Monday, October 9, 2017

Put a Little Bit of the Halloween Spirit in Your Yard!


Each and every year, I decorate the front yard with decorations for Halloween Night, which includes an inflatable Frankenstein, Dracula, and a witch. I also put up a creepy cemetery, full of tombstones, skeletons and a few zombie groundbreakers! Last year, I added a fog machine, which went over well with the trick-or-treaters.

What new decorations am I adding to my yard this year?

Well, I'm adding a new groundbreaker called Pumpkin Man and a 5' Collapsible Coffin, which I received from Oriental Trading.

Pumpkin Man still in the packaging.

The box the Collapsible Coffin came in.

Oriental Trading is largest party supply store in the nation. Besides from party supplies, they also sell arts and crafts, school supplies, toys and novelties. They have a huge section on their website called the "Halloween Headquarters," which contains over 5,000 costumes, craft items, party supplies, candy, and decorations.

The Pumpkin Man!
The Pumpkin Man Groundbreaker retails for $29.99, but it's currently on sale for $23.98. It measures 14" x 21 1/2". The body and head are from foam. The arms are made from wire, so it can be moved to whatever position you prefer. The wire has foam wrapped around it. The skeleton hands are made from heavy plastic. There is a switch on the backside of the head that turns on the lights for the eyes. Batteries were included with the groundbreakers, as well as a plastic stake.

The coffin lid.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Scary & Fun Ideas For A Halloween Party


Believe it or not, it's only 22 days till Halloween! And there's no time like the present to start planning a Halloween party for your kids. Whether you're a room parent preparing a party for an elementary classroom or if you're throwing the party for your kids at home, getting the perfect party supplies can be a challenge, especially if you're on a budget.

This year I'm teaming up with Oriental Trading to share with you a few Halloween party ideas that won't break your wallet.

All the Halloween Goodies I received.


Color Your Own Halloween Bags


All kids like to color. Right? 

Well, a fun little activity kids can do at Halloween party is to color their very own Halloween trick-or-treat bag.  

Oriental Trading has several different kinds of Color Your Own Halloween Bags, but the ones I'm featuring on this post are made out paper. Each bag is 7 1/2" x 9" with 4" nylon handles. Each set comes with a total of 12 bags and retails for $6.49, but it's currently on sale for $3.28.

There are three different double-sided designs: Jack-O-Lanterns, Dracula, and a Cat dressed as a witch. "Trick-or-Treat!" is printed on each side of every bag.


Make-A-Pumpkin Stickers


Another budget-friendly activity for a Halloween party are the Make-A Pumpkin Stickers. There are 18 stickers per sheet (1/2" - 4 1/2), with 12 sheets per unit. The retail price is only $2.99. Each sheet features a pumpkin sticker, where a child can decorate it with the other stickers to make their very own Jack-O-Lantern sticker.


Assorted Color Spider Rings


One of the most popular item to give away in treat bags are spider rings. One bag  of the Assorted Color Spider Rings only costs $4.99 and contains 144 rings, which comes in neon orange, purple, and green/yellow. Kids will have a blast with these rings.


Coffin Chest Toy Assortment

Review - The Proving by Beverly Lewis


Bethany House; 350 pages; $15.99; Amazon
Yes, I'm well aware that "The Proving" by Beverly Lewis only came out last month but I'm still going to feature as a "Review Catch Up Marathon!" post.

I'm not for sure what year it was, but the very first book I read by Beverly Lewis was The Covenant (Abram's Daughters, Book One). I received it through a book club. I remember I had to pick out one more book to buy in the introduction package before joining, and I just randomly picked The Covenant.

Anyhow, "The Proving" is a standalone novel that centers on Amanda "Mandy" Dienner, a young woman who had left her Amish lifestyle to live her life as an Englisher. Well, that's until she learns her mother has passed away and has left her an Amish bed-and-breakfast in Lancaster County.

Of course things aren't always as simple as they look, as there is a catch to her inheritance - Mandy has to successfully run the bed-and-breakfast for one year!

After some thought, Mandy goes back home to the face the family she'd left behind and to take over her mother's business, but there's one other catch - the bed-and-breakfast's guests expects their host to be Amish!

Final Thoughts

Music Review & Giveaway: Jeremy Camp: The Answer



Sparrow Records; Buy Link



Now available from Sparrow Records (Capitol Christian Music Group) is the eleventh album from Christian singer & songwriter Jeremy Camp, titled "The Answer."

Jeremy Camp has won five GMA Dove Awards. Four of his albums have been RIAA-certified as Gold. He has been nominated for three American Music Awards, and his album Speaking Louder Than Before was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in 2010.







Songs/Tracks on "The Answer" album are:

Word Of Life
My Defender
The Answer
Storm
My Father's Arms
Never Stopped Loving
Tell The Whole World
Heaven's Shore
Carriers
Love So Great
Awake O Sleeper




 
Final Thoughts
 
I'm a new fan of Christian music, so I wasn't aware of Jeremy Camp's music until I received an advanced copy of his newest album "The Answer." Also, please take note that I have never been a fan of male singers. Don't sky me why, as I have no idea why I prefer female singers better. Anyhow, I had no idea what to expect when I put the CD into my laptop disc drive and pushed play. Let's just say that I was pleasantly surprised by the singer's strong vocals in "Word Of Life," which is the first song on the album. The song has a contemporary-rock vibe to it, as well as the rest of the tracks on the album (there are 11 total songs). The lyrics are well-written and each song has a wonderful rhythm to them. 

Overall, I enjoyed listening to the album. What's my favorite song from the album? That's a great question. Actually, I like all the songs from the album, but if I had to narrow it down, I would say my favorites are "The Answer," "Storm," "Word Of Life," "Never Stopped Loving," and "Carriers."
 
 

* I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
 
 
Giveaway Details

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Review Catch Up Marathon!: For The Record


Bethany House; 336 pages; $14.99; Amazon
The novel is written by Regina Jennings, which I believe I have read a few her titles in the past, but I could be wrong. (I read a lot books!) I do know that I signed up to review this book through the Bethany House bloggers program, just because I liked the cover art. There's something about seeing a young woman with a pencil/pen in one hand and a book in the other that appeals to me.

The novel is set in 1885 in Pine Gap, Missouri, and centers on Betsy Huckabee, a young woman who is working as reporter for her uncle's newspaper, and Joel Puckett, the new deputy.

Deputy Joel has a lot baggage on his shoulders, especially when he was somewhat forced to leave Texas and move to Missouri. Despite his past, he's determined to make anew and show the citizens of Pine Gap that he is the law in the town. Well, that's easier said than done, as a few masked marauders are giving him a hard time.

Betsy takes it upon herself to make the new deputy look like a dashing hero in her new serial. The articles/stories are mostly fiction, but they're being published in other newspapers far away, so there's nothing to worry about. Right?

Final Thoughts

Mickey Mouse: Merry & Scary DVD Review

Disney; 43 minutes; TV-G; Amazon
Now available on DVD from Disney Home Entertainment is Mickey Mouse: Merry & Scary, featuring the new television special "The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular!" and last year's "Duck The Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special." There are no special features, but the DVD does contain five bonus shorts.

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy are trying their best to scare Mickey's nephews (Morty and Ferdie) and Donald's nephews (Huey, Dewey and Louie) in "The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular!" by telling them the kids a very scary story. The problem is that no matter what story they come up with, the nephews are just not scared.

Like all other ducks, Donald always travels to the south for the winter, which means he always misses Christmas. Well, this year he decides not to migrate in "Duck The Halls: A Mickey Mouse Christmas Special," so he can spend the holidays with his pals Mickey, Goofy, and Minnie. Mickey tries his best to give Donald the greatest Christmas, but Donald quickly learns why Ducks migrate to the south for the winter.

The bonus shorts are:

"Ghoul Friend" - Mickey tries to out run a zombie.
"The Boiler Room" - Mickey battles an evil furnace.
"Black And White" - Mickey tries to chase down his runaway shadow.
"Entombed" - Mickey and Minnie must deal with a "mummy" issue.
"Split Decision" - Professor Von Drake's newest experiment goes wrong, which results in splitting Donald's anger into a unstoppable creature.




Final Thoughts 
 

Review Catch Up Marathon!: An Amish Summer


Thomas Nelson; 372 pages; $15.99; Amazon
Yes, I'm well aware it's no longer summer, but here I am writing a review for anthology called An Amish Summer. I had signed up to review the book through the Book Look Blogger Program back in June. I read it right away, but my procrastination issues kicked in and I tossed the book to the sidelines. Well, that's until I decided to catch up on all the needs-to-be-reviewed books.

An Amish Summer features four romance novellas from bestselling authors Shelley Shepard Gray, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Irvin.

Shelley Shepard Gray once again returns to the Pinecraft, Florida in "A Reunion in Pinecraft." The story centers on Sherilyn "Sherry" Kramer, who had attended a wedding in Shipshewana with her sister Sharon. This is where she gets a penpal named Graham Holland, and this is where the confusion begins. After sending letters back and forth, Sherry and Graham agree to meet in Pinecraft. However, after meeting, Graham realizes he has been writing to the wrong sister.

Amy Clipston brings us readers the romantic drama "Summer Storms." The story centers on Arianna Smucker, a young Amish woman who's counting down the days until he wedding to Jesse. Sadly, her plans for their future changes after Jesse's brother, Tobias, gets them all into trouble, which causes her father to end their engagement.

Kathleen Fullers spins together a classic romance story, titled "Lakeside Love." The story centers on a young Amish woman named Esther Coblentz, who has always lived in the shadow of her younger sister, Sarah. The only boy she has ever had feelings for only has eyes for her sister. Esther's life suddenly changes after meeting an Englisher, who is staying with relatives for the summer.

Kelly Irvin gives us a cute romance story, titled "One Sweet Kiss." The story centers on Martha Bryler, a young Amish woman who is given up on love in exchange for becoming the caregiver of her large family after her mother died. Everyone around Martha believes she would be the perfect match for Jacob King, well for everyone but Martha and Jacob, as both of them could care less about each other. Well, that is until they share a one sweet kiss, and then everything changes.


Final Thoughts

Friday, October 6, 2017

Book Blogger Hop: Halloween Edition! - October 6th - 12th




Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML



Welcome Ghouls and Goblins
to the
Book Blogger Hop: Halloween Edition!
  
If you want schedule next week's thrilling question, click here to find the next prompt fright-fest. 
To submit a question, fill out this form.

How to participate in this week's creepy meme:


1. Post on your blog answering this haunt:

  Bram Stoker's Dracula and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein are both considered classics. Have you ever read either of them?

(This week's question is submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer.)

2. Enter the link to your terrifying tale in the haunting list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in a curse).

 

3. Visit other haunters in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new creeper.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
 

Billy's Answer!

Yes, I have read Dracula and Frankenstein, and I own more than one copy of both.



Linky List: