The 2016 Rio Olympics and a 90-year-old-swimmer!

Tomorrow I reach a milestone in my life: turning 70! Birthday plans are up ahead, but for now the celebration will begin with a trip to Baskin Robbins, open a few gifts, read a chapter in a lovely new book I received, and swim laps in the pool! I have Aileen Riggen Soule to thank for that. You probably don't recognize her name, but she's known for a significant accomplishment at age 14. Can you guess what made her famous? I'll give you a hint: it has to do with the Olympics, and not the current 2016 Rio Games.

Need another hint? She won a medal.

Still puzzled? Here's a third clue: Diving.

Can't come up with an answer? Okay, I'll tell you. Aileen was the youngest female athletic in the 1920's Olympics who received a gold medal in Springboard Diving.

The only reason I know about Aileen is due to a 1996 Time magazine article I came across about her quest to be on the USA swim team. Unfortunately, she did not qualify due to her 4' 7” height and 65 pound weight. Instead, she represented our country at the Games in Antwerp in the springboard diving event and brought home a gold medal. Four years later she went to the Games in Paris and garnered two more medals, this time in diving and swimming.

While I enjoyed her Olympic story, what impressed me more was to learn that at age 90, Aileen was still swimming! At the time of the article she lived in Hawaii and active in the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa Swim Club. (Trust me, that is it's official name and not some typo.) and also attended the U.S. Masters Swimming Championships.

Time to relax with a noodle and chat with two good friends: Debby and Linda.

So taken by her example to stay active I saved that article knowing it would inspire me to never give up swimming, a sport I have loved since a child. Other than days when health issues interfered, or thunderclouds appeared above, I've headed to the pool each afternoon with goggles in hand to do laps. Usually a couple of noodles accompany me for water exercises or to simply relax in the refreshing waters on a hot summer day. Often my friend, Debby Alten, joins me in the pool, and frequently speeds by me in her lane with her bright yellow and blue flippers! Where's an Olympic official when you need one.

Last week the USA swim team at the Rio Games captured the world's attention, including mine. Watching world records get broken and hearing the personal stories behind many of the athletes took me back to my own days on a swim team in Vista, California. I was 12 at the time, favoring the freestyle stroke, enjoying competitions and treasuring every win. And, of course, the dream of one day participating in the Olympics was part of my mindset. But then my Dad took a job in another city, requiring a family move to a place far beyond the city limits, where no local pool or swim club existed. As a result, my days of swimming came to an abrupt halt, along with my Olympic dream.

Now, nearly 60 years later, with access to a nearby pool, I find myself swimming daily and wondering: do I have what it takes to even make it the qualifying rounds for the U.S. Masters Swim Competition? Out of curiosity I did a bit of research and discovered this year's event took place in June, but 2017's is slated to be held next April in Riverside, CA--a mere 45-minute drive from where I live. Guess that eliminates the excuse that it's too far away or too costly to attend.

Then I checked the winning freestyle swim times for my age group. Yikes, I'll need a coach for this dream to come true. (Think Michael Phelps would like the job?) It's also going to require dedication, extended practice time, and quite possibly someone with CPR training on the sidelines. Sounds daunting, but I suppose if Aileen can still compete at age 90, surely I'm not too old to try.

Believe me, if I do end up trying out you will be notified and officially invited to be a part of my cheering section. Until then, here's a video clip Debby created from one of our days at the pool last summer to keep you entertained. I'm confident Aileen would love its black/white "vintage" look and have a few suggestions on how I could improve my stroke and times.




Well, now that I've disclosed my age, a long-ago-Olympic dream and future goal ... it's now your turn. You can skip telling me your age, but if you ever aspired to go to the Olympics or had the privilege to attend the Games I'd love to hear about it in the comment box below.

As always, thank you for giving me a bit of your time and somewhere in my words was a thought worth pondering or triggered a smile. 

Julie

2016 Olympics and a 90-year-old-swimmer!

Tomorrow I reach a milestone in my life: turning 70! Birthday plans are up ahead, but for now the celebration will begin with a trip to Baskin Robbins, open a few gifts, read a chapter in a lovely new book I received, and swim laps in the pool! I have Aileen Riggen Soule to thank for that. You probably don't recognize her name, but she's known for a significant accomplishment at age 14. Can you guess what made her famous? I'll give you a hint: it has to do with the Olympics, and not the current 2016 Rio Games.

Need another hint? She won a medal.

Still puzzled? Here's a third clue: Diving.

Can't come up with an answer? Okay, I'll tell you. Aileen was the youngest female athletic in the 1920's Olympics who received a gold medal in Springboard Diving.

The only reason I know about Aileen is due to a 1996 Time magazine article I came across about her quest to be on the USA swim team. Unfortunately, she did not qualify due to her 4' 7” height and 65 pound weight. Instead, she represented our country at the Games in Antwerp in the springboard diving event and brought home a gold medal. Four years later she went to the Games in Paris and garnered two more medals, this time in diving and swimming.

While I enjoyed her Olympic story, what impressed me more was to learn that at age 90, Aileen was still swimming! At the time of the article she lived in Hawaii and active in the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa Swim Club. (Trust me, that is it's official name and not some typo.) and also attended the U.S. Masters Swimming Championships.

Time to relax with a noodle and chat with two good friends: Debby and Linda.

So taken by her example to stay active I saved that article knowing it would inspire me to never give up swimming, a sport I have loved since a child. Other than days when health issues interfered, or thunderclouds appeared above, I've headed to the pool each afternoon with goggles in hand to do laps. Usually a couple of noodles accompany me for water exercises or to simply relax in the refreshing waters on a hot summer day. Often my friend, Debby Alten, joins me in the pool, and frequently speeds by me in her lane with her bright yellow and blue flippers! Where's an Olympic official when you need one.

Last week the USA swim team at the Rio Games captured the world's attention, including mine. Watching world records get broken and hearing the personal stories behind many of the athletes took me back to my own days on a swim team in Vista, California. I was 12 at the time, favoring the freestyle stroke, enjoying competitions and treasuring every win. And, of course, the dream of one day participating in the Olympics was part of my mindset. But then my Dad took a job in another city, requiring a family move to a place far beyond the city limits, where no local pool or swim club existed. As a result, my days of swimming came to an abrupt halt, along with my Olympic dream.

Now, nearly 60 years later, with access to a nearby pool, I find myself swimming daily and wondering: do I have what it takes to even make it the qualifying rounds for the U.S. Masters Swim Competition? Out of curiosity I did a bit of research and discovered this year's event took place in June, but 2017's is slated to be held next April in Riverside, CA--a mere 45-minute drive from where I live. Guess that eliminates the excuse that it's too far away or too costly to attend.

Then I checked the winning freestyle swim times for my age group. Yikes, I'll need a coach for this dream to come true. (Think Michael Phelps would like the job?) It's also going to require dedication, extended practice time, and quite possibly someone with CPR training on the sidelines. Sounds daunting, but I suppose if Aileen can still compete at age 90, surely I'm not too old to try.

Believe me, if I do end up trying out you will be notified and officially invited to be a part of my cheering section. Until then, here's a video clip Debby created from one of our days at the pool last summer to keep you entertained. I'm confident Aileen would love its black/white "vintage" look and have a few suggestions on how I could improve my stroke and times.




Well, now that I've disclosed my age, a long-ago-Olympic dream and future goal ... it's now your turn. You can skip telling me your age, but if you ever aspired to go to the Olympics or had the privilege to attend the Games I'd love to hear about it in the comment box below.

As always, thank you for giving me a bit of your time and somewhere in my words was a thought worth pondering or triggered a smile. 

Julie

How Collecting Vintage Dishes and Green Depression Glass Made Life Fun Again!

Anytime someone says “I'm bored!” my instinct is to offer them a bit of advice that once helped me: get a hobby, volunteer somewhere, or start a collection!

That's what I did years ago when life got boring due to a serious illness that forced me to stop working. Rather than whine or expect others to make my world better I took responsibility and found a way to add a bit of fun back into my life. Here's how it all came about.

One day, in need of a break from the routine, I visited a nearby thrift shop. It didn't cost anything to look and perusing the shelves usually proved entertaining, sometimes bringing back sweet memories from my childhood. On this particular day my eyes spotted a small plate with a familiar looking pattern. “Ooh, that looks like the pattern on my grandma's soup tureen from the 1950's which I have in my kitchen cupboard.” To my surprise the antique piece was priced at only 25 cents! Thrilled with my find I quickly bought the dish and thus began my start in collecting vintage dishes by Vernon Kilns.

Over the years I continued to look for the pottery, and now and then would find a dish, or cup, or bowl at a bargain price. Now days it's rare to find them in thrift shops. Most are in antique stores with much higher prices.

Green depression glass, with a swirl pattern, is something else I sought out for a few years. My interest in it stems from six green goblets I inherited from my other grandmother, along with her china. Two of my favorite pieces are the glass on a pedestal and the tiny dessert dish, the perfect size for my daily scoop of ice cream!

WHAT WOMEN COLLECT

Hearing what others collect always intrigues me as there is usually a story behind the collection. My friend, Candy, has nearly 300 restaurant creamers most of which she displays in old Coke bottle wood crates. When I asked why she chose to collect creamers she told me: “Jim (her husband) said 'Okay, but it has to be something that won't take up a lot of space. No more antique furniture!'”

Another friend, Linda, is into frog figurines! Her yard is full of them, and a few can be found in the house. My sister her small bell collection out on display in a hutch, but also considers many of her Christmas ornaments--momentos from places she and her husband have traveled to over the years--her special collection. Tea cups and saucers, salt and pepper shakers, cookbooks, cookie jars, Precious Moments figurines, and Barbie dolls are also popular collectibles by women.

WHAT MEN COLLECT

Men are also collectors. A July 10, 2016 Parade magazine article educated us about astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and his 120 ties collection, actor Justin Pinchot's love of vintage cars and toy robots and others. My brother is into rare coins and acquiring every one of Louis L'Amour westerns. And I'm sure we all know some guy who has a huge baseball card, watch, or gun collection. 

Some of the best places to spot a male collector is at the office. I had one boss, an art director, who proudly displayed his wide assortment of pencil toppers on a bookshelf for all to enjoy. Very colorful. Other things I can imagine the male gender collecting might be: Bobble heads, fountain pens, old metal signs, sports memorabilia, first edition books, tools, marbles, old cameras, and even lunch pails.

WHY PEOPLE COLLECT THINGS

As for why people collect things . . . there is no one answer. Many do so out of the excitement of the hunt to find a certain item. Others out of a desire to preserve a bit of history which is one of the reasons behind Andre Villa's huge 1950's era collection of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, etc. He began his hobby at the age of eight which now fills up every room in his house. You can catch a glimpse of his huge collection via this Heartbreak Hotel video. 

A couple other reasons people collect objects is simply for their intrinsic beauty that enriches their world. And many collect for investment reasons, such as Dave, a family friend, who since a child has been saving all his Star Wars memorabilia, often preserving them in their original, unopened cases. He is one serious collector.

MY LATEST FIND

I don't venture out to thrift stores much these days, but awhile back I spent a few minutes in one and came across a vintage "Mary Had a Little Lamb" child's cup for a mere 50 cents. (Later found it selling for $20 on Ebay.) It fits right in with a few other lambs who are part of my bedroom decor.

Antiquing happens now and then, especially when someone wants to join me for a trip to Granny’s Attic in Temecula, CA. This big warehouse full of treasures from years gone by is a great way to reminisce with a friend as you walk the aisles. It’s amazing how much fun you can have simply by looking and remembering things from your past.

So the next time you find yourself bored, take my advice: choose something to collect and go visit your nearby thrift store.

Have fun hunting.

Julie
What do you collect? Would love to hear all about it in the comment box below.

Zucchini Hotcakes with a Julie Cave Twist

I got caught telling a lie this week. It happened as I was doing a bit of research about zucchini and came across these words: “Technically, zucchini is a fruit, not a vegetable.” All my life I've been telling others it was a veggie! Please tell me I am not alone in perpetuating this lie.

My only solace is that my local grocery store is just as guilty—it displays zucchini right along side broccoli and other veggies.

Even my two zucchini cookbooks fail to mention this squash is a fruit. Both were published in the 70's so that might explain the omission. But I choose to overlook this flaw as these resources have supplied me with a variety of recipes over the years: zucchini bars, zucchini bread, zucchini cake, zucchini relish, zucchini boats, and my all time favorite--zucchini hotcakes.

I whipped up a batch of hotcakes last week as they are quick and easy to make. The recipe has been altered a bit as I substitute garlic salt with parsley for oregano and use wheat flour, but it is still yummy.

Knowing this is the season when zucchini is in abundance and gardener's like to share their produce with neighbors it seemed the perfect time to share my recipe. 

Easy Zucchini Hotcakes

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cups of grated, unpeeled zucchini. Once grated place zucchini in a towel and squeeze tightly to remove liquid.

2 tablespoons onion, grated or chopped fine

¼ cup Parmesan cheese (Any kind of grated cheese will work.)

¼ cup of flour (I use wheat flour)

2 eggs, slightly beaten

2 tablespoons of mayonnaise

¼ teaspoon of oregano (I prefer garlic salt/parsley mix instead of oregano)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 pint of sour cream (for topping)

Olive Oil or butter to use in iron skillet

Directions: Mix all the ingredients together except for the sour cream. Add olive oil to iron skillet and let it get hot. Add large heaping tablespoons of batter into hot skillet. Allow space between hotcakes. Flatten hotcakes with spatula a little to help them cook evenly. Cook over medium heat until brown or you see tiny bubbles turn up in batter. Flip hotcakes over and cook until brown.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream. Makes about 7-9 hotcakes, depending on size you create. These go well with pork chops or a simple toss salad.

                                                            *****

Too hot to cook over a stove tonight? Then consider what I do when summer temps are sizzling: make these hotcakes in the morning! Once they have cooled off put them in the fridge to warm up in a toaster oven later, or divide up the batch, putting 2 or 3 hotcakes in a container or baggie, and store them in the freezer for another day. 

One final confession: In all honesty, I've a chocolate-zucchini cake recipe that just might be better than these hotcakes. If you want a copy, simply subscribe in the box up top and I'll send it your way. 

Until next time . . . enjoy your veggies/fruit.

Julie

My Recent Reads: 1 Amazing Book, 3 Bestsellers, 2 Satisfying Titles, 1 Reject, and a few more!

Vying for my attention these days are over a dozen books. Of those I have finished one I'm giving 5-stars! I guarantee you will be inspired by this amazing true story. There are also three that have made the bestseller list and while one I really liked, the other two didn't meet my expectations, but are still worth recommending.

Of the remaining three I review here, two are Christian titles getting positive reviews, one of which I felt missed the mark. The last listing, by a popular author, I wanted to finish but returned it to Audible.com due objectionable content. As for the others, they have all been started and a critique will surface when completed, but for you with inquisitive minds I'll note the titles at the end of this post.  

Okay, let's start with a book I liked.  

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood. What I admire most about this current bestseller is the writing. The author has done a brilliant job weaving three stories into one with an unnamed “boy” the hero of them all.

In brief, the book revolves around a young lad who is assigned by his Scout leader to help a 104-year-old woman each Saturday at her house. As the weeks go by they form a friendship and embark in getting the woman into the Guinness Book of World Records . . . until the boy's unexpected death changes everyone and everything.

When the boy's father, who never understood his son's peculiar ways, goes to complete his son's assignment he too forms a friendship with the woman. At one point she asks him to drive her to see her son, whom she has not seen in decades, but it is a disappointing reunion. But out of the event truths are faced which lead to lessons about life, relationships and love. It is not a quick-paced story but it gains momentum with each passing chapter and finishes on a high note thanks to the "boy." 336 pages. Audio available. Warning: foul language.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. This bestseller seemed to plod along, but perhaps that was the author's intent as the story is about a man who takes a 600-mile walk in deck shoes! He makes the spur-of-the-moment decision when, after twenty years, a note arrives from his friend conveying she is near death. Though faster modes of transportation are available he embarks on the slower journey out of belief that it will forestall the death of this friend—a co-worker whom he betrayed 20 years earlier and to whom he must apologize.

The walk takes a toll on him physically and mentally, and along the way the public discovers his pilgrimage making him into a hero causing some to join and later abandon him on his trek. As he stumbles along memories from his past emerge, along with thoughts of his current unhappy marriage, the loss of his son, mistakes, and more. But by journeys end, after countless setbacks and his own mental breakdown, he arrives at a better understanding of himself, rediscovers love and purpose for life back home. 384 pages. Audio available. Warning: foul language.

Mended: Pieces of a Life Made Whole by Angie Smith. The simple cover design is what first drew me to this book, but the story behind the repaired broken pitcher in the introduction is what convinced me to keep on reading.

Not familiar with the author I looked up her name and found she is the wife of the lead singer in the Christian music group, Selah. Aware their child died shortly after her birth I thought the book might be about how they handled such a loss. While she does touch upon that time in their life, the 31 short chapters covers other areas of her life. Overall, the book addresses how God takes our brokenness and creates it into something beautiful and useful--a bit of encouragement we all can use. At times it felt like a devotional book with the typical scripture verse at top, followed by a bit of teaching, and ending up with an action step. 224 pages.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi and Abraham Verghese. I fully expected to be raving about this 2016 bestseller but it came up short. Yes, it's a touching memoir about a young neurosurgeon battling terminal lung cancer and how he chose to live out his final year of life with his wife and young child . . . but it's not extraordinary.

The early part of the book is about his medical studies and life as a very driven neurosurgeon. It's not until you reach the second half does he go into detail about his treatments for cancer and how it impacted his life. What I did like about the book were his comments about how cancer disrupts your plans and makes decision making so challenging. What surprised me was when the author alludes to his Christian belief yet fails to mention the hope which comes from Christ's death and resurrection. 256 page. Audio available.

War Room by Chris Fabry. While everyone else speaks so highly about this movie/book, giving it 5-stars on Amazon, I am not a huge fan, even after listening to the audio version a second time to make sure I was being fair with my evaluation. I thought perhaps I had erred when a friend stated how helpful it was. But I still hold to my perspective.   

I didn't disagree with the author's effort to stress the place of prayer in our lives, or its power and what the Bible says about spiritual warfare. But I did find his story line a bit contrived and misleading as not all prayer results in restored marriages or happy endings. I only detected one place where the author specifically addressed this issue. What also kept me from being enthusiastic about the movie or book was how quickly and neatly he resolved all the major problems. 404 pages. Audio available.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. I approached this book with eager anticipation, confident I would gain some excellent advice. Had she kept her focus on writing skills, the bird-by-bird tip being a good one, I would probably be offering a positive review. Instead, I listened to a woman present what seemed like a college-classroom lecture filled with sarcasm more than wisdom. But the main reason I disliked the title was due to the conflict that arose when she declared she is a Christian and yet a few pages later she's swearing, using the name of Jesus Christ. I find that offensive and reason alone to return the item. 272 pages.  

Now, here's my 5-star pick!

Endurance: Shackelton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing. Every now and then I'll purposely select a title outside my preferred genre. This is one of them and turned out to be an amazing read. It's the true account of the captain of the British ship Endurance and its 27-man crew who, in 1914, sailed to Antarctica. 

After months of battling icy seas the ship went down when it could not escape two crushing glaciers. The men survived only to spend months adrift on ice packs, eating whale blubber, dealing with frost bite from sub zero temps, overcoming hurricane force winds, etc. How they managed to fight the savage elements, maintain hope and endure makes this an unforgettable story.

Though definitely geared for a male audience or someone with a Navy background I found the lessons about leadership and perseverance within the story applicable for any age or gender. And what a treat to learn a bit of history while being entertained and inspired at the same time. If you know anyone who is facing a monumental challenge this book might provide the encouragement to press on and not give up. 357 pages.

Books Not Quite Finished

I've a number of audio books I'm working through, one of which is 54 hours long. I've given myself all summer to finish that one which is Gone With the Wind. I've seen the movie several times but have never read the book and felt it was time I did so. Other titles I'm reading are listed below:

Loved Back to Life by Sheila Walsh
The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt. 
Saving Sailor by Renee Riva
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad
The Disease Delusion by J. Bland, Ph.D.
Light in the Darkness by Lovejoy & Knopf

And waiting in the wings is bestselling author Daniel Silva's latest release, The Black Widow. I'm a fan of his espionage series and so appreciate his good writing. 

Now, what have you recently read? Any deserve 5-stars? Whether they do or not I'd like to hear what title has captured your interest.  


Julie

10 Cookbooks My Friends & Family Declare as Their Favorite!

If you ever come across the cookbook, In the Kitchen with Miss Piggy, be sure and buy it. It’s a gem. While it is full of fabulous recipes from celebrities and friends of Miss Piggy I love this cookbook for one simple reason: it makes me laugh! Nearly every page exudes with Miss Piggy’s charm, wit, sarcasm, and commentary that are good, if not better, than the recipes from her famous friends.

Of course, Kermit the frog, is given the honor of the book’s dedication: “To Kermit, who has always been the hottest dish in Moi’s life.” The 128-page book has full-color photos throughout of the dishes, the stars, and the flamboyant Miss Piggy. One of the best recipes comes at the end by a famous journalist and humorist Calvin Trillin: "Scrambled Eggs That Stick to the Pan Every Time."

FAVORITES FROM MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Over the years cookbooks have filled up my bookcases coming to my aid many times and providing me with hours of entertainment. I narrowed down my collection a few years ago, keeping only my favorites and Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook which my Mom gave me decades ago. Out of curiosity I asked a few friends and family what was their favorite cookbook. Their answers surprised me! I think you'll enjoy finding out, as I did, which ones they like and why. 

Classic Home Cooking (Good Housekeeping) is Julie Johnston's (wife and mother of two little ones) pick of the best cookbook around. “It is all comfort food dishes that are distinctly American (like chicken and dumplings) and it gives a brief history of each dish.”

Anna Cave’s #1 choice for best cookbook is any title by Ree Drummond, famous for The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier. According to Anna “Ree has pics and stories about her family, plus the recipes are very down-home in nature, spelled out very clearly with tons of great pictures. I bought one at a Cracker Barrel, read it cover to cover (who does that with a cookbook?) and shared it with several people here at work. My daughter, Kinsey, then gave me another one for my birthday.”

Coming in #2 place for Anna is Trim Healthy Mama's Cookbook. “I have followed their eating plan for over a year and know it is right for me. They put out a new cookbook in the last year and I love it.”

Sharon Gutierrez absolutely LOVES Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook by Cheryl and Griffith Day. “I love it because I love to BAKE more than cook, and in their cookbook they have pictures of vintage kitchenware which I love too.” 

(Sidenote: Don't let the comical cover fool you! Inside the pages are filled with beautiful photographs, recipes used at the couples bakery in Georgia, and a peachy sweet endorsement from Paula Dean. I don't need another cookbook, but added it to my wish list anyway.) 

Wini Giunta has lived in Boston most of her life so it's not surprising to find her favorite cooking resource to be The Boston Cooking School Cook Book by Fannie Merritt Farmer. It's an oldie, originally published in 1896, but Wini's copy is a revised edition from 1944 that she bought at a yard sale for $2.50, which she views as a “steal and a real treasure.” Among the reasons why she favors this book over others is due to the complete uniqueness of the area and food, plus the cooking hints and weights and measures information provided inside the front or back covers.

Former home economics teacher, Linda Turner-Mackley, was quick to tell me her favorites and where she finds recipes these days. “I have several that were written by Home Ec. teachers years ago in the San Diego area. They date back to the 70's and are filled with recipes that they contributed. Other than that, I tear out recipes from magazines or Google them these days.”

Ginny Johnston selected Pine Cove Cookery as her favorite for a sentimental reason: included in the recipes are several by her sister (aka Julie Cave). Another reason she likes this cookbook is because "all the recipes are tried and tested and proven favorites" by current or former staff of Pine Cove, an awesome Christian camp in Tyler, Texas. There's a bit of whimsy among the pages as besides each contributor's name is their special camp name which often ties in to their responsibility (i.e. “Needles” the camp nurse, or “Suds” the dishwasher.)

Deanne Davis is partial to Peg Bracken cookbooks: The I Hate To Cook Book and The I Hate To Cook Almanac. “I just love Peg Bracken's style ... light, breezy, funny and the recipes in these books are easy, do-able, with ingredients you can easily acquire at your local market or already have on hand. She is vastly entertaining in her writing and her recipe for what she calls 'McClintock's Best' in The I Hate to Cook Almanac, appears in my book*... somewhat changed, but based on hers and entitled ‘Chicken-Tortilla's Casserole’ which is pretty much what it is. This particular dish has appeared at my house, my daughter's houses and a number of other places countless times.”

*A Tablespoonful of Love by Deanne is a mix of tasty-sounding recipes and home-spun stories we all can relate to and enjoy. You can find it on Amazon via this link: A Tablespoon of Love, A Tablespoon of Laughter.

WHAT IS MY FAVORITE?

Among my favorites are two you have probably never seen. Both are compilations and loaded with variety. 

The first one is Cooking From the Heart, a 224-page book of tested recipes by the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ Staff. I've a copy of the original 378-page 1971 version which has lost its cover, being held together by a rubber band, and bears food stains. Though falling apart I still hold on to it for the wonderful recipes, the best one being Harvest Apple Pie. 

The second one is Cooking Up a Cave Creation, a project my sister undertook and published one year for our annual family reunion. Though only 63 pages long its full of delicious recipes and is a heirloom that I'll never give up. It triggers many good memories every time I open its pages.

No extra copies exist today, but who knows, maybe I can convince my sister to do a 2nd edition . . . and make it available on Amazon for others to enjoy. If/when that happens I'll let you know.





NOW IT'S YOUR TURN

Out of the ten cookbooks mentioned above the trend seems to be that most prefer those with recipes from a variety of cooks. Is that true for your favorite cookbook? Do let us know in the comment box below. Could be I'll add it to the list! 

Julie

Have You Read Laura Story's Book "When God Doesn't Fix It?

Ever get so engrossed in a book you forget to eat? A book has to be very good for that to happen in my world. But last week I came close to missing a meal while reading “When God Doesn’t Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn and Truths You Can’t Live Without” by Laura Story.

And just what makes this title so mesmerizing and able to pass my scrutinizing eyes? Well, it rated above average in the following six areas:

#1 - Great Title and Subtitle

First off, it has a captivating title and subtitle. I worked in book publishing for years and learned early on the strategic role a terrific title and cover design play in the sale of a book. Story's book gets an A+ for meeting that criteria. Her title captured my attention while thumbing through a catalog, and lured me to Amazon to peruse it's Table of Contents, author bio and more. Next thing I knew I was buying a copy. 

#2 Well-Known Author

Second, it doesn't hurt to have an author with name recognition, as is true of Laura Story. She is probably best known for her song, "Blessings," which made it to the #1 spot on the Christian music charts. (To hear this beautiful song see video below.) She's also a worship leader at a church in Atlanta and prior to her success simply saw herself as a bass player in a band. Once you read her book you'll discover there's much more to this woman besides music. 

#3 Compelling Story

Third, a story has to be compelling. No problem there. "When God Doesn't Fix It" is the true account of Laura and her husband, Martin, whose lives were drastically altered when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The devastating news came during their first year of marriage and was followed by life-threatening complications after surgery and debilitating short-term memory loss which continues to this today.

#4 Excellent Writing

Fourth, the writing has to be above average. Again, Laura and her co-author have excelled on this point. The pace of the story is spot on and the integration of biblical principles within the story well balanced. One of my favorite aspects of the writing is Laura’s willingness to show us, not just relate facts, how she walked through those days, months, and now years. She accomplishes this by being honest, allowing us to watch her struggle to find God’s purposes and perspective when angry, impatient, weary, or trying to find solutions and direction. And in so doing we learn how Truth sustained and led her to find joy midst the broken dreams and un-fixable problems.

Managing to create a timeline that's easy to follow is not an easy task, especially in a story that jumps from present day to a prior period and then back to a current situation. But they pulled it off. Also smart was the inclusion of the “Myth or Truth” statements at the end of each chapter; a brilliant way to reinforce the key points.

#5 Biblical Truth

Fifth reason why I consider this book better than most is Laura’s depth of biblical knowledge and the application of it to each challenge she faced. She is such a positive example of someone who valued the study of God's Word and let it counsel her everyday life. Her weaving of theology into the telling of their journey is done in a way that is so natural, inviting and disarming.

#6 Readership Appeal

Lastly, when a book has wide audience appeal that's a big plus. Something this title has because not one of us lives without challenges. Yes, ours may not be as difficult as what Laura and Martin have to contend with, but the principles presented in her story apply no matter the complexity or longevity of the problem. 

There is more I could say about the book and its author, but let me wrap this up by stating the audio version is superb! The voice and skill of the narrator was definitely a contributing factor as to why I almost missed my lunch. This is one case where I think hearing the story might be better than reading it. 

Julie

One final comment: Beginning next Monday, June 20th, an online, 5-week Bible study based on Laura's book will start. To sign up go to: http://www.faithgateway.com/when-god-doesnt-fix-it-confirmation. Or, if you lead a women’s ministry or small group I noticed a 5-session DVD and study guide (based on her book) is available at Amazon under the title “Learning to Walk in God’s Plan Instead of Our Own.”