Review: FFH's Christmas Album "One Silent Night"

It seems strange to be listening to Christmas music when it's 60 degrees in Buffalo, and I'm wearing shorts as I'm driving around running errands, but that's what I've been doing this week! I got a chance to review the new Christmas album by FFH, called "One Silent Night".


About FFH
Pop vocal group FFH has released thirteen projects, sold more than two million albums, and garnered 24 radio hits, including seven No. 1 singles and ten Top 5 radio singles. In addition to multiple Dove Award nominations, FFH has been recognized at the Inspirational Life Awards as well as the Billboard Music Video Awards. The group has performed more than 1000 dates since 2000 and continues to be a favorite on the tour circuit. FFH is also known for its work with the “Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Kurt Warner’s “First Things First Foundation,” and for its contributions to national ad campaigns for Coca Cola and IBM.

I think this is going to be one of my favorite Christmas albums. It has old favorites like "I'll be Home for Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland", along with new songs like "Glorious Impossible" and "One Silent Night". I think "Glorious Impossible" is my favorite track on the album. It reminds me of a lullaby, and the lyrics really make you think about what it meant for God to come to earth as a baby: 

See the Virgin is delivered

In a cold and crowded stall

Mirror of the Father’s glory

Lies beside her in the straw.

He is Mercy’s incarnation

Marvel at this miracle!

For the Virgin gently holds

The Glorious Impossible

The songs on the album go back and forth between solos and duets by husband and wife team Jeromy and Jennifer Deibler. I went to the bio section of their blog to find out a little more about them when getting ready to write this review, and was really impressed with their ministry. 

If you've enjoyed the music of FFH in the past, make sure you check out this album! It's got some great music on it! 

The Giveaway! 

I have the chance to give away a copy of FFH's Christmas album "One Silent Night" to one of my readers. Please note - the free copy of the album will be by download! 

There are two ways to enter: 

1. By leaving a comment below (leave your e-mail address if it doesn't show up in your Google profile, so I can contact the winner)

2. Or, if you would rather not post your e-mail on a public blog, you can send me an e-mail at FreeCellPenguin@gmail.com - with the subject line "FFH album"

Giveaway ends on Monday, November 28 at 11:59 PM. Limited to U.S. residents only, age 13 and up. Limit one entry per person per day. 

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services 
mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I 
only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 
"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Review - The Christmas Lodge DVD

We've been having some beautiful Indian Summer weather lately. Sunny days and 60 degrees... so what am I going to talk about? A Christmas movie! 

Before Halloween, I received the movie "The Christmas Lodge" to review. In the busy-ness of life, it took me a while to get around to watching it. 


 Synopsis: 

Thomas Kinkade presents Christmas Lodge: a place where a heart-warming past and loving future meet for one remarkable group of people. During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary (Erin Karpluk) finds herself at the now- dilapidated lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. Inspired by her grandfather and guided by her grandmother in heaven, Mary throws herself into the project, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. Historically unlucky in love, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love. For an uplifting story about the importance of faith, family and the true holiday spirit, go to the Christmas Lodge.

I really enjoyed this movie... it had good family values, an interesting (if somewhat predictable) plot, and lovable characters. I think that at one time or another, we've had a friend of family member in Mary's position at the beginning of the movie... dating a guy who just isn't a good fit for her... and everybody else in the family sees it but her. Her brother calls him "Mr. Fancy Pants", her father hints that he think they're not a good match, and yet she still hopes for a ring, because they've been dating for a year.

This was a great family movie with a sweet, "feel-good" ending, just right for a watching on a cold winter night. It has a cute kid, a cute dog, beautiful scenery, and some nice songs (the character playing Mary's sister Kathy is played by Victoria Banks, a country music singer, and she sings a couple of songs in the movie). 

Check out the movie's website  - or watch the trailer - and then pick up a copy of "The Christmas Lodge" for your holiday DVD collection! 

The Giveaway! 

I have the chance to give away a copy of "The Christmas Lodge" to one of my readers. There are two ways to enter: 

1. By leaving a comment below (leave your e-mail address if it doesn't show up in your Google profile, so I can contact the winner)

2. Or, if you would rather not post your e-mail on a public blog, you can send me an e-mail at FreeCellPenguin@gmail.com - with the subject line "Christmas Lodge"

Giveaway ends on Friday, November 25th at 11:59 PM. Limited to U.S. residents only, age 13 and up. Limit one entry per person per day. 

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services 
mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I 
only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 

"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

The Grace Effect - Review & Giveaway

A few weeks ago, I got an e-mail offering me the opportunity to review a non-fiction book called “The Grace Effect – How the Power of One Life Can Reverse the Corruption of Unbelief.” It chronicles the journey of historian and Christian apologist Larry Taunton (of the Fixed Point Foundation) as he travels to the Ukraine to adopt a young girl that his wife and sons met while on a missions trip the year before.

The overall theme of the book appealed to me – the heartwarming story of a little girl taken from a Ukranian orphanage and brought home to live with a loving Christian family. My only hope was that Larry Taunton’s historian side wouldn’t make too much of an appearance in the book… history was definitely not my favorite subject in school.

Yes, there was history in the book, as the author outlined the evolution of religious beliefs in Eastern Europe, and how they have shaped the laws and morals of the society. The history is presented in simple terms, often laced with humor, and was easy reading even for a history-avoider like me.

The story of Sasha, the golden-haired orphan who latched onto Larry’s son during a missions trip, following him around to such as extent that people started to jokingly call her “Sasha Taunton”, was inspiring. Larry described how he and his wife had discussed adoption before, but all the pieces never fell into place. When Larry’s son Michael e-mailed him from the Ukraine to tell him about Sasha, the pieces started to come together. 

The majority of the book deals with the struggles of bureaucracy in a society founded by atheists: red tape, delays, bribes, corruption. Everyone from the Adoption Inspector to the hotel clerk has their own set of rules, their own way of getting more money from the “rich Americans”. Time after time, as I read the story, I found myself saying, “I can’t believe they would do that!”

Even though it was exasperating to read of the corruption in the Ukranian government system, it was a joy to read of Sasha and how she became a part of the Taunton family. It was wonderful to hear of how she prospered under their loving care.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and would highly recommend it… even if, like me, you’re not into history!

The Giveaway! 

I have the chance to give away a copy of "The Grace Effect" to one of my readers. There are two ways to enter: 

1. By leaving a comment below (leave your e-mail address if it doesn't show up in your Google profile, so I can contact the winner)

2. Or, if you would rather not post your e-mail on a public blog, you can send me an e-mail at FreeCellPenguin@gmail.com - with the subject line "Grace Effect"

Giveaway ends on Monday, November 21 at 11:59 PM. Limited to U.S. residents only, age 13 and up. Limit one entry per person per day. 



"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services
mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I
only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:
"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Are You Ready for Holiday Baking?

I wanted to take a few minutes to showcase the November specials for Watkins. I will be placing a Watkins order on Friday (November 4th), so if anybody local would like to add items to my order, just let me know by 3 pm on Friday... by phone, e-mail or Facebook! If you're out of town, you can put together an order yourself at the Watkins website, and plug in 104159 at the checkout, where it asks you to search for a Watkins Representative. You can get free shipping on a $150 order... you can always combine an order with some friends, family or co-workers! 

It's soup-making season... are you stocked up on Watkins Soup Bases? For the next two months, Baked Potato Soup Base is back! Baked Potato Soup Base

One of Bethany's breakfast favorites is back this month, too: Cinna-Cream Sprinkles. It's like a vanilla-flavored cinnamon-sugar. Bethany loves it on buttered toast. I think I'll buy a few extra bottles so I have enough to get us through to next Fall's gift line!

For Thanksgiving dinner, do you need Turkey Rub,  Roasted Turkey Gourmet Gravy Mix (that's my secret ingredient in homemade turkey soup), or Poultry Seasoning for your stuffing?

Pumpkin butter is back! In the past few days, I've seen a lot of comments about pumpkin-flavored beverages on the internet... pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin lattes, etc. One quick & easy recipe I saw called for warming up milk, then adding pumpkin butter, for a delicious, caffeine-free pumpkin latte. It's $6.99 -- and once they run out, it won't be available again until next September (if they offer it again next year).

For holiday baking, Watkins Original Double Strength Vanilla is on sale (usually $15.99, now it's $13.99), as well as the Imitation Clear Vanilla Extract (usually $12.99, now on sale for $11.99). The "Baker's Size" extract for Lemon Extract, Almond Extract, Coconut Extract & Lemon Extract are available for $9.99 each ($10.99 for Lemon), but like the other seasonal items, once they're gone, you won't be able to get them any more until next fall. Baker's Size (6 oz) extracts This year's seasonal extracts are Black Walnut, Danish Pastry, Hazelnut & Irish Cream - $6.99 per two-ounce bottle. 

If you're a fan of Watkins Cooking Spray (I definitely am!), there's a combination special on that. If you buy Watkins Cooking Spray ($7.99 for a big 14-oz can) and Watkins Baking Powder ($5.99), you can get Watkins Baking Cocoa for only $3.59 (regular price is $5.99). 

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Take a look at the tinted lip gloss or the hand cream. Want to make your holiday baking easier? Buy one Shortbread Cookie mix for $5.19 and get a second for only $2.99 - or buy a Pumpkin Bread Mix for $5.99 and get a second for $3.49.

The complete Watkins product line is available - from spices and extracts to cleaning products and vitamins. Take a look around the Watkins website and let me know what you need to get your house ready for the holidays!

Check out the recipe for Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake - I think Wegmans carries gluten-free gingersnaps... so it would be very easy to make up this recipe gluten-free!