Sandier Pastures

Ever wondered what goes on inside the minds of creative children, what sort of environment these children thrive or how talented artists spent their childhood?

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to review the book, a wonderful parenting book, Child of Wonder: Nurturing Creative and Naturally Curious Children (Wonder Collection) by Ginger Carlson courtesy of The Opinionated Parent. I have a daughter who will be 5 years old this year and this book is a treasure I will never let go.

The growing years of children are the most critical time to nurture the creativity within and the environment that we parents create at this early stage can draw the line of how creative they’ll become as adults. If you are a parent wanting to develop that inner creativity among your child/children, this book will help you plan for activities that makes everyday unique and never boring. I have my day off every Thursday afternoon and Fridays and because my husband works and won’t be home until 7 pm on Thursdays, Thursday afternoon are mine and my daughter’s mommy and me time. I schedule activities to do with great help of the book. I couldn’t praise the author enough and I suggest you check it out. It’s a great read and like a treasure trove, it is filled with unending precious ideas page after page.

You can check out my review here. Also, do grab a chance to win an autographed copy of the book by leaving a comment at The Opinionated Parent! Contest ends on June 5, 2008.

Genesis tagged me for this fun book meme.

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open it at page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence/phrase.
4. Blog the next four sentences/phrases together with these instructions.
5. Don’t you dare dig your shelves for that very special or intellectual book.
6. Pass it forward to six friends.

I have near me, By The River Piedra I Sat Down And Wept by Paulo Coelho and quoting the book:

I think that when we look for love courageously, it reveals itself, and we wind up attracting even more love. If one person really wants us, everyone does. But if we’re alone, we become more alone. Life is strange.

Don’t you just like how these lines are beautifully written? I love this book in Coelho’s collection. There are so many inspiring lines inside that I found myself high-lighting so many of it.

I now tag Donetta, Jack’s Mommy, The Bluest Butterfly, MakiMeji, Lynn and Yen.

13 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

When I held a contest for the great bloggy giveaways carnival, I asked the readers of their favorite books. From 555 comments, here are the popular book titles mentioned. I have now added this in my reading list.

1. Pride and Prejudice
2. The Shack
3. The Pillars of the Earth
4. Bridge to Terabithia
5. Duma Key
6. Outlander
7. Come, reza, ama / Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
8. Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
9. God on a Harley
10. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson
11. Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free
12. Redeeming Love
13. Jane Eyre

Anything you want to add to the list? Any book you’d like to recommend to stop me from dying of boredom during my lunch break at work where I have no internet?

Today will be the last drawing date of most of the bloggy giveaways ran at Rocks in my Dryer for one week last week. What a massive carnival it was with more than 800 bloggers participating and giving away stuffs! I have entered in the contests here and there, however, very limited because majority of the contest post says, “for US addresses only”.

I got an overwhelming response to my own little giveaway with more than 500 comments. Thanks to everyone who participated and left a message mentioning their favorite books. I have added some of it in my Amazon wishlist.

Popular authors:

• Jane Austen
• Jodi Picoult
• J.K. Rowling
• James Patterson
• Karen Kingsbury

 Popular titles:

• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Pride and Prejudice
• Little Women
• The Bible!
• Gone with the Wind

I already chose the winner with the help of random.org and have contacted her. I’ll post the name here once I get the reply and confirm that she’s still interested with the prize! (For security reasons, I did not include the gift certificate code in my email to her and will only do that once I get a response.)

Congratulations to Beth who said she loves anything by Jane Austen. I hope the certificate will help you purchase a good Jane Austen book, Beth!

It was a great carnival and it was a fun way to discover new blogs to add to my feed reader. I sure will be participating again in the future.

To celebrate the great bloggy move and the new look, Michelle of Bleeding Espresso is having a contest! Bleeding Espresso is an intriguing name for a blog and you will know the reason behind it in one of her favorite posts: A blog by any other name. I think her blog name is cool and something that sticks to mind.

Back to the contest, one lucky winner will receive $30 gift certificate from Amazon. Check out her new blog (if you haven’t already) and celebrate with her!

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Speaking of contests, I have recently won not one but two great books over at Puss Reboots. Thanks to Sarah who will be sending me a copy of Four Wives and How Big Is Your God? I can’t wait for the books to arrive. Thanks for the generosity and the opportunity to win these books.

Thanks also to Elaine of Blog in my Eye for giving me a copy of Toddler’s Busy Book during Fall Y’all Great Bloggy Giveaway contest. Sorry this took me so long to mention it here. The book is a must have for people with kids.

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Since I have learned that one can be quite lucky and actually win stuff in the blogosphere, I am trying my luck again and enter contests. You will never win if you just dream, right?

There are lots of places to find great giveaways and contests, not limited to books all over the net. Some of my favorites are Laura Williams Musings, An Island Review and Contest Beat.

… and for my other addiction aside from books, here’s a chance to win 3 months of chocolate supply! Since I am on a diet and aiming to be on my fighting form until our vacation in summer, I won’t be participating (who am I kidding). All you need to do is drop your comment before January 31st and you are in the draw! Do share some chocs if you win, ok?

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Oh by the way, have you entered in my first contest to win a new blog design? Don’t miss the chance to win a blog makeover courtesy of RS Designs. I wish I can participate and win because I badly need a new theme but since I can’t, I hope one of you gets the new look for free!