Delectable

 

 

About the Book:  Montana real estate agent Quint McCoy will tell you that the most important thing is location, location, location. It's a lesson he learns all too well when he goes incommunicado for a four-week fishing trip to Alaska. While he's away, his mother Molly turns his office into the pie shop she has always dreamed of, Big Sky Pie. But that's not the only surprise in store for him.  On her way out of town, Callee McCoy only wants to say a fond farewell to her beloved mother-in-law. But Molly soon persuades Callee to stay and lend a hand at the new shop, even if it means heating up the kitchen with her soon-to-be ex. As Callee and Quint rediscover their recipe for love, they realize that some couples are so sinfully good together that one delectable taste is never enough . . .

About The Author:  Adianne Lee lives with her husband of many, many years on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in Washington State in a pole barn building her husband transformed into an upstairs apartment with a shop below for his hot rods.  Adrianne creates her stories on her laptop, in her recliner with her adopted cat, Spooky, curled between her calves, snoozing.  over thirty years of summer vacationing in the Flathead Lake are near Kalispell and Glacier Park has given her a love for all things Montana.

My Thoughts About The Book:  I liked this book.  The story about a couple who were struggling in their marriage, who knew little about each other, who still loved each other, and the establishment of the Big Sky Pie Company was fun.  It was a light and easy read.  If you want something to read in one sitting that does not require a lot of effort than this is the book for you. 

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE: I received an paperback copy of this title from net Galley Publicity Group  as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own. Thanks guys for letting me read this and participate!

In Which I Got A Case of Verbal Diarrhea

"I am too old for this! Too old! This whole thing? Embarrassing!" Tommy grumbled as we walked into the Youth Center.

"It's fine," I insisted. I gave our names to the uniformed soldier sitting behind a table.

"I'm too old!" Tommy repeated for like the twentieth time. He repeats himself a lot. I didn't realize it was an autism thing. Sometimes he'll ask a question and I'll answer him and then an hour later he'll ask me the SAME question.

"You deserve a medal too," I explained.

We were at the Home Front Hero dinner that the Airman and Family Readiness Center on the military base put together for deployed families. The kids were all getting a certificate and medal for being brave while their parents were away. I found this to be an awesome thing--and even better, they were feeding us so it meant I didn't have to cook.

There were some booths set up that we checked out. Some had free books. Candy. Pens. I could always use pens. Mine always disappear. At one booth a woman handed over some bags and said, "Here's something for your children." To which Tommy immediately said, "I'm not a child! I'm 11! I'm too old for this!"

I made him apologize. He said, "I'm sorry. But I'm not a child. I'm growing up."

He made my head hurt.

He seems to think that because he's in middle school that he's no longer a kid. He explains that his voice is getting lower and that he's going through puberty. He doesn't like toys anymore--except for Legos. He's turning into a man. He tells me this multiple times a day. I inform him that he's still technically a kid until he's 18. He disagrees.

This is basically how Tommy looked during the first hour:

"Tommy!" I hissed. "You're scaring people. Stop it."

"I am too old for this!" Tommy whispered back.

He wasn't the oldest one there. An eighth grader showed up.

"Maybe Tommy needs a time out," Natalie said primly. "I'm happy." She twirled and went, "Ta-da!"

"You are the worst sister," Tommy grumbled. "I'm too OLD for this."

I looked around hoping to find some alcohol. There wasn't any. So I reached for the package of M&Ms that were passed out. I ripped it open and poured a huge amount into my mouth.

"Hey!" Natalie shouted indignantly. "That was MINE!"

I chewed. I probably had a chocolate bubble at the corner of my mouth. A Colonel walked past at that moment and did a double take. There were a lot of commanders at the dinner. I was not making the best impression. I quickly swallowed and wiped my lips.

Some important people talked. Thanked the families. Then announced that it was time to eat.

There was music playing--Disney music--so Natalie started to dance:

Her outfit looked like this by the way:

Her shirt says, "Daddy is my hero and I am his princess." I did not make this. I cannot sew. I buy my products from Etsy. You can purchase the set here.

As we were eating, a different Colonel sat down at the table. That's what the higher ups were there to do: converse with the families, make sure we haven't lost our minds, stuff like that. I had just taken a gigantic bite of roll when he sat down and introduced himself so I sat there chewing like an idiot. Then I reached out to shake his hand and I totally jabbed him with my jagged nail. He was polite about it as I apologized profusely.


And then I got a case of verbal diarrhea. When I'm nervous I start talking and then I can't stop. It's why I worry about going to a blogger convention. I'll make a fool of myself and be known as The Girl Who Won't Shut Up. I told the Colonel about missing Tom. About eating tons of chocolate. ("I've probably gained like 10 pounds, ha! Most wives are out losing weight when their husbands go and I'm stuffing my face!") About how my kids can drive me insane. ("My daughter doesn't like to listen to me but she listens at school.") The guy sat there nodding kindly. After talking his ear off I thought, "It's okay though, I'll probably never see him again. He's a COLONEL." But then he was like, "Oh, I sometimes sit in during dog certifications."

My husband works in K9 and will most likely be getting a dog when he comes back. And will need to get certified. So he will meet the Colonel who will remember his last name and say something like, "That wife of yours is a chatterbox and she clawed up my hand!"


The only reason I stopped talking was because the ceremony began. I'm sure the guy was relieved. The kids were all called up to get their certificate and medal:

Tommy seemed much happier after getting his medal.

I thought it was a fabulous thing for the base to do. I only frightened one person, so that's a plus.


"That was okay," Tommy said as we walked to our car. "But I'm not a kid anymore. Just so you know."

I sighed. "Yes. I know."

Newspaper - Runaway Slaves - Carders, Spinners, Weavers, & Knitters

.

Virginia Gazette (Hunter), Williamsburg, November 7, 1754.
RAN away...a Mulatto Wench, named Molly, about 26 Years of Age, of a middle Stature, long Visage, and freckled, has a drawling Speech, a down Look, and has been chiefly brought up to Carding and Spinning.

Virginia Gazette (Dixon & Hunter),Williamsburg, March 11, 1775.
RUN away... a very bright Mulatto Man named STEPHEN, 5 Feet 6 or 7 Inches high, about 22 Years of Age...His Wife PHEBE went away with him, a remarkable white Indian Woman, about the same Age, and was with Child; she has long black Hair, which is generally clubbed, and carried off with her a blue Negro Cotton Waistcoat and Petticoat, a Virginia Cloth Waistcoat and Petticoat, and a Virginia Cloth Bonnet. She can spin well...

Virginia Gazette or American Advertiser (Hayes), Richmond, February 2, 1782.
A black fellow by the name of PETER, frequently called PETER WOOD, about 37 or 38 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, has a smiling countenance...Also a very likely black girl, wife to the above fellow and taken off by him, about 18 or 19 years old, middle size, by the name of AMIA...She is a fine spinner and Weaver, has never had a child, and I am informed has holes in her ears for rings.Virginia Gazette or Weekly Advertiser (Nicolson & Prentis), Richmond, May 11, 1782.
VIOLET, went off about eight weeks ago, and is now harboured in Williamsburg, about twenty two years old, very likely, genteel made, and knits very well.

Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser (Nicolson & Prentis), Richmond, November 22, 1783.
RUN away...a negro girl named PHILLIS, but for some time passed by the name BETTY. She is about sixteen years of age, an excellent spinner, and very likely...She has for some time been harboured about Rocket's, and is very intimate and supposed lives with one Free Harry.

Virginia Gazette or American Advertiser (Hayes), Richmond, October 16, 1784.
RAN AWAY...a likely Mulatto woman named CHARITY, who carried with her three children, two boys and a girl...She is a likely wench, has an uncommon good voice, is a good house servant, and can spin and knit very well.

Virginia Gazette or American Advertiser (Hayes), Richmond, December 31, 1785
....my negro woman TABB. She is of a middle stature, rather of a yellowish cast, and thin visage, straight made, walks and talks quick...When she went off, she was clothed as Negroes generally are, which she will certainly change, being very fond of dress, and looks tolerable genteel. She is remarkable handy and industrious, can card and spin cotton and wool, equal in quantity and quality with any woman in the State; a tolerable good weaver, which she followed when she runaway before, and changed her name to Nancy Jones.

Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser (Nicolson), Richmond, April 17, 1788.
RUN away...a stout well made Virginia born negro woman, named DINAH, but has changed her name to NANCY, her complexion is rather of the tawny kind, she has a scar on her forehead, and keeps her eyes rather closed when speaking, she chews tobacco, and smoaks...She last hired herself to Mrs. Jones, at Spring Garden, in Hanover, for a spinner and weaver, and had one of the house servants for her husband...

Virginia Gazette and General Advertiser (Davis), Richmond, January 18, 1792.
Run away...a likely negro woman, named URSULA, of a yellowish complexion, with some black moles on her face, 30 years of age, 5 feet three or 4 inches high, had on, when she went away, such cloathing as negroes generally wear in the summer, and carried with her a white linen coat and jacket. She is a vile creature, and for her many crimes I punsihed her with an iron collar, but supposed she soon got that off. She is very artful, has a smooth tongue, and is a good weaver, and as she has for some time imposed on the Baptist church by her pretensions to religion, she may probably attempt to pass for a free woman, and do the same again.
.

About slave Jenny, the good spinster...

Robert Carter, Letter to Clement Brooke of the Baltimore Iron Works. 11 November 1776.
Description: Item is a letter and an invoice. Of interest is reference made to Jenny. The "Negroe Woman" is on board the sloop Atwell along with a host of other goods. The abstract below is from notations in the invoice and letter.

220 bushels of Indian Corn and one Negroe Woman named Jenny are no on board the Sloop Atwell the cargo mentioned abov to be delivered to you for the use of the Baltimoe [sic] Comp[any]--Pray send me a Copy of the Proceedings of the B-C[ompany] when they resolve that there Shall be an Addition of five negroe Women, to their Stock--
It is customary for me to engage my Negroes from new years day to the 31st of December following--however Geo. Wilkerson, Wool Comber, has relinquished Jenny, who is a good Spinster--Jenny is young & Stout, She has fits, accasionally, [sic] I say Accasionally, becuase her fits never happen but upon her being reprimanded for neglects; nor do those Fits leave behind any visible Effects If Jenny Should prove not to be sound, I will at a future date Send a negroe woman in her Stead--...

 From the Robert Carter Papers (Vol. III). (Virginia) Special Collections Library, Duke University.

Gluten-Free Bread: More Than 100 Artisan Loaves for a Healthier Life by Ellen Brown Review

My mother-in-law is gluten-free.

She discovered she had celiac disease about a year ago. This means she had to give up a lot of foods that she loved.

I know she'd enjoy the book Gluten-Free Bread: More Than 100 Artisan Loaves For A Healthier Life by Ellen Brown. Why? Well, because she loves bread. When we'd go to Texas Roadhouse she'd enjoy the rolls that were served. She'd reach for the breadsticks at Olive Garden. I imagine it's extremely difficult not to be able to have those.

However, the book has many delicious recipes that she can make that are gluten-free! Also, I loved the colorful pictures that accompanied most recipes.

I liked how the book explained what things were and how they worked. For instance, it went into detail about yeast. I'm interested because I'm not exactly sure what goes into making bread. I tend to buy mine already made.

I LOVE baguettes so I was pleased to find a recipe for it:

I also am a gigantic fan of bagels.

There were so many scrumptious recipes that made me drool. I love bread. And yes, I do plan on making some of this bread when my mother-in-law comes to visit.


The author, Ellen Brown, is the author of 35 cookbooks so I know she knows her stuff! If you want a copy of the book, you can purchase it from Amazon.com here.


So if you have someone who is gluten-free in your life, or YOU are gluten-free, be sure to check out Gluten-Free Bread. Don't deny yourself the pleasure of biting into a warm loaf.


**I received a copy of the book to review in exchange for my honest opinion*

The Little Mermaid DVD Winner!

I did a giveaway for a Blu-Ray + DVD set of The Little Mermaid here.


I used random.org to pick a winner and it chose..


....number 17 which is Tj and Amy.



Congrats!



If you didn't win, try again in another giveaway. I currently have one for a Grace Unplugged prize pack here and I will have other giveaways in the future.

Grace Unplugged Prize Pack Giveaway!**CLOSED

**CLOSED! Winner posted here**



I love when I can find a wonderful family movie.

Grace Unplugged is one of those.



Here is what it is about:

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



Check out the app to learn more. You can find out if you're ready for the rockstar life and watch a fabulous music video by the actress who plays Grace in the movie:






A lucky reader can when the Grace Unplugged Prize Pack!




It includes the following:

• 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.



Giveaway Rules:

--Must be 18 or older

--Must live in the US or Canada

--NO PO Boxes



Mandatory Entry: Take the Are You Ready For The Rockstar quiz and tell me your results!



Extra Entries:

--Tweet about the giveaway using #GraceUnplugged

--Tell me if you've ever chased a dream before!



I will run the contest until October 5th.



Good luck!!



**I was not compensated for this post. My opinions are my own**