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Friday, March 29, 2013

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #30


How to Turn Brown Eggs White


There are only brown eggs sold in South Africa.
I'm glad about keeping things natural,
but I wanted to have white eggs
for Amanda to color her first
American style Easter eggs.
I found out on Wiki that you can boil
brown eggs in vinegar to turn them white.

Add vinegar to fill a medium size pot half full.
Don't fill the pot, because the foam that comes
off of the brown eggs rises quite high. Boil
the eggs gently for about 15 minutes.
Check to see if they are ready.

When they are ready, the eggs will be almost
completely white and then you can remove them
and allow them to cool at room temperature.

The only problem with this method is that
the shells become very thin and crack easily.
I began with 10 eggs and only 4 were
good enough to use for our Easter coloring project.
The photo of our 4 Easter eggs is at the top.
The rest I used in egg salad sandwiches.



Happy Easter!

Now on to the blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet (M.M.S.S.) 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!


If you would like to be a guest co-host
on my Wednesday hop or on my
Saturday hop, then contact me at:
morleychristina[at]gmail[dot]com


I would love for you to follow me on Google Friend Connect
and also on

Follow on Bloglovin

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:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!



Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #33

Welcome to another fabulous Wordless Wednesday!
All my photos can be viewed larger by clicking on them.
On Monday, I answered 10 questions about me
over at Brooke's blog, Covered in Grace.
Make sure you check it out!


Amanda sleeping with her kitten, Sheela

Amanda sleeping with her kitten, Sheela
Black and White

Amanda sleeping with her kitten, Sheela

Amanda resting with the kittens, Sheela and Prince

Linking with:



Now on to my blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday (with or without words)
or any picture post at this Picture Perfect Party Linky (P.P.P.L.)! Come join me
(Tina @ Amanda's Books and More) 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!

If you're interested to be a guest co-host
on my Wednesday hop or my Saturday hop,
please send an email to:
morleychristina[at]gmail[dot]com

I would love for you to follow me on Google Friend Connect
and also on

Follow on Bloglovin

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. Make sure you let them know that you’re following through this P.P.P.L. hop, tell them how you are following them and add your URL to the message, so they can follow back.
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or on your side-bar, so that we can spread the word and get more people to the party.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


This is a blog hop.


Monday, March 25, 2013

Monday Meet Up - Guest Post

I'm so excited to be introducing you to Brooke from Covered in Grace.
I've answered 10 questions over on her blog and she's done the same here.
I'm Co-Hosting her fabulous Monday Meet Up, so go check her out!

Hello new friends!!
I'm so excited to be here with Tina today and to get the opportunity to meet you all.
My name is Brooke, and I blog over at Covered in Grace.
There, I write about life as a mother, student, military wife,
photog wannabe, writer and Jesus lover.

For those of you that don't know me yet,
I thought I'd answer a few questions about myself
so ya'll could get to know me a little better.


1. How did you come up with the title of your blog?
Covered in Grace was something that had been rolling around in my head for a while. I had been blogging at My Beautiful Brooke for a long time, and while I was ok with the title, "beautiful" because HE sees me, it still wasn't sitting well with me-not completely. Covered in Grace encompasses what I believe, how I live, and pretty sums it all up. I am Covered in Grace through faith in Jesus.

2. If there was one blog post that you'd direct your readers to, what would that be?
Oh man, I'd direct you to any of my faith posts... but for today, I'd ask you to read A Letter to My Teenaged Self. It covers so many aspects of my writing: faith, nostalgia, creative writing... It pulls at my heart strings, it speaks to my soul.

3. What is your go-to quick fix meal when you've spent too much time on Pinterest/Your Blog been very, very busy?
Ha! Pancakes? Biscuits with eggs? Anything breakfast!

4. What is something you're looking forward to this coming summer?
VEGAS!! Yaaah! I can't believe that I'm actually typing that. But I am! My husband and I won a 5 day trip to Vegas a few months back. We're planning to go over the summer while the kiddos can stay with my sister. I can't wait!

5. Do you have any goofy talents or specialties?
Why, yes. Yes I do. I can make a siren sound by throat-chopping myself. It's very, very awesome. Perhaps you saw me in action? I posted a vlog on it: the I've Got Talent Vlog LinkUp! You'll definitely wan to check that out. There are some pretty amazing talents showcased there.


6. If you could be a character from any book through out the entire story, what book-what character?
Oh, that's easy. No question. I would be Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser...wife of Jamie Fraser. (oooh la la) She's the heroine in the best books ever....the Outlander series. If you haven't read these books, YOU MUST! These are the books I recommend over all others.

7. What is the best piece of blogging advice that you've ever received?
Be yourself. Write about what you want, feel, believe. And don't worry about the numbers.

8. What is your biggest dream?
To grow old with my husband. But after that...it's to become a published author...to just be a writer and have my words reach the masses.

9. What is your favorite Saturday morning like?
Waking up whenever, breakfast with the family, heading outside to enjoy nature-or driving around to get lost!

10. Why do you blog?
I blog to practice my craft. To use my gifts. To reflect on my spirituality and faith. I blog to glorify God. To share my favorite things. To network with others. To maintain daily writing habits. I blog because it has become a fantastic hobby...and because I love it.

I would love it if you'd stop by and visit me from time to time!
You can find me here:


Read the Easy Rules for this blog hop at Covered in Grace.

Covered in Grace






Friday, March 22, 2013

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #29


Today I’m participating in Janine’s
Finish the Sentence Friday” writing prompt,
so sit back and enjoy a good read!

Test Blog

One time when I was bored out of my mind, I…

picked up the novel, Die unendliche Geschichte (The Neverending Story), by Michael Ende, from off of my grandparents’ bookshelf. I was a child living in Germany and visiting my grandparents (my Oma and Opa). In those days there weren’t too many programs on TV and very few were geared towards children. Sometimes the weather was too bad to roam outside. I also didn’t have anyone to play with unless a friend came to visit, but it was a 2 hour drive from our home and from where my friends lived to my Oma and Opa’s home at the North Sea. German was my second language, but the novel was really difficult to read. Many of the words I didn’t even recognize. It took me several days, but eventually I finished it.

Since I got married and had kids, I don’t have time to be bored. My kids are rarely bored too, because they have more things and more good friends to keep them occupied today than I did back in my day. They also have daily chores, which aren’t hard to do, and this also keeps them busy.

Now on to the blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet (M.M.S.S.) 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!


If you would like to be a guest co-host
on my Wednesday hop or on my
Saturday hop, then contact me at:
morleychristina[at]gmail[dot]com


I would love for you to follow me on Google Friend Connect
and also on

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:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!


Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #32

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Welcome to another fantastic Picture Perfect Party Linky!
Come join the fun as the party is going strong.

My pictures today are of the Guineafowl that walk
through our garden every day and the blue Agapanthus
around my fountain.










Linking with:




Now on to my blog hop...



Amanda’s Books and More


Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday (with or without words)
or any picture post at this Picture Perfect Party Linky (P.P.P.L.)! Come join me
(Tina @ Amanda's Books and More) 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!


If you're interested to be a guest co-host
on my Wednesday hop or my Saturday hop,
please send an email to:
morleychristina[at]gmail[dot]com


I would love for you to follow me on Google Friend Connect
and also on


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. Make sure you let them know that you’re following through this P.P.P.L. hop, tell them how you are following them and add your URL to the message, so they can follow back.
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or on your side-bar, so that we can spread the word and get more people to the party.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.


The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


This is a blog hop.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

After School Lunch Idea


Hi Guys! This after school lunch idea was inspired by Pinterest from School Bites on their Healthy Lunch Board. All kids need to eat healthy and to live a healthy lifestyle. If left to themselves, they will make the wrong choices. Also, parents should not be afraid to say, "No" to their kids when they want sweets or treats (including chips). And believe me, the kids will test you. All my children eat fruits and veggies often quite happily, because it's a regular part of every lunch and dinner. Usually we have fruits at lunch and for snacks, and veggies or salads with dinner.

Having a fun presentation makes eating healthy food that much more enjoyable. Of course, it takes a little more time, but it doesn't have to take a lot of time. I hope my pictures will inspire you to add a fun twist to your kids' after school lunches. By the way, we do eat treats as well, but all in moderation.

Also, I made Amanda a herbal ice-tea with a little bit of sugar to go with this lunch/snack. I've also made her herbal ice-tea mixed with apple juice instead of sugar. I think the latter choice is a better idea. Oh, and we're having summer in South Africa, so that's why I'm talking about ice-tea.

Off the topic, even with our healthy life-style, I've been battling with my health. I'll maybe write a post about it later, but I just wanted my readers to know why I'm not able to keep up with my high expectations of myself regarding this blog and other blogs. I totally understand other bloggers only posting once a week or taking a break. I love blogging and I love you guys, so I don't want to stop. I just have to take on less and learn to be happy with that, at least, until I'm fully recovered.

Take care and God bless!

Tina - an American mom raising 4 kids in South Africa




Now on to the blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet (M.M.S.S.) 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!


If you would like to be a guest co-host
on my Wednesday hop or on my
Saturday hop, then contact me at:
morleychristina[at]gmail[dot]com


I would love for you to follow me on Google Friend Connect
and also on

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:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a blog hop!


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #31

An Update on Our Kittens

I took these first photos of Samantha's kitten, Prince, just before he went missing. At the time of his adoption, we were told by the SPCA that he was a female feline and so our daughter had originally given him a different name. We all missed him terribly. If he hadn't gone missing, then we would never have considered adding another kitten to our family. It just so happened, that when we did our rounds at the Vets to put our missing kitten pictures up, that we were told about a lady who was looking for good homes for her kittens. I liked the idea, especially when I heard that the kittens had all their injections and de-worming meds.

That's how we got Sheela. Amanda named her and it's now her kitten. Sheela was wild and not used to human touch. She was also very fearful. She had a couple of days to get used to our home before Prince was found. I think that everything worked out for the best. Sheela didn't trust Prince at first, but now they are best friends and he has helped her to gain self-confidence. She also cuddles with Amanda and licks her fingers, which she doesn't do so much with us.

We are very blessed with our two kittens. Tomorrow Prince will go to the Vet to be neutered. It's a rule for those adopting animals through the SPCA. We'll have Sheela fixed too, once she's old enough.

Prince

Prince in Black and White

Prince

Sheela and Prince

Sheela and Prince

Sheela and Prince

Sheela and Prince

Linking with:




Now on to my blog hop...



Amanda’s Books and More


Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday (with or without words)
or any picture post at this Picture Perfect Party Linky (P.P.P.L.)! Come join me
(Tina @ Amanda's Books and More) 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!


If you're interested to be a guest co-host
on my Wednesday hop or my Saturday hop,
please send an email to:
morleychristina[at]gmail[dot]com


I would love for you to follow me on Google Friend Connect
and also on


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. Make sure you let them know that you’re following through this P.P.P.L. hop, tell them how you are following them and add your URL to the message, so they can follow back.
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or on your side-bar, so that we can spread the word and get more people to the party.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.


The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


This is a blog hop.