School is almost out! We have two and half days with the kids next week and then two days to tie up loose ends. I'm ready for summer! There's still a lot to do next week but I can see the finish line and am preparing for that final sprint. I have a list of DIY projects I want to do, recipes to make, books to read and blogging! I haven't forgotten about blogging! My giveaway stack of books is waiting to find new homes and I'm excited to post about my adventures!
This song came to me yesterday. It's one of my favorites from back in the day and such a great reminder to me that I can always trust God. It's called "If You Want Me To" by Ginny Owens.
"The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why you brought me here
But just because you love me the way that you do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If you want me to
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise
You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials
Bring me closer to you
Then I will go through fire if you want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But you never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone
So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear you answer my cries for help
I'll remember the sufferin' your love put you through
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
***Special thanks to Rick Roberson for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning photographer Jeremy Cowart has traveled the globe photographing some of the biggest names in the music and entertainment industries. With boundless energy, indomitable faith and a mind ever-flowing with creative ideas, Cowart appears utterly tireless and rarely stops. There is always something unique and interesting going on in his world, whether it's starring in an episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, raising money to fight poverty through his Twitter feed, teaching photography online or taking the cover shot for Tim Tebow's best-selling autobiography.
Born in Nashville, Cowart continues to make Music City his home. Here in the comfort of familiar surroundings he draws continual inspiration from his wife, Shannon, and their two beautiful children, Aidler and Eisley, ages five and seven. Though he clearly considers his craft a labor of joy, when not holding a camera he has time for his favorite pastime which is doing anything that involves his children, and much to his delight, joy around the Cowart home is about to increase as the family is in the process of adopting two children from Haiti.
What do an actor, a TV producer, a businessman, and a leader in social justice causes have in common? They're all making their mark on the world because their lives have been eternally marked by Jesus. You'll be captivated, challenged, and changed as you read their stories in this full-color, fully illustrated softcover book created by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart. With text from the Gospel of Mark, you are invited to ask---and answer---the question "What mark am I making?"
Product Details:
List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 120 pages
Publisher: Zondervan; Special edition (March 19, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310411092
ISBN-13: 978-0310411093
AND NOW...A SNEAK PEEK. CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW THEM LARGER:
My thoughts: This book inspired me to make what I do count, no matter how big or small. Those in the book use their giftings and sphere of influence to make a difference in the world. The stories challenged me and have caused me to think "what can I do?" And I love the spectrum of stories! It's so cool to me to see how people leave their mark in their pocket of the world - and sometimes even beyond!
I feel like this picture speaks for itself...and I want a bowl of it right now. You can click here to see the full recipe.
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi sweet mini chocolate chips
8oz pkg Reese's peanut butter cup Minis (or about 1 1/2 cup chopped Reeses cups)
"In
a small saucepan over medium heat, add brown sugar and butter. Whisk
until completely combined and butter is melted. Bring to a boil, remove
from heat. Whisk in the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Set aside to
cool.
In
a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with powdered sugar until creamy
(about 3-4 minutes. On low, add in brown sugar mixture (that has cooled
to near room temp). Mix until combined. Fold in mini chocolate chips
and mini Reese's cups. Serve immediately or store in refrigerator until
ready to serve. Enjoy with pretzels, animal cracker and graham sticks."
I found the idea for this project on Pinterest and am excited with how it turned out! Amanda used an 8x10 frame but I wanted something a bit taller and it fit perfectly in the space I made for it! The total cost was $5 for the frame and $2 for the picture hanging wire (in the hardware department - I'll save you from having to ask an employee like I did :)
This is a super simple recipe - with ingredients you may already have on hand. The only thing I would change for next time is finding something to flavor the meat with. The recipe called for salt but I sprinkled a little bit of Nature's Seasoning in the pan as well. I still felt like it was missing something...
1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup milk
2 eggs
"Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.
In
10-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes,
stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in salt. Spread
in pie plate. Sprinkle with cheese.
In small bowl, stir remaining ingredients with fork or wire whisk until blended. Pour into pie plate.
Bake about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean."
This recipe is from Betty Crocker and you can click here to read the full recipe.
"The angel spoke
to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for
Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised,
just as he said..." Matthew 28:6 (Message)
