8 Ways To Jump Start Your Spring!

I don't know about you, but this Winter of 2015 has been a really tough Winter! We have had SO. MUCH. SNOW! It has been SO COLD!
I am ready for Spring!

(This is a photo I snapped of my father's garden LAST Spring 2014)

I thought I would share some of my family's ideas inspired by tips from the new Living magazine on "Getting the Most Out of the Spring Season" on pages 16-17.
Here are your 8 Ways to Jump Start Your Spring!

1. Make A Plan

Grab a pen and start writing down the things you would like to accomplish this Spring. Are you going to tackle a garden this year, or maybe try a new method of planting tomatoes? Write it down and set some goals! Other items on your list might be clean out the garage, or maybe you're going to be adventurous and build a chicken coop like us! Whatever project you have been dreaming of, make a list and develop a plan, or it won't happen.

2. Declutter and Organize

Every home will feel brand new with a bit of clutter removed and better organization. In our family with seven kids this is our biggest issue, clutter and lack of organization, but I'm working on it!
Shoes, muddy boots, Spring jackets mixed in with snow pants (are we really going to need these again next week?!), along with toys and homeschool clutter, ugh! My new motto after having baby number seven became this:

"If you come to my home and it's clean, you are blessed. You are a special guest! If you come to my home and it's messy, you are blessed. You are family!

However, I really do enjoy living in a clean home ALL THE TIME! Our new essential way of living has truly inspired me to tackle this daily chore of cleaning and organizing one small project at a time.

Here are a few of my favorite natural cleaner recipes you can try for yourself at home.

Floor Cleaner
10 drops of Melaleuca essential oil
1/4 cup Castile soap
1/4 cup Baking Soda
Mix in a bucket of water and mop.

Multi-Purpose Cleaner
12 Drops of any citrus essential oil
4 tsp white vinegar
Water to fill a 16-20 oz spray bottle

Read the rest on getting a jump into Spring over at my new blog dedicated to just living naturally,  EVERYTHING ESSENTIAL FOR ME

Amazing Love by K. Dawn Byrd A Review

When Valentine's day was fast approaching, LOVE was in the air!

 I was looking for a good book about love. 

The title of this book, "Amazing Love", 

first caught my eye because I do believe in God's amazing love

 and it's one of our very favorite worship songs to sing any time of day!

"Amazing Love! How can it be? That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing Love! I know it it's true! Now it's my joy to honor you, in all I do!"

(For your listening pleasure!)

But back to the book!

The cover was a little more intimate than the typical books I read, but the story intrigued me as it is presented as a modern day tale of the Bible's story of Hosea and Gomer.

I remembered bit and pieces about Hosea's story about how God told him to marry a prostitute and so I thought it might be an interesting read to see what a modern day interpretation might look like.

 I was not disappointed!

This book covers so many difficult topics including rape, incest, abortion, prostitution, all things I know nothing of but since I knew it was a Christian book I decided to keep reading.  It was easy to get drawn into the character of Dee, named after the Bible character Delilah, and really feel for her horrible past and her desire for the all American dream to be fulfilled.

This book is definitely for mature readers and may be a bit too edgy for some. Overall, though, it helped me to understand the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer better as the character, Gabe, the local pastor wrestles with his feelings and learns the harsh truths that love is often painful and requires a sacrifice. A far cry from the "Valentine love", I was hoping for, but still a good read, nonetheless!

About the Author:

 K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational novels in several genres, including, historical, suspense, romance, and young adult. Some of her favorite things are chocolate, cars, and her pets. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and riding down country roads in the passenger seat of her husband's Corvette Stingray. When asked why she writes, her response is, "For the simple joy of placing words on the page!"

Email: kdawnbyrd@yahoo.com

Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

Twitter: kdawnbyrd

Pintirest: kdawnbyrd

Facebook: kdawnbyrd

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLtz_kGEFFk&feature=plcp

I received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.