DVD Art Project: Poppy Collage (Curriculum Review)

For our homeschool art class we recently completed an art project with Master Artist Pat Knepley called Poppy Collage. . .with the intent to make a flower collage in the style of artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

This is a DVD in the series from See The Light:
http://www.seethelightshine.com/art-projects/

There are 4 complete step-by-step lessons on the DVD, with each lesson lasting around 20 minutes per session. At the end of the DVD, we had a completed project and we knew about the artist whose style we used as an example for our project. In our case, Georgia O'Keeffe. In each lesson we learned some of the history of how Georgia started painting, where she studies, what her paintings were like and more. The lessons were interesting and Pat is an enthusiastic teacher. As a Christian, it was great to see her tie in a bit of Scripture with each lesson. The recommended age is over 10. . .My 11-year old son enjoyed the project and learning about the artist. It seemed to be right-on with his skill level. I made a project too along side him because art was a favorite subject and you're never too old to learn, right? These are our completed projects.

Next year, I would like to get more of Pat's DVDs. There are 9 available in the Art Projects series. Pat also has an Art Class DVD set available that teach the basics of art. It is like bringing an art teacher into your home as she demonstrates each technique step by step and integrates art history and Biblical truth. For more Bible teaching there is also a series that explore Bible stories through art. Basic art supplies are the only other thing you need with each lesson. I would recommend this series to any other homeschool family wanting to do art at home.

I received a copy of this DVD as a Gabby Mom. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for this product.

Book Review: Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren

Lisa T. Bergren's Grand Tour series begins with Glamorous Illusions.  In the first book, main character Cora Diehl Kensington starts the trip of a lifetime as she travels to Europe with family members she just learned she had. . .and lots of added stress for that country girl as finding out about this situation was a shock for her.

In this second book, Cora continues to travel on the tour with adventures in France, Austria and Italy. Two men add romance to her life. . .Pierre, an extremely wealthy businessman, and Will, one of the guides who take them on their European journey. The story weaves Cora's romantic encounters amidst a backdrop of international intrigue along with travels to beautiful castles and historical sites. As the book progresses, Cora continues to work to decide which suitor choice to make--because, as the back cover says, "each one has grave consequences."

I enjoyed the travels and following the life of Cora. . .I personally enjoyed the first book the best so far, but this book was also enjoyable. I thought Lisa's characters were quite compelling in this series and I found myself rooting for a different guy for Cora than she would choose in book two. But isn't that how life sometimes is when we see our own friends make choices?  In the end, we all have to choose who God has for us. Cora Diehl Kensington sounds like a wonderful story friend and I can't wait to see how the story continues in the next book, Glittering Promises (Due to come out in October 2013) and what new adventures and choices she makes.

I won this book from the Spring Preview Contest from the BookReporter.com. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the book.

I purchased Glamorous Illusions through Amazon for Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Glamorous-Illusions-Novel-Series-ebook/dp/B007ZH6VQ

Book Review: Victim of Grace by Robin Jones Gunn

The past couple of years in my life have left me feeling like I am a victim of life's circumstances. Difficulties came to me that were not of my own making and I felt lost and abandoned by God. If we are honest, I think we have all felt that way at one time or another in life. Life is full of ups and down. In Robin Jones Gunn's new book, Victim of Grace, she shares how God is with us in all of our circumstances accomplishing His purposes in us and through us.

This is Robin's personal story of how God has used her and worked through her life--even when it didn't seem like God was working anything out. She shares how God used her writing gifts and how she got started writing. . .and how she continues to write today. She truly shows through her life's story how God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or imagine. (Eph. 3:20) Robin's memoir moved me to smiles and moved me to tears. Along with her story, Robin weaves in the stories from the Bible and how God worked in their lives. Her book caused me to stop and reflect on how God has been working in my life and how to be obedient to Him at this stage of my life, even though I don't "see" how things are working out.

I wish I had had this book years ago. Robin's adult novels have encouraged me and blessed me but I did not have the benefit of growing up with her novels for teenage girls. How I wish that I had!  I feel privileged to review Robin's new book: Victim of Grace: When God's Goodness Prevails. I highly recommend this uplifting book to women of all ages.There are questions at the end of the book for book club/study discussions. It would be a great book study for a group of women.

It is currently on sale for Kindle at Amazon for 3.79. Awesome deal!:
 http://www.amazon.com/Victim-Grace-Goodness-Prevails-ebook/dp/B00A9UMMW0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I received this book from Zondervan through Booksneeze. I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Bread and Wine: A love letter to Life Around the Table combines Shauna Niequist's love for food and community in a book that, frankly, I couldn't put down.  Like lingering with a sweet piece of Shauna's sea salted toffee, I just couldn't rush it either. It was slow food for my soul. As someone who is a dinner-party host wannabe, I was amazed at this woman's ability to put together food and people. Sometimes, she did it with elaborate planning, and other times, Shauna gathered people around her table with fare offered at the last minute. It really didn't seem to matter what the scenario, Shauna shared honestly and from her heart, in ways that inspired me to want to grab a pan and an onion and start cooking for both my family and my friends.

At the same time, book is more than tales of shared food around the dinner table and lingering dinner parties--it is Shauna's tales of life in today's world. She shares the joys of births and vacations as well as the pain of miscarriages and lives with over-scheduled seasons. She tells of working from home with constant internet access and enjoying vacation off the grid. She is real and honest with it all. Shauna shares the good and the bad in poignant terms. . .She left me chuckling and she left me tearing up, depending on the chapter.

My only caution with this book is that if you are a tea-totaling Christian, you may not appreciate all her references to drinking alcoholic beverages with meals. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book to anyone needing encouragement to host their own dinners or encouragement to life a real life. Shauna truly inspires you to make your own memories around the table with friends and family. Amazingly to me, she helps me see how even if things don't turn out perfectly, bonds are still formed and friendships are cherished in the midst of occasional food flops--taking a lot of the stress out of that potential situation for me.

Many chapters, have recipes included at the end--mango chicken curry, basic risotto, magical white bean soup, and breakfast cookies--all sound delicious to me. However, for my first Bread and Wine recipe,  I made the blueberry crisp recipe on pages 26 and 27 for a dinner with my in-laws in our new-to-us house. Everyone loved it. I made it the night before so I didn't serve it warm and it was still quite good. Then a couple of days later, I used this versatile recipe with apples and walnuts instead of blueberries and pecans. Again, my family also enjoyed it, this time served warm. Shauna also shares in Bread and Wine why her husband eats gluten free, which was one reason this recipe worked well for my family that has food allergies. . .and was still enjoyed by those who don't have allergies. I appreciated her words of advice for helping cooks include those with allergies or intolerances. I know first hand what it is like to be left out eating something different from the rest of the group.

The book is divided into four sections and the appendix of the book offers a four-week cooking club discussion guide and 4 weeks of cooking/book club menus to correspond with the meat of the book. Also, she includes a pantry list and a guide to fixing those every day weeknight meals and some extra tips on entertaining.

I received this book from Zondervan through the Booksneeze program I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: Healing Hearts with Helping Hands by Lorrie Flem

I love the title of this book. . .Healing Hearts with Helping Hands. When people we care about are going through the loss of a loved one, a serious illness or another life-altering challenge, it is hard to know how to respond. We care and we want to help but what do we do? We want to say something to encourage and show that we care but what do we say? Lorrie Flem offers good advice and ways to help in this little gem of a book.

This book offers actual words you can say or adapt as you minister to someone who is in a difficult place. Lorrie shares from her own experiences as she lost loved ones as well as times she cared for others in that situation. She also offers unique ideas on what to do to help, even if you are a busy mom yourself. I think she is "right on" when she suggests you offers specific ways that you can help the person instead of just saying, "Please call me if you need me" because most of the time people won't call and don't want to impose on others. Even if it is a situation where you want to send a card, Lorrie helps you know what to say and not to say in the card.

She also offers great advice on what to take for meals, along with recipes. As someone who has food allergies I agree that it is good to ask, if possible, what not to take. The recipes all looked great although I did not try one out yet. I think this book would be a great help to ANYONE. It is available from  http://eternalencouragement.com/  It is also available from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Hearts-Helping-Hands-ebook/dp/B00CBMP4HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366040163&sr=8-1&keywords=healing+hearts+with+helping+hands 
On May 1 - May 3, this book will be available for 99 cents on Kindle.

I received this book as one of the Gabby moms from Eternal Encouragement. I was not required to write a positive review. You can received free publications from Eternal Encouragement at this link if you are interested: http://eternalencouragement.com/free-subscription/

Book Review: Second Chances by Max Lucado

Second chances. . .We all make mistakes and any of us that can get a second chance are usually grateful to do so. Max Lucado reminds all of us humans that our God is the God of Second Chances in his new book, Second Chances: More Stories of Grace.

This isn't really a "new" book as the book contains stories gleaned from previous works and compiled together in a book focused on grace. The book is divided into sections: For the rebellious, For the regret-riddled, For the prideful, for the mistake-makers, for a faltering faith, and for those who hurt us. Each section contains a few stories focused on the topic. Lucado is a master storyteller so I think each of these stories brings emotion to the surface.

Some of the stories are re-told from the Bible in modern day language, some are from Lucado's life and a few are stories he shares from other people. All of them brought home to me the topics at hand. Some of them moved me to tears and others moved me to change my outlook on God or others around me.

I recommend this book to everyone but especially it would be a great book to share with someone who has regrets, shame, etc, and needs to "see" God's love and grace working. I give it 4 out of 5 stars because it is material that is already out there. If you are already a Lucado fan with his other books, you may want to pass on this one. On the other hand, it is nice to have these stories all in one place too.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson through their Booksneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: When God Makes Lemonade created by Don Jacobsen

This past year has been full of personal challenges. . .so when this book came up for review I couldn't wait to read it. There is something encouraging in reading other people's personal struggles and seeing through their eyes how God has worked to change their hearts and/or their lives for the better through them.

This book is full of encouraging stories from people all over the country and in all walks of life. The stories are from people like you and me that have been through some challenges and saw how God made something, Lemonade, if you will, through the lemons (challenges) in their lives. Hope is the element each story offers to the reader. In each story, the reader sees God working through someone's life situation. I can't say for me that any one story stood out as better than the others--they were really all good from my point of view.

These stories were well-written, inspiring and moved me to tears at times. I even found one author that I remember meeting when I managed a Christian bookstore.I felt inspired and I felt hopeful when I finished reading these personal stories. I would recommend this book to anyone--Who can't use some inspiration now and then? It would be especially good to give to those facing challenging situations. . .and I think it would be great to leave a copy in the waiting room of a doctor's office or hospital.

While there are other books of this kind on the market, I think that is what makes this book especially helpful to those who are Christians. It is from a Christian publisher and is geared to honoring God from that viewpoint. 

I received this book from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze program in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.