Is it weird that I actually LIKE Mondays? I know a lot of people don't care for Monday, and tend to say things like, "well, it's Monday" when things don't go quite right.  Not me. I feel that ANY of the day can be good, or bad, or in-the-middle. It's all what YOU make of it. Starting today I'm posting TWO meme entries to the blogosphere, as well as this snappy little recipe of mine that I ADORE to make for special occasions, so check out Music Monday and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? On with the Cooking Show!! Caramel Mousse in Chocolate Cups Chocolate cups: 2 bags semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 tablespoon butter Caramel Mousse: 1 (16 ounce) tub of Cool Whip, thawed 1/2 cup of your favorite caramel ice cream topping Suggested toppings: Plain whipped cream Chopped peanut butter cups Finely chopped dry roasted peanuts Coat a 6-cup silicone muffin tin with non-stick spray or lightly coat with oil of your choice. Melt...

Hello friends!! Yes, I realize this post is going up really ( really ) late, and for that I apologize. I'm going to start doing this genius idea I got from Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer  called (drum roll) Isn't that darling? It's not going to be necessarily long-winded each Sunday, but it is part of my whole "accountability activity" that keeps me blogging, so add another star to my star chart! What you can look forward to is a little "sneak peek" of what I plan to blog about during the week! This week's line-up: Music Monday with Lauren from Always Me  followed by  It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? with Kathryn from Book Date  and the girls will be contributing their #IMWAYR Kid Lit edition Top 5 Tuesday is KILLING it this month, our WHOLE month is Harry Potter themed! Each week we're focusing on a different Hogwart's house. Last week was Gryffindor, which I missed, so Autumn will guest post Piggyback on Gryffindor, and I...

Once upon a time I had TONS of things to blog about, and occasionally joined in on a fun prompt. Now, I find that I love prompts and sprinkle in day-to-day whenever I can. This blog circle is hosted by Dani at  Perspective of a Writer  and I cannot wait to join the fun each week. This is an "off" week, so I could have sat it out but since it's my first week ever joining in, I chose to take Dani's suggestion of recycling an old idea. The one I picked is: What character would you go on vacation with? If this was something that could really happen, I'd pick Eleanora Pacelli from Patti Benning's Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria series of cozy mysteries. Ellie is a strong, independent woman who uproots herself and moves to a tiny town in Maine from bustling Chicago when she finds that her fast-paced corporate life and fiance aren't at all what they seem to be. She moves in with her grandmother, Ann, after the unexpected death of Ellie's grandfat...

Welcome, welcome to a fun, new "prompt" I've joined in. This is my FIRST EVER "Top 5 Wednesday" post, and I couldn't be more excited to join in the fun of this amazing GoodReads group! Each week there is going to be a specific topic that those of us who choose to will share our thoughts on at our blog. I am REALLY excited about February's topics, and this week is actually one that is close to my heart. People call them ALL kinds of things these days, but back when I was younger and hugely into reading (I honestly read during meals, even, sorry Mom & Dad!) we called them fictional couples or "love interests." They're now also called "book-ups," "ships," "pairings" and I'm sure a ton other I know nothing about. Drum roll please for this week's topic: Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester . One of the first "adult" books I read, and I was devastated when it turned out that Mr. Rochester h...

Somehow I managed to NEVER get this wonderful book reviewed and for that I can only apologize to Waterbrook Multnomah's amazing Blogging For Books crew and the remarkably talented Annie Jones, one of my all time favorite authors. I received this book quite some time ago to review and fell in love practically from page one. The ladies from  Prayer Tree , a previous Jones title, are back and as engaging as ever. Most every woman can find a character to relate to in these two titles, either in  Rosemary, Naomi, Gayle, or Lucy who were introduced in  Prayer Tree  or perhaps in the elderly character of Grace Grayson who relives a tragic disappointment every year on the night of New Bethany's Splendor Belle Gala.  This year, on the night of the gala, Mrs. Grayson is seen once again in her ball gown of fifty years earlier but this may well be the last year she puts it on.  The prayer circle ladies, who've grown a bit apart since the last time we joined them, ha...

I know I have. Several times. The times that it frustrates me, though, are the times I'm trying to get into the Word and just get left feeling like a spectator at a political debate with no information on the candidates, their platforms, or the issues. Well, that obstacle has finally been removed, thanks to  Tyndale House  and  The Wayfinding Bible . I was given the opportunity to check this Bible out, test drive it if you will, and it is an honest Blessing. I have bought a few versions of the Bible, but this one really honestly speaks TO me, instead of AT me. I know that's a personal perception, but that is why I'm thankful for the many different editions of God's Word out there. This Bible is helping me understand my faith, the history of my faith, our God, and my savior Jesus better than I ever have.  There are three reading plans that are integral to the layout and printing of this edition. They are the flyover route, the direct route, and the scenic ro...

It is time for another BookSneeze Book Review, fellow readers! After much soul-searching and stops and starts I am satisfied with what I have learned from reading this book and feel that I can give it a terrific review. It might not be a long review but I don't think this fabulous book needs a lot of wordiness to prompt others to read it. ****************************** This book has taught me to be content in my ordinariness. Sometimes I have felt that God is not using me...but then I look around me and see things changing that I never thought would change; or find that I am giving advice that I never thought I would give simply because the opportunity arose and I took it. After reading Outlive Your Life I found myself LOOKING for chances to do things that would help spread the word about my God and for ways that I could positively impact others around me. For a few years I was very sad that I wasn't called to be part of my church's worship team. BUT shortly after re...