Everyday Grace

Everyday Grace by Jessica Thompson is a perfect nudge on how to "infuse all your relationships with the love of Jesus". 


"A sought-after speaker at counseling conferences, Thompson teaches that it's not our job to "fix" the people we're in relationship with, but instead to reveal and receive the grace of Jesus in everything from our interactions with spouses to lunch conversations at work."

The thing I love about this book is that Thompson is very humble in her teachings. She clearly states, time and time again, that she is still learning the things that she is preaching. Because it's easy to know what we should do, it's so much harder to actually do it.

This book isn't going to fix all your problems. But it is going to give you a different perspective and help you, as well as your relationships, reach a bigger potential. 

This book was given to me by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. 
 

Brain Splat

Can I just say YAY!! about this week's weather forecast? 

Did any of you have this Fisher-Price kitchen set during your childhood? I remember mine fondly and was thrilled to find one, in pristine condition, at a garage sale last week. For $5! Amy has been cooking up a storm with it. Joe got the Fisher-Price barn, school, and cabin. All items I had during my childhood as well.

They bring back such fond memories. Toys just aren't made the same these days and I'm hoping these vintage ones entertain the kids for years to come. 

I found this passage (click on picture to make it larger) in the book Everyday Grace (review to come later today).

It was interesting to me, what an atheist says about sharing your faith.

I love this short article on child loss. 

This may be a jewelry commercial, but it made me tear up. 
 

U.S. Cellular Top Five

You all know that I am a recent convert to the mobile world. While I've had a cellphone for years, it was an old school pay-as-you-go basic phone. No camera, no internet. It's been less than a year since I've been working with U.S. Cellular Blogger Brigade and testing out my iPhone 5s. 

With being a new smartphone user, there are always questions on how to use the device more efficiently. Below are the top five questions most cellphone users have.

*How can I make my device charge faster?

    The fastest way to charge your device is to turn it off and plug it in. The screen needs the most power and many devices have apps that continually run. If you don't want to turn it off, switch it to airplane mode, which will disconnect you from data and wi-fi. 

*What is the best way to disinfect my mobile phone?

    The best way is to use a screen protector, which you can then disinfect with alcohol wipes. Pre-soaked wipes aren't recommended as the moisture in them can damage the device. You can also spray a soft cloth with ethyl or isopropyl alcohol (making sure it is just damp, not wet). Turn off your device and wipe down carefully. 

*Can my smartphone read text and e-mail out loud to me?

   Most of the latest devices have this internally, and you can set voice control to your preference. If it does not have this feature, download the Voice Commands app.

*How can I take a photo on a tablet without needing two hands to focus and snap the shutter?

   Most devices have auto focus and allow the user to touch anywhere on the screen to focus the shot. Apps such as Say Cheese Camera also let you use voice control to take pictures, turn on the flash, and rotate photos on the screen. 

*Can my smartphone alert me to messages other than through sound or vibration?

   Most smartphones have LED lights that can flash different colors for e-mails, text messages, and phone calls. 

This post is sponsored by U.S. Cellular Blogger Brigade.   
 

From the Mouths of Babes...

As Amy was reading a Star Wars book today she said her first complete sentence... "I love Boba Fett."
 I then said, "Do you love mama?" 
"BOBA FETT!!!" she screams. 
Point taken. 


Me to Joe: "I hope you didn't get your friend sick when you were at his house."
Joe: "That was a long time ago. It was Back in the future."
On a different day
Joe: "We need to get some of those pink birds, that stand like this (strikes a pose of a flamingo), like they have on Mama's Family!"

Me: "Amy, can you tell me a story?"
Amy: "Story!"

Joe: "Did you already watch this book?"
I have failed as a mother.


Joe: "Do dad's cook food?"
Me: "What do you mean?"
Joe: "Like, if the mom falls down the steps and has to go to the hospital, does the dad cook?"

Me: "Wow, that's pretty specific."


Joe: "Did you have milkmen when you were little?"
Me: "No! I'm not that old"
Joe: "Well, you didn't have color."

Strange, strange boy.

Me: "Two kids were abducted from that place."
Becca: "See, I told you aliens were real!"

 

Leather, Rinse, Repeat

I ran across, on Instagram, a way to clean up leather a few weeks ago. It reminded me of a favorite purse that I have, which I set aside due to some staining and wear.

I bought this Fossil purse at a garage sale several years ago, for something like $2 or $4. It's such a nice leather, and reminds me of a well worn saddle.

Once on vacation I bent down to observe some sea urchins in an aquarium and my purse fell in! The man opposite just stared at me, like "You dumb idiot!" and I wanted to shout "That's the least of my clumsiness!" 

Alas, my purse became somewhat water stained and dingy so I put it away in the closet.

Since I didn't have much to lose, I decided to try this little trick to clean up the leather. These are the before pictures: 

I added some warm water to a bowl and one (just one teeny tiny drop) of blue Dawn dish washing soap. I used a microfiber rag, got it wet, and rubbed the water into the outside of the bag. It's scary, because it does dampen and darken the leather and I was scared the whole time that I was ruining it (worse than it already was).

I then let it dry and it dried to a nice, clean, fawn colored purse, which I'm sure is what it looked like when bought new. These after photos show a cleaner, prettier bag:

I probably wouldn't try it with a $200 purse but when it's clean it or ditch it, it's worth a try to save it! I bet there is actual leather cleaner that you can buy, but I'm happy with these results!

Finding Me

"A Contemporary Drama of Family Lies and Forgotten Loves After her father and stepmother's accidental death, Kelli Huddleston sorts through their belongings and learns a shocking secret. Years before, her father faked his death during a boat wreck at sea--and faked Kelli's as well." Finding Me by Kathryn Cushman.

I started this book last night and had to finish it this afternoon! It is a Christian book but doesn't push or preach so I think anyone who enjoys a drama/chick-lit would enjoy this book. It moves along smoothly with a good plot that keeps you entertained.

I found the character Beth to be slightly annoying, when in fact I think the author intended her to be endearing. She just didn't seem to have a filter. All the characters are interesting and likeable though and it was an all around good book!

This book was given to me by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.
 

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Stopping to smell the flowers

First book choice from a Free Little Library

Cheerful table cloths

Happy rocks

Picnic blankets (retro ones!!)

Early blooms (God's beauty)