Camping Notes Giveaway I have won from this blog before, very cute items :)
$25 gift certificate
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Evenings with Victoria Botkin
I just learned about what sounds to be a wonderful online seminar, Evenings with Victoria Botkin. There is also a chance to win the opportunity to attend (it is an online series of events) from Joyfully at Home. Mrs. Voddie Bauchum recommends Mrs. Botkin's teachings, so for me that is a wonderful recommendation. Joyfully at Home is the blog of the Bauchum's oldest daughter.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Review: The Vertical Self
The Vertical Self
How Biblical Faith Can Help Us Discover Who We Are in An Age of Self Obsession
By Mark Sayers
We are now living in an age of self, self in a way that protects it's image. An age that focuses on looking good rather than being good. In The Vertical Self, Mark Sayers challenges believers in Christ to live with a vertical sense of self, how we live for God rather than a horizontal self and living for how others see us. Pastor Sayers challenges they way we act instead of being holy. Holiness is not a popular topic of our time. He is very insightful on body language and the messages our culture is portraying through clothing. Pastor Sayers shows how living a true and Godly life in this world can impact our world for Christ.
I really enjoyed this book. I was expecting it to be a challenge to live more for Christ and less for self-image and it was definitively that. The history and background Pastor Sayers brought some new light on how we got to this self-absorbed world culture we are living in. I am not a fan of self-esteem and have long held an opinion that children, teens, and adults need God-esteem. If we see ourselves how God sees us we will live in a state of balance, not thinking more highly than we ought, but also knowing our true worth. The Vertical Self is a wonderfully challenging book for a Christian.
The end of the book also includes a small study section that you could use in as a book club kind of study, there are chapter questions and opportunity for accountability and prayer. I wouldn't call it a Bible study, but would be great in a accountability group or small group setting.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
How Biblical Faith Can Help Us Discover Who We Are in An Age of Self Obsession
By Mark Sayers
We are now living in an age of self, self in a way that protects it's image. An age that focuses on looking good rather than being good. In The Vertical Self, Mark Sayers challenges believers in Christ to live with a vertical sense of self, how we live for God rather than a horizontal self and living for how others see us. Pastor Sayers challenges they way we act instead of being holy. Holiness is not a popular topic of our time. He is very insightful on body language and the messages our culture is portraying through clothing. Pastor Sayers shows how living a true and Godly life in this world can impact our world for Christ.
I really enjoyed this book. I was expecting it to be a challenge to live more for Christ and less for self-image and it was definitively that. The history and background Pastor Sayers brought some new light on how we got to this self-absorbed world culture we are living in. I am not a fan of self-esteem and have long held an opinion that children, teens, and adults need God-esteem. If we see ourselves how God sees us we will live in a state of balance, not thinking more highly than we ought, but also knowing our true worth. The Vertical Self is a wonderfully challenging book for a Christian.
The end of the book also includes a small study section that you could use in as a book club kind of study, there are chapter questions and opportunity for accountability and prayer. I wouldn't call it a Bible study, but would be great in a accountability group or small group setting.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Yummy Dinner
Tonight we had a very yummy dinner we had Bourbon Street Chicken on Brown Rice using our Mahatma brown rice, which cooked faster than normal for brown rice, which was nice. I used less red pepper flakes, because we are kind of wimpy, but I will bump it up a little next time and use a little less soy sauce. I did double the sauce and 3 pounds of chicken and don't have near enough leftovers :)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Vertical Self
I received this book today and am already a good part of the way through it. I am really enjoying learning some new things and agreeing very much with Mr. Mark Sayer. I hope the rest of the book is as good as what I have read so far.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Planting Season
I think we are rushing it a bit for our area, but it has been so spring like here for a month off and on that we went ahead and did some gardening. We planted Blue Podded and Oregon Sugar Snap peas and Chinese Red Meat, Sparkler, and White Hailstone radishes. We also planted some walking onion bulbs in our small garden bed, that I guess will now be their new home, they reseed so to speak.
Our last frost date is supposed to be around the beginning of May, but it has been so much warmer that I think our cold weather stuff will be OK. I think if it is still to cold it probably just won't germinate as fast, we will see.
We put in quite a few raised beds last summer. One is dedicated to asparagus, one to strawberries, and one to blueberries. We have three four by sixteen foot beds that are not dedicated and we have been working in coffee grounds and some peat into those. The soil is so nice and loose in those beds. We have a four by eight bed where we plant the cold crops. There is also a large area where we plant corn and were we are going to do melons this year and some flowers as well.
Our last frost date is supposed to be around the beginning of May, but it has been so much warmer that I think our cold weather stuff will be OK. I think if it is still to cold it probably just won't germinate as fast, we will see.
We put in quite a few raised beds last summer. One is dedicated to asparagus, one to strawberries, and one to blueberries. We have three four by sixteen foot beds that are not dedicated and we have been working in coffee grounds and some peat into those. The soil is so nice and loose in those beds. We have a four by eight bed where we plant the cold crops. There is also a large area where we plant corn and were we are going to do melons this year and some flowers as well.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Mahatma Rice formerly known as S&W Rice
I received a bag of long grain white rice and a bag of brown rice today from Mahatma, in our area they used to be known as S&W. I really like the name and their mascot, pretty cute. I am a BzzAgent and I received these bags of rice as well as some very great sounding recipes and lots of coupons to giveaway. We usually eat brown rice for the health benefits, we really like it too, I will be trying the Mahatma brand soon. I do get white rice for our food storage, it lasts longer because the oil in the bran for brown rice can go rancid in long term storage. We have a fairly stocked food supply for emergencies or really "tough economic times".
Buckets of Hope
The North American Mission Board is coordinating something I think is a wonderful way to help Haiti. Buckets of Hope. I am hoping our Sunday School class will do at least one and maybe our homeschool group or maybe just our family. A practical way to show Christ's love is always valuable and a wonderful experience for my children.
Here is the items you are required to purchase, they are kind of particular, but that is to get it through customs speedily, if even one bucket varies it can hold-up a whole shipment.
The Bucket
A 5-gallon plastic bucket with handle and form-fitting lid, which must be new and unused, Buckets without a logo or other commercial imprint are preferred. For a list of places to purchase buckets look here.
The Food Items
The food items can be generic, store brand items. Do not substitute any items listed and do not add additional items.
2 - 5-pound bags long grain enriched rice
1 - 48-ounce plastic bottle cooking oil
2 - 2-pound bags dry black beans (can substitute with red beans)
1 - 5-pound bag of all-purpose flour (not self-rising)
1 - 20-ounce cylinder container of granulated white sugar (coffee service size)
2 - 1-pound boxes of spaghetti noodles
1 - 2-pound 8-ounce (40 oz) plastic jar of smooth peanut butter
1 - 2-gallon plastic ziplock storage bag (used to wrap the bottle of cooking oil)
Here is the items you are required to purchase, they are kind of particular, but that is to get it through customs speedily, if even one bucket varies it can hold-up a whole shipment.
The Bucket
A 5-gallon plastic bucket with handle and form-fitting lid, which must be new and unused, Buckets without a logo or other commercial imprint are preferred. For a list of places to purchase buckets look here.
The Food Items
The food items can be generic, store brand items. Do not substitute any items listed and do not add additional items.
2 - 5-pound bags long grain enriched rice
1 - 48-ounce plastic bottle cooking oil
2 - 2-pound bags dry black beans (can substitute with red beans)
1 - 5-pound bag of all-purpose flour (not self-rising)
1 - 20-ounce cylinder container of granulated white sugar (coffee service size)
2 - 1-pound boxes of spaghetti noodles
1 - 2-pound 8-ounce (40 oz) plastic jar of smooth peanut butter
1 - 2-gallon plastic ziplock storage bag (used to wrap the bottle of cooking oil)
Great Giveaways
There are some great giveaways out there in blog land
$50 Safeway giveaway
2 Le Creuset Baking Pans
Aden + Anais new Cozy Infant Sleeping Bag
Critter and Puzzle Lunch Punch set
Wilton Valentine's Day Giveaway
Heelys Skate Shoes Review & Giveaway
$50 Safeway giveaway
2 Le Creuset Baking Pans
Aden + Anais new Cozy Infant Sleeping Bag
Critter and Puzzle Lunch Punch set
Wilton Valentine's Day Giveaway
Heelys Skate Shoes Review & Giveaway
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Review: This is Your Brain in Love
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This is Your Brain in Love
New Scientific Breakthroughs for a More Passionate and Emotionally Healthy Marriage
This is Your Brain in Love is a scientifically researched guide to help reunite married couples in passion in marriage. Dr. Henslin uses SPECT brain-scan research pioneered by Dr. Daniel G. Amen as a tool to understand why a person is the type of lover they are to their spouse and how they function in life. There are self-assessments for each of the five types of lovers and then natural and medicinal ways to treat brain imbalances to provide a better marital relationship.
I found this book to be very interesting, even covering very scientific information. Dr. Henselin uses humor and examples to express his points. I am very interested in the SPECT brain-scan that was used in Dr. Henselin's research. I have a loved one who I think would benefit greatly from such a medical test.
I do have an uneasiness about some of the personal accounts in the book, that there were many of those Christian couples who were divorced and I understand that might be a reason to use them as a "how to avoid" example, but I just kind of cringe when I hear so many times about how someone was really unhappy in a marriage and now they are just so much happier without that person they made a covenant with before God. I also was left wondering about the view Dr. Henslin has on the openness within marriage with a section in the appendix that referred to not telling your spouse about an affair.
Overall, I think the scientific information was very insightful and the book maybe very helpful pointing someone into getting additional help for brain imbalances. I do not think reading the book will help you treat yourself to much of an extent if your imbalance results are very high on the scales, it tends to point to the brain-scan and meeting with a doctor even with the supplements suggested.
I found this book to be very interesting, even covering very scientific information. Dr. Henselin uses humor and examples to express his points. I am very interested in the SPECT brain-scan that was used in Dr. Henselin's research. I have a loved one who I think would benefit greatly from such a medical test.
I do have an uneasiness about some of the personal accounts in the book, that there were many of those Christian couples who were divorced and I understand that might be a reason to use them as a "how to avoid" example, but I just kind of cringe when I hear so many times about how someone was really unhappy in a marriage and now they are just so much happier without that person they made a covenant with before God. I also was left wondering about the view Dr. Henslin has on the openness within marriage with a section in the appendix that referred to not telling your spouse about an affair.
Overall, I think the scientific information was very insightful and the book maybe very helpful pointing someone into getting additional help for brain imbalances. I do not think reading the book will help you treat yourself to much of an extent if your imbalance results are very high on the scales, it tends to point to the brain-scan and meeting with a doctor even with the supplements suggested.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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