Why?

Blogger has recently (in the last few months) added a feature that allows bloggers to check the 'Stats' of their blog.  How many hits each month, week, day, and hour receive.  You can also see the kind of operating system and browser each visitor used and what country they were in.  I can see what posts are most popular and what link a person click on to come to my blog.  So fun.  A little distracting.

Today I reflected on why I blog.  So I can have hundreds of visitors each month?  So every post has many comments?  So I know people are interested in what I have to say?  Um, it should NOT be any of those reasons.  Instead my motivation should be how another is encouraged, even if it is just one person.

Much thanks to my dear friend Brooke for reminding me because of her sweet comment!

Perfect

Well, Webster says that perfect means being without fault or defect.  The greek word means complete, or having all parts.  Those definitions are a little different, huh?  I will not, in this life, be without fault or defect, and there is no point in trying.  However, I can be complete or have all I need.  I am NOT there, nor do I think I will be there any time soon (like in the next decade), but I can take steps towards completeness.  There are things I can do everyday in a quest to being 'perfect'.

Today I will practice speaking kindly to my children.
Today I will practice spending my time wisely.  (And on that note, I have to get off the computer!)

What will you practice today?

Pumpkin Patch

I know just about EVERY mom who has a blog, has a post about her kids at the pumpkin patch, so bear with me. My kids are quite cute!

Heavy Whipping Cream

 I got this container of heavy whipping cream for a quarter and had to do something with it...

Homemade Alfredo sauce is oh-so-easy to make.  It is more expensive than buying a jar, but it is delicious.  However, we won't talk about the fat and calorie content.  I use Betty Crocker's recipe for many things and she says you need 1/2 C heavy cream, 1/2 C butter, 3/4 C Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.  Heat butter and cream in a 10 inch skillet until the butter is melted and the mixture starts to bubble.  Then turn the heat to low and simmer for 6 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in salt, pepper, and cheese.  Done.

I doubled the recipe and there was still over half of the cream left.  So, I made apple dump cake with cream on top instead of butter.  Yum.

More Free Books...

I really do love them!

So, here are some more ways to get free books.

My kids each get a book from Dolly Parton each month through her Imagination Library.  This program is not available in all areas, but it is worth checking!  If it is available in your area you can sign up your child if they are between birth and age 5.  Then a books is sent to you each month.  We have gotten a couple of repeats with the second child, but they switch them up frequently.  (Thanks to Amy for reminding me about this!)

Review books for a publisher.  Usually all you need is a blog, which are so easy to set up if you do not already have one.  I review for several Christian publishers, but I would suspect secular publishers would have similar programs.  Search their websites for 'book review' or 'media requests'.

Bethany House

Thomas Nelson

Tyndale

Garage sales and thrift stores are not free, but they are inexpensive and have many undiscovered treasures.  You can get a steal on a book that has barely been read.

Free Books

I like books.  It's true.  I am cheap.  Also true.  And books are expensive.  I review books so I can can get them for free.  However, there are other ways to get free books if you do not want to be obligated to review them.

Amazon routinely offers free books for Kindles.  Classics, like Frankenstein, Pride and Prejudice, and Little Women are always free, but there are other books that come and go.  The easiest way I have found to know what these are and not miss a good deal is www.ereaderiq.com  You can click on the 'Free Kindle Books' tab at the top of the page and see what books are currently free!  Amazon also has a list of the current top 100 free books.

You don't have a Kindle?  Because they cost $139 and up.  Yeah, me either.  Don't worry.  Amazon has free apps for your Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, or Android.  You download the app to your device and you can order books that are delivered to you wirelessly.

So easy and FREE!

Worthless

If anyone thinks himself (or herself) to be religious, and yet does not bridle his own tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.
James 1:26

Worthless means of no use, importance or value.  Good for nothing.
James is so straight forward.  He tells is like it is.  I. need. that.
When a believer does not 'walk the walk' they do NOTHING for God.  Sure, I'm still saved if I say unkind things to my friends or the clerk at the store or bank, but I am not helping them.  Worthless.  When I yell at my kids, worthless.  Telling my husband exactly what he did wrong, worthless.  Talking about my boss or coworkers behind their backs may not get me in trouble at work, but does it edify?  Nope.  Worthless.

James goes in to much more detail in Chapter 3.  What does he say about my tongue? Well, here is just a snippet.
The tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity, it cannot be tamed, it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.  Need I go on?  Sounds so positive...

So how do I make what I believe NOT worthless?  Ephesians 4:29!
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need at the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.