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Monthly Archives: March 2017

Unexpected Gem

28 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Reviewed Books

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Billy Coffey, BookLookBloggers, fiction, Some Small Magic, Thomas Nelson

Some Small Magic

Tired of my typical reading fare, I opted for a novel outside of my favored genre of historical fiction.  Occasionally I find myself in a reading rut and books I would normally enjoy seem almost formula driven. I feel as though the plot, characters and setting are oddly familiar. Some Small Magic  is completely different from any novel I have ever read. It is so unexpected! I will admit that the first few chapters left me feeling like I might not finish because of the heavy subject matter. There were no cheery characters, uplifting moments, or lovely scenery.  The characters in this novel are raw, unpolished, and unsettling.

I dare not discuss any of the plot because too much would be given away. I will say, that this book begins with a boy born into difficult circumstances. Abel is poor, living in a dilapidated, rented trailer with his single Mother who works as a waitress in a crappy diner. Abel also suffers from a genetic disorder that leaves him broken in more than one way. I felt like I knew where the author was headed. And then suddenly, I didn’t! I was floored by the change of direction of the story.

I can easily see Some Small Magic as an eery movie meant for the big screen. I was a bit unnerved by several scenes later in the book. If you love books outside of the norm, interesting characters, and plots that rock your boat…this is likely a great read for you. I am excited to explore other titles by author Billy Coffey. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by BookLookBlogggers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

A Delightful New Children’s Book

28 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Food for thought, Reviewed Books, Uncategorized

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Bloggingforbooks, Book Review, Children', Easter Basket gift, Matthew Paul Turner, Perfect Easter Basket gift, When God Made You

When God Made you

I absolutely love this book by Matthew Paul Turner! It as such an amazing and powerful message. When God Made You is a children’s book written in rhyming verse with beautiful, colorful, and vibrant illustrations.  It speaks to the uniqueness of every child, each one truly original.

From the title, it is obvious that this particular book is written from a Christian worldview. It highlights the value God has placed on his creation. God knew you before you were born and created you to be unique and special. Author Matthew Turner encourages the reader to follow their dreams, and explore their passions…to dream. My favorite verse says:

So be you- fully you- a show stopping revue. Live your life in full color, every tint, every hue.  Discover, Explore!  Have faith, but love more. And learn and relearn all that God made you for.

This book is whimsical with lovely images that make this a must have. I find it to be appropriate for ages 3-8. It would be a perfect addition to any Easter basket! The book focuses on a little girl, however I think a boy or girl would enjoy it.  I received a review copy of this book from BloggingforBooks and was not required to give a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Grover Cleveland, Again! by Ken Burns

16 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Food for thought, homeschool

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Grover Cleveland, Grover Cleveland Again, homeschool, Ken Burns, Learning the Presidents, Presidents, Presidents reference

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I honestly can’t recall how I came to know about this wonderful book by Ken Burns. Burns is my favorite documentary film maker and historian. He has done some pretty amazing things with film including a series on the National Parks. Grover Cleveland, Again! is another fantastic work by Burns.

Ken Burns shares in this book that he use to run through the names of the Presidents with  his children at bedtime. He would say George, they would answer Washington. Burns would run through all of the Presidents in this way. Grover Cleveland was the only president to have ever been president for two non-consecutive terms. So when Burns would call out Grover the second time, his children would answer, Grover Cleveland, Again! I am playing the same game with my boys.

Usually on Mondays, we sit on the sofa before we begin school for the day and we read a new president. Burns writes a few paragraphs about each president along with some really fun facts, like the crazy pets they owned.

Grover Cleveland

It wasn’t so long ago that my son mentioned Martin Van Buren in passing… like it was no big deal. He remembers everything we read in this incredible book! I was a political science major in college, so I find this book absolutely essential for our home classroom. It gives a framework to history, and an understanding of democracy. I love that Burns reinforces the idea that anyone can be president.  He says:

Can you be president? If you born in the United States and are at least thirty-five years old, you can be president. It doesn’t matter if you weigh as much as William Howard Taft (332 pounds) or as little as James Madison (100 pounds). It doesn’t matter if you are as tall as Abraham Lincoln, who was six-foot four, or as short as James Madison (again!), who was five foot four. It doesn’t matter if you’re born really rich like Thomas Jefferson or really poor like Ulysses S. Grant……

He goes on to highlight Barack Obama who is black,  John F. Kennedy who was Catholic, Franklin D. Roosevelt who had polio, and Woodrow Wilson who was dyslexic. I love this book! It is so encouraging and inspiring. I am not reviewing this book for a publisher. I just adore it. For homeschooling parents this book is a must!

 

My New Favorite Cookbook and Skillet Strata!

13 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Favorites, Food, Reviewed Books, Uncategorized

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Molly Gilbert, One Pan Meals, Quick Dinner Ideas, Skillet Strata, What's for Dinner

One Pan and Done

 

I rely heavily on new cookbooks and food bloggers for dinner inspiration.  The monotony  of the same old meals is unbearable to me. At least once a week, I attempt something new to feed my people! One Pan & Done by author and food blogger Molly Gilbert is a pretty incredible resource for fantastic ideas that can be made in one pan…veggies and all.

This is a five-star cook book for its ease of use, variety of ideas, and full flavor offerings. The true test of a great cook book for me is the number of recipes I dog ear my first time flipping through the pages. I have quite a list of Molly’s recipes on my menu this week. Saturday morning I made her Skillet Strata. It was amazing to eat and beautiful to see. I would also add, this recipe for Skillet Strata was so easy to make and could be easily used as a base recipe. There are so many ways I could change this recipe and still be left with a delicious breakfast, brunch, or even lunch.

Here is what you need to make this lovely strata!

2 tablespoons evoo

12 ounces of maple breakfast sausage links cut into 1/2 thick slices

1 small onion, thinly sliced (I diced)

2 cups cremini mushrooms sliced

6 large eggs

1 cup whole milk or half-and-half ( I used 2% b/c that’s what I had on hand, worked great)

1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Kosher salt and pepper to taste

4 cups 1-inch bread cubes (I used her suggestion of ciabatta)

1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese, about six ounces

10-inch iron skillet

Preheat oven to 400.

Heat olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Make your life easy and chop everything before you get started. Once oil is shimmering, add sausage to pan and saute until well browned and cook through. Stir in onion and mushrooms to soften, about 7 minutes.

strata 1

While veggies cook, in a separate bowl,  whisk together eggs, milk, mustard, chives, and some salt and pepper. (again, do this before you get started to make it less stressful)

Add the cubed bread to the skillet in a single layer. and top with the cheese. Remove from heat and pour over egg mixture, distributing it evenly over the pan. Press the bread down with a spoon to help it soak up the mixture. (I sorta tossed the bread a little to get some of the sausage to the top to make my end product look as pretty as Molly’s.

strata 2

Transfer skillet to the oven and bake until the strata is browned, about 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle more chopped chives over strata and serve warm.

strata 3

This was really delicious!! I can highly recommend this recipe and the book! This week I am also making her Shepherd’s Pot Pie and her Oat and Date Breakfast Bars.I received a review copy of this book from BloggingforBooks. You can find more from Molly Gilbert at dunkandcrumble.com.

 

 

 

 

Billy Graham Devotional for Kids!

02 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by Jennifer in Books I LOVE, Family, Reviewed Books

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Baptisim gift, Billy Graham, Children's devotionals, Easter Basket gift, Easter basket idea, Hope for Each Day

hope

 

For awhile now I have been searching for a simple and user-friendly devotional to do with my kids in the morning before we start school each day. I love this new devotional for kids from Billy Graham! It is bright, sunny, and practical. It also gives a great entry point for children to begin a daily quiet time.

Hope for Each Day is a year-long devotional organized by month and day.  Each day includes a short memorable Bible Verses. The verses are mostly taken from the New King James, but also the Amplified Bible, the ESV, the Good News Translation, the International Children’s Bible, and other translations.  Following the verse is a short Bible story, lesson, or other story. These are just a few paragraphs long and would take no longer than three or four minutes to read.

The scripture for today, March 2, is “Lord, teach us to pray” take from the book of Luke 11:1.  This devotion is a challenge to pray and to do so daily, not just in times of trouble.  I love this book for its simple design and ease of use. It is appropriate for both boys and girls ages 5 to 10. Hope for Each Day would make a fantastic Easter basket addition, birthday, or baptism gift. I was going to gift my review copy, however I have decided to keep it because I want to use it with my two boys. I was given a review copy of this book by Booklookbloggers. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

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