The Family Project

We all know what families look like when they’re broken. But how were they meant to look? Authors Glenn Stanton and Leon Wirth rediscover the Creator’s majestic plan behind this essential, endangered institution—and bring it down to earth with practical application for every spouse and parent.This book is an extension of Focus on the Family’s much-anticipated The Family Project, a 12-week church and small group series that will change the way moms, dads, wives, and husbands see themselves—and help them build healthy households from the best blueprint of all.While following the topic outline of The Family Project curriculum, this book stands alone and delves into the subject areas more deeply. It provides a solid exploration of God’s design and the transformative purpose of biblical families, and also offers down-to-earth helps for living out God’s design in your own family, along with inspiration for helping others do the same.
Raising a family is hard work! The good news is, with excelent resources, like this book, you don't have to do it alone. Filled with encouragement and practical application, this book is well worth the read!

Petit Collage

I hadn't heard of this site until I came across the book up for review at Blogging for Books. What a cute shop! I love that they have shared some of their ideas with us in the form of this book! There are cute ideas for the house and your child`s room, along with templates for one to take off and do your own projects. I love the whimsical, stylish look of these projects!
I reviewed this book from bloggingforbooks.com

Sense and Sensibility; A Latter Day Tale

After their father's bankruptcy and death, sensible Elly and her idealistic sister, Maren, are trying to hold their family together and pay off the family debts. As they work through the changes that have come to their family, both women have a chance at love.
I loved this re-telling of Sense and Sensibility! Rebecca H. Jamison does a wonderful job of taking this classic and making it her own. It is close enough to Jane Austen's story, that readers will enjoy the similarities and (I think) enjoy the changes made to the story.
Two thumbs up!

L`s reviews

So, I thought that my cousin (L.) would have to write reviews in order to participate in the summer reading program at the library. Come to find out, I was wrong. Oops! 
In order to make it up to her, I thought I would post them here!
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase was a great book. I liked how in the beginning it started as two mysteries and in the end joined together.
One mystery is Nancy`s father goes missing. The other is Nancy`s friend, Helen, Aunt Rosemary and grandmother, Miss Flora`s, house is haunted.
Jo`s Story is a cool book. Even though she jumped to conclusions, Jo did some thoughtful things.
Jo did many things she disliked out of love for her sisters.
In the end, it turned out to be a nice story.

Top Ten Tuesday

This week, one has to confess to the top ten authors who are best represented on our bookshelves. So, here goes.
1. Janette Oke
2. Robin Jones Gunn
3. Elizabeth Gaskell
4. Charles Dickens
5.Baroness Orczy
6. Jean Webster (comment if you know who this is, without having to look up the answer!)
7. Jane Austen
8. Tracy Higley
9. C. S. Lewis
10. Louisa May Alcott

Take ten

Top Ten Characters I Would Want With Me On A Deserted Island is the subject for this week's top ten list!

1. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)
She is at the top, with her trapping and hunting skills.;)

2. Peeta Mellark (The Hunger Games)
Because I wouldn't want Katniss without her better half.;) I would imagine he would keep spirits up and he is just a kind, likeable character.

3. Hermoine Granger (Harry Potter)
For the magic and her smarts.

4. Reepicheep (Chronicles of Narnia)
Who wouldn't want a sword wielding mouse on their side?

5. Gimli
6. Legolas (LOTR)
These two go hand in hand. Their banter cracks me up!

7.Juliette D’Alisa (A Table by the Window)
Just because she would be a blast to cook with.

8. Sir Percy Blakeney (The Scarlet Pimpernel)
Okay, so I am all about the Scarlet Pimpernel at the moment, with re-reading it. He's hilarious!

9. Cantor D Ahmaand
10. Bixby
Another fun pair from One Realm Beyond

Treat Yourself

Okay, so the kid in me just had to check this cookbook out. Who doesn`t enjoy some sort of junk food treat once in a while? Whether your guilty pleasure is Twinkies, Oreos, Nutter Butter, or a variety of many different snacks or ice cream treats, this cook book will be a fun addition to your cook boo.It will satisfy those unhealthy cravings or wow your kids. And, it will remind one of childhood.
I love that the ingredients usedin this book are common to most any kitchen, since it is one of my pet peves to have a recipe where you have to run out and buy a bunch of ingredients you may not use up. Or, worse yet, look at a recipe and find it is a bunch of mixes thrown together, since I like to bake from scratch. But, I digress...
Add this cook book to your shelf. The kid in you wants it.:)

Murder at the Mikado

Just as Drew Farthering thinks his life has found smooth waters, Fleur Landis, an old flame, reappears in his life. She's married now, no longer an actress, and he expects she'll soon disappear--until she comes to him in dire need. The lead actor in her old troupe's production of The Mikado has been murdered, and Fleur is the police's number one suspect.

Drew would love nothing more than to just focus on his fiance, Madeline, and their upcoming wedding, but he can't leave Fleur in the lurch--even if she did break his heart once. As Drew, Nick, and Madeline dive into the murder, they discover more going on behind the scenes of the theater troupe than could ever have been imagined. Nearly everyone had a motive, and alibis are few and far between. It's Drew's most complicated case yet.

I like this series, since it is very much like the classic 1930's mysteries. The characters are fun and yet have depth to them, and I love the spiritual element to the stories too. Drew and Madeline grow as characters as their relationship changes.
Two thumbs up!

Top Ten favorite movies

1. Amazing Grace

2. North and South

3.Emma

4. Fireproof

5. Calamity Jane

6.Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

7. Beauty and the Beast

8.The Incredibles

9. Les Miserables

10. Ben Hur

Kitchen Confidence

I can`t say I have watched Kelsey Nixon`s show, Kelsey` Essentials, but I was eager to get a hold of this cookbook, with its tips and recipes. And what a fun cookbook it is! Filled with recipes that are easy enough to make on a daily basis but pretty enough to serve when entertaining, this is a perfect cookbook for both proficient chefs and newbies. I have already learned a lot! I`m inspired to get in the kitchen and start cooking!:)
I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest opinion.

Love. Period.

At first, I thought this would be a fluffy book on how, as Christians, we need to love people (not that I don't think that is a valid point. I just wasn't sure about the potential fluff). Boy, was I wrong! I really appreciated Pastor Rudy's honesty on how hard it can be to show love. And yet, how essential it is for our witness to love others. He addressed hard issues like overcoming fear and forgiveness.
"When we say, 'I choose to love. Period.' we are signalling to the world that a revolution has taken place in our hearts."
We are called to do the impossible, with God's help. So, that when we do the impossible, it will point others to the Lord. I think this book is a great, practical tool for doing just that!

Top Ten Book Confessions

1. One of the (many) reasons I am excited to be a mom now, is that I can once again participate in the summer reading program at the library. We finished it in two weeks.;)

2. I have never read Twilight. And I probably never will.

3. I am a horrible person to lend books to. You may never get them back, since they get lost in my stack of "to read:. (now, I probably better go through that stack and return some books..)

4. I thought I would never be won over to electronic reading devices. Then, I was given a Kindle for Christmas in 2011. Lets just say, my husband knows me better than I know myself.;)

5. Used bookstores are my weakness.

6. I don't always read series in order...

7. Vacations as a kid weren't complete unless I had a while backpack stuffed with books. Even if I didn't touch hardly any of them. (though, on road trips, I was often glad of all the books.

8. Reading in the car doesn't make me carsick, for which I am glad, since we took a lot of road trips growing up!

9. I have never bought a book to put on my Kindle, and yet I have at least 500 titles.

10. My husband is every bit the reader I am, which is great, since then we can spend the evening engrossed in our books.:) I don't feel guilty when a book has me sucked in, because he understands.

All for a Sister

Hollywood in the 1920`s is constantly changing, alonh woth the rest of the country during that  era. But, imagine what would of happened had you missed some of those changes for over a decade, only to be dropped into the Roaring Twenties and left to cartch up with the rest of the world. In this novel, Allison Pittman explores that idea.
When Celeste DuFrane loses her mother to, the will reveals some interesting surprises, along with a confession. Celeste is only inheriting half of the estate. The other half is to go to Dana Lundgren, the young woman who has been locked away due to the death of Celeste`s older sister.
As the two young women get to know one another and the story that binds them, they discover forgiveness and grace.
I found Dana and Celeste to be very likeable, buthave to say that I found some
of the other characters truly awful. The author writes a story one can`t put down, since there is so much going on and somewhat of mystery to unravel. That said, I vastly prefer her other books to this series, since this one, in my opinion, had a lot of smut. It is handled well enough, as in just mentioned and not actual scenes, but one of the chracters is aajot womanizer, and I just got tired of that theme playing such a big role.
Anywat, my honest opinion is, if you like reading about the 1920`s, this book is a fascinating take on that time!

My Paris Kitchen

Isn`t this book gorgeous? After my sister and brother in law went to Paris, I figured obtaining a copy of this book from Blogging for Books to review would be the next best thing to going myself. And, I was right! It has long been my dream to do something similar to what David Lebovitz did, to go over to France and bake, learning the art of delectable French pastries and breads. This cook book offers recipes, tips, and personal stories. I love it!
 especially like the chocolate recipes.;)

Top Ten Classics

Top ten Tuesday
I know a lot of these have made it onto my lists before, so you will have to forgive me.

1. Persuasion by Jane Austen
I like all of her stories for different reasons, but I think this one is my favorite due to the depth of the characters. And, the ending is so romantic.

2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A must read for everyone.

3. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
I actually have this one out to re-read, as I was a young teen when I last read it. I love the plot twists!

4. Shirley by Charlotte Bronte
This is my personal favorite out of the Bronte sisters books.

5. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
I guess I went through a French Revolution stage in high school.;)

6. Emma by Jane Austen
Emma is one of my very favrite heroines, since she is funny and has a good heart, albeit, misguided at times.;) It is also one of the few romance stories my husband enjoys with me.;)

7. Mere Christianity by C.S.Lewis
It is non fiction, but is an incredible book that breaks down Christianity into such beautiful, simple statements.

8. MaryBarton by Elizabeth Gaskell
9. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
10. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis