Disclosure: I received product samples for review. Post contains affiliate links; I may earn commission if you make a purchase. Opinions shared are mine.

There are days when blogging and real life don’t mix. On the night of my annual cook-three-potluck-dishes, for example, the kitchen is a complete disaster. Right now, piles of tiny dried out pine needles litter the back deck while our bird feeder is tipped over, having been invaded by a rogue squirrel or possum. Blogging deadlines seem to crop up despite the state of my house, so I’m very grateful for SnapIt Boards! They provide a quick and easy backdrop that hides the imperfections of my setting, allowing the focus of my photo to stand out.

Disclosure: I received a gift card from the sponsor. Opinions shared are mine.

This  hop is hosted by MamatheFox.

With the short crunch time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, we’ve got a limited window for shopping and wrapping. I don’t have many gifts to buy, which is good, but there’s so much to do right before Christmas officially hits. Dashing around to band concerts, robotics competitions, and last-minute appointments before the holiday has me in hyperdrive. Also, the people who live in my house keep asking me about food. Thank goodness Captain D’s watches out for me.

Disclosure: I received books for review. Opinions shared are mine.

Every year, my kids know to expect a book or ten for Christmas. It’s helpful that my teen now has a Goodreads account; I can spy on it to get one of her TBR books. My 5th grader is harder to buy for. His tastes change daily, and he tends to be very selective about books he likes. Books from National Geographic Kids are a crowd pleaser, so I know these will be a hit!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.

I’m torn between my insane delight at the invitation to read a new Stillhouse Lake book, and the guilt of wanting more, more, more from this series. Rachel Caine knows how to entangle her readers in the sticky web of suspense. Though it’s tough to keep a series going, she’s held the thrilling momentum from the start. Bitter Falls is a terrific addition to the series.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book. Opinions shared are mine.

As I’ve mentioned before, it’s tough to find a book that everyone in my family wants to read. We connect over a few strong stories, such as Harry Potter, but I’m eager to deepen that bond over something more meaningful. The Faith Forward Family Devotional is a good place to start!

Disclosure: I received a game prototype. Opinions shared are mine.

My son recently started breaking out the board games. Until now, they’ve been tucked in the closet, gathering dust and taking up space. Thanks to my little guy, we’ve been spending more family time around the table, laughing and sharing time with each other. THE RANK GAME is a new one that will be so much fun to play at Christmas this year!

Disclosure: I received a copy of the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls from Zondervan (HarperCollins Christian Publishing) for this review. This post is sponsored by Zondervan.

I’ve been a 6th grade teacher for 22 years and one thing hasn’t changed in all that time — coloring pages are fun! Coloring pencils and markers are an affordable gifting option; you can pair them with a fresh stack of free printable coloring pages for an easy, budget-friendly gift. For a more permanent, memorable gift, consider the Beautiful Word Coloring Bible!

Disclosure: I received free product for posting. Opinions shared are mine.

A few weeks ago, my daughter told me that she would like to have some bracelets. She doesn’t often ask for things, so it makes me happy when I can give her something she wants! You can find customized jewelry of all kinds at oNecklace — which is exactly what I did!