Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans

Here is a summary from the author:

Beth Cardall has a secret. For eighteen years, she has had no choice but to keep it to herself, but on Christmas Eve 2008, all that is about to change.

For Beth, 1989 was a year marked by tragedy. Her life was falling apart: her six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was suffering from an unidentifiable illness; her marriage transformed from a seemingly happy and loving relationship to one full of betrayal and pain; her job at the dry cleaners was increasingly at risk; and she had lost any ability to trust, to hope, or to believe in herself. Then, on Christmas Day, as she rushed through a blizzard to the nearest 7-Eleven, Beth encountered Matthew, a strikingly handsome, mysterious stranger, who would single-handedly change the course of her life.

Who is this man, and how does he seem to know so much about her? He pursues her relentlessly, and only after she’s fallen deeply in love with him does she learn his incredible secret, changing the world as she knows it, as well as her own destiny.

I really enjoyed this book - very different type of book from the last book I just read. This one is far more light hearted and fun. It has a very interesting twist. Very much keeps your interest and I had a hard time putting it down. Stayed up late, reading to the end.

One Second After - by William R. Forstchen

Very well written book. This book is kind of along the lines of Brave New World. It is that futuristic type of book that looks at possibilities. When Brave New World first came out everyone said it was far-fetched. No way that could happen. Honestly, I hope and pray that the events in One Second After are far-fetched and that it can't happen. Or if it is possible, I hope that by having books like this written we will do what needs to be done to prevent it from happening.

The main premise of the book is that 3 EMPs are set off over the US and as a result of the pulse generated all computerized equipment stops working. The grid goes down and due to the extent of the damage it doesn't come back up for a long, long time. The book focuses on one family and the town they live in. It focuses in on survival after the EMP hits.

It was amazing to think what we would not have if all computerized equipment no longer worked - in the book, one second after the EMP went off the cars stopped right where they were and people were stranded miles from home. Older cars that didn't run with computerized parts still ran. Water is an issue. Even if your house has a well it takes electricity to run the pump. We don't hand pump our water. Airplanes will stop working - and will literally fall from the sky (wild to think about).

I found it interesting to contemplate the issues. I am not saying I think it is going to happen but that there is a possibility. Hopefully, we are doing all we can to diminish that possibility from becoming reality.

Here is a site where the author gives more info on EMPs and the devastation they could cause.

click here

Very fascinating topic. Kind of frightening to think about though.

Kittens are sooooo funny!

Just relaxing in the tub! Isn't that just a hoot! So I wonder how she would feel about it if I turned the water on!

I've been tagged

Sara at Embracing Destiny tagged me in this fun blog thing. She asked 8 questions --- so here are my answers!

1. What is your favorite thing about the upcoming holidays?

I love the time spent together with my kids doing an advent study / reading. Now that my boys are getting older and all 3 are in hockey - I find it is so hard to just be all together and so when I am able to accomplish it - it becomes treasured time. We all still remember the first year we read Jotham together and how special that was. We just love that book.

2. Do you enjoy winter weather? Why or why not?

We love the first day of snow - it makes the world all so white and new looking. Reminds me of how Christ washes our sins away - makes a clean slate of things - snow is like that - makes a clean, white slate. We love to skip school on that first snow and head out to the hills to go sledding. Great fun with hot chocolate after!

3. If you could have only 5 books on your bookshelf, which 5 would you choose?

Only 5! One would be the bible! A must have! Beyond that only 4 others - it would just about kill me to have so few. I love to read and am blessed with a fabulous library system. I read a wide range of books and always carry a book with me - especially to hockey. I think limiting life to just 5 books would be torture!

4. If money were no object, what would your dream vacation be?

Oh a month long trip to Europe that would include many of the historical sites, a cruise on the Rhine plus a cruise on the Mediterranean. I would love to see Rome, the Vatican, Venice, Florence.

5. If you could live anywhere you wanted, where would it be?

My husband and I both would love to live in the mountains in Colorado. We love the mountains and Colorado is just a beautiful state.

6. Do you like to bake? If so, what is your favorite thing to bake?

I LOVE to bake. I make all kind of things. We love cookies and casseroles. It always make the house smell so good. I think my family's favorites are cornbread and banana bread muffins.

7. Do you make homemade Christmas ornaments or use only store-bought?

A mixture of both. We have lots of treasured ornaments that the kids have made over the years. Also, my husband's grandmother (the kids' great-grandmother) for a long time bought a special ornament for each child each Christmas. Some are just really treasured favorites. Now she is in a nursing home and is unable to do any purchasing due to her health. So although they are store bought they really are very sentimental to us.

8. Do you do the Thanksgiving cooking for your family or go to another family member's house?

Thanksgiving is one holiday that my mother-in-law treasures. She loves to have the whole family over and she loves cooking for everyone. It seems that at Christmas we are not all able to get together on the same day but for Thanksgiving we all make it. That means a lot to my MIL. Last year, my MIL had to work. It was very upsetting for her. BUT it gave me the opportunity without stepping on any toes, to host Thanksgiving --- and I loved it. It was so much fun --- I looked for weeks for special recipes. My MIL always has her favorites (and it is great) but I wanted to do some more fancier dishes. I would just love to host it again but also would never want to hurt my MIL --- and it is a big deal to her to host. She love it and enjoys having the whole family there. I would never want to take that away from her. But it sure was fun to be the fill in!

If only we would listen to Thomas Jefferson!

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government.
Thomas Jefferson

As promised - the Elephant!

My friend commented that although I talked about the elephant my husband drew in one of our art classes - I didn't post the picture! My husband didn't want me to post it as he doesn't think it is good. He is a very humble guy. But really I think it is very, very good. We did frame it and hung it on the wall with the kids' pictures!

Art class - Canopic Jars - part two

As you can see this was just a really enjoyable art class for my kids. Most of our art projects are completed in one day but this one project took two class periods. My youngest is putting the finishing touches on his. My middle child ---- well --- this was interesting. We separated the class into two groups (two classrooms) and the younger kids really did very well. Most of them created their projects in the first class and were able to put finishing touches on in the second class. The Egyptians carved many symbols on their canopic jars and we encouraged the students to do the same. Many of the older kids, on the other hand, had pots that kept expanding to be almost wide bowls. So they had to be reworked. The older kids really needed the full two class periods.

The picture above is my youngest's jar - didn't it turn out cute! The picture below is my middle child's - there is paper in between the top and the bottom so it won't stick together as it dries. As part of the lesson, she taught them about scarabs - the Egyptians made scarabs into jewelery pieces they wore. My middle one is very creative and decided to add a scarab to the top of his canopic jar below.

Chicken A LA King - recipe from Taste of Home's Slower Cooker Favorites

This turned out to be a very good dinner - but the best part is it - how easy it is - it is a slower cooker meal. Throw it in and dinner is ready when you get home! Very cool and very needed for those busy on the run days - of which I have had way too many lately.

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Dash cayenne pepper

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes

1 celery rib, chopped (I used 3)

1/2 cup chopped green pepper (I used 1 cup)

1/4 cup chopped onion (I used 1/2 cup)

1 package (10 oz) frozen peas, thawed

2 tablespoons diced pimientos, drained

And hot cooked rice (I used a brown rice)

In a slow cooker, combine soup, flour, pepper and cayenne until smooth.

Stir in chicken, celery, green pepper and onion. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until meat juices run clear.

Stir in peas and pimientos. Cook 30 minutes longer or until heated through. Serve over rice

Dairy Free pizza

Doesn't it look good?!

This is so easy. I don't make it all from scratch - so it is rather quick.

Grease a cookie sheet.

I use Pillsbury Pizza Crust - spread it on the cookie sheet.

Cook at 400 for 5 minutes

Take it out and spread on pizza sauce - I use Dei Fratelli Pizza Sauce - it is all natural - but not organic

Top with vegan cheddar cheese (no dairy - got at the local health food store)

Add pepperoni - I used turkey pepperoni

Cook for another 8 to 10 minutes.

Bring it out and eat.

My son loves it!

Libby, Libby

Oh Libby, Libby, Libby - what are you doing?

And here is the - What?? I just needed a drink? Can't a girl have any privacy? --- look.

All Ready Gone

Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it

by Ken Ham and Britt Beemer

This book really spoke to me and I got so much out of this book. I hope you will pick it up to read. Britt Beemer did the research and formulated the statistics. The premise of the book is that in our churches, in our Sunday School programs and church youth groups, we are not standing firm on the book of Genesis. Once we slide on Genesis, then it becomes a slippery slope that allows for sliding and changing all of God's word.

He has lots of frightening statistics that point to us being a generation away from having empty churches. I wish I had the book here to share some of the statistics and I don't want to try to quote them from memory. I found the book so good that I have already passed it on to a friend.

Egyptian Canopic jars

Canopic jars were used by the ancient Egyptians during the mummification process to store and preserve the organs of the mummy. In art class this month, the students are working with clay to make their own canopic jars.

My kids both really enjoyed working with clay.

This is how my youngest's canopic jar turned out. This will be a two part class. The first part was getting the clay shaped. The clay needs to dry and be fired. Then, when we have our next class the students will be able to carve the designs and if they want paint the canopic jars. It has been a great art class and ties in with what we are studying in history.

A picture is worth a thousand words......

I just couldn't even describe this without a picture - Libby's favorite play spot is inside the bottled water container. We were worried about the plastic and cut a larger opening so she could always breathe. As you can see there is a large enough opening. She crawls into this all the time. She loves to crinkle the plastic.

Teachers

My grandmother used to always say that in order to really be able to teach something, the person had to be able to do it. She always felt that teachers that spent time out in the business world first made for better teachers as they didn't just teach - they did it first. While I think there is some validity in that principle, I believe this might prove some of it wrong.

It seems that sometimes, one can understand all the concepts and still not be able to achieve success but be able to teach it correctly so others can.

I can't make bread. I kill the yeast every time. End up with a huge, hard lump of non-rising yuk in the oven. It is terrible. Laughable but certainly not edible. Interestingly, I have been able to teach what to do to my kids and using the bread machine they are able to successfully make all kinds of various types of breads. And the bread turns out fabulous!

They measure and mix. And I stay out of the way. And it turns out! Go figure!

Boys, boys, boys

How hard could it possibly be to aim and hit an opening of 8 1/2 inches by 10 inches????

Really, I want to know how could they possibly hit the back wall, the floor, the sides of the toilet??? If it is that hard, could we not just sit down, please?

I had to vent - as I have now cleaned the bathroom twice in two days.

Rachel's Secret by BJ Hoff

I just finished this book and I really enjoyed it. This is the first in the series and I do plan on getting the second one in the series. With that said I do have to say that I found the ending totally unrealistic. The river boat captain, Jeremiah Gant was injured while helping slaves to escape to Canada. He is a conductor on the underground railroad. Rachel is Amish and takes him in when he shows up at her door injured. And I was right with all she was writing about until the ending. (And I am sorry but to explain my point I have to give a bit of the ending away!) Jeremiah falls in love with Rachel and decides he is going to become Amish. He does make steps in that direction such as buying a carpentry business where Rachel's brother works. The owner was selling and Rachel's brother was worried he wouldn't have a job. So this solves that plus it gives Jeremiah an acceptable Amish type of employment. On the other hand, it alludes to the fact that Jeremiah intends to continue to help the underground railroad. This is not something that the Amish allow. They stay out of those issues even if they felt slavery was wrong. So this will be an issue for him. Plus, he is not one to stand on the sidelines while others get injured. The book has several incidents where the Amish are attacked for their faith and they believe in forgiving and not seeking justice. They leave justice up to God. Jeremiah believes in justice and while he doesn't elaborate his beliefs they are in conflict with being Amish. So over all, I think the ending is unrealistic.