Monday, May 30, 2011

Menu Plan Monday


I am SO happy that I am finally feeling normal. In fact, I was feeling so normal last night that I ran 4.18 miles. Now I'm a bit sore but it's a good feeling.

We actually ended up with too many meals planned this week and I'll have to prioritize what I'm cooking. It's so nice to have options.

Monday - Spaghetti
Tuesday - Garlic ginger noodles (new recipe)
Wednesday - Tacos
Thursday - I will be attempting sushi for the first time but not sure what to make with it. Miso soup/gyoza/soba noodles/or...
Friday - Thai Green Curry (new recipe)
Sabbath lunch - 8 minute vegan enchiladas (new recipe)
Sabbath dinner - Homemade pizza

Writing up our menu is making me hungry!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

What's On My Nightstand?

What's On Your Nightstand


I really need to stay on top of my book reviews. Several of these were read earlier this spring but I'm just now getting the reviews written! Oops!

Books completed in May (links are to my reviews)

The Castle by Franz Kafka - 3 stars
A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell - 4 stars (read in April but posted the review in May)
The Walk by Shaun Alexander - 2.5 stars (read in March! but posted the review in May)
The Boy, A Holocaust Story by Dan Porat - 3 stars
Moon Over Tokyo by Siri Mitchell - 3 stars
The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov - 4 stars

Currently reading


Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy - I have read just over half this book so far and am gaining some great insights into WWII, Bonhoeffer himself, and how the church dealt with Hitler's rise to power.













To-read in June

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, by Francis Chan - I meant to read this in May but have spent all of my time reading Bonhoeffer.

I have a pile of library books but I know Bonhoeffer will probably take another week to read. I'm leaving June very flexible for reading options. Usually I don't like not having a list but today I'm feeling very relaxed about the whole thing! We'll see how it turns out.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Still MIA

*sigh* I am still having minor health issues and have not been able to use my glasses for the last several days. That makes using the computer relatively difficult! I hope to be back on Monday. If anyone is still reading, have a great weekend! :)

Friday, May 13, 2011

MIA

I've been rather light on posts this week. It was not intentional. It has been an amazing and crazy week. Unfortunately, now I'm down with some sort of an eye problem. Doc put me on two different antibiotics but I haven't taken prescription medication in years and my body is not appreciating me taking it now.

Hopefully I'll be back Monday!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

My new nephew

Last night, I met my nephew for the very first time. He's three months old and so adorable!



I only got to see him for a couple hours but we'll see him and his mother again on Monday for a bit. Then nephew, his mom, and his dad (my brother) will be staying with us for almost a week in June. I am so excited!

Monday, May 9, 2011

2 book reviews

I have seen Siri Mitchell praised around the blogsphere but had never read one of her books. When Bethany House offered a copy of her newest book for review, I jumped on it. A Heart Most Worthy is not great literature, nor does it claim to be. However, what a great weekend read! The characters were engaging, the plot was interesting, and I read the entire book in one evening.

The biggest draw of this book is the characters. They just come off as so real. They grapple with normal issues, just like the rest of us. They have good days and bad days. They go to church but aren't sure if they have a real understanding of God. It was just so believable. The plot wasn't as believable, but the characters really made the story come to life. If this book is a reflection of Mitchell's other works, I will be reading more!

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.



Another recent review copy received is The Walk by Shaun Alexander. I wanted to like this book; I really did. I think the main issue is just that I wasn't the target audience.

Football references mostly worked for me because I watched football for years with my dad. However, the steps a Christian moves through in his life are completely action based. As a woman, I am more emotion based. For me, spiritual maturity is more about beliefs and emotions and the actions that come from that, rather than a desciption of behaviors that a Christian would exhibit during certain stages.

Also, if you were to look at what God prefers - actions or heart - the Bible comes out on the side of the heart.

As a woman, the book just doesn't resonate. Hopefully it appeals more to a male audience, as I feel the book does have merit. Just not for me.

Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

God desires a close relationship with us

I was so blessed to be able to write a guest post for today's Scripture reading! Visit Mom's Toolbox to read what I learned in Mark 3.