Paper World: Planet Earth by Bomboland from Canlewick Press imprint Big Picture Press [Giveaway USA/CANADA]

ISBN13: 9781536208542
Hardcover $24.99

My thoughts:  Every now and then you find yourself holding a book that captures your interest in every imaginable facet. It is well crafted, sturdy, beautifully illustrated and colored, represents the text of the book in a unique and really attention-getting manner. Then you say to yourself, "Wow! This is So Nice!"

That's how I feel about Paper World: Planet Earth. What the publisher and illustrator have done with paper-craft is uniquely educational. You feel the Earth's terrain or levels of the sea. You see and feel the depth of each layer of the Earth and what each layer is made of.

You learn. Oh yes! You learn in bite-sized pieces tucked away under flaps you lift that are clouds, Earth shelves, or Magma Chambers venting through a volcano. Each lift of a flap is educational and fun.

But what is so impressive as well is the way you can drag your finger tips across the pages and feel the art. Paper World has truly crafted a fun and educational piece that won't soon be forgotten.

I highly recommend.

About the book: This guide to our planet shows paper being engineered like never before.

Paper World: Planet Earth uses ingenious paper cutouts to reveal the amazing details of our planet, from bubbling volcanoes to rushing rivers to the boiling hot interior of the Earth. With detailed art by studio Bomboland, a fact-filled text, and flaps and die-cuts on every spread, this one-of-a-kind novelty book will appeal to readers of all ages.

GIVEAWAY

2 Winners - Each a Copy

Begins November 9

Ends November 30 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA & CANADA

NO P.O. Boxes (Phone # Required for Canada Winners)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winners' copy is provided and shipped directly to the winner by the publisher or publicist.

Why Do We Say Good Night? by Champ Thornton & Illustrated by Rommel Ruiz (New Growth Press}

My thoughts:  Don't you just love how young children ask so many questions? Of course, it can get to be a bit much from time to time with their repeatedly asking the same one. But that is how they learn. That is what their curious little minds are made to do in order to grow and store a vast encyclopedia of information. Little sound bites that their mind will organize.

In Why Do We Say Good Night? Mommy is tucking her child into bed for the evening......  and we are outside the book listening as she says

"When nighttime comes

and no more light,

you get in bed,

we say good night."

And, childlike, her daughter replies......

"But when it's dark,

and I can't see—

Why do you say

good night to me?"

Mommy then begins to beautifully narrate how it is good because the Lord made day and night. So night is good. O course, the little one has a retort and question about that.

The might, glory, power of God are beautifully brought out in these short rhymes, The child is encouraged to believe that God is watching and taking care of him even in the dark and that night, even though dark to him, is light and beautiful to God.

A treasure to read and share with a little one. I highly recommend

About the book: Going to bed and turning out the light can be a hard time for many children. Award-winning author Champ Thornton wrote this beautifully designed and illustrated book to help parents comfort their children with three truths about God. As a mother and her little daughter talk, they remember together that God made the night, he sees in the dark, and he watches over them just like a shepherd protects his sheep. Children and parents will want to start a new nighttime tradition of reading together about why we can say that the night is good.

In this important, engaging children's book, parents can bring comfort and encouragement to their children, reminding them Jesus is near.

AUTHOR: Champ Thornton is an the associate pastor at Ogletown Baptist Church in Newark, Delaware. He has pastored in South Carolina and served as director of SOMA, a ministry training school in Columbus, Ohio. He is host of "In the Word, On the Go," a ten-minute podcast for families and is the author of several books, including The Radical Book for Kids, Pass It On: A Proverbs Journal for the Next Generation, Radically Different and Why Do We Say Goodnight?. Champ and his wife, Robben, have three children.

ILLUSTRATOR: Rommel Ruiz was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and moved to sunny Southern California to pursue his passion for creative expression and storytelling. An accomplished designer and illustrator, he incorporates influences from theater, film, animation, and mid-century design. His work includes animated visuals for Cartoon Network and the award-winning Luther documentary, as well as illustrations for books including Golly’s Folly, The Gospel in Color, and more. He is also the cofounder and art director of Patrol. He and his wife, Anny, live with their two joyful girls in Los Angeles.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

Always Look Twice Uncommon Justice #2 by Elizabeth Goddard

ISBN: 978-0800729851
Revell A Division of Baker Publishing
Softcover $15.99

My thoughts:  The story begins in a beautiful mountain setting with a gifted professional photographer enjoying her craft photographing a bear and the scenery. Then the action really begins to pop with a gunshot thundering, crashing the air. But it was neither the photographer nor the bear shot.  Her camera scope immediately scans the far terrain from which she sensed the sound of the gunshot.

Then the real action begins.

At this juncture, our heroine, Harper, meets our hero, Heath. Come to find out, they were devoted childhood friends now reunited in desperate and dangerous situations.

As the case investigation begins to discern clues and find evidence of who the perpetrator is, more explosive crimes occur.

While the story was a bit slow in places, the overall story was exciting and well crated. I loved the characters and their interaction.


I absolutely loved that I couldn't figure out who the culprit was until revealed at the end. Am I slow on the "uptake" and missed it? I don't think so. I think the author cleverly gave clues and adroitly hid the culprit.

I highly recommend it as a clean romantic suspense with strong faith overtones.

About the book: While photographing the Grand Tetons, Harper Reynolds unwittingly captures a murder on film. But when she loses the camera fleeing the scene, can she and rancher Heath McKade find the camera and solve the murder before the killer makes her his next victim?

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Revell Reads to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

ArtMartin by Americook Steamer/Casserole Granito Tech [Review]

Oh my! This is an absolutely stunningly beautiful pot. I haven't had a "real" steamer and have had to improvise. This is definitely one to get!

It is large capacity with a glass lid. The lid has a little vent hole (watch out for escaping hot steam!). I used it tonight for some steamed veggies and they were so good. No seasoning. Just the goodness of the veggies. I steamed a combination of baby carrots, zucchini and yellow squash, and broccoli. So easy to use.

This is obviously a high quality product and very well constructed. The care in packaging speaks volumes to me about the product. Outstanding! Made of aluminum and coated with ceramic, it is an excellent heat conductor as well as non-stick. The pot (bottom portion) can easily be used for other cooking purposes. The steamer is beautiful and shinny and large capacity for holding a large amount of veggies to steam.

Perks in addition to this lovely steamer include two pot holders - a square and a mitt. Nice! And a little sac to place your pot in for storage to help you retain its new look a bit longer.

Storage bag

Protective sleeve for lid

Again, I just love this steamer and know my family will delight in having a "real" steamer to steam their veggies in when they visit.

Check it out: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Non-Stick-Ceramic-Coated-Die-Cast-Aluminum-Round-Casserole-Pot-Steamer-with-Induction-Bottom-10-inch/913756323

#sponsored #cookingwithVera
DISCLOSURE: I received this product to facilitate a review. I was not compensated other than the product. Opinions are mine, alone and given after actually using the product.

When faced with uncertain days....

There are days when it seems a tunnel is closing in upon you and you despair reaching the end or escaping it.

Days when the futility of that day is lost in the one you are facing tomorrow.

Giving in to the inevitable is not a given nor is it an acceptable fate nor easy state. One's determination must prevail and project itself uppermost in the overwhelming odds stacked against us.

Weak. We fight. Weary. We rest then we fight. Defeated. We rise again.

And we have that always certain and prevailing promise....

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." (Is. 26:3)

,,,, and the ever assurance of Heb. 13:5 "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

Candlewick Non-Fiction Books for Ages 3-8

Each of these books for children ages 3 to 8 offers a look into our world. Our big cities - New York, our animal world - Sleep in Nature, and our underground history throughout the world.

What an imagination trip of exploration these books provide. Whether sprawling across the floor reading and perusing these grand picture books or sitting alongside a parent or other older reader as they read and explore the tidbits of information that are readily gleaned from the pages.

The underground book has delightful pages with lift-the-flap to reveal more and engage the listener or reader. 

I highly recommend these imprints from beloved Candlewick Press: Walker Books, Candlewick, and Big Picture Press.

My First Book of New York by Ingela P. Arrhenius (Walker Books US, 32 pages – Ages 3-7)

About the book: See all the best-loved sites of New York City in this stylish big picture book by Ingela P. Arrhenius.

Visit the Statue of Liberty, climb the Empire State Building, catch a show on Broadway — there’s so much to do in New York City! Take a taxi to Times Square, check out the Apollo Theater, cross the Brooklyn Bridge, and stroll in Central Park in this big word book about the Big Apple. With colorful, graphic illustrations of everything from iconic landmarks to mah-jongg players in Chinatown, this is a beautifully designed gift for New York lovers of all ages — the first in a series about the great cities of the world.

Sleep: How Nature Gets Its Rest by Kate Prendergast (Candlewick Press, 32 pages – Ages 5-8)

About the book: All animals sleep. But do they dream? Facts inspire imaginations in a beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book for curious young minds.

Some animals sleep alone. Others sleep in packs. Some slumber at night, and others prefer the daytime for getting some z’s. Whether large or small, familiar or unusual, all animals must find a way to get some rest. Did you know that giraffes sleep standing up? That sloths sleep upside down? Or that fish sleep with their eyes open? Take a close look at the sleeping habits of meerkats, bats, horses, birds, and other animals around the world in a book for young nature enthusiasts that is certain to spark a sense of wonder.

Walk This Underground World by Kate Baker and illustrated by Sam Brewster (Big Picture Press, 24 pages – Ages 5-8)

About the book: An around-the-world and back-in-time adventure exploring curious worlds hidden beneath our feet, from underground burrows to ancient cities and shopping malls.

This stunning lift-the-flap book takes readers on a journey around the globe and deep underground. There they'll find amazing hidden worlds teeming with life — from prairie-dog towns and ant cities to opal mines and treasure-filled tombs. Each spread is bursting with details and surprises to discover in the cutaway artwork and under the flaps. With so much to see and explore, this is a perfect gift for young adventurers.

GIVEAWAY

2 Winners Each Win 3 Books

Begins Nov. 1

Ends Nov. 21 at 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA/CANADA addresses (NO P.O. Boxes)

Canada winners must provide phone #
a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to facilitate this post. Any opinions are my own and are freely given.  Winners' prize books are provided and shipped directly to the winner by publisher or publicist.

Eating light. Eating healthy. Eating simply.

Eating light. Eating healthy. Eating simply. How to do it and still stay sane, satisfied, and satiated.

I am going to show you some dinners and lunches I have prepared for myself that are so simple and satisfy quite well. Also, they have that special caveat of being good for you - your heart health!

A lovely piece of salmon. You buy the finest you can afford. This is salmon from the cold waters of the Patagonian area. I poured Extra Virgin Olive Oil inside the baking dish (on bottom) then added salt, black pepper, and some chili powder. I stirred this with my finger tips. Then I took the largish piece of salmon and rubbed the flesh side first into the oil m
ixture. Flipped it over and rubbed the skin side in the mixture. Again, flipped it and made certain edges and top had a bit of the mixture. I baked it at 440℉ for the length of time (usually on package, but check your cookbooks) needed for it to remain moist but flaky.

Remove portions for yourself and whoever is dining with you. Serve as you like. I enjoy baking a piece of salmon large enough to facilitate the "day after" recipes. So much better for salads than canned salmon.

Again, a lovely piece of salmon. This package had 2 pieces that were marinated in a lovely, spicy, tangy seasoned oil/vinegar base. Prepacked in the marinade. I simply poured Extra Virgin Olive Oil over the inside bottom of the baking dish (I use a 8" Pyrex - brown - glass dish). No further seasoning is needed. I do the flip thing to make sure a bit of oil covers the top and bottom and perhaps the sides of the salmon. Bake it about 425-450℉ as long as need to produce a moist, flaky fish. Be sure it is done through, but still moist and flaky.

Served this time as a hot meal with steamed mixed vegetables and a lovely Asian green salad with feta cheese, mandarin orange slices, cranberries, and Asian dressing.

If you have left overs, use in the next day or so for a lovely salad.

WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE FOR LUNCH? Mine has a lovely salmon salad made from the salmon I baked the day before, a bit of chopped sweet onion, chopped dill pickle cubes (or you can use a mixture of the dill and the sweet relish or cubes), real mayonnaise, and a dash of black pepper and a sprinkle of celery seed. Paired with a lovely mini cucumber, fresh fruit, and a couple crackers.

“Next Day” salmon... lovely lettuce, tomato, and tiny cucumber with salmon atop and a dill Caesar dressing. Watermelon on the side. Again this is from salmon I baked a previous day. I remove the skin portion, nicely wrap the flesh, and then microwave a few seconds until it is warm. Flake it over the bed of greens and season with whatever dressing you wish. Since the salmon was seasoned when originally baked, there is no need for additional salt, pepper, etc.

And we never want to miss taking a moment of quiet
 when we can simply sip our tea to mellow us out a bit.

Perhaps, we'll take a moment to look at other items to cook besides salmon one of these days. Want to join me then?