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Monday, April 30, 2012
Avengers Assemble!
From Hasbro Canada
May 4th is a great day for comic lovers as the new Avengers movie is coming out in theater. After seeing Iron Man 1 & 2, Hulk, Thor and Captain America in the past few years, the day is finally coming where we will see these heroes uniting together on the big screen for the first ever Avengers movie!
Can you tell that I am excited?
Both my husband and I have been following the development and the various super-heroes movies since it all started – Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, X-Men. We’ve seen them all. We have our favorites obviously but since we read the comics we looked forward for each and every single one of them. But we are very impressed with the quality and the stories we have seen so far in the newer Marvel movies and we are anxiously waiting for the Avengers movie to come out because we just know that it will be unbelievable.
To celebrate the coming out of the new movie, Hasbro has numerous new toys based on the Avengers movie. Toys that will be a delight for little boys as well as big boys. My husband was very curious to see what I had in the package to review.
Hulk’s Gamma Green Smash Fists
Feel just as powerful as your amazing MARVEL THE AVENGERS hero, the HULK, with these amazing Gamma Green Smash Fists! When you put these green hands of power on your own hands, it will be that much easier to imagine yourself smashing everything that gets in your way! With a HULK hero mask (sold separately), you can be even more like the muscle-bound green hero. Get into the best HULK action ever with your Gamma Green Smash Fists!
My Thoughts
My first thought when I held these fists was that would be fun to pretend fighting with another person. These soft green fists are easy to put on and won’t hurt someone when you punch your adversary (well depending of where you punch I guess!). These fists could also complete a HULK costume through it would be hard to carry your Halloween bag around because you can’t open them up. Still I find these fists interesting as it could provide quality time fighting with dad in the living room whenever both parties are interested.
Iron Man Tri-Power Repulsor
Arm yourself with this super-powered TRI-POWER REPULSOR blaster, just like the legendary IRON MAN hero! Sneak up on your enemy, then immobilize him with your blaster’s pulse lights and launch sounds as you fire away with missile after missile! Re-load and move on to your next target. The future of the world is in your hands!
Blaster comes with 4 missiles. Requires 3 “AAA” batteries (not included).
My Thoughts
This fun toy will launch missiles, send blast sounds and illuminate with pulse lights. This item will also complete you Iron Man costume for Halloween this year. The lights are motion-activated and all your child has to do is press to lauch the missiles. Four missiles are included and you should expect searching for these whenever they are lost.
My only concern would be if you child is not careful and shot the missile in the eye of someone else. That wouldn’t be fun. So I strongly suggests parents to explain the consequences of not using the toy properly and to determine when it is a good time to use it. I prefer prevention over going to the emergency with a child because of a missile in an eye.
The unbeatable CAPTAIN AMERICA has returned from decades frozen in suspended animation to find a world unlike any he ever imagined. The one thing he does understand is that the planet remains in peril, and that it is up to him to protect it. He hurls his shield with uncanny accuracy to scatter his foes, and charges into battle with the same ferocity as ever before.
This detailed CAPTAIN AMERICA figure puts you right into the heart of the battle for the future of the planet. Hear your hero intimidate the enemy with battle cries and combat sounds. He won’t back down in the starkest of circumstances. Pull his arm back to send his shield flying, and let the enemy know he will not accept defeat.
Figure comes with launching shield. Also Available in the 10” figures are the Repulsor Strike Iron Man Mark VII, the Gamma Strike Hulk, and the Mighty Strike Thor.
My Thoughts
This figure is marvelous. The size is perfect to play with the little sister and her dolls. Big brother will become the hero in her heart for sure! This figure comes with a shield that can be thrown to rescue the dolls. All you have to do is pull the arm back and release it to sling the shield. Also if you press the belt of the Captain America you will hear a variety of sounds as well as “Captain America”. This figure is perfect for boys ages 4 and up. Even collectors might be interested in this figure to put with their comic collection.
Again the only concern I might have for this figure would be where the shield would go once released. However, in this case the item is bigger than the missiles in the previous toy.
Make superhero action “come alive” with these awesome AVENGERS masks! When villainy rears its ugly head and you’ve got to save the day, put on your mask to feel just like your favourite AVENGERS hero. With a comfort-padded eyepiece and details that make these masks seem just like the real thing, you’ll want to wear it all the time — or at least until your evil enemies are defeated!
Each mask sold separately. Styles may vary. Also available are the Thor mask, the Captain America mask and the Hulk mask.
My thoughts
This mask is made of sturdy plastic and has a velcro piece attached at the back of it. It is easy for the child to put it on and the remove it whenever he feels to play with it. The only negative point I might have is that the piece of plastic that make out the eyes can put marks on the face of the child when it is used. The face comes back to normal within about 20 minutes or so but if it is too tight on the face, it will leave marks. So make sure that it is tight enough to hold on the head but not too tight at the same time. We know this by experience with the masks we already have which are the Thor and Captain America ones.
3.75” figuresIt's your favourite MARVEL Super Heroes like you’ve never seen them before! These figures look just like the same heroes you’ve always admired but they have different enemies, and that calls for a whole new array of weapons to add to their arsenal. They’re ready for anything and will definitely help you take your battles to the next level!
Each figure is sold separately and comes with accessories. Styles may vary.
My Thoughts
I’ve received four different MARVEL Super Heroes figures the 3.75” format. - Heavy Artillery Iron Man, Shield Launcher Captain America, Shock Strike Thor, and Cosmic Spear Loki. With the new Avengers movie coming out I know that the kids will have a blast playing with their figures and pretending to fight Loki. I’m glad we got one bad character in the pack I have received because usually the boys always received the heroes. Each character has tricks under its sleeves. Loki possess snap-out blades, Thor can launch his hammer, Captain America will launch his shield and Iron Man will launch missile. Prepare for reenactment in your living room when these heroes fight Loki to prevent him to take control of the world.
Conclusion
I am quite impressed with the variety and the quality of the new toys from the Avengers line at Hasbro Canada. I know that little and big boys (dads!) will have fun playing with them.
You can find the above mentioned products as well as many more at your favourite toy store.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Hasbro Canada for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
WonderMill
The WonderMill is an electric Grain Mill that will allow you to grind your own flour from the comfort of your home.
The WonderMill Electric Grain Mill has the capacity to perform big jobs. You can grind over 100 pounds of flour in an hour.
The WonderMill Electric Grain Mill is extremely easy to use. Simply fill the hopper and out comes flour. There are no small parts or gaskets to misplace, and the self cleaning WonderMill is quick, easy, and virtually dust-free. There is no need for additional attachments to bag your flour simply put a plastic bag in the canister and grind – easy, clean and at no additional cost to you!
The WonderMill is also great for making gluten-free flours such as brown rice, white rice, sorghum, quinoa, soy, millet, amaranth, bean, corn, and more.
My Thoughts
I was quite curious on how I could use an electric mill in my home and make my own flour. The setup of the machine was quite easy to do.
After trying to figure out what kind of recipe I could do for the first post of this machine, I decided to make cookies based on popcorn flour and oats. The first steps was definitively to make flour our of our popcorn kernels.
So I poured out a bag of popcorn kernels to make some popcorn flour.
Within minutes the WonderMill has gone through the kernels and given me some popcorn flour.
My son Alexandre has found a recipe for cookies based on popcorn flour. However, I didn’t have any milk in our fridge when we made them and instead I put water in the recipe. Also I didn’t know what rolled oats was so I decided to take the oats I had at home.
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup of shortening
2 tbsp milk
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup white sugar
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups popcorn flour
2 cups rolled oats
Cream the shortening. Add sugars and blend. Mix in eggs, add vanilla, milk, baking powder, soda and salt. Blend well. Stir in corn flour and rolled oats. Bake on greased cooke sheets at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Here’s the cookies before being cooked.
Because of my modification in the ingredients, I think the result was not what it was supposed to be. Mind you, it was tasty and different of what we were used to. Turned out that the cookies cooked on the flat side of things… so instead of eating them as cookies, we included them in yogourt and ice cream. It was still good.
The WonderMill is a powerful tool to make your own flour based on various grains. Finding a place where you can buy the grain is a bit tricky in our area. Though I have found a place that is about 40 minutes from our home, I wish it could be available at Bulk Barn or other health stores. I didn’t have the time to travel to get spelt or other grains to test the machine and I turned to popcorn for now. The results were not what we expected because I didn’t have all the ingredients required to do the recipe. I will definitively redo this recipe and see if the cookies will be more chewy when I use milk.
I am definitively impressed with the performance of the machine and hope to be able to use it more in the future. As I said, finding corns are not an easy thing for a beginner but I have discovered one store near the downtown area where I could purchase the grains. I can even purchase the grains in the 10 lbs bags if needed be. My husband is also trying to figure out if it is financially worth it to make your own flour or not. One of the grains I would like to try out is the spelt for sure.
The WonderMill is available for purchase at the following vendors in Ontario - BERRY HILL LTD in St. Thomas, Canadian Family Resourses in Newton, Castor River Farm in Metcalfe, Cradlerock Homestead in Desboro, and Quality Marketing in Brantford. The price of the WonderMill is 299.99$ Canadian.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the product for review purposes from WonderMill. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
Busy Mom’s Guide to Parenting Teens
Published at Tyndale
About the book
With almost everything you need to know to care for your family available on the Internet or at the library these days, how do you sort through the wealth of information available? How do you narrow down your web search? And how many pages are in that reference guide? It can be overwhelming to look for specific information. Relax—we have the cure for the common search. The information you need is at your fingertips in the practical and easy-to-use “Busy Mom’s Guide” series.
Using a question-and-answer format, Busy Mom’s Guide to Parenting Teens gives you tips and solid advice as your child heads into the teen years and fights for his or her independence. Driving, cell phones, social networking, physical and emotional changes—all of these things are coming at your child with a vengeance. Don’t just survive your child’s leap into adolescence, take the journey together and learn to thrive as a family. Your roadmap is inside this book—enjoy the ride!
Some content previously published in the Complete Guide’s Baby & Childcare.
My Thoughts
Ah! The famous teen years… I’m already experiencing some of the changes in my son’s life even though he will be turning 11 this year. So how can you encourage a young man or woman in life when they get moody, roll their eyes at you or simply don’t want to talk? Here’s comes one of the best parenting book I could suggest to anyone out there. Knowing that Focus of the Family is behind this publication give me peace of heart and mind as to learn how to deal with the teenage years.
This book covers the changes in the body, the importance of giving them more independence, and how to handle the media and the internet. It will provide you update information on teen sexuality (no worries it doesn’t promote it but will give you tools to how to handle it), how to prevent addictions, how to encourage the teen who has a low self-esteem and how to pass the baton to release them in their adult life.
I also discovered that there are three stages of teenage years – early adolescence which covers the ages of twelve through fourteen, middle adolescence which concentrate on the years fifteen through seventeen and finally late adolescence which is specifically for the ages of eighteen through twenty-one. Through each of these stages, you will discover the differences in the changes that might occur.
While flipping through the pages of this book I quickly discovered that it was a short version of the information found in the Complete Book of Baby & Child Care which I had purchased a few years ago. Since I have the large book in hand, I decided to compare the text of this book to the other one. And it is compatible – to the point that if you already own the Complete Book of Baby and Child Care I don’t think I would suggest that you purchase the Busy Mom’s Guide to Parenting Teens unless you really desire to tuck it in your purse and carry it around with you. On the other hand, if you are curious in knowing more about how to deal with your upcoming teenager, the Busy Mom’s Guide to Parenting Teens is the perfect book for you. You can trust the information you will find in it because it is an official book from the Focus on the Family Physicians Resource Council in the U.S.A.
Busy Mom’s Guide to Parenting Teens is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
Amish Values for Your Family
Written by Suzanne Woods Fisher
published at Revell
About the book
When it comes to strong families that know how to truly enjoy life together, there is much we can learn from the Amish. Just how do they establish such strong family bonds, such deeply held values, and such wonderful family traditions? In Amish Values for Your Family, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher shares the secrets of Amish family life. In this inspiring and practical book, you will meet real Amish families that are a lot like yours. Through their stories you'll discover how to
- slow down
- safeguard family time
- raise children who stand strong in their faith
- prioritize what's truly important
Amish values like community, forgiveness, simple living, obedience, and more can be your family legacy--without selling your car or changing your wardrobe.
My Thoughts
To be different for this review, I will pick one of the values mentioned in this book and tell you how I could apply to my life or how it could benefit my family.
Since I am a homeschooler and that I teach my kids from the comfort of the home, I have decided to stay focused on this aspect of my life. Consequently, I have read the chapter titled, “A Teacher’s Viewpoint”. By reading this chapter, I have discover how the Amish manage their schools and how school is done as well. It was amazing to discover that nowadays more males are hired to teach the younger generation and that even though they get married they can still teach to them. I also discovered that pupils learn how to work together. Cooperation, obedience, respect, diligence, kindness are some of the promoted values in a classroom.
The author also give the perspective of Amishes throughout the book when she highlights their thoughts on each chapter. For the chapter that I chose, William says that the best part of an Amish education is that students are more involved with parents. Parent are their child’s first and best teacher.
I couldn’t agree more. One reason we have decided to homeschool our kids was that we felt they could learn more at home than being part of a public or catholic school. My oldest went to school two years while in junior and senior kindergarten and we saw and experience things that were not interesting. I won’t go in details on what happened but we knew that bringing him home would make a huge difference. I find that my kids are learning faster while being at home and at the same time I learn to discover their whole personality while spending time together. Is it easy all the time? No but the reward is wonderful when you hear how well behave they are when they participate to activities outside the home.
Reading this chapter was encouraging for me to pursue our calling to homeschool my children.
Amish Values for Your Family can be taken one chapter at a time. It would be a good book to explore during the summer time.
Amish Values for Your Family is available to purchase at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Baker Publishing Group. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
As One Devil to Another
Written by Richard Platt
Published at Tyndale
About the book
As One Devil to Another is an astonishing debut work that C. S. Lewis’s biographer and foremost Lewis authority Walter Hooper calls “a stunning achievement, the finest example of the genre of diabolical correspondence to appear since this genre was popularized by C. S. Lewis.” Enter into this chilling and diabolical tale, one that reveals the very tricks and strategies of Hell. Through a series of letters between devils created by Platt, senior devil Slashreap trains his young protégé, Scardagger, to win an individual soul away from Heaven and into their clutches. As the devils plot their way to triumph, they reveal the spiritual dangers and risks we face in today’s society. Their frighteningly accurate perspective on issues such as contemporary technology and sexual mores is interwoven with timeless matters such as the power of prayer, the purpose of suffering, and the promises held out by Heaven . . . and Hell. Destined to become a modern classic, As One Devil to Another is a brilliantly written, deeply unsettling perspective on twenty-first-century society . . . a glimpse of ourselves through the eyes of those who have embraced their underworldly existence.
Who is Richard Platt?
Richard Platt has been in love with words and the music of language all his life, but he did not begin writing until his early forties. He is a contributor to the literary quarterly Slightly Foxed and was a finalist for a 2012 San Diego Foundation Creative Catalyst Fellowship for his one-man play, Ripples From Walden Pond: An Evening with Henry David Thoreau. As One Devil to Another, his first novel, is dedicated in grateful homage to C. S. Lewis. Richard and his wife, Susan, live in California.
My Thoughts
I will be totally honest with you. Since I became a Christian back in 1997, I have not taken the time to read the C.S. Lewis book The Screwtape Letters – Yeah I know choking isn’t it? I am so due to read some classics of well-known Christian authors!
However, even though I have read the book from C.S. Lewis, I was curious about As One Devil to Another which is similar as an idea of correspondence between an older devil to a younger one.
As you read the letters from Slashreap, you somewhat learn about the mission of the younger devil, Scardagger and discover the various tactics of the demons in our lives. You will also follow the way on how the person chosen for their attacks will respond. This book is essentially written with the 21st century in mind as it is adapted to highlights the new strategies of the Devil and his minions to get in the way of our salvation.
I’m disappointed of not seeing the responses of young Scardagger even though I do get an idea of how he responds just by reading the comments of Slashreap in the letters.
This book is different that what I usually read and it picked my curiosity on reading The Screwtape Letters.
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GREAT NEWS!
I have received a Tyndale House Publisher Free Product Award Certificate to give away to my readers.
Simply comment on which book from C.S. Lewis that you haven’t read yet that you would like to discover this summer. And if you have read all the C.S. Lewis’ books, tell me which one was your favorite.
Don’t forget to include your email address in your comment so I can contact you to get your mailing address. No email = no way to contact you. This is very important!
Deadline: May 11th 2012.
Open to Canadians and US residents only.
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If you have enjoyed The Screwtape Letters, I think you will like As One Devil to Another.
As One Devil to Another is available at your favorite bookstore, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
Choose Joy
Written by Kay Warren
Published at Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
About the book
Everyone knows how to be joyful in the peaks of life.
I've graduated!
I'm engaged!
I've been hired!
I'm having a baby!
I'm cancer-free!
When all your fondest hopes and wildest dreams come true, and your heart nearly explodes with happiness, it's easy to feel joyful.
But what about the valleys? When nothing seems to go your way? When everything is falling apart? When God is silent, and you feel all alone?
Where does joy fit into those moments?
In Choose Joy, acclaimed author and Christian leader Kay Warren shares the path to experiencing soul-satisfying joy no matter what you're going through. Joy is deeper than happiness, lasts longer than excitement, and is more satisfying than pleasure and thrills. Joy is richer. Fuller. And it's far more accessible than you've thought.
Joy comes from God . . . and it can be yours! Today.
Who is Kay Warren?
Kay Warren cofounded Saddleback Church with her husband Rick Warren in Lake Forest, California. She is a passionate Bible teacher and respected advocate for those infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS, as well as orphaned and vulnerable children. She founded Saddleback's HIV/AIDS Initiative. Kay is the author of Say Yes to God and coauthor of Foundations, the popular systematic theology course used by churches worldwide. She has three children and five grandchildren.
Learn more at www.kaywarren.com and follow her on Facebook (Kay Warren) and Twitter (@KayWarren1).
My Thoughts
When I was offered to review this book, I debated it for a while. The title was interesting but I wasn’t sure I had the time or energy to read it. As I ponder I re-read the description of the book and decided to go for it simply because I knew that I could use a little bit more joy in my life. I wanted to know what the author had to say about it. While in the midst of reading this book, my pastor also spoke about joy in the midst of trials one Sunday in April. The theme was recurrent in my life. I knew I had to pursue my reading…
I will admit that I am not completely finished with the book because I read it one chapter as a time and ponder on what I have read. I realize that there is much improvement in my life for joy – the kind of joy that will be there no matter what happens to you. Oh! Don’t take me wrong, I have made great process in trusting God with every aspects in my life since 1997 – the year I became a Christian. But I also know that I worry too much and that my emotions will take over every once in a while. I really enjoyed reading her thoughts on what meditate means:
The word meditate means to contemplate, ponder, think, consider, reflect, or ruminate. Just in case you’ve forgotten, rumination is what cows do. They chew cud, swallow it, burp it back up, and do it all again. Cows go through this process three times! They do this to extract the maximum benefits from their cud for proper digestion and nutrition.
How often have I really meditate the way cows do it… by ruminating on God’s word? It gave me a new perspective to ponder and reflect on Scriptures at least three times before moving on. Doing so will give me a better understand on God, on what He is doing in my life and on trusting Him more every day. Joy will become a permanent aspect of my life whether I am in a storm or not.
The book is divided in four parts which provide more ah-ah moments on the theme of JOY.
- Joy is my inheritance – Embracing the permission to be joyful
- Joy is a conviction of my mind – Discovering a new way of thinking
- Joy is a condition of my heart – Cultivating a soul-response that allows joy to deepen
- Joy is a choice of my behavior – Ways to choose joy daily
Each chapter of the book concludes with a prayer that you can say out-loud or in your soul as well as questions for reflection and application.
This book is definitively a perfect book for a home group or personal study on the theme of JOY. I would like to recommend it to everyone who are seeking more joy in their life.
Choose Joy is available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Robot Wars Book 3–Ambush
Written by Sigmund Brouwer
Published at Tyndale
About the book
Set at an experimental community on Mars in the year 2039-2040, Robot Wars features 14-year-old virtual reality specialist Tyce Sanders. Life on the Red Planet is not always easy, but it is definitely exciting. As Tyce explores his strange surroundings, he finds that the mysteries of the planet point to his greatest discovery—a new relationship with God. He talks about his growing faith and curiosity in a manner that kids can relate to as they are probably wondering some of the same things.
In book three, Ambush, Tyce has to rescue his friend Director Rawlings and three other scientists who are trapped in a cave-in on Mars. He also has to uncover a devious plot that threatens to overtake the spaceship—just as they are nearing the end of their six-month journey from Mars to Earth.
My Thoughts
This is the third book of the series Robot Wars. In this book, you will reconnect with Tyce and his family as well as other characters living on the Mars colony.
Once again, the book is divided in two journal entries and though it could stand alone as a book to read, I find that it follows the events of the previous two books. The first part of the book tells the events of a cave-in where scientists are trapped under. Tyce doesn’t have lots of time to help them out of their predicament. However, event at the colony itself makes it difficult for him to be able to save them immediately. Will he be able to reach to them before they don’t have enough air?
In the second part of the book, Tyce embarks on a eight-month journey toward Earth – a place he has never went before. All his life he lived on Mars – born and raised there. But the circumstances has made this trip a necessity and even on the ship he will have to discover who is sabotaging the journey.
I find that as I advance in the books, the mystery and the suspense gets more interesting. The second part of the book flew right under my eyes as I got totally hooked with the story. I suspect that the two last book of the series will be even better.
This series is absolutely fabulous for a young man or woman who likes science fiction. It has some suspense and mystery as I have mentioned and the main character journal about the adventures as well. If you child is looking for a great series to read this summer, I would highly recommend the Robot Wars series.
Robot Wars Book 3 – Ambush is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Fiddler
Written by Beverly Lewis
Published at Bethany House
About the Book
Come home to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania--the beloved setting where Beverly Lewis' celebrated Amish novels began--with new characters and new stories of drama, romance, and the ties that draw people together.
A wrong turn in a rainstorm leads Englisher Amelia Devries to Michael Hostetler--and the young Amishman's charming Old Order community of Hickory Hollow. Despite their very different backgrounds, Amelia and Michael both feel hemmed in by the expectations of others and struggle with how to find room for their own hopes. And what first seems to be a chance encounter might just change their lives forever.
Who is Beverly Lewis?
Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is The New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Beverly to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with The Shunning, which has sold more than one million copies and was recently made into an Original Hallmark Channel movie. In 2007 The Brethren was honored with a Christy Award. She has been interviewed by both national and international media, including Time magazine, the Associated Press, and the BBC. Beverly lives with her husband, David, in Colorado. Visit her Web site at www.beverlylewis.com for more information.
My Mother-in-love’s Thoughts
Earlier this month, my husband’s parents came over to our house to do a bit a painting. His dad loves to keep busy and the two bathrooms on the second floor needed to be revamped a little bit. So they came and works on various things during that week. One day, after I finished homeschooling the kids I went upstairs and found my mother-in-love (I prefer this term instead of mother-in-law) was reading The Fiddler. She was totally engrossed in the story. It was a delight to see her reading it. I told her that she could read the book before me but at one condition. “What’s that?”, she asked. “Well, I need to write a review for it and you will have to tell me what you think of the novel when you are done.”, I told her. “No problem.” was her quick answer.
So that night she left the house and brought the book with her. She had already told me that from the beginning of the book the author catch the reader to want to continue to read more of the story. This past Tuesday, they drove with my husband to Toronto and apparently she was reading it while travelling because she wanted to finish it.
So you might be wondering what she thought of the book right? Here’s her comments:
The Fiddler book sweeps the reader of honest emotions and romance. The author puts it words so well because this book leaps and flies as you are reading. It is definitively a book you don’t want to put down. I consider this a brilliant novel that is realistic,entertaining and very readable. I enjoyed it all the way from beginning to end. Bravo to Beverly Lewis.
I am pleased that she enjoyed reading it. Knowing her taste and seeing that she gave a rave review for it, I also know that I will enjoy this book when I get it back. I am looking forward to read a new novel of Beverly Lewis and reconnect with the Amish novels. It has been a while since I read some Amish literature and I think I am ready to read one now.
See a preview of the book on youtube.
Read an excerpt of the book
The FiddlerFrom what my mother-in-love told me, the book is a marvelous read for a summer reading list. It could be a great book to consider for your next vacation!
The Fiddler is available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Baker Publishing Grou and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
The Discovery
Written by Dan Walsh
Published at Revell
About the book
An Engrossing Story of Family Secrets and a Love for the Ages.
When aspiring writer Michael Warner inherits his grandfather's venerable Charleston estate, he settles in to write his first novel. But within the confines of the stately home, he discovers an unpublished manuscript that his grandfather, a literary giant whose novels sold in the millions, had kept hidden from everyone--but which he clearly intended Michael to find. As he delves deep into the exciting tale about spies and sabotage, Michael discovers something that has the power to change not only his future but his past as well.
Laced with suspense and intrigue, The Discovery is a richly woven novel that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime. Author Dan Walsh delivers yet another unique and heartfelt story that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page.
Who is Dan Walsh?
Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift, The Homecoming, The Deepest Waters, Remembering Christmas, and The Discovery. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel.
My Thoughts
I’m speechless. Dan Walsh has done it again… From the first pages of this historical novel, he was able to grab me and made me want to keep reading until the end of the story. This book is absolutely fabulous and will bring you back in the midst of the second World War. Not only will you experience the life during the 1940s but you will also discover how someone’s life can change drastically when a beloved one dies and leave you an heritage. Going back and forth between the 21st century and the war time, you won’t be able to stop reading and learn to love the characters in this book.
Dan Walsh takes his writing seriously and you can see how much research has been done behind the scenes. At the end of this book, you will find the famous Author’s Note pages where he shares how the idea of the novel was planted in his head and how he came up with the whole story. I am as impressed with this novel than I was with the previous ones I had the opportunity to review in the past few years.
I have become a fan of Dan Walsh’s writings and won’t miss any opportunity of reading his books. Every time I read one of his novels, I am absolutely immersed in it as though I was part of it. The way he writes makes the story so personal as though the main character is talking to you. I adore that kind of writing. And this time, he added a new twist. How about reading a novel within a novel? That’s what happens when you read The Discovery. I love it when an author that I respect explore new ways of reaching out to his/her audience and Dan Walsh did just that with this novel. The story is moving and the way it is presented is out-of-the-ordinary.
Now that I have turned the last page of this book, I wonder how the rest of the family of the main character would react to the discovery he made. I wish Dan Walsh would write more about this family and the impact of the discovery on them. At the same time, I can’t hardly wait to read the next novel that Dan Walsh will write. Sure hope it will be coming out soon!
If you are looking for a new author to discover, I would strongly suggest that you check out the books from Dan Walsh. Though The Discovery is his latest novel, I highly recommend all of them as I enjoyed every single one of them. The Discovery would be a prefect book this summer for your vacation or just to read while on the bus to go to work.
The Discovery is available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Baker Publishing Grou and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
Backyard Homesteading
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Grow and preserve your own vegetable, fruits, nuts, and berries. Keep chickens, goats, and bees. Make beer, wine, and cider.
By David Toht
Published at Creative Homeowner
About the book
Backyard Homesteading addresses the needs of many people who want to take control of the food they eat and the products they use—even if they live in an urban or suburban house on a typical-size lot. It shows homeowners how to turn their yard into a productive and wholesome “homestead” that allows them to grow their own fruits and vegetables and raise farm animals, including chickens, ducks, and goats. Backyard Homesteading covers the laws and regulations of raising livestock in populated areas and demonstrates to readers how to use and preserve the bounty they produce. 
Who is David Toht?
Dave Toht, once the proud owner of eight brown-egg biddies, has more than 60 how-to books to this credit. He considers harvesting a sun-warmed tomato from his own garden one of life’s sweetest pleasures. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in Olympia, Washington.
My Thoughts
We have been pondering about putting a garden in our backyard for several years. The year we finally put one in our previous house, we ended up moving… But with Pinterest, I have discovered a variety of ways I could garden without having the rabbits coming to eat our bounty of vegetables – raised beds.
So this year we are thinking of putting one in the backyard. Last year, we also read the advantages of being self-sufficient and we love the idea. Now with a family of six, we could probably use lots of ways of gardening and I am investigating our possibilities via books. One of the first one I got to review was the Backyard Homesteading.
The book is divided in seven chapters; Getting Started (that’s for us! *grin*), Raising Vegetables and Herbs, Growing Fruits/Berries/Nuts, Raising Chickens, Raising Goats, Beekeeping, Harvest Home.
For now, we are mostly interested in the first three chapters where we would learn on how to start and grow veggies and fruits. The fourth chapter titled raising chicken is interesting but I know that it isn’t possible at this point in time in our city. Eventually, if we move to a land with acreage, I would certainly seriously consider to have chickens during the warm season for the eggs and then in the fall to fill my freezer. Thankfully, I also know someone who has been doing that for the last few years… I could ask her tips and tricks when I come to this adventure of raising chickens. As for the goats and bees, well it isn’t even a possibility in our minds right now so I prefer not to think about it.
This book is very informative in various aspects. First of all, I didn’t know that there might be municipal regulations for starting a backyard homestead but it makes sense… Not every city allows you to have chicken for example and even for the coop you need to respect the property lines. Once you have figured out the regulations for your city, you can start planning the garden. I love the way they present this step in the book. Paper and pencils are necessary so you can figure out what to plant where.
With the help of images and tables, the book gives you the steps-by-steps guidance that you need to prepare your soil, plant your garden, and offer advices on how to care for the garden. I particularly like the “Gardening Through the Seasons” which gives you interesting tips and tricks on how to care for your garden during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Thanks to some ideas in the book, I am planning to transform a couple of baskets to grow some herbs as well. You’ll even find some recipes throughout the book!
The last chapter of the book is also very interesting. Not only does it cover canning, which we have been doing for the past couple of years, but you will find interesting sections on:
- how to prepare pickled and fermented food
- how to prepare butters, jams, jellies, and marmalades
- how to can meat
- how to dry fruits and vegetables
- how to pack and store dried foods
- how to freeze your harvest
- how to smoke fish
- how to smoke meat
- how to brew beer
- how to make wine
- how to make apple cider
- how to use root cellars (wish I had one of these…)
Essentially, this book has plenty of useful information to help you start and manage a garden in your backyard. With a family of six, I know that we will use all the food our garden will provide. And the fact that we homeschool our kids is perfect to explore a new way of growing your own food and learn how to care for a garden. With four kids, I think I have plenty of helpers to remove the weeds when necessary!
Backyard Homesteading is an interesting book that will give you a good start on how to become self-sufficient for your family.
Backyard Homesteading is available at your favorite bookstore, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Thomas Allen. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Consensus Junior Edition
http://consensusgame.com/
About the game
This award-winning game is highly educational and parent friendly, and each game is filled with lots of laughter. Consensus® Junior Edition is extremely well suited as a family game. Consensus® Junior Edition is a game about opinions. It is not a trivia game, nor is it a strategy game. It is a game which allows its participants to express themselves as individuals and/or as part of a group, all while learning about each other’s passions and personal preferences. Try Consensus® Junior Edition today and start building memories that are sure to last a lifetime.
For 3 to 8 Players, ages 8 and up
30 Minutes per Game
Includes:
• Game Board
• 200 Noun Cards
• 75 Adjective Cards
• 8 Voting Decks (8 colors, 10 cards per deck)
• 8 Game Pawns (8 colors)
• Instruction Sheet
Our Thoughts
When I first received this game we didn’t know what to expect from it. So one afternoon in April, we set up the game and decided to play as a family. The two youngest were teaming up with mom and dad and the two oldest were playing independently. So we have four players in a way. After reading the instructions, we decided to try out a game to see how it would go.
Here’s all the items you will get in the game.
Essentially, Consensus Junior Edition is a game of opinion where you decide based, on your personal preferences, which noun associates better with the adjective selected. If a group of people decide for the same noun, they win and advance one spot on the board.
Here’s a close-up view of the starting point on the board game. What I particularly like about this game is that there are 8 game pawns so we could eventually play all the family together with the grand-parents. I don’t find it wise from companies producing games to limit the game pawns to four sometimes (we have seen it…)
So we embarked on a great half-hour with the voting of which noun goes best with the adjective. After each rounds, you remove all the nouns selected as well as the adjectives and you select new ones to go on the board.
The game was fun and quite different than the ones we usually play with. Later on, I spotted my two oldest setting it up to play together but I told them that preferable it would need four to five players to be more interesting. They were a bit disappointed at this news. The game works only when there is a consensus and if you are only two it’s hard to have a consensus….
This game is also education as not only do they have to think about how the adjective describe the best noun our of the ten picked but they also discover new ways to apply adjectives. I selected a noun once and my husband was asking me why I did that and when I explain he said that it was an interesting way of seeing it.
Because of it’s educational part as well as to aspect of developing your opinion, I highly recommend the game for every family.
The game can be purchased for the price of 25$ directly from their website as well as the following stores in Canada: Teacher Supply Store, Scholars Choice, Mastermind Toys, and B.C. Playthings.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the game from Mindlogic Inc. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Young Birder’s Guide to the Birds of North America
Written by Bill Thomson III
Published at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
About the Book
Covering 300 of the most common birds in all of the United States and Canada, The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America is loaded with color photographs, drawings showing typical behaviors, range maps, an easy-to-use checklist, fun facts, and authoritative information about each bird, its vocalizations, and its habitat.
While other field guides might overwhelm kids who are new to birding, The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America was created with help from kids. Bill Thompson’s own son and daughter and their elementary school classes helped select the content. Kid tested, kid approved!
Who is Bill Thomson III?
BILL THOMPSON III is the editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest and the author of the Peterson Field Guide Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, along with many other books. He lives in Ohio with his wife, the author and illustrator Julie Zickefoose, and their two children.
My Thoughts
I’m a bird lover and share my knowledge (as limited as it is) with my kids whenever I have the opportunity. I have birds book in French and one in English for the area around here as well.
So when I saw that Peterson Field Guides had an edition specifically designed for children, I thought it would be great to review it and let the kids use it themselves this spring/summer/fall.
The book is easy to carry in a backpack and isn’t heavy at all (compared to another book I have at home – yikes!). There is a nice section at the beginning that will help your child to learn more about birding – or should I say ornythology – as well as various habitats and how to use the guide on an expedition. Geared with binoculars and this book, I am sure that your kids will have a blast to discover birds in their habitats as well as learn about them.
Each bird presented in this book has its own page complete with picture, drawings, map where it could be found and some specific information about the bird like how they sounds, what they look like, where to find it and so on. There is even a WOW! bubble which highlight an extra fact about the bird your are studying.
Just before lunch time, my oldest was dressed up to go get the mail and right away he called me with the camera to take a picture of the bird in our front yard Japanese lilac.
And then we heard him sing quite a few times… A beautiful bird has brought sunshine in our rainy cold day.
So not wasting any time, I thought it would be great to check out the Young Birder’s Guide to Birds in North America to see what kind of bird it was. After comparing my pictures with the book, we learned that it was an House Finch also known as Carpodacus Mexicanus. Though a native of the West, the house finch has colonized the East with the help of humans. They are adaptable to almost any habitat except the deep woods and the open grasslands. You will find them more commonly around human-affected areas (like my front yard!). In 1940, a small number of House Finches were sold illegally as caged birds and were released near New York City. Apparently all the House Finches east of the Great Plains are descended from these birds.
I found the book is well designed for young birders who are learning about observing one of God’s marvelous creation. Birds always fascinated us throughout history and they are a delight to watch when you can observe them in nature. If you have a child (or numerous children) interesting in learning more about birds and developing a passion for ornithology, The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America is a great book for him/her to use. Besides, not only the kids can discover ornithology…. Mom and Dad can join the fun too!
The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Thomas Allen. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
Nature Explorer
Published at DK Canada
About the book
Compiling the best titles from DK's very successful Nature Activities series, Nature Explorer allows readers to learn about rocks and minerals, birds, insects, weather, and more, with spectacular photography and illustrations serving as an informative backdrop. In addition, readers are encouraged to observe, take notes, and do their own experiments in the park, their backyards, even their own kitchen! Easy-to-do activities help teach kids about the world around them.
My Thoughts
Here’s another wonderful book that will be very useful to learn more about nature. I personally think that having numerous book on one subject is helpful especially when you have many kids in a house. But this book is special in itself as it also includes more than 100 activities. Learning by manipulation has always been one of my favorite ways of educating my kids. I find they learn better when they can touch and do something – not just listening…
The book is divided in various subjects: birdwatcher, bug hunter, star gazer, rock & fossil hunter, nature ranger, and weather watcher. Each of these subjects contains numerous information on it as well as fun activities to do with your kids. Let’s take the Bird Watcher section as an example since I love birds.
The section starts with an introduction on the world of birds as well as define what is ornithology. My kids have started to learn the name of birds from a very young age. We started with the American Robin and slowly I added some other ones to their knowledge. My brother-in-law was amused that the kids would learn that kind of things but I find it a useful skill to be able to identify the bird you encounter when we go camping or walk. Once you know more about ornithology, you need to know what kind of equipment is necessary for it. The book also show you how you can hide yourself to be able to have a better view of the birds by using camouflage.
One of the activities included in this section is how to make a bird table so that the birds can come and eat some seeds or other products on it. The book also inform the reader about how to identify the feeding signs, how feathers work, how birds take baths, how a nest is made, as well as how a bird’s life starts. Finally the section concludes with some information on specific types of birds like the ducks, the birds on the shore, the night birds, the birds you can find in town as well as migration and life spans information.
All the sections of the book is build the same way. I am particularly interested in the experiment on how to transform the sand into Martian soil, making a sundial or making craters like the ones seen on the moon!
Honestly, I think our summer will be filled with fun discoveries and learning. The kids won’t even realize that they are doing school with this book. I am so looking forward to do some experiments and learn more about the nature around us.
If you are looking for a fun book to discover nature and do incredibly fun experiments, Nature Explorer is the book for you. Every family should have a copy of it and dig into it. You won’t be disappointed with this book.
Nature Explorer is available at your favorite bookstore, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
In the Garden with Dr. Carver
Written by Susan Grigsby
Published at Albert Whitman & Company
About the Book
Sally is a young girl living in rural Alabama in the early 1900s, a time when people were struggling to grow food in soil that had been depleted by years of cotton production. One day, Dr. George Washington Carver shows up to help the grownups with their farms and the children with their school garden.
He teaches them how to restore the soil and respect the balance of nature. He even prepares a delicious lunch made of plants, including "chicken" made from peanuts. And Sally never forgets the lessons this wise man leaves in her heart and mind. Susan Grigsby's warm story shines new light on an African American scientist who was ahead of his time.
Our Thoughts
One morning, I sat down with my daughter and proceeded to read through the book In the Garden with Dr. Carver. Though this book is an historical fiction, it is based on the history of Dr. George Washington Carver. Dr. Carver helped many people improve their living conditions by using what nature provided. Dr. Carver would take a wagon on week-ends and travel in the countryside of Alabama to show the farmers how to improve their land.
This book illustrates one of these voyages he made to teach others how to care for their land. In it, you will discover how he showed them to transform a poor soil into a nutritive one and how to get vegetables that were good to eat. In the book, Dr. Carver also help the kids to discover nature and listen to the plants to see what they need. He also encouraged them to take the time to stay still and take notes/draw what they would see.
The watercolors are fabulous in this book and the story is well written. My daughter sat and snuggle next to me as I read it and enjoyed seeing the little girl discover nature. We also learned the importance of spiders in gardens and why we should leave them alone when we see one. We both enjoyed the story and thought it was a great way to present nature to a child. The book is definitively a favorite of mine so far and I am planning to use it again while we study nature.
If you are studying George Washington Carver or nature itself, this book is a wonderful addition for your personal library. I only wish that a couple of recipes of George Washington Carver would also be included at the end of the book. I think it would have made it more complete.
In the Garden with Dr. Carver is available for purchase at any bookstore, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Thomas Allen. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
Popcorn Treats
By Hannah Miles
Published at Ryland Peters & Small
About the book
Too long hidden away in dark cinemas, popcorn is a treat that's ready to take a leading role! And on hand to give this humble kernel a star makeover is the wonderfully creative Hannah Miles, who shows how popcorn can be dressed up in a riotous variety of fabulous flavours!
Sweet nibbles range from classic Butter Toffee to indulgent Raspberry and White Chocolate. For those who prefer Savoury flavours, the Pumpkin Seed, Chilli and Thai Spiced varieties are all great healthy snacking options. But it is the Gourmet flavours that are not to be missed: try Margarita, Black Truffle or Salted Caramel popcorn for a truly decadent treat. Or simply combine this favourite snack into other treats such as Cookies, Cupcakes or Lollipops for the best of both worlds. The possibilities are endless and the preparation is simple, so join in the fun and start popping!
Who is Hannah Miles?
Hannah Miles was a high-flying legal eagle working for a top City lay firm when a friend emailed her with details of a “dream cottage” in the Bedfordshire countryside. Instantly besotted with the thatched stone cottage, Hannah and her husband ditched London life and headed for their rural idyll. In 2007, Hannah competed in BBC television’s hugely popular MasterChef programme, in which she won the hearts of the nation and the adulation of the judges: John Torodo said of her: “I think Hannah is one of the most naturally gifted cooks I have seen in a long time.” One of the three MasterChef finalists, Hannah’s food career has since taken off, though she still also practices law. She has a monthly column in Country Kitchen and Country & Town House magazines, writes for delicious magazine and continues to make both television and MasterChef Live (Good Food Show) appearances. She is the author of Milkshake Bar, Mini Cakes, Sundays & Splits, The Gluten-free Baker and Whoopie Pies, all published at Ryland Peters & Small.
Our Thoughts
When I saw this title in the catalogue of Ryland Peters & Small, I immediately thought that my husband and kids would love it. Why? Well, popcorn has a place of honor in our house for snacks. I was looking forward to discover the fun recipes included in this little book. In this out-of-the-ordinary cookbook (after all it is all dedicated to popcorn!), you will find sweet popcorn recipes which will calm your sweet tooth, savoury popcorn recipes which will open up a whole new world of flavors, popcorn treats recipes which will incorporate popcorn in desserts as well as gourmet popcorn recipes which will expand your taste buds in your mouth.
There are many recipes that caught our eye while we flipped through it. The first reaction of my husband was: “Cool! Something different…” Once everyone had gone through the book to check out the recipes, we agreed to try out the Banana Maple Popcorn.
Banana Maple Popcorn
This popcorn ingredients are essentially: banana chips, butter, maple syrup and popcorn kernels. After putting part of the banana chips in the food processor and crushed them in a fine powder and melting the butter with the maple syrup in a pan, you pour all of it on the freshly made popcorn and include the rest of the banana chips. The recipe is easy to do – even my oldest son could do it. However, I am uncertain of the result. The popcorn taste different – more sweet – but the texture is bizarre as the butter has shrunk the popcorn when I poured it. Maybe we just are a family who are not enjoying sweet popcorn that much…
Crumbled banana chips.
Maple syrup with butter.
The final product.
The next recipes we will more than likely do is the paprika smoky bacon popcorn as well as the thai spiced popcorn. And one of my boys really want to try to popcorn nachos topped with tomatoes, avocados and cheese. The picture looks fabulous so we will more than likely try it as well.
Each recipe has a photo of the final product which is a wonderful thing because I like to see what the recipe should be looking like in the end.
I think this little recipe book contains interesting recipes and that there are a wide range of them to please any popcorn lover. If your family loves popcorn but is a bit tired of the regular popcorn that you eat every time you make some, I would suggest that you try out the Popcorn Treats cookbook. You might find a new favorite for your family!
Popcorn Treats is available at your favorite bookstore, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Thomas Allen. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.
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