My Favorite Cookbook

(Almost my favorite book, period.)

This book is so full of tips, recipes, and ideas, that every time I go through it, I find something new. The idea is to have a book that promotes frugal cooking/housekeeping/gift giving/habits, and it exceeds expectations! The recipes are for down-home, real food. Nothing is too fancy.

There are tons of tips and encouraging sayings, many of which are from a Christian perspective! (ex: "Never be discouraged. Remember, Noah was an amateur. The experts built the Titanic.")

There's also a 32 pg. section on mixes for giftgiving, a 22 pg. section on recipes for kids (including playdough, finger paints, snow ice cream, etc.), and a a 32 pg. section on cleaning tips (including recipes for cleaning solutions, etc.) and a 22 pg. section on beauty recipies (homemade leg wax anyone??)

This guide (because it's really more than a cookbook) is great for basic recipes, tips, and teaching general housekeeping stuff!

In sum, I'd recommend it to anyone!

Angela Hunt's "The Awakening"

I love to read. The problem is that usually, by the time I'm done with my assigned reading for school (the portion that I do, anyway), I don't have time to read for pleasure. This summer, I'm working a job that requires a lot of just sitting and being available. If no one needs me, however, I have long stretches of time in which I can do whatever... And so far (3 days) I have used that time to read!

Yesterday and tonight I read Angela Hunt's The Awakening.


I really enjoyed it! It's a beautiful allegory about the love that God has for his children. At one point, Aurora (the main character) hears a voice that says, "I have always loved you." She doesn't know it, but it's God speaking to her. What a simple, poignant statement that we all need to hear.

I have always loved you.

It's a comforting whisper--a needed revelation.

My God never fails.