Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Journal Your Christmas ::: Days 23-29 (Catch up!)
December 23:
December 24:
December 25:
December 26:
December 27-28:
The front (how the layout opens in the album):
The backs:
December 29:
Home Again
We rolled in last night around 6 p.m. While little girls played with new treasures that had been left behind for our trip and ones that we waited until home to open, he and I took down the Christmas tree and did a general tidy and straightening of furniture and whatnot. The travel loads of laundry were started and must be completed today as does a grocery list for a New Year's Eve party and a New Year's Day get-together. (One of those we are going to and one we are hosting). Also, just in case you were unaware, TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY (and my best friend's) and we will be celebrating together tomorrow night as said-New-Year's-Eve-party is at her home.
But for now, we had a wonderful night of sleep in our own beds and girls are playing happily and have not asked to turn the TV on yet. (We are in Noggin-detox from Grandma's). :) Now, I'm going to make a bit of breakfast and slowly work towards getting out to the store. It's a good day.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
A Bloggy Book Review ::: Boomtown
Buy | Read |
Thanks to the nice folks at Thomas Nelson, I was sent a copy of Boomtown to review.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Christmas-y Meme
Friday, December 19, 2008
Journal Your Christmas ::: December 18
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Journal Your Christmas ::: December 17
Saturday Linkage
- another good list of holiday books to peruse with
myselfmy girls in mind. :) - spotted this idea for N2 for her birthday in January ... I'm going to put together a little toolbox of art supplies just for her very own.
- a reminder to take a little breather during the holidays from Sally Clarkson.
- One woman and her quest for good homemade bread. I'm in. :)
- Dreamy notebooks. Yes, I am a paper nut.
- celebrating the solstice. I love the idea of living a seasonal life and this is food for thought for me.
Where Do I Go? ::: A Bloggy Book Tour
As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. In addition to writing several books about Christian community, the Jacksons have coauthored numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.
Dave and Neta live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years they were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. They are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.
They're trying something new! Not just new for them, but something completely new in Christian fiction: “Parallel novels,” two stories taking place in the same time frame, same neighborhood, involving some of the same characters living through their own dramas and crises but interacting with and affecting one another … just the way it happens in real life.
It’s something that only a husband and wife writing team could pull off. While Neta has Where Do I Go?, her husband Dave has written Harry Bentley's Second Chance.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A story of seeking-and finding-God's will in unlikely places.
Gabrielle Fairbanks has nearly lost touch with the carefree, spirited young woman she was when she married her husband fifteen years ago. But when the couple moves to Chicago to accommodate Philip's business ambitions, Gabby finds the chance to make herself useful. It's there she meets the women of Manna House Women's Shelter; they need a Program Director-and she has a degree in social work. She's in her element, feeling God's call on her life at last, even though Philip doesn't like the changes he sees in her. But things get rough when Philip gives Gabby an ultimatum: quit her job at the shelter or risk divorce and losing custody of their sons. Gabby must take refuge, as in the song they sing at Sunday night worship: "Where do I go when there's no one else to turn to? . . . I go to the Rock I know that's able, I go to the Rock."
Romantic Times Book Reviews says, “Exquisite characters coupled with God's mercy and love emanate from each page.”
Publisher's Weekly adds, “Jackson's Yada Yada series has sold half a million copies, and this new offshoot series ... promises the same.... The book's dramatic ending ... leav[es] readers eager for the next installment in the series.”
To read the Prologue and first Chapter of Where Do I Go?, go HERE.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Journal Your Christmas ::: December 15 & 16
Christmas Treats
Red Velvet Cake Balls and Oreo Truffles. Thank goodness they are all gone now! These got two thumbs up from the family as a Christmas-y treat. :)
Kids Pick ::: Each Peach Pear Plum
If you asked my almost 3 year old what her favorite book is she would point to this one. Each Peach Pear Plum is a simple rhyming book where the reader searches to find her favorite nursery tale characters through out the pages.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Simple Woman's Daybook ::: December 15
Do visit Peggy's to see all the other daybook posts this week!
FOR TODAY
Outside my Window ... very wet outside right now. It's in the mid-50's so it's back to fall-ish weather around here.
I am thinking ... that I have much to think one. Some plans for the upcoming weeks and some reflection on the last couple.
I am thankful for ... how well my big girls did in the Christmas program (and how wonderful the program was in general. Re: the girls - this is the first year that our munchkins distinguished themselves by NOT crying while on stage which I was so thankful for.
In the learning room ... not much this week that is structured. :) We're going to read lots of Christmas books and just have fun together.
From the kitchen ... most of my Christmas baking (that was planned) is done and after that, we don't need anymore. :) Meals this week include using up leftover roast from Saturday, a roast chicken some other night this week, and a breakfast casserole. I also have leftover Mexican soup in the fridge that I am looking forward to this week. These cold rainy days are great soup weather.
I am going ... to the library today. In the rain.
I am reading ... a review book and getting ready to start working through Isaiah. Um, yes, I'm a little intimidated by that book!
I am hearing ... little girls playing together. Happy sounds.
Around the house ... straightening needs to be done. A weekend of lots of go-go-going has left us with some disarray in our living space. Not to mentioned, it looks like we are going to host a get-together with some friends right after the first of the year and now, of course, I'm seeing purging that must be done. Always good to have a goal to work towards.
One of my favorite things ... Christmas mail. Cards that are slowing trickling in. Getting my own in the mail this week, eventually. :)
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... This week looks to be very low key, for which I am so thankful. We have nothing on the calendar, unbelievably. All our
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ...
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Journal Your Christmas ::: December 9
This day is all about traditions and I journaled a new one for this year. I'm part of a group of girls that have had bi-monthly GNO's (Girls' Night Out) for about 12 years. I am blessed. Anyway, this year, one of the gals suggested that we go and paint pottery together for our Christmas get-together. We would draw names and paint an ornament for someone else. It was such a sweet time and the friendship and love (and the history in our group) was shown by the variety of ornaments created. This is going to be our new Christmas tradition as a group, instead of a normal night out for dinner and gift exchange - taking the time to create for one another. The colorful card on the left is from the pottery place - unfortunately it was embellished with a half-dressed mermaid! :)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Journal Your Christmas ::: Day 11
Journal Your Christmas ::: Day 11
Originally uploaded by stephaniedshepherd
Our tree - it's pretty scraggly and worn, but we are adding new memories to this tree every year. This year, I've added the small stuffed animals from the girls' baby mobile. One way to preserve their babyhood as they grow.
I've gotten behind on a few days so I'm catching up as I can. :)
Friday Felicities
1st Snowman of the Season!
Originally uploaded by stephaniedshepherd
The first snowman of the season! :)
Happy Friday.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thursday Thirteen ::: December 11
Every Year
Surely, I am not the only one that finds these completely hysterical ... I mean besides my girls. Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A Few Christmas Gift Ideas
If you buy more than one you'll get 50% off of each additional CD you order when you use the code "CHRISTMAS"!
This sale ends December 25th!
Tell your friends and don't miss it!
*****What's New with LPJ???******
1. we've added a new version for Empty Nesters!
2. we were able to adjust our shipping and handling to a lower rate!
Bloggy Book Tour ::: Engaging Father Christmas (Giveaway!)
ABOUT THE BOOK
Miranda Carson can't wait to return to England for Christmas and to be with her boyfriend, Ian. She has spent a lifetime yearning for a place to call home, and she's sure Carlton Heath will be it, especially when a hinted-at engagement ring slips into the conversation.
But Miranda's high hopes for a jolly Christmas with the small circle of people she has come to love are toppled when Ian's father is hospitalized and the matriarch of the Whitcombe family withholds her blessing from Miranda. Questions run rampant in Miranda's mind about whether she really belongs in this cheery corner of the world. Then, when her true identity threatens all her relationships in unanticipated ways, Miranda is certain all is lost.
And yet...maybe Father Christmas has special gifts in store for her after all.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Engaging Father Christmas, go HERE
Monday, December 08, 2008
Nesting Dolls, My Style
Lrg > Med > Sm
Originally uploaded by Kodamakitty
I love nesting dolls. I have one set of Santa nesting dolls that a dear friend brought me from Germany many years ago. The girls are now fascinated with them and they were the first things that they requested be unpacked from the Christmas decorations.
I'm not much of a collector of things. (Besides, pens and scrapbooking paraphanalia!) However, I could see enjoying a collection of nesting dolls! They are cute - there are so many different styles and from many different countries! And that would give me an excuse to buy these to add to my collection. :)
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Our Christmas Book List
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Seuss
- The Polar Express - Allsburg (This was the base of our school theme this week. We read this book, talked about the North Pole & watched the movie last night).
- Letters from Father Christmas - truthfully, I checked this out for me and my husband! :) It's a book of beautifully illustrated letters that Tolkien wrote to his boys from Father Christmas. One that I will most definitely be adding to our library some day.
- Ollie's Ski Trip
- B is for Bethlehem
- Auntie Claus - a story about how it is better to give than to receive
- The Three Snow Bears - the story of the three bears. Note: my girls LOVE Jan Brett books. She has beautifully illustrated story books with incredible details.
- Christmas in the Stable
- A Donkey's Dream
- The Last Straw
- The Cobweb Curtain - this is our book for next week. We'll read this story (of a spider the helps Mary & Joseph) and talk about spiders in school. *shudders* My girls will love it. :) (I think we'll do this craft as well.
- Room for a Little One
- The Friendly Beasts - Tomie dePaola, another author my girls enjoy.
- Lotta's Christmas Surprise
- Santa's Favorite Story - Santa himself shares the true meaning of Christmas, baby Jesus
- The Mitten - Jan Brett, again
- Gingerbread Baby - Jan Brett
- Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve - Jan Brett
- The Wild Christmas Reindeer - Brett
- Christmas book and Advent activites at the Crafty Crow
- Check out the lengthy list of books in the left sidebar at Elizabeth Foss' site
- an Advent / Christmas unit using the books of Tomie de Paola
- plenty of books about the real St. Nicholas if you are interested
- a lot of my book ideas came from this post
Friday, December 05, 2008
Journal Your Christmas ::: December 4
Friday Felicities ::: December 5
- early morning coffee
- little girls that sleep in (note: I don't have any of these, but they make me happy) :)
- playing with paper
- etsy and a simpler Christmas
- sweet emails from friends that understand
- little girls that like to tell jokes as evidenced below...
Thursday, December 04, 2008
One of my goals this year has been to diversify my reading. As I've spent the last 17 years homeschooling anywhere from 1-4 kids, I woul...
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This week, Hope is the Word and I are both blogging about our recent chapter book read-aloud that we have finished with our girls. Tumtum ...
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Welcome and happy Monday! If you are new to my blog (here via the Bloggy Giveaway hosted by Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer ), welcome. : ) I...