I'll admit I haven't read a lot of Christian fiction and it's mainly because I just have not found many Christian fiction authors that I thought wrote well enough to hold my attention and not seem like they were taking basically a secular story line and trying to throw in some Christian morals at the end. This summer I decided to try out some authors I have not read before and one of them is Karen Kingsbury. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was so good that I found myself struggling to stay awake at night just so I could read a little more. There are sections of the book that would definitely qualify as true page-turners. I really liked how there was definitely a moral theme but it was infused into the story in a very real way, not just as an afterthought. You can tell that Kingsbury really plans and thinks about her characters and story before she just starts writing.
The book description says, "A young woman seeking answers to her heart's deep questions. A man and woman separated by lies and long years...yet who have never forgotten each other. With hallmark tenderness and power, Karen Kingsbury weaves a tapestry of lives, losses, love and faith-and the miracle of resurrection."
You will definitely enjoy this book. And the cool thing is I would like to give away my copy of this book! The first person to leave a comment and tell me they want it, gets it!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Something to Think About...
“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition
every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point
which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking,
I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ.”
—Martin Luther
every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point
which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking,
I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ.”
—Martin Luther
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Goodbye "Branch"
When I first brought Lucy home from the hospital, I would find myself just watching TV in the bonus room as I fed her multiple times a day. Seems like I would run into a Golden Girls mini-marathon more often than not. I guess with all the adjustments I was going through learning to be okay just being home all day and taking care of an active 3-year old and keeping a newborn happy, the laughs and mayhem on Golden Girls was just what my brain needed!
Little did I know Katelyn was picking up little bits and pieces from the show...not really understanding the storylines but she just thought it was funny that these 4 ladies lived together and seemed to be always laughing about something. She cracked me up when one day she told my mom she liked the Golden Girls and "Branch" was her favorite! I had to endure that look from my mom that said, "You're letting her watch the Golden Girls??!" My response, "I don't know which end is up these days so if she catches a few minutes of the Golden Girls but she still gets 3 square meals and got dressed today then I consider that a victory!" After all, I was in a state of sleeplessness and my hormones hadn't quite landed back in their normal places.
So today we said goodbye to "Branch." Katelyn doesn't know what happened to her but she did notice they talked about her on the evening news. After the 1-minute segment, she turned to me and said, "Mommy, I was a big fan of Branch!" Haha...me too, Katelyn, me too!
Little did I know Katelyn was picking up little bits and pieces from the show...not really understanding the storylines but she just thought it was funny that these 4 ladies lived together and seemed to be always laughing about something. She cracked me up when one day she told my mom she liked the Golden Girls and "Branch" was her favorite! I had to endure that look from my mom that said, "You're letting her watch the Golden Girls??!" My response, "I don't know which end is up these days so if she catches a few minutes of the Golden Girls but she still gets 3 square meals and got dressed today then I consider that a victory!" After all, I was in a state of sleeplessness and my hormones hadn't quite landed back in their normal places.
So today we said goodbye to "Branch." Katelyn doesn't know what happened to her but she did notice they talked about her on the evening news. After the 1-minute segment, she turned to me and said, "Mommy, I was a big fan of Branch!" Haha...me too, Katelyn, me too!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Mother's Day Gift Ideas...hint, hint
Here's some yummy things I've had my eyes on for a while. So I'm putting them all together in one blog post in case someone in particular happens to read it...haha! And as an added bonus it might give you some gift ideas too or you can just forward this post to your husband or children and highlight the ones you want!
Downtown Chic
This is a great new book by Courtney and Robert Novogratz from the new show, "9 by Design" on Bravo. I love their design style...very chic and very cool!
Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood
This cookbook slash book of stories has been getting a lot of buzz around the blogasphere. A cookbook of good home cooking in the style of the Pioneer Woman is what I've heard it called. I really want this!
Lift
Another book quickly climbing the bestseller lists...I saw the author interviewed on the "Today Show" and I really liked what she had to say. Sounds like a wonderful book especially for mothers of little girls.
The Forgotten Garden
The Library Journal review starts out with this sentence, "A cottage on the Cornish coast is home to secrets that pull together three generations of women, despite the decades and oceans that separate them." Doesn't that sound lovely and intriguing? I think I could quickly get lost in this book.
Lady Antebellum
Ever since the single, "Need You Now" was released, I've been hooked. Cool group from Nashville...
Southern Lady
If you already receive Southern Living, this is a nice companion magazine. Description reads..."Southern Lady magazine celebrates, delights and inspires each lady who lives in the South--and those who simply wish they did." Sounds right up my alley!
Enjoy...I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day celebrating the beautiful gift of children.
Downtown Chic
This is a great new book by Courtney and Robert Novogratz from the new show, "9 by Design" on Bravo. I love their design style...very chic and very cool!
Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood
This cookbook slash book of stories has been getting a lot of buzz around the blogasphere. A cookbook of good home cooking in the style of the Pioneer Woman is what I've heard it called. I really want this!
Lift
Another book quickly climbing the bestseller lists...I saw the author interviewed on the "Today Show" and I really liked what she had to say. Sounds like a wonderful book especially for mothers of little girls.
The Forgotten Garden
The Library Journal review starts out with this sentence, "A cottage on the Cornish coast is home to secrets that pull together three generations of women, despite the decades and oceans that separate them." Doesn't that sound lovely and intriguing? I think I could quickly get lost in this book.
Lady Antebellum
Ever since the single, "Need You Now" was released, I've been hooked. Cool group from Nashville...
Southern Lady
If you already receive Southern Living, this is a nice companion magazine. Description reads..."Southern Lady magazine celebrates, delights and inspires each lady who lives in the South--and those who simply wish they did." Sounds right up my alley!
Enjoy...I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day celebrating the beautiful gift of children.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Very Southern...Very Delicious!
Last night I tried out a new pound cake recipe and I am pleased to report that it is delicious. I found it very easy to put together especially using my stand mixer. Also, the ingredients are basic...you should have almost everything in your pantry with the exception of the pecans and maybe the sour cream. This is a great recipe to make and take to a neighbor or family gathering or it's perfect to serve with coffee after dinner.
Cinnamon-Laced Sour Cream Pound Cake
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 T. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups sifted cake flour
1 t. baking powder
1/8 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
8 oz. sour cream
Combine nuts, 2 T. sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, stir well and set aside.
Cream butter. Gradually add 2 cups sugar, beating well at medium speed. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture, mixing just until blended. Stir in vanilla and gently fold in sour cream.
Spoon half of batter into a greased and floured Bundt pan. Sprinkle nut mixture over batter and then spoon remaining batter on top of nut mixture. (Note: You can divide the batter into 3 parts and have 2 smaller layers of nut mixture, if you would like...that's what I did!)
Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. If you have a dark Bundt pan like I do, you may need to adjust temp to 325 degrees or check cake at about 50 minutes so you don't burn the sides. Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Cinnamon-Laced Sour Cream Pound Cake
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 T. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups sifted cake flour
1 t. baking powder
1/8 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
8 oz. sour cream
Combine nuts, 2 T. sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, stir well and set aside.
Cream butter. Gradually add 2 cups sugar, beating well at medium speed. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture, mixing just until blended. Stir in vanilla and gently fold in sour cream.
Spoon half of batter into a greased and floured Bundt pan. Sprinkle nut mixture over batter and then spoon remaining batter on top of nut mixture. (Note: You can divide the batter into 3 parts and have 2 smaller layers of nut mixture, if you would like...that's what I did!)
Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. If you have a dark Bundt pan like I do, you may need to adjust temp to 325 degrees or check cake at about 50 minutes so you don't burn the sides. Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Daily Light...I need it!
This book is...wonderful and worth every penny! I am amazed every day when I read the morning or evening selection--the verses are usually exactly what I need for that day. They speak exactly to what I'm going through...it is truly of God.
I Just Won!
I just won my first giveaway from a fellow blogger! Yay! I won a $60 skincare kit from Roden and Fields...a big thanks to Jessica Turner at The Mom Creative. Check out her very cool blog...it's got lots of great info on freebies and discounts and her posts on being a mommy are awesome too!
http://jessicaturnersblog.blogspot.com
http://jessicaturnersblog.blogspot.com
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