Book Review : Weekly Habits Project

If you know me, you know I love goals. I have daily goals in the form of my daily to do list. I have monthly goals that I set at the beginning of each month, and put on my bathroom mirror and refrigerator. Then I have annual goals that I also post on my mirror and refrigerator. I like to keep them front and center and this helps me accomplish far more of those goals than if I did not do those things.

The Weekly Habit Project is an amazing tool to help you and me accomplish Godly goals on a weekly basis. This is a journal that will help keep us on task and focused as well as grow us in our walk with the Lord.

One good thing about actually tracking our goals is that when we accomplish something it is not just something to check off, it is something to inspire us to do the next thing! So when we take the time to use a tool like this and track our weekly goals, we are able to look back over the past weeks and see our progress! Progress inspires us to keep going and to accomplish bigger goals!

This is an absolute beautiful book! It would be a wonderful Mother’s Day gift, birthday gift or even a great book to get with a group of friends and start an accountability group!

There are 4 sections : Our Minds, Our Hearts, Our Hands and finally Our Everything. In each section are 13 weeks with a different focus each week. Each weekly spread contains a devotion to help focus our goals for that week and then a journalling area with 3 questions. Each section is illustrated with nature related photos and each spread is lovely.

This is a great book to use every Sunday, or every Monday – and start a routine and start setting some new goals and habits!

You can purchase a copy HERE – and notice there are other journals coming out as this is the first in the series!

NOTE : I received a copy of The Weekly Habits Project in exchange for an honest review. This review is 100% my personal opinions.

Book Review : The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

Joanna Davidson Politano has done it again!! Another amazing historical fiction, told in the way only Joanna can. She is my favorite historical fiction storyteller. The way she creates her characters is just endearing and darling! I love the characters, all of them.

In this story we meet Peter and Lily, both of which have so much depth to who they are, and are just amazing characters of love, passion, and goodness. The twists and turns of the story keep you glued to the pages, needing to know what is going to happen next! Lily is an actress in silent films, and Peter is someone who can read people and find things. When a valuable family jewel which was missing turns up in a silent film, Peter and Lily meet.

As a long time (since her debut novel) reader of Joanna, I loved this story, loved the characters, even the less important ones! I did not want to put it down, I was help captive!

I highly recommend this story, or any other story by Joanna!!

The Lost Melody

A Midnight Dance

The Love Note

Finding Lady Enderly

NOTE : In accordance with FTC guidelines, MHM Buzz will always disclose where products being reviewed originate.  Often, we review books/products provided for free by publishers, whether ARC’s (advanced reading copies) or post-publication.  However, MHM Buzz does not, nor do any of its book review authors, receive any compensation for reviews.  All product reviews are voluntary, my personal opinion and not required for receipt of the product. I received a complimentary copy of The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple.

Soap Descriptions

I needed to post a list of my soap scent descriptions and thought this was the best place to do that. So if you are interested in knowing what scent smells like what, here you go. If not, hope you have a wonderful day, and ignore this post!

Name	Description
Baja	A refreshing blend of floral, coconut, and citrus on a base of musk and sandalwood.
Balsam	A captivating scent that reminds you of a weekend walk through the forest. Refreshing notes of balsam, pine, and rich cedar, coupled with hints of greens and musk.
Bergamot Blend	As soon as you smell this fresh and uplifting scent, you’ll want to add it to all of your DIY bath and body products. It has notes of bergamot, lime, earl grey tea leaves, cucumber, beeswax, amber, and musk.
Black Knight	It’s a mix of lemon, bergamot, cool mint, lavender, green accord, sandalwood, cedarwood, amber, and musk. It smells just like walking into a barbershop.
Black Sea	Succulent plum intertwines with sweet florals and salty oceanic ozone for a bold, rich accord. Notes of vanilla and amber linger in the background to complete this unique fragrance
Blackberry Ambrosia
Blush	An intoxicating blend of sweet berries and delicate florals. Playfully highlighted with hints of cotton candy, licorice, and powdered musk. This fragrance was inspired by the Aquolina® scent.
Cashmere & Sugar	A luxurious and cozy blend of soft cashmere, warm amber and spun sugar with hints of soft jasmine, tea rose and pink peppercorn.
Cedar Chest	Top notes of bay leaf and fir needle and then leading into a heart of bright bergamot and cedarwood of a sweet tobacco base, this fragrance.
Clean Cotton
Cocoa & Cashmere	A warm, intriguing fragrance that combines sweet cocoa butter and coconut. Elegant under notes of cedarwood, jasmine, and rich vanilla complete this unique, lovely blend. Perfect for any occasion.
Coconut Lime Verbeena
Coffee Scrub
Desire (Dark Amber)
Driftwood	f you love woody and floral scents, this one is the best of both worlds. It starts with notes of bergamot, olive, aloe blossom, pear, white lily, heliotrope, green tea, and rose, and finishes with notes of musk, sugared amber, and sandalwood
Flower Child	Try this fresh and floral scent in your next project! It’s a mix of grapefruit, melon, cyclamen, jasmine, heliotrope, and raspberry. Notes of cherry blossom, musk, and white amber round it out nicely.
Gardenia
Grapefruit Mint	A refreshing twist of freshly squeezed grapefruit highlighted with hints of mint leaf.
Groovy	Simple patchouli is embodied in this fragrance that brings about its lovely earthy aroma with under notes of sweet woods and warm spices.
Honey Oatmeal	Warm oatmeal combines with sweet milk and a base of sweet honey and vanilla beans.
Honeysuckle
Jasmine Midnight Moonflower	A bold, mysterious blend of white blossoms, Turkish rose, neroli and moonflowers. Highlighted with hints of wild lilac, white musk and warm sandalwood.
Just Breathe	An empowering, masculine fusion of mahogany, cedar, geranium and resinous woods delightfully supplemented with hints of lavender
Katadin	An adventurous blend of aromatic mountain air. Fresh sage and cool eucalyptus are highlighted with hints of cinnamon, complex tonka and rounded out with smoke embers
Kentucky Breeze	Mouthwatering, juicy caramelized apples and rich maple blended perfectly with hearty bourbon and warm cinnamon. Perfect for any fall collection.
Lavender Vanilla	Lavender – more herby than sweet
Lemongrass	Lemongrass
Love Potion	the top notes burst forth with the lively and enticing blend of sparkling red raspberry, pomegranate, and juicy red currant, complimented by hearty notes of creamy coconut, ruby rose and sandalwood. Irresistible and charming!
Oakmoss & amber	A captivating blend of rich, alluring amber and earthy oakmoss complimented with hints of sage, musk, and lavender.
Palo Santo	A woody, earthy fragrance highlighted by a blend of warm spice, cedar, and lemon leaf with hints of smokey incense.
Pink Dragon Fruit	An irresistible tropical fruit fusion of white dragonfruit, peach nectar, golden melon and berries intertwined with island lilies and warm amber musk.
Pretty in Pink (Guava)	Blend of sweet exotic fruits and light undertones of warm vanilla complete this fragrant accord.
Rugged
Sexy	this scent smells like a sexy man! Complex notes of lavender, vanilla, woodsy and musk create this fragrance.
Sherlock Library	A rich, luxurious aroma of worn leather, suede, and rosewood. Touched with a complimentary hint of aged library books.
Sunset	it has a fresh feel with beautiful notes of mint that intertwine with subtle undertones of green apples and peaches on a base of musk and moss
Sweet Summer (watermelon)	Bright and fresh. Juicy watermelon, zesty lemons, and sweet sugar.
Tranquility	Refreshing and clean. This scent is perfect for a spa collection or added to your year round collection. Fresh, crisp mint combines with base notes of bursting lemons, verbena, and eucalyptus.
Unscented
White Tea	Sliced lemons give a light tartness to this warm cup of tea with a heart of sweet floral notes and dry musk base.
Wildflower Whispers	A tender embrace of rosewood and wild iris, leading to a heart of violet, cashmere, and freesia that resonates with natural beauty. The base notes of white musk, sandalwood, and tonka bring a sense of tranquility, leaving a lingering and captivating aura.
Woodland	The sights and sounds of summer were a welcome release from the everyday, but now, it’s time to retreat to the tranquil majesty of a wooded world where time moves as slowly as trees climbing toward the sky. Rich notes of the forest in the cool, crisp air take center stage as the sweltering sands of the beach and desert fade into seasonal memory.
Yuzu	Japanese citrus fruit, clean smelling, slightly sweet

Book Review : It is Finished

Charles Martin is my favorite author right now. I say right now because in different seasons I have had other favorites, and honestly I have a few others with Mr. Martin. He tops the list though. So when he releases a book, you know I am going to read it! His fiction writing is my favorite because of how he develops characters and the depth he plunges the reader into no matter the setting. I cannot say enough amazing stuff about this guy!

This is my first non-fiction book by Mr. Martin, and it has had the exact same effect as all his novels, except the characters this time are real. The setting happened. But it is the way Charles writes linking the cross to the garden, connecting the dots between Peter and me, that really has me hooked.

It is Finished can be a book for Lent, or a devotion leading up to Easter, or seriously, a book you read any time to grow closer to the Lord. It is that good. I kind of think Charles out did himself with this one, and that is saying a lot for me. 

Each chapter is a devotion, if you will, where Charles dives into a piece of the Gospel message, then he leads you to other parts of the Bible, scenes from the bigger Story – and weaves it all together beautifully giving the reader a deeper understanding. At the end of each chapter is a prayer to read through, and then he finishes each chapter with a “response” to that prayer with scripture. I cannot effectively illustrate how beautiful this book is, and how precious the journey is that it will take you on.

You can purchase a copy HERE

NOTE :In accordance with FTC guidelines, MHM Buzz will always disclose where products being reviewed originate.  Often, we review books/products provided for free by publishers, whether ARC’s (advanced reading copies) or post-publication.  All product reviews are voluntary, my personal opinion and not required for receipt of the product. I received a complimentary copy of It is Finished.

More about the book:

Across forty days of vivid storytelling, It Is Finished offers you a unique and vital roadmap to trace the power and necessity of the cross throughout the Bible, from the book of Genesis all the way to your present-day reality.

Through forty slices of the story of Calvary, master storyteller and vivid Bible teacher Charles Martin, will walk you back to the cross to look up at it from a different angle each day and ask the Father to reveal to you:

• What exactly did he mean when the dying Jesus said, “It is finished”—what was finished at the cross?
• When did what Jesus finish at the cross even begin?
• What does this man’s death 2,000 years ago have to do with me today?
• What is God offering at the cross that I so easily forget and take for granted?
• What do I not realize about myself that the Father God has never forgotten?

Whether it is your first, tenth, or ten thousandth time looking up at the cross of Christ, you can trust New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin, to wrap an arm around your shoulder, come alongside and walk with you as a fellow pilgrim headed in the same direction and answering the same question: “What will I do with this man, Jesus?”

Book Review : Life is Hard, God is Good, Let’s Dance

Reading is one of my favorite things to do. I love all kinds of books. My favorite is when I am surprised by a book that I love and I am pulled into it!

Brant Hansen did just that with Life is Hard, God is Good, Let’s Dance. This is one of the most delightfully inspiring books I have read! I seriously have loved every chapter of this book. Brant Hansen might be one of the my favorite people that I have not met. He writes in a way that is honest, real and so entertaining. I laughed out loud over and over.

As I read through this book, I really thought this should be abook club book, because it is just such a joyful book that points to God throughout. Brant has had some struggles but man, he has some of the best stories of joy!! One of my favorite lines is : “In Love’s service the wounded soldier can serve.” I loved this line so much!! I underlined it and even tabbed that page. We all have been hurt by someone close to us. Brandt is reminding us that our pain can cripple us, or inspire us to serve, our choice. 

In another chapter talking about peace and how we find it or have it, I underlined : “It means feeling pain, owning it, and still trusting in the goodness of God.” Brant was talking about how to really, truly live with joy – that we know there is pain in our lives, but again it does not paralyze us, we see it, we recognize it and deal with it and move on, but that we can have joy even through it.

Last one, but in one of the chapters near the end Brant wrote : “We must be intentional to focus on His goodness because our culture seems precision-designed to make us worry, while offering nothing in the way of reassurance for our souls.” I loved these chapter on worry, where he points us (as Jesus did) to the animals who do not worry about things they cannot control. Honestly I don’t think they worry at all, they fear when they are chased, but we worry about worrying. 

This is seriously such a great book to get your eyes onto the Lord, onto His joy and His peace! Brant is a fantastic writer that I think connects with his readers in a very authentic way! I look forward to future reads by this great writer! 

NOTE :In accordance with FTC guidelines, MHM Buzz will always disclose where products being reviewed originate.  Often, we review books/products provided for free by publishers, whether ARC’s (advanced reading copies) or post-publication.  All product reviews are voluntary, my personal opinion and not required for receipt of the product. I received a complimentary copy of Life is Hard, God is Good, Let’s Dance.