Time to blog!

Hope you all are having a great weekend!
I just finished a new Christmas kit last night but I need to get it uploaded. I have a couple more things I want to make before Friday. So be looking for some new stuff soon!

I went out yesterday to lunch, Wal-Mart and to my friend Mistey’s house for a minute to pick up some cloth diapers I bought from her for a super great price. They are in amazing condition too, I am so happy to have them! She also gave her a little outfit that is too cute!! I need to take pics when I get it out of the wash. When we got home, Ainsley thought it was hers and tried to put it on LOL. Thanks again Mistey!

Irelynn was really good and slept most of the time. I was pretty tired when I got home though and didn’t do anything else.

Well I did watch the WVU game - Go Mountaineers! And I love Pat White!

My dad took the 2 girls back to walmart with him again today, seems we forgot quite a few things. Oh and he and Emira went to his employers Christmas party last night and she won $50 so she had to go get some Nintendo DS games LOL. I tried to talk her into getting the cooking one that is out - so cool! Not happening LOL. My dad won a flat screen 22”monitor and he is so mad cause he thought it was a TV LOL. He has no use for a monitor and now we are only using laptops so we don’t need it either. I think he is going to talk to his boss and try to get it traded or returned.

I really want to get my house clean and organized now that I am feeling up to it. For the past 2 weeks we have been pushing anything and everything into the school room and now we can’t get in there. So I have to get that organized so we can start back to schooling tomorrow. Oh and while mom and grandma were here they were cooking and had a grease fire on my stove! I thought they had it all cleaned up but the other night I was preheating the oven for pizza and it caught fire! It scared me to death! The smoke was bad and the baby was in the kitchen with me. I had to put out the fire with salt before I could get her out. Thankfully it was only in the bottom of the oven and it didn’t seem to bother the baby. Then Shane came home and tried it again only to have it catch fire again. So I have Shane cleaning the oven this evening, I won’t use it again until I know for sure it is CLEAN and there is no grease. I live in a single wide mobile home and these things go up in flames in no time!

Irelynn does have some jaundice so we have been waiting patiently for the sun so she could lay in it for a bit. Today we were able to lay her on the kitchen table while the sun poured it's warmth in through the kitchen window.

Ainsley is all about kissing her baby sister!

Oh and I wanted to blog-thank my dear friend Susan for the gifts she sent to me for Irelynn! She made this adorable crocheted blanket that is the perfect size for Irelynn! (She also made one for Ainsley when she was born!_ Also some clothes for her and a couple books I have wanted to read. Thanks again Susan!

It's perfect for Irelynn!

Ok back to work for me while Irelynn sleeps and the girls are out with my dad

Fall Into Reading 2008: Time to Read!

I have decided to participate in the Fall Into Reading challenge hosted by Callapidder Days. I have a big reading list HERE, but this will be my list of books I plan to read for the next few months - my personal reading and our homeschool reading as well.

My List

Sisters of Holmes County: A Sister's Hope by Wanda Brunstetter

The Courtship of Nellie Fisher series: The Forbidden by Beverly Lewis

Created To Be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl

Homeschool List

A Stone's Throw from Paradise by Linda Oatman High

And more from our local library!

Children’s Books Giveaway!

These three books are being given away to three special readers of Apples of Gold, just simply reply in the comment box of the Apples of Gold blog post.



There are two more ways you can have a better chance of winning. You can leave a comment on the blog, and you may also post about this giveaway on YOUR blog, AND place the givaway graphic in your side bar.

Deadline for entries is August 31st!

Happy 4th and ?s Answered

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th! We came home from Shane's dad's house today and since it was rainy and dreary, we didn't do anything but nap! We opted out of driving into town to see fireworks and are hoping to see some from the house that the resort is doing.

This is me (about 100lbs lighter lol) as a meez in a grocery store (where I seem to spend more and more time these days thanks to MSM). Thanks Susan for the invite!

Reader Questions:
How do you find out about all these coupons/freebies? and Where do you find this stuff?
MoneySavingMom and Freebies4Mom - that is all you need to start! I also use hotcouponworld.com and a few other blogs that I found linked to MSM and F4M
Start there, read and read and read more! You will find everything you need to save, save, save!

(Re:CVS ECBs) My mom uses these when she gets them...but nothing like what you seem to do. How does it work? To learn more about the CVS Extra Care Bucks program, read this post here. Next go here for FishMama's July tutorial for newbies! Then check in with MoneySavingMom every day! Also check the board at HotCouponWorld (it's under Drug Stores then CVS). Have fun!

Have you ever read any books by Lori Copeland? I loooved her Heavenly Daze series.
No I haven't heard of her, but I am going to search and see what I can find. I just might be interested. Thanks so much!

I will continue to post my finds here when I have the chance I'm glad to read that you all enjoy seeing me save money!

Reading List

Most of you know I am a huge Amish/Christian Fiction addict! And I was talking with hubby the other day about how I can't remember what I have read and what I haven't anymore lol - so I am going to post my reading list here and check them off as I get them read.

Once I've read any of these books, I immediately post it on PaperBackSwap - and it's always immediately requested. So the turnover is great and I get new books quite often.

Please let me know if you know of any others not on my list, or if you have read any of these, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Beverly Lewis

The Courtship of Nellie Fisher series:
The Parting
The Forbidden
The Longing

Annie's People series:
The Preacher's Daughter
The Englisher
The Brethren

Abram's Daughters series:
The Covenant
The Betrayal
The Sacrifice
The Prodigal
The Revelation

The Heritage of Lancaster County series:
The Shunning
The Confession
The Reckoning

The Postcard
The Crossroad

The Redemption of Sarah Cain
October Song (on my shelf)
The Sunroom (on my shelf)
Sanctuary

Summerhill Secrets series:
Vol 1
Whispers Down the Lane
Secret in the Willows
Catch a Falling Star
Night of the Fireflies
A Cry in the Dark

Vol 2
House of Secrets
Echoes in the Wind
Hide Behind the Moon
Windows on the Hill
Shadows Beyond the Gate

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Wanda Brunstetter

Rachel Yoder Series (I want to read these with Emira):
School's Out
Back To School
Out of Control
New Beginnings
A Happy Heart (Dec 08)
Just Plain Foolishness (Dec 08)

White Christmas Pie (Sept 08)
Simple Life Devotional (July 08)

Brides Of Webster County:
Going Home
On Her Own
Dear To Me
Allison's Journey

Sisters of Holmes County:
A Sister's Secret
A Sister's Test
A Sister's Hope

Daughters of Lancaster County series:
The Storekeeper's Daughter
The Quilter's Daughter
The Bishop's Daughter

Brides of Lancaster County:
A Merry Heart
Looking For A Miracle
Plain Fancy
The Hope Chest

-----------------------------------

Cindy Woodsmall

*My fave books of all so far!*
Sisters Of The Quilt:
When The Heart Cries
When The Morning Comes
When The Soul Mends

-----------------------------------

Jodi Picoult
The Plain Truth

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Kim Vogel Sawyer

Sommerfield Trilogy:
Bygones
Beginnings
Blessings

-----------------------------------

Jerry Eicher

Sarah
Sarah's Son
A Time To Live
Hannah's Dream *currently reading*

-----------------------------------

Shelley Shepard Gray

Sisters of the Heart series:
Hidden
Wanted (Jan 09)

-----------------------------------

B.J. Hoff

The Riverhaven Years series:
Rachel's Secret (oct 08)

-----------------------------------

Carol Duerksen

The Jonas Series:
Runaway Buggy
Hitched
Preacher
Becca

The Skye Series:
Twins
Affair of the Heart
Swede

-----------------------------------

Mary Christner Borntrager

Ellies People series: (read with Emira)
Ellie
Annie
Andy
Polly
Daniel
Reuben
Mandy
Rachel
Sarah
Rebecca

------------------------------------

Barbara Workinger

Amish Country Mystery series:
In Dutch Again
Shoofly Pie to Die

-----------------------------------

P.L. Gaus

Ohio Amish Mystery series:
Blood of the Prodigal
Broken English
Clouds Without Rain
Cast a Blue Shadow
A Prayer For the Night

Separate From The World

-------------------------------------

Karen Harper

Maplecreek Amish Trilogy:
Dark Road Home
Dark Harvest
Dark Angel

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Amy Wallace

Defenders of Hope:
Ransomed Dreams
Healing Promises
Enduring Justice

Today…

I have had a really horrible sinus infection AGAIN! Those of you who know me well know I get these every couple months it seems....especially when I am pregnant! So even today, after 6 days I am still blowing my nose!

It's nice out again today so we will be out playing and enjoying the sunshine before it gets too hot. Emira is doing laundry for me today (she just learned yesterday and already she is a pro!) so I just have to fold and put away, and load the dishwasher again. Then get something in the crock for dinner and then I plan to just relax out in the swing and read a book I just started.

I did re-design my blog with a cute kit by Kay Miller - does that count as scrapping?? LOL

Have a great day everyone!

Book News and Scripture Challenge

Great news for the Beverly Lewis fans! I received her newsletter this week and here is what's happening:

So many readers have inquired about the DVD, Saving Sarah Cain, being released January 15th, wherever movies are sold. The Lifetime Channel had to cut 13 minutes for commercials, so in the DVD you'll finally see the entire film, along with numerous interesting "extras," such as interviews with the actors, director, producers, and yours truly. I can hardly wait for your response!

And more exciting news: my first Amish novel, The Shunning and its sequels (The Confession and The Reckoning), are now available in eye-catching new covers. It's the tenth anniversary of the launch of my first adult series, and Katie Lapp never looked so intriguing!

The Forbidden, Book Two: THE COURTSHIP OF NELLIE FISHER series, is finished and will be available early in April this year. Currently I'm writing Book Three and I hope your heart is captured by the finale for Nellie's story, as mine is.

And there is still time to get in on the 2008 Scripture Challenge! Here is my first week's challenge. I am using the large playing cards (also can be flash cards) for my little album. I will print these and then mod podge them to the card.

Front and Back:

And here is the template I used to make my cards. You can get this template set FREE here at the FaithSisters shop!

Tuesday Chooseday

The weather has been absolutely perfect the past few days and it looks like it will be perfect all week! So I thought I would share today's forecast. Hmmm, maybe I should try to share everyday

Great news, Ainsley is crawling now! Yes she is, she is now mobile! LOL So this week I am going to work hard on baby proofing EVERYTHING! Really there isn't much she can get into, our place is so small though that she can get far, fast. Sadly I don't even have a pic of her crawling, but plan to take some of her scooting along today, and will share soon.

Also I wanted to share this bit of info if you are thinking of joining PaperBackSwap - and why wouldn't you? It's an awesome program! Especially if you are homeschooling or love to read!
The "startup credits" for new members at PBS are going to change from 3 credits for the first 9 books to 2 credits for the first 10 books on FRIDAY, October 5th. So if you are thinking of referring anyone, do it now to make sure they get an extra book!

Remembering the Amish School Shootings

You all know by now I am an Amish lover of sorts. They fascinate me to no extent and I LOVE reading anything written about Amish and though movies are few, I enjoy them as well. Christian Women Online Magazine has a great article today that I wanted to share: It's been a year, and there's now a brand-new school. The little girls are gone, buried in the rich and fertile earth of Amish cemeteries. The shooter, too, is gone, his life ended by the same gun that took the little girls. He's buried next to the heart-shaped stone of his infant daughter. The tiny school has been bulldozed to the ground, with nothing remaining in its place. The earth has been reseeded, though, and one day soon something beautiful might grow there. Read more...

Speaking of Amish and books, I did finish the Daughters of Lancaster County series by Wanda Brunstetter. It was a pretty good series, and though it took me longer to read it than it usually takes me to read Beverly Lewis, I am looking forward to the next series. I am now starting on the first book A Merry Heart in the Brides of Lancaster County series...Ch 5 and very good so far.

Now I get to tell you about a huge sale at Elemental Scraps! All of my designs are on sale at least 50% OFF and I have an old/new kit available. It's a Halloween kit I created last year by request. I have added a couple new items to update it and it's on sale for a great price as well. Lots of felt in this one!!

I also got these great kits at ES as well, and I can't wait to scrap with them! So head on over to ES and CHOOSE a new item for yourself!

And since I didn't get to blog on Saturday I wanted to announce that Scrappy Chatters is now 4 years old!

Date: Saturday September 29, 2007
Happy Birthday Scrappy Chatters! A Big Thank You to all the Members, you have made this such a wonderful place to be a part of!