When God Made the World BOGO
Preorder Matthew Paul Turner’s new book, When God Made the World and get one of his other previously released children’s books free.
Matthew’s new children’s book, When God Made the World releases on January 28, and we have an awesome offer for you.
Preorder the book at your favorite retailer and get one of his other books absolutely free. This is an incredible deal that won’t be available for very long, so please preorder it today.
How to Get Your Free Book
Order a copy of When God Made the World from Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble or your favorite retailer. If you have a local independent bookstore or gift shop you love, call them and ask them to order When God Made the World!
Go here to fill out the freebie form and select what second book you want free. You get to pick – When God Made You, When God Made Light or When I Pray for You.
The retailer will ship your book by launch day (January 28) and the free book will be shipped by the publisher in February.
About When God Made the World
When God Made the World focuses on the complex way that God created our vast and scientifically operating universe, including the biodiversity of life on our planet and the intricacies of a vast solar system. Scottish illustrator Gillian Gamble brings the natural world to vibrant life with rich colors and poignant detail certain to stretch young minds and engage imaginations.
This book is jaw-dropping incredible. The words. The illustrations. I’m obsessed and I know you will be too. Like Matthew’s other books, he draws the child into the story in a meaningful way, making it a true joy to read as a parent.
Trust me on this one. You want this book.
40 New Recipes in 2020
When Matthew and I first got married, I set a resolution to try new foods. I don’t remember the specifics, but I remember trying more foods than I ever had. I am a very picky eater, so this was a big deal.
This year, I’ve decided to do a 2.0 version of that resolution and have committed to making 40 new recipes in 2020. This is an offshoot of my #readyourbooks challenge because I have a shelf of cookbooks that I never use.
My hope is that this resolution will push me to use those recipe books. I will be sharing what I make throughout the year on my Instagram accounts, so follow me on @JessicaNTurner and @booksnobbery to see what I am cooking and baking.
What Cookbooks I’ll Use
Here are some of the cookbooks I will be cooking from. All links are Amazon affiliate links.
Whole30
Magnolia Table
Upscale Downhome
Pioneer Woman Cooks
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It
Danielle Walker’s Eat What You Love
Barefoot Contessa Foolproof
Weeknights with Giada
Plan to Stay on Track
I plan to meal plan on weekends and decide what I will make in the week ahead. Matthew does the bulk of the cooking during the week, so I expect that I will make many of these on weekends. I am on track, having made three new recipes since the start of the year.
Our family tends to do better when we do grocery shopping once a week and make a menu plan. If we don’t menu plan, we tend to default to less healthy options like pasta and pizza.
On weeks that are really busy, we use Shipt, which delivers your groceries right to your door. Shipt is a game-changer for busy families and we absolutely love it. At first I was concerned that the shoppers wouldn’t do a great job picking produce and other fresh items, but I have never had a problem. Shipt shoppers are pros! Get it for 50% off (only $49 for the year) with this referral link.
I also plan to continue to subscribe to Home Chef as a way to broaden my recipe making skills. This affiliate link will get you $35 off your first box, making it less than $15 for four meals.
Do you make a lot of new recipes? What are recipes you love?
A Challenge for Readers: #ReadYourBooks
I have always been a book hoarder collector. For as long as I can remember, I have had bookshelves overflowing with books. Books stacked on top of books. I love curating book lists, buying books, supporting authors and being surrounded by books.
At the start of this new year, I have set a resolution I’m calling #ReadMyBooks. I want to read the books I have bought over the years! My goal is to read 40 books this year that I already own.
What Books I’m Reading
I have hundreds of unread books on my shelves. I don’t know the exact number because I am afraid to count them. But it would take me years to read them all. Last week I went through my shelves and selected a stack that I think I will start with. It is a mix of fiction and non-fiction books. Of course, I will likely deviate from this stack, but it is at least a good place to start. I’m sharing the titles to give you a taste of the books I will be reading in 2020.
Nonfiction
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
Fiction
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
An Invitation
While this idea came to me as I was setting out goals for the year, it didn’t just come as an idea for me. It is an invitation like you, fellow reader.
Will you join me this year by reading YOUR books? And as you read, tag me @booksnobbery on instagram and use the hashtag #ReadYourBooks. Together, we will be able to cheer on each other’s progress on enjoying the books we already own.
This challenge isn’t just about physical books either! Maybe you have a bunch of audiobooks downloaded but unlistened to. Or maybe your kindle library is bursting at the seems. (ALLLL of this is true for me.) Wherever you own books, commit to reading some of them.
Include Your Kids
This is also a fun challenge to include your kids on. Chances are, your kids also have books on their shelves waiting to be read. I’ve invited my third and fifth graders to join me in this challenge. My five-year-old and I are going to work our way through a few book anthologies that he has that we have never completed.
What This is Not
This challenge is not a ban from buying books. I know that I can’t commit to not buying ANY books, though I hope I will buy a few less. My focus will be on reading what I have more than acquiring new books. That said, I still plan to remain a Book of the Month subscriber. I also know I will support friends releasing books and that there will be a few must-haves I will want to add to my collection. You do you. This isn’t about being legalistic with books. It’s meant to be fun!
Freebies
To help encourage you in this challenge, I have collaborated with Megan Bukke of Everyday Thread on some free downloads for you. Megan is an incredible artist, and I am so grateful she shared her talent for this challenge. Be sure to follow her etsy shop on Instagram. Her house illustrations are so delightful. Check out the downloads below:
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- A bookmark: This delightful bookmark simply says #ReadMyBooks as a reminder to read, read, read those books you have
- A #ReadYourBooks printable: This little booklet printable includes a goal-setting page and a list for you to track your reads.
To access these downloads, enter your email address in the form below and the downloads will be sent your way.
I’m so excited about this challenge. I am hoping the encouragement and accountability will help us all to read the books we have at home.
Other Reading Challenges
Like the idea of a reading challenge? Here are a few other ones worth checking out — you can overlay these lists with the #ReadMyBooks challenge for added fun.
Bloom Book Club Reading Challenge: This is one of my favorite reading book groups on Facebook. Hosted by Stephanie Howell, this is a great reading challenge for anyone, but I especially love it for those new to reading challenges. It isn’t too big or overwhelming.
Modern Mrs. Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge: Anne Bogel is one of the most respected voices in book recommendations and curation. Her reading challenge is loved by readers around the world.
The Unread Shelf: This site is solely dedicated to reading the books you own. Check out her monthly challenges to stay on track.
2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge: With 50 book prompts this is a challenge for serious, voracious readers.
Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge: Book Riot’s challenge is all about pushing you outside your reading comfort zone.
Activities to do with kids during school break
Anyone else feeling a bit overwhelmed that their kids are still on winter break for another week — or more!?
My kids have break for nine more days. If you need ideas for some simple activities to keep them busy over the school break, I’ve put together a helpful list. Many of these activities kids can do independently. Writing this list gave me a few ideas too.
School Break Activities for Kids
Play games: Pull out some board games that haven’t been played in awhile and challenge your kids to play them all.
Host a play date: I have found that as kids get older, play dates aren’t really anymore work because the friends keep each other entertained. Even better – as a parent if they want to do a swap. Your kids go to their house for one day and you host a day.
Have a movie marathon night: Get into pajamas early and plan a movie marathon. To make it extra special, make popcorn and hot chocolate. We did this over the weekend and the kids were so delighted. It was a reminder to me that things don’t have to be complicated to be fun.
Bake together: Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean you can’t bake. We are making sugar cookies this week because we ran out of time before Christmas. Sugar cookies and cookie cutters are fun anytime.
Visit a local museum: Spend a few hours visiting a local museum. This is especially perfect for a cold or rainy day. The Frist Museum in Nashville currently has an Eric Carle exhibit that I am dying to take my kids to.
Go to the library: Even if you have a lot of books in your house, going to the library can be a fun excursion and discover new authors and books. Our library also offers videos and audio books (playaways) that my kids love to check out. Your library might also offer special activities like lego meet ups, story times, puppet shows, etc. over the holiday break.
Set up a creation station: Have some unused art supplies? Spread them out on the table and encourage your kids to put them to use. You could even make a list of specific things to create/do, depending on your supplies and ages of your kids.
Create perler bead art: If your craft closet or cabinet includes a box of perler beads, encourage your kids to make their favorite characters out of them! You can find a perler bead template for anything online and the little beads will keep your kids busy for hours.
Do latch hook: Buy a simple latch hook kit at a craft store or online and your child will be busy for hours! Check out this list of affordable kits.
Sign up and take an online class: You can find many online classes for kids. Adeline loves this Watercolor for Kids class, which has offered hours of creativity for her. Use code JESSICA15 to get 15% off.
Pull out legos: If your house is like mine, chances are you have a bin of legos just waiting to be built. You can find patterns online of things to build (check out this post to get you started) or just let their imaginations run wild.
Organize/purge kids’ items: Yes, it’s not the most fun activity, but starting the year with a clean closet or organized toys is refreshing for both you and your kids. Adeline and I recently went through her closet and dresser and we both now have relief in her room.
Write to a pen pal: Encourage your kids to write to a friend or family member and mail the letter. I have several friends with kids the same ages as Elias and Adeline and our kids are pen pals. If your child doesn’t have a pen pal, reach out to a friend and ask if you can start the habit.
Create a reading challenge: Hours at home means lots of time to read. Create a reading challenge for your kids and then set dedicated time for them to read during the day. Over break, Elias has been reading the memoir Free Lunch
Build a fort: Give your kids a pile of pillows and blankets and let them go wild. Just be sure they clean up after themselves!
Have a neighborhood potluck: Invite your neighbors over for a potluck. The kids can play and you can enjoy some adult conversation with the people in your community. We do this monthly with our neighbors and it is a highlight of the month for our kids.
Go for a walk: If the weather allows, go for a neighborhood walk. Getting outside is a great way to expend energy.
I hope this list gives you some ideas for activities your kids can do while on school break.
Dayspring: Up to 70% off Warehouse Sale
Dayspring is having their huge annual after Christmas warehouse sale, with savings up to 70% off. This is one of my favorite sales they do every year! SO many great deals on incredible gifts and home items.
Shipping is free on all orders of $50 or more.
Wrapping paper is 50% off. The wrapping paper is a nice weight and high quality. I loved using it on my gifts this year. (Both Adeline and Ezra’s gifts are Dayspring paper!) These family Christmas books and activities are also affordably priced – buy them now and save for next Christmas. I think I am going to order Shanna Noel’s The Wonder of Christmas Advent Journal for Girls for Adeline. It looks fantastic.
The Nativity Hurricane Candle Holder Trio is my absolute FAVORITE item in Dayspring’s Christmas collection. I have had the trio for years and given it to so many people. It is gorgeous and this is such a great deal. (Regular $79.99, sale $45.00)
This Sing Praises to His Name – Wood & Glass Arched Window Wall Art is so pretty and different. I have one in my home and gave one to my mother-in-law for Christmas.
They also have 50% off all calendars. See the huge selection here.
The clearance gifts sections has items as low as 75 cents, with many items priced in the $4-$5 range. This large Jesus Calling – 365 Day Perpetual Calendar is only $5 (regularly $16.99).
Click here to shop the sale now.