Grizzly was quick to call dibs on this new drawer daybed. |
Friday, February 22, 2019
DIY Upcycled Drawer Pet Bed
Thursday, February 21, 2019
His Stubborn Sweet Bride: A Christian Historical Romance Reviewed
This is the first book by the author, Chloe Carley, that I have ever read, but it won't be the last. I am beyond thrilled to find a new Christian author who writes unique and original content. That is what I liked best about this book. I didn't feel like I had ever read one that was similar in plot or characters. Plus, I loved the unexpected surprise elements in it.
The story takes place in 1878 in several early settlement cities in America, including Cheyenne, Wyoming, Denver & Indian Rock, Colorado, which is beautiful, but rough country. The depiction of the towns, the battle between the original settlers and the new comers, as well as the harrowing life events of the main character, are all reasons why I was transfixed by this story.
The Plot of His Stubborn Sweet Bride (Colorado Reborn Book 1)
When a wealthy aristocrat from England, Nate Trowbridge, and his sister, Leonie, inherent their uncles ranch in Colorado, they decide to move to America. Leonie is young, adventurous, and quite naive, while her older brother, Nate, is steadfast and somewhat boring. Nate wishes to protect his sister for as long as possible. He also desires to maintain their good name, respectability and social standing even in the new country.
Upon arrival, they find the ranch is not exactly in the condition they expected. Immediate repairs and restoration are necessary. Because there is little else in Indian Rock other than his Circle T Ranch, Nate has to travel to Denver to hire craftsman, and purchase furnishings and decor. That also gives him the opportunity to visit with old family friends.
Nate Trowbridge's Story
His Stubborn Sweet Bride:
A Christian Historical Romance Novel
(Colorado Reborn Book 1)Check PriceNate believes it will be time for him to get married as soon as the ranch is renovated. He believes his obvious choice is one of the daughters of old family friends. Actually, over several generations, the two families have married one another to preserve their wealth and status in society. The Chiswicks live in Denver, therefore they have already made the necessary transition to America from England. After visiting with them, he has every reason to believe Emmaline Chiswick is like-minded and would welcome his proposal.
Once the house repairs are finished, Nate sends a letter of marriage proposal by way of his ranch foreman, Jem, to Denver when he finds out that Jem has to go to the dentist there. It is necessary for the doctor to give Jem a dose of laudanum so he can preform the dental work needed. Jem is still under the influence of the laudanum when he searches for the address on the envelope to deliver the letter. He immediately notes that the woman doesn't appear to be the type of woman he would expect his boss to court and certainly not to marry, but when Molly opens the letter, she accepts Nate's proposal. Everything gets pretty hazy for Jem and later he awakens to find himself, along with Molly, on a train destined for Indian Rock, Colorado.
Molly Clanahan's Story
Molly's story is one I had never considered a possibility, but I could easily see how it would happen in 1878. It made me think of current day human trafficking and how we all want to believe it can't be true and would never happen.
When her father and brothers all died from influenza, Molly was left completely alone. The bank foreclosed on her family farm and she had no way to survive. It seemed becoming a mail order bride would be her best option.
Molly started corresponding with Jack in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After she sent him a picture of herself, as requested, the man she believed to be a lonely widower sent her train fare to Wyoming. When she arrived, she was met by Jack and immediately taken to his business, the local brothel. She was expected to go to work immediately. The promise of marriage was just a ploy to get her there. Jack was abusive, threatening, and downright evil. Molly felt trapped until she decided to risk her life and get away.
Even after Molly has escaped the brothel, Jack swore to find her and make her pay for humiliating him. She knew she was living under the shadow of fear and possible discovery. She felt fortunate to get a job as a seamstress in Denver, but when Jack found her, she was once again desperate for escape. That was when the man with the letter containing a marriage proposal showed up at her door.
My Recommendation of "His Stubborn Sweet Bride"
I have now given you the basic background of the characters and book plot, but you must read this book yourself. You might even find that you think twice before you jump to conclusions about people and judge their actions.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. While it dips into the dark world of murder, lies, criminals, and pure evil, nothing is too graphic, yet it clearly depicts depravity.
In addition to the expected romantic love story, the book also aptly depicts the concern and protective nature of an older brother toward his sister. I enjoyed the way the author developed both types of love throughout the book.
His Stubborn Sweet Bride:
A Christian Historical Romance Novel (Colorado Reborn Book 1)Check Price
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Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Educated: The Life Story of an Amazing Backwoods Girl
Everyone who has paid taxes and continues to do so, has dreamed of living "off the grid". Educated, is the memoir of Tara Westover, who because of her family, did just that!
Mom is an herbalist, with a love for natural healing from the abundance around her. Tara and her mom are always working to prepare the family for the inevitable downfall of all humanity. Dad speaks to "God" and has his own visions of what needs to be accomplished to keep his family safe in the trying days to come.
While running his scrapyard, he is also consumed with the coming Y2K debacle and the end times. He is constantly preparing bunkers with food and water, staples and gas so that when the inevitable last days arrive, they will be safe and saved.
Buck's Peak in the Fall
Tara never goes to school proper. She and her siblings are home schooled. Mom make tinctures and creams. These will be their only forms of medicine, because Dad doesn't believe in Doctors. Mom also becomes the local midwife, after learning from the elderly woman who has been the midwife for years. All of this is kept very quiet as they don't want any interference from the government. Every birth is punctuated with worry that things will not "go" according to plan. Heaven help them if a mother should die in the birthing process.
Tara's brothers are a mixed bunch. Some take care of Tara with tenderness and love, while one of the eldest has a mean streak the width of a country road. While Tara is terrorized by him, Dad and Mom just keep on working and ignore any of his actions and the subsequent injuries that Tara has received at his hands. Even such simple things as birth certificates were not issued for the children. All were home birthed and never registered anywhere. Not until one of the brothers wants to get a driver's licence does Tara's mom start the process of registering the birth of her children.
Tara's story is unique in that it takes place today. With all the means of communication and learning, the Westover family knew none of it.
Despite her lack of many material things, Tara is gifted with a tenacity that will not let her fail. Once she has made the decision to leave the mountain, there is no holding her back. Educated is a story that is real, interesting, happy and sad at times, but never dull.
I read this in three days and just hated when my eyes were so tired they could not read another page.
Educated is a story of re-birth both physical and emotional. It's a story of choices and the possible breakdown of all that you knew to be true. Tara is like the caterpillar turning into the butterfly. Change though can be painful too and you will see that in the pages you are reading.
From a seventeen year old girl, who has never entered a classroom before, to a young woman who has a PhD and has studied at Cambridge and Harvard, she certainly has learned that you and you alone can become "Educated".
For your reading pleasure you can start a free trial with Audible and get to read "Educated" for the best price ever $0.00!
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Lego Easter Egg Hunt Set Reviewed
Fun Idea For Easter Basket Stuffer
Add some Lego Fun to the Basket (image courtesy of pixabay.com) |
Monday, February 18, 2019
The Girl They Left Behind Book Review
The Girl They Left Behind: A Novel by Roxanne Veletzos
I have read a number of books since I last wrote a post here on Review This and I had to do a bit of a debate with myself as to which one I would write about today since they have all been such good stories. Please stay tuned for more reviews of books that you should add to your reading list!
The Girl They Left Behind, by Roxanne Veletzos, is a moving story. The title tells exactly what the book is about. Quite literally, a three-year old girl is left behind in Bucharest, Romania in 1941. Her parents abandon her on the steps of an apartment building in the face of Nazi persecution with the hope that she might somehow survive.
What a brutal decision. At first I struggled with this book because it seemed not just heartbreaking but also outlandish that anyone would abandon such a young child and expect her to survive in a place where people would not be quick to take in an unknown child. I know these things and worse happened, but I still struggled at first with this theme.
The little girl is rescued and then left with an orphanage until eventually a wealthy family adopts her and renames her Natalia. Because of her age, she quickly puts all early memories of her birth parents behind her though of course, the abandonment would haunt both her birth mother and father forever.
The story is slightly unusual because it deals with the persecution of the Jewish people in Romania and of communist life behind the Iron Curtain in the Soviet Union. I have read numerous similar stories set in other countries like France, Germany and Poland but I am not sure if I have read another one set in Romania and I expect I have read few set behind the Iron Curtain.
Anyway, the story is a tangled story of survival that spans decades and eventually sees Natalia give up her adoptive family and her love in order to start a new life in the United States.
The story is one of those impossible-but-true stories. It turns out that the author, Roxanne Veletzos, was born in Bucharest and eventually moved to California and that this this book was inspired by her mother's life though I do not know if in fact she was abandoned by her parents.
Highly Recommended
The Girl They Left Behind is in my opinion very well told. It is engrossing; you will not be able to put it down. It is about family and love and history. It features drama and suspense and even has an ending that will satisfy you. Yes, this book is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.
If you enjoy historically based fiction like Sarah's Key, The Nightingale, The Ragged Edge of Night, All The Light We Cannot See, The Piano Maker and The Orphan Train you will enjoy this book. You can buy your copy in the format of your choice on Amazon by clicking right here.
See you
at the book store!
Brenda
Quick Links:
Buy The Girl They Left Behind on Amazon.
Find more HISTORICAL FICTION on Review This!
Sunday, February 17, 2019
A Country Song About Homelessness - A Moving Reflection in Words
A moving, empathic country song about homeless
|
I love the rasp and uplifting ache in Tenille Townes's voice as she sings this song. The story and lyrics clearly depict a person whose life wasn't easy. It reminds us that, except for our circumstances, we're all the same.
This country song is about homelessness. It's about those moments we pass by someone at an intersection holding up a cardboard sign asking for money for help.
"Oh I don't know the reasons why I'm the one whose driving by and she's the one on the corner of 18th street...bet she was somebody's best friend, back when she was somebody's sister counting change at the lemonade stand"This mid-tempo song will touch your soul.
I remember first hearing it on the radio in my kitchen, and because I wasn't listening very closely to the lyrics, the song passed me by without notice. For me, ninety-nine percent of the time, it's the story first, the music second.
The next time I heard the song, I happened to be driving. Then I took the time to listen to the story behind the words.
The Inspiration Behind Tenille Townes Writing This Song
The tune was inspired during a drive Tenille Townes took with her mom in Nashville, Tennessee. They saw a homeless person standing with a sign and began wondering about this person's life story. Personally, I've wondered the same myself. I suspect that's the reason this song touched me so deeply.
The song reminds us that "she was somebody's best friend, somebody's first kiss, somebody's daughter".What do We Do When We See Someone Standing With a Cardboard Sign Asking for Help?
Many times I've handed out a bit of money. People have told me, "oh, that's a con, they're lazy, they're not deserving." I'm sorry, but the onus is not on me to prove their truth. The recipient has to deal with the validity of the situation. I'm not prepared to conclude that everyone who does this isn't being honest. I believe most are genuinely suffering. I would rather be kind than be judgemental about that situation, but that's me. I just give; you never know who you've helped.
Who is Tenille Townes
Tenille Townes is a rising Canadian Country Music Artist from Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada. In 2011 she was nominated at 17 years old for Canadian Country Music Female Artist of the Year. Her career is off and running. In 2018 she opened for Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town on The Bandwagon Tour.
Her Grand Ole Opry Debut
She's also recently enjoyed the honor of performing at the Grand Ole Opry. That was a big deal for her family and friends! Watch and listen to Tenille Townes in her own words, describe her amazing experience. She's a class act.
Big Hearts for Big Kids - Her Cause
In over nine years, she's raised $1.5+ million dollars for Sunrise House, a shelter for homeless youth in Alberta Canada. A cause she generously dedicates her time and name to.
Here's a brief video on her 2018 Fundraiser, Big Hearts for Big Kids:
Homelessness - The Stats and Where to Learn More
It's roughly estimated that between 150,000 and 300,000 people in Canada are homeless at some given time. In 2017 approximately 5 million people in Canada lived in poverty. Canadians can learn more about homelessness and what can be done here at The Homeless Hub.
According to Voa.org, in the United States in 2017, approximately 553,000 Americans were homeless on a given night, 40 million struggled with hunger, and 40.6 million officially lived in poverty. The US population is about 325 million. To learn more about poverty in the USA and how you can help, visit Voa.org/homeless-people.
"I believe those who suffer the most teach us the most" - by me
Saturday, February 16, 2019
National Gumdrop Day Review
Image Source: Wikipedia (and Fotojet) |
Who Invented the Gumdrop?
The gumdrop was invented by a chemist and candy maker named Percy S. Truesdell. In 1915 he changed the texture of this sugar concoction. By adding starch in a formula he developed at Ohio State University, he changed a hard candy into a smooth, chewy delight. He later became known as the “Gumdrop King”.
Uses for Gumdrops
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons |
Crafty Gumdrops
Gumdrop Penguins |
DIY Gumdrops
Image Source: Mkreal on Flickr |
Other Gumdrop Tidbits
An interesting sidelight is the fact that the classic board game Candy Land
features both a Gumdrop Pass and a
Gumdrop Mountain.
If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops, oh what a life I would lead.
A more modern offshoot of the original gumdrop are today's popular 'gummies' in the form of gummy bears and gummy worms. Kids seem to love these gelatin-based chewable sweets.
Summary
So, enjoy a gumdrop, or two or three, on National Gumdrop Day, February 15, or any day of the year this chewy treat appeals to you.
Happy Gumdrop Day!
(c) Gumdrop Holiday Review by Wednesday Elf written on 2/15/2019. Updated on 2/16/2024
Friday, February 15, 2019
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa K-Cups Reviewed
I was hesitant to try the Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa simply because I don't normally like hot cocoa. In most cases, I much prefer hot chocolate. But, I really wanted a hot chocolate k-cup that I could make quickly when needed to warm up. So, I kept tasting and testing. My search is now finished and I extremely surprised that it has ended with a hot cocoa k-cup instead of hot chocolate. Regardless, I am thrilled the search is over and I have a k-cup that meets, and exceeds, my requirements.
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa K-Cups
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa K-Cups, Milk Chocolate, 72 CountCheck PriceI tried several different brands of hot chocolate k-cups, but most of them tasted like nasty hot water. As I said, I was hesitant to venture into the hot cocoa k-cups. I really didn't wish to waste my money, again. However, the Swiss Miss cocoa is a real winner!The Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa from the k-cup has a nice rich and delicious taste. Plus, it really does have a milk chocolate flavor just like the package states. Since it is made with water, and not milk, it isn't as thick as a homemade cup of hot cocoa, but it doesn't have that cocoa aftertaste.
Now, when I come in from the cold, I have a fast and easy hot drink to warm me up. Oh, and it is extra delicious with those little marshmallows added.
The Snow Leopard Mug
Snow Leopard Coffee MugCheck PriceThe snow leopard mug you see filled with the Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa in the photo, is available on Zazzle. It is one of my own personal photos that I have made available on a variety of Zazzle products. The Snow Leopard mug does seem totally appropriate for warm hot cocoa on a cold day.Visually, I think the marshmallows bring out the beauty of the Snow Leopard's gorgeous fur.
My mug is a little different from the one that is offered on Zazzle. In my desire to feature the snow leopard face, I didn't realize I had off-centered the image until I got my own mug in the mail. At that time, I went back into the Zazzle mug image set-up and centered the image on each side.
Grab Your Mug of Swiss Miss Cocoa & Join Me Today!
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa K-Cups Reviewed Written by:
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Review of Bluebird Facts and Photography
Eastern Bluebird Identification
Male Bluebirds
Female Bluebirds
Female Bluebird
Juvenile Bluebirds
beginning in their wings and chests.
Feeding Behavior and Diet
From spring to early fall the Bluebirds diets consist of mainly insects. In the winter they rely mainly on fruits. As you can see in the photo above they will also resort to seeds in the winter.
I have found that if I do not clean out my flower containers after blooming season the Bluebirds and other birds like to rummage through the dead plants.
Nesting
References
- allaboutbirds.org/guide
- Audubon.org
- wild-bird-watching.com
Zazzle Products from my Photos
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