Sunday, October 31, 2010
the miracle of mercy land book review
Mercy Land has made some unexpected choices for a young woman in the 1930s. The sheltered daughter of a traveling preacher, she chooses to leave her rural community to move to nearby Bay City on the warm, gulf-waters of southern Alabama. There she finds a job at the local paper and spends seven years making herself indispensable to old Doc Philips, the publisher and editor. Then she gets a frantic call at dawn—it’s the biggest news story of her life, and she can’t print a word of it.
Doc has come into possession of a curious book that maps the lives of everyone in Bay City—decisions they’ve made in the past, and how those choices affect the future. Mercy and Doc are consumed by the mystery locked between the pages—Doc because he hopes to right a very old wrong, and Mercy because she wants to fulfill the book’s strange purpose. But when a mysterious stranger shows up, Mercy begins to understand she may have to choose between love and loneliness . . . or good and evil . . . for the rest of her life.
Author Bio:
RIVER JORDAN began her writing career as a playwright with the Loblolly Theatre group. She teaches and speaks nationwide on ‘The Power of Story’, is a monthly contributor to the southern authors’ collective A Good Blog is Hard To Find, and produces and hosts the weekly radio program CLEARSTORY with River Jordan, in Nashville, where she and her husband live. She is the author of Saints in Limbo and this is her fourth novel.
My Review:
This book was very interesting. It kept me turning pages and wanting to know what was going to happen next. The characters were somewhat one dimensional but the story kept me captivated. Although it was a story about something that could never plausibly happen, I was still drawn into the lives of Mercy and Doc. The historical setting of the book did not play a huge role in the story but made it more interesting than if those things would have happened in today's culture. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story that isn't necessarily something that could happen in real life.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
marinated pork tenderloin
I know that Halloween is tomorrow...
and I should probably have a fun Halloweenish post for you.
But I don't.
Anyway, most of you are experiencing FALL!
And I'm SOOOO jealous of you if you are.
We've had some cooler mornings here (60's)
but it always gets warm by noon (80's+).
Even though the temperature is not FALL-like
I still have a craving for good, warm comfort food.
Enter the crock-pot.
I have THE BEST pork tenderloin recipe for you today.
And I don't have any photos to go with it...
but it's SOOO good that once you make it you won't need a photo to remember it.
When we've made this for company it ALWAYS gets rave reviews
and a couple of the guys even ask for the "juice" in a cup.
I'm making this tomorrow for our company,
my in-laws are in town, MIL and two SIL and one niece
because my sweet Hannah is being Baptized tomorrow!
ANYWAY...onto the BEST pork tenderloin you'll ever eat!
and I should probably have a fun Halloweenish post for you.
But I don't.
Anyway, most of you are experiencing FALL!
And I'm SOOOO jealous of you if you are.
We've had some cooler mornings here (60's)
but it always gets warm by noon (80's+).
Even though the temperature is not FALL-like
I still have a craving for good, warm comfort food.
Enter the crock-pot.
I have THE BEST pork tenderloin recipe for you today.
And I don't have any photos to go with it...
but it's SOOO good that once you make it you won't need a photo to remember it.
When we've made this for company it ALWAYS gets rave reviews
and a couple of the guys even ask for the "juice" in a cup.
I'm making this tomorrow for our company,
my in-laws are in town, MIL and two SIL and one niece
because my sweet Hannah is being Baptized tomorrow!
ANYWAY...onto the BEST pork tenderloin you'll ever eat!
Ingredients:
1 or 2 package(s) of pork tenderloin
1 bottle teriyaki sauce
1 cup honey
1/2 - 3/4 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp lemon juice (can substitute pineapple juice, apple juice, etc)
1-2 tsp garlic powder
1-2 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Mix all these ingredients together and use as a marinade for the tenderloin. Marinate the tenderloin as desired before simmering it in a crock-pot for 7-8 hours on the low temperature or 4-5 hours on the high temperature. Remove from the crock-pot, slice and serve.
We usually use the pineapple juice instead of lemon juice. And if you use more of one thing than it calls for its not a big deal. This is a recipe that can be fudged and worked with. We usually just pull the tenderloin apart with forks since its so tender and then put it back in the marinade to soak it all in. Seriously I hope you try this and I hope you LOVE it. Your kitchen will smell SOOO good while it's cooking. Oh and I've never actually marinated the pork ahead of time (because I forget) but it still tastes AMAZING!!!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
calendar girl
I don't remember where I got this idea...
or if it was one of my own ideas...
but I love it.
If you are new to my blog check out Micah's calendar pics here.
I will try to take a photo of Hannah lying on the calendar
on the 12th of each month.
I will also weigh and measure her at the same time.
Hannah was born weighing 7lbs and 5oz and was 20 inches long.
When I took these calendar photos she was two weeks old.
She weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 21 inches long.
or if it was one of my own ideas...
but I love it.
If you are new to my blog check out Micah's calendar pics here.
I will try to take a photo of Hannah lying on the calendar
on the 12th of each month.
I will also weigh and measure her at the same time.
Hannah was born weighing 7lbs and 5oz and was 20 inches long.
When I took these calendar photos she was two weeks old.
She weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 21 inches long.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
my three kids
It is so weird to say
"my three kids"
when did I get old enough to have THREE kids!?
I love my three kids like crazy,
they are amazing little people!
(not to mention cute if I might say so myself).
I love it when they are up for a little mini photo shoot.
I didn't bother to change their clothes,
or set up any fancy backdrops or get props
and I think that's why I love these photos so much.
It's just my kids being...my kids!
You can see a BUNCH more at my photography blog.
"my three kids"
when did I get old enough to have THREE kids!?
I love my three kids like crazy,
they are amazing little people!
(not to mention cute if I might say so myself).
I love it when they are up for a little mini photo shoot.
I didn't bother to change their clothes,
or set up any fancy backdrops or get props
and I think that's why I love these photos so much.
It's just my kids being...my kids!
You can see a BUNCH more at my photography blog.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
christmas is closer than you think...
Have you started thinking about Christmas cards?
I have...
but first I need to get Hannah's birth announcements out.
I've seen some really great Christmas cards at Shutterfly...
some great flat 5x7 cards...
including this one...
You know how much I love red...
and I love that I'd be able to share 6 photos with my family and friends.
I think I'd just write a little letter on some big stickers and put it on the back.
Easy peasy Christmas cards the people might want to hang onto.
You've gotta check them out.
You've gotta check them out.
They have tons of great designs, awesome religious cards
and some super cute gift tags as well.
It really is time to start thinking more about Christmas,
homemade gifts, baking, Christmas cards, shopping lists...
lets get things crossed off the list before it gets too late.
It's important to really enjoy the season of Christmas
and not be running around like crazy trying to get things done!
I will receive some free cards for writing this post but the opinions are all mine, I am not being compensated for my opinions.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
csn stores giveaway
You've heard me talk about the amazing CSN stores before...
well, now's your chance to get in on the action.
I will be reviewing a product from there shortly...
as soon as I make my purchase that is.
BUT the good news is
one of you will be able to purchase your own product from there too.
I have a $45 gift code to give out to one lucky winner!!!
YIPEE!!
There are so many things you could buy...
get yourself some new nightstands, quilts, bakeware,
really, you name it...it's all there!
And with Christmas coming up this could give you a GREAT
head start on your shopping list.
You can even find something for the "person who has everything."
So, what's on my list to buy...
probably some muffin tins and some "school" supplies!
I'll let you know what I get and how much I love it once it comes!
How can you win???
To enter to win your very own $45 gift card to CSN stores
visit one of their 200+ stores and leave a comment telling me
what you would use the money for.
If you want an extra entry become a follower and leave a comment telling me you are!
Make sure to leave an email address (if it's not in your blogger profile)
so I can contact you if you win.
Winner will be picked on November 1st using random.org.
This giveaway is sponsored by CSN stores!
well, now's your chance to get in on the action.
I will be reviewing a product from there shortly...
as soon as I make my purchase that is.
BUT the good news is
one of you will be able to purchase your own product from there too.
I have a $45 gift code to give out to one lucky winner!!!
YIPEE!!
There are so many things you could buy...
get yourself some new nightstands, quilts, bakeware,
really, you name it...it's all there!
And with Christmas coming up this could give you a GREAT
head start on your shopping list.
You can even find something for the "person who has everything."
So, what's on my list to buy...
probably some muffin tins and some "school" supplies!
I'll let you know what I get and how much I love it once it comes!
How can you win???
To enter to win your very own $45 gift card to CSN stores
visit one of their 200+ stores and leave a comment telling me
what you would use the money for.
If you want an extra entry become a follower and leave a comment telling me you are!
Make sure to leave an email address (if it's not in your blogger profile)
so I can contact you if you win.
Winner will be picked on November 1st using random.org.
This giveaway is sponsored by CSN stores!
super simple decorations
Here are two SUPER simple
yet cute and
not TOTALLY cheesy looking
Halloween/Fall crafts that
you can do with your little kids.
Candy Corn Banner
What you need:
paper plate
orange marker
yellow marker
scissors
Grab a paper plate and draw two circles on it
one inside the other.
(I like to use the back of the plate so the candy corn curls back)
Color the outside ring orange and the inside ring yellow.
Let the 2 year old scribble to his hearts content
Here are the colored circles all finished.
Then just cut the plate into 8 "pie" pieces.
I also rounded the corners to make it more "real" looking.
And hang them wherever you'd like!
Jack-O-Lantern
What you need:
paper plate
orange marker
black construction paper
scissors
glue
Color the whole plate orange.
Glue on black pieces of paper that have been cut out
to be the eyes, nose and mouth.
Simple. Fun.
Oh and it doesn't HAVE to be orange!
Happy candy corn making!
yet cute and
not TOTALLY cheesy looking
Halloween/Fall crafts that
you can do with your little kids.
Candy Corn Banner
What you need:
paper plate
orange marker
yellow marker
scissors
Grab a paper plate and draw two circles on it
one inside the other.
(I like to use the back of the plate so the candy corn curls back)
Color the outside ring orange and the inside ring yellow.
Let the 2 year old scribble to his hearts content
Here are the colored circles all finished.
Then just cut the plate into 8 "pie" pieces.
I also rounded the corners to make it more "real" looking.
And hang them wherever you'd like!
Jack-O-Lantern
What you need:
paper plate
orange marker
black construction paper
scissors
glue
Color the whole plate orange.
Glue on black pieces of paper that have been cut out
to be the eyes, nose and mouth.
Simple. Fun.
Oh and it doesn't HAVE to be orange!
Happy candy corn making!
Friday, October 22, 2010
cardboard house and tv
Before Hannah was born we made a house out of
the box her stroller came in.
The kids have LOVED playing in this house and have used
their imagination with this house quite a bit.
It's the nursery at church, a school, a house, a theater
anything they can dream up!
Then one day Naomi asked me to make her a tv.
And it had to be in a cabinet, just like our real tv.
So, I got to work and this is what I came up with.
Complete with a remote
They were eating "popcorn" and watching a movie!
LOVE making things out of cardboard...
wonder what we'll come up with next!
the box her stroller came in.
The kids have LOVED playing in this house and have used
their imagination with this house quite a bit.
It's the nursery at church, a school, a house, a theater
anything they can dream up!
Then one day Naomi asked me to make her a tv.
And it had to be in a cabinet, just like our real tv.
So, I got to work and this is what I came up with.
Complete with a remote
They were eating "popcorn" and watching a movie!
LOVE making things out of cardboard...
wonder what we'll come up with next!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
kiddie park
The other place that we took the kids for the first time
while my mom was in town,
was the local Kiddie Park.
(although I can't prove it since she's not in any of the pics)
A kind, sweet, woman from church bought the kids
wrist bands for the unlimited rides,
along with t-shirts and Christmas ornaments.
We took them on Monday...the day before Hannah was born.
At first Naomi wanted NOTHING to do with this place.
She thought the rides looked scary and were too noisy.
Micah was excited though and wanted to go on the rides right away.
Once we got him on one ride Naomi wasn't going to be outdone by her little brother,
so she tried one out, loved it and THEN they had a great time going on all the rides.
Can you see Hannah in this photo?
This is the last photo I have of me pregnant!
It was a fun day!
We went out for lunch after the park
and then my mom watched the kids so Greg and I
could have one more date night!
We went to a great movie.
It was a great day before becoming a family of 5!
while my mom was in town,
was the local Kiddie Park.
(although I can't prove it since she's not in any of the pics)
A kind, sweet, woman from church bought the kids
wrist bands for the unlimited rides,
along with t-shirts and Christmas ornaments.
We took them on Monday...the day before Hannah was born.
At first Naomi wanted NOTHING to do with this place.
She thought the rides looked scary and were too noisy.
Micah was excited though and wanted to go on the rides right away.
Once we got him on one ride Naomi wasn't going to be outdone by her little brother,
so she tried one out, loved it and THEN they had a great time going on all the rides.
Can you see Hannah in this photo?
This is the last photo I have of me pregnant!
It was a fun day!
We went out for lunch after the park
and then my mom watched the kids so Greg and I
could have one more date night!
We went to a great movie.
It was a great day before becoming a family of 5!
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