Expat Thanksgiving with Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #219!

I hope everyone from the States had a blessed Thanksgiving! We also celebrated Thanksgiving and prepared mostly traditional dishes like the Turkey and stuffing. Two dishes that are traditionally South African that we also had were pumpkin fritters and custard. I was so glad that my mother-in-law could join us and that our eldest son was home from university. Since it's not a holiday in South Africa, there have been Thanksgiving dinners where one or two kids were away like on a school camp.

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Thanksgiving Dinner

Coleslaw and Roasted Veggies

Pumpkin Fritters, Turkey, and Gravy
Paper Turkey made by Amanda and me 

Homemade Baked Stuffing 

Dessert was Nectarine Cobbler with Custard

You can get the recipe on my post:

Easy Fresh Fruit Cobbler

Cobbler and Custard

Custard with Fresh Fruit Cobbler

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Below is my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Let the Blind Lead - Part 1

A special blend of coffee packaged
by the visually impaired.

Weaving done by the visually impaired.

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My Latest Book Review:


Bear with Bear
by Hagit Oron

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Now on to my blog hop...

Come link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

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This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.



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Bear with Bear

Bear with Bear

by Hagit R. Oron

About the Book

Title: Bear with Bear | Author: Hagit R. Oron | Illustrator: Galia Armeland | Pages: 31 | Recommend Age: 6 - 9

Book Description

Nine-year-old Bear is set on having a critter as a pet. After failed attempts to adopt beetles and snails, he has to settle on a book with pictures of bugs. This is a great opportunity for him to annoy his little sister, Penelope, who is afraid of bugs.

When his parents decide to bring home a cat to help Penelope with her nightmares, Bear helps Kitty find her wild side. As a consequence, Penelope’s nightmares get even worse!

Over-tired Mom is about to give in on the snake debate, which seems to be a perfect solution for all, but Bear has other plans...

Read how Bear manages to get his dream pet and what inspired the author to write this entertaining and beautifully illustrated picture book suited for kids ages 6-9 years old, especially those craving a pet. Any pet.

This book features a novel storytelling technique that combines fiction with non-fiction. This diverse children book tells the story of a wild nine years old child who is set on having a wild critter as a pet, it also takes the reader on an interactive journey behind the scenes of the fiction story.

Purchase the eBook on Amazon

Here's a peek inside...

My Review

Bear with Bear is an unconventional picture book that is entertaining and nicely illustrated. Amanda and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It's about a 9-year-old big brother named Bear who wants a pet. He doesn't want the usual kind of pet like a cat or dog. He wants critters or a snake instead!

His little sister, Penelope, struggles with nightmares and Bear isn't much help. His critters even cause a bit of chaos and he encourages the new kitty to behave like a wild cat. The parents have to try and find a way to bring a happy balance to the home.

The book is interactive. Some of the pages give you the opportunity to find out if this part of the story actually happened in the author's life. Amanda really liked this feature. There is also a link where you are invited to write and tell your story to the author.

We highly recommend this book for children ages 6 to 9.

Related Reviews:

Bravo and Elphie

by Hagit R. and Or Oron

Elphie Goes Trick or Treating

by Hagit R. and Or Oron

About the Mother-Daughter Team:

Hagit R. and Or Oron

Hagit R. and Or Oron are a mother and daughter who love to create, imagine, laugh and have fun together. Their mission is to bring joy and happiness to kids and parents all around the world. How? One picture book at a time.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Disclosure: I was given a link to read this book for an honest review.

Cape Town's Botanical Garden - Part 2

Welcome to my Picture Perfect

Party Linky #218!

The photos I'm sharing today and last week were taken in October at Kirstenbosch, Cape Town's botanical garden. The photos below were taken in the glasshouse where we saw the Boabab Tree, also known as the Upside-Down Tree. You can see my latest photos of Kirstenbosch on 1camera1mom.

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Below is my latest post

on 1camera1mom:

Kirstenbosch, Cape Town - Part 2

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My Latest Book Reviews:

Pickled Pumpkin Pie:
A Thanksgiving Treat
A read-aloud picture book
with some fun and learning

The Gardenia Curse 
Win a Book Prize Pack!
Includes a $25 Gift Card or Cash

Talon, Come Fly With Me
Book 1 in the TALON series

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Previous Christmas Themed
Picture Book Reviews:

Marty and the Christmas Eve Surprise
by Sharon Durgin

Lovable Lobo:
Lobo's Howliday

by C.L. Murphy





The Fox and the Snowman
by Angela Muse




Tumbleweed Christmas
by Beverly McClure




Ornaments of Love
by Sharlin Craig

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Now on to my blog hop...

Come link up your Wordless Wednesday

(with or without words) or any picture post

at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.

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
Instagram

and

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow me on one or more links above or via email.
• Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
• If possible, copy the button code below and add it on your linked post or blog's side-bar.
• Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

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This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.



Visit my Blog Hops page to see the hops that I often link up to.

Pickled Pumpkin Pie Review

Pickled Pumpkin Pie: A Thanksgiving Treat

written by Deb Troehler and

illustrated by Jaime D. Buckley

 

About the Book

Title: Pickled Pumpkin Pie: A Thanksgiving Treat | Author: Deb Troehler | Illustrator: Jaime D. Buckley | Genre: Children's Picture Book | Number of Pages: 38 | Publication Date: March 9, 2016

 

Book Description: Thanksgiving is almost here and Dillon can’t wait to see his lovable Uncle Pete once again. Uncle Pete’s visits with his peculiar penchant for pickled pumpkin pie always bring an extra helping of laughter to the dining table. Join Dad, Mom, Uncle Pete, Dillon, and their dog, Baxter, for togetherness, laughter, and a dill-icious meal. Pickled Pumpkin Pie is a read-aloud book for children ages 3-7.

My Review

Pickled Pumpkin Pie is a funny Thanksgiving story told in rhyme. It's an entertaining read-aloud picture book that will get the kids giggling. There are plenty of colorful illustrations and some "fantastic follow-up fun" after the story, which includes matching rhyming words and working out simple fractions with pumpkin pies and pickles.

I recommend this book for some fun and learning this Thanksgiving!

About the Author:

Deb Troehler

Deb Troehler has worn many hats over the years—teacher, fabric artist, author, illustrator, gardener, mother, and grandmother. Although each hat is unique, they are all stitched with a common thread—Deb’s connections to her loved ones and the world around her.

Mrs. Troehler was a special education teacher for 15 years. After leaving the classroom due to a recurrence of cancer, her family moved to West Michigan to spend time with her husband’s family. To help make ends meet, Deb wrote instructional material and stories for several trade magazines such as Doll Crafter, Doll Reader, and Soft Dolls and Animals. Eventually, the magic of West Michigan motivated Deb to put pen to paper and record the stories inspired by her treks up and down the shores of Lake Michigan. Pickled Pumpkin Pie: A Thanksgiving Treat is Deb’s third book for children.

Educational Blog | Twitter | Facebook

About the Illustrator:

Jaime D. Buckley

Jaime Buckley is an author, illustrator, father of 12 and the creator of wantedhero.com, which has been entertaining youth and the young at heart for over a decade.

Facebook | Twitter | Google+

Disclosure: I grabbed a free copy of this eBook from Amazon and this review is my own initiative.

Easy Fresh Fruit Cobbler

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #198!

My mother-in-law blessed us with a box full of fresh nectarines. We've been enjoying them in fruit salads. I also found a Peach Cobbler recipe on Food.Com and used our nectarines instead of peaches. We adapted it slightly and I have included our version below. We enjoyed it so much that we will make this for Thanksgiving.

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EASY FRESH FRUIT COBBLER
adapted from Food.Com

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup milk
5 - 6 nectarines / peaches, sliced
Cinnamon sugar for sprinkling

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.
2. Pour melted butter into an 8x8 pan.
3. Whisk together the flour,
3/4 cup of sugar,
baking powder and milk.
4. Pour over melted butter.
(Do not mix!)
5. Cover with sliced nectarines / peaches.
6. Sprinkle a generous amount of
cinnamon sugar on top.
Use less, if fruit is ripe.
7. Bake until batter rises to top
and forms a nice brown crust,
about 30 minutes.
Enjoy with custard or
ice-cream!

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My Latest Book Reviews:

The Gardenia Curse 
Win a Book Prize Pack!
Includes a $25 Gift Card or Cash

Talon, Come Fly With Me
Book 1 in the TALON series

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Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

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

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Here are the easy rules:

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• Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
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Weekend Linky

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what link-ups I take part in.

The Gardenia Curse

The Gardenia Curse

by C.M. Savage

~ middle grade fantasy ~

Blog Tour with Giveaway!

About the Book

 

Title: The Gardenia Curse | Author: C.M. Savage | Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy | Number of Pages: 158 | Release Date: October 26, 2015

Book Description: Thirteen-year-old Eva Thomas finds herself in a life threatening mystery when her dreams become real. Night after night, she is transported to Dreamland, where an evil being, the Shadow, wants her dead. Can Eva save herself and her dreams before it’s too late? Exhausted from troubled sleep, Eva stumbles through her days in a new town where her grandmother is known as an eccentric and in a new school where a bully has decided Eva needs to be put in her place. Eva is left feeling alone and uncertain until she meets Alice, a quirky classmate with non-stop questions about Eva’s family. Is Alice a friend or is she after something more? 

In Dreamland, Eva is constantly on the run from the Shadow, even after she meets Herman, her dream-guide. Will Herman be able to protect Eva from the Shadow and shed some light on why the Shadow wants her dead? Or are Eva’s dreams destined to remain a nightmare? 

Mystery, evil and a touch of romance—all in a night’s dream.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Saguaro Books

What others are saying...

"In The Gardenia Curse, Eva’s adventure unfolds like a gardenia blossom, a little at a time, getting more intriguing with each pedal that unfurls until finally the full thing is open to enjoy." - Amazon Review 

"The Gardenia Curse is an exciting middle grade fantasy that easily captivates readers with it's imaginative plot and interesting characters." - BeachBoundBooks 

"The author really captures your mind and heart. I am looking forward to the authors second book to see what happens next!" - Amazon Review

My Review

The Gardenia Curse is an exciting middle grade fantasy for girls. It's an adventure packed story about Eva, a girl in grade 8 who's parents recently got divorced and now has to get used to a new town and school. The kids at school seem hostile, one in particular even bullies her, and she can't sleep properly at night because her dreams are too real.

Eva doesn't want this new life that her mom chose for the two of them - moving back to her mom's old hometown and living with her grandma. She just wants to go back to her dad and her old friends, but her dad tells her on the phone to give it time. Eva has to figure out how to make friends, confront a bully, and solve the dangerous mystery that involves her in Dreamland, but first she needs to learn more about her grandma and their family tree.

About the Author

C.M. Savage

C. M. Savage began writing at a young age. She used a typewriter and crayons to write and illustrate her first book when she was in second grade and continued to write off and on through college. After traveling, she enjoyed working with birds of prey, mammals and endangered Hawaiian birds. She is a second degree black belt in Taekwondo, enjoys crafting and having fun with her family. She recently moved back to Bend, Oregon with her husband and two daughters. The Gardenia Curse is her debut novel. She is now working on the sequel.

Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter

Blog Tour Prize Pack Giveaway

 

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize (winner’s choice), a copy of The Gardenia Curse, and a Book Flower.

Giveaway ends: November 28, 11:59 pm, 2016

Open to: Internationally.

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, C.M. Savage and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of the book for my honest review.