Love Letters- Hannah Brencher

Haven't written a real letter in a long time? Well there's no easier way, simply write, lick and stamp! Voila! Physical correspondence dressed up in pretty prints! Really cute idea. I've always adored stationary, and this is no exception. I love the idea of writing and sending all at once, and for it to be so simple. (No digging for an envelope). And it's cute to boot. I don't typically use modern bold prints, but many of my receivers do, so they'd be thrilled to see this in their mailbox! Great find.

A Fifty-Year Silence

Miranda is determined to find out why her grandparents haven't spoken in over fifty years. What secrets are they hiding? What pain lies in the past? As she begins to see with more mature eyes, her world begins to look unchangeably different. And after spending a summer in France her fifteenth year, feeling a connection to a family home in the South of France, she now feels uncertain what her future holds as well. Trying to navigate the dynamic quirks of family communication, Miranda finds herself in an unfamiliar sea, tend very unsure how to chart it. I really enjoyed this book. While it was slow in a few areas, I really liked her writing style. I always love a good memoir, and I adore anything about France. I really delighted in the descriptions of the old house, and was always wondering what would happen in the grandparents relationship. I think it is a great lighthearted memoir with and intriguing subject. Bravo.

The Berenstain Bears Country Cookbook

"Brother and sister bear will be very hungry when they get home from baseball practice", said Papa. "You're right dear. Let's make a salad to go with the Green Noodle Salad", said Mama. "And biscuits and honey too?", said Papa. Mama laughed. "Biscuits and honey too!" The Berenstain bears are hungry, but not to worry. They'll have plenty to cook right here in the pages of these book. They'll find Scotch eggs, sausage and tater tots wraps, Beary good mac n cheese, meat and potato kabobs, blue-beary pie , cola cake and so many more! And what's best, they are all cub, I mean kids friendly too. Not only can will the little ones enjoy eating these goodies, they will be able to help make them too! I have always loved the Berenstain bears, and now my children do too. We usually love reading their books and look forward to getting new ones. Unfortunately, I can't say that about this book. While it does hAve the beloved illustrations, and kid friendly recipes- reminiscent of a children's cookbook I have from childhood, it lacks a lot in the nutrition department. I understand that most American kids eat a very restricted amount of foods, and parents tend to feed them easy foods. It's just not now we eat in our family, so most of these recipes are just not practical. If I could modify them to make them work, I'd do so, but that would require a lot more effort at which point it would mKe Moore sense to use a regular cookbook. I really did want to like this book, but I'd not recommend it unless you are a person already eating a very processed diet. I like that they tried to tie in the bear theme. And that every page is kid friendly to look at. But over all, we will not be making anything in this book.

This is what you just put into your mouth?

It all started with a can of cheese whiz. Eight years later it's a book filled with glucuronolactone,poloxamer 407,agar, dimethicone,ethoxydiglycol,pyrethrin and so many other hard to pronounce and somewhat sketchy ingredients. You'll recognize popular products such as A-1 sauce, Doritos, Listerine, PowerBar, artificial logs, Febreze, even Heroin! And like it or not, you'll see what's in them all. Not only that, but what the companies would or would not divulge. Certainly there are some items that will stay in your home, despite all you learn here, but others, may leave you questioning and possibly doubting it's usage. Fantastically researched, well written and very absorbing, you'll find this a hard one to set down! Very intriguing to say the least! It's a little scary to see what is in so mAny of these products. (Makes me very secure in my choice to stay orgAnic in all I do) the author did a Great amount of research for this book aNd it shows. And while his intent was not to out all these products in a negative light.. It's hard not to feel so towards so many of them, just by nature of what they are using and accepting as ok for consumption or use. Over all, very informative, well written and page turning. Great job!

Just Add Watercolor - Helen Birch

Feast your eyes and feed your brain in this wonderfully artful compilation. As you delight yourself in the many pages of talented artists work, take time to read about their technique. You will learn about negative spAce, using reds, staining paper, creating movement and over painting with gauche. You will be shown how to use a subdued palette, experiment with format use template outlines and mix water color And acrylic. And thAts just a small sample. So go ahead, open it up and get inspired! This is such a handy little book. Perfect small size for easy toting around. And the information is indeed helpful. I love looking at other artists works of course. Lots of great paintings in here. But what I really enjoyed is the way they break down the information. Showing you an art piece and then describing very simply how it was done and how you can achieve it best. The index even is great, showing the picture of the art, with it's page number for easy navigation. I would say this book is great for starting out, or looking to learn more type artists. I'm sure there are artists out there who already possess all this knowledge. But for anyone looking to expand their watercolor horizons, I highly recommend this book. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Only God Can Make A Kitten

Mama look! Says the little son as he and his mom and baby sister tromp around the great outdoors. Who makes an iris bloom so blue? Who makes the fish and the salty sea? Who makes branches touch the sky? And to each of these questions his mom replies, only God can... Only God can make a kitten. Very cute book. The rhyme is great for kids listening attention. The illustrations are very sweet and nicely done. As a mom, i love to see a mom taking time with her children to let them wonder, and ask questions.this book did just that. And with the perfect response for each question. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.