Last week, Kayla and I had a great day shopping at the mall and having lunch afterwards. She is one of my favorite people to shop with, and we always make sure to visit the local Starbucks so she can grab her new favorite drink, the Caramel Frappucino and I can get my Peppermint Mocha coffee. Because we live 20 minutes away from the nearest Starbucks, she decided that she would try to recreate this drink so that she can have it at anytime instead of having to wait until we go shopping.
I have to say that she definitely did a fantastic job recreating the Starbucks Caramel Frappucino. It turned out to be a great Copycat Recipe!
- 1¾ cups crushed iced
- ¾ cup of really strong coffee mixed with ½ cup of milk
- ¾ cup your choice of milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons of caramel syrup (like what is used for ice cream)
- whipped cream
- Caramel syrup for drizzling
- Blend all the ingredients except the whipped cream and the caramel syrup for drizzling in a blender for 30-45 seconds.
- Pour into a tall glass and top off with whipped cream and garnish with Caramel Syrup. Best served with a straw. Enjoy!
If you prefer Chocolate syrup, the just sub that out where the caramel is mentioned.
**Disclaimer: This is not Starbuck’s actual recipe. I truly wish I had it, but I don’t 
This is my daughter’s own version copycat clone frappuccino recipe. It tastes just as good if not better than the actual recipe!
What is your favorite Coffee beverage?
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
I cannot tell you how many times since I have been a Christian that I have felt like life just kept beating me down. Some days, all I wanted to do was pull the covers back over my head and just stay in bed. However, God, in His loving Fatherly way, would not allow me to do such a thing. He would gently nudge my heart and whisper to me to rise above what what trying to knock me down — to trust Him to lead me through it.
I’m not gonna lie — those were some of the hardest days of my life. BUT, once I came through that time in my life, on the other side, I shined like a diamond. The fire that I went through pretty much helped shaped me into the person I am now.
In her newest book, Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down, Sheryl Giesbrecht shares exactly how to do just that — trust God through the rough times in your life.
About the book:
Life is not always easy or fair for the follower of Christ. Yet, Sheryl Giesbrecht has learned, from the depths of past pain, it is possible to be raised up. It is possible to heal. Most importantly, it is possible to exchange hurt for hope. In her inspirational new book, Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down, Sheryl tells her own story. She uses scripture to tell the stories of so many other Biblical figures who stumbled before they could be helped up. Sheryl’s message is one of hope. Trusting God in the midst of a life turned upside down is essential to survival. Without Him, life would not be worth living. Climbing out of the pits of despair would be impossible. Yes, with God to lean on, finding hope is possible. Healing is possible. God is capable of taking our losses and mistakes and turning them into something remarkably beautiful. Won’t you let Him?
Jen’s Thoughts:
I love books where authors write with authority from personal experience, and Get Back Up is that kind of book. I love how Sheryl shares her own personal rebellion story and how God won her heart over.
I also love how the book has study questions after each chapter. This makes it easy to use for a Bible study or book study group. Sheryl’s book offers not only hope, but also practical strategies for becoming victorious.
About the author:
“Exchanging hurt for hope” is Sheryl Giesbrecht’s focus. She loves to share how God rearranges loss, bitterness, and mistakes, and turns them into something remarkably beautiful.
Yesterday, I shared a yummy recipe for Cinnamon and Sugar Tortilla Chips that I served with Strawberry Salsa.
The thing that I love about the word salsa is that you can basically mix anything with onions and peppers and dice it up fine, serve it with chips and it becomes a salsa.
This salsa is a sweeter variety salsa. However, once you mix in the balsamic and the salt and pepper, you get a little savory with sweet and the flavors just POP in your mouth.
It’s very easy to make and HEALTHY for you, so you won’t feel bad if you eat the whole entire bowl (which me and my daughter did yesterday so it never made it to ladies movie night out last night).
Here’s the recipe! Hope you enjoy.
Strawberry Salsa
- 1 pint of strawberries, sliced
- ½ cup green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons jalapeno pepper, seeded
- and minced
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
- 1 whole lime, juiced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Place the strawberries, green onions, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, and lime zest into a mixing bowl. Stir in the lime juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to serve.
This recipe is really versatile and can be played with to change the flavors around.
What is your favorite type of salsa?
This past week God has really been doing a number on all my “perfections” that I think I need to have in my life. My blog, my writing, my cooking, my home, how I school my daughter, my relationship with my husband — everything in my eyes has to be “just so so” in order for me to feel complete. However, little by little, God is removing this perfect look in my eyes and is replacing it with a look of what being real looks like.
The thing that I have come to realize is this — I don’t really care how people see me, as long as they know that I am real.
Yes — I am a wife, a mother, a writer, a blogger — but more than that, I am a person and what I want more than anything is for people to know that who I am and what I do is real.
The stories that I share here are about my life — real things that happen to me. It may not be perfect — the way I share it may not be perfect — but the feeling you walk away with — that will be real.
The stories about my marriage are real.
When I fail as a mother and share that — those stories are real.
When I screw up and find forgiveness — I want to be truthful and real.
Here is the thing we need to understand as bloggers and as women — ladies need to know that our lives are not perfect. I never want someone to think that I have it all together, because I don’t. There are days that I have had a complete and total meltdown on my family. I am not proud to say that, but if I can share my story with someone else and it helps them in some way, then it was all worth it.
What about you? Do you suffer from trying to be perfect? How do you handle it?
Water is essential to life and the average person can’t live more than three days without it. Most people in the US have water piped into their homes either from a municipal system or a well, which is treated and sanitized. But each year people have growing concerns about just how clean or water really is, and many are filtering their water for extra security.
You can find water filtration pitchers and faucet-mount systems in the water section of most major grocery stores. And while these systems work well, there are several reasons why a whole house water system might be a better option.
Accessibility:
The pitcher and faucet-mount systems are only accessible in one area of your home, like your kitchen. Since most people only think of filtered water in terms of drinking water safety, or how the water might affect the flavor of their recipes and beverages, this might not seem like a big deal.
But water filtration systems do more than just filter the stuff that might make us sick, or make our water taste bad, they also filter sediments and rust that can stain fixtures and clothing.
A whole house system makes filtered water available anywhere that you have a faucet, which means you can use it for bathing, brushing your teeth, and laundry. You can also run filtered water through your refrigerator water and ice dispenser.
Protect Your Fixtures:
Because whole home systems filter rust sediments, you actually protect your fixtures and hardware from water-related wear and tear. You’ll have fewer rust stains on your porcelain finishes, and less hard-water deposits on your faucets, or clogging your shower heads.
Ease of Installation:
Whole house systems install easily on your house water line, which means you don’t have to take apart the faucet, find washers that fit, or worry leaks around the fittings. A technician can install the system, and have you up in running in less than an hour.
Ease of Use:
Simply turn the faucet and you have filtered water – no need to fill a pitcher or flip a switch.
High Capacity:
The filters for whole house systems are more expensive than the faucet mount or pitcher systems, but they also have a much higher capacity. This means you can run more water through the filter before you have to replace it, which ultimately saves you money.
Whole house filters are usually available at home improvement stores, or in the hardware/home improvement section of some department stores. You can also purchase them directly from the manufacturer.
You can purchase whole house water systems at home improvement stores, and places that specialize in plumbing supplies and fixtures. You can also contact a plumber or heating and cooling company that specializes in water filtration systems. Although it is possible for a lay person to install one of these systems himself, a professional installation will ensure the best results.
If you are concerned about your family’s health, or simply want better quality water, consider a whole house water system!
I always love seeing those “Got Milk” ads. Some of my favorite have been Guy Fieri, Hugh Jackman, Susan Sarrandon, Harrison Ford, and Christie Brinkley. But now? Oh yeah — those two adorable monsters beat them all. Check out Mike and Sulley’s new Got Milk ad.
Connect with the Milk Mustache community for tips, tools and activities including tasty morning recipes for all the little “monsters” in your family.
Facebook: /MilkMustache
Twitter: @MilkMustache
Instagram: @MilkMustachePinterest: /MyMilkMustacheWebsite: TheBreakfastProject.com
About Monsters University
Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right.
Screaming with laughter and oozing with heart, Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”), produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and features music from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning composer Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story 3”).
“Like” MONSTERS UNIVERSITY on Facebook: http://facebook.com/
“Follow” Disney/Pixar on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/
Visit the website: http://www.Disney.com/
MONSTERS UNIVERSITY releases in theaters on June 21st!
Today is the reveal day for May’s Improv Challenge hosted by Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker. This month we are creating food with Cinnamon and Sugar. How fun is that?
For this recipe, I of course had to make something that I knew would go over very well in my home — Cinnamon and Sugar Tortilla Chips.
We have made these before and served them with Kiwi Salsa, but this time I am making them and taking them to a girls movie night! I’ll be serving this with a strawberry salsa (which I will have the recipe for you tomorrow)!
This is totally girlie food right here!
Here is the recipe on how to make these very easy and delicious snack chips!
Cinnamon and Sugar Tortilla Chips
- 4 flour tortillas
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- Heat oven to 400 degrees.
- Slice the tortillas into quarters.
- Brush both sides of tortilla with melted butter.
- Sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
- Bake for 12 minutes, turning tortillas once.
- Let cool and break into chips.
Be sure to check out what all the other fabulous bloggers have baked up for this challenge. I wonder if we will see any savory dishes?
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CB2 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
I love the HGTV shows that help you spruce up your home on a small budget. Those fabulous designers can take a plain room and make it pop with just one color piece.
The CB2 family is excited to partner on their latest furniture collection with husband-and-wife design duo Robert and Cortney Novogratz. This design team offers bold, colorful style as seen on their popular TV home design shows. Their eye is playful, their mix of modern with vintage is fresh and unpredictable.
Their latest CB2 and Novogratz Collection debuted at the beginning of this month and was inspired by their vacation home in Brazil. It features pops of hot color mixed into warm wood, as well as range of items and price points, from the whimsical Luli Table Lamp at $129, to the sophisticated, modern Dupla Credenza at $499.
I love how each piece is full of vibrant color. I could imagine a piece like this in a solid white painted room or a room that has tan walls. This chair could definitely give an amazing blast of color into a rather drab or dull room.
Enter the CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes
You and 3 friends could win the trip of a lifetime! Win a one week stay at the vacation home of CB2 collaborators Bob and Courtney Novogratz in beautiful Trancoso, Brazil. You can enter the CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes by visiting their Facebook page.
10 other lucky winners will receive a CB2 giftcard worth $100 along with a personally signed copy of the book “Home by Novogratz”.
This giveaway ends June 3rd, so be sure and visit to get your entry in. Follow CB2 on their social media channels for more updates on the Brasil trip of a lifetime
-Twitter: @CB2Tweets
-Pinterest: CB2
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cb2
I was provided a review copy by Barbour Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions listed are my own.
This brand-new resource from the Church Health Center in Memphis—the largest faith-based clinic of its kind—provides 200 delicious, healthful recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time. Part of the exciting 40 Days to Better Living series—featuring practical and encouraging guidance in many areas of health and wellness—this beautiful, full-color cookbook is a joy to use. And readers will feel good that the meals they prepare are medically appropriate dishes proven in the Church Health Center test kitchen. With nutritional analyses, cost guides, and other bonuses—like mealtime blessings—The 40 Days to Better Living Cookbook belongs on every kitchen counter!
Jen’s Thoughts
Since I have been working hard to make a lifestyle change in the way I eat, I have been trying to find cookbooks that will help me do that. Not ones that are full of recipes that I will NEVER eat, but ones that have real food for a real person like me.
This cookbook, The 40 Days to Better Living Cookbook: Your Easy-to-Use Guide to Delicious, Healthful Meals
We all know that losing weight is hard and that sometimes eating healthy can be expensive so one of the things I liked about this cookbook is each recipe came with a $ to $$$ to show you how expensive it could be to gather the ingredients. It also gave a * on the recipes that you could make and freeze for up to three months.
I can’t wait to dig in further and make more recipes from this delicious cookbook!
What is the best cookbook you have ever gotten?
Thanks to Bertolli for sending me a sample bottle of Bertolli Lighter Tasting Olive Oil in exchange for writing my review. All opinions listed are my own.
While I was in Cleveland a couple of weeks ago, we got to eat dinner at a 5 star restaurant complete with a delicious 5 course menu. It was heaven on earth I tell you!
My favorite dish of the night was not anything on the menu (although that duck and brie roll came really close), but it was the delicious olive oil dipping sauce at the table served with bread that was my favorite of the night.
There is just something about a really good pressed olive oil mixed with herbs that bring together a great piece of bread. We sprinkled salt flakes into ours and dipped all night. My taste buds were in pure heaven.
I decided that when I got home after that trip, that I was going to work myself to the bone to recreate that same olive oil dipping sauce for my own bread.
- ¼ cup Bertolli® Extra Light™ Tasting Olive Oil
- 5 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- Pour olive oil onto plate that has a rim or a very shallow bowl.
- Use a garlic press to press the garlic cloves into the oil.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the oil and garlic. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and oregano. Season with black pepper.
- Mix with a fork to combine all flavors together.
- Leave out at room temperature and serve with all kinds of artisan breads.
About Bertolli Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil
Bertolli® Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil is ideal for searing, baking, sautéing and frying. The clear color and hint-of-olive taste make their’s the lightest olive oil and a most suitable substitute for butter, canola oil, shortening and other vegetable oils. Plus, the high smoke point means it’s great for all types of high-heat cooking.
Right now, you can get a $1.00 coupon to use at BJ’s Wholesale on the purchase of Bertolli® Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil. BJ’s Wholesale is a great place to shop for any of the Bertolli® olive oil line.
Check out Chef Fabio!
Chef Fabio Viviani, Top Chef fan favorite and author of Fabio’s Italian Kitchen is a huge fan of Bertolli® Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil and has created a lot of videos and yummy recipes for the Spring and Summer months that highlights this lighter tasting olive oil. In this video, he shares how to put together a delicious and yummy meat and cheese platter.
Be sure to visit this page here for more recipes and videos from Chef Fabio.
What kind of recipe would you create using the lighter tasting Bertolli olive oil?
Thanks to Litfuse for providing me an electronic copy of this book. All opinions listed here are my own.
Becky Wade is celebrating her latest swoon-worthy novel, Undeniably Yours (Bethany House), with a Kindle Fire giveaway and hosting an Author Chat party on Facebook {5/29}!
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- Undeniably Yours and My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 28th. Winner will be announced at the “Undeniably Yours” Facebook Author Chat Party on May 29th. Connect with Becky for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Becky will also share an exclusive look at her next book and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!
About the book:
When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of his empire. The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s Thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.
Bo knows he ought to resent the woman who’s determined to take from him the only job he ever wanted. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them and earn her love.
Just when Meg realizes she can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Bo, their fragile bond is broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their relationship–and their belief that God can work through every circumstance–survive?
Jen’s Thoughts
I love these novels that are set in today’s times. The author’s heroes love their heroines with such a fierce love. I mean its real love that isn’t flaky and doesn’t change with the wind. I love that in a romance novel.
I liked the overall theme of forgiveness and not only trusting God, but learning how to trust people again after encountering people who have bent over backwards to hurt you.
Bo is an amazing hero, and I love the role that he was given in this novel. He is very worthy. I also love how he just shows up in Meg’s life. Meg struggles with many issues, but learns to trust God and follow his leading in her life. The story includes a bit of suspense, which always makes a book more interesting for me. The description of Meg and Bo’s relationship was great! I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys inspirational romance.
About the author:
Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas. Visit her website at www.beckywade.com.
I can’t believe it’s only been 5 months since I got my braces on. My teeth have moved SO much. The @damonbraces that I have on are definitely worth every penny. People ask me all the time — WOW — your teeth are moving in place SO fast. What kind of braces do you have on?
It’s then that I am happy to share my secret
I can’t wait to see what the next 6 months hold!
I cannot believe that next week ends my son’s high school years. He will be graduating and moving on with his adult life. I honestly cannot believe we made it all the way through high school.
I promised myself that when we started this journey that I would see it through all the way. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would actually make it.
We started this journey in 6th grade, and while times have been tough and I have wanted to pull my hair out (especially when we were doing Math), I can say that I would not trade it for anything in the world.
Because we are finishing school, it’s time for a graduation celebration. Not sure how to put one of those on for your graduating homeschooler? Here are some tips that I have done to prepare for my son’s graduation party!
- Get a list of all of his closest friends: You will definitely want to invite all of his closest friends to his graduation party. Make a list of them now and start calling all of them.
- Set the date and time: Make sure to choose a date that is not a conflict with your teen. Be sure to check with jobs, social life, etc. Nothing would damper a party more than to have your teen be busy the night you plan his party.
- Cook his favorite foods: This party is all about him or her so be sure to make their favorite foods.
- Create a story board of their life: This is always my favorite things to put together. Kayla and I are working on Robert’s this week that will include tons of pics of him growing up. I know I am seriously gonna cry — I hope not.
Robert and some of his closest friends.
- Graduation Diploma: Present your teen with their very own diploma. You can go as fancy as you want or as simple. I looked online and found some for around $50, but settled on one for around $15 that looked as amazing as the other one.
- Graduation video: Choose their favorite song and put together a graduation video.
- Fun, Fun, Fun: Plan for an evening of fun — basketball, the movies, bowling — whatever seems fun to your graduate — go for it!
Those are my tips for planning a very fun graduation party for your teen. What tips do you have for graduation?
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Missouri Department of Tourism for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
I have always heard that Missouri is a great place to go and visit. Our family has this wonderful state on our radar this year for the family vacation, so I have been working hard to create our itenerary of all the amazing places we will want to see when we get there. Missouri sounds exactly like what our family needs and here are 3 reasons why I want to go.
- The outdoors: I have heard that the outdoors in Missouri is breathtaking, so I definitely want to experience that. There are 51 state parks all across Missouri so I am sure I can find somewhere outdoorsy to go to. In fact, there is a 225-mile Katy Trail (America’s longest rail-to-trail hiking/biking trail), along with hunting and fishing, ziplines for my son, and the Lake of the Ozarks has more miles of shoreline than the entire state of California. (Surprising, right?).
- A Great Family Destination: Missouri is home to many great zoos which my kids love, so I know that we would be visiting a ton of those. Both my son and daughter love waterparks and Missouri has 3 major ones. Missouri is also a great place for a homeschooling family because it is filled with museums and tons of history such as Mark Twain’s home and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home.
- Honeymoon destination: My hubby and I have never had a honeymoon, but I have heard some good things about Missouri being a great place to get away for some adult time. Filled with lots of great adult themed shows and fun, or you can just relax at a quiet bed and breakfast.
If I could Visit Missouri today here is what I would do….
If I could visit Missouri for 4 days, here is a few places that I would take my family.
- Definitely have to visit Branson Missouri for all the shopping and musuems
- Civil war battlefield for my son who absolutely LOVES that time period (plus it’s great for homeschooling as well)
- I want to drive down Route 66 — that has always been on my bucket list!
- I would have to take a stop at the Candy House Chocolate Factory for my daughter who loves chocolate.
- I want to see Silver Dollar City.
There are definitely a ton of things to see and do in Missouri and I want my family to experience the culture there. Be sure to like VisitMO on Facebook and to follow VisitMO on Twitter to keep up with all the exciting information about this hidden family destination.
Where would you go if you were visiting Missouri?
Thanks to Revell Books for sending me an electronic copy to review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I am not a big a couponer as some of my friends, but I do love the thrill of saving a buck or two at the grocery store. That is why, when I was asked to review Couponing for the Rest of Us: The Not-So-Extreme Guide to Saving More
About the book
Shop savvy, save money, and still have a life!
Kasey Knight Trenum knows what it’s like firsthand. When her family’s finances were in a tailspin, she gritted her teeth and gave in to the need to save. In Couponing for the Rest of Us she shows you how she learned to save hundreds of dollars every month and offers time-saving tips and tricks you can easily implement in your busy life. You’ll discover
· where to find coupons for what your family eats
· how to reinvent your shopping strategy
· how to make grocery shopping less stressful-even fun!
· and much more
If you want to save money and time, this book is a gold mine.
Jen’s Thoughts
This book has truly changed my home life and my family. It has taught me so many different ways and places where I can save money in our grocery budget. THANK GOD — because our grocery budget was getting a little out of hand. One of the best parts of this book is Kasey teaches how everyone can use what she has learned and turn it into a ministry of giving to others.
I love that this book does not try to make couponing out to be this “EXTREME” way that you have to live, but teaches you how to use them in moderation.
This book is a definite need for every family.
About the author
Kasey Knight Trenum hosts Time 2 $ave / Time 2 Give, a frugal and couponing blog (www.time2saveworkshops.com), and conducts Time 2 $ave workshops frequently. Her weekly column can be read in Scripps newspapers nationwide, her work has been featured in…
Continue reading about Kasey Knight Trenum
Thanks to Litfuse for providing me with an electronic copy of this book to review. All opinions listed are my own.
Deeanne Gist is celebrating the release of It Happened at the Fair with an iPad Mini Giveaway and a Live Author Chat Webcast event {5/22}!
One “fair” winner will receive:
- An iPad Mini
- A $25 iTunes gift card
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 21st. Winner will be announced at the “It Happened at the Fair” Live Webcast Event on May 22nd. Connect with Deeanne for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deeanne will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.
So grab your copy of It Happened at the Fair and join Deeanne and friends on the evening of May 22nd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 22nd!
About the book:
A transporting historical novel about a promising young inventor, his struggle with loss, and the attractive teacher who changes his life, all set against the razzle-dazzle of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
Gambling everything, including the family farm, Cullen McNamara travels to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair with his most recent invention. But the noise in the Fair’s Machinery Palace makes it impossible to communicate with potential buyers. In an act of desperation, he hires Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading.
The young teacher is reluctant to participate, and Cullen has trouble keeping his mind on his lessons while intently watching her lips. Like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, he is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor, and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground, or will he be carried away?
Jen’s Thoughts
It Happened at the Fair is a fascinating historical romance and Deeanne Gist does a wonderful job incorporating fact with fiction. I appreciated the pictures from the actual event that were included at the beginning of most chapters. These pictures really show the reader the magnitude of the fair and how great the challenges were during that time period.
This story will put you through a cycle of emotions from forgiveness, to grief and deception throughout it. It Happened at the Fair was a wonderful read.
About the Author
Deeanne Gist—known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee—has rocketed up bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very fun, very original historicals. She has received numerous RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, and rave reviews. Deeanne has a background in education and journalism and a degree from Texas A&M. She has written for “People,” “Parents,” and “Parenting.” She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and has four grown children. She has a very active online community on her website at IWantHerBook.com.
I was given an electronic copy of this book in order to write this review. All opinions listed are my own.
About the book:
She’s come home to put a killer behind bars.
But the killer plans to put her six feet under.
Investigative reporter Jillian Carter knows it’s time to put the past to rest. She’s tired of looking over her shoulder, letting a killer go free. She’s no longer the scared kid who changed her name and disappeared. Now, no matter what the cost, Jillian must do what she is trained to do-find the truth and expose it. And the truth is that Senator Frank Hoffman committed murder ten years ago-and Jillian watched it happen.
Didn’t she?
Get ready for the spine-tingling, nail-biting conclusion to this explosive series.
Jen’s Thoughts
Lynnette Eason is one of my absolute favorite authors. She really knows how to write a suspense novel and draw you in. Everytime I read one of her books, she leaves me wanting more — and I am on the edge of my seat with spine tingles as I turn each page.
I loved the romance story in When a Secret Kills. It was sweet and realistic. I liked how the couple already knew each other and had been in love, but circumstances separated them, so it wasn’t an “instant” romance.
While this book is the third in a series it is also a book that can stand alone without having read the first in the two series.
This will be a book you will definitely want to read.
About the author
Lynette Eason is the author of several romantic suspense novels, including Too Close to Home, Don’t Look Back, A Killer Among Us, and When the Smoke Clears. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers…
Continue reading about Lynette Eason
My kids are almost grown now. That makes me want to cry just thinking about it. Robert is 18 and Kayla is 15. It just seems like yesterday that they were these little tiny beings that needed me more than anything else.
Now — here they are grown up, almost ready to take on the world. It makes me wonder sometimes, did I do enough as a parent?
I remember them being so little, riding around the driveway on their kick scooter. I remember laying in the leaves laughing hysterically at something they said. I remember sitting for hours on the couch reading books together.
But did I teach them enough to live in a world that’s not so nice sometimes?
I truly believe that my husband and I have prepared them to the best of our ability to live in a world and be successful. We have taught them about life, love, and the value of a person, but most importantly, we have taught them about God and His love for this world. Only time will tell if our teachings took root.
One thing I do know is this — we taught them well about the value of people versus the value of things and my momma heart gets blessed everytime I watch something unfold that causes them to place people first.
What about you? Do you feel like as a parent you have done enough?
Okay– I am totally excited because I am getting my design this month. In fact, it should be any day now that it will be going up on the site. Because of my new design, I decided to give away a $100 Visa Gift Card!
It’s really easy to enter — just use the Rafflecopter below to enter.
I will be leaving this giveaway open for the entire month of May!
I decided to really be a blessing this year and do lots of giveaways on my own — cash giveaways — because you guys are super great. I love each and every one of you and YOU are the reason that I keep this site going.
I love sharing my stories with you, my recipes, and more It’s been a long 6 years, but I would not change it for anything in the world. So — go enter and good luck!
I hope you win Don’t worry if you don’t — there is always more where that came from!
Who’s excited about Monsters University that comes out next month? I know I am? If you have any little ones at home, check out the free printables to go along with the movie.
Simply click on each photo to download the pdf for your little monster. Hope they enjoy the fun.
“Like” MONSTERS UNIVERSITY on Facebook: http://facebook.com/PixarMonstersUniversity
“Follow” Disney/Pixar on Twitter: @DisneyPixar
Visit the website: http://www.Disney.com/MonstersU
MONSTERS UNIVERSITY comes to theaters on June 21st!
Note: No compensation was received for sharing these kid-friendly activity sheets from Disney/Pixar.
Hi! I am Jen--a wife to the most amazing man ever and a homeschool mom to one teenager. I just graduated my oldest.
I have been blogging since 2007. I love to watch movies, spend time in the kitchen, crochet, dance, drink coffee, and lay on the beach. Between recipes, reviews, and hilarious life story moments you'll find many helpful posts on this blog. Welcome, pull up a chair and stay for a while!
Can I cry now? Has it really been 12 years of school? #homeschooling #graduate #2013 http://t.co/B0zdHTmE0R - jennifer_sikora- Getting ready to watch one of my favorite people graduate. I will not cry. I will not cry. Oh...who… http://t.co/qPHZjJXkGf - jennifer_sikora
- @WritingPadDad thanks for following! - jennifer_sikora
@jennifer_sikora I'm excited to spend it with the people I love:) see you tonight - BabyBoozle13- @darleneschacht I love those photos that you make Darlene! - jennifer_sikora
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