Family, Reviews, Healthy Living, Photography and More!
April 21, 2015
We had a pretty exciting last week as our youngest went off to preschool, his first swimming lessons and the weather has finally been nice enough to get outside on our bikes!
While the preschool drop offs have been tough (lots of tears and kicking) we had a very successful first swimming lesson!
And off to the bay for some bike rides!
What have you been up to this week?
Make sure to link up below so that I can come visit you too:
April 21, 2015
Cathy Bryant is back with her new book, Crossroads, which is a Miller’s Creek novel and Christian contemporary romance.
About Crossroads a Miller’s Creek Novel
A former soldier battles for the soul of a prodigal…
After a devastating divorce, a bitter single Mom and atheist starts her own real estate company in the nostalgic and picturesque town of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Then her young daughter’s disturbing symptoms lead doctors to discover that her leukemia has relapsed. With her new life now turned upside down, Mara Hedwig struggles to keep her business afloat. Her daughter’s worsening condition forces her to rethink her belief’s about Carter Callahan and his God. Will Mara make the return to Christian faith in the face of life’s greatest challenge?
An ex-military operative struggles with the return to civilian life while coping with his rebellious teen-aged daughter. During a house search, Carter meets Mara, a headstrong Realtor who wants nothing to do with his God. But when Mara’s little girl is diagnosed with leukemia, the clock begins ticking for him to convince Mara to return to a life of faith. Just as he seems to be making headway, circumstances beyond his control throw his efforts into a tailspin. Can Carter learn to rest in the sovereignty of God?
About Cathy Bryant
Amazon best-selling author Cathy Bryant writes Christian fiction set in the heart of Texas. Her popular romance and romantic suspense novels take place in the fictional town of Miller’s Creek, where folks are friendly, the iced tea is sweet and Mama Beth’s front porch beckons. All of the Miller’s Creek novels have been on the Amazon Best-Seller List. Her debut novel, Texas Roads was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist. Readers have compared her work to that of Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks.
A native Texan, Cathy currently resides in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico with her minister husband of over thirty years. She has written devotions for The Upper Room devotional magazine, two devotional books in collaboration with other Christian authors and for online sites. She also has released a Bible study book, The Fragrance of Crushed Violets. In addition to her writing, she enjoys thrift store shopping, romping in the great outdoors and mini farming. To learn more about Cathy and her books visit her website or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest and Amazon.
Enjoy this trailer from Crossroads:
April 21, 2015
Set in the majestic and historical city of Florence, The Artisan’s Star follows the Barati’s family, their perfume shop and the passion of artistry.
About The Artisan’s Star
Elio’s perfumery in Florence is marked at the gates with a mosaic star. The shop immerses him in the artisanal world he loves but he harbors a regret. When a young man, he had created his own perfume but with his stubbornness he boxed it away before it ever came to fruition.
A second star now lights his life, his daughter Romina who is also an artist. She matches her father in talent, ambition and wonder for the world.
Changes are slowly coming to Florence and gone are the days of the true artist. When Romina tells her Father she does not want to carry on the family business, he tries desperately to hold on to the Florence he cherishes. He is forced to confront the lost opportunities of his youth as well acknowledge that tradition and modernity can co-exist.
My Thoughts
I have only been to Italy once in my life and in that short time that I was there I fell in love with the magic and tradition that is Italy. The streets are full of history and art is everywhere you look. You feel as though you are walking through history as you walk the streets. Florence is one of those cities that comes to life with its history. The Artisan’s Star had me wishing for another taste of Italy and inspired me to create some delicious recipes including amaretti cookies (and maybe some grappa too!).
The Artisan’s Star is a powerful book of the arts and how times have changed age-old traditions. Elio while young did not understand the beauty of his hometown and the traditions his Father tried to foster in him. As time goes by and life changes him, he takes on the responsibilities of his family perfumery even though this was not his dream. He gave up on his dream to ensure tradition stood strong. He is caught in the past not able to let go. This is a trap so many of us can fall into. Many times throughout the book we are witness to his struggle to let go and live in the present. At times it had me re-visiting my own life choices and how I wish I had pursued my own love of the arts but realized it never is too late to give up on your dream.
This is an incredible novel from start to finish that opens up slowly to Elio’s world and the artistry world of Florence full of tradition but rapidly changing environment. You will fall in love with the characters and the setting as Gabriella takes you to a world alive in the senses.
You can purchase the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Gabriella Contestabile is an author, educator and owner of Su Misura Journeys, a boutique travelling company connecting people to the artisans of Florence. She emigrated from Italy to New York City in 1959. She currently lives in New York with her daughter, husband, mother and their Shih Tzu Oreo. The Artisan’s Star is her first novel.
The Giveaway!
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 20, 2015
My home is my sanctuary. It is where as a family we come together to relax, eat, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. I want our home to reflect our uniqueness and personalities. In order to do this sometimes we have to think and make purchases outside the box.
Artollo is a creative studio founded in 2011 designing limited edition Art prints, posters, watercolour prints, vinyl wall decals, mini decals, mugs, t-shirts and more! Artollo consists of a group of artists located in Brooklyn, New York who are dedicated to bringing you the best selection of art elements for your home, office, restaurant, children’s room, nursery or teen bedrooms.
You can find a great variety of unique designs on their website which also includes wall decals and onesies. You literally have easy one stop shopping!
We received this print for our youngest son:
He loved it! It suits his personality perfect and he decided he was the Elephant leader and the three followers were his cousins and brother (of course since he is the youngest this makes the most sense!). The print is on a water-colour textured paper with a similar look and feel to a water colour painting which I loved. I love working in water colours and have created my own designs for them using superheroes. This print was just fantastic and felt like it was created for my son alone. We put his print in a frame that we had picked up over the weekend and easily hung it up in his room.
One of the most unique sections on the Artollo site is their wall decals. I fell in love with their nursery selection (what child would not want to have their room look like this!). It feels like a story that came to life in their room.
The art designs vary in price on the website and all are within a very reasonable rate for the quality and unique design you receive.
Artollo is offering one of you the chance to win your own unique design from their website! My Canadian and American readers can enter via the Rafflecopter form below – GOOD LUCK!
Make sure to follow Artollo on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on current news and new designs!
Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 15, 2015
“You better be good or Santa won’t come visit you”.
“If you tell a lie, your nose will grow just like Pinocchio”.
“Mommy can see out of the back of her head, so watch out!”.
We all tell lies. Sometimes they are little ones to avoid hurting someone’s feeling, others keep the magic of holidays going for their childhood and other times they are major lies that hurt everyone involved.
While it may seem like we foster a culture of lying to protect those around us, I want my children to understand that a lie hurts, no matter how good their intentions might be. I also want my children to understand that they should come to me with anything that they did. I have always encouraged and told my children, while I may be upset at the situation I will never be upset with them. Lying will only make things worse.
One of my favourite movies of all time, Mean Girls, is the perfect example of how those little lies can spin out of control. What starts out as a little bit of a fun game quickly turns into cruel and unintentional (at times) lies and actions that hurt everyone involved. This is an important lesson for children, teens and adults! What may start out as a small lie can quickly turn around to damage your reputation and more importantly the trust others have in you.
Another great flick you can catch on Netflix this month, Just Go With It starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.
Oh Adam! In this film he is just full of nonsense (but oh so funny!!) – talk about a serial liar! But it has an ending that will make your heart warm inside.
iCarly is a huge hit in our house (although I am beginning to wonder if my boys just like the two main actresses!). This series is full of moral lessons for your children that comes across in a fun and light tone.
How do you teach your children about lying and the consequences that come along with this?
Disclosure: I am a #StreamTeam member and receive special perks associated with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.
