A Wonderful Week

Every week presents us with some small wonders. Things that just make us smile for a moment and we remember that these are really the important things in life.

I seem to have a lot of these moments in the car while I'm driving down the road. This week I was driving down the road. I looked to the side of the road. There was a lady outside with her little dog. The little dog was excited and jumping up and down. It was just see that something in the world was so excited to be alive. And that little dog was enjoying the time with his or her owner.

That lady at Taste of The Arts who asked me if I liked to color and gave me a new coloring book. It was an awesome freebie to receive. And isn't Color Me Joyful a great title for a coloring book?

Looking at some of my impulse buys at the Goodwill  sale day. And wondering what I was thinking, and being really thankful that everything was so cheap. I mean really what am I going to do with these models? They were simply weird so I needed to have them.

Time to get out and go hiking. I love the outdoors. But sometimes I have to remind myself that there are places that I can go to spend time outdoors. If you checked out my post An Afternoon Walk you can see some of what I saw that afternoon.

So what has made you week wonderful?

Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party 136

Labor Day is coming up this next weekend. It's the traditional end of summer. We still have a few more days of summer left, but much of it is over. I've noticed over the past couple of weeks that the days are getting shorter. And this morning another telltale sign is the maple tree I can see out my window has some leaves that are turning red. So that's what I've noticed this week, what have seen around you?

 Wake Up Wednesday "Linky" Party

@ Sew Crafty Angel

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We are so excited to have so many amazing bloggers party with us.
Check out this weeks Featured linkups.

Thank you so much to all those who share your blog in our party. 

 Wake Up and be happy, get excited and have fun with us! 

We want to be inspired, entertained, laugh and have a good time!

Your link will appear on the blogs of

Please take time to visit your hostesses.

 Sew Crafty Angel

            

God's Growing Garden

               

 Epic Mommy Adventures

                    

 Natalie Loves Beauty

               

 Heidi's Wanderings

          

 The Organized Dream

                  

Eclectic Red Barn

                  

This weeks 

Featured Bloggers

Pumpkin Cornbread Mug Cake
Strength and Sunshine

The easiest cornbread for one, with a twist! A Pumpkin Cornbread Mug Cake recipe made easily in the microwave, gluten-free, and vegan! This healthy little treat can be served for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert!

HOW TO MAKE A BURLAP DECO MESH WREATH FOR PET LOVERS
HOW TO MAKE A BURLAP DECO MESH WREATH

Pet lovers are all about showing off their love for their furry friends. We’ve brought a tutorial that’ll show you how to craft a gorgeous burlap deco mesh wreath for pet lovers that is also perfect as an all-year around wreath for your indoor or outdoor home. The wreath is super easy to make and you can get most of its embellishments if you look into your craft stash. In fact, you can use anything such as animal-printed ribbon, pet toys, plastic bones, etc. to incorporate the animal theme.

Mini FRITOS Taco Salads
cravings of a lunatic

These Mini FRITOS Taco Salads are the perfect dish to whip up for potlucks or picnics. They are incredibly easy to make and can customize them to your own taste.

Apple Bread
Giggles Galore

Hello, I’d just like to say I’m so happy to be here and thank you Mariah for letting me drop by. School is right around the corner and I always like to give our teachers a sweet treat at the beginning of the year.  Usually I give them a loaf of apple bread (which is super yummy), but recently I started giving them a jar filled with apple bread mix.  This way our teachers aren’t showered with sweets all at once and they can bake up their own bread whenever they feel like it.  I also like the portability of it.

Reese’s Layered Cake
Fluster Buster

Reese’s lovers, have I got something for you, Reese’s Layered Cake. A not-to-sweet peanut butter buttercream frosting sandwiched between two layers of dense fudge brownies and topped with crushed candy, nuts, chocolate and of course, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. This will quickly top your list of favorite desserts.

easy apple pie bites

Lolly Jane

Hi there, Stefanie with Simple Acres here again to share some deliciousness with you! Apple desserts are one of my favorites! As the air becomes more crisp and our homes more cozy the smell of apple pie in the oven is a must. I am excited to share some Easy Apple Pie Bites that will steal your heart at first bite.

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Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, crafts, decorating, fashion, makeup, health & fitness, recipes, mommy moments -- anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly.  Please visit some other bloggers and make some new friends and say hello to old friends..

• Please leave me a comment , I love to hear from you.
• Please Link to your family friendly post 
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Adding your link to this blog hop gives Sew Crafty Angel permission to share your posts and pictures via social media and as features on Sew Crafty Angel And Co-Hosts.  Note- All features on Sew Crafty Angel And Co-Hosts will be linked back to the original source .Social media features are linked back to the linky party.

An InLinkz Link-up

The Biggest Story

There are big stories in the world. And then there is The Biggest Story the new book written by Kevin DeYoung. The book has been turned into an audio book and a animated story.

The Biggest Story

The Story

This audio book and animated story tell the story of the Bible in 26 minutes. It doesn't sound possible, but the author does it. He tells the story of God's plan for humanity. And with it he communicates God's love for the world.

What I Liked

I really enjoyed watching this video. The author does a good job of telling the story of the Bible. He combines the smaller stories we all know to show that God's desire for humanity is to live in paradise. And the animation is wonderful. The illustrations by Don Clark is beautiful. This animated story doesn't have the cutesy feel of Disney animation. It has a more sophisticated feel to it. I love how it moves from dark colors to lighter colors depending on where the story is.

Who Will Enjoy This

While the story is actually written for children, both adults and children will enjoy this DVD. The entire story is appropriate for individuals of all ages. If you enjoy great animation you will also enjoy this video. It's colorful and it is creative. It goes well with the story. Keep in mind this is a religious story.

Disclaimer

I did receive a free copy of the DVD and audio book in exchange for a fair review.

Candidate For Murder

Combine elections with mysteries and what do you end up with? You end up with the newest Mac Faraday book by Lauren Carr.

Available on Amazon

The Story

When the residents of Spencer, Maryland, find the two candidates running for mayor distasteful, they find another alternative. Mac Faraday's German Shepherd, Gnarly, is nominated as a candidate. As in all political campaigns mudslinger begins. And the sleuths must begin to solve a mystery in order to clear Gnarly's name.

What I Think Of The Book

This book was so much fun to read. I like that they put a dog up as a candidate for mayor. And I like that he became the frontrunner in the election. Like the other Mac Faraday books this is a fun book to read. It brings back some familiar characters from the past. And the mystery in the story provides some twists and turns that will keep you reading.

Who Should Read This Book

If you enjoy mysteries you will enjoy this book. This book is perfect for this election year. It takes a humorous look at how many individuals feel about the established candidates in elections. And of course fans of Mac Faraday will want to make sure they read this book.

About The Author

Lauren Carr is the author of several books. Candidate for Murder is the most recent in the Mac Faraday series. You can learn more about her by visiting her website or following her on social media.

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Trailer

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer

I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, but the opinions are all mine.

Don't Miss Lauren Carr's guest post

Why Murder

Artichoke Dip Grilled Cheese Sandwich

I love artichokes. They just add a little something extra to recipes. And I love the taste of artichoke dip. So as I was foraging through the fridge looking for something I could make for lunch I thought adding artichoke dip to a grilled cheese sandwich sounded fabulous. And this is the recipe for the grilled cheese sandwich I came up with.

Here's What You Need

2 6 oz jars of marinated artichokes that are drained and chopped

2 tablespoons green goddess dressing

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

4 scallions finely chopped

2 ounces shredded Asiago cheese

Flatbread

8 slices of Havarti cheese

Here's What You Do

Combine the first six ingredients in a bowl. Mix them thoroughly. Warm a skilled or grill while you add a slice of cheese on the flatbread. Then top it with the artichoke mix. Then place another slice of cheese on top of it. Close the flatbread and place it on the grill. Grill until the cheese is melted.

Pair it up with some soup

Easy Black Bean Soup

An Afternoon Walk

Per the doctor's instructions and my goals for the month I have been trying to exercise more. This afternoon I decided to go for a walk at one of the nature preserves in the area. Here are a few of the things I saw on that afternoon walk.

Tell me what you think of the pictures, and what have you seen recently in the world around you?