Sunday, May 29, 2022
Recipe - Greek Yogurt Cake
This Greek Yogurt Cake is SO GOOD! According to my calculations, it’s 3 points per serving. I topped it with light whipped topping for one additional point. Next time I’ll buy some strawberries to put on top. YUM!
INGREDIENTS:
- One box sugar-free yellow cake mix
- 2 containers (5.3 ounces each) vanilla Greek non-fat yogurt
- One cup water
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Using an electric mixer, mix all ingredients together in a large bowl on medium speed until smooth. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and pour cake batter into dish. Cook for 34-38 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely. Cut into 16 servings.
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Recipe - Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 container (15 ounces) whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 jar (24 ounces) meatless pasta sauce
- 2 cups uncooked ziti
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup minced fresh basil
- Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl stir together ricotta cheese, egg, basil, and if desired, red pepper flakes; set aside. Pour pasta sauce into a 5-qt. slow cooker. Evenly top sauce with pasta; pour water over pasta. Drop heaping tablespoons of ricotta cheese mixture over pasta. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover, cook on high until heated through and pasta is tender, 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Top with fresh basil and if desired, Parmesan cheese and additional red pepper flakes; serve immediately.
NUTRITION INFO: 1-1/2 cups: 379 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 886mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Taste of Home)
Sunday, May 22, 2022
Review - The Girls in the Stilt House
AUTHOR: Kelly Mustian
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Set in 1920s Mississippi, this debut Southern novel weaves a beautiful and harrowing story of two teenage girls cast in an unlikely partnership through murder—perfect for readers of Where the Crawdads Sing and If the Creek Don't Rise.
Ada promised herself she would never go back to the Trace, to her hard life on the swamp and her harsh father. But now, after running away to Baton Rouge and briefly knowing a different kind of life, she finds herself with nowhere to go but back home. And she knows there will be a price to pay with her father.
Matilda, daughter of a sharecropper, is from the other side of the Trace. Doing what she can to protect her family from the whims and demands of some particularly callous locals is an ongoing struggle. She forms a plan to go north, to pack up the secrets she's holding about her life in the South and hang them on the line for all to see in Ohio.
As the two girls are drawn deeper into a dangerous world of bootleggers and moral corruption, they must come to terms with the complexities of their tenuous bond and a hidden past that links them in ways that could cost them their lives.
REVIEW: Such a wonderful debut novel by Kelly Mustian, but SO incredibly sad. It reminded me a lot of Where the Crawdads Sing with its setting and timeline. Being from Mississippi, I enjoyed reading about places I’ve traveled to, like Jackson and the Natchez Trace. There is so much heartache and loss in this story, but it’s beautifully written, and it grabs hold of your heart and doesn’t let go. I would gladly recommend it to everyone, and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work in the near future.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Review - The Lady’s Mine
AUTHOR: Francine Rivers
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A delightful new western romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Redeeming Love.
New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers returns to the California frontier in this sweeping, romantic tale of a displaced New England suffragette, a former Union soldier disinherited by his Southern family, and the town they join forces to save.
1875. When Kathryn Walsh arrives in tiny Calvada, a mining town nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, falling in love is the farthest thing from her mind. Banished from Boston by her wealthy stepfather, she has come to claim an inheritance from the uncle she never a defunct newspaper office on a main street overflowing with brothels and saloons, and a seemingly worthless mine. Moved by the oppression of the local miners and their families, Kathryn decides to relaunch her uncle’s newspaper―and then finds herself in the middle of a maelstrom, pitted against Calvada’s most powerful men. But Kathryn intends to continue to say―and publish―whatever she pleases, especially when she knows she’s right.
Matthias Beck, owner of a local saloon and hotel, has a special interest in the new lady in town. He instantly recognizes C. T. Walsh’s same tenacity in the beautiful and outspoken redhead―and knows all too well how dangerous that family trait can be. While Kathryn may be right about Calvada’s problems, her righteousness could also get her killed. But when the handsome hotelier keeps finding himself on the same side of the issues as the opinionated Miss Walsh, Matthias’s restless search for purpose becomes all about answering the call of his heart.
Everyone may be looking to strike it rich in this lawless boomtown, but it’s a love more precious than gold that will ultimately save them all.
REVIEW: If you’re a fan of author Francine Rivers, then I’m almost positive you will love her latest release, The Lady’s Mine. For those who don’t know, Francine writes inspirational (Christian) romance, so if you’re looking for something erotic and steamy, then this book probably isn’t the one for you. It’s a very sweet story, and I love the way the hero, Matthias, and the heroine, Kathryn, have a love-hate relationship in the beginning. I love the dynamic of those types of relationships, where they butt heads and try to deny their growing attraction for each other, which always wins in the end, no matter how much they try and fight it. I also enjoyed learning about the secondary characters in this story and their relationships. (I think it’s nice when the book isn’t solely focused on the two main characters). I recommend The Lady’s Mine to everyone, especially for those looking for a good clean read that will make your heart flutter.
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Recipe - WW Egg Salad
INGREDIENTS:
- 6 large eggs
- chives ( I used dried but fresh is great too)
- reduced calorie mayonnaise, 2 Tbsp
- Dijon mustard, ½ tsp
- salt, ½ tsp
- black pepper, ¼ tsp
DIRECTIONS: Place the eggs in a medium saucepan and pour in enough water to cover them; set the pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes; drain and place the eggs in an ice-water bath.
When the eggs are cool enough to handle, remove the shells, and chop into bite-size pieces.
Transfer the eggs to a medium bowl. Add the chives, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper; mix until blended. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.
(Recipe and photo courtesy of WW)
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Review - Reminders of Him
AUTHOR: Colleen Hoover
RATING: ★★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): A troubled young mother yearns for a shot at redemption in this heartbreaking yet hopeful story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover. After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself. The only person who hasn’t closed the door on her completely is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and one of the few remaining links to Kenna’s daughter. But if anyone were to discover how Ledger is slowly becoming an important part of Kenna’s life, both would risk losing the trust of everyone important to them. The two form a connection despite the pressure surrounding them, but as their romance grows, so does the risk. Kenna must find a way to absolve the mistakes of her past in order to build a future out of hope and healing.
REVIEW: Reminders of Him is the fourth book I've read from Colleen Hoover. So far, I haven't been disappointed with anything she's written, and she is definitely one of my favorite new authors. I would have to say that Reminders of Him is probably my second favorite of hers. (It Ends With Us is still at the top of the list). This story was very touching, and it will reach in and grab your heart and not let go. The heroine, Kenna, has been through SO much, and it seems like bad luck follows her everywhere. Several times I just wanted to scream, "Will someone PLEASE give this poor girl a break?!" But her fierce determination is so endearing, and I cheered for her throughout the entire book. I love female characters who are strong and admirable, and Kenna is certainly those things. I would happily recommend Reminders of Him to everyone.
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Recipe - Double Chocolate Pie
This is a family favorite I discovered many years ago. It's super quick and easy to prepare too. I hope you enjoy it!
- 1-1/2 cups cold fat-free milk, divided
- 1 package (1.4 ounces) sugar-free instant chocolate fudge pudding mix
- 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed, divided
- 1 reduced-fat graham cracker crust (9 inches)
- 1 package (1 ounce) sugar-free instant white chocolate or vanilla pudding mix
- Semisweet chocolate curls and shavings, optional
DIRECTIONS: In a bowl, whisk 3/4 cup milk and chocolate pudding mix for two minutes or until thickened. Fold in 1-3/4 cups whipped topping. Spread into crust.
In another bowl, whisk the remaining milk and the white chocolate pudding mix for two minutes or until slightly thickened. Fold in remaining whipped topping. Spread over chocolate layer. Refrigerate for four hours or until set. Garnish with chocolate curls, if desired.
NUTRITION INFO: 1 piece: 191 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 426mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 3g protein
(Recipe and photo courtesy of Taste of Home)
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Thank you for the book donations!
Someone donated some great books to my Little Free Library yesterday. (If you’re reading this, THANK YOU!) If you see something you’d like to have, please come get it.
TITLE: Angel Falls
Sunday, May 1, 2022
Review - Angel Falls
AUTHOR: Kristin Hannah
RATING: ★★★★
Summary (from Goodreads): Nestled into the hills of the Northern Cascade Mountains in Washington state, Liam and Mike (Michaela) Campbell have a picture-perfect marriage and family. While Liam enjoys the comforts of being a small-town doctor with an old family name, Mike cares for their two children and her beloved horses. But when a horrible accident leaves Mike in a coma, Liam frantically searches for a way to ignite her memories and awaken her. What he discovers makes him question the foundations of their love, as Mike has a secret past as "Kayla" and a previous marriage to her first love, Julian True. Though still in a coma, Mike responds to these stories. Liam knows he must contact Julian, and gamble his future on the past memories of a woman whose true identity and feelings are unknown to him.
REVIEW: I started reading Kristin Hannah's books after I fell in love with The Great Alone back in 2020, and since then I've read most of her newer releases. One thing I noticed about Angel Falls is that her writing has greatly improved since this book was published back in 2000. I enjoyed the story, but it lacked the gut-wrenching emotion I've become used to in Kristin's novels. The way her son acted after the heroine's accident was very annoying, and so was everyone calling him Bretster. Like I said, her writing has improved significantly since this book was published. I would recommend it, if you're a fan, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
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