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Music

#PizzaRanch Hope CD

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Before reading the PR statements (listed below) I listened to the CD they put together.  To be honest, I thought ‘Pizza Ranch’ was some sort of silly band name, but it didn’t matter to me.  What mattered was how good the CD was, because that’s why I’m reviewing it, right? Initially, my post was going to start with telling you this compilation of music totally inspires a sense of hope.  Until I read it’s purpose, now it’s got to start differently.  Only, I don’t know what to tell you.

Guess I’ll just go….  On the three hour trip back to seeing our little blessing I began to listen to the CD Pizza Ranch has put out to inspire Hope, not knowing it’s purpose.  Let me tell you, after almost 7 months of our little one being in the hospital, imagining going home (that hope that things may get on to the ‘new normal’ soon) becomes harder and harder.  As a parent, I keep praying and waiting (and I know it will happen) but some days are hard, others harder and that trip back and forth to the hospital, living there and only visiting your home and pets, is taxing.  Frankly, I think I should be paid in advance, at least 20 years worth.  Regardless, by the third or fourth song in, I was feeling hopeful about life in general, about everything. The rest of the music brought the same good feelings of hope.

Although those at Pizza Ranch who took on this project and put it together may never know the effects of their project on everyone, but hopefully they read this and know that they did make a difference.  More importantly, I hope that you’ll buy the CD and it will bring you some hope and happiness as well.

Adrie Groeneweg had a dream that started in Hull, IA, in 1981, when he was just 19 years old.  It was simple.  Why does everyone have to drive out of town to get a pizza?  With just six specialty and single topping pizza recipes developed by Adrie’s mother, Lorraine, Pizza Ranch was born.  Pizza Ranch’s vision and mission is to glorify God by positively impacting the world and to give every guest a legendary experience.  They have 190+ locations across 13 states including Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.

LivingHope

On June 2, 2015, Pizza Ranch released a CD called Living Hope containing twelve songs from many of their favorite Christian artists.  Most of the songs are brand-new and written exclusively for this CD around the theme of Hope.  Artists include Colton Dixon, Francesca Batistelli, Ellie Holcomb, Sidewalk Prophets, Kevin Max, Bart Millard, Passion Band featuring Kristian Stanfill, Michael W. Smith, and Mark Schultz.
The CD will be available to purchase for $5 plus tax exclusively in Pizza Ranch restaurants or for download at pizzaranch.com/livinghope through August 31, 2015.
From Adrie Groeneweg, President & CEO of Pizza Ranch, Inc.:  “This album has a very special meaning for Pizza Ranch.  Although Pizza Ranch is not in the music business, many things have been happening, conversations have been taking place and doors have been opening for this album.  Through these events, I believe it was obvious that God has been behind this for His specific purpose and putting it on our hearts to collectively create this project.  As such, we call this our miracle album, Living Hope.”
SOCIAL • C O R N E R  

Twitter:  @PizzaRanch @PRServes

YouTube Channel (features images and videos of the artists talking about the story behind each song):https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9lEnxuNzMyLfRyX8_tiLA
Press Release with additional information about the Living Hope CD project:  https://t.e2ma.net/message/7tnbk/7l1cgr

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“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

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Originally posted 2015-07-19 17:28:40.

Music, Reviews

Exhale by Plumb

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Plumb

Exhale is an interesting album with great production!  I chose to do this review after listening to part of the music online and thinking it sounded great.  That being said, I think you should check her out and decide for yourself.  It’s very difficult to write a review when you didn’t necessarily love the product.  I hate being ‘mean’ but I also will not be dishonest as God demands it and I feel I owe it to you, my readers.  Unfortunately I feel like the artist’s voice lacked the depth and feeling one has when pouring out their soul to God in song.

The lyrics of the song were beautiful and well written but when sang, it seemed like there was little to no feeling.  I can’t imagine singing such beautiful words, meaning them, and still sounding like I am singing about something mundane.  I feel like God is all encompassing and if I am singing for him, it is my heart pouring out.  That always entails strong emotions.  I honestly felt like there is more emotion manifested in Disney songs than on this album.

If you are a fan of contemporary Christian music, you may hear this and think my opinion is wrong.  I hope so, as this music is supposed to be a touching tribute to God and to help the listener feel His presence.  I am never opposed to that wonderful feeling when God pops ya upside the head and goes ‘hear that? remember how I love you always?’  Perhaps it would be a different description for you, that may be the country Southern girl coming out in me.  LOL.

Regardless, check her music out and give it a shot.  I’d love to hear your opinion after you listen to a song or two.  I’m always up for other perspectives!

About PLUMB:

Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, better-known by her stage name Plumb, is a songwriter, recording artist, performer and author. Plumb has sold more than 500,000 albums and over two million singles worldwide, co-penned songs for numerous other artists, including Michelle Branch, Mandisa, Mandy Moore, Jaci Velasquez, and Natalie Grant, and had music placed in many films and television shows.Originally signed as a Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) recording artist in 1997, Plumb is now known as well as or better in alternative rock, electronic dance music, and for the use of her music in film and television than she is in the CCM market.

About the album:
EXHALE, the seventh studio album from acclaimed multi-genre singer, songwriter and author PLUMB, expresses a new focus and vision. After the runaway success of NEED YOU NOW (the album, title track and book), which coincided with her own moving story of brokenness and ultimately healing, Exhale brims with worshipful songs of gratitude and hope.The defining concept of EXHALE was born from a sermon at Plumb’s home church, wherein her pastor Pete Wilson expressed the notion that the Church doesn’t exist for itself. Rather, believers come to church to breathe in grace and truth, be changed, and then go out and “exhale” that hope into their surrounding community.“That idea of exhaling hope hit me right away and I couldn’t get to the Notes section on my phone fast enough. I started writing the chorus of Exhale right then and there,” explains Plumb. “I have been made new by the ultimate hope, and I want to share and exhale that hope in everyway I can.”


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Originally posted 2015-05-06 18:11:52.

Books, Monkey Stuff, Reviews

#PajamaGirl

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PajamaGirl_FlatCover   Can I just start out by saying that I love the title of this little book and the series!  It sparks such imagination.  What kind of adventure idea will this spark in my little girl’s head?  I look forward to hearing her give out all kinds of dreams and I look forward even more to joining her in acting out all sorts of wonderful little fantasies!  Oh, the magic of special pajamas!  pajamagirl_social1

While the title of the book The Adventures of Pajama Girl is a quite obvious little title, the various adventures she goes on will leave you smiling.  In this particular book, Pajama Girl is joining in the Coronation of the Cupcake Queen!  The adventure she takes to get there will leave you smiling as it takes your own imagination on it’s own ride but the story about Pajama Girl and the Cupcake Queen have your little one giddy with excitement about the story, the colors and the detail in the pictures!

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To add a little sweetness to your day, when you get your copy of Pajama Girl, you also get free activity printables!  You can even get a set of them to check out here: PajamaGirl_ActivitySheets.

 About the author
Sandra Hagee Parker lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband, Ryan, and their daughters, Olivia and Elliana — the original pajama girls. A practicing attorney, Sandy is also a part of the music ministry at Cornerstone Church where she and her husband are leaders.

When not working or writing, Sandy enjoys traveling with her family and mastering the art of making Pancakes à la Pajama Girl with her two girls.

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Originally posted 2015-04-09 09:55:14.

Book Reviews, Christian

Texas K-9 Unit Series

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What can I say about curling up with a good book?  Absolutely no words that come to mind would come close to that wonderful feeling of losing oneself in a well written, interesting story.  If you are a fan of reading or just a good story, then you’ll know what I mean!

I have recently had the privilege of reviewing some great books that you’re gonna want to curl up with soon!  They’ll keep you interested and on your toes!  The Texas K9 series has been written by three authors: Shirlee McCoy, Margaret Daley, and Sharon Dunn.  I’d read some books written by Shirlee McCoy in the past and loved her books so I was excited to get this chance to read one of her latest books!  As always, she didn’t disappoint!

The series will keep you turning pages and away from whatever it is that you are supposed to be doing stresses you out!  It is my opinion that a good book is always worth the time and it never hurts to take a little time to escape reality!  Follow the Texas K9 teams as they steal your heart, fall in love and save the day…  or will they…  Get your copy and find out!  You’ll be glad you did!unnamed

About the Series:

Love Inspired Suspense authors Shirlee McCoy, Margaret Daley and Sharon Dunn will get your pulse racing with tales of Texas cops and their loyal K–9 dogs tracking down a crime ring. Enjoy three action-packed Texas K–9 Unit romantic suspense novels in one box set! When a boy goes missing from his bedroom, a police detective must assure a desperate single mother that he and his trusty bloodhound will find her son. A woman with amnesia has to rely on an officer and his border collie to stay alive when she can’t remember who tried to kill her. An FBI agent is called in to protect a single mother when the rookie K–9 officer witnesses a murder and becomes the killer’s target.

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Originally posted 2015-03-16 08:49:33.