Menu Plan Monday 11/26

Praising God for such a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend! The ENTIRE family was all present for the first time in 16yrs and it was AMAZING!! Had a wonderful feast prepared by my sister and had fun "hanging out"! My family was also blessed with a Pre-cooked meal from a local grocery by a small group from our church. I also went out on Thanksgiving Day and purchased a 15lb Turkey to put in our freezer for cooking at a later time. I paid $8.78 after the sale price! I do hope to catch another sale during the next month and hopefully get a couple more.

 Here is our menu plan for the week with recipe links in blue: Weekly Menu Plan 11/25-12/1

For more Menu Plans and Recipes links visit: 

Menu Plan Monday 11/26

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LitFuse Blog Tour: The Breath of Dawn by Kristen HeitzMann

About The Breath of Dawn:

 "Heitzmann weaves a many-layered tale keep[ing] readers entertained and wondering when the next bit of drama will occur." -Publishers Weekly

Corporate turnaround specialist Morgan Spencer, dubbed the "success guru," has a Midas touch in business. But losing his wife sent him to the brink, and his two-year-old daughter, Livie, is all he's living for-until they encounter a woman whose trouble just might draw him out of his own.

Four years ago Quinn Reilly did the right thing. Now the man her testimony put in jail is getting out. Though she has put up barriers to protect herself and those around her, she has come to care for the Spencer family, especially the winsome Livie and her mercurial father. Unwilling to put them at risk when the threats begin, she requests something she hopes the super-successful Morgan might be able to deliver.

Fixing problems is what Morgan does best, but his counterproposal takes them in a direction neither is equipped to handle. Determined to confront the past, will they survive to build a future?

Link to buy the book:

    

Meet Kristen:

Kristen Heitzmann is the bestselling author of over a dozen novels, including "Freefall", "Halos", "A Rush of Wings", and the Christy Award winner "Secrets". She and her husband, Jim, and their family live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she serves as worship leader in their church.

Find out more about Kristen at:

My Thoughts and Review:

I am a fan of Kristen Heitzmann, having read many of her books. The Breath of Dawn proved to be another favorite! Breath of Dawn is the 3rd book in a series, but is also great as a Standalone Novel. I have not read the first 2 books in this series, but I was not lost in the storyline.

I really like how the characters in this book grow in their faith and overcome obstacles in this story. The book is filled with suspense and twists and turns that it is hard to put the book down once you pick it up! I really related to Quinn Reilly in the fact that I also "put up barriers" when I feel I need to protect myself. Quinn gave me some inspiration and encouragement that with God's Love and help you can break those barriers and bring 'em down!

The Breath of Dawn does not disappoint the reader! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars! LOVE Kristen Heitzmann books!

Check out what other reviewers are saying about The Breath of Dawn.

Contest Sponsored by the Author: Win a Kindle Paperwhite and connect with Kristen at her 11/27 Facebook Party!

Kristen Heitzmann is celebrating The Breath of Dawn by giving away one of the new Paperwhite Kindles and hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. (11/27)

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Paperwhite
• The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 26th. Winner will be announced at the "The Breath of Dawn" Author Chat Facebook Party on 11/27. Connect with Kristen, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of The Breath of Dawn and join Kristen on the evening of the November 27th for a chance to connect with Kristen and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book as part of my participation in the LitFuse Blog Tour Program. I was only required to give an honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own. 

LitFuse Blog Tour: The Breath of Dawn by Kristen HeitzMann

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God's Blessing= Stocked Freezer

We have been extremely blessed over the past month with being able to stock our freezer with food, especially vegetables! A couple of friends from our Homeschool Group blessed us with a HUGE bounty of Veggies. I was able to bless some family and friends with some and we kept some for ourselves.

Day 1 Bounty

Day 2 Bounty

A couple of days after receiving the bounty I spent the afternoon to chop and freezer bag the Broccoli and Cauliflower. I am ever so grateful for my Chest Freezer and Food Saver as it truly has been helpful in being able to store more food then we used. I don't miss out on sales anymore due to "not having enough space".

Broccoli 

Cauliflower

I also spent that same afternoon cooking up 7lbs of Dry Pinto Beans that my hubby later mashed into Refried Beans. We LOVE Refried Beans, but we don't like the price nor preservatives in canned Refried Beans. We use Refried Beans weekly so it much more healthier and cost effective to make our own. We were able to get 12 16oz containers and 3 bigger containers from the 7lbs. We are set for at least 3 months.

Refried Beans

We also received the blessing of 20 Baked Potatoes from church recently. We help at our church on Wednesday afternoons/evenings to prep for the Wednesday night dinner. The kitchen help tries to freeze any leftovers that can be frozen so that families from the church who are in need of meal(new baby, bereavement, whatever reason) it can be provided. The food that cannot be frozen, the kitchen help divides up amongst us and we take home. I decided to take the potatoes and slice them down the middle. I scooped out the insides and was left with 2 shells and the insides I put in a bowl. We made mashed potatoes with the insides and Potato Skins with the shells. We ended up with 2 different products from the potato blessing!

Potatoes

We still have Squash that we are going to cook up for dinners! I PRAISE God for the blessings that are stocking our freezer and our "tummies"!

God's Blessing= Stocked Freezer

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Energizer "Power the Creativity" with Crayola (Mom Central Event)

I, along with my boys, recently had the opportunity to attend an Event called Power the Creativity with Energizer and Crayola. The Event was AMAZING and now I share with you the fun we had and info I learned!

The Event was held at Family Grounds Cafe on the Northside of Chicago. The Cafe has a GREAT play area for the kids and plenty of tables and chairs for the parents to sit and chat. The Cafe was a PERFECT spot to host the event and it was beautiful!

The Play Area tables were filled with lots of Crayola products for the kids to use and enjoy. My boys LOVE Arts and Crafts and Drawing, so they took to the items right away. My boys had fun with the Wonder Paper products of all kinds. Danny especially loved playing with the Sketcher Projector and Nathan loved Light Up Paint Palette. The boys were especially excited when we moved into the "dark room" where they had lots of Glow in the Dark products set up for play. Danny really got into playing with the Light Designer. The Light Designer sort of reminded me of a toy from my childhood, but better! The boys had an amazing time playing and exploring with all the wonderful Crayola toys!

Nathan "Painting"

Danny and the Light Designer toy

An Assortment of Crayola Toys powered by Energizer Batteries

The boys were excited about the Crayola toys, as was I. I though, was super excited about the Energizer Flameless Wax Candles that were on the tables. I don't use candles in my home because for me Boys + Candles= Danger. The Energizer Flameless Wax Candles have the feel and look of real candles, but are powered by Energizer Max Batteries and an LED Light which NEVER needs replacing. The Energizer Flameless Candles for me = SAFETY and ENJOYMENT!

I really like the features of the candle which include: 

• Coming in a variety of Sizes, Scents and Colors. 
• An On/Off Switch which allows for you to control the length of time each day it is used
• A 4hr timer on the bottom which allows the candle to turn on each day at the same time for 4hrs

Energizer Candle at Event

I have been enjoying the candle with Energizer Max with Power Seal Technology batteries that I received the day of the event! I have even put these on my Christmas Wish List so that I can have many for all rooms of my home!

The Holiday shopping season is upon us and it is important to stock up on Batteries for all the toys, gadgets and gifts that will need batteries. I remember having disappointed kids on Christmas morning in past years because I forgot the batteries! Oops!! Don't be like me , stock up now on Energizer Max with Power Seal Technology! The batteries hold their power for up to 10 yrs on the shelf. Energizer batteries have power that outlast any other battery, so you can stock up on the new Energizer Max batteries without worry of "corrosion". Make sure to look for specially marked packages of Energizer Max AA and AAA 16 packs and you will find $20 off select Crayola products  inside the battery packs.

THANK YOU to Energizer and Crayola products for sponsoring such a fun filled and informative event!

Find Energizer on Social Media: 
Energizer Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Energizer  
Energizer Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Energizer

Disclosure: "I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Energizer. I attended an event and received a promotional item to thank me for my participation." 

Energizer "Power the Creativity" with Crayola (Mom Central Event)

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LitFuse Blog Tour: Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love

About Every Perfect Gift: 

Book 3 in Dorothy Love's Hickory Ridge Romance series.

Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they're not sharing could tear them apart.

Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.

Ethan Heyward's idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.

When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She's equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan's own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance.

Link to Buy the Book:

Meet Dorothy:  

An accomplished author in the secular market, Dorothy Love makes her inspirational fiction debut with her Hickory Ridge series of historicals set in her native South. Her skillful blending of the historical and the personal reflect her passion for discovering the histories of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things and set her apart as an authoritative voice of Southern historical fiction.

Find out more about Dorothy at: Dorothy Love Books

My Thoughts and Review:

Every Perfect Gift is the 3rd and final book in the Hickory Ridge Series by Dorothy Love. I was able to read the 2nd book in the series a few months ago and loved it and this book continues the story and is just as wonderful. I enjoy Dorothy Love's writing style and books. Every Perfect Gift is would also be a great read even if you haven't read the first 2 books. The first thing that really stands out is the cover of the book. The cover is so beautiful and lovely, VERY well done!

I LOVE Historical Fiction and Romance books, so the 2 together and I am soo in heaven! I LOVE how Sophie is determined to make something of herself in the town she lived in before and sets out to buy the newspaper and begins working toward restoring the paper in town. The romance that sparks when Sophie interviews Ethan, an accomplished Businessman, is very evident. The romance is without its struggles though as both are hiding secrets from their past.

The historical value of the book is "spot on" and very true for the time and that really makes the book even more enjoyable. The theme of the book is being able to overcome lifes obstacles and giving grace to one another. I picked up the book on a "lazy Saturday afternoon" and began reading and couldn't stop. I finished the book in about 5hrs. I was intrigued by the story and the characters, the book is a GREAT read!

I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5 stars!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book as part of my participation in the LitFuse Blog Tour Program. I was only required to give an honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own. 

LitFuse Blog Tour: Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love

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CWA Review: Growing Great Kids by Kate Battistelli

About the Book:

Successful adults don’t happen by accident. It takes wisdom to raise your children with a strong sense of their destiny in God and a deep knowledge of their gifts and callings.

In Growing Great Kids, Kate Battistelli shares what she and her husband, Mike, learned about parenting during the journey of raising their daughter—Dove Award–winning recording artist Francesca Battistelli. Using anecdotes to illustrate the insights she and her husband gained, she provides practical advice including:

• How to dream God’s big dream for your child
• The value of humility and integrity
• How to interpret God’s seasons in a child’s life 
• The power of a parent’s words, and more

Personal Message from the Author:
"I want to share with you that I'm not a childrearing expert. But I am an expert in raising my child just as you're an expert in raising yours.

No one knows your child better than you do and no one will love them, pray for them and fight for their future like you will. I’m passionate about helping you believe God has a Big Purpose, a God-sized plan for your precious family.

I have no interest in greatness but I have a great interest in helping you raise great kids and encouraging you to partner with God to uncover their unique destiny. Our children are entrusted to us for such a short season and our job is to nurture, guide, train and help them become all God has called them to be!"

Blessings,

Kate

About the Author:

Kate Battistelli is a wife, author, speaker, former Broadway actress, and mom to one of Christian music’s most celebrated new recording artists—Grammy-nominated, Christian contemporary singer-songwriter Francesca Battistelli.

Kate currently volunteers at ESTHER Single Mothers Outreach and is thoroughly enjoying her newest role as grandmother to Francesca’s first child, Matthew Elijah.

Places you can find the author online: 
Learn more about Kate at: http://katebattistelli.com/about-me/meet-kate/

Kate's website: http://katebattistelli.com/

Kate on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KateBattistelli

Kate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/katebattistelli

Youtube video of Kate's Interview with Today's Issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMjUnMV3hts

Francesca's website: http://www.francescamusic.com/

My Thoughts and Review: 

I have to admit I though this book would be like "every other parenting book", but it is FAR from that. Growing Great Kids isn't about discipline methods, getting the kids to cooperate and all that the "other books" entail. Growing Great Kids is a "guide book" that helps Parents guide their children in reaching their full potential in their God given talents and gifts and all that God has in store for them.

We always want to see our children seeking God in all they do, just as us parents do the same. Sometimes it is hard to "redirect" children or even direct children to seeking God for their life. Mrs. Battistelli gives some great advice in achieving this and being our children's "cheerleader" to they are constantly and joyously seeking God's will for their life, talents and gifts!

I really liked this book as it is very encouraging. I am going through some "trying times" with my oldest right now as he begins to use language not approaiate and in pursing interests that are not acceptable. I will be taking the knowledge from "Growing Great Kids" and guiding him back in the direction of God. He is a very talented writer, especially for a 5th grader, and he is also a very talented artist. I truly believe these are his God given gifts and talents and I want to encourage him in those directions. I was at a lost in how to achieve that, but Kate Battistelli has given me some knowledge and direction.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars! 

Buying the Book: 

Growing Great Kids is AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE in bookstores and major retailers for $14.99.

Your readers can buy discounted and personally autographed copies here.

Or purchase online at: Amazon, Christianbook.com, Barnes&Noble or their favorite online retailer.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book for my participation in the CWA Review Crew. I was only required to write an honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own. 

CWA Review: Growing Great Kids by Kate Battistelli

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Tangled Ashes by Michelle Phoenix

About the Book: 

From the Back Cover:
After invading Lamorlaye, France, Nazi officials don’t hesitate to take over the beautiful Meunier manor as their headquarters, hiring two young Frenchwomen, Marie and Elise, who clean and launder to help supplement their families’ meager incomes. But the girls begin to grow suspicious when medical equipment arrives, followed by an influx of pregnant women. As the Nazis’ plans for the manor become clear, the girls must decide where their loyalties truly lie.

More than fifty years later . . .
Architect Marshall Becker arrives in Lamorlaye to begin the massive renovation of a Renaissance-era castle. The project that was meant to provide an escape for Becker instead becomes a gripping glimpse into the human drama that unfolded during the Nazi occupation and seems to live on in midnight disturbances and bizarre acts of vandalism.

Becker explores the castle’s shadowy history as he seeks to cope with the demons from his own past. Only Jade, the feisty nanny of the owner’s children, is willing to stand up to him. But Becker soon discovers that every one of the château’s inhabitants seems to have something to hide and something to protect—and something worth fighting for.


My Thoughts and Review:
I really enjoy Historical Fiction, so when asked to read and review this book I was really excited. I thought the that topic, Nazi times, would be "over my head" but I was willing to "branch out" and read something out of my comfort zone. I was  quite surprised that I really got into the book and felt that I was "in the time". Michelle Phoenix really writes wonderfully and brings the story to life.

The main Characters of the book, especially Marshall Becker, are very intriguing. He is there to do a renovation job, but soon finds himself in the midst of other things, which creates a mystery of the book. The other "modern characters" also make the book a "keep the reader guessing" book.

Tangled Ashes is like a Historical Fiction and Mystery book all in one. I really enjoyed reading it and give it 4.5 stars out of 5. Very good book!

          

Learn more about the Author: Michelle Phoenix 

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book as part of my participation in the HandleBar Marketing Blogger Program. I was only required to write an honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.

Tangled Ashes by Michelle Phoenix

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