my favorite reads from 2012 {non-fiction}...

i'm handing out tiaras to my favorite reads of 2012.

 

 

the winners in the non-fiction category are as follows:

 

3rd place:

Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman

this book is an all encompassing, home organizing, giant piece of pie.

kim shares how to run a household smoothly but with a fresh and Godly perspective and practical ideas.

 

 

2nd place:

Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson.

 

 

this book is the Bible equivalent to a homeschooler.

sally is one of my favorite writers on motherhood, and this book covers homeschooling in all aspects.  from the whole home atmosphere, to parenting styles, to the nitty gritty of teaching math and science.

they guide without making you feel their way is the only way.  such a wealth of information in this huge book, it can be a little overwhelming, but i feel it's a necessity for my homeschool shelf!

 

 

1st place:

Captivating/Wild at Heart by John  and Stasi Eldredge

 

 

 

okay, okay, i cheated a little.

this is a 2 book win.  but, they tie into each other as companion books. 

one about a man's soul and one for the woman's.

i should warn you,

i have friends that hated these books.

i suppose it's where you are in your walk with Christ, but for me these books were eye openers that resonated with me at a soul deep level.

 

these will be rereads for years to come.

 

 

and finally...

the winner, the crowning moment.

 

my top pick for the best non-fiction book i read in 2012 was ...

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

 

i know everyone and their mother has already read this book,

but there's a reason for it people!

 

i wasn't sure at first i would be able to handle ann's flowery prose.

her blog sometimes touches me deeply and other times i have to skim-quickly.

 

but this book was a life changer for me and my approach to the throne of God.

counting the gifts He gives us in each moment is a way to a more fulfilling and personal relationship with our Heavenly Father.

my copy is highlighted and note~ridden and will be gifted as well. i love it to pieces!

 

 

winners in the fiction category soon!

none of these links are affiliate links.  all opinions are my own and i was not compensated in any way for these reviews.

 

 

 



captivating...

i want to recommend another book.

wait wait wait!

don't go.

hear me out.

this book is a have to read for every woman who loves the Lord.

i know i am a little late to this popular read.

but i will be eternally grateful that i finally read it,

if not a tad remorseful that i hadn't read it years ago.

i honestly had to wait for a couple weeks to write this post on it,

because this book tore me up so much, that i needed the time to gather myself.

i am not a fan of 'self help' type books.

oh i read a lot on parenting, marriage, homeschooling,etc.

but as for bettering myself, figuring out my inner child and all that jazz...

i hate it.

high faluting mumbo jumbo {name that movie}

maybe that's why this one took me so long.

but this book thoroughly wrecked me in a beautiful way.

i am not a crier.

i am not generally an emotional woman.

and i'm really not a 'poor me' type.

but this brought me face to face with some spiritual demons in my life, both figuratively and literally.

God honestly spoke straight to me in through the pen of the Eldridge's.

i had, as we all do, some major misconceptions and fears about my little world and my role within it.

in this book, stasi and john delve into what God intended for womankind,

their role in making this world a beautiful place to be, and why evil wants to deter us from that role.

they speak to each woman's heart, having you dig into the lies you have believed and been a slave to, and then revealing the truth of  the captivating woman you are to Christ.

i'm going to give you just a taste...

"you are a woman.
an image bearer of God. The crown of creation.
You were chosen before time and space, and you are wholly and dearly loved.
You are sought after, pursued, romanced,
the passionate desire of your Fiance, Jesus.
You are dangerous in your beauty and your life-giving power.  And you are needed."


and i have taken a highlighter to my copy and could give you so many more beautiful words of theirs, but i really believe that EVERY single woman should read this.
when i do a giveaway, this will certainly be included as i would love to give one to every woman i know!

have you read Captivating?
did you love it as much as i did?

blessings,
mandy

books to love...

i have a great recommendation today.

if you like fiction, and have not read the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers...

well.

let me tell ya.

here

you are majorly missing out on what is one of the most well-written, inspirational books i have ever read.

taking place about 40 years after Jesus' Crucifixion.

Rome.

Ephesus.

capitols of world power and idol worship.

Christians and Jews are being slaughtered or enslaved.

the entirety of Rome is drenched in filth and vulgar living.

gladiator games are entertainment,

sin in rampant.

bring in a Jewish Christian slave girl, just a young teenager.

as Haddassah attempts to live out her faith in an environment rich for evil, she is by far one of the most heroic and inspirational characters i've encountered in literature.

Mrs. Rivers doesn't shy away from 'going there' like most goody goody christian authors.

i don't mean that to be critical of other authors of the genre, because i also love Jeannette oak, Jane Kirkpatrick, etc.

but,

it is so refreshing to read a Christian book that deals with fleshly temptations,

sexual deviancy,

violence,

drug and alcohol abuse,

and flat out everyday trials such as fear,

judgementalism,

gossip, etc.

this book examines the culture of Rome in the first century after Jesus,

but could very well be describing the world we live in today.

a nation on the brink of bankruptcy due to irresponsible and extravagant living?  check.

a younger generation giving into fleshly temptations and 'living for the moment'?  check.

excessive use of drugs, alcohol?  check

sexual sin and diseases that follow? check.

abortion?  check.

thoughts on welfare systems? check.

violence and murder as our source of entertainment?  check.

a health care system in crisis?  check.

worship of money and power?  check.

and yet this author handles it all through a lens of Scripture, and sheds light in the darkness.

it is written with integrity and truth.

i could go on, but i'd rather you just go read it.

Haddassah will encourage you live boldly in your faith like no other fiction has done

{for me anyways}.

this book gets my highest rating of ***** !

blessings,

mandy

linking up here:

Book List 2012 and a weekend movie rental....

oh sheesh.

once again i'm days lagging behind all the other more organized women.

my book list is *not* too ambitious, as i wanted to leave time for others that may pop up along the year.

these are just the ones i want to make sure i include!

and to be honest, for the first time ever in my life i have not been reading as obsessively.

gasp, i know.

i'm still in there, just buried in homeschooling lit.

(via  http://pinterest.com/ )

without further ado:

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

because it's one of my BF's favs i have yet to read!

Bringing Up Girls by Dobson

been sitting on my shelf since it's release!

Count Of Monte Cristo

because Dumas is an exceptional writer

Galway Chronicles (3 in the series) by the Thoenes

this has been on previous lists for years, and for some reason still haven't gotten to it!

Katherine by Anya Seton

cause i'm a sucker for early Brit historical lit.

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

cause of what i said up there ^^^^

and something by Maeve Binchy~

whichever i pick up first!

Captivating by Eldridge
another i've yet to pick up off my shelf.

and i would like to get around to reading the
Mitford series by JAn Karon
that so many people rave about.

and
Tinker,Tailor,Soldier,Spy by John Le Carre
because it looks intriguing and different.

and,

a movie i rented that i need to share:

One Day

this movie was so sweet, redeeming and lovely.
never mind the fact that i am a severe sucker for a British accent...
i'm sure that had nothing to do with it. ;)
.
this movie was not entirely clean, pg-13,
(with brief  nudity, some swearing, a little blood, drinking.
but i believe the message of redemption, the emptiness of certain life styles, etc, balanced the yuckiness.)
it was a bittersweet love story, with beautiful, sweeping scope.
anne hathawaty was her usual delightful self, and the lead male actor, jim sturgess,  was wonderful.  i'll certainly be looking for more of him, as i've only seen one other of his films.

if you are renting a movie, especially if you like any foreign films (this is all in English, it just has that distinctly British filmaking flavor to it), be sure to see it!

Blessings,
Mandy

a question:

what is your favorite book/ movie of all time?

c'mon.

i want to know.

i expect everyone who reads this to comment;)

if you don't have a google account

(which is really easy to get, all you need is your junker e-mail and a user name),

you can do an anonymous comment,

but be sure to write your name at the end:)

ready?

GO!

blessings,

mandy



a few movie & book suggestions ...

if you haven't figured it out yet,

 i'm kinda a book and movie fanatic.

Hunger Games*****

and i finally gave in and bought books 2 & 3 in the hunger games series.

after waiting (and waiting and waiting).

and calling the poor book store people waiting for a used copy

(over and over again)

and once again being told there is no release date for paperback,

i went and bought Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

i finished them in 1 1/2 days.

both of them.

i was up til one am,

and woke up at 7 to keep reading.

that's when you know it's a good book people.

they are an excellent series,

written for a teen audience,

but the book transcends gender, age and genre.

it was described to me , before reading it, as a trainwreck.

so horriffic, but you can absolutely not look away.

there is a lot of violence and suspense.

not sure at what age i'd feel comfortable letting my teen read it,

but i'm not there yet so i'll worry about that in  a few years.

the author, Suzanne Collins, did an amazing job of writing in just enough romance, just enough hint of passion, to make it just perfect for the teen audience.

seriously impressed with her keeping it clean but not avoiding it either!

***i found myself wishing for a little more in that department, but i'm a grown woman;)***

also, i am normally a throw-me-back-into-an old-timey-age type girl.

this is not a typical book pick for me.

but if you have not yet jumped on the Hunger Games train,

do it!

you won't be sorry.

and for a quick (since i was too long winded in the book review) review on a few good movie rentals:

August Rush, PG

this movie is breathtakingly sweet.

i'm sure you'll be bawling.

i wasn't, but i don't cry in movies.

but i'm sure 95% of the female population would have tears.

sad tears,

good tears,

lovely tears.

this is a wonderful, heart wrenching,

sweet story.  rent it!

(p.s., just cuz it's pg doesn't mean it's necessarily kid approved, i wouldn't allow mine to watch it for a few more years)

Luther, PG-13

this is a movie for anyone with any sort of interest in church history, or if you just like period pieces.

this was a very well done movie, that, though i am NO expert, seems to have portrayed this time with accuracy (from what i can recall of high school history class, cough*cough)

(even if had some discrepancies,)

 it was well done and a very good flick!

and , as always, you can see my top movies of all time list:

all time favorite movies!

God Bless,

Mandy

book review: Redeeming Love...

um.

okay.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

perhaps i had too high of expectations?

i had heard that this was THE BOOK for Christian women.

the best work of fiction in this genre.

life altering.

it wasn't.

i DID like it.

i thought it was well written,

an interesting retelling of a familiar Biblical story of Gomer and Hosea.

it was good.

i'm glad i read it.

but i should have borrowed it,

not went out and bought it.

it was...

disturbing.

hard to read.

(not hard to read literally, but emotionally)

the characters frustrated me continually.

i've heard this book brings healing to many.

i can see that.

if someone had led a particular life style,

or had been through sexual assault,

i can see where this book may have helped bring healing.

now i'm not trying to sound 'holier than thou', but i must be honest.

if the woman reading this came from a sexually pure background,

and without the horrid back ground of sexual wounds,

this book was simply sickening.

i truly felt like vomiting in parts.

maybe my heart is too tender?

not tender enough?

i don't know.

***Spoiler in red!***

i just know that while i thought Sarah's character was admirable and was cheering for her redemption,

i also wanted to shake her out of her bubble a few times.

and Michael? great man of course,

though i thought his most heartless act was consummating their marriage when she clearly was not ready to give heart and soul.

i thought this was a selfish act.

i wanted to kick him.

but it probably would have looked strange sitting on the lake shore  kicking my book.

i liked the book.

but i in no way felt it was one of my favorites ever.

i'm giving it *** and 1/2 stars.
i'd fully recommend it with the exception of the whole sin this book is based upon.
if your heart is prepared to read some hard yuckiness in the world, then you'll be better prepared.
i had no idea.

God Bless,

Mandy

eta: i should have added that while the details were nauseating, i very much appreciate this authors frankness in dealing with sexual temptation and sin.
too many Christian authors sugar coat or simply ignore these things to make it more pure.  Mrs. rivers did not, and i think that put a much more genuine realism into her book.
i should also add, that my favorite (VERY unchristian) book of all time also makes me sick in parts. Outlander. i DO NOT recommend my favorite series ever.  how's that for honesty ;)
there were aspects that truly gave me  nightmares that i will, knowingly, skip over upon my next reading of it.

saturday confessions...

i'm linking up with

a familiar path

for some confessionals:)

i've been reading hers each saturday and keep meaning to join in...

so here we go

1.

i'm now onto reading Francine Rivers Redeeming Love.

which i've been told is one of the best books of all time.

i'm almost 1/2 way through.

and i have yet to agree with the multitudes.

2.

my 3 year old still wears diapers.

he has zero interest in the potty.

which melissa so kindly reminded me.

i, too, stink at potty training.

3.

i bought a bed in Dec.

my husband won't put it together.

so, after 6 months, i dismantled the old one.

he hasn't had a bed to sleep in in 2 nights

 (let's forget that i'm kinda in the same situation there too okay?)

he'll have his back when he gets around to putting ours together
 : D

4.

i dropped my camera today.

thank GOD for lens covers.

totally broken,

and i had just put on my best, most expensive lens!

5.

i needed my bunco group last night.

not only was it fun as always,

but it was nourishing and breathed some life back into me.

God Bless,

Mandy

pathetic...

(what?  don't you play baseball in a pink sparkly dress?)

so my last posts have been...

pathetic.

short.

"i'm gonna write something just to say , yes, i have blogged recently".

ha.

what can i say?

i've been 'spring' cleaning like a mad woman.

only it seems as though each time i turn around it's all undone again.

little savages!



and i had to laugh when i read in a homemaking article that wiping down cabinets and walls should be done once a year.

!!!???!!!

seriously?

i do that every couple weeks and sadly,

i'm sure it still looks worse than the lady doing it once a year.

hoodlums!

 

i'm up to my ears in homeschool materials.

which i was beyond excited to get and pour over.

and yet, when it got here,

i was ov-er-whelmed!

and then i got a call from the kids school.

she said she had heard i'd be homeschooling next year and needed a confirmation so they didn't place my kids for next year.

gulp.

i had about a full second of panic before saying yes.

yes, i am planning on homeschooling my kids.



 the panic was very temporary.

and all i keep feeling is that YES,

i am doing it!

i made a good choice.

the right one.

i KNOW i did.

regardless of what people think,

i am excited to be home with my kids every.single.day.

they are BLESSINGS.

i'm learning to love dishes.

crayons on the wall.

toothpaste on the bathroom ceiling (oh yes, there is).

( i swear they are not being strangled.  it looks bad but it was funny)

i've also been reading.

incessantly.

i go through phases.

i won't read for a month, maybe a little more.

then i get the itch.

 and i scratch it until i've managed to devour 4,5,6 books in a matter of a couple weeks.

so i've read about 7 in the last 3 weeks.

i finally read

To Kill a Mockingbird!

and realized that, no, i had never read it in highschool.

i must have smooth talked through that one.

it was beautiful.

currently next to my bed is Sherlock Holmes.

eagerly anticipating the next movie!



(do you see honey's face in this?  cracks me up!  our daughter is brutal!)

so what have YOU been up to?

God Bless,

Mandy

Parenting Books...

some excellent parenting books i highly recommend...

these are the best 2 i've ever read...

and i've read quite a few!

this book is one that you will go back to and have pages marked up in-

promise!

Creative-Correction by Lisa Whelchel

if you have a strong willed child, this book is a must.

one of the best aspects of this book?

it reminded me of God's design, that my strong willed child is NOT the only one, and that it can be conquered...

New Strong Willed Child James Dobson

God Bless,

Mandy

books...

ah.

books.

i'm one of those pathetic people that gets so wrapped up in fictional worlds i could forget to be present in my own.

  i want to start 'reviewing' more of my books here.

whacha think?

  so,

it is rare i find a book i can actually dislike.

therefore, my rating system would throw a high school teacher into despair.

this is how i'm gonna work it.

5*****= LOVE! on my favorites list.

4****= very good, i recommend it.
3***= good book.
2**= eh. take it or leave it.

1*= it stinks.

a note: though i try to read mostly clean books i do have a tolerance for stuff in books that i NEVER would in movies.

for some reason it's not near as bad in my imagination as when depicted on screen!

so a few i just finished:

Water for Elephants: ****.

by sara gruen

i really liked it.  it kept my interest, i loved the setting/time period.

cursing/ some sexual situations but nothing explicit/violence.

read it.

i can't wait to see the movie!

The Forgotten Garden:****

by kate morton.

a really fun book.
interesting storyline.

set in australia/england from turn of the century to modern day, follows a family of women through a maze of hidden secrets.

very clean.

the Secret Life of Bees***

by sue monk kidd

this was a good book.

very well written.

the story line?

eh. it was good.

the writing?

fabulous.

deep south issues set around the civil rights era.

i don't believe there was anything bad in it, but i honestly don't recall.

it was a whole month or so ago.

i do remember some voo-dooish element amongst some characters.

okay so now?

my list to read this summer!

1. Mocking Jay and Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins.

her first book in the series,

the Hunger games *****

was so good, that i am proud i refrained from rushing out to buy these next 2.

they are set in the future (not usually my cuppa), and are geared towards teens.
kind of a survivor meets the olympics.
but with death and gore.
like a train wreck, horrific but you can't stop looking.
but really good.
really.

2. the Galway Chronicles Series

by Brock and Bodie Thoene.

because it takes place in Ireland.

hello.

and i'll probably start it, not finish all the books.

3.  Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.

cuz everyone says i should.

but no,
not jumping off any bridges here.
cuz i'm also a big wimp.

4. the Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.

because it was a quarter at a yard sale.

brand new.

hmmm...

maybe that should tell me somethin'?

i'm not sure what it's even about but it is by my bedside to start.

nevermind. read the back.  scary vampireness.
not light and sweet like Twilight sounding either.
into the 'sell' bag it goes...

5. Reread To Kill a Mockingbird

because for some reason i can't recall it from highschool(?!)

seriously.
i remember nearly all, but that one?
is it possible maybe i thought i read it and didn't?
seriously not too sure now...

eta:  i forgot that i've been trying to get into Winds of War  by Herman Wouk.
i'm about 1/4 way through, not getting really involved for some reason.

and also,

6. the Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott is on my list!

k girls, anything else i should add?

i should say i will also be reading some non fiction mixed in there!

  i'll keep ya posted!

and rating away:)

God Bless,

 Mandy

p.s. i never have spelled recommend right the first try.

that's all.

A Book...

you can buy it here

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

this book is

amazing.

truly.

what an honor to have read this book.

it reminds 'us' of the women God called us to be in a beautiful and candid way.

i tried to find a line to give you from the book.

i couldn't.

nearly every line is a nugget of truth worthy of sewing in to your heart.

this is a book that every Christian woman should have dogeared on her shelf.

go buy it,

then come back here and tell me what you thought:)

God Bless,

mandy

Do You Need to Have "THE TALK" With Your Kids??

Okay, so I'm jumping into the deep end here.

My oldest is 9.

As conservative as we are as a family on what he views, hears, etc., I'm pretty sure there are things he hears at school and around that make him wonder what in the world that means.

So how do I handle it??

By doing what I do best...

buying a book on the subject.

No people I wasn't prepared to jump right in on my own (on my own means of course with my husband completely speechless by my side).

I still blush when buying undergarments for Pete's sake.

No, seriously , I do.

I have to hide it under other items in the carts,

on the conveyor belt,

and then distract myself with something to do as the checker rings me up.

And we're talking at wal-mart, not some skimpy lingerie shop!

So ya, I've been feeling a tad anxious about this conversation.

That's where the book comes in.

A Chicken's Guide To Talking Turkey With Your Kids About Sex

Authored by Dr. Kevin Leman and Kathy Flores Bell.

you can buy it here:

here

This book is from a Christian perspective, and is full of great information.

There is a whole lot to it that goes beyond the birds and bees conversation, it talks about parenting styles that can set your child up for self discipline, responsibility, etc, that then prepare them for making good choices when it comes to sex.

I admit some of it scares the daylight out of me, and reading this has not eliminated all my fear in approaching this topic.

What it has done is shown me how to be no nonsense straight forward age appropraite with our kids, reinforced crucial life skills your child needs to obtain through the parent to have the confidence to make those good choices, and given me a jumping off point.

I would highly recommend this book to any parent.

  I would also highly NOT recommend you walking into your back yard and yelling above your husbands drilling

"Hey Honey, you know that Chicken Sex book I'm reading??"

Because it could send the entirely wrong message to your neighbors.

Not that I did that or anything!

God Bless,

Mandy

Book Review-TWILIGHT

Okay, so here it is.

My reluctance to go Twilight waned as more and more people bugged urged me to just read it before I judged it.

I figured that was fair enough.

So I read it.

For the Con side:

I think it was very simplistically written (which for the teen audience was fine, but seemed a little...lacking in fine writing skills).

It was obviously geared towards teens which you would think would have eliminated a substantial readership population, but obviously did not.

I think the lead female -Bella (did I really need to tell you that??)- was pretty,well, blah.

I think that the whole vampire thing is a little ridiculous and too out there

(says the girl who loves the time travel series)

Pros:

To me there was only one 'up' side to this novel (if you can actually call it a novel).

That being the intensity in the relationship between Edward and Bella.
Which made up for the other stuff that was lacking.

I give the book that whole heartedly.

The emotion on both side was intense enough to have you remembering that first kiss and the desires that come with adolescence.

It was this intensity that was the stories saving grace and made it into the sensation it is.

I think had Meyer been any less than incredibly intense this book would never have seen the light of day, but that wasn't the case.

It wasn't a simple 'we fell in love' story, it was catch your breath intensity between the characters.

Could I say intensity anymore??

Sorry, I'm at a loss for how else to say it.

I still think it was kinda lame in many ways, coming from my nearly 30 year old mind set.

Had I read this at seventeen I probably would have been swooning too.

I still think Meyer is a long shot from a fantastic writer.

But she obviously can spin some romance that leaves you anticipating the next kiss, etc.

So yes, it was a good story.

Not a fantastic book but a fun read.

I will probably complete the series, but I'm not so involved that I feel the need to rush out and get the next.

If you like Twilight because of that amazing intensity between main characters, well,

go read Outlander and come back here and try to convince me that Edward and Bella have anything on Jaime and Claire. 

(sorry peeps, you know I had to work some Outlander in).

Anyways, so there's my opinion for what it's worth, which is probably not much, but hey, a bunch of you asked :)

God Bless,

Mandy

Withdrawls...

I'm done.

It's all over for the next 2 yrs or so.

Is it ridiculous to mourn??

To wear black?

To cry if I happen to meet someone named Jamie?

Because I've finished the series ( one left to come out in a couple years).

I don't think I've been as obssessed with anything other than Anne Of Green Gables like this.

For the record the last time I mentioned the Outlander series I felt the need to go back and add an eta.  But I'm sure noone actually reread that post so I'll say it again.

This book is totally out of the norm for me.

I'm a goody 2 shoes.

This book is full of cursing, taking God's name in vain, etc.

It has-hmm, hmm,-LOTS of adult content (which in my weak mind I justify because they are married).

It has very disturbing and graphic violence.

It has many things in which I am morally opposed to.

Which is one of the main reasons I am a little scared that if it ever does become a movie I won't even be able to watch it!

All that being said,

the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is one of the most intricately written, involving,

interesting, stories I have ever read.

They are loooong...and yet you feel like you don't get enough.

They are an amazing blend of historical fiction, romance and adventure.

Ther characters become real and yet the story is so unrealistic.

Gabaldon changes perspective throughout the novels.

From 1st person to 3rd seemlessly.

She writes with detail that leaves you smelling, hearing and seeing the scene.

Since it has always been a dream of mine to be a writer the details in this story appeal to me on that level.

I admit I've got issues.

  I even contemplated buying this:

http://www.zazzle.com/find_james_fraser_copy_bag-149696771761301879

or this :

http://www.cafepress.com/+i_love_jamie_fraser_jr_hoodie,133836071

Do I need help or what??!!

Anyways, rest in peace Jamie and Claire, I look forward to meeting back up in a couple years.

And forgive me friends and family that are considering putting me in the looney bin.

I promise if you read it you will end up there with me.

God Bless,

Mandy

Busy Busy Busy....

Birthdays, Easter, Baseball oh my!

Lots of things going on here lately,

grass is finally growing in,

jasmine are planted,

tulips are blooming,

monkey1 began baseball ( and trying desperatly to catch up to the boys who already know the game-can you say anxious mama?)

,another Dr. apt. for monkey2 because her glasses don't seem to be helping her vision issues:(,

blood tests and x-rays back on monkey 3 with no answers:(,

                                              monkey 4?  WEANED!!!!! woo-hoo!!

Honey will begin work on the storageshed next weekend!!!Woo-hoo again!

as for me?...

I got nothin'.

cleaning, wiping, cooking, reading the 6th book in Outlander series -if you are a big reader and haven't picked up Outlander yet just do it!  It's fabulous .  but fair warning each book is between 950-1400 pages.  and there are 7 books so far.

eta:  I should have put a parental discretion notice on this book reccomendation.  I  am usually oh so morally conscience of the books I read, but in all honesty this book has a lot of content that is...well..adult.  It has violence , language, 'romance'...(I won't type the s@# word) , and yucky situations that are pretty horrible and haunting.

With all that said, it is still an amazing work . And I have no problems claiming it to be a favorite.

this does not mean i recommend it...proceed with caution! And remember, this is coming from an all out goody-goody!

before I go I'll share a few shots of a day out @ the Ranch (mimi's house!)

rubber boots

alligator lizards-ewww!

shooting

mimi

decorating an apple with a feather...

cashikins(what i call him) is always with us

so cute

shooting with dad...

and best capture of the day is...

when he realized he hit the target!

pure joy:)

God Bless,
Mandy

momism:  if you have ever used your purse to catch vomit in an emergency, you are a mother :)! 

(thanks to Shelly for that one!)

Today's 5 Things...

1.  Happy birthday to Lailee, my niece, and Cole and Jessie, neighbors and my kids best buddies!

2.  That german choc. cake Orenda made was AMAZING.

3. Monkey #1 informed me he'll be asking Santa for a DSI...I'm afraid he will be sorely disappointed since Santa thinks dsi's are too expensive, inappropriate and just not happenin'

4.  Midway through Portrait Of A Lady by Henry James and thinking that he is one fabulous writer.

5.Monkey #3's blood work came back clear, now next we'll see an orthopedic specialist

God Bless,

Mandy