Book Review: Friendship Bread By Darien Gee

This my first review of a book on my blog! I am really excited. I am an avid reader and love to discuss books among friends but, this is my first review.



What the book is about: a synopsis

An anonymous gift sends a woman on a journey she never could have anticipated.
One afternoon, Julia Evarts and her five-year-old daughter, Gracie, arrive home to find an unexpected gift on the front porch: a homemade loaf of Amish Friendship Bread and a simple note: I hope you enjoy it. Also included are a bag of starter, instructions on how to make the bread herself, and a request to share it with others.
Still reeling from a personal tragedy that left her estranged from the sister who was once her best friend, Julia remains at a loss as to how to move on with her life. She’d just as soon toss the anonymous gift, but to make Gracie happy, she agrees to bake the bread.
When Julia meets two newcomers to the small town of Avalon, Illinois, she sparks a connection by offering them her extra bread starter. Widow Madeline Davis is laboring to keep her tea salon afloat while Hannah Wang de Brisay, a famed concert cellist, is at a crossroads, her career and marriage having come to an abrupt end. In the warm kitchen of Madeline’s tea salon, the three women forge a friendship that will change their lives forever.
In no time, everyone in Avalon is baking Amish Friendship Bread. But even as the town unites for a benevolent cause and Julia becomes ever closer to her new friends, she realizes the profound necessity of confronting the painful past she shares with her sister.
About life and loss, friendship and community, food and family, Friendship Bread tells the uplifting story of what endures when even the unthinkable happens.


What did I think?

I have to say it took me a while to really get into this book. I also have to say having twin 3 year olds running around and a 1 year old as well, which did not help. Once I got past all the background information and really got into the story I was hooked. So, once you get past chapter one you will love it. Darien Gee(Mia King) writes a beautiful tale of bringing the characters together and really digging into the emotions of them. It was very touching and I really felt close to the women. I was crying sometime and laughing others. I also love that the recipe for the bread was in the book, kind of a way to pass it on in your own city.

You can pre-order from Amazon.com Friendship Bread: A Novel before the release date of April 5th. You can also get it on Kindle as well. I love that because you can read it on a Ipad or Ipod or computer also.  The author, Darien Gee is the real name of novelist Mia King, the author of Sweet Life and Table Manners.


Read away,





This post was written for Family Review Network & Mia King who provided the complimentary book for review in exchange for my honest opinions. An affiliate link is included for the book.








Review: Zippies: The Pals that hang around

My twins loved these as soon as they saw them! I can now identify whose cup is whose without a fight!


New Zippies “the pals that hang around” are round, flexible, characters that help children to identify their things by simply clipping them onto any belonging — water bottles, lunch boxes, backpacks, jackets, and even bicycles. Each collectible Zippies ID tag features a different character on one side with a place for contact information on the other.




Zippies give kids a fun and easy way to keep track of their stuff while parents rest assured that emergency contact information (last name and parent’s phone number) is with them at all times. Use the rubber loop – or detach it to clip the pal on a key ring. They can even help prevent the spread of germs by identifying water bottles and teach children the importance of being responsible for personal belongings. These kidcollectibles can also prevent constant arguments over their belongings.

 


Available in 10 different characters, such as a walrus, Wally, or frog, Faina, Zippies sell for $4.98 each or $39.99 for the entire limited-edition first series. They can be ordered online at http://www.zippiesfun.com/ and found at select retailers.





I was so excited to get these, we got all 10 different ones and my son claimed all of them to himself before I told them he had to share with his twin.




We used them on our water bottles! We used them on our backpacks! Our keys, and more! I can't even find where thay all went the boys had so much fun putting them around on their stuff!



I love that you can write your name on them too!

So check them out and they are a great easter egg stuffer!
 


This post was written for Family Review Network & Zippies who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.




T-Shirt printing.net Review

So, I was sent a t-shirt from tshirtprinting.net to review, ,eing a Men's t-shirt, I let my hubby have a whirl at it.

What the hubby thought:
My husband is a really picky shirt person, and he actually liked the shirt. He said the fabric was like any normal tshirt quality, not too thin like some and it fit well. He is picky about what is on the shirt so the Monkey was not his favorite but, he wears the shirt to work and as a undershirt as well.

Do you have a family reunion, birthday, school function, team shirt, anything you can think of they can do!

TShirtPrinting.net, your number one destination for screen printing your personalised T shirts, hooded tops, sweatshirts and workwear.


Highly competitive pricing


Huge selection of garments and colours


High Quality Silk Screen Printing


Quantities from 12 to 100,000


Fast turnaround times


I received a grey short sleeve tshirt with a monkey like the one on the sweatshirt below!
 
 
 
So head on over and give them a whirl! I bet they can come up with something great for you!
 

Label Lighthouse Review


Have you ever had to write your child's name on their jacket's, clothing, backpacks, etc?
My kiddo's have a really long name and when I saw these Stikins from Label lighthouse
I was sold!!
Here is what I recieved, There are labels front and back!
I had both my twins names put on them because they switch off jackets and clothes!

As you can see with a name long last name we need all the help we can get!



I even labeled hats!


I really like the way they just stick on and you are set. I labeled all the boys jackets and backpacks, light fleece jackets they wear to school and a few other things so far!

From Label Lighthouse:

The new Stikins™ name label is a one size name label that can be used on both clothing and items. Stikins™ advanced no-iron and no-sew name label simply stick to the care tag of your clothing and is also used for shoes, water bottles, snack packs, books, pens and lots of other things. One label does it all! These labels are easy to use - simply peel and stick. No Ironing, no sewing!!

Our name labels are washer/dryer, dishwasher and microwave safe. Use Stikins™ name labels for camp, school, daycare and long term care facilities. The letters are large making it easy for a child or senior to read. So go ahead - put a name label on all your kid's stuff, sports equipment and clothing. Make your labeling fast and easy Order Your Name Labels Today.

60 LabelLighthouse.com Stikins™ Labels

Size:

30 mm x 15 mm

(1-3/16" x 9/16")



Only  $24.95 for 60!!

So head on over and give these awesome labels a try, I highly recommend them!






This post was written for Family Review Network & Label Lighthouse who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Baby bond and KnickerNappies Winner


Congrats to the winner...



Congrats Rebekah, I hope you love the babybond and KnickerNappies as I have!!


Kiddie Catch All Review and giveaway




Have you ever had those moments in a car ride where you want to pull your hair out after all those crys for things that have been throw on the car floor? Well help is on the way. This is a new product I was lucky enough to test out called the Kiddie Catch All . It hooks on to the carseat and hold cups,  small toys, snacks and more.




I was happy to test this out on our drive to disneyland

Here is Reese and of course only the little corner of the Kiddie Catch All  is showing. It stays on pretty well, but my little twins give it a run for it's money, pulling it on and off all the time.

I really like it and for $12.95 for 2 for A LIMITED TIME  you can't beat it!

But...
You can win one here!!
One lucky reader will win a copy of Kiddie Catch-All BOGO Special!
 How can you win your own?



How to enter: (Please include your email address so I can contact you when you win!) You will have 48 hours to respond to the email before I choose another winner!!




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This giveaway is open from March 10th 12:01am PST- Mar 24th 11:59pm PST

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***Open to US and Canada  residents only. This giveaway will end on March 24, 2011 at 11:59 PST. Random.org will be used to determine the winner who will have 48 hours to respond to my email before another winner is chosen. Good Luck!***



This post was written for Family Review Network & Kiddie catch all who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

Gap coupon $25 of $50

gap.com
Sign up to receive text alerts from Gap.com and you will get a text with a coupon code towards $25 of your purchase of $50 or more! This coupon code is good for use in store only. I don’t see an expiration code on the one I received.


Thanks, Clever Couponing & Common Sense with Money!