Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #42

Today I'm linking with

Finish the Sentence Friday

If I could have dinner with anyone in history it would be with...

the small missionary woman known as Gladys Aylward. I read a book about her life when I was a teenager. Gladys Aylward was born in England, worked as a parlormaid and dreamed of going to China. She did not qualify as a good candidate with the mission board, so she decided to save every little bit of money that she could to pay her own way.

In the year of 1930, traveling from England to China was no easy task. She chose to go via the Trans-Siberia Railway even though China and Russia were at war. This made the trip even more difficult and she was a woman traveling alone. At one point, the Russian military took over her train and kicked her off in the middle of nowhere. Eventually, she made it by boat to Japan and then took another boat to Tientsin and finally arrived a little south of Peking (Beijing).

She never gave up on her dream of helping the people of China and telling them the good news about Jesus, even when it seemed impossible to get there. And, once she was there, it was difficult to connect with the Chinese people, because they had superstitions about white people. Some had never even seen a white person in their lives, but Gladys adapted to her new surroundings. She learned the language, the culture and became like them in every way.

Her most notable achievement was setting the girls of China free from a life of pain and disability. In those days, it was custom to bind their feet tightly while very young, so that the feet wouldn’t grow. This caused the bones to grow together and their feet to turn into stubs. This was considered beautiful. Big feet, as in normal feet, were for the poorest working class women and they were seen as ugly. In order to accomplish this task, she had to go into the remotest parts of China with a letter from the Mandarin giving the new decree to unbind their feet.

She also looked after orphans and saved their lives from the Japanese’s invading forces by fleeing into the mountains and making their way on foot to Sian. After which she collapsed with typhus fever and went into delirium for several days.

There was a beautifulHollywood movie version made about her life, called the Inn of the Sixth Happiness. It didn’t always stay true to her life’s story, but that’s Hollywood.

You can read more about her story on Gladys Aylward, Missionary to China.

Gladys Aylward

I'll take next week off from blogging.

That means there won't be a Picture

Perfect Party Linky nor a Make My

Saturday Sweet from June 25 - 29.

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!

7 Essential Sites to Help Plan Your Disney World Vacation

Are you planning a trip to Disney World

this summer holiday or in the near future?

Our family is and that is why I have composed a list of 7 essential sites to help you plan yours. I chose these sites because of their quality information and well organized menu options, which will help you find what you’re looking for fast. Later, I’ll be posting a follow-up of our Disney World experience, including useful tips and favorite activities.

This is a photo of Samantha
enjoying a Character Breakfast
at Christmas time 2002.

1. Easy WDW

My friend and author, E.S. Ivy,

sent me this awesome link.

The best thing about this blog is

their Cheat Sheets with

color coded maps!

2. Disney Day By Day

Choose the theme park that you will be visiting
under the Attractions menu and you will find
information for the different rides. This is
helpful if you aren't able to get to all the
rides, so you can visit the better ones first.

3. The Best of Walt Disney World

There are lots of things to look at on this site.
For example, here you can find out more about
Character Dining at Disney World. I was
so excited to see Tusker House at the top of 
the list. That is where I've booked ours!
Remember that you will need to make reser-
vations for this type of dining experience.

4. Only Walt Disney World

This blog captures the magic of Disney!

5. Disney Calendars

Find out the theme park hours, parade
times and more! Every day has its
own schedule, so look on the days
that you will be visiting.

6. All Ears Disney Restaurant Menus and Prices

This site helped me decide on booking our
Character Breakfast at Tusker House. The
menu helped seal the deal. That's before
I knew how popular it was!

And if you have any questions,

visit the 7. Disney Moms Panel.

They always answered my

questions promptly with lots

of helpful information.

Here’s a bonus Disney Mom Blog

(for those of you who love following

what other moms are doing):

A Disney Mom's Thoughts

What's your favorite thing
about Disney World?

Picture Perfect Party Linky #45

On Father's Day, we went to the Cape Town, Waterfront.

I usually post photos of our family and the region we

live in on my photography blog. And, I've decided to do

that again, so here's a preview of what you'll see when

you visit 1camera1mom.

This photo was taken by my husband, Robbie.

I also uploaded a YouTube video to

give you a taste of the atmosphere.

I'll take next week off from blogging.

That means there won't be a Picture

Perfect Party Linky nor a Make My

Saturday Sweet from June 25 - 29.

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.

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #41

"The hardest part about my day is..."

...washing those dishes that can’t go in the dishwasher and organizing the papers that end up on the kitchen counter. I hate seeing things in a mess, but I would much rather be blogging.

I never enjoyed cleaning. Ever.

The kids have different chores and they keep the same jobs unless they decide to swap (with our permission). This means that there is less organizing happening from our side and less squabbling from theirs.

Samantha, Jessica and Jeremiah in 2005

For several years, it was one of Jeremiah’s jobs to wash the pots and pans after dinner. Recently, he swapped this task with his sister, Jessica. That means that I only have a few items that I need to wash every day like lunch boxes and water bottles that belong to Amanda and me. (I have a part-time job and a volunteer job, hence the lunch boxes and water bottles.) The big kids have to do their own. So, if that’s the hardest part of my day, then I guess I don’t have much to complain about.

I also have a maid that comes once a week for half a day. She’s wonderful! I guess my life is pretty good.

That doesn’t mean that I don’t have challenges. I’ve been snubbed by white Afrikaans women at times. Then there are other Afrikaans women who are just too scared to talk in English, which I totally understand. I also understand some Afrikaans, so it’s not a big deal to me, but they are unwilling to meet me half way. 

Of course, most South Africans, no matter their race or culture, are usually friendly. However, they tend to stick to their own friends and family. That means my hubby and I don’t have too many adult friends that hang-out with us. I’m sure apartheid is part to blame, but so are the Boer Wars.

Because I have a need to connect with people, I blog.

Our kids have fared much better. When they have birthday parties, it’s like having a mini United Nations get-together and the kids all get along.

What is the hardest part about your day? Link up your own post at Finish the Sentence Friday or leave a comment below.

Friendship Friday - "Quotes"

All these quotes are my own

unless otherwise stated. All

the photographs are also my own.

I have a "pin it" button on my

right hand sidebar if you would

like to pin any of these to

your own Pinterest boards.

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 #44

These two kittens are best friends.

They also like visiting at bath time.

Samantha took the third photo of the

two snuggled together.

Click on the images to make them bigger.

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.

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #40

Me, Amanda and our kitten, Prince

Today I'm linking with Friendship Friday

and the topic is "Games."

My two favorite games are Canasta (a card game) and Scrabble (a board game). I usually do well in Canasta, but there's a really good chance that I'll lose at a game of Scrabble. At our home, we don't play enough family games. My mom and step-dad are planning to play games with us over the summer holiday when we visit them.

When it comes to electronic games, my kids own a Nintendo DS Lite and a Playstation 2. I don't play on them. Amanda, my youngest, has coaxed me to play computer games with her from the internet. She usually visits Girls Go Games for this and occasionally ABCya.com. I find both sites are good fun.

A couple of weeks back, I discovered a blogger who takes my Make My Saturday Sweet and makes it her theme for her post. I really enjoyed reading what made her Saturday sweet or bittersweet and so I've included them here for you too. It would be great if you could visit her two posts and share some bloggy love!

Sherry @ The Journey Back

This Kitchen Would Make My Saturday

and

Make My Saturday Sweet

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!

It’s My SITS Day!

It’s My SITS Day!

I’ve been waiting for this day

for a long time and it’s finally here!

“Who are The SITS Girls?” you might ask. The SITS Girls are a community of over 40,000 members who support one another in various ways. We share stories, ideas and tips as well as visiting the featured blogger of the day and leaving a comment on both the SITS blog and the featured blogger’s blog.

I prepared something extra special for this day. I’ve created a video of myself for the very first time! I couldn’t have done it without the help of my girls. I’m singing a portion of my favorite theme song. It’s called, “Where is it Written?” from the movie Yentl. It’s my first “duet” with my favorite vocalist, Barbra Streisand. Hehehe!

By the way, I’m Tina, an American mom raising 4 kids in South Africa and I love blogging. I am not much of a crafty blogger, nor much of a recipe blogger. So, why do I blog and what do I blog about? Check out My About Page to find out!

Here's what one lady I met through the internet said about my blogs, "Well, I'm not much of a blog reader. Really the only blogs and sites I follow are other photographers lol. I believe your blogs were the only ones I actually enjoyed reading and looked forward too! You're honest, sweet, and your family seems to be such a loving family and I think that's why I stuck with yours and only yours...hehe." By Karen M.

One of my most viewed posts, which is also one of my favorites, contains a number of awesome collages of my family that I put together just after the Christmas season.

I hope you stay a while and come back often. And, every time you visit, I hope it feels like a breath of fresh air and gives you the strength to carry on.

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Picture Perfect Party Linky #43

It was my eldest daughter's birthday on Sunday. Jessica turned 15 years old. To celebrate, I'm posting a couple of my favorite photos of her and a Hip-Hop Dance that she recently performed with several YWAMers (Youth With a Mission volunteers).

A professional photographer took
this photo of Jessica in 2007.

Jessica holding her baby sister, Amanda, in 2008.

Jessica's dad took this photo of her
one Christmas at the mall with his
mobile phone. 

Samantha and Jessica

Jessica's grade 8 dance

My grade 8 dance
It was the 80's and I had a perm.
I was also goofier than her.

Jessica's Hip-Hop Dance

You should check out "A Big Day for Our Daughter" to see Jessica doing an over-split as part of her warm-up routine and to read about her big day.

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.