Crazy-for-Books

Review: How it Ends by Laura Wiess: "

Title: How it Ends

Author: Laura Wiess

Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: August 2009

Publisher: MTV Books

ISBN: 978-1416546634

344 pages

All Hanna's wanted since sophomore year is Seth. She's gone out with other guys, even gained a rep for being a flirt, all the while hoping cool, guitar-playing Seth will choose her. Then she gets him -- but their relationship is hurtful, stormy and critical, not at all what Hanna thinks a perfect love should be. Bewildered by Seth's treatment of her and in need of understanding, Hanna decides to fulfill her school's community service requirement by spending time with Helen, her terminally ill neighbor, who she's turned to for comfort and wisdom throughout her life. But illness has changed Helen into someone Hanna hardly knows, and her home is not the refuge it once was. Feeling more alone than ever, Hanna gets drawn into an audiobook the older woman is listening to, a fierce, unsettling love story of passion, sacrifice, and devotion. Hanna's fascinated by the idea that such all-encompassing love can truly exist, and without her even realizing it, the story begins to change her.



Until the day when the story becomes all too real...and Hanna's world is spun off its axis by its shattering, irrevocable conclusion.

My Thoughts:

Wow, this book is so much more than I ever thought it would be! I wasn't sure what I was expecting - maybe a light young adult read - but this was not a light and fun story at all. It is deep, emotional, and painful. And I loved it!



How it Ends chronicles the stories of Helen and Hanna. Helen is a grandmotherly woman who lives next door to Hanna, a 15 year old girl who is going through the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. She loves a boy who is anything but nice to her, yet she keeps going back to him. Helen has become a grandmother figure to Hanna and regularly talks to her about life. Their relationship is really sweet and makes you long to hug your own grandma!



But, Helen hasn't been truthful with Hanna about her own life, filling Hanna with ideas that her and her husband, Lon's, life has been nothing but roses and butterflies. With Helen suffering from a debilitating disease, she realizes that it is time to tell Hanna the truth. She writes the story - the story of her life from a young girl to the woman she is today - and sends it off to be put into audiobook format.



As Hanna continues to care for the declining Helen, they find comfort in listening to books together. Unbeknownst to Hanna, they begin listening to Helen's book, "How it Ends". It is difficult for Hanna to listen to. She can't imagine someone living through what the characters in the story lived through. She becomes infuriated, sad, and confused, trying to wrap her head around this supposedly "fictionalized" story. Through the listening of the book, Hanna begins to take a stand against her so-called boyfriend, and begins to find her own way in the world. Hanna really grows throughout this story, from an insecure teenager who is eager to please the hot guy in school so he'll be her boyfriend, to finally sticking up for herself and becoming independent and more secure in her own body.



The end of this book is downright shocking and will stay with you long after the last page is read. This is an intense story and one I would definitely recommend. I loved following Hanna's and Helen's journey and I can't wait to read more from this author!"

Chats With An Old Lady

Guess What!!!!: "

God continues to provide such unique opportunities for me to share what He is teaching me! This has been 'in the works' for awhile now, so it is fun to see it actually coming to fruition! For the next 8 weeks I will be featured 'At the Well', a website for women. On Monday the series will be introduced, and then on the following 8 Mondays there will be an article featured that God has helped me to write! Pretty cool, huh? Come on over 'to the well' on Monday and see what is going on. I think it might encourage you!

God never teaches us anything for our benefit alone. He desires that we share these truths for the edification of those that He puts in our paths. I love that He has allowed me to do that in this way!

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

The series is called

'We are the Body'

You can check it out HERE:

"

5 Minutes For Books

On Reading: Flashlight Worthy Book Recommendations: "

My name is Peter, and Jennifer was kind enough to let me to contribute to her regular "On Reading" series. I run the website Flashlight Worthy Book Recommendations along with my friend Eric.

Some of you may have run across my site, but for those who haven't, Flashlight Worthy is:

Hundreds of book lists (373 as of this writing and I try to add a new one every other day)…

Each list is usually between 5 books and 15 books…

Each list on a particular theme (more on that later)…

And each book on the list has a short description of why it's so good (not a plot summary).

Did I mention that the books we recommend are so good, they keep you up past your bedtime?

Now that we have that out of the way, I can explain why I'm so excited that Jennifer so graciously invited me to contribute to On Reading: quite simply, I need your help.

You see, Flashlight Worthy has dozens of great book lists. I have 12 of the Best Of Steampunk> (Yes. Steampunk. Have you ever even heard of Steampunk? Who knew?) and Children's Books that Grownups Will Love. Not to mention Chick Lit Before There Was Chick Lit and this useful list of Books On Madness.

But some of the genres I offer, such as Books for Young Adults and Book Club books, are in need of more book lists. That's where you come in.

If you're reading this blog then I'll bet you're an avid reader, you have great taste in books, and quite possibly, you're in a book club. This makes you the perfect person to share a list of some of the best books your club has enjoyed. The list just needs to follow these three simple guidelines:

1. First (and this almost goes without saying) the books should be appropriate for book clubs. That means books that are discussable.


2. Just as important — the books all have to be flashlight worthy. In other words, they gotta be really, really good.


3. The books should follow a theme. And no, "6 Books that My Book Club Really Liked Last Year" is not a theme. Some random ideas off the top of my head? "Memoirs of Strong Women," "Books That'll Make you Hungry" (food books!), or "Controversial YA Books Parents Should Read More Closely."

Like I said, those are just some ideas off the top of my head… if you want to run with one of them, great! Or feel free to suggest your own. Browse your bookcase — you'll be surprised at how many ideas will leap out. Look back over the books your club has read. Maybe take a look at my existing lists of Book Club books for inspiration.

But once you have an idea, I'd love to publish your list… bringing you and your book club fame, fortune and endless cookies for the meetings. Okay, well, I can at least promise that I'll add it to my Book Club books category and maybe that will bring a modicum of attention. Just drop me a line at info@flashlightworthy.com and we'll take it from there.

And if Jennifer is kind enough to have me back some day, for my next post I'll describe exactly how you can tell a book is Flashlight Worthy. "

Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day

Ephesians 3:17-19: "“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”"

Max Lucado Daily

Preparation: "

“Think only about the things in heaven.” Colossians 3:2

Engaged people are obsessed with preparation. The right dress. The right weight. The right hair and the right tux. They want everything to be right. Why? So their fiancée will marry them? No. Just the opposite. They want to look their best because their fiancée is marrying them.

The same is true for us. We want to look our best for Christ. We want our hearts to be pure and our thoughts to be clean . . . We want to be prepared."

Desiring God Blog

Free Update Available for the Sermon Manuscript Library: "

(Author: Tyler Kenney)

Logos Bible Software recently announced that a free update is now available for The John Piper Sermon Manuscript Library. This update includes 41 additional sermons from 2008-2009, bringing the total count to more than 1,125 sermons.

If you already own a copy of this software, just follow the instructions on the Logos blog to receive the update.

If you don't have a copy, it is available now as part of our Father's Day Sale for just $40.

This is a great resource to have (or to gift) if you want access to past John Piper sermons but don't always have an internet connection to read them on our website."

Women of Faith Blogs

Gratitude: "

Expressing our gratitude to God is an adventure in itself. After all, think about what we’ve been delivered from. We’ve been rescued from the cold night of sin that alienates us from God. –Sheila Walsh (The Great Adventure)"

Becentsable

Top Deals of the Week: "

Check out what I am doing to save money this week!

Coupons:

$2 off Welch's

Lean Cuisine Coupons

$1.00 off any Muir Glen product

$1 off coupon for Cheez-It.

Hot Deals and Freebies:

Get 20 extra Swagbucks when you sign up

Win a Couponizer

Pick up a free sample of Ready Brew by Starbucks.

Join the pancake revolution at IHOP and get 3 free meals

Thanks for subscribing to our blog!
Be sure to click back BeCentsable to read articles of interest and COMMENT so we know what you liked!"

5 Minutes For Books

Mailbox Monday: June 5: "

Since we're a team blog, we might get more books in our mailbox on any given week, and just like we strive to provide diverse reviews here — from baby to adult in all genres — that will probably be reflected in what arrives in our mailboxes each week as well.

Check out the other Mailbox Monday participants at The Printed Page.

JENNIFER:

• Jennifer Weiner's latest Fly Away Home comes out in July. Though her last novel didn't thrill me, I'm a fan, and I hope that this one will.

I received a few unsolicited titles that got me or my family excited:

• Molly Moon and the Morphing Mystery by Georgia Byng thrilled Amanda (11) who has read the others in the series.


• Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce will appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Though 6 year old Kyle is too young now, seeing him pour over the Sunday comics this weekend makes me glad that this trend is continuing.


• Gilbert, the Surfer Dude (I Can Read Book 2) is right up Kyle's alley now so I can't wait to test it out with him.

DAWN:

• Although I haven't read any of Allison Winn Scotch's prior novels, I've heard a couple of bloggers already talking about her new one, The One That I Want, so I happily accepted a review copy. I'm looking forward to a contemporary "chick-lit" novel after some heavier nonfiction reading lately.


• Amy Lou Jenkins' Every Natural Fact: Five Seasons of Open-Air Parenting also came in this week as a review copy.


• And I even ordered a couple of books off Amazon this week- birthday gifts (I'm not telling!), and one just for me: Screamfree Parenting: The Revolutionary Approach to Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool. I hope this one is as helpful as I've heard.

LISA:

• My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay (who is not, interestingly enough, the same Lisa McKay whose book I just reviewed last week). This is the first selection of my church's summer book club. I devoured it quickly and think it will provide for some interesting discussion when we meet later this month.


• Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley. Carrie recommended this to me like forever ago and when I needed to round out my order so as to get free shipping, I finally indulged. I'm looking forward to reading it!


• Mere Churchianity by the late Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk. I'm intrigued not just by the book's premise but also by the fact that this is his last, and only, book."
  
  

Crosswalk.com

5 Tips to Deepen Your Relationship with God: "We all want a deeper relationship with God and seek it in different ways though we don’t always feel as if we’re getting very far. Part of the problem is that often we’re focused on a feeling which is no real judge of our walk with God."

Health News

COBRA Health Care Subsidies End: "

With unemployment still a major economic worry and health care reform not set to kick in until 2014, COBRA subsidies have become a lifeline for many Americans, the only affordable insurance option for many. Unfortunately, the government is reluctant to extend the COBRA subsidy after it expires.

read more"

$5 Dinners

Menu Plan Monday – June 7th: "

So I’m *almost* finished with recipe testing for The $5 Dinner Mom’s Breakfast and Lunch Cookbook. *Almost*

I can’t wait for the recipe testing to be over…and to feel a little less dizzy. My mind has been swirling with recipes, ingredients, ideas, tweaks, etc. for the past 4 months. And I’m SO ready for a little more “white matter” peace!

Having a plan in place certainly helps me maintain said brain peace…

Batch Cooking

• Whole Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins


• Black Bean Coconut Brownies


• Pancakes and Waffles


• Carrots and Peas for Tyler


• Grilled Chicken – Grill 15 or so chicken breasts; slice and dice; then freeze to use later for salads and pasta salads(Thanks for the idea Jen!)

This Week’s Dinners

• Monday – Taco Burgers


• Tuesday – Teriyaki Chicken Kebabs


• Wednesday – Red Quinoa with Black Beans and Corn


• Thursday – Breakfast for Dinner (freeze extras)


• Friday – Coconut Rice and Beans


• Saturday – Leftovers


• Sunday – Burgers

Other Goodies & Experiments

• Pina Colada Popsicles


• Lasagna for Steve’s lunches

I will post the recipes each night after I make the meal. If you see a meal you are interested in, please check back for the recipe later in the week!

Current Monthly Meal Plan can be found here!

Need help with your weekly meal planning and grocery shopping…check out all the printable resources!

Thanks to Andrea at Mommy Snacks and Marcy at Stretching a Buck for posting the best deals and coupon matchups at my stores each week!

All the BEST menu plans can be found every week at OrgJunkie.com!

Menu Plan Monday – June 7th is a post from: $5 Dinners.com
(c) 2009 $5 Dinners. Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

Get Even More Savings

Join AFullCup and Start Saving More on Groceries!!!

---

Menu Plan Monday – June 7th was first posted on June 6, 2010 at 7:42 pm.

"

White House.Gov Blog Feed

The Ongoing Administration-Wide Response to the Deepwater BP Oil Spill: June 5 and June 6, 2010: "

Ed. Note: For more information on federal response resources, volunteer opportunities, and assistance for those in affected areas visit WhiteHouse.gov/Deepwater-BP-Oil-Spill.

Below is the latest in the ongoing Administration-wide response provided by the Joint Information Center.

Heidi Avery is White House Deputy Homeland Security Advisor"

Komen News

More than 40,000 Participate in the 2010 Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure®: "They came to honor a loved one, to celebrate survival and to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer, both here in the Washington, D.C. metro area and across the globe. In the end, more than 40,000 people participated in the 21st running of the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® in Washington, D.C. Today’s event raised more than $4.5 million to fund breast cancer programs for women in need throughout the National Capital Area and abroad."

(In)Courage

Able: "

I needed to hear from Him.

You know me by now and you know that I would probably rather make a joke or listen to your story than admit that I am living a story that confuses me.

I reached a point this week where, even though I wasn’t pursuing it wholeheartedly, I knew what I needed most was a word from God. I wanted to hear Him and at the same time, I didn’t.

I feel confused enough today, I thought, I don’t need to add attempting to hear God in these complicated situations. [By the way, this is messed-up thinking. Don’t agree with me. I came around. Just keep reading.]

So I sulked. So I sat in my own confusion and wondered if I was capable to do all these things that were on my plate. Work stuff, boy stuff, future stuff, weight stuff, so. much. stuff.

I drove my car to a local coffee shop called Frothy Monkey, my mind spinning. By the time I pulled into the driveway, I knew for sure- I wasn’t capable. It was too much.

My friend Ashley was leaving Frothy Monkey and she approached my car. She pulled something tiny out of her pocket and placed it in my hand. She said, “Annie, I just wanted you to have this. I prayed and felt like this was for you.”

I looked down and in my palm was a stone heart and engraved was the word ABLE.

I turned it over and over, massaging every rough spot of stone, and actively trying to control my tears.

Even when my heart was too stressed, too worried, too nervous to listen to Him, He spoke. Clearly.

Reminding me that I am able. That nothing He has put before me is more than I can handle [with Him right beside me, of course]. That I am always on His mind.

My plate isn’t less full. I haven’t figured out any of the stuff previously listed. But I have this heart to remind me -- I am able.

And so are you.

by Annie Downs, Annie Blogs

"

Here's My Cup Lord

Can You, Really, Praise Your Way Through Anything? (Part 1): "

I’ve told you before how my pastor has often said, “You can praise your way through anything!”, but let’s take a look at the power of those words and find their truth in the Psalms.

“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.” Ps. 3:5 NIV

When we can’t sleep because of the inner pain we bear, or lie awake in despair (also known as depression)—He sustains us.

“But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.” 5:7

One of the greatest privileges of His mercy is found in the openness of His sanctuary, where we are welcome to cast our cares.

“The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.’ 9:9-10

Do you, really, know what that means?—’opressed’. Or did you, like me, have to overcome some obscure definition through the eyes of the church? Would it be enough to say, you have been weighed down greatly by grief, torment, or fear. Do they, not, co-exist? Or wait, didn’t He tell us fear brings torment? Have you ever been in such a place? One where you trusted Him and sought Him just the same?

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.” 18:16

Has He pulled you out of a pit of your own making?

“Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.” 20:6

Has He poured out His presence upon you and saved you by the power of His authority?

“Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.” 25:7

Have you, really, been forgiven?

“To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.” 28:1-2

Do you know about the sacrifice of praise? Have you reached higher with no strength to bear?

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.” 34:18-20, 22

Do you, really, understand what it means to be righteous? Do you understand why many seem forsaken and condemned? Have YOU felt such condemnation—found such a place of refuge?

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.” 37:39

Do you know this stronghold? Has something held you so strong?

“I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.” 38:14-15

Have you ever searched for His voice and awaited His reply? Have you been left without words?

“But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased. “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” 39:2, 7

Have you kept silent and found anguish in nothing? Have you found hope in Him?

Can you, really, praise your way through anything?

"

Here's My Cup Lord

Can You, Really, Praise Your Way Through Anything? (Part 2): "

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Last night I hit rock bottom, finally saw right through myself

Wasn’t long ’till I called mamma, I wouldn’t wanna call no one else

And I knew exactly what she’d say

But I wanted to hear it anyway…she said

Chorus:

What about Jesus? What about Jesus?

He’s the answer you’ve been searching for

‘Cause it’s a long road, if you’re walking it alone

Without Jesus, Jesus

We said goodbye and I went out driving

Running like I always do

Until I found that lonely back road

that wooden cross where I lost you

And I swore I’d never pray again

But mama’s words were running through my head

I’ve asked so many questions

Since my world came crashing down

But the one that really matters

Just keeps on ringing out, over every doubt

Chorus:

What about Jesus? What about Jesus?

He’s the answer you’ve been searching for

Oh, what about Jesus? What about Jesus?

He’s the answer you’ve been searching for

‘Cause it’s a long road, when you’re walking it alone

Without Jesus, Jesus

Opened up my grandma’s Bible that she gave to me when I turned 16"

Here's My Cup Lord

Can You, Really, Praise Your Way Through Anything? (Part 3): "

I waited patiently for the LORD;

he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the LORD.

Blessed is the man

who makes the LORD his trust,

who does not look to the proud,

to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, O LORD my God,

are the wonders you have done.

The things you planned for us

no one can recount to you;

were I to speak and tell of them,

they would be too many to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but my ears you have pierced

burnt offerings and sin offerings

you did not require.

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—

it is written about me in the scroll.

I desire to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;

I do not seal my lips,

as you know, O LORD.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.

I do not conceal your love and your truth

from the great assembly.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;

may your love and your truth always protect me.

For troubles without number surround me;

my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my heart fails within me.

Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;

O LORD, come quickly to help me.

May all who seek to take my life

be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin

be turned back in disgrace.

May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”

be appalled at their own shame.

But may all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation always say,

“The LORD be exalted!”

Yet I am poor and needy;

may the Lord think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

O my God, do not delay. Ps. 40 NIV

You tell me.

"

Health Tips

Cholesterol concerns? Get moving!: "Whether you're overweight or not, exercise can reduce 'bad' cholesterol . . ."

Health News

False Health Claims on Cereal Cost Kellogg: "

Food manufacturer Kellogg has again been called on the carpet by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for making false claims on the front of one of its bestselling cereals: Rice Krispies. Advertising that the cereal improved children’s health has not been backed up by scientific evidence, much like its claim last year on Frosted Mini Wheats that they improved children’s attentiveness.

read more"

Cake, Batter and Bowl

Mediterranean Chicken Sausage and Chickpea Skillet: "

We’re back! Our trip to Lithuania was amazing and I’m going to work on sorting through all our pictures this weekend so I can share a recap with you. There were two things I couldn’t wait to do once we returned home though – one was sleeping in our own bed because we splurged on the best mattress ever and I always miss it when we travel, and of course I was also itching to get into the kitchen.

Since Lithuanian cuisine is pretty heavy, I was craving a healthy meal after we had settled in and restocked on groceries. I made this excellent Mark Bittman recipe that I found on Adrienne’s blog a few months ago and was inspired to make a dish of my own featuring chicken sausage, spinach, and chickpeas. I decided on a Mediterranean twist and added in roasted red peppers, feta, pine nuts, and lemon juice. This definitely hit the spot and got high ratings from Apolinaras.

p.s. The winner of my Ad Hoc cookbook giveaway was number 27 – congrats Erin!

Mediterranean Chicken Sausage and Chickpea Skillet
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 12-ounce package chicken sausages, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
1 red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
16 ounces fresh baby spinach
Juice of one lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
2 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained
1/2 cup crumbled feta
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

Directions:
Heat olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium high heat and cook chicken sausage slices 5 minutes or until browned; remove from the pan and keep warm. Add onion to the pan and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes or until softened; add garlic and sauté 1 additional minute. Place half the spinach in the skillet, cover with a lid, and heat 3 to 5 minutes or until wilted. Stir well and repeat with remaining spinach. Mix in lemon juice and salt. Stir in browned chicken sausages, roasted red peppers, chickpeas, feta, and pine nuts. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition: 658 calories, 27.4g fat, 16.0g fiber, 38.3g protein per serving
Cost: $2.82 per serving"

Breast Cancer News

Lumpectomy without Radiation an Option for Some Older Breast Cancer Patients: "Among women aged 70 or older with Stage I, estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, treatment with lumpectomy and tamoxifen resulted in a higher rate of cancer recurrence but similar overall survival as treatment with lumpectomy, tamoxifen, and radiation therapy. These ..."

Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day

1 Thessalonians 5:11: "“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”"

5 Minutes For Books

Tortilla Sun: "

Tortilla Sun is set in a small pueblo town in New Mexico. The setting is rich. I could taste the tortillas that Izzy made with her grandmother, or shall I say I wish I could have tasted them. I could feel the hot sun and envision adventurous young teens Mateo and Izzy with temples wet with sweat and cheeks red from exertion after exploring.

Izzy is a writer, and the storytelling by Jennifer Cervantes is quite lyrical, so in addition to those who enjoy a story with some magical realism, a child who loves the written word — on the page or the stories that she creates — would probably identify with Izzy.

She's spending the summer with her grandmother while her mother is working overseas. She learns a lot about her father, who died before she was born, and of course she learns a lot about herself too.

Because the pace is slow and the writing is so beautiful (and it's relatively short — 224 pages in a fairly large font), this was a great book to read aloud. If you are out of the habit of reading aloud to your older children who can read independently, I recommend that you revisit the tradition. I hope you get as much enjoyment out of it as we do. I wrote more about why I read aloud to my tween at my blog Snapshot.

Read an excerpt of the book to find out more about it.

There is no objectionable mature content in this book, but death is a definite theme, so it's best for kids 10 and up. It reads like a classic, like the kind of book I read when I was growing up, free of cell phones and kids who want to grow up too fast.

We have a copy to give away to one of you (U.S. and Canadian addresses are eligible). Leave a comment if you'd like to win. We'll announce the winner on June 16.

Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter.

Jennifer Donovan blogs at Snapshot about life with her 6-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter."

$5 Dinners

Grow. Eat. Save. – Radishes: "

Obscure. Underrated.

It’s got a great peppery flavor with crisp, crunchy texture…until you cook it! It’s filled with Vitamin C, Potassium, antioxidants and fiber.

Here are a few things I learned on my quest to unlock the potential and delish-ness of these little red round beauties!

• How to Store Radishes


• Roasted Radishes


• Braised Radishes


• Radish Dip

I was quite surprised at how few recipes I came across. But in the end I settled on a recipe in last month’s Real Simple Magazine.

Braised Chicken with Spring Vegetables

I made a few adaptations and substitutions…and in the end, I was quite impressed with how this turned out. It left my tongue and palate wanting more!

Braised Chicken with Radishes, Carrots and Peppers

1 Tbsp olive oil ($.10)

2 large split breast chicken, skin removed ($2.12)

Salt and pepper

About 8 radishes, washed, snipped and halved ($1)

1 cup homemade chicken stock

2 carrots sticks, peeled and cut into sticks ($.20)

1/2 red pepper, cut into 1/2″ squares ($.40)

1/2 orange pepper, cut into 1/2″ squares ($.40)

(1 cup brown rice $.40, 1 package frozen spinach $.50)

Directions

Place the oil into a saucepan. Add the split breast chicken and season with salt and pepper. Saute for 6 to 7 minutes on each side.

Remove from pan and set aside on a plate.

Pour off any fat and oil and then return pan to the stovetop. Pour in the chicken breast and the prepared vegetables.

Place the partially cooked chicken on top of the vegetables. Cover and cook on high until stock begins to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

Prepare brown rice and spinach as directed.

Serve Braised Chicken with Radishes, Carrots and Peppers with Brown Rice and Spinach

Cost $5.12

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

I also took Sheri’s suggestion and sauteed them in some butter with salt and pepper. And YUM-i-licious!

Pan Roasted Radish Quarters

Radishes, washed, snipped and quartered (sounds worse that being tarred and feathered?!)

1 Tbsp butter

Salt and pepper

Melt the butter in a skillet or small saucepan. Add the radish quarters and season with salt and pepper. Saute for 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden.

Eat straight from the pan.

With that…I’m off to water and check on the garden…garden updates next week!!!

What about you? What has been your experience with radishes? How do you like them? Link up a recipe or leave a link in the comments!

Thanks for helping us gather some great radish recipes!!!

Grow. Eat. Save. – Radishes is a post from: $5 Dinners.com
(c) 2009 $5 Dinners. Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

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Grow. Eat. Save. – Radishes was first posted on June 5, 2010 at 8:05 am."

Like A Warm Cup of Coffee

If You’re So Inclined, I’d Love Your Vote…: "

OpenSky is giving $1000 to whoever wins for best shop page. You can see my shop page here and if you think it’s worthy, would you kindly consider voting for it?

You can vote for Like a Warm Cup of Coffee here.

Thank you! :)

P.S. If I win, I’ll have a giveaway… hint hint





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"

Women of Faith Blogs

False Notion: "

Some of us have the false notion that if we stay out of the thick of things we’ll be safe. In doing so, however, we can become enslaved by that very source of so-called protection. –Marilyn Meberg (The Great Adventure)"

The Point

Challenge 2010 - Verse 11: "Hello friends,

For some reason it seems like a very long time since we met here in blogland to share our memory verses. I'm so glad that you are hanging in there and doing your memorization. I know it is not easy, but the payoffs are huge. HUGE, I tell you.

I know many of you could offer a word of testimony about how the Lord has used the verses you have been memorizing in your life. I would love hearing from you, either as a comment here at The Point or via email. Please don't ever hesitate to contact me to share what's on your heart. I know that your testimonies and stories encourage me and others to keep on keeping on. So, bring 'em on!!

Time for verse 11. Once again, I return to Psalm 139 for the verse that I will be working on this 2 weeks. It is Psalm 139: 11 from the NIV:

If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night

around me,'

Can't wait to see what the Lord has you memorizing. Hang in there. We are almost half way!!

"

The Gospel.com Blog

Today’s Devotional: Listening to our waking thoughts: "

What did you wake up thinking about this morning?

Normally, when I wake up it’s with a random song lyric stuck in my head, or the first thing I need to do at work. But sometimes it’s more weighty than that. I’ve woken up thinking of friends I haven’t talked to for months or a problem in my life that needs resolution. Those mornings feel different, and those half-formed thoughts will linger until I act on them.

A recent Daily Encounter devotional discussed the importance of listening to those niggling ideas and thoughts we have when we wake up. They might be more than a passing notion—they could be a nudge from God:

Melody Beattie in her book, The Language of Letting Go, emphasizes the importance of contemplating what is on your mind first thing when you wake up in the morning? What is it in that half-asleep, half-awake place? Are you troubled about something? Is there some responsibility you have neglected and is bothering you? Is it a project you’ve wanted to start but have kept putting it off? Is it an unhealthy relationship you are in and you know that you need to either resolve or end it? Is it a destructive habit or sin that you feel convicted about?

Whatever is on your mind at this time is coming from your inner self, your unconscious mind, or it may be from God’s Spirit. It may be revealing an issue you need to deal with, or a project you’ve been thinking about starting for months. Listen to that voice and do what you know you need to do about it. Don’t put it off. Take care of it each day.

Have you ever realized something important in that half-awake/half-dreaming state?"

The Friendly Book Nook

Who Do I Lean On by Neta Jackson: "

Now that Gabby is back on her feet after being in a homeless shelter, she has a new dream that will stretch her faith farther than ever.

Gabby expects a fight from her husband over custody of their boys, but she is taken aback when he leans on her for a loan to cover his gambling debts. When she turns him down, Philip makes a desperate move that puts Gabby, her friends at the shelter, and even the House of Hope at risk.

The props Gabby usually leans on–Jodi, her Yada Yada prayer partner; her friend Harry, the ex-cop; and Lee, her lawyer, who has fallen in love with Gabby–are not always there when she needs them most. Gabby must make a decision that could change the course of her life. But is it for better–or for worse?

My Review: I enjoy these books soooo much. I think it’s because I wish I was in a group like the Yada Yada prayer group! They so take care of each other and everyone else they come into contact with! I can’t really relate to the character Gabby, I would just like to tell her what to do in the case of her love life. I guess my mantra is don’t trust anyone for a while at least. I always love Jodi Baxter and I can relate to her – happy marriage and public school teacher. The only difference is I have three kids and they are older.

I ordered the first parallel novel, Harry Bentley’s Second Chance by Neta Jackson’s husband Dave. Can’t wait to get it. These books take off on the secondary characters in Neta’s books. It will be nice to read about Christian men from a Christian man’s point of view! This book will help me wait until March 2011 when the next book in the series comes out, Who is My Shelter? These books rate at the top of my list of favorite Christian fiction books. Keep them coming, Neta and Dave!"