Beauty in today 1/24/16

I love winter and walking in the woods in winter after a snow makes me happy. Tim and I stopped by the Withrow Nature Preserve after church.

He's My Strength

Isaiah 40:28-29
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Riding up 71, I noticed a weathered lighthouse statue. The once new white yard ornament had withstood storms, the sun beating down, wind, and snow. Yet it stood in the yard and still shined as a lighthouse should. I found beauty in the weathering.

As a wife, mom, grandma, and coworker I've been around awhile and feel weathered at times. Stress in life wears me down. But I have God who lifts me up. He increases my strength and I depend on him to give me energy to keep moving. I love that I have the power of the Creator who lifts me up. Praise God for his strength.

Beauty in Today 1/20/16

Snow-again!

Snow covered the ground this morning and continued to come down all day. I've always loved snow. It gives the world a clean crispness. No matter how I feel, if I step out into fresh snow and feel the flakes touch my face, joy flutters inside me. Sounds crazy, I know. But I just love snow. 

Our dogs do too. Olive decided to have a snack and eat the snow.

Pre-K Book Review: Snuggle Time Prayers by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Cee Biscoe

Book Description:

Snuggle Time Prayers, written by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Cee Biscoe, is a perfect bedtime collection of fifteen prayers. This padded cover board book will help children settle down at bedtime and remind them of their blessings as they draw closer to God.

My Review:
Glenys Nellist has written beautiful rhyming prayers for little ones. Parents will enjoy sharing these with their children. I love that there's a Bible verse that introduces each prayer. Children will love Cee Biscoe's lovely illustrations. The sweet animals are endearing. If you have a pre-schooler you'll want to buy this book. Snuggle Time Prayers is a precious avenue to share God's love.

I received this book in exchange for a fair review.

Children's Nonfiction Book Review: Lots of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids by Whee WInn

Book Description:

New from Zonderkidz, here’s a collection of knock-knock jokes that is both hilarious and wholesome. Lots of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids is sure to send every kid you know to his knees in a breath-stealing, side-splitting, uncontrollable fit of giggles. It’s that funny. And with more than 350 jokes, the laughs are sure to never quit.

This collection provides fun for the whole family and includes bonus Q& A jokes and riddles too!

My Review:
My grandchildren and I had a great laugh from the jokes in this book. I didn't know there were so many knock-knock jokes. We like the way the book is divided into sections, such as, Name Jokes, Food Jokes, Holiday Jokes and more. I asked the kids which ones they liked best. They both replied "the food jokes." When my daughter came in, my granddaughter read several of them to her. This book can be great fun for all ages and a fun family activity.

Chapter Book Fiction Book Review: London Art Chase and A Dolphin Wish by Natalie Grant

Natalie Grant's Glimmer Girls Series

Join twins Mia and Maddie and their sidekick little sister, LuLu, as they travel the country finding adventure, mystery, and sometimes mischief along the way. Together with their famous mother, singer Gloria Glimmer, and their slightly wacky nanny Miss Twist, the sisters learn lessons about being good friends, telling the truth, and a whole lot more. Recommended for ages 8-12.

London Art Chase, Book 1

Book Description:
In London Art Chase, the first title in the new Faithgirlz Glimmer Girls series, readers meet 10-year-old twins Mia and Maddie and their adorable little sister, LuLu. All the girls are smart, sassy, and unique in their own way, each with a special little something that adds to great family adventures.

There is pure excitement in the family as the group heads to London for the first time to watch mom, famous singer Gloria Glimmer, perform. But on a day trip to the National Gallery, Maddie witnesses what she believes to be an art theft and takes her sisters and their beloved and wacky nanny Miss Julia, on a wild and crazy adventure as they follow the supposed thief to his lair. Will the Glimmer Girls save the day? And will Maddie find what makes her shine?

My Review:
When I was a young girl, I would have loved this story. And I think young girls today will enjoy the adventure as the Glimmer Girls travel the world. Natalie Grant gives readers a peek into the world her family lives in as she bases the characters on her family. In London, the reader will learn about Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the National Gallery as they follow the girls on the trail of a thief. Throughout the story, the girls learn about prayer and trusting God. This would be a great book for a mom and daughter to read together. 

A Dolphin Wish, Book 2

Book Description:

In A Dolphin Wish a three-night stop in the city of San Diego seems like it might be just the break the girls need—lovely weather and great sights to see. That is until they hear animal handlers at “Watery World” talking about the trouble they’ve been having keeping the animals in their habitats. Mia and her sisters cannot resist a challenge and they talk Miss Twist into another visit to the educational amusement park to search for clues as to what or who is helping the animals escape.

My Review:
In this second book of the series, readers will enjoy following the girls around Watery World as they explore the world at sea. The story is both educational and uplifting with a mystery in the mix. One of the things I like most about the Glimmer Girls books, is the emphasis that each girls has her own personality, talents and desires. And they learn about what it means to follow God, obey their parents, and love each other.  

I received both books in exchange for a fair review.

Fiction Book Review: Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble

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Fiction Book Review: Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble

Book Description:
Mallory's mother died fifteen years ago. But her father's last words on the phone were unmistakable: "Find . . . mother."

Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn't have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point.

Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O'Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart---and left---without a word, years ago.

When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life---and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie---their search intensifies. There's a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye.

As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father's killer---it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

My Review:
Colleen Coble's books rock. Her new Sunset Cove series beginning with The Inn at Sunset Cove, left me wanting more. The coastal Maine setting lends itself to mystery and intrigue. In the latest novel, Mermaid Moon, the twists and turns kept me up too late. And I loved it.

Going home after being away for a long time and under stressful circumstances is never easy.  After Mallory receives a phone call, her journey home tests her faith, her ability to forgive herself, and her feelings for people from the past. As I read the story and thought I knew who did it, another twist turned the corner and made me doubt my conclusion. The book held me in suspense right to the end.  The romantic touches and the beautiful setting added appeal. If you enjoy suspense, you'll love Colleen's latest book.  

I received this book in exchange for a fair review.  

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1J0PXVl

About the author: 

USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn,Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Her books have sold more than 3 million copies.

Connect with Coble: website, Twitter, Facebook