Book Review: Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall

 

 

Book Review: Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall


"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

Book Review: Experience the holidays with the Plain folk of Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, in these touching novellas centered around love, romance, heartache, and restoration from best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells: Beth Hertzler is unable to let go of a past tragedy, but when she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth's soul responds. Determined that her niece meet the gifted artist, her aunt tracks him down, but it's not that simple--will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she's always dreamed of and a second chance at real love?

The Christmas Singing: Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve. Brokenhearted, Mattie moves away and pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator, and even finds a new beau. But when Mattie is forced to return home three years later, will learning the truth behind Gideon's rejection restore her Christmas joy--or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?

The Dawn of Christmas: Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it's time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan--but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together?

My Review: Romance, romance, and more romance!! I absolutely loved this book!! As my first time reading a book about the Amish, I was mesmerized by the stories in this book. When I had ordered the book to review, I had no idea that there were 3 stories involved and worried that I would not have enough time to get it read and reviewed, but once it arrived with its gorgeous, Christmas cover, I could not put it down! I loved each story in its individual state and the way that each was somehow woven into the next with the characters, this way, you got to keep up on them from the stories you had already read. I have a new favorite author and a renewed love for the Amish :)

Book Review: The Beauty of Broken...My Story, and Likely Yours Too by Elisa Morgan

Book Review: The Beauty of Broken...My Story, and Likely Yours Too by Elisa Morgan

"I received this book for free from BookSneeze for this review”.

Book Review: Find beauty and hope for the messiness of family life. 

Are you exhausted by the fairy-tale idea that following Jesus will mean our families won't suffer? That a parenting formula can guarantee our children will turn out okay? That our families will be immune from being broken because we love God?

In The Beauty of Broken, Elisa Morgan, one of today's most respected female Christian leaders, shares for the first time her very personal story of brokenness--from her family of origin to her family of creation, represented by her husband and two grown children. Over the years, Elisa's family struggled privately with issues many parents must face, including: alcoholism and drug addiction, infertility and adoption, teen pregnancy and abortion, divorce, homosexuality and death. 

Each story layers onto the next to reveal the brokenness that comes into our lives without invitation. "We've bought into the myth of the perfect family," says Elisa. "Formulaic promises about the family may have originated in well-meaning intentions, but such thinking isn't realistic. It's not helpful. It's not even kind."

Elisa offers hope in the form of "broken family values" that allow parents to grow and thrive with God. Values such as commitment, humility, relinquishment and respect carry us to new places of understanding. Owning our brokenness shapes us into God's best idea for us and enables us to discover the beauty in ourselves and each member of our families. 

 

 My Review: The cover of this book immediately drew me to the book as did the idea of listening to what Elisa Morgan, the leader over all of the MOPS groups, one of which I attended, had to say that would be considered different from what we learned from her every MOPS meeting. I must say that I was actually quite disappointed in this book. It lost me very quickly. There was a little too much Christian talk in between stories and it drug on getting to the point of anything she was trying to tell the readers. Once you got to an individual story, it was a good one, but actually getting from one story to the next seemed like it took forever and came across as being very boring. I almost felt like I had to skip ahead to the actual story and not read what was in between. I wish I could have reviewed this better, but honestly, I only made it to Chapter 6 because there was just not enough of interest in this book. I will let anyone be their own judge, but personally, I would not recommend this book. 

I'm behind!!! The Week in Review...Italian Festivals, Old Friends and Mac & Cheese

The Week in Review...Italian Festivals, Old Friends and Mac & Cheese

Looking back on the week of August 26-Sept 1.

 

I can't believe with being pregnant how far I have gotten behind on my blogging...geesh!!! Be sure to smack me around if you see me in person please!!

 

 

We begin this blog with the first day of the 2013/2014 school year for my first 4 school aged kids.

 

Waffles for breakfast and then off for another exciting year. My oldest son is a sophomore this year so he is no longer the lowest on the high school totem pole...yay!! Same with my middle school son who is now in 7th grade. My oldest elementary child is beginning her last year before she hits middle school and my 1st grader is still having a ball just being in school in general. All had a great day and came home full of smiles so I will point out....SUCCESS!

 

You Gotta Love Being Home...

 

I have gotten back in touch with an old friend from high school through FB and must say that it feels good to have a nice conversation filled with memories :) It has been 19 years so there is definitely a lot of catching up to do! Haven't seen each other in person yet, but hope to get together for some Starbucks soon.

 

While in WV for the weekend, we made a trip to the mall. Haven't been there in ages so I was very excited to go. Hit some nice sales and got to visit with my youngest sister who is a manager at Spencer's. Cool to see her at work!

 

After the mall, Mom bought us T&L Hot Dogs

 

 

 

(can't go to Clarksburg without getting some T&L)

 

We then headed back to her house to eat and have some convo. Let me just say, to any of my friends that are not in the WV area, if you ever visit Clarksburg, get a T&L Hot Dog! You have not experienced a good one until you have had their sauce (and I had the joy of being raised here). After eating, I got to spend some time with my new niece who my mom was babysitting while my sis and brother-in-law went out for a few hours. What a great way to end my night :)

 

Dislikes :(

 

We decided to try some of that new flavored boxed Kraft Macaroni and Cheese since I had some coupons that bought it next to nothing this month. The Buffalo Chicken was the one we decided to brave....yuck!!! Anyone who knows me knows that I am just a regular old Mac and Cheese person so most likely I would not have liked it, but none of the other 7 members of this family liked it either!! Put that one on the definite "dislike" list!

 

 

Woo-Hoo!!!

 

Got some cleaning done this week. I got down on the ground in my kids play area and decided to really clean out the dress up bin and fake food bin. It was out of control!!! The fake food was all separated and put in order by what restaurant it went with; Subway, KFC, McDonalds and so on...also have a huge stack of dress up clothes to put up for sale since we keep inheriting so many!! Upper level was cleaned big time on Thursday. Getting things under control in the bedroom areas just makes it so much more relaxing...wouldn't you agree?

 

~New Recipes~

 

We had Frito Pie Hot Dogs this week. Oh, yum!!! That one is a keeper!! Lemon and Garlic Chicken and Pasta was another new one this week. It was a little too lemony for the kids, but turned out great once it was refrigerated and served cold the next day for lunch :)  

 

I have been trying to get my Disney World blogs going as well, but they take a little more time to get everything summed up the way I want to. Will try to get busy on those when I can :)

 

 

Festival!!!

 

This weekend was our annual trip to my hometown in WV for the Clarksburg Italian Heritage Festival.

 

 

We enjoyed the parade with the kids (Kaplyn rode with my dad in his "Batmobile" with the person he was driving in the parade)

 

 

Saw many people I knew and grew up with...always love seeing familiar faces :) Afterwards, Cameron and I walked through the festival to grab our lovely Frittis! Greg took the rest of the kids back to the house to wait for us. We had our Minards lunch with Mom, Dad and my sisters. Meatball hoagie for me...yummy!! 

 

Kind of a shorter, nothing going on kind of week, but I'm sure it will pick up now that school has started. 

 

Will try to keep up just a little better in the upcoming days for you all. Have a great week!!

 

                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                               Dede

Our Disneyworld Adventure!! Day 4 :)

Our Disneyworld Adventure!

Day 4: July 7

Animal Kingdom :)

We decided to go for an earlier breakfast this morning. We also brought it back to the room for a nice breakfast in with the family. Food in our pj's :) Eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, blueberry muffins and fruit salad...yummy!

Animal Kingdom today! AAA Diamond was filled so we were in Dino parking which wasn't very far from the entrance which made for some happy people :) First stop, DinoLand.

The kids were involved in a Passport Badge Program.

 

They got to do some fun activities for badges. Rode the flying dinosaurs and Greg with the older kids went on a "mouse type" roller coaster (too rough for my growing belly) After, we went to Dinosaur which was an extremely cool ride! Dino Dig was next. The only thing was, you did not dig in sand, but in birdseed. It actually kind of hurt to walk in it! The kids received their first badge here.

 

The older kids rode the mouse ride again while the youngers enjoyed some digging for dino bones!

 

Asia was our second stop. Here, we rode the rapids...

 

and Expedition Everist. Everist was one of the best rides in Disney by far! Got on very quickly which was even better!! Did some more badge activities.

Our snacks in the area included Mouse shaped pretzels!

 

Mouse Shaped Ice Cream!

Don't you know that everything tastes better with mouse ears?!!!!

The kids used their gift cards on some specialty drinks. It was very hot so had to use a lot of sunscreen!

Africa was 3rd and very crowded when we first went in since the parade had just finished. We went to the safari ride. Very bumpy, but lovely! Saw zebras (black with white stripes due to noses color), giraffes, hippos, flamingos and some other cool animals :)

Headed back to "The Tree of Life" for A Bug's Life 3D. One of our faves!!

 

 

 

Reiner and Brandis both disagreed on the whole "favorites" statement, they didn't like this attraction at all!! The stink bug scent and stingers really bothered them....

After this activity, we were finished with Animal Kingdom and headed to Downtown Disney to take another chance in finding a parking spot. Success!!! Very crowded and we aren't too much for crowds. We went into Ghiradeli for a chocolate sample which my sister Gina suggested. Very good :) Went to a Disney Sports store where Genin bought a Disney 2013 baseball for his collection.
Also went to World of Disney, the biggest Disney Store in the world! Kaplyn and I both bought "mouse ears" ornaments. I bought the original set for the Game Room TV/Movie Christmas Tree and she bought a pink princess set to begin an ornament collection :)

Kaplyn and Genin were very excited with their finds!

Onto Lego Land where the kids played a little with sets, posed for some lifesize Leg photos and we were finished with that crowd!

Back to the hotel for some dinner and swimming. Sandwiches for dinner along with chips and an awesome new dip, don't forget a pickle on the side ;) Afterward, I read some of my book while the kids swam....Matlyn loved it!!

Cherry Ice Bars for dessert and we were off to bed.

Day 5 coming...

The Week in Review....Birthdays, Peaches and Injuries

The Week in Review....Birthdays, Peaches and Injuries

Looking back on the week of August 19-25.

 

We have come upon my day of birth, or this year I shall refer to it as the week of my birth! Since I have 1 husband and 6 children, it made total sense to ask for a little gift for my birthday...time individually with each person per day for the whole week! They were to have a minimum of 1 hour with me and a max $10 limit. What would the come up with? I would soon find out :)

 

Birth Week

 

On Monday, Cameron, my 15 year old, took me out to DQ for some goodies. He bought me an Oreo Blizzard and added some fries for that perfect fit of salty and sweet! I absolutely love the one on one time with him as he isn't around a whole lot due to extra-curricular activities; band, soccer and BMX riding. Afterward, I let him drive the car down our road to our house. He was so excited and that made me feel wonderful!!

 

 

 

Tuesday, Genin, my 13 year old, took me to Ten Mile Creek Park for a picnic. He bought us cold cuts to make sandwiches, chips, grapes and pop. After eating and conversation, we walked and took some nice photos of nature. On the way home, he bought me my favorite candy..Jolly Joes!

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, Kaplyn, my 10 year old took me on a "Taste of the Town" experience. We popped into some different places for some wonderful taste testing. First up, Sams. The only thing they had this early was a pack of Mott's Fun Fruits so it was onto Giant Eagle for an olive bar sample of Grape Leaf Rolls, the bakery for a cookie and the candy aisle for chocolate marshmallows. Moe's Mexican Grill for mixed soda was the next place to go. You can mix soda's with great flavors!! Panera Bread led us to a huge cinnamon bun that we split. Off to the spring house for our last stop. We had Ice cream cones and chocolate milk. We checked out the flowers on the property, snapping some gorgeous pics. Visited the calf for a few minutes and we were off to where I thought was home, but Kaplyn had one more surprise in mind! We stopped at the local market and she grabbed candy and pop for a movie night at home! We watched Grown Ups and she set it up just like a real movie theater. She even had Reiner dress up like an usher to help pull it all off. What a great day!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a Girl!!

 

This week, my little "head of cabbage" is doing great! I am 30 weeks along and still going strong.

 

 

~Aw...Boo!~

 

 

I had a high school friend move from my hometown in WV this week all the way to VA and I have to admit, I already feel like I miss him. We knew each other 19 years ago, but once we got back in touch, a nice friendship formed. Although I still haven't seen him in person in all of these years, he is a great person to talk to and I am thankful to have him pop in for a "hi" on Facebook :)

 

 

Likes of the Week....

 

Raisin Bran w/Omega Flax Seeds-I had a ton of coupons for this cereal that was on sale this week and loaded up. I worried that I may not like it due to the seeds in it, but you actually could not even taste them. Very good for me without even knowing it ;)

 

 

 

On with more Birth week!!

 

 

On Thursday, Reiner, my 7 year old, surprised me with board games and snacks up at the school gazebo. We stopped at the market and he grabbed some Doritos, grapes and drinks. We played Connect 4 and Guess Who and then took a nice walk around the middle school and high school. It was hot especially with my preggo belly, but loved every minute :)

 

 

 

Friday, Brandis, my 5 year old,  informed me that for my birthday, he wanted to give me a peach off of our peach tree, but since they didn't grow this year....how about some McDonald's chicken nuggets. We also had sundaes :) After, we went to Dollar General for candy with which we had a candy picnic. This was something I started with my older kids when they were very young. We buy some candy and the child is allowed to sit in the passenger seat (up front) in the parking lot of the store while we eat some yummy candy; he got air heads, I got sour patch kids..he made my sour patch kids talk. Once it is gone, back into the back seat all buckled up to be safe :)

 

 

 

Saturday, Matlyn, my 3 year old, decided to give me a beauty day! She did my hair, makeup and clothes. Just perfect for a 3 year old :)

 

 

 

Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Cameron was in a scrimmage game tonight and got hit pretty hard in the leg. It brought him down to his knees for a few minutes....limping a little here and there now, but I am sure he will be good as new soon!

 

 

~The Grand Finale~

 

 

Sunday, the final day of my Birth Week, Greg took me to The Grand Concourse for dinner. I have always loved this restaurant which we used to frequent years ago. The setting is in an old train station (similar to Grand Central) in Pittsburgh, Station Square. We sat in the River Room where we had  Appetizers of Almond Encrusted Brie and Goose liver Pate'. We also had Martha's Vineyard salads and the Steak dinners. For dessert, chocolate mousse! We were both stuffed! I took a lot of pics in and out of the building and then we took a nice walk on the bridge overlooking the water and got a pic of the 2 of us on the bridge. It was a great end to my very first Birth Week :)

 

 

 

Glad to finally catch you up on this week of my life...talk to you soon :)

 

 

 

                                                                                                                       Dede :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Forever Friday...A Novel by Timothy Lewis

 

Book Review: Forever Friday...A Novel by Timothy Lewis

Book Review: Every Friday, a postcard.

Every Friday, a love poem.

Every Friday for sixty years.

Adam Colby is jsut doing his job, sorting through the Alexander belongings remaining after the estate sale. He is unprepared for what he finds in an old photo album, overlooked by the bargain hounds and treasure hunters--six decades of postcards and poems from Gabe Alexander to his wife, Pearl. The mystery of the Alexanders' love entices Adam, a man unhinged by divorce and puzzled by the depth of commitment that he finds in the unabashedly romantic cards.

Forever Friay invites you to travel back in time to the early twentieth century Texas Coastal Bend where a young couple--Gabe and Pearl Alexander--are swept up in a miraculous love. As the heartwarming, pulse-quickening story of their relationship develops through Gabe's poems, the Alexanders reveal a new way to consider what it means to be truly devoted to each other. Could the secrts of their love affair, laid to rest twenty years ago, hold the key to one man's future?

My Review:

I found this book to be one of the most unbelieveably intriguing books that I have ever read. From the first page, it had me already on board being swept up in the passion of the story. Do you believe in love at first site? You will after this book! Do you believe in destiny? Once again, a yes with this book. When Adam wants to dig into the story of the Alexanders, you are taken on journey back to another time, when things were simple and lovely. When true love was still a box that could be opened every day to reveal a new gift! This story gave me hope, in my own lovely marriage that romance does indeed still exist no matter how long you have been married and can very much continue until the final days of life. Would love to see this in movie form! Timothy Lewis has become a new favorite author of mine...what a wonderful read!

Our Disneyworld Adventure!! Day 3 :)

Our Disneyworld Adventure!

Day 3: July 6

Epcot :)

We started the day with the hotel breakfast; eggs, sausage, toast, french toast sticks and juice. Very filling!

Off to Epcot. We had AAA Diamond Parking and got parking right up front which was awesome! With as much walking as I have to do this week, a little less here and there is great for me.

Our first stop was Journey into Imagination. Went we on the Figment ride and I got my first smashed penny at Disney for 2013. Will add to my collection perfectly.

Did I mention how much I love how Disney has air conditioning everywhere? So much better to handle with a preggo belly :) Afterward, we did the Captain EO Michael Jackson 3D movie. Really good even to this day!

The kids loved the jumping water outside.

 

Brought back so many memories from when I was a kid...jumping around excitedly along with the shoots of water....Reiner even stood directly in front of one hoping to get hit...he did ;)

Living the Land was the next stop. We did the relaxing boat ride through the greenhouse which is one of Greg's favorites! The kids thought it was amazing seeing so many things growing on trees!

 

Brandis was afraid at first to go on...really not sure why?

Circle of Life was next and not what I had expected, actually kind of boring. Greg kept walking through exits to get to things quicker...I think he was doing it just to try to annoy me :/

Cameron and Genin were disappointed...they wanted thrill rides like they get at Kennywood. I had to explain to them that Disney isn't all thrill rides, but more of an experience and that Epcot is one of the mild parks, the thrills would be coming :)

Got Fast Passes for Soarin'. Had to take turns on this one since Matlyn was too little to ride. Greg went with half of the kids and then I went with the other half. What an amazing ride!! It had just opened the last time we hit Disney, but we never made it back in time for our Fast Passes. I wish we had! Such a refreshing ride...complete with the scents of pine and oranges...Mmm...

The Seas was next. We did the Finding Nemo Ride and Crush. Dude!!

Outside (in the sun) we met Chip & Dale.

 

 

Also stumbled upon the Mickey, Pluto and Minnie indoor meet and greet with no line! Lucky us!!

Anyone up for a foreign Coke? We taste tested from many different flavors. My fave was Mexico!! Very refreshing on any hot day!!


When we went to Spaceship Earth, we got separated from Cam & Gen when they went to line the strollers up. A huge tour group was behind us and the boys ended up behind them. Luckily their tour leader allowed them through :) The ride had a new computer interactive feature which put our faces on the screen. Very cool!

For a snack, we had some caramel popcorn. Talked to another family just outside the snack bar also from PA, Harrisburg for them. They had come to Disney as a gift to their teenage son...wish we could do that on every child's birthday, but that might be a little pricey!

I'm trying very hard to stay hydrated by constantly filling water bottles anytime I am near a fountain or sink. The water down there is terrible, but it is cold and wet. Will take it!!

Onto the World Showcase. Taste testing is always a plus!!

Mexico was stop #1. Tested their nachos...A++!! We went through the Mexican village

 

and tried out some Mexican instruments and sombreros. Ole'! We took a ride on the gorgeous boat journey. Very relaxing...

Norway, stop #2. First, we hit the fun (and cool boat ride) and then off to the Norwegian Bakery for not 1, not 2, but 3 tastes!! We had Lefse (potato flatbread rolled with sweet cinnamon butter), School Bread (sweet cardamom bun filled with custard & topped w/coconut) and Veiled Maiden (layered whipped cream, applesauce, bread crumbs & cinnamon.)

 

Absolutely amazing!!!!

 

Stop #3, China.

Egg rolls, sweet & sour chicken and rice were our samples of choice. Reiner had some sort of breakdown about the smells in China. Had to take him to the restroom to calm him down, never did find out what was up with him on that one?

Made our way to Africa, but no African food :(

Sample stop #4, Germany. We split a huge caramel apple with nuts. Probably one of the most amazing caramel apples I have ever had!! Waited in Germany for Illuminations to begin. While waiting, heard what sounded like Bon Jovi live! Rushed down to the United States Pavilion to check it out. This has got to be the best tribute to Bon Jovi band I have ever seen! It seriously took me a while to figure out if it was a tribute band or really them...the lead singer looked just like Jon Bon Jovi!! Snapped a few pics just in case...

Illuminations amazed the kids and I was glad to be able to share this spectacular show experience with them :)

Walked back to the car after snapping a few nice pics....worn out and ready for bed!

Day 4 coming soon :)