CAMP (DVD Review)

Ken Matthews is a cocky young financial advisor and volunteers to be a camp counselor for kids in the foster care system to impress one of his clients.  He is assigned to Eli, a 10 year old in his eyes is the "worst camper ever."   He is not prepared to chase, be yelled at and ultimately wish the kid left camp after causing a fight with another camper.  But Ken is encouraged to stick with his camper, put away his cell phone and really try to help Eli have at least one good week where he is loved and wanted.  Ken discovers that Eli is hiding some major secrets and as Eli comes to trust Ken, Ken starts to open up and share himself with Eli and the other campers.  Ken completely changes his heart and ultimately his life by the end of this movie inspired by true events.

This movie had me choking back tears for the sad circumstances of the kids that attend this camp.  What I thought was really unique about this camp was that there was a counselor for each camper.  For one week a camper was to have the full attention of one counselor and the goal was to have FUN!  The kids came with brokenness and even though they were only there for one week, the counselors really went above and beyond to meet the needs of that child.  It was absolutely touching.  There were so many great moments in this movie that made me realize that I want to reach out more to those around me who are hurting and feel forgotten.  One person can make a difference.  You will enjoy this movie, the message and the awesome surprise at the end!

*I was given a complimentary copy of this DVD from Edify Media for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.*

The Healthy Lunch Box by Katie Kimball from Kitchen Stewardship Book Review with Great Deals!

 

It's that time...school lunches!  Whether you are packing lunches to go or need lunches at home, this is the book for you to trade out the same old PB&J for healthy lunches that don't even require a sandwich.

 

Katie is never without great ideas for helping you make healthy choices.  She begins the book with 10 secrets to successful lunch packing.  She has recipes for Meats & Mains, Side & Salads, Breads & Not-Breads, Dips & Dressings, and Snacks & Sweets.  The tips and suggestions are not only interesting, but creative and fun!  Parents will look forward to putting together these healthy alternatives knowing that their children will benefit from the good choices and the kids will look forward to trying yummy food that will entice them to ask for more. 

Some recipes I would like to try:
*Creamed Cauliflower
*Mexi Bean Dip

Tried these:
*Rice and Veggie Muffins- YUMMY!
*Classic Granola Bars- Let them sit and they are good as gold!
*Stovetop Cinnamon Rice Pudding- A Winner!!

 

Katie's new ebook is absolutely fantastic.  I can't wait to start making healthy and delicious lunches for my kids!!  Check out the great deals this week as you consider purchasing this ebook. 

 

GREAT DEALS:

* 35% off through Thursday night (8/29)
* coupon inside the book for 50% off the companion eBook, "The Healthy Breakfast: Cereal-free Secrets to Starting the Morning with Real Food" which will come out later this year.
* TEN bonuses with the premium package!
* 45 recipes, over 100 links to more resources
* five pages just of "what to pack" ideas
* coupons embedded for other cool lunch and green products
* 20 winners for over $700 in back-to-school prizes
 

 Get your copy today!

The Healthy Lunch Box eBook by KitchenStewardship

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin {Romantic Getaway Giveaway, Facebook party and Blog Tour}

Sarah Sundin is celebrating the release of her latest novel, On Distant Shores, with a Romantic Weekend Getaway giveaway!

  One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Cash Card (good for a perfect couple's getaway)
• With Every Letter and On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 2nd. Winner will be announced September 3rd at the "On Distant Shores" Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Sarah will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills, announcing the winner of the Weekend Getaway, and giving away a ton of books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving party goers an exclusive look at the next book in the Wings of the Nightingale series.

So grab your copy of On Distant Shores and join Sarah on the evening of September 3rd 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. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 3rd!

 

My review:

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin is the second book in Wings of the Nightingale series about flight nurses in WW II.  Georgie Taylor is a respectable and faithful southern woman working far away from her doting family and anxious fiancé.  She loves her work and enjoys the fellowship with her new friends but is insecure about her duties as a flight nurse.  She meets Hutch, a quiet and handsome non-commissioned pharmacist with impeccable knowledge in his field, but is given very little respect.  And he has a concerned fiancée waiting for him back home.  Georgie and Hutch meet and eventually after broken relationships and betrayal from their former loves become bonded in a secret friendship. Their paths cross off and on, but when Hutch becomes bitter, Georgie pulls away.  Can Georgie and Hutch push beyond the pressures of war and blossom a love that God planned for them?

 

This second novel is just as enticing with the combination of romance and war.  I fell in love with Georgie and Hutch.  They were very different in personality and character, but uniquely alike in their dreams and purpose.  Georgie was absolutely charming, but with a strong backbone despite some weaknesses that she eventually overcame.  I felt sorry for Hutch who seemed to constantly be trampled by commanding officers and just could never quite achieve what he was striving to do by pursuing the Pharmacy Corps.  Sarah gives fascinating facts about flight nursing, the army pharmacy and the protocol of love relationships between ranks.  All this combines to form an enjoyable historical romance.

 

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Litfuse Hens for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.*



Artisan Nut Thins from Blue Diamond Review

Artisan Nut Thins are no guilt, flavorful, crunchy and healthy crackers!  Each of the flavors I tried (Sesame Seeds, Multi-Seeds and Flax Seeds) were made with brown rice and almonds.  And all were wheat and gluten free.  I really enjoyed the flavor of each of these.  And I loved the crunch along with the great health benefits.  These artisan-baked crackers are 130 calories per serving (13 crackers) and paired with meats, cheeses or fruits they taste fabulous and on their own they are amazing too!  Check out Blue Diamond for more information on these savvy new crackers that will spice up any gathering or offer a quick and enjoyable snack.


Thanks to Naturally Savvy for sending me a complimentary sample of these products for review.

Back 2 School Survival Guide by Susan Heid from The Confident Mom Review and Discount

 

It's time for BACK to SCHOOL!!  I was a teacher for many years and I love the beginning of the school year, but now the tables have turned and I will be starting school (at home) with my son this year.  I love the routine, new habits, comforting food and sense of excitement that Fall brings.  But for many, the beginning of the school year is daunting.

Susan Heid has a wonderful resource just for you!  It's the Back to School Survival Guide 2013.

This 80 page ebook is filled with practical suggestions for getting your school year started right including schedule changes, basic morning/afternoon/evening/bedtime routines, homework hints and tips, preparing for school, family priorities, teaching responsibility, school lunches and more!

There are also 48 pages of printables:

      Student Planner

      Master Family Planner

      Routine Checklists

      School Information Sheet

      Schedule Adjustment Worksheet

      Countdown Maze

      My Favorites Lunch Planning Worksheet

      Grocery Planner

      Family Fun Worksheet

      Family Meeting Agenda

      School Goals Worksheet

      Classmate Contact Sheet

      Important Dates At-A-Glance Sheet

      Lunchbox Notes, Jokes, and Quotes

      Note to Teacher Form 

 

Susan's step by step suggestions for back to school success are practical, doable and obtainable.  The best part that really made it a personal planner is filling in your own action steps after each survival tip.  Susan doesn't just tell you what to do, she encourages you to take action.  That makes for a very successful and enjoyable school year for you and your children.

I felt like I could confidently make a purposeful and meaningful plan for my school year with this survival guide.  I know that when I have a plan and I have written down schedules, routines, and the family knows what to expect, the chance for a prosperous and thriving school year is available to me and my family.

This guide is adaptable for both families that send kids to school and those that homeschool.

Starting the new school year can be joyful, fun and organized.  Get your Back 2 School Survival Guide today!!

BACK 2 SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE 2013
Regular price: $10
Discount code for $2 off: SCHOOLMOM
Expires: 8/10/13

Get your Back 2 School Survival Guide today!!

Anniversary Gift: A Dating Book!

Engaged...November 26, 2003

Ever since we had kids our dating life took a serious nose dive.  And also, I've been throwing myself into motherhood, cooking, blogging, Bible study and anything else that has really taken time away from my marriage.  We have a good marriage, but I miss all the fun we used to have.  I've been pinning marriage ideas on Pinterest for quite awhile, but have not pursued anything that I've bookmarked.

Walked the new Narrows Bridge in 2007

We are coming up on our 9 year anniversary this month and I really wanted to bring back dating into our relationship with some new and fresh ideas.  I have to say that we have been in the same rut- go to dinner and walk.  That is nice, but I would love to try some other things and maybe bring back some old ideas.

Grand Park hike to Mt. Rainier 2006

Mariners Game 2009


I am so excited to have made this fun Dating Book for my husband!
Here is a little video of my book.

 



At home dates:
*Bake cookies
*Make milkshakes
*Puzzle
*Watch Funny YouTube Videos (we like The IT Crowd)
*Share websites we like
*Listen to S*xy Marriage Radio- podcast  (Clean, Christian and lots of fun)
*Fondue night
*Game night
*Indoor picnic
*Make ice cream sundae
*Living room campout/movie
*20 questions
*Make breakfast and eat in bed

Outdoor dates:
*Try a new sport
*Be a tourist
*Go to a park and play
*Go to a local sport event
*Bike ride
*Play Frisbee
*Farmer's Market
*Outdoor music concert
*Play Bocce
*Horsehoes
*Walk

Indoor Dates:
*Thrift store/Antique
*Go to a play
*Museum
*Bowling
*Try a new restaurant
*Go to a bakery
*Coffee shop
*Listen a local band
*Go to a used bookstore
*Bookstore Date- Dating Divas

Source: thedatingdivas.com via Shonda on Pinterest

I also included a few printables:
*30 Conversation Starters for Couples

Source: momlifetoday.com via Shonda on Pinterest

*30 Day Marriage Challenge for Husbands from All Pro Dad
*30 Day Marriage Challenge for Wives for iMom
*Marriage Conversation Starters from All Pro Dad

And I printed this and put it on the back cover:

Source: time-warp-wife.blogspot.ca via Shonda on Pinterest

And I found a few coupons for a yogurt place and Mexican restaurant that I tucked in there as well.
And I added a few quotes that I really liked from some Facebook marriage pages.

So check out my Marriage Pinterest Board for more ideas!  I can see more dating books or something like it in the future!!  Can't wait to see how this one goes. 

Happy Anniversary to my love!

July 16, 2004

Freezer to Crockpot Cooking with Recipes and Zip List!

 

11 Freezer to Crockpot meals

I've always wanted to do Once a Month Cooking, but I just couldn't get it planned.  I did try the ideas from Dinner is Ready and I really liked how that worked out, but I'm even more impressed with Freezer to Crockpot cooking!! 

I think I found this first on Pinterest a YEAR ago:

Source: kojo-designs.com via Shonda on Pinterest

Oh, yes! That sounds awesome!! But I never got around to trying it!

Then about a week ago one of my FB friends shared her post of her freezer to crockpot cooking and I decided it was time!

The first thing I did was gather all my recipes and decided to make 2 of each.  However, I didn't buy enough chicken so that's why there are only 11 meals instead of 12.

Next I put all my recipes on ZipList and generated a shopping list.  Then I went through what I already had, took things off and doubled everything and copied off my list.  I also have it on my phone.  Pretty handy and FREE site!!

Then I came home and normally I would do all my chopping one day and assemble the next, but I honestly don't have that much time and my daughter took a fabulous nap that day.  So I spent about 2.5 hours in the kitchen chopping and getting everything ready to dump in the bags.  One thing I didn't do was chop chicken.  I figure it will cook enough to chop during the crockpot cooking.

I listened to my favorite podcasts and dumped everything in each of the bags.  I was very curious to see how these turned out.  I have never made any of these recipes before so this is all an experiment.

What I am most thrilled with is the ZERO time I'm spending in the kitchen.  Basically pull out the bag the night before and thaw in the refrigerator.  In the morning I figure out when I need to put the meal in to cook, grease the crockpot and dump it in!!  That's it, 30 seconds tops!  And the best part is that there is NO clean up.  I also have TONS of time in the afternoon and evening that I normally would be prepping, cleaning and all the other stuff I do in the kitchen.  I also have an extra meal to give to my friend who is having surgery soon.  I feel like this is a winner all around. 

Happy Assembling!!

Here are the recipes:
*BBQ Chicken- Scroll down to the recipe.  This one was fabulous!!!
*Black Bean Taco Soup- This was excellent!  I love Mexican.

I have not tried any of these yet.
*Cilantro Lime Chicken with Corn and Black Beans
*Slow Cooker Black Bean and Corn Salsa Chicken
*Garlic Lime Chicken
*Lime Salsa Chicken
*Café Rio Chicken

I have several other recipes I want to try so I might do another batch in August.