Almond Crunch Coffee Cake: Two Thumbs Up!

One passion I have is healthy eating. This has come about more as an act of desperation than a natural inclination.

I was recently asked to review a recipe from Sue Gregg, in order to consider further reviewing her cook books. Just perusing Mrs. Gregg's website made me eager to get some of her books and tackle other recipes. She has taken the guess work out of eating healthy and also makes it taste fabulous! The website is full of ideas if you are ready to start your journey into eating wholesome and natural foods. Check it out at: www.suegregg.com

The following recipe I made just this morning, doubling it in order to feed the company we are hosting. Sweetened with honey and using whole wheat flour, this was a hit with everyone that tried it! It tasted as good as any I've eaten, even at Starbucks where coffee and coffeecakes are a match made in heaven! You may want to double it yourself, just to have enough to enjoy for a few days.

Almond Crunch Coffee Cake (Flour Version)

This version of the recipe is found in The Creative Recipe Organizer.AMOUNT: 11.5" x 8" Pan (12 to 18 pieces)
Bake: 325° for 35-40 minutes

1. Preheat oven and grease or spray baking pan.

2. For topping blend first 3 ingredients with a fork and stir in the nuts; set aside:

1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
2 tablespoons crystalline fructose
1 tablespoon soft butter
1/2 cup chopped or sliced almonds

3. Thoroughly blend dry ingredients in small mixing bowl:

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking powder (low sodium preferred)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (unrefined sea salt preferred)
1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger

4. Thoroughly blend liquid ingredients together with a wire whisk in a large mixing bowl:
2 eggs or 4 egg whites
3/4 cup honey

5. Alternately blend dry ingredients into liquid ingredients with: 1 cup buttermilk or nonfat yogurt

6. Pour batter into pan. Spread topping evenly over top. Press topping slightly into batter with tines of a fork.

7. Bake at 325° for 30-40 minutes or until knife comes clean out of center.

Review: For the Love of Hank the Cowdog!

It is hard to imagine that some of you may not know of the Hank the Cowdog series by John R. Erickson, but it was my thrill and privilege to open up a package from Maverick Books, recently, and find I was faced with reviewing a bunch of Hank the Cowdog items! This was a highly "oohed and ahhhed" package as it contained a CD of songs and book excerpts, a board game and a book (quickly claimed by my sixth grade daughter).

We have listened to and loved Hank for years. Especially my son, who is mildly autistic; he will listen to hours and hours of the adventures this goofy dog, Hank ("Head of Ranch Security"), with all of his friends. However, his life and times are equally entertaining to adults. I have a friend whose parents took the grandkids to Ireland for a special vacation. The grandkids brought some Hank the Cowdog CD's along for the rental car ride. When the gang returned from their vacation, my friend asked her father what he thought of Ireland. "Oh, Ireland was great," he said, "but I really loved listening to Hank the Cowdog!"

The way Hank sees life is unique but not unlike the way all of us can bumble through things at times. All of the colorful characters that hang out on the ranch add to the fun and mishaps. Mr. Erickson has brought to life the ranchers, the dogs, the barn cat and even the vultures and coyotes in such a way that you become like a kid at a carnival, taking it all in and having a blast as it unfolds.

Mr. Erickson has written over 50 Hank the Cowdog books. The chapter books are aimed at a fifth or sixth grade reader but are good clean fun to read to younger children and equally enjoyed by older kids too. The ultimate way, in my opinion, to get the full "Hank" experience is to listen to the books on tape or CD. Mr. Erickson personally brings the story to life by becoming all of the characters as he reads through the adventure. Oh yes, don't forget the silly songs that are often spontaneously sung! Those are hilarious too. The tapes and Cd's have sound effects and music to add to the feel of the story as well. Once you listen to the books being read by Mr. Erickson, you will forever hear those voices yourself as you read the books. It is a strange but amazing fact, that this happens!

At our local homeschool book fair, we had the privlege of John R. Erickson coming to speak and hosting a booth of books and other goodies for all of us adults--I mean, all of the children-- to have a bit of an O.D. experience with Hank. My 10 year old was one of a few greeters at the door when Mr. Erickson walked in and said hello, telling them they were doing a great job.
My daughter turned to her fellow worker and said, "That guy sounded just like Hank the Cowdog!" It wasn't until later that day she discovered it really was Hank (well, sort of!). Mr. Erickson was kind, humble and his family is also involved in homeschooling. It was great to meet the creative force behind the books!

The CD that we received was called "Tales and Tunes from Hank the Cowdog". It was a smorgasbord of book excerpts and included 9 songs as well. We listened to it twice that day. And I know I haven't heard the last of it!

Something else my kids enjoyed was the Hank game "Tornado". The playing pieces have Hank, his buddy Drover, and Junior the buzzard that move around the board in "the wildest race and chase game ever!" Well, that is what the box claims. However, it is actually just a revamped version of "Trouble", which everyone likely has played at some point. Still, my kids snatched it up and gave it a few rounds. It is the travel version of the game, small and portable. I know we will bring it with us when we have a drive to make. The game included a free 30 minute tape from the book "The Case of the Swirling Killer Tornado" so we have been driving around listening to Drover sing about tornado safety (not intended to be anything highly instructional! It came to him in a dream...).

Finally, the book my daughter is reading is "The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse." This is book number 8 of the series and finds Hank having a bad day (sick on poisoned bacon grease), and having to sit through being primped and prettied up by some visiting female relatives. Though initially appalled by the thought of being dolled up, he finds all that stroking and brushing to be rather euphoric. Then when a one-eyed horse breaks lose and starts charging at the "beauticians", Hank is determined to come to the rescue!

Ultimately, you can't go wrong with the Hank the Cowdog series. There's always a lot of chaos and fun to be had with lessons learned along the way. If you go to Mr. Erickson's website, www.hankthecowdog.com you can find other great products like T-shirts, stuffed animals and a newsletter to enjoy several times a year. Hanks just a great, lovable character, flaws and all, that the family can enjoy for years to come.

Birthday Musings

Stumbling out of bed before the sun was up, a solitary thought whispered in my mind, "I am forty." That got my attention and I began to ponder why that word, "forty", could sound so weighty.

First of all, I realized how many words there are with a similar sound; words that hold a less-than-stellar intention if someone used those and words and my name in the same sentence. Words like: foreboding, forlorn, forgetful, and for-Pete's-sake. Also, there are a lot of large items with the same three or four first letters in their spelling. Things like: forklift, former-heavy-weight-champion, and Fort Knox. I think "forty" is getting a bad rap by guilt of association with other words that begin with "for".

The word "forty" also lends itself to sounding some what like a Mafia nickname. "Yous don't do what I says and my friends Shorty, Lefty and Forty here will make ya disappear, ya get da picture?"

Now, take a very similar word, "forte", and by virtue of putting an accent on it and making it sound French it becomes completely different in feel. Sounds enviously cool and aloof. "I am forte," seems alluring, like an exotic nationality. Who wouldn't want to be "forte"? "Forty" just rhymes all too well with, "Lordy, Lordy," don't you think?

So, really I don't mind turning 40. Glad to finally get it over with, in some ways. I have actually been forty for a few months, sort of, because all spring, for some reason, I have had the habit of telling people that ask my age, "I'm nearly 40." So, I sort of gypped myself from the last bit of thirty-something that I could lay claim to. But being forty, over all, is something I am totally at peace with (see my other blog "Indulge Me").

Thanks to my deep thoughts in the wee hours of morning, I have discovered the negative connotation of being forty is really a matter of semantics and pronunciations. For now I am going to go ahead and be cool and exotic and be "forte" while I shop at "Target" (the French version, you know, pronounced "Tar-shay").

Besides, forty is really the new thirty. Everyone knows that!

Indulge Me

With my 40th birthday looming large on the horizon, you'll have to indulge me and allow me to dream a bit.

I am the type of person that tends to work best under pressure. My house is much more thoroughly cleaned when company is coming, I scrapbooked my oldest daughters entire life two weeks before her graduation since I had barely even put photos in an album prior to that point and I tend to put my makeup on right before my husband is due home. Can anyone relate? OK, even a little?

Turning 30 was rather traumatic for me. I am not sure why other than that it seemed to sound so old compared to being in my 20's. Sounded so officially grown up. Maybe I was just too vain to embrace the idea.

Turning 40, on the other hand, seems like crunch time for any dreams and visions I've ever longed to accomplish. My life is, technically, half over and I need to get moving now if I am ever to reach these goals.

I am also in such a wonderful place as a parent that there seems to be a slew of possiblities out there waiting to be tackled! I only have two that I am homeschooling, one going off into missions and another in a great special education program in our local school (yes, there are still some of those programs out there!). So, I feel like a kid in a candy store and I even have a great cheering section, headed up by my man, telling me to go after my dreams! How blessed can one woman get? I can't waste this time wondering "what if." No way!

So, I am looking at 40 with hungry and passionate eyes, with great expectations! Tomorrow I check out classes in a local college, I am working on some great stories and a novel, and I want to really pursue dancing while I am still able! We just found a really solid and wonderful church home and I know that the Lord has many spiritual things to do through these physical possibilities. It seems like a time of new growth in so many ways.

I am certain none of these things are as exciting for you to read about as it is for me to just ponder. Repetitively.

Sorry. Thanks for briefly indulging me.

I just know that the Lord has a bunch of assignments up on the board and they suddenly all seem to have my name on them! I am really excited about the adventures that await in my next 40 years. I wonder if I will still be blogging when I am 80? Hope so!

Let's all grow old together.

D-Day: July 15th

Next Wednesday is D-day. Well...actually it is my B-day. Not just any b-day either. It is The B-day with a capital B. The big 4-0.

So far, I do not know of any sort of plan or party happening. I am suspecting everything. But, so far, I am aware of nothing.

I'll keep ya posted.

Keeping Life Interesting

I have a terrific son. His nickname is G-man so I will refer to him by that name here as well. Can't be too careful on the Internet, you know.

He is funny and has a knack for using one-liners. He can play the trombone by ear and sings wonderfully. He is also incredibly strong. He also happens to be autistic. Mildly so, that is. His official diagnosis is PDD-NOS, Pervasive Developmental Disorder--Not Otherwise Specified. (Read: Developmentally delayed in most areas).

For a long time, we hoped and prayed G-man would grow out of his delays and eventually "come out in the wash" fairly functioning; perhaps several years behind his peers, but still catching up at some point. Over the past couple of years, we have had to come to grips that, short of a miracle, G-man would always struggle, always need guidance and help. But let it be known: I DO believe in miracles so I won't ever discount that possibility!

I am sure I will write more in depth blogs about different struggles he has had and also the struggles of living with a special needs child. I just wanted to jot a note about how interesting life can be with my young man; wouldn't want to get stuck in TOO much of a routine, right?

The other night I drank way too much coffee, way too late at night, and couldn't sleep. Long story short: at 5 am I got up, rather frustrated because sleep was evading me all night long. Stepping into the hall, I caught a glimpse of my son, notorious for having some sleep issues, sneaking out of the house!

Yes! He had his glasses and shoes on and was quietly walking through to the back door. Once I realized what he had done, I locked the door, figuring at least I would give him a good scare. We live in the country with a few acres and I thought maybe he was just going to go poke around, or visit one of the cats.

Nope.

Next thing I see is him out of our gate, walking down the road. This isn't good. I should add that he is 16 years old and fairly high functioning so it is not as if I was watching my toddler wander off. I cannot imagine what he is planning to do, however, or why he is headed down the road. I am not sure what I should do either. But, before I have much of a chance to think it through, he turned around and came back! He probably traveled about 20 yards down the street in all, so this happened really fast.

At this point, though things have suddenly improved, I was still unsure just how to handle the situation. He couldn't get in since I locked the door, so I came out a different door-- just to throw in another element of surprise. There he was sitting quietly on a bench, probably pondering his predicament, feeling pretty sure he had unlocked that door when he went outside to begin with.

After confronting him and talking for a few minutes, we headed back inside. I told him that since he liked being outdoors so well, he could go out later in the day and work in the yard (note: we live in Texas, it is July, we are having triple digit temps).

He said a wonderful thing to me, just then. He said something I have longed to hear and could not quite believe it to be true at the moment. What he said showed me that God is still in the miracle business!

"But mom," he pleaded, "I stopped what I was doing and came home because I knew what I was doing was wrong. Aren't you happy about that?"

I am sure he has NO idea how we have prayed for him to have the ability to choose to do right and have self control so this was not something he was conjuring up to play on my sympathies. In fact, I had been praying more than usual for him for the last several days prior to this incident. I was happy about that! Though I haven't expressed it on my blog yet, self control is about as natural to him as speaking Hebrew (note: we live in Texas...). I had to realize that this really was a great moment!

Too bad it had to happen at 5am, though, right? Well, I guess answers to prayer will always have their own timing and there's certainly not a bad time to have one of those "God moments"! Just shows that He is faithful 24/7 and He is the God who is working even when we are asleep!

Or at least, when we ought to be.

Got Organization?

If you looked up the word “organization” in the dictionary, you would definitely not find my picture next to it. Would your picture be there?

I don’t think any of us ever achieve our ideal amount of organization in our households. Even if one is organized by nature I am willing to bet there are still areas of struggle. The expression that “a women’s work is never done,” is doubly true for a homeschooling mother.

Enter The 2009 Schoolhouse Planner to save—yea, even organize-- the day (and the week, the month, and the year!). From creative clutter-bugs like me, to the ultra Type-A personality, this planner offers something for everyone!

There is so much helpful information and forms in this planner, I can’t even fathom being able to use it all. With 375 pages, this baby is brimming with helpful ideas, forms, charts, information and even recipes. The people at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine (obviously homeschoolers themselves) thought of everything. Sort of like the perfect pairing of chocolate with coffee, both creative and organized minds of various contributors have come deliciously together to offer us a really well rounded planner.

When you order the planner from the online store of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, you will receive it in a downloadable file to save on your computer. If you actually received a hardcopy of the planner, you would need to pay a lot more than the $39 price that the planner sells for.

My first thought, when I realized it was downloadable, was that I was going to have to spend another $40 on ink just to print it out! Not so. First of all, you can actually keep the entire thing, and use it, on your computer, if you choose. The calendars and various forms (from chore charts, to menu planning and bible reading) can all be typed on right there on your computer. If you like to have a hard copy of any of these things, you can also print them out and keep them in a binder or whatnot. It is very easy to customize to your personal preference.

So, just how organized am I going to become by using this planner? Well, that remains to be seen, but the potential to become the ultra-organized-super-homeschooling-mom is enormous! Let’s take a look at all the goodies stuffed into these pages!

First of all, there is a section of At-a-Glance calendars, clear through the year 2012, after which there is a large monthly calendar for the 2009-2010 school year that you can write/type in whatever events and plans you have. With each month, comes random but helpful topics that will aid you in teaching, or give a bit of helpful info such as: The Thirteen Colonies, Decimal tips, Emergency plans (in case of fire, tornado etc.), Getting into College and more. Each of these helpful sections are followed by links (at the click of your mouse) to more resources should you want to buy more materials or learn more information. For instance, the section on weather and clouds (September’s topic), has links to pictures of the various cloud formations that you can access right there. Furthermore, each month comes with a couple of really good recipes!

But the calendar is just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to talk about and this review is rather long already. Let me just inventory some of the things you’ll find to help with your homeschooling adventure. (By the way, the Table of Contents is nicely set up to allow you to choose the section you want by clicking your mouse on a topic, saving scrolling through pages you aren’t necessarily looking for at the moment).

There are many miscellaneous helpful charts on things such as metric conversions, U.S. Presidents and their wives, a history timeline, famous artists and composers, and more. These also come with links to websites that can tell you more about the subjects. I like the one on important U.S. documents with links to look at them right then and there.

Next the planner offers more homeschooling forms than you can shake a pencil at. Pages for goals, curriculum, report cards, test scores, high school transcripts and more. There are daily and weekly schedules to fill out for working with one child on up to five children. (I suppose if you have more than that you can print out the form for five kiddos and add the other form with the number of kids you are lacking). There are forms for field trip planning, pages to print off for nature journals, handwriting practice and more. I had to laugh that there was even a page for “Unschooling” plans, which kind of seems like an oxymoron in a huge planner like this! There’s not enough space to tell you all the forms available; I don’t think anything was left out.

The last section contains a myriad of household forms that would basically condense anything you already have in this realm into one convenient place. From emergency contact numbers to an address book, from menu planning and chore charts to garden plans and pet health forms, these sheets round out anything you could ever want to get all of your “ducks in a row”.

I think the only negative side of this enormously helpful planner would be feeling obliged to use it all. That thought overwhelms me! However, I know that the point is not that it all must be used; rather it is available if I need it!

So, let me wrap this up with a bit of homeschooling wisdom that I must remind myself of from time to time (now would be one of those times). Don’t be a slave to your curriculum (or in this case, your planner), let the curriculum/planner work for you and serve the needs of your family. I think that all personality types, across the spectrum can get as much or as little as they need from this well thought out 2009 Schoolhouse Planner! If you want to check it out, here’s the link: http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193&products_id=10450

We're Not in Eden Anymore, Toto!

In my heart, I am convinced that I have a special calling. I hold this false yet powerful belief that I am called to a life of leisure. After all, I am an American. I can easily justify procrastination and spending money on things I don’t need (they are on clearance, after all). I am also, currently, a Texan. This means I can do both in the comfort of air conditioning. Doesn’t get much better than that!

Oh, wait. What am I thinking? I have four kids, two of which I currently homeschool. I have one child that has some disabilities as well. Furthermore, we are not rich and cannot afford maid service nor a cook or chauffer. So, why do I feel I have some sort of right to pursue a life of ease?

Well, if I listen to the world of advertising: I am worth it! I deserve it! I have earned it! If I listen to my flesh: I’m too tired…I don’t feel like it…I’ll do it after (…I finish this other thing that is a distraction and requires a lot less energy on my part). My other lame justification is: I am a product of the 80’s. That was the “me” generation, after all.

Ok, excuses aside, life still must go on. There is laundry to wash and dinner to cook. The kids need to be taught their multiplication tables and U.S, history. So what’s a lazy girl like me to do? I think Nike summed it up quite succinctly: “Just do it.”

As much as I like to try to spiritualize my motivation for doing something, it all comes down to a series of choices each day. I must submit my will to the Holy Spirit and then choose not to “grow weary in well doing.” (Galatians 6:9).

It is amazing to me how much of a battle there is in my mind, daily, for the ability to choose. Choosing to get up early and have a quiet time, choosing to exercise, and choosing to eat right are my big, daily battles. Then there are the smaller skirmishes: time on the computer vs. mopping the kitchen…time reading a good book vs. vacuuming and dusting. Every day the choices are- basically- the same and every day they still seem tough! I am such a wimp!

There are so many that have it much harder. I know that. I know that I am SO blessed to live in America and not a third world country. I am truly grateful for the freedom to worship the Lord as my family feels convicted. The freedom to homeschool is also such a privilege. I know that I am blessed to live in this century, where I have every modern convenience I could want. I can get impatient waiting in the fast food line, whereas my ancestors had to watch their food grow. Things could be a lot worse.

Don’t misunderstand, in no way do I feel sorry for myself! I am not whining or thinking “why me?” I KNOW I have it better than most in the world and many in America. I am very conscious of my blessings and am grateful for each of them. So, why the battle? Why the constant foot dragging? I should be eager to take advantage of all of my—well—advantages, right?

I spend a lot of time contemplating this inner turmoil. (Probably contemplating it is another way I put off actually doing something about it!). I feel like a broken record with prayer requests of the “help me…” variety. One conclusion I have reached is that the struggle keeps me humble. Keeps me coming back to square one: “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, my sin nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18) and, “…apart from Me, you can do nothing.” As much as I want to “just do it”, I really cannot. Yet, to some degree, there is still a responsibility on my part that, “Whatever (I) do, (I must) work at it with all (my) heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” That comes back to making the right choices. The Holy Spirit will not force me to do what I should, but He will provide the strength to choose to use my time wisely. I just all too easily shut out that still, small voice. Ok, sometimes I drown it out. Brings to mind another verse: “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17). Ouch.

Secondly, though my problems are paltry compared to someone in, say, the underground church of China, they are still the set of problems I have to face. As a friend of mine is fond of saying, I need to “put my big girl panties on” and actually face them each day (my problems, not the panties). As much as I like to write fantasy, I cannot live in a fantasy world. However, this is a fallen world; it is cursed, and will always have its share of trouble and effort involved with any endeavor. Therefore, any delusions I may have concerning living a life of ease needs to be rectified right away. Guess I can thank Adam and Eve for that.

I’m certain everyone, this side of eternity, would like to have a few choice words with those two. Can you imagine how startling it was for them-- having tasted perfection and beauty and intimate fellowship with the living God-- to suddenly be banished and met with pain and death and thorns and sweat and hang nails? What were they thinking? Yeah, like I could do any better.

In conclusion, I must come to grips with the fact that today I must face a certain amount of “stuff.” I’ll go out on a limb and guess that you may have some similar issues. Our stuff may not look just the same but it likely seems a self-perpetuating machine in your life as well. Sorry that it seems there just isn’t a nice way to wrap up this dilemma. It will always remain a dilemma as long as we inhabit flesh and blood on the earth. It is a dilemma that we have an opportunity to take hold of, and make good choices with, each day.

For now, it is a matter of Paradise Lost. But, I know the times that I set my mind to do joyfully what I am called to as a mother, wife, teacher and friend, a bit of paradise is found once again. Happiness is not just a choice, but rather, a series of choices every day.

"A Bride in the Bargain" Book Review

Much like a mug of Seattle-based Starbuck's Coffee, I found Deanne Gist’s novel, “A Bride in the Bargain” rather addicting. Also based in Seattle, in the time period of the Washington Territory, Mrs. Gist uses lively and believable characters, rich and scenic descriptions, and a great combination of turmoil and romance as a perfect blend...rich as a good cup of java.

July 8th, 1866 Miss Anna Ivey arrives in port at Seattle’s Puget Sound. (On a personal note, 103 years plus 7 days later, I also arrived in Seattle, all 8 pounds of me, but that’s another story…). She is greeted by men that look like hungry vultures; all having waited for months for their mail order brides, most of which did not arrive. She is looking for her new employer, a lumberjack named Joseph Denton, whom she believes hired her as a cook for his logging crew. What she finds is a tall, handsome tough guy with a soft side, who thinks she has come to be his bride. It seems their “contracts” with the middle man don’t exactly match up. Neither do their personalities, most of the time!

If Joseph doesn’t get married soon, his land is in jeopardy. However, Miss Ivey is certain everyone she loves ends up getting hurt so she has vowed never to marry. They are both stubborn and head strong and find themselves in quite a quandary. But, he does need a cook and she owes him the money for her passage to Seattle…so there is an agreement worked out for the time being.

Though you can likely see where this story is headed, there are many detours along the way that keep you turning the pages, captivated by the relationship between the characters and intrigued by their complex personalities. The dialogue is witty and engaging, and there is much to love about all the main characters in this book.

Placed in the rugged Pacific Northwest, the land and the lumber are some of the characters brought to life as well. In some ways, the taming of the wilderness, and the settlement of the land, parallel Anna’s and Joseph’s relationship. The people and the terrain play off of one another and both are important to the story. Both draw you in and make it hard to leave.

If you enjoy historical romance, you will certainly find “A Bride in the Bargain” a solid read. Though it is a Christian romance novel, I would like to note that the story has no deep theological issues that are wrestled with. Christianity is more of the tone of this time in history and is part of the foundation and underpinnings of the character’s lives. This is the kind of story you read solely for the enjoyment of getting swept away!

Christian Fiction Review: "How Sweet It Is."

"How Sweet it is," by Alice J. Wisler is a Christian fiction novel that did not satisfy my sweet tooth. Though the book is targeting those that want to have a fairly light-hearted read, I felt the book lacked anything inventive in the story line and was extremely predictable.

Deena Livingston is a young woman that recently survived a serious car wreck that left her body, as well as her heart, severely scarred. Leaving a promising career behind as a chef, she tentatively looks for a fresh start in a small mountain cabin that her grandfather willed to her when he passed away. She moves from the big city to a small, close-knit community, hoping to begin a cake-decorating business of her own while ditching her past.

Much to her surprise, there is a stipulation in her grandfather's will. He would like for her teach cooking to troubled kids at an after school program for six months in order to enjoy ownership of his cozy cabin. This is something way out of her comfort zone (especially now that her heart is so relationally raw; all she wants to do is insulate herself from any emotional pain). But day by day, she finds the strength to move ahead, even though it feels like baby steps... and often like she is moving backwards instead.

There are many poignant moments: Ms. Wisler writes in the first person, present tense, and she keeps you inside Deena's thoughts as she tries to move on and forget her past. Using flashbacks, it is evident that rather than moving ahead, she is nursing her wounds with the balm of unforgiveness. It takes learning of her grandfather's faith (faith that she once had but presently lies dormant), stretching herself to reach out to the troubled kids she must teach, and allowing herself to trust some new relationships for her inner turmoil to begin to heal.

If you are looking for a lighthearted read, this book would certainly meet that need. Personally, I felt much of the thought life too neatly packaged and the story line blatantly obvious. I like a little twist or some sort of surprise along the way. This story, though charming in parts, generally falls flat and tastes bland. During the process of reading the book, I began to have my own nickname for it: "How Predictable It Is."

The Good Kind of Tired

I must confess I am totally wiped out! It has been a long two months in the Pier 211 household (my nickname for home...insider's lingo). All four kiddos finished up with school, one of the four finishing for the last time--unless she goes on to college! We have had rehearsals and recitals and award banquets and graduation festivities galore, with an extra helping of company in town to help celebrate!

It has been a very satisfying close to our school year but I am just plain, worn out. I haven't had much time to check email, let alone write something semi-interesting to post on this blog. Just not enough brain cells to spare. Thanks to those of you that have come back and checked in on me.

I am happy to say that I have been accepted as a The Old Schoolhouse Magazine product reviewer and so things should be getting busy this summer as I test and review homeschooling products. I really hope you find the reviews helpful and that you will give me your feedback on articles that you find helpful or have a question concerning. There may even be some give aways, so keep tuning in!

For the moment, I just needed to check in and say hello. I am still here, at Pier 211, plodding along, hoping for a good nights sleep...enjoying being the "good kind of tired". It is a happy weariness of having many reasons to celebrate God's faithfulness in our family, and the joy of celebrating this through fellowship with friends and family!

Here's to summer!

Healthy Ramen Salad

Well, it is crunch time at my house. My oldest is graduating Sunday! I had breakfast with her this morning before school and my husband met her at the school door with flowers. After 10 years of homeschooling and 2 at a small Christian school, her childhood journey officially ended today!

I won't get all philosophical at the moment. This is supposed to be a recipe, right? Just letting you know WHY I am kind of quiet over here...too busy getting all the last minute stuff together to have any sort of deep pondering or wandering of any sort!

So, here is a FABULOUS salad that always gets requests. I have tweaked the more fattening original recipe through the years to make it fairly healthy. Can't tell the difference, personally!

There is a lot of room for customizing as you will see...

One package of either shredded slaw or broccoli slaw
Toast about 3 Tbl sesame seeds.
Toast 6-8 Tbl slivered or sliced almonds, Pepita's, peanuts, cashews or any combination thereof! (I toast in a heated pan, no butter, stirring frequently. You can use a tsp. of butter if you want!)


Dressing:
1/3 C salad oil (safflower, canola etc. Expeller pressed is healthiest!)
1/3 C beef or chicken stock/broth (beef adds more flavor)
3-4 Tbl sugar (to preference)
4-5 Tbl. white or rice vinegar (may substitute 1 or 2 T with raw apple vinegar for extra healthy oomph) to preference.
2 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp pepper
1- 1 1/2 tsp soy sauce

Optional:1-2 tsp toasted sesame oil (If you have it. Totally optional).
Optional: Grilled chicken, bite sized. Great if you have leftover chicken.
Optional: one package (MINUS THE SEASONING PACKET of Ramen Noodle soup *the cheap stuff, doesn't matter the flavor since you aren't using the packet!) Break up the noodles in the package. These are fattening and unhealthy so I don't usually use them. BUT they are tasty!!!

Do not dress salad until ready to eat! Whisk the dressing in its container immediately before pouring over slaw. Add nuts and/or noodles, stir really well and serve.

A girlfriend and I once ate a whole bowl between the two of us, it is so yummy! If you find you have more dressing then you care for, add another half to one whole package of slaw to the bowl! Enjoy!