Christmas Re-Cap

Christmas was a very nice time here at the Graves Household, both G'mas came over along with my sister and even though there were moments of drama mixed in, the kids had a great time. I decided to not film them opening their presents this year like I have done last year because I got some very rude comments about how we had not given the oldest daughter enough presents..I'm not going to even acknowledge them since my oldest daughter is very happy!

We went over to my Step-Sister's and helped her bake/frost cookies and we had a blast!

We ate and ate and today I'm happy that Husband bought me a new bike so we can step up our riding this year! I'm having a great time riding with Husband, great excercise and we get to spend time together outside, something I have missed since moving from the farm.

On Christmas day my Scentsy lightbulb blew out and I bought a Wal-Mart Limited Edition Peppermint candle and we were so disappointed in the scent throw of this candle, even being in the same room with it and we could hardly smell it. What are your fav. store bought candles? I can't always run to BBW for their Slatkin candles or Yankee Candle store.

I leave you with a few pics that I was able to grab with my Iphone as the kids were grabbing seconds of Christmas dinner and one of us at my Step-Sisters frosting cookies.

An Early Christmas Present, Reading....

This Christmas I was surprised by my Husband with an Kindle Touch, a early Christmas present, My new toy that I'm having so much fun with!

I have already loaded her up with a few FREE Kindle books from Amazon. My Husband surprised me by buying and loading the new Diana GaBolden book "The Scottish Prisoneer". She is my all time fav. author and I'm eagerly awaiting her next book in the Outlander series. I still love hardback books but this is oh so easy to slip in my purse and my nightstand is looking clutter free since I don't have a stack of books on it..I found a nice candle to put in their place!

I am looking for a pretty cover for my Kindle's safe keeping...Do you know of any Etsy shops that sell these or maybe pretty ones in a store?

I'm linking up with Flip Flops & Pearls  for her Christmas Party!

The Tree is Trimmed

So we finally trimmed the Christmas tree, It was a nice evening with G'ma Terri and Christmas music playing in the background. 

It has been hard for us to get into the Christmas Spirit this year since FL is still in the 80's and it's getting colder in OH. We are putting our Smiling faces on for the kids though and hoping that next year will be a better year.

I have enjoyed looking at everyone's Christmas decorations and seeing what ya'll have bought this year and the baking I have seen...Yum!!

Am I the only one that will be out finding the last Hot toy of the season? Yup..not done yet with the Christmas shopping...lol..Every year I swear I'll be more prepared but it never works out.

I did receive a Christmas present early and I'm having so much fun with it, I'll share more on this tomorrow!

Crystal's Christmas Band Concert

Last night Crystal had her Christmas Band Concert.  She did really well, She brought home her Saxophone and practiced Jingle Bells many nights.

She gets her musical talents from her Dad, not from me..lol..

We are very proud of her!

Enjoying the Body Shop...Small Haul

Can you believe I've never shopped at "The Body Shop"? I have always ran into Bath and Body Works for my goodies. With all the fab. sales going on right now I was able to get 3 body washes with free shipping for less than $15.00.

All 3 smells really good and I can't figure out which one is my fav. My oldest daughter is trying to steal one of them...lol..

What are your Fav. products from "The Body Shop"?

Kristen's Christmas Give-Away

You may go here : Kristen's Creations  to enter her give-away.

I LOVE her frames and I have wanted one for the longest time now!

The Christmas Singing- A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country

After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s hopes? 
Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve.
 
Three years later, will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?
 
Spend Christmas with the Amish in this story of love, romance, heartache, and restoration.

You may read the very first chapter here : Chapter 1

Many of you know that I LOVE to read books about the Amish, there is something so enjoyable about reading a story about simple times. This Christmas enjoy this new Amish Christmas story for 30% off Plus free shipping using promo code CHRISTMAS11 at waterbrookmultnomah.com .

Let me know if you read this and how you liked it, Happy Holidays!

Do You Choose Organics?

I'm researching Organic beauty products. I hope to start the New Year off with new products that are better for our Family. Everything for Bath and Body and some foods, right now we can't afford to go all organic in the pantry so we will start off with health products.

Some items I can pick up at Wal-Mart.

But today I have just confused myself with the choices and variety of items that call themselves Organic.

What do you use, if any, Organic products in your home that I can look at?? With 3 kids and 2 dogs it has to be safe,proven and for me Smell good :)

Linda Castillo~ New to Me Amish Mystery Author

After Thanksgiving my middle girl fell ill with a stomach bug that had been going around and since we were resting and getting her on the road to recovery I picked these books up from my Library to pass the days with. 

Now these are not Christian Amish mysteries as there are a few "bad" words and some violence, just to let you know but if you do not have a problem with this than read on...These kept me guessing the whole way! She has a fourth book coming out in 2012 that I will keep an eye out for.

Have you read any good books lately?

This is an exciting new thriller set against an English/Amish backdrop. Some secrets are too terrible to reveal... Some crimes are too unspeakable to solve... Painter's Creek, Ohio may be a sleepy, rural town with both Amish and 'English' residents, but it's also the place where a series of brutal murders shattered the lives of an entire community over a decade ago. When the killing stopped, it left in its aftermath a sense of fragility, and for the young Amish girl, Katie Burkholder, a realization that she didn't belong. Now, 15 years, two dead parents and a wealth of experience later, Katie has been asked to return as Chief of Police. Her Amish background combined with her big-city law enforcement expertise make her the perfect candidate. Katie is certain she has come to terms with the past. Until the first body of a slaughtered young woman is found in a pristine, snowy field...

The sound of a scream in the early morning dawn leads to a case that will change Kate Burkholder's life irrevocably...When the police arrive at the Amish farmstead in Painters Mill they can't imagine the horror that awaits them. An entire family slaughtered: the men shot, the young women tortured and killed. The Amish are peace-loving, gentle folk and the town is shocked by what appears to be a particularly brutal and random killing. But is it random? Every family has its secrets. Kate knows that better than anyone. And as she and Agent John Tomasetti dig deeper into the victim's lives they discover a young woman who was living a lie. A girl who had to live in silence. With her own past resonating, Kate knows she has to maintain some distance. From the case, and from Tomasetti. She knows what could happen if she gets too close. But when she puts herself in the line of fire, she realizes that, this time, there may be no going back.

When Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder, is called to a farm in the Amish community of Painter's Creek, nothing could prepare her for the horror and tragedy she encounters. Solly and Rachel Slabaugh, and his brother Abel, have drowned in the hog pit leaving the four children as orphans. As the investigation progresses, it seems that the Slabaugh deaths were not an accident, and the case suddenly becomes a murder enquiry. Agent John Tomasetti and Kate have worked together before, and now he is called back to Painter's Creek to help seek out the perpetrators of what appear to be serious hate crimes against the Amish. Whether these crimes and the Slabaugh murders are linked is hard to establish because the Amish are very proud and private people who do not enjoy involvement from outside. As the case deepens, Kate develops a bond with the children, particularly the 15-year-old daughter, Solome. Maybe she is reminded of herself at that age, and maybe there's something about this case which stirs up memories for her. The events surrounding the deaths puzzle her - something doesn't feel right. As more information comes to light, a tragic incident turns into something much more shocking.

One Wall 2 Different Looks

This is how this wall looked after we moved in about 8 months ago, it did the trick but now that Hubby has a dedicated office....

This is so much better!! 

I need to hang that big pic. that is leaning on the floor and you can see that I have started to decorate for  the Holidays.

I am linking to these Parties,

Wow Us Wednesday

Sherry's Open House Party

Sunday Daydreams

A nice road bike so I  can keep up with Hubby. I just finished riding 20 miles (slowly but I'm getting faster)

The new Kristen Coach bag, just because I love Coach..haha..

Okay, so every Sunday I'm going to share with you a couple of my Wants, just for fun.

I'm off to the grocery store with my Husband, it was a deal that if I finished 20 miles with him this morning he would go grocery shopping with me...He HATES grocery shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a Great Holiday with Family and Friends!

We are cooking, eating and watching movies with G'ma today and tomorrow going to the Turkey Run Car Show in Daytona Beach, I love looking at old cars, plus I'd much rather spend it with my family than standing in line fighting with other people!

What you are doing?

Enjoy the day!

Sunday Dreams

We are missing our first snow fall and our lovely fireplace, today I'm reminiscing.

20 and Counting? The Duggars are Expecting Again!

I Love to watch this show and I do wish that at times I had her patience with kids, That being said I'm on the fence about this pregnancy. Her last was dangerous and Josie will most likely always have some kind of issue stemming from it. 

I will pray that everything goes smoothly with no complications in up coming months.

Do you watch this show? What are your thoughts?

House Tour Video~Decorating Ideas Needed

Since so many are asking for our House tour, I filmed it (since my camera has since stopped working:(  )

I hope you take the time to watch, I have decorated a little for Fall and moved and added some things here and there. Yes, we have a huge Yellow plane in my livingroom, it's the Hubby's since he wants to get back into flying model airplanes.

 Enjoy! Please share any ideas you have for this space!

I'm linking up with Savvy Southern Style

Disney Pic and a Video

Here is a pic from our Disney trip and a rather long (about 7 mins) video of the kids on some rides. It's a Small World was my Fav. and to see the younger 2 reactions and looks on their faces is just priceless!!

We had so much fun and the kids are STILL talking about it!!

We Have Been To See....

Right now we are so tired and watching Beauty and the Beast while we get ready for bed but It has been such a Wonderful day! 

I'll post pics tomorrow!

Kate Gosselin as a Coupon Blogger?

Kate Gosselin from "Kate Plus 8" has a new job as a Coupon blogger for Couponcabin.com!

Now I did watch her show but was turned off by everything that happened within the show and even though I don't agree with some of her actions..ect....I think that I will pop over to see what she has to say since at one time she was big on using Coupons.

How about you? Will you stop over to read what her advice is or not, if not then why?

Halloween 2011

Here are our 3 Ghouls ready for Trick-or-Treating....

Video will be added later today!

This Evening We Were BOO'D

The doorbell rang as we were eating dinner......

and we found this, How Fun!!

Sharing on:
Between Naps On The Porch

Backyard Horses, Horse Dreams~ A Book Review

Fourth-grader Ellie James has a great imagination. She spends a lot of time daydreaming of owning a black stallion show horse and winning trophies in the horse show. But when the answer to all her dreams and prayers gallops into her life, will Ellie be able to recognize it? Join Ellie and her quirky family in their exciting, horse-loving adventures.

• Pub. Date: August 2011
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Format: Paperback , 160pp
• Sales Rank: 256,807
• Age Range: 6 to 10

• Series: Backyard Horses Series #1
• ISBN-13: 9781414339160
• ISBN: 141433916X              

~~My Daughter Crystal has read this book and since she LOVES Horses this was right up her ally. She stayed up way to late to finish the book and is looking forward to the series continuing. A must have for any young Horse lover!~~

This book was provided by "Tyndale" for my review, all opinions are my own.

Where Will You Go From Here~ A Book Review

   

• Pub. Date: June 2011
• Publisher: The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group
• Format: Paperback , 272pp
• Sales Rank: 81,504

• ISBN-13: 9780307729767
• ISBN: 0307729761

Has the unexpected knocked you off course? You lost your job to the latest round of layoffs. A relationship you thought would last forever, didn’t. A health challenge is disrupting your life. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, but with the right attitude and skills, you can persevere through even the toughest situations—and emerge stronger and better than ever.
 
Resilience to Get Through Any Challenge
 
In Where Will You Go from Here? Valorie Burton helps you navigate life’s obstacles and unexpected challenges. You’ll find all the tools you need to be resilient in the face of setbacks, now and in the future, including:
 
·   The Five Commitments that propel every successful comeback
·   Step-by-step guidance for restructuring your life 
·   Strategies to unearth the courage you need for any situation
·   In-the-heat-of-the-moment words to combat negative thinking
·   Practical exercises to become better, not bitter, as a result of adversity
 
Packed with uplifting insights and powerful principles, this personal coaching resource offers the wisdom and  encouragement you need to think differently about your circumstances and take hold of the lessons God is offering you. As you experience the “post-traumatic growth” that comes only through adversity, you’ll be equipped to unleash a stronger, more authentic you.




        ~~I read this book very slowly as I was trying to take it all in and I learned quite a bit. I can't believe how long it took me to finish it though because of chapters that were to me dragging along. Overall a slow but thought provoking book.~~


This book was sent to me by "Blogging for Books" all opinions and thoughts are my own.

One Kings Lane~ Can You Help?

As you know I'm trying to pick up some French Country Decor on the cheap since we are a one income household on a pretty tight budget. I have a chance to earn credits right along with you (first sign up and get your own $15.00 credit!)  You will get your credit and when you use my Referral code which then rewards me with my own credit! We both win!

Here is my Referral code for you to use: https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/heathergraves8

So let's take a peek at some of their items I LOVE..LOL!!

There is so much more to look at so Please check it out!

Picking the Garbage Pays Off!

So on Sunday we went to visit G'ma and as we walked by her condo's garbage cans in the parking lot there was this very elegant lamp sitting by the side all forgotten. My Husband said maybe he could fix it so I packed it in the car and we took a chance and OMGOSH...I'm so Happy!!

I also share a fast Wine Cork holder idea that I saw from another Blogger..Very Country!

My camera's batteries are dead so I just uploaded a video...Hope u have a few minutes to watch!

Have you ever picked the Garbage for a prized find before? Don't be shy..Share with me!!

Dina's Party on HGTV

Dina brings her lavish events to HGTV in a new weekly party-planning series. During each episode, Dina and the Designer Affair staff create magnificent events in their clients’ homes. From a posh baby shower, to an over-the-top fantasy wedding or a grand graduation party, Dina will transform any space into something breathtakingly beautiful and unique. With her extraordinary talents, Dina makes every occasion a perfect celebration for the important moments in a family’s life.  Tune in to  Dina’s Party on HGTV this fall season 2011. You’ll learn a little, you’ll laugh a little and surely be wowed by what you see!


Dina was on the first season of "Real Housewives of New Jersey", which I admit I LOVE to watch these shows on Bravo..Don't Judge me..lol..I Loved her style on the show and now we can watch her Glam up some Parties on Sat. nights on HGTV!


Really I'm not an HGTV spokesperson, just excited to see some new shows..new to me...Have any of you watched this yet?


Here is a link where you can watch an episode  DINA'S PARTY


In other news here at the Graves Household...Crystal had a cold which made her nose so sensitive she kept getting bloody noses and a few trips to the urgent care. She is doing better now. Abigail went to her first Birthday party since being here and it was so Fun! Richard aka Tank is making friends easier than last year which makes us happy! I'm looking for a job!! YUP any Job to bring home some money to help Husband out. I'm still clipping coupons but here in No Double Coupon Land we are just not seeing much savings and the kids want to do clubs ect. Any ideas until I get a job on saving money? I feel like I'm just starting out trying to save money in FL...so sad to go from Double Coupons at Krogers to NOT AT ALL!!

How is the new Blog Layout? Is it easy to Read? Please Please let me know!!

Enjoy your Weekend!

Donna Decorates Dallas~ HGTV Show

Donna Moss, a former finalist from season one ofHGTV Design Star, is the host of the new series Donna Decorates Dallas. Each week Donna works with her two daughters, Tiffany and Ashley, along with a team of skilled artisans and craftsmen to create unique and timeless home interiors. As a former professional in the travel industry, Donna brings a global perspective to her designs. Her favorite design motifs include elegant Old World themes with glamorous Gothic tones and lush Hollywood-inspired rooms.

In her hometown of Dallas, Donna is widely known as “The Queen of Bling” and operates a successful designer boutique, “That’s Haute,” in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metro area. She has won numerous awards for her work and has been featured in several magazines since the beginning of her design business in the early 1980s.

Have you watched this new show on HGTV? I guess it's just new to me but I LOVE it!! I love how she decorates and I have written down so many great ideas for our house here...It's a rental but many of the ideas on her show I can still do. I'm not sure what you would say her decorating is, French Country..Traditional...It's just plan Beautiful...(So I read her Bio and should have read it first..lol)

I'm excited to see something that interests me back on HGTV...for awhile there I found HGTV to be full of same-same shows!

Her show is on Sat. nights at 10:30...I'm DVRing it cuse around here I never know what the Weekend is going to be like.

Enjoy your Weekend Ya'll!

One Call Away- A Memoir Book Review

Brenda’s life has taken twists and turns that are stranger than fiction. It always seemed as if she was just one phone call away from the next explosive change. Each time her plans fell apart, she had a choice: would she give up, or would she press forward and learn from the unexpected? One Call Away is the inspiring story of a woman who has prevailed through many of the circumstances that discourage women: tragedy, poverty, betrayal, and humiliation. But unlike most women, her life has been on display in the media.

Brenda’s faith and God’s strength enable her to face challenge after challenge: an accident that leaves her son blind and brain damaged, a crumbling marriage, a tornado that kills her parents, a new relationship with promising football player Kurt Warner, and the pressures his sudden success brings to their growing family.

Through food stamps and funerals, Super Bowls and serving others, Brenda’s strength is unwavering. Her determination to dream new dreams, willingness to learn from her mistakes, and commitment to giving back to her community make her a role model for women of all backgrounds.

Her dreams haven’t materialized as she had imagined, but Brenda has found that God has a much bigger plan for her. Conversational and candid, One Call Away invites readers facing their own difficulties to trust God and discover hope in the future.

~I Loved reading about Brenda. She has such a strong faith that even though she kept getting hit with the Devil around every turn she took She kept her chin up and carried herself forward and thru it! I don't watch Football nor does my Husband so I really have no idea who her Husband was/is or even who she is but I'm glad I was given the chance to read about this amazing Women! 

Reading this book has made me stop and think about our situations and I hope to be able to remember to stop and breath thru the tough times in life.~

This book was sent to me thru BookSneeze to read and review, all opinions are my own.

Updated Scentsy Scents~End of Summer

I love Scentsy! Last year for Christmas my Sister gave me the Rooster burner and this Summer I've been changing out the scents and enjoying them. Now I'm on the lookout for a Winter scent and hope that one of you can give me the name of a good Winter scent. Sadly my Sister has stopped selling Scentsy :(

How about Bath&Body Works Candles? I can't wait to go and see what is new in the store this weekend!

I hope ya'll have a Good Weekend, I'm going to try to finish up my Fall decorating.

Books on my TBR Pile for this Month

Sept. TBR Books....

I'm going to be sharing this with you every month...Please leave a comment if you would like to see more!


School is keeping us all very busy, so far 1st grade homework is bogging lil guy down..it's such a change from last year...Math every night plus Spelling words and 15 mins of reading. I hope that he gets used to it very soon so our evenings go smoothly again. Abigail is liking her Teachers as always..She has the ability to make friends with a Grasshopper..lol..Love her! Crystal is finding middle school strange!

Just a fast update!

Back to School Shopping

So School has started and let me tell you shopping for 3 kids is killer on the wallet!

We went to Payless while their store was BOGO and it still cost us $75.00...

middle girls choice..the toes light up and they look so cute!

little guy picked these Cars shoes and they also light up...so cute when he runs!

oldest girl picked these..She is a size Women's 8 already!! Love these and I might have to get a pair myself!



I did some shopping for myself at CVS and bought the Revlon "Gray Suede" which is a very neutral color

Next we have to shop for some Fall clothes for oldest as she doesn't have to wear a uniform like the little ones.

So what Fav. brands of Nail Polish do you buy? Any great Fall colors out there?

Treasuring Emma~ A Book Review

Emma has put everyone else first in her life. Now at nearly 25, has she missed her chance at marriage?

Emma was Adam's first love but circumstances made them both choose different paths in life. Emma's heart breaks all over again when Adam returns to the Amish community of Middlefield, Ohio, years later.

For the past ten years, Emma has been a care-giver. First for her mother who unsuccessfully battled breast cancer, and now for her grandmother who gets more frail with each passing year. Emma has always put the needs of others above her own. With more time on her hands, she determines to focus on herself and her dream of opening a rescue shelter for stray animals in the community.

With Adam's return come feelings Emma's long buried. They're older and life hasn't turned out the way they thought it would. Adam's feelings for Emma are stronger than ever, but will he be able to convince her to put the past aside and give their love a chance?

I really enjoyed once again immersing myself in the Amish world if but for a little bit. This story was a joy to follow but it left me wondering what happened to a couple of the characters in here. I do hope that there is another book coming out that explains some of the questions I have. 

BookSneeze sent me this book to read and review and all opinions are my own.

Dog Days of Summer or Don't Give Your Camera to a Bored 12 YR Old and a Video

My bored daughter took my camera for a few days and this is what I found when I downloaded the pics!

Here is a short video of Crystal playing with Coffee last Sat. night...

Hope your staying Cool in your area! July sure has flown by for us!