Hoppy World Frog Day!

🐸 Hoppy World Frog Day! 🐸 Here are some photos I took of a Pacific Chorus Frog (Pseudacris regilla) on one of my Dahlias last year. Get more info. here... worldfrogday.org

Tongue Out Tuesday from Nova

Happy Tongue Out Tuesday from Nova to those who celebrate!

👅😋🐕🐶🐾😛

Raising Funds to Fight Empty Bowls: Fundraiser for the Columbia Pacific Food Bank

Empty Bowls Fundraiser - photo collage courtesy of the Columbia Pacific Food Bank.

The Columbia Pacific Food Bank, located in St. Helen's Oregon, is the regional food bank that distributes an average of 16 tons of food per week and valuable resources to 38 food pantries, meal programs and produce distribution points throughout Columbia County, Oregon to combat food insecurity. To reduce food waste they participate in a gleaner program that harvests surplus produce from local farmers, gardeners, and orchardists. HOPE (Help Our People Eat) Food Pantry is the one in our hometown of Rainier Oregon that they distribute to. They also provide for Meals on Wheels (MOW) for homebound seniors in our area. Empty Bowls is one of the fundraisers for this wonderful organization.

Empty Bowls Menu

Empty Bowls is the creation of a high school teacher and their students in 1990 in Michigan who came up with an idea to make ceramic bowls to for a fundraising meal to support a food drive. The guests were given a meal of soup and bread and a ceramic bowl to take home to remind them of the hunger in the world. Since then, the Empty Bowls tradition has been held throughout the world to raise awareness and money for hunger.

Some of the yummy soup and the bread that was offered.

The Empty Bowls event in Columbia County was held at McBride Elementary School on April 12th, 2024 from 5-7pm. There is a small ticket fee of $15 per person to get in. It is well worth that because you are donating to a great cause, get fed yummy soup and bread donated by local restaurants and businesses, get to listen to music by The Decades band, and get a lovely keepsake handmade bowl to take home by local artist, Pat Brame. Pat freely makes 300 unique pottery bowls for every Empty Bowls event in Columbia County.

My friend, Erin, and I with our bowls.

This was my third time participating. The first time was during COVID so I didn't get to actually go to the event, but I still got a lovely bowl that I got to pick out online and they gave us a homemade shelf-stable soup mix to go in it instead, which was also wonderful. The second time I went with my husband and the third time was with my husband and my good friend, Erin, and her daughter, Melody. I love participating and giving back to my community and this is the perfect opportunity to do so. I cannot wait to participate next year.

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Follow Them

CP Food Bank FB | CP Food Bank IG | PB Pottery | PB Pottery FB

Nearly Wordless Wednesday $2 Braided Hibiscus Plant

Braided Hibiscus Plant

I purchased an Island Blooms braided hibiscus for $2 at my local Walmart today. It looked healthy and I loved how the trunk was braided. My hummingbirds are gonna love it when it blooms and I have it outside in the summer. I will have it indoors in the winter because I believe this one is of the tropical variety and not a hardy one, but it was still a great deal and I couldn't pass it up!

This is what Walmart says it looks like in bloom.

Braided Hibiscus Care Instructions

Japanese Gardens at Lake Sacajawea Park

Japanese Gardens at Lake Sacajawea Park.

I love discovering new places to see and experience. On March 16th my good friend and I went with her kids to Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview, Washington, just across the river from us. We had all been there before, but this time we went to a part of the park that we hadn't been to, the Japanese Gardens.

The Japanese Garden's Weyerhaeuser Centennial Bridge at Lake Sacajawea Park.

Lake Sacajawea Park is an expansive, well maintained park of 67 acres in the heart of Longview Washington with 3.5 miles of trails that go around the whole lake. There are lovely old growth trees and other plants along with wildlife like ducks, geese, herons, and other water fowl, birds of prey and other birds, frogs, turtles, fish, otters, beavers, weasels, racoons, opossums, squirrels, chipmunks, and deer. You can enjoy biking, walking, and running, jogging, fishing, picnicking, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boating, birding, wildlife viewing, and taking your kids to play on the playgrounds. There are picnic tables, sitting benches, covered picnic areas, playgrounds, 2 spectacular lake fountains, botanical gardens, an arboretum, restroom facilities, trash receptacles, drinking fountains, bridges, and event spaces. Events held there include Summer Concerts at the Lake, Go 4th Festival, Annual Fishing Derby for kids, and Summer Movies at the Lake. You can enjoy the Frank Willis Arboretum, Japanese Gardens, Rhododendron Gardens, and the Solar System Walk while you are there. The park is designed to be accessible, with paved paths suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Pets are allowed, but need to be leashed. To get there you have easy street parking all around the perimeter of the park. The park is open from dawn until dusk.

A Japanese Garden Lantern in the Japanese Garden at Lake Sacajawea Park.

The tranquil Japanese Gardens are nestled on an island in the Lake Sacajawea Park. They are gorgeous year-round to view especially in the fall when the leaves of some of the Japanese maples have changed. The Japanese Gardens were meticulously built to mimic the beautiful gardens of Japan. Accessible by the Weyerhaeuser Centennial Bridge, these gardens are a gorgeous haven to Japanese and Asian flora. Within the gardens there are a number of neat structures like pagodas, arbors, statues, and sitting benches. There is also a bubbling brook that I enjoyed listening to while I took in the scenery. It is a lovely, peaceful place to go and get away from it all. I highly recommend visiting if you are ever in the area.

A Pagoda structure in the Japanese Garden at Lake Sacajawea Park.

Location of the Japanese Gardens at Lake Sacajawea Park.

Japanese Gardens at Lake Sacajawea Park

Address: 3223 NE Nichols Blvd, Longview, WA 98632

Phone: (360) 442-5421

Hours:

Monday	7 AM–3 PM
Tuesday	7 AM–3 PM
Wednesday	7 AM–3 PM
Thursday	7 AM–3 PM
Friday	7 AM–1 PM
Saturday	7 AM–1 PM
Sunday	7 AM–3 PM

15th Annual Rose City Yarn Crawl 2024

Rose City Yarn Crawl Theme for 2024

The 15th Annual Rose City Yarn Crawl was held March 7th-10th this year in 2024. The Rose City Yarn Crawl is "an annual Portland experience, the Rose City Yarn Crawl is a four-day event for fiber enthusiasts" - knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, and felters. This year the crawl featured eight shops that participated. Within each of these lovely shops they have gorgeous yarn, knitting and crochet notions, needles, handmade wares, books, bags, patterns, and other enchanting things. Once open, visitors use a passport that gets stamped at each of the yarn crawl destinations you visit for a chance to win prizes. With each purchase you make in the shops you will get access to a Ravelry download code for that shop's free pattern. In addition each kit purchased for the patterns gives 10% of the sale to the shop's selected charity.

Image designed by local Portland Tattoo Artist Alice Kendall from Wonderland Tattoo

If you cannot participate in person, you may instead participate in the Rose City Yarn Crawl online and crawl virtually. This is how I participated this year because of time and travel constraints. You can instead download and print the passport and look for the code words on each shop's website then record them on your passport. After you are done shopping and crawling, then you go back to the Rose City Yarn Crawl website and enter them into the virtual passport entry form. After you do this you will be entered to win a prize exclusive to virtual crawlers.

Rose City Yarn Crawl Participating Shops

I bought some things from three of the 8 shops during the crawl: Weird Sisters, Starlight Knitting Society, and Knotty Lamb. I really wanted to buy from more shops, but I unfortunately had a budget that I was following. I received my package from Weird Sisters first on March 15th. I purchased the Wild Witchcraft book by Rebecca Beyer because of all the lovely folk herbalism, gardening, and foraging information in it. It also has recipes for tinctures, teas, salves, etc. Some very pretty full color pages of herbs and plants as well. I love the wood burned stitch markers, too. They have a mushroom 🍄, books 📚, and butterfly 🦋, as well as the St. Johns Bridge 🌉 and their logo. They threw in a pin, sticker of a cool spider in her web knitting, and a bookmark. On March 16th I received both packages from Starlight Knitting Society and Knotty Lamb. From Starlight Knitting Society I purchased the Starlit Owl cross stitch kit by Junebug and Darlin and a lovely enamel pin with bleeding hearts, knitting needles and yarn on it made by Kitty with a Cupcake. The package from Knotty Lamb contained three different sized Crystal Palace Yarns bamboo circular needles and some very cute llama washi tape. They threw in a lovely butterfly button too. All stores I purchased from gave me two awesome downloadable patterns each for free as well (one knitting and one crochet each).

Rose City Yarn Crawl Purchases.

Follow the Rose City Yarn Crawl on Facebook and Instagram and mark your calendar for next year's yarn crawl on March 6-9, 2025. I will be participating in the Rose City Yarn Crawl next year, hopefully in person this time. Maybe I will see you there. Give me a shout if you are also going or just leave a comment on this post telling me what fiber arts you enjoy doing and what projects, if any, you have been working on.

Wordless Wednesday First Day of School

Today was Teela and Zari's first day of school. Teela is in 11th and Zari is in 8th.

Advancing Native Missions Gift Catalog Review #nativemissions #giftingcatalog #giftcatalog #ANM #seasonofgiving #missions #giftofthegospel

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this catalog through FrontGate Media in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. I was compensated for this post.

Advancing Native Missions is a Christian mission based organization that instead of sending out foreign missionaries that have little knowledge of the people or culture, they have native (local) missionaries to spread the gospel and minister. They are already accustomed to the physical climate, environment, and political situation. These missionaries live and minister on a fraction of the resources because their standard of living is comparable to those they serve. They also already know the language, people, and culture and can begin work with minimal training and preparation. They are more committed to working long-term because they already know and love the people; their own family, friends, and neighbors. These missionaries preach the Gospel, plant churches, care for children; found: schools, medical clinics, and Bible colleges to train others.

ANM has over 27,000+ missionaries, church planters, trainers, and workers working in 121 countries around the world with 49,000 + churches planted. Some of these countries that these native missionaries serve are closed to Western missionaries. This is the only way to get the message of The Lord out to them.

Through the Advancing Native Missions Gift Catalog you can help these native missionaries with gifts and donations to them and the people they serve so that they may live in better circumstances. You and your family can also pick from many causes and charities to aid and advocate for those that are in need, including: 

• a Bible to a fellow Christian for spiritual growth
• a boat or bicycle to a church planter or pastor so they can travel easier
• a chicken so a family can eat and sell its eggs
• a Christmas gift box: a box of small gifts to a child in need
• a goat or sheep so a family can have milk and meat
• medicine to support medical outreach in impoverished communities
• a motorcycle so a church planter or pastor can access remote areas and share the gospel
• sack of rice to feed a family on the verge of starvation
• school supplies so that a student is more equipped to learn
  
• sewing machine so that a family can start a home business and mend clothing
  
• shoes so a child can play, do chores, and walk to school safely
  
• soccer ball so that kids can enjoy healthy recreation with friends
• well to provide clean and accessible water for a community
• etc.

My daughter, Zari, looking through the ANM Gift Catalog.

My Thoughts:

I believe that food and financial security is so important and so many in this world are starving, going hungry, and don't have any way to make ends meet. People are also being persecuted for believing in Christ and that is wrong. I know that I am fairly privileged to live in America where I am living fairly comfortably and free to be a Christian and share my beliefs. I am so grateful and thankful for this. My family is overjoyed to be able to share something so important and essential as the gifts in the ANM Gift Catalog.

Included in the catalog was a coloring book for my kids to color that is based on a true story about 4 kids that go the their grandparent's house and learn about generosity through hard work where they earned money to get gifts from the ANM Gift Catalog. You can download this coloring book when you sign up on the website.

Nova says, "Give to ANM! It's a worthy cause.".

Giving to this amazing fund is a wonderful and generous thing to do to celebrate the upcoming Christmas holidays with your family. Sharing the message of Christ and giving the gift of benevolence, service, and humanitarianism is so important for those that are impoverished and/or persecuted for their beliefs. Please help those who cannot help themselves. Use the Advancing Native Missions gifting catalog to donate and directly impact families around the world.

YOU CAN HELP CHANGE LIVES TOO
Find over 20 simple ways to transform lives inside this catalog … all in the name of Jesus.

Waypoint Goods Travel Scarf Review and Giveaway!

Disclaimer: I received complimentary product from Waypoint Goods in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. 

I love to travel, but sadly I don't get to very often because living on a farm means having many responsibilities: tending animals, planting, gardening, harvesting, and keeping up the home and grounds. However, I still get to occasionally go to: hike, waterfall spot, bird watch, rockhound, mudlark, beachcomb, star gaze, and just explore nature. I also love to go to different fairs, festivals, carnivals, conventions, concerts, theatrical performances, antique shops, bazaars, flea markets, farmers' markets, open air markets, food carts, museums, and art galleries as well.

 

I am wearing the Jasmine & Jain travel scarf from Waypoint Goods.

When I do go places, I like the convenience of having my hands free to be able to do things and not to worry about my stuff being stolen. Caitlin Blythe, the owner and founder of Waypoint Goods, made the perfect travel fashion accessory to do just that and more! Besides being fashionable, this infinity scarf has a handy, inconspicuous, and unseen zipper pocket that has room enough for an iPhone+ or similar sized cell phone, passport, wallet, keys, some cash, ID, credit cards, boarding passes, facemask, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, and/or other small essentials. This means you can keep your belongings safe and secure without having to take a bulky purse or backpack with you at all times. No more worrying about pickpockets while you are taking in the culture, food, art, sights, and sounds of your next adventure because the hidden pocket blends into the wide folds of the scarf eliminating the outline of your secure essentials. Just place the pocket loop closest to your body and use the other loop to drape over the top and hide the pocket and contents.

I received a Waypoint Goods Travel Scarf from the Featured Artist Series and called Jasmine & Jain. It is one of the lightweight scarves made from all natural bamboo and cotton. This pattern was made by two women, Alison Abbott and Jane, and was inspired by the flower market in Jaipur, India and the local people there, wearing colorful geometric patterns. Marigolds, rose petals and the scent of jasmine made the painted and layered canvas spring to life. The scarf's pattern is a result of an adaption of the full canvas. I love this gorgeous scarf! The oranges, reds and purples with the layered pattern are so rich and beautiful. You can read more about the art process, here. 1% of sales of the Jasmine & Jain scarf will be donated to the nonprofit organization, CharityWater.org.

I love that the Waypoint Goods scarves are made of quality fabric and notions that is sewn well. The fabric is soft, yet durable and is meticulously stitched with a lined pocket that has an invisible zipper. The pocket is lined in Waypoint Goods patterned fabric that complements the outer fabric and is lighter in color so you can find your stuff fast.

There are two different categories of travel scarf depending upon length and fabric choice and each have 5 lovely designs per category. One category is the lightweight bamboo and cotton travel scarf which is long and narrow and great for warmer weather and petite travelers. The lightweight scarves are 18" wide by 34" long and made of  eco-friendly 70% bamboo and 30% cotton. The other category is the original travel scarf which is wide and short and is best for cooler weather and wrapping up. The original is 22" wide by 32" long and is made of buttery soft 100% polyester.

I love how versatile this travel infinity scarf is, that you can pretty much wear it anywhere, and it is easy to clean. It can be used as a scarf, shawl, blanket and worn several different ways. You can take it with you on an airplane, train, bus, boat, etc. It is great to have at crowded tourist areas, stadiums, museums, concerts, festivals, date night, out walking the dog, etc. If you don't have other pockets in your dress, jeans or jacket, this scarf is the key to that problem! Washing instructions are pretty straight forward: hand wash cold with mild detergent and lay flat to dry. If you cannot wash the recommended way you can instead machine wash on delicate cycle after placing in a garment bag and then lay flat to dry.

BUY IT

Any of the Waypoint Travel Scarves would be perfect for gift giving! They are a unique and functional gift that is just as great for travel as everyday life. Great for giving at graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, or any of those special days or moments that come up. The Waypoint Goods Travel scarf comes gift ready with sleek packaging and the same attention to detail and design inspiration as the scarf itself. Sign up for their newsletter and get 10% off your first order!

WIN IT

• Prize: Win a Waypoint Goods Travel Scarf of your choice!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet Nova

Nova, our new puppy dog.

Meet Nova, our McNab Rat Terrier mix puppy dog 🐕. Her name, Nova, means star 🌟. She has a gorgeous tricolor (brown, black, & white) and merle (blue) coat and super cute cocked ears. Her ears are so expressive. We adopted her from the Lassen Humane Society in Susanville, California and she was being trained by Pups on Parole there. After a long car ride 🚘 all the way from California (about 10 hours there to get her and 10 hours back) to Oregon she is finally home for Christmas 🎄. 

Nova at the shelter.

Within minutes of arriving last night we found out she likes to bolt out doors and chase cars 😟. We had a harrowing night trying to find her in the dark 🌉 and cold 🌬️, but everything turned out 🙏 and our neighbor, Chuck, found her this morning on his front porch and brought her back home to us. My family is ecstatic that she is back safe and sound. Now she is content; getting lots of attention, warmed back up, and some much needed rest. Thank you to everyone that was looking for her! Y'all are all amazing! 

Nova with my daughters and on her new bed.

She also received a comfy dog bed from our other neighbor, Jessica, for Christmas. She is settling in nicely and loves her new digs. We love her 😍! She is such a sweetheart and loves giving wet kisses 👅 to show her affection 💕.

You can see her adoption photos here... https://photos.app.goo.gl/hkWHzVYZJnayhEpc7

Ameo Life Health Products Review and Giveaway #ameolife #christianhealth #healthylifestyle #supplements #naturalhealth

Disclaimer: I received complimentary product through FrontGate Media in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Ameo Life health products are backed by science and research, are all natural, and made in the USA. Their mission is is to "produce amazing natural products to promote care for the body using only the cleanest ingredients, free of chemicals, toxins or any harmful substances". Their products include: vitamins and supplements, liquids and gels, soaps, and lozenges.

Here is an overview of 4 of their products:

pH Balanced Alkaline Structured Silver Solution

• 16 oz. (473ml)
• 30ppm Structured Silver Solution
• pH balanced
• Supports a Healthy Digestive System
• Immune System Support
• Naturally Cleanses the Gut
• Naturally Cleanses Bad Bacteria, Yeast, and Mold
• Safe and Effective Supplement

Extra Strength Silver Gel

• 3.38 oz. (100ml)
• 35ppm Silver
• Structured Silver Gel
• Naturally Support the Skin
• pH balanced
• Safe and Effective

Organic Silver Soap

• 4 oz. Bar
• Infused with 30ppm Silver
• Essential Oils
• Naturally, Cleanse the skin
• Toxin and Paraben Free

Chelated Multivitamin

• 60 Veggie Caps
• 18 Essential Vitamins and Minerals
• Increases Energy and Stamina
• Easy to Swallow Vegetarian Capsules
• Iron-Free for Gentle Digestion
• Boosts Nutrient Levels

My Thoughts:

I love products that are natural and nourishing. Ameo Life health products are just that and they are also a company with Christian values. I love how they stand strong in their faith and believe that the human body is a miracle of divine creation and that our planet earth provides the ability to promote healing with natural supplementation and elements. They share this belief with me.

I received 4 Ameo Life products to try out: pH Balanced Alkaline Structured Silver Solution, Extra Strength Silver Gel, Organic Silver Soap, and a bottle of their Chelated Multivitamins. I love that I got to try out different Ameo Life products and not just one thing. 

The pH Balanced Alkaline Structured Silver Solution is a liquid supplement that adults can take 2 tsp of twice daily and children 4 years and older can take 1/2 tsp twice daily. It doesn't really taste like anything and doesn't have a smell. You can use this both for external skin use and internally as a supplement. I have also been using it on my tooth brush and notice a difference. My gums feel better and so does my gut. 

The Extra Strength Silver Gel is Ameo Life's strongest silver gel they offer. It is for external use only and is great for your skin. It comes in a pump and its directions say to apply generously to skin as needed to promote healthy skin. I love to use it on my face as a cleanser. My skin is so dry with this summer heat and this gel is cold and refreshing. My skin soaks it up and feels fresh and rejuvenated. I find that it speeds healing too. I noticed my blemishes disappearing and it is great to quickly heal cuts, burns, rashes, and bug bites/stings too. I have super sensitive skin and this was delicate with no added dyes or perfumes and didn't make me break out like other things.

Ameo Life has 5 different Silver Soaps to choose from. They have Lavender, Charcoal Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Oatmeal Spice, and Peppermint. These bar soaps are all natural, silver infused, and made with organic ingredients. These are great for all skin types and are toxin and paraben free. I received their Charcoal Tea Tree Silver Soap. This soap has orange, tea tree, and bergamot essential oils which make it have a light, pleasant smell. It is a black bar because of the activated charcoal which helps clean the skin, unclog pores, remove oils and impurities, and slough dead skin cells. It also has coconut oil and cacao butter which help moisturize and soften the skin. Plantain leaves from the Broadleaf Plantain have been added because of its healing properties, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, and vitamins A, C, and K. Cacao is added for its antioxidants and nutrients and Rosemary extract for its stimulating and astringent effect on the skin, as well as its ability to decongest oily skin. I love this soap! It leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth.

The Chelated Multivitamin is an adult daily multivitamin with 18 essential vitamins and minerals. Recommended use is to take 2 cellulose capsules per day with food. They are gluten-friendly and vegan. Chelated means that it has improved absorption and availability for the human body. The added methylated folate, a biologically active form of the B9 vitamin folate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-methylfolate), is a bonus because it helps with depression and other mental health issues and is better for us than the synthetic form, folic acid. It is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C, E, and Alpha Lipoic Acid. I can take these with my iron pills since they don't contain iron. These have a "full complex of B vitamins", meaning 8 different kinds: B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin); to help with stress, and to support brain function as well as nervous system and reproductive health. I have noticed a significant boost in energy, mood, and stamina while taking them.

BUY IT

Purchase the Ameo Life Health Products here.

WIN IT

• Prize: Win 4 full sized Ameo Life products!
  
• Host: Ameo Life and its subsidiaries and FrontGate Media.
• Who Can Enter: Open to US residents 18 years or older.
• Selection Process:1 Winner will be selected on 8/25/2022 and notified by email at which time they will ask for your address. Winner will have 2 weeks to respond.
  
• Where to Enter: Go to this link https://www.blessedfreebies.com/ameo-life-giveaway.html and fill out the form to enter.

NET Abide Bible + Free Study on the Book of John Review and Giveaway #abidebible #abideinchrist #abide #bible #studybible

Disclaimer: I received complimentary product through FrontGate Media in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

The Abide Bible is a bible that is a great for scripture study. You can choose from the NKJV (New King James Version) or NET (New English Translation). For the NET version you can pick from 3 different covers: Blue Cloth-bound Hardcover, Brown Leathersoft, and Stone Leathersoft. The leathersoft versions are made of imitation leather with a Smyth-sewn binding which allows it to lay flat while open. It also has two different colored ribbon bookmarks to keep your place while you read. This bible is in an easy to read language and in Comfort Print®.

Features Include:

Bible Trailer:

My Thoughts:

I received the NET (New English Translation) Brown Leathersoft version even though I requested the Stone Leathersoft version because the Stone Leathersoft was on backorder and they were not sure when they would get them in. Even though I didn't get the cover I wanted this bible has a very nice brown imitation leather cover. It came in a sturdy box that protected it from getting damaged in shipping and also keeps it neatly tucked away in after being read, so that it stays nice. I like that it also goes through the features inside the bible on the first page and also has a inscription page in case you are gifting this bible to a friend or family member. I also love that it has "how to use this bible" explanation pages and an introduction of the NET if you are not really familiar with it. It also has a 365-Day Bible-Reading Plan in color to follow in your reading. My absolute favorite aspect of this bible is the Engage Through Art pages. These have full color pictures of art pertaining to the scriptures you have read and a description of the art piece to go with it. I also love all the other prompts and there are so many different ones to delve deeper in the Word of the Lord. I love that this bible is basically a devotional in a bible. Each book of the bible also has a historical and literary context and what you should do to prepare as you read further.

 

This bible is heirloom quality. It has a faux leather cover with binding that allows it to lay flat when opened. I love this because struggling with keeping a book open while reading is definitely not fun. Also, the full color pictures inside are fabulous. This bible has gold lettering on the cover and spine that says the title and gilded gold outer edges to the pages, as well. It also has two different colored attached ribbon bookmarks to keep your place.

I highly recommend the Abide Bible to further your understanding of the bible and to deepen your faith in God. I can't wait to immerse myself with the tools that this bible provides.

There is a free 21 day bible study through the book of John that is available as part of the Bible launch. Please sign up here: https://bit.ly/3tY50db

WIN IT

• Prize: Win a copy of the Abide Bible
  
• Host: Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson and its subsidiaries and FrontGate Media.
• Who Can Enter: Open to US residents 18 years or older.
• Selection Process: 1 Winner will be selected on 7/25/2022 and notified by email at which time they will ask for your address. Winner will have 2 weeks to respond.
  
• Where to Enter: Go to this link https://www.blessedfreebies.com/the-abide-bible-net-giveaway.html and fill out the form to enter.

BUY IT

Purchase the Abide Bible from Thomas Nelson Bibles.

Kids Faith Krate Review #kidsfaithkrate #disciplechildren #raisethemup #kidsbiblestudy #subscriptionbox

One of the Kids Faith Krate Boxes.

Disclaimer: I received complimentary product through FrontGate Media in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Days can be hectic. Busy schedules get in the way of spending quality time with the family. Kids Faith Krate can help you focus on what matters and grow your faith together in family discipleship.

Kids Faith Krate is a monthly Christian faith based subscription box for kids a. The hands-on crafts that come in the boxes change from month to month and are best suited for ages 4-10. They can fit craft supplies for up to 3 children in one box. The price goes up depending upon how many kids you would like to have craft supplies for. Boxes are delivered at the beginning of every month so that you will have all 4 weeks to do the material.

What’s Inside All Kids Faith Krate Boxes?

1. Four weekly Bible lessons to do with your child!
2. Four crafts to go along with each week's lessons.
3. A new stamp every month to add to your Stamp Collection for scripture memorization!

In each box is a booklet that guides the parents through the process of helping the child along. It also includes most the items you will need for the crafts and activities. In the guide booklet there is an overview for the parents and 4 complete lessons. Each week's lesson has a key to the krate (a main theme), read together (a scripture and discussion), create together (the craft instructions), talk together (questions to think about and discuss together), remember together (a memorization scripture), and handle with prayer (a prayer you can say together that goes along with a scripture). There is also a stamp in every box to collect every month to make the memorization of the scripture a little more special for the child.

Kids Faith Krate June Camp Compassion Box.

We received the Kids Faith Krate June box early. The theme of this box is Camp Compassion. It goes through 4 lessons, one for each week of the month of June: Compassion for the Hungry, Compassion for the Sick, Compassion for the Needy, and Compassion for the World. Each lesson has scriptures and crafts or activities that go along with the lesson.

I love that there is a guide to show the parents what to do and that it goes through step-by-step what you need to do with your child. My favorite activity in this box was a baking activity where you get to bake a loaf of bread with your child after they decorate a bread napkin themselves. I love that the bread napkin is made of reusable cloth that the loaf can be wrapped in and becomes unique once decorated by the child. After they make the loaf and napkin, they give the wrapped loaf away to someone that might need it. I love this lesson and humble act that teaches compassion and sacrifice.

Make sure you look over what is needed for each project before hand so you will not be missing an item when you go and do the project. Some things you will have to acquire or have on hand at home. The bread ingredients were not in the box, just the recipe. There is also a blanket activity which only includes 4 squares of fleece like material that the child ties together. It suggests that you could make it a larger blanket if you had more of the same kind of fabric to add to it to make more squares. When I opened the box up I noticed that the items were mostly loose in the box, but I inventoried and found that everything was there. I do appreciate that they are probably trying to limit plastic. They seem to have just enough of the material that they provided to create the crafts successfully with anything that you do need at home listed so that you will know what you will need if it is not provided in the box.

BUY IT

Purchase Kids Faith Krate starting at $28.99 a month up to $43.99 depending if you chose a 1 child plan or 3 additional children. These are shipped on the 28th of each month. Use the code “campinabox” and get $10 off your first box!

Harlem Globetrotters 2022 Spread Game World Tour Offer

US Family Guide provided me with this promotional information and giveaway to share with my readers. I am getting tickets for free in return for posting this information.

Bringing world-class basketball showmanship to arenas all over the U.S. SpreadGame is what the Harlem Globetrotters do best; it's what they've done best for 95 years. Bringing light, laughter and love on the court that extends off the court in the smiles families bring home or the stories fans tell their friends. SpreadGame is excellence shown through basketball wizardry night after night, and demonstrated through years of commitment to unsurpassed entertainment. The Globetrotters SpreadGame through every slam dunk, killer pass and magic fadeaway; and through every smile for a child and every achievement within the communities they visit. 

Light, laughter, love. Hope. SpreadGame.

I can't wait until they come to Portland, Oregon on January 22nd to the Moda Center! We love to watch the Harlem Globetrotters play ball.

Don't miss out - Save up to 20% with Promo Code: USFAM

Here is the coupon: https://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=13043&dealid=2964

You can see their World Tour Schedule here to find a game in your area: https://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/world-tour/schedule

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am posting about the Harlem Globetrotters I am getting 4 free ticket vouchers for my family to go to the Harlem Globetrotters next showing. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information and free tickets. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.

Chris Tomlin/UNITED Tour and Giveaway #TomlinUNITEDMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Disclosure: Many thanks to Premier Productions for providing this product/product information for review. Opinions are 100% my own. I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.

Chris Tomlin and UNITED are gearing up for a Spring 2022 Tour! I am excited, as they are coming to Portland Oregon to the Moda Center on March 22, 2022. I love these artists' worship music! They are wonderful and bring such uplifting music to these troublesome times. Please look at the tour dates and places below and find one near you!

WIN IT

• Prize: Win free music download codes for UNITED's “people” album and the Chris Tomlin and Friends recording that features Lady A & Florida Georgia Line!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Purchase tickets for the Chris Tomlin/UNITED Tour here!

Creating A Masterpiece Art History Program Review

Disclaimer: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

My family had the privilege of trying the Art History Program from Creating A Masterpiece for this review to use in conjunction with our own curriculum at home. This is a Homeschool Review Crew Review. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my family.

Creating A Masterpiece is founded by Sharon Hofer. Sharon traveled all over the world to study art under some of the finest artists of our time at world-renowned art institutes and studios for the past three decades. She learned that anyone can create a masterpiece and started this online art instruction that teaches aspiring artists step-by-step at their own pace to create beautiful art.

 

Sharon Hofer of Creating a Masterpiece.

 

The Art History Program is part of the Creating A Masterpiece line of award-winning art curriculum. These lessons will have you learning the same techniques as the art masters through video lessons taught by Sharon Hofer. This program is a great addition to art history studies. Instead of just reading about the great masters of art, you can recreate their masterpieces too! Your student will learn how to recognize and create period specific art styles and master art skills needed to make masterpieces. They will also learn how to use different art media, for example: sculpture, colored marker, fresco, printmaking, acrylics, mosaic, egg tempera, glass etching, etc. The program comes with art supply lists for each project that are set up so that you can purchase all that is needed on Dick Blick, a wonderful art supplier.

 

This program features:

1. Styles of Art in History: In these projects students learn how to create fine art that mimic art styles from different periods of the past. For example: Romanticism, Realism, Cubism, etc. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
2. Historically Themed Projects: These projects can add art to your study of history. For example: a ship in a lagoon representing the Spanish Exploration or a Native American Chief representing life in Early America. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
3. Exploring the Art of Yesterday: In this project the student will learn to recreate an art piece from Ivan Aivazovsky. Recommended for ages 13 and up. This is a more difficult project.
4. Capstone Project. These projects are meant to teach the student how to recreate historic masterpieces. These are taught at a masterpiece level and should only be attempted by those who meet Sharon's criteria in the project description.

 

How We Used This and Our Thoughts:

We were given access to all the art projects from Creating a Masterpiece until December 31, 2021. There were many different art lessons we could chose from, but we focused on the art history sections in Creating A Masterpiece as this is what we were supposed to review. The art was accessed by logging in and clicking STUDIO in the top right corner. Then we scrolled down to the bottom sections because that is where the Art History Programs were located.

We chose three different art pieces to do for this review from The Art History Program of Creating a Masterpiece. The first was the Expressionism Period: The Zebra (Acrylic Painting) from the Styles of Art in History section. This project I will go into more detail than the others and show pictures. We also did the Ancient Egypt: Egyptian Nomads and the Revolutionary War: The Cannon (Ink) from the Historically Themed Projects section.

I wish each art project would have the level clearly stated according to difficulty. Most do in the project description, but some do not say and so this made it harder to choose the project. The ones that do have this label go from 1-5 in difficulty. All three of the projects we chose had the level in the project description.

 

The Zebra art supply list.

 

Each project comes with its own art supply list and purchase list. Just click the "View Supply List" button to see the art supply list. This list shows you what art supplies you will need for the individual project and helps you determine quantity depending upon how many students you have doing the same project. There is also a purchase list of the same supplies provided by Creating A Masterpiece in Dick Blick. You can view this list by clicking the "Purchase Supplies" button. If you already have the art supply at home or need more of the item you can easily adjust the quantity of each item and then add the items you do need to your cart to purchase. You can buy supplies from the provided Dick Blick list or buy them elsewhere if you find them cheaper or want to buy locally. I would also suggest watching the first or second video in each project so you know if you need to buy supplies or can use what you have at home. The art supplies listed are highly recommended as they are the best choice for getting the finest results for the art taught. We bought supplies for The Zebra and The Cannon, but had what we needed for the Egyptian Nomad picture at home.

The Zebra purchase supply list.

The Zebra Blick art supplies.

The first art piece I chose to do because it was a level 3 and I wanted to do some painting with acrylics. I chose The Zebra from the Styles of Art in History section. My daughter, Zari's favorite animal is a zebra, so I decided to surprise her with the art piece after I finished it. There are 5 lessons for this project and within each lesson there are two to three sections each in video format so the lessons are broken up and not too long and you can follow along better. The painting style I learned was from the Expressionism Period. I learned that in the Expressionism Period they used color to express emotion. I finished my zebra painting by signing my signature Fina🌙 in the corner. This project would be great for those learning more about the Expressionism Period.

 

How The Zebra project is laid out.

 

The second art piece we did was the Ancient Egyptian Nomad scene from the Historically Themed Projects section. It is a level 1 art piece. We used our markers from home because in the video Sharon says not to go out and buy new markers. We also used regular paper because she said we could use that or marker paper, which we didn't have. We picked similar colors as what she chose in the color swatches. This project has one lesson with 5 video sections. We loved how the silhouette of the nomad riding on the camel took shape and the pyramids in the background became colorful with designs.

 

The Zebra progression.

 

The third art project we did was The Cannon. This was a project from the Historically Themed Projects section and level 2 in difficulty. We learned a bit about the Revolutionary War by reading the description of the project. The Cannon is a single lesson project that is broken up into 9 sections. This project used ink in an interesting way, like watercolor. Before doing the project we purchased these supplies through Blick as well. The supplies included a Bristol paper pad, a red sharpie twin tip marker, a Tombow dual brush pen, a size 14 flat brush, and a size 0 round brush. We loved learning the technique to making the pen ink look like watercolor. We will be using this technique in other art projects later on.

 

My finished Zebra painting.

 

The Creating A Masterpiece Art History Program was a lot of fun. We enjoyed the projects and lessons thoroughly and are excited to do more of the projects. Sharon Hofer is a great teacher and she explains everything well. These projects go very well with a history curriculum. We highly recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about art and/or the process of making a masterpiece.

Follow Them on Social Media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createamasterpiece 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyDU-6301Pwj_1Dez9YkumQ
• Hashtags: #hsreviews #fineartonline #CreatingaMasterpiece #ArtClassOnline #ArtCurriculum #ArtEssentials #DrawingCourses #ArtHistoryCurriculum

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The Creating A Masterpiece Art History Program can be purchased in monthly or yearly subscriptions for $29.99/month or $299/year. Homeschool special rates are always available to those who contact them.  

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