66 Love Letters~Book Review

66 Love Letters is the latest book by best-selling author, psychologist and Christian counselor Dr. Larry Crabb. Dr. Crabb takes a very interesting approach in this book, he takes every book of the Bible and condenses it down to one paragraph, and then expands it into a love letter from God. There are many Christian leaders who say that the Bible is indeed a love letter from God. Dr. Crabb does a wonderful job translating the bible into an easily readable series of meaningful letters. In the prologue, Dr. Crabb advises to take the book slowly and perhaps only read a chapter a week, I was going to try that but I could not put it down. From the beginning of the book we are shown that God has a plan for each of us and we must trust him to see it through. This book is a great collection, to be kept on hand to read again and again

This book was provided to me for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

66 Love Letters

Dr. Larry Crabb

The story of God written in intimate love letters just for you.

Dr. Larry Crabb knows that if we could see the larger story of God and humanity, our world would never be the same. That story is found in large part in the sixty-six letters of the Bible.

Written in a conversational first person, as if God is speaking directly to us, Dr. Crabb looks at each individual book in scripture and boils it down to a one- or two-sentence message to us from that particular book. He then unpacks each sentence in a short chapter answering the question, What does God want me to hear from this love letter? The book's epilogue then fits all sixty-six pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together into one coherent paragraph and reveals the beautiful picture of what God has been about since the creation of the world. Far from being comprehensive, this is a personal approach to helping readers know God and his great love for them, his message for all mankind, and how their lives fit into His larger story.

Sunshine Award

Many thanks to my friend Ann over at Ann Crabs, she has nominated me for the Sunshine Award. Go on over and check out her blog, she has freebies, reviews and tons of ways to save money.

The rules for accepting this award is simple, link to the person who gave it to you, and pass it on to 10 other people who bring you sunshine. So here you are--please visit these wonderful blogs!


Kraut Art - fabulous art, love her work, wish I could have it in my house.

The Cheap Gourmet - one of my favorites - I use her advice and recipes all the time.

Volusia County Moms - things to do all over Volusia County for Moms and younger children

Love Serve & Connect - personal favorite, Pat and I attend the same church

Veg Blogger - warning this one is not for the faint of heart. Very real information on the handling of animals in our food chain.

Naturally Maid Cleaning - this one introduced me to the joy of white vinegar & baking soda.

Holistic Home Schooler - if you homeschool this one is great.

Yes2Local News - covers events before and always has great photos after

Org Junkie - everything under the sun about organizing

This is just a small sampling of the blogs I read and enjoy, stay tuned for an entire page dedicated to it in the near future!

Show What You Know Day

If you are looking for something to do this Saturday for a good cause head on out to Samsula to Marcody Ranch. They are having their 1st Annual Show What You Know Day!

The fun starts at 10am, there will be drill team performances (formation riding), barrel racing, jumping & dressage. There will be a 50/50 raffle, bake sale and refreshments available.

The cost for adults is 5.00 and 2.00 for children over the age of five. All proceeds go into the Hope Reins Scholarship Fund for Therapeutic Riding for children with disabilities.

Marcody Ranch is located 1/2 mile east of Tomoka Farms Road (415) at 3804 Pioneer Trail.

Art & Wine Walk

The Art and Wine Walk will be held on historic Flagler Avenue this Saturday from 10 am-6 pm. Local and national artists will display their works along the avenue as well as in the local galleries, food and entertainment also be available.

The “Art of Wine Walk” will being held from 1-6 pm shoppers can purchase a “wine tasting passport” to sample some outstanding wines at several locations along Flagler. The passports will be available at the tent at the northeast corner of Flagler Avenue and Cooper Street for $20. The passports will list the locations for the wine tastings and what wines or winery will be featured at each location. Passports will include 20 tasting tickets and a keepsake glass allowing attendees to select the wines they would like to sample in exchange for their tickets.

Support your local business!

48th Annual Art Fiesta

This weekend is the 48th Annual ART FIESTA at Old Fort Park and Canal Street. It is being held Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm. Local and National Artist, Food and Entertainment will be featured and admission is free.

Sunday Stumble~Bike Week

Bike Week 2010 starts this Thursday. Here are several web sites to guide you in finding the best Bike Week activities. There is something for everyone here.

Biker Beach

Bike Week Report

Daytona Bike Week

Official Bike Week Headquarters - this is the Chamber of Commerce Bike Week Directory

Enjoy Bike Week, stay safe and support your local business!

Around Town~Things To Do

Spirit Night for Amy Root at Chick-Fil-A in Edgewater. Please come out and support Amy and her family from 5-8pm at Chick-Fil-A. This is a great excuse not to cook!

The KC Society, located in New Smyrna Beach, offers several afternoon clubs for teenagers 13 to 19. Clubs are offered in fashion design, cooking, future business owners, step team and dance group. There is a membership fee to join. Check their website for more information. They are located at the Minerva Civic Center, 431 N. Myrtle, New Smyrna Beach.

Edgewater Fire-Rescue Bingo: Games begin at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday at the Fire-Rescue Association Fire Hall, 2616 Hibiscus Drive. Two games have $100 jackpots. The facility is non-smoking. snacks and soft drinks are available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Fire-Rescue Association's various causes. For more information, call (386) 424-2445.

Cracker Creek's Pirate Cruise featuring the Pirates of Spruce Creek, sails each Saturday and Sunday at 1pm. They are located at 1795 Taylor Road, Port Orange. Costumed pirates create a live, interactive experience as young buccaneers learn navigation, pirate weaponry, knotting or rope tying and pirate lingo, all the while searching for the lost treasure at Spruce Creek. Pre-registration is required by calling (386) 304-0778. Adults are $8.00 and children $6.00 and seniors are $6.00. Inexpensive way to have some fun with your kids.

The American Legion Post 17 Friday night dinners are back! Enjoy steak and shrimp or fish at 5 and 7 p.m. at 619 W. Canal St., New Smyrna Beach. This is open to the public. For more information, call (386) 427 5013.

The National Seashore is 35 years old. This Sunday, Feb. 21, at 3 p.m. Friends of Canaveral will hold a meeting and covered dish dinner to celebrate, as well as welcome potential new members. This will be held at the Eldora State House, Canaveral National Seashore.

Friends of Canaveral will provide baked ham, drinks (wine, water, lemonade, iced tea), and all plates and utensils. Please bring a side, salad or dessert to share. If the weather cooperates, the meeting and picnic will be on the banks of the lagoon if not, it will be inside the Eldora House.

RSVP by calling Joyce Dewar (386) 428-3331 or Pat Skrtic (386) 428-6151.

Support Volusia County Sports

This Friday, February 19th from 7am-7pm, the Daytona Cubs will sponsor a high school sports pledge run to benefit high school sports in our east volusia county high schools. New Smyrna Beach High is on the list of recipients.

The one man 12 hour run will start at Jackie Robinson Ball Park, head north to Seabreeze all the way to New Smyrna and back (hopefully). The flyer with pledge information can be found here.

Thanks for supporting your local high school sports!

The 3/50 Project

This is an interesting concept to support local business. Think about this, what 3 independently owned local businesses would you miss if they were gone? I can think of far more than three in New Smyrna Beach, I am sure you can too.

If only half of the employed population in this country spent just $50.00 per month in locally owned businesses and bypassed the big chains it would pump 42.6 billion in revenue. Did you now that $68.00 of every $100.00 you spend at local business goes directly back into the local economy via taxes, payroll and other expenses? This is big money.

So this month eat at your local restaurants, buy gifts at local gift shops (Flagler Avenue has a ton of choices for both of these), drop in at Coronado Hardware in NSB or Osborne Hardware in Edgewater. Buy a bottle of wine at the wine warehouse or OM Bar....you get the idea.

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Who Are You? Prove It!!

If you misplace your license, forget to pay a ticket or simply need to renew and cannot do it online you better be ready with your new documentation requirements. You must have two utility bills to prove your address or a mortgage or lease agreement, proof of social security number and birth certificate. Full requirements are here.

I went to obtain a misplaced license on Monday, however I did not have my marriage certificate...but wait I am not married. I still had to prove how I obtained my name. I did not change it back after my divorce in consideration of my children....ok, but wait I have had a FL license for many years, I have a social security card in my married name. Does not matter....you must be able to prove how you got that name. So off to the Records Management Bureau in Orlando I went, to obtain a marriage license to prove I was married to a man I am not married to anymore....best part...all this occurred on my former anniversary to the man I am not married to but had to prove I was to document my name....if you are following this you are better than I am. Thank Homeland Security....and find your marriage license.

Mardi Gras Celebration

Celebrate Mardi Gras on Flagler, Tuesday, February 16th. The parade gets underway at 7pm at the Flagler Beach approach. Featuring 30 different floats and the Budweiser Clydesdales.

Cajun food, music and drink will be available all along Flagler Avenue. So come enjoy some boiled crawfish and traditional King cake while you support your local business!

Around Town~Things To Do

The AAUW of New Smyrna Beach will meet this month on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m., at the Smyrna Yacht Club. The purpose of AAUW is to support equality for women and offer scholarships to local women for higher education This month’s speakers, Carol Bertrand and Joan Baliker, are both ordained ministers who are also fine artists – Carol, a painter, and Joan, a sculptor. Please call Jane Hartnett at (386) 423-5278 for reservations. The cost is $15.

CoCo's Canine Club is having a fashion show!! They are located at 4164 South Atlantic Avenue (Food Lion Plaza), Saturday, Feb. 13, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The invite goes out to all who love the world of luxurious lap dogs. An RSVP is preferred. Please call CoCo's for further info and/or to inquire about modeling; (386) 402-9999.

The Daytona 500 is this Sunday. Unless you are a race fan, Daytona is a great place to stay away from!!

Marine Discovery Center-Camp for Kids

The Marine Discovery Center will hold a camp during spring break, from March 29-April 2 from 8am-3pm. The cost is $150.00 per child. Members of MDC get a discount. Some of the activities will include: Island Discoveries, Kayaking, Team Building Challenges, GPS Ecocaching, Plankton Investigations, Invertebrate Discoveries, Beach Seine Netting and more.

Sign up by March 12th. My children attend camp in the summer and love it!

For more information or to make a reservation, call 386.428.3310 or e-mail chad@marinediscoverycenter.org

Valentine's Day-Surfside Chorus

If you have not got any brilliant ideas for Valentine's Day, have I got the answer for you!!!

The Surfside Barbershop Chorus is offering Valentine serenades along with sweets for your sweetie on Valentine's Day. For the super fantastic price of $40.00 you get four barbershop performers wearing dinner jackets and red accessories they will visit your sweetheart wherever you send them in Volusia and Flagler counties.

The harmonious quartets will sing two love songs and present boxed candy (sugar-free available) with a personalized card.

The Daytona Beach Metro Chapter of the International Barbershop Harmony Society -- Surfside Chorus -- will send out the cappella singing groups on the following schedule:

Feb. 12th from 9 am to 8 pm
Feb. 13th from 9 am to 6 pm
Feb. 14th from 9 am to 9 pm

To get your quartet scheduled call 386-290-3452.

Off The Hook

The folks at the New Smyrna Steakhouse have opened their new establishment in the old Clancy's Cantina spot in the Publix Plaza beachside. Called Off The Hook it features a Raw Bar and fresh seafood, a full bar and extensive beer and wine list. They have 15 flat screen TV's and NFL Sunday Ticket (that will matter more next year.) They are open Sunday thru Thursday 11:30am til midnight and Friday and Saturday 1130am - 2am. You can sign up for specials with your email address on the website.

A Bunch Of Stuff

Here is a hodgepodge of stuff going on around town that you may find interesting:]

New Smyrna Athletic Club on Canal Street is offering a special $24.99 per month, if you bring in the ad from this week's Pennysaver they will waive the enrollment fee.

New Smyrna Beach has a new Urgent Care, located in the Winn Dixie Plaza on SR 44 - they opened February 1st.

NSB Rec Soccer is conducting sign ups at the Parks & Rec Department on Live Oak Street. You can sign your children up until Feb 12th.

Youth Baseball & Softball signups has been extended to February 5th for the City Park & Rec. You can get information and a signup form here.

The Edgewater Animal Shelter is holding a low cost pet clinic and shots this Saturday at their location at 605 Mango Dr. Call 424-2442 for more information.

The Simple and Fresh Cooking School is holding an Italian Beach Weekend Extravaganza starting February 5th. I was not aware they even existed, their website is great with tons of information. Check it out!

Email me your announcements or events and we will get them up!!

Run With The Rangers

On Saturday, February 6th, Coronado Beach Elementary School and the Canaveral National Seashore in New Smyrna Beach, Florida will partner to host the first ever Run with the Rangers 5K Run/Walk & Jr. Rangers Mile.

This event will benefit both the school and the park. All proceeds from the run/walk will assist in strengthening student and family attended science and green energy programs, arts, physical education and academics at Coronado Beach Elementary School.

We need your help to make this event a success and to provide as much exposure to our neighborhood National Park as possible.

The race course is located at he Eldora Loop of Canaveral National Seashore, 7611 S. Atlantic Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL. The race starts at 9am. Registration Packet pick up/Race Day Registration: 7am - 8:15am at Bethune Beach Park Pavillion, S. Atlantic Avenue, 1 mile north of entrance to Canaveral. There will be no fee to enter park.

You may pre register at the Elementary School on February 4th and 5th from 8am to 5pm.

Fees for Event:

Jr. Rangers Fun Mile - Free

5k Run/Walk - $20 Adult/$15 Youth

Family of 4 or Team of 4 - $50

Children's Jr. Ranger Fun Mile is FREE!

Prizes will be awarded and the first 400 registrants will get goody bags and T-shirts.

Food and beverages for all!

*Bonus benefit for all Volusia County Schools Public or Private: All pre-registered runners may name their school of choice on the front of the registration form and a $5 donation from this event will be made directly to the PTA/PTO of the school that is named!

Got A Dog?

Then dress him or her up and come on down to Canal Street this Saturday, February 6th for the Mardi Gras Dog Parade. This super fun event supports the Southeast Volusia Humane Society.

Registration starts at 1pm, with staging at 1:45. The parade will begin at 2.

Entry Fee: $5 per dog. Download parade application from the Humane Society Website.