A Nest in the Rocks

Building a nest on the rocks of faith and family

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ONE NIGHT: An Advent Calendar Reinvented

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Do you remember opening the small, numbered doors on those colorful Advent calendars we used as kids?  The ones that had Santa and elves and ornaments all over them?

I always looked forward to counting down to Christmas that way, but when my own kids were small, I wanted something that was faith-based.  I was looking for something that would point them towards the real Christmas story, not modern-day Christmas ornaments.


One Night 1

That’s what I love the most about the new, reinvented version of an Advent calendar called ONE NIGHT.  It’s hand-illustrated by Rachael Clarke Hendel in a timeless style that looks as if it comes straight from Bethlehem.  The calendar is much larger than others that you’ll find, as well, which really brings to life the story and the artistic detail.

ONE NIGHT Advent Calendar

My kids were really excited to open this and read the story.  They were fascinated by the art and happily took turns opening the windows and reading the next part of the story out loud.

One Night 2

See the detail in this picture?  All 24 are this intricate – and some are very, very large for Advent calendar windows!  This definitely makes the art look even more impressive.

I can’t wait to use One Night this December!  

One Night is such a new and special product that it’s not available just anywhere, however.  The creator of One Night, Adam Farbiarz, is producing this project through Kickstarter.  You can preorder your One Night Advent Calendar there – or click here to learn more.

 

 

If this beautiful calendar looks like something you’d like to use this coming Advent season, don’t wait!  The Kickstarter campaign is the only way to get it, and it’s only available for a limited time.  Order yours today!

 

I received a free copy of the ONE NIGHT Advent Calendar from FrontGate Media.  All opinions are my own.

 

 

Encouraging Hearts & Home Blog Hop – August 15, 2018

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Welcome to Encouraging Hearts & Home!

 

The Encouraging Hearts & Home Bloggers

Join your Encouraging Hearts & Home Co-Hosts each week for encouragement and support for your heart & your home. We hope to provide a space that builds each other up and lends a helping hand along the way. With all the negativity in the world, let’s shine a positive light!

Anne at Learning TableLinda at Apron Strings & Other Things

Amy at A Nest in the Rocks


Natural Parent Guide

 

***Each week, our co-hosts will each choose 10 of our favorite links, along with the most clicked link, and pin them to our Encouraging Hearts & Home Pinterest board.

The most clicked post from last week’s Blog Hop was:

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Spinach.

 
Stop by every Thursday to link up your family friendly posts and find encouragement for your heart and your home!

How to Link Up

  • Use the form below to share your posts this week, and maybe you’ll discover some new ideas from all the fabulous links!
  • Please share only your family friendly posts with us!
  • Please only link up images that you have the rights to use.
  • By linking up, you agree that if your blog post is selected to be featured on any of our hosts’ blogs, we can use an image from your post with a link back to your post.

Other nice things you can do

  • Follow and/or subscribe to your host’s blog.
  • Visit a few other bloggers and show them your support. We all love getting comments, and who knows what inspiration you may find? Be sure to share the love–that’s what a blog hop is all about!
  • If you are interested in co-hosting, contact Anne at anne@mylearningtable.com


Encouraging Hearts & Home Blog Hop – August 1, 2019

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Welcome to Encouraging Hearts & Home!

The Encouraging Hearts & Home Bloggers
Join your Encouraging Hearts & Home Co-Hosts each week for encouragement and support for your heart & your home. We hope to provide a space that builds each other up and lends a helping hand along the way. With all the negativity in the world, let’s shine a positive light!

***Each week, our co-hosts will each choose 10 of our favorite links, along with the most clicked link, and pin them to our Encouraging Hearts & Home Pinterest board.
The most clicked post from last week’s Blog Hop was:

A Fall Garden with the Kids

How to Link Up
Use the form below to share your posts this week, and maybe you’ll discover some new ideas from all the fabulous links!
Please share only your family friendly posts with us!
Please only link up images that you have the rights to use.
By linking up, you agree that if your blog post is selected to be featured on any of our hosts’ blogs, we can use an image from your post with a link back to your post.
Other nice things you can do
Follow and/or subscribe to your host’s blog.
Visit a few other bloggers and show them your support. We all love getting comments, and who knows what inspiration you may find? Be sure to share the love–that’s what a blog hop is all about!
If you are interested in co-hosting, contact Anne at anne@mylearningtable.com.


Encouraging Hearts & Home Blog Hop – April 4, 2018

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Welcome to Encouraging Hearts & Home!

 

The Encouraging Hearts & Home Bloggers

Join your Encouraging Hearts & Home Co-Hosts each week for encouragement and support for your heart & your home. We hope to provide a space that builds each other up and lends a helping hand along the way. With all the negativity in the world, let’s shine a positive light!

Anne at Learning TableLinda at Apron Strings & Other Things

Amy at A Nest in the Rocks

 

The most clicked post from last week’s Blog Hop was:

8 Tips for the Best Kids Cooking Camp at Home.

***Each week, our co-hosts will each choose 10 of our favorite links, along with the most clicked link, and pin them to our Encouraging Hearts & Home Pinterest board.

 

Join us each Thursday! Link up your family-friendly blog posts and find encouragement for your heart & home!

How to Link Up

  • Use the form below to share your posts this week, and maybe you’ll discover some new ideas from all the fabulous links!
  • Please share only your family friendly posts with us!
  • Please only link up images that you have the rights to use.
  • By linking up, you agree that if your blog post is selected to be featured on any of our hosts’ blogs, we can use an image from your post with a link back to your post.

Other nice things you can do

  • Follow and/or subscribe to your host’s blog.
  • Visit a few other bloggers and show them your support. We all love getting comments, and who knows what inspiration you may find? Be sure to share the love–that’s what a blog hop is all about!
  • If you are interested in co-hosting, contact Anne at anne@mylearningtable.com

 


Encouraging Hearts & Home Blog Hop – March 28, 2018

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Welcome to Encouraging Hearts & Home!

 

The Encouraging Hearts & Home Bloggers

Join your Encouraging Hearts & Home Co-Hosts each week for encouragement and support for your heart & your home. We hope to provide a space that builds each other up and lends a helping hand along the way. With all the negativity in the world, let’s shine a positive light!

Anne at Learning TableLinda at Apron Strings & Other Things

Amy at A Nest in the Rocks

 

The most clicked post from last week’s Blog Hop was:

Freezer Cooking.

 

***Each week, our co-hosts will each choose 10 of our favorite links, along with the most clicked link, and pin them to our Encouraging Hearts & Home Pinterest board.

 

Join us each Thursday! Link up your family-friendly blog posts and find encouragement for your heart & home!

How to Link Up

  • Use the form below to share your posts this week, and maybe you’ll discover some new ideas from all the fabulous links!
  • Please share only your family friendly posts with us!
  • Please only link up images that you have the rights to use.
  • By linking up, you agree that if your blog post is selected to be featured on any of our hosts’ blogs, we can use an image from your post with a link back to your post.

Other nice things you can do

  • Follow and/or subscribe to your host’s blog.
  • Visit a few other bloggers and show them your support. We all love getting comments, and who knows what inspiration you may find? Be sure to share the love–that’s what a blog hop is all about!
  • If you are interested in co-hosting, contact Anne at anne@mylearningtable.com


Encouraging Hearts & Home Blog Hop – March 21, 2018

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Welcome to Encouraging Hearts & Home!

 

The Encouraging Hearts & Home Bloggers

Join your Encouraging Hearts & Home Co-Hosts each week for encouragement and support for your heart & your home. We hope to provide a space that builds each other up and lends a helping hand along the way. With all the negativity in the world, let’s shine a positive light!

Anne at Learning TableLinda at Apron Strings & Other Things

Amy at A Nest in the Rocks

 

The most clicked post from last week’s Blog Hop was:

Daily Encouragement – 3 Ways to Spark Joy in Your Day

***Each week, our co-hosts will each choose 10 of our favorite links, along with the most clicked link, and pin them to our Encouraging Hearts & Home Pinterest board.

 

Join us each Thursday! Link up your family-friendly blog posts and find encouragement for your heart & home!

How to Link Up

  • Use the form below to share your posts this week, and maybe you’ll discover some new ideas from all the fabulous links!
  • Please share only your family friendly posts with us!
  • Please only link up images that you have the rights to use.
  • By linking up, you agree that if your blog post is selected to be featured on any of our hosts’ blogs, we can use an image from your post with a link back to your post.

Other nice things you can do

  • Follow and/or subscribe to your host’s blog.
  • Visit a few other bloggers and show them your support. We all love getting comments, and who knows what inspiration you may find? Be sure to share the love–that’s what a blog hop is all about!
  • If you are interested in co-hosting, contact Anne at anne@mylearningtable.com


Encouraging Hearts & Home Blog Hop – January 24, 2018

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Welcome to Encouraging Hearts & Home

 

The Encouraging Hearts & Home Bloggers

Join your Encouraging Hearts & Home hosts each week for encouragement and support for your heart & your home. We hope to provide a space that builds each other up and lends a helping hand along the way. With all the negativity in the world, let’s shine a positive light!

Anne at Learning TableLinda at Apron Strings & Other Things

Amy at A Nest in the Rocks

 

The most clicked post from last week’s Blog Hop was:

Homeschool Moms, Take Action!

 

Join us each Thursday! Link up your family-friendly blog posts and find encouragement for your heart & home!

How to Link Up

  • Use the form below to share your posts this week, and maybe you’ll discover some new ideas from all the fabulous links!
  • Please share only your family friendly posts with us!
  • Please only link up images that you have the rights to use.
  • By linking up, you agree that if your blog post is selected to be featured on any of our hosts’ blogs, we can use an image from your post with a link back to your post.

Other nice things you can do

  • Follow and/or subscribe to your host’s blog.
  • Visit a few other bloggers and show them your support. We all love getting comments, and who knows what inspiration you may find? Be sure to share the love–that’s what a blog hop is all about!
  • If you are interested in co-hosting, contact Anne at anne@mylearningtable.com

Join us each Thursday! Link up your family-friendly blog posts and find encouragement for your heart & home!

How to Link Up

  • Use the form below to share your posts this week, and maybe you’ll discover some new ideas from all the fabulous links!
  • Please share only your family friendly posts with us!
  • Please only link up images that you have the rights to use.
  • By linking up, you agree that if your blog post is selected to be featured on any of our hosts’ blogs, we can use an image from your post with a link back to your post.

Other nice things you can do

  • Follow and/or subscribe to your host’s blog.
  • Visit a few other bloggers and show them your support. We all love getting comments, and who knows what inspiration you may find? Be sure to share the love–that’s what a blog hop is all about!
  • If you are interested in co-hosting, contact Anne at anne@mylearningtable.com


“Deadly Proof” by Rachel Dylan

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Disclosure Pic

In the biggest case of her career, attorney Kate Sullivan is tapped as lead counsel to take on Mason Pharmaceutical because of a corporate cover-up related to its newest drug. After a whistleblower dies, Kate knows the stakes are much higher than her other lawsuits.

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James is still haunted by mistakes made while serving overseas. Trying to forget the past, he is hired by Kate to look into the whistleblower’s allegation and soon suspects that the company may be engaging in a dangerous game for profit. He also soon finds himself falling for this passionate and earnest young lawyer. Determined not to make the same mistakes, he’s intent on keeping Kate safe, but as the case deepens, it appears someone is willing to risk everything–even murder–to keep the case from going to trial.

 
Rachel Dylan
 
The Deadly Proof  is in the pudding – you won’t be able to put it down!  Dylan’s newest book is a fast-paced, suspense story full of drama and action.
 
I loved the way that Kate was super smart and willing to do the right thing, no matter the time or consequence.  She knew where her priorities lie, and she stuck with them.
 
Landon was just as fascinating – kind of like Gibbs on NCIS.  He’s dealing with lots of emotional traumaand not always very well, but his goals are good and true.  His backstory is hidden, at first, and Dylan lets it pour out slowly through the story, giving you just enough to whet your appetite for more.
 
Deadly Proof has a big, surprising twist at the end.  I thought it was all sounding a little too clean, and I enjoyed the way that Dylan wrote the climax and resolution.
 
I had a bit of trouble in the beginning keeping track of characters.  This was in part because there were a lot of lawyers in the large cast of characters, and partly because it wasn’t clear in the beginning which ones were the good guys and which ones were the bad guys.  Somehow my confusion suddenly cleared up, and I was good from that point on.
 
Deadly Proof is a very smart book.  It may be to a reader’s advantage to have some passing knowledge of law going in, in the same way that knowing something about tactical maneuvers might benefit a Ronie Kendig reader, but I trusted that Kate knew her legal stuff, and I didn’t worry about legal details.  Using that strategy, I was good to go throughout the story, and seemed to follow the action just fine.
 
I really enjoyed my time with Deadly Proof.  This was my first Dylan book, but I’m eagerly looking for more.
 
I received a free copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity.  All opinions are my own.
 

What if You Lost Your Sight?

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Disclosure Pic

It was one of the scariest school days ever.

It was the first day of third grade, and I’d heard that the teacher was very strict.  Scarily strict.  So when she wanted us to copy what she had written on the board, and I couldn’t see the writing, I was afraid to tell her, but I had no choice.

Twice I had to raise my hand and explain that I couldn’t see the board, and finally she got tired of moving my seat.  She sighed loudly and told me to move my desk wherever it needed to be so that I could see.  I began to push my desk forward and stopped when I could see – when my desk touched the board.

That was the first time that I realized how scary it was not to be able to see, and as I became more and more nearsighted, similar situations occurred.  I began to wonder what it would be like actually to be blind, and I didn’t like the idea.

My nearsightedness is a common occurrence, and I can see just fine – but if that should change?  What if there were something I could do about it?

AMD

Every year nearly 10 million Americans go blind due to AMD or age-related Macular Degeneration.  The exciting news is that a cure is in sight!  The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a non-profit organization, has provided funding for research for curing blindness, particularly AMD, since 1971.  In fact, with the research FFB has already made possible, treatments to stop and in some cases even reverse retinal disease is a reality.  This is great news for people over 55 and their families. With AMD it is nearly impossible for grandparents to enjoy the little things in life such as playing games, watching movies, and reading to their grandchildren.  However, due to innovative research, those things are once again possible for many people, but we need to continue this outreach to fund research and find cures.

With your help, we can continue our important work of helping the blind to see.  Please click on this link for a FREE informational packet about AMD and how you can help.

‘My Daughter’s Legacy’ Blog Tour, Author Chat Party, and Giveaway

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Meet two women in different eras but both with unfailing conviction in Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould’s new book, My Daughter’s Legacy. Therese Jennings cannot abide the thought of owning slaves. But when trouble befalls her family, can she reconcile her obligations with her beliefs? Nicole Talbot’s life is back on track after years of substance abuse. But when facts she uncovers cast doubt on her family’s legacy, she must risk all that she’s gained-her fresh start, her family’s trust, and her growing relationship with a new man-to unlock the secrets of the past. 

Celebrate the release of Mindy and Leslie’s new book by entering to win the $75 Visa Cash Card Giveaway (details below) and by attending their author chat party on August 1!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

  • One copy of My Daughter’s Legacy
  • One $75 Visa Cash Card

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 1. The winner will be announced at the My Daughter’s Legacy Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Mindy, Leslie, and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word-tell your friends about the giveaway via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 1st!

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