When I think of Hickory Farms at this time of year, I think about cheese and summer sausage. When I was asked to review one of their gift packages, I was happy to do so, because I’ve always enjoyed their treats.
The package arrived and my two year old brought it in to me. He was excited because it was a box and he wanted to know what was inside. I told him we’d have a picnic with what was inside.
I spread a blanket on the floor and together we opened the package.
Beef Hickory Sampler Gift - $15.00
Includes:
- 5 oz. Beef Summer Sausage
- 4 oz. Hickory Cheddar Blend
- 2 oz. Italian Herb & Cheese Spread
- 2.25 oz. Sweet Hot Mustard
- .5 oz. Cracked Wheat Crackers
- Wt. .8 lbs
I covered the crackers with cheese and top them off with a slice of summer sausage and we had a little feast.
I always enjoy Hickory Farm summer sausage and I wasn't disappointed this time. The cheese spreads were good to. My son liked the sausage but didn't care too much for the cheese. I think I will be adding one of these gift packages to my Christmas Wish list.
These gift samplers make wonderful gifts for friends and family. If you like hot and spicy mustard this one is the one to pick up.
Enjoy
Check them out http://www.hickoryfarms.com/
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a Hickory Farms gift basket to facilitate my review." http://www.momcentral.com/
Friday, December 04, 2009
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
BOOK IN A MONTH - Final
I decided to try to do the book in a month for November only I crafted it for me instead of following the rules.
I only wrote during the week and left the weekends off for the family, which cut down on my thirty days. I didn’t beat myself up if I didn’t feel like writing. I decided to just write and let the muse flow.
I set a goal of writing seven pages of day. I had 15 days to work, because I knew nothing was going to get done the week of Thanksgiving. Some days were a breeze, some days I didn’t want to write at all. I think I had a whole week I didn’t do anything. However I didn’t stress about it. I was writing again and that was most important.
I didn’t reach my goal of 105 pages. I ended up writing 60 pages – 10, 704 words.
Which means to me I’m about two months away from finishing this book. WOO HOO!
I learned a lot with this experience. I can reach my daily writing goals when I have to.
I wanted to know how long it would take me to write a book and this page goal helped me to see how to break the book down into a monthly figure. So I could write a book in about 8 mths if I worked hard at it. That’s not too bad. One book a year. My ultimate goal is to write two books a year. I think that’s possible if I wrote two genres, which I’ve been doing for years. (I’m working on a middle grade book too. I’ll tell you about that one later.)
I learned more about my characters and what their motivations are.
The most important lesson, that it’s best to write and edit later. In my writing stage, I just let the words flow, I didn’t try to figure out what I did or why. When I’m in editing mode sometimes I lose my muse because I’m trying to figure things out. You can’t worry about figuring things out when you’re in the writing mode.
Now I’m in editing stage and I’m hoping to take those 60 pages and change them into 120 pages.
How did you do with your book?
I only wrote during the week and left the weekends off for the family, which cut down on my thirty days. I didn’t beat myself up if I didn’t feel like writing. I decided to just write and let the muse flow.
I set a goal of writing seven pages of day. I had 15 days to work, because I knew nothing was going to get done the week of Thanksgiving. Some days were a breeze, some days I didn’t want to write at all. I think I had a whole week I didn’t do anything. However I didn’t stress about it. I was writing again and that was most important.
I didn’t reach my goal of 105 pages. I ended up writing 60 pages – 10, 704 words.
Which means to me I’m about two months away from finishing this book. WOO HOO!
I learned a lot with this experience. I can reach my daily writing goals when I have to.
I wanted to know how long it would take me to write a book and this page goal helped me to see how to break the book down into a monthly figure. So I could write a book in about 8 mths if I worked hard at it. That’s not too bad. One book a year. My ultimate goal is to write two books a year. I think that’s possible if I wrote two genres, which I’ve been doing for years. (I’m working on a middle grade book too. I’ll tell you about that one later.)
I learned more about my characters and what their motivations are.
The most important lesson, that it’s best to write and edit later. In my writing stage, I just let the words flow, I didn’t try to figure out what I did or why. When I’m in editing mode sometimes I lose my muse because I’m trying to figure things out. You can’t worry about figuring things out when you’re in the writing mode.
Now I’m in editing stage and I’m hoping to take those 60 pages and change them into 120 pages.
How did you do with your book?
Friday, November 20, 2009
Faith and Fangs Blog Tour
Touched by a Vampire
by Beth Felker Jones
EXAMINING TWILIGHT THROUGH A BIBLICAL LENS
People around the world are asking the same question, enraptured with Edward and Bella’s forbidden romance in the Twilight Saga, a four-book serial phenomenon written by Stephenie Meyer. The bestsellers tell the story of a regular girl’s relationship with a vampire who has chosen to follow his “good” side. But the Saga isn’t just another fantasy–it’s teaching girls about love, sex, and purpose. With 48 million copies in print and a succession of upcoming blockbuster films, now is the time to ask the important question: Can vampires teach us about God’s plan for love?
Touched by a Vampire is the first book to investigate the themes of the Twilight Saga from a Biblical perspective. Some Christian readers have praised moral principles illustrated in the story, such as premarital sexual abstinence, which align with Meyer’s Mormon beliefs. But ultimately, Beth Felker Jones examines whether the story’s redemptive qualities outshine its darkness.
Cautionary, thoughtful, and challenging, Touched by a Vampire is written for Twilight fans, parents, teachers, and pop culture enthusiasts. It includes an overview of the series for those unfamiliar with the storyline and a discussion guide for small groups.
Thirsty
by Tracey Bateman
There's no place like home, they say.
"Hello, I'm Nina Parker…and I'm an alcoholic."
For Nina, it's not the weighty admission but the first steps toward recovery that prove most difficult. She must face her ex-husband, Hunt, with little hope of making amends, and try to rebuild a relationship with her angry teenage daughter, Meagan. Hardest of all, she is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier–and her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone–or something–igniting a two-hundred-fifty-year-old desire that rages like a wildfire.
Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Her daughter wants to spend time with the parents Nina left behind. A terrifying event that has haunted Nina for almost twenty years begins to surface. And an alluring neighbor initiates an unusual friendship with Nina, but is Markus truly a kindred spirit or a man guarding dangerous secrets?
As everything she loves hangs in the balance, will Nina's feeble grasp on her demons be broken, leaving her powerless against the thirst? The battle between redemption and obsession unfold to its startling, unforgettable end.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Listening To God
Last night I had to wake my daughter up because she didn’t do the chores I asked her to do. She was really upset to be awakened from her good sleep. I was really upset because we’ve been bucking heads because she thinks she doesn’t need to do chores. NOT
In bed I’m praying about my children getting on my last nerve and the spirit begins to chastise me. Are you doing your chores? Are you being a good role model to your children?
I’ve been going through a few storms and I’ve been on a sabbatical from church. I keep telling myself that I’m tired, but God knows. Lazy.
It is so easy to stay in bed, than to pick up your cross and walk with Jesus.
He asked - Who am I to complain about my children when I’m not being a good child either?
I hear you father I called out. I’m sorry.
As my daughter crawled back in her bed after completing her chores, I prayed for a better frame of mind; for help to get past the laziness and for help getting past my storms.
Hopefully my children and I will get better at doing our chores and pleasing our parents.
In bed I’m praying about my children getting on my last nerve and the spirit begins to chastise me. Are you doing your chores? Are you being a good role model to your children?
I’ve been going through a few storms and I’ve been on a sabbatical from church. I keep telling myself that I’m tired, but God knows. Lazy.
It is so easy to stay in bed, than to pick up your cross and walk with Jesus.
He asked - Who am I to complain about my children when I’m not being a good child either?
I hear you father I called out. I’m sorry.
As my daughter crawled back in her bed after completing her chores, I prayed for a better frame of mind; for help to get past the laziness and for help getting past my storms.
Hopefully my children and I will get better at doing our chores and pleasing our parents.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
WIP - Day 1
I wrote my seven pages in two hours last night. The words flowed into my hands. I didn’t do any editing. I’m just writing for now. It was refreshing to find the story again. The best part was my 2 year old let me write. He kept asking am I done yet, but he understood mommy was busy. I’m getting him trained.
I’m looking forward to tonight to see where the story goes. I think for me that’s the exciting part about writing a book, finding out where it will take you. Sometimes you have an outline, but every now and then those characters have a mind of their own and that’s when the fun begins.
I will tell you I’m reading Ideal Wife by Jacquelin Thomas and it is off the chain. I so want to talk with someone who has read this book. If you’ve read this book send me an email or comment here. I want to know what you thought about it.
I’m also reading Permission Slip by Sherri Shepherd. She is too crazy. I like her voice, she has me cracking up as I’m cooking dinner. Yes I read while my food is cooking. Ok I’m a multi tasker I can’t help it. It’s in my blood.
Get your write on.
I’m looking forward to tonight to see where the story goes. I think for me that’s the exciting part about writing a book, finding out where it will take you. Sometimes you have an outline, but every now and then those characters have a mind of their own and that’s when the fun begins.
I will tell you I’m reading Ideal Wife by Jacquelin Thomas and it is off the chain. I so want to talk with someone who has read this book. If you’ve read this book send me an email or comment here. I want to know what you thought about it.
I’m also reading Permission Slip by Sherri Shepherd. She is too crazy. I like her voice, she has me cracking up as I’m cooking dinner. Yes I read while my food is cooking. Ok I’m a multi tasker I can’t help it. It’s in my blood.
Get your write on.
Monday, November 02, 2009
BOOK IN A MONTH
This month I decided to finish my WIP. I need words 33,944 to complete it (about 135 pages). I decided to tape my fav shows. Yes no t.v. during the week. I will be in writing mode Mon – Friday and off on the weekends. I decided that I wouldn’t write on the weekend, to use those days for the family who probably will disown me after this month is up.
Why am I doing this? I haven’t been in writing mood. Stresses from family issues have taking the motivation out of me. However I want to finish this book before the year ends. It’s one of my goals for this year and I will see it to the end. I also want to prove to myself that I can be discipline when it comes to writing. This is my dream and I need to know that I can handle the job. I like writing on my own terms, but when you get published. You have to step away from writing when you feel like it and write.
I’m also going to do something different and write on the computer. I usually write in a notebook, and then type it later. I want to see how I handle just writing on the computer and I also want to see how much I can produce in a months’ time.
Are you participating in the A book in a month this month? If you are happy writing and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t meet your daily goals. Tomorrow is a new day, just write.
Daily Goal – 7 pages
Why am I doing this? I haven’t been in writing mood. Stresses from family issues have taking the motivation out of me. However I want to finish this book before the year ends. It’s one of my goals for this year and I will see it to the end. I also want to prove to myself that I can be discipline when it comes to writing. This is my dream and I need to know that I can handle the job. I like writing on my own terms, but when you get published. You have to step away from writing when you feel like it and write.
I’m also going to do something different and write on the computer. I usually write in a notebook, and then type it later. I want to see how I handle just writing on the computer and I also want to see how much I can produce in a months’ time.
Are you participating in the A book in a month this month? If you are happy writing and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t meet your daily goals. Tomorrow is a new day, just write.
Daily Goal – 7 pages
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Fall Reading List Update
I added the Birth to Five book by Brenda Nixon to my reading list. She is so on the money when it comes to toddlers. Here are seven that are perfect for my 2 year old.
All toddlers are egocentric – it is all about Sean
Toddlers are risk takers – love jumping off the stairs – five stairs up
Are movers – I wish I had his energy
Consummate language learner – I wonder where he get’s his vocabulary
Can’t tell time – He wants to know when we’re leaving a million times
Are scribblers – Every wall and appliance has his signature over them
Seek Independence – loves to do it himself.
Yes I have two other kids, but this third one is like starting all over again. I’m enjoying reading Brenda’s book. I’m learning I’m not that bad of a parent. LOL
All toddlers are egocentric – it is all about Sean
Toddlers are risk takers – love jumping off the stairs – five stairs up
Are movers – I wish I had his energy
Consummate language learner – I wonder where he get’s his vocabulary
Can’t tell time – He wants to know when we’re leaving a million times
Are scribblers – Every wall and appliance has his signature over them
Seek Independence – loves to do it himself.
Yes I have two other kids, but this third one is like starting all over again. I’m enjoying reading Brenda’s book. I’m learning I’m not that bad of a parent. LOL
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