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Watch this video...  Okay, if you are looking at the length and thinking you don't have the time, at least watch part of it. 

Book Review: When Sorry Isn't Enough

I just finished reading "When Sorry Isn't Enough" by Gary Chapman (of The 5 Love Languages fame) and Jennifer Thomas.  Wow.  What an insightful book.

This book discusses some very important issues about apologies and forgiveness, like:

• Why we hunger for a real apology when we have been hurt;
• The components of a complete apology;
• Why forgiveness isn't the same thing as trust;
• What forgiveness really is and what it can and cannot do;
• Why some people will not apologize and what to do when they won't;
• The danger of forgiving too easily;
• Forgiving yourself;
• What our forgiveness "language" is (meaning, what kinds of words do we need to hear in order to feel that we've been given a sincere and complete apology).

The only thing this book doesn't do is something that it can't, and that's take away the hurt of a fractured relationship.  But, it does help one to understand this whole messy process better and hopefully begin the healing process quicker.

This will definitely be a book I use with my kids at some point during their high school/home school career.  As a matter of fact, this book should be mandatory reading for everyone on the planet.  And there should be a test, too. 

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

Menu Monday, June 17

Lake Union

I hope you had a wonderful Father's Day!  We made a weekend of it by going to Seattle with the boat and taking a little excursion on Lake Union.  It was a gorgeous day.

Do you look at the weather forecast before planning meals for your family, too?  Weather during June in the Pacific Northwest can be like a box of chocolates...  You never know what you'll get!

Monday     
B: Oatmeal with apples and raisins  
D: Ham and corn frittata; mustard greens with bacon & onions; garden salad

Menu Monday, June 10

The Michener Family

Last week we were camping at Steamboat Rock near the incredible Grand Coulee Dam.  While there, we met a fabulous homeschooling family who owns Bill's Berries. If you are heading out to the Yakima, WA area, stop on by and see what goodies they have ripe and ready for you to pick.  They are conscientious farmers who love the Lord and the land He has entrusted them with.


Monday   
B: Oatmeal with bananas and toasted walnuts
D: Steak and potato hash; Caesar salad

Book Review: Perfecting Kate

Even though I've been married over 20 years, I can still remember the dating "scene".  And anything I'd forgotten over time, I was reminded of in "Perfecting Kate" by Tamara Leigh.

Sour Cream Cinnamon Twists

I can remember eating these little darlings when I was but a youngster.  They were a special treat we didn't get very often because they do take a little time... about 2-3 hours, start to finish, but some of that is "rise" time.

One of our neighbors from the farm, Mardell, is the author of the original recipe.  That recipe called for all-purpose flour, Crisco, as well as white, powdered and brown sugars, but I've taken a little creative license and have adapted it to fit our real-food journey.

I will warn you, I normally make 4 batches at a time.  If you can get any of them into the freezer, they do freeze well.  They are great with a fresh cup of coffee or glass of raw milk any time of the day.

I do take the extra time to sift my flours so the end result is a moist, tender pastry...very much like the ones made with A/P flour.  You can make them without sifting, but the result is more rustic.  So when sifting, remember to measure the amount of bran you are discarding and replace it with an equal amount of sifted flour.  When making a quadruple batch it is not uncommon for me to sift out 1 cup of wheat bran!

Menu Monday, June 3

Photo credit

Happy Monday!  We have a busy, but fun week planned.  What about you?


Monday   
B: Oatmeal with strawberries
D: Grilled steaks; baked potatoes; Caesar salad