Winter – a time for snowmen and snow angels!…
Eva, Hannah and Abbye enjoying the rare snow before it's gone. -December 1, 2009
Weekly Photo Challenge: Winter
postaweek2011
2011 in Review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 9,800 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 4 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Between
As soon I saw this challenge I knew the picture I wanted to use! …
Hannah is definitely between! -Dec 2007
Weekly Photo Challenge: Self Portrait
I tend to be a little silly in pictures of just me! 🙂
Either it's really big or I'm really little!
Enjoying a fire outside
These are from a Weekend to Remember marriage getaway Matt and I went to in February 2011. We loved it and would highly recommend it for all engaged or married couples!
Weekly Photo Challenge: Celebration
12/18/11
“Night of the Living Dead Christian” Blog Tour
Win this book–Night of the Living Dead Christian by Matt Mikalatos
Do you sometimes feel like a monster? After you blow up at your kids for the hundredth time today, do feel like a huge, angry
werewolf? Do you feel like a mad scientist-always right, never thinking your wife’s opinion matters, always trying to fix your friends? After you’ve laid a huge guilt trip on your husband for the emergency at work that kept him late, do you feel like a vampire sucking the life out of him and your marriage? Do you feel like a zombie-always following your favorite paster or author, but never checking for yourself what the Bible says? Is there any hope for us? Read on…
The subtitle of Night of the Living Dead Christian is “One man’s ferociously funny quest to discover what it means to be truly transformed.” That is an excellent description of this book. In this allegory Luther, a werewolf, is trying to discover if he can be different. With the help of Matt (the author), a mad scientist, a robot, a vampire, and a half zombie, quite an adventure ensues! Can they find the truth before the monster hunter kills Luther?
I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially since Matt Mikalatos is described on the back on the book as “Monty Python meets C.S. Lewis.” An interesting combo, huh?! However, after read it I can totally see how this comparison fits! This is like no other book I’ve ever read. (Now I look forward to reading his first book, Imaginary Jesus.) I laughed so hard I howled and my mad scientist self even learned things-what a great mixture! There is also a wonderful self-diagnosis guide at the end, if you are wondering if you are a monster. I highly recommend this to all, especially if you have a sense of humor and enjoy learning!
Here’s a video for you to check out of Matt Mikalatos discussing his book.
***And… the moment you are waiting for… a chance to win your very own copy of Night of the Living Dead Christian!! …
Please leave a comment and then share this post with at least one person. The winner will be randomly picked and announced on January 1, 2012. Then I will contact you for your mailing info.
What a way to start the new year!***
Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy for my honest review and a certificate for a free copy to pass along to you on my blog. Thanks, Tyndale!
Yes, I have already reviewed Night of the Living Dead Christian, but I was so impressed with the book that I still wanted to be involved in the blog tour to help promote Matt Mikalatos‘s new book.
P.S. It’s my birthday! 🙂
Weekly Photo Challenge: Waiting
Going with a Christmas theme…
Neil is waiting for Daddy so he can help cook.
The kids waiting for the infamous "always late" aunt to show up so they can open gifts.
We take turns opening gifts, so Neil is patiently waiting his turn!
Weekly Photo Challenge: Family
Honoring the family who has gone on to Heaven… (I’m a little late doing this photo challenge)
Eva reaching out to Great Grandma
Great Grandma meeting her newest great granddaughter, Eva
Great Grandma talking to Eva
Abbye sharing candy from the parade.
Abbye and Great Grandpa
One of my favorite -the little, baby hand and the big, work worn hand
Weekly Photo Challenge: Breakfast
Breakfast Photo Challenge… 2004-2007
Grandpa and Abbye sharing a donut.
Papa, Granny, and Abbye enjoying some cereal.
Cheerios is a favorite in our house….
…It is liked so much that a certain older sister would steal from her baby sister! But isn’t Hannah sweet – she’s offering me some as I take this picture!
Pancakes and waffles are often chosen by the kids for their birthday breakfast.
Abbye making Toad-in-the-Holes for breakfast from her new cookbook.
Eva "helping" cook breakfast... Watch out, Daddy! Eva is a wild cook!
Highly Recommended Book – Wonderland Creek
Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin
I know I’m suppose to include a summary, but you can read the book description yourself on Amazon (while you are there you might as well BUY it!) Anyway, let’s get down to business… I have heard of Lynn Austin, but had never read any of her’s books. (That will soon change!) I picked this book, because I would finally get to read Mrs. Austin and because I share the main character’s love of books. Honestly, after reading this book, I feel like I should lower some of my ratings of other books because I want this one to stand out! So, if I could, I would give Wonderland Creek at least 6 stars out of 5. However, since I can’t, I can highly recommend it to all!
Wonderland Creek was sooooooooooo (I could go on!) much more than I expected! The characters were multifaceted. The plot was excellent and enjoyable. The descriptions in the book – of the mountains of Kentucky, the people, the emotions – completely brought everything to life. The writing was full of wit and charm. Here’s a small example from the beginning of the book: “Mrs. Beasley [the head librarian] looked staid and unsmiling, but that wasn’t unusual. Librarians are serious people, seldom given to idle jocularity. The reason for this, I believe, is because we are overwhelmed by the enormous number of good books waiting to be read, leaving little time for frivolity. My personal list of must-read books presents a daunting challenge; I can’t even imagine the pressure that our head librarian must be under.” (I could share more, but it’s not quite the same as reading it in the story.) You want action? Mystery? Drama? Murder? Romance? Silly librarians who mature in so many ways? 100 year old ladies who still know how to use a gun? This book has it all and more! It is not a book you want to pass by!
Disclosure: I received the book free from Bethany House Book Reviewers’ program. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
It's Just Me: SARAH 
