Last night my Pampered Chef party was a smashing success! The recipes were delicious and we had such a great time.
The Live video can be seen here-->> https://fb.watch/jyH7Ps6QAM/?
I finally finished part 3 of the Springfrost CAL! I'm about half way done with the body and then there is a border.
Since I have read 8 books by the 15th I am splitting my March reviews in two. I guess my reading slump is over. :P I'm back on track with my reading goal for 2023- 19 by this count and 20 to date.
Pretty Little Pieces by Carmen Schober 3/2 Kindle/library★★★
In the opening chapter Georgina suffers a miscarriage. She is living with her partner and learning of the baby and miscarriage- he promptly leaves her. Leaving her stunned and devastated. They are a designer TV couple- Chip and Joanna Gaines wannabes - so their break up also impacts their career path. Her obsession with Joanna seemed a little over the top.
Georgina takes off to a rural Tennessee town where she and her sister had attended a Christian camp as children. She is seeking to renovate a cottage with her best friend, film a pilot and beat her Ex out for a new television series.
The male protagonist Cassidy, is by far my favorite character. He is rock solid, had plenty of his own struggles but ultimately found redemption and strength in Jesus.
Cautious hope fills Georgina because Poppy takes her praying pretty seriously, so it’s a good sign.
“People are wrong all the time. What’s fashionable today is outdated tomorrow.” He shrugs. “I’m betting on God.”
It Started with a Dog by Julie London 3/4 print/library★★★
Share Your Stuff, I'll Go First by Laura Tremaine 3/6 audio/hoopla★★★
At its core it is a book about friendship and relationships. It has long been on my TBR. Hearing a book chat in the MMD bookclub coupled with it being available on Hoopla is what tipped the scales in its favor. I listened to the audio book read by the author. And I think I would like to re-read it in print. I was also mildly surprised when I got to the end and realized it was published by Zondervan a Christian Imprint. Not that it is overtly unchristian but I wouldn't say it was Christian exactly- I don't know maybe I'm over thinking it.
One thing that stuck with me was how after a disheartening youth group experience she lost some of her faith and began to out of her church and no one took notice. We need to take notice of our people, especially young people. Be open and honest and encouraging. And share your stuff ;-) you never know how your story (or testimony) may help someone else.
Jesus Revolution by Greg Laurie 3/7 eBook/hoopla ★★★★
Then, having decided that he was for Jesus, the new life wasn't static. It was a journey about learning how to grow up in Christ, about an ongoing revolution of being transformed by the renewal of the Holy Spirit. It was all about Grace. At the same time, it involved work. Daily life was now built on practices that were as ancient as they were revolutionary: worship, the study of the Bible, prayer, fellowship, and evangelism.
The Holy Sprit works in all kinds of strange and surprising ways.
The point is, each of us has different idols that subtly come from the culture around us, idols we spin and polish so we can incorporate them into our nice religious experience. An "idol" is anyone or anything that takes the place of God in our lives.
Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate 3/9 eBook/library ★★★★
I still want to bang Mike and Steph's heads together. Their struggles are all too real in this world. My heart hurts for their daughter Lili.
Also I loved Natalie's obsession with obscure M&M flavors.
"Everyday, try one more time."
Atomic Habits by James Clear 3/11 audio/library ★★★★
Decide the type of person you want to be. Prove it to yourself with small wins.
Once you have a handle on the type of person you want to be, you can begin taking small steps to reinforce your desired identity. I have a friend who lost over 100 pounds by asking herself, “What would a healthy person do?” All day long, she would use this question as a guide. Would a healthy person walk or take a cab? Would a healthy person order a burrito or a salad? She figured if she acted like a healthy person long enough, eventually she would become that person. She was right.
One of the most effective things you can do to build better habits is to join a culture where your desired behavior is the normal behavior. New habits seem achievable when you see others doing them every day. If you are surrounded by fit people, you’re more likely to consider working out to be a common habit. If you’re surrounded by jazz lovers, you’re more likely to believe it’s reasonable to play jazz every day. Your culture sets your expectation for what is “normal.” Surround yourself with people who have the habits you want to have yourself. You’ll rise together.
The Lost Husband by Katherine Center 3/13 (print/library)★★★★
Anyway, in this book Libby moves with her two children to her aunt's goat farm, after the loss of her husband. I love this from the back of the book :P
"Dear Libby, It occurs to me that you and your two children have been living with your mother for -- Dear Lord! -- two whole years, and I'm writing to see if you'd like to be rescued." The letter comes out of the blue, and just in time for Libby Moran, who, after the sudden death of her husband, Danny, went to stay with her hypercritical mother. Now her crazy Aunt Jean has offered Libby an escape, a job and a place to live on her farm in the Texas Hill Country. Before she can talk herself out of it, Libby is packing the minivan, grabbing the kids, and hitting the road.
It is heartwarming, and funny and sometimes sad. Themes of closure, letting go and new beginnings.
You can never appreciate your children so fully as when they are asleep, when you're just a bystander. Awake, they're looking at you - for answers, for reactions - and being looked at can make it hard to see. When they're asleep, though, it frees you to do some looking yourself.
The Secret Daughter by Kelly Rimmer 3/15 (print/library)
Sometimes you have to let go of one dream to pick up another one.
I resolved then and there to become a woman and a mother who hugged. There was something so generous about the gesture.
We can’t change anything that happened, but we can mine the good out of how it all panned out and build a better future from it.
So 8 books midway through March. I finished another one today but that is going on part 2. ;-)
My anxiety began ramping up Monday night as the schools closed for the next day. Driving in bad winter weather is the thing I hate most in this world.
Tuesday morning I kept looking out the window, checking the roads, trying to psych myself up for the drive to work. I was beyond elated when I got out of the shower to see the text on my phone
"Stay home, stay safe!"
I intended to be productive and take full advantage of the day at home but coziness won out. I did clean the fridge. So that's something.
8 am
