Three Boys and an Old Lady

5 Tips to Start Exercising and a Review of 15 WAYS TO LIVE LONGER AND HEALTHIER by Joel Osteen

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 13:04:00 +0000

this is a sponsored post

Fall is here which means we're trading long walks in the park for raking leaves. Funny thing we have a backyard full of leaves on the ground and all the trees in our backyard of STILL full of leaves. My husband likes to wait until the trees get a little bare before raking up all the leaves and then he mulches them with our lawnmower for use in our garden. Still lots of free opportunities for exercise courtesy of Mother Nature.

We are staunch believers in taking care of one's whole self: mind, body and spirit and always looking for ways to better ourselves. Recently, Hachette Book Group sent us a copy of 15 Ways to Live Longer and Healthier by Joel Osteen.

15 Ways to Live Longer and Healthier by Joel Osteen is a transformative guide to achieving a healthier and more fulfilling life. Known for his motivational and spiritual works, Osteen brings his uplifting approach to the realm of wellness and longevity, offering readers a comprehensive roadmap to better health.

Osteen's writing is both inspirational and approachable, making the book accessible to a wide range of readers. The book is structured around 15 key principles, each of which plays a vital role in promoting a longer and healthier life. Osteen's approach is holistic, addressing not only physical well-being but also mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

One of the book's standout features is its unwavering focus on the power of positivity and the impact of a positive mindset on health and longevity. Osteen shares compelling stories and real-life examples that demonstrate the transformative effects of maintaining a hopeful outlook on life.

The book explores various aspects of well-being, including nutrition, exercise, stress management, and the importance of nurturing strong relationships. Osteen's advice is actionable and practical, making it simple for readers to incorporate these principles into their daily routines. Whether you're looking to make healthier dietary choices, embrace regular physical activity, or learn effective stress management techniques, Osteen provides clear guidance.

While Osteen's faith is a foundational element in his work, this book's spiritual component is adaptable to individuals of diverse beliefs. He encourages readers to connect with their own spirituality as a source of strength and inspiration, making it a more broadly appealing guide.

In conclusion, "15 Ways to Live Longer and Healthier" is more than just a health manual; it's a comprehensive approach to leading a more enriching and meaningful life. It promotes self-improvement and personal growth in every facet, aligning with Osteen's motivational teachings. If you're searching for a holistic guide to wellness that blends practical advice with spiritual inspiration, this book is a valuable resource to guide you on the path to a longer and healthier life.

Now, let's shift our focus to getting started with exercise with these five tips:

1. Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve with exercise, whether it's weight loss, increased energy, or improved fitness. Having clear goals will motivate you.

2. Start Small: Begin with manageable workouts. Short sessions can be as effective as longer ones, especially for beginners.

3. Find Enjoyable Activities: Choose exercises you enjoy, whether it's dancing, hiking, or team sports. You're more likely to stick with an activity you find fun.

4. Create a Routine: Schedule your exercise sessions at consistent times. A routine helps establish exercise as a habit.

5. Seek Accountability: Share your goals with a friend or join a fitness class or group. Accountability can be a powerful motivator.

Make sure to set aside a little time for YOU. You deserve it.

Be sure to check out our easy entry Fall Book Giveaway for your chance to win your very own copy of 15 Ways to Live Longer and Healthier by Joel Osteen.

How do you get in your daily exercise? Let me know leave a comment below

Sip, Soothe, and Self-Reflect: Homemade Chamomile Tea & "Managing Your Emotions" by Joyce Meyer Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Fall is a season of reflection and cozy comfort, making it the perfect time to curl up with a good book and a soothing cup of homemade chamomile tea. Don't get me wrong, we love our sweet tea but there's nothing like a warm cup of your favorite tea on a chilly morn.

I recently picked up some chamomile flowers and a copy of "Managing Your Emotions" by Joyce Meyer courtesy to Hachette Book Group. Chamomile is one of my favorite teas because it helps me to unwind and has several health benefits. Thought I'd share my favorite chamomile tea recipe and a few thoughts on Meyer's latest release. Funny thing, this book was a perfect complement to the calming essence of the chamomile tea.

Homemade Chamomile Tea Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers (or 1 chamomile tea bag)
1 cup of hot water
1 teaspoon of honey (optional)
A slice of lemon (optional)

Instructions:

Boil water and let it cool slightly to about 190°F (88°C). Boiling water that's too hot can make the tea bitter, so patience is key.
Place the dried chamomile flowers in a teapot or a heatproof cup. If you're using a chamomile tea bag, simply put it in your cup.
Pour the hot water over the chamomile and let it steep for about 5 minutes. Let the beautiful, fragrant aroma filling the room.
If you like your tea sweet, stir in honey to taste. The honey adds a delightful, natural sweetness to the tea.
For a little zing, add a slice of lemon. The lemon complements the chamomile's floral notes, creating a well-balanced flavor.

Allow your tea to cool slightly and enjoy its soothing properties while you dive into a good book. like "Managing Your Emotions" by Joyce Meyer.

Joyce Meyer's "Managing Your Emotions" is like a warm cup of chamomile tea for your soul. In a world filled with emotional turbulence, Meyer's book is a 90-day devotional, a comforting guide to navigating the complex realm of our feelings. Meyer's deep spiritual wisdom and practical insights resonate throughout the book. She encourages readers to acknowledge and embrace their emotions, highlighting the importance of self-awareness.

Her unique blend of faith and psychological advice ensures that this book is inclusive and can benefit a wide range of readers, regardless of their beliefs. One of the book's strengths is its emphasis on forgiveness as a path to emotional freedom. Meyer beautifully illustrates how holding onto grudges can hinder our emotional well-being and provides practical guidance on the healing power of forgiveness. "Managing Your Emotions" is written in Meyer's trademark straightforward and accessible style. Her personal anecdotes and relatable examples make the content engaging and easy to connect with.

This book equips readers with actionable steps and exercises that foster emotional growth and resilience. In conclusion, whether you're sipping on homemade chamomile tea or immersing yourself in the pages of "Managing Your Emotions," you're bound to find comfort and inspiration. Both the tea and the book offer solace and guidance during the cozy, contemplative days of fall, making this season the perfect time to explore the depths of your emotions and inner strength.

Click here to check out an excerpt to Meyer's book and be sure to click here for a chance to win your very own copy of Managing Your Emotions by Joyce Meyer.

What's your favorite type of tea? Let me know leave a comment below.

Hachette Book Group's Fall Reads and a Special Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 11:41:00 +0000

Fall is upon us, and Hachette Book Group has unveiled a remarkable lineup of new releases that promise to make the season even more magical. These titles span various genres, offering something for every reader.

Check out these five upcoming Hachette's captivating Fall releases, links to excerpts from each book PLUS a special giveaway at the end of this post!

1. Charlie Brown’s Christmas Miracle by Michael Keane (Release Date: November 1, 2023) - Just in time for the holiday season, "Charlie Brown’s Christmas Miracle" brings the beloved Peanuts characters back to life. Michael Keane's heartwarming story captures the spirit of Christmas and the enduring friendship of Charlie Brown and his gang. Click here to read an excerpt

2. Managing Your Emotions by Joyce Meyer (Release Date: October 4, 2023) - In "Managing Your Emotions," Joyce Meyer explores the complexities of human emotions. This invaluable resource provides guidance for understanding and navigating our feelings, leading to healthier relationships and personal growth. Click here to read an excerpt

3. Christmas Miracles by Karen Kingsbury (Release Date: November 14, 2023) - Karen Kingsbury, a master of heartwarming storytelling, returns with "Christmas Miracles." This collection of inspiring tales celebrates the magic of the holiday season, reminding us of the extraordinary moments that can happen when we open our hearts during Christmas. Click here to read an excerpt

4. Mary’s Voice by Amy Orr-Ewing (Release Date: November 28, 2023) - In "Mary’s Voice," Amy Orr-Ewing explores the significance of Mary in Christianity. This thought-provoking book delves into the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her enduring influence on the faith. It's a valuable addition to the world of religious literature. Click here to read an excerpt

5. 15 Ways to Live Longer and Healthier by Joel Osteen (Release Date: September 20, 2023) -

Joel Osteen is back with an inspiring guide to a healthier and more fulfilling life. "15 Ways to Live Longer and Healthier" is a beacon of hope, offering practical advice and spiritual wisdom. For those seeking self-improvement and a more positive outlook on life, this is a must-read. Click here to read an excerpt

G I V E A W A Y

Giveaway: To celebrate the Fall season and the incredible releases from Hachette Book Group, we're excited to announce a special giveaway! One lucky reader will have the chance to choose one of the books listed above as their prize.

To enter:

1. Comment on this blog post. Leave a comment below to let us know which book you'd love to win.

2. Follow us on social media: Follow our social media accounts (provide links).

3. Share this post: Share this blog post on your social media and tag us.

4. Leave a comment below sharing your favorite Fall reading spot. Where you love to curl up with a good book during the Fall season.

The giveaway will run until midnight November 10, CST., and the winner will be announced shortly after. Many thanks to Hachette Book Group for providing these books for review.

Don't miss your chance to win a captivating Fall read from Hachette Book Group! The Fall season is the perfect time to cozy up with a good book, and Hachette Book Group's new releases offer a delightful array of choices. Whether you're looking for self-improvement, heartwarming holiday stories, or thought-provoking religious literature, these titles have something for every reader. Plus, with our giveaway, you have the chance to bring one of these books into your own collection. Happy reading and good luck!

Easy Holiday Recipes: Easiest Cheesecake Ever

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:19:00 +0000

The holiday season is upon us and if you are looking for a dish that not only wows them but is also quick and easy, this easy cheesecake recipe is a dessert lovers dream.

I used to prepare it using the Diamond peppermint chocolate nut graham cracker pie crust. OMGgggggggg... so good BUT the company no longer makes this variety (insert super sad face) but any graham cracker crust will do.

I typically use two packages of cream cheese in my cheesecakes but this recipe only calls for 1 package of cream cheese which means you can splurge and get the good stuff 😉

The recipe is just 4 ingredients, the graham cracker pie crust plus any special add-ins like chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, nuts or whatever you like. A few minutes in the oven and tada you've got the best-est dessert ever.

Let's get to it.

Ingredients:

1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pkg. cream cheese (room temperature)
1/3 cup sweetener (I use Splenda, but you can use sugar)
1 graham cracker pie crust

Add-ins: Chocolate chips, crushed candies

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Use mixer to blend egg, vanilla, sweetener, and cream cheese until smooth
Pour into crust
Bake 30 minutes or until center is set.
Cool in fridge at least 2 hours

It's that simple

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 package of cream cheese

1/3 cup sweetener (I use Splenda, but you can use sugar)

1 of your favorite pie crust shells

1. Preheat oven

2. Mix all ingredients and pour into your pie shell and bake for 30 minutes.

I'll have to snap a pic of the final product. I am baking a couple of these including one in my air fryer and I'll share that recipe in an updated post later.

HAPPY BAKING!!!

Air Bud Super Pupz NFTs #ABInfluencer

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 20:25:00 +0000

This is a sponsored post

Do you have a Super Pupz fan in your house?

Three Boys and an Old Lady blog is so happy to share exclusive access to a community with unique content, including limited edition video content and interactive games, thanks to Air Bud Entertainment.

The NFT is COLLECTIBLE, trade-able and affordable. The first one to launch is Zeta from the hit Netflix series 'SUPER PUPZ’

Use code ABInfluencer5 to save 33% off of their first NFT purchase within the Air Bud collectibles community.

This is a one-time use, per customer.

To redeem your discount code and snag exclusive NFT, head to https://nft.airbud.com/#airbudavailablenfts

Click on your favorite SuperPupz NFT collection and enter code ABinfluencer5 at checkout.

Spring Picture Books Review + Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Mon, 23 May 2022 21:52:00 +0000

Have you started planting your garden yet?

This year we are planting tomatoes, some lettuce and cabbage. We've had quite a rainy Spring so we decided to wait a couple of weeks before planting. Gardening is one of our favorite hobbies here in the Three Boys and an Old Lady household because we get to eat the rewards. There is nothing better than fresh salsa made with tomatoes handpicked from your garden.

We're so excited to share this bundle of Springtime reads with you. Each book is beautifully illustrated and sure to bring a smile as you share with your new reader.

Young cooks will learn about the edible gifts that each season brings in What's Cooking in Flowerville? Recipes from Garden, Balcony or Window Box by Felicita Sala (US publication info - 4/5/22; ISBN: 978-3791375182; Hardcover $14.95; Ages 5-9; 40 pages),

This warm and inviting collection of recipes from the author of What’s Cooking at 10 Garden Street. Each month features a different member of the town, and a delicious recipe inspired by a fruit or vegetable.

Fantastic Fruits by Olaf Hajek and Annette Roeder (US pub info - 4/5/2022; ISBN: 978-3791375069; Hardcover $19.95; Ages 6-9; 40 pages), a beautiful exploration of everyone’s favorite fresh food.

The National Menagerie of Art: Masterpieces from Vincent Van Goat to Lionhardo da Stinki by Thaïs Vanderheyden (US pub info - 5/3/22; ISBN: 978-3791375090; Hardcover $12.95; Ages 5-9; 56 pages) elevates serious art to the heights of pure giggle-inducing fun. This collection of cleverly reimagined masterpieces is the perfect way to introduce young readers to great art.

Even the greatest works of art will often fail to enthrall young children. But insert a funny, loveable animal into the scene, and it’s a whole different story. This delightful picture book takes artistic license as it reimagines the world’s most famous paintings for a young audience. A teddy bear surfs Hokusai’s Great Wave; a charming pig changes Mona Lisa’s smile from cryptic to comic; Munch’s scream is far less angsty on a panda’s face, while Whistler’s mother–the elephant–gives new meaning to Arrangement in Grey and Black.

The Wild Garden by Cynthia Cliff (US pub info - 5/3/2022; ISBN: 978-3791375120; Hardcover $16.95; Ages 5-9; 32 pages) is filled with charmingly rustic illustrations of people, plants and animals. This story about community and biodiversity introduces children to the variety of ways things can grow and flourish in nature.

* * * G I V E A W A Y ***

Three Boys and an Old Lady is so excited to partner with Media Masters to offer one lucky Three Boys and an Old Lady blog reader a collection of all 4 of these delightful books.

This giveaway is open to residents in US/Can/UK only
1 winner will receive 4 books - What's Cooking in Flowerville?, Fantastic Fruits, The National Menagerie of Art, and The Wild Garden

It Doesn't Take a Genius Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Tue, 18 May 2021 12:02:00 +0000

Summer Camps are re-opening this year and It Doesn't Take a Genius by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is a great read to get the kiddos hyped for Summer.

Emmett and his older brother Luke have always been "Batman and Robin," though they're quick to bicker about who's who. Spending the summer at a historic Black summer camp seems like a wonderful adventure for the two to share, but since Luke is there as a junior counselor, he seems to spend all of his time being everyone else's big brother, and ignoring Emmett.

As Luke seems to be moving on to new adventures, Emmett struggles in unexpected ways, especially in swim class and the "It Takes A Village" entrepreneurship class. Without his brother to turn to for support, Emmett works to build a new crew of "superfriends," who'll help him plan something spectacular for the end-of-camp awards night and celebration. Along the way, Emmett learns that no matter what, there can be many ways to define family.

It Doesn't Take a Genius is inspired by the feature film Boy Genius, starring Miles Brown, Rita Wilson, and Nora Dunn.

Our Thoughts: We absolutely loved this book! The age difference between the siblings was so relatable. Sometimes having a much older sibling can be difficult when the older sibling is growing up and gaining their independence while the younger sibling is well, seen as too young. It's just part of growing up and the author does a great job of weaving relatable situations into this fictional tale.

We saw the movie last year so we were familiar with characters. Oh while we're at it, be sure to check out Boy Genius and be sure to pick up your copy of It Doesn't Take a Genius.

Buy It: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Bedtime for Baby: The Last Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Fri, 07 May 2021 01:59:00 +0000

Once upon a time a group of friends were seeking a place to call home. The desert was too hot, the valley was too wet and the mountain was too windy.

Then they found the forest. It was perfect. The leaves gave shelter from the sun and rain, and a gentle breeze wound through the branches.

But the friends soon wanted to build shelters. The shelters became houses, then the houses got bigger. All too soon they wanted to control the environment and built a huge wood wall around the community.

As they cut down the trees, the forest becomes thinner, until there is just one last tree standing.

It is down to the children to find a solution.

Our Thoughts: This is a story of awareness. Truth can hurt sometimes but author Emily Haworth-Booth shares the reality of what has happened as mankind continues to build bigger and taller. Albeit a tad grim, the story shows what happens when the people realize the error of their ways and make changes for the betterment of all.

Author Emily Haworth-Booth is an avid environmentalist and her love of this planet and the need to protect it echo throughout her writing. An excellent read to introduce new readers to ways we can take care of Mother Earth.

Several pages of this book are illustrated as cartoon panels so it was difficult to really share the illustrations. It is a bit wordy so it would be a great read to spread out over a few days.

Buy It: The Last Tree is available at bookstores worldwide and online at Pavilion Books and Amazon.

Bedtime for Babies: Alone!

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Fri, 07 May 2021 01:14:00 +0000

Alone!

There once was a boy called Billy McGill who lived by himself at the top of a hill. He spent every day in his house all alone for Billy McGill liked to be on his own... One day Billy hears the squeak of a mouse, which destroys his peaceful existence. So he gets a cat to catch the mouse. But the cat and the mouse make friends. So he gets a dog to chase the cat. But they all play together. So then he gets a bear... then a tiger... and on it goes, until Billy's house is so filled with animals that he has to move out. Will he find that he still craves peace and quiet, or is it better to have company and friends?

This a laugh-out-loud story of growing chaos, with a subtle message about how it's good to have friends.

Our Thoughts: My niece dubbed this one her "Pandemic Read" because she spent so much time "alone". Overall, we loved this book! Full of deep, brown, Autumn-colored watercolor illustrations and rhythmic text Alone! is a fun read. Kids will anticipate the turning of each page as they follow the mouse on his hide and seek. Be forewarned you may find yourself giggling as you find yourself repeating "This is my hill" said Billy McGill a few times after reading this.

Author Barry Falls has penned two picture books, both worth checking out.

Hear It:

Check out this video of Alone!

Buy It: Alone! is available at bookstores nationwide and online at Pavilion Books or Amazon

Get Social: Be sure to follow author Barry Falls on IG at @BarryFalls

Bedtime for Babies: The Greatest Show Penguin

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Fri, 07 May 2021 00:57:00 +0000

Disclosure: Many thanks to our partners at MM Publicity for sharing this book for our review.

The Greatest Show Penguin

Poppy the Penguin comes from a long line of circus performers. Many skills have been passed down from penguin to penguin. However, Poppy soon decides that performing in the family circus is not for her, as she prefers to feel calm and in control.

But the hardest thing is not juggling, or riding a unicycle--it's telling her mum that she doesn't want to perform any more. Her bravery is worth it when Poppy discovers a better role--organizing and coordinating the whole show. And what a show it turns out to be! This tale of overcoming shyness and lack of confidence is both a funny and sensitive parody of the record-breaking movie The Greatest Showman, and a celebration of girl power!

Our Thoughts:

The Littlest One LOVED this book! It's perfect for new readers and full of vivid watercolor graphics and a message too. Young readers will enjoy Poppy's journey to self-confidence.

32 pp. so it could be read throughout the span of a few days or in one quick reading.

The illustrations are colorful and bold and considering author Lucy Freegard is an illustrator and a creative - she owns her own jewelry store - I wouldn't expect anything less. Be sure to check out some of her other works and her website: www.lucyfreegard.com.

Buy It: The Greatest Show Penguin is available in bookstores nationwide and available online at Penguin / Random House and Amazon.

Lucky Black Eyed Pea Casserole

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 14:59:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

I first posted this recipe a couple of years ago but I couldn't let another day in the New Year go by without making at least one traditional New Year's Day dish.

I remember my great grandma soaking black eyed peas, marinating pork chops and picking greens in preparation for the annual New Year's Day meal. These were traditional dishes meant to bring good luck and prosperity all the year through if eaten on January 1st. I've often shared the story of my great grandmother coming to visit us from November until March. She lived in West Virginia and the winters were harsh so each winter we drove to West Virginia to pick her up as Fall ended and she stayed with us until her birthday in early March.

She was a lady of few words. I can't recall every hearing her say "I love you" but I have fond memories of watching her work magic in the kitchen. She was the best cook ever.

She had a knack for using anything in her pantry to make something homemade and delicious. A sprinkle of this and a pinch of that and it was almost magical.

That's how I felt about black eyed peas. I never liked them... except when my great grandma made them. She would make hoppin' john and black eyed pea fritters and casserole with any leftover black eyed peas. I always loved the casserole but it wasn't until a few days ago, when I came across some recipes for black eyed pea casserole that I was reminded of the dish my great grandma used to make every year.

One particular recipe stood out. It was a simple recipe: black eyed peas, cheese, flour, corn meal, and a few other pantry staples. A recipe really similar to the black eyed pea casserole my great grandma used to make. What a great way to start the new year by paying homage to my great grandma.

The dish mixes up in one bowl and is really simple to make.

Black Eyed Pea Casserole

Ingredients:

1 c. cornmeal
1/2 c. all purpose flour
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tbsp. vinegar (I used Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar)
1 lb. cooled, cooked, drained sausage
2 cups cooked black eyed peas or 1 can (15-16 oz) black eyed peas
1 can (15-16 oz) corn (I used whole kernel, but you can use creamed corn)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking dish with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal and flour
Stir in eggs, milk and vinegar. Mix well.
Stir in sausage, black eyed peas, corn and cheddar cheese.
Pour into baking dish
Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes.
Cool. Serve.

Freeze leftovers, if any. Leftovers can be frozen for up to one month.

Maple Brown Sugar Pork Chops and Black Eyed Pea Casserole

Everything mixes in one large bowl. Starting with the dry ingredients.

You could substitute your favorite store bought cornbread mix for the dry ingredients and the eggs.

You can use buttermilk instead of milk and vinegar.

We used cheddar cheese but I may try baking this with pepper jack next time.

2 cups of leftover cooked black eyed peas or you can use 1 can of black eyed peas for the makings of one very lucky casserole.

I use whole kernel corn but you can use creamed corn as well.

Pork is a traditional New Years Day dish believed to bring good luck to those who indulge on New Years Day. You can use pork sausage in the dish for a lucky start to the new year or turkey sausage works just as well.

Mix well.

Love parchment paper. I used to spray everything with cooking spray until I discovered parchment paper. Baking win!

Bake for about 1 hour til set and tada... dinner is served.

Next time I will top with a dollop of sour cream or salsa. Yummy! Salsa would be a great topper for this tasty casserole.

What are some of your favorite "lucky" food traditions?

Have you ever tried Black Eyed Pea Casserole?

8 Things You Should Be Watching on Hulu This Month

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 13:30:00 +0000

Happy New Year!

There are a bunch of familiar movies heading to Hulu this month. Guess it's their way of helping us laugh off the stresses of 2020.

January starts with the release of 3 in the Austin Powers series:

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Austin Powers: Goldmember

Four Kid's Movies include:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Shrek
Frozen
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Well that's 7 flicks you SHOULD watch on Hulu this month and now it's time for the 8th. That's where it gets tough. Hulu has three Star Trek flicks and a collection of Stephen King movies so I can't choose one so I recommend that everyone be on the lookout for some of your favorite Star Trek movies and some Stephen King classics including Cujo.

These are just a sampling of some of the new flicks hitting Hulu and I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds for us.

Do you have Hulu?

What are you watching?

STILLWATER Now Available on AppleTV+

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 19:40:00 +0000

Got AppleTV+ and looking for something the kids will watch.

We are really enjoying some of the new shows premiering on AppleTV+. In addition to movies for the entire family there are some great shows for the little ones.

Recently, we had the opportunity to check out prevew episodes of a new series on AppleTV+ titled STILLWATER. Siblings Karl, Addy, and Michael have a very special next-door neighbor: a wise panda named Stillwater. His friendship and stories give them new perspectives on the world, themselves, and each other.

Our Thoughts: The animation is epic! Two thumbs up!! Five stars!!! The storyline is cute. It's ideal for preschoolers and early elementary aged kiddos. They're sure to fall in love with Stillwater, he gives off a sensei kinda' vibe and the kids liked it.

STILLWATER is one of those shows you can feel good about letting your kids watch. Each episode teaches a practical lesson in a way kids understand. Viewers are presented essentially with two points of view: the kids and a voice of reason courtesy of Stillwater the Panda.

Children learn reasoning, community and critical thinking skills. Oh and the casting is noteworthy. AppleTV+ doesn't skimp when it comes to pulling in the best talent for their animated series and STILLWATER is no exception. Voice actors include James Sie, Judah Mackey, Tucker Chandler and Eva Binder. James Sie has voiced several animated series including that of Master Monkey in Kung Fu Panda.

Check out the trailer

For more info: https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/stillwater/

Have you checked out any shows on AppleTV+?

Robobaby Book Review and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 21:25:00 +0000

Books make GREAT gifts and now is a great time to add to your child's library.

About the book: In this hilarious gem from triple Caldecott winner David Wiesner, it's big sister to the rescue when a new baby is delivered to a family of robots and the adults are flummoxed by technical difficulties. A new baby's arrival is a big moment in any family, even a family of robots.

Award winner David Wiesner captures the excitement and fanfare when baby Flange appears—as a crate full of components. The adults bungle the process of assembling Flange, with catastrophic results. Big sister Cathy, with her handy toolbox and advanced knowledge of robotics and IT, hasn't been allowed to help, but in the ensuing chaos she calmly clears up the technical difficulties and bonds with her new baby brother. A shout-out for girl scientists and makers, Robobaby is an eye-opening and engaging blend of the familiar and the fantastic.

About the author: David Wiesner is internationally renowned for his visual storytelling and has won the Caldecott Medal three times—for Tuesday, The Three Pigs, and Flotsam—the second person in history to do so. He is also the recipient of three Caldecott Honors, for Free Fall, Sector 7, and Mr. Wuffles. He lives near Philadelphia with his family.

* * * G I V E A W A Y ***

We are so excited to offer one lucky Three Boys and an Old Lady blog reader a copy of Robobaby.

BONUS: You can also enter a bonus grand prize giveaway featuring a hardcover with signed bookplate, as well as a programmable build-a-robot kit for kids (total ARV $59.98, US/Can only).

The rafflecopter for this giveaway (separate from your individual book giveaway) is below. Ends 11:59 ET on 12/15. Click here to enter the Robobaby Robot Rafflecopter giveaway

PNP Santa Claus IS Coming to Town

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 22:51:00 +0000

Make Christmas Magic with Portable North Pole Make this Christmas even more magical with Portable North Pole!

Without the chance to see Santa at the mall this year, Portable North Pole makes it easy to safely celebrate Christmas with Santa with up to 60+ messages ready to be personalized for your loved ones. Whether you're sending a message to a child, a teenager, or even a grown-up, Santa will amaze everyone on your list! Stay comfortable in your own home and explore our collection of calls, video calls, and video message scenarios that make the perfect gift for your friends and family near and far - or even for large groups like your employees!

Using Portable North Pole is easy: Simply visit the PNP website or download the PNP mobile app, sign up, fill in a short form, and upload photos of your loved one. In just a few seconds, Santa is ready to greet them with a personalized message, addressing them by name, showing their photo, and in some select scenarios, even offering interactive opportunities for maximum fun!

A variety of our Premium video messages can be tried for free. PNP fans can also purchase a single Premium video for their loved one, or purchase our Magic Pass (which includes unlimited access to all Premium videos and calls for unlimited recipients)!

As always, our Premium features are the ultimate Christmas treat. From the Reaction Recorder to capture moments via a picture-in-picture video for a precious keepsake to playing fun games on the PNP mobile app (like our Dancing Elf game) and our brand-new Christmas Eve multi-device scenario with a magical live call from Santa, there's Christmas magic for everyone with Portable North Pole. Make Christmas magic with Portable North Pole! - Safely share the magic of Christmas - and some extra cheer - with your loved ones!

For a limited time, get a FREE personalized video message from Santa https://www.portablenorthpole.com #PNPSanta

We're Falling for These Kid Lit Fall Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 17:00:00 +0000

We are always happy to support small businesses and bookstores are one of our favorite small businesses. Our favorite local bookstore has had to change a few things since the pandemic began, most notably the number of customers allowed in the store at one time. We kinda like it. It's like having the bookstore all to ourselves. A giant world of books to call our very own. 😁

Looking for some great gift ideas? Check out these book and gift ideas at your local bookstore or order online now to ensure delivery in time for holiday gift giving.

Glass, concrete, windows, walls, roofs, and more—create your own metropolitan masterpiece.

Build a Skyscraper (Pavilion Children's Books; September 2020; ISBN: 978-1843654742; Ages 3-5; Set $19.69; 64 pages) by Paul Farrell is the second in a new series of graphic-designed cards that turn the image of a skyscraper into a work of art.

This pack contains 64 cards (4 x 2¾ inches) in a variety of graphic designs and bold, eye-catching colors. Clever paper engineering allows you to slot the cards together, building up and out in whichever way you like! Also included is a short 8-page booklet, with descriptions of the key elements of a skyscraper and suggestions of how to build your masterpiece. You can go traditional or get abstract and construct your own crazy high-rise! Educational, creative, mindful, and fun for the whole family. The sky’s the limit!

Our Thoughts: We had fun creating with these. We made it a game for the entire family on Family Game Night and it was fun for the three boys and the little old lady, and confession Hubby and I really enjoyed playing with the kiddos. These cards get the creative juices flowing and you'll laugh and be surprised at the skyscrapers you create. This is also ideal for solitary play.

The fabulous illustrator David Roberts has joined forces with his author sister, Lynn, to produce a humorous, stylish and empowering retelling of three classic fairy tales -- Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel -- in David Roberts' Delightfully Different Fairy Tales (Pavilion Children's Books; October 2020; ISBN: 978-1843654759; Ages 3-6; Hardcover $19.95; 90 pages).

A treasury of fairy tales with a difference – feminist, spunky and set in different decades of the 20th century, with funky clothes and recognizable settings.

This special collection includes a 1950s sci-fi nerd Sleeping Beauty who pricks her finger on a record player, in a story populated entirely with women and girls (no princes needed here!), a 1970s Rapunzel who lives in a tower block and whose friend plays in a rock band, a 1920s Cinderella with flapper girls, a fashion-conscious fairy godmother, and a night in an art deco ballroom.

These are all deliciously, delightfully different takes on the fairy tales we all know in a gorgeous hardback gift book with lots of period detail—it will be treasured for years to come.

Our Thoughts: We LOVE this book! It's full of just enough snark and it's something totally unexpected. The retelling of classic fairy tales is fun and worth checking out. The book is full of lots of laugh out loud moments.

From the creator of The Boxtrolls comes a haunting, beautifully told, and stunningly illustrated Santa Claus origin story: The Three Wishes (Pavilion Children's Books; November 2020; ISBN: 978-1843653868; Ages 4-8; Hardcover $19.95; 48 pages) by Alan Snow.

A young boy is herding his family’s reindeer when the boy is drawn into a mysterious cave. The cave is the holder of eternal summer, looked after by three strange characters: a wooden creature, a bird, and a fish. Once entered, the cave cannot be left without time in the outside world standing still. In his sadness at not being able to leave, the boy is granted three wishes and chooses freedom, happiness, and time. He is told that they will all be granted—eventually.

After the first year of working hard in the summer cave, the boy is allowed to see his family in the outside world. Time stands still as he visits his parents, and he leaves gifts behind to show that he has visited. As the years go by, this annual visit continues, and he begins to call on not only his parents but more and more other families…and Christmas traditions, as we know them, start to be created.

A new Christmas classic to read again and again, beautifully written and illustrated by Alan Snow, author of Here be Monsters!, the novel behind the Academy-nominated 2014 film The Boxtrolls.

Our Thoughts: We have a tradition of reading Christmas stories each year and I am so glad we received this book to add to our collection. It's a wonderful story, a timeless tale that will tug at your heartstrings and fill you and your little one with the joy of Christmas. The illustrations are exquisite and the story is well written.

Challenge Everything: An Extinction Rebellion Youth Guide to Saving the Planet (Pavilion Children's Books; September 2020; ISBN: 978-1843654643; Ages 12-17; Paperback $9.95; 144 pages) by Blue Sandford is a timely new book from a teenage environmental activist who has been called the "British Greta Thunberg" and named one of "the UK’s most impressive young activists" by The Times.

Time is running out to prevent ecological collapse. The main concern of many young people is climate change and how to combat it, and Challenge Everything offers them a purpose–what to do, when to do it and why to do it.

This manifesto is the only official handbook from Extinction Rebellion Youth -- a global movement of hundreds of thousands of passionate activists from all walks of life, including splinter groups for young people, like XR Youth, XR Families and XR Kids -- and will help you to change your life and the world for the better. Written by Blue Sandford, the 17-year-old coordinator of Extinction Rebellion Youth London who has left school to dedicate her life to preventing climate change, this book will ask you to challenge everything–challenge government (protest and take peaceful action where necessary), challenge business (decide who you want to support, decide who you want to boycott), and above all to challenge yourself–how can you change your life to make a difference.

Filled with stories, essays, slogans and inspiring illustrations, this book will cover consuming, actioning, boycotting, campaigning, striking, questioning, rewilding and reconnecting with our planet. It will help the reader to change their mindset, become independent, question everything, and challenge themselves.

Our Thoughts: This is a POWERFUL book! Our children want to make a difference but like us they may not know where to start, Blue to the rescue. I love how Blue breaks down ways to challenge big business, the government and ends with ways for the reader to challenge themselves. Oh and a confession, I was totally unaware of the term XR until diving into this book.

Which of these books would you pick for your kid?

Doug Unplugs Available Now on Apple TV+

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Great TV happens when Dreamworks partners with Apple TV+

I am so excited to share with you that Doug Unplugs is premiering on Apple TV+.

Based on the critically acclaimed children’s book by Dan Yaccarino, DreamWorks “Doug Unplugs” follows a curious six-year-old robot, Doug, as he ‘plugs in’ to learn new facts about the world every day. Sensing there’s more to life than just the facts, Doug journeys into the human world in search of experience. And to do that, Doug has to…unplug. With the help of his best friend, a human ball of energy, Emma, the two discover all the simple wonders of the world. Join Doug as he learns about the intersection of technology and humanity, and how they both keep us truly connected!

The series is ideal for preschoolers and early elementary kids. Kids will enjoy the whimsical introduction of math and problem solving techniques with Doug and Emma.

I had the opportunity to chat with Dan, the creative mind behind the series, about his inspiration for Doug Unplugs and working with such talented voice actors.

Me: What was your inspiration for creating Doug?

Dan: Ten years ago, when my 2 children were making their way through elementary school, I noticed that they were increasingly using online resources for information. This got me thinking about how much was at their fingertips, but also how much there was to understanding something through experience. We live in New York City, so there was a wealth of museums, libraries, and so many other ways they were able to fill in the rest of their understanding.

Online resources and digital technology are incredibly useful, but I feel that they should be used to inform and enhance our real-life experiences. I then knew I wanted to explore the idea of online vs experiential learning, but I wasn’t sure exactly how I’d do it. In 2010 I was on a flight from Los Angeles back to New York when I doodled a robot boy in my sketchbook and I knew at that moment I would hang the concept on him. He would be a robot, but with something extra: curiosity and the desire to experience life.

Me: I am familiar with the work of Eric Bauza from TMNT and a few other series and video game platforms. How did you get this legendary voice actor for this project?

Dan: We were very lucky! I believe that once he read the overall concept of the show and the role we wanted him to play, he agreed. The best experience you can have on a series is that the actors take the script and elevate the words to another level, beyond the voice you imagined inside your head of the line read. Eric, as well as all of the cast members, do that.

Me: What was your biggest challenge bringing Doug to life onscreen?

Dan: There are so many ways a concept like the robot/human world in Doug Unplugged could be interpreted. I created a pitch bible for translating the books into an animated series. DreamWorks and I worked on fleshing out the concept for a while, but then we brought on Jim Nolan, as our showrunner. He pulled the whole thing together beautifully and once we partnered with Apple, we staffed up and launched the production. I guess the challenge was hitting the ground running.

Check out the trailer for Doug Unplugs

Click here to view the trailer and be sure to check out Doug Unplugs on Apple TV+

What TV series does your child enjoy watching?

Coronavirus Chronicles: Exploring State Parks

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:47:00 +0000

Looking for an inexpensive family getaway? Then a visit to a nearby state park may be the perfect getaway. Visiting a state park is a great way to explore the rich vastness of landscape and history in your state and contribute to your state's economy.

Recently, my family and I visited Petit Jean State Park. It's one of our favorite state parks. The kids love the legend of Petit Jean. Legend has it that a young girl was so in love that she disguised herself as a cabin boy so she could join her lover. She was known as "Petit Jean" (French for Little John) due to her small stature. She became sick during the travels and it was only then that her true identity was discovered. Her illness got worse and she eventually died and was buried atop Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas.

Besides the legend of Petit Jean the park is absolutely stunning with its cascading waterfalls, cliff side trails and native scenery. The park is home to Cedar Falls, a 95-foot waterfall and several overlooks of the Arkansas River Valley. There are plenty of trails and it's easy to practice social distancing. Petit Jean offers eight (8) trails of various difficulties and distances.

There are also several overlooks including the Petit Jean at Stout's Point. Each offering a unique view of the majestic Arkansas River and other hidden treasures such as waterfalls, caverns and see wildlife in its natural habitat. Be sure to check the signs and be careful. Some of the trails closer to the river can be a tad slippery.

If you're interested in spending the night there are several lodging options including a hotel-esque lodge, spacious cabins with all the necessities and the cabins offer the most stunning views of the valley below. The backyard views from the cabins are worth the trip alone.

If you have a tent or an RV, there are plenty of campsites located near the river for fishing, a park for the kiddos, tennis courts and onsite swimming pool.

They even have yurts. Although I have yet to convince my family into staying in a yurt, an overnight stay in one of the yurts at Petit Jean State Park is definitely on my travel bucket list. Each yurt comes with bunk beds, a stove, canoe, and even a hammock.

We love exploring state parks.

Be sure to call ahead or visit the website for the state park before your visit to find out what restrictions are in place.

State parks are a wonderful way to explore your region and many are located less than a tankful of gas from your home. So get up, get out and explore but remember to stay safe.

Air Fryer Steak

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 23:56:00 +0000

I was planning to grill some steaks for dinner but the rain started just as I was about to fire up the grill. it's a little humid and I didn't want to turn on the oven. I heard about preparing steaks in the air fryer and figured why not give it a try.

Grilled steaks are one of my husband's favorite meals and since I didn't want to mess this up I only cooked one steak. The tester. You know the tester. That recipe you try but you’ve got a backup JUST IN CASE. Seriously if this didn’t work I was prepared to fire up the grill, stand in the rain and cook him the best steak ever.

I love cooking in my air fryer and since being in quarantine I've learn to cook several foods using my air fryer, mostly chicken and veggies but STEAK? Nope, never thought of that.

Cooking in the air fryer is quick and easy when it comes to fried foods but I never imagined you could cook a steak in it alone behold at the top of my air fryer there's a button an image of a steak and the suggested cooking time.

Cooking a steak in the air fryer is really simple. Just season your steak, place it in the air fryer basket, turn it on and 14 minutes in the air fryer. That's it and that's all.

Now the only problem is what to pair with these delicious steaks and for the record we will definitely have air fryer steak again. Quick, easy AND delicious! #Winning

Do you have an air fryer? If so, what's your favorite thing to cook in your air fryer let me know leave a comment below

Bedtime for Babies: The Littlest Candle A Hanukkah Story

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 22:08:00 +0000

It's been a while since our last Bedtime for Babies book review but I received a request from a friend asking for a couple of book recommendations. Then a request from another friend and another friend and then well I decided it maybe, just maybe it was time to revive the Bedtime for Babies spot on the blog.

Thanks to my friends at Kalaniot Books for the opportunity to share The Littlest Candle: A Hanukkah Story by Rabbis Kerry and Jesse Olitzky.

The Littlest Candle is a great read for new readers. It's an uplifting story of Little Flicker, the littlest candle in the box and how he earns the right to be the shamash thanks to all his good deeds he's done for others.

The story is sweet but it's the end of the book that I think most will love. The end of the book shares more about the history of Hanukkah and some Hanukkah traditions. I struggled about reviewing this book given Hanukkah is a few months away but truth is we could all use a little light right now and Hanukkah is a time of year for families to gather and reflect on sharing our light in this sometimes dark, cold world.

The illustrations are vivid watercolors and showcase the personality of each individual candle in the box. The typeface could be a little larger against the pages of various shades of brown. An enlarged typeface would definitely make for easier reading for those of us reading this book at storytime.

The father/son team of Rabbi Kerry and Rabbi Jesse are not new to storytelling. Rabbi Kerry has penned several books and although this is Rabbi Jerry's first children's book he spends a lot of time sharing stories with the children in his congregation.

Be sure to check out more books from Rabbis Kerry and Jesse available at Endless Mountain Publishing or pick up a copy of The Littlest Candle: A Hanukkah Story at your favorite online bookstore.

Granny's Easy Banana Bread with a Rum Twist

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 02:17:00 +0000

Quarantine baking is the latest craze. Cookies, cakes, pies, casseroles and breads are coming out of ovens everywhere.

I have gotten bit by the baking bug too. I'm hooked on cakes and breads and getting the kids in on the action too. We still have a sourdough starter that a friend gave me right before our staff starting working from home. Three months in and Susie Sourdough - yes, we named it - is still in the fridge and we feed it weekly.

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of people baking banana bread. Bananas are always on our grocery list. Hubby snacks on frosted corn flakes and bananas pretty much every night before bedtime. How he manages to stomach milk after 7 pm boggles my mind, but that's a story for another day. Let's talk about the difference between him ordering bananas from the grocery store and me ordering bananas from the grocery store. When HE orders them he orders a lot. Me, I typically order a bunch of about 5 or 6 bananas. I hate when bananas go bad and it never fails when HE orders them I'm left to figure out a recipe to save our hard earned grocery money.

So, last week I looked at the banana tree and there were 3 sad looking bananas. Covered in black and brown spots, mushy in spots just begging to be used. None of the kids wanted a smoothie. They were too ripe for banana pancakes and there was no room in the freezer so what to do... what to do.

BANANA BREAD

I remember I had a recipe for banana nut bread that my great grandma had given me. It was one of her pantry staple recipes. You know the recipe that you can make because you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry? Yeah, one of those.

✓ Flour

✓ Sugar

✓ Baking soda

✓ Bananas

X Nuts - oh nuts, I didn't have any nuts in the pantry. Oh well, banana bread it is.

The recipe is simple and it's kid friendly. I remember my great grandma letting my sister and I smash the bananas, measure the dry ingredients, stir and pour. My great grandma lived in West Virginia and each winter she would come stay with us. She baked everything from scratch. I never saw her open a single box. She made magic with flour, sugar and baking soda and I'm so glad she shared some of her recipes with me before she passed away.

The recipe is really simple and like my granny always said you;ve probably got most of the ingredients in your pantry..

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup melted butter (I use unsalted butter)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350℃
In a large bowl, mash bananas with a fork
Gently stir in all other ingredients and mix well
Pour into loaf pan and bake for about 45 minutes or until edges pull from corners of your loaf pan
Let cool 10-15 minutes before slicing

*now for the rum twist*

Heat 1/8 cup rum and 1 tsp. butter in a saucepan until butter melts. Stir. If you don't want to heat in a sauce pan, you can use a microwavable bowl and use your microwave. Just be sure to stir the rum and melted butter.

Use a fork to poke small holes all over the top of the banana bread and drizzle the rum butter on top of the fresh baked banana bread.

Do you bake?

What family recipes have been passed down to you from a loved one?

6 Simple Tips to Minimize Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 02:09:00 +0000

2020 is shaping up to be the craziest year ever. A lot of us had to jump into homeschooling quick, fast and in a hurry. Transitioning from long days at the office to setting up a home office. Learning creative ways to keeps the kids occupied as we took those conference calls. I was doing just fine and until the day my brother started working from home and I immediately became the family Tech Wizard.

I can laugh about it now but trust me helping someone set up a desktop computer and modem over the phone is definitely a test of patience. Trust me.

The year has us rethinking some things, changing a few things and tweaking our daily routines but overall we're doing okay despite the fact that our Spring Break vacation was cancelled, our Summer vacation plans tossed and looks like our Fall travel plans are in jeopardy as well. 2020 is definitely teaching me that I am stronger than I ever knew I was. A positive attitude is one of the things that is helping me cope with the daily challenges this year keeps presenting.

I am so happy to share some of the tips that keep me smiling beneath my mask.

1 Communicate with Others

As I mentioned earlier, I helped my brother set up his desktop over the phone but wait there's more. Before we could set up the computer, we had to set up his new phone. He was moving from the 1st android ever made to an iPhone and opted not to have them set it up at the store saying "I'll just have my sister help me". O to the M to the G. After I set up his phone, we spoke via FaceTime to help set up his computer. It was his first time using FaceTime and well, if you've ever seen those tear jerk videos of a person seeing a loved one on their phone for the first time, it was all that. Now that his phone and computer are all set up we can visit via Zoom, Skype, and Facetime.

On Sunday afternoons, my mom, my sis, my brother and I meet virtually for a family chat. My brother lives quite a distance away so he really enjoys getting weekly updates on the antics of his nieces and nephews.

The funniest is when my grandma makes a cameo.

If a family chat isn't your thing then maybe organize a Zoom call with some of your friends and invite everyone to have a glass of their favorite wine or bottled water and share some laughs and virtual hugs.

Keeping in touch is definitely us cope with the feelings of alienation not being able to see our family and friends.

2 Exercise

Show of hands, who's gained the Quarantine Ten? You know the 10 lbs. that comes from baking all that bread while cooped up in your home. Not I. Thanks to our rescue pup, Mr. Bentley. Bentley is a burst of energy and if we're not taking our daily walk, we're chasing him as he heads out the door with our stuff. It's kinda like that dog in the commercial who keeps bringing stuff inside the house that he found outside. Oh the times I've had to chase him as he headed into the backyard with stuff from the house. Like the time he sprinted towards the door carrying one of my shoes. I knew I had to beat him to the door if there was any hope of finding that shoe again. I won THAT time. Now the time he raced outside with my bra. OMG! Yeah, that wasn't fun at all... not at all.

That's counts as exercise. I log EVERY SINGLE ONE of those steps in. In all seriousness, it's important to get some exercise and get that heart muscle pumping. Take a walk around your neighborhood and if that's not your thing maybe break out the Wii or the Kinect and pop in a video game. I am learning Zumba and tightening up my dance skills courtesy of video games and we even have this virtual hula hoop game. I haven't hula hooped in ages. This game is so much fun and it definitely gets my heart pumping.

Besides exercise, Bentley is also responsible for me getting more fresh air, which just happens to be #3 on our list.

3 Fresh Air

After months of being cooped up in our homes, we are anxious to get outside but it's important to practice social distancing. I was a little heartbroken when we saw caution tape wrapped around the playground equipment at the local park. Since we can't play on the equipment, we started discovering our local park. The kids love taking pictures using our phones and sometimes we even print some of them out.

Our latest love is mushrooms a remnant of summer storms that pop up out of nowhere along our path. We can identify a couple of the mushrooms we've discovered but there are so many different colors and shapes and we're having fun searching for mushrooms.

I admit I'm a little envious of those who've thrown caution to the wind and are just living their lives mask free and all. I'm all about wearing a mask to protect myself and those I encounter. If you've ever seen a toddler sneeze in a car on a sunny day you can relate. All those little icky snotty particles flying about. Gross... just gross. Sorry for straying there but you get the point, mask on and get outside and soak up some Vitamin D. Be sure to pack hand sanitizer and practice social distancing.

4 Prayer and Meditation

I miss gathering on Sundays with our church family but at this time our congregation has decided it is not worth the risk for us to meet in our sanctuary so we're meeting via conference calls, Facebook Live and Zoom. It's challenging but it's good to hear familiar voices and an uplifting word from our pastor. I think we get so caught up in the routine of waking up and getting dressed for worship services that this season is definitely teaching us that we can worship anywhere.

After hearing a mentor of mine passed away from the virus I was so sad and really wish I could just pray at the altar. It's a place of solace for me but church doors are closed so I reminded myself that my Lord is omnipresent even amidst these troubling times. I can pray anytime, anywhere and any place.

I participate in weekly worship service and prayer calls and I study my scriptures and read books of faith. Currently, I'm reading Planted with a Purpose: God Turns Pressure into Power by T.D. Jakes. Thanks to my friends at FaithWords I received this book for review and the timing was right on time. The 116-page, pocket-sized book is a quick read for a time such as this. One of my favorite chapters is titled "When Trouble Comes." Shouting folks you oughta shout right there.

When troubles come we are so quick to bend and become disheartened. However, it is in THESE times which our faith sustains us. Jakes reminds us of the tools of the enemy to keep us feeling sad and blue when we know fear is not of God and He states it plainly in Jeremiah 29:11 that His plans are for us to prosper and not harm us but plans to give us hope and a future. We. Will. Get. Through. This.

5 Relax

Which brings me to my next point. Relax. These are unprecedented times and we've never seen anything like what is going on in our world today. People's patience is being tested and we are quick to anger. Constant media streams showing disruption and chaos all over the land. We could all use a timeout. Seriously, what if we simply counted to 10 before reacting. Those few seconds could make all the difference.

For some relaxation means visiting your nail shop for a mani and a pedi for others, it may simply be streaming a movie, taking a long, hot bubble bath or a sharing a glass of wine with your friends online.

For me it's baking. My Quarantine Baking skills are fierce. Something about delicious aromas filling up my kitchen always seems to make my family smile.

I've mastered two-ingredient breads, rum cakes, pineapple upside down cake, homemade brownies, and of course the staples of quarantine baking - sourdough and banana bread.

Find something to keep your blood pressure down, just take a few seconds, catch your breath and relax.

This last tip is one of my favorites. It's probably the first time you've heard of this as a tip to help minimize stress. *drumroll please*

Finishing the list of 6 simple tips to minimize stress is...

6 Talk to Yourself

You know that saying "It's okay to talk to yourself as long as you don't answer." Welp, 2020 has definitely taught me that's nonsense. I talk to myself daily. I speak words of encouragement over myself. I speak health. I speak prosperity.

First thing in the morning, I go to the bathroom, look in the bathroom mirror and me and me have a conversation about how good my skin is looking and make a promise to conquer whatever the day brings. My daily conversations with myself are keeping me motivated, focused and stress free.

Viewers of the HBO series "Insecure" are familiar with the virtues of talking to oneself. The lead character Issa talks to herself every episode. It's pure comedy at its finest.

Plus, psychological studies show there are benefits of talking to yourself. Google it. I know it helps me plan and actually gives me some clarity.

So there you have it, six simple tips to minimize stress and while you're at check out Planted With a Purpose: God Turns Pressure Into Power by TD Jakes. The book is sold wherever FaithWords books are sold including several online retailers. Click on the picture below to read an excerpt of this inspirational book.

What are some ways you kept your stress to a minimum during these days?

Come Out & Play BUT Let's Practice Social Distancing

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Come Out & Play

BUT
Remember To Practice Social Distancing

COVID-19, Coronavirus, Da Rona, whatever you're calling it has definitely changed all of our lives. Families are spending more and more time together. My husband teases me saying I've spent more time in the backyard since March than I have in the entire 15 years we've lived in our home. Sad thing is... he's right.

We planted a garden. It was kinda by chance. I bought these seeds and this starter compost. Put them near the kitchen and after about a week or so, I started noticing gnats in my kitchen. I figured it was some of the fresh fruit gone bad. Tossed the fruit. Wiped everything down. Gnats were gone. A few days later... the gnats returned. FINALLY figured out it that I had this dirt near the kitchen and remembered "Oh, you were going to start gardening."

Seeds planted. Watered. Now we wait. It'll be a few weeks but I am so looking forward to cutting fresh spinach and lettuce greens from our garden.

Now that I checked "Plant a garden" off my to do list, I moved on to the next task: New backyard furniture.

I searched online for patio sets and they're quite expensive. Our current set isn't too bad so I decided to glam it up with a couple coats of fresh paint. Confession: I've only used spray paint ONE time in my life and it was last year at a Community Paint the Block Party. I googled the project and found several How-To videos. I. Can. Do. This. WITHOUT. Making. A. HUGE. Mess.

Now for the biggest challenge. It's been awhile since I've been shopping outside of my grocery trips, I don't do much shopping and then I make sure to go really early before the stores get crowded. Now that more and more places are beginning to open, it's a little scary... for me. I know people who have had COVID-19 and I do NOT want it. I am taking precautions because the twins graduate from college next year and I want to be around to celebrate this momentous occasion.

What precautions are you taking?

Walmart was my first choice but the parking lot was way too crowded for me so I decided to go to our local Target store. There were just a few cars in the parking lot so that made me feel comfortable. Grabbed my mask and my gloves and off to find a few cans of paint.

Our local Target had markers on the floor to remind shoppers of social distancing guidelines and staff on hand to sanitize the shopping carts. I found the paint, checked out and headed back home.

I'll share before and after pics on Instagram so be sure to check out my page in a couple of days. In the meanwhile, I figured you're probably itching to start a quarantine project and I'd love to help so here's your chance to win a $25 Target Gift Card.

What would you do with a $25 Target gift card?

Would you make face masks for your local hospital? Start a garden? Buy some pool toys for the kids? Let me know, leave a comment below. Oh, and be sure to stop by and enter these other easy entry giveaways in the Come Out & Play Giveaway Hop.

Good luck.

Why I STILL Celebrate Black History Month

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 13:54:00 +0000

February is the month of Groundhog Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Valentine's Day, President's Day, Mardi Gras, my birthday and oh February begins Black History Month, a month set aside to recognize the contributions of African Americans.

One of my kids asked me why we still celebrated Black History Month, Asian History Month and National Hispanic Heritage Month. "Mom", he said "it just seems like it separates people." Poignant words from a kid but I knew exactly what he meant.

He's right... but I celebrate Black History Month and the celebration of such brings as much joy as it does pain.

*grabs mic*

I celebrate Black History Month because from the time I was in kindergarten until I was in the 8th grade, I was the only Black kid in my class. There weren't any profiles of Black inventors in my school books. No mentions of the many contributions of people who skin was brown like mine.

I celebrate Black History Month because I remember not understanding why that one kid pulled your pigtails and spit in your face and call you the "N" word. Yeah, I was about 6 when that happened.

I celebrate Black History Month because of that one lady who thought I was lost when my family and I were at Lake Nasworthy. "Where's your mother little girl", she asked. I turned and pointed to my mom who was a few feet away. "No, that can't be your mom, she's White and you're Black." Me, being about 6 or so saying "My mom is yellow, my dad is orange and I am brown". I remember my mom racing towards me seeing a strange woman talking to me.

I celebrate Black History Month because they continue to post images via social media degrading the African American cultural experience.

I celebrate Black History Month because he still doesn't understand why people would call for his resignation as he dresses up in blackface hold a sign saying "Black Lives Matter".

I celebrate Black History Month for every child who feels shame when they glance down at the their brown skin or feel the kinky texture of their wavy, curly hair.

I celebrate Black History Month because society didn't teach us to judge each other by the content of our character.

I celebrate Black History Month, because I long for the day when we will no longer need a month to celebrate Women's History Month, Asian/ Pacific American Heritage, Caribbean American, Hispanic Heritage Month, American Indian Heritage Month. I yearn for a day when we appreciate what makes us different rather than pass proclamations to remind us why.

*mic drop*

Searching for Emmett Till

noreply@blogger.com (Tomi C) — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 11:04:00 +0000

There has been a lot of mention of Emmett Till in the news lately. A few months ago, a national news network ran a story on a sign marking the place where Emmett Till’s body was found. Most recently, actor and director Jesse Williams was dragged on Twitter for posting a meme of Till. Even Snoop Dogg got in the mix after the recent sentencing of 81-year old Bill Cosby saying perhaps it's time to revisit the case of Emmett Till.

In 1955, Till, a 14-year old kid was beaten, shot and drowned for whistling at a woman as he his cousins were leaving a store.

Till, a Chicago native, was spending a summer in Mississippi with family. His mother thought it would be a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. One afternoon as Till and his cousins were leaving a small grocery store, Till whistled at a young lady. A few night’s later Till was abducted from his great uncle’s home and later killed. His crime, Till was Black… the young lady was White.

Earlier this week my cousin posted a link to a story about the sign marking the site where Till's lifeless body was found. The sign was being replaced after being shot up. It was then I knew I had to share my search of Emmett Till.

I saw a story on the internet showing the barn where Till was tortured. 63 years later... the barn was still intact. I couldn't believe it. As macabre as it may seem, I had to see that barn for myself. I didn't have an address. I didn't know where I was going but I was drawn to Mississippi.

Wikipedia said Till was abducted from his great uncle's home in Money, Mississippi. That's where I had to go. That's where the story begins.

My cousin agreed to join me and on Saturday, September 1st, we were Mississippi bound.

Our first stop was the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Sumner, Mississippi.

We arrived just a few minutes before closing time and were greeted by a young man named Benjamin who worked at the center.

The center was full of poster size pictures, letters and memorabilia related to the trial.

Not a single picture of Till lying in state. The iconic photo that gripped a nation. It wasn't anywhere to be found.

My cousin walked around looking at the exhibits scattered throughout but I was empty. Drawn to this large glass window at the front of the center, I looked out and saw a building.

"Benjamin", I asked, "is that the courthouse..."

I didn't even finish my statement before he said "Yes ma'am".

I walked outside. My cousin followed and we stood in front of that county courthouse.

The Center sits right in front of the very courthouse where the men who murdered Till were tried and received a "Not Guilty" verdict.

A dusty pickup truck slowly drove past us as my cousin and I snapped pics.

"Did that truck slow down?"

"Yeah, seemed like it", my cousin responded.

We returned to the safety of the Interpretive Center.

As I walked inside this time, my eyes were drawn to a large, metal, purple sign riddled with bullet holes.

"Benjamin, is that the sign?"

"Yes ma'am" he replied.

There it was. The sign I'd seen on the news. The sign that had been shot up so many times it was being replaced.

RIVER SITE.

That's where I needed to go. What I was looking for wasn't here in the Interpretive Center, it was across the Tallahatchie Bridge. Despite the pain, I felt compelled to keep searching.

Click HERE for Directions to the River Site...