Review: An Amish Christmas

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Enjoy this Amish Christmas bestseller with an additional new novella from romance author Kelly Long."Christmas Cradles" by Kelly Long -- When Anna Stolis takes over for her aunt, the local Amish midwife in Paradise, Christmas night heats up with multiple deliveries, three strangers' quilts, and the help from resourceful and strong Asa Lapp, whose job it is to get Anna through a dangerous blizzard to complete her midwifery rounds.“A Miracle for Miriam” by Kathleen Fuller: This Christmas, Miriam must decide whether to guard herself or accept the love of a man who once broke her heart.“A Choice to Forgive” by Beth Wiseman: Lydia, a widow who has given up on love, is shocked when Daniel-- a past love-- returns to the Order, and her life.“One Child” by Barbara Cameron: This snowy Lancaster Christmas Eve will see two couples’ lives changed by the birth of one child.
I enjoy reading Amish fiction and had read books from a few of these authors before, so I was glad to have an opportunity to review An Amish Christmas.  I didn't realize when I chose the book that I had already read A Choice to Forgive by Beth Wiseman, but since I had read it before and enjoyed it, I didn't mind at all reading it again.  Each of the four stories are novellas (short novels)  whose stories are centered around the hoilday theme and the characters are linked to the  characters in the other novels.  The stories were heartwarming and uplifting and made for a quick and easy read.  The stories were not just "typical" Amish fiction, each one was unique.  My favorite of the four was Christmas Cradle.  The downside to reading the shorter novels is that they end all too quickly.  There is not the same amount of character or story development as you would get in a full length novel.  To me it seems as though you are just getting to the point where you are very engrossed in the story and it's over.  Overall I think that An Amish Christmas was very well done and would recommend it to those that enjoy Amish Fiction.
Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary copy of An Amish Christmas for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation.

Review: Awesome Science Episode 6 Explore John Day Fossil Beds

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The Awesome Science Dvd's take adults and teens around the world to historical and geographic locations to bring science to life with a Biblical worldview.  The series is produced by Kyle Justice and hosted by teenager Noah Justice.  Noah serves as a travel guide on amazing adventures to show the astounding evidence that supports a creationist view point.  Previous episodes include : Explore the Grand Canyon, Explore Yellowstone, Explore Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest, Explore Yosemite and Zion National Parks, and Explore Mount St. Helens.  Each DVD in the series runs about 30 minutes long.

In Episode 6 Explore the John Day Fossil beds, Noah Justice visits the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in northeastern Oregon.  In the episode we learn: the range of plant and animal fossils and why no dinosaurs are found, the history of the spectacular geological formations and the impact of erosion, which explanation is correct millions of years or a catastrophic event.

You can purchase this DVD here for $14.99.



 I viewed this DVD with my 11,9, and 7 year old boys. It can be such a challenge to find creation based science resources.  The "theory" of evolution is promoted and widely accepted as fact and rarely do you ever hear that there is quite a lot of evidence to support the Biblical view of creation.  But, the evidence does exist, and Awesome Science is bringing that evidence to adults, teens, and children through it's series of DVD's.  Through these DVD's we have the opportunity to see beautiful, high quality footage of landmarks we may never get to visit in person.  I do not remember ever hearing about the John Day Fossil Beds before and found it fascinating.

Noah Justice spends a lot of time explaining this monument and the science behind how it is formed.  He discusses what both secular and creation scientists believe and the supporting evidence that proves the existence of a world wide flood.  This 30 minute video is jam packed full of interesting information.  What a great way to learn Science!

Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary DVD from Masterbooks for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation.

Working On Our Nature Quilt

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I mentioned last week that I had taken the children to two programs at a local state park.  One of those programs was a Nature Quilting program.  Once a month they choose a nature topic and do an educational presentation.  Then they give out a quilt square pattern to go along with the topic.  At the end of 12 months you have 12 squares that you sew together to make a Nature Quilt.  I thought it sounded like a great idea!  I figured it would be something that Chelsea (15) could do since she loves to sew.  I told the other children about it and Alex (9), Anthony (7), Christian (5) and Lillian (3) all wanted to make one too.  I thought we could figure out a way that they could make them on their own with a little help and guidance.  

The program we went to was on birds.  We were also given the previous months patterns for a frog, flower, arrow heads, and a map of the state park.  Two days later, while  we were in the "big city", we went to Walmart and picked up 1/2 yard of several different colored fabrics, some heat n bond, and some fabric markers.  That night the children wanted to get started.

For Alex and Anthony, I made a template for a 10 in square that they could trace and cut out.  They cut the paper patterns and traced and cut out the shapes on the different colored fabrics.  Then they cut those out and traced the shapes on the heat N bond.  After that I used the iron to place the shapes on the fabric where the boys wanted them.  The only thing I had to help them with was using the iron.






For Christian and Lily, I cut out a large shape on my Cricut in cardstock to use as a template, then traced it on their square.  They used fabric markers to decorate it how they wanted to.


Chelsea is still working on her first square so I do not have pictures of hers.  Christian and Anthony both have made 2 squares, Lily made one, and Alex has made 4.  The only one he didn't make was the map because I haven't decided how we are going to do that one yet.  The next program is on February 16th and we will find out then what our next square will be.

Review: A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs

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Meg wanted a nice Christmas at home with her family.  But, dealing with her brother's constant cruelty and bitterness resulting from an injury he sustained from an accident many years before proves to be more than she can bare.  Meg decides to leave and return by train to the house that her aunt left her that she lives in while teaching school in a nearby town.  But, a snowstorm stops the train's progress and she is forced to return back home.

While on the train, she is drawn to a stranger who introduces himself as Mr. Gordon.  She is very impressed by his kindness and compassion to those stuck on the train and how is willing to do whatever is necessary to help them.  Meg is drawn to him.  Until she finds out that he is not Mr. Gordon, but Gordon Shaw, the man who was the cause of her brother's injury.  Gordon wants to seek forgiveness from her and her family, but Meg refuses to allow that to happen and does not wish for her family to learn of his identity.   Will the web of deceit continue to ensnare them both, or will they give the grace and forgiveness Gordon desperately seeks?

A Wreath of Snow was a wonderful book!  The author draws you immediately into the story and makes you feel as though you are really there.  And what a story it was.  The characters were great.  The story was a wonderful example of grace and forgiveness and how we as humans want forgiveness for ourselves but often have difficulty extending that same forgiveness to others.  The story was not predictable either.  As I was reading, I was trying to figure out how the problem was going to be resolved satisfactory for everyone, and I just didn't see how that was going to be possible.  But, the author had some interesting twists and turns in the plot and I really liked the way she decided to end it all.  So, grab a cup of hot tea, snuggle down under a blanket, and read A Wreath of Snow.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of A Wreath of Snow for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation.

A New Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

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I have decided we need to cut back on the amount of white sugar we are using.  So I thought I would try substituting honey in a few recipes, starting with Chocolate Chip Cookies.  I did NOT tell the children what was in the cookies, just that it was a different recipe.  A couple of my children are picky eaters and I wanted them to try the cookies and if they knew there was honey and wheat flour in them they wouldn't.  I was VERY pleased with the way the cookies turned out!  They were very soft and had a sweet yummy flavor.  The children LOVED them and said they were the best I've ever made (shhhhhhh, don't tell them what I put in them!)

1/2 cup butter softened
1/2 cup honey
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup white flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips


Cream butter and honey.  Add egg and vanilla and mix together.  Combine dry ingredients and stir into wet ingredients.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Drop teaspoons onto cookie sheet or baking stone ( I used a baking stone.)  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes then transfer to cookie cooling rack.  One batch made about 2 dozen cookies.

Emma's Wish List

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Emma's been a good girl this year, so she put together a list for Santa!  Just like my own list, I created it on Pinterest for easy linking.  I added some of our favorite brands - Baby Gap, Noodle & Boo Bath Products, and goodies from Pottery Barn Kids.  And, those Cole Haan driving loafers are the cutest things I've ever seen!  If you have any little girls to buy for, it will give you some great ideas!  I'll be adding more finds throughout the season...

Emma's Wish List

Emma's Room | Soft Pink & Ivory Room with Holiday Touches

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Emma's 1st nursery, as you may recall, was painted powder blue with ivory and charcoal grey accents.  I had full intentions of painting her new room a very similar shade, but something was pulling me in the pink direction...  I guess it was Emma!

Now that we know her sweet little personality, she really seems like a pink girl (as her closet confirms).  I had the room painted Ben Moore Pristine.  It is found amongst the "Whites" and is more of a cream with pink/peach undertones.  In Emma's very small room, the painted walls feed off of each other and enhance the color to feel perfectly pink.  I'm soooo glad we didn't go with a more saturated hue.  A re-paint would definitely be in order.

Walls : Ben Moore Pristine, Flat
Trim : Navajo White, Satin
Ceiling : Bone White at 50%

We kept most of the elements of her first room, including the ivory slipcovered rocker from Pottery Barn Kids.  My Mom made the quilt for me about 6 years ago. 

Emma's little buddies - the lamb from Pottery Barn Kids and the Sheep Blah Blah Doll Mike's mom bought for her during their stay at Blackberry Farm.

The pink dot curtains are from Pottery Barn Kids, as well as her lamb rocking "horse."  I had a Martha Stewart carpet (style : Olana, color : Bone Folder) from the Home Depot cut to fit her room with a 6" border around the room to show the wood floor.   I also had one cut for our bedroom and runners for the and hallway.



Notice the lamb theme still continues... from the blue room to the pink room!



More buddies - Jelly Cat dolls and a Blah Blah rattle.  You might remember this Blah Blah rattle is what originally inspired the room's design... until I changed it.



Lots of baskets filled with toys... my #1 organizational tip for keeping things "neat," although I've given up on trying to make the house look perfect every moment of the day.  The baskets do make picking up really easy... I'm sure there are socks and pj's and who knows what else also stuffed in the basket.  It is the equivalent of "under the bed" cleaning...



We keep a basket of Emma's books by the big chair for story time.


Here is another view of the room that shows her little tree in the dormer.


This was one of the trees that I used for the Home Depot Style Challenge.  I spray painted the urn navajo white to make the trim in her room.

I decorated it with my Hallmark Mary's Angels collection.

Every year it is our family tradition for the God Parents to give their God Children ornaments. 

My Godmother/Aunt Phyllis gave me the Angels - and I still love them.  My Mom officially handed them over to me this year.  

My sister, one of Emma's godparents, has continued the tradition and started giving Emma an angel ornament each year from the same Hallmark collection.

 Emma is checking them out... I think this shot was immediately followed by a dropped ornament.

This is the first one I received - the original "Mary."  I think she looks a little like Emma!




 These Emma photos hang in a line above her rocking chair - all pics from 4 - 6 mos.


We are stilling using the blanket chest as a changing table as we did in her first room.  It will eventually get replaced with a chest of drawers when Emma needs more storage.  Speaking of storage - did I mention that Emma has a giant closet?  In the future, I hope to transform it into a whimsical tiny play room.


I made this memory board to hang above her changing table.  It is covered in the same fabric as her curtains.   DIY to follow!  Her and Mr. Darcy's 2nd set of stockings are hung above the changing table with care...


Speaking of Mr...  he's confused - where all of the toys are that are usually covering the floor!?

If you'd like to tour the rest of our house, visit this link!