Guide Me Home

The Appalachian mountains have a rich culture that includes a strong sense of family, faith and the land that has brought the people together.

In Kim Vogel Sawyer’s novel, Guide Me Home,  Rebekah Hardin learns the difficult lessons of loss, grief, guilt, and the acceptance of God’s forgiving grace while living in a poor, but strong of faith Appalachian farm family.  Rebekah hires on as an assistant guide for the Mammoth Cave estate, a tourist attraction near the harding farm. She is old enough to marry, yet she chooses to work in the caves  in order to earn enough money to help her parents purchase a headstone for her brother Andy.  Andy was tragically lost in an incident in the Mammoth Cave.  While working at the estate, Rebekah meets Devlin, a cartography student from the university who is focusing his senior project on  mapping the tunnels in Mammoth Cave.  Through working with the cave’s main guide, Tolly, and helping Devlin, Rebekah learns that her love of God and her faith can see her through any dark passage.  As she lives her faith, she also helps to light the love of the Lord in Devlin’s heart.

Once again, Vogel doesn’t disappoint.  Her engaging narrative, well developed characters, and
delightful setting create a story that engages the reader from page one clear through to the end.  Rebekah, is a strong willed, independent, kind young woman that the reader learns to love.  The story moves right along and is a definite page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Vogel’s book, Guide Me. Home and would strongly encourage anyone that enjoys an uplifting faith filled story read it as well.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Where I'm From

I love the beginning of the school year. Not just because of the shiny new pencils and backpacks, but because after a long summer rest it is wonderful to return to the classroom and school building to interact with my peers and students.

I split my time between English language arts classes and math classes.  Due to this, I am privileged to experience some of the most gifted teachers ply their expertise.  One such instructor teaches high school senior English.  I adore being in his classroom because not only do I get the joy of seeing his students inspired and engaged, but the enthusiasm is infectious.  

One of his first lessons this school year originated from Kentucky’s 2015-16 Poet Laureate George Ella Lyon.  Lyon created the “Where I’m From” poem. http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html  The link will take you to her website and her poem.

The assignment for the seniors was to create their own “Where I’m From” poems.  I couldn’t resist doing the same.  

Where I’m From

I am from the “Little Apple”,

A place of purple pride,

Agricultural learning, and people from

Many cultures who have come to learn but

Decide to stay.

I am from a family of faith,

German Lutherans whose

Knowledge of “this is most certainly true”

Stems from many hours of learning

And teaching Luther’s Small Catechism.

I am from Sunday dinners.

First as a small child sitting in the

Kitchen at my grandparent’s farm table,

Drinking milked down sweet coffee in grandma’s

Depression glass coffee cups. Then later,

At my parent’s house once my siblings and I were grown.

I am from soft fluffy parts in my heart.  

A bed filled with plush animals as a small child,

Melding into a myriad of cats and kittens living outside in the

Country at my childhood home, evolving into two pets residing in my

Home as an adult.

I am from angel food cake with seven minute frosting,

Choosing a favorite meal for my birthday, always mom’s fried chicken,

Homemade vanilla ice cream

so rich and creamy that a sweet film coated my lips

As I savored every last drop on the spoon.

I am from my dad’s strong hands,

Covered in scrapes and cuts

From the car’s sharp metal that he

Straightened and pounded back to perfection.

I am from homemade dresses for Christmas and Easter,

Every pattern, every design matched perfectly,

Lovingly constructed by my mother

Who stayed up all night to complete the garment  

In time to wear for church.

I am from a loving home that began

With my parents and through marriage

And children evolved into my own, and because

Of this...I am from blessed joy.

I encourage you to write your own “Where I’m From” poems.  Search your heart and memories and remember where you are from.

Ghosts from our Past Both Literally & Figuratively

When I ordered the book featured in the latest Ghostbusters movie, I really didn't know what to expect.  I am a Ghostbusters fan so I hoped it would be fun; I was not disappointed.  Andrew Shaffer did an admirable job creating a book that is fun to read, and keeps the true flavor of the storyline in the movie.

I thought the humor in the writing was well done.  The fact that the book is the same one used in the movie made the content even more enjoyable to read.  The book is "written" by Erin Gilbert and Abby L. Yates with  Andrew Shaffer.  The comments throughout the book carry the voice of the movie characters and make reading the book a journey back into the world of the movie.

Ghosts from our Past Both Literally & Figuratively upholds the claim on its cover,  the material in the book is literal and figurative.  The literal inserts include ghost accounts from various locations.  The figurative edge deals with the professional information on ghostbusting resources, classifications of Class I through Class IV ghosts, and reports about Gilbert and Yates's childhood experiences that sparked their interest in being Ghostbusters and studying paranormal events.

This book needs a specific audience.  A prior knowledge of the Ghostbuster series is a definite plus to enjoying the book.  I plan to take it to my high school classroom.  I feel many of my reluctant readers may be interested in it simply because they attended the movie.  I would recommend Ghosts from our Past Both Literally & Figuratively, to any Ghostbusters fans looking for an informative and humorous read.


FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

In Memory of Bread

Paul Graham's memoir, In Memory of Bread,  is one of the most entertaining reads I have experienced this summer.  A delightful surprise, Graham's book has taught me a wealth of information about his journey being diagnosed with Celiac disease as an adult and how he eventually learned to live, eat, and bake gluten free.

In choosing this read, I honestly did not expect to be entertained.  My daughter, recently graduated with her dietician and nutrition degrees and acquired her registered dietician licensure.  She helped me to choose this selection to read.  I did so to pass the book on to her after my review.  I expected the book to be a dry account of gluten sensitivity and diet requirements.  Well, I was most whole-heartedly wrong.  Not only was Graham's book full of information about the ideas behind the upsurge of gluten sensitivity in the United States, but his writing was full of humor and voice that I devoured the book with zeal.

I felt sympathy for him when he wrote about missing the hot bread and beers that he loved so in his past. I understood his anger when he tried to bake gluten free breads, make gluten free pastas and the attempts were complete failures that left him throwing a bit of a culinary temper tantrum.  It can happen.   I laughed out loud when he stated another attempt at a gluten free product, crepes, "made me its bitch."  Most of all I learned compassion for his circumstances.

I confess, I did not feel the true struggle someone with gluten sensitivity endures until I read Graham's memoir.  When so many gluten free products flooded the markets during the last couple years, I thought it was a bit of a marketing fad.  Healthy individuals were embracing the gluten free items as if they were a necessary alternative eating regimen.  I thought this was silly.  Now, although I do believe some choose gluten free unnecessarily, I also understand the desperate need for the products for individuals that suffer from gluten sensitivity and full blown celiac disease.  That so many products are now available is a blessing, and I am happy for them.

I certainly enjoyed In Memory of Bread, and recommend this book to anyone living with gluten sensitivity, wanting to learn more about the disease, or those just wanting to read a great piece of writing.  In Memory of Bread is a true joy.


FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Punderdome: The Game That is a "Pun of Fun"

I love puns, I love words, so it only makes sense that puns would be a joy for me.  This being said, the idea of a game built on and based on puns was a certain choice for me on the Blogging for Books website.  I laid awake, well not really, but I did check the post everyday waiting for my new box of fun to arrive.  It did and I happily opened it.  First impression, the box is attractive, the instructions were easy to understand and made learning the game easy. The object of the game is to create real groaners, awful puns.  Joy for me!

I must say one of my favorite parts of the game is the cards themselves.  There are two hundred cards and every single one has a pun on it, a pure punner's heaven!

Just a couple puns that I enjoyed right off were:

What is the most psychic type of plant?
 The Palm Tree (Ba dum dum!)
or
What did they call the bug that didn't talk about his accomplishments?
A "Humble Bee." (GROAN!)

There are also two mystery envelopes that encourage the game players to include prizes for winning the game.

That being said, actually playing the game became a bit of a problem.

There are two colors of cards, white and green.  The game players are told to take turns being the reader and read the two categories on the cards then the other players  make a pun.  The reader is then to judge the puns and choose their favorite.  The favorite one awards the pun writer with the set of cards.  The first player to acquire ten pairs wins the game.

I tried to play this game with two dynamics of players.  One set were not necessarily word aficionados.  Very literate professionals, but not  people who make puns at every opportunity.  Needless to say this group struggled with the game.  In fact, it was a total bust.

Next, I played the game with true game players and word smiths.  Those who carefully play games and strategize for optimum results.  Also word lovers that do make puns quite often.  Sadly, I did not have a much better result in the playability of this game.

This said, I feel this game has potential.  It just needs "more".  I am not certain what kind of "more" it needs, but perhaps  more details to the prompts for making puns, or maybe more parameters in the instructions.

I love the concept of the game, I love puns in general and the fact that there are 200 puns written on the cards, however, I did not love the game.  Yet, I hope the creators look into adding more to the game because I would certainly enjoy playing it with a bit more depth.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Jefferson's America

Julie Fenster's historical novel, Jefferson's American, The President, The Purchase, and the Explorers Who Transformed a Nation, is a gem for lover's of American history.  I have studied and read many historical novels, both non-fiction, and fiction, but Fenster's novel is a rare jewel in the treasure trove of  historical non-fiction.

Fenster covered the expansion of the American west through the efforts of President Thomas Jefferson and the explorers he employed.  Many know the story of Lewis and Clark and the westward expansion, but Fenster writes about many more who were elemental in creating the American expansion into the western part of the continent: teams including William Dunbar, Zebulon Pike, George Hunter, Peter Custis and Thomas Freeman.  Not only did these men brave the perils of surveying and making maps of the westward frontier but they also were charged with reporting  to Jefferson their discoveries as they journeyed across the lands rife with many challenges and foreign adversaries.  There was the Spanish Army, trying to protect their investments, and other obstacles in the way of progress.  Yet the men prevailed to uphold Jefferson's investment in the Louisiana Purchase and the United States expansion into the western areas.

Fenster does a remarkable job of telling the historical narrative in a way that is compelling and informative.  The reader is not only learning about the finesse of Jefferson's America and his time prior and including his presidency, but also the reader enjoys a very readable text that is pure entertainment all by itself.

I heartily encourage anyone who enjoys learning about American history to read Fenster's Jefferson's America.   It is a quite enjoyable and informative read.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

America's Best Breakfasts

Another cookbook, I know,  but I love them so....I try to read a variety of books for my blog but I do so love cooking!  This installment is a book by Lee Brian Schrager and Adeena Sussman titled, America's Best Breakfasts.
I love to eat out any meal but I would have to say that breakfast is my ultimate favorite.  In America's Best Breakfasts, Schrager and Sussman visit breakfast eateries throughout the United States to showcase the best offerings available from local recipes coast to coast.
I would like to live vicariously as them for this endeavor, as I would adore eating all those breakfasts in their original locations; however, thanks to their book I can recreate them in my own home.

America being the melting pot that it is, breakfast consists of many various offerings, not just bacon, eggs, and toast or cereal.  In America's Best Breakfasts there are so many options to tempt the morning palate.  A small sample of items are: hubbard squash puree with soft scrambled eggs from the Boulettes Larder in San Francisco, California, breakfast spaghetti with clams and crab  from Little Goat Diner in Chicago, Illinois, biscuits with country ham and redeye gravy from Black Smith in Houston, Texas or even malawach which is a Yemenite fried bread with resek and charif (condiments offered with the malawach) served at the 27 Restaurant in Miami, Florida.

Of the recipes in the book I created a variation of avocado toast with pickled red onions and poached eggs.  I added a few ingredients I had on hand and omitted a few that I did not have in my pantry but essentially came up with a very tasty option that was inspired by the recipe from the Plow restaurant in San Francisco, California.  So not only are the recipes in the book enticing and easy to recreate, they also spark creative ideas for additional breakfast eats.

I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying Schrager and Sussman's book, America's Best Breakfasts, and I encourage everyone to peruse their book, enjoy their adventure as they highlight the foods and locales of some of the finest breakfast eating houses and then recreate the experience in their own kitchen.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

The I Quit Sugar Cookbook:306 Recipes for a Clean, Healthy Life

     Upon first opening Sarah Wilson's book, The I Quit Sugar Cookbook: 306 Recipes for a Clean, Healthy Life, my initial thought was that I would eat any one of the foods that she included in her book.  My second thought happened to be, yep, I'd eat them, but it sure would be nice if someone else prepared them for me.

     Wilson's book is engaging and a certain delight for the reader.  The photos and illustrations are inviting.  The recipe formats are simple to follow, including clear, concise instructions that help to make the preparation of the foods error free.  After trying one recipe, which worked quite amazingly, I am eager to try more of her foods.

   However, I would not necessarily say that her recipes are for a novice cook.  The ingredients are not ones that every kitchen has on hand.  Depending on the area one lives, the ingredients may be more readily stocked, but in my hometown, where there are only three grocery store options, the ingredients were a bit of a stretch.  The preparation time is considerable.  Because she uses all parts of her ingredients, there is considerable chopping, straining, and saving ingredients for future recipes.  This is not a bad thing, but it is time consuming.  For example, I made the NoMato sauce. This sauce is primarily created from beets, carrots, shallots, celery, fresh oregano, garlic, lemon juice and some additional ingredients.  The description in Wilson's book made it sound so good that I was excited to try it out.  The sauce, when completed, looked just like a tomato pasta sauce.  It also tasted very close to tomato marinara sauce.  The sauce was just a little less acidy, more of a smooth palate experience.

My husband and I did enjoy it immensely and because I made a double batch, I have some in the freezer.  The effort to make the sauce was a definite factor.  I had to grate beet roots, carrots, celery, shallots, garlic, and other ingredients, then sauté and cook down the ingredients before blending in a blender or using an immersion blender (which is what I used).

Was the time and effort worth it? Definitely.  Will I make more of the items in the cookbook?  Certainly, I can hardly wait.  Is the cooking easy? Nope, but that's okay if you have the time.

Overall, I like the premise of Wilson's book. She promotes clean living and sustainability.  She is wholeheartedly invested in using all parts of the food and having no waste.  She even confesses to asking for strangers leftovers at restaurants, and taking home fish carcasses from a friend's dinner party to make broth.  More power to her, these things I could or would not do, yet I understand her concern for food waste.

I would suggest anyone looking for a whole foods, sugar-free oriented cookbook, check into
The I Quit Sugar Cookbook: 306 Recipes for a Clean, Healthy Life.  You will be pleased.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

The Prime: Ancient Secrets to Heal Your Brain and Gut for Spontaneous Weight Loss

The Ancient science of Ayurveda, a system of preventive medicine and health care that was developed in India more than 5,000 years ago, is the basis for

 Dr. Kulreet Chaudhardy’s book, The Prime.  Dr. Chaudhardy, is a neurologist whose early years were spent with her grandfather, an Ayurveda medicine practitioner in India.  When Dr. Chaudhardy moved to the United States with her parents as a young girl, many of the practices of her culture were abandoned in the embrace of the American culture and food habits.

While in the early years of her practice, she found that she was having health problems, and in her resolve to improve her health, Dr. Chaudhardy reestablished her practice of Ayurveda.  Her health improved and she shared her knowledge with her patients, finding that their health improved also without the use of so much “modern” western medicines.

The book, The Prime, outlines her journey in restoring her Ayurveda practices. The practices are explained to the reader so that one might also try the holistic art of Ayurveda.  Dr. Chaudhardy claims that with the practice of Ayurveda, and the realignment of the gut through use of Indian foods and herbs, excess weight will spontaneously be lost.

I enjoyed the book and the premise.  Dr. Chaudhardy speaks of simple changes that one can do to find a healthier lifestyle.  My one reservation may be the difficulty in obtaining some of the herbs and foods used, as well as accepting the change in cultural ideology, flavors and cooking.  However, in lieu of health concerns, I believe a person should consider the Ayurveda practices as a road to a healthier life style.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

The Mapmaker's Children: A Novel

I love a good historical fiction and The Mapmaker’s Children by Sarah McCoy did not disappoint.  The Mapmaker’s Children is the story of the true heroine and artist, Sarah Brown, daughter of famous abolitionist John Brown.  McCoy weaves the story of Sarah Brown and her  involvement with the Underground Railroad alongside a modern day Eden Anderson, a woman looking for her own independence from the stress of trying to have a child with her husband Jack.  

In the novel, Sarah Brown is unable to bear children due to being damaged through a childhood bout of dysentery .  She vows to make her life useful in another way by devoting her life and artistic skills to create picture maps that aid runaway slaves along the route of the Underground Railroad. Sarah meets additional real historical figures throughout the novel.  One of my favorite parts of the story was discovering  the various ways Sarah would paint her maps.

Eden Anderson finds remnants of items left in her historical home, later learning that her house was a stop for passengers on the Underground Railroad.  Throughout her discoveries, she learns that New Charleston, West Virginia is filled with wonderful people who help Eden and her husband Jack create a family of their own, a family of friends.

McCoy does an admirable job of marrying just the right amount of  true facts from Sarah Brown’s life to make the fictional character come to life for the reader.  Growing up in Kansas, I knew of the Underground Railroad, and of the famous John Brown.  However, I did not know anything of his family.  I truly enjoyed reading McCoy’s novel and discovering bits and pieces of Sarah Brown’s life in an engaging read. Now that I have read McCoy’s novel, The Mapmaker’s Children, I can’t wait to read more of her work.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review