Building Families One Meal at a Time

Giveaway included with this post

Do you want a book you will probably grab for every thing then this is the book for you?  In their book Six Sisters' Stuff you'll find recipes, fun crafts and more ssssooooo much more.  Six sisters, no brothers, have come together to compile a wealth of knowledge and fun right at your finger tips.  I must say this is a book that when I opened it I didn't see a recipe that I didn't want to run and make.  Plus the added features sprinkled thought out the book are just a plus bonus.  I just love the Easy Monster Sock puppet.  have to show you a picture of it

I don't have clearance to provide the recipe that I made; however, I'll show a picture.  

Cheesy Enchilada Casserole p. 16

all the recipes in this book have nice clear photos to accompany them as do the craft projects.  to make it easy on myself I took a picture of the table of contents page so I wouldn't have to type out all the recipes and crafts and extras that you'll find in this book.

(click on the image to make it bigger to read)

Some of the tips and ideas that are shared may not be found in the book, but they give you a web link to gain the information that is needed such as a link for making paper dolls, or homemade gak, etc.  quite the resource right at your finger tips.  Now for the fun part- I get to give a copy of this book away to one of my readers.  What the sisters have asked to be required to enter is that you do one of two things.  

1) Like the Six Sister’s STUFF facebook page and comment that you are joining the 4x4 Dinner Challenge  Learn more about the challenge by clicking on above challenge icon
https://www.facebook.com/SixSistersStuff

OR

2)   Click the 4x4 Family dinner banner on the website www.SixSistersStuff.com (on the right sidebar) and leave a comment that you are joining the challenge.

To be entered for free cookbook giveaway - Be sure to Leave a comment on this post telling me you have entered the challenge and which place # 1 or 2 you left your message at and the name.  Also please leave a way for me to contact you if you are the winner.  Since the challenge is open for the whole month of March we'll leave the giveaway open through March.  Please US residents only.

Building Families One Meal at a Time: Six Sisters Release New Cook-Craft-Create Book

With busy schedules, after-school activities, late workdays and long commutes, is sitting down to a family dinner still possible? 

The authors of Six Sisters’ Stuff (Shadow Mountain, ISBN: 978-1-60907-324-4, $21.99, March 2013) say YES! 

In their debut cookbook, the sisters (yes, six biological sisters— Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren, and Kendra) show families just how simple putting dinner on the table can be.  From Baked Chicken Fajitas to Slow Cooker Pot Roast Sliders to Mini Oreo Cheesecakes, Six Sisters’ Stuff has nearly 100 easy-to-follow recipes that use ingredients commonly found in your pantry.  Each recipe includes easy-to-follow instructions and photographs that eliminate any guess work.

Six Sisters’ Stuff evolved from the sisters’ blog SixSistersStuff.com, that began in February 2011 out of their love to cook, craft, and create. After years of living close to one another, they suddenly found themselves living in different parts of the country and used the blog to stay in touch and share ideas. In just two short years, SixSistersStuff.com has quickly become one of the most popular food and craft blogs, receiving on average 5 million page views per month, with over 130,000 Facebook fans and more than 190,000 Pinterest followers (as of 2/7/13).

Six Sisters’ Stuff also includes a collection of simple and inexpensive craft ideas – how to make hand puppets, felt bows, decorative wreaths, and more – plus lists of fun family activities for road trips, entertaining rainy-day ideas, healthy snack suggestions, and even some recommendations for cheap date nights. This family-focused cookbook is really more of an idea book to help families create fun, lasting memories together.
Watch a video here

A copy of this book was provided by Deseret Books in exchange for this post along with my honest review.

Ultimate Kiss Day # 6 ~ the big 5-0h!

Don't forget the Ultimate Kiss contest

Kiss scene taken from:

Sandra D. Bricker's book, the big 5-0h!, p. 82

Jared knew it was too soon, but he didn't allow himself a moment to think it through. Throwing caution to the wind he reached toward her and skimmed he line of her jaw with his finger, and then he drew her face toward his into a kiss. It was consciously soft at first, nothing pressing or too intrusive, just the momentary meeting of their lips. They parted for an instant, and then came together again. He wasn't sure if it was his doing or hers, but they both leaned into one another, a nonverbal agreement from both sides of a magnificent and tender kiss.


Read a chapter of this book here.



Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.

The Ultimate # 5 ~ Love Finds you in Holiday, Florida

Remember the Ultimate Kiss contest is on get details here.

Kiss Scene taken from:
Sandra D. Bricker's book, Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida, p. 204 & 205

Richard surprised her by reaching over and taking her hand and then lifting it to his lips. He planted a soft and sincere kiss on her knuckles before guiding her hand to his face and nuzzling it gently.

"I don't want you to go."

She had absolutely nothing to say in reply. Not one single thing crossed her mind except to ask herself what she could say to ease his mind.

Nothing. There's no promise I can make, no hope to lay out there for either of us.

"I'm sorry," she managed.

"I'm sorry, too," he replied on a whisper, releasing her hand.

Cassie looked into Richard's eyes and felt stranded there, disoriented. She couldn't pull away from his gaze.

He's so handsome, she thought as she watched him.

The wind kicked up a blustery stream around them, and his chestnut hair feathered back from his face in sections. his blue eyes darkened like a night sky, and the parenthetical dimples that she loved so much were nowhere in sight. He would have had to smile for her to get a glimpse of them, and Richard wasn't smiling.

He lifted his hand and pressed it softly against her cheek. Then he guided her toward him with two fingers beneath her jaw. Cassie knew she had the choice to pull away, but she just couldn't mange it. She couldn't even entertain the idea.

When his soft lips touched hers, it was a tender kiss, as smooth as the flight of two soaring birds or a petal falling from a flower. They lingered in that kiss, both of them lost in the poetry of the circumstance.

The heavens rumbled faintly and then rain began to plummet, but Cassie and Richard were spellbound, absorbed in another and the perfect moment they'd been given. When they finally parted, Cassie felt as if she'd just been awakened from a deep and abiding sleep. Her eyelids were heavy, and her lips ached for more. It wasn't until Richard was on his feet and extending his hand toward her that she realized it had begun to rain.

Read this book's tour and a link to the first chapter here

Learn how you can win a copy of this book and others like it click here for details.

Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.

Ultimate Kiss Day # 4 ~ A Passion Redeemed

Remember the Ultimate Kiss contest is on get details here.

Kiss scene taken from:
Julie Lessman's book, A Passion Redeemed, p. 92-94

Dear God, what was happening? It was as if he had no control over his hand as it strayed from the towel to the soft curve of her neck. A tilt of her head, the blush of her cheeks, and suddenly he was two different men. One whose every muscle, thought, and desire strained toward wanting her. The other, a distant voice of conscience and memory, quickly fading with every throb of his renegade pulse. Curse the effect of the wine! What else could explain this driving insanity pulsing through him right now? His fingers burned as they lingered, slowly tracing to the hollow of her throat. Against his will, Mitch fixated on her lips, lush and full, staggered at the heat they generated. What was he doing? He didn't want this.

Yes...he did.

All night he'd felt it mounting, a desire in his belly that grew tight at the sound of her laughter, the lift of her chin, the light in her eyes. A woman with cool confidence around everyone but him. Call it the wine. Or the fact he hadn't been this close to a woman for well over a year. Or the intoxicating awareness that his very presence seemed to unnerve her. Whatever name it bore, it had him by the throat, taking him places he'd vowed he'd never go.

She blinked up at him, eyes wide and wondering. He was taking her by surprise, and knew it. But no more so than him. He stared at her lips, feeling the draw and unwilling to fight it. His fingers moved up her throat to gently cup her chin, his eyes burning with intent. Slowly, carefully, he leaned forward, his mouth finally reached hers, his breathing ragged as he tasted her lips.

A soft mew left her throat, and the sound ignited him. He pulled her close, his mouth demanding hers. She moaned while he pressed her to the counter, holding her there as he deepened the kiss. With a deep groan, his arms swallowed her up, drawing her small frame tightly against his. He pressed his lips to her hair, allowing her scent to flood his senses...to consume him.

Just like before.

His heart sized.. What was he doing? The more he touched, the more he wanted. But she had ruined his life. Dashed his hopes. Destroyed his dreams. Dear God in heaven, he wanted her...but he didn't want her.

Charity stood in a daze, eyes closed and chin raised, every nerve in her body quivering. The sound of her own breathing vibrated in her ears, rasping through parted lips as she waited for more. She felt the heat of his fingers as he clutched her arms, and the silence between them overflowed with the pounding of blood in her brain. Joy surged inside like an adrenaline rush. Dear Lord, how she loved him!

All at once he dropped his hold Her eyes fluttered open, and his look chilled her more than the absence of his touch.

The heat in his eyes cooled to guarded, and his jaw turned to stone as he backed away. "Charity...I...please forgive me."

Fear squeezed in her stomach. "There's noting to forgive I love you-"

He groaned and began to pace, muttering under his breath. When he spoke out loud, his voice was a near grow. "You don't love me. I took advantage of you, plain and simple."

"No, you didn't. I want you, Mitch." She took a step forward. "And you want me. Because you love me."

He turned, his eyes piercing hers. "lust isn't love."...

To read this book's blog tour and first chapter click here.




Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.

Ultimate Kiss Day # 3 ~ A Lady Like Sarah

Remember the Ultimate Kiss contest is on get details here.

Kiss scene taken from:
Margaret Brownley's book A Lady Like Sarah, p 173.

He spread a blanket on the ground and lay Elizabeth on it. Then without warning, he spun around and crushed Sarah into his arms, sending her hat flying to the ground.

Oblivious to onlookers, he kissed her hard. His lips on hers made her heart pound till she could hardly breathe.

"Stay with me, Sarah," he said between kisses. "I won't let them hurt your, I won't. God will help us find a way. You have to believe that."

She was tempted-more tempted than she had ever been in her life-but her feelings for this man far outweighed any selfish notions she had.

She stared up at the face that she had come to know so well. Seeing the pain in his eyes was almost harder to bear than the anguish she felt.

"How would it look for a preacher to be hangin' out with a Prescott?"

The frown on his forehead deepened. Something seemed to die inside of him. "I don't know that I have much heart left for preaching, " he said, feathering kisses on her forehead.

"That's crazy talk," she said, adding in a quieter but no less firm voice, "Preachin' is your life, your work."

"It's God's work, and he deserves someone who can give heart and soul to the job."

"And that someone is you," she said. "Don't go thinkin' it's not, you hear?"

He shook his head sadly, like a man who had seen his last dream fade away. "My heart won't be in it, Sarah. Not if you're gone." He hesitated. "I'm not even sure I'm cut out for the work anymore."

"Don't say that, Justin. Look how you helped that poor man who lost his wife and child. You even made a believer out of me."

He smiled at that. "I think you always believed. You just need to learn to trust God."

I do trust Him," she said softly, "and I believe God means for you to be a preacher." ...

Visit this book's blog tour along with a link for the first chapter here.



Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.

Ultimate Kiss Day # 2 ~ Plain Jayne

Remember the Ultimate Kiss contest is on get details here.

Kiss scene taken from:
Hillary Manton Lodge's Plain Jayne, p. 232

My thoughts concerning Levi were wildly conflicting. I hated the ideas of him selling the shop. I met him at the shop. I think I fell for him at the shop. I loved everything it stood for.

Without the shop, though, Levi was still Levi. He still smelled the same. His eyes still crinkled when he laughed. I knew he still cared about his family. I knew he still cared about me.

I knew this, because one of his hands was buried in my hair, the other nestled in the small of my back, holding me steady. His lips caressed mine, over and over.

We camp up for air a couple moments later. His eyes burned into mine as he stroked my hair. "I love you, " he said.

I froze. I knew I was crazy about him. I knew I didn't want to be without him. But love?

Love was a big deal.

Rather than answer, I kissed him.

Kissed him and hoped he didn't think too deeply about it...





Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.

Ultimate Kiss Day # 1 ~ Never Say Never

I just couldn't resist posting a kiss from Mrs. Clause.
Remember the Ultimate Kiss contest is on get details here.


Kiss Scene taken from:
Lisa Wingate's Never say Never, p. 216, 217

His eyes were the most gorgeous shade of golden brown now, like caramel with a small, silvery pool of mint melting toward the centers. "You're doing it again, you know, " he said.

"What?" The word was throaty, inviting.

"Changing the subject. It makes you hard to figure out."

"Sorry." I knew I was leaning closer to him, or he was leaning closer to me.

"Don't be," he whispered, and I felt the room spin.

"What..." I swallowed hard, blinked, tried to gather a coherent thought, but I couldn't. "What did you want to know?"

"Everything." His lips met mine and I was lost. Any coherent thought flew from my mind, and there was only the scent, the touch, the fell of him. I felt his fingers slip into my hair, felt his body turn, lean into mine, felt my body mold against his, strangely familiar, as if I'd been imagining this before it happened.

Either the washer changed cycles or the earth moved, but everything shifted at once.

The end of the kiss was like waking from some alternate state of reality. I leaned against the washer, hot and dizzy, my head floaty and light. I felt his and trail along my skin, his fingers toying with mine, then letting go.

I stood staring into his eyes, truing to remember why I was there....

Get details on a giveaway for this book here.

Get a link to the first chapter of this book here.



Enter the Ultimate Kiss Contest here.

The Ultimate Kiss contest

The Ultimate Kiss Contest Rules:

1. Either post a kiss scene that you have read in a book on your blog and leave me a comment with the link to it OR post the scene in your comment here.

Here is an example of a kiss scene:
It was just a little kiss, more like a brush. At least it started that way. It started as the tiniest nothing, but Levi wrapped his arm around my shoulder and the kiss deepened. I responded; he tasted like cookies and cream and smelled like cedar. My hands dug into his hair.
~p. 109; Plain Jayne by Hillary Manton Lodge~

2. Make sure the book title, author's name and page # where the scene is located is posted.
3. Make sure your e-mail contact is on your post
4. Post anytime between Feb. 7th - 12th. Winner will be drawn from all those that post on Feb. 13th.
Bonuses:
5. If you post your scene at your site and tell others about this contest with a link to this contest in the post you'll get an extra bonus point.
6. If you use my cute angel picture at the top of this post we'll get an extra bonus point.
7. You may post a different scene from a different book each day to get extra bonus points; however, only one scene per day per person.

that is a Total of 4 possible points per day.
You only need to leave me one comment per day
Now, for the prize...


Sweet By and By by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck
(read my review here)
Mary Engelbreit magnetic list pad
(saying on pad: Make the most of yourself ... for that is all there is of you.)
a bag of milk chocolate Kisses




Please let's make this clean fun. I have the right to deny any scene I deem unacceptable. I don't want vulgar things posted. I have the right to post on my blog what I want posted. That is why I check all comments before they appear. I don't want vulgar associated with my blog. I want clean fun.

Summer Reading Fun

Presents: Ideas for Summer Reading Fun!

Increase interest in reading for fun. Instead of simply going through a book list, try a creative approach:

Interest-Related: Ask your children what kinds of activities, events, or games they’d love to do over summer break. For each item, find related reading materials. For instance, if a child wants to learn how to double-dutch jump rope, look for instructional books, fiction stories in which jump roping is the main event, and magazine articles about kids who compete in jump rope contests.

Goal-Oriented: Set up contests. Categories could include the highest number of books, widest variety of genres, most words read, strangest stories, etc.

For the whole family: Pick one of your children’s favorite cartoons or movies. Read the book version out loud as a family. At the end of the book, compare the literary and TV versions. Then write or draw a story of similar genre that uses includes your family as the characters. So if your child’s favorite story is a cartoon about sea creatures, make each family member a different fish in your own story.