Let's Wrap It Up

Have you ever found yourself ready to wrap a present only to find out that you are out of wrapping paper?  It has happened to me before, but guess what?!! No reason to sweat it.  Thanks to Pinterest and the awesome ideas I find there, I realized that you can use simple things you have around the house to wrap a gift and make it look super cute.  

There are tons of ideas, but the one I used this time was wrapping my gift in brown paper.  All you need is an old brown grocery bag!  I also used a little lace I had around the house and I tied some dried tansy that I had from my herb garden with a yellow ribbon.  It turned out very sweet.  The wrapping itself was a work of art!  I just may do all my gifts like this from now on. :):)

Pumpkin Spice Latte - Tastes Like Fall

                      

                        

2 cups of milk

2 tbsp canned pumpkin

2 tbsp brown sugar (can half)

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup strong brewed coffee

In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar.  Cook on medium heat until steaming.  Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and spice.  Transfer to blender and process until foamy.  Pour in coffee on top.  Pour into cup and top with whipped cream (optional) sprinkled with cinnamon.

Now grab your favorite book, a cup of pumpkin spice latte and come join me on the front porch for a taste of fall! :):):) 

Over The Edge - Book Review

When Seth Kincaid was a little boy he was badly burnt while in a cave with his brothers.  After the fire he was never the same.  Tormented by nightmares he teeters on the edge of sanity.  When the battle of the States begins he heads off to fight in The Civil War.  When he returns to his home and to his brothers in Colorado he is crazier than ever.  He soon learns that he is married, but he doesn't remember anything about his wife.

If there was ever a woman to match Seth it is Callie.  She is a woman determined.  Determined to find her husband, determined to make him pay for leaving her and determined not to let him get away again.  Can the love they once shared be rekindled or will they both go crazy trying to find out?

I absolutely LOVED this book!  It is the third book in The Kinkaid Brides series by Mary Connealy and by far my favorite.  There really is just one word for Seth Kinkaid and that is CRAZY!  The author portrays his character in such an entertaining way that I found myself chuckling out loud in a few places.  One thing I loved about this series, in each book you get to hear the account of the fire that injured Seth when the three boys were little from each characters point of view.  Seth suffered greatly that day, but so did all the brothers and seeing the healing that takes place in their lives as they learn to trust in God is heartwarming.

If you are looking for a great entertaining christian fiction book than this is the book for you.  You can read it alone or as part of the series.  Either way you will not be disappointed!

If you're still not convinced you can check out this book trailer!!



***This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review!

The River - A Book Review

Gabriel Clark is a typical rambunctious five year old who loves spending time with his dad.  His life is quickly turned upside down when his father dies trying to save a kayaker in the Colorado River as Gabriel looks on.  Now Gabriel has to go live in Kansas with his mother and he continues to struggle with his grief and the fear he now has for The River.   Throughout his childhood he never feels like he truly belongs in Kansas, but when he is a young adult, a friend invites him on a group rafting/camping and hiking trip to Colorado.  Hesitantly he accepts and little does he know that this trip will forever change his life.  While there he meets Tabitha and with her help and a few other events he finds a love for The River and a new outlook on life.  When it is time to head back home Tabitha asks Gabriel to spend the summer with her working for her family on The River.  He heads back to Kansas, but after a few days he realizes that The River is where he wants to be.  Before he leaves, his mom gives him his father's journal.  Reading the words of his father and grandfather in the journal and the love from Tabitha's family, Gabriel begins to learn more about his ancestors and forgiveness and living life to it's fullest.

I was really excited to get the chance to read this book.  Michael Neale writes in such a way that brings the story alive and you feel that you are on the sidelines watching the story unfold.  There were a few things that I was disappointed with.  First, I felt that some of it was too detailed.  When Gabriel was growing up it seemed that the story was kind of drawn out.  Don't get me wrong...the book starts with a bang and ends with a bang, boom!  It was just a few chapters in the middle that were a little boring to me.  Secondly, I did not feel like this was a "christian" book.  Just for the fact that there is little talk of God.  As a christian, so much of what is said about "The River" can be replaced with "God".   For example  - "The more you experience The River, the more you want to stay close by.  When you experience The River you live."  For me that describes God, but that was never brought out in the book.  Even with those two things, the book really is a wonderful read.  I finished it in two days and was enthralled with the way things unfolded.  This is Michael Neale's first book and I think he did an amazing job!!

***This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Be Still My Soul - A Book Review

Lonnie has suffered at the hand of her abusive father since she was six years old.  Regardless, she has held on to her faith in God.  When Gideon, walks Lonnie home late one night he tries to steal a kiss.  Lonnie fights him off, but not without her father seeing what happened.  The next day her father claims that Lonnie has been "soiled" and forces Gideon and Lonnie into marriage.

Gideon is a ladies man with a taste for moonshine.  Settling down is the last thing he wants.  As the story unfolds Gideon continues to make poor choices, but Lonnie is befriended by and elderly couple that show her true compassion.  Will Gideon ever turn his life around so him and Lonnie can have a chance at true happiness?


Be Still My Soul is Joanne Bischof's first book and she has made an instant fan out of me.  I love her writing style and she had me interested from the get go!  Her descriptive way of storytelling makes it easy to picture in your mind the events that transpire.  I can't wait to read more of her work.  This is book one from the Cadence of Grace Series and I am so excited to see what the next book is like!

**Thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for my review!

Everything the Bible Says About Prayer - A Book Review

I'm usually leery of books such as this.  I tend to steer clear of them for it seems that more often then not they are filled with theology and the Author's opinion giving little room for biblical truths.  NOT the case with this book.  It is exactly what the title says...EVERYTHING the Bible Says About Prayer.

The book starts with an Introduction and I must share with you a quote from this part of the book..."Through prayers to the living God, our hope for forgiveness becomes a fact.  Our longing for grace is guaranteed.  Our desire for a relationship with him becomes reality."

The book is broke down into 13 chapters.  Each chapter begins with a couple short paragraphs and then goes right to The Word of God sharing scripture after scripture on the topic.  For instance:  the first chapter is Confident Before the King - Praying With Boldness - The Author shares a couple paragraphs on the subject and then begins sharing verses from the Bible on "praying with boldness".  The only thing I don't really care for is the fact that the verses are from several versions of The Bible.  One verse may be from the NKJV, the next from The Message, and then one from ESV, etc. etc.  I personally read from the KJV and although I do not expect every book I read to be quoted from the same version I  read, I think it would of been nice if the verses were consistently from the same version.

The end of the book is very refreshing as well.  The last chapter includes examples of Biblical prayers.  Here you will find prayers from Hannah, Daniel, Elijah, Stephen, Paul, David and more.  The very end of the book includes a section on Thoughts on Prayers by Classic Christian Writers and there you will find what great men of God like Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, Andrew Murray and others have to say on prayer.


Everything The Bible Says About Prayer is a great book that I know I will be referring back to in the coming years.   I believe it is a great reference book that will be a blessing to the Child of God.



***This book was provided to me by the publisher (Bethany House) in exchange for my honest review.

Cherry Limeade

 If you love Sonic's Cherry Limeade, you will be so excited to try this yummy copy-cat recipe!

It's so simple!  All you need is:

1 can frozen limeade concentrate,
1- 2 liter bottle Sprite,
Juice from 1 10 oz jar maraschino cherries
Fresh limes 

Mix the sprite, limeade and juice from the cherries, add slices of lime and a few cherries, pour a glass and enjoy!

It's mmmmm, mmmmm, good!  

A delicious summer drink!

Enjoying the Cooler Weather!

A little rain and cooler temperatures have made it where we can enjoy our fire pit once again!  

Love, love, love sitting around the fire!  Talking, laughing, roasting marshmallows...it's family fun!

Yep, socks with flip flops.  Bethany's cool like that. hehe!

Ewwww!  A burnt marshmallow!  Not for me!  I like mine slightly browned to perfection.

Maybe I'll have a s'more!

Daisy wants one too!

Because they look lip smackin good!

Where to Get a Cute Modest Swimsuit

Several years ago I did a blog post on where to find a cute modest swimsuit.  Since then God has continued to do a work in our lives and after my daughter came to me and asked me for an even more modest swimsuit than what she had, my quest for the perfect modest swimsuit continued.  So here is what I have found over the years.  I do want to state that the convictions my family have concerning swimwear is just that...our convictions.  Pray about what God would desire for you, He is the one we should desire to please.  No one else. :)

http://www.limericki.com/ is where we originally began and were I first blogged about 3 years ago.  They have some great swimsuits. They offer higher neck lines and a more modest bottom.  No high cut legs.  Lots of boy shorts and even some cute swim skirts.

http://hydrochic.com/modest-swimsuits.html is a great place for modest swim and sportswear.  They offer a cute sporty look!

http://www.simply-modest.com/posecom/  I love this site!  They have such cute modest swimsuits!  They even sell sewing patterns and material if you want to make your own!

http://swimmodest.com/  Very cute designs for women and children!

http://www.wholesomewear.com/  This is where the Duggar's get their suits.  In my opinion they are not very cute, but everyone has different tastes and it may be just the thing you are looking for!

http://freshmodesty.com/  This is an awesome website!  This young girl sews beautifully!  She sells and e-book sharing how to custom make your own modest swimwear.  She also has some great examples of suits that she has made.  I did purchase this e-book for myself and it does have a lot of great pointers in it.

You can also check out ebay.  They have a great selection of modest swimwear.  New and used.

When I began to look for a more modest swimsuit, I began with a google search.  Many of the links listed here are what popped up.  I looked and looked, but in the end it came down to one thing.  Money!  These suits were way out of my price range.  I just could not afford it.  So I decided to try to make our own.  I don't claim to be a great seamstress, but was willing to give it a shot.  I purchased my material on ebay and was blessed to find a great deal and enough fabric to make two suits!  You DO need a special fabric so be sure to do your research if you decide to try making your own!  I purchased a legging pattern for the bottoms.    I knew I could adjust the length accordingly.  For the top, I did a couple different things, I pieced some different patterns I had around the house to get the look I wanted on one suit and on the other suit I  used a tank top for a pattern adding the length I desired.  Here is what I came up with.

This one is more fitted.  It's the one I used a tank top to go by.  It's my favorite!

This one is Bethany's favorite.  It is looser and the bottom half of the top looks more like a skirt.  

I was very pleased with the way they turned out and this is the second year that Bethany has wore them.  They get lots of use and have held up well!  

I hope you find something here that is a blessing to your family!

Words to Live By