Holiday seasons give lots of opportunities to "Gather Grateful" [book review]

ISBN: 9781536233384
Candlewick Press
Hardcover $18.99

My thoughts:  As days grow cooler and leaves turn colorful and begin to cascade from their perch on branches, all sorts of things happen as preparation for the coming cold and appreciation for the days of warmth and abundance cease. They happen everywhere......

A tea cup memory

As I sit ensconced in my comfy, "old lady" recliner on this slightly chilly day in mid October, I am sipping a delightful cup of warm "Constant Comment" tea. It brings to my mind childhood memories. It also brings memories of my young motherhood self. And it brings a couple of delightful and blessed memories of my dear mother.

My childhood home was about four blocks (city of Wilmington, NC) from a very old - yes, old even then - school, Tileston. This housed an elementary school and a Junior High. I attended there from first through ninth grades. In those days, the school cafeteria served hot and cold lunches. They weren't free. Parents had to pay for them. So I walked home every day for lunch.

My mother always had a bowl of soup, or a sandwich, ready when I walked in the door. Sometimes milk to drink or water. But on the colder days, there was a cup of hot tea. I remember mother setting the cup down on the table with the tea bag still in it and steam rising from the cup. She cast toward me one of her precious smiles and had a twinkle in her eye as she did so. She loved me. She found joy in providing for me.

Fast forward to my young adult life when I, as a young mother I found joy in providing for my children just as my mother had found joy in providing for me.

Knowing my limited "means" during these days of my being a young mother, she would sometimes surprise me at Christmas with a tin that held a few bags of "Constant Comment" tea. A treat I didn't allow myself as a young mother. Again, that sweet smile and that precious glint in her eye.

Yes, my dear mother continued to provide that joy even then.

And today, as I sip my tea, my hands are holding the last remaining cup 'n saucer from mother's breakfast set. The cup's smooth surface along with the warm smoothness of this sip of tea awakens the remembered joy as the tea glides into my mouth and trickles down my throat.

A tea cup memory of a beautiful love.

Note: Mother would be 109 now. Also, dishes "VersaTone by Noritake."

Dive into some kids' non-fiction books and discover worlds of fascination (ages 5-9)

Spark: Jim West's Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone by Ainissa Ramirez; illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey (MIT Kids Press, for ages 5-9, available October 21, 2025)

My thoughts:  This is an absolutely fascinating kid's biographic book about a little know scientist. It also demonstrates the ingenuity and perseverance of a young black kid whose curiosity led him from "first spark" (literally) to becoming an icon of invention. His story parallels, to some degree, the space exploration mathematicians "Hidden Figures" venture into the working world of black scientists.

Jim West's story is well written and illustrated for the young reader and will hopefully instill a sense of inventiveness and discovery in another young person.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CABIN (movie) from Faith Chanel

CHRISTMAS AT THE CABIN is releasing in theaters this November 2025. Watch trailer & learn more at christmasatthecabinmovie.com

🎄🎄🎄“Christmas at the Cabin” is the ultimate feel-good family Christmas movie of the season! Starring Todd Terry, Marianne Haaland, Corey Cannon, Sharon Oliphant, and Stacey Sheffield, “Christmas at the Cabin” delivers a touch of chaos and laughter, plenty of heart, and one truly unforgettable Christmas. Beautiful scenery blends with original music and beloved holiday classics, making this a perfect film for the entire family. Make your plans to watch this Christmas and visit christmasatthecabinmovie.com to watch the full trailer & learn more.

DISCLOSURE: I am promoting this movie in agreement with Momentum Inluencers Network. #ChristmasAtTheCabinMIN #ChristmasAtTheCabin  @ChristmasAtTheCabin #sponsored

Grow (Movie release date October 17) [Review, Promo & Giveaway]

My review: GROW the movie is a family friendly (and safe) film that will tickle your funny bone and have you cheering for this dear, sweet, mischievous little girl and the folks in her life that come to her aid. Deserted as a young elementary school child by her mother and then left by social services in the keeping of a stern, unyielding children's home (i.e. orphanage), she is rebellious and hard to handle. Then her  mother's sister, her lone relative, picks her up and takes her to live at the broken down, failing farm.

The nearby small town (in the UK) is home to a famous man (and his descendants) who grew fabulous pumpkins. It is also home to an annual famous Pumpkin Festival. And hence the story really begins to develop into a growing contest where the competition is near to being all out war.

A story of ideas, restoration, unexpected friendship, unexpected help, and a growing of love as well as a growing of a more-than-fabulous pumpkin.

A delightful story. A really cute film. A fun movie. I found joy in this cute story about the little girl, Charlie's, growing into a delightful rather than pestiferous little girl.

Note: This is not a faith based film. It is, however, a delightful story with beautifully done filming; and the film color is wonderful. 

About the movie: In the Pumpkin Capital of the World, stoic farmer Dinah Little (Golda Rosheuvel) begrudgingly takes in her spirited niece, Charlie (Priya-Rose Brookwell). But Charlie isn’t an ordinary child—she has a special knack for connecting with plants that quietly reflects her own longing to feel just as seen and loved. As the town prepares for the annual pumpkin-growing contest, Charlie sets her sights on winning. With the help of quirky Arlo (Nick Frost), plot and pumpkins thicken as rival growers pull every trick in the book. Will Charlie and Dinah’s unlikely entry stand tall against the fiercest competition the town has ever seen? As her pumpkin grows, so does her bond with Dinah, and together they learn the real prize is joy, laughter, and family.

Colorful cast of characters: From curmudgeonly farmers to over-the-top rivals, every character feels like they’ve stepped out of a cozy, autumnal fairy tale. Charlie’s pumpkin “Peter” isn’t the only thing full of personality—the whole town bursts with quirky charm. 

In theaters October 17

Buy tickets - click here

Download kid's free Activity Book - click here

GIVEAWAY

$10 Amazon E-Gift Card

Begins October 13

Ends October 22 @ 11:59 p.m. ET

Open to USA entrants only

$10 Amazon Gift Card ("Grow" the movie promo)

Disclosure: Many thanks to US Pumpkin Distribution, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. Winner's Amazon gift card is provided by publicist on behalf of production company as a film launch promotion and is emailed to winner by publicist. Publicist has discretion to disqualify a winner that has won a gift card as part of this promotion on another blog promoting the film. There will be a gift card awarded an entrant via my blog. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes. #GrowMovieMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork 

Trendy, pretty Habit Nail Polish trio sets - Clean Beauty for Colorful People [Review & Giveaway]

The good folks at Good Earth Beauty can help you pretty up your hands with Habit Natural Nail Polish. This is a natural, vegan, non-toxic polish that is not harmful like other polishes. 

You can still get that "beach vibe" when you add a bit of fun color to your nails and the Habit "Beach House" collection will certainly satisfy that desire. Or if you wish another bright pop of colors, the "Brights - Flower Child" will give you just the stimulus you wish.

All bundled up in a neat little box, each collection has 3 pretty colors that compliment each other. Use them to create designs on your nails (if you're so skilled) or paint more than one color on your nails for a little bit of zing!

As the colder days creep in (or blast in - depending on your geographical location), one still needs to maintain a routine and make certain that they keep up with how they look from day to day. Sometimes, that means going "bright" or "beachy" with a pop of color on your nails. But it all starts with taking care of yourself!

Get out of bed. Make the bed. Style your hair. Wash your face and of course your hands. Clean the house. Cream your face. Add some color to your lips and your cheeks. Do your nails!

And then ..... there are the hands. Your hands may be those of a young mother that is constantly cleaning, washing, cooking, and then.... cleaning - again! Lathered and rinsed until your cuticles and nails as well as knuckles are showing a bedraggled look. 

Or..... your hands may be the tired, worn hands of an older, mature woman that need a bit of grace and tender love. We hear ya! No matter! You matter! Your hands matter! You need to take care of yourself.

✔️Fix it!

✔️Get a bottle of polish. Get a clipper. Get a file. Then trim, shape, and get pretty. 

What color would you choose? Liven up the day with a crimson red or become a beguilingly beauty in a blushing pink. Or perhaps..... go bold with pastels in a rainbow of colors. What's your choice?

goodearthbeauty.com

Now here's a superb thought..... order online! The folks at Good Earth Beauty (which is a fabulous all natural product beauty shop online) is the perfect place to shop natural, vegan, cruelty free, etc. I love it!

I've used Habit Natural Nail Polish in the past. I'm telling you, it went on beautifully. I had a nice base coat applied. Then two coats of this beautiful Habit Nail Polish. Then a top coat. (Click here to see my other review of Habit Nail Polish)

Go ahead and check out Good Earth Beauty's Habit Nail Polish collection. CLICK HERE

About the collections: Try three of our bright bestselling shades in the perfect travel size to take with you on the go and make it your new habit! Created with recycled plastic components and FSC-certified paperboard boxes. By Habit Cosmetics

Ingredients: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Stearalkonium Bentonite, N-Butyl Alcohol, Benzophenone-1, Silica, Alumina, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate, Polyvinyl, Butryal, Commiphora Abyssinica Extract. May Contain (+/-): Aluminum Powder (CI 77000), Bismuth, Oxychloride (CI 77163), Oxides (CI 77499/ CI 77491), Red 34 Lake (CI 15880), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850) Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Mica (CI 77019), Blue 1 (CI 42090), Yellow 11 (CI 47000), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Violet 2 (CI 60725), Polyethylene Terephthalate, Isobutylphenoxy Epoxy Resin, Polybutylene Terephthalate, Ethylene/VA Copolymer]

Shop GoodEarthBeauty.com

Use 10% Discount Code: GEB10

Free Shipping in USA (some limits) 

GIVEAWAY

1 Trio Set Habit Natural Nail Polish

Winner's choice of reviewed sets

Begins October 11 

Ends November 5 at 11:59 a.m. ET

Open to USA addresses only.

Habit Cosmetics Nail Polish Trio Set

DISCLOSURE: I received lovely products to facilitate a review. Any opinions given are my own alone and are freely given. I was not required to render positive thoughts on the products. I only recommend those products which I or a member of my family or close friends and will use. The winner's prize will be provided and shipped directly to the winner by Good Earth Beauty. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or damaged products. 

Jesus, Our True Friend: Stories to Fill Your Heart With Joy by Sally Lloyd-Jones

My thoughts:  Beautifully written to bring beloved Saviour, Jesus, to young hearts, Jesus, Our True Friend is a welcome addition to children's book collections, church libraries, and libraries that care to include Christian publications. It makes an exceptional gift that will bring delight and help establish the child's concept of Jesus.