Christmas Books To Enjoy

 Over the years I've read a few books at Christmas, some that became favourites and others well...not so much.  :)  And since this is my blog I don't have to share those books I didn't enjoy not so much eh?

So I'm going to throw up pictures of books, if they are ones that I read for a review I'll link up the review, if they are just books that I like well.. you'll just get a picture eh?  And perhaps some comments about the book.

Review: The Little Books of Prayers

Sometimes, just sometimes I get a review book in that I am just not sure how to approach.   That was the case recently with this book "The Little Book of Prayers". Many of the prayers in this little book, were great.  Well written, God-based prayers.  There were also some really neat images, of believers who have gone on before, contained in almost every two-page spread.

Herein lies my hesitation.

Week in Review: November 2017

 It has been a while since I've written a weekly write up.   Things get away from me sometimes, and to be honest...this past month has been a bit of a struggle for me, trying to figure out what's going on with my body. 

Anyways, enough of that though... just what have we done recently?

Today that lad made bread completely on his own (other than my finding him a recipe).

Last night we took a trip out to the KW Symphony.  They were hosting a new subscriber night, with a brass band and snacks afterward.  It was a good time, learning the behind the scenes stuff at the Centre in the Square and hearing fun music.  :)   All three of us enjoyed it.

What else, oh...the lad is enjoying his schooling this year.  He's been doing some neat stuff with Innovator's Tribe.   This week he was supposed to make some furniture and he asked is he could make a formacarium instead and my response was "that's ant furniture...sure go ahead".  He did a good job.  :)  I wish I knew how to save a picture of what he did for you all to see.  

He likes, for the most part, The good and beautiful curriculum we've been using for language arts.  It's got a bunch of different components to it that are pleasing him.  
He's not real sure about the art aspect of it, but I like it...and that has to count for something right?   We studied this artist this week, and the lad got to design his dream bedroom which he had a lot of fun with.    Mykola Bodarewsky;.  Anyways, look up this curriculum, it's rather neat and its free if you do your own printing.

Tonight the lad helped me finish a project that's been weighing on my mind but I just couldn't manage to do.  Hubby helped me pick up the wood yesterday and today the lad and I set about building an end to the rabbitry.  It had turned into a wind tunnel with the wood sides and some of my buns were acting a touch stressed so putting an end on solved that issue.  :)   Would have been nice to frame it all out and add a door but well..that wasn't happening...so he worked hard and we got it done.  Hubby came out and offered advise when needed so it was great, just great to have us all working together. 

What else.... oh well... doctor's appointments up the wazoo.
A darling mom in law who helped clean the house so I didn't free frazzled about that.
A sweet mom who came and kept the lad company when I had my MRI.
mmm...hugs from a hubby.
Help from a boy child.
Letters and emails from friends concerned.  Prayers from kith and kin.

I am richly blessed you know... just so richly blessed.  God's goodness shines through!

Anyways, I'll be linking up at Kym's.

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Review: A Runtamuffin Tale

Runtamuffin.... is a cute little chicken that learns quickly that people are it's friends, and that thought carries Runtamuffin throughout her entire life. This fun picture book for children captures life in a barnyard, while teaching important truths to it's readers.

 Imagine you want to give someone a gift unique to them, what would it be?
In Lasse's case....he wanted to be a farmer...the gift, just for him...chickens!  Oh my the girls had fun in making this gift special for him.  You could sense the delight they had in the creating, and their love for him.

Nearer Still Nearer

Near....Close by....Almost......Similar

I have to admit that as I write this piece that I'm feeling downcast in my heart... and I know that much of it is that I'm tired and feeling daunted by the road ahead, feeling like, for now, that all I'll ever feel is nauseated for the rest of my life.  I KNOW I KNOW... an exaggeration I am sure, but for now, that's how I feel.   In reality it will probably be only 4-5 months if I am fortunate.  Maybe a year or so on the outside (going from my quick research).  But right now I don't feel very full of hope.  It's nice that the doc knows what is wrong with me and is working to alleviate some of the symptoms of how this is presenting in my body.  ('cause my body is a bit of an odd duck at the best of times).

Anyways, the word for the week is Near... and that's been playing in the back of my head for the past ...oh.. almost 12 hours now.  :)  

Review: Santa's Magic Key

We have NEVER done Santa in this house, I didn't grow up with Santa in my formative years and always thought it was a bit silly to believe in him, or to encourage children to do so. I deliberately chose to exclude Santa from stories with the lad when he was little as I remember my mom saying "don't lie on purpose to your children, if they do, they just might wonder what else you are lying to them about."

That said, every once in a while though I run into a Santa based Christmas Story that I just enjoy, and that I then share with my lad, and when we are done I ask him "what do you think the truth is in that story?" Today I want to tell you about Santa's Magic Key.  This is honestly, just a lovely book.  :)   I am looking forward to, when this review is over, putting it in the Christmas box for the local gifts for the needy.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: A Tale of Two Sisters

 ³⁸ Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:38-42)

Art Book: Duct Tape Engineer

I know you have already gotten a bit of a preview of the fact that my boy likes to build with duct tape. I KNOW I have shown you pictures of his knight's outfit.  He is my duct tape engineer!   So when the chance came to review "Duct Tape Engineer" I thought WOW...this is a book made for me and my lad.

The Duct Tape Engineer: The Book of Big, Bigger and Epic Duct Tape Projects is filled with things that the lad and I want to build, even dad poked his head in and said "neat idea".  We haven't, at this point, actually built any of the items in the book to their full size, but we did build some mini versions of them.  :)

Review: The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs

Who doesn't like dinosaurs, those magnificent creatures that once roamed the earth?   Don't they just fill your mind with questions, letting your imagination source as you ponder how something so large once covered our planet?  The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Creatures is a superb book about... well obviously.. Dinosaurs.  If you have a child interested in dinosaurs, this book will hit the spot.

 Rudolph Farkas does a great job as he uses a two page spread to bring each dinosaur to life.  From the mighty T-rex to the middlin Velociraptor and the unusual utahraptor.  Each dinosaur is shown in colour, and feathering or furring.

Tabs Open in My Browser

So, you know how it's so easy to have all kinds of tabs open in your browser?  Well, I've got a few to share with you today.

Hymn Study: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

 This was a hymn sung in church this morning I thought I'd share with you. :)

Lyrics

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

The "familiars" of my life

Familiar

I'm reading a book right now where two of the characters in it have "bond" animals.  These animals helped them do their jobs and were an intregal part of their lives.  They brought comfort and companionship.  A familiar part of their lives if you will.  :)

So when I looked at the word familiar I thought hmm...that would be a different take on this word wouldn't it?   To talk about "familiars"...those animals that are a distinct part of our lives.  You can think of them in witchy terms, or on fantasy terms, or you can think like I do.  Animals that are part of our lives that make a difference to how we live. 

Review: The Big Earth Book

You know what?  I love Lonely Planet Kids books.  I find them to be well made and very interesting.  The Big Earth Book is no different. You are invited to discover how earth, air, fire and water shaped the world that we live ... take a tour to discover the past, the present and the future of our world. 

Writing ... is it your Identity?

On Being a Writer asks me this question:
What is my identity?   Do I identify myself as a writer?

I have to admit, I find that a hard question to answer.  

Review: Writing Radar

I freely admit that I have not read this book.  I have read bits and pieces of it, but predominately this was read by my 12 year.  He'll be giving a report on it later in this post.  I'll be giving the factual details about it like chapters, length, interesting features etc.

That Mad, Monkish Architect!

This is Gaudi  is a book I reviewed about Antoni Gaudi, people either loved him or hated him, and in this tome we learn why.  :)  Author Mollie Claypool walks us through his life, his formation of ideas, and the work that he did. 

I found it a bit different that this biography had no table of contents, it dove right into telling us about Gaudi, and continued to just walk us through his life.

Think of the Weaker, Part two

I started this passage yesterday, and so want to continue looking at it.  Romans 15:1-7

 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³ For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” ⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵ May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶ that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Review: I'm Not a Scaredy-Cat

I have loved the writing of Max Lucado for a very long time now.  At one point I had all his books, but alas, I can't keep up.  :)   I admittedly was somewhat skeptical when he branched out into picture books, but have found them all to be very lovely.  Therefore, when given an opportunity to review "I'm Not A Scaredy-Cat" I lept at the chance.

Blue Ribbon Winners 2017

It's that time of the year again, time to vote for this years best review products from the Homeschool Review Crew.

Think of the Weaker

Did you know that being sick sucks!   Means you get terribly behind on things... including things like doing devotions.  I've been starting to feel a bit away from the Lord and realized I really need to get back to spending time with the Lord.

So getting back to Romans, today it's chapter 15:1-7.