Fakin' It

52 Weeks of Books: Week 4 - Our Abe Lincoln

Why do we sing the ABC's or 50 Nifty United States? It's because most people remember information presented in a song better than that which they've read or even heard spoken. My boys especially respond to music and when they were smaller I had a song for everything from bath time routine to table manners. I missed getting this out for President's Day but if you reference it next year maybe it can still come in handy.

The book Our Abe Lincoln presents simple yet accurate information on our 16th president to the tune of OLD GRAY MARE and will have you humming the tune long after you've closed the book.

Apparently you can buy the book with a CD. I have not heard the CD but it has gotten great reviews and contains about a 20 minute child-friendly narrative about Abraham Lincoln.

If you have a personal interest in Lincoln, I highly recommend Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly. It is the best history book I have ever read.

Wednesday Wandering of the Mind: Happiness

For book-club this month we read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.

 
Let me start by saying that I really had no interest in reading this book. I don't care for stunt books and find them not genuine or insincere. I didn't enjoy the book, nor did I hate it. She did get me thinking about one topic though. What are you passionate about?

Well let's see, I'm passionate about glitter, and about pumpkin bread and cake and cookies and I think I am going to try to make pumpkin fudge this week. I am passionate about Starbucks black iced tea, no sweetener, no added water.

But I don't think that was what Rubin was getting at. She said if you want to discover what you're passionate about just look around you.

I'm looking.... Ok based on this I am passionate about dirty laundry, unopened bills, dirty dishes, and disorganized craft supplies.

Maybe I should go look in another room.

I don't know but for me I don't going around trying to define everything. I enjoy the simple pleasures of a giggle from one of my kids, a wet kiss from my puppy, a load of clean laundry from my husband, a nap in the middle of the day and a good book to read at night.

What makes you happy? Do you think it should be defined or measured or even checked off on a flow chart? Leave me a comment and let me know.

 

HAVE A HAPPY DAY!

 

100th Post-aversary!!!

Wow I can't believe this is my 10oth post! Who knew there was so much in my head that needed to be released? Although I am sure some of it might have been better kept to myself . I thought it would be fun to do a little look back.

I have found it so interesting to see what readers like or respond to the most. For example, my most read post is definitely the Snickers Salad. I am starting to learn that simplicity is key to a successful post but what fun is life if you can't complicate it a little?

 

My first post had kind of a lot going on with a President's Day Muffin Tin Meal and both children's book reviews and an adult book review. I was really proud of it even thought I think less than ten people have read that post. So if you missed it, here is a link to my first ever post!

 

My favorite post has to be Nature Color Art. It got a lot of good responses and was totally spontaneous. Have you ever seen the cartoon Phineas and Pherb? This was my Phineas and Pherb moment where I said "Boys! I know what we're gonna do today!" I also realized the need for more activities related to boys and that lead me to start my Scout Mom Bog. 

 
 
Thank you so much to all my readers and all the fabulous blogs that have featured me! I started this journey because I felt like something was missing from my life. I love my children and my husband more that words can say  but I have always been a creative soul with a love for words. This has provided me with the opportunity to be a better wife and mother by challenging me to use my God given talents in a new way. I hope you are still reading when I hit my 200th post.

I would love to hear what your favorite post has been. Leave me a comment!

Becky @ Fakin It 

Christmas in July Part 2: Beaded Ribbon Bookmarks and Gift Book Ideas

I love bookmarks! I can't have enough! I don't know how I am always losing them but I am and I always need more. Like with the knotted scarves, I have a habit of buying things just to take them apart and see how I can make them myself. I paid $6 on Etsy for one beaded ribbon bookmark just like the ones I am going to show you how to make.

 

The cost of the pins, jump rings and ribbon clamps is mere pennies per piece. Beads can vary in cost. I am going to guess that I used 50 cents worth of beads  per bookmark plus 15 cents for the ribbon. Total cost = < $1.

 The tools that I used included needle nose pliers, scissors and a lighter. There are jewelry pliers but these are just from my husband's tool box. The lighter is for sealing the ends of the ribbon. Two quick swipes through the flame is all it needs.

 
Cut a piece of ribbon about 10 inches long. After you have heat sealed the end of the ribbon to prevent fraying, fold over about 1/8th of an inch and insert into clamp with teeth facing back side of ribbon. Use pliers to squeeze clamp tightly closed.

 
Place beads onto pin. With pliers, open jump ring and attach to loop at end of ribbon clamp. Squeeze back into closed circle. You can also used the jump ring to attach charms.

I thought this ABC ribbon would be perfect for a teacher. 
 
I think the details on the ends are what really make these bookmarks special.

 
Unless it's a stocking stuffer, I tend to give books along with the handcrafted bookmarks.

 
32 Third Graders and One Class bunny is a hysterical book where teacher Phillip Done recounts classroom stories. It is perfect for a teacher and also for any mom who wonders what goes on in the classroom when she's not around.

The Saints Guide to Happiness is a wonderful book for Catholic friends, family, teachers, etc... There are short life lessons that identify with a specific Saint. This is the kind of book you pick up when you need a little uplifting and doesn't require hours of reading on end.

Moloka'i is based on a true story taking place in a Leper colony on the Hawaiian Island of Moloka'i. This book is well written and intriguing. Every one I know of that has read this has really enjoyed it but it is not super well known. So it is a pretty safe bet that the recipient of your gift doesn't own it yet.

There you go, bookmarks for less than $1 and plenty of time to find these books or others on sale will get you a head start on the Christmas rush.

Thanks for visiting Fakin It. Be sure to click the Link Parties tab in my sidebar to see all of the awesome blogs I connect with each week. And if you like what you see, you can friend me via Facebook or Google also in the sidebar.

Pioneer Woman Book Review

 

As you may remember, one of the items on my Summer Bucket List  was to read a romance novel. Well, I have now actually completed that one item. I read the nonfiction romance book by blogger Ree Drummond,  Pioneer Woman Black Heels to Tractor Wheels . It was exactly what I was looking for. There were no heaving, pulsating or throbbing body parts in the novel, just a good clean old fashioned (set in modern times) love story.

Well bred vegetarian city girl Ree falls quickly head over heels for rough and tough meat eating real life cowboy, Marlboro Man.  Just back from LA and soon heading for Chicago and law school, Ree puts her plans on hold to see if this man of her dreams is true to life. First she needs to make sure her LA ex understands that he really is out of the picture now. Then her faith in love is tested by the breaking apart of her parents marriage. Real, honest, and funny. My favorite is the high standards and morals by which these two lovebirds live their lives. REFRESHING!

Now let me tell you how I discovered this book. Ree Drummond is a blogger. Her site is called The Pioneer Woman   and covers cooking, photography, homeschooling and "confessions" about life on the ranch. I only read the cooking sections before but now that I have read the book and feel like Ree and I should be best friends, even though she has no clue who I am and might find my lurking a little creepy, I am completely obsessed with her entire site!    

 I have had her cookbook Pioneer Woman Cooks on my "want" list for awhile now, even before I knew about her romance novel. But it will have to wait because I have been put on a book diet. The budget master says I may only check out books from the library for the next several months. Diets suck!!

And I have already put her new children's book Charlie The Ranch Dog on hold at the library. My children need to become Pioneer Woman fans too, especially since she is going to become my new BFF! 

 
I will let you know how it is as soon as it comes in. Have a great week everyone and thanks for stopping by!

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