The Shack

I just finished this today. This is by William F. Young. It is about a man named Mackenzie and his spiritual journey back to The Shack where his young daughter was brutally murdered. A place where he can find forgiveness and freedom or his anger and hurt may intensify. His daughters demise also takes him back to his childhood secrets.

His life is changed from the moment his daughter is taken from his families campsite. Later as he struggles through his pain and sadness he finds a note from God in his mailbox telling him to meet him at The Shack. He wonders what he will find but his fear and anger is overridden by curiosity as he takes a short trip back to where his families pain and sadness started.

This was an entertaining book which seemed to add some insight to why bad things happen especially to good people. Who God, Jesus and the Holy spirit are and what their roles in our lives and the world is. This could be a life changing book for many or just a reinstatement of what the reader may already know. It is worth reading and a warning a lot of it may be just the author's interpretation of it all mixed in with Biblical truth.

My Birthday was yesterday

Well, We received our new at&t modem yesterday on my b-day and my hubby got the computer running. I will still be doing a yard sale this weekend so I am busy getting that ready. Yep I still blow out candles on my b-day. I turned 29 yesterday:) I have more pictures with me and my family but I decided to just put this one up for now.

Chronicles of Narnia :The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe

I started reading this last year to my oldest son but I finished it this year. The author is C.S. Lewis. I try to read to him every night. He is old enough to read now (he is 9), but he loves it when I read this to him and his children's Bible. Anyhow, wonderful book and we own the new version of the movie. I thought this was the first book but it is actually the second in the series. The Magician and his nephew is the first which we don't have. We need that one and the last one. We have two through six.

This has talking animals, imagination, morals and fighting for what is right in a way in which you and your child should enjoy. I guess it would be considered a fantasy type book and I would consider it for all ages. Again my oldest son is 9 and loved it. We are now reading the 3rd book A Horse and his boy. Now I will need to find number 1 and number 7.

Beef and Mushroom Lasagna

I found this recipe from a magazine ad for Campbell's soup. ( I am sure any brand would work I did use Campbell's)

1 can Campbell's condensed cream of mushroom soup (regular or 98% fat free)

1\4 cup milk

1 lb Gr Beef ( I used turkey sausage)

2 cups Prego Fresh mushroom Italian Sauce ( I used Meijer brand mushroom sauce)

9 cooked Lasagna noodles ( I used whole box and alternated with the sauce and soup)

1 cup shredded or Italian blend or Mozzarella cheese ( I used Mozz and Mexican cheese)

1. Heat Oven to 400 F. Stir soup and milk in small bowl until smooth.

2. cook beef in skillet over medium- high heat until well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour of fat. Stir in sauce. ( I added cottage cheese to mine)

3. Layer 1/2 beef mixture, 3 noodles and 1 cup soup mixture in 2 -qt shallow baking dish top with 3 more noodles, remaining beef mixture, remaining noodles and remaining soup mixture.

Sprinkle with cheese, Cover baking dish. ( I didn't cover mine)

4. Bake 30 minutes or until hot. Uncover baking dish.

5. Heat broiler. Broil 4" from heat 2 min. or until cheese is golden brown. Let stand 10 min. ( I admit I skipped this part)

My version is pictured above :) Everyone loved it.

Easter Pictures

We didn't have my oldest son for Easter this year. My youngest kids got their pictures taken by their Aunt Tiffany, she has a photography and DJ service on the side. They turned out pretty cute.

Sausage Gravy- Southern Style

I used Turkey sausage and whole wheat flour. I used evaporated milk because I didn't have whole milk and whole milk cooks differently than 2 %. The evaporated milk worked but it was a little sweeter than I normally have it. I added a little more pepper. I would suggest using whole milk for the full effect ;) Overall it was good though.
I can't eat this all the time but it makes a hearty breakfast or dinner with biscuits and is frugal and fast. I found this on the internet but I found out my mom makes it the same way :) I have found the joy of cooking especially things that are homemade.

1\2 package of mild Sausage
2 tbsp butter
2tbsp flour
5 cups whole milk
1 1\2 tsp salt
1 1\2 tsp pepper

cook sausage
Add butter and flour
simmer for a few minutes on medium heat, stir frequently
Add milk, salt and pepper
simmer over medium\high stirring constantly
until desired thickness

I found this on Cooks.com and it was submitted by Gina S.

Twilight and New Moon

I did the opposite of what other people may try to do, I watched the movies before (gasp) reading the books and it is what I always do. Most of the time I end up enjoying the books a bit more, but the movie is usually worthwhile to compare and contrast and gives you a visual that is tangible to the eyes.

Yesterday I finished reading Twilight. I found it worthwhile and it helped me get a bit more into the movie which I had to watch again. I usually don't follow trends in reading and pick up books that look and sound interesting, or maybe someone has suggested was good.

Bella's character was entertaining and at times funny in a dark humor sort of way. What I didn't understand is why she was so careless at times but then again she is 17. I grew to like Edward's character more than I did in the movie, I felt the book went deeper into the core of his personality. I am still rooting for Jacob though and actually was a little excited to start reading New Moon.

Yes, I have already seen New Moon. I am sure I will still enjoy the book. Which is able to go into the story farther and illustrate details in my imagination a bit more than a movie can. I pick up things that I may not have noticed in the movie. The books also have things that happen that may not have been put into the movie. I won't go into detail of that, because I don't want to spoil it for those that have not read the books or seen the movies if there is any left that have not ;). I think it is worthwhile to watch the movies and read the books overall and recommend it for an easy read that has some enjoyment along with it. On a side note this is a 4 part series book; Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. I am going to read them all but I am only going to do this book chat for Twilight.