Disclosure: I received this book to review. Opinions shared are mine.

Becoming a prepper suddenly sounds like a really good idea.  Why, you ask?  Just read The Dead Circle by Keith Varney to find out!

While the language was a bit too strong for me in some places, I found the story to be highly engaging.  Varney painted a truly horrifying picture of the world post-apocalypse.  It deterred me from any intention I ever had about visiting Detroit, that’s for certain! In some parts the horror scale was pretty disgusting in its descriptions, but the rest of the book wasn’t overly gory.  The worst parts are fairly skimmed over.  Overall, I’d rate this a 3.5 out of 5. For the Walking Dead on your Christmas list, this book will be a dream (or nightmare) come true.  [Read more…]

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

We recently moved into our new house and didn’t have room for our big bookshelves (sob) in our living room. This could have been my husband’s master plan all along. The books were starting to take over the world. So in the new house, my books have been banished from sight; they now hide in my nightstand, bathroom cabinets, and inside the kitchen drawers. The one non-negotiable for me — the kids’ books. I like to have those right out in the open so that the children can always select something to read. We repurposed this window bench into a bookshelf for the nook between the bedrooms. It’s a great place to sit and enjoy a little read! One of our recent finds was The Thing About Yetis, and it’s perfect for reading with the littles. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received these products to review. Post may contain affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Christmas stockings are top on my list of favorite things.  As a child, I loved to open my stocking on Christmas morning to find the treasures inside.  As a parent, it’s my joy to fill these for my children.  I also make stockings for dear friends for Christmas; it’s a fun way to make someone’s day!  Here are some stocking stuffer ideas, plus a chance to win a few of your own!  [Read more…]

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with Mums the Word Network and Amwell. All opinions are my own.

It’s not always convenient to visit a doctor when I need it.  In fact, it’s really never convenient.   Many times, I’ve had to cancel an appointment because I couldn’t get there in time, had an unexpected meeting at work, or just felt so poorly that driving wasn’t smart.  In urgent cases, I’ve taken my children into the doctor’s office with me.  Aside from just keeping them occupied while having a conversation with the doctor, I’m constantly keeping an eyeball on the kids so that they don’t touch anything that’s potentially germy (which is virtually everything in the doctor’s office, of course.)   It’s exhausting to just think about it!  Telemedicine might just be the most convenient thing invented since the cell phone.  With Amwell, it’s simple to get started back on the road to wellness.

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Disclosure: I am a Tommy Mommy blogger. Opinions shared are mine.

It’s such a blessing to know that I’m daily held up in prayer by loved ones. As a mama who prays for her children every day (multiple times a day!), I also appreciate the fact that God hears my fears and dreams for my children. Before my children even existed, they were prayed for. In the book I Prayed for You, children learn how deeply loved they are by the action of prayer. It’s a wonderful way to verbalize love, from the time the baby’s held in Mama’s arms, to the moment he takes his first steps. [Read more…]

We recently moved to a new home, and it’s’ going to be fun decorating it for the first time. Tree Classics sent me their beautiful Classic Noble Fir wreath, and they’re offering one to a lucky reader as well!

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Disclosure: I am a FlyBy blogger. This post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

My parents taught me to never write in books. As I was growing up, I always felt a little bit scandalous when I doodled in my Bible. Sometimes I did this to mark specific verses I loved; other times, I highlighted parts that spoke directly to my heart. When a friend or penpal added a verse to a letter they sent me, I looked up the verse and doodled that person’s name next to it. For years, this was my secret habit! It was a special way to personalize God’s word. Somewhere along the years, that Bible was packed away or lost; I wish I still had it. It would be a wonderful artifact from my childhood, and the early years of my faith. When journaling Bibles started making an appearance in recent months, I immediately wanted one. Many thanks to FlyBy, who provided me with a beautiful blue floral journaling Bible! [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book to review. Opinions shared are mine.  My apologies for posting a bit late!

It’s hard to find books for middle grades that will appeal to the unique mind of a tween. To Catch a Cat Thief has the qualities of the ideal middle grades book. There needs to be a certain element of superiority over the adults in said tween’s life. (check) The plot must carry a high level of intrigue over a broad range of interests. (check) Above all, the book must be of-the-moment. Under no circumstances can it be boring. (check) This book will be landing on my classroom bookshelf very soon; I can already think of several students who will enjoy it! It reminds me a bit of the adorable book A Long Way From Chicago. The quirky behavior of Penelope’s grandmother, plus a plethora of cats, makes this book a winner. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book to review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

You might not know it to look at me, but I was once a big fan of professional wrestling. Back in the day, my brother, stepdad, and I sat around the TV every Saturday morning to watch the clotheslines, body slams, and other crazy stunts that the wrestlers pulled. My stepdad even took us to a match once! The book Wrestling for My Life by Shawn Michaels will be a blast from the past for fans of the older WWE shows. More than that, though, it’s a vivid depiction of the way that God can change any heart. Whether you’re a WWE follower or not, get in line for this ride!

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All my life, I thought stuffing was equivalent to Stove Top…. never knowing that you could make your own stuffing from a variety of ingredients.  Don’t get me wrong, Stove Top is delicious.  My mother-in-law makes her own stuffing, and it’s quite different from the dish of my youth.  After working with lots of Southern girls, it’s become clear that my stuffing experience was next to nothing.  So when I heard that you can use Krystal menu items as a main ingredient in stuffing, it was worth a click.
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