I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

Yep, it's true! My friends are always a HUGE help to me. You pick me up when I'm down, you share your life with me, we laugh together, feel each others pain, anger, excitement, fear and a whole string of other emotions.

Today, I need your help. I am trying to "collect" comments for a chance to Win a Samsung Washer and Dryer over at my Yummy! Yummy! Yummy! blog. If you have a minute, could you go THERE and leave me a comment.

While you're THERE, take a look at the information on how YOU can post and win a washer and dryer, too. If you decide to enter, let me know and I will comment for you, too.

Thanks my Virtual Friends Forever.

Beautiful Landscape

A few months ago, when Ollie and I were returning from visiting his Grandchildren and his eldest daughter, we drove past a beautiful home with this gorgeous landscaping.

We both loved it!


We've been planning on doing some landscaping at his home. We have to battle lots of rocks and clay every time we work in the yard and it gets to be a pain.

Erosion is a really big problem for us, too. Ollie's house is in the middle of a big hill.

My idea is to do something similar to the photo, but a larger scale. At the top would be a "natural looking" waterfall, leading into the "fake" creek bed. At the base, would be a small "pool" with a seating area.

I hope you like it!

Durham County

Durham County- Meet The Characters
Uploaded by IonTelevision2009. - Classic TV and last night's shows, online.

ION television has launched “ Durham County,” the new original scripted prime time series premiering this fall. What you don’t know about your neighbors could kill you. That’s just everyday reality in “ Durham County,” an eerie combination of suspense and family drama.

“Durham County” follows the troubled world of Homicide Detective Mike Sweeney who moves his family to quiet suburbia for a fresh start after his partner is killed and his wife Audrey is diagnosed with breast cancer. While Durham County seems like the perfect place to begin again, Sweeney soon discovers that his neighbor Ray Prager may be a serial killer.

"Durham County" will premiere on ION Television Monday, September 7 at 10:00p.m.

Dance in the Rain

by Angela Dockter-Harris



I think that most people, at some point in their life, have suffered a huge loss of someone they love so dearly. I know I have. I still mourn for my Grandma Bonnie. She died in 2002 after a long battle with cancer. She was such a wonderful, kind giving person. She touched the lives of so many. My entire family mourns her and cannot speak of her without tears.

When I came across a request for reviewers of Dance in the Rain by Angela Dockter-Harris, on The Product Review Place, and I read the description about her book, I contacted her immediately.

It is the most beneficial "tool" for dealing with grief that I have ever come across.

Dance in the Rain is a combination between a journal and a bible study.

The journal section can be personalized for anyone and any situation. I was really surprised at how in-depth the journal is. It covers:

"Remembering the Person I Love" - For the loss of a child, spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or friend. It includes special topics for the loss of an unborn child, infant, toddler, or young child. It also has a special tribute to the person who has passed away.

"This Gift I Leave You" - For the individual who is either facing death or who may be preparing for the future. In this section, they can dedicate the journal to a loved one(s). It could be very beneficial in helping talk about what is happening with your loved ones, your thoughts and feelings and help prepare them for what is to come. You can also share memories of days past, happy times, your wishes for their future, as well as, your final wishes.

"The Loss" - For the healing process, once your loved one is gone.

The Bible Study User's Guide is in two sections. The sections teach you to deal with loss through scripture. It leads you through the stages of death: grieving: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Each is from a biblical perspective.


"The bible study looks in-depth at sorrow and suffering, anger, acceptance, making amends, letting go, finding purpose, discovering a personal story from the pain and moving forward. Discusses how to find God in the midst of such pain.

The bible study also addresses concerns for people who believe in heaven and the concern of dealing with uncertainity of a loved ones eternal decision.

This book focuses on making amends, so it can be used in the loss of strained or broken relationships, not just death."

I think Dance in the Rain would be ideal for grief counseling. It touched my heart. Upon my completion of the book, I donated it to a family that just lost their child and I hope it brings them comfort.

Don't suffer alone or go through this time with fear and a heavy heart. Dance in the Rain can help you and your loved ones with this process. GOD is with you and HE does not want you to suffer nor does HE want you to be alone through tough times.

Dance in the Rain is available for purchase at:

Amazon.com
Tate Publishing
Barnes and Noble

If you would like to see/hear more about Angela Dockter-Harris, you can find her:

Twitter: @ADockterHarris
Wordpress: Angela A Dockter-Harris
Facebook: Dance in the Rain: His Joy Comes in the Mourning



***A special thanks to The Product Review Place for allowing me the opportunity to work with Angela and Dance in the Rain.***

Fearless by Max Lucado

Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.

They're talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn't it be great to walk out?

Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.

Can you imagine your life without fear?

My Review

Fear can be our most crippling emotion. If you think about it, we are raised to fear: disobeying our parents, change, trying new things........

In the book, Fearless by Max Lucado, he addresses fear from a biblical stand point. He reminds us that GOD and our faith in God will remove any and all our fears. It teaches through scripture, kindness and understanding. He speaks in a manner which anyone can understand and connect with.

Why are we in fear if we are believers in GOD? I found it to be most interesting when Max pointed out that Jesus tells us "do not be afraid" more than he tells us any other one thing.

I am a believer and am full of faith, but I fear. I am encouraged by Fearless. I hope to learn and grow in my faith so as to learn to let go of my fears. I want to "turn it over" to GOD and trust that I will be taken care of. It's hard to do. I hate to even say that but, if I'm being honest, I must. This world we live in seems to teach us to fear and pushes us away from faith.

As I read and reread the chapters of Fearless, I feel a renewal coming upon me. A new found strength. At points within the book, I feel ridiculous for my fears. I am ashamed of letting them empower me and, at times, control me.

I love reading books such as Fearless. I want to grow in my faith and I want to reach out to YOU.

Fearless is a wonderful read. Max addresses our fears and separates them into chapters, addressing not only why we are afraid, but individual fears such as:

Fear of Disappointing GOD
Fear of Not Protecting My Kids
Fear of Death
Fear of the After Life
Fear of where the World is Headed
...and several others.

Max also includes a discussion guide at the back of the book which has a "lesson" for each chapter, split into three groups: Examining, Exposing and Battling Fear

My life has been truly touched by Fearless. I plan to keep it by my side and refer to it often for guidance.

I encourage you to read it for yourself. I would love to know your response to it. It will change your life. I'm sure of it.



Max Lucado has numerous other books available as well.

Find Max:

www.maxlucado.com

www.TheFearlessBook.com

www.twitter.com/MaxLucado

Birthday Bash? Hand over them Gifts!

WooHoo! Sandy over at Tales From A Shopaholic Mommy is having a Birthday Bash to honor her little girl's 2nd Birthday!

The Birthday Bash will run September 5th thru 12th and will include giveaways for shoes, clothes, watches, an Amazon gift card and more!

You don't want to miss it!

Simply Salads

I was really excited to receive a copy of "Simply Salads" by Jennifer Chandler to review for my blog. I just love salads and I am always "game" to try new ones.

"Simply Salads" has over 100 salad recipes, sure to fit anyone's taste. Such a huge selection of recipes from simple to extravagant and each has a fabulous picture that will leave your mouth watering and your tummy grumbling.

Jennifer does an excellent job of explaining the "Salad Blends" so you know exactly what is in your salad. She also gives you a complete list of "must have" kitchen utensils and ingredients to make your salad preparation simple.

"Simply Salads" is broken down into these categories:
*Greens
*Poultry
*Meat
*Seafood
*Vegetables
*Fruit
*Beans, Grains, Rice and Pasta
*Slaws
*Vinaigrettes and Dressings

Take a look at this Taco Salad (page 65):




BLT Salad (page 62):



A couple of my favorites were the Shrimp Tossed with Herb Salad, Greek Salad and the Old-Fashioned Cole Slaw. There are still so many I want to try. Plus, the vinaigrettes and dressings are so tasty. I've used some of them for other recipes.

I am going to strongly recommend that you go out today and buy "Simply Salads" by Jennifer Chandler. It is a perfect addition to my collection of recipe books and I know it would be for yours, too.

Simply Salads is now available nationwide in fine book stores and at Amazon.com.

PRESS RELEASE: SIMPLY SALADS

More than 100 creative bagged salad recipes you can make in minutes

(Nashville, Tenn.) With the popularity of gourmet salads on the rise, from five-star restaurants to fast food chains, salads are becoming much more than boring, diet food or the preview to a meal. Salads are a delectable, healthy and quick alternative, as well as, a meal’s main event.

A recent study done by the UCLA School of Public Health and Louisiana State University Health Services Center found that eating just one salad a day may have more health benefits than originally thought. People who consume at least one salad a day have a higher level of nutrients responsible for a healthy immune system, and reducing the risk of heart disease and obesity. Eating a salad a day could quite possibly be the easiest way to improve your overall health and with all of the variety of fresh packaged salad blends in local stores it has never been easier to make a deliciously simple salad for any meal.

Simply Salads (April, $24.99, Rutledge Hill Press, ISBN 1-4016-0320-3) by Author and Chef Jennifer Chandler, delivers over 100 creative recipes you can make in minutes—showing that anyone can create a gourmet salad by simply picking up salad mix and adding your favorite ingredients. Chandler’s salad masterpieces also include dressing recommendations, recipes, menu ideas and nutritional information. All the recipes are accompanied by stunning photos of each salad. From the Classic Caesar Salad with Herb Croutons to the Mandarin Chicken Salad with Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette, these recipes are guidelines to getting you started on creating your own satisfying salads with your favorite ingredients.

About the Author: Jennifer Chandler graduated at the top of her class with Le Grand Diplome and a Mention Tres Bien in Pastry from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. She moved back to her hometown of Memphis and in 1999 opened Cheffie's Market and More, a prepared foods market and bakery. Voted best new restaurant in Memphis, Cheffie's received much acclaim and many awards. Jennifer is a full-time mom of two little girls, a freelance magazine writer and a professional salad eater.



Thomas Nelson, Inc. is a leading publisher and distributor of books emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes, and believes it is the largest publisher of Bibles and inspirational books in the English language. For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.


This opportunity was provided to me through TheProductReviewPlace

Custom Greeting Card Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the UPrinting 250 Custom Greeting Cards: Kimberly Delatorre from Shop With Me Mama and Martha Kasper from The Daily Grind.

Wow! What a great giveaway to win so close to the HOLIDAYS!

Stop by and congratulate these ladies and take a look around their blogs. Both are fabulous reads.