The Most Important Graph in the World by Tony Buzan

Subtitle: .. and how it will change your life!
Authors: Tony Buzan with Jennifer Goddard & Jorge Castañeda

Proactive Press (June 2012)
Personal Development

Stars: ★★★★★

Summary: The Most Important Graph in the World unleashes powerful truths about our memory and how we learn and behave. Discover how you can use this knowledge to deliver presentations and speeches with real impact, make your PR and marketing resonate, raise your social and emotional IQ, develop your creativity and intelligence, maximize your time, and create a more meaningful, memorable life.

CONFESSION: I was a skeptic when I agreed to review this book. I’m wary of books that claim their information is the most important or will do a long list of things to better your life. However it also sounded interesting and the graph intrigued me as a math lover.

Here’s a better look at that graph (if you don’t like math, don’t run screaming, it’s much more simple than it looks and doesn’t involve much math at all in fact.)

I’ve been finished this book for some time but have been struggling with how to review this book properly. I want to explain how I feel about the book without giving away too much as well as convince the average reader that this book IS for them and not just for business professionals or mathematicians (remember the graph isn’t mathematical!)

I think it would be easiest for me to go the point form route.

Thoughts about The Most Important Graph in the World

• The book is FULL of insightful information just waiting to be absorbed.
• Absorption takes some time. You will need to read this book with no distractions (so not while kids are running around) and read slowly. Perhaps even reread certain parts.
• There were a few parts that seemed a bit confusing. If after reading a second time I still wasn’t sure I understood, I moved on and don’t feel I missed any big points.
• The book CAN change your life, but only if you implement the MIG (most important graph.)
• The graph, while quite possibly the most important graph in the world, is actually called the Recall During Learning graph and is about how we learn.
• I am going to print out the graph and make notes to remind myself about each point until I have it memorized more. I suggest you do this too.
• I found the graph relevant to all areas of my life, personal (time management, parenting, home life), business, blogging too.
• Each of the images on the graph stands for an effect on our memory/behaviour.
• For example the Primacy Effect shows that we remember the information at the beginning of a learning experience.
• The Association effect shows that we remember whatever is linked or connected, especially to ourselves and our own worlds (in other worlds, what we associate with ourselves, what is relevant to us. )
• The Von Restorff Effect shows that we remember anything which is outstanding, different or unique. (sticks out)
• There are 7 effects total, I’ve only listed 3 above.
• After a brief explanation of how our world works and what each effect is called, a chapter is devoted to making sure you understand what the effect means and how to use it to your advantage.
• The book is in COLOUR! You don’t see that too often but it makes a big difference. The illustrations are in colour and the edges of the pages are colour-coded depending on the chapter/topic.
• I don’t often re-read books but I will be re-reading this one as I implement it’s ideas.
• I was WRONG about this book. It’s amazing!

The website for The Most Important Graph in the World has resources and information including a book excerpt.

About the Author:

Tony Buzan is the inventor of Mind Mapping and he has helped many people around the world unlock their creativity, improve their memory and boost their thinking skills.

He has written over 100 books on the brain and thinking translated into 33 languages in over 150 countries.  Tony is the founder of the World Memory Championships, World Speed Reading Championships and the Brain Trust Charity and in 2008 won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Creativity Assocation (ACA.)

Connect with him on twitter at @tony_buzan

You can read about the other two authors.

*I received product from a company or PR agency for evaluation purposes. All review are honest.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Happiness

 

Stars: ★★★★☆

Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing (2012)
Self Help/Personal Growth/Happiness

Summary: This book is the follow-up to bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive. Read inspirational true stories about how real people used positive thinking, thankfulness, and good old-fashioned common sense to find their own paths to happiness, pursuing their passions, finding their purpose, and reclaiming the joy in their lives. – back of book

This book could be read cover to cover, but would also make a great book to have hanging around for those moments when you are feeling down or discouraged. Just pick it up and read a few stories and get motivated again.

Chapter Categories:

• Counting my Blessings
• Back to Basics
• Finding My Passion
• Attitude Adjustments
• Overcoming Adversity
• The Joy of Giving
• Finding My Purpose
• Simple Pleasures
• Making the Best of It
• Jumping Off the Hamster Wheel

If you do decide to just tackle the book one story at a time, flip through the table of contents to the category that jumps out at you and then read the story titles and pick the one that strikes your fancy. I would bet that’s the story you NEED to read at that moment. Our subconscious knows.

I stuck my copy in the bathroom to read when I have a moment or two (whether that be actually using the bathroom or hiding from my kids for a few moments of peace – oh wait, you do that too don’t you?)

It would make a great gift for the child who has gone to college or moved away for the first time or perhaps someone who has been down and needs a little boost.

Buy Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Happiness from Amazon.com and help support SMS Nonfiction Book Reviews

*I received product from a company or PR agency for evaluation purposes. All review are honest.

FREE Download the COMPLETE Chronicles of Narnia Audio Books!

Free audio download of the Chronicles of  Narnia!!

I saw this and had to share it with you all!  You can download a free MP3 version of all these stories HERE or listen online from Ancient Faith Radio!  I LOVE C.S. Lewis!  His books are so full of adventure, character building, insight and wisdom all in a fun package.  Hope you enjoy them!  I am so looking forward to my oldest son having these to listen to at night!  I was planning on reading the books with him, and some nights my eyes are tired and this is a GREAT option!

These stories make wonderful travel entertainment as well!

To download into an MP3 format it is not as simple as the subscribe to this podcast Itunes button.  That doesn't seem to work, but here are the directions that do work.  You need to click on the title ie (Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe 1-2 )  Then when it opens right click on the "direct link".  It will allow you to save it in downloads as an MP3 file by clicking "save link as".  I just rename it with the book name and chapter numbers.  Once that is done with all the books you can open Itunes then click on file, then click on add file.  Then look under downloads and choose the files you want.  Now in Itunes they will show up in the "recently added" folder.  Now click on them and drag them to a new folder you rename with the books name.  Hope that helps!

Thanks money saving mom!

i heart portland

Downtown Portland is just a five minute drive from our home.  So is this lush forest . . .

Tryon Creek State Park is a sanctuary in southwest Portland with 14 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.  We pass the park on a daily basis, so we often have the good fortune to see wildlife while running errands.  The most recent sighting was a doe and two fawns jumping out of the thicket.  There were echos of squeals in the car when Bambi 1 and Bambi 2 ambled across the road. 

Portland boasts the largest and smallest U.S. park in city limits.  The green hills bordering the city center is Forest Park, which stretches for 8 miles along the Willamette River.  Wildwood Trail, the longest hiking trail in urban boundaries, is 30 miles long and can be accessed just minutes from downtown Portland. 

Another trail not far from Portland's urban center is Marquam Trail.  This summer, we hiked Marquam Trail to Council Crest, which is the highest point in Portland.  Locals also know it as the popular make out spot at night.  But I, ahem, wouldn't know anything about this.

Council Crest

A couple of weekends ago, we visited Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge for the first time. Located 15 miles southwest of Portland, the watershed is home to many species of birds, mammals, fish, and plants. 

Our highlight was seeing two egrets at this marshy pond.  If you look closely, a white one is perched on a leaning tree and the other one is flying.



I love that Portland offers its dwellers so many places to retreat from the mad dash of city living.  It's on these hikes and strolls through forested lands that many local creatives find perspective and inspiration.  Inspired by Forest Park, Colin Meloy of Decemberists and artist Carson Ellis collaborated on a children's adventure book called Wildwood. It was my nine year old's favorite summer read.

Habit of Art turns three

Cue falling confetti and nasally kazoos, Habit of Art is a whopping three years old today! Hurray! If I could, I would pull off an Oprah moment and give each one of you a cashmere scarf and a new Pontiac Grand Prix (do they still make these?).  But, seeing that I'm not a Fortune 500 contender, an art discount it is.  From now thru the end of the month, take 30% off your entire order in my Etsy shop! To redeem your coupon, just enter ART30 at checkout.



Thanks for reading and happy shopping!  Oh, how do you like the new look?

Tons of Free Printable Labels! Think canning, notebooks, organizing, paper crafting, etc...

I don't know what it is but I LOVE free printables labels.  There are so many uses and whatever you are doing suddenly looks a million times better.  These would be great on cards and as gift tags too with the right wording!  There are blank customizable ones here as well.  ENJOY!!

I LOVE these printable jar labels!  The possibilities are endless!  Use for canning, gifts, pantry organization, etc... Find them HERE from Limeshot Design


These adorable birdie labels from world label. Come in shipping label, address label, and circle sizes!  They are all a matching sets but slightly different.  Great for gifts, closet organization, pantry and crafty organization, canning, and whereever else your crafty  mind takes you!


These are perfect to print onto cardstock or sticker paper for scrapbooking, cards, or cute homemmade spa gifts!


Whatabout these?  Perfect for a circle punch!  You could print them out as stickers, gift tags, jar labels, etc... Find them HERE at i do it yourself.


Not enough options for you?  Check out my previous post Freebies Gorgeous Printable Labels of All Shapes and Sizes!  Here is a sample of what you will find...


 You can also follow me on Pinterest to see what I have in the printables board, not to mention all the other great crafty projects I have pinned on there!

things i'm fond of today

Instagram and newly painted white walls.



Now, that the walls look like a blank canvas, I imagine drawing on them one day. Like this . . .

Lovely drawings by Melissa Castrillon.

Still a huge fan of Doug Johnston's totes and baskets. 

Beautiful work by Amelia Herbertson.

Diggin' the simple, artsy spaces of Sandra Juto (above) and Camilla Engman. 

And I really want this for my home. . .

Gorgeous yarn scrap cushion by Renilde de Peuter.

September is National Sewing Month celebrate with .99 shipping and coupons for Jo-Ann fabric online & in store!

September is national sewing month.  I love the change of season and the cooler weather that lets me feel like I can sew again.  Something about the heat and all the fun places in to go in summer keeps me from sewing much.  I did tear apart my desk and relocate it for a homeschool area downstairs so I am waiting to put my new counters in.  It is taking me far too long to do it but they should give me the space I need to sew and leave projects where I can sew a little at a time without having to put it all away every time!

If you are new to sewing check out "Sewing Made Simple" at Joann.com with new projects everyday during September.



While you are there celebrate National Sewing Month with this savings code for Jo-Ann fabric that gives you .99 shipping using promo code UAS262 !  Better get on it if you want the cheap shipping as that code expires Sept. 18th.  This is of course good for scrapbookers too!  

Even if you are not big on sewing but are thinking of halloween costumes this shipping deal and sale should come in handy.  You will also find a huge "coupon commotion" with tons of 50% off coupons good in store and online!  I am planning on picking upa few things with a gift card I have been saving.  I don't have a Jo-Ann locally so I was waiting for a great deal on shipping, and here is my chance!  Happy crafting!  Hope you are enjoying the changing seasons.

New work: River Valley

Now that the kids are back in school, I've been able to work in 2 to 3 hour stints without much interruption. That is, until our mischievous kitty attacks a house plant, gnaws on Playmobil, terrorizes our other cat, or claws the grasscloth wallpaper.  This week, I worked on an 11 x 14 painting called River Valley.  The inspiration for my new piece comes from the beautiful Hoh Rain Forest, which is part of Washington State's Olympic National Park. 

Being one of the wettest places in the U.S., the Hoh Rain Forest is home to giant spruce trees and moss-laden maple trees.  Some of the trees grow to 200 - 300 feet in height!  Just as mesmerizing as the surrounding old-growth forest is the grayish-blue Hoh River.  The color is a result of glaciers on Mount Olympus grinding rock into powder.  Gray may seem like a drab color, but it's quite stunning with emerald mountains in the background. 

In my painting,  you may have noticed some chevrons on tree trunks.  I wanted to reference the rich Native American history in this region as well as spotlight the ancient trees.  More images and details of my latest work can be found here.  Earlier in the week, I posted a work in progress photo on twitter.  I plan to upload more of these kinds of shots on twitter.  I also joined Instagram if you want to follow me there. 

What To Do With 6 Gallons of Ready To Expire Milk

I know this is a crazy dilemma but some of you money saving mamas out there must have run into something similar.  Here is how it happened to me...
I answer the phone and a friend says she has some extra milk from the soup kitchen and would I like some.  I say "sure!".  I get off the phone assuming I have an extra gallon of milk.  In actuality she shows up with her husband behind her carrying a CASE, yes a case of milk.  Six gallons of milk packed into a milk crate soon made their way to my table.  I was grateful for the thought so I smiled and thanked them as they walked out the door.  After they had I left I stared at my table for a while... I use almond milk, and at my house we don't drink milk we just use it in cereal for the hubby and sometimes the kids.  I love free food though as our grocery budget is a tight one with 6 people. What was I going to do with 6 gallons of milk that by the expiration date were supposed to be drunk in the next few days!!

A friend just stopped by as I was writing this post.  Perfect I sent her home with 2 gallons!  That just leaves 4!  Now if you have a large enough freezer you could just freeze them all.  Some people complain that fat free milk separates a little after being frozen.  You can shake the milk as it is freezing every 30 - 60 minutes to try to stop that from happening.  I never have a problem with 2% or higher fat milks separating.

As far as the freezer goes though it doesn't work for me at the moment because I have been processing apples from a friends tree and have filled it with several bags of apple pie filling.  So I could only cram in 2 gallons after much rearranging.  With two in the freezer that leaves 2 to use up.  I am thinking a creamy soup like chowder for the majority of one gallon.  Since we are a family of 6 we always make a double batch of soup.  The other gallon is in my crock pot making Homemade thick and creamy yogurt.

Ok it is 1% milk so it will not be as thick as the yogurt I usually make, however it will be yummy drinkable yogurt for the kids, and handy for making Ranch Dressing from Scratch (recipe here), used as buttermilk in pancakes

( I LOVE the healthy delicious Oatmeal Pancakes we make) and other baked goods.  You can make a huge batch of pancakes if you have time to cook them all up and then freeze them for an easy breakfast.

I also will use some in place of half of the fat in homemade biscuits or scones .

 I also use yogurt as a great addition to my smoothies (my recipe here) (my recipe here) to add some tanginess and a protein boost.  Anytime you have ready to expire milk on hand it is a great idea to make yogurt because the fermentation process extends the life by at least 2 weeks or so.

Need a  few other ideas to use ready to expire milk?  How about making rice pudding, cooked pudding, baked oatmeal to eat and one to freeze, quiche, cream of whatever soup from scratch to use in recipes ( you can freeze it), or bread pudding like my delicious pumpkin bread pudding recipe!  Making flan would be a good use as well of any extra milk.  How do you use extra milk when you find it on super sale at the store or have some that needs used up soon?

now tweeting

Some folks like to change out throw pillows for a quick, fresh look.  I like to design new business cards.  I scanned a drawing from my sketchbook and layered one of my photographs behind it.  The cards are printed on recycled paper and hand-trimmed by me. 

The mountain design is also the background for my new Twitter page.  I've been hesitant- more like resistant- to the idea of joining another social media site.  But, lately, I've been feeling a little limited with how I update news and links to recent art findings.  I don't want to, for example, write in length about this unfortunate fresco restoration, but it's definitely something to be shared. 



A week ago, my art was also featured on Design Milk.  This tidbit of news didn't quite fit into my last two blog posts, so I shared it as my first tweet.  Granted, I had no followers yet!  So if you would like to see what I'm up to between blog posts (promise, no oversharing of what I had for dinner), you can follow me here.



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I did find some time today to paint on cedar wood slices.

Back in the swing of homeschool!

It has been a crazy few weeks!We got back from a family camping/RV trip in Colorado just in time to jump right into homeschool.  We had some home projects that needed attending to as well before we could get going.  It has been busy figuring out a new schedule with a brand new curriculum this year for homeschooling the older two while entertaining the younger two.  Meanwhile we harvested some apples that needed processing (think apple pie filling, and apple butter), had some family in town and tried to get the house and homeschool space more organized before the school year started.  Recipe for the apple butter to come soon!

Needless to say blogging had to take a back seat while I got down to business with all of that stuff.  I am happy to say that we are now up and running smoothly in the homeschool department.  It is busy and full on, but we are enjoying it.
We chose My Father's World for our curriculum and are doing the first grade and Exploring Countries and Cultures for my older two.  They are really enjoying it and I am enjoying how much the curriculum really focus' on Christ.  We are learning a slew of Bible verses, godly principles, and learning to appreciate and love others in the great big world all around us.

I have to show you all how our camper turned out! Before we took our '83 Toyota Dolphin RV out on our family vacation we redid the cushions, curtains, floor, paint, etc...  We love it now!  It was a whole lotta ugly before!  The price was so good we bought it with only 23,000 original miles, but a hideous interior.  We figured fixing it up would be easier than fixing the engine and cheaper than a newer one.  Can't wait to show you the photos!

I also have some recipe ideas coming your way!  We have been LOVING all these apples we have been picking from our friends tree.  I am thinking of making apples muffins tomorow, processing more for pie and crisp filling, storing some away to snack on and canning some for future use!

GIVEAWAY: What Children Need To Learn to Read Book + CD

What parent doesn't want to help their child succeed at reading?

If you live in the US or Canada, you have the chance to win a copy of What Children Need to Learn to Read by Michelle Vallene + the accompanying CD with songs on it.

I reviewed What Children Need to Learn to Read if you want to know more about it and if you comment, you can claim extra entries in the giveaway below too!

Enter using the rafflecopter form below. You only have to do the first entry to win but the more you do, the better your chances of winning. Please consider supporting the sponsors at least. It may take a few moments to load. Click on Do It for more instructions and then after you do it, click Enter.



Make sure you read instructions carefully. If you have any questions or problems, leave a comment or email me callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca. A copy of the giveaway rules are below and on the rafflecopter form. Entering the giveaway means you have read and agree to the rules.

Giveaway open US/CAN 18+. Giveaway open until September 29, 2012 @ 11:59 PM EST. Odds of winning depend on number of valid entries received. Duplicate (accidental or not) entries will be deleted before a winner is picked and winner's entries WILL BE verified. Winners will be selected using rafflecopter's random.org on Sept 30, 2012 and will be contacted by email. Winner will have 2 days to claim their prize or their prize is forfeit and another winner will be chosen. Contest Void Where Prohibited. This giveaway is not associated, nor sponsored by Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. a Rafflecopter giveaway

in the little details

My brain is on constant overdrive.  Sometimes it thinks so loudly my husband tells me to turn it off.  Being out in nature is actually one of the few things that relaxes me.  There's something about the roar of the ocean or the sound of the wind in the trees that subdues my mind.



In His created beauty, God calls out to me to be still.  And I listen so that I can see.  I see all the wondrous ways He created this earth, and it's a reminder of how much He cares for me.  The tiniest pebble on a beach can have beautiful markings.  If He cares about these little details, I know that even the most insignificant things in my life matter to Him.