Wash This!

I love fresh fruit and veggies, but I'm not the best about getting them properly cleaned before I start going to town on them. I'd probably get a few sideways looks from the more concerned set, the people who are much more dedicated to getting all of the dirt and pesticides and whatever else might be on the flesh of their produce. I know, I know, it's terrible--and definitely something that I should change in the interest of simple health. Which is why products like eatCleaner All Natural Triple Action Fruit & Veggie Wash are such a Godsend--especially when they deliver on their promises.

Winner of the World’s Best Technology Gold Prize and Disney iParenting Award, eatCleaner is the only patented, lab tested and proven wash. It's over 99 percent more effective than water in removing waxes, pesticides, and other residues from the surface of fresh produce, which means that the produce you're eating is far safer than after being given a simple rinse under the tap. Add to that the fact that it helps keep your produce fresh up to five times longer, and this seemingly simple wash is a major win. Safe, effective, and plant-based, you won't have to worry about anything harsh from a good wash in eatCleaner.

Happy Trails

I'll admit that I'm not normally the biggest fan of trail mix. With their mish-mash of peanuts, raisins, candy-coated chocolates, and maybe some other dried fruits of questionable origin, they usually seem almost like someone took all the leftover snacks in their pantry and threw them together. And maybe, once upon a time, they were. Not completely sure, as I haven't Googled the origins of trail mix. And now I'm curious...

Curiosity aside, when I got my hands on the Edamame & Tropical Fusion trail mix by On the Go Snacks, I was pleasantly surprised by the mixture of goodies inside. Cashews, whole roasted edamame, dried banana chips, coconut chips, dried cranberries, raisins...Definitely not your run-of-the-mill trail mix. Far from it. And being that they're Non-GMO, certified organic, and gluten-free, they're a great snack for health-conscious people who want a great alternative to the over-sweetened traditional versions that we all know and (don't) love. Offered in three other varieties including Edamame & Goji Berry Fusion and Edamame & Berries Fusion, there's a flavor for everyone. 

Tasti-Treats

I'm a sucker when it comes to a good tomato. Big ones, small ones, stumpy ones, perfectly round ones...I'm an equal opportunity eater, but I do have one request: they have to be fresh. And firm. Okay, so I do have a few caveats, but still. Give me a good tomato, and I'll make short work of it, slicing it up to eat as the main player on a sandwich or even just on its own, undressed and unadorned straight from the cutting board. They're packed full of flavor and incredibly juicy, so when you get a fresh one, there's really nothing that needs to be done to them--especially in the case of the small but mighty grape tomato. Seriously. Give me access to a container of grape tomatoes, and my willpower seems to go on a break. Those sweet little fruits (yes, tomatoes are actually fruit, not vegetables--look it up, people) are perfectly poppable and extremely addictive, and the Tasti-Wee cherry tomatoes from Tasti-Lee are like God's candy. 

Vine-ripened until they're ready for picking, Tasti-Lee tomatoes are a premium product with quality and freshness that you can see and taste right away. I had the opportunity to try a few containers and was amazed not only by the plumpness and juiciness of each tomato in the container, but also by the length of time their freshness lasted. As a single woman living on her own, fresh produce has a tendency to get a little past its prime before I get to it, but these little gems stayed tasty until they were gone. To learn more about Tasti-Lee tomatoes, visit Tasti-Lee. 

Naturally Cute

Summer might almost be over, but there are still a few weeks left to squeeze in a road trip or two, which means you might be wondering how to pass a few hours in the car. Break out the DVD player and get ready to learn with Spy House Productions and Gundersen Entertainment's recent release of Owlegories™ Vol. 3 – The Fire, The Duck, and The Seasons. Each episode is packed with fun ways to learn even more ways that God touches our lives every day and speaks to us through his beautiful creations in nature. No matter how young or old you are, these cute little owls can teach you to see the signs of God's love all around us and remember how special He thinks we are. With a special guest appearance from Uncle Sy of Duck Dynasty fame, Owlegories™ Vol. 3 – The Fire, TheDuck, and The Seasons is sure to give your little ones tons of fun and keep them busy while you keep your eyes on the road. Happy viewing!  


For more information, visit www.owlegories.com

What a Hoot!

So...you're looking at the calendar and scratching your head about what the Easter Bunny might have up his sleeve this year when it's time to fill the baskets. Amazingly enough, the lovely people at Spy House Productions and Gundersen Entertainment have released Owlegories™ Vol. 2 – The Ant, The Fruit, and The Butterfly for your little one's viewing pleasure, which means that you won't have to resort to mountains of candy to keep the fun going. In fact, even if everyone's so hopped up on a sugar high that you think they'll never settle down again, this sweet little DVD will capture their attention and hold it, which means that you'll get some peace and quiet while they're learning some really cool ways that God's love is mirrored all throughout His marvelous creation and how we can carry out His plan for our lives. Watch the episodes with them for a reminder of your own––sometimes, no matter how old we are, we all need to take a childlike perception of things to get grounded. So sit down and take a lesson from the cute little owls who make up the cast of characters in these inspirational animated videos...and don't forget to share the chocolate bunnies.

For more information, visit www.owlegories.com

Rich Inheritance

I’m not one to say this lightly, but this is one of those instances that leaves me saying, “Oh, my God!” Not in the irreverent way, that flippant manner so often employed in the common vernacular as a meaningless phrase. Nope. This, “Oh, my God!” is a cry out, an exclamation of praise and wonder inspired by the emotion evoked by Audrey Assad’s brand new album, Inheritance. Released February 12^th, this album is the re-imagining of well-known and well-loved hymns. Assad’s ability to transform them into something truly hear-rending is amazing, and it really will leave you uttering cries of praise, adoration, and exaltation to the God who originally inspired the lyrics of these songs. Assad’s vocals are reminiscent of such secular artists as Loreena McKennitt and Sarah McLachlan, and the instrumentals lend a powerful backdrop that fully round out the experience. This is one album not to be missed.

For more information on Audrey Assad and her album, Inheritance (Fortunate Fall Records with Tone Tree Music distribution), visit www.audreyassad.com

Stuff This In The Little Ones' Stockings...

I recently had the pleasure of getting to watch the premier DVD for a new computer-animated Christian children's series called Owlegories, which features s cute little group of pint-sized owls under the very wise tutelage of a professorial owl, who sends them on a series of field-trip-like adventures in search of things like seeds and leaves and other things found in nature, all of which teach them ways to relate those very things to God and his impact on our lives. The characters are cute, and I have no doubt that they'll easily become a household favorite!

Owlegories™ Vol. 1: The Sun, The Seed, and The Water can be found at Walmart, LifeWay, Family Christian Stores, and local Christian bookstores. For more info, visit www.owlegories.com

Makes a great stocking stuffer!!!!

Stocking Stuff...

It's about that time again! Only two months to go until Christmas, so it's time to break out the elf ears and start helping Santa get ready...Here are a few ideas that might make a few people on you list feel pampered and pretty, so check them out!

All Scrubbed and Polished

I may not be a Nubian queen, but I still need to moisturize; and I want my skin to look and feel at it’s best. When I tried Nubian Heritage’s Raw Shea Butter hand and body scrub, I was amazed at how soft and silky it left my skin. It sloughed off the dry, flaky layers and polished up those patches so that they were smooth and soft like a baby’s bottom. Going into these cooler months of fall and winter, I can’t think of a better way to battle the bluster and keep well-hydrated even when skin has a tendency to get chapped and dry. 

Nubian Heritage’s hand and body scrubs combines certified organic and ethically sourced ingredients like mango, shea, and vegetable butters with essential oils and herbs to create naturally fragranced products that promise to leave your skin looking radiant, healthy, and beautiful. They’re perfect for women of all ethnicities, and because they’re so pure in their ingredients, you can feel good about what you’re putting on your skin, confident in the fact that you’re not exposing yourself to harsh, harmful chemicals that could damage your skin instead of helping it. 

Choose from formulations like Mango Butter, Indian Hemp & Haitian Vetiver, Raw Shea Butter with Frankincense & Myrrh, Patchouli & Buriti, all of which are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, paraffin, mineral oil, petroleum, DEA, and artificial fragrances or colorings and have not been tested on animals. You’ll look good, feel good, and do good, because the shea butter used in Nubian Heritage products is sourced from women’s co-ops in Northern Ghana, giving the women there an economic boost that has lasting effects on their families and their communities.

Nubian Heritage’s hand and body scrubs retail at $12.99 (12 oz.) and are available at www.VitaminShoppe.com, Vitamin Shoppe stores, www.Pharmaca.com and select Whole Foods and Sprouts stores. For more info, visit www.NubianHeritage.com.

Lighting the Flame

Who doesn’t love a candle––especially one that leaves your home smelling like you’ve magically relocated it to a tropical Hawaiian island? With their fragrant blends of natural oils, herbs, fruits, and flowers, Ola Tropical Apothecary’s Coconut Wax Candles are created from a base of coconut wax, which is renewable, clean, and eco-friendly; Kukui Nut oil; and Hawaiian beeswax. The candles burn with soot-free cotton wicks and give off exotic, intoxicating scents common to Hawaii, including Coconut, Maile, Passion Fruit, Pikake, Plumeria, and Tuberose, which means that whether you prefer more nutty notes or want a little spice in your life, Ola’s candles have the perfect way to invoke an island getaway.

6 oz. candles come in recycled glass jars and offer 30-36 hour burn time. Available online, $33 each, at www.hawaiianbodyproducts.com.

Peeling It Away

Skin peels rank high on the list of spa services and dermatological treatments, but they can be costly and time consuming, which means not all of us can avail ourselves of that beauty boost without doing the budget shuffle and risking some major frown lines. Fortunately, the skincare market has embraced the trend, and leading edge companies like Comodynes offer products with ingredients promising to achieve the same results as those pricier peels, all within the comfort of your very own home. 

Comodynes is a French-born cosmetics company known for the ease and efficacy of its products, and they’ve continued that with their new Easy Peeling Plus exfoliating towelettes, which contain the skin regenerating properties of a Glyco-AHA complex and other natural exfoliants that will swipe away dead skin cells, improve imperfections, smooth out wrinkles, and brighten your skin.  


Comodynes’ Easy Peeling Plus towelettes are available online at www.Comodynes.net

Would You Rather?...A Few Meandering Thoughts from the Lovely Author Anabelle Bryant

Hello, my lovely readers! Today I have the very great honor of hosting my fellow author, Anabelle Bryant, who's recently released the latest installment of her popular romance series Regency Charms, called Defying the Earl...See what kinds of things she'd rather do (or endure) if posed with the choice... 

Would you rather basejump or skydive from an airplane? I love healthy adventure – zip-lines and crazy roller coasters are perfect, so I’d choose to skydive. I’ve parasailed before, but this would be even freer – as close to being a bird as possible.

Sing in front of an auditorium full of people or pose nude for a small art class? I’m not a very good singer, but I’d still expose myself to the embarrassment in front of an auditorium before I disrobed for the art class.

Win the lottery or live forever? Living forever means watching all my loved ones die, so I’d like to win the lottery and improve everyone’s life while we’re all on earth together.

Have the ability to travel back in time or have a crystal ball? I would definitely travel back in time and learn from history, change a few decisions and become smarter for what’s to come. Seeing into the future with a crystal ball would change my perception of things and that could be negative. I’d rather leave that alone.

Read people’s minds or be invisible? Make me invisible, please. I’d love to choose what I hear or see by slipping in and out of the room. Hearing other’s thoughts in my head might prove hurtful and distracting – not to mention noisy!

Eat cow’s testicles or goat brains? Really? This question is brutal. I’m going with the brains because I’m the intellectual type…but honestly, I’d rather starve.

Give up coffee or give up sex? Looks like I’m going to have to find another favorite beverage. I mean, I love coffee…but you know, that’s a bit extreme.

Live in a big city or a small town? I grew up in a small town very close to New York City, so I do love both locations. If forced to make a choice, I’m going to have to choose the small town. Cities are fun to visit and explore, but I prefer the peaceful simplicity of a small town.

Bio:

Anabelle Bryant writes historical romance for Harlequin/HarperCollins. Her fourth historical romance, Defying The Earl begins a new series of Regency Charms novels and was released May 2015. A firm believer in romance, Anabelle knows life doesn’t always provide a happily-ever-after, but her novels do. An avid traveler and novice photographer, she enjoys connecting with readers on Facebook, Twitter, and at AnabelleBryant.com.

Links:

Defying The Earl: http://amzn.to/1D8UUWB

Website: http://www.anabellebryant.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AnabelleBryantAuthor  

Twitter: @AnabelleBryant

AmazonAuthorCentral: http://amzn.to/1Hako9p

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/anabellebryant/

Youtube Channel:  http://bit.ly/1r0TjsY

Bottles Up!

As an aunt, I'm always interested to see what new baby products are out on the market, just in case I need to put together a nice little basket of goodies for a gift-giving occasion; and when I heard about the new tinted glass bottles from Evenflo Feeding, I was really excited. These baby bottles come in teal and lavender and have a unique, twisted glass shape that makes them easier to grip. Because they're glass, they have the added benefit of being BPA free; and the Proflow™ Integrated Venting Nipples are designed to vent rapidly and redirect air bubbles into the bottle so that gas, colic, and bubbly tummies can be avoided.

The bottles are designed to be leak-free, easily sanitized, easily recycled, and long-lasting; and the silicone nipples are one-piece, which means easily cleaning and easy assembly.  Available at Babies 'R Us in 4 fluid ounce 3-pack ($11.99) and 8 fluid ounce 3-pack ($11.99)

For more information, visit www.babiesrus.com

Watch Your Tongue!

Okay. Here it is––finally, after months of putting it off, shifting it from one burner to the next, re-jiggering the To-Do List and eyeing my Inbox with guilt as I know that it still holds a reminder e-mail that I need to blog...A BLOG! Ta-da! 

Strange as it may sound, I had a second of insight today that left me with the realization that––with as much pressure as I put on myself to write something absolutely, mind-blowingly spectacular for my blogposts––I let it become HUGE in my mind, the equivalent of writing assignments in school that left me physically unable to hold a pencil as I struggled to write the first words. As I got into those assignments, however, I always found that I had over-exaggerated them; and that they were, in fact, very much simpler than I had initially thought. And much less time-consuming. So now, instead of the school reports, I have THE BLOG, which I want to do, but which I have so over-stressed to the point that I sometimes dread it. Hence the loooooooong periods of time between posts. Well, that, and the legitimate writing deadlines that sideline any efforts to make a coherent post come out of my over-taxed little gray cells.

But I digress. Today's post (woot woot!) is one that reminds me (and all many millions of my readers, ha!) of the importance of words––words that we speak over ourselves and words that we speak over each other. Over the past few years especially, I've seen the power that words hold, even ones that seem, at their speaking, not to be that life-changing. But they are. They reverberate. Not always in the physical, but in the spiritual, in the mental, in the emotional. They cause death and create life. They encourage or destroy. It was in this spirit that Nelson Searcy wrote Tongue Pierced: How the Words You Speak Transform the Life You Live (released Jan. 1 by David C Cook). It's a guide for growth in that knowledge, of becoming aware of what you're saying, whether it's spoken in love or in anger. Explore its chapters and explore your head, your heart, and your tongue––and learn to speak life.

Don't Stick on Me

If you're like me, you're always looking for ways to avoid having to actually wash a cookie tray or baking pan when you use one,  and the traditional roll of aluminum foil tends to get the job of playing ombudsman between you and the actual cookie tray. Still, even that doesn't always suffice––especially when it comes to things that have the tendency to stick to said aluminum foil. And so, when I finally came across the ingenious invention of reusable cooking sheets, I was in love. The COOKINA Cuisine Reusable Cooking Sheet is an especially great one, 100 percent non-stick and PFOA free. It's a multi-purpose mat of magic! Instead of busting out the hazardous tube of aluminum foil, parchment paper, or wax paper (and cutting your thumbs on that wicket saw-blade box edge!), unroll the COOKINA cooking sheet and revel in the fact that you saved not only your ten digits, but also that whatever latest baking expedition you've been on will be easily cleaned up––sans the worry of that random scrap of stuck-on aluminum or wax paper that inevitably results. This sheet is reusable, reversible, easy to clean, and can easily be trimmed to size. For more info, visit www.cookina.co

What's Cookin,' Good Lookin'?

Slow cookers are a thing of beauty for anyone who has one, and this new cookbook takes the slow-cooker meal to a whole new realm of possibilities. Packed with page after page of healthy, gluten-free dishes that taste divine, The Healthy Slow Cooker, Second Edition: 135 Gluten-Free Recipes for Health and Wellness by Judith Finlayson will be one of your favorites on days when you want to have dinner ready and waiting when you walk in the door. There are great variations on recipes that might not have ever crossed your mind as slow cooker possibilities, like "New World Leek and Potato Soup," which is not only vegan and gluten-free, but great because it uses sweet potatoes in place of the standard yellow or white variety found in most recipes for this soup. You can even try your hand at a Thai-inspired dish like "Mixed Vegetables in Peanut Sauce." Easy, delicious, and a fun way to get tons of veggies onto the plate! 

Got Chicken? Of course you do! The real question would be what to do with that chicken...And here's a great way to solve that mealtime mystery: 125 Best Chicken Recipes, by Rose Murray. It'll give you quick, tasty ideas for chicken that you'll love, like zesty tacos and fajitas, flavorful burgers, soups, and even stir fry dishes. No more boring chicken! 

Try your hand at becoming a queen of the casserole with 125 Best Casseroles and One Pot Meals by Rose Murray. You might find yourself scratching your head about what to do with all of those unused pots and pans after browsing this book, which is packed with great recipes that make mealtime and clean-up time a breeze. It'll be hard to pick a favorite!

For more info on all the books above, visit www.robertrose.ca 

Mug Shot

As a self-employed freelance writer, I'm tight on time; tight on budget; tight on space; and maybe just a little bit tightly-wound. Okay, a lot tightly-wound. I make coffee nervous. Which is why the idea of giving the coffee a bit of a vacation and using that mug to all its potential is so intriguing––who knew that, when it comes down to dinner, the mugs have it made? Take a flip through Camilla Sausbury's new cookbook 250 Best Meals in A Mug: Delicious Homemade Microwave Meals in Minutes, and you might just rediscover your love for this under-valued member of your kitchen. It's packed full of fun, easy recipes for one––all developed to be made and served in a coffee mug. There are gumbos and chowders, casseroles, and even cakes. Break out (but don't break) the mug and fire up the microwave, this cookbook has dinnertime handled (literally). For more info on the book, visit www.robertrose.ca
 

Course Correction...for Love?

You know, I never thought I'd have to pick up another "dating" advice book and have it actually be applicable to my life––after all, I do recall walking down the aisle in a pouffy white dress and saying vows. But here I am, single again. So I guess, on principal, if I decided to hit the stacks in pursuit of some dating advice, then it wouldn't be skeevy. In fact, with my track record, it might be a wise move. Something about the guys I've dated (and was married to) has been off––sometimes obviously, sometimes not so obviously.

Which is precisely what Dawn Maslar addresses in her book, From Heartbreak to Heart's Desire: Developing a Healthy GPS (Guy Picking System).  The book walks you through not only the types of guys you might tend to be"picking," but also what's shaped you and affected why you might be so prone to picking them. It's witty, it's insightful, and it's scientifically based. Best of all, it offers great advice on the ways that you can more finely hone your ability to spot men of quality and how to become more in-tune with your own needs as you learn to better value yourself. For more info, visit 
www.dawnmaslar.com

When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Gluten-Free Pie

As seems to run true to form, I have been woefully neglectful in blogging, having been swamped by a monstrous amount of work and too little time taken out to do anything but.  Which means that almost two weeks has ticked by since my last entry. Tax day has, mercifully, come and gone––which means that's one less thing breathing down my neck and giving me the beady eye. Fortunately, I paid (literally) due diligence in getting estimated tax payments to Uncle Sam last year and escaped the rude awakening that sometimes comes at the end of the year when you find that you owe the IRS for your lack of prudence. 



Still, aside from that daunting task of first preparing my piles of papers for the tax guy to sort out with me, I seem to have had a never-ending list of assignments and various other tasks that have pushed my workdays to their limits and shot through the hours of my days. Which, serendipitously, brings me to a perfect jumping off point to tell you, my faithful readers, about something designed to make the mealtimes of such over-scheduled days as mine a little easier and more convenient––even if you're one of the many who have re-worked their diets to become gluten-free. 

It stands to reason that, when you're considering foods that would first among those to be banished from gluten-free kitchens, pizza would top the list. Fortunately for all the pie-lovers out there, Freschetta Pizza has developed their Gluten Free Thin and Crispy Crust Pizzas, a tasty new line of thin crust pizzas made sans gluten. Perfectly ooey-gooey and cheesy, the 4 Cheese Medley flavor is so good you'll never notice what's missing; and the crust is light, airy, and crispy––which means it fully delivers on both taste and texture. Piled with a premium blend of cheeses including mozzarella, fontina, parmesan, and Asiago, the 4 Cheese Medley is great for any cheese-head; and the Signature Pepperoni Pizza loads it up with bold and meaty pepperoni. It's a slice of gluten-free heaven. (www.freschetta.com)

Sweating It

Anyone who really knows me knows that I love to read and that I'm a gym rat. All of which means I've read my fair share of books and been in my fair share of gyms. In fact, I do more than my fair share of reading while I'm in the gym, with my nose buried in pages and pages of words––which might be precisely why I might not be completely aware of my surroundings...And, according to Max Hawthorne, whose resume boasts more than 20 years of experience working in the health club industry, there are plenty of things to be aware of. In his book, Memoirs of a Gym Rat, Hawthorne candidly shares some horror and humor about all the things that may be going on behind the scenes at your gym. Every page is packed with odd stories and insights into the seemingly simple culture of the health club and fitness center industry; and by the time you're done reading, you just might find yourself thinking twice about how you conduct your workout...and where. Written with a great sense of humor and the perfect blend of information and observation, Hawthorne manages to get his point across in a book that makes reading about gyms interesting and funny, rather than dry and matter-of-fact. A great read! For more info, visit http://www.MemoirsOfaGymRat.com/ 

What Do You Shea?

Moisturizing skin and maintaining that healthy balance is a constant struggle for many people; and with so many options in the marketplace, it's hard to know just what's going to work and what won't last past the time it takes to read through the ingredients list.

Just as easily as adult skin dries out, even that oh-so-touchable and soft skin on a baby can become dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. The harsher formulas of even some of the most "gentle" lotions can irritate a baby's delicate skin, so finding a solution can seem almost impossible––especially when you want to steer clear of chemicals and dyes. Thankfully, the experts at Shea Moisture have put their skincare geniuses to work to formulate the perfect product line, offering parents a worry-free way to soothe even the most sensitive baby. Long recognized for their dedication to quality and use of natural and certified organic ingredients, Shea Moisture's new Baby Extra-Mild Wash & Shampoo and Baby Healing Lotion are gluten-free and fragrance-free, making them perfect for babies with allergies and intolerances to gluten and fragrances.  


The Extra-Mild Wash & Shampoo offers a safe, healthy way to lather your baby from the tops of their tiny heads to the tips of their ticklish little toes. Hypoallergenic and pediatrician-tested, this cleanser is free of sulfates and contains organic shea, cocoa, and mango butters; aloe vera; and vitamin E. ($9.99, 13oz.)

The Healing Lotion will deeply moisturize, heal, soften, and protect your baby’s skin without any of the irritation caused by synthetic dyes, fragrances, or gluten found in many other product lines. Made with organic shea, cocoa, and mango butters; aloe vera; and vitamin E . ($9.99; 13oz.)

Available at Target, Walgreens, and www.SheaMoisture.com

Anything But Boring

I don't know about anyone else here, but if I'm perfectly honest, most of the time I feel like the most boring person on the planet. For me, an exciting Friday night generally includes dancing with my Dirt Devil as we chase away the little bit of dirt and dust that might have accumulated on the apartment floor over the past week, sniffing the pungent odors of eau de Windex and Scrub Free as I'm scrubbing down the bathroom, and folding laundry as the latest string of Say Yes to the Dress and House Hunters plays in the background. A swingin' single I am not. So am I boring?
Perhaps yes, perhaps no.
But for me, there are moments of greatness even in the mundane. And even those are far less than the greatness that God is holding out to us, if only we reach for it.
In his book Boring: Finding An Extraordinary God in An Ordinary Life, Michael Kelley (B&H Publishing) challenges us as readers and fellow Christians to "see the greater purpose in the seemingly small and mundane details of life...When Jesus enters a situation, even the most mundane things become extraordinary." 
So what exactly does this mean, and how can it change us? Look at your life and be present. Appreciate the gifts that God has given you and continues to give you. These are the things that make our days far from ordinary, even if they seem boring on the surface. We are here, now, and God has a specific purpose for each of us. We are far from boring.

Wikking Out

It's official. Fall has fallen and winter is fast approaching. One look at the dismally low thermometer reading, and there's no denying it. And while the calendar is screaming at you that Halloween is no longer creeping up but instead poised to pounce in all its menacing glory and goriness, at the back of your mind is the sound of another alarm bell. Yes, soon those costume-stuffed aisles at the store will soon be marked down on clearance and shoved aside to make way for dressings and decorations of another kind...the kind that clearly announce the arrival of Thanksgiving. Which, consequently, means the official kick-off to the holiday season. 

So if you've got kids, the upcoming months means you're in for several substantial blocks of time to fill as those little angels face the seasonal school holiday vacations. Chances are, you'd like them to have at least a few hours in there that aren't spent in the glow of some sort of screen, so why not get their creativity going and give their tiny little fingers something to do that doesn't involve a keyboard? Wikki Stix has the perfect solution. Reminiscent of the old pipe-cleaner art projects, Wikki Stixx are candle-wick-like pieces of wax coated string in various colors that can be bent and formed into all kinds of fun and interesting shapes. Check out their new Tons of Fun Kit––it's a convenient carrying case case absolutely packed with everything your little ones could possibly need to make critters and creatures, design cards, doodle, play games, decorate bags...or anything else they imagine. The kit includes 96 Wikki Stix packed in a see-through vinyl case with red braid trim and handle, making it easy to pack up and go! (www.wikkistix.com) $16.95.

Whether you're getting ready for those idle hours away from school or thinking ahead to Christmas shopping, the Tons of Fun kit has you covered!