Book Review: THE LONGING IN ME by Sheila Walsh

(This new book by Sheila Walsh is also available as a Bible study.)

Sheila Walsh has been a "Christian celebrity" for many years. This is the first book of hers I've read - and I'm so glad I was accepted for the launch team. This book spoke to many different areas of my heart - one of the chapters had me repenting and apologizing to my husband for my lack of grace toward him at times.

There are 10 chapters in this book, each dealing with a certain longing that could possibly be carried in one's heart. As with any book, some spoke more to me personally than others. The book parallels David's life and heart with what we go through.

There are LAYERS of truth in this book. I really want to lead this Bible study, because there's so much there that *I* need, and I know my group would get great things from it. Between stories of Sheila's past that an ordinary observer would never know to David's lifelong struggle to seek God's heart, the book gives the reader space and direction to really look at her own heart. This isn't a book of Sheila's history or biography, so the reason for reading THE LONGING IN ME would really be to seek the truths of each chapter and how it applies to each reader's heart.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has some life experience. Unfortunately, living life usually means experiencing hurt, and this book will truly help look at that hurt and start healing.

Be blessed!

Book Review: LOOKING FOR LOVELY by Annie F. Downs

Good morning! Today's a big launch day in the book world - I'll have another review today for another book! :)

First, I appreciated that the publisher got the book into our hands early. Sometimes, we don't even GET the book - we're asked to recommend the product on past successes, and that's not too fun. But getting to read the book in one's own time, ask questions if necessary, and really understand the content - THAT'S why I read! :)

Second, let me tell you about the author. This is Annie F. Downs' fifth book, so she's been doing this for a little while. I had the chance to hear her speak Friday night; Annie's a "local", but she travels three weekends out of four to speak to girls and women across the country. I also got the privilege of getting to meet her afterward. Annie speaks just like a sister; she's caring, warm, funny, laughs at herself and her quirks, and her heart is to point to Jesus.

This book, LOOKING FOR LOVELY, does just that. From beginning to end, the book is a vulnerable sharing of Annie's own struggles and looking to find the lovely little things in everyday life that God puts there for us to find. (If you know me, you know that's one of the things I seek, too, so I spent a lot of time while reading it saying, "Exactly!" "Yes!" and "Oh, do I agree!!!" :D )

This is a relatively easy read - at least *I* thought so. Some of the girls have commented that it was hitting close to home, and that they were taking a lot of time to read each chapter. I also liked the way Annie had a suggestion, at the end of each chapter in Section Two, on a way to "Look For Lovely" that related to the chapter just read. They were easy tasks, but they help apply the ideas discussed to an individual's life.

I would recommend this book to anyone. It would make a great gift book, because it has life applications for any age and any level of maturity. And learning to collect "the moments that matter" is a life skill that it's never too early to start!

You can find LOOKING FOR LOVELY at major retailers or online!

Happy Wednesday! :)

Here's another waffle from our Christmas waffle bar, Chocolate Chip Waffles from Mommy's Musings.

This was a definite YES, PLEASE! for me. They were the waffle I chose for Christmas morning; because I used mini chocolat chips, whipped cream, and strawberries to top my waffle, it wasn't overly sweet - but it was GOOD. Just enough chocolate to feel decadent, it was the perfect compliment to my low-carb breakfast casserole and fruit.

It's also been fun having waffles in the freezer; they've been a nice treat for Kenn, too, when he's in the mood for waffles.

Have a wonderful day, friend - be BLESSED!

The Best Ever Waffles

Welcome to Wednesday!

This is going to be a quick one, friends! :)

For Christmas, we did a waffle bar for breakfast, along with a casserole. I made all the waffles and froze them individually in the weeks leading up to Christmas; this is one of the recipes I used. (I wanted different flavors, so this is the "plain".)

This recipes is called "The Best Ever Waffles" from Food.com.

These were a MEH for me. I'd never call them the "best ever". They were rather mediocre, honestly. I won't be saving the recipe - there HAVE to be better ones out there. :)

Another recipe in the world you DON'T have to try! You're welcome. :D

Have a wonderful day, friends. :D BE BLESSED!!!

Recpe Review - Broccoli Ham Quiche

Happy Wednesday! :)

This week's recipe is for Broccoli Ham Quiche from Shugary Sweets.

This is DEFINITELY a YES, PLEASE! So much so that I used the basic recipe twice in less than a week! :)

I made this for a stamping get-together. It was so good! I didn't do the individual ones, because I didn't want to mess with putting several things in the oven in the morning. I mean, I do well to mix something up in the morning! :D

I put the liquids together the night before, and the vegetables and meat chopped and in a bowl all ready to mix in. I did the whole thing in a 9" square dish.

Savory, with a little sweetness from the ham - and with the crunch of the puff pastry and the bite of the cheese - it was great! People went back for seconds! :D

Have a wonderful week, friends - be BLESSED!!!

Pecan Sticky Buns from ABM Sweet Dough

Hi! I'm trying something new today; I wrote down some things I noticed while making the recipe, instead of trying to remember what issues I may have had during cooking. :D

Today's review is a recipe of Pecan Sticky Buns from an ABM sweet dough recipe, from With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart.

First, this isn't like my sweet dough recipe; it uses water and powdered milk. Mine uses half water, half milk (and 've been known to use half-and-half instead of skim milk... :D) I used this recipe, but added approximately 1-1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. I just like that extra richness in the dough.

Second, it was too dry. I ended up adding almost 1/4 extra cup of water to the bread machine during the mixing process. It came out perfectly, but I really had to watch it for the first part, to make sure I'd added enough/not too much water.

It made a really pretty dough. The other components came together well, but I was really unsure about the filling; it's ALL dry. There's nothing to keep it sticking to the dough. And sure enough, even though I patted it in before I rolled and cut it, it almost all fell out when I cut them. So, I dumped it all on the top (which became the bottom) of the rolls.

They came out of the pans quite easily. I like the fact that it made two separate pans; eight rolls at one time is more than enough for our household. I put the second one in the freezer; I'll let you know how it thaws, but I expect it to be as good as fresh.

This is a YES, PLEASE for my husband! :D He really liked them, thought they had a lot of flavor. I still think there's something lacking, but I'm not sure WHAT. However, since he's the one that will eat them... :D

When I do these again, I'll use what is basically my own recipe now, with the tweaks I added. If you try them, do let me know what you think!

Have a wonderful week! Be BLESSED!

Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheese Soup

Good morning!

Kenn was gone for two weeks in January; he doesn't do well with a lot of cheese, so I don't do many recipes for both of us with cheese. While he was gone, I wanted SOUP. and I wanted broccoli cheese soup. I really would have loved to do a bread bowl for it, too, but I was actually being really good. :D

This recipe fo copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheese Soup comes from Budget Savvy Diva.

This is a REALLY rich soup. I would say the recipe is a YES, PLEASE - but I can't say I would eat it for more than two days in a row. Because it's so rich. And decadent. :D

OK, I'm outta here! Have a wonderful day - BE BLESSED!!