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Saturday, July 25, 2009

Faithful Grannies Recommended Summer Reading List

Summer Reading List


Need a new book for your nightstand? Then check out these books. Every couple weeks we will submit new reviews for books we love so you can find a page turner of your own. Settle in and find a new story to enchant you.


The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafron
This novel, set in Barcelona in 1945 when the city is still healing from the Spanish Civil war, is about a boy, Daniel, who finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow and the Wind by Julien Carax. When Daniel sets out to find the author's other works, he makes a shocking discovery—someone is systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last book in existence. Soon his innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona's darkest secrets‹an epic story of murder, madness and doomed love.-- Carlos Lamadrid; available at Amazon.com



Body Surfing by Anita Shreve
This is just one of those perfect summer reads. A young widow works as a live-in tutor for a wealthy family one summer in their beachfront New Hampshire house. She quickly exhibits both a unifying and polarizing force on the family: two brothers compete for her affections, their kind-hearted father and sister fill a void in her life, and their mother¹s inexplicable disapproval foreshadows the book’s unexpected ending.-- Amanda Greene; available at Amazon.com



Chocolat by Joanne Harris
Set in a small town in France during Lent, Harris tells the story of newcomer Vianne Rocher and the spells ¬both literal and metaphorical ¬that she casts over the seemingly narrow-minded, church-going people of Lansquenet. Vianne, with the help of her six-year-old daughter, Anouk, opens up a chocolate shop in the middle of town, tempting each person with her magical ability to detect one’s favorite candy. Enraged by her unconventional methods and the fact that she stays open on Sundays, the priest, Francis Reynaud sets out on a personal mission to destroy what he sees as Vianne’s deliberate disobedience of his life’s work. Harris eloquently depicts the unraveling of Reynaud’s control ¬ over himself and the town ¬ with Vianne¹s mission to reach out and warm the hearts of the people of Lansquenet, making this a modern classic, sure to inspire every type of reader. -- Ashley Bell; available at Amazon.com

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Home - Christian Inspriational Poem


Home

There is a place where the pain will cease
No tears, anguish, pain or disease
He is preparing it now as I write this poem
Then when it's time, I will hear "My child come home."
I'll answer the call and be on my way
No doubt in my mind, no haste, no delay
I long for that moment to be in that place
where I see my Savior, my Lord, face to face


Written and submitted by Joy Gerard

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Mom's Time-out




Mom's Time-out Is Too Nerve Wracking
by Lisa Barker
I just wanted a LITTLE break. Not that 'me time' that is so fashionable these days, just a bathroom break. Can't a grown woman go to the bathroom alone and have 15 minutes of peace and not have a nervous breakdown?

Mistake number one: I went to the bathroom and did not take my three-year old with me. I didn't want to play twenty questions about Mommy's bodily functions and, quite frankly, I get stage fright.

So I tiptoed down the hall to my room to use my bathroom. (I never use the main bathroom. That's the one the kids use and, unless we have company, it's in no state for the feint of heart. Truly gross things happen in there and I try not to guess how. I just don a suit like those people from the Center for Disease Control wear and hose it down with bleach once a week.)

Success! I'd made a clean get away without my son noticing. He'd finally landed (literally) on a pile of toys and seemed to be settled for the moment. It's a rarity with him and, mistake number two, I was foolish to think it would last. He has the attention span of a gerbil on speed.

The first thing I heard was the sound of heavy furniture moving. In no position to hurry, I bellowed through the walls that separated me from my child. "What are you doing out there?"

There was a moment of silence and then I heard a tinkling sound. Was that glass?

"What's going on out there?" More silence. More sounds of heavy furniture moving.

What is he DOING? He's only three and barely weighs as much as a paperweight. I heard the rustling of what sounded like a rather large brush on the laminate floor...something that sounded rather suspiciously like the Christmas tree being moved.

Mistake number three: I panicked and my son knew it. He heard it in my scream.

I heard little cowboy-booted feet running from the kitchen to the living room and down the hall to a room that he KNOWS he's not supposed to go into. The door slammed.

There were tense moments of utter silence punctuated by me bellowing my son's name and then straining to hear what he was up to. No answer.

I rushed like a fireman on call. I barreled out of the room and there he stood with the biggest, cheekiest grin on his face. A cursory scope of the house revealed nothing out of the ordinary. And still there was that big grin on his face.

"What have you been up to?"

"Nothinnnnng."

Forget Mom's time-out. I just can't take it.

What's Related:
A Perfect Parenting Plan
Despite Some Mature Moments Kids Will Still Be Kids
The Wandering Child: Keeping Your Growing Toddler Safe
The Bathtub (Humor)
More Parenting Humor

About the Author:
Lisa Barker of Greenfield, California is a syndicated humor columnist and mom of five. Her latest book is "Just Because Your Kids Drive You Insane ... Doesn't Mean You Are A Bad Parent!" See www.JellyMom.com for more information

Sunday, July 12, 2009

LOVE, THE ONLY TRUTH



Love is the gift you give to another that knows no reason and knows no bounds. It is that idyllic belief that somehow comes true when you lean on someone and they on you. It is through that union that you create a bond that no one else can break. It is also through that union that you achieve because you have each other when others have only themselves or no one else to lean on. The person you love is often the person who angers you the most, the person who frustrates you the most and the person you look at, from time to time, and wonder about. But it is with the same eye that you feel anger, frustration and wonder that you look in amazement and disbelief. This is the time when you look at what that other person can do, at what they can accomplish and what they can create, and you sigh to yourself and feel wonderfully proud.

Yes, love is an amazing thing. Love can cure when doctors say there is no hope, for the purity of love is indeed divinely and universally unlimited and boundless with abundant possibilities. Love can lift you to the great heights and love can heal and cure what no one doctor or man can deny. Love is likened to the cool touch of linen sheets which feel so welcoming before you close your eyes at night and breathe in the scent of the person who lies beside you, for even when they are not there, their scent is, their warmth is and their essence remains. And you place your hand on their spot and you dream dreams of sweet comfort while a tear rests on your cheek and you know that living in you is the love of your other half which makes you whole.

Love is the endless sense of hope that searchers never find. Love is the truth that can only be sensually felt and never quantified or measured for it is intangible, as is spirit. For we say unto you that verily, you are love, and all you can give, when all has been taken, is love, and only then can you stand before your creator and say, "I am humankind, in your image and the love you feel for me, I truly understand, for there is nothing else left for me to give. So, let me give my love back unto you."

Yea, it is at this moment of recognition that one realizes that they have never been alone, for when they stand in love they stand in the midst of creation. Yea, they stand in the image of universal perfection for the purest gift of all has led them on the greatest journey of discovery. The path honed and carved out by two as one, against all odds, seemingly immeasurable odds, when only they believed in each other and even the doubt they have momentary felt falls aside when they say, the power of their love for each other unfolds endless opportunity before them. This gift of love cannot be purchased, it cannot be adorned for standing naked in the light, love shines such radiance that the beauty contained within emanates singular, righteous innocence.

And we say to you as you would say unto another, place your hand in mine and walk by my side. Do not stand in my shadow, do not lead me where I do not want to go, but journey by my side for the discovery is ours to explore together. Memories of love are memories that endure forever.

Memories of love hold the power to lift up and heal. Memories of love bring forth spring and the blossoms of radiant beauty that make summers come forth from dullness. Love finds itself on the soul-level and oftentimes makes no sense for what you see in each other no other can see, until they see how you look at each other. Remember those early days and the time you first looked at each other and you saw the hope of the world held within the eyes you gazed? That light still flourishes, that light still burns and that love will always lead your way.

Love is sacrifice, there is a seriousness to betrayal where love is concerned. Once there is betrayal, again it is only the very singular aspect of selfless love that will lead you to forgiveness. Those who love often sacrifice of themselves to those they love to ensure their happiness and well-being. Ah, but this is pure love, not the love of image of appearance. In this third dimensional reality, appearance is the temptation that intercedes in your reality. For careers and success, relationships are entered into and again and again we see the failures and complications that come from that false foundation.

What makes one a success and builds one's life is a partnership based on trust and mutual concerns, and those concerns that we speak of are the concerns that bind one person to another for the caring they share for one another. You see that gathering and paring for reasons that, externally motivated, will be laced with complications. So often there is an emphasis on the physical, and yes truly there will likely always be this side to your behavior because it fits into the third dimensional reality. However, you cannot groom a soul, you cannot reshape a belief system and you cannot change an attitude. But you can improve the exterior self to align with the improvement of self that comes through hand in hand with love. Ah yes, the aspect of love that exists within the power of love can cause all things to bloom and realize their full potential. For we say verily unto you that the magic within love is the unheard melody you hear within your soul. Follow the melody of love and enjoy your journey of wondrous discovery as your dreams come true.

The Writings of David Reid Lowell

Friday, July 10, 2009

Fun outdoor activities for your kids

Fun outdoor activities that will motivate your kids



- These days it's not uncommon for children to spend more time in front of the TV and computer than they do playing outside. When the weather is nice, this leaves many parents a bit perplexed.



Keeping kids physically active is an important part of a well-rounded and healthy lifestyle. So how do you get your kids excited about going outside? Here are some ideas sure to get you and your kids fired up about outdoor fun.



1. The many benefits of a garden

Involving kids in planting and nurturing a garden is a good way to get them outside and teach them responsibility at the same time. Start by researching appropriate planting times and plants that will grow in the hardiness zone where you live. If it's too late in the season for planting in your area, consider taking the kids to a local farm that allows you to pick your own fruits, berries or vegetables.



After you're done, take the fun one step further by picking a healthy recipe you can all make together. Fruits are great for all-natural frozen popsicles, salads and bakery items like muffins. Veggies can be easily used in pasta recipes or as side items.



2. A simple walk has never been more fun

A family walk is not only quality time spent together, but it gets muscles moving. Enjoy your community and take a walk to your favorite park, playground or beach. If you have little ones, use a wagon like the Radio Flyer Pack 'N Go Canopy Wagon. It's a great alternative to strollers with a 360 degree view and tots enjoy the fun ride. Plus this wagon features a canopy to protect riders from the sun's harmful rays and a storage bag that can keep water and other supplies cool.



Make an afternoon of it and pack a picnic lunch. Don't forget to keep it healthy -- make sandwiches ahead of time, pack fruits, snacks and other favorites along with water and juice boxes so everyone stays hydrated as they play.



3. Plan a nature treasure hunt

It's no secret that kids love games. A game of tag or soccer is always fun, but how about planning a unique activity to get them excited about being outdoors? Consider planning a scavenger hunt that incorporates items from nature.



Plan ahead and create a list of things that you could find in your area. Include some easy-to-find items and others that are more difficult to locate. To make it more educational, add photos to items on the list they might not recognize so they can learn as they hunt. For example, add a photo of different kinds of leaves, flowers, rocks or feathers and have the kids seek them out.



4. Organize a group scoot

A great alternative to bikes is the scooter, and kids are taking notice. First, make sure your child has a safe scooter to ride on. The Radio Flyer EZ-Rider is the first and only scooter made specifically for intermediate-level riders, designed to help children master balance while allowing them to keep a steady pace. The extra-wide wheels, low deck and rear foot brake ensure safety. Always remember a helmet is a smart idea no matter what type of scooter your child rides.



Once your young rider is ready, get a group of their friends together and go on a group scooter adventure. Choose a specific name for your group and ride through the neighborhood or park. Don't be surprised if it becomes a weekly activity.



Today's kids might need a little encouragement, but once you get them involved in some exciting and new outdoor activities, they'll be asking to play outside more often rather than sitting in front of the computer or television. To learn more about fun outdoor activities, visit www.radioflyer.com.



Courtesy of ARAcontent