Fresh-Brewed Life - A Book Review

Anyone that knows me well, knows I have a love for books and love coffee. So, I jumped at the chance to read Nicole Johnson's Fresh-Brewed Life...a stirring invitation to wake up your soul. The cover is beautiful and I figured coffee references would be right up my alley.

I was disappointed. It seemed to take me forever to get through this book. It didn't seem to flow well and the chapters seemed too long.

The author did have some good things to share. I liked her emphasis on journaling and how important that could be as you go through life...both good and bad. I did like the directed journaling portions in each chapter and found them helpful to think more deeply on what the chapter was about and how it personally would fit into my life.

There were some interesting things included and I did underline a few things, but I can't see myself going back to it at all.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
God bless!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments at SouleMama or here for all to find and see.

Multitude Monday - 10/24/11

Counting with Ann.....

 

867. Children eager to learn and serve

868. Making, baking and breaking bread with those you love

Making a loaf of bread for daddy!

869. Warm enough fall days and being outside

870. Children that are friends with each other

871. Big sisters that love making their little brother laugh

 

872. Little boys standing, pushing, testing



 

Cori trying to put a headband on her little brother.

Our munchkins!

873. Greenhouse coming along

874. Ever-so-handy husband

875. Evidence of answered prayers

876. Reminders that journaling is good for my soul

877. Grace does not grant permission to live in the flesh; it supplies power to live in the Spirit. John MacArthur

878. God never giving up on us. Sermon reminder from Perry Noble - Don't ever give up on the God who has never given up on you.

Enjoying a cold, rainy, dreary day here and praying you all have a blessed week.

Greenhouse

We have been talking about buying / building a greenhouse for the last couple of years. We plant a fairly large garden, but have always thought it would be nice to be even more self sufficient. I'm looking forward to being able to extend the growing season and spread some things out so that I can spread out the preserving I do.

Earlier this fall, we found a new greenhouse on Craigslist and bought it. We loaded up the kids and headed out on Sunday afternoon to pick it up. We went intending to buy a 30 ft x 50 ft and ended up buying a 30 ft x 96 ft. It looks huge, but I have a feeling we will have no problem utilizing all the space. 

Getting loaded up for the drive home.

 

Staking and measuring out the spot in the yard (and yes, Cori is pant-less).

 

 

Putting some tile-line through the front yard.

 

Putting in the retaining wall where the back of the greenhouse will be.

Spreading lovely black dirt and compost.

Main structure going up.

Girls helping.

 

Back wall up, a bunch of the bracing and purlins up.

Front wall on.

Today, Joe finished up the rest of the channeling on the front wall and is working on putting the large garage door on for the front wall. Then we pretty much have just the installation of the exterior plastic and a few smaller odds and ends.

And I need to do some major planning, etc. for future planting.

God bless!

Fall Harvest Orchard

My children all love an afternoon at the orchard and we usually make it to Fall Harvest a couple of times each fall. Here are a few photos from last week when we were there.....

 

 

 

God bless!

Multitude Monday - 10/17/11

861. Crisp fall air

862. Handmade knitted warm slippers...

863. ...thrifted

864. Good deals at the thrift store...

865. ...treasures for everyone (I love when it is a per bag price)

866. Library Storytime

God bless!

Look mom.....

.....no hands!

God bless!

Multitude Monday - 10/10/11

I read this on facebook yesterday.....

"What if we woke up today with only the things that we had thanked God for yesterday?"

.....and it got me thinking.

I was reminded that EVERYTHING we have is a blessing from God and that I don't thank Him enough.

My renewed attempt to thank Him for it ALL.....

847. Baby boy learning to crawl up the stairs by himself...

848. ...and doing it well many times over the last few days.

 849. The girls spending all morning "grocery shopping" from the pantry...

850. ...finding sweet potatoes and onions in the living room.

851. Little brothers getting into the fun

852. Garlic

853. Watching little Miss Cori vacuuming...

854. ...and her doing a great job.

855. Big sisters

856. Chubby baby legs

857. Tuesday afternoon tractor rides...

858. ...daddys who takes the time for his girls.

859. Sibling love through it all...

860. ...even finger-printed up windows

The Lord has blessed us so much and sometimes I forgot in the everyday stuff of dirty floors, dirty windows, dirty dishes, dirty kids...

Thank you Lord for it ALL!

* Go here to enter the giveaway for a dvd pack (Fireproof, Facing the Giants and Flywheel)...ends today! *

God bless!



Courageous.....and a giveaway!

And the winner is.....................................

#2 - Shelly B

Shelly - I will seed them out in some time in the next week. Enjoy! Holly



Last weekend, Joe and I were able to go and see the new movie from Sherwood Pictures - Courageous. Thanks grandma LuAnn for babysitting. It was wonderful! I laughed and I cried. It was inspiring and convicting.

The synopsis per the Courageous website:
Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.



While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.


When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?
Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Riveted moviegoers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.


Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous.

This movie isn't just for dads, but for everyone. There were situations that would speak to anyone...they were not all perfect fathers...not in the beginning nor in the end. And a great reminder for everyone...our children are an eternal treasure!

It may have been produced as an inspiration and conviction for fathers to step up, to lead their families, to teach their sons to be men and to do the right thing even if you have to stand alone, but I also took note of the wives portrayed in the movie.

They were helpmates to their husbands, they were encouraging and supportive. I particularly liked Carmen. A great reminder for me! I can always be a better wife and mother.

Since I truly enjoyed the movie, Courageous and have enjoyed Sherwood Pictures other films...I thought I would have a little giveaway.

For one lucky winner...a movie package of Sherwood Pictures other films - Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and Flywheel.



All you have to do to enter is leave a comment.
I will randomly pick a winner on Monday October 10th, 2011.

God bless!