"Delectable Desserts" Looks Delectable

Delectable Desserts by Wendy Louise and Mary Ann Koopmann is a delightful cookbook of yummy-sounding desserts. I never learned to bake as a child and never really had the desire to learn. So I ordered this book for my daughter-in-law who loves to cook and whose cooking skills are off-the charts. However, when the book arrived, I was captivated by the beautiful, mouth-watering cover and the luscious recipes inside. I like the way the recipes are grouped by month--ensuring that any fruit used is in season. And I was intrigued by the recipes themselves--Fruit Grunt, Cheese Squares, Wild Rice Harvest Cake. Cake made from rice...who knew? I thought how much fun it would be for me to try to make a few simple desserts and surprise everyone. I think I just might have to keep this book for myself and order another one for my daughter-in-law!  5 stars!  (From my Reviews at Amazon.com--Here's the link.  Writing under the name "Avidreader") 

http://www.amazon.com/Delectable-Desserts-Best-Loved-Recipes-Season/product-reviews/1402212267/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Offerings from the Oven: A Collection of Recipes for Every Occasion

Wendy Louise's and Mary Ann Koopmann's Offerings from the Oven: A Classic Cookbook with Recipes for Every Occasion is superb.  I ordered this book because I was looking for some "fresh" recipes for my church small group meetings.  I wanted recipes that would hold up well on the drive from my home to the meeting location. 

I found "Offerings from the Oven" to be an absolutely charming and fun cookbook.  Even the cover is appealing and promises down-home comfort food.  And it delivers on that promise! 

After each recipe, the authors have added a paragraph entitled "A Conversation with the Cook," where they share tips, hints, techniques, and other inside information for that dish to guarantee your success. I really like that.  You can't go wrong because they explain or elaborate on any unfamiliar terms or tricky techniques. It's as if they are sitting right beside you guiding you all the way.   

Another feature of the book that is a real plus to me is the way it is organized. Recipes are arranged according to "Starters," "Classics," Every day meals," "Fancy dishes," etc., so you can go directly to the section that applies to your needs.

In addition, the little short poems and proverbs after most of the recipes add to the book's charm.   I tried the Spinach-Cheese Squares for a quick Saturday night supper.  It was easy and the taste was superb.  Spinach and cheese--what could be better than that?  The poem after this recipe is Popeye the Sailor Man's anthem.  It had me laughing out loud.  

I can't wait to try some of the other dishes, such as "Mom's Pork Chop Casserole,"  "Peach-Stuffed Chicken Breast," and "Rose Wine Jelly." (The authors even give instructions on sterilizing the jars to store the jelly.  Love it! ) 

This is the perfect cookbook to give to a young bride, a young person just starting out, a seasoned cook, or anyone looking for a few new recipes for self or family.   (From my reviews at Amazon.com.  writing under the name of Avidreader))

Here's the link: 

http://www.amazon.com/Offerings-Oven-Collection-Recipes-Occasion/product-reviews/1932783911/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=

       

Last Light

Terri Blackstock's Last Light is a fictional account of what it would be like to live through a world-wide crisis that plunges the entire planet back to a time before electricity.  Anything electric or that relies on electricity does not work:
no refrigeration, no transportation, no communication, etc. All technology is dead.  No one knows the cause:  terrorists? a natural disaster?  The prospects are frightening, but possible in real life--in our "connected world."  The story shows how Christians and non-believers alike try to survive in such a scenario.  Their faith is sorely tested.  The question arises:  would our own personal faith survive a similar crisis?  (This book is part of Blackstock's "Restoration" series.)

"Taming Your Tongue"

30 Days to Taming Your Tongue: What You Say (and Don't Say) will Improve Your Relationships by Deborah Smith Pegues. The author devotes chapters to learning how you can overcome the "Retaliating Tongue," the "Know it All Tongue," the "Belittling Tongue," the "Hasty Tongue," the "Gossiping Tongue," and 25 more. I know I've needed all these ways to tame my tongue at some time or another. (141 pages)

How Good is Good Enough?

"Since Nobody's Perfect: How Good is Good Enough?" by Andy Stanley shows that smart, educated, and accomplished men and women can have wrong ideas about what's needed to get into heaven. With chapters such as "Everything's Fine," "Liar, Liar," "Grading on the Curve," Stanley presents the real story of what's need to enter God's Kingdom. (94 pages)

"Humor for a Friend's Heart"

What do a former Bob Hope staff writer, executive with a major oil company, and a leader of women's retreats have in common? They're all contributors to this deliciously hilarious book on friendships. Dealing with the issue of friendship and their ups and downs, the book pulls the curtain on topics such as "friendship means never having to say you're embarrassed" and "real men do have friends." This one will definitely satisfy your funny bone. This book is compiled by Shari MacDonald. (194 pages.)

Doubts About Your Salvation?

How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian? What the Bible Says about Assurance of Salvation by Donald Whitney. If occasional doubts about the genuineness of your salvation plague you, read Whitney's book. He gives clear explanations of common issues, such as false assurance of salvation, signs of eternal life, the unpardonable sin, etc. (153 pages.)