The winner is.....

Maria at Every Day is a Country Song!

Congratulations Maria...Trina will be in touch with you about your copy of the e-book!

Thank you so much to everyone that entered! It was a lot of reading the different ways in which every one is trying to eat healthier, while keeping their sanity and some money in their wallets.

Even if you didn't win. I hope that you will go ahead and get your copy of the e-book "Real {Fast} Food" it's truly such a great source for anyone to start eating REAL! There are a few more giveaways going on this week on other blogs :-)

Do you want to eat healthier....{and a Giveaway!}

.... without having to spend your life in the kitchen? Are you overwhelmed by the daily decision of what to eat? Thrown together with trying to eat healthier, real food?

I know I am. With 4 kids, that I don't want to have face the same struggles as I do with my weight, food is always stressing me out. Gluten or no gluten? Which kinds of fats? Dairy or no?


I have a solution, actually I have several solutions: From the "What's for dinner?" question to "How do we eat the way God intended us to?" : Real {Fast} Food! A fantastic book, written by my friend, Trina, that helps you make life a bit easier and whole lot healthier!


Trina covers it all! Monthly menu planning, once a month grocery shopping, how to alter your favorite family recipes so that they're healthier. Her book gives you fantastic ideas on healthy substitutes as well as some of her own tried and true recipes. She not only tells you how to make meals that are better and more nutritious, she tells you how she fits it in to her own busy schedule (she's a mama of 3 little ones).




The best part is, she's real about it, this is how she cooks, how she nourishes her family day in and out, even when they're on the road. She has a great website and facebook page to support you in your goals; always willing to answer any questions.

Since I think this book is so great in helping you on the road to getting your kitchen and eating habits in order, I'll be giving away one PDF copy of the book. Or if you don't want to wait and just want to get your hands on it NOW, visit Real {Fast} Food and get your copy instantly, for Kindle or Nook.

a Rafflecopter giveaway PS.This is my first time using rafflecopter, it seemed pretty cool, if you can't get it to work for you, for whatever reason. Just leave a comment in the comments below for each of the entries.

Review: "The Good Wife's Guide: Embracing your Role as a Help Meet"

Do you know what it truly means to submit? To be a Godly wife? I was recently lucky enough to receive a free e-copy of Darlene Schacht's "The Good Wife's Guide: Embracing Your Role as a Help Meet" to review. It was a great, fast read. The book was wonderfully written, one could read it without feeling judged or otherwise brow-beaten.

Darlene covers almost every aspect of being a wife that I can think of: From how to be a team-mate of your husband, working together and supporting your husband; to how to figure out the best way for you to clean your home. Using scripture to inspire us to our best.

I think so often we, as women, fall into the surviving aspect of life {I know I do}. We seek to get through today or this project or this task, rather than focusing on the larger picture. Schacht speaks of how to do both, how to glorify God through the mundane. How to change our hearts in serving our selves, our husbands and our families.

One of my favorite things in this book is a list of favorite scriptures, placed in applicable places in the house: "She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens." Prov 31:15, taped to the inside of a cabinet, perhaps the first place you go in your kitchen in the morning.

Schacht writes about how to find contentment in your life, how to not only accept who and what you are and have, but rejoicing in it. She also writes about how to best keep a clean bathroom, how to create a daily/weekly schedule that works for you.

I managed to finish this book in a couple of days. I found myself MAKING time to be able to read what Schacht had to say. I really recommend this book to ANYONE looking to find peace in their role as a wife and to anyone else as well.

{I received a free copy of this book to review: However, the opinions stated here are my own}

March of Books

I was asked a few weeks ago whether I would like to write a post for the Young Ladies Christian Fellowship's March of Books: BOY! Would I ever! I've been wanting to write a guest post for a while now and when I was asked if I would be willing to write one about my method of organizing my books I was more than pleased to oblige. So with out further ado....

Please join me over at YLCF for my first-ever guest post!

Books 2012

I accomplished nowhere near what I had hoped to in 2011, as far as reading books (or anything else really for that matter). I think I read 17 books....really, really lame. I'd love to say I'll do better in 2012, but I don't think that will happen. I'll just be glad if I can read a few books; it's already been over a month since I finished my last book, and I have yet to pick something else up.

Interestingly enough one of the reasons, I think, why I haven't read as many books is because of my iPad. Most evenings I would've gone to bed the same time as Matt and read for a while, now I sit there and putz around the internet with my iPad. I guess one of my goals for 2012 would be to pick up books and put down the iPad....that is one dangerous little piece of technology there.

I did read one book on my iPad (with the kin.dle app): I really didn't like it. I'm really just more of a paper book person...it just feels a lot more personal than a computer does. Needless to say I'm glad I didn't go out and buy a ki.ndle because I think it would've been a waste of money for me.

Anyways, I guess my goals for this year will be the same as in years past, with the overall goal being to actually read. OK here's what I've actually read, thus far in 2012:

"Water for Elephants" by Sarah Gruen

"While We're Far Apart" by Lynn Austin
"The Good Wife's Guide: Embracing Your Roll as a Help Meet" by Darlene Schacht
"You're Already Amazing" by Holley Gerth
"Real {Fast} Food" by Trina Holden
"Hope for the Weary Mom" by Stacey Thacker and Brooke McGlothlin
"Inheritance" by Christopher Paolini
"Loving the Little Years" by Rachel Jankovic
"Cleaning House: A Mom's 12-Month Plan to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement" by Kay Wills Wyma
"Cup of Friendship" by Deborah Rodriguez
"Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood" by Jim Fay and Charles Fay
"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
"Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
"Pain Redeemed" by Natasha Metzler
"Hula Hoop Girl" by September McCarthy
"Winter of the World" by Ken Follett
"First Bites" by Hilary Bernstein
"The Giving Quilt" by Jennifer Chiaverini
"The Christmas Pony" by Melody Carlson
"An Irish Christmas" by Melody Carlson
"The Beginning" by Karen Kingsbury
"God Rest Ye Merry" by Doug Wilson
"The Mission of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson

Christmas Book Advent Countdown

Between Pinterest and other bloggers, I think this is The Thing to do this year. I didn't think I had many Christmas books from which to choose, but then I started pulling them all together, oh my. Without even trying I have 18 Christmas/Winter books, and I know of at least 2 or 3 that are missing.

Some of the books are ones I had growing up, others are ones we've bought over the years, and others are ones I've gotten for Ave; however, I have not managed to wrap any of them to do the whole unwrapping thing with Avelyn.

Here's what we've got, in no particular order:

1) The Animals' Christmas Eve

2) One Snowy Night

3) One Baby Jesus

4) The Wee Christmas Cottage of Carn-na-Ween

5) The Story of Christmas

6) God Gave us Christmas

7) Winter's Gift

8) The Polar Express

9) A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

10) How the Grinch Stole Christmas

11) The Night Before Christmas (A Cut Paper Edition)

12) The Christmas Candle

13) Mortimer's Christmas Manger

14) The Gift of the Magi

15) Little Red's Christmas Story

16) The Mitten by Jan Brett

17) The Hat by Jan Brett

18) Silent Night

These aren't all the books, just the ones that I had sitting in the living room.

I do have a few more sitting in my Amazon shopping cart, I'm waiting to place an order Christmas gifts:

Bear Stays up for Christmas

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey

Room for a Little One

.....and a few others.

{I do have one recommendation: If you have a Christmas Tree Shop near you, hit them up! They have a great selection of Children's Christmas books this time of year, and they're usually only a few dollars each. It's a great way to build your collection.}

I love books, and have enough of an issue with having too many of them, but I have a certain soft spot for Christmas books....I'm not even sure why. There are even a couple of books that are my books to read at Christmas time, but that's another post for another day :-)

If you're doing this, or love Christmas books, what are some of your favorites?

Book Review: "Enemies of the Heart" by Andy Stanley

I've been working with Multnomah in their Blogging for Books program: You choose a pick they have available to read, they send it to you, review it, you get to keep the book and then post the review on your blog, their website, and anywhere else you'd like. Sounds like a great deal to me :-) Depending on how well your reviews are rated, you'll have access to more and more books. Go HERE to visit all of my reviews.

I recently chose "Enemies of the Heart" by Andy Stanley. The premise of this book is understanding the four basic things that can destroy you (and subsequently any relationships you may have): Greed: I owe me; Guilt: I owe you; Anger: You owe me; and Jealousy: God owes me.

I thought it was absolutely fascinating that he was able to break down most of the things that we struggle with into one of the above categories, all of which he explained well with examples and advice on how to deal with them. Some of the suggestions would be easier to deal with than others, but, honestly, I think if you were devoted to overcoming these issues in your own life his advice would really be insightful.

I think most of us can admit to having issues in all 4 of these areas in our lives. I know I can. Of course it's always easier to see these faults in others. He even discusses that: How very often we think, "Oh so-and-so should read this", but if someone were to approach us about a flaw of our own we would shut them out and ignore them.

I really felt this was a helpful, and quick, read. There were so many good points in the book and so many new ways of thinking about ourselves and our bad habits. Definitely recommend it. If anyone is interested in reading this book, I have one copy that I am willing to give away. Just send me an email. Also, please head over and rate my review :-) I'd really appreciate it.

Book Review "Praying for your Future Husband"

A friend of mine has been working with Multnomah in their Blogging for Books program: It's really a great deal! You choose a pick they have available to read, they send it to you, review it, you get to keep the book and then post the review on your blog, their website, and anywhere else you'd like. Sounds like a great deal to me :-) Depending on how well your reviews are rated, you'll have access to more and more books.

As my first book to review I chose "Praying for your Future Husband" by Robin Jones Gunn (author of The Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen series) and Tricia Goyer (author of The Liberator series).

I ended up enjoying this book, and getting far more out of it, than I originally expected. I figured it would be an interesting read and then I would pass it along to my sister in law. It wasn't just about praying for a husband, or pray these prayers and God will send you the right man now. It was about preparing yourself for your husband, through God.

So many women, my sister and sister in law included, jump from one relationship to another, believing if they don't put themselves out there they will never find Mister Right, rather than trusting in God's plan for their lives. They end up hurt and alone, rather than focusing on building their relationship with the Father and trusting Him to bring Mister Right into their lives.

What I really loved about this book, was that it wasn't written by two perfect Christian women who did everything right and say "Look how wonderful I am". It was written by two women, completely different in their walks with Christ and their pathways to marriage: One, who had been previously engaged and whose fiance called it off, when her faith became a bit too much for him, and the other, who was looking for love in all the wrong places and became a mom when she was 15. It is this humanism that made the book such a joy to read.

The book is broken down into chapters focusing on different desirable traits in a husband, but it also correlates to how we, as women, should be making the same demands of ourselves, preparing ourselves for our future husbands, just as we are praying the he is preparing himself for us. There are wonderfully insightful and thought provoking questions, as well as stories from other women about their walks with Christ on the way to finding Mister Right. Each chapter is doused with scripture to help guide the reader as they pray for their future husband as well as for themselves.

I truly enjoyed how the different stories throughout had shown God's hand at work in the various lives of women who had prayed for their future husbands, whether they had started at 13 or 30. How God did such wonderful things in their lives, as well as the lives of the husbands they had yet to even meet, because of their faith in God and prayers.

I highly recommend this book to any woman, whether married, or not, because there truly is something in it for everyone. If for no other reason, than learning how to put aside our own wants and desires, and trusting God to fill the voids in our life rather than trusting ourselves.

Please head on over to rate my review :-)
Thanks.

"The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it." ~James Bryce Part 3

Go here for part 1 and 2 of these posts.

This is the last post in the series of three books that have really stuck with me in the past few weeks. Yesterday I posted a bit of a prelude to this post here. The book I am now going to discuss is "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald.

First off, I will say that this book must be taken with a grain of salt. Both of the authors are women who truly believe that the wife's place is in the home....period. Which as many of us know (and as I stated in my previous post) isn't always possible, for various reasons.

There are several things that this book addresses: From the extensive "Me" culture that has become the expected norm in our country (and typically doesn't not yield true happiness in anyone), to parents being told they should leave the raising of their children to professionals (and ultimately to the state), as well as the common misconception of the "Stepford wife".

This book is meant for those women who desire to have a profound, biblical, relationship with God, their spouse, and their children. This book is about finding yourself and ultimately contentment in your roles in those three relationships. What I loved about this book was how it brought to my eyes the importance of my role as a stay at home wife/mother, it showed me how to rely on my husband and my God.

It is not about settling and accepting my position, grudgingly, it's about reveling in it and taking it to the next level. Is it always easy? No, it never is, but it is so worth it. Not only are we doing what needs to be done, but we begin to love the doing because of the change in heart. And during the course of all of that we are not putting aside our talents and interests, but using them to God's glory as opposed to increasing our own, often selfish, glory.

The book discusses submission to one's husband, which most EVERYONE chafes at. That's because most people don't understand what is meant by that and ultimately go about it in the wrong way. Submission is not about being a door mat it's about conceding responsibility, it's about EVERYONE putting the needs of others' before their own. If EVERYONE is doing that then we are even more blessed, because NO ONE is selfish and EVERYONE is looking to make the lives of others EASIER! There is no ulterior motives or enslavement.

The "Stepford wife" and June Cleavers were created to trivialize and destroy the true image of the homemaker, sadly by the very liberal feminists that believed that women should not be in the home, and should have no such choice of such an "illegitimate profession", as said by Vivian Gornick. Being a "housewife" is not about maintaining an immaculate home that is decorated in the finest of everything, it is so much more. The ideals of June Cleaver and the "Stepford wife" make any woman feel that they are unfit to do the job.

There is so much more in this book that I am not even touching on, and not even conveying perfectly. This book truly opened my eyes to the importance of my roles as a wife and mother. For any woman who wants a more profound biblical life (regardless of being a wife or mother) this book has so much in it about how to achieve that; how to be a loving, hospitable, compassionate caregiver.

Again, I do add that some parts be taken with a grain of salt, unless you are willing and your heart is open to a literal understanding of a woman's role as the Bible explains it. Also, I am not calling out anyone's decisions for their own lives and families or saying that one way is right and another wrong. I am only saying that if you are willing this book will open your eyes.

"A beautiful woman is a practical poet, taming her savage mate, planting tenderness, hope and eloquence in all whom she approaches." ~

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I've been a bit hesitant to post about the third book that I had previously mentioned. Namely because I know it's going to get more than few people's goats; which is not at all my intention in posting about it.

Instead, I'm going to post something that I wrote in my freshman composition class in college.

(Disclaimer to this and my coming post: I am in no way against the professional woman, even as a now SAHM I am still a "professional woman" because I own my own business. Unfortunately in this world today, due to financial (and for some infertility) reasons women are unable to not work.)

The Plight of the “Old-Fashioned” Girl

By Jessica M. Beckmann

Some older women (i.e. my mother and grandmother’s generation) find me to be a refreshing voice, clamoring above the din of the lost and, often, confused “feminists” of my generation; those of my own generation find me as invigorating as a glass of warm beer that has lost most of its fizz. I suppose the difference of opinion about me can be blamed, if it must be blamed on something, on the books I read growing up: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa May Alcott, and other such seemingly “un-feminist” writers.

Lately, I seem to continually be getting slammed by the door of expectations: societies, not mine. Growing up I had always thought of myself as a feminist: I refused to ask a male for help and in fact thought the majority of males to be a slobbering, blundering bunch of idiots. Now I am on the opposite end of the spectrum. I still refuse to ask for assistance, but see no problem in a man holding a door or pulling out the chair for me before I sit down.

The problem seems to be more deeply rooted than just politeness and social formalities. People, or my female peers rather, find it odd that I have no desire to live with my boyfriend before married and that I do desire to get married and have children while still relatively young (before thirty). Many think that that is “unnatural” that a woman in today’s day and age would want to settle down to the permanency of marriage and children so soon. I say why not.

I suppose my beliefs can be seen as somewhat “old-fashioned” and how that can be something negative in today’s race for equality with men. I have no doubt in my mind that men and women are equal in almost every aspect; we are just as intelligent, just as capable, and just as qualified to perform most tasks as men are: In some case we are genuinely more qualified. There are also ways in which a woman is a “cut above” a man and wearing a business suit will not accomplish it.

There are two ways in which women are far superior to the frailty of the male race: birthing and wifehood. No man can accomplish either of these two tasks, no man is capable of withstanding the “trials and tribulations” associated with these two profession, for professions they are. Yes, men do play a rather large part in both these fields, but it is the woman who holds the power. Do you honestly think the ancient kings would have willing given any thought, let alone power, to women if the did not need them to proliferate their line? A man is entirely incapable of physically having a child just as he is unable to be a wife in a marriage. To me I see no detriment in aspiring to these two professions; I see great honor, and respect, in holding these positions.

People my own age have a severe problem with my goals in life. They find it odd: They do not understand why someone who has a BS in English wants nothing more from life than to be a wife and a mother; To stay home and teach her own children and support her husband. If you had asked me five years ago what I wanted to do in life I would have said that I wanted to work for National Geographic Magazine as a photojournalist, now the answer is that I want to write. I gave up on saying I want to get married and have children; too many looks of disapproval.

Many people just assume that I do not have any career goals because I want to do something out of the expected: How wrong they are! Among being a wife and mother I have many other “career” goals: I want to be a writer, be published, and I want to be an “intellect”. Learning and writing are two of my greatest passions; I find no greater pleasure, yet, than collecting my thoughts and scrawling them out on paper or reading the words that others have put down and learning about them, and myself, from their ink. Just because I have no desire to become involved in the everyday rat race and chase after professional titles, does not mean I have no career goals.

The ironic thing, to me, is the ideals held by feminists. They believe themselves to be equals to males and find it debasing that I would willingly sub-plant myself to a man. The more I look at it, most of the women I know, who consider themselves “feminists”, rely more on men than I do. Simple things, such as construction, home repair, checking the oil in a car, these women are dependant on men for. In the ways of self-reliance I am more a feminist than most. I am able to take care of many “manly” things myself. I do not need to call someone to install flooring in my home or take my car to the shop for simple things, I can do both myself; which is more than I can say for most females.

While society is shaming me for my desire to be an “old-fashioned” girl I have become increasingly more proud of whom I am. I no longer struggle with feeling guilty when someone looks at me crooked when I say I want to be married and have children before I am twenty-five. I know that there is just as much pride in what I think is a successful “career” as the women on Wall Street.

When a peer finds it odd that I do not believe in living with my future husband before married and that I desire children soon, I no longer feel ashamed. I know that for hundreds of years before me women knew that they were equal to men, and far superior, because of their “womanly” persona.

Feminism: Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes

The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it. ~James Bryce Part 2

Go here for Part 1 of these posts :-)

The other two books that I've read, that have really stuck with me are definitely Christian books. I finished "When You Rise Up: A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling": If you're a Christian and are even remotely considering homeschooling your kids....READ THIS BOOK!

What I loved about this book is that it gave you all of the biblical back up as to why, as a Christian, home schooling is for you. Just read Deuteronomy 6, particularly these verses 4-9:

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.^a]">[a] ⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

The one thing that I really appreciated the book for was putting into perspective what people will say against homeschooling as well as what people want for their children. Many, many people will tell you that you're not capable of educating your child(ren), that you should leave it up to the professionals. Biblically speaking it is the God-given responsibility of the parents to educate their children, in life as well as in God.

A question was asked, throughout the book: What do you want for your children? What do you consider to be success? Is it that your child has a good paying job and is considered a "success" by societies standards? Or is it more important to you that your child has a REAL and LASTING relationship with Christ? Because, with that they will find true success in life.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

As a parent, who I know is going to hit a lot of resistance from people about homeschooling (Matt's family and my brother), the last chapter really helped me. It took almost every single negative perception people have about homeschooling and told you why and how to respond to them, supporting each them with the biblical proofs for homeschooling.

I found this book to be extremely enlightening, particularly considering the current political environment that is against private schools (whether home schools, religious schools, or other private institutions). It also addresses the claims that public schools are neutral: That there is no religious, social, or political agenda.

There is no such thing as education without SOME sort of morality or agenda being transferred to the pupil. It is impossible to teach (unless it is mathematics, which is really the only absolute in academia) without skewing what is being taught to support or refute an idea or personal opinion.

I just found this book to be fascinating because of all the information it had in it, about homeschooling, about education, about the Bible, as well as about what do we, as parents, truly want for our children!

Honestly, I would rather raise a child who loves the Lord with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their might, than someone who is striving for financial or social success and never really succeeding at finding peace with themselves or with God.

And yes, the author even address what you're thinking right now: Education is important, a man being able to support his family through a successful job is important, a woman being able to raise her children in the Lord and respecting those around the is important. Success can be had without God, but it isn't the ultimate success that is worth more than all the wealth in the world.

The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it. ~James Bryce Part 1

I've been reading a lot of good books lately, all of which I have walked away with something that has stuck with me. The last 3 I've read in particular have really stuck: Forever Lily, When You Rise Up, and Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.

Since each was about something different I plan on talking about each of them in a shorter post. Here's the first one:

Forever Lily by Beth Nonte Russell

This book just left me feeling even more strongly about adopting from China. The general plot is about a woman who goes with an acquaintance (I really can't refer to her as a friend) as she travels to China to bring her daughter home. Things don't go as planned and the woman who had intended to adopt decides she wants nothing to do with the baby.

The book did come out 4 years ago and the author was writing about her trip from 1999, but I can't imagine too much has changed in the orphanages in the past 12 years. The descriptions she wrote about the care of the baby, of how many little girls are there waiting for a home, and how many won't ever be taken to one, is heart breaking.

Adopting from China has been something I've thought about for as long as I can remember, something that we planned on doing before we ever dealt with infertility. I always see a little girl, in our family from China, our youngest.

To adopt from China you have to be 30: I turn 30 in a little less than a year and a half, Matt, a little closer to two years. God willing we'll be starting the process to adopt from China soon after. This book just confirmed the desire in my heart to adopt a daughter from China.

"You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

I was quite proud of myself and my reading accomplishments in 2010. I found that by setting myself some goals, whether as to what or who, seemed to help me read quite a bit more. Here are my goals for 2011:

*Reread the Outlander series
*Read all of Jane Austen's books
*Continue my goal of reading at least 4 more books from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list
*Read at least 2 of this year's NY Times Best-sellers
*Read at least 10 of the books on my shelves, that I haven't read (I don't buy books that often...too much money, but I do have a bunch from PaperBackSwap and on my Amazon.com wishlist that I'll get from the library).
*Read at least 5 books on theology/Christianity and actually spend the time studying them

Also, check me out on paperbackswap.com....great website to get used books for less.

I think that's probably a good start list of things to accomplish.
Here's what I've actually read:

* "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald
* "The Homecoming" by Dan Walsh
* "Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism, and Arminianism" by Drs. Kenneth Talbot, W. Gary Crampton, and D. James Kennedy
* "When You Rise Up: A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling" by RC Sproul
* "Forever Lily: An Unexpected Mother's Journey to Adoption in China" by Beth Nonte Russell
* "Look to the East" by Maureen Lang
* "The Knowledge of the Holy" by AW Tozer
* "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp
* "The Union Quilters" by Jennifer Chiaverinni
* "Fall of Giants" by Ken Follett
* "Whispers on the Wind" by Maureen Lang
* "Praying for your Future Husband" by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer
* "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield
* "Enemies of the Heart" by Andy Stanley
* "Emily of New Moon" by LM Montgomery
* "The Old Fashioned Girl" by Louisa May Alcott
* "The Wedding Quilt" by Jennifer Chiaverinni

* "The Mistress of Spices" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

*

My 2010 Accomplished Reads

Well I accomplished some of what I wanted to in this post.

Here's the list of what I read:

*"Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade" by Diana Gabaldon
*"Lord John and the Hand of Devils" by Diana Gabaldon
*"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
*"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"
*"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"
* "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
* "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
* "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
* "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"
* "Little House in the Big Woods" - Laura Ingalls Wilder
* "Little House on the Prairie"
* "Farmer Boy"
* "On the Banks of Plum Creek"
* "By the Shores of Silver Lake"
* "The Long Winter"
* "Little Town on the Prairie"
* "These Happy Golden Years"
* "The First Four Years"
* "Little House on Rocky Ridge" - Roger Lea MacBride
* "Little Farm in the Ozarks"
* "In the Land of the Big Red Apple"
* "On the Other Side of the Hill"
* "Little Town in the Ozarks"
* "New Dawn on Rocky Ridge"
* "On the Banks of the Bayou"
* "Bachelor Girl"
* "West from Home"
* "The Hobbit" JRR Tolkien
* "Fellowship of the Ring" JRR Tolkien
* "Splendor" Anna Godbersen
* "The Two Towers" JRR Tolkien
* "The Return of the King" JRR Tolkien
* "How to make an American Quilt" Whitney Otto
* "Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Anne of Avonlea" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Anne of the Island" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Anne of Windy Poplars" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Anne's House of Dreams" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Anne of Ingleside" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Rainbow Valley" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* " 'Rilla of Ingleside" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "The Professor's House" by Willa Cather
* "The Unfinished Gift" by Dan Walsh
* "The Case for Christmas" by Lee Strobel
* "The Judge who Stole Christmas" by Randy Singer
* "Finding Noel" by Paul Richard Evans
* "The Christmas Bus" by Melody Carlson

Which brings my total read up to 47...I don't think that's too shabby...of course after reading some other people's blog (;-) You know who you are) it's rather pathetic...and I only have 1 kid. I didn't manage to even start the Outlander series, and only managed to read 1 book from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list, or the 2 from this year's NY Times bestseller list. Oh well.

I must say though...it was an awesome year of books, just chock full of all my old friends, whom I absolutely love! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed rereading the Little House books and Anne of Green Gables books. It was seriously like sitting down with a best friend, the best-of-the-best best friend, and spending time together. It was exciting to reread these books, and know that in 4 or 5 years I can start to share them with my daughter.

I haven't decided yet what my reading goals for 2011 will be....perhaps I should read a few of the books on my shelves that I keep getting (gotta love Paperbackswap.com) and haven't read yet.

Christmas Stories

The other day I posted asking for your favorite Christmas reads. It was so fun getting messages with all the different books that people enjoy reading this time of year.

Here are some of mine:
The Quiet Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott
The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini
The Christmas Jar by Jason F. Wright
The Unfinished Gift by Dan WalshThe Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren
The New Year Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini
Silver Bells by Luanne Rice
The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel
The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon
The Handmaiden and the Carpenter by Elizabeth Berg (take it with a grain of salt)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

And some of the ones suggested from different people:
Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

Wishin' and Hopin' By wally Lamb

The Autobiography of Santa Clause as told by Jeff Guinn

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck

A Christmas Carol by Charles DickensThe Christmas Box by Richard Paul EvansA Darcy Christmas, A Holiday Tribute to Jane Austen by Sharon LathanSkipping Christmas by John Grisham

If any one emails me any more books, I'll be sure to add them to the post.

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

Everyone always talks about their favorite Christmas movies: There's a few that are considered classics and "old stand-bys". There are only a handful of movies that I have on my much watch list. What makes up the majority of my Christmas list is books.

I was talking to my friend Sadie about favorite books to read at Christmas and it got me thinking, "I wonder what other people have as their favorites". What is on your list of must reads at Christmas time?

Post them in the comments below: I'm going to leave this open until December 15th, which will then give you 10 days to read and enjoy the books that everyone has suggested.

Train Wreck?

(spoiler) Does anyone here watch TrueBlood? It's based on the Sookie Stackhouse series of books by Charlaine Harris. The books were good...not good in the way the classics are or Outlander is, but a decent, mindless read.

I can't make up my mind about the TV show though. We've been watching the episodes on Netflix (don't have cable/satellite) since last fall. The first few episodes of season 1 were pretty close to the book, but then BAM! the show is now NOTHING like the books.

Now Matt and I sit here with our mouths open for the majority of each episode: I'm in complete shock. Between the gore, s.ex, and the complete deviation from the books I'm not sure why we still watch it. The only reason I can think of is the Train Wreck factor. Just to be shocked by what is going to happen next.

Does anyone else feel this way about it?

Books: Do.would you restrict what your children read?

The other day on the nest there was an interesting discussion the Book Board regarding whether you would restrict what your kids read.

ZZzzzzzzzz.......

That was us this afternoon. A went down for a nap at 12:30pm (first time she'd been asleep since we got up at 8:45am)...and slowly mommy and daddy followed suit. When suddenly there was a yell, and mommy jumped off of the couch to find someone wanting a bottle....at 3:45.

I think I only slept for a little over an hour, but Ave did a good nap. She's sleeping a bit better at night, but she's still waking up...I'm thinking she's waking herself up in her bassinet. Her hands hit the sides and her feet and head are almost touch the ends. I think tonight we may just move her to the crib....hopefully that solves the dilemma....because 5 or 6 (even 3) hours of straight sleep would be bliss :-)

The other day when we went shopping T.arget had Dr. Seuss books on sale (2 for 10). I love Dr. Seuss books...they're long enough that it takes a bit to read, entertaining enough to keep A interested, and all around everyone is happy. Matt took this picture this afternoon. (please ignore my silly face). Obviously reading is a family-affair in our house; there's a reason why we don't have TV.

I grew up with my mom reading books to us....she was ALWAYS reading something. Matt's parents I don't think ever read them books. To my mom it was a must for us to read together. Obviously we're going to continue with that. I think it makes a HUGE difference in a person's life if they grow up reading books, especially ones beyond their age and if they read them out loud. We love BOOKS! (and sleep:-)

"A good book on your shelf is a friend that turns its back on you and remains a friend."n

I've set myself some pretty steep reading goals for 2010. They are as follows:

*Reread the entire Outlander series
*Reread the entire Harry Potter series - DONE!
*Reread the entire Lord of the Rings series -DONE!
*Reread all of the Anne of Green Gables books - DONE!
*Reread all of the Little House on the Prairie books - DONE!
*Reread all of the Little House on Rocky Ridge books - DONE!


In addition to these, I want to try and read at least 5 books from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list, at least 2 books from this year's best seller list, and read a total of 75 books (the other goals are included in that number).

Here's the list of what I've read. I'll be updating this every time I finish a book.

*"Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade" by Diana Gabaldon
*"Lord John and the Hand of Devils" by Diana Gabaldon
*"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
*"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"
*"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"
* "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
* "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
* "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
* "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"
* "Little House in the Big Woods" - Laura Ingalls Wilder
* "Little House on the Prairie"
* "Farmer Boy"
* "On the Banks of Plum Creek"
* "By the Shores of Silver Lake"
* "The Long Winter"
* "Little Town on the Prairie"
* "These Happy Golden Years"
* "The First Four Years"
* "Little House on Rocky Ridge" - Roger Lea MacBride
* "Little Farm in the Ozarks"
* "In the Land of the Big Red Apple"
* "On the Other Side of the Hill"
* "Little Town in the Ozarks"
* "New Dawn on Rocky Ridge"
* "On the Banks of the Bayou"
* "Bachelor Girl"
* "West from Home"
* "The Hobbit" JRR Tolkien
* "Fellowship of the Ring" JRR Tolkien
* "Splendor" Anna Godbersen
* "The Two Towers" JRR Tolkien
* "The Return of the King" JRR Tolkien
* "How to make an American Quilt" Whitney Otto
* "Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Anne of Avonlea" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Anne of the Island" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Anne of Windy Poplars" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Anne's House of Dreams" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Anne of Ingeside" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "Rainbow Valley" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* " 'Rilla of Ingleside" by Lucy Maude Montgomery
* "The Professor's House" by Willa Cather
* "The Unfinished Gift" by Dan Walsh
* "The Case for Christmas" by Lee Strobel
* "The Judge who Stole Christmas" by Randy Singer