FabJob Books

If you're interested in starting your own business, but you need a little mentoring or instruction to do so, I recommend FabJob Books. You'll find a variety of books about different careers that you can start on your own.

Personally, I've tried the FabJob Become an Interior Decorator book. It was very informative and helpful. I had considered starting my own decorating franchise business at one point, and was required to take an exam to determine my qualification. Thanks to what I learned from my FabJob book, I scored HIGH on the test. 

FabJob offers many other career books. To see if there is a book for you, visit www.fabjob.com.

         

Butterscotch Pecan Personal Pan Cookies!

Need I say anything more! I was WOWED by this recipe, last night, as I lay in the bed at 2 a.m. searching for magazines on my Kindle. (Yeah, I know it was late, but I do my best "research" in the A.M.) Why was I wowed? First of all, look at the ingredients- butterscotch...and pecans! Think about the presentation... Personal Pan (as in Pizza!). Well, it's no pizza, but a deep dish butterscotch pecan cookie sounds GOOD to me!

But what REALLY wowed me about this cookie is that it is served up in an IRON SKILLET! Now, I don't know about all of my readers, but if you happen to be from the South (USA), then you know that if something is being served up in a cast iron skillet, it's gotta be good! I'm talking old fashioned-- full of Mama/Grandma memories--- with a BIG family sitting around the table- Southern Fried Chicken on the Bone---Sweet cornbread--- GOOD! (OK, you describe it however you will :-).

So, what magazine was smart enough to serve up that recipe? It was TASTE OF THE SOUTH magazine. I didn't know they existed- in fact, they are fairly new. To be honest, I was a little skeptical before I downloaded it to my Kindle (Do they really know about Southern Food?); but since I get 30 days of free viewing on my Kindle, I took the chance. Now this was their "Annual Cast-Iron Issue," and it boasted on the front cover that I would find "the South's Best Fried Chicken" inside. Enough said!

Other than those delicious-sounding cookies I mentioned, here are a few of the other recipes that I found inside.

• Pinto Beans with Smoked Hamhocks
• Shrimp Etouffee
• Cast Iron Steaks w/Mushroom Sauce
• Strawberry Pound Cake (Hint: it's baked in a cast-iron skillet)
• Pineapple Upside Cake
• Skillet Blackberry Cobbler
• Bacon and Okra Griddle Cakes
• Salmon Croquettes
• Cajun Salmon Croquette Burgers

...and more!

And if you are really from the South, you can't help but appreciate a good magazine, like this. Get your own copy at Amazon.com.

"Priddy Books"

The first time I saw the words "Priddy Books"- actually "www.priddybooks.com," I thought it was a neat little name that someone had come up with to sell cute little girly books- Ooh! That's so priddy!!!. The web address was on the back of  a package of ABC Wipe Clean Activity Flash Cards that I purchased from an outlet store for my three yr. old daughter. Being really impressed at how smooth and easy they were to erase (and how much she really enjoyed them!), I wondered who made them and if they sold anything else. I was also impressed at how big and bold the letters were on the cards- making it very easy for her to trace (and she's learning her letters quickly!) The cards are about 5"w x 7.5"h and are very sturdy.

When I Googled "priddybooks" I found that they are sold at Amazon.com (my favorite site); so, I visited the site for more info. Surprisingly, I found that there are OVER 200 PRIDDY PRODUCTS!

Another surprise- they all had the name "Roger Priddy" as the author, which explains the product description. The story of Roger Priddy was very impressive to me- a young man who left school at the age of 16, with one skill/talent to build on - ART. He continued to study art and eventually developed a whole slew of great books and learning products for preschoolers/kinder-gardeners. Mr. Priddy has 4 kids of his own, so he has hands-on experience with developing children.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Priddy Book products to any parent that wishes to teach their child(ren) the ABC's, Numbers, Writing, Reading, etc. at home. I don't think there's a better product. Trust me, I also purchased for my daughter a LeapFrog device, which is helpful as well; but, there's something about putting  marker to paper (or wipe-off cards), that really helps develop a child's memory, writing and motor skills.

It's very likely I will continue to buy Priddy products in the future. So far, I've purchased the Wipe Clean ABC Flash Cards, the 1,2,3 Flash Cards and the Tracing and Pen Control Workbook- all high quality products!

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Find More Roger Priddy Books

Habits

The beginning of a New Year is a time that most of us decide to change some of our unpleasant, bad, counter-active habits. This year, I intend to change my habit of being late for almost everything, and my habit of going to bed at 2 a.m. and after (then getting up at 10 a.m. or after... but at least I do get my 8 hours of sleep!).

I did find a very good book, written by a Christian mom (Davonne Parks), titled "28 Days to Timeliness." It has been very helpful in helping me to think twice about being late and making an effort to avoid it. I've managed to be on time for about 3 events, so far since reading it. Yay!

But, seeing that I still have the late night, staying up habit, I decided to try other books to address that. First, I tried "The Power of Habit" (Charles Duhigg). Not a bad book, but after reading about 70% of it (Kindle Fire lets you know how much you've read), I realized that the book hadn't really answered my question: "How do you successfully change a habit?" Instead, it talked about how others had made major changes, sparked by some life changing event. Unfortunately, for me, nothing major is happening in my life to make me wanna change my sleeping habit (I just think I'd be more productive, if I do). The good part about this book is that the story-telling style of it will keep you reading- for a while, anyway. Unfortunately, my patience ran out (it's 286 pages long). When I want information, I prefer the "get to the point" approach, which led me to the next book.... "The Power of Changing Habits- No S**t Guide" (Charles Duncan).

To all my Christian friends reading this: please don't judge me by this book! I would have never chosen a book with cussing in the title, purposely- I just really want to change my habit. Anyway, as for this book (by the way, they didn't cuss inside, that I recall), it was shorter than the first "habit" book, but I can't say it was better. In fact, I disagree with the latter part of its title. I read and read, and all I can say is that I felt like I was in a psychologist's office, being analyzed. The book kept talking about why people develop habits; and, the author was quite repetitive with words. I finished the book, thinking "Is this it? Where's the information I was looking for?" In fact, this was probably the very first Kindle book that I requested a REFUND for. It was simply lacking.

Well, I'll keep searching for a good "change you habit" book. I'll try to stay away from "cussing titles" in the process. It's 2:21 a.m. now- guess it's time for bed. :-)

 

Our Daily Bread

Now here's a book (or devotional) that I really enjoy- the Our Daily Bread booklet. I've been reading this since I was a child, when our Sunday School teacher handed them out. Each daily reading involves a few Bible scriptures to read and a short message to help you further meditate. If you wish to study your Bible everyday, but have a hard time deciding what to read, Our Daily Bread will help get you started. It has helped increase my faith over the years, and no doubt it will increase yours. You can either have Our Daily Bread delivered to your home for FREE, read it online, or get the app, by visiting the Our Daily Bread site. If you own a Kindle reader, you can get the Kindle edition at Amazon.

28 Days to Timeliness

Today, I'm about to read "Day 25" of the e-book, "28 Days to Timeliness: Tips and Confessions from a Semi-Reformed Late Person," written by Davonne Parks. But, I have to admit, I don't think I've managed to be on time for much of anything, yet, even since I started reading the book. However, do not let my lack of timeliness discourage you from reading this book (I have a 20 yr old habit to change). The book is full of really good ideas and advice.

I like the author's down-to-earth approach, as she shares some of her own challenges to being on time. As a wife and mother, like her, I'm able to relate with and identify with the stories that she shares. For instance, I could identify with her story about how she finally made it to church on time, once, but was welcomed with a message that her husband had called the church and said he'd locked himself out of the house, and needed her to come back and let him in (she'd left her phone at the house, while rushing to be on time).

I, too, have had a lot of "almost made it" moments. There are so many things that cause me to be late, I cannot name them all. I'm sure my biggest pitfall is waking up late (cause I tend to stay up late). My next cause would be not allotting myself enough time to prepare for an event. I never think to give myself extra time to deal with unruly hair; torn hosiery; a sleepy toddler, who flops around like a heavy rag doll, while I struggle to dress and comb her hair... you get the picture.

Perhaps "Day 25" thru "Day 28" of this book will somehow rehabilitate me. This is not an overnight process, but I am determined to change my habit of being late. And when I do, I may be the next author of a "how not to be late book." Until that happens, I recommend that you get your copy of "28 Days to Timeliness." It might actually help YOU.


 

Crafting a Business

IF YOU NEED INSPIRATION, Crafting a Business, by author Kathie Fitzgerald, is a good book to read. It's not your usual chapter by chapter book. Actually, it is a compilation of inspiring success stories of (and advice from) ordinary people, who started their own craft businesses from scratch.

You'll also get extra business advice and a list of resources in the back of the book, to help you start your own craft business. This book is full of vivid photography of the people and their crafts. It will also make a great coffee table book, when you've completed reading it.

How to Avoid Making Art

If you have a sense of humor, the book, How to Avoid Making Art, is the one for you. Author, Julia Cameron, will provoke you to stop making all those excuses and START MAKING ART. 

This book really made me laugh. Julia used humor and sarcasm (note the title of the book) to make her points. And to add to that, the book is illustrated with cartoons to make it even funnier.

Especially, if you're an artist struggling to "get in the mood," this book lift your spirits, make you laugh (for a change). and most of all motivate you to be creative.