Linda @ Linda’s Lunacy

Revived & Renovated – Book Review with Giveaway

December 19, 2021 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I recently received the book Revived & Renovated by Victoria Duerstock and Paige Rien to review.

The sub-title of the book is Real Life Conversations on the Intersection of Home, Faith, and Everything in Between. And that’s just what this book is. Conversations between the two of them.

Revived & Renovated Review

At first, I found the format a little confusing. Paragraphs written by Victoria are aligned on the left, those written by Paige are aligned on the right. After a page or two of getting used to the format, it was easy to follow the conversation.

It actually makes a fun writing format to read. It’s like being in the room with them while they are talking.

Paige has had a show on HGTV, and she’s an author of a home improvement book. Revived & Renovated uses terms that relate to restoring houses to relate to faith.

There are 11 chapters in this book. Here are the chapter titles.

Revived, Renovated, Restored, Refurbished, Reclaimed, Renewed, Refocused, Remade, Repurposed, Renamed, Recovered.

See the theme?

Each chapter starts with the definition of the chapter title, how it applies to the home, and how it applies to faith. In showing how these terms apply to the home, and to faith, the authors share their own stories.

Revived & Renovated is a great book. If you don’t know anything about home repair & renovation, don’t let that deter you from reading this book. The authors explain everything.

Revived & Renovated is available for purchase HERE.

Revived & Renovated Giveaway

Want to win your own copy of Revived & Renovated?

Go HERE to enter the giveaway!

Disclosure: Many thanks to FrontGate Media for providing this product/product information for review. 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.

Look at the Christmas Ornament I made!

December 17, 2021 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I recently went to a women’s brunch and ornament making get together at my church. One of the women taught us how to make these ornaments. They are so pretty!

They do take some time to make. At least an hour, maybe more depending on if you take breaks or not. You only need a styrofoam ball, several different kinds of fabric in 1 1/2 squares, and 200 straight pins.

Yes, you read that right. Each ornament takes 200 straight pins! Don’t let that discourage you, though! They are really fairly easy to make. And so pretty!

Christmas Ornament I Made

Here’s a little video I made of my ornament as I was making it.

I want to make more now! I think a tree with just these ornaments would be gorgeous!

Here’s a video that shows how these ornaments are made. If you make one, share a picture with me! Either here or on social media!

The Generation to Generation Kit to Equip Parents & Grandparents – Review

December 15, 2021 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I recently received the Generation to Generation Kit to review.

The Generation to Generation Kit equips parents and grandparents to pass on a strong and living faith to your children and grandchildren.

The Generation to Generation Kit

The Generation to Generation Book:

In Generation to Generation, Yael Eckstein shares the lessons of Faith instilled in her by her parents that helped her to persevere following the sudden death of her father and gave her the hope and courage she needed to follow in his footsteps as President and CEO of The Fellowship.

Generation to Generation will show you how to bring Bible stories to life, discover how the Biblical festivals and traditions can help you share Faith within your family.

I shared a review of Generation to Generation last year, you can see it here. My views have not changed. I still highly recommend this book. Here’s what my book looked like by the time I finished reading it. The book is that good!

The Generation to Generation Workbook:

In the companion workbook, you’ll discover how Christians can pass on these lessons of Faith to their children and grandchildren.

This workbook is family friendly and is filled with Bible lessons, activities, and discussion questions for all ages.

The Workbook is available FREE to everyone! It looks like it will be an amazing resource for the whole family. See below for link to get the workbook.

If you are unsure if the Generation to Generation book is for you, I suggest starting with the free workbook. I think once you see how great the workbook is, you will want the book, too!

Holy Land Moments Coloring Book:

Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore. Coloring is a great way for adults to relax. The Holy Land Moments Coloring Book will help you relax & focus on the beauty and wonder of God’s Creation and His Word.

This coloring book pairs 12 devotions, called reflections in the coloring book, with illustrations based on Biblical Scriptures. So keep this coloring book hidden from your kids, pick up your crayons, markers, or colored pencils, and create your own unique masterpiece — and also be encouraged spiritually. If you have teens, you will really have to hide it, or buy them each one, too.

Generation to Generation

Not only do I highly recommend the book Generation to Generation, I also highly recommend the workbook, and the coloring book.

I believe you will find all 3 to be a help and inspiration to your faith life, and for your family.

The Workbook is free, just click on the link above to get yours.

The Generation to Generation book, and the Holy Land Moments coloring book are available on the Fellowship of Christians and Jews website. You can get the Generation to Generation Workbook free here.

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

December 13, 2021 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

*In the Kitchen with Linda contains affiliate links

I’m back again this week with what I’ve been up to in the kitchen.! Are you shocked? lol I am! lol

One thing I’m not shocked about though, is that fact that I had a Christmas party last night and didn’t take any pictures of the food! Ugh

But I am glad that I was so busy enjoying being with everyone, and playing a Christmas gift game, that I forgot pictures. I didn’t make all the food this year, like I have done in the past. I had everyone bring a dish. It was nice not to have to stress about the food! It was all family, so no one minded. But actually, even if it was friends, most friends wouldn’t mind at all contributing a dish.

In the Kitchen with Linda

We had pasta with meat sauce, green beans, and garlic bread one night. Ok, we usually have pasta every Tuesday night! lol Check out the garlic bread made from hamburger buns! It’s a great way to use up leftover buns. It works with hot dog buns, too! One of my daughters used to separate hot dog buns, and toast them. She called it dog toast. lol

Meatloaf is a family favorite. So is mashed potatoes. So this dinner was a hit. Yum!

I guess the theme of last weeks dinners was family favorites. Because on Thursday, we had another favorite. Jag. It’s a Portuguese rice dish cooked in one pan. You can use any kind of meat you want, even leftovers. My husband said the first time his family had it, the women that made it for them put fish in it. Here’s the Jag recipe I use, that’s from my Grandfather in law, and mother in law.

Last week I told you I had been on a grilled cheese kick. Here’s one I made last week. Grilled ham and cheese. The trick is to layer cheese, meat, cheese, so the cheese can glue it all together. I used shredded cheese, but slices work well, too. And yes, I often eat while working on the computer.

In The Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Monday – chicken or turkey – Baked chicken, baked potatoes, spinach

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Spaghetti with meat sauce, broccoli

Wednesday – Taco Night- Taco Casserole, tortilla chips

Thursday – pork or chicken – Sausage Pasta Skillet

Friday – Quick & Easy – Venison roast in slow cooker, with potatoes, carrots, and onions

Saturday – Quick & Easy or Husbands Choice – Dinner out or pizza

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Lunch at church today

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you

In the Kitchen With Linda

December 9, 2021 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

*In the Kitchen with Linda contains affiliate links

I haven’t shared anything from my kitchen here in a very long time. The main reason? I can’t seem to take pictures on a regular basis. Ugh! So I’m really going to be intentional about taking pictures. And then post them regularly on Monday. You’ll notice today is Thursday. lol

In the Kitchen with Linda

Our little garden gave us so many tomatoes this summer. Before the first frost, we picked all the tomatoes left on the vine. We ate them as they slowly ripened. These tomatoes below? We ate them last week, the first week of December. What a treat to have garden tomatoes in December! So good!

A few months ago, I bought a new FoodSaver vacuum sealer. And I love it! I used it to vacuum seal 14 meal size packages of sliced green tomatoes from the garden for the freezer. Some of the family loves fried green tomatoes. So they are in for a treat this winter!

My husband harvested a deer during hunting season. We process the meat ourselves. I vacuum sealed 36 packages of venison for our freezer.

This Foodsaver worked like a dream for me. I highly recommend it, if you need a vacuum sealer.

In the Kitchen with Linda - My new FoodSaver!

Is there anything better than the smell of peppers and onions cooking?? Ok maybe….a chocolate cake….and a babies head! lol

I’ve been on a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch kick lately. I spotted some cooked bacon in my freezer, and thought that sounded good. So I warmed up the bacon in the pan, pulled it out and proceeded with the sandwich. Grated cheddar cheese, bacon, and more grated cheddar cheese.

It was so good!! I just might have another one for lunch today!

In the Kitchen with Linda - Grilled Cheese with Bacon sandwich

And last, but not least, my husband had a birthday. His favorite yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Not nearly as good as chocolate with chocolate frosting! lol

In the Kitchen with Linda - Birthday Cake

I’ll be back next week with more of what I’ve been up to in the kitchen. And hoepfully, I will get back to sharing my menu, too!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you

1% Better Book Review & Giveaway

November 2, 2021 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I recently received the book 1% Better Reaching My Full Potential and How You Can Too to review. Written by Chris Nikic & Nik Nikic, with Don Yaeger, 1% Better is written in Nik Nikic’s voice. Chris and his accomplishments are the focus of 1% Better, and Chris is a coauthor of the book as he was interviewed by his father and the writer.

1% Better Book Review & Giveaway

Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to every complete an IRONMAN triathlon, inspires others to achieve their goals by getting better 1% at a time.
If you have read only one article about Chris Nikic, you were likely hooked and wanted to read more. This inspiring young man, who in November 2020 became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an IRONMAN (and verified by Guinness World Records), has become famous. All across the globe, people followed his pursuit and cheered him on, but in this book Chris and his father, Nik, will give the how-to behind his success—getting better 1% at a time—which is something everyone can do in any area of their lives.
“My mission is to honor God by being the best me I can be so I can be an example to others,” states Chris. “I want to change the perceptions and raise expectations for others like me so we can reach our God-given potential.” In 1% Better, Chris and Nik share the motivating principles that can be applied by anyone trying to realize a dream and reach their full potential—whether they are young or old, in shape or out of shape, and even if living with a disability.

I enjoyed reading 1% Better. A great book, about a great guy, and his awesome accomplishments. I learned a couple of things that I will be applying to my life in areas that I need to improve.

1% Better is divided into 3 parts.

Part 1 covers from Dad’s childhood to Chris’ childhood, school, and interest in sports.

Part 2 is the section where Chris gets serious about his training, and his accomplishments.

Part 3 goes into more detail about the 1% better concept. The mindset and habits one needs to develop to achieve their goals and dreams.

In each part, Dad also talks about his business’, how they relate to his son, and to his 1% better philosophy.

I was slightly disappointed that there wasn’t more shown from Chris’s point of view. I believe that was by design, as stated above in the first paragraph. I did miss more of his voice, though.

Overall, 1% Better is a great book, and I highly recommend it. Whether you are looking for a great read, or a self help book to improve your life, I think you will like 1% Better, too.

You can purchase 1% Better HERE.

1% Better Reaching My Full Potential and How You Can Too - Book Review

1% Better Book Giveaway

Go HERE & enter to win a copy of 1% Better for yourself, or to give as a gift!

What is Wellness?

October 20, 2021 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

This What is Wellness post contains affiliate links

“Health and Wellness” is a phrase that has been around for years. It’s still going strong, and only getting more popular.

But what is wellness??

What is Wellness?

Dictionary.com defines wellness as:

1. the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort.
2. an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases.

So wellness is not just one thing.

It’s everything we do to try and stay healthy. The food we eat, the exercise we do, the supplements we take, our mental and emotional health.

Wellness is the whole package. Emotional health, mental health, and physical health.

Most of the time we think that Healthy = not sick.

But it’s more than that. It’s being proactive. We need to make sure we are doing everything we can to maintain our mental, emotional, and physical health.

Start Your Wellness Journey

It’s never too late to start! It doesn’t matter our age.

If you are not where you would like to be with your health and wellness. Start now!

Start with a visit to your doctor.

Then start slowly making changes in your diet, your exercise routine, and your supplements. It’s been proven that if we make slow changes, instead of big changes all at once, we are more apt to keep up with the changes we do make.

Try and focus on your mental and emotional health every day, too.

Do something you enjoy, just because you enjoy it. Surround yourself with people that build you up, not tear you down. Religion is a big part of mental and emotional health as well.

If you need help making changes, I recommend finding a health coach. (It’s what I want to be when I grow up! lol)

You might also like Give the Gift of Wellness, and How to But the Best Hand Sanitizer.

**This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you

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