tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22388509564015368262024-02-24T15:45:27.778-05:00Old Time Homemaking ReviewsReviewing Books, Movies, Food, Appliances, Fashion, Travel, and more, from a Homemaker's Conservative Perspective.Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-51084194417627445792024-02-24T07:51:00.004-05:002024-02-24T07:55:46.962-05:00The Quilt Room Secret<p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: <i>The Quilt Room Secret</i><br /></p><p><b>Author</b>: Lisa Jones Baker<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Baker<br />
<br /> 249 pages, paperback.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>An independent-thinking Amish woman, Trini, owned her own home and a store. She secretly plans to leave the community. There is an Amish gentleman who wants to marry her. The story shares the details of the homes, friends, neighbors, and family involved in the main character's life. I had a difficult time connecting with the story for the first few chapters. But as I continued to read, the plot started to interest me. </p><p>While I did not like reading about Trini's independent ways, or the constant references to memories, I appreciated how the story ended.</p><p>*Disclaimer: "I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."</p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-69160081965194606542024-02-08T17:41:00.004-05:002024-02-08T17:47:31.453-05:00The Irish Matchmaker<p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: <i>The Irish Matchmaker</i><br /></p><p><b>Author</b>: Jennifer Deibel<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Revell<br />
<br /> 314 pages, paperback.<br /></p><p> </p><p>This well written story will transport you to a fascinating community in Ireland. We learn of the customs and way of daily life. As can be expected, there were brief instances of drunkenness, as well as some romantic descriptions. </p><p>There are two families we get to know fairly well. The first family includes the Matchmaker, Catriona, and her father who live in town. The second family is a farmer, Donal and his young daughter, who are struggling financially while living in the country. We see a little of the difference between the royal residents and the laborers living in the countryside. It is interesting to see how marriages are made and all the effort to find the right match. It was lovely to read about life in Ireland. <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*Disclosure - This book was received for review purposes.</i></span></p><p> </p><p> <br /></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-72047251649463556772023-11-17T10:02:00.002-05:002023-11-17T10:02:13.433-05:00Book Review - Her Secret Hope by Shelley Shepard Gray<p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: Her Secret Hope<br /></p><p><b>Author</b>: Shelley Shepard Gray<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Revell<br />
<br /> 289 pages, paperback.<br /></p><p> </p><p>This is my first time reading a book by this author. "Her Secret Hope" is about a young Amish lady, Lilly, who takes a job working as a maid in an Inn in Florida. She had traveled some distance from home to make a fresh start in life. It is interesting to read about her work, what goes on behind-the-scenes in an Inn, and what it's like in the commercial kitchen. The characters are all interesting and it is enjoyable to read about daily life. Lilly meets a nice young man. The friendship is taken slowly and I appreciate how Lilly is cautious about getting too involved too quickly. </p><p>Lilly is a sweet, hardworking girl. She has very supporting friends. It is nice to see good things happen to her.</p><p>There is a word of caution that a few readers might want to be aware of. There is a very brief romantic description in the story, that comes off as too strong, in my opinion. I would have enjoyed the story much more if this had been greatly toned down or avoided altogether.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><br /></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-12446321342233737192023-11-17T09:47:00.002-05:002023-11-17T09:47:56.376-05:00Book Review - The Amish Cook's Baking Book by Lovina Eicher <p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: The Amish Cook's Baking Book<br /></p><p><b>Author</b>: Lovina Eicher with Kevin Williams<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Andrews McMeel Publishing<br />
<br /> 200 pages, hardcover.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> This wonderful collection includes instructions for baking breads, pies, pastries, cookies, and more. It was written by Lovina, who writes a column, from home, called, "The Amish Cook." There is an explanation at the beginning which shares that an Amish kitchen does not contain modern appliances, such as food processors, blenders, or bread makers. Yet the kitchen is stocked with pots and pans and hand-operated utensils. </p><p>The photographs of the bread and cookies look incredible. The instructions for each recipe look easy to follow. </p><p>There is a quote from Lovina's mother, Elizabeth, from 1998, at the beginning of the bread section:</p><p>"While often sliced and served for supper, fresh bread can be found on the table at any meal of the day. I used to make a lot more bread when all of our children were still living at home - usually about nine loaves a week. I would bake the bread before they came so when they got in the door it was good and warm."</p><p>On the back cover of the book, there is a wonderful quote by the author, "Baking is something my mother taught me, much like sewing, ironing, or gardening. Now, as a mother of eight children of my own, I am beginning to teach them how to bake. I have many cherished memories of baking throughout my life."<br /></p><p>The description of home life scattered throughout, along with color photographs and recipes make the book a treasure. It is beautifully done. <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-75395081546665151892023-11-17T09:31:00.004-05:002023-11-17T09:31:36.615-05:00Book Review - The Amish Cook's Anniversary Book by Lovina Eicher<p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: The Amish Cook's Anniversary Book: 20 Years of Food, Family, and Faith<br /></p><p><b>Author</b>: Lovina Eicher with Kevin Williams<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Andrews McMeel Publishing<br />
<br /> 290 pages, hardcover.<br /></p><p> </p><p>This is an incredible book of history from the pen of an Amish wife and mother. It includes full color photographs of Amish life, the scenery, the food, and activity of home life. It is charming, and depicts a simple life with a lot of old fashioned hard work.</p><p>The author, Lovina, is the daughter of Elizabeth Coblentz, who wrote a newspaper column called, "The Amish Cook." She called them "letters" and shared recipes and letters from home. She sent these to her editor, Kevin Williams, who has compiled this book. After her mother passed into Heaven, Lovina continued writing the column. </p><p>This anniversary collection provides a treat as we read about daily life in an Amish home. The book includes the very first column by Elizabeth, from August 1991. Lovina began writing in 2002. The last letter in this book is by Lovina and is written in February of 2010. <br /></p><p>The sweet letters are endearing and inspiring. The recipes are wonderful and written in a way that is easy to follow. It is an excellent book.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><br /></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-89754358293623656892023-09-29T10:08:00.001-04:002023-09-29T10:08:08.113-04:00Lost and Found Book Review<p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: Lost and Found<br /></p><p><b>Author</b>: Suzanne Woods Fisher<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Revell <br />
<br /> 320 pages, paperback.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The conservative Amish community who live in Stoney Ridge and troubled by the liberal ways of the Beachy Amish who seem to be taking over the settlement. The concerns are that some of the choices of their group allows the use of cell phones and other modern (or worldly) devices. This is tempting to their young people and there is a concern they would begin losing members. The bishop considers the idea of moving their entire group to another state. I found this part of the story to be very interesting and a lesson for all of us. </p><p>The story mainly centers around dedicated bird watchers who keep logs of their sightings. We see samples of these logs throughout the book. The book also discusses the issue of mental illness.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-42954957965251999972023-09-02T13:52:00.001-04:002023-09-02T14:02:43.849-04:00A Royal Christmas<p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: A Royal Christmas<br /></p><p><b>Author</b>: Melody Carlson<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Revell <br />
<br /> 176 pages, hardcover.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Adelaide stops working at a coffee shop in order to focus on completing her education. She is working on a law degree and is living on limited means. She soon finds out she is related to royalty and quickly travels to a small European country. We are treated to the sights and customs of this place.</p><p>There is a bit of mystery in the story. There is also a small section of the story which describes a foreign Christmas custom that I did not like and did not want to know about. The main character didn't seem to like it either!</p><p>I enjoyed reading about the shopping for pretty clothes and the description of the palace. There is a nice friendship Adelaide develops with a gentleman which is interesting. </p><p>Overall it is a well written story.</p><p> <br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-37845641889404596872023-08-07T09:53:00.000-04:002023-08-07T09:53:58.121-04:00Letters of Comfort - Review<p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: Letters of Comfort (Book 2 of "The Friendship Letters.") </p><p><b>Author</b>: Wanda E. Brunstetter<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Barbour<br />
<br /> 320 pages, paperback.<br /></p><p><br />This story deals with depression. It begins with a tragic accident which I found difficult to read. As the characters started to heal from the effects of the accident, it was very depressing. I had to take breaks from reading because it was a bit overwhelming. However, I wanted to know how the story would turn out so I kept reading. <br /></p><p>It was hard for me to believe the characters were Amish because they did
not seem to be focused on home life, but on working outside the home,
etc. (This was probably a misunderstanding on my part.) The story includes information about a health food store, training horses, dealing with the death of a loved one, and recovering from painful physical injuries. Overall the book is well written. It is wholesome, but sad. </p><p>The book includes some bonus features in the back. There is a recipe for apple muffins, discussion questions, and a letter from the author about dealing with depression. </p><p> </p><p><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclosure: "I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."</span></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-74276906318559950692023-03-28T20:30:00.002-04:002023-03-28T20:38:39.817-04:00Second Time Around - Review<p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: Second Time Around</p><p><b>Author</b>: Melody Carlson<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Revell<br />
<br /> 304 pages, paperback.<br /></p><br /><p>This delightful story is about Mallory, an older woman with two grown children. She is a busy interior decorator with a lovely Victorian house. After her daughter gets married she feels a stronger sense of emptiness in her large home. </p><p>She soon finds out that her grandmother left her some property. It is an old touristy gift shop with an apartment above the store. It is enjoyable to read about her days and getting to know the people in the community. </p><p>The description of how she turns the store into a lovely decorating store is inspiring. Even though she struggles with trying to get the apartment into livable condition, it is fascinating to learn about all the trouble it takes to get qualified workers to do necessary repairs. It is nice to read about how she settles into the neighborhood, helping to make it a better place while she develops friendships with her neighbors.</p><p>Overall it is a modern story with a wholesome bit of romance.</p><p><b>Bonus:</b> There is a surprise bonus chapter at the end of the story. It is chapter one of Melody's book, "<i>The Happy Camper.</i>" I enjoyed this sample. It made me want a copy of that book too! <br /></p><p><br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p></p><p> </p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-82264280426202089652023-01-07T16:19:00.000-05:002023-01-07T16:19:02.710-05:00Life of Andrew Jackson - Review<p><b>Book</b>: Life of Andrew Jackson<br /></p><p><br />
<b>Author</b>: Edited by John S. Jenkins, A.M.<br />
<br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Attic Books - A division of New Leaf Publishing Group.<br />
<br /> 395 pages, hardcover<br /></p><p> </p><p>The book itself is beautifully bound with a nice cover. It is a reprint from the 1850 edition. The original title is as follows: "Life and Public Services of Gen. Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States; Including The most important of his state papers, with the Eulogy, delivered at Washington City, June 21, 1845 by Hon. George Bancroft."</p><p>It begins in 1767 with a narrative of his early life and the influence of his mother. It goes on to cover his political history, all the way up to his death in 1845. The end of the book includes a copy of his last will and testament. </p><p>It is worth noting that Andrew was eight years old when the Revolutionary war first broke out. You can learn a great deal of history while reading the details of his life. </p><p>Overall it is well written and an interesting history book. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-59035337930172900182023-01-07T15:40:00.004-05:002023-01-07T16:20:05.558-05:00Say What You Mean - Review<p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: Say What You Mean: Overcoming Social Anxiety So You Can Become a Great Conversationalist<br /></p><p><br />
<b>Author</b>: JoJo Tabares</p><p> <br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Art of Eloquence<br />
<br /> 68 pages, e-book </p><br /><p> JoJo has written a course for those who would like to learn communication skills. She focuses on people who consider themselves to be shy. She shares her personal testimony of overcoming shyness and explains that it is simply a lack of communication skills.</p><p>The book includes five sections:</p><p> "Introduction to Social Anxiety"</p><p> "Achieving Comfort"</p><p>"Achieving Mastery"</p><p>"Achieving Excellence"</p><p>"For Further Study"</p><p>She goes into great detail in each category and gives many helpful suggestions. Overall this is a good course for those who would like to improve in their ability to communicate well.<br /></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-82540859465424638582022-12-29T08:13:00.006-05:002022-12-29T08:14:58.958-05:00Zone Cleaning for Kids<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0bZiPL-HwQFd3muVmy70RJExauEz_IOaQY6IsY8-GfirmS5sp_07BbQhj7ot3apOb_E-qEJwZqnRGVOT7zTHdaiyu68hBtqsIi9u35OAWom1T4lcZa2K46vZ4A05hz2CINsF1DiqHT6aT2OTlrN7rtKPN0MXJ8cdWcRtcNLwQtyAEhP-CVxRtY4h3Q/s400/Zone%20Cleaning%20for%20kids.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="400" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0bZiPL-HwQFd3muVmy70RJExauEz_IOaQY6IsY8-GfirmS5sp_07BbQhj7ot3apOb_E-qEJwZqnRGVOT7zTHdaiyu68hBtqsIi9u35OAWom1T4lcZa2K46vZ4A05hz2CINsF1DiqHT6aT2OTlrN7rtKPN0MXJ8cdWcRtcNLwQtyAEhP-CVxRtY4h3Q/w400-h243/Zone%20Cleaning%20for%20kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Book</b>s: Zone Cleaning for Kids<br /></p><p><b>Authors</b>: Jennie von Eggers, M.J. Flanagan, and Dena Wood. Illustrated by Maggie Brown.<br /></p><p><br />
<b>Publisher</b>: Times Tales<br />
<br />This is a set of 3 spiral bound booklets, with a dry erase marker. The "Clean 'N' Flip" books include:</p><p> </p><p><i>1. Laundry for Kids</i></p><p> There are cute illustrations to show children how to do their own laundry. There are boxes for each step of the process. The child is to do the task and then use the dry erase marker to check the box as completed. It quickly describes the process of wash, dry, fold, sort, and put away. <br /></p><p><i>2. Bedroom Cleaning for Kids</i></p><p> The illustrations are cheerful and adorable. There are 8 tasks to complete from getting organized to making the bed. It looks informative and helpful for children.<br /></p><p><i>3. Zone Cleaning for Kids</i></p><p> This is intended to help children clean the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. The pages are nicely illustrated with cheerful colors. The instructions are simple and easy to follow.</p><p><br /></p><p>Overall, I believe children would enjoy using these flip books to accomplish their chores. </p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p> <br /></p><p></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-5066907516039786732022-12-29T07:48:00.000-05:002022-12-29T07:48:26.461-05:00The Homeschool Student Planner<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9EJry6nQTDRMPWler8Rb8nbpdrkjkOiQv4coCe2IjJA9G2PUnnku0UP6sw93IetTtVTOeEesok_6Prh-dTQ7PelovgMNyVum9-PLRrPSCEc2BXPvPtUErCyblvriuD_oq727douApO33J8LFKRav9k9Q-RShFOy6DOva8CvH4VWeQ-1TMaxnsBkIbg/s500/home%20school%20student%20planners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9EJry6nQTDRMPWler8Rb8nbpdrkjkOiQv4coCe2IjJA9G2PUnnku0UP6sw93IetTtVTOeEesok_6Prh-dTQ7PelovgMNyVum9-PLRrPSCEc2BXPvPtUErCyblvriuD_oq727douApO33J8LFKRav9k9Q-RShFOy6DOva8CvH4VWeQ-1TMaxnsBkIbg/w400-h300/home%20school%20student%20planners.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><b>Book</b>: The Homeschool Student Planner</p><p><br />
<b>Author</b>: Joanne Calderwood <br />
<br />
<b>Website</b>: https://urthemom.com/planners<br />
<br /></p><p>Description from the publisher:</p><p style="margin: 0;">"<span class="x-el x-el-span c1-bf c1-bg c1-b c1-bh c1-bi c1-bj c1-bk c1-bl"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b">The
Self-Propelled STUDENT Planner sets YOU and YOUR CHILD free to enjoy
each school day. Providing a student with one of our planners gives him a
sense of </span><em class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-2h c1-9n c1-9o c1-b"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b">ownership </span></em><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b">of his work, which in turn fosters </span><em class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-2h c1-9n c1-9o c1-b"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b">motivation</span></em><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b"> and a </span><em class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-2h c1-9n c1-9o c1-b"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b">positive attitude </span></em><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b">yielding an educational</span><em class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-2h c1-9n c1-9o c1-b"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b"> advantage</span></em><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b"> over time."</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0;"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-bf c1-bg c1-b c1-bh c1-bi c1-bj c1-bk c1-bl"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0;"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-bf c1-bg c1-b c1-bh c1-bi c1-bj c1-bk c1-bl"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0;"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-bf c1-bg c1-b c1-bh c1-bi c1-bj c1-bk c1-bl"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b">My thoughts:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0;"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-bf c1-bg c1-b c1-bh c1-bi c1-bj c1-bk c1-bl"><span class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b"> </span><strong class="x-el x-el-span c1-24 c1-25 c1-9m c1-2k c1-57 c1-9n c1-b"><br /></strong></span></p><p> I love the idea that students will do well when they are motivated and are able to work independently. These planners are a great tool for students to keep track of their work and record their educational progress. </p><p>The planner begins with detailed instructions for both the parent and the child. One of the things the author says that really stands out in this section is: "Children are greatly motivated to excel on their own when parents set clear expectations and guidelines and then get out of the way." </p><p>There are places to write out goals, notes, and document books that have been read. The student can fill out the work schedule for each week, in each quarter, of the school year. </p><p>It looks motivational and easy to use.</p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-26424259897974816352022-09-17T11:58:00.001-04:002022-09-17T12:04:01.411-04:00A Quilt for Christmas<p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: A Quilt for Christmas<br /></p><p><br />
<b>Author</b>: Melody Carlson<br />
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<b>Publisher</b>: Revell<br />
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171 pages, paperback</p><p> </p><p>Vera is a sweet, elderly lady who finds herself living in a strange town. She had downsized her large home to move near her daughter's family. When her son-in-law's job required them to relocate, Vera was left not knowing anyone in her new community. Christmas was soon approaching and she was feeling lonely. Through a crisis with the neighbor's health, Vera is brought into contact with a variety of people who all join together for the purpose of making a beautiful Christmas quilt to bring cheer and happiness to their neighbor. We read how these complete strangers form friendships despite their differences. It is enjoyable to read about their days and their activities during the Christmas season. </p><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-36858587021555118982022-07-10T09:09:00.003-04:002022-07-10T09:09:39.117-04:00Child Child by the Kindsmen Quartet<p> This is a precious gospel song, called "Child, Child" - </p><p>
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By The Kingsmen Quartet. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-26275636792901812922021-09-14T09:10:00.002-04:002021-09-14T09:19:47.050-04:00A Christmas in the Alps<p> </p><p> </p><p><b>Book</b>: A Christmas in the Alps</p><p><br />
<b>Author</b>: Melody Carlson<br />
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<b>Publisher</b>: Revell<br />
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169 pages, paperback</p><p> </p><p>At the urging of her best friend in California, Simone travels to France for the Christmas season. Her great-grandmother had left her a mysterious treasure. We follow along with her on her first plane trip, watch her recover from her fears, and finally see her get settled in a beautiful town in France. </p><p>Simone finds her relatives and visits a watch and clock factory owned by her family. She spends time with her elderly aunt, who lives in a rich and beautiful home. It is lovely to read about the sites, the culture, and the language. I enjoyed reading along as Simone settled into a brand new life which seemed just right for her.</p><p>A nice feature of this book includes an epilogue. The story ends perfectly, but then we get to see how everything turned out beautifully for all the characters. This leaves one with a nice feeling and a sense of happiness. <br /></p><p>Each year many of us look forward to a Melody Carlson Christmas story. These are always light and entertaining. "A Christmas in the Alps" is another enjoyable addition to the Christmas collection. </p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> </i></span></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-13573399763056092032021-03-28T18:47:00.004-04:002021-03-28T19:59:12.269-04:00Corrie Ten Boom speaking about God's Love and Prayer<p> The following are two videos showing Corrie ten Boom teaching from Scripture:</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1. "God's Love" - </span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qDCJo5lfI1U" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">2. "Prayer" - </span></p><p><br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4xAJA1hNcUI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-26955361827594807392020-09-25T17:24:00.000-04:002020-09-25T17:24:12.735-04:00The Christmas Swap<p> <b> </b></p><p><b>Book</b>: The Christmas Swap</p><p><br />
<b>Author</b>: Melody Carlson<br />
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<b>Publisher</b>: Revell<br />
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163 pages, paperback<br />
<br /></p><p> Emma has a good job as a substitute teacher. But she does not have any family to spend Christmas with. Her parents are away, overseas, doing missionary work. She is invited to spend the holiday with her old friend from college. This is a wealthy family, who consider her to be a good friend and a welcome guest. Emma is from humble financial means and is a kind, peaceful, person, who is grateful for each day. <br /></p><p>Normally, the family spend the season at their Arizona home. This year, Mr. Landers (the father of her college friend) has organized a house swap for the holiday. They are to spend Christmas in snowy, beautiful, Colorado. Emma's description of the scenery is inspiring. <br /></p><p>There is a sweet, wholesome romance that develops between Emma and the
owner of the Colorado house. It was nice to read about their daily
activities, and how some of the guests learned to ski for the first
time.</p><p>This is a light, pleasant story. I loved reading about the contrast between the two houses - the one in Arizona, and the one in Colorado. There was also a noticeable difference between Emma and her host family. She was helpful and a peacemaker, just what the the Landers' family needed!</p><p>Overall it was an enjoyable, Christmas story. </p><p><br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span></p><p> </p>Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-14751479728715880582020-03-22T11:44:00.002-04:002020-07-26T16:29:15.649-04:00Faith Over Feelings | COVID-19 Message from Dr. Charles Stanley<br />
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This is a comforting message by Dr. Charles Stanley:<br />
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"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUqXlglay2k&feature=emb_title" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Faith over Feelings"</b></a><br />
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<br />Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-10404761547005105362020-03-01T08:10:00.000-05:002020-07-26T16:29:37.554-04:00Your Life Matters to God<br />
The following is an excellent sermon which was recently preached by Dr. Charles Stanley. It is encouraging and comforting.<br />
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Please note: If you are receiving this post by email, and are not able to see the video, I have included a direct link below. Over time, I have been selecting several of his sermons (which are my favorites) and compiled them to a playlist on my Youtube channel.<br />
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Please feel welcome to click on this link to view this sermon directly:
"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRobkYjNLtk&list=PLVDhR1ro8oqycA3DncHr35i4akJPW27OK&index=29&t=0s" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Your Life Matters to God by Dr. Charles Stanley.</a>"<br />
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<br />Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-80858048434671801502020-01-27T08:57:00.001-05:002020-01-27T09:01:49.780-05:00The Soul of An American President<br />
<b>Book</b>: The Soul of An American President: The Untold Story of Dwight D. Eisenhower's Faith<br />
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<b>Authors</b>: Alan Sears and Craig Osten with Ryan Cole<br />
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<b>Publisher</b>: Baker Books<br />
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237 pages, paperback<br />
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This book is incredibly well-written. We learn a great deal of fascinating history throughout the time period of the life of Dwight D. Eisenhower. We also learn about his tremendous faith in God and why he was very private about his religious life.<br />
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In the introduction, we find the purpose of this book:<br />
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"Was Dwight Eisenhower an imperfect man (like us all) of genuine faith, or was he a skilled politician who used religion, like so many others before him and since, to further his agenda and popularity?" (page 22)<br />
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The main reason this question had come up, was because of the uncommon religious affiliation of his mother. She had converted to a new (and growing) religion while he was still a young boy. She had very different ideas about religion than those of her son. This made it difficult for him.<br />
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The beginning of the book shows some sweet and tender descriptions of the family's early religious life:<br />
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"David and Ida chose the name Dwight for their new boy in honor of the famous Christian evangelist of the era, Dwight L. Moody." <br />
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". . The Eisenhower home still centered around the Bible, with prayers in the morning and evening as well as throughout the day."<br />
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"Ike had read the entire Bible by the time he was twelve, and then read it again." (page 35)<br />
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We get to read about his marriage and family life as well as the work he did in the military.<br />
There is a beautiful prayer, written by Ike himself, on pages 97 and 98. The prayer was requested by a major in the U.S. Army for a book of prayers he was compiling for the soldiers.<br />
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Throughout the book, the authors do an excellent job in explaining Dwight's faith. A great deal of his life story is covered, with a beautiful theme of his faith in God. It is instructive and inspiring.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span><br />
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<br />Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-14524352980493783542019-08-31T15:21:00.002-04:002019-08-31T15:28:23.530-04:00Joyful Surrender by Elisabeth Elliot<b>Book</b>: Joyful Surrender - 7 Disciplines for the Believer's Life<br />
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<b>Author</b>: Elisabeth Elliot<br />
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<b>Publisher</b>: Revell<br />
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157 pages, paperback<br />
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There is nothing like sitting down to quietly read one of Elisabeth Elliot's books. Her gentle wisdom is encouraging and inspiring. In this book she compares, at times, some modern questions of living to what is proper from an earlier generation. <br />
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There are 14 chapters. She shares from her own life, and from those of others, to carefully explain each concept regarding disciplines in our lives. Some of these chapters cover the subjects of mind, place, possessions, and work.<br />
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I will share a quote from the book, on page 108:<br />
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"We should be thankful. Thanksgiving requires the recognition of the Source. It implies contentment with what is given, not complaint about what is not given."<br />
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A negative aspect of the book, for me, is that many of the Bible quotes are from sources other than the KJV. <br />
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However, in all of her writing, she strives to lead us to a good and close walk with the Lord. She encourages (and teaches) us to have joy and peace in God.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span><br />
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<br />Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-91936448598564077202019-08-31T15:01:00.000-04:002019-08-31T15:01:01.142-04:00Catching Faith 2 - The Homecoming DVD review<br />
<b>Movie </b>(DVD) - Catching Faith 2 - The Homecoming.<br />
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<b>Running Time </b>- Approx. 95 minutes.<br />
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This is a dove approved movie, recommended for ages 12 and up.<br />
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The Taylor family is facing a few different struggles. Mrs. Taylor is a career - type mother who is focused on trying to do everything, including taking care of her Mother (who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease). Mr. Taylor is a kind man who is patient and is very involved in the daily home life. Their two grown children come home with different news. The son was injured and needs a new direction in his life. The daughter is engaged and is excited about her upcoming wedding.<br />
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Everyone has a cell phone, and they live a very modern life. The family appears to have a great deal of money and seem to focus on themselves quite a bit. <br />
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The movie has many light moments. They were excited about their goals and plans and seemed to enjoy what they had. There were some occasional bits of good advice coming from some of the characters. <br />
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However, I did not particularly enjoy the movie. It is not something I would watch again. There were moments where the events seemed to be predictable. I also did not like Mrs. Taylor's Bible study group. The girls seemed to be shallow and silly. I thought they were disrespectful when talking about Scripture. The group leader, however, presented herself with maturity and respect, which was good.<br />
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Special features include: A discussion guide and an activity. <br />
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<i>*Disclosure - This item was provided for review purposes.*</i><br />
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<br />Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-45882458578120928732019-06-12T16:57:00.000-04:002019-06-12T16:57:15.758-04:00Character Carved in Stone by Pat Williams<br />
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<strong>Book</strong>: Character Carved in Stone<br /><br /><b>Author</b>: Pat Williams <br /><br /><b>Publisher</b>: Revell<br /><br /> 215 pages, paperback<br />
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This book is about "The 12 Core Virtues of West Point that Build Leaders and Produce Success." I found the chapters to be full of history and very interesting. <br />
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The 12 virtues that are discussed each have their own chapter. They are:<br />
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1. Compassion<br />
2. Courage<br />
3. Dedication<br />
4. Determination<br />
5. Dignity<br />
6. Discipline<br />
7. Integrity<br />
8. Loyalty<br />
9. Perseverance<br />
10. Responsibility<br />
11. Service<br />
12. Trust<br />
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There is an inspiriting history lesson in each chapter, which gives an example of each virtue represented. Some of the people featured include: Ulysses S. Grant, Maggie Dixon, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Pat Williams does an excellent job in organizing these powerful traits and encouraging readers to understand how these 12 virtues will help them in life. I think the type of reader who would benefit the most from this book are those who are out working for a living, and those who are aspiring to do difficult things in life and want to do them with integrity. <br />
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<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>* Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *</i></span><br />
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Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238850956401536826.post-8321610597025697992019-03-27T10:10:00.001-04:002019-03-27T10:10:40.510-04:00It is Well with My Soul - with Some History<br />
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The following is a video showing the history behind the hymn "It is Well with My Soul." It is beautifully done and inspiring. The video then has a choir singing the hymn. <br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/3znSDls5Etw?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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[Note: If you are receiving this post by email and are not able to see the video, please go directly to the blog to view.]<br />
<br />Mrs. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.com0