Lark and the Loon -- Book Review

 

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 just makes you think about your own life in new ways? A book that teaches you and has you questioning your own choices and actions? Today's book is one of those type of books. It is Lark and the Loon by Riannon Gelston. 

Let the Sun Shine In 1,000-Piece Puzzle -- A Mommy Time Review

 

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

The weather has been beautiful here and I didn't get around to doing my Mommy Time Post on Friday. However I did finish my puzzle so I want to share it with you today instead. The puzzle is Let the Sun Shine In by Irene Smit, Astrid van der Hulst, and Editors of Flow magazine and illustrated by Anisa Makhoul and has 1,000 pieces. 

The Sound of Falling Leaves -- a Mommy Time Review

 

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

I have to admit I do not read that many adult books these days. I am always reading my review pile and lately they seem to be middle grade or young adult books. But I jumped at the opportunity to review this new novel by Lisa Carter. I love mysteries and it is one. I love some romance--it's in there. And I love God and yes religion plays a part as well. This book is right up my alley. It is The Sound of Falling Leaves. I have to say it has been hard to wait for this week and Friday to share this book with you. I loved it that much! This week is the Blog Tour for the book so I had to wait.

Mommy Time Posts--Otomi Journal and Quilt Update

 

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

Do you make time for yourself? For self care? As mothers we tend to have the weight of the world or at least of our homes, families and work on our shoulders. It is hard to find time. A friend recently shared a post on Facebook of a conversation between two women. It involved finding time to meet God in mountains. In the Bible men are often climbing mountains and meeting God. Women however are back tending to the house and family. Does this mean women do not have God in their lives? No, the conversation shared that God knows the role women play and meets them at home. God is always with us to care for us because we don't have the time to just take off and climb a mountain. However it is important for us to take the time to take care of ourselves. I have decided to try to share products, activities and things about self care and mommy time on Fridays. First a quilt update. A few weeks ago I shared a review of Wintertime Shimmer. I decided to try the wall hanging option and instead of winter try to capture the beautiful autumn colors outside. I still have to do the applique on it and am planning on putting a female cardinal on instead of the male. (Yes I have an obsession with the female cardinals.) Anyway, here is the pieced portion of the quilt.

 I have to say it was very quick to piece and I love the pattern. I may make a winter one as well. I do find quilting, sewing, and crafts as part of my self care. I have a strong need to create and if I ignore the pull towards crafts I find myself lost. 

One of my favorite self care activities is journaling. There are times when the emotions are too much and I just need to let them out. I find my journal helps with this. Do you love journals? Hazel and I love them and tend to collect them. I was fortunate enough to get sent this beautiful Otomi Journal to review. 

This journal has embossed Mexican embroidery design all over the cover. It is based off the traditional embroidery of the Otomi People in Central Mexico. They are an indigenous group to Central Mexico.

Inside the journal there are lined pages. Then every fifth page of so a print from the traditional embroidery appears. They are animals or flowers. 

I love the little surprises of the print. The pages themselves are thick and a good quality. I haven't started to use it but plan to keep track of some health data so I know what to tell doctors when I have appointments. Nowadays they tend to be telehealth appointments so it is important to be able to tell my doctor everything I need to since she is not really examining me. 

Plus if I get my act together I will be able to use it to track my diet and exercise. How would you use a journal? This one is absolutely beautiful. I love the added touch of its culture. They also have Otomi Notecards if you would prefer to send the beauty to your friends and family. I would love to hear how you are doing some self care these days!

Creating a Happy Place in Your Home

 

Disclosure: Artsy Couture sent me this metal print in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

With so many of the schools starting back up remotely this year, it is important for you to have your own happy place at home. Whether you are working from home or are a stay-at-home mom like me, you need a space that is yours for when you need some quiet time, alone time or just a place to bring you up a bit when you are down. I created one for myself over the summer. I have shared bits and pieces of it with you but want to share some of the things I find important in it. My space is a corner of our family room. Our family room is a room with lots of windows that looks out upon our backyard and thus my bird feeders. I find watching my outdoor critters so relaxing so this is why I chose this space. Steve helped me move the furniture around so I have two comfortable chairs facing the windows. We actually switched one of the chairs to the glider we had in Hazel's nursery. It is so comfortable and has become my chair now. One of the chairs has an ottoman so that is there. I also put a small folding tv tray table to put drinks and things on. Now it has our collection of gel pens in case I want to color. 

Besides the furniture I have decorated my happy place corner. I had a pillow made that literally says "This is My Happy Place." I have family photos as well as picture to remind me "Prayers & Love over worry & fear." I have sayings about love and life. My latest addition however is a beautiful metal print of my other happy place--my family vacation home on Cape Cod. This is the house my grandparents built and I spent most of my school vacations visiting when I was young. I took a photo of Hazel looking out over the marsh from the deck of the house. This is truly a happy place of mine. I love sitting on the deck and watching the animals and enjoying the breeze.

Since it is a metal print, it has a bit of glare and reflection issue when photographing it. However, I LOVE it!! The print is absolutely beautiful in person. I love sitting in my glider and looking at it. I can almost smell the marsh and feel the breeze. I definitely begin to breathe a bit slower and feel my body relax. It is a peaceful place and a wonderful reminder of it. Plus usually I am at it with my family: Steve and Hazel as well as my parents and my sisters and nephew. It is a place where there is love and where I know I am loved. This print has all of that in it as well as just being beautiful for others to see. 

I have had other metal prints made. I had a sunset print for my parents since they moved out of this house with the beautiful sunsets. I had scenic prints made to decorate the house we now rent out. I also have canvases and prints of family photos and memories from vacations. This is the first time I made one for me to remind me of a peaceful place that makes me relax and be calm. I love what it does for me. 

As we proceed through these strange times of social distance think about what makes you happy. Grab a photo of that place or memory and get a print made. Create your own happy space in your home. We all need one these days!

They Call Me Mom: 52 Encouraging Devotions for every MOMent -- a Mommy Time Review

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

Being a mom is a tough job. It is also the most rewarding job. But let there be no doubt, it is a job. I love being a mom but I know we all have had those moments where you wonder if you are doing a good job and question your decisions. Today's book is for every mom and dealing with those moments as well as the wonderful ones. It is They Call Me Mom:52 Encouraging Devotions for Every MOMent by Michelle Medlock Adams and Bethany Jett. 

Hokusai Prints Note Cards -- Product Review

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

Tell me how you feel when you get a surprise note from a friend or family member in the mail--you know a piece of mail that is not a bill or advertisement or magazine or invitation. How often do you receive a note from family or friends in the mail? I'm guessing you probably only get them for your birthday and the holidays. Am I right? With all of our technology we seem to have lost the art of sending a letter or note. It is funny because receiving those notes make us feel so special and loved yet we don't really send them anymore. It is too bad. Personally I love having beautiful note cards on hand in case the occasion to send one arises or the spirit moves me to send a smile to a loved one. How about you? I also have been known to frame some note cards and use them as home décor. I started this in college and discovered it to be a less expensive way to have my favorite artists hanging in my own space. 

Today I am sharing with you Hokusai Prints Note Cards. These beautiful cards feature a print of one of Katsushika Hokusai. Hokusai was a Japanese artist in the late 1700s and early 1800s. He is known for his woodblock prints and especially his wave one. He is also most known for his views of Fuji prints. With this set of note cards you get to see twelve of his prints. Aren't they beautiful?

With each one you send you not only send a little love and news but you also send this beautiful piece of art and culture. On the back of each card is the name of the print as well as the series it is from and of course the artist and publisher information.

The cards themselves are a wonderful quality. They are a good thickness and the outside is that smooth gloss feel and the inside is the regular note card feel. They also come with white envelopes. My family often sends a note card now instead of a birthday card. I can see my mom and sisters loving these cards this coming year for their birthdays. I hope you will check them out and send some love this year too!! Or get a pack, a nice pen and some stamps and you have a great holiday gift! To see a bit more of what I have shared about Hokusai check out this post. 

A Cross to Kill -- a Mommy Time Review

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

My favorite genre for books tends to be suspense and mystery, but I don't like too much violence. It is a hard balance to find however I did in this fun book. It has suspense, romance and religion. The characters are well developed and the plot is unique. It is A Cross to Kill by Andrew Huff. 

Summer's Promise -- a Mommy Time Christian Book Review

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

Today I am participating in the blog tour for Summer's Promise by Barbara Cameron. As Hazel has gotten older I decided to spend some time with adult books and have enjoyed the Christian themed novels. This is one of those kind of novels. It is the third book in the Harvest of Hope Series, but is the only one I have read in the series. 

Underestimating Miss Cecilia 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 the pleasure of sharing the second book in the Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley series by Carolyn Miller. The second book, Underestimating Miss Cecilia, gives the reader a look at the middle Aynsley daughter, Cecilia. It gives us a very different view of Cecilia than the first book which focused on her older sister. 

Mommy Time Christian Books Review

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

We have had a bit of a crazy couple of weeks. I find it is always good to give myself some mommy time when life gets chaotic--especially mommy time with Jesus. Today I am going to share two devotionals and a novel with you!! These are perfect books to help you find some mommy time. Let's start with the new novel. It is A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh by Carolyn Miller and is the first in the Regency Brides Daughters of Aynsley series. 

Let's Talk About Love -- Books for Babies through Adults

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

With January coming to a bitterly cold end we turn are view to February and of course love. Valentine's Day can sneak up on you if you aren't paying attention. So today I am going to share with you books for all ages about love and the various kinds of love. I have everything from board books to an adult devotional. Yes we are talking love between parent and child as well as loving God and neighbors and even your favorite stuffed animal. We will go through by age so starting with the board books. The first one is If Animals Said I Love You by Ann Whitford Paul and pictures by David Walker.

Religious devotionals -- Mommy Time Review

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

I am taking some time out of my crazy sharing of children's books to share two religious adult books. Both are devotionals. The first is the devotional to go along with a wonderful book I reviewed previously. It is The Better Mom Devotional by Ruth Schwenk. 

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.  

Mommy Time Review -- 3 Books

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 that fall in my Mommy Time review or are for adults. The first is a non-fiction book where singer/songwriter Lisa Gungor shares her own experience dealing with love, loss and raising a child with special needs. It is The Most Beautiful Thing I've Seen. 

Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder -- Mommy Time Review

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

I grew up reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books and watching Little House on the Prairie. Did you? I loved it. In fact I found the reruns on Hallmark Channel at one point and introduced Hazel to the show. Then we started reading the books together. Now I have seen many places the idea of how politically incorrect the books are, but to me they were wholesome and good and bring back memories of a simpler time (in my life). Well, now you can find out more about the Ingalls family then ever with Caroline Fraser's Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder. 

Caroline Fraser tells you how it was. She has researched the Ingalls family and the time period thoroughly and explains things. There is a look at where both Charles Ingalls and Caroline Lake Quiner Ingalls came from and their lives and how the families came to move around and why each move was probably made. She also delves into the climate of the country and was happening during their lives. She also points out some of Laura's own biases especially when it came to faults of her family. 

As Laura Ingalls Wilder filled my head (and the head of many) with a dream of a happy time to be alive, Fraser knocks it down and tells how life really was for many families including the Ingalls on the prairie. She also explains how some of the events that happened in Wilder's books and life have been explained with a look at history and science. Things such as the great prairie fire she saw from a distance may have been the Great Chicago Fire. 

Now I have read social issues brought up by the inaccuracy of history in Wilder's books, and how it is told in the view of white man. It does not share how the Ingalls were trespassing on Native American's land when they first moved from the Big Woods. However Fraser explains it all. She explains what the pioneers were hearing was going to happen and what was happening. She tells the story without prejudice. It is eye opening to read this book having grown up with Wilder's books and the television show. I truly enjoyed this book and hope you will check it out.

Christian Mommy Time Review

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

I often am looking for some books to help me focus my day on Jesus. I have shared a few books that have helped and today I am sharing two more. The first is a wonderful book for any Christian mother. In today's age of the internet with social media and Pinterest it becomes hard to remember that no one lives the perfect life and no one always is perfect. Let's face it, the photographs on Pinterest as well as other social media makes everything seem perfect and wonderful. However every mother has those days where she feels much less than perfect and doesn't know where to turn and certainly doesn't want to let other know. This is the start of the message Ruth Schwenk shares in The Better Mom: Growing in Grace between Perfection adn the Mess. 

Books to Turn to God's Word -- Mommy Time Reviews

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

My main goal this year is to take care of me. My goals are to connect with God and to exercise. The exercise is not going very well, but I have been finding ways to connect with God most days. Today I am going to share two books that are helping me. The first book is also a perfect gift for any Christian mother. It is God's Words of Life for Mothers by Zondervan. 

Books to Find Calm and Peace in our Crazy World -- Mommy Time Review

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

My focus this year is on taking care of myself. I need to lose weight to be healthier. I want to take the time I need to connect with God. I need to focus on my needs and not always on my family's because that is the only way I will successfully take care of their needs. Today I am going to share with you two amazing book that help me meet these goals. They are life changing!! The first book is Hello Mornings by Kat Lee. 

If We Make It Home -- Mommy Time Book Review

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

Some friends come and go and others last a lifetime. What happens when you see one who you grew apart from? Are back to your old ways or is there a distance? What happens it is when you feel like your own life is falling apart and are just trying to escape the chaos of it? And of course there is the question of how well you really know someone. If We Make It Home by Christina Suzann Nelson takes three college roommates back to their college home before it gets torn down. Each is dealing with her own challenges and must come to terms with life, disappointment and each other.