A Mile in His Shoes - Movie Review and GIVEAWAY!

Can I get a Whoop!  Whoop!?  "A Mile in His Shoes" is a gmc World Premiere Movie that is fit for the whole family.  Amen....go pop your popcorn!

From the director of "Angels In the Outfield" comes an inspiring story about a special boy with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Dean Cain and Luke Schroder star in the gmc movie based on the book "The Legend of Mickey Tussler".

Here's a synopsis taken from Amazon.com:

Only a miracle can help baseball coach Arthur 'Murph' Murphy (Dean Cain) and his losing minor league baseball team. As Murph sets out to recruit new talent for the team, he stumbles upon Mickey (Luke Schroder), a young farmer with an incredible pitcher's arm. However, Mickey's parents are reluctant in allowing him to join the team because he has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Murph convinces Mickey's parents that life in the minor league will benefit their unique son, but he doesn't realize just how much his new recruit will help the team s game and, more importantly, their spirit. Based on a true story, Thomas Kinknade Presents: A Mile in His Shoes is an inspirational film that celebrates faith, determination and the power of friendship. 

My family cuddled up on the couch to watch this movie together the other night and loved it.  It's a story filled with inspiration, hope, and determination.  Marry those with the exciting baseball scenes, great acting, and honest depiction of a young man with Asperger's and you've got yourself a movie that is sure to please.  Each of us liked it for different reasons....

I loved the honest story line and the unique piece each character brought to the table.  Coach Murph was filled with compassion and selflessness towards his team, especially Mickey.  Mickey's mother was beaming with the hope of her son budding out into the world to discover his own dreams and talents.  Mickey's father overcomes his need to shelter Mickey from the world and the hurt it can bring him and shows he is really feeling vulnerable to losing the protective grasp he has on his only child.  I found it to be a beautiful story, filled with inspiring characters.    

My son, age 12, said he liked that it showed that anybody can be anything they want no matter what.  He liked that it showed that people with Asperger's are regular people and have dreams and talents too.  He also said that it wasn't boring and he liked watching it and wants to see it again.

My husband liked it because he thought it was encouraging.  He felt that the message was strong that no matter what life hands you, you can do anything you put your mind to.

Here is a clip of the movie.  Sit back and enjoy it before you hop over to Amazon.com to order your copy....

This movie is normally $14.93 at Amazon.com, but it is on sale now for only $10.99 so don't wait!  Grab it!

To get more of the scoop on this great DVD, visit the gmc website and check out the Facebook page.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.”

Now, what you have all been waiting for.....

CONGRATULATIONS TO KIMBERLY!!!  THE WINNER OF THIS AWESOME DVD

One lucky winner will receive their very own DVD of "A Mile in His Shoes".  Be sure to leave ONE comment for EACH entry and include a way for me to contact you.  All entries must be received by midnight EST on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.  Entrants must be 18 or older to enter and this is only open to US & Canada residents.  The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have 48 hours to respond.  If I don't hear back from you then I'll pick another winner, so mark your calendar and keep an eye out!  Remember, you can get ONE entry for EACH of the following....

• Be a public follower of my blog using GFC 
• Follow me using Networked Blogs
• Share with me about someone special you know with Asperger's Syndrome or Autism.  How has this person touched your life?
• Send me a Facebook friend request.  My Facebook name is Doreen Petrucci Gadow
• Share this blog post on your Facebook page
• Visit and Like the Facebook page for "A Mile in His Shoes".  Leave a post there to let them know you visited.
• Post on your own blog about this giveaway with a link for your readers to come visit it (leave a comment with a link to your own post on your blog)
• Find another post on my blog that interests you and leave a comment telling me which one and why (be sure to leave that comment here and not at that other post....or do it in both places if it suits your fancy)

 

Maestro Classics - Swan Lake - Review

 

Classical music for kids!  Maestro Classics can help you introduce your family to classical music.  Their mission is to cultivate a love of music through education and joyful performances.  Their selection of CD's are geared towards ages 5-12 and their parents.  The three major benefits that Maestro Classics claims to offer are to:

• expand listening horizons
• develop listening skills and accumulate musical memories and
• encourage children and adults to listen to music together

Maestro Classics has 9 CD's in their collection. 

Titles include:  Peter and the Wolf, The Soldier's Tale, The Story of Swan Lake, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, My Name is Handel:  The Story of Water Music, The Tortoise and the Hare, Casey at the Bat, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and  Juanita the Spanish Lobster.  You can purchase each CD separately for $16.98 or an MP3 download for $9.98.  You can also save some money and purchase the complete 9 CD selection for $128.00.  There are other set options to select from.  Click HERE to see everything.

I was given the opportunity to use The Story of Swan Lake in exchange for this honest review.  Let me start by telling you what was on the CD and what came with it.  As you can see in the center of the picture above, the case is beautifully illustrated and colorful.  A 24-page activity book included with the CD contains a biography of Tchaikovsky, information on acoustic and electric guitars, sheet music and words for a sing-along song, explanation of major and minor keys, puzzles and more.  Children can also join the Kids Club for more learning and fun.  Check it out HERE.  The total play time of the CD is almost a full hour.  It includes a narrated version of the classic tale, additional tracks about Tchaikovsky's life, a heavy metal version of the main theme, and the "Tchaikovsky Wrote a Great Ballet" sing a long.  I found it to be a comprehensive classical music lesson!

So, what did we think about it?  The clarity of the recording was wonderful and the narration was clear.  The music was beautiful...after all, it is Tchaikovsky!  My son is 12 and was not at all interested in the sing along.  He was also bored with the narration.  I found that it would be best suited for a female, probably one who was interested in ballet or similar story lines to Swan Lake.  If I were to be able to pick a CD on my own, I would not have selected Swan Lake for my 12 year old son.  Maestro Classics does offer other choices more geared towards a boy.  But, I wasn't given the choice, so Swan Lake it is!

I do feel that this product is very fairly priced.  It would make a wonderful gift for a child who loves ballet or classical music or the classic stories.  It would be great to listen to in the car, or as a bed time activity.  Please visit HERE to be able listen to a sample from each CD and decide which would best suit your family!

 Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family.  I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.

Z-Guide to the Movies - Review

 

 The Gadow Homeschool loves using educational movies and documentaries to enhance our lessons.  Imagine my excitement to learn about Zeezok Publishing!  They offer a wide assortment of companions to many movies.  They are called Z-Guide to the movies!  When the opportunity came up for the TOS Crew to review these guides there as no question about it....I wanted in!  The only dilemma I was faced with was....hmmmm, which one do I choose?  There were so many!  I finally settled on the Z-Guide to the Movies for the movie, Johnny Tremain.

This 36 page e-book download (or get it on CD) is chuck full of activities and study guides to accompany the movie.  It begins with a synopsis of the movie and a little history and a little history of the events (Boston Tea Party).  Following the introduction, you'll find an assortment of activities from fill in the blank, short answers, crossword puzzles, mazes, etc.  I particularly loved the 25 questions that were to be completed WHILE watching the movie!  This really made sure that my son was paying attention.  I gave him the remote so he could pause the movie as needed.  I was very please to see that he got 23 of the 25 questions correct...and very happy to have the answer key at the end of the e-book...thank you Zeezok!

Z-Guide to the Movies offers a variety of guides for elementary through high school.  I checked many of the titles offered and all of the ones I did check were available either through my public library or Netflix, so that made it even easier!  You can purchase either an e-book or CD and the price is $12.99 and up.  Here are some of the titles offered and from what point or interest in history.  This should tempt your tummy!

ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

One Night with the King

ANCIENT EGYPT

The Ten Commandments

ANCIENT GREECE

Jason and the Argonauts

ANCIENT ROME

Ben Hur

MEDIEVAL EUROPE

Knights of the Round Table

Adventures of Robin Hood

Luther

16TH CENTURY EUROPE

A Man for All Seasons

17TH CENTURY EUROPE

Cromwell

18TH CENTURY EUROPE

A Tale of Two Cities 

Amazing Grace

American Revolution

Johnny Tremain

FRENCH REVOLUTION

Scarlet Pimpernel 

The Count of Monte Cristo

19TH CENTURY EUROPE

Les Miserables

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES

Red Badge of Courage 

The Horse Soldiers

U.S. Westward Expansion

The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin

Grapes of Wrath

WORLD WAR I

Flyboys 

Sergeant York

THE ROARING TWENTIES

Inherit the Wind

Now, the question is...which will you choose?

Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family.  I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.

 

Chocolate Babka.......A Labor of Love Recipe

If you are looking to show your love for someone, then this is the recipe for you.  It will take about 3 hours from start to finish and a fair amount of arm muscle so get your big girl apron on and start baking!

My dear friend Andrea's husband, Phil, has a bit of an infatuation with Babka.  He talks about it like it is his first love.  His pupils even dilate at the sound of someone saying Babka.  So, for Christmas I thought it would be nice to make him some.  After all, I do steal his wifey poo from him regularly so I have to keep him happy!

After searching the internet for recipes, I finally decided upon one at Food.com  Although it was one of the most complicated recipes, it seemed the most authentic.  You can find the recipe here or just follow along with me.

Bread Dough

• 4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (two 1/4 ounce packages)
• 1 1/2 cups warm milk (110°)
• 1 pinch sugar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs , room temperature
• 2 large egg yolks , room temperature
• 6 cups all-purpose flour , plus more for work surface
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter , room temperature
• butter , for oiling bowl and loaf pans

Filling

• 36 ounces semisweet chocolate chips , very finely chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter

Egg Wash

• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 egg

Streusel Topping

• 1 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter , room temperature

Directions

     Making the Bread Dough

1. Bread Dough: Proof yeast in milk with a pinch of sugar for 5-10 minutes until foamy; whisk sugar, eggs and egg yolks together; add to yeast and whisk.
2. Combine flour and salt and stir in egg mixture, mixing thoroughly; cut butter into 1" pieces and beat into flour mixture until dough is smooth and sticky and butter is completely incorporated.
3. Scrape dough onto floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes; place in buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to double, about 1 hour.
   
    
   
   Look at those arm muscles hard at work kneading that dough!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Making the Filling
   
   
4. Filling: Stir chocolate, sugar and cinnamon together; cut butter in; set aside.
5. Egg Wash: Whisk egg and cream together and set aside.
   
   The chocolaty goodness is being created in my new big stainless steel bowl.  I can smell the milk chocolate and it is yummy!
   
   
   
   
   
   Making the Streusel Topping
6. Streusel Topping: Stir sugar and flour together; cut butter in until clumps range in size from crumbs to 1"; set aside.
   
   
   
   The buttery sweet streusel topping will be the perfect sweet crunch on the top of this bread dessert!
   
   
   
   
   Let's put this Babka together!!
   
   
7. Butter three 9"x5"x2 3/4" loaf pans and line with parchment paper; punch dough down and let rest 5 minutes; cut into 3 equal pieces; keep 2 pieces covered with plastic wrap while working on the third.
8. On a floured surface, roll the dough out 16" square by 1/8" thick; brush edges with egg wash; crumble 1/3 of the Filling (reserving 2 T) evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/4" border.
   
9. Refresh egg wash if needed; roll dough up tightly, jelly roll fashion; pinch ends together to seal; twist dough evenly throughout the length of the roll a full five or 6 turns; brush top of roll with egg wash.
10. Sprinkle the reserved 2 T Filling over the egg-washed top and press in gently so that it doesn't slide off; fold right half of the roll over onto the coated left half; fold ends under and pinch to seal; twist roll two turns and fit into prepared pan; (Loaves may be frozen at this point for up to a month).
    
11. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling; preheat oven to 350°; brush the top of each loaf with egg wash and crumble 1/3 of the Streusel Topping over each; loosely cover with plastc wrap and rest loaves 30 minutes.
    
12. Bake loaves 30 minutes; rotate and bake another 25 minutes until golden; lower heat to 325° and bake another 15-20 minutes or until deep golden; cool in pans on wire rack; remove from pans and serve.
13. Baked loaves may be frozen up to one month; if frozen unbaked, let stand at room temperature 5 hours and bake.
    
    I even got a big hug from Phil when I gave him his very own Babka to take home with him.  Of course, I had another one for us all to enjoy on Christmas.  Here is a picture of Phil digging into the yumminess BEFORE he even ate dinner.  I think this face speaks for itself....
    
    
    

Christmas Eve Check List......

It's Christmas Eve!  Let's break out the traditional Gadow Ohana check list!  Check, check, check....

1.  Attend the candle light service at my church surrounded by my church family and friends who we love so much!  Let's listen to the children sing "Away in a Manger" while signing and then read from the Bible about the Christmas story.

2.  Be unbelievably proud as I watch my son play the guitar with the worship band.  He played "The First Noel" and "Silent Night".

3.  Bake some yummy chocolate chip cookies!  They must be fresh out of the oven to be deserving of the Santa offering.  Yes, chocolate chip cookies and "Christmas milk" (commonly known as egg nog to you non-Gadow people).

4.  A generous sprinkling of reindeer food around the front lawn.  This is a gourmet concoction of oats and glitter! 

5.  Last call for the Joy Stocking!  Final chance to get your last additions into our Joy Stocking is now!  What's that, you ask?  Well, click here to read about our family's favorite Christmas tradition!

5.  Bedtime prayers and chat time.  Just like every night, here is where we pray together as a family, thank the Lord for His blessings, and talk about what the next day will bring.  Tonight though.....we add in the "don't wake up Mommy and Daddy until....7:30 AM" reminder.

6.  Once Matthew is on lock down the stocking is filled and the gifts are laid under the tree.  Aha!  But, 2 gifts are hidden somewhere in the house.  Matthew likes to hunt for his gifts.  We play either "hot/cold" or I give him a riddle that will clue him into where it is hidden.

7.  Time to put baby Jesus in the manger!  Yup, the King is Born and now He can be put into the manger scene with His folks and pet lamb and donkey.  The wise men have moved a little bit closer to the manger now.  They have made it all the way to the coffee table!  Only  1 1/2 more years to go until they meet up with Jesus.

8.  Oh, looky-look!  It's only midnight and I get to go to bed!  *sigh* and visions of sugarplums danced in her head.....

Where is your JOY?

Where is your joy?

Is it carved in the Rock where it will withstand the erosion of the world?




OR

Is it written in the sand where it can be washed away by the next storm?





Having joy is a choice.  Let's face it.  Life is hard.  This world is filled with disappointments and heartache.  People will hurt you, events will rock you, and there will always be a bubble popper waiting around the corner.  When faced with these challenges what do you do?  What determines your joy?  Is it your circumstances?  Do you have joy when things are going great?

How about when things are hard?

When you feel alone, lost, empty.

When you are jobless, homeless, scared, angry.

When nothing makes sense and you feel like noone understands your pain.

Where's your joy then?

 Do you treat your joy like a light that only shines when the energy from the world fuels it?  Is your joy like a meter that changes with your circumstances?  Is your joy so wavered that it can be snatched away for a meal like the hungry wolf takes the weakest animal to devour?

Or....is your joy planted with roots that go deeper than the soil of this earth?  Does it reach beyond the farthest star?  Does it overpower any challenge this life can throw at you?  Who or what is your joy?

My joy is in the Lord.

100%

Never changing

Always growing

Christmas has always been a contemplative time of year for me.  I've had to draw on my Savior even more at this time of year for the joy I so deeply desire.  If I were to rely on my circumstances for my joy, I wouldn't have any.  I don't know how your life is looking right now, but mine is stressful.  My husband is out of work, our finances are strained, I have family and friends who are hurting, I have 3 friends who have lost their child much too soon just within the past couple of months, and I'm dealing with people whose sole mission may be to rob me of my sanity and joy.  The list could go on.  None of it makes sense and all of it makes me want to crawl into a ball and wave my white flag.  Then, I look over near my Christmas tree and I see this...

A cheap 99 cent red felt stocking

and

an old, cheap plush ornament.


And my joy cries out!  My heart swells with adoration and excitement for the Lord that I love.

My tears flow with gratitude and humbleness for the promises of my Savior.

My arms lift high in praise and honor for the greatest gift of my salvation.

My voice sings out "My JOY is in the LORD!!!"

How can a cheap felt stocking and an old ornament do that to a person?  Let me tell you....

12 years ago my husband and I were preparing to share our first Christmas together.  I was 8 months pregnant and we were dirt poor.  We didn't have money for a tree, for gifts, or for a nice dinner to share.  I went to K-Mart and I bought these two things....1 felt stocking and 1 ornament.  Total....$2. 14.  I even had to scrounge in the couch and on the floor of my car to find that.  I proudly brought them home.  We didn't have a tree, but we had this random hook hanging from the ceiling in our living room.  So, we hung our ornament there.  Every time we passed under it we would kiss.  It was our special mistletoe.  We didn't have a mantle so we laid the stocking over the back of our old ragged couch.  We called it our Joy Stocking.  We decided to put little notes in that stocking over the weeks leading up to Christmas about the things we were joyful or thankful for.  Then, on Christmas morning we sat together on the living room floor and opened our stocking.  We read the notes to one another.  We were rich that morning and we were surrounded by our gifts as we spread our notes on the floor around us.

We had joy!

That is where our first family tradition started.  Now, every year, the Joy Stocking gets hung and we put our notes of joy and thanks into it and it is the first thing we do on Christmas morning.  Our prayer is that our son, Matthew, will continue this tradition and always remember that joy is NOT in our circumstances, but in our Lord.

Today, I choose joy.  Despite my circumstance.  I choose joy. 

I am thankful for my loving husband whose hands work unceasingly to provide for our family.

I am thankful for my son who inspires me each day to be a better person.

I am thankful for my loving friends and I am humbled by their unconditional generosity and acceptance of me.

But, most of all, I am thankful for God.  He will never abandon me (Hebrews 13.5).  I am thankful He sent His son to earth and sacrificed Him on the cross so that I would have the CHOICE to accept Him as my Savior....so that I can be forgiven even though I don't deserve it...and so I can have JOY that

exceeds my circumstances,

          never fails

                    renews my strength

                              gives me hope

                                        defines my purpose, and

                                   paints my most dreary days with beautiful colors.     

Noone and nothing can rob me of my JOY!  It's carved into the Rock (Psalm 18:2).

Want to borrow my chisel?    

The World's Greatest Stories Review

 

We all have our favorite stories...our favorite authors...our favorite characters.  The Bible is an important book in our house.  It is filled with THE World's Greatest  Stories.  George W. Sarris brings to life some of the most exciting characters and stories in the Bible, word for word!  Yes, that's right.  There is nothing added or taken away.  It's God's Word told straight from the Bible....with George's talented voice and exciting music and special effects to help bring it to life.

My family was given a copy of the NIV translation of Volume 1 - The Prophets from The World's Greatest Stories.  My family sat together one evening after dinner and listened to the CD.  It was a 45 minute story time from the greatest book, The Bible.  There were five stories:  The Blazing Furnace, The Handwriting on the Wall, Daniel in the Lion's Den, Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, and The Prophecy of Jonah.  You can hear audio clips of this CD and the others' offered by clicking here. 

Besides Volume 1 - The Prophets, The World's Greatest Stories offers five more volumes:  Volume 2 - The Life of Christ, Volume 3 - Beginnings, Volume 4 - Joshua and Esther, Volume 5 - Joseph and His Brothers, and Volume 6 - Defeating Giants.  These CD's are only $7.95 each and you can choose either the NIV or KJV.  When you order 6 or more CD's you will receive free shipping!  Click here to place your order. 

I enjoyed listening to the stories very much.  I particularly appreciated that it was coming word for word from the Bible, so there was no way of an error creeping in.  The sound effects were exciting and helped to really bring the stories to life.  My son thought the voices George used were too strange and not related enough to the accents or voices that the real people probably would have had.  I don't know if that is true, but it was his opinion!  There is no age recommendation assigned to this product, which is probably a good thing.  After all, God's Word is for all ages!  In our opinions this CD would be most appealing to listen to for ages 12 and under because of the childlike feel and quality it has.

The World's Greatest Stories would be a wonderful blessing to your family.  Listen to it in the car, before bedtime, during family Bible study time, or just pop it in when the kids are playing!  It would be a unique and inexpensive gift to bless another child or family.  This product is well worth the buy.  You won't be disappointed!

 Any products reviewed by me as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew have been given to me free of charge in order for me to provide you with an honest review of the product and/or how we used the product within our family.  I do not receive any other form of compensation for the reviews posted on this blog.