Mixed Media Masterpieces

disclaimer:  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinions.  All opinions remain my own.

 

"Mixed Media Masterpieces with Jenny & Aaron"

Create Incredible Art Journals and Handmade Mixed Media Treasures with Two Master Crafters

 

by Jenny Heid & Aaron Nieradka

 

 

 

  "Mixed Media Masterpieces with Jenny & Aaron"  is a book full of helpful ideas for art journal pages, scrapbooks, etc. It also contains a lot of techniques and helpful tips to make decorations and invitations a reflection of your personality.

 

 

  Mommy in PA:  This book was full of beautiful craft ideas for sprucing up your scrapbook pages to make them reflect who you really are.  They mention Art Journaling (which I had no idea even existed until this book).  They also do a lot of decorating using things like copies of old photographs. 

 

 

 

 

 

  The only project shown in the whole book that I didn't really care for was the fake food.  It looked beautiful I just couldn't see how it would be useful to me, but to each his own : )

 

 

  There are projects for every skill level.  They make sure they don't just show you the techniques but also show you a whole finished project.  They have photos for everything step by step which makes learning the techniques super easy. 
 

 

 

 

  The only problem I can see with attempting mixed media art is that I would probably end up with bins full of stuff that I would plan on using in projects and never get around to doing.  But if you are the crafty type and what to learn how to make multi-layer projects using mixed media than this is the book for you.

The Best Dog Tricks on the Planet

disclaimer:  I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinions.  All opinions remain my own.

 

"The Best Dog Tricks on the Planet"

by Babette Haggerty with Barbara Call

 

 

 

 

  So your dog can sit but can he/she do yoga poses, do the hokey pokey, or sort your laundry?  I bet your answer was the same as mine : )  This book goes above and beyond your typical dog tricks and teaches you step by step how to teach your dogs to perform like the ones on television.  And there is a good reason for that, the author is the daughter of Captain Haggerty who was known for his participation in "Stupid Pet Tricks" on the "Late Show with David Letterman". 

 

 

  Like her father, Babette has a lot of success in the dog training business.  She was voted "Palm Beach's Favorite Dog Trainer" and has appeared many times on tv and radio.  She has also worked with many famous people's beloved pooches. 

 

 

  So do you doubt that your dog can do what the ones on tv do?  Well guess again.  This book will show you step by step what to do.  Each trick shows the hand signal used, the verbal cue, the tools needed, the difficulty of the trick, and the average amount of time it can take before your dog will master the trick.  

 

 

  Mommy in PA:  I love this book!  I requested it because I figured my kids would love to teach our dog, Archie, some more tricks.  He already knows sit, shake, give five, and this book has helped us work on his speaking some.  I'm hoping that when school gets out for the summer that they will be more interested in working with him more. 

 

 

  The pictures our very helpful and I was very impressed at the number of tricks in the book that I had never even thought of.  I think that this book would make the perfect gift for someone who just got a new puppy or dog. 

Lowe's Build & Grow

Lowe's Build & Grow

 

 

 Looking for something fun to do on a Saturday morning?  Lowe's has an excellent program for kids called Lowe's Build & Grow.  We took my son there Saturday to make his very own claw game.  He had so much fun and it was totally free.  You get there and they hand you a bag with all of your supplies and a hammer.  You work at your own pace but they are there for help if you need them.  When your child finishes their project you show it to them and your child will get their very own apron, badge to iron on the apron, and a completion certificate. 

 
 

You can register now for their next project that will be taking place on March 8th at 10AM...they will be making a birdhouse!!!  Just go here to register : )

The Power of a Half Hour

disclaimer:  I received this book for free from Waterbrook Press in exchange for my honest opinion.  All opinions remain my own.

"The Power of a Half Hour:  Take Back Your Life Thirty Minutes at a Time"

by Tommy Barnett

 

 

 

  So what do you do with your half hours?  Do you spend them watching television, surfing the web, or playing video games?  Or maybe you use yours to call and catch up with an old friend, learn something new, or pray about something that is on your mind.  The concept itself is simple...use your time (even your half hours) wisely.  This book will tell you how to do just that. 

  Mommy in PA:  I know, I know...a half hour isn't very long, how could I possibly do anything in a half hour that will make that much of a difference in my life?  That's the whole thing though...most of us have more than one extra half hour in the day that we are typically engaged in something that is more of a recreational pursuit than something that will be productive in our lives. 

  I love the concept behind this book and it goes pretty well with my positive thinking motto.  What I don't care for is the author's way of explaining things.  This book took me forever to read.  I really should have just tried reading it thirty minutes at a time like it mentioned.  The book does give good advice but it seems like the authors example stories take up most of the book. 

  I personally found the 36 page "Personal Action Plan" section at the back of the book to be more helpful to me than the whole 165 pages before it.  It is packed full of useful info without all the author's personal experiences.  I think that they should have used the action plan itself as the guts of the book and maybe put the example stories at the back in case some folks needed more clarification.

Claiming Mariah

disclaimer:  I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. in exchange for my honest opinions.  All opinions remain my own.

"Claiming Mariah"

by Pam Hillman

 

 

 

  Mariah knew she had to apologize for what her father had done to the Donovan's so many years before.  She didn't expect the Donovan boys to show up at her doorstep when she sent them a letter after her father died, and she certainly wasn't expecting the oldest boy, Slade, to thrown her and her grandma out on the street.

 

 

  Was what Slade was saying about her father true?  Mariah had some tough decisions to make to support herself, her grandmother, and her sister back in Philadelphia.  They were barely scraping by as it was with the Lazy M ranch.  Should she consider the proposal that Frederick made, he was nice enough but would marrying him now just to save face be worth it in the long run? 

 

 

  Mommy in PA:  I loved this book!  It was just what I needed on these cold Pennsylvania nights, a great page turner to pass the time.  The storyline is a little on the predictable side but not too much and it left me wanting there to be a sequel. 

 

 

  The author did a wonderful job describing everything, you really feel like you are there as you are reading.  I could totally picture the Lazy M ranch and feel how sad it would have to have been for Mariah to think about leaving all that her family had built there. 

 

 

  I love how the author comes up with a way to link characters situations.  There is a little boy in the story that is growing up just like Slade grew up and it makes him want to help the boy.  It is definitely a feel good read. 

 

 

  There is also some action in the story too but I don't want to go giving too much away, you'll just have to read it for yourself : )

John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks

disclaimer:  We received the products below for free in exchange for our honest opinions.  All opinions remain our own.

John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks

Product Manufacturer:  John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks

Product Use:  Snack/Appetizer

Product Features:  all-natural ingredients, sourdough and shredded aged cheeses, twice-baked, 

Price:  varies 

Misc:  Created by chef/caterer John Macy in 1976.

Find out More:  website, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Cheese Sticks

The company was kind enough to send us a nice variety so we have broken them down in the categories below:

Original Cheddar

Mommy in GA:The kids' said they taste ALMOST like goldfish, only better!!  I love the packaging because you can easily stack them in the snack cabinet, although, from previous posts yall know I am a fan of re-sealing snacks, that is the only thing i can think of that would improve the product :)

Mommy in PA:  The cheese flavor could have been a little bit stronger but other than that these were delicious, addictive actually (where did they all go?)  My daughter and I tried these ones first and ate about half of the box before we even thought of trying any of the other flavors.  

Cheddar & Scallion

We did not receive this kind.

Garlic Romano

We did not receive this kind.

Dijon Swiss

Mommy in GA: These were a hit at the superbowl party (this will seem repetitive soon because, all the ones I sat out where a hit at the superbowl party!!) 
They liked the cruchy texture and the flavor of them too :)

Mommy in PA:  These were great!  I just wish the swiss flavor would have been a little bit stronger (I love Swiss Cheese).  My daughter enjoyed these ones also, I never should have left the box out of my sight.

Melting Parmesan

Mommy in GA: We have not tried these yet but, parmesan is not a big hit in this house lol. 

Mommy in PA:  These too are quite tasty.  My daughter didn't like these as much as the other ones but I thought they were good.  

Cheese Crisps

Asiago & Cheddar

Mommy in GA: The kids' liked putting these with the cheddar ones and ate them together as a mix, they thought they were fantastic!!!!

Mommy in PA:  These were by far my daughter's favorite ones.  I too thought they were delicious, just the right cheese flavor strength.  

Smoked Jalapeno

Mommy in GA: I gave these to a freind because I am not a huge fan of jalapeno and they LOVED them!!! She even asked where they could get more :)

Mommy in PA:  These were tasty but my daughter and I both agreed they were a little to spicy for us.  Not lacking in flavor at all : )  We liked them, we just couldn't eat very many at a time. 

Melting Romano

We did not receive this kind.

Sesame Gruyere

Mommy in GA:These were a little bland but, still not bad!  We ate them and they were my 7 year old daughter's favorite, she is not a huge fan of flavors.

Mommy in PA:  These were all in all our least favorite.  Just not enough flavor on their own.  They would probably be quite tasty with a topping of some kind though.

Sweet Sticks

Madagascar Vanilla

Mommy in GA: These were ok but, I have to say our favorite was the Java cinnamon!!

Mommy in PA:  These were addictive.  We ate almost the whole box in one sitting.  These were our favorite sweet ones. 

Java Cinnamon

Mommy in GA: These were our favorite and they did not last long after we opened them, I had to hide them in order to get some!!

Mommy in PA:  Yummy!!!  My daughter and I both agreed that the flavor could have been a little stronger but other than that they were great!

Dutch Chocolate

We did not receive this kind : (

  So if you are looking for a great appetizer starter for the holidays, super bowl party, or just a great everyday snack you should check out the John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks website for some awesome snack recipes or just grab a box and crunch away!

"The Numerology Guidebook"

disclaimer:  I received the book below for free from Hay House, Inc. in exchange for my honest opinions.  All opinions remain my own.

"The Numerology Guidebook:  Uncover Your Destiny and the Blueprint of Your Life"

by Michelle Buchanan

  Have you ever wondered if your name or possibly birth of date had anything to do with who you are?  Well I have and that's why I was so excited to receive a copy of "The Numerology Guidebook".

  The book guides you through how to come up with all of your important numbers:

  Your life path number (the most important number in numerology) sums up what you were born to do and what kind of life you will live.

  Your destiny number reveals you mission in life.

  Your soul number reveals what motivates you.

  Your personality number reveals how you present yourself to others. 

  Your maturity number reveals your future potential.

  Your birth day number reveals your talents and abilities.

  Your current name number works along with your destiny number to add traits and experiences. 

  Your karmic lesson numbers helps point out specific areas in your life that may need some work.

  The book gives you tons of information about each of the above numbers to give you a very detailed report of who you are and what you could become.  Each section is broke down by number so it is very easy to navigate. 

  There are more numbers that the book shows you how to calculate too (Pinnacles, challenges, essence number, how to choose a baby name, pet name numbers, house/street numbers, wedding day numbers, etc.) 

  I will admit that when I first received this book I was a little overwhelmed looking at all those mathematical equations, I had actually set the book aside for awhile because I didn't think I had the time to do all that math : )  Well when I did finally pick it back up again it took me a total of about 2 hours to write up the seven basic numbers, life cycle, and pinnacles for all four of us.  It was not nearly as difficult as it seemed. 

   I was surprised at how accurate our results were.  Mine were almost totally correct (It said I was creative, artistic and gifted with words - I had a poem published in Cat Fancy magazine when I was a teenager and I used to love to paint), my son's was also almost dead on (especially for what he plans to be when he grows up), my husbands was about 75% accurate, but my daughter's seemed pretty far off.  I plan to go back over hers using a different addition method. 

 

  There are a couple of things that are confusing like whether or not to reduce an 11, 22, or 33.  We only got a few of the elevens so I just left them alone as 11/2 and it worked out fine.  The book explains these in great detail.

  This is a great reference book and I know I will keep it handy for years to come.