Disclosure: I received this book free for review. Post contains affiliate link; if you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.

It was a snow day – one of the blessings of being a teacher is staying home in inclement weather!  I settled in to finish a book that just came in a few days ago.  Long Black Veil by Jennifer Finney Boylan didn’t have high ratings on Amazon or Goodreads, so my expectations weren’t set high.  What a shame, because this book really knocked my socks off!

[Read more…]

Disclosure: I received books for review. Post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.

I’m always excited when we get that Snow Day phone call…it means sleeping in and enjoying the day with a good book. My kids usually play outside for a couple of hours, then they’re ready for something more.  Video games hold interest for a little while, but why not try something different?  These books offer creative ideas using ingredients and materials you might just have around the house.

Wood pallet art is everywhere these days, but it’s often found at a high price.  The book Wood Pallet Wonders gives tips and strategies for making your own decor using pallets.  The author provides details about the kind of pallets to use, how to break them down, and suggestions for projects.  Perfect for DIY fans and older teens, this book could help your kids turn a talent into an entrepreneurship!

Slime Sorcery sounds amazing already, doesn’t it?  When I taught science, we made “slime” every year in lab.  It was an inexpensive project that held the kids’ interest without fail.  This book is more like a science cookbook.  It’s a great, safe way to show kids how to experiment, pay attention to outcomes, and make predictions.  There are so many recipes in this book that you could make this a snow day tradition!   Keep in mind that some of the slime results can be messy, so I strongly urge you to make sure the kids keep the slime at home.  I’ve seen many frustrated teachers who found themselves battling the slime for students’ attention!

If snow days have you craving the sunny feel of summer, just pretend you’re a mermaid.  The book Be a Real-Life Mermaid has all the tips and tricks you need to make it happen!  It’s great for those who want to host a mermaid themed party, or even just to have beauty tips to make you look like one.  A happy bonus is that the book highlights the importance of keeping our oceans clean, so it might even spur your budding mermaid to be a part-time environmentalist.

One lucky Savings in Seconds reader will win these 3 books full of activities and ideas! The giveaway is open to US readers ages 18+. Void where prohibited by law. MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations. Good luck!

Thanks to Ulysses Press for providing me with copies of these books.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book.  Post contains affiliate links and I may earn commission if you make a purchase. Opinions shared are mine.

The psychology of dystopia really appeals to me.  I love thinking about how society might adapt and respond to the changing world as time goes on.  Typically, this genre has been firmly settled in the teen and YA shelves.  On the other hand, the T-H-B by Randy Dockens makes a good presence in the adult age range!  This book was published in 2017, so you have time to read it before books 2 and 3 come out in 2018.

[Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book for review. Post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.

Starting the new year with fresh, delicious recipes makes me want to sing. My family easily falls into a menu rut, especially in the winter when none of us feels up to making a decision about meals. It’s so simple to get drive-thru, but we all prefer home cooking. Our family believes that we feel better when we eat at home, plus it’s more budget friendly!  I was thrilled to check out Valerie’s Home Cooking by Valerie Bertinelli.  Spending an hour with this cookbook is as cozy as chatting with an old friend.

[Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher. Post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.

With the start of the new year, many people strive to eat better.  It’s a struggle, though, once we head back to work after the holidays.  Life catches up and, with that, healthy eating takes a downward spiral.  I liked the 100% Real cookbook by Sam Talbot because it makes clean eating seem attainable. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received free admission; opinions shared are mine.

With the nation shivering under winter’s cold gaze, you might have forgotten what summer feels like.  Here’s your chance to think about warmer weather and the great outdoors.  We attended the Knoxville RV Show this weekend, and enjoyed it so much.  I think you will too! [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book. Opinions shared are mine.

When choosing my next book to review, I knew that my husband would really enjoy Whisper by Mark Batterson.  He has a stressful job that requires a lot of emotional strength.  Hearing God’s voice is imperative for a calm, peaceful mind and content heart, but even more so with daily challenges like his.  I also wanted to read Whisper for myself.  My children have often asked me, “How can I hear God?”  and my answers seem weak to my own ears.  So, I went off in search of that answer within the pages of this book.  I received a free copy; opinions shared are mine. [Read more…]

It was a pretty quiet winter break at the Savings in Seconds house.  I’m not on an official no-spend month, but we have tried to minimize post-Christmas spending. The kids received several new toys and gadgets so we didn’t need to go more and do more.  However, when the temperatures started dropping down, down, down….we got a little cagey.  So, to the movies we went!  All of us voted on Jumanji. The “old” version is a family favorite, so I was excited to see how this one compares. 
[Read more…]

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may earn a commission. All X-Files obsessions shared are mine.

It’s not often that I commandeer the remote control from the rest of the family.  Most of the time, a blanket and book are more my style…or maybe sitting behind the laptop screen.  On Wednesday at 8 pm, though, it was MINE.  Why?  Because Scully and Mulder were back on, that’s why!  [Read more…]