Thursday, February 26, 2015

How to Spell "Aimee"

How do you spell Aimee?

Affectionate
She is such a good friend...big sister...and is always smiling.



Intelligent
She can make anything from scratch as long as it is sparkly. She can also remember everything she has read especially random historical facts.



Mischievous
Always ready to do something funny during a photo shoot (especially  on the spur of the moment), always ready to be in on some joke, and always ready to throw the first snowball.



Energetic
She loves action. Nuff said.

Egg-nog
And she's random. That's probably the best part. : )


(Cereal earrings...)


(Yam decorating...)


(Anatomy lessons...)


(Posing for a fake prison picture...)


And she's my older sister--that's definitely the best part. 


Happy Birthday, Aimee! Love you!!!



Monday, February 23, 2015

Book Review: Home at Last


"Orlena Mavrich little dreamed what winter on Triple Creek Ranch would be like. Her awakened conscience and inability to “be good” are not the only cause for tears. Will the long winter days ahead bring only trouble and quick tempers? Join Mr. and Mrs. Mavrich, Mrs. O’Connor and the ranch hands as they face winter’s storms within and without, relying on the Lord’s help to bring some wanderers home at last."

It’s been a long time since I posted my review of book one in The Triple Creek Ranch series. Since then I have read three more books in this series by Rebekah A. Morris. Each book is just as wonderful (or even better) than the first! I really enjoyed this second book. The cover is, as always, very beautiful and accurately portrays the tone of the book. (And red is such a good color.)

The Setting:
This story is set on a ranch in the Midwest during winter and the beginning of spring (which added an extra danger and excitement to the descriptions of ranch life). It was great to be able to learn more about the setting of the series, and their cute little town featured more into the story this time. The illustrations are just fabulous and really bring to life the world of cowboys and prairies.

The Storyline:
The storyline was really great! I loved “watching” the continued journey of Orlena and those around her. The plot was very interesting (and even set up some more for the next book!!!), and I loved how there are things (especially in their ranch life) that mirror the struggle going on in Orlena’s life at the time. Lessons in controlling a temper, loving difficult people, and leaning on Christ for help (as well as a clear Gospel presentation!!!) were integrated into the book. And it was so awesome that Christmas got to be in the story. (That illustration was my favorite. Enough said. Read the book.)

The Characters:
The characters were delightful, (though there almost were too many ranch hands to keep track of). As always, I very much enjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Mavrich, and their relationship was a beautiful reminder of how wonderful marriage can be under Christ’s headship.  Once again, Mrs. Mavrich was sooo sweet, and Mr. Mavrich was awesome in his own way! : ) Their friends, ranch hands, and housekeeper Mrs. O’Conner (as well as a few new people added) made up the rich group of side characters. Orlena has definitely improved since the last book, but she still has lots to learn. (I love the way that turns out!)

The Concerns:
Parents should have caution in considering this book for younger readers because of some things that Orlena says in her arguments with her older brother. Also, although the marriage relationship between two of the main characters is very sweet and godly, some parents may not want younger readers to read this yet because there is a lot of married kissing throughout the book. : ) Also, a small scene takes place with a drunkard in the town, and there are small mentions of drinking and gambling throughout the book (but the character comes around! Hooray!).

(People in general should have caution, because if they read this book they will definitely have to read the next one. So terrible.)

I was very excited to read this book! My older sister very conveniently had a copy on hand for me when I wanted to read it a month after the other one. (I was supposed to pace myself. Didn’t I do a good job?) It tells the continuing story of the transformation Christ can bring to our lives and added to that it is such a good story! I bought the third book almost as soon as it came out (Two months after I read the second one—I only waited that long because I had to), so be looking for a rave review of it!!! : )

You can find the book here. The author’s name is Rebekah A. Morris. Shipping is only four dollars. The book is twelve. It came earlier than Amazon told me it would. Such good customer service. What are you waiting for?

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Something Beautiful

Once in a while something beautiful happens that makes you wonder how you ever lived before it did. Today I'm grateful for the little face peeking in during school...the smiley man who loves his swing second only to food and Mommy and Daddy and big brother...orange juice popsicles...four famously fun rounds of Bananagrams...Daddy's new job...the love of God rich and pure, measureless and strong...

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Celebration in Chocolate

When my family and I were invited to a birthday party for someone from our new church, I was elected to make the dessert we were to bring. I was already planning on making these fantastic cookies but also wanted to try something new and celebrate the fact that we had chocolate chips again. (A whole month without them--torture!)

My brother-in-law's passing comment that he liked shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate gave me my idea.


Here's how I made them...

You will need:
1 1/4 unbleached all-purpose flour
3 TBS white sugar
8 TBS (or one stick) butter, softened
1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix together the flour and sugar. Cut in the butter and knead until you have a nice dough. Roll out to 1/4 inch thick on a floured cutting board. Use a one inch cookie cutter (I just used a small jar) to cut the cookies out and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 25 minutes. (Be sure to watch them!)

Set the cookies aside to cool completely and melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Line a pie plate with waxed paper. Dip the cooled cookies halfway into the chocolate and lay them on the pie plate to cool. I kept mine in the refrigerator until it was time to arrange them.

And most importantly--enjoy!


Makes approx. 34 cookies

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

We Live at the Library

It's become a joke in my family that we live at the library. Ever since we've moved back to the "big city", we've been loving the variety of books and the chance to use the internet on a screen bigger than our family phone. We've been here at least five times in the last three weeks!

I've been reading so much lately that I thought I would share a few of my favorites...

1. Stephen by Rebekah A. Morris
Because it is book four in the Triple Creek Ranch Series, I was really excited to read it and find out the continuing story. Once again, it was absolutely interesting, redemptive, and altogether amazing! Not for younger readers. (Longer review later.) : )

2. The Graham Quartet and the Mysterious Strangers by Rebekah A Morris
Yes, she is an amazing author! This book was really good. An exciting mystery without some of the things that usually come along with that. : ) I would not recommend it for younger readers because of a few elements of danger.

3. The Kitten Files: The Case of the Missing Hero by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick
An exciting and hilarious follow-up to her first book in this series! Something (I can't tell you what it is) really hilarious happens. : ) I got to test read it and would recommend it for all ages.

4. A Little House of Their Own by Celia Wilkins
We've been reading some of the Little House books written by other authors. I can't recommend them all, but this story of Charles and Caroline Ingalls was so sweet!!! I would not recommend it for younger readers because of the element of romance. : )

5. Cindy Ellen by Susan Lowell
This is a hilarious retelling of the classic Cinderella story and is beloved by my younger sisters and I alike. : ) Great pictures to boot.

6. The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne
I'm currently reading this one and finding it really fascinating. ;) The one downside is that it is thorough enough to be a handbook on survival; so if you don't like 500 page books, this one is not for you.

So, this week I'm especially thanking God for our local library!


Although I enjoyed these books, please be sure they fit your family standards before reading them. ;) Enjoy!


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...