JJ Heller's Album: LOVED Music Review and Giveaway!!

JJ Heller

Stone Table Records 

Releases March 12

My review:
J.J. Heller is my new favorite artist. She has a soft and lovely voice that drifts quietly to the soul.  Her lyrics are full of heartfelt thoughts, prayers and experiences.  When we are at the deepest moment of need, we need to know we are LOVED.  That is what this album offers, the true and never ending love of God to humans who reach for Him.  This album is one to keep close to your CD player as you will be feel so loved and encouraged by this wonderful young couple that shares blessings from above to touch your inner spirit.

Website: http://www.jjheller.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/JJ-Heller/12004599945

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjheller

Music Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8jilr8qsYU&feature=player_embedded

About JJ Heller's LOVED

When JJ Heller and her husband/co-writer, Dave, began writing for their sixth studio album LOVED, life looked a few shades darker, more painful and confusing than it had during the work on their work of the recent past. Over the past few years, the duo steered much of their material toward the whimsical and simple joys of life, love and new parenthood. But, when confronted by illness, death and broken marriages within their community, the Hellers chose to stay true to the weight of their season of life when crafting lyrics this time around.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Win it:  I will be giving one copy of this CD!  Giveaway ends Sunday, March 17!  US only.

To enter: Be sure to click on all the links before filling out the entry form.

1.(NEW)  What type of music do you like most?  Please use the comment section below. (you must then fill out the entry form for your entry to be counted!)(required)

2. Be a follower on my blog (The More the Merrier- side bar on blog)

3. Subscribe to my blog by email (link on blog)

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

4."Like" The Knowlton Nest on Facebook (link on my blog). 

5. Post about this giveaway on another site (your blog, facebook, twitter, etc) (1 entry for every site- see share buttons below) 

DON'T FORGET- fill out the entry form after making a comment!  Comments only count if you have filled out the entry form.

Entry Form for JJ Heller CD- LOVED

Oh, For Real by Laura Coppinger Cookbook on Sale!!

   

If you haven't heard yet, Laura from Heavenly Homemakers has released a new book that will be in PRINT!!  It's called Oh, For Real.  

What will you find in Oh, For Real? 

• Over 115 healthy, real food breakfast, lunch, supper, casserole, slow cooker, and snack recipes that will save you time, money and sanity
• Versatile mixes and whole grain dough recipes that offer loads of healthy recipe options with little to no effort
• Freezer cooking ideas and instructions to help you actually get ahead in the kitchen
• Last minute (healthy) meal ideas, because for real, you don’t have to resort to ordering pizza in a pinch
• More information about my family and me than you ever really needed to know.  We are real.  :)

It's $25.95 which includes shipping and handling in the US.  Also, if you pre-order you get a $10 gift certificate to be used in the Heavenly Homemakers shop.  This book is so new it's not in the shop yet, but click the link below and then Home and scroll down to the blog post that contains all the info, you will be good to go!  I just bought mine!  I'm so excited!


Click here to visit Laura Coppinger @ Heavenly Homemakers

Roma Downey's Little Angels Prayers for Every Day Book Review and Giveaway!!

Little Angels Prayers for Every Day
Roma Downey with Illustrator Lisa Reed

My review:

Do you know how to pray with your little kids?  Do you want to learn some sweet prayers that will help your little ones learn to pray to the Almighty who hears those prayers?  Check out Roma Downey's book- Little Angels Prayers for Every Day.  This book features prayers for morning, praise, thanks, mealtimes, others, help, guidance, forgiveness, comfort and bedtime.  Any time of the day is a good time to pray!  The illustrations are of very cute kids who have angels hovering near them.  There are so many topics that could come up in discussion as you prayer through this book with your children.  Enjoy!!

Website: http://www.idealsbooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealRomaDowney

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0k6mqA8jAo

About the Book

Little Angels Prayers for Every Day features more than 50 simple rhyming prayers that cover a typical day and the typical worries of a young child. From waking in the morning to going to sleep at night, from thanking God for a meal to praying for His comfort when afraid, the prayers here will help little ones to see that any moment is a good moment to talk to God. Relevant Bible verses are scattered throughout the book as well! 

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."


Giveaway: Enter to win a copy of this book.  Open to US and ends Friday, March 15.

Ways to enter: (Be sure to fill out the entry form)

1. Make a comment on my blog- When do you pray with your kids?  (required)

2. Be a follower on my blog

3. Subscribe by email-
4. Like The Knowlton Nest on Facebook.

5. Post about this giveaway on another site (1 entry for each)- Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Other.

Entry for Roma Downey's Little Angels Prayers for Every Day

‘Shattered’ Nook HD Giveaway from @DaniPettrey and RSVP for {3/14} Facebook Party! (+Book Review)

Dani Pettrey is celebrating the release of Shattered with a Nook HD giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party {3/14}. 













One winner will receive:




A brand new Nook HD

Submerged and Shattered by Dani Pettrey {Be caught up in this riveting series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 13th. Winner will be announced at the "Shattered" Author Chat Party on 3/14. Connect with Dani for an evening of book chat, trivia, and a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!



So grab your copy of Shattered and join Dani on the evening of the March 14th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)








Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 14th!

My review:
Get ready for the suspense ride of your life! Shattered by Dani Pettrey is a novel of twists and turns, old loves, long standing loves and new love.  The McKenna family is shocked when vagabond brother Reef stumbles into their home with blood all over his hands and with witnesses to testify of his "guilt."  Piper, his sister, and Deputy Landon Grainger embarked on a treacherous journey to the wilds of Canada in search of the true killer of athlete, Karli Davis.  The evidence is strong against Reef, but Piper will stop at nothing to uncover who really is behind Karli's death and why.  The duo come against some life threatening circumstances and also discover deep rooted feelings that are drawing them even closer together.  Will they discover the truth before more people get hurt and die?

This was my first book by Dani Pettrey and even though it was the second in a series, I was able to follow along well and keep up with the many characters (the McKenna family has 5 members- Cole, Gage, Reef, Kayden and Piper).  I love how a scene is set up so that it really looks like the person caught is the guilty party, but is not really.  I was stumped, but loved how the author led the reader through the many avenues of investigation that kept my mind forming new ideas.  I also liked the budding romances throughout that were not too mushy, but definitely enticing.  If it's action, adventure, mystery, romance and suspense you want, Shattered is a good book to pick up and read today!

*This book was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this book and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*

VEGGIE TALES The Little House That Stood DVD Review and Giveaway!!

VeggieTales: The Little House That Stood

Release Day Tuesday, March 5

My review: 
Veggie Tales has always been a favorite for me, but I really like how clear the lessons in this video are. There are two stories shared on this DVD as well as Silly Song with Larry: Happy Toothday. The Little House That Stood is the story of 3 builders who chose different materials for building but all were taught in order to make a house that would withstand anything was to build it on a foundation. Only one, Bob the builder, made the wise choice to build on a solid foundation. The other two builders found out after the huge flood washed away their houses that building that way was the best way. You will love all the animation, humor and of course all the different veggies along with three little pigs in a parable that shows kids to follow God so they can stand strong in the storms of this world.  The second story "The Good Egg of Gooseville" is a funny look at what happened to Humpty Dumpty before he fell off the wall.  Bob (dressed as an egg) is the Mayor and can't seem to care for his town so he decides to take a vacation to the big wall.  He then sees that his town really needs him.  This story is filled with every nursery rhyme you read as a kid.  Be sure to check out the "bears" from Goldilocks!  So cute!


  Website: http://veggietales.com/littlehouse/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veggietales

Twitter: https://twitter.com/veggietales

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K65sINFgro&list=UUhddokv0fxIN3BS-KZpxFfA&index=2

About The Little House That Stood

When the Three Little Pigs roll into Cabbageville looking to build some new houses, they meet one builder with a plan and two without a clue! Larry builds with hay, Mr. Lunt with bricks, but only Bob builds his houses on a firm foundation - following the wise plans from the Master Builder's Handbook! Will the Little Piggies make the right choices when it comes to building their houses - and their lives - on solid ground? Find out in this parable that shows kids when they follow God's blueprints, then can stand strong when the storms come! 

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

GIVEAWAY:

I am having a giveaway for Veggie Tales: The Little House that Stood DVD. Giveaway is for US and ends Monday, March 11 .

Ways to enter: (Be sure to fill out the entry form)

1. Make a comment on my blog- What do you like or don't like about Veggie Tales? (required)

2. Be a follower on my blog

3. Subscribe by email.

4. Like The Knowlton Nest on Facebook.

5. Post about this giveaway on another site (1 entry for each)- Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Other.

Entry for Veggie Tales: The Little House that Stood DVD

Six Sisters' STUFF (Family Recipes, Fun Crafts, and so Much More!) Book Review and Giveaway!!

Building Families One Meal at a Time: Six Sisters Release New Cook-Craft-Create Book

With busy schedules, after-school activities, late workdays and long commutes, is sitting down to a family dinner still possible? 

The authors of Six Sisters’ Stuff (Shadow Mountain, ISBN: 978-1-60907-324-4, $21.99, March 2013) say YES! 

In their debut cookbook, the sisters (yes, six biological sisters— Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren, and Kendra) show families just how simple putting dinner on the table can be.  From Baked Chicken Fajitas to Slow Cooker Pot Roast Sliders to Mini Oreo Cheesecakes, Six Sisters’ Stuff has nearly 100 easy-to-follow recipes that use ingredients commonly found in your pantry.  Each recipe includes easy-to-follow instructions and photographs that eliminate any guess work.

Six Sisters’ Stuff evolved from the sisters’ blog SixSistersStuff.com, that began in February 2011 out of their love to cook, craft, and create. After years of living close to one another, they suddenly found themselves living in different parts of the country and used the blog to stay in touch and share ideas. In just two short years, SixSistersStuff.com has quickly become one of the most popular food and craft blogs, receiving on average 5 million page views per month, with over 130,000 Facebook fans and more than 190,000 Pinterest followers (as of 2/7/13).

Six Sisters’ Stuff also includes a collection of simple and inexpensive craft ideas – how to make hand puppets, felt bows, decorative wreaths, and more – plus lists of fun family activities for road trips, entertaining rainy-day ideas, healthy snack suggestions, and even some recommendations for cheap date nights. This family-focused cookbook is really more of an idea book to help families create fun, lasting memories together.

Join the Family Dinner Challenge

According to Pew Research , only about half of families make dinner a daily ritual and another third eat together a few times a week. Roughly one in 5 families (20%) eat together only occasionally or never.  In conjunction with the book’s release, on  March 4, 2013, SixSistersStuff.com will launch a 4x4 Dinner Challenge. Families are encouraged to eat together as a family at least four times a week for four weeks. Families can register online at www.SixSistersStuff.com and receive meal tips, ideas for family activities, and helpful recipes to assist in making this challenge a reality.  “We grew up knowing the importance of feeding our families a home-cooked meal and sitting down to eat it together,” said Camille, the oldest sister.  “Even the busiest of people can make the food and project ideas we share, which will give you even more time to spend with your family and loved ones.”

My Review:
Have you heard of Six Sister's Stuff?  I stumbled across their website not too long ago and saw some mouth watering and tasty recipes that I have tried in my kitchen.  I LOVE what they offer.  And here is their first cookbook full of great ideas, recipes, crafts and in full color!  There are recipes for main dishes, slow cookers, sides, salads and desserts.  There are also several crafts and other fun check lists like spring cleaning and 50 fun date nights.  Each recipe is given it's own page with a story from the sisters and a photo that will entice you to make that dish right away.  I tested a few recipes and I like the few unique twists of ingredients that brought out the flavors of the meal in a whole new way.  The book goes on sale today and along with that, a challenge.  See the 4x4 challenge the sisters wish for every family to try (above).  Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY!!

*This book was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this book and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*

  

GIVEAWAY!!

Win it:  I will be giving one copy of this cookbook- Six Sisters' STUFF!  Giveaway ends Sunday, March 10!  US only.

To enter: Be sure to click on all the links before filling out the entry form.

1.(NEW)  Make a comment letting me know if you have ever heard of Six Sisters' Stuff (blog, recipes, etc) in the comment section below. (you must then fill out the entry form for your entry to be counted!)(required)

2. REQUIRED: Pick one of two things to do--
*Like Six Sisters' Stuff on FB and say that you are joining the 4x4 challenge OR
*Click on the 4x4 Family Dinner Banner on the Six Sisters' Stuff website and leave a comment that you are joining the challenge

3. Be a follower on my blog (The More the Merrier- side bar on blog)

4. Subscribe to my blog by email (link on blog)

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

5."Like" The Knowlton Nest on Facebook (link on my blog). 

6. Post about this giveaway on another site (your blog, facebook, twitter, etc) (1 entry for every site- see share buttons below) 

DON'T FORGET- fill out the entry form after making a comment!  Comments only count if you have filled out the entry form.

Entry Form for Six Sisters' STUFF

Frumps to Pumps Challenge Week #4 (End)

I don't know if any of you took the Frumps to Pumps Challenge this month, but I feel like I did pretty good.  I would say that I made my goal about 75% of the way.  Not the best, but better than I was doing before. 

I found figured out that my hardest thing to do was take a shower before the kids got up which was a goal I had.  I do get up early, but I have my quiet time, exercise, get on the computer and whoosh, my time is gone and the next thing I know my son is telling me "good morning." 

So the second week instead of just saying I needed to be dressed by 8 am, I decided that I needed an earlier goal.  So I set my alarm for 7:30 to take a shower.  I knew that if I did that I would dressed by 8.  Believe me, with 2 kids I don't spend long in the bathroom.  So that is what I've been doing. 

Also, I am trying to plan my day the night before and specifically all the little things that need to be done.  I try to get the hardest things done first.  I heard somewhere that's called "Eating Your Frog."

And with that note, I plan to continue to work on my goal until it is a habit.  I get up at 5am every morning.  That is my habit.  I have done that for years even when I had little babies because that is my only ALONE time.  I desire it, crave it and need it.

And I hope that you will consider a Frumps to Pumps Challenge for yourself if you are struggling in any area  like I was.

Stitch Fix Arrived and Results!

I bet you are all dying to hear about my Stitch Fix.  Well, here is what I found on my doorstep.




 And this was what was inside:





There were 3 tops, a cardigan and a scarf.  There were styling cards with each top/cardigan.

Unfortunately I didn't have someone to take pictures of me, but I only chose one item.  Can you guess what it was?  You can't see it very well in the picture, but it is the black top (pictured below).  The material is somewhat sheer, but I like that it was black and goes with everything I have and it doesn't show my figure (or lack thereof), but flatters me in a way that could be casual or dressy.




So here are my pros and cons:

PROS:
*Free shipping and return shipping
*Try on styles in the comfort of my own home
*Styling cards for ideas
*Everything did fit
*Fun surprise to see what I got
*A place online to evaluate and give suggestions for my next fix- I definitely told my likes and dislikes
*I can choose when my next fix comes
*Clearly labeled instructions and price sheet

CONS:
*Prices too high (each item was from $38-$68).  I'm a Target and Thrift Store girl (enough said)
*I didn't like everything in the box even though it fit
*Not being able to choose the clothes
*The turn around was a bit quick (3 days)

A note about pricing-
The styling fee ($20) is also a credit.  The styling fee is charged when the box is sent.  Then it is subtracted from your total.  And if I bought everything in the box I would get a 25% discount which in this box was $65.  However, I just bought one blouse and so with the styling fee credit it was only $48.  No tax, no shipping.

Over all, I thought it was a fairly fun adventure, but I wouldn't be able to do this every month.  I might try it once each season to see what styles they send me.

How about you?  Would you like to try it out?  There is no cost to set up your profile.  You will only get charged when you schedule a fix.  Sounds fair to me!    It took about a month for me to get off the waiting list, but now I am a sure customer so I can choose the dates from now on.


Check out Stitch Fix and see if this is something you are interested in.



Here is how it works:

1. Sign Up and Complete Your Style Profile After signing up you can start immediately on your Style Profile. We need to know your size, shape, style, price preferences, and lifestyle to get your Fix right. It’ll take about 10 minutes.
2. Schedule a Stitch Fix Pick a date, and we’ll send you a box of 5 clothing and accessory items we’ve hand-picked just for you. Schedule monthly, or as often as you like—it’s your call. You pay a $20 styling fee up front, which serves as credit toward anything in your Stitch Fix shipment.
3. Try it all on Try on everything we send you—you never know what you’ll like until you see it on. Pair it with items already in your closet. Each item includes style cards with ideas and inspiration on how to wear it.
4. Decide Take 3 days to decide what you’ll keep. Pay for just what you want to keep, return the rest in our pre-paid mailing bag at any USPS mailbox. Keep all 5 items and you save 25% off the entire shipment.
5. Check Out Give us feedback on your Stitch Fix shipment—our secret (styling) sauce gets better over time if we know what did and didn’t work for you. 

Sign up for Stitch Fix today!!