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History, Food & Health

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today I am going to share three books. One is on the history of everything--the universe, earth and people. The next is on the history of food. The final is a beginner's guide to essential oils--a hot topic these days.We will start in the beginning with Absolutely Everything!: A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots and Other Things Too Numerous to Mention by Christopher Lloyd.  

Holiday Wreaths & Ornaments with Supplies from Dollar Tree -- a Crafty Weekends Link Party

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post. This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

I have been in such a holiday mood. I don't really like Halloween, so I think I have been trying to skip over it and get to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plus the amazing Christmas products at Thirty-One are only available in October and November so I have been trying to let people know about them and am planning a holiday shopping party in the beginning of November. I was thinking it would be fun to have some door prizes and just prizes to make the party more of a celebration. What better prizes than homemade ones and I made some with supplies from Dollar Tree. I made two wreaths and some different ornaments.

Sharing Saturday 18-33



We are back to weekly Sharing Saturdays!! It is time for Sharing Saturday!! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts. So glad you joined us!!

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And if you have any cultural or diverse posts be sure to share them over at Multicultural Kid Blogs Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop (a new one starts on Sunday). 

Keeping the Meaning of Christmas in Your Family's Life during the Crazy Holiday Season


Disclosure: I was sent a copy of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Every holiday season I look for resources to help my family keep Jesus in the front of our minds. This year I found two books--one for me and one for Hazel (and possibly the whole family) to read together. Both are from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling series. I am sharing them nice and early so you can get a copy for yourself and your family and experience Jesus during the crazy season. The one for children is Jesus Calling The Story of Christmas

History of Rumpelstiltskin and a Feminist Version of the Story


Today I am going to share a bit of the history of the tale, Rumpelstiltskin as well as a newer version of it that will make many feminists very happy. Let's just say the miller's daughter does not marry the mean king!! Let's start with the history of the tale of this funny, little man who can spin straw into gold.

Paper Flowers Chinese Style a Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: Tuttle Publishing sent me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Tonight I am sharing with you a fun book to make beautiful paper flowers. It is Paper Flowers Chinese Style by Liu Fang and Yue Yunyun. Now Hazel loves making flowers but has not explored this book with me. 

Sharing Saturday 18-32



We are back to weekly Sharing Saturdays!! It is time for Sharing Saturday!! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts. So glad you joined us!!

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And if you have any cultural or diverse posts be sure to share them over at Multicultural Kid Blogs Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop (a new one starts on Sunday). 

Fairy Tales in Different Cultures: a West Indies Rumpelstiltskin

The Girl Who Spun Gold

Last week we brought back our Fairy Tales in Different Cultures and introduced the tale of Rumpelstiltskin. This week we are going to look at another version of Rumpelstiltskin. This one is written by Virginia Hamilton and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon and is called The Girl Who Spun Gold. In the author's notes about the story Virginia shares a bit of history of the Rumpelstiltskin tale and shares that this West Indian version is written what is called black dialect. 

Crafty Weekends Link Party



It is time to see what you have been creating! This week I am skipping sharing a craft or reviewing a craft book. I have had an exciting week starting a new career as a Thirty-One Consultant (you can shop here to support me) and this weekend I have been visiting my parents since Hazel has a long weekend and we spent today doing a walk to support the Alzheimer's Family & Caregiver Support Center who do amazing things and never charge anyone!! We would love to have you support us by donating here. Now onto seeing your features and crafts!! Thank you to everyone who shared with us at our last party. It was a fun party with lots of creativity shared! There were many autumn crafts shared last week!! Below are a few of the features from our last party, but be sure to go back and check out the many great crafts shared! Please remember for your child-oriented crafts, activities, lessons, etc. Sharing Saturday is going on!! We are back to weekly Sharing Saturdays now!! be sure to stop by and share your kid-oriented activities!! And if you have cultural posts be sure to share them at Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop this month!  I can't wait to see what your latest creations!!

Sharing Saturday 18-31



We are back to weekly Sharing Saturdays!! It is time for Sharing Saturday!! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts. So glad you joined us!!

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And if you have any cultural or diverse posts be sure to share them over at Multicultural Kid Blogs Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop

Books for Ages 7-12

Disclsoure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have to admit that I am having trouble keeping up with my reading and the great books keep on coming in. Of course this week hasn't helped since I have been focused on starting my new career as a Thirty-One Consultant. I would love to have you shop my party this month and help me kick off my new career. There are wonderful choices for gifts and more! But back to my books. I have a large number of books to review and have not gotten through all of them, so I am going to share some with you today and I will admit that I have not finished them yet (but I don't have room on my review shelves for them either). These books are perfect for ages 7 to 12 so second through sixth grade. We will start with one that is perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month which ends on Monday. The book is Merci Suarez Changes Gear by Meg Medina.

Halloween, Dressing Up, Pretend Play, & Friend Picture Books

Disclsoure: I was sent these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is hard to believe it is already October. That means we need to think about Halloween. Now I have posted in the past how Halloween is not our favorite holiday and how Hazel hates October because of the gory and scary decorations in yards and stores. When Hazel was young we found some Halloween books she loved, but not too many. Today we are going to share two more Halloween books that are fun and two books that involve dressing up, being yourself and being kind and making friends. All of these books are for kids in the age range of 3 to 8. We will start with Skelly's Halloween by David Martin and illustrated by Lori Richmond. 

Books to Build Faith, Self Confidence and More for Teenagers and Young Women

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books as part of the BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you have or know a child (especially a girl) who struggles with being enough? Today I am sharing two Christian books that use faith, God's love and more to help teenagers and young women realize their own potential, faith and self confidence. The first book is Unshakable Hope Student Edition Promise Book by Max Lucado. 

Fairy Tales in Different Cultures: Rumpelstiltskin & Other News


Some of my most popular posts are the ones in my Fairy Tales in Different Cultures series. I have been considering bringing it back. Then when I was at the library the other day the children's librarian mentioned some different versions of Rumpelstiltskin. I decided to check out what versions there are of Rumpelstiltskin and Sleeping Beauty. So today I am sharing Rumpelstiltskin retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. (I also have big news down at the end of the post!)

Crafty Weekends Link Party



It is time to see what you have been creating! This week I am skipping sharing a craft or reviewing a craft book since I have a cold and know I won't be able to write a good post. So onto seeing your features and crafts!! Thank you to everyone who shared with us at our last party. It was a fun party with lots of creativity shared! There were many autumn crafts shared last week!! Below are a few of the features from our last party, but be sure to go back and check out the many great crafts shared! Please remember for your child-oriented crafts, activities, lessons, etc. Sharing Saturday is going on!! We are back to weekly Sharing Saturdays now!! be sure to stop by and share your kid-oriented activities!! And if you have cultural posts be sure to share them at Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop this month!  I can't wait to see what your latest creations!!

Sharing Saturday 18-30



We are back to weekly Sharing Saturdays!! It is time for Sharing Saturday!! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts. So glad you joined us!!

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And if you have any cultural or diverse posts be sure to share them over at Multicultural Kid Blogs Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop

Fun Facts about Tacos with Recipe and Craft Round-Up for Naitonal Taco Day


Today (October 4) is National Taco Day!! I know I am having tacos for lunch. How about you? In honor of it I thought I would share some fun facts and a taco recipe and craft round-up. Then get out and get yourself a taco!!

Sign Here ... Review

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you know a child who has trouble communicating his or her feelings? Or maybe one who hates writing thank you notes and other letters? This book is perfect for them and really for any kid who wants to have fun, express him/herself and laugh. The book is Sign Here by Gabrielle Djanogly and illustrated by Adele Mildred. 

National Homemade Cookie Day -- Let's Get Baking -- Recipe Round-Up and Fun Facts


There is nothing better than a homemade cookie fresh out of the oven. What is your favorite kind? Today, October 1st, is National Homemade Cookie Day, so I thought I would share some fun facts and a cookie recipe round-up so you can get baking!!