God Gave Us the World Book Review

I received the book, God Gave Us the World, free for review from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. The book is from Lisa Tawn Bergren She writes of a polar bear cub who is learning that God has created everything. The mama bear shows her cub that God has created all living things with a purpose. The cub learns a valuable lesson on creation and diversity.

The art by Laura J. Bryant is wonderfully entertaining. The art work depicts the story beautifully and in a way that draws the child into the story.

I would reccommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading to a child. The story of creation is told in a thoughful manner and to the point of children wanting to ask questions, but questions that we as their elders feel confident in answering.

I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series as I am sure so will my grandchildren.

A New Month

Hi all,
January came and went like the wind. Still trying to adjust to the major loss of my sister. Everyday gets a little better, but then there is always a song lingering, waiting to punch me in the gut. So here goes February...

I have received my new book to review. It is a children's book, so I am waiting to read it to one of the grandkids. It looks like an enjoyable book.

I have already started my Christmas gifts. I found a great deal on unfinished doll furniture for my grand daughters. So I am going to paint and embellish them for the girls. If I get really energetic, I will actually make a dollhouse...yeah right!

This is the dollhouse furniture!

I am organizing a bunch of pictures that I took over the last month. I will post some of them here at a later date. I have purchased an At Home Studio package to enhance my photography interest. My poor grandkids are going to be my test models. We'll see how that turns out!

Wish me luck!! I am kind of embarrassed by the weight I have gained over the last 15 years. So before I hit 50, I want to take some of it off. New year, new me kinda thing. So I am taking baby steps. Start every day with breakfast! I could go for lots of things, but think I will stay with good old fashioned oatmeal. Thank God I love it. And it is good for me. I start something else tomorrow...maybe exercising! :o)

My biggest project to date is organizing our family reunion. I expect it to be a large affair. Everyday I find a new contact. Now comes the time for the nit picky details in order to pull this off. I am so excited to meet all of these new people that I call family and friends.

Hope you all have a great February 2011!

Blooging for Books Review

As I mentioned earlier, I signed up for a group called Blogging for Books. I signed up, chose a book, and was pleasantly suprised when the book actually arrived. The book is The Miracle of Mercy Land by River Jordan. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. Now mind you, I received the book the day I my sister died. So I kinda had a few things on my plate and delayed reading. I finally started to read the book on the flight home and quite honestly couldn't put it down.
The book is an examination of the choices we make and what the choices mean to thosse around us. The heroine of the story recieves a book that when she opens it, shows her the choices made by the people of her town. It shows that the choices lead you down roads in your life that could have been altered by a single decision. It also reveals how choices effect those around us.
I really enjoyed the book. There were times I believe the story was harried and details not cleary defined, but overall didn't throw the storyoff. This book gives a good positive message. I believe that it would also be enjoyable and easy to read for young adults.
I can't wait for my next book!

MLK Jr Day

I am doing my best to become more organized. My interests are far and wide and need to become more focused. I am concentrating on my photography skills. I have been doing research on getting my BA. Going back to school is always a good thing.
I am still going to continue with my family reunion project. With losing my sister and partner with this project, I am becoming more dedicated. The family I have never met has been more supportive than my birth family and I am going to strengthen theses bonds in the upcoming year.
I am also going to get back to my scrapbooking. I get so much joy when my grandkids look at my albums. My first project will be to make a memorial album of my sister Jo to give to her husband and each of her children. This will be the hardest project I will ever complete.
I am looking forward to going home. I miss my family so much. I hate to be away from them. They are definitely my strength and inspiration.
These are my ramblings of the day.
Take care and make it a great day!

Welcome to 2011. The year 2010 ended with great sorrow. My sister, who was only 43, left this world for a better place. No one can or will hurt her ever again. I love you Jo. You will always live in my heart.
2011 starts with adjustments to my plans. My sister and I made many plans together to make ourselves better women. Now I find myself facing these challenges alone. The first of these challenges will be to continue with our geneology project. The research we have done to date has been very rewarding. Along with this, the planning of an upcoming family reunion.
This is also the year to end relationships that are destructive and embrace those that are uplifting. You can't force someone to love you even if they are family. The families formed by friendship can sometimes be stronger than those formed by blood.
My personal goal is to make time for myself for the simple pleasures of creating. I enjoy making things and stretching my creativity to the limits. There is a personal reward in holding something that has been created from your imagination with your own two hands.
Also this year, I have signed up with a company - Blogging for Books. I will be posting reviews and in return be given new books to review.
My the new year bring joy and happiness to all.