Mountain Musings

Under the Reading Tree ~ Little Mole Finds Hope!

Recently I posted about the coming release of a new children's book by author Glenys Nellist, Little Mole Finds Hope. It's published by @beamingbooksmn and releases Feb 4th. The countdown is on!

A preview copy arrived in my mailbox this week! Here I am checking it out today and getting ready to record the story for my grandsons and send it to them in Georgia via dropbox. That's what you have to do when grandchildren are 9 hours away!

"Sometimes, we have to close our eyes to what we can see, and try to imagine the good that lies ahead. When all that Little Mole can see is a wrinkled flower bulb, bare branches, and a shriveled chrysalis, he has to close his eyes and imagine instead the yellow daffodil, the leaf-filled tree, and the dancing butterfly that one day will surely come. That is hope."

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"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." ~Romans 5:3-5

You can find a one-minute promo video at this link:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book to Andrew, Matthew, and Charlie and hope they will like seeing and hearing their Granny read to them in faraway Virginia!Everyone loves little woodland creatures in children's stories. What's your favorite? I actually loved this little mole!

But my all-time favorite woodland creature is a skunk! I have always, always loved their aroma...and sniff with great delight when we’re traveling along and realize one has been by! I think I even put in some extra sniffs just to make a point. LOL!  No one can believe I’m being honest! When my 11-year old grandson found out I liked skunks a few years ago, he told me he would NEVER EVER forget that!

I found out that Glenys has also written a storybook with a skunk in it! You should check out the skunk illustration in this book…I think you’d love it!

Did you know that you can preorder a copy of Little Mole Finds Hope this week before the actual release date?

If you preorder, just screenshot a copy of your receipt and send it to [email protected] to receive your free downloadable Activity Pack which accompanies the book. There's also a Discussion Guide in the back of the book for parents.

Years ago when we were homeschooling, we had a Reading Tree full of birds and woodland animals in our schoolroom. Every day we would get on the floor under the Reading Tree, and I would read library books after lunch. One book I particularly remember reading is Where the Red Fern Grows, and I remember being barely able to read because I was crying so much when the dog died in the book!

I think the kids enjoyed those days. Here's Hannah in the 3rd grade with the Reading Tree behind her:

And here's Hannah today almost 30 years later holding her picture under the Reading Tree. Good memories!

Again, I would like to thank @beamingbooksmn for sending me a copy of the book to preview and also a special thanks to the author, Glenys Nellist, for selecting me for her launch team and for writing some adorable children's books.

Check out her book at Amazon today and preorder your copy and read it under your own Reading Tree.

~Deb

Little Mole Finds Hope ~ Launch Team!

I recently submitted an application to become a part of author Glenys Nellist's Launch Team for her new children's book, Little Mole Finds Hope.

I just found out tonight that I was selected! I'm so very excited to be a part of the team and receive my copy of the book and read it firsthand.

"In Little Mole Finds Hope, best-selling children's author Glenys Nellist and illustrator Sally Garland tell an endearing story sure to lift the spirits of people emerging from the cold of winter or a challenging season of life and inspire them to look for signs that spring will come again. This endearing picture book, published by @beamingbooksmn releases Feb 4th."

Do you have little ones 3 - 6 years old who would benefit from children's books which teach valuable truths?

I have some little munchkins who would enjoy this book, I'm sure. And since I haven't posted a photo in quite awhile, here are three of my grandsons: Little Mole Finds Hope is available for pre-order on Amazon at this link.

You can also check out other books here by Glenys.

~Deb

Joys of Gardening

"One of the joys of gardening is to step out my back door and clip a few sprigs to bring inside. The day's prettiest blooms and just-unfurled leaves -- gathered simply into a bunch and displayed in a jar of water -- provide everything I need to start the day. The tiny arrangement graces my kitchen counter or brightens a spot by the keyboard, connecting me with the natural world even when I'm indoors, away from my beloved garden."

~ Debra Prinzing

Taken from: Following a Garden Path, Victoria magazine, July/August, 2014

A few bloggers I read seem to really enjoy Victoria magazine, but this week was the first time I'd seen a copy when I was sitting waiting for an appointment.

This article on Following a Garden Path by Debra Prinzing was right up my alley. I learned that this lady also wrote a book titled Slow Flowers: Four Seasons of Locally Grown Bouquets from the Garden, Meadow and Farm.

I found this book listed at our local library and just put it on hold. Sounds interesting in case you're an avid flower gardener!

~Deb

Backyard Meets Seaside Book Giveaway

Holiday With Matthew Mead blog has been a favorite of mine through the years, and I have a few of his very creative and colorful books in my home. I especially love browsing all the wonderful photography in his books.

Matthew is giving away his latest book, Backyard Style, and he's also teaming up with fellow author and crafter, Elyse Major, who's giving away her book, Seaside Tinkered Treasures. It's an end-of-the-summer double giveaway!

You can read what Matthew says about Seaside Treasures on his blog here.

I'd love to win a copy! You can find instructions on what to do to enter and win over at Holiday With Matthew Mead.

~Deb

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, Monday, January 21

Outside my window...the sun is just beginning to rise over the Blue Ridge Mountains this chilly morning in the Valley--a beautiful sight! The temperature tonight will be down to 12 degrees and tomorrow night even lower down to 7!
 
I am thinking...about what we'll do today with Tom home from work for the holiday. I absolutely love days that he's around the house!

I am thankful...for the new internet server we just installed--now I can watch sewing tutorials with no limits on band-width!! Last week was spent on the computer changing everything over...I'm sure you noticed it was quiet on the blog! It was a lot of work!

In the kitchen...the plan for tonight's dinner is leftover spaghetti with salad, homemade bread, and the remaining brownies for dessert from Sunday's potluck. Sarah experimented with two new brownie recipes for Market and brought them for the church families to sample.

I am wearing...navy skirt, purple turtleneck, light blue sweater, and knitted scarf of blues/purples/aquas, navy stockings...and navy crocs.

I am creating...next month's Block-of-the-Month for sewing class--this is the last block for this year's session, and it will be wonderful to get it finished!

I am going...out to lunch today with Tom. Where? No clue yet--doesn't matter--I'm looking forward to it.

I am reading...With Fabric and Thread by Joanna Figueroa that's listed under What We're Reading over on the left sidebar. There's a beautiful Blossom quilt pattern in the book, and I already have the fabric kit...maybe something to start after the BOM is all done.

I am looking forward to...The Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA, in February. It's possible I might be able to go--not sure yet.

I am learning..."in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:12

Around the house...at the moment, there's a bed in my living room! Tom brought his wood-working inside and laid out the headboard and footboard that he's building for Sarah. It's looking good!

A few plans for the rest of the week...it's Love Your Local Quilt Shop Day coming up on Thursday. I'll be visiting mine!

A picture to share..a cross-stitch Sarah recently finished for Hannah's birthday. It still needs to be stretched, matted, and framed which Hannah will do--in fact, she has a stack of past completed needleworks to frame this winter before the busyness of Farmers' Market resumes.

It's been awhile since I wrote a Simple Woman's Daybook post, so I hope this helped catch you up on what's happening in our neck of the woods. To see other Daybook entries, visit here.

~Deb

Cut the Scraps!

Have you noticed over on the sidebar under Books We're Reading that I'm reading a fun new sewing book--Cut the Scraps!?

My son, Jonathan, picked it out for me for Christmas from Patchwork Plus, our local quilting shop. I'm loving it, and I'd never even heard of it before! How did he know to buy the perfect book?

The first chapter is titled Fixing the Scrap Problem...hmm, I might be bogged down there for awhile!

Jodi over on Pleasant Home blog also just recommended Cut the Scraps! and started a Sew Scraps-Along to help sewers deal with their scraps.

You can read all about the month long Scraps-Along here and get involved in all the scrap projects each week! Or at least follow along and bookmark some of the projects to do later.

Here's a great post Jodi wrote on Organizing your Scraps.

Later this week Sarah's teaching quilting to a group of friends, and we're gathering up some scraps to practice making quilt blocks. Jodi linked to Freda's picnic scrap quilt, and I will, too. It looks like a simple block for beginners and great for using scraps.

~Deb

Karla Dornacher Book Giveaway!

Karla Dornacher is having a Grand Re-Opening of her bookstore and is giving away two sets of five of her books. If you're not familiar with Karla's Korner and website, take a look here.

So there's 2 WAYS to WIN and  3 WAYS to ENTER...

• 1. Leave a comment over on Karla's blog through April 2nd 
  telling her what your favorite form of creativity is.

• 2. Promote her giveaway on your blog and get 2 EXTRA ENTRIES! Comment again with your blog link where you posted about the giveaway.

• 3. Be a friend on FACEBOOK... one winner will be drawn specifically
  from her FACEBOOK fans.

Hurry! Her winners will be announced on Monday.

~Deb

Family Strategies Audio Giveaway Winner!

Family Strategies: Practical Issues for Building Healthy Families is a new audio webinar to encourage Biblical thinking in several areas of raising children and building God-honoring family life, such as mealtimes, family worship, sibling rivalry and character training, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and more. Read further details and hear samples of the topics here.

This morning we used Random Number Generator to see which one of you readers would receive a free "ticket" to this series, allowing you to participate by downloading the 30 minute weekly episodes, hosted by Doug and Beall Phillips. The series begins tomorrow--Tuesday, March 1st, and lasts 20 weeks. Listen to the messages at your convenience.

And the winner is comment #13............................Jenny!

Jenny commented: My favorite topic to hear would be the one on Mealtime! I'm interested in being able to maximize on all our together time, and...well...everyone eats so we'd have a captive audience:)

Jenny, please email me (girotti at wildblue dot net) your mailing address so we can get the information to Vision Forum as soon as possible!

Thank you to everyone who participated! If you didn't win and are interested in ordering this series, be sure to do so by midnight CST February 28 to save $10 and get 2 bonus messages.

~Deb

Family Strategies Audio Giveaway

strat-e-gies: The art of devising or employing plans or stratagems toward a goal.

Calling all Christian families--it's time for another special giveaway here on Mountain Musings (courtesy of Vision Forum)!

Family Strategies: Practical Issues for Building Healthy Families is a new audio webinar to encourage Biblical thinking in several areas of raising children and building God-honoring family life, such as mealtimes, family worship, sibling rivalry and character training, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and more. Read further details and hear samples of the topics here.

One of you readers will receive a free "ticket" to this series, allowing you to participate by downloading the 30 minute weekly episodes, hosted by Doug and Beall Phillips. The series begins this coming Tuesday, March 1st and lasts 20 weeks. Listen to the messages at your convenience.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post telling us one of the 20 topics you'd like to hear or that interests you the most. I'll start. I'd be interested in listening to How to Prepare for a Year of Home Education.

This post is now closed and giveaway winner has been announced!

If you are interested in ordering this series, be sure to do so by February 28 to save $10 and get 2 bonus messages.

~Hannah

EcoFrugal Baby: A Review

Last year, in my quest for cloth diaper giveaways, I stumbled upon a new website - 29Diapers.com. The writer is Laura Cowan, a mom who wants to share the benefits of cloth diapering with other parents. She has some excellent articles posted explaining the lingo and answering some common questions. 

As you all know, I love cloth diapers, even though I can't use them quite yet. ;) So, I've kept up with 29 Diapers and have enjoyed reading about Laura's experiences. When she published her book, Ecofrugal Baby, I was excited when she asked if anyone was interested in getting out the word about it. She kindly sent me a copy to review on the blog.

The book was fun and easy to read, and she has chapters focused on each category of baby gear. Feeding gear, nursery furniture, clothing, and of course cloth diapers are a few that are covered. I have to say, I already practice many of the tips given in this book - I've always been a pretty frugal person. :) But if you're just starting to try to cut down on your costs, there are some great ideas and resources listed for you! I found out about some websites with good deals that I hadn't heard of before - I'll have to keep them in mind. :)

After every chapter, she includes a "cheat sheet" - a quick list of everything talked about, so you can have a reference to remind you. Also, at the back, there is a handy chart provided for you to keep track of all your costs and savings. Who wants to needlessly spend lots of money on things that will only be used for a year when you can save it for more important things instead?

Ecofrugal Baby is available through 29Diapers.com as a paperback ($19.96) or as an e-book in PDF format. ($5.99) You can also find it on Amazon. If you're interested in purchasing a copy, contact me and I can give you a code to get 20% off. :)

~Sarah