WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

SoooGoood!  Pumpkin Pie French Toast!

I won this cook book from $5 meals

and love this recipe for a fun supper:

Ingredients

• 12 slices whole wheat sandwich bread 
• 3 eggs 
• 1/2 cup milk 
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin 
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• Butter and syrup for serving 
• Fresh fruit or smoothie as side 

Directions

• Set out the bread for dipping.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pumpkin and pie spice until smooth.
• Dip each side of the bread and cook on a hot, greased griddle or skillet. Flip after 1 – 2 minutes.
• Once all are cooked, serve with butter and maple. And a side of fresh fruit or bacon/sausage.  
• If freezing, let cool completely to reduce freezer burn.
• Enjoy this perfect fall “breakfast for dinner”!

30 Days to Joy: A One-Month Creative Journal

Book Description:  Joy is more than happiness. It is something you feel deep in your soul that stays with you even when circumstances get tough. With quotes and artistic prompts, this daily creative journal offers the deep, life-giving drink of joy that you need. Whether you are sketching a picture of a favorite activity, jotting down words that make you laugh, or spending time meditating on a Bible verse, you will find renewed joy in these fun and thought-provoking pages.

My Thoughts:  Since this is the season of giving and JOY I thought this one month creative journal would be a great thing to do this holiday season.  

I love the creative ways the artistic designs make me feel creative.

This is one nice journal.  It makes the holidays seem filled with more than just buying and getting.

I decided to "do" this journal for 30 days to get ready for the "holy days."

Sometimes I write scripture that go with what I'm feeling.  Or I draw a short sketch...a picture that reminds me of the scripture.  

I've even written short poetry to go with the holiday.

J is for Jesus

O is for Others 

Y is for You 

So put others first and yourself last, that's the way to spell JOY!  (disclaimer-not my original thought).  This is a great way to put your JOY into book form.  
I love this smallish and unique devotional/journal.

This creative journal would make a lovely gift.  

*This book was provided for review by Waterbrook/Multnomah*

• Diary: 112 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook; Gjr edition (October 17, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735290822
• ISBN-13: 978-0735290822
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 0.6 x 7.2 inches

{Kregel Blog Tour} Deeds of Darkness (The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon) by Mel Starr

Book Description:  When Bampton’s coroner, Hubert Shillside, does not return from a trip to Oxford, Master Hugh de Singleton is called. Concerned for his old friend, Hugh takes to the road to investigate. Travel is safer than in times hence but, out of sight of prying eyes, it is still unwise to travel alone…Hugh finds a body, stabbed and left to rot, but it is not the body he was expecting to find. Indeed, reports of pillage, attacks, and chaos on the roads out of Oxford suddenly seem rampant. Hugh must ascertain whether the incidents are random, or whether something darker is afoot. The guilty cannot afford to be caught, but what lengths will they go to to cover their tracks, and will Hugh escape unscathed?

My Thoughts:  I've enjoyed reading about Master Hugh de Singleton from his very first adventure.  

This is book 10!  I could barely believe it!  Ten chronicles of Hugh de Singleton!

This read was slightly different than the others, in the fact, that Hugh is being sought after he finds a dead body.   Hugh was traveling a lonely 

 road when he came upon a dead body that had been stabbed but this is not the body he was expecting to find.  It seems that there are many attacks but Hugh must determine if the attacks are from one individual or if this is the work of a team . . . is something sinister going on?

And when they come after Hugh will he be able to out smart him or them?

This is probably my favorite of Hugh's adventures.  Quite interesting with all the history and unsavory acts going on.  And it was quite a challenge for me to figure out what was going on.  

Well written!

*This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*

• Series: The Chronicles of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon (Book 10)
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Lion Fiction (October 31, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1782642455
• ISBN-13: 978-1782642459

Fun Friday....The Bookshop

Hinds' Feet on High Places: An Engaging Visual Journey by Hannah Hurnard (Author), Jill De Haan (Illustrator), Rachel McNaughton (Illustrator)

Book Description:  For the first time, this beloved Christian allegory is a mixed-media special edition complete with charming watercolor paintings, antique tinted photography, meditative hand-lettered Scripture, journaling and doodling space, and designs to color. As you read and connect with the story of Much-Afraid and her trials, the pages of this book become a canvas on which to chronicle your own story, struggles, and personal triumphs.

My Thoughts:  Hind's Feet On High Places is one of my most favorite books, ever!  So I was excited when Tyndale offered this engaging visual journey of Much-Afraid's story.

Much-Afraid is aptly named for she is afraid of everything and she has a disability that holds her back from everything in life.  Especially the good things from the Lord.

This is her story.  The story of overcoming through faith and love. This story is an allegory....a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.  

I love Much-Afraid's story.  A story that encourages each of us to rely on the Savior and not to rely on ourselves.

As she goes through trails and tries to climb the mountain she overcomes through His love and patience.

Such a wonderful story!

Here is an excerpt from the book:

Don't miss this wonderful book!

*This book was provided for review by Tyndale*

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Ill edition (November 7, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496424670
• ISBN-13: 978-1496424679

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

I love caramel apples in the fall!  

I needed a great dip for a get together and found this perfect dip on food.com

Directions

Ingredients

• 3 (8 ounce) boxes cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (12 ounce) bags mini chocolate chips
• 1 (8 ounce) bags toffee pieces
• 1 (20 ounce) bottles caramel ice cream topping

1. Cream together the cream cheese, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
2. In a casserole dish, spread the cream cheese mixture into the bottom of the pan.
3. Completely cover the cream cheese mixture with the chocolate chips and chocolate toffee bits.
4. Drizzle liberally with the caramel sauce.
5. Chill or serve immediately with apple slices. Enjoy.

Everyday Watercolor: Learn to Paint Watercolor in 30 Days by Jenna Rainey

Book Description:  This beautifully illustrated and inspiring guided watercolor-a-day book is perfect for beginning watercolor artists, artists who want to improve their watercolor skills, and visual creatives. From strokes to shapes, this book covers the basics and helps painters gain confidence in themselves along with inspiration to develop their own style over the course of 30 days. Featuring colorful contemporary art from Mon Voir design agency founder and Instagram trendsetter Jenna Rainey, this book's fresh perspective paints watercolor in a whole new light.

My Thoughts:  I've always had a fascination with watercolors.  And not  artistically inclined I thought this would be a great book for me to take a 30 day course.  

This is a beautiful book.  And being a beginner watercolor artist I was pleased to see how easy the author made the fun of being an artist with that little brush.

There are stroke suggestions and shape dimension exercises so that the beginner can understand how to paint. And take time to read the text and find out how colors go together.  It gives one the needed artistic application.

Of course, once you finish this book you won't be a watercolor artist but you will have gained some great hints and neat ideas on how to be a better accomplished artist in your own right.

The secret I found to this book is to practice what the author places on each page.  Practice. Practice!  And you will be better in time.

A great book for the budding watercolor artist.

*This book was provided for review by Waterbrook/Multnomah*

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (October 10, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399579729
• ISBN-13: 978-0399579721