Amanda's Books and More

Friday, February 13, 2015

Flowers and a #Weekend #Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -

Make My Saturday Sweet #117!

My blog is best viewed in Google Chrome

Firstly, Happy Valentine's Day this Saturday! Secondly, I want to explain why I didn't have a weekend blog hop last week. We've been having power cuts in South Africa and all of last Friday we had no internet connection because of it. That's the day I like to post my hop and I decided that it just wasn't meant to be. You see, Friday was also the day my eldest son went off to university and it was a busy day for us. So far, he's been having a week of orientation and we've heard that it's going well.

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

My South African proteas (pictured above) had such a great response that I decided to share a few more interesting flowers with you today.

Bird of Paradise, scientific name Strelitzia, is native to South Africa. This stunning flower always makes a statement.

Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow is also known as Kiss Me Quick, which is perfect for Valentine's Day. It's scientific name is Brunfelsia pauciflora, is native to Brazil, and is popular in South Africa.

It's a sweetly fragrant, multicolored, flowering shrub. It blooms purple then turns lavender and then white. It has all three flower colors at once as more bloom. It's also a slow growing plant and takes years to get to this size.

These decorative little blue and yellow flowers are called Felicia and are native to South Africa. They are also in the background of the first photo with the Bird of Paradise and Amanda.

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

My Latest Giveaway

Enter to win $100!

Amazon Gift Voucher or PayPal Cash
Hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews

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

Now you can order your own personalized
blog buttons with HTML, Facebook covers

or collages (example: Pinterest-ing pins)!

Just visit my page: Blog Buttons to Order

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

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

Google+

Pinterest

Twitter

Facebook

I'm also now on Instagram!

Here are the easy rules:

Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
Link up a post from your family friendly blog.
Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
Visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment.

Blog Button Code:

This is a blog hop!

Visit my Blog Hops page to see what link parties I take part in.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Athletics Day and a #WW #Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #128!

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

Today's set of pictures include some of your not-so-typical athletics day photos. I was the proud mom photographing my child in her two races, but I was also photographing other things of interest too - things that were at or near the event like the large grave of 1828 and a helicopter taking flight.

The tombstone of Charles Trappes Esquire
This town was founded during
his administration - he was
Civil Commissioner of this district
(I only found that out when I took the photo.)

Best friends watching the
helicopter take flight

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

Check out my latest post on

1camera1mom

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

Check out my latest book review:

Bash and Lucy

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

My Latest Giveaway

Enter to win $100!

Amazon Gift Voucher or PayPal Cash
Hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews

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

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+

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:

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

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

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Bash and Lucy Review

Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy

Book Review Blitz

Meet Lisa and Michael Cohn, a Mother-Son writing team who created "Bash and Lucy" to help (then) 4 year-old Michael cope with the death of their family dog, Lucy. They have become media darlings, including being featured in The Daily Mail in the U.K. and making an appearance on The Today Show! "Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy" is their latest release.

About the Book

Title: Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy | Authors: Lisa Cohn & Michael Cohn | Illustrator: Heather Nichols | Publication Date: December 6, 2014 | Publisher: Canines and Kids Publishing | Pages: 39 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8

Book Summary: From an award-winning Mom-Son team featured on the Today Show, Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy is a contemporary boy-and-dog book. Bash's dog, Lucy, helps coach his soccer team, and Lucy leads the team to the championships. But Bash is overcome with jealousy when Lucy enchants a team of Special Olympics kids who say they want her to coach their team. Can Bash overcome his jealousy and learn to share Lucy with kids who say they need her? This is Book Two in the Bash and Lucy series, following Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, a Mom's Choice Silver Award winner and finalist, USA Best Book Awards. Co-uthor Michael Cohn, age 6, has appeared on the Today Show, on SiriusXM Radio, in Disney's Babble, in The Oregonian and other media.

Amazon * Goodreads

My Review

I was delighted to have the opportunity to review Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy. The idea of a mother-son team had me even more interested. I love seeing kids being creative.

This story was quite unique. The boy named Bash thinks and behaves like a dog and the dog named Lucy thinks and behaves like a person. They are so in sync with each other, and I think that is how children relate to their pets.

Amanda loved how Lucy was so friendly and licked everyone. Her favorite funny part was when Bash and the children went looking for her on all fours, as if they were dogs themselves.

I loved how the authors introduced us to kids with disabilities and service dogs. They also dealt sensitively with the emotion of jealousy and how that can get in the way of making friends and learning to share.

I highly recommend this meaningful and entertaining book to children ages 5 to 8.

Early Buzz About the Book

"This is a sweet story that teaches young readers not only about dealing with jealousy, but how dogs help kids with special needs. In the book, Bash, the boy who is the main character, learns how to help others, in spite of feeling jealous. Beautiful, expressive illustrations!" ~ 5 Star Review, Kristi H., Amazon

About the Authors:

Lisa Cohn and Michael Cohn

Writer Lisa Cohn and her 6-year-old son, Michael Cohn, have appeared on the Today Show, SiriusXM Radio, AM Northwest and Disney's Babble, in addition to the Oregonian and other media. Their first book, "Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence," received a Mom's Choice Silver Award and was a 2013 USA Best Book Award finalist. Lisa and Michael's aim is to share with children their love of dogs, books and writing! Learn about their school visits, dog blog and book reviews by Michael and friends by visiting www.BashAndLucy.com

Website | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook

Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Sisters and a #WW #Linky

Welcome to my Picture Perfect
Party Linky #127!

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

Isn't it great to have sisters? I never had a sister. My brother got married about eight years ago, so I have a sister-in-law, but we live so far away that I've never met her.

All of today's photos were taken in January 2015, so they're pretty recent. All of them were taken out our house, except for the one with Amanda wearing a dress.

Our house has been on the market since last year. I was hoping to relocate to the States to be closer to family over there, but the exchange rate from South African Rands to U.S. Dollars has only gotten worse.

I did a series on our beautiful home. You can find the links below today's photos.

My 3 Girls

Amanda - age 6

Samantha - age 14

Jessica - age 16

Samantha organized and paid for Amanda and her to
have a sushi picnic lunch at the house and a swim.

Samantha babysitting
Amanda at the pool

Samantha's new pixie haircut

Jessica's new dark hair color

Amanda

Related Posts:

Home Decor 4

(with links to Home Decor 1 - 3)

My Entrance

My Home Out Back

Bathroom Decor

Guest Room

Master Bedroom Decor

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

Check out our last day at Britannia Bay!

You can see the entire series by visiting

the links at the bottom of Part 8.

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

Check out my latest book review:

Beggar Magic

This steampunk fiction / fantasy is perfect for girls ages 12 and up, including young-at-heart moms like myself. In Beggar Magic, you'll find magic, music, mystery and machines. Check out my review to learn more!

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

My Latest Giveaway

Enter to win $100!

Amazon Gift Voucher or PayPal Cash
Hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews

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

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+

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:

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

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

Sunday, February 1, 2015

$100 Blogger Appreciation Giveaway!

Welcome to the $100 February Blogger Appreciation Giveaway 2015 hosted by Mother Daughter Book Reviews.

This is my "Shoutout" to my wonderful "Book Blasters" who posted book blasts with us over the month of December, 2014. Big, big thank you to each and every one of you! You are much appreciated.

Giveaway Details

Prize: One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card or a PayPal cash prize (winner's choice)

Contest Ends: February 28, 11:59 pm, 2015

Open: 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. The 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 a 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, hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway