The Messenger, a review.

I used to read historical novels all the time, but after children, my life became busy and reading for pleasure was put on the back burner. The Messenger was a true pleasure to read. I found it to be historically accurate and was delighted to even learn some interesting facts about the Quakers and the Revolutionary War.

I enjoyed the author's way of alternating between the two main characters: Hannah and Jeremiah. It kept it interesting and helped to see the contrast in the two characters lives and the way that it affected their perspective of the war and of each other.

If you enjoy history, suspense and a good read, you will most definitely will enjoy The Messenger.

Bethany House Publishers provided me a copy of the book to review, but these thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. If you would like to review books for Bethany House Publishers, please feel free to contact them at  www.bethanyhouse.com/bookreviewers.


Happy reading!!

Italian Fish Stew

I have never-ever-in-all-my-life, made a fish stew. Until tonight.

I WILL be making it again.

The whole family devoured the fish stew. Next time I will double the recipe!

A whole-hearted thank you goes to Aggie, Kitchen Play and the US Potato Board for introducing me to fish stew.

Here is our stew before we gobbled it all up:

I followed Aggie's recipe and it was delicious!

Beef, Potato and Vegetable Pot Pie

The children and I feasted on THIS the other night. My husband is traveling a lot with his new business right now and you know how it is when daddy isn't home to cook for...you end up eating fried egg sandwiches, raisins, yogurt and dry Cheerios most evenings!

So this was a treat:

I realize it looks more like a deconstructed pot pie and I suppose it is. In the original recipe, the biscuits are laid on top and baked. Since my diet right now is gluten-free, I decided to serve the biscuits on the side and I ate mine with a piece of toasted gluten-free bread. It was delicious. I think that the children actually preferred having the biscuit separate from the pie as a few of them love their biscuits with butter and jam.

This recipe is just one of many at the Kitchen Play Progressive Party sponsored this month by the US Potato Board. There is a wonderful giveaway and the deadline to enter is April 15th. So you still have time.

Marshmallow Pops - fun on a stick!

The children and I made these marshmallow pops to take to church on Sunday. The idea comes from Savory Sweet Life where Alice makes Rocky Road Marshmallow Pops. I wanted to make ours kid friendly (not all children appreciate nuts) so we sprinkled ours with rainbow sprinkles.

We made almost 40 of these and put them in the freezer until we were ready to travel to church. At lunch, we put the small styrofoam balls down in teacups and it made a lovely display on the dessert table. All the children loved them, and maybe an adult or two as well! There were lots of chocolate smiles that afternoon.

Hail!

We had hail on Saturday!

We couldn't believe it. The children were shoveling it and playing in it like snow!

Mashed Potato Casserole

It is such a privilege to be able to participate in Kitchen Play's Progressive Party. I learn so much each and every time I participate.

This month's sponsor is the US Potato Board. Ahhh! The lovely potato or should I say potatoes. Did you know there are 7 types of potatoes? See? I told you I learned something.

This Mashed Potato Casserole was quick to whip up and very tasty. I served it with top sirloin steak and a salad. This is a very impressive dish! All of my children were oohing all over it and saying, "WHAT is that Mom??" As impressive as it looks, it tastes equally good.

This can easily be made ahead of time and I think you should try it! Better yet, try it and join in the fun at Kitchen Play!

Gardens Alive! Giveaway

We love to garden around here and with five little mouths to feed, you can bet we plant as much garden as we can.

Right now I have 78 little tomato plants under lights. They are growing strong roots so they will be ready for the garden this Spring. There are also lots of pepper plants off to a good start!

I purchase seeds from many different seed companies, including Gardens Alive! 
Here's your chance to win $25 to spend at Gardens Alive. Head over to The Frugal Greenish Mama and enter to win!

I have Spring Fever, how about you?