Amish Proverbs by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My honest, unbaised opinion?  This is one of the best books I own.  And I own WAAAYYYY too many books.  This book is inspiring, offers wisdom, is calming, is comical, and makes you think.  I love it.  When I have a couple of moments of rest, I love to pick it up and browse the pages.  It is well written, beautifully illustrated, and would make a fabulous gift!

About Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life: Simplify your life with Amish wisdom

Through firsthand research and personal relationships, Suzanne Woods Fisher has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People. These proverbs serve as teaching tools and maxims for practical living--but they're not just for the Amish. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with you through life's joys and sorrows. With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.

About Suzanne Woods Fisher:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California.

Enter Suzanne Woods Fisher's Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway!

Simple Wisdom giveaway

It has been said that if you want to know a people, know their proverbs. Suzanne and Revell Books have pulled the wisdom of the Amish into a beautiful gift book perfect for any occasion. Amish Proverbs is in stores now and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting the Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway. One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher titles. The Prize Pack (valued at over $205.00) includes:

* A brand new KINDLE, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation

* Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher

* The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on September 1st.

Enter via E-mail Enter via Facebook Enter via Twitter

Join Suzanne for a Wrap-up Party on September 1st! She’ll be announcing the winner of the Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway, chatting with readers, and giving away copies of Amish Proverbs and The Choice! Be sure to join us on Wednesday , September 1st at 8PM EST at Suzanne’s Author Page.

Simple Wisdom Giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule:

Today, you can find this book at the following sites:

8/28

Amy at Girlfriends Get Real  http://girlfriendsgetreal.blogspot.com/

Anna at Mingle Over Mocha http://www.mingleovermocha.com/

Kaylea at My Scrappy Life http://kaytebug2002.blogspot.com/
Would you LOVE to own a copy of your own?  YES!  You would!

Mandatory:

• Comment below telling me why you would LOVE to win this book!
• Become a fan of this blog on Facebook by clicking HERE, and comment that you do.
• Email this contest out to your friends, and copy me on it at vaagen@bellsouth.net
• Follow me on Twitter HERE and ReTweet this, "I am hoping to win a copy of "Amish Proverbs" on http://www.mingleovermocha.com/." Comment below that you did! You can retweet this contest every day for extra entries- simply leave a comment each time you tweet!
• Invite friends to follow Mingle Over Mocha on Facebook, and comment that you did!


The winner will be chosen by random drawing on http://www.random.org/integers/ on September 5th at 6pm.

I received this book free from litfuse Publicity as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

What did you do this summer?

Along with family vacations and trips to the zoo, General Mills teamed up with Nickelodeon´s The Penguins of Madagascar to bring the action-packed adventures of summer to your very own breakfast table.


Inside specially marked boxes of General Mills cereals, you´ll "commence operations" with one of five characters from The Penguins of Madagascar; Skipper, Rico, Kowalski, Private or King Julien. Each participating cereal contains one character launcher with mission details outlined on the back of the box including:


• Dive In, Soldier - Set an empty plastic cereal bowl on the table and try to pop your launcher into it. Wear a helmet or you´ll be squid bait.
• Longest Propulsion Launcher - Challenge your troops to see who can launch their character the furthest. Go long or go back to the zoo.
• Target Practice - Create a landing zone with a spoon and try to strategically drop your character into the sweet spot. Hit the target or go back to the drawing board.
• Clear the Wall - Do you have enough projectile pop to push your launcher over the top of the box? Proceed launchin´ troops, earn those wings!


Each character is unique and has their own specific role, and together, they´re a team with lots of character. With five character launchers to collect, make a splash by trying to successfully complete all of their missions.


Thanks to MyBlogSpark, General Mills and Nickelodeon, I received a Penguins of Madagascar prize pack which included one box of Trix cereal, a Penguins of Madagascar launcher and the new Penguins of Madagascar movie, The Penguins of Madagascar Operation: DVD Premier!  Guess what?  You can win all of this, too!

To enter, please do any or all of the following items. The "Mandatory" item(s) must be completed before getting any additional credits from the "Optional for Extra Credit" section.

Mandatory:

• Comment below, telling me which penguin is your FAVORITE, or telling me your favorite activity you did this summer!

Optional for Extra Credit:

• Subscribe to this blog HERE, and comment that you do.

• Follow this blog HERE, and comment that you do.

• Post about this giveaway on your blog, and comment with a link to the post!

• Become a fan of this blog on Facebook by clicking HERE, and comment that you do.

• Email this contest out to your friends, and copy me on it at vaagen@bellsouth.net  

• Follow me on Twitter HERE and ReTweet this: "I want to win a Penguins of Madagascar prize pack on http://www.mingleovermocha.com/ from Nickelodeon!"   Comment below that you did! You can retweet this contest every day for extra entries- simply leave a comment each time you tweet!

• Invite friends to follow Mingle Over Mocha on Facebook, and comment that you did!

The winner will be chosen by random drawing on http://www.random.org/integers/ on  August 21st at 6pm. 

Thank you to MyBlogSpark, Nickelodeon, and General Mills for donating the free prize pack for my review!! I was not compensated monetarily for this review, or for any reviews or giveaways on my blog site. All reviews are provided after I receive a free or donated product from the publisher, manufacturer, or PR company. Reviews are written from an unbiased point of view. Only business relationships exist with those who provide products for review. The Author of Mingle Over Mocha is not responsible for your difference in opinion or happiness with this product, or your safety when using this product.

Friendship For Grown-Ups:  What I Missed & Learned Along the Way, by Lisa Welchel

Lisa Whelchel is a Christian Actress, Author, speaker for Women of Faith, and fellow homeschooling mom.  She was the child star "Blair" in Facts of Life.  Her experiences, beginning in the filming of Facts of Life, pwere what began her journey that is described among the pages of Friendships for Grown Ups.  As an independant individual most of her life, she had a hard time understanding what real friendship is.

Lisa is a bit of an open book.  Her no-holds-barred style welcomes you in, and makes you feel like you're talking to a friend. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who has the "loner" mentality.  I have tendancies to need personal space often, and there were many parts of this book I could easily relate to!

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers, a.k.a. "Book Sneeze" as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Pop Weaver Microwave Popcorn with Canola Oil!

POP WEAVER LAUNCHES FIRST MICROWAVE POPCORN MADE WITH CANOLA OIL

I was sent the amazing new Microwave Popcorn with Canola Oil from Pop Weaver! When you hear about a company who is known for making tasty foods, converting to creating a product that is GOOD for you, you first wonder, "Hmmm... Will it still TASTE good?"

The answer in this case: YES!

I suffered some pretty ugly gall bladder attacks a couple of months ago, just before I received this popcorn to try. I had a VERY limited diet, and was unable to tolerate anything with heavy grease. This popcorn was a lifesaver! I was able to snack on it with no issues.

The only problem I experienced with this treat was that my children kept snagging it from me! They love movie theatre style popcorn, so I didn't think they'd like it. I was wrong. The popcorn was gone so fast, I was out 4 days later looking for more!

This is some info from Pop Weaver about

New Product Combines Improved Buttery Taste with the
Health Benefits of Canola Oil

NOBLESVILLE, Ind., – Pop Weaver® is introducing the first microwave popcorn to be made with Canola oil. The new and improved formulation of the popcorn enhances the rich, buttery taste that Pop Weaver is known for, and is lower in calories, total fat, saturated fat and sodium, while also providing Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids.

“Since popcorn is all we make, we’re continually striving to make our product the best-tasting, healthiest popcorn, at the best possible price,” said Mike Weaver, president and chief executive officer of the Weaver Popcorn Company, which makes Pop Weaver. “We’ve worked for years to replace our previous oil blend with a Canola oil blend, and we are proud to lead the industry with this innovation.”

All three flavors in the Pop Weaver microwave popcorn line – Light Butter, Butter and Extra Butter – have been reformulated to incorporate Canola oil. Both Light Butter and Butter carry the American Heart Association’s Heart Check mark, designating them as heart-healthy products. All three flavors also contain zero grams of trans fat.

Pop Weaver’s Canola oil blend is primarily comprised of “heart healthy” polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which help to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, and supply Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids, helping to protect against coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. And the popcorn provides other health benefits, as well, since it is a good source of whole grains. Not only does it contain fiber, but a study released this summer found that popcorn also provides healthy antioxidants. In fact, because it is unprocessed, according to the study, popped popcorn provided more antioxidants than any other snack food tested.

New Popcorn Lower in Fat and Calories, High in Taste
For the first time, even lovers of Pop Weaver Extra Butter microwave popcorn can enjoy an entire bag of their favorite snack, guilt-free. With only 260 calories, 2g saturated fat, and 0g trans fats per full bag popped, new Pop Weaver Extra Butter microwave popcorn will satisfy your butter craving without blowing your diet. The Light Butter and Butter flavors – which carry the Heart Check designation – contain only 210 calories and 230 calories per full popped bag, respectively.

“With most ‘healthy’ snacks, you typically have to give up flavor,” said Weaver. “But our new microwave popcorn really is the best of all worlds. Not only does it taste great, but it is better for you.”

Weaver adds that Pop Weaver remains a great snacking value, as well. “You can serve your family our popcorn for 21 cents per full bag popped, said Weaver. “No other snack provides the nutrition that we do for such a low cost. And it’s fun and delicious to eat.”

New Pop Weaver microwave popcorn made with Canola oil in Extra Butter, Butter and Light Butter is available at mass market retailers and discount stores nationwide.

Thank you to Adrienne Baily and Pop Weaver for donating the free popcorn samples for my review!! I was not compensated monetarily for this review, or for any reviews or giveaways on my blog site. All reviews are provided after I receive a free or donated product from the publisher, manufacturer, or PR company. Reviews are written from an unbiased point of view. Only business relationships exist with those who provide products for review. The Author of Mingle Over Mocha is not responsible for your difference in opinion or happiness with this product, or your safety when using this product.

Beautiful Soaps!

Beautiful Soaps!

I am a sucker for natural and handmade soaps.  When I came across Beautiful Soaps on Etsy, I knew I wanted to try some of the soaps!  Heather at Beautiful Soaps ahs some fo the most original and creative combinations I have ever seen!  For example, how about Lavendar Chamomile Cocoa Butter Bars?  Or Lemongrass Poppyseed with French Yellow Clay?  Or Cinnamon Ice Lip Cooler Balm?

I received an instant response from Heather, who was so kind to ship me three different soaps to sample!

She sent me these soaps:

Oatmeal Stout Beer with Oatmeal Honey and Vanilla Soap

Guinness Stout Handmade Beer Soap

Corona Beer Soap with Lime

Her soaps come beautifully packaged, and wrapped in paper with custom labels.  They would make fabulous house warming gifts, pick-me-up presents, spouse gifts, or mother's/father's day presents! 

One thing that I am always curious about when sampling natural or handmade soaps is to find out whether or not they lather.  A lot of the soaps I have tried in the past feel almost slimy, but don't actually lather.  I am one of those people that needs to feel a lather in order to feel clean!

Great news... Beautiful Soaps LATHER!!  And they lather really well!  The oatmeal soap she sent is amazing- it not only lathers, but the oatmeal acts as a great exfoliator!

Her soaps ALL smell incredible.  She has really mastered combining the scents to create the perfect blend!

Heather also has some other wonderful products in her store.  Check out her STORE to see what else she offers!

Heather at Beautiful Soaps is also willing to offer a $10 gift certificate to my site, and a 10% off savings to all Mingle Over Mocha subscribers who mention M.O.M. in their message or order!

If you would like to enter to win the $10 gift certificate (which would be wonderful to win, because her items are SO reasonably priced, you could pick two items for this amount!!), please read below!

To enter, please do any or all of the following items. The "Mandatory" item(s) must be completed before getting any additional credits from the "Optional for Extra Credit" section.

Mandatory:

• Visit the CEIVA site by clicking HERE, and leave a comment (BE SURE to include your email address in case you win!!  Sometimes, people never get their prize, because I can't find their email address!!) telling me what you love the most!

Optional for Extra Credit:

• Subscribe to this blog HERE, and comment that you do.

• Follow this blog HERE, and comment that you do.

• Subscribe to Heather's blog feed by clicking HERE, and comment that you do.

• Post about this giveaway on your blog, and comment with a link to the post!

• Become a fan of this blog on Facebook by clicking HERE, and comment that you do.

• Email this contest out to your friends, and copy me on it at vaagen@bellsouth.net  

• Follow me on Twitter HERE and ReTweet THIS.   Comment below that you did! You can retweet this contest every day for extra entries- simply leave a comment each time you tweet!

• Invite friends to follow Mingle Over Mocha on Facebook, and comment that you did!

The winner will be chosen by random drawing on http://www.random.org/integers/ on July 24th at 6pm. 

Thank you to Beautiful Soaps for donating the free soap samples for my review!! I was not compensated monetarily for this review, or for any reviews or giveaways on my blog site. All reviews are provided after I receive a free or donated product from the publisher, manufacturer, or PR company. Reviews are written from an unbiased point of view. Only business relationships exist with those who provide products for review. The Author of Mingle Over Mocha is not responsible for your difference in opinion or happiness with this product, or your safety when using this product.

From My Mama's Kitchen, by Johnny Tan

From My Mama's Kitchen by Johnny Tan

When you think of a Mother, what do you think of?  If you ARE a mother, what words would you hope your children would use to describe you?

Loving, helpful, faithful, sincere, encouraging, sweet, self-sacrificing, trufhful, God-fearing, bold, insightful, descretionary, one-of-a-kind, true, protective, open, trusting, unfailing, caring, comforting, honest... the list could go on forever!

Johnny has had a unique experience from being adopted, and then "adopting" even more moms (for a total of NINE MOMS!!) in his journey of life!

You will find a little bit of everything in "From My Mama's Kitchen."  It is a book of encouragement for mothers, a book of love and remembrance for children, and soul food for every one else!

You can read other reviews for this book on Amazon, HERE.

You can buy this book HERE!

This is a little bit about the author, Johnny Tan:

Like a pot of the famous Louisiana gumbo, Johnny Tan’s life has been richly flavored over the years by his nine moms.

In April of 2007, Johnny began recording the various heart-felt memories and words of wisdom expressed and felt in the kitchen setting. The result is From My Mama’s Kitchen – “food for the soul, recipes for living.”

Adopted at birth in Malaysia, Johnny Tan came to the United States in 1980 to attend college at LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Here, he began a journey that led him into crossing paths with various women he admiringly referred to as Mom. It is the inspiration, support and life skills that Johnny received from his moms that have guided him towards his pursuit for personal excellence.

After college, Johnny worked in the restaurant industry for 18 years. He retired from a successful career as Chief Operating Officer in 2001, to begin a new vocation of running his own business.

Living by his very own personal vision and mission statement, Johnny continually uses his gift of creativity to enrich the lives of those who know him and for his community through his fellowship and leadership ability.

Johnny is also an accomplished amateur ballroom dancer. He has performed with his dance partners for more than 10 years at various ballroom and charity events in Louisiana and Texas.

He currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

Check out his website HERE, and listen to his radio show HERE!

I hope you enjoy Johnny Tan's work as much as I have!

LOST t-shirt by SlothArt!!

The moment I saw SlothArt's LOST t-shirts, I knew I wanted to review one!  This is a picture of my husband wearing his...

I contacted Allan through his Etsy site, and heard back from him instantly!  His communication is impeccable, and he responds personally in email to my inquiries.  I love great customer service!!

SlothArt has an amazing collection of vintage cameras, photography and t-shirts!  Browse through the SlothArt site, and take a look at this very cool collection!

Here are some other items listed on his site:

"Hand of God" 5x7 Fine Art Print:

The 1923 Pathex 9.5mm Film Camera:

You've got to visit this site!  It is so fun to see what SlothArt has available.  It is definitely not your ordinary Etsy site!

The LOST t-shirt SlothArt sent us is VERY comfortable, and the lettering is not the cheap kind that peels off after you wear the shirt a couple of times.  I know, because my husband has worn this shirt multiple times since it arrived- he loves it!
He gets comments on it everywhere he goes- people get a real kick out of it.

SlothArt is giving away to one lucky reader of Mingle Over Mocha a LOST t-shirt!!
To enter, please do any or all of the following items. The "Mandatory" item(s) must be completed before getting any additional credits from the "Optional for Extra Credit" section.

Mandatory:

• Visit the SlothArt site by clicking HERE, and leave a comment (BE SURE to include your email address in case you win!!  Sometimes, people never get their prize, because I can't find their email address!!) telling me what you love the most!

Optional for Extra Credit:

• Subscribe to this blog HERE, and comment that you do.

• Follow this blog HERE, and comment that you do.
• Follow SlothArt on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Fan the SlothArt Facebook page by clicking HERE.
• Post about this giveaway on your blog, and comment with a link to the post!

• Digg this post by clicking HERE!

• Become a fan of this blog on Facebook by clicking HERE, and comment that you do.

• Email this contest out to your friends, and copy me on it at vaagen@bellsouth.net  

• Follow me on Twitter HERE and ReTweet THIS.   Comment below that you did! You can retweet this contest every day for extra entries- simply leave a comment each time you tweet!

• Invite friends to follow Mingle Over Mocha on Facebook, and comment that you did!

The winner will be chosen by random drawing on http://www.random.org/integers/ on Saturday, June 19th at 6pm... Just in time for FATHER'S DAY!! Good luck!

Thank you to SlothArt for donating the free LOST t-shirt for my review!! I was not compensated monetarily for this review, or for any reviews or giveaways on my blog site. All reviews are provided after I receive a free or donated product from the publisher, manufacturer, or PR company. Reviews are written from an unbiased point of view. Only business relationships exist with those who provide products for review. The Author of Mingle Over Mocha is not responsible for your difference in opinion or happiness with this product, or your safety when using this product.