If you’re like my family, you’ve watched your share of ABC Family movies this month. My favorites are still the oldies, though. It just doesn’t seem like Christmas until we’ve watched at least one running of The Grinch, The Christmas Story, Charlie Brown, and Rudolph. What are your favorites?

When I was a child, these movies seemed so realistic to me. Yeah, I knew they were cartoons, but they were just vivid stories in my mind. As an adult, I find that I watch my kids’ expressions while we’re enjoying the show. When the Abominable Snowman has a toothache, I look over to see if my son understands what’s going on. Last year I realized that I watched one too many cartoons when I realized that Rudolph’s voice sounded very familiar. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received product samples; this post contains affiliate links. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Welcome to the Home for the Holidays Giveaway Hop, hosted by So Easy Being Green and Viva Veltoro!

It’s almost Christmas, can you believe it?!  The stockings are hung on the mantle, the smell of baking cookies fills your home, and giveaways are waiting to be won. I’ve teamed up with a great group of bloggers that want to  help you feel at home for the holidays. The Home for the Holidays Giveaways are all centered around the perfect products for your home.  From decorative gifts to appliances each blogger has something for your home!   Hop around to each giveaway and be sure to enter to win the Grand Prize for this event too!  The hosts have secured a wonderful prize package worth $1,000 to include a Sebo X4 Upright Vacuum from from Allergy Buyers Club, a 5×8 Mohawk Rug {of Winner’s Choice}, and a $75 Gift Certificate to WallsNeedLove.com.   So Easy Being Green, Viva Veltoro, the Blogging Mamas Network, and the Home for the Holidays participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.

 Our sponsors for this event are Upside Down Games and Red Cup Living.  One lucky winner will receive the YOGA! Spinner game and 8 Red Cup Living cups (18 oz.)  for a total retail value of approximately $68.

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Disclosure:  I received this book from Bethany House; the post contains affiliate links. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Thank goodness I love to read because a lot of books come in the mail for me.  My neighbor actually commented on it a few days ago, asking if I was building a bomb or something. Ha ha!!  No, I just like to review books, I replied.  I’m still not sure if he believes me.  Some books really get me excited and The Jesus Story is one of those.  When it arrived in the mail, I was giddy with excitement to get into its pages.  For years I’ve been struggling to read through the entire Bible and just not making it.  I far prefer the New Testament with the story-like gospels and the letters of Paul.   This is the perfect book to give to a new Christian or even for a teen Bible study, because it so clearly outlines the life of Jesus in a way that everyone can appreciate.   [Read more…]

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

Are you in a place where you need a bit of encouragement or maybe you have a friend going through some hard times?  Here are a few books that  will lift your spirits and protect your heart. [Read more…]

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

Move over, Tolkien. When I saw the cover for Dragonwitch  I knew it was a book I HAD to read! Fairies and myths are not just child’s play.  I loved the Lord of the Rings trilogy and went to see each one in the theater, but only after I finished reading them.  I found Tolkien’s books to be fascinating yet difficult to suffer through.  The names and tedious descriptions of the landscape seemed to go on for miles.  The story itself was intriguing, though, and totally worth the ride.  If you’re in the same boat, pick up some books by Anne Elisabeth Stengl.  She has the same mind for legends but writes in a much more readable way.  Although this is the 5th book in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series (and I haven’t read any of the others) it works as a standalone.  I do plan to read the others in the series, starting with Heartless  which is currently FREE for Kindle. Grab it before the winds of Amazon change!  [Read more…]

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

There are times when it’s tough to be a girl. I’m not talking about the “womanly change” or anything like that. I mean the raging hormones, the gossipy bickering between so-called friends, and the whole boy thing. Don’t let that get you down though.
When I received the My Name is Erin books to review, I was struck by their small size. These are discreet enough for your preteen to tuck in her backpack or purse. You never know when a girl might need to consult a book for help! [Read more…]

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Several products that we had the opportunity to review in December would be on my top list for stocking stuffers. Let me share some of them with you! You can add them your weekend shopping trip list.

For the person on your list who’s always wanted to make a trip to the Holy Land, consider gifting the book Pilgrimage by Lynn Austin. [Read more…]

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

When you grow up watching Saturday Night Live, the entire world seems like a sketch comedy show.  In my work as a teacher, every day at least one situation plays out like a Seinfeld episode.  Comments like, “We were on a break!” might not seem important to most, but for those who watched Friends it brings back fond memories of Ross and Rachel.  If those shows make you smile, you need to check out Studio C.  Studio C has the same 1990’s humor without needing to dip into bad language or sexual innuendo.  Most of the sketches are performed by college age kids; it reminds me of The Kids In The Hall.  While I didn’t think the skits were incredibly hilarious, they were often funny and creative.  Season 2 was much more interesting to me.  By bringing in better props, costumes, and playing to current trends (the Downtown Abbey skit was a hoot) the Studio C cast made their show something to share.  I appreciate sarcastic humor and enjoyed the dry wit that the skits often present. One of my favorites was Operation Breakup in season 2. [Read more…]

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

When I started attending a church that had its own library, it was like a whole new world opened up to me.  At the public library it seemed that all books on theology or even basic spirituality were woefully outdated, dusty, and not appealing.  On a teenager’s then a college student’s budget, it wasn’t possible to purchase copies of books that I saw at the Christian bookstore.  I remember buying a Max Lucado book for the first time, reading it over and over again because (a) it was so good and (b) it was the only Christian book I had.  So again, when the church we joined as newlyweds had a library, I was so excited!!  I checked out books each week then returned them the next week, ready for more.  Here are three books I would love to add to it! [Read more…]