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Friday, July 1, 2011

Book review The Alarmists

Alarmists, TheAlarmists, The by Don Hoesel

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I loved the premise of this book, and really enjoy this type of book in general.  Basically, a wealthy business man is trying to realize a childhood goal of surpassing the wealth of Solomon and goes about it by planning a world disaster that will cause his business to make loads of money.  I really enjoyed most of the book and the characters, but felt like the end was a bit of a let down, rather anti-climactic.  It seemed to me that there was no real peak to the action, it just all tied up very (too?) neatly and really was not very satisfying.  It's an ok read if you can get it at your library or borrow it but i wouldn't bother buying it, unfortunately, unless you want just a quick easy action read.

I recieved a copy of this book for review by Bethany House Publishers.



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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Ted Dekker's Green

Green (The Circle, #0)Green by Ted Dekker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Finally finished this one! (Not that it's boring, I read it in spanish and that takes a little longer...). Love this series, but I have to say i was confused really by the end of this book. I was hoping for a final that left you satisfied, but this wasn't it. I guess that's what you get when it says the "beginning and the end". I don't know if I missed something due to the spanish (i am a fairly fluent spanish speaker) but I just don't  understand the ending at all (I don't want to spoil it for you so that's all I'll say). I also was a little confused at the lack of emotion/discussion of the daughter of one of the main character's turning out to be the a priestess of the devil. Good story line, and more of the good and evil personified of the series, but the ending really ruined it for me... This book in the series (I believe it's said by the author that you can read it either at the beginning or end of the series- I read it as the 4th book) eventually gives the explanation of how Thomas ends up in the situation he ends up in, but really is the story of the apocolypse and the end days. I love Ted Dekker's books but... hmmm. Maybe I'll have to re-read in English and see if it makes more sense. Definitely would still recommend this one, just be prepared that it might be unsettling at the end!

I would definitely love to hear any comments you have if you've read the book. should i re-read in english or is this just the way this book is?

Also, Another reviewer on goodreads.com suggested reading the circle trilogy, then the one with showdown, and sinner before reading Green as he was very confused. I had read them so wasn't as much, and would recommend the same if you've not read any of the series.  Good luck and happy reading!

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®.
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Monday, May 2, 2011

book review: Sweet little children's book of prayer

I recieved the book This Little Prayer of Mine  by Anthony DeStefano and illustrated by Mark Elliot (the same team, that did Little Star.This was a sweet little book for children that shows an example of a child's prayer.  The "narrator" prays when scared, when unsure of what to do, when she has done something wrong, and of giving thanks instead of only asking for things.  Beautiful pictures and rhymes keep children's attention. My three year old daughter loved this and wanted to read it again! Beautiful book for night time (or anytime!).

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Doll pjs!

Whipped up some doll pjs for a friend with the patterns from Blueberry Moon (there are several different posts, peasant top, 2 dress posts, so search around a bit). Pants were simple, but that soft tee shirt knit... grr... Forgot to add some length to the shirt so she got a cute lacy ruffle! 



L has two dolls that are 13 inches, and different sizes around the waist, and they fit hers so I'm crossing my fingers they'll fit Miss G's! The tutorial is not clear (from what i saw) on the size of the doll, but I'd guess 13".

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Checkbook Cover

I've been wanting to make myself a nicer new checkbook cover... So I finally got around to it (helps that a friend from church wants one too!) I sort of used a tutorial from Small Fry & Co (who helped hers with this one) though I changed some things.
Here's the front of mine!

The tutorial from Small Fry & Co added an extra pocket behind your checkbook, which I didn't really feel was necessary, but decided I wanted an extra pocket on the back to slip in my bank reciepts and loose deposit slips. Makes the cover prettier too, I think!

I also added a pen pocket, as I hate not having a pen handy when I want to do checkbook-ish things!  Also handy to know where one is at all times in my purse!

Easy Peasy! You just tuck your register and checkbook into the pockets, throw in your pen and off you go!

I must confess, I did goof a bit on my measurements here... you can't really tell, but it is a wee bit tight to slide in the checkbook register (I actually didn't have too much of a problem with the checks); It works, but would lay a bit better with a teensy bit trimmed off my register... no biggie, but will be fixed on the next one!

If you do your own, i believe you can pretty much follow the tutorial from Small Fry& Co, but just make sure your outside pocket is on the outside when you turn it.  Good Luck! So easy (seriously, can you sew a straight line??) and in less than an hour you've got a unique and completely YOU checkbook cover! Two fat quarters give you Plenty for this- you could probably actually do 2 with that much! and cost only 99cents on sale at Joann's.  So for $2 bucks and some work... Viola!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

New Shoes for E

Now that the weather is getting a bit warmer, E doesn't really need those big fluffy boots anymore... So we tried out another of the Sweet Pea Patterns. 

These are the Jack and Jill Loafters, and look so cute on him... However, I think I need to do a bit of tinkering... I would like to add some elastic in the back I think, as they don't stay on very well.  And may shorten my elastic next time too- They don't snug up very well.  and unfortunately, I didn't sew it on quite tight enough and one end has popped out already, so I need to figure out how to fix that... Love these shoes though! 

Book Review of The Last Summit

The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save HumanityThe Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity by Andy Andrews

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book had a very interesting premise- That there are travelers sent through time to learn the Seven Decisions for Success. This is actually a sequel (I'm under the impression that the first book dealt with the main character David Ponder's travels). In this book, Ponder is chosen to head up a meeting of all the Travelers to help save the fate of the world. The Travelers must find the correct 2 word answer that is the solution to saving humanity from destroying itself (in only 5 tries no less!)



I did enjoy the conversations between Ponder and the famous travelers (Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, etc) and was an interesting way to learn some stories of historical characters with whom I was not familiar. I did feel that the end was a bit anti-climactic. But it was an enjoyable read. I'd be interested in reading the first book!



I recieved a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing for review.



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