recipe: bacon appetizers

I made these earlier this week and they were everything Pioneer Woman said they would be! I made a practice batch last weekend and decided when I made them again, I would make a pan of the brown sugar ones as well. Oh, it was fun to hear the conversations surrounding these three-ingredient wonders. "I can't eat any more. I've had five!" "I've had seven!" was the reply from someone else. I love how incredibly easy these are and they smell absolutely amazing as they bake. I wonder what it might taste like to add sliced ham to the brown sugar ones? Something I might try next time. And unlike other recipes, I didn't have to do much after sticking them into the oven. There wasn't additional stirring or flipping or anything - though I did check on them after about an hour. Super easy and super tasty! You can also see Pioneer Woman's photo-by-photo instructions by clicking here. 

What you need:

- Club crackers

- thinly sliced bacon (bacon will be cut in half; one half wrapped around a cracker) 

- grated Parmesan cheese

What to do:

"Lay crackers (as many as you want) face up on a cookie sheet. Scoop about 1 teaspoon of grated Parmesan cheese onto each cracker. Cut your package of bacon in half (or cut pieces individually) and carefully, so the cheese doesn’t fall off, wrap each cheese covered cracker in one half piece of bacon, completely covering the cracker. It should fit snugly around the cracker. Place the bacon wrapped crackers onto a baking sheet that has a rack on it. Place in a 250-degree oven for about 2 hours."

 

book review: "the girl's still got it" by liz curtis higgs

"Walk with Ruth as she travels from Moab to Bethlehem, certain of her calling, yet uncertain of her future. Hold Naomi's hand and watch love put the pieces of her broken life back together. And hang out with Boaz, their kinsman-redeemer, who blesses both women and honors God, big time."

I really enjoyed this book! The story of Ruth is one of my favorites and Liz did an amazing job of pulling out things I'd never noticed before and giving such detail to things that oh my, I now see Ruth and Boaz as this beautiful love story! She brought their story to life for me. I love the way God weaves things together. I had forgotten Boaz's mother was Rahab - a fact Liz brings up when talking about how both women left their homeland, choosing to follow God. I now see Ruth's boldness and obedience as she went to Boaz at the threshing floor and the way Boaz provided for Ruth, long before the threshing floor scene. Boaz is a rare find. "A Boaz is a man of emotional and spiritual maturity who comes into your life during a period when you most need him and helps you see the worth you already possess." Boaz is an example of Jesus, our Redeemer. Liz writes in such a way to draw you in, making this a great read!

I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for my honest review.

 

october 16

Today is an exciting day. It's my birthday! I'm excited because of everything a birthday stands for. It's a special day every person gets once a year; like a personal "new year." I'm looking forward to what this year holds and it's going to be good! Life never seems to unfold like we plan but God is guiding me, step by step. My job is going well and through the job change I went through this summer, I've rediscovered the passion I have for my career. I'm working on some job-things that though are still only in the planning stages now, I'm super pumped about as I continue to work out the details. I'm slowly but surely pursuing my mission statement and it's fall! Fall is my absolute favorite season. I love the colors and all of the great fall smells! So having my birthday occur during this fabulous month is perfect. I'm super busy right now but I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be and that's an awesome feeling :)

 

diy: duck tape container

Duck Tape is very inspiring :) I made a clipboard last month and as I was about to throw away a Gatorade container, thought "Wait! I can use this!" So I grabbed my roll of mustache Duck Tape and got to work. I added a little pop of color by hot gluing ribbon along the top and bottom. And in less than thirty minutes, I had myself a super cute container! 

 

"grace unplugged" giveaway

I was super excited to get an email from PartnersHub, asking if I wanted to give away some great stuff in relation to the new movie Grace Unplugged! So here's what you can win:

• Grace Unplugged Soundtrack CD      - Songs by TobyMac, AJ Michalka, Chris Tomlin and Shawn McDonald. • Grace Unplugged: A Novel by Melody Carlson. • Own It: The book Discover Your Faith in God by Michael & Hayley DiMarco. • Grace Unplugged Exclusive Guitar Pick.

Haven't heard of the movie yet? Here you go: "Sometimes, chasing your dreams leads you right to where you belong! Having just turned 18, Grace Trey aspires to more than just singing at her church where her father, a former pop star, is the worship leader. So, with the help of Mossy, her dad's former manager, Grace records a cover version of her dad's old Top-10 hit, runs off to Los Angeles, and begins to taste the kind of stardom she's always dreamed about. 

Yet with each rung of the ladder she climbs, Grace feels more and more pressure to compromise her values, further straining her relationship with her parents. Will everything she experiences lead her to reject her faith...or rediscover it?

Grace Unplugged opens in theaters October 4 and is "Family Approved" by the Dove Foundation."

The Grace Unplugged Cast:

AJ Michalka

James Denton

Kevin Pollak

Michael Welch

How do you enter? I'm making this super easy. Just leave me a comment - along with an email - and tell me you want to win! For a bonus entry, follow me on Bloglovin'. Contest ends midnight (EDT) October 7 (U.S. and Canada only).  

 

recipe: sweet & salty cookies

I was looking for a new cookie to make. Something beyond just chocolate chip - something more. And I found it! I liked the odd combination of pretzel and potato chip and chocolate - I wasn't completely convinced I would like it until I took that first bite. And warm from the oven they were super good! I made these for a football party last weekend and got several compliments on them :) The only thing I would do differently is make them a bit thicker next time - I'm not sure if I should've chilled the dough first or what but they ended up spreading out as they baked. This is definitely a cookie I'll be making again! I found this recipe from Nestle's website.

What you need:

• - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• - 1 teaspoon baking soda
• - 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
• - 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• - 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• - 2 large eggs
• - 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• - 2 cups coarsely broken rippled potato chips
• - 1 cup small pretzel twists, broken into 1/2-inch pieces
• - 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts (optional)
• 
  
• What to do:
• "Preheat oven to 375° F. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels, potato chips, pretzel pieces and peanuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely." 

 

book review: "truth seekers: the machine" by bill myers

"What if...actual conversations in the Bible were recorded in surrounding rocks and pottery? What if...we could play back those conversations and listen in? Not only has Dr. Mackenzie's brilliant and quirky group of brilliant scientists found a way to play them back, they've invented a machine that creates such super-realistic holographic images (when it's not fritzing out) that you actually think you're there. Imagine hanging out with Noah and his floating zoo, or seeing Jesus' miracles firsthand!"

I've read some of Bill Myers adult books and liked them so I was excited to read this Young Adult book! I think he does a great job of writing to his audience - the style is geared for that young group as is the way some of the text is bigger than the rest. The point of view alternates all through the book with the two main characters, Jake and Jennifer. While I wasn't overly crazy about the book, it's definitely one I would recommend to kids. It sort of reminds me of the Frank Peretti series for kids. And I'll admit at the end of the story when Jake and Dr. Mackenzie are able to see Jesus on Palm Sunday, I couldn't help but get excited. I've not read a book like this before and am curious to see what adventures the rest of the series holds. 

I received a copy of this book from The B & B Media Group, Inc. for my honest review.