Tips on Tuesday-Fun Thanksgiving Ideas

Sharing today a few ideas I've found on Pinterest . . . 

What a great idea for a hostess gift.  I want one.  I love vintage towels.  This new one is so cool.  You can buy one here. Did you know you can buy things on Pinterest?  

                              Who'd a think....

 

Even though my grandson is almost 9 he will humor this GiGi. 

Today we painted post cards and worked on a present for his 

Mama.  Thursday we will be making us some Harvest Corn for our Thanksgiving decorations.  Click here to see the 'Pin'

And another great idea.  

I so want to make this Bingo game.  We play Bible Bingo.  I think everyone will enjoy this!  See the 'Pin' here.

Oh my goodness gracious.  What a Fabulous idea!  You have to check out the tutorial.  I am so looking for some cheap charger plates!  Click here to read the blog post and see how to do it!

Carol at Comfort Spring wrote a lovely post.  And included a free printable.  Click here to visit Carol.

And one more.  I loved this idea . . . 

The Fabulous post had 19 other great ideas.  Click here.

I think this is cool because it is so simple.  My grandson will love helping set this table.  Simple and fun for him and 'Pa.  Yet a little fancy for the GiGi and the Mama.

So that's just a part of the collection I have on my Fall Decorating/Craft board.  Click here to see the other ideas I've 

pinned.  

                                          

Do you have some really cool Thanksgiving ideas.  If you've written a Fall or Thanksgiving post I'd love for you to come over and link at The Fabulous Fall/Thanksgiving Party over at my other blog.  The link is below the photo of my sweet dog Daisy 

Click here to link your Fall and Thanksgiving posts. 

Today I am linking at:

Silver Pennies,  Amaze Me Monday, Create With Joy, The Art of Homemaking, Let's Add Sprinkles Monday Social, Share You Cup, Make Your Saturday Sweet, Share It One More Time

Blue Monday-A Thank You Note

Welcome to Blue Monday.  
Recently I received a really sweet Thank you note . . .

It was so sweet and totally unexpected.  And it even had a Blue
stamp.
 
What a delight to receive such a sweet note.  Here's the super sweet inspiration for the note . . . 

 

It was just such a joy to receive that note.  Especially since he was so sweet to let me interrupt his Lego building. 

I took a few pictures that day . . . 

They made a nice collection.  

It's a little difficult to see the books.  

  And it's Blue.

The books were so adorable.  I really thought it would be fun 

to have my grandson be a part of the review.  

              
He gave the books a 'thumbs up'.  If your interested in reading the review it is here.
                       
It really made my day to receive such a sweet note from the author. 
                      
If your a regular reader of my blog you know that I read and write a lot of book reviews.  Sometimes I feel like there are way too many.  And the reviews have taken over my blog.  

Please be assured that is not my intention.  In the next few weeks you'll be noticing alot more regular posts.  
                                   
There won't really be less reviews.  Just a more organized way of posting.  I am busy writing posts and reading so I'll be needing to put those old Blue slippers on . . . 

And resting in between posting and linking to all the great parties. 

Like these:

Silver Pennies, Mosaic Monday, Blue Monday, Amaze Me Monday, Create With Joy, The Art of Homemaking, Let's Add Sprinkles Monday Social,

Share You Cup, Make Your Saturday Sweet, Share It One More Time

Do you love linking your posts at great parties?  I'd love for you to come over and link your Fall /Thanksgiving Themed posts at the Fabulous Party over at my over blog . . . 

Click here to visit and join the party!

Turning To Stone-Gabriel Valjan-Book Review w/ Giveaway

                                    
About the book. . . (provided by Italy Book Tours)
Forensic accountant Alabaster Black has always been steps ahead of her former employer, Rendition, a clandestine and apparently lethal organization. Once the star investigator of financial crimes, she fled from the United States to Italy, under a new name: Bianca Nerini. She carries on her work with a group of trusted friends, although a mysterious contact by the name of Loki reaches out to her on occasion. In this fourth installment, Bianca is in Naples against the Camorra, a crime syndicate unlike the American or Sicilian mafia.

From the author. . . 

The overall arc of the Roma Series is watching friends learn how to love and trust each other, learn how to move within a morally compromised world. Alabaster (or Bianca if you prefer her alias) is difficult to know, extremely intelligent, and dichotomous at times in her thinking. She sees things others do not, yet she struggles with intimacy and trusting another person.

In the first outing, Roma, Underground, Bianca is relatively new to Italy. She soon finds herself in a love affair and on the cusp of a major scandal when archaeological relics go missing.

In Wasp's Nest, Bianca investigates an entrepreneurial genius of cancer research and biotechnology. What if someone had a way of detecting cancer at the level of DNA and prevent cancer from occurring without chemotherapy, radiation, and disfiguring surgeries? His research may forever alter cancer and the pharmaceutical industries. Dance with the angel of a cure, but don't forget that the Devil was also once an angel.

Threading the Needle is the third volume of the Roma Series. Bianca's curiosity gets a young university student murdered, but not before he passes her details of a secret weapon under development with defense contractor, Adastra. Within days, the media turns Farrugia, her backup at the scene, into hero, then suspect. Guilt may drive her to find justice for the slain Charlie Brooks, but she is warned by the mysterious Loki to stay away from this case that runs deep with conspiracy. Bianca must find a way to uncover government secrets and corporate alliances without returning Italy to one of its darkest hours, the decades of daily terrorism known as the "Years of Lead." 

And I thought. . . Turning To Stone is the 4th book in the series and continues taking the reader on a tour of Italy.  
From Rome to a brief stop in Boston (book 2) then back to Milan, and no Naples.   The back cover describes Naples as being possible the most dangerous city in Italy. 

Just the cover speaks 'creepy' and dangerous.  If I was considering buying this book without having read or been introduced to the previous books in the series I probably wouldn't pick it up.  
The cover is just plain creepy to me.  

The story is fast paced and complex.  As with all the other books in the series I found it to be a long read.  It is 372 suspense filled pages.  This may not sound long but it is a fairly large book and the print is small.  

I don't mention this as a negative.  Just to warn that it isn't a book you'll read in a day.  It(they) take me 4-5 days.  

Having read the previous books I was  anxious to get into this story.  I wasn't disappointed.    

                                           Buy the book:  Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble
This review will post at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Good Reads

I received a complimentary copy from Italy Book Tours.

Enter to win . . .

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Simple Sunday

Have a Blessed Day 
                                                                                                    
                       Free printable Click Here

Prayers--Childrens Book Review

                                         
                                                  
About (provided by BookLook)

Prayers and Answered Prayers will engage young minds and hearts as kids learn more and more about how God answers prayer.

With its two-in-one format, kids will have the chance to write down their prayers and thanks and then record how God answers their prayers as well. With examples of the great prayers throughout the Bible, many Scripture verses, guided prompts for children to grow more comfortable in their prayer lives, and ways to help them discover how their prayers were answered, this two-books-in-one format will be a fun, attractive way to learn one of the most important pieces of faith—talking and listening to God.

Designed as a first prayer journal for young believers, the book features two smaller booklets in one bright, full coverage glitter cover. Kids can write down prayer requests and then record how their prayers are answered inside.

Prayers and Answered Prayers engages children with prayer through an interactive, unique format that will draw the attention of parents and children alike!

Help your young children learn about God’s way of communicating and loving His children through the unique prayer journal Prayers and Answered Prayers.

What I thought...
Lovely.  It's a book that's not a book. 
 It is described as a prayer journal for young believers.  I really wouldn't call it a journal.  At least not the normal sense. 

It's two little books in one actually.  

First there is the little book Prayers.  It is filled with prompts to encourage young minds to think and discover . . .
 
There are suggestions to color, doodle and draw.  
Some of the question prompts are:
What are you thankful for today?
Do you know someone who needs to feel God's love at the moment?
Write the name of a worship song that makes you
Happy.  Think. Sing.

The second little book Answered Prayers is similar. It's not what I expected.  I thought it would follow the first books prompts giving the reader an opportunity to write about answered prayers. 

Here's one of the pages. . . 

This book is similar in that the reader is given prompts.  But it's more like a workbook with scripture prompts. 

The books are packaged in a clear portfolio type of cover.
You can see the sparkly glitter through the cover

The illustrations in both are charming. The cover is engaging.  The colors are bright and cheerful.  And girly. 
    
                          I would not recommend for boys. 

I looked at one major retailer to see if there was a boys version and didn't find one.  I wish there was.

I wasn't clear on the suggested audience.  The description says 
'young children'.  I'm thinking more older elementary.  
I highly recommend but I would definitely read through the books to see if your child is the right age to really understand and appreciate.  

I received a complimentary copy from BookLook.  
This was a great book and deserves a 5 star rating. 

This review will be posted on Amazon, CBC and GoodReads.
This review will appear on My Reading Journeys and be linked 
at available blog parties.  

An Amish Family Christmas-Shelley Shepard Gray-Book Review

                                               
About the book (provided by Litfuse)  

Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Newly returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi is trying to fit into his old life, only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.

But when Julia, his young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, Levi finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a job Levi takes personally. Soon enough, friendship grows into attraction, but Levi can’t help having doubts. There’s something about Julia that doesn’t ring quite true…

Like Levi, Julia Kemps has survived her fair share of hardships—but only by hiding the truth of her past. Being an unmarried mother in an Amish community was unthinkable. Feeling hopeless, Julia did the only thing she could do: she moved to a new town and pretended to be a widow. But meeting Levi, she’s hopeful for the first time. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret, and eventually…perhaps even sharing her life with him.

Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together…in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.

About the series
                           
The series takes place in the space of about a year.  Following a disaserious fire at the lumber mill owned by the family book one opens with Lukas Kinsinger (A Son's Vow) taking over the business after their father perishes in the fire.  Leaving him to take care of some of the other children in the family.  This story is about a sweet romance between Lukas and Darla whose father was accused of starting the fire.

Book two is about Luka's sister younger sisters Rebecca and her indecision about what to 'do with her life'  she has always wanted to be a teacher.  She is torn between her desire and love of teaching and her commitment to the family and the business.
Then she meets the guardian uncle of one of her students.  And another romance begins.

Book three (A Sister's Wish) is about Amelia.   Amelia is Luka's younger sister.  Instead of joining the family in working at the lumber mill she stays home and take care of the family home.  Running the house is the job that she has undertaken to help the family.  Amelia has had her eyes set on Simon
Hochstetler for as long as she can remember.
As a teenager Simon and his siblings left Charm running away from an abusive family.
When Simon returns old feelings between him and Amelia return.

And what I thought...
A lovely story tying up a great ending (sadly) for a great series. 
I really enjoyed the series.   Each book was better and better. 
The Christmas story brought a real happy ending.  

This series brings to light the sad situation of emotional and physical abuse.   

An Amish Family Christmas focuses on a story line of centered around Julia a young woman that was physically abused by her boyfriend.  

She meets the Kinsinger family when she becomes involved with Levi.  Levi had left town earlier in the series after the fire at the lumber mill which took their fathers life.  

This is  great heartwarming story.  The series is really good. 
If you enjoy just good clean reading you won't be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy from LitFuse.
This review will be posted at Amazon, Barnes and Noble,
CBC and Good Reads.
This review will appear on My Reading Journeys and will be linked at available blog parties.

Sign Up For Daily Emails

   I am so excited to share some Fabulous new news!                                    
                                   
I have a new friend.  Isn't he cute!  I've signed up for Mail Chimp.
 I think he is soooo cute and helpful . . . 


Using this super cool service you can sign up and I can send emails.  I think it's better than the option I used before. 

I can actually write email content rather than having 'you know who' (Google). 

I hope that you'll sign up.  It's super simple!  And BTW did you notice me new layout.  

I can feature posts like this . . . 

 Come over and  link your Fall/Thanksgiving posts.  Click Here.
So even if I am posting a book review I can also feature a different post so in case your not interested in the reviews you can see I am still posting.    

I'm still working out some kinks in this whole process so if you have suggestions or comments please let me know.  I do have a comments option!  Yea.   


So be a doll and help my little friend stay busy.  Sign up!

My Thrifty Fall Mantle And A New Treasure

         

To my new sewing room.  Today I'm going to give you a little teeny tiny peek of what I've been doing . . . 

Some of you know we've just moved into a house from an apartment.    

Everyone thinks I am silly but I am just so happy to have dirt!

                    

I'll be doing this in the spring.  But right now I'm and tweekin' things and making everything cozy.  

Today I worked on the mantle that is now in the sewing room.

This is my pretend antique mantle I got for my birthday last year.   

I've always wanted one the Cowboy found it on craigslist in a town 45 minutes away.  It's not old but I love it.   It needs a paint job. 

And someday I'll buy some fancy paint and pretty her up. But for

now I just cover her with pretties like this . . . 

My thrifty $1.00 frames.  The welcome sign was .99 I think. 

The clear container my mother got free and gave to me.  

Probably the most expensive thing here are the macrame beads The Cowboy bought in about 1980 for me for Christmas.  

Do you know what macrame is?  HeHe.  

The gold sconce that is still awaiting for me to hang is one of a pair. They were donated for a garage sale.  No one bought them so I kept them. 

I added a couple of really big pine cones.  I didn't even realize our neighbor had a pine tree.  We were driving down the street and I saw one in the middle of the street!  I startled The Cowboy when I kind of yelled 'Stop' but he's used to it!

I love the collection of thrifty Fall.  Can you see the drawing of Fall leaves? 

My DIL did this for me last year.  I need to find a frame.  But I think they look good just resting on the frames. A little 

'unexpected'.

Every Fall I always bring out my pumpkin wagon.  It's Department 56 and was part of the Dickens Village collection.  I don't think it's actually Dickens they have so many different collections.

The wagon and those beads are probably the most expensive part of the mantle.  

The orange bird was  $5.00 on clearance at Big Lots.  

Part of this vignette is actually priceless . . . 

Adorable Turkeys made of hands and feet.  The big one is my 15 year old grandson.  The two smaller ones are my DIL and grand daughter.  My son was a scrooge! 

The little pumpkin on the box I got last year from a student.  it's really cute.  

The wooden box is old.  I got it in 1976 when I graduated from high school.  It is a mini Land cedar chest.  A furniture store in town gave them away.  

I love having my mantle in my sewing room.  Which is not together yet.  But I'm working on it.  

And today I got a treasure.  My daughter rolled her eyes but she carried it out of the store and set it securely in my grandsons car seat. He was at school. Thanks goodness! HeHe. 

Here's what I got.  Guess what I paid for it. . . 

I know.  It is so ugly it's cute.  At least to me.  It is cream but I think it blends well with the white look I am working on in my sewing room.  The fringe is really shabby and needs to be replaced but for $1.00 who could pass it up!  Not me!

It made my day to get to go thrifting with my daughter. 

And The Cowboy offered to go back to the same store tomorrow!

Linking with Blue Monday, Mosaic Monday,  The Art of Homemaking
  No Place Like Home, Share Your Cup, Party In Your P.J's,
  The Homemaking Party, Vintage Charm,  Home and Garden Thursday, 
Frou Frou Friday, Simple Fridays, Share It One More Time, Create With Joy,
Thoughts Of Home, Feathered Nest Friday, Best Of The Weekend

Wordless Outdoor Wednesday

           

       Happy Thanksgiving 

Linking with The Fabulous Thanksgiving Party,  Wordless Wednesday, Create With Joy, Amanda's Books and More, Imaging, How We Roll Wordless. Outdoor Wednesday. Imag-ing, 

 

Book Review-365 Pocket Morning Prayers

                                     
                                           
The book arrived with a cardboard sleeve.  The cover is a soft leather type surface making it a great gift book.  The cover price is $13.99 and is a great value. The book is small 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 making it perfect to fit into a purse or a pocket.

There are 365 prayers.  Each day is only 1 page making it a simple way to start your day.  

The book begins with Day 1 
                         A prayer for facing your new day.

 Rejoicing because God has made this day.

The prayer is followed by a scripture.

This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in in.  Psalm 118:24.

There is a topical index at the end making it easy to look up devotionals on certain topics like:Aging, Blessings and 

Grace to name a few. 

I enjoyed this devotional.  I plan to purchase a few for 

Christmas presents.  

I received a complimentary copy from  Tyndale Publishers.

This review will post on Good Reads and My Reading Journeys. 

This review will be posted at Amazon, Barnes and Noble 

and CBC.

Thanksgiving Party Begins Today

                                              

Happy Fall.  Happy November.  I've been waiting for November.

Have you?

I've waited somewhat patiently to begin the Thanksgiving party.

It begins today over at my party blog. Click Here.

                         

I hope you'll go over and join the party and share your Fall theme posts!