The Midwife's Confession

My little book club (aka my little Bible study group) recently read and discussed The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain. I can't believe I forgot to take a picture!!! I read the book quickly and thought I had it all figured out all along the way.  The author succeeded in "throwing me off" several times even if I did find a few of the events a bit convenient.  In the end, I was left with a few unanswered questions and a burning desire to call one of the main characters to fill her in on a few things! Overall, I felt it was well written and fun to read.  Recommended!

Honey Mustard Chicken

Exhibit B: Ugly, Yet Tasty Honey Mustard Chicken

Honey Mustard-and-Bacon Smothered Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used tenderloins because they're thinner, and I have major issues with raw chicken ~ especially raw, THICK chicken)

salt

pepper

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/4 cup honey-mustard dressing (I used O'Charleys)

8 fully cooked bacon slices

1/4 cup shredded Mexican four cheese blend

1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.

2. Melt butter with oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add chicken, and cook 8 minutes on each side or until done. (Mine may have been just a tad extra done!) Reduce heat to medium-low; brush chicken with honey-mustard dressing. Top each chicken breast with 2 bacon slices, and sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook 2 minutes until cheese melts.

Twice Baked Potatoes

Well, I have become the master of poor photography and ugly food. I HAVE HOWEVER whipped up a few tasty things lately.

Exhibit A: Twice Baked Potatoes (ugly, yet tasty)

( I made half this recipe)

6 large baking potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups sour cream
10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated (I used mild)
1 tablespoon garlic salt
salt and pepper
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Wash the potatoes and pierce them with a fork. Rub the potatoes with the olive oil and bake for 45 minutes or until done. Remove potatoes and cut them in half lengthwise. Set aside. Reduce temperature of the oven to 350 degrees.

When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, scoop out the potato flesh into a mixing bowl. Add the milk, butter, sour cream, cheese, garlic salt, salt and pepper to taste. Mix until creamy. Spoon back into potato shells. Put crumbled bacon on top. Return potatoes to oven for 15 minutes. Gobble them up!

***I've made several different versions of twice baked potatoes through the years, but this one was definitely the best.

Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood p.128

Between Friends

Debbie Macomber tells the story of a remarkable friendship -- and tells it in a remarkable way. Between Friends is a story in which every woman will recognize herself . . . and her best friend.
The friendship between Jillian Lawton and Lesley Adamski begins in the postwar era of the 1950s. As they grow up, their circumstances, their choices -- and their mistakes -- take them invirtually opposite directions. Lesley gets pregnant and marries young, living a cramped life defined by the demands of small children, not enough money, an unfaithful husband. Jillian lives those years on a college campus shaken by the Vietnam War and then as an idealistic young lawyer in New York City. Over the years and across the miles, through marriage, children, divorce and widowhood, Jillian and Lesley remain close, sharing every grief and every joy. There are no secrets between friends . . .

***I really enjoyed this book that was written entirely in letters, journal entries, postcards, etc. between two friends. The book followed their friendship from childhood through late adulthood. Recommended!

The Truth About Disney

I made this statement while on our recent Disney trip. "The truth about Disney World is that everybody loves it and can't wait to get there, but they're miserable the whole time." Brian said, "Every child looks exhausted, and every parent looks shell-shocked". It's kind of like, "This is the happiest place on earth, and you WILL be happy no matter how tired or hot you get". This is the first year we've taken a break in the middle of our Magic Kingdom day to return to the condo to rest, cool down, etc. It was the best decision we ever made. When we went back to the park later in the day, the temperatures had cooled down a little, and we felt refreshed to enjoy the parade and fireworks. If you're planning a trip to the Land of the Mouse, I highly recommend planning a mid-day break!

Best Friends Forever

Some bonds can never be broken...Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That's what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they're both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd, while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school's scapegoat.Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weathergirl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents' house in their small hometown of Pleasant Ridge, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She's just returned from Bad Date #6 when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. "Something horrible has happened," Val tells Addie, "and you're the only one who can help."Best Friends Forever is a grand, hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure; a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It's about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep best friends together.

*** The story was pretty good, but there was too much questionable language for me! I'm not sure I'll read more from this author.

Chicken Burritos

Chicken Burritos


2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 (10 oz) can Rotel
1 (16 oz) container refrigerated mile white cheese dip
6 flour tortillas


1. Preheat oven to 350. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 5 minutes until onion is tender. Add chicken and Rotel; stir well. Microwave cheese dip according to package directions. Stir in just enough cheese dip to lightly coat the chicken.


2. Spoon about 3/4 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place burritos, seam side down, in a lightly greased baking dish. Drizzle with remaining cheese dip.


3. Bake, covered, at 350 for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes. Enjoy!


*I have tried several chicken burrito/enchilada recipes. So far, this one has been our favorite. They look so bland in the picture, but they were mighty tasty!

A Year

Dear Daddy,

I can't believe it's been a whole year. I still miss you so much and think about you every day. I look forward to the day we are together again.

Love,
Doodle Bug

One Thousand Gifts

I read One Thousand Gifts a couple of months ago. The author has such a unique way of writing. She's extremely poetic, and while I enjoyed the first couple of chapters, it was just too much for me. I found myself reading and then wondering what I had read. Often a chapter would seem just like the previous one with no new information. It is clear that Ann Voskamp loves Jesus and has such a sweet heart. I'm sure she is a lovely person, I just didn't enjoy the book very much.

Lazy Lane

That's what I really want to name this blog...or maybe "Life on Lazy Lane". There's just one tiny problem. I don't live on Lazy Lane. Here's why I think we should move there and henceforth rename the blog:


1. I just think it sounds so "homey" and inviting. Who wouldn't want to call Lazy Lane home???


2. Lazy Lane actually exists near our current home. There also happens to be a house there that I think is just perfect for us. It's just absolutely darlin'. (I actually fell in love with that house years ago before I even realized it is on Lazy Lane.)


3. The alliteration is lovely. I'm fond of alliteration. (See: Michele Murray; It's not the only reason I married him, but it sure didn't hurt his chances.)


So maybe I should change the name of the blog and just pretend...

Her Mother's Hope

I recently read Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers. As usual, I enjoyed the writing of this author. The sequel, Her Daughter's Dream, is definitely on my "list" especially since the book kind of left me longing for a resolution. A short description of the book is below if you're interested in finding out more.
The first part of unforgettable epic family saga about the sacrifices every mother makes for her daughter and the very nature of unconditional love. On the eve of the First World War, fiery Marta Schneider leaves Switzerland and her difficult childhood behind, determined to find a new life on her own terms. Barely out of her teens, Marta is haunted by a devastating loss that fuels her ambition to one day own a hotel. From the cramped quarters of a French housekeeping school to the portrait-lined halls of a stately English manor, Marta becomes a hard working domestic who has little time to dwell on what might have been. Instead, she draws her strength from what could be. Then, Marta meets Niclas Waltert, a man just as determined as she to forge a better life in a new place. Niclas captures her heart and together they endure the harshness of life as tenant farmers on the vast prairies of Winnipeg, Canada, before following the promise of the American dream and migrating to the agriculturally rich Central Valley of California. Marriage and motherhood bring both joy and heartbreak, as Marta must surrender her long-held ambitions for the sake of her husband and children, including her daughter, Hildemara, upon whose shoulders her own hopes now squarely rest. Only the strong survive and Marta is determined to raise a daughter as strong as she. But as Hildie reaches young womanhood and another war is fast approaching, those hopes become too heavy a burden for Hildie to bear. Born with a heart to serve others, Hildie pursues her calling as a nurse, something Marta can’t understand. Marta’s years of hardnosed parenting have left Hildie still hungry for her mother’s love…and now for her mother’s respect. Amid the drama of WWII, Hildie falls in love and begins a family of her own. She wants her daughter, Carolyn, never to doubt her love—but the challenges of life conspire against her vow and the only person who can come to her aid is the person she remains so desperate to please: Marta, her mother. With hallmark touches of brilliant prose and gripping characterizations, Her Mother’s Hope is a rich, moving epic about faith and dreams, heartache and disappointment, and ultimately the resilience and tenacity of love.