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Showing posts with label Mommy time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mommy time. Show all posts

Transform -- My Word for 2023

 


In 2019, I started picking a word for the year. I find the word helps me focus on something for the year. Last year my word was positivity because I really felt like my life needed more positivity. The year before it was inspire. I have also picked connect and flourish. This year I tried to think about what word I wanted and where I wanted to focus in my life. I was thinking I wanted something to do with my teaching. I thought of prosper, resolve, and thrive, but they didn't feel right. I saw a display at our local mall with "JO" in greens and you stand as the "Y". It is put out for the holidays each year. I thought about choosing "joy". Again, I wasn't completely sure. I tried a couple of word of the year generators like this one over at Mama Smiles. I tried hers twice and came up with transform and reflect. 

When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too!

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Phyllis Schwartz and will receive a small stipend for this post. All opinions are my own.

What happens in your house when you are (or mom is) sick? I was lucky. As a stay-at-home mom of a toddler, I actually sort of got sick days. My mother-in-law lives five minutes from us and was always willing to take Hazel for the day. This meant I got some sort of time to rest. It had its own issues like feeding Hazel bacon after the stomach bug. Yup, she came home early that day. But I knew how lucky I was. I had several friends who had no one to help so when they were sick, they still had to be mom. It is hard. Now imagine what it is like if mom is really sick--seriously sick. How do the kids feel? Let's face it moms are important to kids. Mom being sick is a very scary thing for most kids. Today I am sharing a book with you that helps kids find their own role in helping when mom is sick. The book is When Mom Feels Great Then We Do Too! by Phyllis Schwartz and illustrated by Siski Kalla.

This is 52

 


This past week I turned 52. Fifty-two is not one of the benchmark years. I turned 50 in the summer of 2020. It was when we were afraid to be indoors with too many people and were still wearing masks often. Yet it was one of my best birthdays ever. My sister came for the day and she and Hazel made a delicious meal topped off with a homemade birthday cake. They did all the planning, the shopping, the cooking and the cleaning. They even decorated our patio for the party. Yes, we ate outside. My sister works with newborns and their moms in a hospital setting and has taken being cautious to a new level. She wore her mask whenever she was in our house. It was truly the perfect birthday for me because I didn't have to do anything. It was small, intimate and simple. It certainly wasn't the ball my girlfriend went to for one of her friends who turned 50 this year. My girlfriend and many guests caught Covid from the ball. My girlfriend who is a nurse on a Covid unit in a local hospital. My girlfriend whose kids got Covid last summer and her oldest was truly sick for weeks. He could barely move off the couch, and she didn't get it. But she went to a 50th birthday ball and got it. No, my 50th was simple and fun and perfect and best of all we didn't get sick from the celebration!

Finding Oneself as the Pandemic is Hopefully Ending

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

The last two years have been tough on everyone. Everyone I talk to seems to be struggling in some way or another. And it is not because they lost a loved one (though many have) or that they or a family member caught Covid (though many have). It is because we are all tired. Tired of masks. Tired of restrictions. But mostly tired of fighting. America seems more divided than ever. We were divided by politics and that division has grown. We have been divided by racism which is coming to a forefront. Now we are also divided about masks, vaccinations and more. If a person or company does not have the same beliefs, people are fighting, debating and at sometimes getting violent. Then add in that there is a shortage of workers. Everywhere seems to be hiring and they are operating understaffed. People's patience is not there, and they are being rude to the few people who do show up to serve us. It is such a mess. All of these things have gotten me feeling down and miserable. For 2022 I have picked positivity as my word of the year. Let's face it we all need more positivity in our lives (just not positive Covid tests).

Finding Strength Through God in the New Year

 

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

Happy New Year! How is 2022 going for you? Do you make resolutions? Or choose a word for the year? My word for 2022 is positivity. One resolution that is common is working on your spirituality and relationship with God. Today's book will help you find strength through God. It is by New York Times Bestseller Joyce Meyer and is called Strength for Each Day

Peace for the Season -- Christmas Devotional

 

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

It is amazing to me that Thanksgiving is next week!! Christmas will be here before we know it. In the chaos of the holiday season it is important to take time to remember the true reason for the season and also to find some internal peace. Today I am sharing a wonderful devotional that helps you do just that. The book is Peace for the Season by Joel Osteen. 

Bambi 1,000-Piece Puzzle

 

Disclosure: I was sent this puzzle in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Did you know this coming Monday (October 5) is World Animal Day? To honor this day and the world's animals I am going to be sharing several animal themed products over the next few days. Today we are going to start with a fun jigsaw puzzle I fell in love with because it is such an adorable picture. The Bambi Puzzle by Nathalie Lété’ is a great quality and the picture is beautiful. 

It's On the Way -- a Religious Book to Help Pull You from Dark Places in Life

 

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

Last week I shared a bit about what is happening in my life. Things have gone down hill since with my father. There has been a break-through Covid case in the staff of his facility. When I went to visit him we found out and he had a black eye when I saw him. Today we are waiting to hear the results of tests at the hospital after a nighttime fall and hitting his head. I have been so full of worry, anger, and shame. I felt my emotions getting to me and couldn't pull myself up. My depression was seeping back to a point I wasn't sure I could fight on my own. Then I picked up the book I'm sharing today and having just read a few chapters as well as the introduction and foreword my entire mood shifted. I didn't feel like I was falling into despair any more. I remembered to trust God. The book is It's On the Way by Lisa Osteen Comes. And before I tell you about it I want to say to Lisa, thank you! Your words truly are making a difference in my life. 

Holy Hot Mess -- Book Review & Mommy Life Update

 

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

Life has been tough. The past 18 months have been tough on everyone with Covid. However the last month especially has had its own toughness for me. About nine years ago my parents sat Steve and I down at Christmas to let us know my father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. It was caught pretty early. He asked us not to tell Hazel. Fast forward to about six summers ago when my father was discussing his Alzheimer's Disease openly at the dinner table with Hazel there. It was the first time she was hearing he had it. He had forgotten we hadn't told her. He was still doing all right. Then about four years ago he started a slow decline. My parents moved from the house my grandparents (my dad's parents) built on Cape Cod to a 62 and over condo building. The house was becoming too much for them to handle. My sisters and I took over the care of the house and rent it out for much of the summer. We use it for holidays and off-season vacations mostly. We

Classic Paperbacks 1,000-Piece Puzzle -- Mommy Time Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent this puzzle in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I haven't shared a puzzle in awhile. I have been holding onto this one because I was afraid it would take awhile. I brought it to our vacation house last week and actually finished it in two days. The puzzle is Classic Paperbacks 1,000-Piece Puzzle by Richard Baker. 

Adult Paint By Numbers -- Mommy Time Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent this product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Last summer I discovered the joy and relaxation of paint by numbers. I had the pleasure of reviewing a custom paint by number from Winnie's Picks. Needless to say when they offered me another one to review this summer I jumped at the offer. I had a hard time choosing which one I wanted to try. There are many great choices, and of course you can do a custom one like I did last year. I decided to go with Hollyhocks in the Evening Glow. I am considering gifting it to my father since he loves hollyhocks but now that it is done I'm not sure I can give it up.

Peaceful on Purpose

 

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

Have you ever read a book that moves you and changes your life almost instantly? The book I am sharing is one of those books. It was so moving to me that I told Hazel and Steve that they need to read this book. All three of us tend to be anxious people and after this past year there is a lot to be anxious about. This book is perfect for anyone who feels anxious, stressed or worried. The book is Peaceful on Purpose by Joel Osteen. 

Book about Women of the Bible & Prayer

 

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

I said it. Today's book is one of the best Christian books I have ever read! Now I am always intrigued by a book about women of the Bible. I have looked at several of the women in some detail here on this blog. Women like Mary, Esther, and Mary Magdalene. I have shared versions of the Bible as well as devotionals including my go-to devotional that I reread every year! Today I am going to share a book that can be used as a devotional though each chapter is a bit long for a short read that delves into the stories of ten women of the Bible and relates their stories and their prayers to your everyday life. What amazes me most about this book besides that it really hits home is it is written by a man. The book is When Women Pray by Bishop T. D. Jakes. 

Sins of Our Mothers -- Mommy Time Review

 

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

Today I get to share with you a dystopia adult novel. It will have your mind thinking about the roles and rights of women and men in our society. The book is Sins of Our Mothers by Nicole Souza. 

Time to Reset -- a Mommy Time Review

 

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

Have you lost your job? Perhaps your home? Or other major life change? Or perhaps it is just getting through this pandemic? Are you fearing life going back to "normal"? I know the idea of crowds does not excite me any time but especially as the mask mandates are beginning to go away. Today's book is just what we need. It is Time to Reset by Karen Brown Tyson. 

Wabi Sabi--Learning about Embracing Imperfection

 

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

I have a confession to make. I have been meaning to share today's book with you for over a month but I keep picking it up and then reading something else because of time constraints. However I am very excited to share it with you. I will admit I have not completely finished it and will do so because it is so interesting. The book is Wabi Sabi: The Wisdom in Imperfection by Nobuo Suzuki. 

Books to Help Me Make Time for Myself and for God -- Mommy Time Review

 

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

This past year has been very stressful on everyone. Mental health issues are up everywhere. As a mom and wife I think I have probably had to take the most risks with the virus. I am the one who generally goes to run errands. I am the one who goes to the grocery store. I am also the one that deals with making appointments for vaccines, etc. I don't know about where you are but there is a huge vaccine shortage in Massachusetts. And it doesn't help that the federal government has pressured the states to make everyone eligible by a certain date. Adding more people into the mix has just made it harder for the people who were already qualified to get appointments. Steve qualified almost three weeks ago. Today we were able to get him an appointment for next Friday. It has been very hard and frustrating. I have definitely felt like I need time for myself and I definitely need time to connect with God. One way I do this is by journaling and today I'm going to share a perfect journal for both things. It is The Confident Woman Journal by Joyce Meyer. 

In Search of Wisdom -- a Mommy Time Review

 

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

With life in such turmoil during this pandemic I have found it more important to turn to God. Our church is only doing Zoom services so it has been hard to feel connected at times. I have turned to my devotionals and other books. Today I am sharing a book that helps the reader understand the book of Proverbs better. It is called In Search of Wisdom: Life-Changing Truths from the Book of Proverbs by Joyce Meyer.

A Book to Teach Myself Some New Knitting Stitches

 

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

Do you knit? I am a simple knit kind of girl. I tend to do things that don't require much of a pattern. I also tend to only do things that need me to knit and purl. I don't even change colors and really think of myself as a beginner even though I have been knitting for decades. For my Mommy Time Post I thought I would share a resource that has been helping me expand my knitting talent or at least trying to. The resource is Japanese Wonder Knitting by Nihon Vogue.

Jennifer Chiaverini's New Quilt Book to go with Elm Creek Quilters Series -- Mommy Time Review

 

Disclosure: I was given a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Some of the links in this post will give me a small percentage of anything purchased through them at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Crafty Moms Share!

Who are your favorite authors? Do you have a favorite book series? I have a few but the truth is I don't always pick up my favorite reads since I'm so busy reading children's books. I want to get back to my favorites. I was sad to hear my favorite author, Mary Higgins Clark, passed away in 2020. I use to read her books as soon as they came out but stopped doing that when I became a mom. I didn't have the time to always read as much as I use to and I tend to get into her books and not be able to put them down and stay up half the night to finish. I can't exactly do that anymore. I also love Jennifer Chiaverini. I fell in love with her Elm Creek Quilters series. It tied my love of reading with my love for quilting. I will admit as I spent time remembering the book from which today's quilting book is inspired, I saw she has written more books in the series than I have read. I have some reading to do for me. She also has historical novels. Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker was very popular when it first came out. Today's book however is about making the sampler quilt that is discovered in the ninth novel of Elm Creek Quilters, Circle of Quilters, by Maggie Flynn. Maggie finds an old quilt at a yard sale and is able to purchase it for $5. As she begins to research the quilt she discovers the story behind it. Today's book helps you make a replica of the quilt which Maggie does in the book herself so she can return the quilt to the descendants of the quilter. 

https://shrsl.com/2oqfv

Today's book is Harriet's Journey from Elm Creek Quilts by Jennifer Chiaverini. Maggie found this beautiful sampler that had embroidered on it "Harriet Findley Birch. Lowell, Mass. to Salem Ore. 1854." She wants to find out about Harriet and her life and researches her. The quilt itself is 100 six-inch blocks in colors of the time. Of course the quilt is filthy when she purchases it and needs to be cared for but she is able to do this. Since her journey takes her to find Harriet's descendants she realizes she needs to give them the quilt but wants to keep a replica of it for herself. She makes the replica and now you can too with today's book.


The book shares a bit of the story of Maggie and the quilt in case the reader has not read Circle of Quilters. Then it has the 100 blocks and instructions on how to make each one. Jennifer even codes the block so the reader can put the blocks in the order of the "original" quilt. The code is easy to understand--a letter for the row and number for the column. After the block instructions there are general instructions for sashing and quilt assembly. Then there is a gallery of quilts made by different quilters using these blocks. 


The one above was done as a Christmas quilt. The one below only uses a few of the squares. As you can see the patterns can be used however the quilter wants to use them and it does not need to be a replica of the original quilt. 


The blocks are traditional blocks from the time period of the 1850's. They are beautiful blocks and can give a quilter some basics to work with and create their own masterpiece. I hope you will check out this fun book (as well as Jennifer Chiaverini's novels) and her other quilt books to go with the novels. Plus share with me your favorite authors and book series. I am hoping to take more time for myself and doing some self care during these crazy times.