Coming Home for Christmas DVD Review and GIVEAWAY (ends 12/3)

Do you have a Christmas movie collection? I always look forward to bringing those much loved films out of the attic and watching them as a family. Tonight we watched a lovely new Christmas movie, called Coming Home for Christmas. I received my copy as a sample for review, but it can also be purchased from Wal-Mart. The scenery of the film was striking and frequently included gorgeous mountain backdrops. My daughter and I also appreciated the beautiful harmony of the soundtrack music and the sweet love story included in the plot, expressed in G-rated fashion. I'm happy to add this one to our Christmas movie collection and hope you'll take a look at the trailer to see what you think.

From the Sponsor

After their parents separate, two estranged sisters who haven't been on speaking terms reunite in hopes that having a family Christmas all together for the first time in years will bring their Mom and Dad close again. They plan to do this in their old family home... the only problem is someone else lives there now. The audience for this movie is primarily families, but would be enjoyed by couples and children groups as well. The DVD includes a limited edition Norman Rockwell print!

Director: Vanessa Parise

Cast: George Canyon (Christmas Miracle, Dawn Rider, Man of Steel), Aaron Pritchett, Britt McKillip (Dead Like Me), Carly McKillip (Hot Rod)

Available at Walmart for $14.99 or order the DVD at http://www.walmart.com/ip/25983152http://www.walmart.com/ip/25983152. Soundtrack also available featuring holiday songs performed by George Canyon.

Disclosure of Material Connection:

I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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." 

The Giveaway!
You can enter for a chance to win your own copy of this lovely holiday DVD, as long as you haven't won within the last 30 days. 

Entry-Form

The Sparkle Box Review & GIVEAWAY (CLOSED)

 

Have you ever been concerned about the temptation to drift from the Christ-centered focus of Christmas? If so, you'll appreciate this book!

The Sparkle Box is a lovely picture book that tells the story of how one family uses a glittery  box to encourage them to remember the reason for season. During the Christmas season, the family writes on slips of paper the things they do for those in need and place the slips in the sparkle box. On Christmas day, they open the box and read aloud all of the gifts they gave to Jesus in honor of His birthday, exemplifying  Matthew 25:40: 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ !  It even includes a sparkle box for you to assemble and use.

This is such a neat idea, and I love how the publishers give you a ready-to-assemble sparkle box for your family to use. I'm looking forward to reading the book to my children just after Thanksgiving. What a wonderful way to usher in the Christmas season! 

From the Publisher

A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas

Sam is so excited about Christmas! He's thinking about his Christmas list, looking forward to holiday parties, and puzzling over one very mysterious gift: a sparkly box sitting on the mantel. In the midst of the festivities, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness to others. On Christmas morning, when Sam finally opens the Sparkle Box, he finds only slips of paper that record the family's good deeds. Sam's mom explains that the things that they've been doing are, in fact, a gift for Jesus, for Jesus said that whatever we do for those in need, we do for Him. 

Author Jill Hardie and her family began placing a gift for Jesus under their Christmas tree as a way of bringing more meaning to the holiday.  The first time they opened His gift, the commercialism of the season melted away and they felt a profound joy and peace.  Jill hopes that The Sparkle Box will spark a new Christmas tradition, bringing light into thousands of lives. 

At a very early age, Christine Kornacki developed a love for painting and bringing stories to life.  After receiving a BFA in illustration from the University of Hartford, her dreams of illustrating children's books began to take shape.  She spends her days painting in her studio, which adjoins a charming cafe in New Haven, Connecticut.

Written by Jill Hardie

Illustrated by Christine Kornacki

Available now!

Hardcover with jacket, 10 x 10, 32 pages, with a fold-out sparkle box included!

ages 4 to 8 

Website: http://www.idealsbooks.com/The-Sparkle-Box-Jill-Hardie/dp/0824956478

and http://www.thesparklebox.com/buybook.aspx

Book Trailer: https://vimeo.com/49762666

Author Video: https://vimeo.com/49763494

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks

#TheSparkleBox

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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." 


The Giveaway!
You can enter for a chance to win your own copy of this wonderful book!

Entry-Form

 

Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener Review: A MODERN MARVEL!

I, like most teachers, can rattle off a quick list of frustrations that result from the classroom use of electric pencil sharpeners:

• overheating after repeated use, causing one to wait indefinitely for it to start working again
• tips breaking off in the blades, with little to no hope for removing them
• over-sharpening brand new pencils because there's no indication that it's finished, turning 8 inch pencils into 3 inch nubs
• messy shavings that overflow because you can't tell when it's full
• ragged edges after the blades get dull

For the past year or so, I've noticed more and more posts about a pencil sharpener by Classroom Friendly Supplies. I asked them if I could review one, and they gave me one like this to try out in my school library:

After it arrived in the mail, my first impression was, "This is it?" It was very light-weight, smaller than I expected, and uncomplicated, with no batteries to load or cord to plug in. I already knew it was a little different from a conventional sharpener, so I watched their instructional video, which took less than a minute.

Then I was ready to give it a whirl. First, I loaded a pencil with a broken point, and, with only a few turns of the handle, I felt a distinct reduction in resistance. Skeptical of the difference only a few turns could have made, I pulled it out to find...I am NOT exaggerating...the most beautiful pencil point I have ever seen. Um...I hope you're a teacher-type, because otherwise you're sure to think I'm a nut...

• the wood of the pencil was smooth, as if it had been sanded
• the tip was REALLY long, allowing it to be used longer before needing re-sharpening

Then I thought I'd try sharpening a brand new pencil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It took more turns, but soon enough I felt the resistance lessen, and I knew we were done! I took it out, and there was an equally beautiful pencil point. 

 

 

 

 

Regrettably, the picture doesn't do it justice, but hopefully you can see the elongated point on that pencil. It's just BEAUTIFUL! Seriously, it elicited exclamations every time I tried it. It became entertaining - what else could I sharpen? It was so much fun to watch my colleagues faces when I demonstrated it for them. They were as excited as I was. I love this little gadget and look forward to buying one for my home, as well. It's such a pleasure to know that I'll never be at the mercy of an overheated electric pencil sharpener again!

If you're in the market for a new pencil sharpener, I highly recommend this one. It's available in red, green, blue, black and pink from Classroom Friendly Supplies for $24.99 with FREE shipping within the United States. 

 

DISCLAIMER:  I received one of the pencil sharpeners mentioned above for free in the hope that I would review it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."