Flashback Friday, May 17

I know this has nothing to do with homemaking, but it does have to do with life!  Do your remember this?

Book Review: Victim of Grace

"Victim of Grace", an autobiography by author Robin Jones Gunn, is a different avenue for her to share her faith.  

Throughout the book, Robin recounts her life's challenges and joys in a very honest way, relating each season in her life to a woman from the Bible.  Although her desire to become a missionary didn't come true in the way we normally think of missionaries, her stories have reached many countries and so very many women of different ages.  

I was absolutely touched by so many of the stories, but there is one in particular that really got to me.  It is the story of the polio-stricken Mary of Latvia who, as Robin tells it, God took her legs so she couldn't run on the earth, and instead became a "runner" of the heart-cries of God's children on the earth to Him in Heaven.   My throat is tight with emotion just  remembering the beauty of this woman's attitude. 


If you think you won't cry reading this book, you've got another thing comin'.  

Quite a change from her normal fiction, but so worthy of reading. 

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I was provided a free copy of this book by Zondervan Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: Little Blessings Bedtime Stories and Prayers

This darling little book is destined to be an absolute favorite of the fortunate children who receive it.  The pictures are nothing short of adorable, with so much detail, bright colors, sweet children and animals.  Just looking at the pictures is so enjoyable.

As a parent, though, I thought the stories (there are four of them) were fantastic.  The first story is about how God makes nighttime too.  The second is an exercise in thankfulness while the third reminds us of how many blessings we have.  The fourth teaches how God loves us just the way we are.

I loved this book.  Looking for a baby shower gift or gift for a toddler through maybe kindergarten?  This would definitely make my short list.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: The Winnowing Season

"The Winnowing Season" is the second book Amish Vines and Orchards series by Cindy Woodsmall.  I had the opportunity to read the first book in the series, "A Season for Tending", and found that I enjoyed this book a lot more.  I'm not sure if this is because I already knew the characters from the first book and got to know them better or if the second book was just more engaging.

Like the first book, Mrs. Woodsmall includes some very "un-Amish" topics in her story.  The main character, Rhoda, has a gift with herbs and can sometimes foresee future events.  Jacob, her beau, is running from his past while he was "out in the world".  Samuel struggles with loving the girl his brother is courting.  Leah is just trying to figure out if she wants to remain Amish or not.

In all, this is a really good story.  We are reminded that the Amish are people, too, with real struggles.  I'm looking forward to the next book.
Disclosure of Material Connection:  I was provided a free copy of this book by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

• Cindy's Website
• Cindy on Facebook
• Book Trailer Video
• More Info
• Read Chapter One
• Author Bio

Menu Monday, May 13

Photo credit

***Oh my goodness!  This was supposed to have posted on Monday and I don't know what happened!  So sorry!!!***

I didn't make a menu last week.  The weather was so beautiful that I found it hard to be in the kitchen or at the computer to meal-plan.  This week I'm making myself sit down and do it and I know I'll be so glad that I did.  I always am.

The rain is back and so are some meals that I might normally make in the winter.  Ho hum...

On the bright side, we have arugula, bok choy, kale and some peas in the garden that I'll be adding in to our meals.  Oh, I love the garden!


Monday 
B: Oatmeal with blueberries & peaches  
D: "Kitchen sink" omelets; bacon & sweet potato hash; spinach salad

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day!

...And don't forget to shut the mixer off first.

Raising a Modern-Day Knight

What's in a name?

Get it here...

Our culture doesn't think a whole lot about the meanings of names.  In the past, though, people gave a lot of thought to naming their children.  God even renamed a few people in the bible.  Remember Abram and Sarai, for example?  And how about King David's wife, Abigail.  Her first husband's name was Nabal.  That means "fool".  Do you think his parents were excited about having him in the family?  Uh-ya.

Well, as our kiddos are in their tween years and moving toward adulthood, I have been fascinated by the value of a name, by honor, and by the customs and traditions mostly forgotten by many in our Western Civilization.

What brought this on?  Well, as I've been researching the bar/bat barakah (a rite of passage ceremony... I'll be writing more on this later) I read a fantastic book titled "Raising a Modern-Day Knight" by Robert Lewis.  Although this book is written to fathers for their sons, I didn't think Mr. Lewis would mind if I gave it a peek, too.  And I'm glad I did.