My Son's 18th Birthday and More with #WW #Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #119!

This blog is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click on the images to view them larger.

Monday was my son's 18th Birthday!

Jessica made her brother a chocolate swirl cheese cake and all three sisters bought their brother birthday gifts with their own money. Usually handmade cards would suffice, but this birthday was extra special. It's the end of the school year here in South Africa and Jeremiah is finished with high school. He's also now old enough to get a driver's license, vote, and drink alcohol, so we bought him some craft beers and, of course, a few other things.

We went our for sushi.

After dinner, he was presented with

a sushi cake by the owner/manager.

Amanda also had an eventful day. There was a small package in our mailbox from the States. Grandma Lisa and Grandpa Ken had sent her a T-shirt from Hammock Beach, Florida.

Being the first day of December, Amanda received an Advents Calendar from her Nana. It's Santa's Turbo Sleigh and behind each door is a chocolate ball.

We also wanted to start December off with something Christmasy, so Amanda got this Sing-Along Christmas Carols book with CD (published by Hinkler Books Pty Ltd). It includes cheerfully illustrated songs and Christmas stories.

Here's a peek inside:

*********************

Check out my latest post on 1camera1mom!

***************************

Are you considering getting a pet this Christmas?

Please visit my post Adopting a Pet.

*********************

Don't miss this

fabulous giveaway!

Those who live in the USA

can enter to win a

$75 Voucher

for Christmas cards

from Minted.

Christmas Cards Voucher Giveaway

*********************

My Latest Book Posts:

A Year in the Secret Garden

and $100 Giveaway!

The Shadow of the Unicorn

and $25 Giveaway!

***************************

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 

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:

<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.

Read More

A Sweet 16 and #WW Linky!

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #93!

Jessica, Amanda's big sister,

turned 16 on Monday!

Jessica and Amanda in Florida
July 2013
Photo by Me

Jessica at our home in
South Africa
Photo by Me

Jessica in Florida
July 2013
Photo by Photographer

Jessica at lunch in South Africa
May 2014
Photo by Hubby

Jessica when she was younger
Photos by Photographer

***************************

Here is a peek at my

latest post on 1camera1mom.

The life of the Pioneers in South Africa

***************************

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!
By the way, I've updated it.

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

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:

<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.

Read More

My Best Decision in Life and Weekend Blog Hop

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #79!

To make this hop successful, be sure to visit the last two
links before yours and leave a sweet comment. Also,
share this hop via Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

*********************

This is Jeremiah in his high school uniform.
It's his matric (senior) year in South Africa.

*********************

Friendship Friday
Anything Goes

and

Finish the Sentence Friday
"The best decision I ever made..."

...was to fall in love with God. When I am motivated by the love that flows from the heart of God, then my actions are a testimony to that love. It helps me to be the person that I am today and it helps me to make wise decisions.

I have a wonderful husband who made the same choice when he was a young adult. Together we are building our home on a good foundation, the Rock of Jesus. That does not mean that we are perfect. We acknowledge our faults and apologize regularly.

Here's a poem I wrote a few years ago:

Let my home be a safe haven
One to be counted among the best
May its walls build hope and its floors mercy
And may its rooms offer peace and rest

May its roof be a symbol of protection
May its ceilings teach us Your ways
And may the gates stand for honor
Together adding joy to our days

by Christina Morley

You can find my poems on
Consider the Lilies Poetry.


Also linking with Essential Fridays

*********************

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 two links before yours and leave them a comment to make their "Saturday Sweet"! It's really easy and a 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

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Here are the easy rules:

• Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
• Link up your family friendly blog.
• Please try to add my hop button on your linked 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.

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!

Read More

Amanda Hunts Easter Eggs and More!

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #87!

Let the Hunt Begin!

Amanda and our cat, Prince,
enjoying the hunt.

Where to look next?

Prince investigates the bunny ears.

***************************

Here's a peek at my neighborhood and

a front garden that adds curb appeal:

Walking in Our Neighborhood - Part 3

***************************

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!
By the way, I've updated it.

I would love for you to follow me on

Google+

Pinterest 

Twitter 

Facebook 

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:

<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.

Read More

Happy Easter Sunday!

I wanted to wish everyone another Happy Easter, in case you didn't see my post on Thursday. We didn't have much in terms of decorations last year, because the stores in our part of South Africa don't stock decorations. The big thing here are chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs.

I wanted to create an Easter basket in 2013, so I had to buy green Christmas tinsel to create the look of grass. That prompted me to ask my mom in the States to buy some Easter things once they went on sale, especially the grass, since we were going to visit her that summer.

The colorful grass, cardboard bunny egg holder, and Easter toys are from her. The chocolate bunnies and eggs are from our shops in South Africa. The tall hand-made bunny in the bottom corner was made by Amanda at school.

I find that decorating helps put people in the mood. It certainly made this year feel more festive. The best part is that my in-laws are spending Saturday and Sunday with us before they have to go back to work. Sunday morning we will all go to a fellowship service and after that Amanda will get to have her much anticipated Easter egg hunt that her Nanna (Grandma) is organizing.

If you like blog hops, I have a weekend blog hop

on the go on my post, Happy Easter and More!

Poem: Jesus

Jesus is the King of Kings

He is our everything

He is the Great I Am

He is the Son of Man

By His stripes we are made whole

He can fill the empty soul

And shower us with gifts from heaven

He is the Bread without leaven

He overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb

Though he was still the Great I Am

He also suffered as the Son of Man

So that one day we might say, “I can!”

by Christina Morley

here


Easter graphics


Easter comments

Linking with Inspire Me Monday

Read More

More Great Photos and Linky!

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #85!

You can link your family friendly
photo post below.

I usually use Picasa 3 when editing photos

and PicMonkey is great for creating collages.
You can click on the images to view them larger.

Amanda's new school shirt.
She's in grade R (grade K).
The school year began in January.

Amanda's cat, Sheela

Sheela the Cat
Black and White Photo

Amanda with her cat

Amanda with her cat
Bottom left in Neon
Bottom right in Pencil Sketch

In February I shared photos of Amanda helping her dad install a new shower in the kids' bathroom. Her job was to hold the vacuum cleaner nozel while he drilled. A few days ago, she got to help again doing the same job while he installed the shower shelves.

Amanda was helping her dad
install shower shelves.

***************************

Interested to see where I live?

Check out my latest series on 1camera1mom, Walking in Our Neighborhood. In case you didn't know, I live in South Africa, so our seasons are opposite to that of the northern hemisphere. Plus, I live in semi-desert, so you will never see blizzards in our area.

***************************

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 

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:

<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.

Read More