Fast Track Bible Pack: New Testament from Wizzy Gizmo ~ Review and GIVEAWAY

Wizzy Gizmo.....teehee

The name just makes me giggle.  When the offer to review this product and share my honest opinion on my blog was presented, that is exactly what I did.  I giggled.  With a name like that, I thought, this has to be a fun product.  Wizzy Gizmo is a company that offers a great (and growing) selection of products that present God's Word in new and interesting ways, both for fun and education.  Most of their products are geared toward children, but are enjoyed greatly by adults.  I brought my collection of the Fast Track Bible Pack: New Testament Series to look at while at my son's karate school and had adults asking me about them and wanting them for their own Bible study.  The folks at Wizzy Gizmo are thoughtful and creative, so they provide lots of ideas on how to use these awesome cards for age groups from ages 2-5 to 12 and up (yup, I'm in that "up" group).  You can check out those ideas by clicking HERE.

This is a 27 card set.  Each large card covers each book of the New Testament and is heavy stock.  They are chuck full of information like book summary, key chapters, passages, doctrines, and people.  Check it out!

Sure, I picked the book of Matthew to show you because that is my favorite name (my son).  Can I get another "teehee"?!  As you can see, the information is beautifully organized and provides a generous overview of the book.  What a great way to capture the key elements of the book!

Like I mentioned before, you'll find lots of ideas on how to use these cards with all different age groups, but I would like to highlight some of my favorite ideas:

• Bible Study
• Children's Bible Lessons - think Children's Ministries at church!
• Homeschool Bible Curriculum
• Bedtimes Stories
• Fun Quiz Games
• Scripture Memory Verses
• Biblical History Lessons
• Family Devotions

Is your mind churning yet?  For only $14.99, this set makes my "must have" list.  Purchase a pack for your family, as a birthday or Christmas gift, as a gift for your Children's or Youth Pastor, or just to be a blessing to someone.

Wizzy Gizmo has other amazing products also, like Audio Dramas and a Book Series.  Checkout all they have to offer and get in on all the chatter:

THE WIZZY GIZMO WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
PINTEREST

Read lots of other reviews on the Fast Track Bible Pack and other Wizzy Gizmo products by visiting the Home & School Mosaics WEBSITE.

"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.

 One lucky winner will receive a copy of their own Wizzy Gizmo Fast Track Bible Pack:  New Testament.  All entries must be received by midnight EST on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.  Entrants must be 18 or older to enter. Due to international sweepstakes laws, this giveaway is for US entries only.  This giveaway is not connected to any social media site.  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!  Get started now on Rafflecopter...

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A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas ~ Book Review and GIVEAWAY

 

There are few things better on a cool Fall evening than to curl up with a good book and a hot mug of peppermint tea or hot cocoa.  I have been doing that with Gary Thomas' new book, A Lifelong Love.

What If Marriage Is About More Than Just Staying Together?

Whether you are preparing yourself for marriage, a newlywed couple, reaching your 15 year mark and getting comfortable, or in the final years of your marital journey, this book has something for you.  NO, it's not one of those books that gives you the list of 10 how-to's or miracle formula for a new marriage in 30 days.  This book is the real deal.  Bible-based and down to earth.  Listen in on Gary's perspective on marriage and get an idea of the direction this reading journey will take you...

WARNING!!!

If you truly allow yourself to be open to what Gary has to say and the scriptures he shares, you will find yourself on a ride of emotions.  Joyful, Hopeful, Angry, Convicted, and any other feeling that comes your way.  That was me!  I found myself nodding my head in agreement and thinking "LOL, that is so true!  Yup, I got this!".  Then, with a turn of the page or new chapter, I found myself thinking "Gasp!  He has some nerve!"  Then, putting the book down.  Yes, only to find myself returning after some time in prayer and realizing that Gary was the just the messenger sharing the scriptures and the truth from God's Word.  Sorry, Gary ;)  So, if you want to be transformed in the glory of your marriage, then read on.  If not, then just continue doing what you've been doing, day in and day out, and find out what you missed out on at the end of your marriage journey.

This 316 page hard covered book will open your mind to God's purpose for your marriage and the eternal value it has.  Visit the website at www.alifelonglove.com to learn more about this book and find out where you can buy it.  This will make a great gift to yourself, as a wedding gift, or an anniversary gift.  Get even more connected with the following:

Gary Thomas’ website: www.garythomas.com

Follow Gary on Twitter: @garyLthomas

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorgarythomas

 Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

 One lucky winner will receive a copy of their own A Lifelong Love.  All entries must be received by midnight EST on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.  Entrants must be 18 or older to enter. Due to international sweepstakes laws, this giveaway is for US entries only.  This giveaway is not connected to any social media site.  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!  Get started now on Rafflecopter...
 
 

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Treasury of Bible Stories ~ Review and GIVEAWAY

Treasury of Bible Stories by Kelly Pulley has found its way into my home and we are delighted!  This hard covered book is filled with magnificent tales from the Bible, written in a fun and engaging lyrical rhyme.  The stories come to life with vivid descriptions and captivating illustrations.  Look at the color bursting off the page!

The recommended age for this book is 4 to 8 and when I was first asked to review it I thought it would be a perfect gift for my 3.5 year old niece.  Now, I'm not so sure!

My 14 year old son had his nose buried in it and was enjoying these beautiful stories of truth.  Shhhhh!  Don't tell his friends or he may never forgive me ;) 

He does love his little cousin, so I still think he will give it to her to enjoy.







Want to see what the fuss is all about?  Watch this trailer to get a more detailed glimpse into this beautiful book.

Besides the well written stories and gifted illustrations, the quality of this book is a 4 star.  The cover is strong, the binding is tight, and the pages are slightly thicker and glossy which gives them a little more ability to withstand little hands.  This treasured book normally retails for only $19.99, but you can get it at Christianbook.com for only $14.99 !!!!  Seriously!  Hop on it and get this for your family and for a gift for someone else.  It's the perfect gift for Christmas, birthday, welcome baby, children's ministry worker, or expectant Mom.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

 One lucky winner will receive a copy of their own Treasury of Bible Stories.  All entries must be received by midnight EST on Sunday, September 28, 2014.  Entrants must be 18 or older to enter. Due to international sweepstakes laws, this giveaway is for US entries only.  This giveaway is not connected to any social media site.  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!  Get started now on Rafflecopter...

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Ragamuffin ~ Movie Review and GIVEAWAY

It's time to pop the popcorn again!  It's family movie night!  Ragamuffin is now available on Blue ray and DVD.  Click HERE to get it for only $19.99.  Here is a little tidbit on what the movie is about:

Ragamuffin is based on the life of Rich Mullins, a musical prodigy who rose to Christian music fame and fortune only to walk away and live on a Navajo reservation. An artistic genius, raised on a tree farm in Indiana by a callous father, Rich wrestled all of his life with the brokenness and crippling insecurity born of his childhood. A lover of Jesus and a rebel in the church, Rich refused to let his struggles with his own darkness tear him away from a God he was determined to love. As he struggled with success in Nashville and depression in Wichita, Rich desired most of all to live a life of honest and reckless faith amidst a culture of religion and conformity.

This is a full length, 137 minute movie with a powerful message of honesty, faith, and truth. It is fit for the whole family, but I found that it would be most appealing to teens and up. Of course, this is a Christian film with no inappropriate language or adult content, however, there is some drinking if you are sensitive to that. Check out this trailer...


I watched this with my husband. I have to be honest in saying that I didn't realize who Rich Mullins was until seeing the movie and hearing some of the songs he wrote. Then, I was like..."Wow, he wrote that?!". My husband really enjoyed the movie from beginning to end. He is a big music buff and was already familiar with the life of Rich Mullins. He found this documentary / biography like movie to be very engaging. I, on the other hand, was a bit bored with it. I'm glad I watched it as it did encourage me and I appreciated the strength of faith and commitment that Rich had. I am pleased to have it as part of our DVD collection. Do you know a Ragamuffin in your life, or someone who loves music? Get one for them! The music was amazing and will be available on soundtrack July 22.

If you want to learn more or get connected with other viewers then check out these links:
http://RagamuffinTheMovie.com/
https://www.facebook.com/richmullinsfilm https://twitter.com/RichMullinsFilm

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

One lucky winner will receive a copy of their own Ragamuffin DVD.  All entries must be received by noon EST on Friday, July 18, 2014.  Entrants must be 18 or older to enter. Due to international sweepstakes laws, this giveaway is for US entries only.  This giveaway is not connected to any social media site.  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!  Get started now on Rafflecopter...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Writing with Sharon Watson ~ The Power in Your Hands: Writing Non-Fiction in High School REVIEW

Homeschool ~ Christian Schools ~ Co-ops

The Power in Your Hands is a high school non-fiction writing course written by Sharon Watson.  It is one of three courses available, including a Middle School course.  You can check out the others by clicking HERE.

So, let's get to some details.  Let's start with the basics first....

• Grades 9-12
• 422 Page Student Text is $39.98
• 212 Page Teacher's Guide is $14.98
• 8-1/2 x 11 Soft cover
• for Homeschool, Christian Schools, and Co-ops
• designed as a two year curriculum, but there are some interesting suggestions on how to use this for a 3 year program

What's inside the student text???

•  100 daily lessons and complete instructions for 22 essays and reports
• instruction and practice for persuasive essays, compare/contrast essays, a biography, a literary analysis, a research paper using MLA documentation, description and narrative essays
• self guided lessons requiring no prerequisites
• tools for brainstorming, organizing thoughts, creating outlines, citing sources, and proofreading
• engaging instruction and assignments with bits of humor and life applicable topics

What's inside the Teacher's Guide???

• all the answers for the daily work....Woohoo!
• ability to see exactly what your student is working on so you can be monitoring their progress
• an easy and user friendly grading tool to grade each assignment....Amen!
• 14 minute power surges designed to provide fun writing prompts for your student
• tips and guides for helping your student along the way

My Thoughts....

Here's the thing.  I love to write.  It comes easy to me.  However, I can't teach writing to save my life.  That presents a big homeschooling problem for my reluctant writer son who is about to enter 9th grade.  We have been using another program for the past 7 months and it has been helpful, but it is not cheap.  To continue with that program will likely break my bank.  When I was first presented with the opportunity to review this product I was excited!  Yay, another writing curriculum to look into that might be the answer to our struggles.  The affordable price sparked my interest and the information I gained from the website was intriguing.  After receiving the product, here were my favorite aspects that I would like to share....

• The lessons were of manageable size, clear, and speckled with humor.
• The flow of the lessons was not intimidating.  The student is led gently into the world of writing and the different essay styles are well covered and explored before moving on.
• The curriculum objectives were comprehensive and will enable the student to become a confident and experienced writer by the end of the program.....well prepared for the SAT.
• The Teacher's Guide was filled with helpful tips, tools, and plans.  It includes the answers to the student assignments.
•  Amen, there is a grading tool.  This is one of the hardest parts for me when it comes to writing.  But, the tool provided is a scale system for multiple aspects of the assignment.  I am leaping with joy to use this.
• I really liked the 14 minute power surges.  These will be great when we want to take a break from the student text and just have some fun exploring writing.
• The price is RIGHT.  Wow, this is wonderfully affordable, especially for such a complete and masterful curriculum.
• There is a section in the Teacher's Guide with sample works and critiques on how to earn an A, B, C, etc.  It really helps decipher the differences and what to look for.

What I did not like....

• I don't care for soft bound books.  I wish this book was at least spiral bound.  It does not stay open on its own and that is annoying to me.
•  Um, yeah, that's it.

We look forward to using this for our 9th/10th grade school years.  Actually, we'll dapple with some of the 14 minute power surges this summer just to get the juices flowing.  I'll come back here and give you some updates as we move along.  Maybe I'll even post some of my son's writing samples!

God's Amazing World! ~~ Book Review & GIVEAWAY

Yay!  Another amazing children's book from Ideal Books!  Gosh, I just love the books they share with us.  This new book, God's Amazing World!, has the brilliant writing of author, Eileen Spinelli, and the whimsical illustrations of Melanie Florian. 

This gorgeous hard cover book is for ages 4 to 8.  Take a journey of imagination with Gracie and her cousin, Bo, as they explore the seven days of Creation right in Gracie's backyard! As Gracie tells the story of how God made the world, she and Bo discover God's work right there around them. When they get to Day 2, the day God created the sky, they take a moment to cloud watch. Day 3 leads them to play in the water, and on Day 6, they imitate the cows and pigs and lions God made.

This story is a fun way to share the days of Creation with your child.  It is filled with excitement and discovery and I found it so lovely to see Gracie teaching her cousin, Bo, about God in such a creative way.  This is a cuddle on the couch kind of book.  It is a sit on the floor while a bunch of little ones in Sunday school crowd around you to listen kind of book.  It is a give as a gift to the expectant Mom kind of book.  What kind of book will it be for you?

God's Amazing World! is available on the Ideals Books website.  Just click HERE. It is only $15.99 and they offer free shipping for orders over $25.  Yippee!  Get in the chat at Facebook by clicking HERE.  Tweet away with this #ShareAMoment

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

One lucky winner will receive a copy of their own book, God's Amazing World!.  All entries must be received by midnight EST on Saturday, April 12, 2013.  Entrants must be 18 or older to enter. Due to international sweepstakes laws, this giveaway is for US entries only.  This giveaway is not connected to any social media site.  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!  Get started now on Rafflecopter...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What's For Dinner? Stuffed Sirloin Burgers with Arugula Apple Almond Salad

Welcome to my new life.  Healthy. 

Yes, as you browse my blog you will find delightful recipes, but most are not in the healthy category.  But, recently, I went.....

PALEO!!!

So, it is likely that from now on you will seeing my unbelievably delicious, flavorful, colorful, mouth watering Paleo-friendly recipes.  For you gluten-free peeps, that will include you, too.

I had taken 2 lbs of ground sirloin of of the freezer earlier today, but I didn't really have plans for it.  Seriously, I whipped this meal together in 1/2 an hour from start to finish.  Now, THAT has got to peak your interest at least!

Let's get started making the Stuffed Sirloin Burgers.  Gather your ingredients!

ground sirloin - 1 lb per 3 burgers
fresh spinach, chopped - 1/2 cup per lb of meat
sweet peppers - any color - minced - 2 small ones per lb of meat
green onions, minced (green and all) - 3 per lb of meat
fresh pressed garlic - 2 per lb of meat
ground pepper - to taste
sea salt - to taste
chili powder - to taste
parsley - to taste
egg, beaten- 1 per lb of meat

provolone cheese - this is not Paleo, so skip it if you are a "strictoid" - 3 slice per lb of meat

Here is what you will need for the Arugula Apple Almond Salad.

arugula - 1 1/2 cups per person
apple, sliced thin - 1/2 per person
almond slices - 2 Tbsp per person
parmesan shavings - this is not Paleo, so skip this too if you are a "strictoid" - 1 Tbsp per person
lemon juice from 1/2 a lemon is enough for 2 people
olive oil - 2 Tbsp is enough for 2 people

OK, so normally I post a picture of all the ingredients laid out.  But, this all happened so fast that I didn't.  Yeah,  I was wingin' it, baby!

1.  Mix together the spinach, peppers, and onion.  Add the egg and mix.  Add the meat on top and pour on all the seasonings....garlic, salt, pepper, chili powder, and parsley.  Mix it all together until well blended.

2.  Make patties by hand or use a handy dandy burger press like mine!  Start with half of what you will need to make one burger, then lay a slice of the cheese on top.  Like this...

3.  Add the remaining 1/2 of the portion of your burger on top of the cheese and press well to seal.  Looking good!

4.  Fire up the grill!  Cook as you would any burger to the temperature you prefer.

5.  While the burgers are cooking, let's make the salad!  Mix arugula, sliced apples, and almonds in a bowl.  To make the dressing, mix the juice of 1/2 a lemon and 2 Tbsp of EVOO.  That dressing mix will be enough for two salads.  Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to blend.  Top with the parm shavings, if you like.

6.  It's time to serve it up!!

I know, right?!  I am so glad I made 3 extra burgers because that is what we are having tomorrow for lunch or dinner.  We all ate every morsel.  Of course, my carb eating husband and son had theirs on a bun.  But, I did not miss the bread one bit.  This burger and salad was so full of flavor and texture that I was 100% satisfied! 

The pairing of the savory flavors of the burger with the sweet and tart of the salad was a perfect marriage.  Yup, this is going in my favorite recipes file!