Book Review

Make Your Own Sugar Scrub

April 30, 2013 by Amy 5 Comments

A few years ago, I wrote about how I reward myself for clearing out the dishwasher. I set a timer and reward myself with scrubs for my hands.

So, I was psyched to see Simple Scrubs to Make and Give in the Ultimate Homemaking eBook bundle.

The author Stacy allowed me to share the basic sugar scrub.

Basic Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar – brown, white, raw, or a combination of these
¼ to ½ cup oil – coconut oil (melted), safflower, sweet almond, grapeseed, or olive – choose one oil or use a combination

Optional extras:

Essential oils

Grated cocoa butter

Vanilla or almond extract

Ground coffee

Dried herbs, ground

I chose vanilla extract. You simply combine the sugar and oil, adding oil to produce the consistency you want. Stacy says, “Body scrub should be soft and somewhat slushy, but not too runny.”

And if you’re not happy with the results she says to adjust in the following ways:

If the scrub is too runny and slides right off your hands, add more sugar.
If the scrub is too dry, add more oil (a little at a time).
If the scent is not strong enough, add a drop or two of essential oil (but don’t go overboard! Once it’s too strong, it’s hard to go back without making scrub for the entire neighborhood).

Lexi tried it with me and she couldn’t get over how sweet it smelled and how smooth her hands felt afterward. I love that I can use ingredients I have in my pantry. Who knew it was so simple?

I put mine in a little mason jar from Hobby Lobby and topped it with some extra fabric I’ve had from IKEA. Perfect for gifts and easy peasy!

Stacy has included all sorts of different recipes and additional information like where to buy ingredients and how to use them. You can buy Simple Scrubs on its own or I’d certainly suggest buying the eBook bundle. And if you have the book already, try one of the recipes out and let me know what you think!

It’s Here! The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle + Kindle Fire HD Giveaway

April 29, 2013 by Amy Leave a Comment

Happy Monday! I’m so excited about this bundle and hope you will be too!! For 6 days only, more than 75 widely-known bloggers and authors in the homemaking sphere have joined together to offer 97 of their most popular eBooks and eCourses, valued at just over $600, for the incredibly low price of $29.97! That’s just .31 per book! PLUS over $140 of FREE Bonuses! I’m so honored my book Entangled has been included and would like to welcome any new readers checking out my site for the first time! Entangled is a book close to my heart and I hope it’s a blessing to your marriage.

You’ll find books in The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle the following categories:

Organization and cleaning
Cookbooks
Spiritual growth for both moms and kids
Home décor and DIY
Frugal living
Health and fitness
Blogging
Financial tools
Time Management
Pregnancy and baby care

You will not find a more comprehensive collection of homemaking resources anywhere on the web, and particularly not in this price range. For this low price, you gain access to every single one of these resources, so that you can customize your own collection to contain exactly the ones you want and know you’ll use.

You know me, though, I like to count the cost of a deal. Is it *really* worth $29.97? There’s no doubt it’s overwhelming to decide so I did the hard work for you. I took the time to find the books I’m most excited about to see if the math works. Check it out in the video below.

In case you skipped the video, I shared the 15 books pictured below which are worth $86, making them $1.99 each if you JUST got those. But, you get 82 other books you can read, many that are AWESOME but I just didn’t have the time to mention. PLUS you get the free bonuses (anyone like free toothpaste?). I firmly believe a book can change your life so there is no question this is a good deal.

iPhone Photography Guide by Alli Worthington

And listen, you might just find one or two books you like and for sure, just buy those if that’s all you want. Like I said, it’s only a great deal if you use it. It only takes 5 or so to make it worth it though.

For you regular readers, I’ll warn you this week may look a little different than others. I’m so excited about this bundle that I’m dedicating all my posts this week to the sale. Don’t worry, I’m not going to be spammy. I’m just going to take the time to highlight some things *I* get from the books in the bundle because there just really is no way to do it in one post. Whether or not you buy the book, I hope they’ll be informative and FUN.

On top of all that, 21 of the authors are offering an extra incentive to share the sale by giving away a Kindle HD Fire to help you read all these books! How cool is that?

So without further adieu, head over to a landing page which has the giveaway, all the books pictured and linked individually if you prefer, all the bonuses you’ll get, links to buy and all the fine print you need to know.

Please note: This collection is only available from 9 a.m. EST on April 29th to 11:59 p.m. EST on May 4th. There will be no late sales offered.

To Walk or Stay

March 22, 2013 by Amy 9 Comments

What would you do if your husband cheated on you?

Could you stay? Or would you walk away?

Seriously, take a moment and consider.

It’d be hard to stay, wouldn’t it?

Lara Williams was put right in between those two questions after her husband stepped out and cheated–walk or stay?

While Scott and I traveled the road after an emotional affair, I’m honestly not sure how we would answer those questions if thrust into the same decisions. I hardly even like considering it.

But God was faithful to Lara and her husband when God asked her to travel the hard road of staying.

In her new book To Walk or Stay Lara shares just what it took spiritually to forgive and heal after such devastating circumstances.

God is our restorer and our healer and whether you’ve been through an affair, whether your marriage feels perfect right now or even if you’re single, I promise this book will teach you something.

You don’t survive, even thrive, after an affair without learning some valuable life lessons.

To Walk or Stay is a short 10 chapter book with discussion questions and a deeper dive after each chapter that is perfect for small group settings. Lara will be hosting a book club starting on April 15th. I highly recommend you grab a copy and plan to walk through the book with some accountability partners.

If you need a copy, Lara is hosting a giveaway today so go check that out.

To Walk or Stay is also available on Amazon. Don’t miss this one.

To Walk or Stay Promo Video from Lara Williams on Vimeo.

Twitterature – March 2013

March 15, 2013 by Amy 8 Comments

My blog-friend Anne, aka Modern Mrs. Darcy, has started a monthly link-up for books called Twitterature. The premise of this link-up is to share short, casual reviews of books we’ve been reading.

Sometimes I write full-on book reviews but other times I read and move on. Not because they’re not good, often times because they’re so special I don’t have the proper words. This link-up will give me a chance to share ALL the books I’m reading without having so many book reviews through the month.

The New Testament – Acts – Revelation

Finished up the Bible again and I just can’t recommend it enough. I will say, though, that I enjoyed the chronological read less and won’t be doing that plan again.

Let. It. Go. – Karen Ehman

Trying to track down my “control” word, I read this book. After reading it, I’m not sure I struggle with control in ways others do but definitely found some wisdom in this book, especially surrounding parenting and marriage. If you want an inside look into this book, Melissa Taylor has been hosting an online bible study including videos for the past several weeks.

The Circle Maker Mark Batterson

Looking back on this book, I’m not sure it really taught me anything new about prayer but it sure did encourage me in my prayer life and was a joy to read. Mark’s stories and enthusiasm are hard not to get swept away by. And that’s a good thing.

After these, I started tackling 3 books at once: Pursued by Jud Wilhite, A Confident Heart by Renee Swope and To Walk or Stay by Lara Williams. I usually try to stick to one non-fiction at a time but couldn’t help myself. Hopefully, all three will be knocked off next month as well as some fiction which I’ve sorely missed.

I have SO many books I want to read. I think my Wish List grows by a few books every day. I wish I could read like it was my job or just, you know, read by osmosis or something.

When do you find the time to read?

Twitterature – February 2013

February 15, 2013 by Amy 5 Comments

My blog-friend Anne, aka Modern Mrs. Darcy, has started a monthly link-up for books called Twitterature. The premise of this link-up is to share short, casual reviews of books we’ve been reading.

The Old Testament (66 books)

I admit, it’s a little hokey but this will explain why my reading list is so short. I’ve been trudging through another round of reading through the Bible this winter (in 122 days) and we finished the Old Testament, all 66 books in 3 months. I’ve written about it before, but I cannot stress enough how much I learned the first time I read the OT through and how much I continue to learn. Sure, it’s painful at times but so, so worth it.

The Gospels (4 books)

Is it MORE hokey I’m listing this separately? We finish the Gospels today and if you can’t tackle the OT, then please tackle The Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Honestly, Jesus and his parables leave me spellbound. I think I could read these for months and still not get bored.

Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson

Emma bought me this Christian fiction book for Christmas. To be honest, I usually find Christian fiction lacking in strong characters and storylines. I’m not sure this was much of an exception, but it was a nice diversion. With the premise of a rekindled teen romance on a Florida island after a divorce, it was enough to keep me around for the whole book but not to continue the series.

You Are Already Amazing by Holley Gerth

Holley’s book is practical, thoughtful, personal and challenging. Highly recommend this for folks still trying to find their strengths and what God might be calling them to do. And psst, I just signed up for e-coaching with Holley and I cannot WAIT!

Be sure to check out Twitterature. Hopefully we can all find some new reads!

Book Review: Beyond Ordinary

January 15, 2013 by Amy 2 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that any couple–any person–is susceptible to having an affair. I know you’re shaking your head and saying no way, not me but I’ve lived through the slippery slope from fairytale to a crowded marriage. While I didn’t have a full-on physical affair, I can say with assurance that I do understand now how it happens—to anyone.

While it may be unforgettable, it is forgivable. And that’s just what Justin and Trisha Davis proved several years ago after he lost his church and nearly his family because of an affair.

What I found out, though, is the affair is just a sliver of Justin and Trisha’s story.

In Beyond Ordinary, Justin and Trisha take turns sharing their story, showing just how their marriage began to crumble and how God ultimately redeemed it.

Beyond Ordinary reads both like a novel and non-fiction book. The first half of each chapter is spent telling another part of their story while the second half is spent on the applicable lessons from that part of their story.

I loved the layout of the book. In so many non-fiction books, I find that the author tells their story up front and then spends the rest of the book teaching. Slowly telling the story throughout the book kept Beyond Ordinary a page-turner.

It’s not just their story that shines. The counsel they share on marriage is unequal to any I’ve read—anywhere. They covered everything from expectations to forgiveness to withholding truth to porn with a candor I appreciated. I felt like I had my own marriage counseling couple in a book.

I know I was challenged—and still am challenged—by so much from Beyond Ordinary. It truly is a handbook for showing you what to do when a good marriage just isn’t enough.

I can’t recommend Beyond Ordinary enough.

To Justin and Trisha—thank you for showing God’s grace and forgiveness and sharing your story.

watch on tyndale.com

A Kindness and The Valley of Vision

January 10, 2013 by Amy 13 Comments

I’m feeling a little spoiled this week. Not even the fact that our 3 year old washing machine decided to die Monday night has deterred me from celebrating a small random act of kindness. You’d like to hear about it and celebrate too, yes? {Oh, and there’s a giveaway at the bottom}

Last week I got a direct message on Twitter asking for my address. Immediately, I thought it was spam but after a quick conversation realized it was not. One of my long-time Twitter friends Joshua had seen something I’d posted online and wanted to send our family a gift.

I couldn’t for the life of me remember saying we needed or wanted anything in particular so I waited to see what might be coming.

I was all smiles when I opened the package Tuesday night to find two books–The Valley of Vision and Godspeed.

I don’t even remember where I heard about the book The Valley of Vision anymore. Somewhere in the social media world is all I recall. The collection of Puritan prayers has been on my Amazon wish list longer than any of the others.

Upon opening, I did an ohhhhh… I immediately remembered someone recently posting a picture of The Valley of Vision on Instagram as one of four books they had purchased for the new year. I had commented saying it was on my wish list and I needed to bite the bullet and get it.

Joshua hadn’t commented and I didn’t even know he had read it. Actually, I’m still assuming that’s where he saw that I wanted it. He had a copy sitting in his office and decided to pass it on as a family gift. He also sent Godspeed, a book his pastor (and boss) had written.

Scott and I were so blessed to be recipients of this random act of kindness. We agreed we wanted to read them together. It was such a small gesture, but huge in my eyes. Please don’t doubt the impact a small gesture can make on someone.

I cried the first three prayers I read. All of these were written hundreds of years ago by Puritans—Christians that were very devoted to prayer and meditation.

I don’t know how much I can reprint here but I wanted to share snippets of a prayer I read this morning.

It’s entitled “Morning Dedication”

Let those around me see me living by the Spirit,
trampling the world underfoot,
unconformed to lying vanities,
transformed by a renewed mind,
clad in the entire armour of God,
shining as a never-dimmed light,
showing holiness in all my doings.

Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands.
May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain.

May I speak each word as if my last word,
and walk each step as my final one.
If my life should end today, let this be my best day.

Whew. That last line is a doozy.

I don’t know if you can get the full effect of the prayer but there’s something about it that centers me.

I’m all for talking with God in conversation and just putting my concerns and worries out there as they are. But, I admit, having these as a guided prayer, reminding me of the basics, if you will, and knowing they were written hundreds of years ago by Christians following the hard and narrow path has been quite a blessing.

Not only are they a gift in and of themselves, knowing they were given as a gift has made them all the more powerful.

So two things today—do that random act of kindness and consider buying The Valley of Vision.

And finally, in the spirit of passing on the random act of kindness, I’d like to pass on a copy of a book on my bookshelf that meant much to me—The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg. Just leave a comment and I’ll randomly (ha) pick a recipient.

Work Shift: Review and Giveaway

September 17, 2012 by Amy 17 Comments

Ten years ago today I was two months into my first temporary telecommuting arrangement with my employer. Scott had just moved Columbia for his first work assignment with the Highway Patrol in June of 2002 and in July, Emma and I moved with him, willing to say goodbye to my job in Charlotte.

Whatever project I was working on saved my job as my manager let me lug a desktop to Columbia to finish it from home. The rest, as they say, is history. I’m writing this from my home computer, just 30 minutes before I’ll switch over to my work laptop for the day. When I would be commuting up to an hour, I get to squeeze things in like blogging and doing laundry.

Ten years ago I was the only professional mom I knew working from home. Other telecommuters existed but they were few and far between and usually they were folks that had a dedicated office at the house and had other arrangements for their kids during work hours.

For good or bad, my kids have grown up with me at home, busy at my laptop for the bulk of the day. My coworkers call them “office-trained”. Scott’s schedule and family help has been key for us making it all work. So far I look back and it’s been ideal for all of us.

As technology has grown in the past ten years, so has telecommuting. Little did I know as the years went by, that there were thousands of others mothers jostling for their own work at home arrangement in a myriad of ways. All I knew was our little family was doing everything we could to make it all work. My friend Anne is another one of those mothers that was carving out a new work arrangement for her family.

Anne has written her story, my story (I’m in a book!) and a dozen other mother’s stories in her new book Work Shift: How to Create a Better Blend of Work, Life, and Family. Anne describes the shift of work life from a wide lens, giving history all the way before Industrial Revolution. I was surprised to see that my hustle and bustle of working from home was just a small slice of the Internet Revolution fall-out and a larger group of mothers trying to make it all blend a little better.

If you’re a mother that’s already working or thinking about going back to work and want a better picture of how to make it all work at home with your family, I can’t recommend Work Shift enough. Anne tells the stories of those of us already doing it and gives you tips on how to make it work for you.

I’d love to give a copy of Work Shift. Leave a comment for each of these and I’ll draw a random name with random.org on Friday for a FREE copy of Work Shift:

Required

Leave a comment telling me how you blend work and family—or if you don’t and want to!

Optional

Enter a comment if you follow me on Twitter
Enter a comment if you subscribe to Permission to Peruse

Good luck!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED! Amy, you are the winner!