Treasury of Bible Stories (Review and Giveaway)

I don't know about your house, but in my house we go through Bible Story books with regularity, as they are a nightly staple. As a result, I am always looking for a new option, so I was extra pleased when Propeller Consulting sent me the Treasury of Bible Stories for review (And a copy to give away, too!).

This Bible story book is written in rhyme that will catch the attention of most children. Youngest was very pleased with the rhythms of the stories, and likes the illustrations. Here's a trailer for the Treasury: 

My thoughts:

Pros 

• 20 of the most memorable stories in the Bible
• Catchy rhymes that usually make sense
• Colorful illustrations

Cons

• Absence of some key stories (like Creation...?)
• A couple of instances where a little more poetic license taken than I cared for (In the above photo, the soldiers at the grave "decided to pretend they were dead"... which just hit me wrong). 

By and large, I think this is a nice addition to a read-aloud Bible story collection, particularly if you understand that it is more of a dramatic retelling of the stories, and you won't be caught by surprise when you run into those bits of poetic license. ;) Now that Youngest is reading on his own, this has transitioned into a daytime read as well...

Propeller Consulting, LLC has given me a copy to give away (Nice item to tuck away for a Christmas Present??) Please wait for the Rafflecopter to load. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blessings~

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Train ~ Bulletproof Picasso Album Review

I had no idea what to expect when I agreed to review the new album BulletProof Picasso, by the group Train, as I'm not a major pop-radio listener. I had very high hopes, considering that Train has been nominated for a Grammy 8 times, and they have been "heralded as a standard bearer of riveting, roots-based pop around the world."

Their most recent album, 2012’s California 37 spawned the hit “Drive By,” among other songs, a multi-platinum single that reached the Top Ten in 13 countries, adding to the prolific Train set-list which already includes multiple hits:
“Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)” *Grammy winner
“Meet Virginia” 
“Calling All Angels” 
“Hey Soul Sister” (the #1 hit and biggest selling single of 2010) *Grammy winner

I can say from a general point of view that Train has a fun feel. However, with my particular worldview, lyrically the songs are hit and mostly miss for me, content-wise.

1. Cadillac Cadillac ~  A little more driving sound than I care for (The video has a cute baby dancing, which doesn't quite jive with the "theme," and I'm not fond of songs that use "d@*&" in their lyrics")
2. Bulletproof Picasso ~ Didn't love this one even though it has a nice indy-pop feel (uses the word *he##*  ~ again, I don't like swears in the songs I listen to) 
3. Angel In Blue Jeans ~ Made me think of Hugo Montenegro ~ I really like the feel of this song, but once again, not thematically a family friendly song, which is one of the major things I look for in the music we listen to in our home.
4. Give It All ~ Oddly reminiscent of Michael Jackson? Nice open feel for portions of it. Content-wise~ "I'd give it all for one more night with you" ~ could be heartfelt for someone who has lost a loved one, but not a message that I want playing on my home stereo, due to other potential connotations. 
5. Wonder What You're Doing For The Rest Of Your Life ~ Fun, boppy tune~ very catchy little ear-worm.
6. Son Of A Prison Guard ~ Not a happy song... 
7. Just A Memory ~ I like the feel of this song but it is really a sad commentary on today's society... ("Come back before you're just a girl I used to know") 
8. I'm Drinkin' Tonight ~ Another Hugo Montenegro feel (more swearing, and a clearly negative message... "been walking the straight line too long." I didn't realize that was possible...??) 
9. I Will Remember ~ Leading phrase "Did you ever do Drugs?" I couldn't get past the first 5 lines or so... :/ 
10. The Bridge ~ This is a bridge that I prefer not be crossed... double entendre ? 
11. Baby Happy Birthday ~ I had high hopes for a happy song, but it's about someone who missed his "baby's" (aka significant other?) birthday... and "Don't you know that I wish that I could be someone else... someone to depend on..." 
12. Don't Grow Up So Fast ~ This is one of the best songs from a message POV, the only one that I can say is almost on target with where my family is coming from ~ pretty much the only ballad on the album. It is still a sad song~ "you don't want to know what I know yet" gives the message that the future is not something to look forward to, which is not my perspective, but I do agree with the message to today's girls to not grow up so fast. 

If Train's Bulletproof Picasso sounds like something you want to check out, you can visit Train on the web  at their website, on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
Bulletproof Picasso can be purchased directly from iTunes or Amazon.

Blessings~

Disclaimer: I participated in the Train Bulletproof Picasso album review program as a member of One2One Network. 
I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.

"P" is for Peace (Charlotte Mason Inspiration #22)

"P" is for Peace

I like this notion/reminder~ that Peace *is* like a River, not stagnant~
It is flowing, cleansing, changing, molding and making a deeper, richer path in our lives~
That is the kind of peace that I wish for our lives.

Blessings~

Win a $250 Family Fun Night With Popcorn and Ice Cream Goodies!

Looking for a fun giveaway? Look no further! Imagine tucking away this awesome package for your favorite family for Christmas!  Kids Activities Blog is launching a brand new giveaway worth $250 in prizes celebrating family fun, and I'm happy to share the opportunity with my readers! 

It is in celebration of their new book, 

101 Kids Activities That Are the Bestest, Funnest Ever!

Win A Whole Ton of Family Fun!

From Kids Activities Blog:
We are giving away:

• 101 Kids Activities That Are the Bestest, Funnest Ever!
• 8 Piece Ice Cream Bowl Set With Spoons
• Junket Ice Cream Mix
• Cuisinart Slow Churn Soft Serve Ice Cream Dispenser
• Popcorn Scoop
• 100 Popcorn Bags
• Theater Popcorn Kit
• Vintage Kettle Popcorn Maker

These are all FAVORITES for family fun!

Enter to Win

The giveaway runs from now until 11:59 CST on September 22, 2014. Simply use the box below to enter to win this prize pack worth $250. This contest is open to North America only due to shipping costs. Each entry helps spread the word about the fun we have here at Kids Activities Blog...and we thank you! $250 Family Fun Night Popcorn and Ice Cream Goodies Giveaway From Kids Activities Blog

Kids Activities Blog has a ton of activites, crafts, recipes and more, with a huge variety~ from simple to a little more complex, and I've gotten a few ideas from there myself. If nothing else, pop over, check it out, and enter the giveaway. You've got nothing to lose! :)

Blessings~

Shea how soft it is... (Review)

I am always on the lookout for natural products to use in my home, so I was very pleased when #Adovia Mineral Skin Care sent me a 1 lb tub of Raw Shea Butter from Cleopatra's Choice  from Africa, 100% Organic Grade A  pure, raw, unrefined.

Having never used pure shea (only having seen it as an ingredient), I wasn't sure what to expect. When my Amazon order came in, it was in a plastic tub similar to those found at the deli, with all the information on the lid.

My initial impression was that the shea butter was very... fragrant ... in a not entirely unpleasant way, just rather unexpectedly strong in an earthy sort of way. Apparently it is normal for good, natural shea butter to be strongly scented, and most products that use raw, organic shea mask the scent with essential oils. The scent was not a problem for me, as my main intention was to use it on my dry rough summer heels and feet in general~ far from my olfactory sensors~ However, the rest of my family wasn't quite as excited about that nutty, earthy scent on arms/elbows and hands, so we haven't used it widely just yet. 

Right out of the container it really does look like a tub of butter, with a similar texture to refrigerated butter (but at room temperature). I do plan to order some essential oils to add to the shea butter, whipping it to make a creamier texture for regular use, and possibly making some of my own body butters, combining with coconut oil and other natural ingredients. 

As far as quality, I have nothing with which to compare, but I can say that using it at night on my horribly rough, dry "summer" feet has made a difference, and my feet are much happier (softer and smoother) than they were before the shea butter arrived. 

Shea butter is a non-clogging, deep moisturizer for skin, containing Vitamins A, E, and F, and I look forward to seeing how it affects my son's dry skin, and my husband's psoriasis, once I have it properly scented. I love being able to use natural ingredients, avoiding all of the additives that are so unnecessary and often harmful, but so commonly found in many body and skin care products. 

If you have any questions, or suggestions for use, please leave a comment below! 

Blessings~

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Swan-Like I Glide.... a chapter or two a day...

Just popping in a quick post on some of my favorite read-aloud chapter books~ 

These make excellent "Reader" gifts if you are looking to add quality children's literature to your home library or to a friend's home library. 

(Note: I am linking to a variety of paperback and kindle versions, depending on my preference and/or availability for a particular title, and there are titles that span a number of ages, for family reading time)

      

• Charlotte's Web (Nostalgic for *me* as I remember my 1st/2nd grade teacher reading this aloud in school) and
• The Trumpet of the Swan(One of my olders' favorites) by E. B. White
• Or you can just go for the whole E. B. White Box Set :) 
• Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransom

        

• Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
• Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
• Homer Priceby Robert McCloskey

      

• The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
• The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
• Freddy The Detectiveby Walter R. Brooks

     

• A Bear Called Paddington and other Paddington books by Michael Bond
• Viking Quest Series series by Lois Walfrid Johnson (You may get tired of my recommending these books... just go get them already!) 
• The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

       
• The Pushcart War by Jean Merrill
• The Burgess Bird Book For Children Animal book, Seashore  book, etc... these are GREAT! 
• Redwallby Brian Jacques

I hope you find something new and interesting for your school-year or lazy days of summer reading times! 

Blessings~

"N" is for Nurture and "O" is for Observation (Charlotte Mason Inspiration #20 and #21)

My apologies~ I have been away on vacation, and my blog has been rather quiet~
Catching up a little on my Charlotte Mason Inspiration posts...

"N" is for Nurture

and 

"O" is for Observation

Blessings~