A Christmas Hope by Anne Perry

A very delightful, quick read. This book takes place during the Christmas holiday season in 1868 in London. The main characters are part of the elite upper crust of London society. Claudine Burroughs lacks for nothing except love. She and her husband married because it was expected of them - and they were both from good families - but it is a loveless marriage. Claudine is very unhappy and is seeking meaning to her life. She volunteers at a clinic that helps abused women. She is at a party where a young streetwalker is killed. A poet, Treggaron, is accused of the murder. Claudine is just not sure he did it and begins to investigate the murder. Having Treggaron take the fall for the murder is what the social elites would like to happen as the alternative is that one of their own did it. This is not something they can tolerate - as they are the elite and therefore they consider themselves better than everyone else. 

I wish though that the book wasn't just focused on solving the murder but went further to talk about how solving it changed the lives of those involved. Did Claudine find happiness and purpose? The book really leaves the reader hanging on this point. 

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

For those of you that have followed my blog - when I read Christmas, Present - it was somewhat of a surprise as it wasn't the typical heartwarming, sweet Christmas story I was expecting. This one is! What a cute story. It is a romantic, love story. Really enjoyed reading this one. 

Carrie is a society page columnists for a newspaper in Chicago. Finn lives in the Alaskan wilderness. Finn writes a book about surviving in the wilderness and it becomes an instant best seller. Ever since his sudden fame, everyone is seeking an interview with Finn. He is a recluse - a loner. Finding him in the Alaskan wilderness is next to impossible. Yet, Carrie's editor has asked her to achieve the impossible. In order to advance her career, she has to prove herself by finding Finn and getting the interview. Carrie is determined to succeed. After meeting Finn, Carrie has to decide what is more important to her - writing the article and career success or a relationship with Finn. What opposites they are?!

Really cute, heartwarming story. While it takes place during the Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday season, it truly has little to do with the season. It could take place any time of the year but the holidays is a nice added touch. It is a beautiful romance story. 

The Chance by Karen Kingsbury

The Chance by Karen Kingsbury

This is the a blurb from the author on the book:

Years ago, the day before Ellie moved from Georgia to California, she and her best friend Nolan sat beneath the Spanish moss of an ancient oak tree where they wrote letters to each other, and sealed them in a rusty old metal box. The plan was to return eleven years later and read them. But now, as that date arrives, much has changed. Ellie, bereft of the faith she grew up with, is a single mom living in a tired apartment trying to make ends meet. Sometimes she watches television to catch a glimpse of her old friend —Nolan, now an NBA star, whose terrible personal tragedies fueled his faith and athletic drive in equal measure. But Nolan also suffers from a transcendent loneliness that nothing has ever eased.

In their separate lives, as Ellie and Nolan move toward the possibility of a reunion at the oak tree, Kingsbury weaves a tale of heart-wrenching loss, the power of faith, and the wounds that only love can heal.

I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written. I loved the story line. It was such a sweet story, very heartwarming. I do like Karen Kingsbury's writing style. I highly recommend reading this book. 

When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey

This is a brief blurb on what the book is about:

What marks the boundary between a miracle from God and the imagination of a child?Leah is a child from Away, isolated from her peers because of her stutter. But then she begins painting scenes that are epic in scope, brilliant in detail, and suffused with rich, prophetic imagery. When the event foreshadowed in the first painting dramatically comes true, the town of Mattingly takes notice.
Leah attributes her ability to foretell the future to an invisible friend she calls the Rainbow Man. Some of the townsfolk are enchanted with her. Others fear her. But there is one thing they all agree on—there is no such thing as the Rainbow Man.
Her father, the town psychologist, is falling apart over his inability to heal his daughter . . . or fix his marriage. And the town minister is unraveled by the notion that a mere child with no formal training may be hearing from God more clearly than he does.
While the town bickers over what to do with this strange child, the content of Leah’s paintings grows darker. Still, Leah insists that the Rainbow Man’s heart is pure. But then a dramatic and tragic turn of events leaves the town reeling and places everyone’s lives in danger. Now the people of Mattingly face a single choice:
Will they cling to what they know . . . or embrace the things Leah believes in that cannot be seen?

I really struggled with trying to understand the author's worldview as it affects this book. He is clearly trying to get the reader to believe that the "Rainbow Man" is God. In the bible, God is known by many names. Bible.org says this:

The Lord Jesus said in John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.” The many names in Scripture constitute additional revelation of God’s character, His works, and His relationship to us based on His character and works. The names which God chose for Himself and which are ascribed to Him in the Word of God are additional revelations of the who and what of God that we may know and relate to God.

Never once in the bible is 'Rainbow Man' used as a name for God. In this book, Rainbow man choses to reveal himself to a little girl that comes from an unbelieving family. She does not know God. She is an agnostic. In Romans 10:14 it states "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?" Yet, in this story the Rainbow man comes to an agnostic girl and she is used to warn people of upcoming danger. Is this really from God? In the bible God speaks against those who practice divination, or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. These are detestable practices to the Lord. (Deuteronomy 18:10-13) In the bible, God does use people to provide warning to turn from our sin - such as he used Jonah to go warn Ninevah. The Lord sent Nathan to rebuke David. (2 Samuel 12). So the Lord does use prophets to warn people and rebuke leaders. He has the power to use anyone but in the bible the Lord doesn't chose people that don't know Him. He does use people that are imperfect and even those that might choose to not listen at first - such as the case with Jonah. Nowhere does he call an agnostic to go out and preach that one should believe. How can an unbeliever bring people to faith? 

As I was reading the book I could clearly see the author trying to make the reader believe that the Rainbow man was a child's view of God. While I thought the book was well written, I do not believe the main premise of the author - that the Rainbow man is God trying to point people to faith. Scripture just doesn't back up the author's interpretation and therefore, I find it difficult to recommend this book.

This book was provided for free from Thomas Nelson through Booksneeze in exchange for a honest review. 

Duck the Halls by Donna Andrews

This book was really good. It is written with a dry sense of humor. I really loved the writing style. It is actually a murder mystery that takes place around the Christmas holidays. I know it will sound odd to say that it was a delightful Christmas book even though it is a murder mystery. Very delightful. Humorous. It begins with the town trying to solve the pranks that take place in the local churches. The pranks lead to murder but are they really connected? It takes place in a small town with all the humor that small towns enjoy - from people knowing everything about every one to the love and tolerance they all have for each other. I recommend reading this book - it was very cute. 

Christmas, Present

Christmas, Present by Jacquelyn Mitchard.

This book was very well written. I was a bit surprised though. I was looking for a warm hearted, touching Christmas story --- and this is not that. It was good but heavy and sad. After 14 years of marriage, on the way home from their anniversary dinner, Laura, the wife, experiences a major headache. At the hospital they discover it was a brain aneurysm and they have been told she has hours until she slips away. There is nothing the doctors can do. And on Christmas Eve she dies with her family surrounding her. It is ultimately very sad. Not much of a Christmas for the family. 

Wake the Dawn by Lauraine Snelling

US Border Patrolman Ben James and Physician's Assistant Esther Hansen get thrown together dealing with alot of hurt and injured people from a freak storm that hit the area. As they work together each realizes the other is dealing with tragedy in their lives and having a hard time healing. Part of the healing process for Esther is being able to forgive herself. For Ben part of his healing process is to forgive God and to recognize that God has a plan in all things. Also to believe that God loves him (Ben) even if bad things happen --- God has not walked away or stopped loving Ben. 

I enjoyed the writing style. It is very well written and a very enjoyable book to read. I think the book moves along at a good pace. I think that the author rushed the relationship between Ben and Esther at the end of the book. While normally I do not like an ending that leaves you hanging, I do think she should have hinted at them getting together and not rushed them into that relationship. That seemed a bit too soon for what the characters were dealing with at the time. 

The Discovery - book review

The Discovery by Dan Walsh

Grandfather dies and Michael Warner inherits the house. In his grandfather's study he discovers a manuscript of a novel that his Grandfather had never published. He had clearly intended Michael to find it but why had his Grandfather not published this novel. As Michael begins reading the book, it lead to exciting discoveries about his Grandfather and Grandmother --- hidden secrets that no one in the family knew. 

I highly recommend this book. It is very well written. It is a heartfelt story and although it is entirely fictional it is based on things that had happened historically in the US during World War II. Really wonderful book. 

Forever Friday by Timothy Lewis

This was a very neat book. Adam Colby's job is to handle estate sales --- in the process of handling this estate sale he finds a bunch of postcards. The postcards detail out the love the Alexanders' had throughout their marriage. Adam sets out to find out the secret to their love and happiness in their long marriage. Adam wants to know what he did wrong that his marriage didn't last and thinks that by finding out more about the Alexanders' love he will find the solution to a happy marriage. 

I really loved this book. It was a very enjoyable read. The author is a Christian and does incorporate God as an integral part of the marriage. I think that alot of the lessons that Adam learned from the Alexanders' marriage could be incorporated into any marriage today and the lesson would help make for a happier marriage. Good advice to learn from. I do wonder if one of the reasons it was easier for the Alexanders was because they did not have children. Therefore they had more time for each other, more money to spend on only each other. Gabe talks about not letting long division happen to their marriage - he defines The Long Division as a marriage dilemma. It is "how the pressures of career, multiplied with life's never-ending responsibilities, constantly divided and redivided a couples' time together, finally producing comfortable strangers rather than passionate lovers." p. 96

To some extent I think that while couples go through a period where when raising children time is divided - they eventually come out of that period of time and have lots of time with each other. There is a time for every season (as the Bible says). And I don't agree this means the couple has to end up just as comfortable strangers but more like comfortable friends, comfortable companions. I am not sure this is a bad thing - to be comfortable friends. And I don't know that it is realistic to expect long division not to happen to some extent when raising children. We do need to give time to the children to raise them properly to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The Alexanders' lived an unrealistic life as they didn't have children. It is great to say - take every weekend to spend with each other - when you have no children. You simply can't do that when you have children that also need your time and attention. It is unrealistic. God calls us to have children and to raise a family. It can be a source of great joy and especially in our old age - it can be a source of great comfort. 

Still, I really like the book and do recommend reading it. Just wanted to share my thoughts. Loved the writing style. Very enjoyable book. 

House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson

Really enjoyed reading this book. The three sisters (all adults now) are invited back to a vacation house.  They haven't been there in many years. Their Dad comes in and announces that he has remarried. And the new wife was coming to meet them tomorrow. The family has lots of secrets that end up being discovered as they start to talk about how upset they are by their Dad and his actions. They are upset that he never introduced them to the wife prior to marrying her. They are more upset that this new wife is there and they aren't getting time with their Dad - time that they never have had because he left them with nannies and at boarding schools. 

It is an interesting read but I was surprised by how quickly they forgave their Dad. While I believe that God calls us to forgiveness my experience has been that it is a process - and rarely happens in a week away at a vacation house. The book was good and I did like it. I just didn't find the forgiveness process to be very real to life. 

Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown

Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown

My sister recommended this book and I am so surprised to find that as we get older we are getting to have more things in common. I just loved the book. It was a great recommendation. This is probably one of the better books I have read in a very long time. (And I have read some really good books lately - this one was just really awesome!) 

The title didn't really grab me at first but the title makes sense once you read the book. On any journey sensible shoes are needed. This book is about 4 women. Each are coming from different places, with different things that have happened to them. They accept an invitation to join a program at the New Hope Center. It is a spiritual journey. The first part of the journey is to walk a labyrinth as a sacred journey of prayer. One of the ladies had worn heels and they comment that even sacred journeys need sensible shoes. So they decide to call themselves the 'Sensible Shoes Club'. Here is the author's website. 

click here

The spiritual journey is a journey to draw closer to God through reading of the bible and prayerfully reflecting on the passage. I think the neatest thing was how through their experiences at the retreat these women developed a friendship that most likely would last the rest of their lives.

This truly was a wonderful book and I highly recommend reading it.
It would be a great book to read and discuss with a book club.

The Guest Book - book review

The Guest Book by Marybeth Whalen

This was a very good book. I enjoyed reading it. It keeps your attention as you wonder if she will find the man who was drew the pictures. Every summer Macy had gone with her family to a beach house. There was a guest book there and she would draw a picture in the book. It became a means of communication with a boy whom also drew pictures in the guest book. They were to meet when she was 16 but with her Dad's recent death she is sad and withdrawn. She runs away from the meeting but then wonders about him for the next 10 years of her life. Now her family is back at the beach house and she prays that God will help her to find him. 

I liked her writing style. It was an interesting book Nice summer read! Light hearted and enjoyable. 

Excellent Fresh Tomato soup

We really enjoyed this Tomato soup with tomatoes fresh out of our garden. It was delicious. I did 'edit' it some. I made it completely organic and gluten free. I used olive oil instead of butter - and then added potato flour for the thickening agent. I did not add salt or sugar (who needs that - the tomatoes add enough of their own flavor). I did separate the soup into two pans - and added milk to most of it - as the rest of the family likes it creamy - and I loved it just as is. So no milk for me. Further, I just used a blender and blended all the ingredients - so they all stayed in the soup - no reason to 'lose' any of the good value of all those veggies. Since I planned to blended it I did not put the garlic in whole but chopped it up. Once blended it was fairly smooth. Click here for the recipe.  It was very, very good. 

Summer reading

Our local library had a summer reading program for adults. For each book read you fill out a bookmark that had the name of the book, author and what you would tell a friend about the book. Then you indicated the prize number of the prize you were interested in winning. They had a bunch of things from local business. My son was helping me fill in some of my choices - and he wanted to put down the coffee basket prize as Dad would love it if we won that. And guess what we won - the coffee basket! It is really cool - there was a $5 gift card to the coffee shop, a coffee mug, and a thing of ground coffee. 

We had a good laugh - I did the reading and my husband get the prize! 

Book review

Interestingly enough - I started Time Flies by Claire Cook. Usually I have to finish a book just to know how it ends. This is the first book in a very long time that is just not good enough to even waste my time reading to the end. I did not like it. The storyline is drab. The best thing about the book is the fun picture on the cover and sadly - that is it! I thought I was just in a phase of being too busy to read because I just couldn't seem to pick it up to keep reading.

Then I picked up The Wishing Tree by Marybeth Whalen. It held my attention. I was engrossed and couldn't put it down. Stayed up late last night to finish reading.

Loved this book. It was fantastic. Good story line. Good writing. Ivy Marshall discovers that her husband is cheating, her business is closing - all on the same day her sister's boyfriend proposes on live TV. She is jealous her sister has the fairytale romance that she doesn't have. She packs up and flees her cheating husband to go back home to help with the wedding. It is a process of figuring out where she came from, mending fences, and coming to terms with her past. It is also about the need to be forgiven and giving forgiveness to others. I do recommend reading this book. The other one - Time Flies --- leave that one on the shelf and don't waste your time. 

Lincoln's Last Days by Bill O'Reilly

We finished studying the Civil War at the end of last school year and decided to read Lincoln's Last Days as a family read aloud. What a great book for the family! It was very well written and had lots of wonderful historical pictures that really helped the kids to visualize the people and events. This version is adapted from O'Reilly's Killing Lincoln and is really a great version for kids. Lots of great info without getting too bogged down in too many details where kids would be 'bored'. This version moved along, had nice details and pictures. It tells the story of Lincoln's assassination - from several angles. We get to meet the assassin and his conspirators -- and learn why they were part of the conspiracy - what drove them to be willing to act against Lincoln. The book ends with giving details on what happened to the people that played a part in the event - those that helped to bring the murderer to justice and those that were part of the conspiracy. 

Need You Now by Beth Wiseman

Wonderful book. Really enjoyed it. Loved the writing. Love the topics. It was nice to read a book where the characters were my age (middle age) with teenage kids dealing with aspects of life that happen with teenagers in the house. She deals with the topic of working long hours, a long commute and the loneliness that occurs when your spouse is not around as much, adjustment of moving, fitting in, making new friends, dealing with teen difficulties such as 'cutting', and the death of a friend. The book is really, very good. It is written from a Christian perspective. 

Gluten Free, dairy free, soy free banana bread

Can you believe it! Gluten free, dairy free, soy free banana bread - and it tastes really good!

My Mother-in-law had a recipe for banana bread --- I totally edited and it turned out! So here is my version---the gluten free, dairy free, soy free version (now doesn't that just make you wonder what is in it!)

Cream together in one bowl

1/3 cup coconut oil

1 cup sugar (I used less - about 3/4 cup)

2 eggs

3 tablespoons rice milk - plus 1 teaspoon of vinegar - let sit for 1 minute then add into mixture

Use two bowls - in one bowl mash the bananas - in the other mix all the other ingredients listed below

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups Pamela's artisan flour blend (an alternative to wheat - gluten free)

2-3 mashed bananas (I only used one and it was a bit dry - two or three would have been better)

Alternately add the flour mixture and bananas to the first bowl (of coconut oil, sugar, eggs & rice milk).

Mix well. 

Grease a bread pan with coconut oil. 

Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. 

It tasted really great - it was a bit on the dry side --- so next time I will make sure to use two or three bananas and/or add a bit more coconut oil. Tasted awesome though. We loved it. 

Humor

This is from Answers in Genesis - I just loved it. Having kids there just seem to be those times where as parents we want so badly to say the 'I told you so' --- especially when they fight you so hard on something only to find out later - Dad & Mom were right. Yes, we aren't as stupid as they think we are! God must so often feel the same way about us (humans) --- many things He clearly tells us in the bible yet we just want to tell Him 'nope, He is wrong. We are going to do it our way - our way is better.' 

Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross

This was really a delightful read. Julia's husband recently died when on her doorstep shows up the proof of his infidelity --- a child. The child's mother leaves the child with Julia to watch because she needs to go find a way to support the child. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I was surprised Miss Julia didn't speak up more and tell a few more people off --- after all the book is titled Miss Julia Speaks her Mind --- but I was surprised she never told the Pastor off. She seemed to have such a respect for authority that she couldn't muster up the courage to tell the Pastor off even when it was apparent he was just out to get her money. He was not acting Godly and was not acting in her best interests. I was surprised that she stayed in the church after seeing his true colors. I probably would have switched churches even if it meant driving to the next town. Very good book. Lots of humor. Miss Julia reminded me a bit of my grandmother and it was nice to think back and remember her. 

She Makes it Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen

Do you have those women in your life that you really look up to, want to be more like? They just seem to have it all together -- they always look amazing, they volunteer at church, they are the first to bake someone a meal, they make everything from scratch, etc. They make it look so easy --- to do it all, have it all together, and be this amazing Mom, wife and keeper of the house. Nothing is ever out of place at their house. Things always look perfect. 

Us women we look up to those kind of women - we try to emulate them, try to be more like them. We think if we are just more like them our lives would be perfect. Yet, is their life really all that perfect? Do they have it all together --- or is it just a show? This book explore that. Ariel wants to be like Justine - who seems to have it all together. She is this amazing woman with the perfectly organized house, perfect children that always behave, wonderful husband. Yet, underneath the surface - the foundation is cracked. The relationship that is most important - that with the heavenly Father - is not there. 

I really enjoyed this book - loved the writing. I guess I could just relate to the story line because there have been over the years women that I have looked up to and tried to be more like. While it is good to try to improve ourselves, it is not good to try to be someone totally different from who God created me to be. 

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter. 

Book Description

Madison’s heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.

In the years since her twin brother’s drowning, Madison McKinley has struggled to put it behind her. Despite the support of her close-knit family and her gratifying job as a veterinarian in their riverside town, the loss still haunts her.

To find closure, Madison sets out to fulfill her brother’s dream of winning the town’s annual regatta. But first she has to learn to sail, and fast.

Beckett O’Reilly knows Madison is out of his league, but someone neglected to tell his heart. Now she needs his help—and he’ll give it, because he owes her far more than she’ll ever know.

Madison will do anything—even work with the infamous Beckett O’Reilly—to reach her goal. And as much as she’d like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying. As summer wanes, her feelings for him grow and a fledgling faith takes root in her heart.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their new love. Can their romance survive summer’s challenges? And will achieving her brother’s dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

I really enjoyed reading this book. It wasn't just a romance story but a story about leaning on God --- when we try to do things on our own - the results are never as good as when we lean on God. Madison struggled with anger toward God because God let her brother die. Therefore, she tried to get over his death on her own and didn't turn to God for help. The end result is that 10 years after his death she is still struggling with the event and not sleeping well due to nightmares. 

It is also a story about lying. With all good intentions, several of the characters have lied either a lie by omission or an outright lie. The proverbial line of 'the truth shall set you free' seems to apply. It was by telling the truth that they were eventually freed from the past. Lots of good things in the book. At the end there is a list of questions that could be used for a book discussion. This book would really be a great book for a book club and discussion. I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A Step of Faith

I just finished reading a Step of Faith - the 4th book in The Walk series by Richard Paul Evans and LOVED it. In the book, Alan has been taken to the hospital due to a brain tumor. He has surgery. The tumor is benign and after recovering at his Dad's house, he begins where he left off on his walking journey. Why does he insist on continuing to walk? It is part of the mourning and healing process for him. "Why did the man cross America? To see what was on the other side of himself." p. 269. He talks about mourning in the book. In the old days women wore black dresses for two years. Queen Victoria mourned the loss of her husband for an unusually long time - 40 years or so. "It makes me wonder why modern culture has so painstakingly removed the rituals of death. Today, society pressures the bereaved to sweep their grief under the carpet of normality - the sooner the better." p. 164. I know that we are a culture that wants instant fixes. When I lost a child (during pregnancy), it was still very much a death to me and I mourned that loss. My doctor right away wanted to put me on medication. I refused. I felt grief was a process and that it was healthier to work through it - no matter how painful - then it was to medicate it away. The medication might help me think I felt better but it wouldn't help me work through the process of grieving. I think many try to skip that process for the instant fix of feeling immediately better and years later pay the price that unresolved feelings and issues can have. Grief is a process and it can't be rushed. It just takes time and prayer to with God's help --- heal. 

Alan's process of mourning was to walk. Initially, he started out as a way of escape - he wanted to get as far away from the hurt as he could and physically he was in Seattle - the furthest point on the map he felt was Key West, Florida. So he began walking to Key West. As his journey continues in this book he begins walking from St. Louis and gets to Jacksonville, Florida. He meets many interesting characters along the way. The book is a very easy and quick read. Very enjoyable. I highly recommend this book --- but if you haven't read the first ones --- I recommend beginning with book one - they really do build on each other and while they could stand along - the storyline makes way more sense if you read them in order. Book one introduces the reader to the what happened and why he is walking - an important thing to know and understand. 

A Step of Faith by Richard Paul Evans

Okay, I am about 4 chapters from finishing the book and I realize that there is no way his walk will be done. He isn't even to Florida yet. And he has to walk the whole length of Florida to get to Key West. So I leafed through to the end and sure enough there is a page that says --- "Coming May 2014, book 5 of The Walk series". I am actually kind of glad as so much has not been resolved in Alan's life that I would have felt like I was left hanging. Further, I really love this series and am going to be sad when it really does end. Still, not thrilled about having to wait a year for the next book. 

Garden - bunny prevention

Yah don't they look cute?! Not so much --- we have a huge bunny population and last year they loved to eat from my garden --- specifically they loved my kale. This year I have gone to growing lettuce in pots so that it is up on tables --- and away from the bunnies. It seems to be working! I am so thrilled to be able to eat my own lettuce and not have it just be bunny food. 

berry picking & recipe

We went berry picking today - yum! Don't they look delicious!

I cut them up and put them in freezer bags - the kids love to use them in smoothies.

This was a drink recipe that I found in the July 2013 issue of Better Homes and Gardens. But of course we modified it --- into more of a smoothie. You can see it is more than half gone before I even got to snapping a picture --- it was very, very good and refreshing on a hot day.

Strawberry Coconut Cream Soda
3 cups fresh strawberries - cut up
2/3 cup sugar (we didn't use this at all - and it was wonderfully good without it - berries have their own sweetness)
3/4 cup refrigerated coconut milk
3 to 4 cups club soda or carbonated water, chilled (we used carbonated water - the blue cans of Lacroix - and we used 1 soda can)

In a medium bowl combine strawberries and sugar. Stir well to combine. Using a pastry blender, coarsely mash the strawberries. (Okay - we didn't do this - we don't like large pieces in our drinks --- so we put all the ingredients except the carbonated water in a blender - and blended - once blended we added the carbonated water. And it was done - quick easy and very, very delicious!)

If you do the other way - here are the rest of the directions - Place 1/3 cup of the mashed strawberries in each of six glasses. To each glass add ice, 2 Tbsp coconut milk and 1/2 to 2/3 cup club soda or carbonated water. Stir drinks just before serving.

Again - we blended and it was fabulously delicious. We also did not add any sugar. Healthier that way - and still yummy.

field trip to Botanical Gardens

field trip to Buddy Squirrel

YUM! This was a fabulous field trip. Great to see how everything was made - plus the ladies in the gift shop gave us samples. They were so nice to our group. It really made the trip wonderful! The field trip was for all ages. Some factories don't allow smaller children -- but they have a nice viewing area with glass windows to see into the factory area where the product is made --- yet keeps the children back and away from the machines and any danger. 

Here is part of our group. We were all asked to wear the hair nets - don't they just scream 'high fashion'! 

I don't know how these ladies manage to NOT sample as they work!

This is the machine that puts the marks on top so you can tell what type of candy it is in the box. Each of the various varieties have a different mark on top. 

Here they are boxing up the candies. 

This machine wraps cellophane and seals it shut around the individual candy bars. It is hard to see but the candy bars are on the tray in the front portion of the picture. 

They also make a cheesy popcorn that is made with real Wisconsin cheese. It is yummy --- we got a sample at the end of the tour. 

The project

Isn't is funny how in order to clean things up --- one must first really mess things up! 

We decided that the living room and hallway really needed to be painted.

These are pictures with everything covered and pushed to the center so we could paint the walls. Doesn't it look just horribly messy!

Below is my oldest painting the stairway to the basement. He also did all the ceilings in the living room, hallway and stairway to the basement. I decided this project needed to be done for two reasons: 1) it was time - hadn't been painted in years and the walls were really marked up 2) teenagers with time on their hands during the summer need projects or they just bicker and fight with each other. (And I have got projects - keep bickering boys! Mom is ready for ya!)

They really did a nice job - it looks soooooo much better. I had also taken down the curtains to paint - so those got washed and then hung back up. After all that --- well, the carpet just looked really dirty. So we then had to clean the carpets. (Have you ever read the "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" books? It was kind of like that --- if you paint the walls, then you will have to wash the curtains. If you wash the curtains then you will realize how dirty the carpets are and have to wash the carpets!)

Notice I only got his back side --- he had an aversion to having his picture taken. I think he KNEW I was going to blog about it!

Apparently teenage boys need to 'rest' and 'answer text messages' while in the middle of projects. Just wait until he is old and really does need to take a break!

He did get back to work and the carpet looks and smells much better.

Now we just have to tackle the kitchen!

We are going picking tomorrow instead. Sugar snap peas and strawberries are ripe and ready to be picked!