Linky Love: GiftZip

There's a new better and faster way to send gift cards to those you love! GiftZip.com provides consumers with immediate access to hundreds of retailers' instant, emailable gift cards. They promote greener gift giving and seek to eliminate the use of wasteful plastic. GiftZip.com strives to save you time and energy, without sacrificing any part of your shopping experience!

I personally love this concept as we have so many family members across the country and sometimes it is hard to know exactly what to send them for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc....   

I hate the impersonality of a gift card in a lot of ways, but if I know that my brother-in-law wants the latest John Grisham book then I love the idea of sending him a gift card to Barnes and Noble so he can go and buy it.     Or sending a card to my niece next year when she is in college so she can go buy things she needs at Walmart.

There's so many different eGift cards to choose from! Some of my favorites include Fat Brain Toys, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, iTunes, Lands End, Blick Art Materials, and so many more. All you do is click on the store you want, and you are zipped right to that store's eGift card purchase page. Super easy and fast! So, ditch the plastic and check out eGift cards at GiftZip.com!

Linky Love: Frick Frack Foto

I take so many photos that one of the things that I haven't done is have a lot of professional photos taken as the boys have gotten older.    Recently I decided that I wanted some photos by someone who takes GOOD photos.    Big Guy is about to turn 13 and it has hit me how few years I have left with him at home.

Two of my sweet blogger friends own Frick Frack Foto and they take some of the most beautiful photos you have ever seen.     I knew I wanted them to take my boys pictures too.

While I was in the hospital the pictures arrived.    It was so fun for us to all sit together and look through the pictures.     Trying to narrow down which of these pictures I am  going to frame for the wall is going to be hard because I love them all.

Here are some of my favorites...

I could go on and on, but they are my sweet boys so of course I love the pictures.     Thank you SO much, Frick Frack Foto!     I love you girls so much.     

Linky Love: Whitney Caroline Designs

I was recently lucky enough to win a $75 gift card from Whitney Caroline designs.      It is so much fun to be given money and permission to shop.     Hubs loved it too because I wasn't spending money.... out of the budget.

Oh my gravy she has such gorgeous stuff!      How to choose!  How to choose!

Now that I am looking through her site again I am thinking.   Why didn't I choose this Four boys Scout Bag.    The things I could have used that baby for.... carrying curriculum for homeschooling, towels and snacks to the pool, books to the library, a quick day trip bag.

I didn't buy it, but I seriously gave second and third thoughts to this Hamptons Coffee Tote.   I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!      I am telling you that if hubs drank coffee I would have snatched this baby up.   Just the thought of packing up coffee or hot chocolate in this cute baby and sneaking away for a morning breakfast picnic just the two just spells romance to me!

Now I wish I was one of you girls who could look cute with my hair all pulled back in a ponytail rockin' one of these adorable baseball caps, but I am not.   However, I would be willing to forego the fact that I look hideous just to own one of these monogrammed cuties!    

I love that she has prissy plates.    I have two prissy plates and I use them all the time.    They are so versatile for entertaining and a great investment.     She has a a BLACK prissy plate which I have never seen before, but is very cute with black polka dot or even orange ribbon.   She also has a slotted prissy bowl which I would love to have.    Oh, I am sorry.  You don't know what a prissy plate is?      Here....

Would this polka dot tote not make the cutest ever Easter bag?    You could fill it with candies or books or gardening supplies or whatever ideas you come up with?    

What did I choose?   Well, I just can't tell you because there I just don't want to spoil some surprises for some very special people that I love with all my heart!     

I hope you will visit Whitney!  Tell her I said hello!

Linky Love: One Year Bible Blog

Finding a way to read through the Bible is a challenge for a lot of people.     A few years ago I signed up to start receiving Mike's weekly emails with that week's Bible reading challenge.   With Mike's plan, I would be able to read through the entire Bible in one year.      There was a relatively small group in that Yahoo email group the first year I started reading through the Bible this way.       Since then many, many more have decided to join the One Year Bible reading program and Mike has started a blog.

It is great to read along with Mike's blog.     Not only does he include the Scriptures (including links) for that day's readings, but he provides questions to challenge you in what you are reading.

There are questions to use for small group Bible studies or even a family devotional time.

Every day is a fresh new commentary, set of questions, and images that will cause you to dig deeper and reflect on what that day's Scripture is all about.

One Year Bible Blog

Linky Love: Southern Sentiments

A few years ago I was browsing through some photos that a friend posted on the Mississippi Moms website.   She had taken a vacation and had, in her words, just taken a few shots.   They were amazing.     They were beautiful.    Most of all, they captured the beauty of our home state so well.  

I wrote and said, "You really need to start your own Etsy shop!    People would LOVE these."    She modestly said, "Yea right."   

Thankfully, she must have received even more words of encouragement and those little seeds continued to grow because she finally started her own Etsy shop.    She has called it Southern Sentiments.    Isn't that just a southern graceful name?

Just perfect for her wonderful pics.

If you are lucky enough to live in Mississippi, then you will admire how her photography talents just capture the essence and beauty of our state.     If you weren't blessed enough by God to be born here, then you will be able to glimpse into why all of us love calling Mississippi home.

Congratulations, Christy!

 

Linky Love: Peachy Cheap

I am.  I really and truly am.   I am addicted to PeachyCheap.com.   But don't tell my hubs, OK?    Besides, once you click that link and discover that they offer you a new ridiculously outrageous peachy cheap deal every day you won't want your husband to know either!

Excuse me.    I ordered some ribbon last week and I have been running to the mailbox every day hoping to grab it before he finds it.    Tell me you don't do that too!?!?

Linky Love: The Science of the Olympics

How does angular momentum help figure skater Rachael Flatt achieve the perfect triple toe loop? How does elastic collision allow three-time Olympic hockey player Julie Chu convert a game-winning slapshot? How do Newton’s Three Laws of Motion propel short track speed skater J.R. Celski to the finish line? These are just a few of the scientific principles explored in a special 16-part video series entitled “The Science of the Olympic Winter Games,” presented by NBC Learn, NBC Olympics and the National Science Foundation.

I know I have already posted linky love for today, but after finding such an amazing video series explaining the science behind the Olympics, I couldn't resist.  

Consider it a bonus post!!  

The Science of the Olympic Winter Games

  

Linky Love: Online Field Trips

I would love to take my boys everywhere that we study, but financially that is just impossible.    Thanks to the internet you can "visit" lots of places virutally.     This link gives you 100 incredible places -- countries, cities, famous landmarks, college campuses, ball parks, theme parks -- to visit.

100 Incredible Virtual Tours

Whether you are homeschooling or just curious, it is fun to learn more about the world around you.

Linky Love: The River Within

"What am I doing here?" 

It is a question that has haunted Jason ever since he heard his dad utter it prior to his death several years ago. Now, fresh out of law school, and with an upcoming bar exam to prepare for, the highly motivated and strictly disciplined Jason returns to the small Southern town he grew up in to spend the summer studying. He reconnects with Paul - a "shoulda been" actor who has just returned from Los Angeles, and Layla (Jaclyn Friedlander) - an old friend whose childhood crush on Jason returns with his sudden reemergence, sending her engagement into a tailspin.

But it is a chance-encounter with David (Craig Morris) - a pastor at a local church - that changes his life forever. David offers Jason a part time summer job as a youth director, and he reluctantly accepts it, caving into the pressure from Layla and the need for some extra summer cash.

But as he gets to know the kids and their individual struggles, he gradually discovers a passion that he didn't know existed within him; and he soon realizes that his dad's life-long question has now become his own.


The River Within is the feature film debut of writer/director Zac Heath. Shot on location along the Spring River in beautiful Northeast Arkansas, it explores the idea that each of our lives has a purpose; whether we know it or not.

Rebecca Grace, AFA Journal, calls The River Within, "a beautiful film about passion, plans and purpose. It's a reminder of how God has made you who you are for a reason, and, as a result you should surrender your talents and dreams for His glory."

The Dove Foundations awards The River Within 5 out of 5 Doves and recommends it for ages 12 and above.


You can order this video and get free shipping here. 

Linky Love: The Daily Digi

I love to scrapbook.    I used to buy scrapbook supplies like crazy.     Every paper, sticker, brad, vellum, and adhesive just made me "ooh and ahhh".     The problem was that I could never bring myself to use my supplies.    I didn't want to mess them up.    What if I put them down on the paper and then didn't like what I did?     The whole time I was creating my page I was mentally calculating how much that page was costing.

I was so excited when I discovered digital scrapbooking.      You can buy papers, stickers, brads, vellums, quotes and brushes, but you get to use them over and over and over again.

By far the best digital scrapbooking find is The Daily Digi.   

Once a month they put out a scrapbooking kit that only costs $5.00.     Can you say PERFECT???     This is no skimpy scrapbooking kit either.     It is HUGE!!

I just bought January's kit which included SEVEN huge collections and ELEVEN completely layered quick pages.     Could you put together 11 pages for $5.00?     I doubt it.     Without The Daily Digi, I couldn't get 11 pages finished at all.

The cute little things all came from this month's contributors...

Gina Cabrera of Digital Design Essentials

Michelle Underwood at 2peas

Danielle from Something Blue Studios

Traci Reed at Sweet Shoppe Designs

Liz of Paislee Press

Vinnie Pearce at Pixel Canvas

Sweet Shoppe Design is the store contributor 

with an EXCLUSIVE kit!

 

Each kit is only available for one month and once it is gone it is gone.    Sad.

So... run, run, fast as you can!

Linky Love: Samaritan's Purse

Seeing the devastation on the news from Haiti has been so hard to watch.     It brings back to mind the images of Hurricane Katrina, but I realize that what is happening in Haiti is so much worse.   

Our Country is a very, very generous Country.      We have $3 billion dollars in foreign aid to Haiti in the past three years.      I am sure that we will send whatever it takes to help during this catastrophe as well.    The problem with sending money through the government is that it goes through government channels which means so much of the money never makes it to the people who truly need it.    

That is why my Linky Love this week is for Samaritan's Purse.    They were one of the first relief teams to arrive in Haiti with supplies and, even as seasoned relief workers, they were shocked at what they faced.

Below is the plea from Franklin Graham and how you can help the people of Haiti.

Linky Love: Audio Books

When Big Guy was little he wanted me to read to him every night. We had been reading every night since he had been born. It was my favorite time of the day. When he got to be about two years ago he started crying when it was time for me to read the last book because he knew it meant I was going to be leaving soon. He would try to beg me to stay and sleep with him for just a little while. I began to pray for a solution to the problem. Soon I believe the Lord gave me the idea to start a new routine that included an audiobook.

One afternoon while Big Guy was napping, I recorded two of his favorite books on tape for him. That night at bedtime I read him his regular two books and when it got time for his third book I told him that he was going to get to have two more books. I also told him that I was going to read them to him in a special way. And I gave him his books and his two books. I turned on his tape and he heard my voice say, "Hey, Todd!" The tape told him when to turn the pages and when to change books. It also told him when the books were over that his water cup was on his nightstand and when he was finished he could either turn off the light or just go to sleep with it on. I told him to leave me an extra kiss on the pillow -- always has been one of our routines -- and sleep tight. That night started not only a new bedtime routine but a love of audio books.

He would listen to the same couple of books for about a week and then I would record new ones. About a week ago he found a set of those tapes in his closet and he said, "Mom, I listened to those and they made me cry. I am keeping those forever."

Audio Books for Free

Free Classic Audiobooks
(Pilgrim's Progress, Treasure Island, White Fang...
we've used lots of great ones from here!)

Internet Archive
These are OLD archives: Dragnet, CBS Mystery Theater, etc...
Oldies, but some real goodies!

Learn Out Loud
Called a one stop destination for audio and video learning.
This directory features free audio books, lectures, speeches, sermons, interviews, and many other great free audio and video resources.

Open Culture
This guy searches the web for the best cultural and educational media.
We have used The Red Bad of Courage, Robinson Crusoe, and
Walt Whitman's "O Captain! My Captain!"

Project Gutenberg

Linky Love: Books

Book Closeouts
Love this site! It has limited quanties but lots of great books.

Best Bargain Books
Another great bargain site!

Books-A-Million
Here is the secret about BAM. The retail store and the online store are NOT related.
Weird, huh? That means that the prices you see in the store are not the same you will
get online. We found an AWESOME illustrated book at the retail store that was originally
$170 on sale for $40. I bought it and went home and checked online to tell my friend about it.
Online? It was $20! I am SOOO hooked. Love BAM online!

Paperbackswap
Post and trade. Earn points!

Bookmooch
Another... post your books, people ask you for them, mail them and earn points.

A LINK TAG.... You Are It!!

ALL are invited to join in the Links fun! PLEASE just following the rules! Just copy and paste THIS and everything below up until my Five links:

I thought it would be cool to have a meme where we post links. We can post up to five. Then we tell five more people to share their links. If we all share who tagged us, our links are sure to be seen!

They can be business links, favorite sites, affiliate links, whatever you want…


There are Five Rules:
1. MUST be clean. No R rated sites.
2. Only FIVE links.
3. MUST tell 5 people.
4. A link back to the person who tagged you
5. Deanna's Corner is the meme originator. (an active link is appreciated)

My five links are:

1. I write a column for the Madison Herald on Saturday. To keep up with all the dates and information that the general public send me, I keep a blog: Madison Out and About

2. Highland Elementary - I am the web designer for this school site and I spend about 30 minutes of my day updating its content.

3. Shabby Princess I love having a cute wallpaper for my desktop and every month SP has a free customizable download as part of her blog. She also has THE BEST digital scrapbook shop online.
4. Shelfari Reading is my passion and I love finding brand new books and meeting other book addicts at Shelfari.

5. Mississippi Moms - The only thing better than a Mom is a Mississippi Mom!

I am tagging.... Sara, Kathy, Heather, Meredith, and Sandi.

Enjoy!
Deanna