Lent

The Common English Bible - Lenten Readings

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Growing up as a non-denominational christian we didn't observe Lent. But over the last few years we have done more heart preparation for Easter, which is what Lent is all about.

My mom posted this link on her FB wall, about giving away 40 bags in 40 days. I love it! The girls and I will be going through our home over the next 40 days giving away 40 bags of items to donate.

Here you can find free Lent activities for the family, dated 2009, but easily adapted to current dates.

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iCal continued

The orange lines are/will be yearly chores and holiday prep. I will work on the Holiday plan later. I use the 12 Week Holiday plan on paper, and it may work best that way, but I'm going to see what I can do with it in my calendar program.

using iCal

I realize this screen shots of my ical screen aren't very good, but I hope it will give you an idea about what I'm writing about.

Sheri Graham has really inspired me to actually do some of the things I've been meaning to do but never got around to doing!

I've wanted for years to utilize the iCal program on the computer for daily routines, menu plans, cleaning chores, coordinating family schedules and the like. Well that's what I started this morning!

The purple is the daily menu plan. I've always planned menus, but this past year I've changed my planning process. I plan meals around what's on sale & what's in my pantry. To do this long range planning I need a more open concept instead of fixed meals for each day of the month. In order for me to take advantage of my pantry/stockpile and sales, my plan is like this Sunday-Feast-Roast/Ham; Monday-Leftovers; Tuesday-Mexican; Wednesday-Pasta; Thursday- Casserole/Crock-pot;

Friday-Pizza; Saturday-Cook's Choice. Monday and Saturday can easily be flipped around.

The red line is the monthly cleaning focus for each week- wk 1-Kitchen, wk 2-Living Room, wk 3-Bedrooms, wk 4- Baths/Halls

The blue lines are the daily chores.

The green is the daily routine (if I could just get the family on board!)

Not totally convinced that I should do school assignments on the ical. It is so quick and easy to use my index card method, and easier to change around when needed.

Truth and Dare: Book Review

Truth and Dare: One Year of Dynamic Devotions for Girls, by Ann Margret Hovsepian is a wonderful devotion for young girls

The cover is enticing for the age group, making them want to open it and see what is inside. The daily reading and message are short, plus a journaling portion, then there is the "dare" part of each lesson. A triple dare each day to further explore God's Word and put God's Word in action in your everyday life in fun and creative ways.

My 10 year old daughter loves this book! She said after the first day that "it make me want to read ahead and do more". She does these devotion lessons without me having to tell her. She has really enjoyed completing the "dares".

I wish the cover didn't say "for ages 9-12" because my 16 year old was very interested in it. I'd love to see something similar for older girls.

Ann-Margret Hovsepian authored The One Year Designer Genes Devo and served as senior editor and lead author for Blossom. She is a Canadian author and speaker who has written over two hundred articles and regularly speaks at writers’ conferences, mission conferences, and women’s events. She is actively involved on the board of Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec.

Thanks so much to B and B Media Group for sending me this book for my review.

Christmas Ideas from Christmas past.

Past posts for Christmas ideas when I participated in the Online Christmas Party.

Online Christmas Party - all of my posts

The Ongoing, Never ending Online Christmas Party!

2007

2008

2009

Book Review

I really enjoyed A Place to Belong: Out of Our Comfort Zone and Into God's Adventure, by Lisa Troyer. As a woman who has few friends this book felt like a friend to me. As I was reading it I did feel accepted, affirmed, called to accountability and action. I’ve said for years that true fellowship can only happen where there is true transparency. I feel this is were the church is lacking today. I feel people want to be accepted so much that they fear the judgment of others so they live a pretend life to have the illusion of acceptance. Once we as a church STOP comparing ones walk with another, and actually offer encouragement and support, instead of gossip and withdrawal, we will see true fellowship and church growth.

Wallowing in the past doesn’t help anyone, it certainly doesn’t make one more “holy”. God is gracious to forgive, heal and forget, and we need to do the same. Once you have the Lord’s forgiveness, thank Him for it and move on. Stop dragging the dead with you.

I received this book from B&B MEdia group in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review

Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart looked promising. I thought the concept had the makings of a good story. I was left disappointed. The jumping from character to character made a hard read. Just when I really got into the story line of a character and thought I was getting somewhere, the author would switch characters. I really didn’t enjoy the backstory of South Carolina, seemed sort of irrelevant to the story for me. This book doesn’t make me want to search out more from this author.

I received this book from B&B MEdia group in exchange for my honest review.

Cyber Monday!

Black Friday books are still available until midnight.

New books listed for Cyber Monday! Don't miss these great titles!

Don't forget to check out the November Customer Specials to save even more!

Black Friday Sale!

A book is a gift that will be opened again and again! Who is on your shopping list this year? Shop the Black Friday is Book Friday Sale this weekend and fill your cart with Usborne and Kane Miller favorites for less.

Why give books as gifts?

Books can take you places (for a minimal investment), give you memories that will last for a lifetime and provide hours of surprise, escape and discovery.

Visit our Black Friday is Book Friday Sale website first thing Friday morning (sale starts at midnight). There are limited quantities of many of the titles, you won't want to miss it.

Usborne and Kane Miller favorites, such as One Night in the Zoo, Wind-up Pirate Ship, Conspiracy 365: January, Hannah's Winter and See Inside Space are just a few of the titles that will be available at amazing discounts. Additional titles will be added for Cyber Monday specials!

And, a little something for you . . .

. . . when you spend $60 or more (before tax and shipping), you'll receive our Exclusive Usborne Books & More eco-tote FREE! Sturdy, reusable bag measures 12.625"(W) x 13"(H) x 8.75"(G).

Black Friday is Book Friday Sale starts on Friday, November 25 at 12 a.m. and runs through Monday, November 28th at midnight.

Christmas School

Time to start planning your Christmas School this year!

Check out my posts about Christmas School in our home for ideas and links to great Christmas units studies, advent studies, notebooking and lapbooking freebies.

Hospitality Planner

Plan your holiday gatherings, from theme to dessert all on one page.

Click to download-Hospitality Sheet

My Cup Overflows

I am thankful that I am justified by faith.

Romans 5:1 THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). ~Amplified Bible

3 simple lapbook elements for a thankful lapbook

My Cup Overflows

I am thankful of the fruit I see developing in my family.

My Cup Overflows

I am thankful for my helpful daughters. They are a joy and a blessing daily.

Weekly Menu

Roasted chicken

Hamburger Helper

Pasta

Pork chops

Pizza

My Cup Overflows

I am thankful the abundance of food my family is blessed with.

My Cup Overflows

I am thankful that my family gathered around me

to celebrate my birthday!

Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my birthday! My mom and gramma came over yesterday with supper and lemon cream pie! mmm-mmm. Today after church I opened my gifts from my family and Lindy took us out to Olive Garden for supper. It was a good day.

My Cup Overflows

I am thankful that my brother is cancer free!

My Cup Overflows

I am thankful for the blessing of my friends.

They encourage me, inspire me, & teach me.