Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #39

Today I'm linking with two other blog hops.

Don't forget to link your blog's URL on my

Make My Saturday Sweet below!

Finish the Sentence Friday May 31

My favorite movie of all time is…

Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken

This story moved me in a way that many movies never did. I was in my teens when it came out in 1991. It was based on the memoir of Sonora Webster Carver called, A Girl and Five Brave Horses. She was a rider of diving horses who later went blind after one of her dives.

Sonora’s story shows the courage of an orphan girl during the Great Depression. She was living with her aunt, who did not love her, and later ran away after being told that she would be sent to the orphanage the following day. She strikes out alone in the world and follows her heart.

Even after she becomes permanently blind from one of her dives, she finds a way to ride again and continues diving with horses for another 11 years.

It’s a truly beautiful story.

Friendship Friday - Music

We played "The Wedding" by Michael Card

at the signing of the registry.
We got married in a little thatched-roof
church of red brick and stained-glass
windows. It was like a fairy tale!

You can watch and listen on this
YouTube clip.

Now on to my blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Leave me a comment with your link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow Tina (your host) @ Amanda's Books and More.
• Link up your family friendly blog.
• Please try to add my hop button on your most recent post or on your side-bar.
• Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
• Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
• Follow any new blogs that you like.

Blog Button Code:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaX10yWr7xxEQ5BBMhOqdZxobJ0omJBq-v8ENFn3YNNebsnsYBHwcGyje-XzSlHSJOIlZ1rEOp89LyNI97XrPFZtdeH_AvaNV3F8hOvHfsuwe29ALNQw75ibK34buYq7nhpGGZJ8UTnoB/s150/Make+My+Saturday+Sweet.jpg"/></a></center>

This is a blog hop!

Picture Perfect Party Linky #42

Amanda's kitten, Sheela, is now 6 months old.

We had her spaded a few days ago. Samantha's

kitten, Prince, loves to rough and tumble

with Sheela. I was worried that he wouldn't

be careful with her after her operation, but

animals have a special ability at knowing and

for several days he remained docile around her.

I was so impressed with him. Now the tumbling

has begun again.

I have been trying to catch up on comments that I have missed

on my blog posts. I went as far back as 9 weeks ago. I didn't

realize that I had comments waiting in my moderation folder.

I'm not sure if IntenseDebate used to let me know when a

comment was awaiting moderation, but lately I have seen

their messages to me about this. So, I hope that I don't

make this mistake again.

I put a post together on Sunday called, "Which Comment

System is Best for Your Blog," after experiencing a

hiccup on my 20$ Gift Voucher Giveaway post.

I have decided to stick with IntenseDebate,

for now, as I'm usually happy with my comment

system. I've also explained on that post why

I won't be switching to the new Google+ comment system.

Today I chose the winner for CafePress' $20 Gift Voucher!

The winner is Gale L.

P.S. I've just added photos on 1camera1mom

of Simon's Town, Kalk Bay and a Squatter Camp...

Check it out!

Now on to my blog hop...

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Leave me a comment with a link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
• Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
• Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS14XLc-z2uSUW00dIvyZc7lEfLP2tkPgO3qmU3NWi_UObDs_d7XqpYhjp0BBeROyZot-8YlEFU9rguELrZYu3arN1qHHNpB4_ezrb-TlBlfHRSOvP7pBA0VI-j1RkUkF77wJxUc7M7ye/s150/Picture%2520Perfect%2520Party%2520Linky.jpg"/></a></center>

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Which Comment System is Best for Your Blog?

When I first began blogging with Blogger, I had the usual Blogger comment system that came with my Blogger templates. I realize some of my blogging friends use WordPress and not Blogger. There is a link for you too at the bottom of the post, so keep reading.

I wasn’t very happy with the limited way that this system worked, so I looked into Disqus and IntenseDebate to see what features they had to offer. In the end, I chose to go with IntenseDebate, mainly because they had the CommentLuv plugin that allows bloggers to immediately access their most recent posts’ permalinks with titles by just typing in their blog’s URL.

I have set my IntenseDebate comment system so that it doesn’t completely override my Blogger system. This way, it won’t erase any previous Blogger comments that were on my blogs. That means that my Blogger system is still set as the default system. It seems that, occasionally, IntenseDebate is off-line, because I will suddenly find my Blogger comment system activated. This is not ideal.

Recently, I had a hiccup with my comment system on my $20 Gift Voucher Giveaway post. I was really peeved. All the lovely comments disappeared that were on my IntenseDebate system and my Blogger default comment system has taken its place. My guess is that IntenseDebate must have gone off-line for a moment and when someone wanted to comment, the Blogger default system automatically kicked in.

So, I began to question again whether or not to install the new Google+ comment system instead. I have decided for the second time not to go this route, because I will lose all the comments that I’ve accumulated with IntenseDebate and because Google+ requires your readers to have a Google+ account before they can leave a comment. This is not flexible. This is forcing people, in a way, to open Google+ accounts who never wanted them before.

I suppose finding the best comment system for your blog is like finding the right spouse. You will hopefully fall in love with one system over the others, but it will come with the good and the bad. So, choose carefully, because you will have to live with your choice.

Here is more information on this debate:

Pros and Cons of the Google Plus Commenting System

Complete Guide to the New Google+ Comments on Blogger and WordPress

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #38

Finish the Sentence Friday

I blog because…

for years I felt like I was completely out of the loop, living in obscurity, while life was passing me by. I missed having girlfriends who share similar interests and I desperately wanted to do something more with my life.

Blogging made it possible to hone my skills in writing and photography, two talents that were, for the most part, lying dormant. There were also personal stories and experiences that were bursting inside of me, waiting to be told. Blogging has given me the opportunity to have a voice and to put some of those talents to work. I also love networking and making new friends.

I’m a firm believer that if we desire for our children to grow up and be all that they are meant to be, then we must lead the way. My blogs are only the beginning.

Don't forget to enter my
$20 Gift Voucher Giveaway!
Only 2 days left!

Now on to the blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Leave me a comment with your link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow Tina (your host) @ Amanda's Books and More.
• Link up your family friendly blog.
• Please try to add my hop button on your most recent post or on your side-bar.
• Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
• Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
• Follow any new blogs that you like.

Blog Button Code:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaX10yWr7xxEQ5BBMhOqdZxobJ0omJBq-v8ENFn3YNNebsnsYBHwcGyje-XzSlHSJOIlZ1rEOp89LyNI97XrPFZtdeH_AvaNV3F8hOvHfsuwe29ALNQw75ibK34buYq7nhpGGZJ8UTnoB/s150/Make+My+Saturday+Sweet.jpg"/></a></center>

This is a blog hop!

Picture Perfect Party Linky #41

The Circus

On Friday I took Amanda to the small-town circus that arrived for the weekend. It was her first circus and she says it was her first time to see live lions and a tiger. I think she's right about that. It's interesting that she knows this and I didn't realize it.

The bigger kids have been to zoos and game drives, but our Cape Town Zoo closed down (it was privately run and they couldn't keep it going). Amanda can't wait to go on the game drive in Animal Kingdom. The big kids say they'd rather go on rides and skip that one. It's kind of funny, because we're in South Africa and Amanda's first game drive will be at Disney World, U.S.A.

We weren't allowed to take any pictures once inside the tent. Check out the McLaren Circus to catch a glimpse of the animals and performers that we saw.

Don't forget to enter my $20 Gift Voucher Giveaway!

We are counting down the days to Disney World!

Today is May 21st and we leave on June 21st.

Amanda with her Minnie Mouse doll for the very first time.

Amanda got the pink and black dress from Grandma Lisa
and the Minnie Mouse doll from Grandma Naty.

Amanda with Minnie Mouse ears

Amanda's Disney dolls and Disney pillow
We are dreaming of Disney World.

This is a very recent picture of Amanda on her bed.
Samantha sleeps in the bunk above her.

Now on to my blog hop...

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Leave me a comment with a link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
• Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
• Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS14XLc-z2uSUW00dIvyZc7lEfLP2tkPgO3qmU3NWi_UObDs_d7XqpYhjp0BBeROyZot-8YlEFU9rguELrZYu3arN1qHHNpB4_ezrb-TlBlfHRSOvP7pBA0VI-j1RkUkF77wJxUc7M7ye/s150/Picture%2520Perfect%2520Party%2520Linky.jpg"/></a></center>

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

$20 Gift Voucher Giveaway!

CafePress is giving away a $20 gift voucher to one of my readers. They are an international company and this giveaway is open to everyone. I highly recommend that you check out my post, "CafePress - A One-of-a-Kind Online Shop," to find out more and to get some good ideas of what you can buy.

The winner will receive his/her voucher from CafePress via email. You can find the Rafflecopter at the end of this post and follow the suggested entries to earn points.

I got my $40 voucher the other day and I let my girls spend it. This Pony Kids T-shirt below was chosen by Amanda and the Vintage Boombox Jr. T-shirt was chosen by Jessica, who will turn 15 in a couple of weeks.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make My Saturday Sweet #37

Today I'm linking with two Friday hops!

Finish the Sentence Friday and Friendship Friday.

And, don't forget to link your blog at

the bottom on my blog hop!

Finish the Sentence Friday - May 17

When I was younger, I wanted to……

own a candy store. I loved imagining being surrounded by all the colorful sweets and seeing the wonder and joy on children’s faces. For me, a candy store was one of the happiest places to spend your days. It wouldn’t feel like work at all and I’d sample the tasty treats whenever I wanted to.

I still remember what house we were living in when I day-dreamed about my candy store, so I would have been around 10 years old at the time. It was a step up from a lemonade stand, something I also did in those days. Believe it or not, people stopped their cars and bought lemonade in those days. I was thrilled to make a bit of money and to see the smiles on the adults’ faces.

It's Children's Book Week and the theme for Friendship Friday

is on childhood books, favorite authors and your children's

favorite books.

When I was younger, I didn't have many children's books around

me. I couldn't read in English either, so that didn't help.

English was my home language, but the school I attended from

the end of Kindergarten to part of Grade 3 was a German school

in Germany. My dad was stationed there in the American Army in

the JAG Corps. My mom was half Austrian and spoke German and

I had a grandfather and grandmother who were living in Germany.

My parents decided that my brother and I would be better off

learning the language if we went to the closest German school

instead of the even closer American school.

Later on, from about Grade 5 and onward, I began reading avidly.

One of my favorite novels in my teen years was Jane Eyre.

As I began reading for my own children, we went through the

Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. That was great fun for all of us,

but sometimes my then youngest child, Samantha, got a bit lost

with the characters.

Amanda, my youngest who is now 5, has many children's books

available to her. More than half of her library are books

from her siblings when they were younger. Amanda enjoys

looking at all of them.

Make sure you check out the Kid Lit Giveaway Hop!

I have teamed up with the author of a really neat

Mermaid eBook and we are giving 5 away! Also,

on the linky list there are many other giveaways

for this Children's Book Week. So, don't miss out!

Now on to the blog hop...

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.

All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Leave me a comment with your link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow Tina (your host) @ Amanda's Books and More.
• Link up your family friendly blog.
• Please try to add my hop button on your most recent post or on your side-bar.
• Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
• Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
• Follow any new blogs that you like.

Blog Button Code:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaX10yWr7xxEQ5BBMhOqdZxobJ0omJBq-v8ENFn3YNNebsnsYBHwcGyje-XzSlHSJOIlZ1rEOp89LyNI97XrPFZtdeH_AvaNV3F8hOvHfsuwe29ALNQw75ibK34buYq7nhpGGZJ8UTnoB/s150/Make+My+Saturday+Sweet.jpg"/></a></center>

This is a blog hop!

Picture Perfect Party Linky #40

I shared a Mother's Day photo on Sunday.
Samantha (my 12-year-old) made me breakfast
all by herself. Along with that post I also had
an eBook giveaway in honor of
Children's Book Week. Visit
5 Mermaid eBooks Giveaway
to enter my Rafflecopter or

visit other Kid Lit giveaways on the
linky list at the bottom of that post.

Here are two more photos taken on Mother's Day.

I've also added new photos of my family
 and the African Penguins on 1camera1mom,
so please check it out this Wordless Wednesday.
And, at the bottom of this post, you can link
your own Wordless Wednesday!

My mother-in-law and I

Amanda building a Disney Princess puzzle with her Grandma

Now on to my blog hop...

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to link them on my Blog Hops page!

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Leave me a comment with a link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
• Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
• Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

<center> <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Amanda’s Books and More" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS14XLc-z2uSUW00dIvyZc7lEfLP2tkPgO3qmU3NWi_UObDs_d7XqpYhjp0BBeROyZot-8YlEFU9rguELrZYu3arN1qHHNpB4_ezrb-TlBlfHRSOvP7pBA0VI-j1RkUkF77wJxUc7M7ye/s150/Picture%2520Perfect%2520Party%2520Linky.jpg"/></a></center>

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

5 Mermaid eBooks Giveaway!

Girly Comments & Graphics

I first want to wish all moms a very Happy Mother's Day!

And, all women who care for others and animals should be

honored today too. We are the backbone to a healthy society.

My 12-year-old daughter made me breakfast this morning.

I wanted to show you how pretty it looked and the omelette

she made was delicious!

This week is Children's Book Week from 13 - 19 May.

Renee at Mother Daughter Book Reviews and

Katie at Youth Literature Reviews are hosting

an awesome Blog Hop featuring links to giveaways

for fabulous children/teen's books, gift cards, cash

or other prizes! Their hop will go live on the 13th.

My giveaway goes live now, so keep reading!

I am taking part and have joined up with E.S. Ivy, the author of

Miri Attwater and the Ocean's Secret. It's a really neat mermaid

story like no other for girls ages 6 - 12. I read the first

book in the series and got really caught up in the story.

I wanted to read more! The story has lots of little bits of

cool scientific information that makes the story feel possible.

It will even keep Moms entertained.

Summary: 
A young girl, who hates fish and other slimy things,

finds out she’s a mermaid princess and must overcome her fears

to visit the mermaid city of Kai Kaona and meet her mother.

E.S. Ivy is giving away 5 of her Miri Attwater and the

Ocean's Secret eBooks! Please let us know in the comments

what format you would like to have it emailed to you if

you do win (mobi, epub, or pdf).

You can read more about Miri’s world and ask questions

when you visit the series’ blog, Miri Attwater’s World.

While you’re there, don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter!

A Little Bit About the Author

Growing up in East Texas, E.S. Ivy preferred her adventures to be in books,

where things were nice and safe. Ivy graduated from college with a degree

in Chemistry. She learned how to grow a certain type of fern upside down

and sideways! She sent some of them up on the space shuttle Columbia and

got to see the nighttime launch at Kennedy Space Center in person.

Ivy also worked as a writer and editor of children’s science textbooks.

But she got tired of the publishers taking out all of the fun parts.

Novels are much more fun. She also likes to craft and has had original

crafts published in Family Fun Magazine.

Ivy now lives in the hills of Central Texas with her husband and three kids.

And – because there’s a rule that all pets have to be a type of critter that

mom is willing to catch – a dog named Topaz.

Visit E.S. Ivy's author blog,
which also includes some posts on crafts

and other interests.

5 Lucky Winners will be chosen for the

1st book in the Miri Attwater series!
Don't forget to let us know in the
comments if you would like your
eBook in mobi, epub or pdf
format if you win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To find more giveaways of fabulous

children/teen's books, gift cards,

cash or other prizes, click on the

links below!