Dad of Divas' Reviews: December 2015

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Book Review - The Keepsake Kitchen Diary by Lily & Val

The Keepsake Kitchen Diary by Lily & Val

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About the Book
The KeepsakeKitchen Diary is about celebrating and recording family moments and recipes all in one place! Keepsake Kitchen Diary is retails for $45.99 and is broken down into six sections - starters, soups/salads, main courses, side dishes, desserts and miscellaneous. Each section begins with fanciful drawings by Val McKeehan, cooking tips ranging from a roasting guide to measuring, and room for over 30 important recipes, photos and personal reflections.



My Take on the Book
This was a beautifully made book that is a wonderful book that allows you to have your loved ones capture important moments, memories and recipes all in one place! I gave this to a special friend that is a great cook and one that I knew would truly appreciate the ability to capture these things for her own family. In giving it to her I was completely correct! She was floored by the quality, breadth and depth that it challenged you to go into!

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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Movie Review - Love Finds You In Charm

Love Finds You In Charm

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About the Movie
Young Emma Miller (Danielle Chuchran) would appear to be the luckiest girl in Indiana: An Amish beauty with a loving family and a marriage offer from the community’s most eligible young man, Emma’s future seems right on track. Yet she yearns for adventure and romance and when given the opportunity to spend the season helping her widowed cousin’s market business in scenicCharm, Ohio, she jumps at the chance to see what else the world has to offer.

As she settles into life on her cousin’s farm, she befriends local librarian, Kelly Bennett (Tiffany Dupont) and gets to know Noah (Trevor Donovan) – a striking, well-read, young Amish man who helps work the farm. When Emma’s popular homemade goat cheese attracts the attention of a local bed-and-breakfast anda handsome wine-and-cheese blog editor, Andy (Drew Fuller), she finds herself pulled between two worlds and two men. Emma must decide whether to stay amongst the Amish, or leave behind everyone and everything she’s ever known to venture out into the world.



My Take on the Movie
Emma Miller is not your typical Amish young woman. She dreams of traveling to the ocean and other far off places from her home. Emma reads romance novels secretly. She tries to fit in but knows in her heart she is different and has some difficult decisions to make about her future.


The story progresses as it gives Emma choices. She travels to Charm, Ohio to help her cousin and meets an Amish man, Noah, and an Englisher Kelly who she befriends. Andy another Englisher appears in the town too.Andy offers her a world of traveling to far off places and other opportunities Emma would not even imagine herself experiencing.


Emma is anxious and upset about her longings. She prays and tries new activities to see if they can assist in her decision making. She does not trust herself to know what is right for her until one night.


Emma is able to finally see her life, one that is happy, with Noah in Charm. It has not been an easy journey but you will see her learn a lot and experience so many interesting activities. She will finally see her happiness with the man who has become her best friend. You the viewer will see her happiness with her decision and the peace she feels with that decision.


I enjoyed this movie.


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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Book Review - The Conscious Parent's Guide To ADHD

The Conscious Parent's Guide To ADHD

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About the Book
An integrative method for helping children focus and learn!

If your child has been given a diagnosis of ADHD, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. With The Conscious Parent's Guide to ADHD, you will learn how to take a relationship-centered approach to parenting that engages your child and ensures that he succeeds behaviorally, socially, and cognitively. Conscious parenting is about being present with your child and taking the time to understand how to help him flourish. By practicing this mindful method, you can support your child emotionally and help nurture his development.

With this all-in-one guide, you can create a plan that not only addresses the challenges a child with ADHD faces, but also creates a mindful, less stressful atmosphere for the whole family.

You'll be able to:
  • Honor your child's unique learning style
  • Adapt a conscious parenting philosophy that works for everyone
  • Understand treatment options and weigh the pros and cons of medication
  • Lower stress levels for the entire family, including other siblings
  • Learn how a mindful approach can be combined with other treatments
  • Help your child focus at home and school
  • Focus on your child's strengths as well as weaknesses
  • Encourage your child to achieve his goals

When both you and your child are more mindful and relaxed, your child can learn to focus, gain independence, and thrive both in school and out.



My Take on the Book
This book had so much information for any parent that has a child with ADHD. I am so impressed with how thorough this book was. As a father of a daughter with ADHD, when she was first diagnosed, there were so many questions that we had and a book like this would have been so appreciated. The way that the author shares information was so informative. I loved all of sections, especially the practical tips and ideas shared throughout the book. This is a treasure trove of great information for all parents!


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Movie Review - All of My Heart


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About the Movie
A young caterer’s life suddenly changes course when she inherits a country home and learns she must share it with a career-obsessed Wall Street trader. At first, these opposites do not attract, but feelings begin to change when they find themselves having to work side-by-side to restore their newly acquired home. Ranked the highest rated Hallmark Valentine's Day movie, All of My Heart is one to love!


My Take on the Movie
Lacey Chabert has acted in many Hallmark channel movies. She always does a convincing job in portraying her character. She brings the character in this movie alive as well.

Our two main characters are totally opposite in their goals in life, until they inherit a home that they must share. This becomes the "recipe" for living together, restoring the home, and learning what truly is important in life. 

There are some creative avenues to earn money and some realization that the high powered business world is not all it is supposed to be when your heart changes. The characters opposite tendencies become one and there is love in the air.

I loved seeing Ed Asner in the movie.

I enjoyed the movie and I think you will too.
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Movie Review - So You Said Yes

So You Said Yes


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About the Movie
When Annabelle, the owner of a specialty bridal shop, falls for Sam, the son of her fierce bridal shop competition, she must fend off Sam's mother's attempts at sabotage to be with the man she loves. Starring Kellie Martin, So You Said Yes is a romantic comedy you won't want to miss.

My Take on the Movie
This was a movie that was fun to watch. The enjoyment comes from the story line and actors. 

Kelly Martin does a great job playing Annabelle, an owner of a bridal shop. .She loves vintage clothes and has a good eye for choosing wedding attire. In walks a handsome man who she becomes involved with although they are very different. However his mother owns a rival high end wedding shop in the same town.


The movie is funny. As you see the main characters' love bloom , you also see the mother of the man Annabelle loves creating havoc. It makes you wonder if the couple will be able to resolve issues and become a couple in marriage.


As in all good Hallmark movies, there is resolution between the characters. It is interesting to see how the rivalry disappears and acceptance is acquired. It makes you believe that opposites do attract and can find happiness.
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Saturday, December 19, 2015

Alsa offers focus and energy during a hectic holiday season

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About the Product


It doesn’t take long for the season’s parties, feasts and shopping to wear one down. Älsa,the new focus + energy supplement mix, is a simple way for active adults to add a steady boost to their daily routines, without the exhausting crash of most energy drinks. Setting itself apart from the rest, Älsa offers myriad benefits through its blend of Cognizin® citicoline, which is clinically proven to provide enhanced focus and memory function, and PURENERGY®, a patented ingredient that combines caffeine and pTeroPure® pterostilbene for sustained energy. Each packet contains 14 essential vitamins and minerals, amino acids L-Carnitine and Taurine, and is rich in electrolytes. The product is also gluten-free and vegan.

Älsa is naturally sweetened and comes in three flavors – Pomegranate Blueberry, Three Citrus and Dragon Fruit—and can be dissolved in 16 ounces of water or added to your favorite yogurt or smoothie, making it easy to use without disrupting a busy day. Each serving of Älsa comes in a slim packet and a box of 24 Älsa packets costs $39.50 on the company website and Amazon.


My Take on the Product
I have been trying this for about 2 weeks now and have found that the product really works. It is easy to mix into your drinks or foods and tastes great. Best of all though is that you can definitely feel the extra energy you get with this that you did not have before using it. What is best is that this is not filled with a ton of fillers or things that many times you find in energy drinks. If you have never heard about this, you should check it out for yourself and see what you have been missing!


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Monday, December 14, 2015

Book Review - Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire


Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire

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About the Book
Cleopatra Edison Oliver has always been an entrepreneur, just like her inspiration, successful businesswoman Fortune A. Davies. So when Cleo's fifth-grade teacher assigns her class a "Passion Project," Cleo comes up with her best business idea yet: the finest "tooth-pulling" company in town. With the help of her best friend Caylee, a Nerf gun, her dad's tablet, and her patented Persuasion Power, Cleo's Quick and Painless Tooth Removal Service starts to take off.

But even the best made plans, by the best CEOs, go awry sometimes. A minor barfing incident during a tooth-pulling operation causes Cleo to lose customers. Caylee, initially enthusiastic about the business, grows distant as Cleo neglects their friendship in lieu of getting more customers. And when a mean classmate makes fun of Cleo for being adopted, everything comes crashing down. Will she be able to rescue her business, salvage her friendship with Caylee, and discover that her true home has been here all along?

My Take on the Book
What a fun-loving great character you are introduced ti in this book. You have to love the spirit of this young entrepreneur. What was great though was that through all of the ways in which Cleo comes up with money-making ideas, there is a tangible plot line that was fun, entertaining and even educational. The book really makes the reader think about what one person would do to succeed and not lose it all in the meantime. A strong story with a great message!


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Book Review - Sherlock, Lupin & Me: The Soprano's Last Song

Sherlock, Lupin & Me: The Soprano's Last Song
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About the Book
Irene Adler, Sherlock Holmes, and Arsène Lupin planned to reunite in London, England, for their second adventure together . . . but Lupin doesn't show up. His father, Théophraste, has been arrested for the kidnapping of a famous opera singer and the murder of a secretary to the great composer, Giuseppe Barzini! The three intrepid detectives start a full investigation to clear Théophraste's name and rescue the missing soprano, Ophelia Merridew, only to discover that the singer is being held captive by criminals in the deadly district of Bethnal Green. Join Irene and her friends in their twist-filled bid to solve the mystery of The Soprano's Last Song.



My Take on the Book
Another great Sherlock Holmes story that will grab your attention. Best of all was the group of characters that the author has put together and kept together through these books. The book had a number of twists and turns and with that in mind you will stay having fun from beginning to end. Whether you have read other books from the series or not this was a fun read for all!

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Book Review - Sherlock, Lupin & Me: The Mystery of the Scarlet Rose

Sherlock, Lupin & Me: The Mystery of the Scarlet Rose

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About the Book
Sherlock Holmes, Arsene Lupin, and Irene Adler meet up in London only to find a strange chess problem in the Times signed by "The Black Friar." It's written in an unknown code which Sherlock is eager to solve. The next day, the city is rocked by the news of a rich merchant found murdered. On the merchant's desk was scarlet rose: the same flower used as the calling card for a brazen criminal group that haunted the streets of London twenty years ago. Could the Scarlet Rose Gang be back?



My Take on the Book
This was a fun read for any mystery lover. My daughters and I love reading mysteries. We have read through a number of other series and this looked intriguing. I have to say that this was a great book that really had a fun story and even better, strong characters. You get to see Sherlock Holmes in a new way and better yet as a young person. My girls loved this and if you love mysteries, you will love this too.


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Book Review - My First Comics: I'm Sunny & I'm Grumpy

I'm Sunny!

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About I'm Sunny
From the bestselling creators of Babymouse and Squish and the author of The Fourteenth Goldfish comes a new comic board-book series about feelings! Eisner Award winners Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm use panel frames, speech balloons, and thought bubbles to teach children how to read a story. In I’m Sunny, the cheerful sun upsets his friend and must make amends. A sweet, funny, and simple introduction to the impact that emotions can have on those around you.




About I'm Grumpy
From the bestselling creators of Babymouse and Squish and the author of The Fourteenth Goldfishcomes a new comic board-book series about feelings! Eisner Award winners Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm use panel frames, speech balloons, and thought bubbles to teach children how to read a story. In I’m Grumpy, a grumpy cloud upsets his friend Sunny and must make amends. A sweet, funny, and simple introduction to the impact that emotions can have on those around you.



My Take on the Book
Both of these were great books for young kids. They had great colors and images that you will love to share with your young ones. They also share well the emotions that many kids may experience but not know how to express.


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Saturday, December 12, 2015

Book Review - The Three Little Pigs: The Graphic Novel

The Three Little Pigs: The Graphic Novel

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About the Book
When their mother sends them packing, the Three Little Pigs are forced to build houses of their own. They better be sturdy and strong because the Big Bad Wolf is on the prowl, and he’s ready to huff and puff his way inside. Will they survive against this hungry beast? Or will the pigs become his next tasty treat?



My Take on the Book
The book was a unique take on a story that you know and love. The illustrations were a bit graphic at times but my daughter still seemed to love it and she was not phased in the least. The story was fun and interactive and with the illustrations being as detailed as they are you really get drawn into the overall story.

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Book Review - Snowboard Standoff


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About the Book
Isaac Foster is far from cold-hearted, but this talented freestyler is pretty rigid in his ways. He's efficient, calculating, and believes there's a best way to do every trick in the book. Kai Palakiko, on the other hand, is an open-minded former surfer who believes adaptability is key to snowboarding success. But on Isaac's team, you either fall in line, or you fall by the wayside.



My Take on the Book
Get ready for high-flying action, but the story is more than that, it also has a good storyline and quality graphics too. The book is short but my daughter loved reading it and at the end she said it was "cool" and she wondered whether there were other books like this that she could read next!


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Book Review - Robinson Crusoe


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About the Book
Young Robinson Crusoe has grown bored with life so he runs away from home to travel the world. One night, a terrible storm strikes his ship. Robinson awakens to find the ship destroyed and the entire crew dead. All alone on a deserted island, Robinson prepares for a life of solitude only to come face to face with pirates, hungry cannibals, and a new friend.



My Take on the Book
If you ever read the original Robinson Crusoe book this will be a fun one that will bring the stroy alive for you. For young readers though I found this to be a great overview of some of the adventures that the character had and I think, a great way to encourage kids to read more. After reading this with my oldest daughter she was interested in getting the original book and start reading it so now that is on our list of books to read next!

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Book Review - Egypt's Mysterious Pyramids: An Isabel Soto Archaeology Adventure

Egypt's Mysterious Pyramids: An Isabel Soto Archaeology Adventure

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About the Book
Explore history without the confines of time or distance. Dr. Isabel Soto is an archaeologist and world explorer with the skills to go wherever and whenever she needs to research history, solve a mystery, or rescue colleagues in trouble. Readers join Izzy on her journeys and gain knowledge about historical places, eras, and cultures on the way.



My Take on the Book
This was a great primer on the history of the Egyptian pyramids. The story was wasy to read and follow and was written so that young readers could easily comprehend things. The time-travel element was fun and my daughters seemed to like that. While there were a few elements that were a bit out there for me as a parent, the kids loved it and in the end they were even more interested in learning more which is always the sign of a good book!


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Relaxing in Comfort With A Double Camping Hammock from #Liveinfinitely


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About the Hammock

  • Strong & Durable - Made from the highest quality weather resistant 210T nylon with interlocked triple stitched seams, guaranteed to hold 450 lbs. Incorporated anti-flip design makes it safe and easy to use. Also features included stainless steel carabineers and installed stretch resistant nautical grade nylon rope to assure your new hammock is ready when you are.
  • All Inclusive - 11' 5"durable weather resistant nylon tree straps that incorporate a stainless steel lashing ring and unique triple running stitch are designed to prevent stretching while still allowing simple setup are included with every hammock purchase.
  • Versatile - The Double Camping Hammocks measure 9' 10" long by 6' 6" wide (300cm x 200cm). When it's not in use it conveniently folds into the included gear pouch measuring 6"x 8" and only weighs 18 ounces which makes it the perfect portable hiking or backpacking hammock. (Check out our indoor hammock hanging kit for even more versatility)
  • Easy Clean Up - Patented colorfast nylon ensures that there is no fading or bleeding when you toss it into the machine washer after your adventure. Hammock easily folds into the attached gear pouch while tree straps roll up into an included nylon carrying case.
  • Reliable Customer Service - Every purchase is backed with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you're not thrilled, simply contact our reliable customer service team and know you will receive unmatched personal assistance.

What Separates This Camping Hammocks From The Competition?
They combined together 3 important factors when designing these hammocks to ensure that the Live Infinitely hammocks are something that you will absolutely love! In researching the company I found that they started with a time test design added only top quality materials and used an industry-leading manufacturer to create your new favorite camping equipment.

  • Made from quick drying, weather & mildew resistant 210T parachute grade nylon
  • Double Camping Hammock measures 9' 10" long by 6' 6" wide (300cm x 200cm)
  • Plenty of room to sleep 2 full sized adults
  • Includes stretch resistant tree straps with stainless steel lashing rings
  • Nautical grade nylon rope attached to stainless steel carabineers
  • Folds easily into attached gear pouch when not in use
  • Colorfast nylon in bleed resistant and machine washable (cold water required)
  • Sets up and tears down in less than 5 Minutes!
  • Dependable enough for every day use as a hanging bed
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee backed by our reliable customer service team



My Take on the Hammock
This hammock arrived in great shape and I have to say I love the container that it came in. It was small, compact and came with everything that you need for quick usage. My daughters were all over me to take it for a test drive and I complied. 

In putting it together I found that it worked easily and connected easily to the trees I was trying to use. When up, I found that it help my weight just as well and with it's compact size, it was perfect for those hikes that you are taking with your kids, or anyone!

The material is lightweight but comfortable to sleep in, so you will be able to get a good night sleep in this! 


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