Christmas

Crafting and Reading!

Angela14 Comments

Well, mainly crafting; I don’t count all the Nancy Drew books I have been going through as heavy reading, as I can read one in a couple hours.

New Christmas ornaments are going into my store; slowly but surely. Yes: I said the naughty “C” word, and believe-you-me, I could wait about 11 1/2 more months for it to get here if it were up to me.

DSC_0001 (2)DSC_0003 (2)

I will have some baby onesies (bookish-themed, of course), in the next couple of days, as well as personalized book boxes for anniversaries and other gift ideas.

If I had more patience with my Cricut machine, I would be a lot farther along than I am. Luckily, my 17 year old is awesome at weeding vinyl letters 😉  I am also working on some more book bags, with a variety of images available.

There is not much in it at the moment, but you can find my Etsy store here: Books and Opinions Etsy Store

What is keeping you from reading at the moment?

If You Could Be So Kind….

Angela4 Comments

Jacob has Stage 4 neuroblastoma. His family is celebrating Christmas early this year, and Jacob is asking people to celebrate with him by sending Christmas cards. Source: 9-year-old with cancer wants cards for his last Christmas

via Send Cancer Patient Cards For His Last Christmas — The Militant Negro™

My Christmas Book Wish List!

Angela10 Comments

Are there books you would love to have, but will not buy for yourself? Me too! Yes, believe it or not, there are some books I just cannot justify buying for myself…

There are 14 total Wizard of Oz books written by L. Frank Baum. I would love to have this hardcover set for my library. Would I read them? Doubtful, as I have read them all before. I think it would look fantastic on a shelf in my library.

ozbookstore.com
MyAntiqueMall.com
commons.wikimedia.org

Another is anything ever written about Abraham Lincoln. I believe most of you know my feelings about our 16th President … I own numerous books about President Lincoln, but there are so very, very many out there. Biographies, Fiction, Civil War books, and the list seems nearly endless. I can honestly say there is probably not a book currently in print that would have any information about Lincoln that I do not already know. So, there would be no sense in me buying them. I would still like to have them though! Below are some of my favorite pictures taken in Springfield, Illinois.

It seems innocent enough
President Lincoln lying in State.
One of many debates

Finally, I would love to have the new Harry Potter illustrated novels that are being released. I absolutely love this series, but I would not ever spend that kind of money on these illustrated editions. Honestly, I am perfectly content with having my mixture of hardcover and paperback novels of the 7 books. I also have not read The Cursed Child, and wouldn’t unless if someone gave it to me as a gift. For me, Harry Potter ended after book 7, and I prefer to leave it that way.

HP Illustrated POA Cover
photo courtesy of amazon.com

What is on your Christmas wish list? It will be here before we know it!

Gingerbread Cookie Murder – Joanne Fluke

Angela1 Comment

Another great series I love; and this one includes recipes!

Okay; I have not tried the recipes, but they sound amazing! I have my staple of Christmas goodies I make every year, but I really need to hop outside of that small, boring box!

So, for the good stuff. A Christmas story full of murder and mayhem. What more could you ask for?

gingerbread-cookie-murder-cover-image

Hannah Swenson seems to be the most unlucky person you could ever meet. Unlucky at work, unlucky at love, and very lucky at finding murdered people. But, she has more than one suitor at any given time, so really; how unlucky is she?

This story has multiple murders, and multiple suspects. What more could one ask for on a negative-zero-wind-chill day?

Sorry; that is just my Michigan-me talking 🙂

While Hanna tries to run her cookie store, everyone else tries to run her life.

Have you read it? Do you love it as much as I do? Let me know! And if you ever tried the recipes, I have got to know what you thought!

The Scimitar and the Glory Boxes – Frederick Morse

Angela6 Comments

Some of the best books I have read are ones I stumbled upon, and this one is no exception. I actually came across this book on a free ebook site, and due to the quality of this story, I am hoping (and going to suggest) that the author get this book somewhere where it can make the money it justly deserves to.

The Scimitar and the Glory Boxes Cover image

This story takes you on a 2000 year journey that begins with one person trying to obtain the 3 iron nails, and the wooden cross, that were used to crucify Jesus Christ. One man’s journey turns into a journey through the ages, with people hired for the entirety of their lives to track the history of one young girl who experienced stigmata when she was near the holy relics. They were tasked with tracking her family lineage, and passing on that duty to others that could be trusted, and it was made clear that this was a job that would never end. And it did not end. They knew this family’s bloodline would be one that could likely find these relics, no matter how much time may pass.

The iron nails were melted down and used to make a scimitar. The cross was cut down and made into three Glory Boxes, or what we would in today’s time call a Hope Chest. This scimitar enables the owner certain supernatural powers. Currently hid in the desert, it is being tracked both for the right, and wrong, reasons. Dependent on who it is that is searching for it.

This is one story where I do not want to give too much away, and certainly no spoilers. But I assure you, if you enjoy religious based stories, religious historical ideas, and mystery and intrigue, this is a story you will want to read. It is less than 160 pages, and I promise you will not want to put it down once you begin reading it!

O Holy Night: The Peace of 1914 – Michael Snow

Angela3 Comments

No one wants to think about war when they are trying to focus on Christmas. Generally, I would hope no one likes to think about war at all, although for some it is their life’s work and career to pay attention to just such things.

O Holy Night Cover

So what was going on in the year 1914 at the time and season of Christmas? War. A war that had French and German troops in trenches, on French land, hiding from the other while they at the same time hoped to have to opportunity to destroy them; for most for no other reason than it would save their own life.

It may not be 100% clear who first called for the truce between the troops, but the story tells us that the initial singing of Christmas carols came from the German trenches, and was able to completely silence the other noises of the war-torn night unlike anything else. ‘Silent Night’, sung in German, did just that.

Numerous letters were sent to loved ones from the men who were in these trenches on this Christmas Eve night. Men who were glad to put down their guns, climb out of the trenches, and approach the enemy to shake hands and trade souvenirs. As the first few made those frightening first steps toward the enemy, the others began to do the same, seeing that they were indeed safe in their endeavors. Games were played, food and drink were shared, and mementos traded amongst the soldiers, all who commented to others that the ‘enemy’ was quite alright after all.

This story shares the narrative of these soldiers, as well as some of the letters that were sent home. This is a wonderful story; both comforting as well as something that makes you realize what has been sacrificed for the freedoms we have.

The Winner of the Two $25.00 Amazon Gift Cards…

Angela3 Comments

is Glogirl!  I sent an email to you and will have your gift cards on their way as soon as I hear from you!

Thank you everyone who entered, and I will be having more give-aways in the very near future! I have unfortunately had some personal family issues happen in the past couple of weeks, along with getting ready for Christmas, homeschooling, and a bout of the flu. I have our Advent by Candlelight Christmas program at church tonight, and then my duties at church should slow down a bit.

My work duties, however, are in full force as we end the year; I work in the Materials and Planning department, and this is the busiest time of year for us!

I am down to minimal stories to review yet, and will have more reviews posted starting tomorrow. Thank you for your patience if you have been waiting on a review from me. I have 4 that are ready to go and will be posting over the next 5 days. I am also going to focus on author features once a week, and will be contacting those of you I am featuring in the next few weeks individually.

Thank you again so very much for following my blog, participating in my giveaways, and being awesome writers and readers!

No Entries for Free Amazon Gift Cards?

Angela13 Comments

Is this truly correct? I had several comments on the original post to this give-away, but no one who commented has entered yet. The drawing is now open, I am posting the link below again. Please be sure to click on this link to get your name entered. If you have any issues with Rafflecopter, please email me at angi.gibbs@yahoo.com with Give-away as the subject.

This ends at Midnight on December 9th, in order to ensure I have enough time to get these in the mail prior to Christmas for the lucky winner.

Please be sure to follow this blog if you don’t, post a comment of what you would use the cards for, and the very best of luck!

Enter here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0dcc89d93/