The links in this post are affiliate links. Opinions shared are mine.

Dandelion Field review - savingsinseconds.com

Savor the romance of Valentine’s Day with a new story of falling in love in Kathryn Springer’s The Dandelion FieldThe handsome firefighter makes a living “coming to the rescue,” but Gin is used to fighting her own battles. Can a woman who doesn’t believe in happy endings take a chance on a new beginning? Did you win the Kindle Fire giveaway?  The winner will be announced February 16th on the Litfuse blog.

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Three Inspirational Books To Add To Your Pastor’s Bookshelf

Disclosure: I received these books to review. The post contains affiliate links; opinions shared here are 100% mine.

If you attend a small church, your pastor may have limited funds with which to purchase resource books. While there are free supplemental guides available online, many old-school clergymen prefer to have a book in hand as they prepare for Sunday’s message. Here are some excellent, affordable guides that you may want to add to your pastor’s bookshelf. He’ll thank you for it!

The Resurrection in Your Life: How the living Christ changes your world is a slim paperback that packs a big punch. It’s easy to read, with simple yet powerful language. The statistics are relevant to the message, providing a platform that the minister can use in a sermon. The reflection questions at the end of each short chapter provide just enough to provoke meaningful discussion. Verses to popular hymns are even found throughout the book. The Resurrection In Your Life makes an excellent go-to preparation guide for the busy minister.  Consider gifting this to the youth minister or associate pastor who may need to fill the pulpit in a pinch. [Read more…]

Monroe and Main Stunning Spring Fashions

Disclosure: Monroe and Main sent me outfits for this post. Opinions shared are mine.

Whatever Punxsutawney Phil might have to say, I’m ready for spring weather. Aren’t you? While you check out this year’s spring fashions, keep Monroe and Main in mind. There are so many beautiful styles for women of all shapes and sizes!  In selecting items for this spring’s fashion post, I wanted to try something in the Marsala shade.  As you know, it’s the color of the year.  It’s a great color for everyone — men and women — and can be an exciting part of your spring wardrobe. [Read more…]

Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma – review

Disclosure: I received this book to review. The post and giveaway form contain affiliate links; opinions shared here are 100% mine.

New releases are exciting! Do you have a TBR list that you update with the upcoming new releases? Anxious readers were delighted when Liz Tolsma’s new title Remember the Lilies was released on February 3, 2015. I loved Tolsma’s previous books about the WWII era. I definitely looked forward to reading Remember the Lilies!
Remember the Lilies giveaway - savingsinseconds.com
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The Book of Strange New Things, At Home in Last Chance, and Beyond All Dreams

Disclosure: I received these books to review. The post contains affiliate links; opinions shared here are 100% mine.

The Book of Strange New Things - review at savingsinseconds.com

If you’re sick of the romance trains I normally post about, check out The Book of Strange New Things (pictured above).  I don’t even know where to start with this one!  A tantalizing mix of sci-fi, faith, and long-distance romance, this book explores a whole new world in comparison to most of the books I review. [Read more…]

Check out Altered Sense for handmade soy candles and more!

Disclosure: I received product samples. Opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Enter to win a prize pack from Altered Sense in the #Handmade #giveaway - ends 2/27 savingsinseconds.com

My sister’s house always looks warm and welcoming.  I could never put my finger on the one thing that made her house feel so inviting, until she commented about the fact that she had so many tea lights burning. Then it hit me.  She burns candles the way that other people flip a light switch!  The difference between her house and mine seemed so obvious after that.  The candles she burned gave a cozy glow that was so comforting. The gentle scents that waft through the air in her kitchen don’t always come from her oven; the candles add an amazing ambiance for the senses.  Since then, I have made more of an effort to burn candles anytime I feel like I need help to unwind.  Altered Sense offers a wonderful selection of handmade soy candles, wax tarts, and bath salts.  They might smell amazing, but they’re calorie free!  [Read more…]

Penny Paperheart playset from Hallmark – #SweetNothings

Disclosure: I received product samples as a Love, Hallmark blogger. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

#PennyPaperheart mini playset #giveaway from @Hallmark - ends 2/26 savingsinseconds.com

When my daughter was born, it gave me the chance to see Valentine’s Day from a parent’s perspective. Until that year, my experience was always about ME.  Would I get flowers from my true love?  Would there be chocolate in my future?  Should I give a sappy card or a funny card to the guy in my life?  Having a child changed everything.  We usually give non-candy treats for holidays, so we made Valentine’s Day fun with a balloon or a new coloring book.  When my little girl went to kindergarten, it was her first opportunity to exchange valentines with her friends.  It was so much fun!  Now, with Hallmark’s Penny Paperheart line, we can enjoy Valentine’s Day anytime.

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Most of us could stand to be a little more NOURISHED – book review

Disclosure: I received this book to review. The post and giveaway form contain affiliate links. Opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a middle school teacher?  Think about a time when you got on the phone and your children all started clamoring for your attention.  Now, multiply that times 25.  Multiply THAT times 4.  I have 100 students in 4 class periods during the day.  Oftentimes, I answer five questions from students in the span of thirty seconds.  It’s a wonderful, inspiring, exhausting existence!  Recently at work, we went over a to-do list for teachers.  It was more than a little overwhelming to see all of our job responsibilities listed in a tiny-font spreadsheet.  We have had two meetings about the list and STILL aren’t finished hashing it all out. At the last meeting, while we deliberated over the list and tried to streamline where we could, it became apparent that no part of our job could be effectively eliminated. Every single task held its own importance; the ramifications of giving up one responsibility could impact the whole school.  While that might sound overly doomsday-ish, it’s true of most moms, too.  Have you ever tried to think about your to-do list in terms of a job?  By mid-morning, many of us want to crawl back in bed and call it a day!  If you’re nodding your tired head, consider giving the book Nourished: A Search for Health, Happiness, and a Full Night’s Sleep a read.

Nourished book review - savingsinseconds.com

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A book you’ll want to read with the kids in your life

Disclosure: I received this book to review. The post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are 100% mine.

Children’s literature has come to the forefront of today’s literary world. It’s wonderful that children are reading, but let’s not allow them to miss out on the heart-tickling stories of days past!   Many classic characters have been passed up by recent generations in lieu of more mainstream books such as Junie B. Jones and Harry Potter. For example, did you know that Astrid Lindgren, the author who created the wonderful Pippi Longstocking, wrote many other delightful stories? I had the privilege of reading Rasmus and the Vagabond. I’d never heard of this story before reviewing it, and did I ever miss out! This is a book that you’ll want to read with the kids in your life.

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Love having groceries. Hate going to the store. Schwan’s saved me!

Disclosure: I received a gift card to try this service. Opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Schwan's helps me out when I don't want to cook, but my family wants to eat. #ad savingsinseconds.com

 

If it were up to me, we would eat cereal for every meal.  My family is not so keen on that idea.  You’d think that because I love being frugal, I would enjoy grocery shopping.  Most of the time, though, we’re rushing through the aisles trying to get everything on my list before dashing to the next practice or meeting.  We don’t live in an area where there’s a grocery delivery service, so I’m forced to darken the door of the supermarket at least a couple of times per month.  Luckily for me, though, Schwan’s does deliver!  For all those days when we are hungry but too tired to go to the store, or even out to eat, Schwan’s pulls through.   [Read more…]

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