Hearth and Home

I knew that I had to read this book when it became available. I have great respect for C. S. Lewis and his writing. This is a book about the joy and laughter C. S. Lewis found in things and how he expressed these emotions in his writings. It also explores the works other writers who were influential to Lewis.

I have to admit that even though I have read Lewis’s Narnia books, I did not think of him as someone who is comical. I saw him only as a very serious, great intellectual Oxford professor; and he was. After reading this book, I must admit that I had not recognized something about him that is very important. He chose to find joy and comedy in things. I feel that I learned more of C. S. Lewis and his work by reading this book, and it also posed a challenge for me to find more joy in life. But I did find the book to be a little long. I think that there could have been a bit more editing to take out repeating points. All in all though it was a very thorough and interesting read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free
from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers
program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have
expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade
Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements
and Testimonials in Advertising."

My friend Brigitte's son turns 3 years old today! He had a birthday party last Saturday, and since I know he's into dinosaurs I made him one.

Jaalla's daughter turned one year old this month. Her birthday party was last weekend and I just had to make her a stuffed animal. I finally decided on this owl.

I got the pattern on Ravelry. I just love that place. Anyway, here's another shot of my pal the owl.

I made three things this year for Christmas presents. Here are two of them that I actually got pictures of.

I know. Slacker, right? Well, I will have several things to show after Christmas. I can't just display Christmas gifts on the blog before they have been gifted, can I?

Author Cammy Franzese was a young woman who grew up with a passion for dancing. This passion not only led her to a small part in a movie, but it also led her into the arms of the movie’s producer, Michael Franzese. Her story chronicles how she met her future mafia husband, their life while he was incarcerated, and how through it they came to serve the Lord.

If you are interested to know more of the story of Cammy’s husband and all that he was involved in regarding the mafia, you will not get it from this book. This book is from the perspective of his wife, and she does not go into much detail regarding those facts. I would have liked to know more about the husband’s change and desire to follow Christ, but this was not his story. I did enjoy reading about how her mother was such a godly woman and encourager through her life and that because of her mother she came back to the Lord and began serving Him. In all, this was a short read and an interesting story of how one family came out of difficult circumstances and has chosen to live their lives telling others how God changed them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://booksneeze®.com/> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Categorized as a children’s book, this story truly belongs to middle school girls. It follows young April Grace Reilly through the many of adventures of being a pre-teen girl; from cliques at school and an annoying older sister, to worrying about her momma and trying to help a family friend put a Christmas pageant together.

Although I believe the first few chapters were difficult to get into, I very much enjoyed the rest of the book. This is probably due to the fact that this is book two of the series. Those who have read book one will probably have a much smoother time transitioning into book two. The character of April Grace was quite entertaining and engaging. She is more of a leader instead of a follower, and I often found her take on things quite amusing. The author shows a family that is very giving and loving, whose faith in God is ever present. The rural setting of the story also played a large part in my enjoyment as I can somewhat relate. All in all, I believe girls of middle school age would greatly enjoy this book and following the confessions of April Grace.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://booksneeze®.com/> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”