The Christmas List

And so, I bring you my second annual "For the Last Minute Shopper" list!

If your gift-giving adventures this Christmas season have been anything like mine, you have experienced confusion, cluelessness (yup, I make up words!), and even frustration. My husband will tell you that I typically disregard the gift ideas people give me in sight for my idea of a perfect gift. He always says, "Just give them what they are asking for!" But I can't. I know better than them! ;) 

With that being said, I feel for you. That is why I am here! Compiled is a list of personally tested, personally loved and personally adored items. It's a smaller list than last year, but hey, we all need to be wise in our spending! If I help just one person find a little holiday shopping peace, then it is an accomplished mission!

Books

1. If history holds little interest for you, perhaps it is because it has always been told in a boring fashion. Give Being George Washington a chance and have your mind blown. Learn of George Washington in a way you never heard before!
2. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas is one of the greatest reads I have had this year, and quite possibly in my lifetime. Your life will be changed by Bonhoeffer's amazing character.
3. The Zion Covenant Series - quite possibly the greatest series I have had the joy of reading! Another way to learn history in an exciting adventurous way!

Entertainment

1. The Help was the best movie I saw in the theater this year. I don't typically purchase movies anymore, but this is one I would own myself. I promise you will love it!
2. Each year I find new music artists that capture my attention, and this year's artist is definitely Gungor: Beautiful Things. Simply amazing talent with a splash of pure funkiness!
3. ClearPlay is an amazing product that allows you to load filters for movies that actually silence and remove unwanted language and compromising scenes. My family has been a huge fan since they hit stores years ago!

Unique Ideas

76 Garments is a company I am excited to share with you! What better way to share their ethics and values but in their own words? "Doing it the hard way means doing it right. Our shirts are made and printed in the United States because sometimes shortcuts just don’t cut it. We’d rather support American industry and pay honest wages than save a few bucks. Embracing the truth means wearing it on your sleeve, chest, or wherever our shirts are emblazoned with uncompromising food for thought..."  (Continued...)

My Favorite Things

1. I'm not kidding when I say I want to eat my hands every time I use my Vanilla Bean Noel lotion. The scent is Christmas in cream form. (I am smelling my hands right now!) 
2. BlogStomp just might be the greatest invention in the blogging world. It uploads, formats, sharpens, and stomps your photos in seconds. It's perfect for the photographer or blogger in your life! It's pure awesomesauce. 
3. My husband treated himself to this unique hat from Gasden & Culpeper this fall, and I must say, it's pretty cool! There are many styles and features to choose from for the hat-wearing man in your life!
4. For the impossible person on your list, Shari's Berries can come to your rescue! They are truly as delicious as they look - even more so. Worth. Every. Penny.

Thankfully, I am done our Christmas shopping! And thanks to Dave Ramsey, we don't owe anyone a penny this Christmas! It seems frustrating to be putting money away for Christmas presents in March, but I will tell you, come December when you look at your budget and realize it's all paid for!! It brings a happy smile to your face!

Merry Christmas and happy (and wise!!) shopping!

My Favorite Things

Just so you know, I am not late on joining the Greek yogurt bandwagon. I was there, I did that. And as hard as I tried to like the stuff like all the cool kids, I just didn't. Nothing like eating yogurt that tastes and feels like full-fat sour cream, right? (Cue gag noises!). 

So imagine my surprise when my mom brought a tub of Chobani Greek Yogurt for me when she visited and I actually liked it. And I mean really like! This stuff is amazing. Maybe you won't notice the difference, but those with discerning palates might appreciate the rich quality. I'm thinking this stuff might grow in heaven. 

Just maybe! ;)  

Oh, did I mention it's fat free? Yeah. And low carb. No complaints there - even from a semi-anti-dairy Queen. 

You're welcome.

Cafe Latte

Need I say more?

It's a salted caramel latte kind of day.

But isn't every day? 

Happy Thursday!

My Favorite Things

I love the moment you discover something you realize you'd prefer to never live without. Whether it's a concrete object, or just a new way of doing something, it's a sweet improvement to life! And so, from time to time you will learn when I discover these things as I plan to share them with you! 

Have you ever heard of The Zion Covenant series? Until my birthday, it was simply a book on my sister's shelf that I never had time to read. I didn't know there were more books... it was simply a cool cover. Well, this all changed when I received the first book in the series as a gift from my wonderful sister-in-law out in Washington. (She is one person who is always introducing new things and processes in my life, so I am not at all surprised she is behind my newest obsession!). 

Rather than making this a structured book review (you can find those yourself!) I plan to simply rave about this series. I confess that I am a picky reader. I am easily bored by cheesy writing. Most of my book collection is filled with history books, theological insights, inspirational writings, and the classics. There are a few fiction authors that have made their way to my shelf, but I have to say that most of it is hardly worth the time. 

*Cue Bodie & Brock Thoene*

From page one of the first book, I couldn't put this series down. Set back in Germany during

Hitler's rise to power, the characters take hold of your heart and draw you in with their musical talents and love of life and liberty.When the first book was finished, I felt I had lost a dear friend. Stuck on an airplane, I had no other choice than to wait to pick up book #2. (And would you believe that after 14 hours of traveling, I was at Barns & Noble before I made it home? No patience to order it!) Each book has been an adventure. Bodie & Brock have truly done their homework, for I have learned so much of the daily struggles of the Jews and the courage they and others faced just to preserve freedom. 

I must add that I have the most precious husband the Lord ever made. I sadly finished the third book in the series the other night, placing it on the shelf with a sigh. When he came home from class yesterday, he came running up the stairs and stuck his hand around the corner before he emerged. In it was a bag with a surprise for me. Book four! :) 

Check out the series, I promise you will fall in love with it as I have!! 

Happy Thursday!