Saturday, December 22, 2012

Moved In - Sort Of....

We've been in our new home for a whole week now and I'm liking it more each day. It's a beautiful area and it seems each day I find more and more "hidden" treasures. For example, we discovered the Bookmobile stops every week only 1/4 mile from our house AND it's a full-service Bookmobile. We were able to get our library cards, books, movies, and even order books through not only the local libraries, but the whole state and have it delivered by the Bookmobile! That may not be impressive to some, but compared to the one that used to come to my old hometown, this is totally amazing!

We spent the week cleaning and organizing but can't do much more without another trip to the old house to pick up more furniture. That doesn't sound like it will happen in the near future because of the wet weather that's in the forecast - so we will continue to live out of boxes until we can get some sunny days.  Sometimes I think it would be better to just rent a U-Haul :)

This Christmas will be spent without decorations, but we did have a little fun trying to brighten up the kitchen with our new snowman. With a few Christmas towels and dishcloths, some nice smelling candles and scented pine cones, plus a couple of bottles of Mrs. Myers Iowa Pine soap, we still feel the holiday cheer.

So on that note, I will be signing off with warm and loving holiday wishes to all. May you have a Blessed and very Merry Christmas!!!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

"An Amish Kitchen" by Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston & Kelly Long

An Amish Kitchen
Authors: Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Kelly Long
Publication Date: December 18, 2012
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Length: 352 Pages
ISBN: 9781401685676

About the Book:
The Amish Kitchen is the Heart of the Home – and the Ideal Setting for Stories of Love and Hope.

Fall in Paradise, Pennsylvania, always brings a brisk change in the weather. This season also ushers in unexpected visitors, new love, and renewed hope for three women.

Fern has a green thumb for growing healing herbs, but longs for love to bloom in her life. Then the next-door neighbor’s oldest son, Abram, comes running into Fern’s kitchen seeking help for his little sister. The crisis soon leads to a promise of romance—until mistrust threatens to end the growing attraction.

Nearby, Hannah runs her parents’ bed and breakfast, Paradise Inn—but her life feels nothing like Paradise. She longs for a man of integrity to enter her life, but never expected him to knock on the front door looking for a room. Will she be able trust Stephen with her future once she discovers his mysterious past?

When a storm blows a tree onto Eve’s farmhouse, she has little choice but to temporarily move her family into her parents’ home. Outside of cooking together in the kitchen, Eve and her mother can’t agree on anything. But this may be just the recipe for hope in healing old wounds.

Three Amish stories—each celebrating love, family, and faith—all taking place in a tight-knit community where the kitchen truly is the heart of the home.

Also Includes Reading Group Guide and 45 Old Order Amish Recipes

My Thoughts:

With three quick and easy to read novellas, "An Amish Kitchen" is the perfect book for those days you just want to curl up with a nice sweet book. Each story has a strong main female character that learns a lesson about love, hope and faith.

Although quite predictable, these stories will warm your heart and make you smile. Beth Wiseman's story appealed to me most, but they were all quite enjoyable. With a nice assortment of recipes in the back of the book, one will be sure to find some recipes that have to be tried right away. Make sure to try the delicious Granola and the Sour Cream Pancakes - they are both very good!

This book will appeal to those that love Amish fiction, clean fiction, and sweet romance type stories.


I received this book through the Booksneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

I review for BookSneeze®