Recipe Review: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins

Hi! Today's recipe for Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins comes to you from the beautiful blog of The Novice Chef.

Of course, I couldn't just MAKE the recipe, not with all my dietary restrictions now. But I LOVE pumpkin. :) 

These are beautiful muffins! Here's how I modified them: I used applesauce instead of oil. And Neufchatel cream cheese instead of regular. I also used homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned.

:D

 I'm giving them a "Yes, please", although I have no need to make them again. They are delicious, very moist and flavorful. I have a dozen in the freezer; I got 18 muffins from the recipe.



Let me know if you try these! :D

Have a great day! Be blessed, my friends!

Recipe Review: Best Ever Southern Peach Cobbler

 Good morning, friends!!! I'm so glad you came to check out my review this morning! I *almost* have everything on this new computer ready to blog, so here's a start. :)

Today, I'm going to review The Slow-Roasted Italian's recipe for Best Ever Southern Peach Cobbler.

I halved this recipe, since my little family was the only group eating it. :) I also changed the recipe up a bit (of course!); we bought peaches from The Peach Truck this year, and we froze the whole box in 4-cup portions. So, I used ONE package, juice and all. Also, we LOVE cinnamon around here, so I probably used 2 teaspoons. Use it to YOUR taste, always. :D

We all gave this recipe a YES, PLEASE - even my husband, who really couldn't care about sweets less. I enjoyed it most warm, but it was great at room  temperature, too!

Let me know if you try this simple, yummy recipe. :) Have a wonderful day, my friend. Be blessed!!

BOOK REVIEW: Trillium by Amber Nguyen

Hi, everyone!!! I know it's been a REALLY long time since I was here; life has thrown some unexpected curves my way, but I'm back right now! :D

Today's review is the first book in what will be a trilogy by new author AMBER NGUYEN. At just over 300 pages in the book, one might think it was long. It may look that way, but it's a very quick read! I got captivated by this YA novel, reading whenever I had a moment to do so.

With great character development and a strong drive, Amber's story about  these four main characters coming of age and making decisions about their futures quickly becomes a journey through time and space, asking if we have a choice, or if fate is set in stone?

The ONE thing I didn't enjoy about this book was the fact that the last chapter set up the next book. Anyone who knows me, knows that I want a book, even in a series, to stand alone. :) If I read it again before the second book comes out, I won't read that last chapter. :D

I highly recommend this book. From plot to character development to themes, this book will pull the reader right along - and actually give one something to think about!

Book Review: KILL THE SPIDER by Carlos Whittaker

Good afternoon, friends! This book review is for another BEAUTIFUL new book, KILL THE SPIDER. It's not only the iridescent cover that;s so pretty, but the vulnerability and honesty that are poured out on every page.

This is definitely a YES, PLEASE. if you've EVER dealt with depression anxiety, or any other sort of problem with things that lurk in the corners of your heart or mind, this book is for you.

"In Kill the Spider, Carlos describes his journey to knock out deep-rooted habits that were hurting his relationships with others and with God. With laugh-out-loud humor and refreshing vulnerability, Carlos helps you identify the hidden spiders that haunt you - the real causes behind worry, addiction,m comparison, childhood loss, or the struggle to receive God's love."

I typed that all out because I think it is a precise summary of this book. The VULNERABILITY took my breath away! I have an extra copy, if you're interested in reading it and are local. However, I think you're going to want your own copy to mark up and possibly highlight!  http://amzn.to/2jZOrw2

BOOK REVIEW: CHURCH OF THE SMALL THINGS- The Million Little Pieces that Make Up a Life

Good day! :) Today is the day - the release date of NYT Bestselling Author, Melanie Shankle's newest book. CHURCH OF THE SMALL THINGS - The Million Pieces That Make Up a Life. I was able to read an advanced readers' copy; here's what I thought. :)

This is a YES, PLEASE!! Melanie is just a few years younger than I, and I found myself relating to so many things she wrote about! It's a great book, and  highly recommend it to everyone. It was an excellent reminder that I can do little things in a big way!

My mom has already requested to read this book. :D You'll enjoy at least parts of it, because that's how Melanie writes! :)

With chapter titles like, "Yes, Virginia, There Is Such a Thing as a Naugahyde Sofa" and "Se Habla Van Halen?" , there's definitely something for everyone!!!

Book Review - LOVED BABY by Sarah Philpott, PhD

Miscarriage has been an unspoken, pain-filled topic for so long - not just in the church, but in all of our society. Sarah has written a beautiful book, from her own grief and brave vulnerability, to help the one-in-four of us that are dealing with miscarriage. It's such a wonderful, hopeful, beautiful resource for woman and MEN who have suffered a miscarriage.

The truth: one in four women have or will have a miscarriage. The rest of us probably love one of them. This book is not only a great resource for us - to learn a little about their grief and pain - but I would highly recommend it as a gift to those who have lost a baby during  pregnancy.

This book deserves a YES, PLEASE. Use it, share it, gift it - just get it!

Book Review: LOVING MY ACTUAL CHRISTMAS

Today's the day! LOVING MY ACTUAL CHRISTMAS is available! And if you have trouble with Christmas, you will WANT to order your book!!!!

The author had already signed her contract to do this book during last Christmas season - and it ended up being a very difficult one. Her father-in-law passed away, and this was their first Christmas without him. But Alex knew that her family needed to celebrate, so she set herself tasks as she did in LOVING MY ACTUAL LIFE - which was her book we launched last year.

I recommend this book for anyone who's tired of the same ol' Christmas games, who's looking for a deeper, simpler celebration. She talks about the entire Advent season, and using the days between Christmas and New Years as days of cushion for your family and senses. It ALL makes sense!

Get this book. Read it. Follow its direction. Maybe not everything you can use, but I'm willing to bet a lot of it will be useful for you! (And if not, you have a fantastic book to gift!) :D