This is your year to speak the right words! photo by Donna Perugini (C)2012

Is it Possible to Extend Valentines Day All Year??

It’s February and the first thought that comes to mind is Valentines Day.  What if you could extend Valentines Day throughout the year?  I’m not just talking about the candy, gifts and cards. One way in particular is watching your words…picking the right words and only speaking the ‘grace’ filled words for your family. 

Do You Hear Your Mother Like a Tape in Your Head?

You know how you were brought up and it might be an effort to give your child praise especially if you feel they didn’t earn or deserve it.  Those words you speak will be with them for their lifetime. Have you ever heard of  ‘mommy-tapes’ that run through your thoughts and guess what pops out of your mouth?  That’s right, everything your mother built into your character with her words. Mothers are not alone as there are many men who still hear the ‘daddy-tapes’ …harsh or uplifting.  You get to make the choice today to give over 50% of your words to encouraging, filling up their ‘love tank’ and helping them to believe in themselves.

Do Your Future Grandchildren a Favor!

There is so much potential wrapped up in their little frames! You’ll be doing your grandchildren a huge favor by empowering your children now. You can still discipline, but without the character assasination names.  Maybe you’ve failed up until now. You can succeed if you do not give up with praising your child. Yes, there’s the long day, whining and messes, but words you use now when you’re tired live on…and on…and on. 

Pass on the Positive…

A child that believes negative character expressions from you is also subject to bullying at school. When they believe your character descriptions…negative or positive….the results are catching. There’s power in your words; more power than you can imagine. Work on building up instead of pulling down. Maybe you got a raw deal, but change your child’s life now as an installment payment on your grandchild’s life.

Get an Accountability Partner

Find a friend who you can be accountable to. If your day has too many stresses, give them a call to ‘talk you down’. Take a deep breath and walk away to find the right words for your child. Can’t think of any immediately? Write them down and tape them to cabinets, the refrigerator, mirrors, doors….anyplace you can look quickly. You can do this! The ending to your child’s story hasn’t been written yet. Wake them up with a smile, kiss and hug them goodbye at the door. If it’s a hurried goodbye, yell ‘I love you!’ as they leave. Keep it up for a week and write about your success, because you really did succeed and change their future! 

Do you have any suggestions for speaking the right words?  Give the readers your thoughts and comment!

Valentine’s Day brings out the

 Conversation Hearts

Remember wishing someone would hand you the ‘YOU*R*SWEET’ or the ‘I LOVE YOU’? Now you can make the recipe, and write your own messages. You can even make whatever size or shape you want! The recipe is below, with links to the photos to see if you’re doing it right. 

Hints for Perfect Conversation Valentines Hearts!

• Be sure to get good flavoring, non alcoholic as you don’t cook off the alcohol.
• Buy the food marker pens to mark the hearts. Got mine at Michaels Craft Store
• Definitely use gloves and have powdered sugar out to dust the gloves and prevent sticking.
• Be sure that you give the candy 24 hours to thoroughly dry or the marker ink will run.

Be sure not to miss the photo tutorial with step-by-step illustrations showing how to make conversation hearts! This recipe requires an extensive drying period, so be sure to start this process 24 hours before you need the hearts. Additionally, you will need special food-coloring markers for writing on the hearts, such as the “Gourmet Writer” markers from AmeriColor. 

Ingredients: 

1 packet (1/4 oz, or 2 tsp) unflavored gelatin 

1/2 cup water 

2 tsp light corn syrup 

2 lbs powdered sugar, plus additional for dusting 

Assorted flavoring extracts of your choice 

Assorted food colors of your choice 

Heart-shaped cutters 

Preparation: 

1. Place the corn syrup, gelatin, and water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Stir until the gelatin is well-distributed. Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, so the gelatin dissolves, and stir well. 

2. Pour the gelatin mixture into the bowl of a large stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. If you are using a hand mixer, pour the gelatin mixture into a large bowl. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and turn the mixer to low, mixing until the sugar is incorporated. 

3. Once the sugar is mixed in, add another cup of sugar, again mixing on low until it liquefies. Continue to add the remaining powdered sugar, one cup at a time, pausing in between additions to allow the sugar to mix in, until the full two pounds of powdered sugar is added. Periodically, stop the mixer and scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl. The candy will progress from a thin, watery liquid to a very stiff dough. 

4. Once all of the sugar is incorporated, dust a work surface (counter or large cutting board) with powdered sugar and scrape the candy out onto the work surface. The candy will be very sticky and stiff. Generously dust the top of the ball of candy with powdered sugar, and begin to knead the candy like bread dough: fold the ball of dough over onto itself, then use the heel of your hand to push it down. Give the candy a quarter-turn, and repeat the process, dusting it with more powdered sugar as often as necessary to prevent it from sticking to the board or your hands. Knead until the candy is satiny and not sticky. 

5.Decide how many colors/flavors of conversation hearts you want to make, and divide the candy dough into that many portions. To flavor and color the candy, take one of the balls and flatten it into a palm-sized disc. Add a few drops of food coloring and flavoring extract to the center of the disc, and fold it over on itself. (It is a good idea to wear disposable plastic gloves during this step to keep your hands free of colors and odors.) Knead the dough ball, just as you did before, until the color is evenly dispersed throughout the candy, and all streaks have disappeared. Repeat this process with remaining candy balls and colors/flavors, until all of your candy is colored and flavored.  Put in too much color and guess who has a mouthful of …blue, green, or red!

6. Dust your work surface and a rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out one of the candy balls to your desired thickness. Small store-bought conversation hearts tend to be fairly thick, generally over 1/4″ thick. I find that this thickness works well for small hearts (under 1″), but it makes larger heart sizes very substantial and a little overwhelming. However, the thickness is entirely a matter of personal preference and does not affect the taste of the final candy. 

7. Use heart-shaped cutters to cut hearts out of the rolled candy, and transfer the hearts to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Smaller hearts are more realistic, but larger hearts are easier to write messages on. Once you have cut out your hearts, you can re-roll the scraps to get more shapes out of the candy. Repeat with remaining candy balls. 

8. Allow your hearts to air-dry for at least 24 hours before you write on them. This step is VERY important, because the extra moisture in the hearts will cause the ink to run if you do not let them dry properly. 

9. After the hearts have dried for a day, use the food writing markers to write messages or draw designs on the hearts. Store your conversation hearts in an airtight container at room temperature. 

Another place I can use these candies of my book character’s, Orville, Amelia and Antrew’s,  round heads is at a book signing. I’m sure you could come up with even more ideas for this recipe. At the very least make an awesome Valentine candy for someone special!

Have any creative sparks for this recipe?  Leave your comments!

Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses

Hunted From 1988 to Present

When you hear about Salman Rushdie, do you remember what happened in 1988 when his book, The Satanic Verses was published?  Do you recall the fatwa that was issued against him by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenini in 1989 to execute Rushdie.  Those leaders were offended by Rushdie’s book and took steps to end Rushdie’s life for alleged blasphemous content in his novel which gave an irreverent depiction of the prophet Muhammad.  I’d always wondered if those thoughts of who would murder Rushdie kept him awake at night fearing what where and when it would happen to him.  The recent news  shows he was to appear at the 2012 Jaipur Literary Festival in India but was told there were those of the Mumbai underworld that would assasinate him. 

An Article Written in The Publisher’s Weekly

The Publisher’s Newsletter writes, “Over the weekend the story surrounding Salman Rushdie’s withdrawal from the Jaipur Literary Festival in India took a number of strange turns. Rushdie had said Friday that he had called off his visit on the advice of government officials, who had received information “that hired killers from the Mumbai underworld had been set after him in order to eliminate him during his visit.” The Hindu reported Sunday that “the two purported Mumbai-based assassins cited in the security threat were unknown to the city police,” and that the threat may have been fabricated. On his Twitter feed Rushdie said he had “investigated the matter” and indicated he “believed I was indeed lied to.”

In the wake of Rushdie’s cancellation, four writers, including Amitava Kumar and Hari Kunzru, read excerpts of Rushdie’s novel THE SATANIC VERSES, which is banned in India. As a result the four writers were instructed to leave the festival–and India–for “legal and security reasons.” Writing on his website (and reposted by the Guardian) Kunzru explained: “We wanted to demystify the book. It is, after all, just a book. Not a bomb. Not a knife or a gun. Just a book.” 

Be Sure You Read the Comments

Reading further down in the comments section of the online story you can find those who believe it was just another way for the festival and authors to grab the headlines. Then there were those that commented commending the authors that stood for freedom of speech. 

My Take-away

I’m writing to remind all of us that we live in a great country, the United States of America,  where we have freedom of speech. Yeh, you’ve heard that ‘freedom of speech’ stuff a lot, but have you experienced someone’s displeasure with something you’ve written?  Gotten a few bad reviews?  That’s just a matter of taste.  The reviewer has the right to express themselves freely too.  I have to say I’ve never had an execution order put out on me for the Christian children’s books I’ve written.  It never feels good when someone doesn’t like what you’ve done in book form, but I’m not living a life of looking over my shoulder like Rushdie.  I thank God I live where I have freedom to freely write and speak what I believe.  My faith reminds me that I need to pray for all the leaders in our country to receive wisdom so I can live in peace.  Good advice for our time!

How do you feel about living in the USA and freedom of speech?  Have you prayed for your leaders consistently?

ebooks...not just for Kindles!

For the Uninformed…Kindle Apps for Other Devices

 Okay, I’m going out on a limb here and may appear ignorant, but this info is for the ‘uninformed’ that want to take advantage of free Kindle books without having a Kindle.  Yes you can!  You can download ebooks on your PC (if you don’t have a Kindle) with these (Amazon) requirements:

Amazon System Requirements for PC ebook Use

• A PC with a 500MHz Intel or AMD processor or faster

• At least 128MB of RAM

• Screen resolution of 800×600 or greater

• Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later, or Windows Vista or Windows 7

• 100MB of available disk space

 

Other Devices to use FREE Kindle Apps :

 

• Web Browser
• Mac,
• iPhone,
• iPad,
• BlackBerry, or
• Android Phone

Now don’t laugh!  Some of us knew about many of those uses, but I did not realize my Android phone could be downloading free Kindle apps to read free or purchased ebooks.  (I’m hanging my head here!) 

Why am I interested in this now?  I became aware of the PC use for reading FREE ebooks through my posting on The Vessel Project..Keiki Hendrix.  If you’re looking for FREE Christian reading materials, ebooks, etc. she’s your ‘go to girl’.  Follow her blog, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll become aware of oh so many FREE Christian ebooks!

These are the new Kindle add-ons from Amazon  for your PC:

New Features on the Amazon Kindle for PC App

• Localized app language in French, Spanish, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese
• Support for collections allows you to take control of your Kindle library and organize your books with ease
• Book Extras by Shelfari. Access character descriptions, important places, popular quotations, themes, and book-specific glossaries from Shelfari, the community-powered encyclopedia for book-lovers
• Support for Kindle Print Replica content, which look like the corresponding print book with words and images in the position corresponding to the print edition. See more detail on Print Replica content here. (This is definitely worth the read)
• Support for reading most PDF files within the Kindle application, including functionality such as zoom and pan, highlighting, note taking, dictionary lookup, and bookmarks

Just today I learned of a youth pastor friend, Kenny Bowyer,  who has written devotionals for his youth over a years time in ebook format.   A Moment With God by Kenny Bowyer:  A Teen Devotional, and is available on Amazon.com.   When you purchase and read his ebook, be absolutely sure to leave your review on Amazon.  This helps authors tremendously. 

Why am I excited about all this?  I don’t have a designated ebook reader but can download and read all the FREE ebooks, purchase ebooks and have Kenny’s devos with me on my phone.  A big help to me as I’m also teaching the teen girls at our church now!  My Android can have its first downloaded book for $3.99 which will be useful in our group.  I’m big on reference materials! 

Have any FREE ebook places you go?  Can you share that in the comments, please? 

Attribute Krissen @Flickr

Where do you think the phrase, ‘Rule of Thumb’ came from? 

There are two thoughts here. 

Brewmasters of old often tested the temperature of a batch of beer by dipping a thumb in the brew.  Their long experience told them how well the beer was brewing.  (I wonder if they were thumbsuckers as children?) One theory has it that our expression for a rough, guesswork estimate derives from this practice.  My choice of brew is ice tea, hold the lemon and sugar.

Last Joint of the Thumb

More likely it stems from the ancient use of the last joint of the thumb as a measuring device for roughly one inch.  I measured mine and it’s 1 1/4″.   Have we grown longer thumbs throughout the generations? 

Let me know if your thumb at the last joint to the tip is 1 inch or is it longer.  And if you’re a brewmaster….how’s that thumb working out for you?

taken from the Henry Holt Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson

Watch a video of SCIENCE TRICKS and impress your kids! 130342 via Pragmatic Mom

Tricks Up Your Sleeve? 

There you were at a family gathering and uncle Bob had a few tricks up his sleeve to show the little kids.  How about you?  How would you like to be ready for the next gathering with a few (scientific) tricks of your own? 

Always One at a Gathering or Party!

You remember how your parent, favorite uncle or even grandparent came up with some fascinating tricks they pulled on you?  No, I’m not talking about a hand buzzer trick or a whoopie cushion.  I’m talking about ‘scientific demonstrations’.  Just saying those two words can make you *yawn*…so we’ll call it spectacular tricks for the sake of holding the younger child’s attention.  Yes, I still remember the coin that is rubbed into your elbow and comes out your ear…it-was-impressive!!

Memorize and Impress

Watch these spectacular tricks and memorize them to impress!  You might even want to put the ‘Scientist’ in this video on your YouTube list to follow and be updated.  This video was done by Quirkology‘s  Richard Wiseman  . 

Do you have any special tricks you can share?  Leave your comments!

Be sure to click through to my blog for the video………………..

The chimp is bronze...the child is priceless! www.DonnaPerugini.com for Christian faith-filled children's books

How do I teach my child about my faith? 

This is something I’ve strived to help parents with through my 4 children’s books.  Every book you read to them, every situation you find yourself in that can be an example of God’s love for us are ways to teach your faith to your child. 

A Passion for my child’s Faith!

That brings me to Kyria Magazine’s offering.  Have you heard of Kyria Magazine online?  They have a new area in their magazine titled,  A Passion for My Child’s Faith.  In their own words,

“…this is a Parent’s Guide as a PDF. You’ll receive Bible-based help for yourself or to use with a group of other parents.” 

You as parents and grandparents are the winners here in so many ways!  The PDF cost is $4.95 and you’re given permission to use it for up to 1,000 people in your local church.  They even guarantee their PDF with, ” 100% GUARANTEE – If you are not completely satisfied with the product you purchase, please e-mail us and we’ll provide your next one completely free!  It doesn’t seem like you can lose on this deal!

Get a Glimpse into their new category

A glimpse into their newly formed category, A Passion for My Child’s Faith shows:

1. Effect of your example and presence in your kids’ lives.
2. Child development concepts.  Your child’s age and how to best engage with God and biblical truth.
3. Child educator in conversation about how faith can be woven into family time and fun play.
4. Help kids put their budding faith into action with age-appropriate service and volunteer experiences.
5. Intentional faith-building through themed family nights, creative mealtime activities, and more.”

See the Titles for articles in this offered PDF

This PDF Parent’s Guide  includes 51 pages of: 

Introduction
Hopes…Dreams…Focus
by Kelli B. Trujillo

Leader’s Guide
How to use “A Passion for My Child’s Faith” for a group study.

The Secret to Raising Faith-Filled Kids
How children really learn to follow God
by Kevin Young

Growing Up With God
An age-by-age guide to nurturing your child’s faith
by Marlene LeFever

Make God Real to Your Kids
It’s easier than you think, says child-friendly educator Karyn Henley
Interview by Ron R. Lee

Raising Kids Who Care
How volunteer work can help your child learn compassion
by Sheila Wray Gregoire

Building a Heritage That Lasts
John Trent and Kurt Bruner describe the tools you need to pass your faith on to your family
Interview by Carla Barnhill

Additional Resources
Books to help you further.

You are definitely the winner when you purchase this excellent information all in one place!  Now go and download…you’ll love it for your young mother’s group!  Want to sign up for a free Kyria newsletter, click here.

Have any stories about teaching your child about Jesus through their surroundings and everyday situations?  Leave your comments, please!

An easy tip over…tall stand and not wide enough for the TV.

New television purchase for Christmas? 

You may think setting the TV on a stand is enough, but there are untold numbers of television tip overs that are happening.  The TV sets and even the taller stands need securing to the wall behind.  Here are some tips for securing that TV and stand:

 

• Anchor TVs to stands or walls using nylon straps or mounting kits. The straps are available at many baby stores, and mounting kits can be purchased at some electronics and hardware stores.

• Safety straps intended for furniture should not be used for TVs. Furniture safety straps are too short, and the included screws can’t be connected to TVs.

• Place TVs on sturdy, low bases. If you’re buying a TV stand, be sure it accommodates the TV. A base too small for a TV raises the risk of tip-over.  If you are using a taller stand, look on the back to see if it has securing hardware.  I’ve found that hardware on many tall and short stands and now I understand the significance of securing the TV and stand.

• Dressers are not recommended as TV stands because they are not designed for such use.

• If a TV is placed on a piece of furniture not intended for such use, push the TV as far back on the furniture as possible and anchor both items to the wall.

• Keep remote controls, toys and other items that might attract children off TVs and stands. A TV can topple if a child is reaching for an object on top of it. DVD players, video game devices and cable receivers also should not be stored atop TVs.

• Make sure cords are out of children’s reach.

• Recycle old TVs not in use. Some retailers accept old TVs, even without a purchase.

These are just a few thoughts to raise awareness about the dangers of unsecured TV and stands.  Your children are worth the extra effort!

If you have any other tips that would help, please leave a comment for the readers!

Interview and

Giveaway

A friend of mine,  Jill Farris,  is doing an interview with me and offering a book giveaway.  Her choice was her 6 year old son’s favorite, Don’t Hug a Grudge by Donna Perugini.  

Meet the Dynamo

She’s the mother of 8 children ranging in age from 6 to 25.  Talk about covering all the age ranges!  She really knows how to stretch the money and deal with all the age groupings.  Jill Farris of Generational Womanhood loves to speak to MOPs  (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups and women’s conferences in our area of the Pacific Northwest and Canada.  I met her online, but found out she lives by me, so we had some intense lunches together.  A one word description…DYNAMIC!

Check her out and sign up for the book giveaway.  The ‘end date’ for this giveaway on Jill’s site is Jan. 8.  Jill is also giving away the Thomas Nelson book, Why Men Hate Going to Church.  You could be a winner on Dec. 24!

Watch the Book Trailer of Don’t Hug a Grudge

I included a YouTube book trailer of Don’t Hug a Grudge done in English and Spanish.  There are also Coloring Pages that go with the book.  Songs are also in the works for Don’t Hug a Grudge.  Want to be informed of new songs and curriculum to go with all the books?  Just Subscribe by Email..(top right side of the blog) and you’ll be on top of all the latest information! 

This is How an Online Site Uses the Video

‘Learning Spanish Online’ has my YouTube video up on their site recommending Don’t Hug a Grudge to parents

“…For those looking to continue improving how to learn Spanish, one of the more common intermediate children Spanish books are those found in the Donna Perugini series”.  

Wow, who knew! Hmmmm…could be a homeschooler tool!  Enjoy the video and remember, it’s only $4.99 at www.DonnaPerugini.com or $4.99 at Amazon.com!

Thank you, Rachelle Gardner for this link!  I wouldn’t have seen it without your posting!