The Sparkle Box

I received a complimentary copy of The Sparkle Box for the purpose of this review.

 The Holidays are almost here!  Thanksgiving is next week, which means Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the nationwide Christmas shopping frenzy is about to kick off.  I've been feeling a little deflated as the holiday shopping push gets started earlier and earlier every year, and to be honest a little overwhelmed.  It is so easy to get caught up on the commercialized aspect of the season that we miss out on some of the opportunities to teach our children good will toward others, and generosity - especially for those in need during this time of year.

I am so happy to be sharing with you today a book that is beautifully written and truly puts the celebration of generosity and service back at the forefront of the holiday season.  The Sparkle Box, by Jill Hardie, is a sweet story about a family getting ready for Christmas, and the excitement that surrounds the holiday.  Sam, the young boy in the family, is hoping he will receive the red train he has had his eye on when he opens his presents Christmas morning.  Before the presents are placed under the tree though, he notices a glittery box on the mantle which has him anxiously asking his parents about the contents.

Throughout the book, which is beautifully illustrated by Christine Kornacki, we see Sam going along with his mother to do various holiday tasks, shopping, and attending holiday gatherings.  At the same time, Sam continually asks about the sparkle box, hoping to find out what treasure is within it.  The book ends with a charming reveal of its contents that will be moving to adults and children alike.

I love this book!  "The Sparkle Box" brings the focus of Christmas back to the principles of serving others, looking out for our fellow man and being generous with the what we've been given.  It restores a healthy balance to the consumerism that tends to overtake the holiday season.  I loved that while reading this story to Zion, she was clearly moved by the message and became excited to find ways to help those who are in need in our community.

Reading "The Sparkle Box" gave us the perfect opportunity to discuss what Christmas is really about and explain the traditions we want to foster in our little family.  The book comes with a fold out sparkle box, just like the one pictured, so that you can find ways to live out the message of the story in your family.  We have already started putting together a list of things we'd like to do to participate in our own acts of service this Winter.

Jill Hardie and her family began the tradition of the sparkle box several years ago, and have experienced profound peace and joy as a result.  Jill wrote The Sparkle Box hoping that other families would be inspired to adopt this tradition and recenter Christmas in the true joy of the season.

Are you ready to find out what is inside The Sparkle Box?  One lucky reader will win their very own copy of The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie, which includes a foldout sparkle box!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

      

Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child

I received a complimentary copy of Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child for the purpose of this review.

Charlie is a young girl facing modern challenges in her middle school experience while also being sandwiched between an overachieving big sister and an adorable little brother.  Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child is a humorous look at navigating the struggles of fitting-in, peer bullying and choosing between right and wrong.  The book follows Charlie as she learns from her insecurities, challenges herself to choose to do right even when it's not what she wants to do, and how she grows and matures in light of her choices.

Maria T. Lennon captures the essence of the middle school years with this book that openly and honestly explores bullying, peer pressure, social struggles and self-centeredness, while encouraging positive virtues like compassion, standing for what is right and self confidence.  Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child also provides a look into the typical struggles of being a middle child, often with charming and hysterical accuracy.  Anyone who reads this book will enjoy very much following Charlie's journey especially with her conflicted inner dialogue and wit.

I have to say, as a middle child myself, I felt as though I was reliving some of my tough middle school experiences as I followed Charlie's journey.  I especially identified with the struggle of finding where I fit in, and the battle between wanting to adapt myself to fit in versus being my true self.  Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and found myself unable to put down the book towards the climactic ending.  I think this book will be well received and appropriate for mature tweens.

Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child is listed as part of Harper Collins Publishers Stop Bullying, Start Reading campaign, which offers an extensive list of books that address bullying in meaningful and relatable contexts.  I would definitely agree that this book does not only address bullying head on but also helps former bullies to tap into their compassionate side by developing a sensitivity for those who are bullied.

The author, Maria T. Lennon, is a novelist, screenwriter and mother of four.  She was a third place finalist in Francis Ford Coppola's screenwriting competition.  She is also the author of the novel Making It Up As I Go Along.  You can connect with Maria on Facebook and Twitter.

Purchase Confessions of a So-Called Middle Child via Amazon or Barnes&Noble.

      

Welcome to the Fall Fancy Follower Fest+Swagtastic Giveaway

Hello! I'm so glad you've come to join us for the biggest blog party of the Fall!  I don't know about you, but I love this time of year.  There is something special about the cooling off of the weather, the sipping of warm drinks and the right to wear big chunky sweaters that I just love.  

 

In case we haven't met, let me introduce myself.  I'm the red-lipped lady on the left and that cutie pie on the right is my 3.5 year old daughter Zion.  The two of us along with the world's best daddy (pictured with his princess), live in the concrete jungle.  Also known as Manhattan.

Funny that I say we live there, because we have actually spent less than half of the year there.  My husband travels for work, and we are fortunate to get to travel with him.  In fact, I'm writing up this post from a hotel room in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  This year we also spent time in Anchorage, Alaska, Seattle and Hawaii.  Looks like we will be making a couple more trips before the end of the year.

My blog is a family friendly lifestyle blog - and well, that pretty means I write about whatever is going on in life.  I write about things I love, people I love and places I love.  I'm a wife, mama and a Christian, so my writing is influenced by those roles.  If you'd like to explore, I encourage you to click on the topical tabs above.  

And now onto some of my favorite things about FALL.  After all, this is a FALL Link party right!?

1. Baking! I love making goodies (and eating them).  This year after having spent most of the year converting to a paleo lifestyle, I am looking forward to creating new paleo friendly treats.  The picture above is my grain free carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.  You have to try this one, so yummy!  Of course if you are not grain free, you can check out this list of 11 Leftover Halloween Candy Recipes.

2. Ohio State Football (and Seattle Seahawks  Okay, so I wasn't always a football fan in general, but my husband of 5 years is an Ohio State alumni and football fanatic, so by marriage I have joined in on the fun.  I actually really enjoy watching the games.  I am from Seattle originally, so the Seahawks have always been default NFL team of choice, though I didn't really start watching the games regularly until this year.  

 3. Fall Foilage - I never really experienced the colorful changing of the leaves when I lived in Seattle, so I have come to really appreciate the Northeast's Autumn trees.  So many beautiful colors on display, like one last show before the cold of Winter strips them all to the bone.  I also love the storms in the Fall and the way the humidity finally leaves the city.

4. Coffee Okay, so this one is pretty much year round for me, however; the best coffee flavors come out in the Fall.  Pumpkin Spice Latte, check.  Salted Caramel Mocha, check.  Peppermint Mocha.  Yes!  I am sort of a coffee addict, okay, not sort of, I probably have more coffee than blood in my veins.  I go on coffee-fasts a few times a year determined to "kick it" but somehow my love for this rich brown drink just keeps me from giving it up entirely.

5. Fall Fashion - Chunky Sweaters & Boots and even scarves and hats.  Fall is proof that you can still look sexy without being immodest!  Don't believe me? Throw on that red sweater on the bottom right, some cute tuxedo stripe skinny jeans and a pair of high heeled boots.  You will look HOT!

Also I can't forget to mention the HOLIDAYS - right now I'm looking forward to annual trip to Columbus, Ohio to spend time with my in-laws.  We always have a blast while we are there!

Now its your turn to share!!  Join the link up below, and make sure you enter the fun giveaway! We have a ton of great prizes up for grabs!

      

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Add your link below and your post will be displayed on ALL 8 of our sites! 
We're having a giant interlinked blog party! 

CARLY: Lipgloss & Crayons 

BREANNA: My Beautiful Crazy Life

PAIGE: A Dose of Paige

JENNIFER: Busy Being Jennifer

TAYLOR: Pink Heels, Pink Truck

LAUREN: Tennessee Honey

KENDRA: Simply {Darr}ling

 & COURTNEY: Baxtron{Life}

Link up any Fall or Holiday inspired post that showcases your blog beginning 
NOW through Tuesday November 12th!!  

ONLY ONE REQUIREMENT: 
you must visit each of the 8 hosts sites! 

WE ARE THE FIRST 8 LINKED UP!

Make new friends!!  Increase YOUR readers!!!

GRAB THE BUTTON AND TELL ABOUT THE PARTY!!!!!

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some fun SWAG being given away:

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11 Leftover Halloween Candy Recipes

Halloween is over and now there are no real excuses for wearing costumes.  All that remains is the remnants of a sugar high and a bowl filled with all the sugary treats you could hope for right in time to kickoff the long Winter.  You could just ration the candy out over time, building up that nice hibernation layer of body fat, but in order to save your sanity and jump off that blood sugar roller coaster in a hurry, might I suggest mixing up that leftover candy into delectable goodies that you can bring into the office or giveaway to your kids teachers?  Or maybe bring them to your next social gathering or dinner party?  After all it is the season of giving thanks, and what better way than to make a delicious treat for a friend, family or colleague?

Here are 11 Delicious Leftover Halloween Candy Recipes/Ideas to get rid of that candy in a hurry:
Candy Apple Nachos Dessert Bar
Snickers Salad
Dark Chocolate Candy Corn Bark
Candy Rice Krispies Muffins
Milky Way Cake
Pumpkin Butterfinger Blondies
Frosted Candy Corn Oreo Cookie Bars
Creamy Snickers Dip
Caramel Rolo Rice Krispies Treats
Reese's Peanut Butter Mug Cake
Butterfinger Fudge

And if you are interested in a non-recipe activity to do with your leftover Halloween candy - try turning an ordinary board game into a fun and rewarding candy themed game like I did with Creepy Candy Land.