Book Review--Abbie Ann by Sharlene MacLaren
Abbie Ann is the third book in the Daughters of Jacob Kane series published by Whitaker House. All of the Kane sisters have been spunky, independent women, but Abbie Ann is known as the spunkiest of them all. She's the head of the local WTCU (Women's Christian Temperance Union) promoting women's suffrage and Prohibition. Even threats and attempts to harm her do not sway her from acting on her beliefs.
Abbie Ann is also a Sunday School teacher of little boys and finds herself drawn to the father of one of her students in spite of herself. Through it all, she seeks God's will in this and all matters.
The book is set in Michigan in 1907, and reading it gave me a great feel for what it was like to live at the beginning of the last century when automobiles and telephones were just coming into general usage. Mrs. MacLaren does a great job describing the town, fashions, and the general store, owned by her father, where Abbie works.
If you have read the first two books in this series, you will catch up on what is happening in the lives of the other two sisters, but this is still an enjoyable story that the reader will have no trouble following even if you haven't read the first two books. So, hurry over to the author's site at www.sharlenemaclaren.com and see a complete list of her books and order one or more while you are there! Happy reading!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Special E-book giveaway by Angie Breidenbach--Creative Cooking for Colitis
I usually only give away one book a month, but I am happy to share with you that Angie Breidenbach has offered to give away her new E-book to one lucky winner. So, any one who posts a comment on this special blogpost any time this month will be in the drawing for this cookbook. (If you wish to also be in the drawing for the other book of the month, read the last post and leave a comment there.)
I usually only give away one book a month, but I am happy to share with you that Angie Breidenbach has offered to give away her new E-book to one lucky winner. So, any one who posts a comment on this special blogpost any time this month will be in the drawing for this cookbook. (If you wish to also be in the drawing for the other book of the month, read the last post and leave a comment there.)
Don't you love these pictures? The first one is of the recipe listed below for Spanish tortillas and the second is of Angie and her cute grandson Jude making homemade noodles. What a precious tradition!
Angie is a sweetheart whom I first met at an ACFW conference where several of us did a skit about the ACFW board. I played Gail Gaymer Martin and Angie played Randy Ingermanson. Can you picture that!?!
Angie is a busy lady. Here are a few things she's been up to this past year:
Angela Breidenbach
Montana, United States
Angela Breidenbach, Mrs. Montana International 2009, teaches Creative Cooking for Colitis. She is a multi-award winning inspirational author and speaker. Her book, Creative Cooking for Colitis, comes from living with it daily. Tired of the culinary limitations, Angela set out to create! She shares tips and recipes to add joy back into eating. She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson. Come uncover your courage and confidence at www.MyGemofWisdom.com Personal growth = Powerful living! Angela Breidenbach's sites: http://www.MyGemofWisdom.com http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com http://GodUsesBrokenVessels.blogspot.com http://twitter.com/AngBreidenbach http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbach http://WritingByFaith.blogspot.com on Wednesdays each week. And somehow, she also finds time to do a smashing job as ACFW's Publicity Officer and works with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries, the American Heart Association, and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. In fact, part of your purchase price will go to the Jadyn Foundation. Angela also teaches online classes and coaches one-on-one in courageous confidence, personal growth, and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and Assisting Minister.
To whet your appetite (I know it did mine!) I am copying one recipe from the book (with Angie's permission, of course.) It is just a sample of the many recipes you will find there, ranging from main dishes to dessert. In the book, she also gives a detailed explanation of how to treat colitis by limiting your food then adding one at a time. She also has marked several of the recipes as ones that are good for celiac disease and also for weight loss.
Spanish Tortilla+*
A tasty, mild egg and potato omelet some might call a frittata. There’s no flour. This is not bread like Mexican tortillas. I
learned this traditional Spanish tapas recipe from Maite’ Pressler when I lived in Spain. Tapas are small snacks served in pubs. It’s
modified for simplicity and easy digestion. Bonus: add ingredients as you build your food list. The trick is two eggs for every potato in
case you want to expand the recipe size. Important: Standard potato—the size of a light bulb for two eggs.
Serves 8 as tapas, 4 as the main entrée.
2 large potatoes, washed, peeled, & bite-size
4 eggs or the equivalent in egg substitute
1 tsp. water
½ tsp. salt
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped Garlic
¼ Cup chopped onion
2 Tablespoons Sun-dried tomatoes, julienne
4-5 large mushrooms, sliced
Chives to taste
4 thinly cut slices of ham
1 thinly sliced fresh tomato
1 cup grated medium cheddar*
Additional sharp cheddar, grated for garnish
Angela Breidenbach, Creative Cooking 4/2/2010 34
In heavy frying pan coated with olive oil, sauté potatoes over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. If you are able to tolerate onion,
cook with potatoes. Lower heat to low and cover. Allow to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until soft. Test for
doneness. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325 degrees and begin eggs.
Whisk all eggs, salt, and water. (The water fluffs the eggs when cooking.) Oil or spray a round pie glass-baking dish. I prefer
not to use non-stick or dark pans to avoid overdone edges and tough bottom. The traditional round shape doesn’t matter as much as
the depth. This recipe will puff. I make this for large family gatherings of 10-12. Then I use my largest glass-baking pan and multiply
by three.
Add the mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic to the potatoes and sauté for one minute. Pour vegetable mixture into the
glass-baking dish. Pour the whisked eggs over the vegetables. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes. The goal is to set the eggs hard
without turning them overly brown. If the eggs set well on the bottom, but still too much liquid on top, turn on broiler 5 min. to finish.
Top tortilla with cheese. Spread ham to cover the round tortilla, and place sliced tomatoes around the top. Return to oven. Broil
for 2-3 minutes to heat the toppers and melt the cheese. Sprinkle with chives for garnish.
Serve warm or cold. We eat it fresh out of the oven for a dinner and then eat it cold the next day for lunch or breakfast.
Rose here again: I don't have colitis, but I have a daughter who has had IBS. And I am trying to lose a few pounds, plus these pictures and recipes look and sound so good that I will definitely be trying some soon. Hope you will hurry on over and find out more about:
New Release Creative Cooking for Colitis!
Special new release price, $10!
Full color photos for each recipe
You can check out another recipe and tips and learn how to order this e-book at:
http://ColitisCooking.blogspot.com
http://www.MyGemofWisdom.com
Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into the contest. I will have my husband draw a name when we do our regular drawing on May 1st. And you can always order a book for a friend or family member, too. I'm sure they will thank you for that!
Angie is a sweetheart whom I first met at an ACFW conference where several of us did a skit about the ACFW board. I played Gail Gaymer Martin and Angie played Randy Ingermanson. Can you picture that!?!
Angie is a busy lady. Here are a few things she's been up to this past year:
Angela Breidenbach
Montana, United States
Angela Breidenbach, Mrs. Montana International 2009, teaches Creative Cooking for Colitis. She is a multi-award winning inspirational author and speaker. Her book, Creative Cooking for Colitis, comes from living with it daily. Tired of the culinary limitations, Angela set out to create! She shares tips and recipes to add joy back into eating. She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson. Come uncover your courage and confidence at www.MyGemofWisdom.com Personal growth = Powerful living! Angela Breidenbach's sites: http://www.MyGemofWisdom.com http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com http://GodUsesBrokenVessels.blogspot.com http://twitter.com/AngBreidenbach http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbach http://WritingByFaith.blogspot.com on Wednesdays each week. And somehow, she also finds time to do a smashing job as ACFW's Publicity Officer and works with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries, the American Heart Association, and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. In fact, part of your purchase price will go to the Jadyn Foundation. Angela also teaches online classes and coaches one-on-one in courageous confidence, personal growth, and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and Assisting Minister.
To whet your appetite (I know it did mine!) I am copying one recipe from the book (with Angie's permission, of course.) It is just a sample of the many recipes you will find there, ranging from main dishes to dessert. In the book, she also gives a detailed explanation of how to treat colitis by limiting your food then adding one at a time. She also has marked several of the recipes as ones that are good for celiac disease and also for weight loss.
Spanish Tortilla+*
A tasty, mild egg and potato omelet some might call a frittata. There’s no flour. This is not bread like Mexican tortillas. I
learned this traditional Spanish tapas recipe from Maite’ Pressler when I lived in Spain. Tapas are small snacks served in pubs. It’s
modified for simplicity and easy digestion. Bonus: add ingredients as you build your food list. The trick is two eggs for every potato in
case you want to expand the recipe size. Important: Standard potato—the size of a light bulb for two eggs.
Serves 8 as tapas, 4 as the main entrée.
2 large potatoes, washed, peeled, & bite-size
4 eggs or the equivalent in egg substitute
1 tsp. water
½ tsp. salt
2 Tablespoons Olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped Garlic
¼ Cup chopped onion
2 Tablespoons Sun-dried tomatoes, julienne
4-5 large mushrooms, sliced
Chives to taste
4 thinly cut slices of ham
1 thinly sliced fresh tomato
1 cup grated medium cheddar*
Additional sharp cheddar, grated for garnish
Angela Breidenbach, Creative Cooking 4/2/2010 34
In heavy frying pan coated with olive oil, sauté potatoes over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. If you are able to tolerate onion,
cook with potatoes. Lower heat to low and cover. Allow to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until soft. Test for
doneness. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325 degrees and begin eggs.
Whisk all eggs, salt, and water. (The water fluffs the eggs when cooking.) Oil or spray a round pie glass-baking dish. I prefer
not to use non-stick or dark pans to avoid overdone edges and tough bottom. The traditional round shape doesn’t matter as much as
the depth. This recipe will puff. I make this for large family gatherings of 10-12. Then I use my largest glass-baking pan and multiply
by three.
Add the mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic to the potatoes and sauté for one minute. Pour vegetable mixture into the
glass-baking dish. Pour the whisked eggs over the vegetables. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes. The goal is to set the eggs hard
without turning them overly brown. If the eggs set well on the bottom, but still too much liquid on top, turn on broiler 5 min. to finish.
Top tortilla with cheese. Spread ham to cover the round tortilla, and place sliced tomatoes around the top. Return to oven. Broil
for 2-3 minutes to heat the toppers and melt the cheese. Sprinkle with chives for garnish.
Serve warm or cold. We eat it fresh out of the oven for a dinner and then eat it cold the next day for lunch or breakfast.
Rose here again: I don't have colitis, but I have a daughter who has had IBS. And I am trying to lose a few pounds, plus these pictures and recipes look and sound so good that I will definitely be trying some soon. Hope you will hurry on over and find out more about:
New Release Creative Cooking for Colitis!
Special new release price, $10!
Full color photos for each recipe
You can check out another recipe and tips and learn how to order this e-book at:
http://ColitisCooking.blogspot.com
http://www.MyGemofWisdom.com
Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into the contest. I will have my husband draw a name when we do our regular drawing on May 1st. And you can always order a book for a friend or family member, too. I'm sure they will thank you for that!
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Book Review and Book Contest--The Big 5-0 by Sandra D. Bricker
I hope you will leave a comment on any post during the month of April to be entered into the drawing on May 1st to win a copy of this great book. All those with an American mailing address are eligible, except last month's winner. And all you have to do is make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win. Simple.
Although I passed the "Big 5-0" eleven years ago, this book touched my heart as I'm sure it will ladies of any age. I also loved the main setting--Captiva, Florida, one of our favorite places to vacation. An added bonus was reading about the various familiar sites and restaurants and the key lime pie! Makes me hungry for a slice just to type it.
Widow Olivia Wallace dreads her upcoming 50th birthday, but not for the usual reasons. She has a string of bad memories associated with birthdays. Her next-door neighbor and her neighbor's mom who lives in Sanibel, work it out for Olivia to dog-sit the mom's beloved Boofer (a character in himself!) while the mom visits her daughter.
While there, Olivia meets two men, a father and son who both seem to fall for her. She can't imagine what can go wrong on this birthday! If you want to find out, you will have to read the book, so leave a comment or run out and buy it. You'll be glad you did.
This book which is an ARC copy was a gift from the author and publisher, Abingdon Press, for the purposes of review.
I hope you will leave a comment on any post during the month of April to be entered into the drawing on May 1st to win a copy of this great book. All those with an American mailing address are eligible, except last month's winner. And all you have to do is make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win. Simple.
Although I passed the "Big 5-0" eleven years ago, this book touched my heart as I'm sure it will ladies of any age. I also loved the main setting--Captiva, Florida, one of our favorite places to vacation. An added bonus was reading about the various familiar sites and restaurants and the key lime pie! Makes me hungry for a slice just to type it.
Widow Olivia Wallace dreads her upcoming 50th birthday, but not for the usual reasons. She has a string of bad memories associated with birthdays. Her next-door neighbor and her neighbor's mom who lives in Sanibel, work it out for Olivia to dog-sit the mom's beloved Boofer (a character in himself!) while the mom visits her daughter.
While there, Olivia meets two men, a father and son who both seem to fall for her. She can't imagine what can go wrong on this birthday! If you want to find out, you will have to read the book, so leave a comment or run out and buy it. You'll be glad you did.
This book which is an ARC copy was a gift from the author and publisher, Abingdon Press, for the purposes of review.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
The winner of Annalisa Daughety's Love is a Battlefield is Denise...
I have contacted her for her mailing info and will be mailing it out as soon as I hear back. If I do not hear within a week, I will draw another name. I had 32 comments last month which is the second highest since I began blogging 3 1/2 years ago. Check back this weekend for a review of the book you can win this month--The Big 5-0 by Sandra D. Bricker.
Happy Easter, everyone! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
I have contacted her for her mailing info and will be mailing it out as soon as I hear back. If I do not hear within a week, I will draw another name. I had 32 comments last month which is the second highest since I began blogging 3 1/2 years ago. Check back this weekend for a review of the book you can win this month--The Big 5-0 by Sandra D. Bricker.
Happy Easter, everyone! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)