Gardening and more

Life has been very hectic this past couple of weeks.  To give you an insight, my twins graduate in 2 weeks and I haven't made / bought / or mailed the invitations for the ceremony and reception. 

Now, onto some garden pics!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first strawberry of the season.  It tasted as beautiful as it looks!

Doesn't this remind you of The Grinch and lil' Cindy Lou Who... from Whoville...

The radished have been producing.  I am very thankful that they all didn't become ready to harvest at once... I'm the only one who eats them!

The beets are starting to poke through.  I'm wondering if they are developed under the ground... hmmmm.

The bell peppers are looking iffy.  We have had a few more temperature swings and I'm not sure if they are going to make it.  I am truly over this bipolar weather.

The squash plants are doing well;  they must be liking their new pots!

My husband received this beautiful Bromeliad for his birthday.

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.

Happy Gardening!

This post may be linked to Tuesday Garden Party and Bloomin' Tuesday.

Blessings,

Ellen

Leaving Lancaster... a book review

ISBN-13: 9780781405089

Publisher: David C. Cook

Publisher's Description

Can a splintered Amish family reconcile?

More than anything else, thirty-something Holly Fisher longs for family. Growing up in Seattle without a dad or grandparents, she wonders what it would be like to have a heritage, a place of belonging. Holly is furious when her mother, Esther, reveals a long-kept secret: Holly’s grandmother and uncles are still alive and begging Esther to return. And Holly is shocked when she learns that the family she’s never known lives on a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, farm—as part of an Amish community her mother once abandoned.

Guilt-ridden Esther, terrified to see her mother and siblings, begs Holly to accompany her on a visit to Esther’s mother before she dies. But can their journey to a conflicting world heal their emotional wounds and finally bring them home?

Set in the heart of contemporary Lancaster County, Leaving Lancaster explores the power of forgiveness, family reconciliation, and love where least expected.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

I enjoy the Amish fiction genre; the simple lifestyle and importance of family keep me coming back for more. 

In Leaving Lancaster, the main character, Esther left her Amish roots with  her intended and didn't return until a letter from her mom begs her to return.  Now, over 30 years later, Esther then tells her daughter that she has extended family in Pennsylvania - something she has desired since her childhood.  At this point in the book, neither character seems to act their age.  Both are presented with behaviors similar to teenagers bickering.  Also, throughout the novel, I had to reread sections to make sure I knew who was talking or was part of the action.

I enjoyed the book's storyline as the returning prodigal daughter returns and is accepting into the family / community.  But the writing style and under-developed characters won't have me going back for more.  Leaving Lancaster does not have a neat and tidy ending, so I feel there will be at least one more book with these same characters.

I received a complimentary ebook from David C. Cook Publishing and NetGalley for my honest review.

Blessings,

     Ellen

Discounted gas...

I just love me some savings.... especially on gas!  One of our local grocery stores, Bi-Lo, has a fuelperks program.  The more you spend at their store, the more you save at the pump.  Outside of weekly fuelperks deals, Bi-Lo gives you $0.05 for every $50 you spend.  Then you have 3 months to use them.

Check out my Exxon gas receipt from today...

How cool is this.... saving $32.29 on my purchase!

I believe Winn-Dixie has a similar program.  Check it out!  You could be saving, too!

Blessings,

     Ellen

Two Crosses... a book review

ISBN-13: 9780781405003

Publisher: Cook, David C.

Publication date: 6/1/2012 (reprint)

Series:Secrets of the Cross Trilogy

Historical Christian Fiction

Book Description:

The glimmering Huguenot cross she innocently wears leads her deep into the shadows.

When Gabriella Madison arrives in France in 1961 to continue her university studies, she doesn’t anticipate being drawn into the secretive world behind the Algerian war for independence from France. The further she delves into the war efforts, the more her faith is challenged.

The people who surround her bring a whirlwind of transforming forces—a wise nun involved in the smuggling, a little girl carrying secret information, and a man with unknown loyalties who captures her heart. When she discovers a long hidden secret from her past, it all leads to questions about trust, faith in action, and the power of forgiveness to move beyond the pain of the past. (Barnes & Noble)

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

As a fan of Elizabeth Musser's novels, I knew Two Crosses would not disappoint me!  Her writing style and knowledge of French history makes this a wonderful read.  Due to my lack of knowledge about the Algerian War, I had trouble understanding the underlying plot.  I needed to reread a few sections to make sure I was understanding it correctly. (This was not a bad thing... I researched and learned more about this time period in world history!)

With that said, I was pulled into the storyline and found myself cheering on the main characters.  Gabriella reminded my to continue to rely of God and follow Him even when I don't understand why things are happening.  Elizabeth Musser does a wonderful job at weaving in the gospel and the plan of salvation into the story.  This is what true Christian fiction will do... show God's plan of salvation to unbelievers and remind believers that it isn't what we do that brings us to Him.

Two Crosses is the first of three books in the Secrets of the Cross Trilogy.  I look forward to reading Two Testaments (6/1/12) and Two Destinies (8/24/12).

ISBN-13: 9780781404990

Available June 1, 2012

 

ISBN-13: 9780781405010

Available August 24, 2012

I received a complimentary eBook from David Cook Publishing and NetGalley for my honest review.

Blessings,

     Ellen 

Lazy Beef Lasagna

photo credit

We love lasagna any time of year. 

With this recipe, you can enjoy an easier and tasty version without all the work!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs ground beef, lean
1 TBS garlic, minced
1 jar or 26 oz. prepared pasta sauce
1 1/2 cups water
1 pkg refrigerated or frozen cheese ravioli
1 cup Italian cheese blend, shredded
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1)  Heat oven to 400 F. 

2)  Brown ground beef with garlic in large, non-stick skillet over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until beef in no longer pink.  Pour off fat drippings. 

3)  Stir in sauce and 1 1/2 cups water, bring to a boil.  Cook and stir 2 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper. 

4)  Layer ravioli, beef mixture and cheese, 1/2 at a time, in 13 x 9 baking dish. 

5)  Bake, covered, in 400 F oven 15 minutes (20 minutes if frozen).  Uncover.  Bake 15-20 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and pasta is tender.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Makes 6-8 servings. 

* Note:  I double this recipe for our family of 5 (ages 16+) and bake it in a lasagna dish.  I mix the ravioli and most of the cheese with the meat mixture; then pour it into the lasagna pan to bake.  During the last 5 minutes of baking, I top it with the leftover cheese. For a spicier palate, substitute hot Italian sausage for half of the ground beef.

Cook's Family Recipes.  Chef Ellen

This recipe may be linked to these wonderful blogs!

Blessings,

     Ellen

Giveaway reminders... 2 books!

AND

Giveaways end

April 30, 2012

11:59 PM

Come on by and throw your name in the hat

at the Not This Time Giveaway post and at

the Need You Now Giveaway post.

{Do Not Leave Comment on This Post!}

Blessings,

Ellen

Fearless... an introduction

When Navy SEAL Adam Brown woke up on March 17, 2010, he didn’t know he would die that night in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan—but he was ready.

In a letter to his children, not meant to be seen unless the worst happened, he wrote, “I’m not afraid of anything that might happen to me on this earth, because I know no matter what, nothing can take my spirit from me.”

Fearless is the story of Adam Brown, a man of extremes, whose courage and determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It’s about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the US military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice.

Click HERE to read Chapter 1!

I can't wait to read this book.  I would love  my sons to read about a strong Christian living his faith in the real world.

For more information on the book go to:

www.FearlessNavySeal.com

Fearless on Facebook

Follow the author on Twitter

Blessings,

     Ellen