I have a great giveaway blogsite that a friend in Washington state is doing for the holidays.. If you go to http://quiltingranny.blogspot.com , you will see Jean's amazing holiday giveaway prizes.. I know from past experience, as a randomly drawn winner, the prize I won ( AMAZING FABRICS ) blessed me like none other. This holiday giveaway Jean's got even more goodies, and I know you'd be blessed to win one of them as well if you hurry over to her blog.. So do a hop, skip, and jump to Jean's site,
http://quiltingranny.blogspot.com to leave "Quilting Ranny" a comment, become a follower on her blog, twitter or facebook , and get your name put in a drawing for 4 amazing prizes, and because shes such a special lady, a few more prizes at her whim..
Be sure to tell her I sent you, to, if you will, and want.. Shes my friend :-)
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Covering..
One of the central characters in the book, " The Covering" by author, Dana Pratola,
"Gunnar " comes across as a manly man, who takes on his personal problems with the help of Tessa, who I found a very down to earth, sincere and realistic personality in this very well written book.
The characters were easy to relate to, as was the situation from which the story is derived. The writing style, as I began reading was spell binding, more so in this book than many I have read recently. I found it easy to want to hurry up and read the next page, the next chapter, as each of the characters tugged at my heart, for their pain or for their strength.
In my experience, reading,it was hard to put down as I began to be drawn into the story line, as It shared the love, mercy and character of Jesus Christ without being too " in your face" or " preachy/churchy".
In the story, Gunnar and Tessa reach out to a pastor (Bob), for help much like ones I have known myself. Gunnar's hard life, his tatto's, and biker mentality that many in society might shy from ,seeks out answers to his troubled past - all because of Tessa, who for some reason is not afraid of he, or his past.. She devotes herself to having his back, as the saying goes, and she walks with Gunnar to the most important place that is availaible- to God. Gunnars heart, as Tessa seems to see it, is beautiful, gentle, and she embraces Gunnar, just as he is, much like the Lord embraces us - just as we are.
This book is a keeper.. its also a book I HIGHLY recommend to be passed onto others in life that could benefit from both a good read, and a powerful read - but more importantly, a book that will tug at your heart strings, without it being sappy.. Its a book of complete gentleness, and compassion, while encouraging one to see others outside the box, rather than whats on the outer skin - thus tattoo's, earrings, ect..
Looking forward to reading more of Dana Pratola's writing - very , very good at her craft!
The characters were easy to relate to, as was the situation from which the story is derived. The writing style, as I began reading was spell binding, more so in this book than many I have read recently. I found it easy to want to hurry up and read the next page, the next chapter, as each of the characters tugged at my heart, for their pain or for their strength.
In my experience, reading,it was hard to put down as I began to be drawn into the story line, as It shared the love, mercy and character of Jesus Christ without being too " in your face" or " preachy/churchy".
In the story, Gunnar and Tessa reach out to a pastor (Bob), for help much like ones I have known myself. Gunnar's hard life, his tatto's, and biker mentality that many in society might shy from ,seeks out answers to his troubled past - all because of Tessa, who for some reason is not afraid of he, or his past.. She devotes herself to having his back, as the saying goes, and she walks with Gunnar to the most important place that is availaible- to God. Gunnars heart, as Tessa seems to see it, is beautiful, gentle, and she embraces Gunnar, just as he is, much like the Lord embraces us - just as we are.
This book is a keeper.. its also a book I HIGHLY recommend to be passed onto others in life that could benefit from both a good read, and a powerful read - but more importantly, a book that will tug at your heart strings, without it being sappy.. Its a book of complete gentleness, and compassion, while encouraging one to see others outside the box, rather than whats on the outer skin - thus tattoo's, earrings, ect..
Looking forward to reading more of Dana Pratola's writing - very , very good at her craft!
The Encounter..
As part of the Booksneeze blogging program, I receive
books of my choosing from their list of availiable titles.. Upon reading the choice I make, I write a review, that can be positive, or negative, as long as it is my honest review of each book.
I have just finished reading,
" The Encounter" by author, Stephen Arterburn, the host of New Live Live, a radio/ television program broadcast all over the country.
I have read other books, in passing from this author, and because of gleaning much encouragement from Mr. Arterburn's other books, I thought this one would be something similar, in his style of writing about such an important topic - Adoption.. Though written in the genre of fiction, I was excited to begin reading when it arrived in my mailbox.
Unfortunatly, I was a bit disappointed in the simplicity of the writing style he used. Thinking of such a personal experience, though fiction,to me the writing lacked the authenticity of a CEO of a successful company going to Alaska in order to seek answers to the questions of his adoption. I didn't get the emotional impact of various emotions I think would come up - rage, anger, sadness,or most importantly, the feeling of abandonment, and rejection that friends of mine who have been adopted have told me they have felt in their own lives.
I do see strength in this story however, as the message I got from his journey was the ability to see God, and His forgiveness while also acknowledging there is healing for those whose lives have been challenged as the character Jonathan Rush's had been.
The book was an easy book to read, although by the middle of reading it, it became almost predictable in the outcome .. I felt disappointed in that I could guess without a problem what was going to be the ending, but because I wanted to know how it ended from the author's mindset, I continued on to complete the read.
I especially appreciated the end of the book discussion/ questions for readers to use as possibly a personal study , or even a bible study for those who have walked in adoption journeys. The thoughts of the author shared in the contemplative questions reflected to me his professionalism in his line of work/ ministry - which, to me made his authenticity more credible in this fiction piece..
I would recommend it for a simple read, and a quick read - I don't think it is a powerful read, however - more along the lines of emotional tug of heart for those that might fall into the experience of being adopted.
I received this book from Booksneeze.com,as part of their blogging for books program. I gave my honest review as encouraged, neither having to be positive or negative..
books of my choosing from their list of availiable titles.. Upon reading the choice I make, I write a review, that can be positive, or negative, as long as it is my honest review of each book.
I have just finished reading,
I have read other books, in passing from this author, and because of gleaning much encouragement from Mr. Arterburn's other books, I thought this one would be something similar, in his style of writing about such an important topic - Adoption.. Though written in the genre of fiction, I was excited to begin reading when it arrived in my mailbox.
Unfortunatly, I was a bit disappointed in the simplicity of the writing style he used. Thinking of such a personal experience, though fiction,to me the writing lacked the authenticity of a CEO of a successful company going to Alaska in order to seek answers to the questions of his adoption. I didn't get the emotional impact of various emotions I think would come up - rage, anger, sadness,or most importantly, the feeling of abandonment, and rejection that friends of mine who have been adopted have told me they have felt in their own lives.
I do see strength in this story however, as the message I got from his journey was the ability to see God, and His forgiveness while also acknowledging there is healing for those whose lives have been challenged as the character Jonathan Rush's had been.
The book was an easy book to read, although by the middle of reading it, it became almost predictable in the outcome .. I felt disappointed in that I could guess without a problem what was going to be the ending, but because I wanted to know how it ended from the author's mindset, I continued on to complete the read.
I especially appreciated the end of the book discussion/ questions for readers to use as possibly a personal study , or even a bible study for those who have walked in adoption journeys. The thoughts of the author shared in the contemplative questions reflected to me his professionalism in his line of work/ ministry - which, to me made his authenticity more credible in this fiction piece..
I would recommend it for a simple read, and a quick read - I don't think it is a powerful read, however - more along the lines of emotional tug of heart for those that might fall into the experience of being adopted.
I received this book from Booksneeze.com,as part of their blogging for books program. I gave my honest review as encouraged, neither having to be positive or negative..
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Boy, oh Boy .. A 10 minute Quilt block?
I saw a tutorial on a 10 minute quilt block, that I knew I was destined to try. And true to it's word, the block took me 10 minutes... once I took 20 minutes trying to figure out one section of the block, with only 3 seams.. Yep, as the tutorial shows, it was just 3 seams.. and when all said , and done, it took me LESS than 10 minutes once I figured out what I needed to do..
Will it be a quilt pattern I will do often? Probably not, though I know I will do more baby donation quilts using it, since it is easy, and fast.. But it was kind of boring , which for someone like me who needs challenges in my quilting projects, it won't be done often.. But it was fun learning.. Heres a little boys quilt top, using the pattern called, "10 Minute Block "..
Will it be a quilt pattern I will do often? Probably not, though I know I will do more baby donation quilts using it, since it is easy, and fast.. But it was kind of boring , which for someone like me who needs challenges in my quilting projects, it won't be done often.. But it was fun learning.. Heres a little boys quilt top, using the pattern called, "10 Minute Block "..
Chicken at it's finest..
Chicken Marsala
3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut in half horizontally into two thin cutlets
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 cup Marsala wine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons or more freshly grated Parmesan
Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
Combine salt, pepper, paprika and flour on a plate and place near the cook top.
Heat 3 tablespoons of the butter and the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Dredge several chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess and then add them to the pan, being careful not to crowd the pan. Saute until browned, turning after one or two minutes. Remove chicken to a plate when done and continue with remaining cutlets, until all have been cooked.
Sprinkle the lemon juice over the chicken and keep warm in a 200 degree oven.
Add remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Saute until mushrooms are golden brown. Add the Marsala and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the wine is reduced by half. Stir in the chopped parsley and return the chicken to the pan, turning once to coat. Transfer to a serving platter and top with the mushrooms and sauce and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut in half horizontally into two thin cutlets
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 cup Marsala wine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons or more freshly grated Parmesan
Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
Combine salt, pepper, paprika and flour on a plate and place near the cook top.
Heat 3 tablespoons of the butter and the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Dredge several chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess and then add them to the pan, being careful not to crowd the pan. Saute until browned, turning after one or two minutes. Remove chicken to a plate when done and continue with remaining cutlets, until all have been cooked.
Sprinkle the lemon juice over the chicken and keep warm in a 200 degree oven.
Add remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Saute until mushrooms are golden brown. Add the Marsala and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the wine is reduced by half. Stir in the chopped parsley and return the chicken to the pan, turning once to coat. Transfer to a serving platter and top with the mushrooms and sauce and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Chocolate Cake to die for..
Not being able to sit still today, for some reason unknown to me, I ended up in the kitchen.. where Chocolate , usually not in my diet because I am not a fan of sweets OR chocolate usally, I ended up making from scratch, this German Chocolate Sour Cream Cake with Coconut Pecan Icing.. I dont know who will eat it, because .. I am not a fan of sweets.. Give me a chunk of hot sour dough bread fresh out of my oven with softned margarine ( notice I said margarine, and not real butter? I am on a diet, hehe ) and I am automatically put into food coma of delishiousness.
Anyway, here is the recipe for the sinfully delish, German Chocolate Cake.. I am part German, so it is my nature to create German delicasies.. NOT...
German Chocolate Cake with Coconut and Pecan Frosting
For the cake:
2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of butter (softened)
1 cup of sour cream
4 large eggs
4 ounces of sweet baking chocolate (melted)
1/2 cup of milk
3/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the topping
3/4 cup of evaporated milk
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of butter
1 cup coconut (flaked)
1 cup pecans (chopped)
Instructions
To make the cake
First take a large bowl and combine the flour, sugar, salt, butter, baking soda, sour cream, milk, chocolate and vanilla in it.
Then beat the ingredients with a mixer until blended.
Now increase the mixer to high and beat for about 2 minutes longer.
Once that is done, use a spoon to put the batter into the 8-inch prepared pans.
Bake this in an oven that has been preheated to 350° for about 35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
Leave the cake out to become cold.
To make the topping
Take a saucepan with evaporated milk, brown sugar, and butter and place it over a medium flame.
When it comes to a boil, remove it from the heat.
Then put in the pecans and coconut.
Now set this mixture aside to cool at room temperature.
Once the cake is cool, place one layer on a cake platter and spoon half of the coconut mixture onto the layer. Use the remaining topping to top the remaining cake layer.
Anyway, here is the recipe for the sinfully delish, German Chocolate Cake.. I am part German, so it is my nature to create German delicasies.. NOT...
German Chocolate Cake with Coconut and Pecan Frosting
For the cake:
2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of butter (softened)
1 cup of sour cream
4 large eggs
4 ounces of sweet baking chocolate (melted)
1/2 cup of milk
3/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the topping
3/4 cup of evaporated milk
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of butter
1 cup coconut (flaked)
1 cup pecans (chopped)
Instructions
To make the cake
First take a large bowl and combine the flour, sugar, salt, butter, baking soda, sour cream, milk, chocolate and vanilla in it.
Then beat the ingredients with a mixer until blended.
Now increase the mixer to high and beat for about 2 minutes longer.
Once that is done, use a spoon to put the batter into the 8-inch prepared pans.
Bake this in an oven that has been preheated to 350° for about 35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
Leave the cake out to become cold.
To make the topping
Take a saucepan with evaporated milk, brown sugar, and butter and place it over a medium flame.
When it comes to a boil, remove it from the heat.
Then put in the pecans and coconut.
Now set this mixture aside to cool at room temperature.
Once the cake is cool, place one layer on a cake platter and spoon half of the coconut mixture onto the layer. Use the remaining topping to top the remaining cake layer.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Shadow in Serenity
Terri Blackstock's book, Shadow in Serenity . captured my interest when I was approached to give an honest review of her re-written fiction novel. Having been one of her loyal readers for many years now, I jumped at the chance to read another book,not even on book shelves.
I went into reading with no bias as to her writing, or her previous books - I wanted to know the Terri Blackstock before I knew her as a christian fiction writer - so it was a stepping out to see how her early days of writing compared to today.. After getting into the first few chapters, I realize there is not really much difference in her style, but there was it seemed like in the story line, and how it captured certain aspects of living for some people ..
Carny Sullivan, was a young mother, who has been on the conning end of cheating people, as was her family. She knew the streets well, and could spot a" fake "a mile ( or 200 ) away . Thus, when Logan Bristow, came calling in Serenity, Texas , and bumping into Carny, ex con artist, and beloved member of the town, something was bound to happen to expose this man as the con he was.. if she had anything to do about it.
The book centers around Bristow trying to dupe the trusting members of the tiny town into falling for his flamboyant charm, as he was trying to woo them into doing what he wanted at the expense of their bank accounts.
Carny didn't buy it, and never would - she was to much in the know about how he, and others like her family , operated, and she wanted to expose him for what he truly was, a con artist.
This is a story that Ms Blackstock wrote that captured love, and hardship.. It will draw the reader from the place of falling innocently for this con, but also to the place of Grace, as Carny takes you on a journey through love and how God can turn even the most conning life totally around.
Just like the question I asked myself when reading the book, I wondered how Carny would make Logan be seen as he truly was, and in the end, still be seen as a man willing to change, or be changed.. Shadow in Serenity was a very decent read, and one I would share with others who like clean Christian fiction, with a " moral to the story".. I didn't take long to read it once I got into the mindset of the characters, and I found myself interjecting even my own life at times into the person of Logan - because can't we all be con artists before God at times? though He knows when we do that?
I read this book without any problems, and knowing it was my honest review that is needed, I gladly give a 4 thumbs up in Terri Blackstock's penning it.
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