Linda's Lunacy

Faith, Home, & Family

World Vision Gift Catalog – Artisan Beaded Necklace – Review & Giveaway

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World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve close to 100 million people in nearly 200 countries around the world. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. – from the World Vision website

 

If your looking for Christmas gifts with meaning, consider unique and life-changing items from World Vision’s Gift Catalog. The beauty of these items is the two-for-one benefit they provide:

1) a meaningful and affordable gift for a loved one;

2) proceeds that make a difference in the lives of children and families living in poverty in the U.S. and around the world.

With a financial contribution, the gift giver selects one of 36 items that can be given to someone on a holiday gift list and at the same time help a person in need. When you make a donation, and send one of the many unique gifts from the catalog, World Vision will include a card with the gift explaining the impact of the donation.

 

Watch this video that explains how the Gift Catalog works:

 

 

To help promote World Vision’s Gift Catalog, I was sent an Artisan Beaded Necklace. So I could see for myself the quality of the gift.

The Artisan Beaded Necklace – With your gift of $60 or more to our Maximum Impact Fund — which provides for the unique needs of children and families worldwide — you will receive this gorgeous glass-bead necklace. Handmade in Thailand, this colorful necklace can be worn several different ways — even as a multi-stranded bracelet. Wear it yourself or bless a loved one with this beautiful reminder of your generosity!

The Maximum Impact Fund enables World Vision to answer specific, urgent needs of children and families that might otherwise go unmet.

This Artisan Beaded Necklace is a glass-bead necklace handmade in Thailand and can be worn several different ways — even as a multi-stranded bracelet.

Here’s a picture I took using it as a bracelet.  It really is gorgeous!

When worn as a single strand necklace, it’s about 22 inches long. I had it wrapped around my wrist 5 times, with plenty of room to spare. It was comfortable to wear, not too heavy. It also caught my daughters attention, “What’s that? What’s that??”   It is quite eye-catching.

 

This Christmas, consider sending gifts from the World Vision Gift Catalog

Help where it’s needed most … AND get a gift for yourself or someone you care about!

For more information, visit the World Vision website or follow World Vision on Facebook or World Vision Twitter.

 

How would you like to win one of these gorgeous necklaces? World Vision is giving away an Artisan Beaded Necklace to one of my readers. Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

 

 


 


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one of the Artisan Beaded Necklaces, with a stated value of $13, 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.”

FFH – One Silent Night – Review & Giveaway

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FFH has released their first ever Christmas album!

Press Release for FFH:
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Sept. 30, 2011– Best-selling pop group FFH will usher in the holiday season with its first Christmas album. One Silent Night, available Oct. 18, is a mix of original songs and Christmas classics.

Produced by FFH founding member Jeromy Deibler, One Silent Night has been four years in the making. Giving in to the persistent appeals of loyal fans, FFH has crafted a project worthy of your holiday music collection.

Listeners will recognize favorites like “Winter Wonderland,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” among others, while being introduced to new tracks including “The Birthday of a King,” “Glorious Impossible,” and “One Silent Night.”

Deibler comments, “We just feel blessed to be able to make this record and wanted to do the kind of Christmas music we like to listen to, something that’s not trendy but more of a classic style. For us Christmas is about remembering… slowing down to see what is important. And being reminded of the glorious impossible that was the birth of Christ. We hope this album reflects that desire and inspires others to do the same.”

FFH plans to support the album with singles “One Silent Night” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside” to radio Oct. 1 as well as select tour dates in November and December.

About FFH
Pop vocal group FFH has released thirteen projects, sold more than two million albums, and garnered 24 radio hits, including seven No. 1 singles and ten Top 5 radio singles. In addition to multiple Dove Award nominations, FFH has been recognized at the Inspirational Life Awards as well as the Billboard Music Video Awards. The group has performed more than 1000 dates since 2000 and continues to be a favorite on the tour circuit. FFH is also known for its work with the “Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Kurt Warner’s “First Things First Foundation,” and for its contributions to national ad campaigns for Coca Cola and IBM.

 

I love this Christmas album! In addition to several of everyone’s favorite Christmas songs, there are 3 new songs, “The Birthday of a King,” “Glorious Impossible,” and “One Silent Night.” I really love the chorus of One Silent Night:

One Silent Night
One Holy Night
When all was calm
When all was bright
With no one to kneel
And no one to see
Heaven came down
And changed everything.
Man on the earth
Receive her King.

 

The music on this album varies widely with something for everyone, from slow songs to fun, upbeat songs. My kids have enjoyed listening to this album with me. Even though it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. lol

FFH has their own You Tube Music Channel, but, alas, there are no songs from this new album. You can, however, listen to clips on iTunes

You can also visit FFH on their website, Facebook and Twitter.
Thanks to Propeller, I get to give away one download of their album. No cd, the winner will receive a special link and can then download the album to their computer. Just complete the Rafflecopter entry form below!

*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.”

The Grace Effect – Book Review & Giveaway

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“Simply defined, the ‘grace effect’ is an observable phenomenon—that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes.”

What does Christianity give us beyond televangelists, potlucks, and bad basketball leagues?  Not much, according to the secular Left.  The world, they say, would be a better place without it.




Historian and Christian apologist Larry Taunton has spent much of his career refuting just this sort of thinking, but when he encounters Sasha, a golden-haired orphan girl whose life has been shaped by atheistic theorists, he discovers an unlikely champion for the transforming power of grace.

Through the narrative of Sasha’s redemption, we see the false promises of socialism; the soul-destroying influence of unbelief; and how a society cultivates its own demise when it rejects the ultimate source ofgrace.  We see, in short, the kind of world the atheists would give us: a world without Christianity—cold, pitiless, and graceless.

And yet, as Sasha shows us, it is a world that is not beyond the healing power of “the grace effect.”  Occasionally infuriating, often amusing, but always inspiring, The Grace Effect will have you cheering for the courageous little girl who shamed the academic elitists of our day.

 

The Grace Effect is excellent! It’s hard to imagine living in a grace free world. But that is how people around the world live.

In a study reference on page 34, Christians are the most charitable segment of the population. The same study found that the average evangelical gives almost ten times as much money to nonprofits as the average atheist. That statistic speaks volumes about what a world without Christianity would be like.

Atheists around the world are trying to create a society free from religious influence. It just doesn’t work.  One can just look around at countries with little to no Christian influence to see that. In most cases, it’s the children who suffer the most. Children, the handicapped and the elderly take the brunt of a graceless society.

In The Grace Effect, we see how one family has made a difference in a little girls life. More than made a difference, her life was transformed. From graceless to filled with God’s abundant grace.

The Grace Effect is a must read book!


Here are a few links for The Grace Effect:

“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.”

 



The Christmas Lodge – Movie Review & Giveaway

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Thomas Kinkade presents Christmas Lodge: a place where a heart-warming past and loving future meet for one remarkable group of people. During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary (Erin Karpluk) finds herself at thenow- dilapidated lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. Inspired by her grandfather and guided by her grandmother in heaven, Mary throws herself into the project, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. Historically unlucky in love, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love. For an uplifting story about the importance of faith, family and the true holiday spirit, go to the Christmas Lodge.

Thomas Kinkade Presents: Christmas Lodge [DVD]

 

I love finding movies that we can all watch together as a family. Movies that affirm our faith and draw families closer together.

The Christmas Lodge is a great family movie. Mary has such a close relationship with her grandfather. When she stumbles across the lodge that her grandparents took the whole family to when she was younger, she finds a way to give something back to her grandfather. While working on the lodge, she finds love with someone she met there as a child.

If your looking for a faith filled movie that the whole family can watch, you’ll love The Christmas Lodge.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLbD2AafxYk

 

The Christmas Lodge is a Dove Approved movie. It’s rated G and suitable for the entire family.

Thanks to Propeller, I get to give away one The Christmas Lodge DVD!

 




*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.”

Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels Review & Giveaway

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Imagine a unique twist to your grab-and-go meal! We offer an assortment of amazing, ready-to-heat pretzels, using ALL-NATURAL and PREMIUM ingredients, like freshly shredded cheeses, hearty spices, unbleached flour and whole grains. We combine a traditional European recipe with our own special twist, creating a truly handmade soft pretzel that is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

 

All-Natural Source of Whole Grain No Trans Fats
Premium Ingredients Twisted by Hand & Made from Scratch No Hydrogenated Oils
Microwavable Made in a Nut-Free Faciility No Preservatives

Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels even has a blog. And a Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels You Tube Channel!

varietiesvarieties

 

I was sent coupons to try the Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels. I was dissapointed that my store didn’t have the gluten free pretzels. since I try very hard to eat gluten free, I was looking forward to trying them. We tried the Pizza Pretzel and the Grilled Cheese Pretzels shown above. They were very good! Yes, I ate a pretzel. I know, I shouldn’t have. But they looked and smelled so good, I just had to try one!

On their website, you can see all the varieties of Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels. Breakfast, snacks, deserts, there are pretzels for all of them!

Everyone loved both the Grilled Cheese and the Pizza that we tried. The pretzels are come fully cooked, you just thaw, heat and eat. I heated ours in the oven, they can also be warmed in the microwave. The pretzels were soft and chewy like you would expect this type of pretzel to be. The fillings were flavorful.

We cut the pretzels in half so we could all test both.

The whole pretzel is the Grilled Cheese, and the half is the Pizza Pretzel. These pretzels made a great snack, and had the family looking for more. They didn’t want to stop at just one!

Want to try them for yourself?

Kim & Scott’s Gourmet Pretzels is going to send one of you 4 boxes of pretzels. You even get to choose the varieties!

 



*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.”

Cooper and Me – Book Review and Giveaway

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Cooper and Me was illustrated by 11-year-old Alexa Peters and co-written with her mother, Monique Peters. The idea was inspired by Alexa’s own experiences on her first day of school. A talented young artist and writer, Alexa wanted to give back to others in a meaningful way through her art. Starting at a very young age, Alexa created illustrated stories about her daily experiences, and from the pages of her sketchbooks came the idea for her first book, Cooper and Me.

Through rhythmic verses, Cooper and Me tells the story of a young girl who is nervous as her first day of school approaches. She is frightened about leaving home and doesn’t want to go without her best friend, her dog Cooper. Fortunately her mother finds the perfect solution to help the little girl overcome her fears – a small replica of her beloved pet she can take to school with her. In Cooper and Me, the story of a child’s fears about starting school has evolved into a timeless tale about overcoming separation anxiety and trying new things – basic emotions all people experience throughout their lives – but this time, written by a child, for children.

The story behind Cooper and Me also offers an inspiring example of families working together to help others. In addition to helping young children gain emotional resilience and confidence through their books, Alexa and mom Monique wanted to go beyond that to help less fortunate kids. Their search for an organization to which they could donate a portion of the proceeds from the Cooper and Me book led to a charitable alliance with the Happy Hearts Fund, founded and run by Petra Nemcova, the supermodel who was directly affected by the tsunami in Thailand. Happy Hearts improves children’s lives through education and sustainable programs in natural disaster areas.

For more information visit the Cooper and Me website. They even have printable coloring sheets and word puzzles for the kids.

 

I think Cooper and Me is a very sweet book. Separation anxiety is very real for some kids. By reading about the anxiety this little girl is dealing with when faced with going to school for the first time, kids will learn that it’s normal to feel this way. By seeing how this little girl overcomes her fears, they, too, will be able to overcome theirs.

There is a page in the back of the book for recording your child’s first day of school experience. There are also several pages that will help you help your child. A Life Lesson, Connections and a section on Learning Together. These sections give you questions and conversation starters to help you help your child through what can be a very scary time.

 

Enter below to win your own copy of Cooper and Me!

 

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Lovable Labels – Review & Giveaway

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Lovable Labels are labels invented by a mom when she couldn’t find any labels that worked the way she wanted. She needed labels for all her sons “stuff” when he went to day care. Leave it to a mom to come up with a great product that does what we need it to do!

Even though we homeschool, we have plenty of times that we need to label things for the kids. Day camps, sleep away camps, we also need to keep track of our stuff at church activities.

I picked the Think Pink Labels to try. The Think Pink Labels have a pink Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon on them. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and I like it that in support of breast cancer research, .50 cents will be donated to benefit the Research and Cure for breast cancer through the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.

These labels, along with the other Loveable Labels are dishwasher and microwave safe. Making them perfect for water bottles, thermos’ and lunch boxes. I placed my first label on my water bottle.

We have been having a hard time keeping our names on these water bottle lids. Permanent markers, paint pens, all rub off. Now I have this awesome sticker on it. I was impressed with the amount of “sticky” on the label. These are not your ordinary labels!

These Think Pink Labels come in a set of 40 for $19.95 CDN.

 

Loveable Labels have many different label styles to meet your families needs, including shoe labels and Zipit! Tags for the kids zippers.

 

Lovable Labels has generously supplied us with a pack of “Think Pink! Labels” for one lucky winner!  Thanks, Lovable Labels!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The winner will have these Think Pink! Labels before the end of the month to help spread awareness!

 

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